Four Years Ago!!

Four years ago today I started my blog. It has to be one of the best decisions I have ever made! I never could have imagined back then all the amazing things that have happened. In just the last year alone I released 9 new patterns, a block of the month, my book, and my Hex N More Ruler!

To celebrate my blogiversary I'm having a giveaway! Last week I asked if you wanted patterns or fabric... and the comments were split... so you have a chance to win one of two bundles!!

I'm headed to the airport for Quilt Market! I'll be posting updates to Instagram, Facebook & Twitter!

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Giveaway time!!

TWO lucky readers will win prizes. Please note in your comment if you want to be entered to win the PATTERN Bundle or the FABRIC Bundle.

Bundle #1

A Hex N More Ruler, Toes in the Sand, Snack Time & Tiny Dancer.

Bundle #2

Fat Quarter stacks of Ty Pennington & Kona Solids, and charm packs of Briar Rose & Ride.

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The Rules

1. Leave ONE comment to enter. Make sure your contact info is in your profile or that you leave it in the comment.

2. In your comment tell me which pattern of mine is your favorite & why.

Example Comment:

My favorite is Toes in the Sand because I love all of the different blocks.

3. Please note in your comment if you want to be entered to win the PATTERN Bundle or the FABRIC Bundle.

4. Simple as that!!

You have till 9PM PST on Sunday the 19th to enter.

Giveaway Now Closed - Winners Announced Soon

Winners will be selected by True Random Number Generator.

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Tiny Dancer

I'm excited to share a new pattern with you today! Tiny Dancer!!

Tiny Dancer is another fun quilt that uses my Hex N More Ruler. It will be shipping to shops on 5/20 as soon as I get home from Quilt Market.

This quilt will be in Dear Stella's booth next week at Quilt Market!!

Quilt Details 

Fabric is Paloma by Dear Stella

Pattern - Tiny Dancer, JBQ 132

Designed by me

Quilted by Angela Walters

Started on 4/7/13

Finished on 4/20/13

Quilt measures - 60" x 76"

Tiny Dancer was inspired by Jonah! It's Ballerina's little brother with the addition of 120° Angles edges & so much more. The blocks are the perfect size to use the Hex N More!

Here is the back of the pattern. It features 5 size options. Each Fat Quarter gives you enough fabric for two blocks. If you want added variety in your blocks you can double the number and use Fat Eighths.

  I'm almost finished making Tiny Dancer from Novella by Valori Wells. -- Here are some of the cover shoot outtakes. I liked the texture of this wall... but just couldn't get the right angle.

I took a bunch on these steps... while lots of people looked at me wondering what the heck I was doing.

Detail shot... I LOVE the way the stripes look in these blocks!

This was a cool spot.

I almost used one of the photos from this location... but I just felt like there was something missing.

I knew that ideally I really wanted to shoot in a dance studio. I love how you can see the reflection of the quilt in the wood of this shot.

You can really see the amazing work that Angela did with the quilting in this shot.

I'm lucky that a certain someone has a dance studio on their grad school campus!

Me adjusting the quilt... lens cap in one back pocket & cell phone in the other!

I knew right away that this was the spot. A few more adjustments of the quilt & I had the perfect photo!

Another detail shot!

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Here are some photos of Jonah's quilt that my brother took. This is the "Baby Size" option from the pattern.

Quilt Details 

Fabric is All Hands on Deck by Dear Stella

Pattern - Tiny Dancer, JBQ 132

Designed & Quilted by me

Started on 11/3/12

Finished on 11/8/12

Quilt measures - 36" x 55"

This one with Aliyah helps you to see the size of the blocks.

I quilted straight lines 3/8" from the block edges in all directions.

You can see a peek at the back in this photo. I backed the quilt with cuddle since it is so soft.

I didn't have a lot of fabric left for the binding so I made a scrappy binding with the fabrics I had left.

One week from today is my 4 year blogiversary!! I'm thinking that to celebrate I'm going to do a giveaway. Would you prefer a bundle of patterns with my Hex N More... or a bundle of fabric?

© Blog post written by Julie Herman © Photos by Julie Herman & Brad Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Quilt Market Frenzy

It's that time of year again. Quilt Market goes from being months away... to my flight is in 9 days!! 

I've been quite busy over the last few weeks. I have a new pattern to reveal to you later this week too!!

Until then... here are some Instagram photos of what I have been working on over the last few weeks.

Binding 120° Angles

Sewing a Snack Time quilt Fabric: Artisan Batiks: Color Source 2 by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman

Sewing a Tasty Table Runner Fabric: Artisan Batiks: Color Source 2 by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman

I took a break to organize my Tula Pink fabric stash. I'm going to be using it for the Tula Pink City Sampler Sew Along.

Piecing blocks with Vanessa's new Simply Style fabric for Moda.

A detail photo of my seams pressed open. I always press my seams open. Everything lays flat that way & I find it is easier to match seams. (That being said I used to always press to the side... and I encourage my students to try both ways and do what works best for them!)

Cutting strips of Acacia by Tula Pink for Freespirit.

Preparing bindings

This is a scrappy bias binding that I made from 5 jelly roll strips of Vanessa's new Simply Style by Moda.

ok... back to sewing for me!!

© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Crochet a Zoo! - Guest Post by Megan Kreiner

Today I'd like to introduce you to Megan.  Megan is the author of "Crochet a Zoo" an amazing new crochet book just released.  Megan & I met through my brother before either of us had released our books!

With that... here is a guest post from Megan!

-Julie

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Penguins!

Hello! My name is Megan Kreiner and I am the author of the book "Crochet a Zoo". Chances are that if you quilt you probably have at least 1 or 2 (or 20) more very cool skills up your sleeve when it comes to creating amazing handmade objects and gifts. Perhaps you are a knitting-quilter, a sewing-baker, or a costume making-graphic artist. Personally, I like to peg myself as a knitting-baking-crocheter with quilting tendencies :)

Seals!

I was really excited when Julie invited me to put together a post to introduce my book “Crochet a Zoo” to the readers of her Jaybird Quilts Blog. I'm a big fan of Julie's work and was super excited to find out that Julie's "Skip the Borders" book was being released by the same publisher that gave me the green light for "Crochet a Zoo". This little coincidence came to light when I was discussing my upcoming book with my supervisor at DreamWorks Animation (who just happens to Brad, Julie's brother - small world right?).

Panda!

Crochet a Zoo features 16 adorable and fairly quick to make zoo animal and zoo keeper patterns. There’s even a few sewing details and extras included for those who like a little skill set cross over. There’s a robust basics section in the beginning with lots of pictures and plenty of illustrated assembly instructions. If you're looking to try something new, this book could be a great excuse to make the jump into yarn-related crafts.

Walrus!

If you’ve ever wanted to try out crochet or would like a book of quick gifts ideas you can put together in a pinch, then I encourage you to check out my book “Crochet a Zoo” on Amazon. And, for bonus patterns and additional resources, please visit www.mkcrochet.com! Happy Crocheting!

Grizzly & Polar Bears!

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To order a copy of Crochet a Zoo visit Megan's site, Amazon, or ask for it at your local shop!

You can find Megan on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook & More!

Megan was awesome and came out to my Skip the Borders book signing & release party at Sew Modern last year. Here are a few photos that Brad, my brother & Megan's supervisor, snapped of us! 

I hope you have enjoyed this peek into Megan's new book!



© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

Happy-Go-Lucky Table Setting

I have a cute little project called Happy-Go-Lucky Table Setting that is featured in the Summer issue of Quilts & More magazine. The project is a part of their "Scrap Lap" feature. I was given the challenge of using just 6 Fat Eights and 1/2 Yard of a neutral to make a project. The fabrics are from the Textured Basics collection by Patty Young for Michael Miller Fabrics.

Check out the Summer issue to see the pillow that Patty Young made and the wall hanging that Carrie Nelson created!

Here is my Table Setting!

I made it using my Hex N More Ruler.

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 

The coaster is big & can double as a Mug Rug.

The napkin features a scrappy bias binding!

...and the best part is that my directions are a free bonus posted to allpeoplequilt.com

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 

Here is the cover of the magazine. You can see a peek at Patty's pillow in the top right!

Used with permission from Quilts and More® 2013 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


© Blog post written by Julie Herman
For more information visit http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/