Two In A Row

Here are two finished squares from a very delinquent Hot Sprjngs quilter. I'm sorry the pictures aren't great. We lost our camera, so iPhone pics are the best I've got. 

For Mardie

For Amy C. (The pic is darker than it is in real life)

Hope these are ok!

Peppermint Candy Block

I had this sneaky suspicion that this was my month to chose the block, but was afraid to look at the list because of my crafters' guilt, as I have yet to finish Mardie or Amy C.'s block.  I am very sorry, ladies.  It is my goal to be all caught up this weekend.

I have been pining to do a Pickle Dish quilt, but my current life style is not affording me the time for such a delightfully complicated quilt.  So, I've opted for something I can most likely finish. 

Here you have a very simple half-square triangle block that will grace my kitchen as a Christmas table runner.

You will need:

(2)  8" squares in red (feel free to use solids or small, simple, or ditsy prints with a red background, just so red is the main color you see- brighter/cherry/summery reds are my preference and please stay away from muted/burgundy/orangey reds

(2) 8" squares in Kona white

Create 4 half-square triangle blocks (using your favorite method) that look like this:

Press seam allowances to the dark. 

Sew them together like this:

Press long seam allowances open.

That is it.

Thank you so much!

Crazy Quilt

 I posted this quilt on my other blog, but thought I'd stick it here, too, because it is a quilt and it is a finished project... which does not happen very often around here.

I wanted to use up some of my scraps and I have a good friend who's expecting a baby soon, so this quilt seemed like a good way to kill two birds with one stone.

 I played around with some of my machine's embroidery stitches.  Some turned out better than others, but I feel like I kind of know more of what I'm doing now when it comes to quilting with those fancy stitches.

The back is a vintage sheet.  I like how it turned out and am pretty excited to get this sent off in the mail!

April Curve Balls

My Darling Kristin,

It's not perfect, but it was very fun and quick!  Hope the colors are close to what you were wishing for.  This is going in to the mail this week.  And, Camie, yours will be in the mail this week, too!  I have an aversion to the post office, which I am trying to overcome.

XO,

Becca

Summer Cabin

Dear Camie,

I really wanted to make sure I did a spectacular job on your block this year, since I pretty sure I messed up your last block.  In my efforts for precision, I trimmed up the edges as I went along.  But by the time I was nearly finished, it was apparent that I over trimmed and the block was coming up short.  So, I added a really wide extra layer that you can trim to your specifications.  Each edge is about 19", give or take.  I hope that will work!

Do the flowers in the photo help make up for the fact that it's not perfect?

xo

Becca

Castle Complete

One more block ready to guard the keep. This quilt is going to look amazing, Nicole. 

Finished Projects

Here are a couple of quilts I've made recently for baby showers.  

Both for boys and both backed with knit.  

I like how soft and pliable knit washes up.

Good Fortune in Your Future

Emily, I see something coming your way in the mail very soon....

I am kind of in love with this pattern.  I can't stop thinking about how cool this looks and I'm 100% in awe of Emily for figuring out all the measurements.

Happy New Year

I did not want to start 2015 out with 2014's work, but here it is and so I am.   Mardie, I am pleased to inform you that one Patriotic Star block is finally headed your way!  It was so easy to whip up and I can totally see this quilt being happy in your home.

And, in continuing the theme of this post, here's my Blue Ribbon Quilt from 2013 (*disclaimer* it did not actually win a ribbon of any color, especially blue).  It's been done for quite some time but I hadn't posted yet.  I LOVE the way it turned out and am still planning on getting the pattern into my Etsy shop... some day.

I always get excited at the start of a new year for 12 Squared.  I love seeing what you all come up with and having a platform to chit-chat-sewing-n-stuff.  If you've got some blocks from last year you're behind on, there's no time like the present!  Blow the lint off your machine and catch up so you can start 2015 off fresh!

xo

Becca   

Modern Crosses From Hot Springs

I'm still not sure about these fabrics, but they are yours nonetheless, K-Cakes!

Such a quick and easy block.  The perfect amount of work for October. :)

  

xo,

becca

Scrappy Tiny Squares

I'm still trying to figure out where I went wrong.  None of my corners matched up!  I even used a 1/4" foot.  Cami, were all the fabrics you sent out part of a collection?  If I can find some more of it, I would like to make you another.  With squares that match up.  :)xo
Becca

Tri-Bex!

These were fun! I hope you approve of these fabric choices. I'll include more triangles, I know you need extra for a queen sized masterpiece!

Love and miss!!

Missing Corners for Teriney

Our Primary colors are 1-2-3, Red, Yellow, and Blue.

Each one has a message for you and me, each has a symbol true.

Here you are, T-Money.  Hope your little man will enjoy his new quilt.

60 Degree Triangle Quilt Tutorial

Here's my little tutorial for June's Triangle Quilt (it's actually going to be a duvet cover).  I'm mailing you all 4 precut triangles and would love it if you could add four more from your own stash.  

Your fabric will need to be 7" wide, with the stretchy grain running horizontally.

Including the triangles I'm sending you, you should have eight pieces.

Line them up in diamond shape pairs, making sure to keep the grain of the fabric going in the same direction.

"Fold" your diamonds in half, right sides together, and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.  

I pinned mine, so I wouldn't mix up the direction of the grain.

Press the seams open. 

Then, turn the EFGH diamond counterclockwise until H's edge lines up with C's edge, right sides together.

So, E will be on the bottom left and G will be the top right.

Sew C and H together.

Press seams open.

Then repeat for the other four remaining triangles.

That's it!  So easy!

There's a more detailed tutorial on Sew Fresh Quilts, if you need it.  Her tutorial shows how to cut multiple triangles from one strip of fabric, but you only need one triangle from each of your choices.  There are two parts and you can find them HERE.

I would love it if your fabrics coordinated with Bonnie and Camille's April Showers line...

bright navy blue, cherry red, pale summer green, emerald green, yellow, gray, off white.

I love polka dots, tiny florals, stripes, gingham, vintage reprints, subtle designs. Solids are okay, too.

Thanks, girls!  I can't wait to get this all together!

Catching Up and June's Block

Here's Amy's cute heart block, only two months late.  Seriously, Amy, you did so much prep work, I feel almost guilty about how little you gave us to do!  And here's where I embarrassingly admit to losing one of the pieces she so thoughtfully prepared.  I have no idea what happened to it, but since my sewing room is in my laundry room, I'm guessing it's with all the left socks.  Luckily, it was the bottom left piece, which should be easy to take out, if you're not crazy about my substituted red swirly fabric.

And here's Cindy's Thanksgiving block.  You know when you're laying out fabric and thinking about what patterns and colors will look good together and you think you've come across a good combination and then you get whole thing put together and it's not what you were picturing.  Yeah.  That may have happened here.  I think my brown is too dark and my anchors are too summery.  And I think I had the wrong kind of needle in my machine and it kept bunching up at the thick bits.  Sorry, Cindy.  I really like this pattern, though and was hoping to knock it out of the park.  I totally wouldn't mind doing another one, if you want me to!

My pick for June is going to be a 60 Degree Triangle Quilt.  I am going to send out fabric and a template this week, but I'd love it if you could mix in a few fabric choices of your own.  Color and pattern inspiration are from Bonnie and Camille's April Showers line.  There is a good tutorial on Sew Fresh Quilts.  There are two  parts, so it's pretty thorough.

TUTORIAL PART 1

TUTORIAL PART 2

Look for more specifics in the mail.  Thanks ladies!!

I Spy a Goose

What a fun idea, Liz!

This is not as crooked as it looks,

but it is a little crooked. :)

xo

Becca

Kickin' Threads and Taking Names

At the end of my life I'm sure I won't say, "I wish I spent more time cleaning the bathrooms."  But, I will say, "I wish I spent more time sewing."

See all that fabric stacked up to the left of the picture?  Potential projects, that just cry for attention.

I did get to spend a little time in my sewing room this weekend and made progress on a couple of projects.  I got the top to my 2012 12squared sampler quilt finished.  And my Blue Ribbon Quilt is coming along.  Rethinking the name.  Any suggestions?

When You Wish Upon a Ribbon Star

This one was hard to choose fabric for.  I kept going to my stash favorites, but couldn't find the right compliments that would give this block that sort of 3-D look it's suppose to have.

So, this is what I settled on.  I'm not sure it's the right shade of magenta (maybe too pink?), but I hope it works for you, Emily!

All that being said, this was a fun block!  I have never been good at math or spacial reasoning, so the thought of someone coming up with a design like this, then figuring out the measurements and angles and everything amazes me. 

Enjoy, Emily!

xo,

Becca

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Finally got this delight finished up. 

It was way too large to quilt on my machine, but I did it anyway.

It's nice and crinkly and soft.  

Just the way I like 'em.

Thanksgiving was my motivation.  With a houseful of overnight guests coming, I was in need of some extra bedding!

Thanks to the amazing Ayumi, who doesn't even know how much I admire her skills, for the idea.

November: Blue Ribbon Quilt

Vintage prize ribbons have been on my mind for months and I've been pondering and scheming how to incorporate them into a quilt.  This block is sort of a culmination of ideas that have been brewing in the back of my head for a while.  My plan is to eventually get this concept into a pattern that I can sell on my Etsy site, so, I'll be emailing the directions as opposed to publishing them here.  Hope you don't mind being my guinea pigs!

Here's the color palette:
I'm straying from our beloved Kona white and asking you to use unbleached muslin for the block background and fabrics that favor more of an off-white or creamy color as opposed to bright white.  I realize some of my inspiration fabrics have white in them, and that's okay by me if the fabric is just too fantastic not to use!

robbin's egg blue, navy blue, pale blue, gray, red, salmony pink

These are smaller blocks (about 6" x 9"), so if you're inclined to do more than one, let me know-- I have several variations in mind, but I don't have pictures of them yet.  And, if you would like me to send you some unbleached muslin or fabric, I'd be happy to.  I'll be in Little Rock Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week, so I could bring stuff with me if you are in need.

Thanks, my friends!

xo

Becca