Friday, May 31, 2013

Tula Pink's City Sampler - 100 Modern Quilt Blocks

I am co-hosting a Sew Along for Tula Pink's new book!!
We will be making 3 blocks a week until we complete our quilts.


Join our Flickr group to share your blocks with everyone!
Use the hastag #tula100 on Instagram & Twitter to share too!!

There will be weekly giveaways as well as big giveaways at the end!!

All of the details can be found on Sara's blog, Sew Sweetness.

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Here is a peek at some of my images from Blocks 1-3. Check out the full post on Sara's blog to see more.

Planning block 1

I'm using Tula's Aurifil thread collection to piece my blocks.


I'll be using fabrics from all of Tula's 12 collections to make my blocks.
 Block 1

Block 2

Block 3


The "Sew Along" will be hosted on Sara's blog. Each week you'll see blocks from Sara, Gina, Emily & myself.

Come join us!


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

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

4 Year Blogiversary Giveaway Winners


It's time to announce the winners of my 4 Year Blogiversary Giveaway!

The Fabric Bundles go to...

Sarina!


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The Pattern Bundle goes to...


 Amy!



Sarina & Amy please contact me with your info so I can get your prizes shipped out. 

Thank you to everyone who entered... and for all the nice comments on my 4 years!!



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

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

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/

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

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.
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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/

Monday, May 6, 2013

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/