Coco Loco for March Quilt Block Mania

 What's a beach vacation without a fancy drink? Interested in a Coco Loco?

Looks very tropical, right? The computer generated picture doesn't do it justice -be sure to scroll to the bottom to see it in fabric!

And look at the fun my fellow Quilt Block Mania designers had this month, dreaming up different fancy drinks. Don't they all look fantastic???

Here's the links to all:

Tropical Drink by Carolina Moore of Always Expect Moore
Pink Lemonade by Crafty Staci
Mardi Gras Hurricanes
Milkshake by Patchwork Breeze
On the Rocks by Patti's Patchwork
Coco Loco by QuiltFabrication
Hot Coffee To Go
Christmas Cocktail by Inquiring Quilter
Sip Happens by Robin Kinley Designs Etc.
Unicorn Lemonade by Memory Barn Studio
Friendly Mule by Patchwork River Quilting
Margarita by Emerald Falls Quilts
Bartending Nutcracker by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Raspberry Lemonade
Mod Martini by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Pina Colada by Appliques Quilts and More
Lemon Drop by Studio B

In January, I took a short vacation in Hawaii to celebrate my birthday. That trip is probably responsible for Coco Loco. The block just screams of relaxing by an oceanside bar!

Making a Coco Loco from a bar tenders perspective is pretty easy. The Coco Loco block though, is more for the intermediate quilter who's comfortable with foundation paper piecing. To make assembly easier, I've included aligning tic marks on the umbrella portion for matching up the parts - you're so welcome! And if there's some shrinkage in the block size, it can be made up in the beige 'counter' or 'table' at the bottom. Nothing like allowing for some wiggle room!

The Coco Loco block is a free download pattern until March 31. In downloading the pattern, you agree to not share the file with others, but direct them to the QuiltFabrication.com/Coco Loco post - thank you! Now go ahead and click on the download button below for the PDF file. 

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Sad News for Joann Shoppers

I'm sure you've heard the news by now. Joann has filed for bankruptcy (again), and will be closing more stores. Like over half - approximately 500 of 850. To read the press release and find out what stores are closing, click Joann Closing.

Now I know some of you quilters may be aghast that I shop at Joann. Where I live, it seems to be a taboo subject to mention. Who can resist a store within five miles, and 4 others within a 30 minute drive. Though I'll admit there was some quality missing in their fabric lines, you sure couldn't beat the selection and price!

I always loved stepping into the store and seeing the current display of seasonal fabrics just screaming 'take me home'! Having based most of my quilts around the seasons, these displays were absolute candy!

Of course, I can't leave out the fairly large selection of other prints available in a wide array of colors. A half yard here, a yard there, and I've got myself a wide selection of fabrics to play with. I was always searching for blenders, or for prints that hit a certain theme. I'm not known for buying a designer or fabric line. I'd rather select for myself.

Most of us quilters are about the fabric. But there's also the pins, needles, cutting tools, thread - all the additional items used for our craft. And batting! Joann had lots of choices there and usually on sale. I'll miss that.

For now, one store 30 minutes away will remain open. For how long, who knows? Not sure where I'm going to go when I need thread or batting. Heaven forbid that I have to turn to online shopping! I like to actually SEE the fabric. Guess I'll frequent the quilt shop close by, but it's just not the same.

So, a sad Adieu, Joann! Thanks for all the fabric and memories (especially Black Friday sales!). Maybe a buyer will step up and bring the store back. If not, I'll miss you.

Anyone else out there share my sentiments? Leave a comment!  

Happy Quilting

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Butterfly Block

I've got an updated block to share - a Butterfly!

Originally designed 2023, I made this when the first color, blue, was announced for RSC2023 (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2023). 

Some quilters were wanting scrap piecing instructions in addition to my Making Block from Crumbs video. Now I've decided to update the pattern and offer easy to follow scrap piecing instructions, thereby eliminating the guesswork if one is unfamiliar with the scrappy technique. The new Butterfly version lists the scrap sizes needed and provides the directions necessary to make a multi-colored butterfly. Yay!

Keep in mind that you don't have to follow my scrap sizes - be creative and make your own scrappy wings. Just be sure that they mirror each other, left and right.

Of course, wings made from scraps is not necessary - squares from fat quarters works just fine if you want to limit the amount of piecing. But it is important to have two values or different prints to distinguish the upper wings from the lower wings. That's what makes my Butterfly sparkle! Here's what it might look like with solids, and with the values reversed top and bottom.

After I made my scrappy version, I fell completely in love my little Butterfly block! Modified once again to make it really pop, it's charm then led me to design a full quilt, in several sizes even. But then life happened, and I haven't had a chance to make another block, let alone a quilt. It will happen someday.

So, for now, we'll just have to be content with my Butterfly block as just a block pattern, with the quilt to follow sometime later. With super easy stitch-n-flip piecing, the block finishes at 10.5" x 10.5", and is perfect for a beginner quilter.

Find my Butterfly block in my Etsy shop and send me pictures of yours - I'd love to see!

And if your wondering about the colorful butterfly props in the photo, they are from Send A Cake. They wind up to flutter out when released from a gift box. A friend sent them to me for my birthday - they were quite the surprise!

Happy Quilting!

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Mountains Block by another quilter

Just want to share these awesome Purple Mountain Majesty blocks made by a quilter who found my pattern on Etsy.

Impressive, right? 

The use of different prints for the mountains and tree groves makes these so interesting to look at! I'm also see that block mirror images were made, which takes some time to rework printer settings to make that happen. This quilter far exceeded my vision for these Purple Mountain Majesty blocks!

I hope that the quilter shares the completed quilt. I'd love to see how these were used, whether a setting of just the four, or maybe the four with other blocks. I'll let you know if they pop up again.

It's always fun to see how others put their own spin on my quilt patterns!

Happy Quilting!

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Gnome Home for February Quilt Block Mania

Welcome to my home! My Gnome Home that is!

Quilt Block Mania has chosen 'Houses' for the February 2025 theme. These are so cute!!

As usual, here's the links to all of this month's house blocks. Be sure to thank the creators for their generosity!

Dutch Row Houses by Carolina Moore
Modern House by Crafty Staci
Attic Windows by Scrapdash
Birdhouse by Patchwork Breeze
Home Sweet Home by Patti's Patchwork
Gnome Home by QuiltFabrication
House Around the Block
Santa's Candy Shop by Inquiring Quilter
Beacon by Robin Kinley Designs Etc
Castle by Memory Barn Studio
Outhouse by Patchwork River Quilting
School House Quilt Block by Quilting Room with Mel
Ranch House by Emerald Falls Quilts
Gingerbread House by Appliques Quilts and More
Carpenter Nutcracker by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts
Hill House by A Piece of Quiet Quilts

As for my Gnome Home, I went for a bit of whimsical, slightly changing up the gnome house from my Gnome for the Holidays table runner. 

Gnome Home is all applique - just grab a fat quarter for your background then choose scraps for all the pieces to make the house. Pretty quick and simple.

The Gnome Home block is a free download pattern until March 3. In downloading the pattern, you agree to not share the file with others, but direct them to the QuiltFabrication.com/Gnome Home post - thank you! Now go ahead and click on the download button below for the PDF file. 

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Scrap Storage Pattern

You asked for it - you got it! My Scrap Storage quilt is now available as a pattern!

I received a lot of interest from scrap quilters regarding a pattern for Scrap Storage, which made me write it up. And I should have thought to do it in the first place cause it sure turned out cute!

Even though a confident beginner could make Scrap Storage, the pattern is geared toward the intermediate quilter, mainly for three reasons. 1) a seasoned quilter would probably have the scrap variety to put together the numerous different blocks, 2) the crazy quilt technique for sewing scraps together is an easy to learn skill, 3) this is for the quilter who wants some design input into their quilt.

For the beginners, here's your options: 

1) those of you who don't have a lot of scraps, ask other quilters for some!

2) if you want to learn how to turn your scraps into fabric using a crazy quilt technique, check out my video, Making Blocks from Crumbs. It's really quite simple! View the following block closeups to get an idea how the scraps were stitched together.

and 3) if you've been wanting to expand your quilt design capabilities, then this is a great quilt to practice on!

Pattern Info

Now, a few notes about this quilt pattern. It does not direct on you how to make the exact quilt shown. The pattern gives general fabric amounts, cutting and sewing directions for each block style AFTER the scraps are sewn together and for final quilt assembly. But scrap choice, block choice, and blocks within a cubical are up to you.

Scrap Choices:  Scrap Storage relies on the scraps that you have, so the quilt won't look exactly like mine. Feel free to use your own scrap themes and of course, the more the better. This would even make a great group quilt with each quilter contributing a block!

Sewing Scraps:  The pattern DOES NOT explain how to sew scraps together to make a block. That's what the video is for. Otherwise, the technique would require another pattern to explain!

Cubical Layout:  There are 5 different cubical layouts possible in Scrap Storage, using the three storage box patterns provided. You could make this with under bed boxes in two rows, then two rows of tall boxes, and topped with 2 rows of shoe boxes. Or place them in columns. Or make all shoe boxes. See what I mean? The design possibilities are endless!

IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR SCRAPS AND CREATIVITY!

So, if you're in the mood to use up your scraps or you need a fun group project, hop over to my Etsy Shop and get started on scrap busting with Scrap Storage!

Have a wonderful day quilting!

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Scrap Storage Quilt

Here she is, all finished! My Scrap Storage quilt made throughout the year in conjunction with So Scrappy's RSC2024.  

Pretty darn cute, if you ask me! Full of three styles of storage bins in an Ikea Kallax inspired storage unit, this quilt should inspire your own scrap (or yardage) storage.

Throughout the weeks and months of last year, I shared my storage blocks for all of the colors of the months, plus myriad prints that were also in both my scrap stash and regular stash. Since I wanted this quilt longer than 66", that top row was a stretch to find themes toward the end of the year. Like I said before, all the little-used fabrics go up top, out of reach cause they're used so infrequently!

What I love about this quilt is not only the variety of fabrics, but the variety of storage boxes and the different combinations of boxes within a storage cubby. The only boxes that can't go together are the under-bed storage box and the tall storage box. Otherwise, it's pretty much a make it up as you go.

Here's a closer picture of the top three storage rows, full of more prints than solids.

And the bottom three rows, consisting of boxes full of more solid looking colors (otherwise known as blenders).

I also opted for a dark brown for the storage unit shelves and sides. My original idea was white, but I think it would have been confusing with the white lids. If I ever make this again, maybe I'll try dark lids to get a white cabinet.

Will I do another RSC project this year? I haven't decided yet. At one point, I thought I'd make an entire quilt from the month's color choice, though I don't think I could keep up that pace nowadays. Anyway, I have some time to decide as I see So Scrappy hasn't posted a color yet for this month/year.

Enjoy your quilting endeavors - Happy New Year!

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Hockey Score! for January Quilt Block Mania

Winter. Snow and ice. And a great time to play hockey! 

Did you guess that this month's Quilt Block Mania theme is sports? Check out all the sports themed blocks this month and the list of all the gracious designers offering those blocks.

Quilted Sports Jersey Numbers
Trophy by Appliques Quilts and More
Karate Gi by Crafty Staci
Girl Wrestlers by Scrapdash
Curling Stone by Patchwork Breeze
Soccer Gene by Patti's Patchwork
Hockey Score! by QuiltFabrication
Ice Skates by Inquiring Quilter
Play Ball by Robin Kinley Designs, Etc.
Corn Hole by Memory Barn Studio
Sneaker Shoe by Patchwork River Quilting
Texas Football by Emerald Falls Quilts
Checkered Flag by The Quilting Room with Mel
Golf Nutcracker by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts

My block, Hockey Score!, is created because of the love my son and I share for the game of hockey. From the age of 8 to 16, he played for the Jr Sharks travel hockey team. We have fond memories of the moves he made and goals he scored! Though he doesn't play much anymore, we still get together for the occasional Sharks game. In fact, we recently attended Joe Thornton's retirement ceremony, reliving fond memories of Jumbo's amazing career.

Since goal scoring is the most exciting part of the game, my Hockey Score! block does just that. Super easy applique of only five pieces! Pick your background fat quarter and use scraps for the rest. What brings this block to life though, is the quilting. Adding diagonal lines in white thread for goal netting really brings the elements of the ice, the shot puck and the net together for a goal. Here's my suggested stitching idea: 

Sorry, Hockey Score! is no longer available.  I'll keep you posted as to when it becomes available again.

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