March Block Talk

March Block 

Even though we had another batch of snow yesterday, I can just feel the earth "waking up"  slowly, getting ready for spring to take over.

I needed  to feel some "spring" inside, so I made that cute Shamrock Coaster,  that Amanda, The Patchsmith, designed for March!  This is a FREE pattern!!

Shamrock Coaster pattern      click  here for Free Pattern
photo by Amanda, The Patchsmith

My Shamrock Coaster 

I am amazed at how Amanda can think "shamrock", and then use blocks and flying geese to create a shamrock block!!  

I used scraps for the back of the coaster  and the binding

I sewed the binding by machine, and took time to iron all of  it carefully

A 2014 Across The Pond Sew Along (Shamrock Coaster)  and a 2013 ATPSA project  (Bird pincushion)

Now, I'll share the latest Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Blocks that I have made....

Block # 13  Buckwheat:

FWSQ Block #13  Buckwheat   by Susie's Sunroom

I made this Buckwheat block using the paper pieced pattern, and just love it! 

These are going to make my quilt look more scrappy, as they are introducing some new colors... citron and a different shade of blue, in some  DS Quilts fabric by Denyse Schmidt.

Block # 14:  Butterfly at the Crossroads

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt  Block # 14  Butterfly at the Crossroads

Block #15 :  Buzzard's Roost

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt block # 15 Buzzard's Roost

Block # 16 Calico  Puzzle :

Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt block # 16  Calico Puzzle

I really like how the solid dark colors look in these blocks.

Here are the blocks laying out:

March completed blocks

I do enjoy making these blocks, in between other projects.      

  

Elaine,  The Summercrafter, is making the FWSQ in her weekly series Friday Night Block Party.   You can see a  whole bunch of  FWSQ blocks in my Flickr group here.

Before I say goodbye,  I wanted to let you know there is a  Springtime Flowers Mug Rug Swap at Quilting Gallery !    

Quilting Gallery  mug rug sign up   by March 25

Guess who designed the mug rugs for the swap?  Yes, our Amanda, The Patchsmith!  Look at these cute mug rugs!!  They just make me happy to see look at them!

This is a fun way to meet new friends from all over the world!  I am going to sign up!  

I'm off to my sewing room!

Across The Pond Sew Along ... March Project

March's Across The Pond Sew Along Project

March's Project :  Shamrocks

I have  a dose of "spring fever"  for sure...outside, we have still have snow  on the ground... it's been there  since the beginning of February.   I need something to remind me that spring is "just around the corner..."

How about a making a  new project with the Across The Pond Sew Along group?!  

March's Theme:   Shamrocks

We must have the" Luck of the Irish"  with us this month, because we have  "sew many" beautiful projects , that are available for free!  I found some great things... a little bit of everything, from basic blocks to finished project ideas!  Amanda, The Patchsmith, has some beautiful project suggestions, too.  And a free pattern for you!!

• Shamrock Block:    @ Kims Big Quilting Adventure      

photo  by  Kim's Big Quilting Adventure

• Scrappy Shamrock Block:  @  Quilting Assistant.com

pattern by Quilting Assistant.com

• A Paper Pieced Shamrock:  @  Sewhooked.com     

St Patrick Shamrock patten design by Jennifer Ofenstein

• A "Luck of The Irish" Table Topper :  @ Moda Bakeshop

Luck of the Irish Table Topper  pattern by RibbonCandyQuilts.com

• A Shamrock Coaster:  By Amanda @ The Patchsmith 

Shamrock Coaster  designed for the Across The Pond Sew Along ...for free!

Isn't this coaster stunning and cute!  Bonus: Amanda 's pattern teaches how to make Flying Geese by 2 different methods. 

• Shamrock Applique Block:  @ WeeFolkArt     see her blog for pictures and pattern

I wish I had time to make every one of these cute projects... but I decided to make the table topper first , because I don't have one for March and St. Patrick's Day.  

The "Luck of the Irish" Table Topper

Pattern:  A Moda Bakeshop pattern design by  Ribbon Candy Quilt Company  (free)

                                

Pattern design by Ribbon Candy Quilt Company and Moda Bakeshop

Fabrics:   Several  St. Patrick Day fabrics from Jo Ann Fabric
                  Kona   lime green
              Garden Pindot  white by Michael Miller

Dimensions:  30 inches x 30 inches

My Adaptations:

•      the pattern called for additional border of scrappy fabrics, but I liked this Lime Green so well that I used  it. 
• finished size:  24 inches by 24 inches
•       I used the back as the binding  ( by adding an inch to the back fabric  on all four sides, and folding and pressing it to the front.   Then I sewed the binding by machine , with my walking foot.

The Luck of the Irish Table Topper     by Susie's Sunroom

The stems of the Shamrocks are appliqued on, and then sewn with the Blanket Stitch on my machine

The back fabric.... with little gold flecks and mini shamrocks.... it continues to the front to become the binding

I quilted in the white sashes , in 1/4 inch straight lines

The directions are well written, and this project was very fun to make!  I love the bright spring colors!


You can see what other quilters have made in our Across The Pond Sew Along Flickr group, too.  Add your projects and share them with us!! 

I hope to make The Patchsmith's  Shamrock Coaster this month, too.  So stop by and see what else I make during March.

One last note, if you view my blog with Bloglovin', and haven't seen any new posts for months...  please feel free to sign up to follow my blog by email .  I am having troubles with my RSS feed, I guess.   

Linking up at :   Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                       Sew Darn Crafty       @ Sew Many Ways

I'm off to my sewing room!

                                  "Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.  "