The Splendid Sampler Blocks 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73

I am making a change of fabric in my Splendid Sampler blocks.  From block 71 onwards I am using Summerfest by April Rosenthal for Moda.  

It is bright and sunny and will make the perfect summer bed runner.  But first the last three blocks in my scrap-happy fabrics from my stash:

Block 68 – ‘Wild Roses' designed by Pat Sloan.  Designed as a wild rose I’ve got to be honest – this rose reminds me a little of a fried egg (I think the USA refer to it as sunny-side-up).  

The Splendid Sampler Block 68 - Wild Roses

Block 69 – ‘Full Circle’ designed by Holly DeGroot.  I am a real newbie when it comes to stitching curves.  I stitched my first earlier in this sew-along (block 34).  So it was no surprise that my circle was more of an oval.  But the block measures 6½” square so it is a keeper. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 69 - Full Circle (or Full Oval in my case)

Block 70 – ‘Bows’ – This block from Quilt Jane was a lot of work – one large bow would’ve been enough for a 6” block but hey – it is good to push myself.  (I turned the bows inwards to reduce the white space.)  

The Splendid Sampler Block 70 - Bows

Block 71 – ‘First Stitch’.  And the first of my ‘Summerfest’ blocks.  This is designed by the wonderful Very KerryBerry so I knew, before I had even seen the block that I would like it.  And I was right.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 71 - First Stitch

Block 72 – ‘Full Circle Star’.  The fabrics in this block designed by VictoriaFindlay Wolfe  look like they belong to my scrappy collection but they are actually from the Summerfest range.  I paper-pieced the four star points and then patched them together.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 72 - Full Circle Star

  

Block 73 – ‘+ Love’.  Aptly named as this is a lovely easy patchwork block from Jennifer Albaugh really shows off the fabrics.   

The Splendid Sampler Block 73 - Plus Love

  

So there we have it.  I am still up-to-date and going strong.  You can see all my blocks to date on my Patchsmith Style Splendid Sampler Pinterest board.  Until next time ......... 

Cozy Cocoa Mug Rug

Another week and another Cozy Christmas block in the Cozy Christmas sew-along.

I am using the blocks to make mug rugs using quick-fuse applique and I thought I might share a few tips for this block if you are also using the same method. 

Firstly I wanted my cup more ‘mug shaped’ so I traced around shape B18 onto the paper-side of my fusible webbing.  I then measured ¼” in from either side at the top and drew a straight light down until it met the sides. 

Don’t you think it looks more mug-like this way?

Lori’s stitch-and-turn applique method used bias binding for the handle (details over at Bee-in-my-bonnet) but as I am using quick-fuse it was simple enough to create a handle shape and trace it.  (Click HERE if you want the handle shape).

To create the mug I cut three rectangles 5” x 4½”; 5” x 1” and 5” x 1½”.  I stitched them together to create a mug patch measuring 5" x 6":

For my marshmallows I used white felt and shape B1 so they look fluffy just like marshmallows.

Once the mug applique was done all I was left to do was decide which sidebar from my One Block Mug Rug Patterns book I would use.  It didn’t take long to choose a crisp ‘Columns’ sidebar in candy stripes. 

The Columns Sidebar from my One Block Mug Rug Book

And there we have it – another Christmas mug rug ready and waiting for the festive season.  Until next time .....................

The Patchsmith's Scrappy Acorn Block

How about a little bit of autumnal fun? 

My 6" Scrappy Acorn Block pattern is available for immediate download HERE.   And the really good news to warm you all up is that it is 
FREE!

.

 So what are you waiting for – grab those fabric scraps and play.

(Don't forget to tag @thepatchsmith on Instagram so I can see all your acorns.)

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67.

I know, I know - I’m missing block 60.  It is an embroidery block and it will get done but only after my current pattern writing is finished.  So let me show you the blocks I have made:

Block 59 – ‘Circle of Friendship’ designed by Michele Muska.  Lots of little hand-stitched Dresdens - great for using up scraps.

The Splendid Sampler Block 59 - Circle of Friendship

Block 61 – ‘Traveller’ designed by Pat Sloan.  I was just finishing off one of my new patterns when Block 51 popped up so I used scraps I had to hand.   Hence the 'country' look to this block. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 61 - Traveller

Block 62 – ‘Hens and Chicks’ designed by Heidi Kaisand.  I am not keen on stitching small triangles on the bias so I paper-pieced the four units instead and patched them together. It worked well.

The Splendid Sampler Block 62 - Hens and Chicks

Block 63 – ‘The Icing on the Cake’ designed by Kim Christopherson.  I added a smidgeon of raspberry icing and a Patchsmith heart.

The Splendid Sampler Block 63 - The Icing on the Cake

It reminds me of my Cupcake Mug Rug Pattern from my Hobby & Fun pattern book.  

Heart Cupcakes Mug Rug

Block 64 – ‘Rising Star’ designed by Kathy Brown.  This looked tricky but was actually easier than I anticipated.  The secret is to cut accurately and maintain an exact ¼” seam allowance.

The Splendid Sampler Block 64 - Rising Star

Block 65 – ‘Stripes and Flowers’ designed by Siobhan Rogers.  The pattern provided two methods for piecing this block and I chose the paper-piecing option. I'm glad I did as the next block (Block 66) took all my patchwork patience.

The Splendid Sampler Block 65 - Stripes and Flowers

Block 66 – ‘Happy Thoughts’ designed by Vanessa Goertzen.  This is such a good looking block but those little flying geese are so small to patch.  My happy thought was that this block might be better suited to paper-piecing.

The Splendid Sampler Block 66 - Happy Thoughts

Block 67 – ‘Bobbin Chase’ designed by Scott Hansen.  I got the ‘bobbin’ blocks round the wrong way but I think it works just as well this way.

The Splendid Sampler Block 67 - Bobbin Chase

You can see all my blocks together over at my Splendid Sampler Pinterest Board.  But for me it is time to get back to pattern writing.

Until next time .....