2-Cent Tuesday

IF YOU HAVEN’T, please follow me at my Instagram account @ivory_spring.

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Hello Friends, I hope you had a lovely Mother’s Day weekend, and that you have had a great week so far. I also hope you had enjoyed the Shades of Blue Thread Hop that happened last week over at Aurifil’s blog to celebrate my INDIGO thread collection. In case you missed it… click HERE to read! Be sure you catch all three parts.

Should you decide to purchase the thread collection, it is available HERE, HERE, or HERE!

If you like blue and white, my Norfolk quilt “fresh blue and white” edition is now available as a BOM kit. Click HERE to sign up.

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My 2-cents this week are almost too obvious, but often overlooked. Here we go…

It’s a new week – if you haven’t changed out the needle, clean and oil your machine, it’s time to do so!

I have shared my 2-cents. It’s now your turn. I am curious though… how often do you perform maintenance on your machine?

***

Friendly reminder on my upcoming FASHIONISTA Leader/Enders sewalong — it will be fun! Click HERE if you hadn’t heard about it. Get your materials ready to start on May 26!!

TO GET READY:

1. Pattern & fabric yardage information – purchase Quilters World Summer 2022 issue HERE.

Note: You may make your quilt with or without the outer border. I am going to make mine without the outer border for the sew along. So I won’t need an outer border fabric – just a jelly roll & the background fabric. Be sure to add the outer border fabric to your shopping list if you want your quilt to have an outer print border.

2. One 40-ply jelly roll of your choice – purchase HERE or HERE.

Click HERE if you want to make your own handbag quilt with the same fabrics I used.

SCHEDULE:

Week 1: Cutting (May 26)

Week 2:  Pieced strip section (June 2)

Week 3:  Handle section (June 9)

Week 4:  Catch up & Finishing up blocks (June 16)

Week 5:  Sew blocks together to make quilt center (June 23)

Week 6:  Catch up & finishing up quilt top — end of Sew-Along (June 30) with a special assignment!

That’s it for now! I hope you have a lovely rest of your week.

***

FOLLOW me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://shrsl.com/3grt0

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

2-Cent Tuesday (a day late!)

Hello Friends, I hope you have had a good week! The last couple of weeks have been more or less a zoo over here, but all’s well! Be sure to check back later today — something rather exciting is going on!

BUT FIRST, Gwen and I want to thank you for the very sweet comments you have left for her regarding her stitched sampler on Aurifil’s blog. Thank you for being so gracious and taking the time to comment. Gwen loved reading every one of your comments! In case you missed it, her guest blog post on Auribuzz is HERE.

***

For today’s 2-cent, I have actually shared this in the last installment of the Heart Quilt Leaders/Enders sewalong, but I thought I would share it here in case you missed it.

For quilts that do not have cornerstones when sewing together the rows, use imaginary cornerstones!

Since my heart quilt doesn’t have cornerstones to help with keeping the alignment precise when we move from row to row, here is a trick I use to do the trick. I mark imaginary cornerstones after I sew together ONE ROW and SASHING STRIP, and before adding the next row.

I used the heat-sensitive FRIXION pen. The markings are easily removed by a hot iron. You may purchase the pen HERE.

Then you would match up and pin the seams of the subsequent row to the markings on the previous row and sashing strip combo.

Sew – and now the hearts are aligned from row to row!

That’s all for now! I hope you have a lovely day!

***

FOLLOW me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://shrsl.com/3grt0

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Norfolk Sampler QAL – Check in #4

IF YOU HAVEN’T, please follow me at my new Instagram account @ivory_spring.

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Hello Friends, today is our 4th check-in for Norfolk Sampler Quilt Along! I am loving all the sightings on Instagram. Just do a search on #norfolksampler2022, and see what quilters have done! And on that note, if you post on Instagram, ALWAYS add hashtag #norfolksampler2022 and #wendysheppard so that I can oooh and aaah over your blocks!

AND SHARE YOUR PROGRESS PICTURES – ANY PROGRESS PICTURES WILL WORK!

Before I show you my third block, let me quickly go through the QAL essentials in case you just heard about it. You may read previous blog posts HERE.

1. NO sign-up necessary. Join in anytime. This QAL runs the entire year of 2022.
2. Pattern is released in 4 installments in Quilters World magazine. Purchase the first pattern (spring 2022) installment HERE. Purchase the second pattern (summer 2022) installment HERE.
3. USE hashtag #norfolksampler2022 when posting your quilt progress picture on social media.
4. The fabrics in the original sample quilt are available HERE. The pattern will tell you exactly which fabrics to purchase, and how much to purchase.
5. I have curated a companion thread box called INDIGO to go with this project. You may purchase the threads HERE. Read about the collection HERE.

Now, back in Feb I mentioned to you the BOM kit club for Norfolk in its original fabrics sold out really quickly. I have curated for Annie’s another blue version using Moda’s Summer Breeze fabrics. The kits are NOW ready! If you want make the quilt in a fresh blue colorway, get the kits before they sell out again. Click HERE to purchase the kit. See other patterns and kits by me at Annies HERE.

***

And now for our Block #3, we are supposed to make (7) of these, but we are only make (4) for today’s check-in — because remember, this is a low stress, low demand kind of quilt along!

I am using a One Fine Day FQ bundle, by Moda. You may purchase the FQ bundle HERE.

Here are my four blocks for today. As long as you are careful in sewing and use my tips from check in #1 HERE, your blocks should turn out fine.

And my previous blocks:

I did the Math – with today’s blocks done, we are 36.5% done! Woohoo! Keep making the blocks, and pretty soon, we will have an entire quilt DONE! Till next time.

p.s. In case you missed it, here is my announcement for a new Leaders/Enders sewlong! Click HERE for the initial details.

***

***

FOLLOW me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://shrsl.com/3grt0

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Announcing FASHIONISTA Sew Along!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT: ivory_spring

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So, last week we wrapped up our #iloveleadersandenders Sew Along! I hope you have had fun making the quilt. Today, I am happy to share with you I finalized the details on our NEXT #iloveleadersandenders Sew Along! We are going to sew my FASHIONISTA Quilt. May 26th is when we start.

TO GET READY:

1. Pattern & fabric yardage information – purchase Quilters World Summer 2022 issue HERE.

Note: You may make your quilt with or without the outer border. I am going to make mine without the outer border for the sew along. So I won’t need an outer border fabric – just a jelly roll & the background fabric. Be sure to add the outer border fabric to your shopping list if you want your quilt to have an outer print border.

2. One 40-ply jelly roll of your choice – purchase HERE or HERE.

Click HERE if you want to make your own handbag quilt with the same fabrics I used.

SCHEDULE:

Week 1: Cutting (May 26)

Week 2:  Pieced strip section (June 2)

Week 3:  Handle section (June 9)

Week 4:  Catch up & Finishing up blocks (June 16)

Week 5:  Sew blocks together to make quilt center (June 23)

Week 6:  Catch up & finishing up quilt top — end of Sew-Along (June 30) with a special assignment!

This is going to be a fun sew-along! SO, get your jelly roll ready so that we can get rolling!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely weekend.

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://shrsl.com/3grt0

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

2-Cent Tuesday

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM AT: ivory_spring

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Hello Friends, I hope you are doing well! What have you been sewing? I am determined to work on my Confetti Stars quilt while I work other things. Want to sew along with me? This won’t be a formal sew along… I will just post pictures when more blocks are completed. Confetti Stars has a total of 30 blocks – you can just set a personal goal and work on the quilt at your own pace.

The Confetti Stars pattern and kits are now available for order at Fat Quarter Shop HERE.

The Confetti Stars pattern and kits are now available for order at Fat Quarter Shop HERE.

***

Here are my quick 2-cents for you this week:

Rulers with bright color markings are great for contrast when cutting!

The ruler shown in the picture is made by QuiltCut. Click HERE to view their offerings!

That’s it from me. Your turn to share your 2-cents — GO! :)

Have a great rest of your week — don’t forget, our 4th check-in for #norfolksampler2022 quilt along is this Saturday! Details HERE!

***

FOLLOW me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Leaders/Enders Sewalong Part 8 & FINAL

Hello Friends, I hope you have had a good week! Today is FINAL check-in for our Leaders/Enders Heart Quilt Sewalong! It’s been a fun sew for me, and I hope you have enjoyed it too! If you just heard about the Sewalong, you may click HERE to follow along what we have done for the last few months.

We were to complete our heart blocks, 56 of them, for the assignment from our last check-in.

For today’s assignment, we are to sew the blocks into rows, and sew the rows together alternating with sashing strips. Then, add the outer border, and we are DONE!

Since this quilt doesn’t have cornerstones to help with keeping the alignment precise when we move from row to row, here is a trick I use to do the trick. I mark imaginary cornerstones after I sew together ONE ROW and SASHING STRIP, and before add the next row. I wanted all my heart blocks to line up just right. So I went ahead and make a mark extended from the middle of the heart blocks as well.

I used the heat-sensitive FRIXION pen. The markings are easily removed by a hot iron. You may purchase the pen HERE.

Then you would match up and pin the seams of the subsequent row to the markings on the previous row and sashing strip combo.

Sew – and now the hearts are aligned from row to row!

AND THAT’S A WRAP, Friends! I have about 4 more rows to sew together before I complete the quilt. Due to current and upcoming workload, I am giving myself about 2 months to get this quilt quilted and bound! I will share a picture of my quilt when it is all completed!

Thank you for sewing along with me.

****

Our next Leaders/Enders Sewalong will be my Fashionista Quilt! Details are forthcoming, hopefully next week!

But if you want to get ready, here are what you need:

1. Pattern & fabric information – purchase Quilters World Summer 2021 issue HERE.

2. One 40-ply jelly roll of your choice – purchase HERE or HERE.

Click HERE if you want to make your own handbag quilt with the same fabrics I used.

This will be a fun sewalong! I am looking forward to it. I hope you can join me!

***

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a lovely weekend!

***

FOLLOW me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Norfolk Sampler Quilt Along UPCOMING CHECK-IN DATES!

Hello Friends, Happy Friday! I hope you have had a good week. Now that we have completed the assignments from Quilters World Spring 2022 issue for the first two blocks, I thought I would check in with you to make sure you know what to do for the next steps.

When you post pictures of your progress, always use hashtag #norfolksampler2022.

However, if you are just starting to make this quilt, NO WORRIES AT ALL! The blocks are really easy and quick to make. This quilt along is supposed to be stress-free. All you need to do to get started is to purchase the Quilters World Spring 2022 issue HERE. You may also read all the post about the quilt along HERE.

For those who have made the first two blocks, it’s time to delve into the Summer 2022 issue. Be sure to purchase the copy that has the following cover HERE.

So here are our next 3 upcoming check-in dates:

April 30 — Make 4 star blocks

May 31 — Make 3 star blocks

[Of course, I know some of the overachieving quilters amongst us will just go ahead and make all 7 blocks in a month. And that’s TOTALLY fine! You are in control of your own quilt progress.]

June 30 — Make 2 star in elongated churn dash blocks. I forgot to snap a picture of the block when I was making the quilt. But the block is the one on the front pillow. YES, there are also instructions to make these two throw pillows in the Quilters World Summer 2022 issue.

I have received questions about the cutting instructions that might cause confusion to some. Please note that the editorial team has used the same alphabets to denote fabric and cutting measurements. For example, Fabric F to cut F square.

SO the first F is the FABRIC, and the second F is the measurements for cut pieces. In other words, you would use FABRIC F to cut 4 F squares, with the squares measuring 4″. In the diagrams, the alphabets denotes measurements of cut pieces. If alphabets are used to denote fabrics, they will also start with “Fabric”.

Also, the measurements denoted by alphabets in the SUMMER issue would not be what were used in the SPRING issue. So, if you have labels for cut pieces from the SPRING issue, you will need a separate set of labels. FABRIC identification using alphabets will still be the same, but NOT the alphabets denoting measurements.

Keep these in mind, and I think you will have fun making these easy blocks!

Have a lovely weekend!

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

2-Cent Tuesday

ANNOUNCEMENT: PLEASE FOLLOW ME @ivory_spring2 and help me rebuild my 20k+ follower base ON INSTAGRAM WHILE I SORT OUT MY ORIGINAL ACCOUNT. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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It’s time for Quilter’s World Summer 2022 issue, especially if you are participating in the Norfolk Sampler Quilt Along. If you aren’t aware of the ongoing Quilt Along, click HERE for information. Our next check-in is this Thursday. And it’s NEVER too late to join.

Back to Quilter’s World Summer 2022 issue – my FASHIONISTA quilt made cover! Click HERE to purchase the issue. I have more than one projects featured in this issue.

A girl has to have her totes, purses and handbags! I am not as talented as many of you who make ACTUAL quilted bags. So, I settled for making two-dimensional ones. And I was able to make the quilt quickly with a jelly roll + background + outer border fabric!

Click HERE if you want to make your own handbag quilt with the same fabrics I used.

Click HERE if you want to shop around to find the jelly roll of your choice to make the handbag blocks!

STAY TUNED – this project is what I am mulling over for our next Leaders/Enders sewlong project! I will keep you posted.

***

And I do have 2-cents regarding Jelly Rolls for you today.

#1. Before unraveling your jelly roll, dab the raw edges with painter’s tape, or a lint roller, or a handheld vacuum to rid of fabric dust. You will end up with a cleaner cutting surface!

#2. If you have to press your strips — do just that, press and not iron & stretch so that your strips don’t end up wonky!

I shared my 2-cents. Now it’s your turn!

Thank you for stopping by! Have a lovely rest of your week!

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring2/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Leaders/Enders Sewalong Part 7

Announcement: If you are on Instagram, please follow me at my new account ivory_spring2 until I figure out my original account ivory_spring.

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Hello Friends, it’s check-in day for our Leaders/Enders Sewalong. I hope you are still holding up, and having fun with all your quilty projects third month into the year! I have turned in close to 10 magazine quilts so far.

Months ago when I was working with Marcus Fabrics to develop designs for their Aunt Grace Sew Charming fabric line, I knew I was going to make this heart quilt leaders/enders style.

And I thought — why not see if some friends would like to join in for a stress-free “not-a-race” sewalong. Join in anytime! And HERE we are for our 6th installment. Good job if you have been keeping up!

Again, I stress — there is not really a deadline to this sewalong. You make these blocks as you are working on a main project. I use the Check-in Dates to keep myself (and hopefully you) from falling way too behind while working on my magazine (main) quilts. But life happens! And I really try to make this sewalong as non-demanding as possible, because life is like a moving target over at my end.

***

And here we are, on the home stretch!!! Today’s assignment brings us to actually completing the blocks!! Last check-in date, we added the top right and left corner triangles to our heart blocks.

For today’s check-in assignment, we use the sew-and-flip method to attach 4 1/2″ Background squares to the bottom left and right corners of our blocks-in-progress. I also press my seams open. EASY PEASY!!

Complete the 56 heart blocks, and let’s check in again on April 21 in case you need to catch up. I know I need a bit of time to catch us as I have been sewing other blocks for my leaders/enders project the last couple of weeks. Then, we will be ready to put the quilt together!!

It’s been so fun sewing along with you. I hope you have had fun too! Would you be interested in another leaders/enders sew along after we are finished with our heart quilt? Let me know in the comment section.

Thank you for stopping by! I will see you on our next check-in day!

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring2/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

2-Cent Tuesday

A QUICK ANNOUNCEMENT!

If you follow me on Instagram, I am having technical difficulty accessing my original account at the moment. While I work to regain access to my original account (I hope), please search for me and follow me at ivory_spring2! Please tell your friends to do the same if you know they have followed me at ivory_spring (my original account) as well!

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Hello Friends, it’s Tuesday again! I hope you had a great start to your week! Who loves a scrappy quilt? Who else loves a scrappy RED quilt? My TO THE POINT scrappy red quilt is featured in a new book called “TWO-COLOR QUILTS”. You may purchase the book HERE.

I did a quick mental count when I made the quilt. It has more than 75 fabrics in it

And that brings up my 2-cents for this week:

THERE IS NO MISMATCH WITH FABRICS IN SCRAPPY QUILTS! THEY FABRICS ALL END UP PLAYING WELL WITH EACH OTHER! Just mix them ALL up, and see what happens!

Now it’s your turn to share your 2-cents!

***

Of course, I am not going to leave until I have announced the winner from last week’s de-stash giveaway winner. It is Sandy!!! I have emailed you for details.

Don’t worry though – I have another giveaway coming next week. This time it’s for Christmas fabrics!

***

That’s it for now! I hope you have a lovely rest of your week.

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring2/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

2-Cent Tuesday & MORE FABRIC GIVEAWAY

Hello Friends, another Tuesday, and another day for me to share my 2-cents! I hope you have been well. After a cold winter, I think spring is nudging its way at where I live! Pretty soon, it will be strawberry season! Many of you have liked making my Just Add Shortcake strawberry cake. Here is a version curated with Pat Sloan’s upcoming fabric line called Bird Song. The fabrics have a high-street Liberty look, a little from the usual bright reds that I have seen used to make this quilt!

Preorder your kit HERE.

Oh, I have also been making these scrappy blocks for reproduction quilt. Details on this quilt are forthcoming later this year. Start saving your 6″ scraps if you are interested!

***

A few weeks ago, someone asked what I use to store my fabrics. I wish I could tell you I have designer custom made storage cubes for my fabrics in my sewing room. Since I have a child I still need to put through college in the not-so-distant future, my storage cubes constitute a hodge podge of Ikea storage bookcases and cubes that were at one time used for toy or book storage. So, they are of different colors. I look around, my storage cubes and cupboards are in red, black and cream! I know…. my sewing room can never be featured in “Where Women Create” magazines!

Here are my 2-cents:

I make sure I leave about 1/4y of my storage space for each color. That way, I will have room to add fabrics as time goes on. I know… and after 5 years have gone by, it will be time for me to de-stash again, haha!

***

And now for the giveaway from destashing my solids and blacks, and we are doing this as we did before.

The giveaway box will consist of the following fabrics, mainly black prints and solids. I will add MORE if there’s room left in a USPS Priority medium box after I pack the fabrics you see. Each of those fabrics is at least 1/4y.

I will announce the winner next Tuesday from the first 10 who comment on this post.

Winner agrees to:

1. Send me a check for $36 which covers postage, after being contacted by email.
2. Upon receipt of payment, I will mail the fabrics to you

***

And that’s my 2-cents for this week. Now it’s time to share yours! Have a great rest of your week. See you next time!

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq

Norfolk Sampler QAL – Check in #2 & Giveaway

Top of the “Monday” morning to you! It’s check-in #2 for #NorfolkSampler2022 Quilt Along!! I hope you are enjoying this no-stress, low demand QAL!

From my Instagram post over the weekend:

Before I show you my second block, let me quickly go through the QAL essentials in case you just heard about it. You may read previous blog posts HERE.

1. NO sign-up necessary. Join in anytime. This QAL runs the entire year of 2022.
2. Pattern is released in 4 installments in Quilters World magazine. Purchase the first pattern installment HERE.
3. USE hashtag #norfolksampler2022 when posting your quilt progress picture on social media.
4. The fabrics in the original sample quilt are available HERE. The pattern will tell you exactly which fabrics to purchase, and how much to purchase.
5. I have curated a companion thread box called INDIGO to go with this project. You may purchase the threads HERE. Read about the collection HERE.

***

This is the block I made twice for the block in the original version.

I am making a colorful version for the quilt along.

I am using a One Fine Day FQ bundle, by Moda. You may purchase the FQ bundle HERE.

So, for our Jan 31 check-in, I made this block.

For today’s check-in, I made this block. In case you miss it, I shared tips in making these blocks in last month’s check-in post HERE.

The quilt finishes at 76″ square, with an area of 5,776 square inch. These two blocks finish at 24″ square each with a total area of 1152 square inch. By the time you finish these two blocks, you have covered 20% of the total quilt area!

And that’s it till March 31!

***

Meanwhile, don’t forget to check our Annie’s Catalog on Instagram later today for details on their February giveaway to celebrate #NorfolkSampler2022.

Have a great week, Friends!

***

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivory_spring/

My Etsy Shop (THREADS SHIP FREE to continental US): https://www.etsy.com/shop/ivoryspring 

My Online Machine Quilting Classes: https://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/instructor.html?id=16

Find all my stand-alone patterns: https://shrsl.com/337dq