Happy Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. My son Jack and I love to decorate for the season and also plan an epic Halloween party. Every year I make new quilts, try new recipes, and find clever ways to sew for my party. I can’t wait to share some of those ideas with all of you!

Do you have a lot of scrap fabrics laying around? I definitely do! I decided to create a quilt pattern that uses just 2 colors (whatever colors you would like to use) to create a stunning quilt. In our example I used orange and black. I used up all sorts of Halloween fabrics that I had laying around. I also didn’t mind if some of my black fabrics had orange print on them or the other way around.

Here’s a look at what the quilt ended up looking like:

Scrappy Jack Quilt

This quilt is most striking from far away because that is when you can really see the design play.

I hope you enjoy digging through your stash to create this quilt. Here are the instructions:

scrappy-jack-miniDownload

I also love sewing with wool this time of the year. A black and cream color story are perfect for a more sophisticated Halloween and I love using toweling fabric and the background.

You’ll find the instructions for these pillows and witch hat runner here (the super cute mummy was an Indygo Junction pattern a number of years ago that I just had to make).

simply-spookyDownload

This year for our Halloween party I decided to make pillowcases for the guests to take home with them. I’ve made trick or treat bags and other small things over the years, but settled on pillowcases because they have a dual purpose. They can be used in their traditional format on your bed or you can attempt to get the most candy ever if you use them as your trick or treat bag on Halloween!

I created a fun printable tag and a little sign to hang by the pillowcases for guests to take as they leave the party.

I’ve included those printables for you to use as well.

sweet-dreams-tags-and-signDownload

My absolute favorite pillowcase instructions are from the www.allpeoplequilt.com website. It’s called the Roll It Up Pillowcase pattern, and I love that all of your seams are encased meaning no fraying threads as you wash your pillowcases!

This year I also tried a new drink recipe from www.thesweetestoccasion.com it is Caramel Apple Sangria. It was so easy to make ahead, which I love when you’re planning a party.

Check out the full recipe on her blog, but here are the basic ingredients:

5 ingredients

Produce

• 4 Apples

Condiments

• 1/4 cup Caramel syrup

Drinks

• 8 cups Apple cider, fresh

Beer, Wine & Liquor

• 1 cup Unflavored or caramel vodka
• 1 1 liter bottle White wine

Here is a link to her full recipe: https://thesweetestoccasion.com/2015/10/caramel-apple-sangria/

I hope you’ve enjoyed some of my Halloween magic for this year. I can’t wait to celebrate the holiday with my family and friends!

Too Hot to Handle- free potholder patterns for the holidays!

If you could see what the potholders in my house looked like….. oh boy would I be embarrassed! Lets just say that Jace does a good percentage of the cooking in our house and he is not too worried about whether or not the potholders look good.  I’ve given up, so to speak, and instead I’m just happy he helps make supper most nights!

I do, however, have some pretty potholders that I take out when I want the kitchen to look good! Take a look at my Potholder Posse!

Five different potholder designs from the super easy to a bit more piecing.  One even has a pocket for sliding your hand into when you take those brownies out of the oven!

These potholders can be customized for any home by choosing different fabrics.  I happen to love the red and black color scheme for the holidays.  Dig into your stash and I bet you’ll find all sorts of options to make as gifts this holiday season!

Click on the link below to download the pattern.  Enjoy!

potholder posse pattern

Love is in the details…

I’ve heard this saying before and I believe it’s true. The month marks the end of the 4th year of a club I started called the Fabric Fan Club.  When I started this club I knew I wanted to share my love of fabric with others who had the same love.  Each month I’ve picked a fabric to send to the members along with a pattern and also a surprise gift.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun it is to find a gift for 80 or so fabric lovers every month! To package up their goodies and send them off to places throughout the country is very rewarding.   One of the gifts they give me is the freedom to design new quilt patterns and projects every year and they don’t even know what they are going to receive.  I’m able to design and my own pace and surprise them each month with the new quilt patterns. That blind faith that they will like what they get- whether it’s the fabric, gift, or pattern is pretty awesome.

Here’s a peek into what I sent this month.

As this year winds down it’s time for me to start thinking about what next year will bring.  I’ve decided to make 2019 a Mystery Quilt with additional bonus projects throughout the year.  “Piece by Piece” is what this year’s Fabric Fan Club will be called and I’m excited to get started.  This year will still feature a fat quarter of fabric, a gift, and the Mystery Quilt pattern.  On top of that, Club Members also get a coupon for 20% off their fabric purchases on one day each month.  It really is for the fabric lover at heart!

You can read more about it on our website, or give us a call at the shop and we’ll fill you in.

Today I’m sharing one of the projects from 2017 with all of you.  The Let It Bee Runner was one of the most popular that year and I can’t wait to remake it in fabrics that we have at the shop now.

And click on the link below to download the free pattern.  I hope you enjoy sewing this fun table runner, and I hope you’ll consider joining me in 2019 for another fun year of Fabric Fan Club!

let it bee runner

Week Ten plus Party Animal Birthday!

It’s the final week for new blocks in our Moda Sampler Shuffle! What a fantastic adventure we’ve had creating new blocks every week.  I’m excited to move on to the next phase of this project and I hope you are too.  Here’s Week Ten!

Week Ten was a crazy week at the Hennagir household, it was a good thing these blocks were quick and easy.  Block 28 was really fun.  I loved how they designed the layout of the tiny triangles making this block feel like it was spinning around.

Block 28

The only note I have for this block is that there is a small error in your Cutting Requirements for the Background.  You will actually need 4- 2″ squares (instead of the 2 they listed).

Click on the link below to download the instructions for Block 28

my_sampler-shuffle-block28

Block 29 was equally delightful.  Simple construction and a fun design. Plus you know I like it when I can use more than one fabric in my prints!

Block 29

I enjoyed making each of the half square triangle blocks instead of flying geese which is what it looks like at first glance.  Just be sure to pay attention to which way all of your triangles are going when you sew everything together.  Click on the link below for the Block 29 instructions.

my_sampler-shuffle-block29

And finally Block 30! This adorable appliqued flower was a great finish to my block construction.  I decided to use wool again but changed it up a little bit from the pattern.  Instead of making an applique center on my flower I opted for a vintage button.  I also omitted a leaf on the stem- two was just enough for me!

Block 30

Click on the link below for Block 30.

my_sampler-shuffle-block30

And that’s it! After weeks of following along you now have all of the instructions for putting together our Sampler.  This doesn’t mean I’m done posting about this fun quilt.  I’ll keep you updated on the progress of my quilt as I continue sewing together my setting squares, inner border, and outer border.  Speaking of which, do you still have your copies of those instructions?  If you’ve misplaced them along the way here they are again.

my_sampler-shuffle-inner-border

sampler-shuffle_pattern

Now back to that crazy week I had.  Last week we celebrated Lola’s 2nd birthday and as I overheard my son say, “we take parties seriously at this house.”  He’s right- I do love to throw a party! I will also admit that my party planning got in the way of me getting the blocks posted earlier than today too.  It was mainly because I decided on Wednesday that I needed a quilt for a tablecloth for Sunday.  Lola’s party was a “party animal” theme thanks to these adorable invites that I found on Shutterfly.com

I had also viewed a lot of adorable party animal ideas on Pinterest including adding party hats to plastic animals for a centerpiece.  They were so easy to make- just a little paper, hot glue, and a pompom and you’re done.

I knew we had the perfect fabric at the shop to match this idea and it kept haunting me to make something out of it.  I could have just cut a piece off of the bolt, but then it wouldn’t have been long enough for my table.  So, overachiever that I am, I decided to make up a quilt pattern and sew up a new quilt!

And what would a party animals party be without animals?  I couldn’t resist these inflatable animals that I found on Amazon.com.  I mean seriously a 60″ giraffe?  We opened it up and inflated it a couple days before the party to make sure it would work and Lola was thrilled! She kept walking by it saying “hi giraffe, love you”.  Tape on a party hat and he was ready to party along with his zebra and monkey friends.

This girl is all about donuts.  No cake or cupcakes could compete for her attention which is fine by me.  The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!

So now that the presents have been opened and the donuts eaten, Lola is happy to share her new quilt with the shop for you all to see.

My kids know the drill, mom makes quilts for them but shares them with the ladies at work first.  And since I already did all of the math, here are the instructions for making the quilt as well.  Enjoy!

party animal quilt

We’re halfway there! Moda Sampler Shuffle 13, 14, 15!

This week marks the middle of our journey on the Moda Sampler Shuffle with blocks 13, 14, & 15.  I am excited to say this was my favorite week thus far! I loved making each of these blocks and I think you will too.

Moda Sampler Shuffle Week 5

First off, I was excited by the new block designs and their versatility. Second, I was anxious to use some new prints from Zen Chic’s fabrics and these blocks were the perfect place for them.  And third, they were just fun to make!

Remember last week when I told you I was making each block just like they showed in the first picture on the pattern? Well, I changed my mind with Block 13.  I took one look at the pattern and decided I liked their second Color Option at the bottom of the pattern better.  I also thought it would highlight the cool orange fabric that I wanted to use better by using the orange as my “background” and the light as my “print”.

Moda Sampler Shuffle Block 13

When I was done making this block I was surprised by how much the light fabric still showed up.  I thought for sure it was going to read as more of a darker block than it did. Either way I’m pretty happy with the results.

Click on the link below for the Block 13 instructions designed by Bunny Hill Designs.

my_sampler-shuffle-block13

Block 14 was equally interesting, especially when it came to picking out my fabrics.  The larger 2 1/2″ blocks allowed me to use a bigger print again, which I like.

Moda Sampler Block Shuffle Block 14

I also love how Fig Tree & Co designed this block.  The small squares set on point are a nice touch and really create a unique finished block.  A pressing tip for this block is to press towards your print (2 1/2″ squares) when sewing the block together.

Click on the link below for the pattern.

my_sampler-shuffle-block14

And finally, my favorite block of the week: Block 15!

Moda Sampler Shuffle Block 15

I love a log cabin block- and this variation made my day.  It’s quite simple to piece, but I always end up loving the way they turn out.  This block also allowed me to use up a bunch of scraps that I had laying in a pile from the other blocks.  I decided to use a variety of prints and vowed not to cut a new strip for any of it. They show you 3 different options for color placement on the pattern. Mine is like the one on the bottom right hand side, if you’d like a reference.  I could have kept making more of these blocks until every scrap was used up! So much fun!!

Click on the link below for the Block 15 pattern designed by Janet Clare Designs.

my_sampler-shuffle-block15

So how are your blocks coming?  Have you started sewing?  I know many of you are following along and waiting for the perfect time to dig in and get started.  Maybe you need some fabric inspiration?  I’ve loved seeing what people are picking out- the new Mon Ami by Moda, Little House on the Prairie prints,  Christmas, Civil War, scrappy.  They are all going to turn out great!

Just so you know, it’s definitely not to late to start.  Each block only takes a little time to sew up and once you get started it is kind of hard to stop.  In fact I took a peek at next week’s blocks and I kind of want to get started right away!

If you have been sewing along- great! Last week I decided to make a bunch more flying geese units from the scraps I had left after sewing up some blocks.  Basically any time I have a 2″ strip left over I cut squares or rectangles for the flying geese.  I’m running into having quite a few orange ones- I guess that will work out somehow in the end.

As the holidays draw near I hope you can find some time to sew a bit.  I know it can be hard to squeeze it in but I’m always rewarded with a sense of accomplishment when I get a block done.  Until next time, happy sewing! – Katie

Week Four- Moda Sampler Shuffle!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I know the holidays mean we are all a bit busier, so I decided to post week four a little early.  It will give you a couple more days to sew if you get the chance.

This week was all about the fabric for me.  I decided to add in a few of my favorite fabrics, some of my own designs, to make it more personal.  Whenever I am sewing for myself or my family I try to add in at least one of the fabrics I’ve designed.  It doesn’t always work, especially if I am sewing with a certain theme like Christmas since most of my fabrics have been brights and baby colors.  The last project that I made was a quilt for my daughter Izzy.  She had helped pick out most of the fabrics and when it was completed she looked at me and said, “why is there baby fabric in my quilt?”  I had used a small strip of pink rattles fabric in her scrappy binding.  I couldn’t believe she picked it out so quickly.  When I told her it was one of my fabrics she was fine with it!

In Block 10 I used the orange words fabric from Giggle & Grow along with the Zen Chic fabrics I’ve been using all along.

Moda Sampler Shuffle Block 10

I loved making this block, designed by Deb Strain.  It was quick and easy and showcased the fun fabrics.  I found that if I pressed all of my seams to the light fabric, it fit together perfectly.

Click on the link below to download Block 10

my_sampler-shuffle-block10

When I got to block eleven I was a little nervous.  I had never tried piecing a block together like this one before.  The instructions were good, and I just took it one step at a time.  In the end I had a blast making this block.  I definitely learned a new piecing trick with this one.  Who knew you could lay a pieced triangle unit on a square and end up with such a cool design.

Moda Sampler Shuffle Block 11

So much fun to try new things! Click on the link below for the Block 11 pattern designed by Brenda Riddle Designs.

my_sampler-shuffle-block11

And finally, Block 12- this one was a bit harder for me to keep accurate.  There are a lot of seams in this block.  I definitely pressed a few of them open to reduce the bulk.  One thing I love about this block is the fun you can have with color placement and value.

Moda Sampler Shuffle Block 12

I used another one of my fabrics, the blue words from Giggle & Grow, and a wild background fabric.  When you look at the pattern you’ll see that they also show you what it would look like if you reversed the values and used a dark fabric as the background and a light fabric as the print.  Play around with what you want to do.  I’m sticking with all lights for my backgrounds because I think it will work better in the finished quilt that I envision, but there’s no right or wrong way to make this quilt.  If you search for the hashtag #modasamplershuffle on Instagram you’ll see lots of variations that people are coming up with.

Click on the link below to download Block 12 instructions designed by Zen Chic.

my_sampler-shuffle-block12

Happy sewing everyone, we are almost halfway through our sew-along! – Katie

There’s nothing like a good book!

Recently I found a lovely little surprise waiting for me on my desk in my stack of mail.  It was a new children’s book called, “Gabby Quilts for Friends” and a letter explaining that is was from a new publishing company in Eugene, OR called Bambini Book Club.  I thought the cover looked cute, but I set it aside and didn’t really look at it again until later that day when I decided to take it home and read it with my kids.  Honestly, we’re sent stuff all of the time in the hope that we will order it to sell in the shop.  And most of the time we end up donating whatever was sent because it really isn’t the right fit for us.  I knew my kids would be a good indicator of whether or not it was a good book!

Let’s just say that the first time through Jack and Izzy (6 and 4) both sat silently and listened intently to the story.  It has a lovely rhyming quality that makes it easy to listen to and fun to read.  Izzy demanded a repeat performance right away and then it was whisked away to her room to be one of her bedtime stories for the night.

As a quilter, I love this story about a little girl who decides to make a quilt for herself to keep warm for the winter.  What I love even more is the fact that she includes her three friends’ requests in her quilt.  It teaches a great lesson to kids that we make things for others as well as ourselves.

Izzy has already requested making her own “Gabby Quilt” for her bed for the winter.  I can’t wait to see what colors and patterns she picks out and which of her bedtime friends will get to have a say in her design! (Lola just likes to be doing whatever Izzy is doing).

The folks at Bambini Book Club have a quick and easy downloadable quilt pattern for you to get started making your own quilt.  Visit their website, www.bambinibookclub.com for more information and to learn more about Gabby! And, you can purchase your own copy of “Gabby Quilts For Friends” here at the shop or on our website: www.baywindowquiltshop.com.

I think it would make a great Christmas gift for all those kids who love to be creative!

Introducing “Giggle & Grow” my latest fabric line!

With a new year comes new arrivals! We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of my latest line of fabric, “Giggle & Grow”, from Andover Fabrics.  My first cuts of yardage arrived about a month ago and we got busy sewing up models for the shop.  Here is a look at the panel quilt that I designed for the line.

The line was inspired by the wishes I have for my kids: to dream, love, sing, grow, and giggle.

The quilting was done by my husband, Jace, who owns StrongArm Quilting (located in the basement of the shop). I love the detail in the tree- making it look like bark.

The pattern uses a 2/3 yard piece for the center which gives you lots of possibilities.  Here is a version we made up using a line called Sapphire by Classic Cottons.

To download the pattern click on the link below.

Giggle and Grow pattern

Stay tuned for additional projects that will feature the line including the Izzy’s Quilt pattern, pillows, and maybe even a toad stool (I haven’t quite figured out how that’s going to work)!

Happy Birthday to me- free quilt pattern for you!

Hey, it’s my birthday and I like to celebrate by sharing a few gifts with others. For a limited time, I’m sharing one of my patterns with you for free. “Colossal Churn Dash” is a fun and easy quilt that is great for using up odds and ends of your stash.  I love mixing up the background fabrics to create a truly scrappy look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can click on the link below to download the pattern.

colossal churn dash pattern

And, for a little more fun I am also giving away a fat quarter bundle of birthday fabric. To be included simply send me an email to let me know you want to be registered. Send it to katie@baywindowquiltshop.com  before March 15th! I will announce the winner then- good luck!

 

 

Free Quilt Pattern!

It’s that time of year again when the shop gets flooded with new fabrics. Every day feels like Christmas when we unpack all of the boxes that are delivered, especially when they’re filled with Christmas fabrics! A couple years ago I designed a quilt that was originally titled “I Heart Alexander Henry” because I am quite obsessed with their fabrics and I never know what to make with them. The quilt, which is a great lap size or tablecloth size, uses 8 half yard cuts. It is simply made up of squares and half-square triangle blocks.

Here are two quilts that I’ve made in the past featuring their fabrics. With all of the new fabric arriving, I felt compelled to share the pattern with you.

Click on the link below to download the pattern. Enjoy!

Triangle Table Topper- I Heart Alexander Henry

Also, congratulations to Danille Curtis of Iowa for submitting the correct guess of 8 Yo Gabba Gabba figures in my Quilt Market review. She was the lucky one chosen to win this fat quarter bundle!