Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

FEBRUARY 29, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.  Since tomorrow is April Fool’s Day, we are going to look at some “tricks” to help us with our sewing.  Sew, shall we see what type of fun we can get into!

Our first trick comes from Tulip Square and shows how to make a seemingly difficult block into a fairly easy one, one of my favorites, Card Trick!

1.  How to Make the Card Trick Quilt Block the Easy Way! A Free Tulip Square Quilting Sewing Tutorial (youtube.com)

Or another beautiful block made easy!  This is from Quilting Blocks and Patterns and shows how to make the Fool’s Square.

2.  (8) Quilting Blocks: Fool’s Square Quilt Block Tutorial – YouTube

And we all love this block, the Fool’s Puzzle.  This is from AccuQuilt and shows some tricks on how to simplify it.

3.  (8) 0426 Fool’s Puzzle Quilt Block Tutorial | Block of the Day 2023 | AccuQuilt – YouTube

Oh, and since today is Leap Day and I have an extra video for you!

From Pat Sloan, she has a wonderful Leap Day runner!  Yes, seriously!

Leap Day (youtube.com)

Have a happy Free Day full of sewing and I will see you next week!

Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.  Today we will focus on those small, tiny scraps that seem to pop every time we sew! 

Spring is coming!  Let’s celebrate by making some Simple Flower Blocks that use up those little scraps.  This is from My Sewing Room:

1. simple flower quilt block-learn to sew-scrap quilt- (youtube.com)

From Jenny Doan, a pretty Spring Dresdens Quilt.  I love the colors that she chose.

2.  Make a Spring Dresdens Quilt with Jenny Doan of Missouri Star! (Video Tutorial) (youtube.com)

And from Melody of Seasons, a fun and easy tutorial on how to make Butterfly Blocks for either coasters or as a quilt!

3.  (89) Easy Patchwork Block. Butterfly. For Beginners. Patchwork Quilt. – YouTube

That’s all for today and I will see you next Thursday!

Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

FEBRUARY 15, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Here are some fun ideas to bust the ever growing stash.  Question, how square are you?  Let’s look at some different triangles and ways to make them.  

This first one makes so much sense and it is lot easier and faster way to make HST.  I think I am going to try this!  The Only Way to Make HST, Precut and is from Sew Yeah.

1.  The ONLY Way to make Half-Square Triangles (NEW PRE-CUT) (youtube.com) 

Let’s not forget our favorite triangle, the Flying Geese. From Sugar Stitches Quilt Company, how to make 4 Flying Geese at a time.

2.  Quick and easy 4 at-a-time flying geese quilt blocks + QUILTY MATH for perfect oversized blocks (youtube.com)

  Or another way to make flying geese from Twiddletails:

3. (74) Flying Geese Four at a Time – YouTube

That’s all for today and I will see you next Thursday!

Featured

ANYTHING GOES SWAP 2024

I have created an Event called Anything Goes Swap, so go sign up now! We will take sign ups until March 31, 2024 and start swapping shortly after that.

Do you have fabric that has been sitting around since forever? Do you have duplicate tools, magazines or whatever that is just sitting there? Then, I say it’s time to pass it on! Take all these goodies, put them in a large Flat Rate box, they’re under $20 to ship, and send it on its merry way to another quilter. Who knows what goodies you might find in there? Take what you want from the box, fill it up and send it out again! Get the idea?

Great! Then let’s get started! Please, let’s do this in the US only as it is very expensive for our international members to ship back and forth to us. But if you want to do a version of it over there, please feel free to do so!

Please contact me at thepinkquilter@gmail.com to sign up. I will create a list and send it out on April 1, 2024. The box will go out shortly after that. DO NOT POST TO THE GROUP as it’s hard to find, you MUST email me to sign up. We will have a chat group set up especially for this group.

I really should not have to mention this but there are some RULES to follow:

1. Everything that goes in the box must be of good quality, something that you, yourself, would like to receive. No junk or yard sale items please. Should be sewing or craft related.

2. What comes out of the box must be replaced with something of like quality. Let’s not be greedy!

SHIPPING: You have the option of sending a regular Flat Rate Box or a regular box, whatever is within your budget. I do know that the Flat Rate Box fees have gone up recently, so a regular box is fine and may be actually a little cheaper to send.

As with all swaps, we will be posting to each other via private email. I will set a group (private email) up where we can keep track together. You must post receive and send dates along with tracking number. I will have a copy of the Master List and will be checking in to make sure that the box is on its way.

Once we have a list of players ready and we are committed to the swap, then I will send a Master List of players and their addresses. As the box comes and goes, each swapper will need to check off their name, date it, post pictures, to the group, and mail it on Mailing date and tracking must be posted to the group. The box will come back to the original sender full of goodies! Please read the Swap Guidelines for more information.

COMMUNICATION: In order to be involved in a swap, you have to communicate with everyone especially when you are sending out your swaps and receiving. We believe in giving everyone a chance to participate in swaps, but:

1. If you decide that you are not able to do the swap, please have the courtesy to let me know before the deadline, and it can be arranged.

2. If something happens during the swap and you’re not able to follow through please let us know and we can possibly help you out. We cannot help if you don’t let us know.

3. Please note that you will be given several chances to decide to stay or leave before the swap starts, and if you decide after the swap has closed, and you have not let me or the hostess know that you are not able to do the swap, you will be banned from swapping.

4. If you drop from the swap in the middle of a swap and do not let me or a swap moderator know that is cause for being banned from the group. That is not only rude but unfair to all the other swappers that are counting on you!

Thank you!

Featured

ROUND ROBIN 2024 (Long) HURRY! This swap is closing soon!!

PLEASE SCROLL ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS AND TYPE AGREE AT THE BOTTOM, ONLY IF YOU INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.

HOW TO SIGN UP: Please sign up by emailing me at thepinkquilter@gmail.com with RR2024 in the subject line, your name, address, phone number, and email. When the swap is filled, then I will PM everyone along with a list. You will be always sending to the same person until finished. The list will be posted after the swap closes.

SIGN UP DEADLINE: March 31, 2024

SEND OUT DATE FOR CENTER BLOCKS: April 30, 2024

WHAT IS A ROUND ROBIN? A round robin is usually a 12 inch block that is sent to a set number of people who then take turns adding borders to the block. It is then sent back to the owner as a finished top. This is a chance to be creative by using different techniques, such as borders, blocks, appliqué, etc.

DUE DATE FOR BORDERS: To be announced after we have at least 5-7 signups. From there on, quilt tops will be due on the first of the month and you will have two (2) months to complete each of your rounds. Hopefully, the tops will be finished within a year but do understand that things do happen that can delay it. When you finish your center block, please post a picture as we love to share and also for insurance reasons in case of problems.

Pictures are required along with tracking information. No exceptions.

SWAP GUIDELINES:

1. This year this is there no limit on the size of the center block. It can be any style or color you would like, it’s your choice. Please include scraps and a vision of what you want to see your top become. Please include a journal for others to write in as it is fun to see where it has traveled and its transformation. Please post photos as we go along.

2. It is up to the person receiving the top to decide on an appropriate border to go around the center block. Please make sure that it complements the colors the maker has chosen and styles that will match. There will be as many rounds as there are players so that everyone has a chance to create.

3. When sending the quilt top along, please make sure that it is INSURED AND THAT THERE IS TRACKING ON THE PACKAGE, as we don’t want anything to happen to our creations. Also make sure it is Flat rate shipping, if possible. Please send on the first of the month. MAKE SURE THAT YOU POST TO THE GROUP YOUR TRACKING NUMBER, YOUR NAME, WHO IT WAS SENT TO, AND DATE SENT.

4. If you find that you are having problems keeping up with the rounds, please let me know so that we can help you keep up. If we do have problems, the date can be pushed back to help, but you have to let me know ASAP! Remember, we cannot help you unless you ask for help. IF YOU BACK OUT OR DROP OUT AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SWAP, OR DO NOT RESPOND WHEN CONTACTED AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS, AND WITHOUT LETTING ME OR ANYONE ELSE KNOW, YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM SWAPPING!

5. Please keep pets and smoking to a minimum as we do have members that have allergies. Use only good quality cotton and your best sewing techniques. Be creative and have fun with the quilt but make sure that it complements the quilt.

Thank you for playing along!

Featured

SPRING STRING BLOCK SWAP 2024

ATTENTION ALL SWAPPERS! DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS FEBRUARY 15TH. YOU MUST EMAIL ME WITH YOUR ADDRESS AT thepinkquilter@gmail.com.

DEADLINE TO SEND OUT BLOCKS IS APRIL 10TH.

Let’s start planning before December turns into January 2024. Wow, the time sure does go by quickly!

Shall we try the same standard block or try a different variation on strings?

This one is really very pretty and can be found here:

https://magnoliabayquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/string-blocks-tutorial.html

I think that the maximum size should be 9.5 inches squared.

Another idea is to make postcards or mug rugs.

If you have any ideas, please post below, all suggestions are welcome.

And yes, this group was set up for swapping originally and I know that not everyone wants to swap and that is fine with me. But you do have the option of following along and making your own string blocks for yourself.

Depending on how many sign up, shall we do, if more than 6 players, 3 blocks to each person, and if we have less than 5 players, 4 blocks to each person. I think that this is a fair number, please let me know otherwise.

Please post below and also email me your choice at thepinkquilter@gmail.com before February 15th.

Thank you!

PS: We will be doing it along with our sister group, SQ String Theory.

Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned. Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Here are some fun ideas to bust the ever growing stash.  

Our first one is a short video showing how to Cut On The Diagonal:

1.  (64) Scrappy Crumb Quilt Block – How To Diagonal Cut Scraps – YouTube

Or how to use up 5 inch squares and 1 inch strips to make this pretty quilt:

2.  (64) Such a simple quilt! – 5” squares and 1” strips – make it today – YouTube

And for the finale, from Jordan Fabrics, A Sweetheart Quilt:

3.  (64) Valentine’s Day “Sweetheart” Table Runner + Pre-cut Kit Giveaway! – YouTube

That’s it for today and I will see you again next week.

Thank you for dropping by!

Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Here are a few more Valentine gift ideas. 

From Missouri Star Quilts, a tutorial on how to Make a Heart and Kisses Table Topper:

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSpGTUgxaDg

From Simply Delilah some Quick and Easy Valentine ideas:

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5v4rc1LIHY&t=402s

From Erica Arndt, Quilty Heart Ornaments:

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovRF-WI8CN0

That is all for today, and I will see you next week!

Sewing with Grandma, 2018

These pictures came up on my memories this morning and I thought I would share them with you. Annalee, Sam and I all in the studio. What a blast from the past!

We celebrated Sam’s 16th birthday today at Texas Roadhouse and as a reward he got to sit in the saddle!  We had a yummy lunch of ribs and the fixins and he had a bowl of ice cream afterwards! What a wonderful day!

Featured

BUST THE BITS AND PIECES PARTY 2024

JANUARY 25, 2024

Is your stash starting to expand and invading other areas than your sewing studio? Are your muffin bins topped and about to explode at any minute? 

Do you feel overwhelmed? Not sure how to use it or what to do with it, and almost to the point of giving it away? I feel that way too, at times!  Not to worry! I believe I have a cure for this common ailment. Let’s bust our scraps, especially those little pieces that seem to multiply when your back is turned.


Each Thursday I will find some patterns that will deal with the little pieces and even some of the larger and odd pieces that we all tend to accumulate.

Let’s look at some more Valentine projects or maybe a few Spring ideas!

Here is a fun Scrappy Heart Quilt Block tutorial from Pin, Cut and Sew:

1.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlsu78e_7wI&t=80s

Or a Simple Spring Flower Quilt Block from My Sewing Room:

2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ylVh59_2gA

And from Sew Much Moore in Store, how can you resist these adorable bunnies?  It’s really hard not to go down the rabbit hole with this one!

3.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j2RMA87EbE

That’s all for today and I will see you next week!

Remember to click the links above to watch the videos!