♥ Churning for You ♥

FREE VALENTINE PATTERN

Happy Valentine's! Get a vintage vibe going for @modafabrics #handmadeheartaday 2023, Today we are re-visiting our darling mini Churn Dash quilt pattern. It's a scrappy happy little quilt.  These miniature blocks (3" finished) don't need very big amounts of fabric to complete. You can probably find the fabrics you'll need in your scrap box.

A little more fabric is needed for the sashing and borders & binding -1/2 yard should do.

A  Fat Quarter is enough for backing on this wee quilt.

For Valentine's I am starting with a pile of pinks, reds and some lights for background in my blocks. Look at all that delicious Moda Fabric! This mini would be charming made up in brights, low volume, civil war, ....almost any fabric that makes you…

For Valentine's I am starting with a pile of pinks, reds and some lights for background in my blocks. Look at all that delicious Moda Fabric! This mini would be charming made up in brights, low volume, civil war, ....almost any fabric that makes your quilter's heart happy♥

You'll need to make some Half Square Triangles (HSTs) for your mini Churn Dash blocks. In this tutorial I will showcase using the Creative Grids 4 in 1 Half Square Triangle Ruler CGRBH1 to make my HSTs......But you can create your your HST using any method you like for your little quilt. As long as they will finish to 1" x 1" size .

♥♥CHURNING FOR YOU ♥♥

Valentine Mini Pattern from RockingChairQuilts.com

14 ½” x 18” finished Size

Tools: Rotary cutter, straight ruler and cutting mat

Threads to match  or any color of thread that makes you happy today☺

Fabrics:


Assorted scraps for blocks

½ yard for Border, blocks, sashing, binding:

Cutting:

Cut two 2 ½” x WOF (border)

Cut two 2 ½” x WOF (binding)

Cut three 1” x WOF (sashing)

*Cutting sizes for your Half Square Triangles in the blocks may vary depending on your preferred method of making HSTs.

Cut two 1” x WOF (blocks, cut in half at fold to make 4 pieces 1: x 21”)


Background -12” x 21” piece (or can be scrappy)

Cutting:

Cut four 1” x 21” (Blocks)

TO MAKE THE Half Square Triangles for your blocks use one of the following OPTIONS:

  1. Use your OWN preferred method to make the 48 HST units. The HSTs need to finish at 1” square when sewn into your blocks.

  2. If using the Creative Grids® Half-Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler - CGRBH1. FOR EACH BLOCK you will need to cut strips of background and prints 1 ½” x 5” and pair them RST then use your 4 in 1 ruler to cut your HST segments (see illustrated steps below) each 1 ½” x 5” strip will make 4 HSTs – enough for one churndash block. If you want 12 different blocks you can use 12 different prints with your background fabric or you could make all your blocks alike and use only one color print strip with your background strips, or any combination in between.

  3. Use triangle paper that makes 1” finished size HST.

  4. Cut three 1 7/8” x 21”, from these strips cut 24 – 1 7/8” squares then cut on the diagonal to make 48 triangles. These background triangles will then be paired with print triangles to make 4 half square triangle units (HST) for each of your 12 blocks.


Blocks – up to 12 different prints - you’ll need a piece 3 x 7 for each block

Cutting:

Cut one 1 ½” square from a variety of prints (this is the center square) you will need 12

See Step 1 under the background cutting. Whichever method you want to use to make 48 HSTs you will need to cut the same size and amount from your variety of prints as you cut have cut from your background fabric.

 I used the Creative Grids 4 in 1 ruler so I will cut a strip 1 ½” x 5” for each block I want to make.  In my sample quilt, I made two or 3 blocks from each of 5 prints until I had a total of 12 blocks

Backing – Fat Quarter will work for your backing


Sewing:

MAKE BARS AND BACKGROUND UNITS: Using the 1” x 21” background and border strips. Pair a background strip to a border strip and sew with ¼” seam allowance. Repeat to make a total of four. Cut the sewn strip sets into 48) 1 ½” segments.  They should measure 1 ½” x 1 ½” when pressed open.


here’s how we used THE CREATIVE GRIDS 4 IN  1 RULER TO MAKe HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

OR please use your go to method for HSTs

MAKING HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE UNITS (HSTs)   Pair each print 1 ½” wide strip RST (right sides together) with a 1 ½” background strip.  Use your CGR 4 in 1 ruler* to cut sets of triangles. Chain piece paired triangles using a ¼” seam along the longest edge of the triangle pair. Press open and admire your work ☺*refer to markings on the ruler OR the printed instructions that come with the ruler for placement before cutting


ASSEMBLE BLOCKS:

Place one 1 1/2" center square, 4 HSTs & 4 Bars and Background units as shown here.

Place one 1 1/2" center square, 4 HSTs & 4 Bars and Background units as shown here.

Stitch together as shown, use 1/4" seams throughout. Press and square up to 3 1/2" (unfinished size) if needed. Make 12 Blocks

Stitch together as shown, use 1/4" seams throughout. Press and square up to 3 1/2" (unfinished size) if needed. Make 12 Blocks


QUILT ASSEMBLY:

Layout your blocks in 4 rows of 3, in an arrangement that pleases you. Using a 1” x WOF sashing strip, Cut 8) 1” x 3 ½” pieces. Sew these pieces to the right side of the first 2 blocks in each row. Press toward the sashing. Sew the rows of 3 togethe…

Layout your blocks in 4 rows of 3, in an arrangement that pleases you. Using a 1” x WOF sashing strip, Cut 8) 1” x 3 ½” pieces. Sew these pieces to the right side of the first 2 blocks in each row. Press toward the sashing. Sew the rows of 3 together and press toward the sashing. Using the rest of the 1” sashing strips sew a strip between the rows as pictured.

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the sides, press towards the border

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the sides, press towards the border


Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the top and bottom. Press to the border. Layer, quilt, bind and then LOVE your quilt♥

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the top and bottom. Press to the border. Layer, quilt, bind and then LOVE your quilt♥

 

If you make this mini , we'd love to see your version, please share a photo with us:

WAYS TO SHARE a photo with us:

  • Post your photo on Instagram and tag us # rockingchairquilts and #handemadeheartaday

  • post your photo on our Facebook page- CLICK HERE to get to the Facebook page.

  • Tweet a photo @makeaquilt or tag us in your tweet @MakeAQuilt

  • send your photo in an email to us : info@RockingChairQuilts.com

  • Please use the comments area below for your comments or questions

 

Thank you for reading, until we blog again, take some time to Enjoy the Sew!® - Carol

SIGN UP HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL WHEN A NEW BLOG POST IS PUBLISHED

♥ ♥ ♥ Churning for You ♥ ♥ ♥

FREE VALENTINE PATTERN

Happy Valentine's! We are re-visiting our darling mini Churn Dash quilt pattern. It's a scrappy happy little quilt.  These miniature blocks (3" finished) don't need very big amounts of fabric to complete. You can probably find the fabrics you'll need in your scrap box.

A little more fabric is needed for the sashing and borders & binding -1/2 yard should do.

A  Fat Quarter is enough for backing on this wee quilt.

For Valentine's I am starting with a pile of pinks, reds and some lights for background in my blocks. Look at all that delicious Moda Fabric! This mini would be charming made up in brights, low volume, civil war, ....almost any fabric that makes you…

For Valentine's I am starting with a pile of pinks, reds and some lights for background in my blocks. Look at all that delicious Moda Fabric! This mini would be charming made up in brights, low volume, civil war, ....almost any fabric that makes your quilter's heart happy♥

You'll need to make some Half Square Triangles (HSTs) for your mini Churn Dash blocks. In this tutorial I will showcase using the Creative Grids 4 in 1 Half Square Triangle Ruler CGRBH1 to make my HSTs......But you can create your your HST using any method you like for your little quilt. As long as they will finish to 1" x 1" size .

♥♥CHURNING FOR YOU ♥♥

Valentine Mini Pattern from RockingChairQuilts.com

14 ½” x 18” finished Size

Tools: Rotary cutter, straight ruler and cutting mat

Threads to match  or any color of thread that makes you happy today☺

Fabrics:


Assorted scraps for blocks

½ yard for Border, blocks, sashing, binding:

Cutting:

Cut two 2 ½” x WOF (border)

Cut two 2 ½” x WOF (binding)

Cut three 1” x WOF (sashing)

Cut two 1” x WOF (blocks, cut in half at fold to make 4 pieces 1: x 21”)


Background -12” x 21” piece (or can be scrappy)

Cutting:

Cut four 1” x 21” (Blocks)

TO MAKE THE Half Square Triangles for your blocks use one of the following OPTIONS:

  1. If using the Creative Grids® Half-Square 4-in-1 Triangle Ruler - CGRBH1. FOR EACH BLOCK you will need to cut strips of background and prints 1 ½” x 5” and pair them RST then use your 4 in 1 ruler to cut your HST segments (see illustrated steps below) each 1 ½” x 5” strip will make 4 HSTs – enough for one churndash block. If you want 12 different blocks you can use 12 different prints with your background fabric or you could make all your blocks alike and use only one color print strip with your background strips, or any combination in between.

  2. Use triangle paper that makes 1” finished size HST.

  3. Cut three 1 7/8” x 21”, from these strips cut 24 – 1 7/8” squares then cut on the diagonal to make 48 triangles. These background triangles will then be paired with print triangles to make 4 half square triangle units (HST) for each of your 12 blocks.

  4. Use your OWN preferred method to make the 48 HST units


Blocks – up to 12 different prints - you’ll need a piece 3 x 7 for each block

Cutting:

Cut one 1 ½” square from a variety of prints (this is the center square) you will need 12

See Step 1 under the background cutting. Whichever method you want to use to make 48 HSTs you will need to cut the same size and amount from your variety of prints as you cut have cut from your background fabric.

 I used the Creative Grids 4 in 1 ruler so I will cut a strip 1 ½” x 5” for each block I want to make.  In my sample quilt, I made two or 3 blocks from each of 5 prints until I had a total of 12 blocks

Backing – Fat Quarter will work for your backing


Sewing:

MAKE BARS AND BACKGROUND UNITS: Using the 1” x 21” background and border strips. Pair a background strip to a border strip and sew with ¼” seam allowance. Repeat to make a total of four. Cut the sewn strip sets into 48) 1 ½” segments.  They should measure 1 ½” x 1 ½” when pressed open.


here’s how we used THE CREATIVE GRIDS 4 IN  1 RULER TO MAKe HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

OR please use your go to method for HSTs

MAKING HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE UNITS (HSTs)   Pair each print 1 ½” wide strip RST (right sides together) with a 1 ½” background strip.  Use your CGR 4 in 1 ruler* to cut sets of triangles. Chain piece paired triangles using a ¼” seam along the longest edge of the triangle pair. Press open and admire your work ☺*refer to markings on the ruler OR the printed instructions that come with the ruler for placement before cutting


ASSEMBLE BLOCKS:

Place one 1 1/2" center square, 4 HSTs & 4 Bars and Background units as shown here.

Place one 1 1/2" center square, 4 HSTs & 4 Bars and Background units as shown here.

Stitch together as shown, use 1/4" seams throughout. Press and square up to 3 1/2" (unfinished size) if needed. Make 12 Blocks

Stitch together as shown, use 1/4" seams throughout. Press and square up to 3 1/2" (unfinished size) if needed. Make 12 Blocks


QUILT ASSEMBLY:

Layout your blocks in 4 rows of 3, in an arrangement that pleases you. Using a 1” x WOF sashing strip, Cut 8) 1” x 3 ½” pieces. Sew these pieces to the right side of the first 2 blocks in each row. Press toward the sashing. Sew the rows of 3 togethe…

Layout your blocks in 4 rows of 3, in an arrangement that pleases you. Using a 1” x WOF sashing strip, Cut 8) 1” x 3 ½” pieces. Sew these pieces to the right side of the first 2 blocks in each row. Press toward the sashing. Sew the rows of 3 together and press toward the sashing. Using the rest of the 1” sashing strips sew a strip between the rows as pictured.

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the sides, press towards the border

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the sides, press towards the border


Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the top and bottom. Press to the border. Layer, quilt, bind and then LOVE your quilt♥

Add the 2 1/2" border strips to the top and bottom. Press to the border. Layer, quilt, bind and then LOVE your quilt♥

 

If you make this mini , we'd love to see your version, please share a photo with us:

WAYS TO SHARE a photo with us:

  • Post your photo on Instagram and tag us # rockingchairquilts

  • post your photo on our Facebook page- CLICK HERE to get to the Facebook page.

  • Tweet a photo @makeaquilt or tag us in your tweet @MakeAQuilt

  • send your photo in an email to us : info@RockingChairQuilts.com

  • Please use the comments area below for your comments or questions

 

Thank you for reading, until we blog again, take some time to Enjoy the Sew!® - Carol

SIGN UP HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL WHEN A NEW BLOG POST IS PUBLISHED

Candy Corn Kaleidescope Quilt

Happy Halloween! Here’s a festive quilt for you to stitch.  We’ve made ours with the CGRDBSKL CREATIVE GRIDS 45 DEGREE KALEIDOSCOPE DOUBLE STRIP QUILTING RULER if you don’t have this ruler you can use a similar 45° angled ruler (or template plastic to make a template to cut your triangle segments).

Here’s our quilt hanging in the shop for October. We used BELLA SOLIDS to make our quilt Two colors 9900 79 Ochre and 9900 60 Ivory. Scroll down for our mini-pictorial tutorial.

Here’s our quilt hanging in the shop for October. We used BELLA SOLIDS to make our quilt Two colors 9900 79 Ochre and 9900 60 Ivory. Scroll down for our mini-pictorial tutorial.

Creative Grids KALEIDOSCOPE RULER

Creative Grids KALEIDOSCOPE RULER

Need more details on cutting your shapes and block construction?

Watch Rachel Cross demonstrate the Kaleidoscope block and ruler in her video .


What you need:

·         Creative Grids Double Strip Kaleidoscope Ruler (CGRDBSKL) OR Creative Grids 45° Kaleidoscope & Dresden Plate Ruler (CGRTKAL45) or similar 45° angled ruler (or template plastic to make a template to cut your triangle segments)

·         2 ½ yards background (cream)

·         2 yards for blocks and binding (orange)

·         3 yards of backing fabric


Cut 2 1/2” strips from your fabric and sew into strip sets.

Cut 2 1/2” strips from your fabric and sew into strip sets.

Use your Kaleidoscope ruler or template to cut triangle segments from your strip sets.

Use your Kaleidoscope ruler or template to cut triangle segments from your strip sets.

Alternate your triangle segments and sew together.

Alternate your triangle segments and sew together.

Create your corner triangles by cutting 3 1/4” squares on the diagonal.

Create your corner triangles by cutting 3 1/4” squares on the diagonal.

Change the placement of your corner triangles to make the two different block styles you will need to create the kaleidoscope pattern in the featured quilt.

Change the placement of your corner triangles to make the two different block styles you will need to create the kaleidoscope pattern in the featured quilt.


vintage-halloween-witch-broomstick-boy-girl-postcard1.jpg

 

If you make this Quilt , we'd love to see your version, please share a photo with us:

WAYS TO SHARE a photo with us:

  • Add a photo in the comment section below ( you may need to log in to use this feature)

  • Post your photo on Instagram and tag us # rockingchairquilts

  • post your photo on our Facebook page- CLICK HERE to get to the Facebook page.

  • Tweet a photo @makeaquilt or tag us in your tweet @MakeAQuilt

  • send your photo in an email to me : Carol@RockingChairQuilts.com

  • If you live nearby you can pop in during SHOP HOURS each week we'll take photo of your quilt for you.

  • Please use the comments area below for comments and questions


Thank you for reading, until we blog again, take some time to Enjoy the Sew!® - Carol

SIGN UP HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL WHEN A NEW BLOG POST IS PUBLISHED

#modablockheads2 Quilt Along

Summer:  we're just hours away from the first day of Summer 2018 , Why not spend summertime days enjoying a quilt a long?

That's my plan.

It's summer 2018  & I'm a blockhead, er.....I've chosen to be a Moda Blockhead.

20180616_094747.jpg

MODA Fabric + Supplies has launched Moda Blockheads Round 2. Every Wednesday (started on June 6th,2018) a new FREE block pattern is released.  All the blocks are from Moda Designer's  and the patterns will be avaialble on their blogs.  Visit the Moda Blog HERE for all the info, links to the patterns and they even have a Blockheads Facebook group.

It's  been alot of fun for me so far.  You can make you blocks your own way , use your stash or get something new.  I have been looking for the right project to sew with the new Christopher Wilson-Tate REGENCY BLUES fabrics from Moda and BLockheads round 2 is it!

I'm using Christopher's FAT QUARTER BUNDLEand  my background is 5 yards of BELLA SOLID INDIGO 9900 218But you could also use one REGENCY BLUES FAT EIGHTHS BUNDLE and one REGENCY BLUES CHARM PACK and 5 yards of background for the BLockheads…

I'm using Christopher's FAT QUARTER BUNDLE

and  my background is 5 yards of BELLA SOLID INDIGO 9900 218

But you could also use one REGENCY BLUES FAT EIGHTHS BUNDLE and one REGENCY BLUES CHARM PACK and 5 yards of background for the BLockheads2 quilt.

Bella Solid Indigo 9900-218  .Still not sure how much fabric to gather up? CLICK HERE to go to Moda's fabric requirement guidelines and FAQ page about Blockheads Round2

Bella Solid Indigo 9900-218  .

Still not sure how much fabric to gather up? CLICK HERE to go to Moda's fabric requirement guidelines and FAQ page about Blockheads Round2

 

Block 1 is Stellar Star from Lynne Hagmeier/Kansas Troubles

clock 1 reduced.jpg

 Visit her blog for your pattern- http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/


Block 2 is Buckeye Beauty and it's from Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson of Me & My Sister Designs.

Visit their blog for your pattern - http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

BLOCK 2 Buckeye Beauty

BLOCK 2 Buckeye Beauty


BLOCK 3 Pennysylvania

BLOCK 3 Pennysylvania

Block 3 is Pennsylvania by Carrie Nelson.  Link to the Pattern HERE and stop in on the Moda Blog HERE for all the info. I like this one! It was so quick to make, and I think I  will make about 30 of them (scrappy blues) into a pleasing throw quilt

I'm a quite a happy camper (summer sew along camper) now that I have broken open my bundle of beautiful Regency Blues.  I even made a shirt out of it to wear on my next trip. I will see if I can get a picture of that.  It's in my suitcase right now and I dare not open that thing back up since I finally got it zipped ☺


Are you sewing along this summer ? Online, at your local shop, with a group or club? If you have a tale to tell, please share it in the comments below.  There are SEW many to choose from.  Whether you are sewing on your own or in a group....until we blog again, be sure to take time out to Enjoy the Sew!®

-Carol


Post Script  STILL TIME TO ENTER GIVEAWAY: If you didn't already enter our fabric bundle giveaway from my last blog post, CLICK HERE to get to that post and enter for a chance to win this bundle (ends on June 25th , 2018)

PRIZE BUNDLE : CONTEST ENDS  6 • 25 • 2018

PRIZE BUNDLE : CONTEST ENDS  6 • 25 • 2018

SIGN UP BELOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET AN EMAIL WHEN A NEW BLOGPOST IS PUBLISHED

#MODAFABRICS #AURIFILTHREAD Christmas in July Prize Bundle Giveaway

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to our winner Kathy C!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated.

HERE'S THE PRIZE BUNDLE: FAT QUARTER BUNDLE  OF SNOWFALL FABRICS BY MINICK & SIMPSON FOR MODA & AURIFIL THREADS


 “Don’t forget your mittens!”

Ooh what could be better on a hot summer afternoon than breaking open this festive bundle of holiday fabrics?  Get your summertime stitch on and get started on some holiday quilting projects. The Snowfall collection has a great holiday color palette - cool crisp blues,  fresh wintergreens, Christmas reds and creams captured  on fabric in snowflakes , candy canes, holly leaves and  happy dots.

And....... 3 BIg Beautiful spools of Aurifil thread to stitch it all together!  3210 Light Beige, 2250 Red, 2805 Light Turqoise

 

Like us on Facebook to be entered to win this prize. More ways to enter below. Subscribe to this blog- so you will know when a new giveaway begins.



This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to our winner Kathy C!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated.

On Instagram?  You can enter there too:

This giveaway ended on Sunday, July 30th, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

To read All the usual rules that apply to our regular giveaways and  sew on and sew forth CLICK HERE


 Thank you so much for reading this and being a part of our giveaway.

Until we blog again take time out to Enjoy the Sew!®- Carol

SIGN UP HERE TO RECEIVE AN EMAIL WHEN A NEW BLOG POST IS PUBLISHED:

 

#moda #aurifil Primitive Gatherings Wool & Needle IV Flannel GIVEAWAY!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED

Congratulations to our Winner Sandie S.

thanks so much to everyone for participating

BEHOLD THE MIGHTY TOWER OF FLANNEL

We've had a wonderful summer here at Rocking Chair Quilts.  I always enjoy the change of seasons we have here in Illinois. To celebrate the arrival of Fall, we are hosting this giveaway for your pleasure.

Soon we'll be enjoying fall colors and cooler temperatures, so what could be better than loading up our prize bundle with cozy Moda flannel?

Leave a comment on this blog post to enter for a chance to win this prize (ends Sept 2nd, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST).


We are giving away this fabulous fat quarter bundle of  the brand new Primitive Gatherings Wool & Needle IV - The Farmer's Son flannels to one lucky winner!

                                                               

                                                               

 The Farmer's Son Fat Quarter bundle.  How fat is it?

32 soft and cozy 100% cotton flannel fat quarters. Yes ma'am  that's a hefty bundle indeed.

..........and it wouldn't be a Rocking Chair Quilts giveaway without an appropriate trio of  matching Aurifil threads. (3 BIG Spools of  AURIFIL 50 Wt. MAKO cotton thread) 

Designer Lisa Bongean has filled her latest collection of flannels with some great colors: Bandana Blue, Milk House Cream, Barn Board and Tractor Oil Grey.  So we've selected Aurifil's  bidg spools in 3 complimentary shades to complete your prize bundle.

1158 Medium Grey   2310 Lt. Beige     2784 Dark Navy

1158 Medium Grey   2310 Lt. Beige     2784 Dark Navy

This Prize Bundle includes a 32 count Fat Quarter bundle of Primitive Gatherings Wool & Needle IV Flannels, and to make it even SWEETER- 3 spools of Aurifll Thread to match.( TOTAL MSR Value $171.49) Woot!  All entries must be received by Friday, September 2nd at 11.59  p.m. CST   We will announce the winner Saturday, September 3rd by  about 3:00 pm CST. Good luck to everyone .

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED

Congratulations to our Winner Sandie S.

thanks so much to everyone for participating

To read All the usual rules that apply to our regular giveaways and  yada yada CLICK HERE

Thank you so much for reading  this and being a part of our giveaway- Enjoy the Sew!®- Carol