Best Friend Block {Modern QAL}

October's Modern Blocks Quilt Along Block

So far in October, I have been working on making blocks. I am eager to improve my technique and skills for assembling all kinds of blocks , in different styles.
                                             
For the Modern Blocks Quilt Along Block~    
Amy,  at And Sew We Craft who hosts with the  link- up of block pictures,  reminds us that we are now half way through the year of BoM's already!   

This month's block tutorial  is presented by  Anorina,  at Samelias Mum blog.   
                  

Best Friends block  made by  Anorina @ Samelias Mum

Best Friend block-     is designed by Angela Pingel  in book  ( page 20)  Modern Blocks  compiled by Susanne Woods

I learned how to make a partial seam block in the Best Friend block.  

My block~    

Best Friend  block    made by Susie @ Susie's Sunroom

And here are my six blocks so far in the quilt along~

6 months of the Modern Blocks Quilt Along so far.... Susie's Sunroom

After seeing them together, I decided to remake last month's Esclator block in different fabrics.  (on top row, far right)   My original plan was  to use my fat quarter bundle, Stitch Floral Square  by Michael Miller , which has the red, dark blue and brown fabric.  I  now want to focus on the other colors ....

Adding the new Escalator block in~

6 months of the Modern Block Quilt Along blocks      Susie's Sunroom

I like these better.  Maybe I''ll make a quilt at the end of the BoM.

Best Friends block                 Susie's Sunroom

I enjoyed making this block... it'll be my bff this week! 

I'm off to my sewing room!

Acorns

Acorns and Pins
                                                        

Acorn Pincushion    pattern by Susie's Sunroom

This week, I was  "on pins and needles" at times,  while making up my own pattern for a fall pin cushion.  I  wanted to sew a little acorn for the top of a  small pin cushion for the fall season . Looking around  I found a few applique patterns online, and then I got the idea to try to make up my own, very simple,  paper pieced pattern.  (I am stressing simple... this is my first attempt at a paper piece design,)

Acorn Block  # SS01:  click  here for a  paper pieced  pattern  - a 3 1/2 " square block
            (free)
                                                  

Acorn pincushion   acorn design by Susie @ Susie's Sunroom

 Basic Tutorial  of how I made my little Acorn  Pincushion:  

Dimensions:       3 1/2 inches  x 3 1/2 inches x 2 inches high

Fabrics:    fall colors -various  scraps ( from my Tumbling Leaves table runner  ) Tic Tac by Andover
               background fabric- for top and bottom pattern
Side gusset:  cut piece  14 in long  x 2 1/2 in wide
Stuffing:   polyfil  or  ground walnut shell kitty litter  (I use Blue Buffalo) 

• The top and the bottom of the pincushion are the  3 1/2 in  x 3 1/2 in   acorn blocks.
• Make a top and bottom acorn block.  Remove the paper from the back after completion of the block.  
• The side is a gusset  ,  which is sewn to the top section first. Before sewing,  I laid it out  and pinned the gusset to the outer edges of this acorn block, RST aligning raw edges,    so I could see where to sew the gusset ends together.  There are corners where you can "give and take" or round off or add a little pleat, to make it fit. Just plan ahead!  Attach the gusset all the way around , after having  adjusted the length and sewing the ends together to make a loop.
• Then I pinned and sewed the bottom block to the remaining raw edge of the gusset.  LEAVE a 2 inch opening for stuffing the pincushion.  

• Turn the pincushion right side out, press it a little, and fill it.  I use a funnel to add my crushed walnut shells, propping it up inside of a Rubbermaid  container (to catch any spilling!)  (I do spill a lot!)
• After it is nice and plump , ladder stitch or slip stitch the opening to close it.  

Please note:  in the picture above, you may notice some  pieced sections in the body of the acorn (brown-gold color A and B). This is because I patched  my scraps together to make it big enough to sew with. ( I am saving that fabric for something bigger to make later!)  

A is one piece of fabric in the pattern.  B is also one piece of fabric

Acorn Pincushion     Acorn Pattern  by Susie @ Susie's Sunroom

I had fun making a little seasonal pincushion, and would love to know if anybody makes one of their own!

Email me and let me know.  (I can add a Flickr group if we get a few to share!)

And email me with any questions or if you discovered any errors...

I'm off to my sewing room!

I am linking up to~

 Paper Piecing Party @ Quiet Play

and

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop!? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

PS      
 Amy, my sister,  suggested  that I enter my Tumbling Leaves table runner in the Quilting Gallery's  Fall's Glory Quilts Vote and Giveway this week.  If you click HERE,  it will take you to Quilting Gallery and you can look at all of this week's entries for Fall's Glory quilts. You  can vote for up to 3 quilts that you like the best.  I am the last entry... at the end.   

• Voting is open Friday to Monday, October 7, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. (EDT)

 I would gladly accept any quilt love going my way!

Tumbling Leaves table runner at Quilting Gallery  Fall's Glory Quilts

The Skinny Pincushion- October's Across The Pond Sew Along

Across The Pond in October

Our Sew Along group.... come on and make something with us!
It's never too late to join in !

It's October, and time to share  with you October' s  Across The Pond Sew Along project.  It is my turn to choose the project...  and then  Amy, Amanda  and I will be sharing what we have made. 

Project for October:    the Skinny Pincushion   designed by     green bee patterns
This is a cute pincushion that will lay neatly  in front of your machine, and it is a free pattern!  (click here )

The Skinny Pincushion                         Susie's Sunroom

I picked out fabrics (from scraps) that match my sewing machine cover.

The pincushion is still "skinny" here  

I added crushed walnut shell kitty litter for my filling

I love using Blue Buffalo 100 % crushed walnut shell kitty litter for my filling in pincushions now. (I get mine at the pet store. A bag fills A LOT of pincushions.)  It helps  to sharpen pins and gives a nice weighty feeling to the cushion.

A plump (and happy)  skinny pincushion

The finished dimensions of the finished   skinny pincushion:  

10 inches long  x    2 inches wide x 1/2 inch high

This pattern is well written, easy to follow, and is a quick project to make. 

What can  be more fun than this?   

Why, making a SECOND skinny pincushion for my other sewing machine!!

A coordinating second skinny pincushion

My two skinny pincushions

Here is the Skinny Pincushion ,  laying in front of my Viking sewing machine

You may remember that I made a tutorial  for this  Snuggly Sewing Machine Cover, that was blogged at  this post.

Go on over to the Across The Pond Sew Along Flickr page to see what cute Skinny Pincushions are being made,  and to see other ATPSA projects! Then, make a skinny pincushion and put your picture into the Flickr group!
  (It's never too late to add something that you have made from this sew along! )

I am heading on over to Amanda , The Patchsmith, and Amy,  Amy Made That!, to see their creative spin on the skinny pinny!   

I'm off to my sewing room!