Barn Quilts

Lucky in Hazy Skies

Have you ever seen a Barn Quilt?  They're really popular out on the east coast where I grew up.  It's basically a huge quilt block, painted onto a massive piece of wood - like 8' x 8' - and meant to be hung on the side of a barn.

Ohio Star in Black

Flying Geese in Aqua

Sara, a very talented friend of mine, made a small one a few months back, and I was completely smitten.  I was dying for one.  So I called her up one day and she gave me a few tips to get started.  I made one, and it was love, pure and simple. 

So then I had this crazy idea:  I should make them to sell - as indoor decor.  Because if I had wanted one that badly, I figured there might be a few quilters out there who would love one as well. 
(And...you see... besides being terribly cute, I had this extra motivation:  We've been living on sub-floors for the past 5 years, and I'm truly desperate to earn some extra money for wood flooring.  =)  So I figured it might be worth a try.)

Gold Rush in Gold Shimmer

Last friday I had my first flash sale over in my Etsy Shop, and in a matter of 10 hours I had as many orders as I could fill in a month!  It was crazy.

(picture from this past sale)

I'm pretty much in-love with these Barn Quilts.  And it seems like a lot of other quilters are too! 

Each Barn Quilt is 11" x 11", and though solid wood, is lightweight enough to hang on a wall, or prop up on a shelf. 
There are 4 different styles:
1 - Lucky
2 - Flying Geese
3 - Ohio Star
4 - Gold Rush
And 6 different color options:
1 - Navy Blue
2 - Hazy Skies
3 - Gray Smoke
4 - Gold Shimmer
5 - Aqua
6 - Classic Black
And then you get to choose if you want a natural edge, or stained.  It's pretty fun stuff!

They are sold as individual Barn Quilts, or in Sets of 3 or 4.

(set of 3)

(set of 4)

Lucky in Navy

I'm doing the hustle over here to get all these blessed orders filled, and I'm loving it.  And I already can't wait for next month.

 

 

FYI...

My next Flash Sale is 4/15 @ 5pm (MST) over in my Etsy Shop (here). 

Listings will go live right at 5pm, and I will be taking a limited number of orders, so if you're thinking you might want one (or four!), be sure and mark your calendar so you don't miss out.  

They go fast!

Easy HST Strip Quilt {tutorial}

A while back my friend Sara (@saracecilquilts) posted a picture on Instagram of a quilt she made from 2.5" strips.  It was darling, and she graciously shared her cutting dimensions with me.  After doing a bit of figuring, I came up with {rough} dimensions for 3 sizes: baby, throw and twin. 
It's such a fast and fun quilt to sew together.  Not to mention, a super-cute way to use up leftover strips. (or start with a brand-new jelly roll!)

I've only made the twin size so far (I adore quilts that can be used on beds!), but plan on making many more of these quilts as my leftover strips multiply. 

The instructions below aren't super comprehensive, but you'll get the general idea. =)

 

Tutorial for:
EASY Half-Square-Triangle (HST)
 STRIP QUILT

*finished block size 7.5"

*1/4" scant seam allowance

*WOF = width of fabric

*HST = half square triangle

 

NOTES:

- I don't have calculations for how much fabric you'll need, but you can figure that out.  I used a combination of leftover 2.5" scraps, and full 2.5" x WOF jelly roll strips.  For full strips, after sewing 4 together, I sub-cut them into 8.5" squares, which made it go really fast!

-If using 2.5" strips that are WOF , you can get four (or five) 8.5" strip squares out of each full strip set (4 strips sewn together).  (4 is conservative; 5 if strips have a min. of 42.5" usable fabric)

Baby/Crib Size (37.5" x 45")

- 5 blocks across x 6 down = 30 blocks (15 squares of each - strips & solid)

Throw Size: 

60" x 75" = 8 blocks across x 10 down = 80 blocks (40 squares of each - strips & solid)

68" x 75.5" = 9 blocks across x 10 down = 90 blocks (45 squares of each - strips & solid)

Twin Size: (67.5" x 90")

9 blocks across x 12 down = need 108 blocks (54 squares of each - strips & solid)

If you can get 5 per WOF (42.5"):

-make 11 WOF strip sets,

-cut 11 WOF solid strips,

If you can get 4 per WOF:

-make 14 WOF strip sets

-cut 14 WOF solid strips

 

DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING BLOCKS:

1)  Sew (4) 2.5" strips together, trim to 8.5" squares.
2)  Cut white/solid 8.5" squares, mark line diagonally
3)  Place solid square with strip square.  Sew 1/4" on either side of diagonal line (make sure you pay attention to the direction of your strips - keep them going the same direction when you sew them to the solid square!)
4) cut apart on the drawn line, yeilding (2) 8" squares

[for info on stripe binding fabric, click here]

 

If you make one of these quilts yourself, be sure to tag us on your IG picture!

 sara (@saracecilquilts) and me @redrainbootshandmade

 

Black Stripe Binding

I'm rather obsessed with the fresh look that a black stripe binding adds to so many of the different quilts (here and here) and SewTogetherBags I've made recently.  It's my go-to binding for most projects. 

I've had been asked quite often about which stripe I use and where I buy it.
The answer is: I used 2 different stripes, and I usually buy them from fabric.com or Hobby Lobby.

small stripe

large stripe

The smaller stripe I use is by Timeless Treasures, and you can find it numerous places online.  I usually get it (here) from Fabric.com, but I also noticed Hobby Lobby carries it, too!  I buy it multiple yards at a time.   =)  It adds a bit softer contrast, while still being fresh, classic, and unexpected.

The larger stripe is Michael Miller Clown Stripe, and gives a more dramatic contrast and flare.   (Also bought here at fabric.com)

So there you go.  Now if you've been looking for some of the "famous" black stripe binding fabric, now you can get what you're looking for.



Finishing things up

This past January, I made it my goal to finish all my half-completed projects, before letting myself start new ones.  I don't know why it's so hard to get them out of the drawer and finish, but boy does it feel good after I'm done.  Kinda like cleaning bathrooms, I guess.  =) 

This baby quilt (available in my Etsy Shop) was a fun project for me to improve my paper piecing skills.  Kite Tails is a free PDF pattern by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time.

The colors are just so fresh and soft.  Perfect for a sweet baby girl, I think.

After making Audrey's purple quilt, I used leftover 2.5" strips to make this twin size quilt.  I seriously love it.  When I started quilting this one, I thought I was fairly good at FMQ (free motion quilting), but once I started in on the loop pattern, I realized how much room for improvement I have.  But I still think they are charming.  =)

This throw-size Dutchman's Puzzle quilt top has been sitting for at least 3 years.  The fabric is a mixture of Ruby (by Bonnie and Camille) and other scrappy reds and aquas.  Can you tell they are my favorite? (right up there with black stripe binding. =)

My WIP (work in progress) list is shrinking rapidly, and my Etsy Shop is re-stocked.  I work so much better when I don't have a bunch of unfinished projects hanging over my head.  How about you?
 

First-Aid Pouch - Pattern Now Available!

Wow!!  I had no idea there would be such an astounding response to the Travel First Aid pouches I posted last week!  As a result, I decided to write up the pattern, so you can make them too. 

Pattern now available in my Etsy Shop and at Craftsy.com as an instant PDF download!

 

Etsy Shop (click here for pattern)

Craftsy (click here for pattern) 

I think they would make such cute Mother's Day gifts, don't you?!

Travel First-Aid Pouches {and Giveaway!}

You know those projects you've wanted to get around to doing for a long time, but never do?  A first-aid bag (for my purse) was one of those things for me.  With 5 little kids, everywhere we go someone is getting hurt, a splinter, a scratch, or simply in need of a little TLC.  =)

A dear friend of mine is having a birthday next week, which pushed me to make one for her... then one for me... a few for my Etsy shop (you know - while I'm at it!), and one over on my Instagram for a fun GIVEAWAY! (see bottom of this post)
(And then...as I'm making 6 pouches, I wonder to myself: how does a person make just ONE of anything?  hmmm...beats me.)

I made up my pattern as I went along - which was frustrating while I was doing it.  But the multiple styles/sizes ended up being fun!  Sometimes when I sew I have to remind myself that "learning while doing" is a part of things, and to not let it frustrate me.  Of course, I learned a few valuable things along the way, and LOVED them once they were done. =)

These 2 styles (below) are available in my Etsy Shop (while supplies last).

But this little guy is for ONE LUCKY WINNER!   (Don't you just adore the blue lining with the little dogs?!)

 

- Giveaway Now Closed -
(pattern now for sale - click here)

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
Head on over to my Instagram account (click here to enter!) 

1- be sure you're following me,

2- tag as many friends as you want! 

One lucky winner will be picked this Sunday (3/15/15) at 6pm Mountain Time.

 

Good luck!