Alphabet Soup Bonus Blocks - Alternate Block I

I hope that you’ve been enjoying Alphabet Soup!

I've got an alternate version to the Alphabet Soup Block "I" that I made available as a free Bonus Block for the book.

I'm working on some Alphabet Soup projects of my own this summer. While I was planning them out I found that I wasn't loving the letter "I" as I had designed it for the book.  

When I saw the "I" on pillows or letter tiles I wanted it to have the baseline and the cap height serif. You can see the new "I" here in the first row & the original "I" from Alphabet Soup in the second row.

I still really like the original "I" in words when it's used in quilts & table runners. I'm really happy with how it looks in this quilt that I made using the Alphabet Soup book. 

And now I'm loving how the new Alternate Block I looks when it's used for pillows, letter tiles, & tote bags. 

Click here to download directions for Bonus Blocks.




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

Nova

I've got a new table topper pattern that I'd like to introduce you, meet Nova!

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Quilt Details 

Fabric is Kona Solids by Robert Kaufman

Pattern - Nova Table Topper, JBQ 175

Designed by me

Quilted by Angela Walters

Started on 11/6/17

Finished on 12/6/17

Quilt measures - 20.5" x 23"

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Quilt Details 

Fabric is Pompoms and Stripes by Tula Pink

Pattern - Nova Table Topper, JBQ 175

Designed by me

Quilted by Teresa Silva

Started on 4/2/18

Finished on 4/16/18

Quilt measures - 20.5" x 23"

Nova is made using the Sidekick or Super Sidekick ruler & there's no Y seams. I've got video tutorials on how to use the rulers here.  Full size templates are included in the pattern. 

This pattern is a fun one for working with different color combinations in solid & print fabrics.  I can't wait to see all of the variations that you'll make with this pattern!

Nova patterns are printed in full color and will be in local quilt shops in May. The pattern is fat eighth & stash friendly. You can find binding instructions here.

Be sure to share your photos with us using the hashtag #NovaTableTopper so we can share in the fun of the ones that you have made!

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

Longarm Quilting Workbook by Teresa Silva + a Giveaway!

My friend & one of my favorite quilting collaborators, Teresa Silva of Quilting is My Bliss, has written a new book that's available now, Longarm Quilting Workbook.

Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

I was so excited for Teresa to write her new book that I wrote the foreward for it!

This book features some excellent quilt photography that shows off how the quilting works with the fabric & the block designs to bring the finished quilt together. It is also spiral bound with a lay-flat design, which I love for quilt-related workbooks!

The book features an excellent quilt gallery. Teresa included a lot of my designs. She quilted all of them and they were pieced by either me, Teresa or Leslie Meltzer of 50 Sq Ft Studio.

My Glimmer pattern, pieced & quilted by Teresa.

Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

My Gravity design, pieced & quilted by Teresa.

 Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

My Sweet Tooth design, pieced & quilted by Teresa.

  Images courtesy of F+W Media.

My Sweet Tooth quilt, pieced by Leslie Meltzer & quilted by Teresa.

  Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

My Toes in the Sand quilt, pieced by me & quilted by Teresa.

  Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

My Trail Mix quilt, pieced by Leslie & quilted by Teresa.

 Images courtesy of F+W Media. 

Ready for a giveaway? I'm giving away one copy of Teresa's Longarm Quilting Workbook courtesy of F+W Media.

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 us: Of the quilts shown above, which one would you want to get up close to see the quilting details of it?

3. Comment entries must be left on this blog, www.jaybirdquilts.com, to be valid. Comments sent via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media will not be counted.

4. Simple as that!!

You have till 5PM PST on Sunday, October 15th to enter. 

Winner will be selected by 

True Random Number Generator.

Good luck + thanks for stopping by today!

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

Rock Solid + A Giveaway!

Calling all fans of solids & Kona cotton! There's a new book available now that is dedicated to the love of Kona quilts & I'm a contributor in it! Introducing Rock Solid from Martingale. 

Quilt Details 

Fabric is Kona Solids by Robert Kaufman

Pattern - Spectrum

Designed by me

Quilted by Angela Walters

Started on 4/28/16

Finished on 7/8/16

Quilt measures - 60" x 72"

Here are a couple of the quilts from the book.

Tribal Beat by Angela Walters

Zoomer by Elizabeth Dackson

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I took some process photos to share with you when I made the quilt last summer.

Picking the Kona colors for the quilt.

Then it was time to select thread. My general rule of thumb is to always sew with a medium gray thread. That being said, if I am sewing large areas with similar colors, I will change my thread when piecing to reflect those colors.

For this quilt I pieced the blocks with 6 different threads to best match to the six color families. I used the same thread to sew the color family rows together. Then I sewed the sections together with a medium gray thread.

First 3 rows are complete. I also made a mini 1/4 scale quilt at the same time.

4th row added...

5th row added...

These are the 6 Aurifil 50wt threads that I used for piecing, from top to bottom:
5001
1231
4182
2520
5003
2530

Binding cut & ready to go!

My finished quilt, Spectrum. I love the quilting that Angela did.

-- And now for the giveaway!
30 Fat Quarters + Binding + a copy of Rock Solid! Everything you need to make your very own Spectrum quilt!

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 us: What is your favorite color of Kona cotton?

3. Comment entries must be left on this blog, www.jaybirdquilts.com, to be valid. Comments sent via E-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other social media will not be counted.

4. Simple as that!!

You have till 5PM PST on Sunday, June 18th to enter. 

Winner will be selected by 

True Random Number Generator.

Good luck + thanks for stopping by today!

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

Alphabet Soup Bonus Blocks!

I hope that you’re enjoying Alphabet Soup! Here’s some great ideas for how to include Bonus Blocks in your Alphabet Soup projects. 

    

Click here to download directions for Bonus Blocks.

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