Patchsmith's Ladybug Pincushion

Patchsmith Ladybug Pincushions

I’ve been playing again – having fun with the Across-the-Pond ‘ladybug’ theme and look what I’ve come up with – the Patchsmith’s Ladybug Pincushion.

Ladybug Pincushion in Patchsmith gingham.

From its ribbon antennae .....

Traditional red and black

.... all the way down to its quilted tummy ......

Full up of batting off-cuts - this ladybird has toppled over!

..... this fun project is not only quick and easy to make, it is so darn cute.  

I have made three and the gingham one is my favourite (of course!).  

Lucky for me this ladybird landed on my sewing table.

But the best bit about this pattern - it is FREE.  Click on the Patchsmith’s Ladybug Pincushion pattern (or any of the photos above) and away you go.  

Feel free to post a photo of your finished Patchsmith Ladybug Pinnies on my Flickr group  or on Pinterest or Instagram and tag #thepatchsmith. 

Enjoy ......

Ladybug Blocks

Block 91 Ladybug from my Ladybug Mug Rug Pattern

As promised at the beginning of the month, I have made the two ladybug blocks from my Across the Pond 'ladybug' blog post and thought I would give you a flypast of them both.

Handiwerx Paper Pieced Ladybug

First up is a paper-pieced block by Handiwerx which became Block 96 of my Block-a-Day project.  This pattern went together relatively easily.  There were no spots to appliqué so I indulged in a little red polka dot fabric.  

Block 96 - Paperpieced Ladybug

The only thing to watch for is that you match the head and shoulder seams when joining the head and body.  The original pattern has embroidered legs but I was happy to leave them off – ‘less is more’ as they say.

Sometimes though, it just has to be patchwork.  That is where the second block, Block 98, comes into play.  This block is by Apple Avenue Quilts.  

Apple Avenue Patchwork Ladybugs

As you can see the original block holds four ladybugs in a 12” square but, as I am using only scraps for my Block-a-Day, I chose to make one quarter – in other words, one ladybug on a 6” block.  

Block 98 - Mummy Ladybug

The patchwork went together quickly and easily and I have to say, I loved making it and I love the look of it.  I used black linen scraps for the head, stripe and spots and a small dotty red for the body.  Isn’t she a beauty?  I think a bed quilt made up of this block mixed with a flower block would look so pretty - perfect for a little girl's bedroom or nursery.

There you have it – two lovely blocks using two different methods.  Both were a delight to make but, if I had to choose, the patchwork bug wins by a wingtip.

Until next time ...... 

Tulip Trilogy Wall Quilt

Tulip Trilogy Wall Hanging

Have you been following my BAD (Block-a-Day) project?  If so you will remember blocks 89, 92 and 97 – the three tulip blocks from a free paper-piece design by Regina Grewe.  

Blocks 89, 92 and 97 together at last.

In keeping with my BAD intentions each block is constructed totally from scraps and measures 10” x 4” (slightly bigger than stated on the pattern and I don’t know why!).  I joined the tulips together as suggested in Regina’s pattern before adding a scrappy border cut from some left-over “Bobbins & Bits” jelly roll strips. 

Everlasting Tulips at Patchsmith Palace (Size 19" x 16")

It is tradition in our house to have fresh tulips in the house once the daffodils have finished.  With this beautiful little quiltie I shall start a new tradition – to have tulips in the house all year round!  

Linking to the Le Challenge for April 2015. 

"Place in My Heart" Patchwork Block

Place in My Heart Quilt Block Pattern

When I started my BAD (Block-a-Day) project I had no thoughts about what I would do with the blocks.  All I wanted was to make use of my fabric scraps.  I couldn’t have known that making a Block-a-Day would create a new mug rug pattern .....

Half-Hearted Mug Rug Pattern

and now a new quilt block pattern – the “Place in my Heart” patchwork block ......

Place in my Heart with Pinwheel Inset Block

The Place in my Heart block is a 9” patchwork heart that surrounds a 4” focus block.  The block design is so versatile because it allows you to use different fabrics for the heart and inset blocks yet the shape and layout of the block provides a unifying look when the blocks are placed together.  Great for using up my scraps and you know the finished project will not look too messy or chaotic due to the block design.

Initially I was going to make a bed runner.  However, the blocks are so quick to put together that I have decided to make a full size bed quilt using the Place-in-my-Heart blocks some of my scrappy BAD blocks and 2” sashing (in Kona ‘snow’). 

Place in my Heart with Flower Heart Inset Block

So if you have some little blocks that you don’t know what to do with this is the pattern for you.   (If your blocks are smaller than 4” (finished size) just add a border to bring them up to size.   This is what I have done with Carol Doak’s little 3” paper-pieced blocks – which I love making by-the-way.)

Block 69 - Carol Doak's Tulip Pot

However, if you don’t have any little blocks not to worry - the pattern includes instructions for three patchwork inset blocks (nine-patch, heart and pinwheel) together with two appliqué inset blocks (Folk Art Tulip and Flower Heart). 

Four of the five inset blocks included with the Place in my Heart Block Pattern

To date I have made ten Place-in-my-Heart blocks and I am loving them.  They are quick and easy to make and look good when laid out together.  The hardest part is choosing which of my BAD blocks to use as they all have a place in my heart!

Block 51 - Love Star - will this find a Place in my Heart?

p.s. I forgot to mention that this pattern is just $1.99 (as are all my patterns) and is available in my Craftsy store.   I shall also be adding some Patchsmith inset pattern packs throughout the year so you can start collecting.  

Ladybirds and Ladybugs Across the Pond

April is upon us and with it a new Across the Pond SAL project.  Susie has chosen this month’s topic – ladybugs (or ladybirds as we call them on this side of the pond).  Pop over to Susie's Sunroom to check out her amazing wall quilt.

Susie's Ladybug Wall Quilt

In the meantime I've collected a few free projects from hyperspace just for you (click on the pictures or captions to open the FREE project in a new window).  

Here is a quick and handy pincushion that shouldn't take more than an hour:

All About You Ladybird Pincushion

Or how about a cutesy little cushion which doubles as a child's soft cuddlebug:

Sew 4 Home Ladybug Pillow Pal

If you can crochet then get some red and black wool right this minute to create a lovely ladybug backpack (I must ask my sister if she can make this in my size - why should the kids have all the fun?)

Red Heart Ladybug Backpack

And if you've got time for a whole quilt then this one from Ivory Spring is super cute:

Ivory Spring Ladybug Quilt

If you don’t fancy a whole quilt how about a patchwork block .....

Apple Avenue Patchwork Ladybugs

or if paper-piecing is your thing ....

Handiwerx Paper Pieced Ladybug

And to finish the selection - my make for this month is the ladybird purse from the wonderful Red Brolly .....

Red Brolly Ladybug Purse

I made two of Red Brolly’s ladybird purses – one for each of my nieces.  

Red Brolly Ladybug Purse 

I used fabric in place of felt so I lined the purses before filling them with Easter chocolates.

Lined and full of goodies - just perfect for little ones (and big ones too - I tested them, I know).

And I also made a little ladybird block for today's BAD block using the ladybird applique from my Ladybug mug rug pattern.

Block 91 of the Patchsmith's BAD (Block-a-Day) Project

Of course, if you feel like shelling out $1.99 (£1.35 approx) for the perfect Ladybug mug rug pattern then I have just the thing (of course I do - I am the Patchsmith!):

Ladybug (Ladybird) Mug Rug Pattern

Check back in the month as I will be making the patchwork and paper-pieced ladybug blocks for my BAD project and I will post about them here and over on the Across the Pond Flickr group.

Sew until then ......