I don't know about you, but I could easily spend my entire day bouncing back and forth between Pinterest and Etsy. Those sites are black holes of time... and magic. I know some people have mixed feelings about both because they have the potential to be discouraging and depressing. If you're in the wrong mood, you could look at all of these wonderful crafts, projects, DIYs, styles, homes, products, businesses (and on and on and on), and think "why can't I just figure it out like all these beautiful people"? I for one choose not to look at them this way. I see so much possibility and potential. I see hours of fun things to do, projects to work on and thousands of way to make my life and home and family better. I can't even count the number of times I've used both for help or inspiration, not to mention one-of-a-kind products to buy. I consult Pinterest and Etsy literally every single day. It's hard to believe there was a time when I had neither at my disposal. What the heck did I do? Anyway, I'm happy to be part of them today - an Etsy shop and Pinterest account where you can find all of the lovely things we're working on. You can find the links right on this blog! We add to the inventory every week so if you're like me and are already there every day, check out what we have going on this week.

[free] pattern from England Street Quilts in Chicopee

I finally cut into my stash of Briar Rose by Heather Ross! It's so nice to see quilt blocks instead of stacks of fabrics (although I think even after making this quilt I'll have lots of fabric left)! The tutorial for this block is from SewCraftyJess -- it's called the Starburst Cross. Linking up to WIP Wed at Freshly Pieced.

I have most of my blocks done for my Briar Rose quilt by England Street Quilts and now need to start to organize them in a pleasing manner. The first border will complete the design of the blocks. It was a nice quilt to work on this weekend. We had lots of sunshine. I have an idea of using this pattern again for a different quilt. I like how the blocks frame each other so nicely.I have been working on a few scrap quilts at the same time, and I feel as though there is an infestation in my quilting room. Scraps of all sizes are all over the place. It is a good feeling to be quilting. My mother-in-law gave me a quilting gift certificate for Christmas. The shop was closed for the holidays so when we stopped to see her at Easter I also stopped in the shop. I already had the Nancy Drew fabric and was looking for other fabric to go with it. I really want to start on it but I would like to get a couple of other quilts done first. Linking up to WIP Wednesday at the Needle and Thread Network and Freshly Pieced.

Last week, WEEK 2 was so great! High fives to all of you. I loved getting to see your blocks come together. I've heard multiple times, "Curved piecing isn't as tricky as I thought it was!" Your eyes may be opening to the possibilities of curved piece quilting: Drunkards Path curves, Rob Peter to pay Paul curves, Improv curves; there are so many great curved piecing designs out there! I have few other curved piecing quilt designs too, and I'll tell you about them another week! Here are our goals for the week: Sew your blocks 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) blocks, or if you've decided to assembly line piece your quilt, I've included a plan below to keep you on track. The biggest goal is to have your quilt top together by the end of Week 8 because, GIVEAWAY!!! Also if you're interested in taking your quilt to a longarmer, I've got one on call for any of our Potter's Wheel quilts. She would be happy to quilt an edge to edge pantograph from Week 8 onwards, and can guarantee Christmas delivery. More info to follow. Share your progress using #potterswheelqal and tag me @briarhilldesigns. Check out #potterswheelqal and #potterswheelquilt, and cheer on your fellow QAL-ers! Next week (Week 4) will be much the same: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) If your preferred approach to this QAL is more like an "Assembly Line" instead of, "Sew a number of blocks a week" here's a plan for you! Week 2: Cut all parts of the block and sew curves. Week 3: True up blocks and add strings. Week 4: Layout quilt (optional) and begin sewing one third of your blocks together. Trim blocks. Week 5: Continue sewing one third of your blocks together. Trim blocks. Week 6: Easy week. This is a great week to catch up on blocks, or trim your blocks. If you're all caught up, make your binding or prep your backing. Week 7: Sew the last third of your blocks together. Trim blocks. Week 8: Assemble your quilt top. I'll be sharing my favourite FMQ ideas for sewing on your domestic machine, and my favourite pantos. Those of us who have assembled quilt tops by the end of the week will be entered in the final giveaway.

We are in Week Four of the quilt along! I’m am so inspired by you! Your blocks are amazing and your colour palettes inspiring! I love this "one colour per block" look Terry, @trowquilting! All the heart eyes for these blocks by Gretchen @gollygwhiz! This soft palette by Diane @d_bates79 makes me want to pull fabrics for another! ;) Did you see! We already have some finished quilt tops! Way to go Adrienne @seam_work, and Wendy @redlabelquilts! Keep at those blocks, friends! They’re looking gorgeous! Before you know it, you’ll have a quilt top, too. Share your quilt top using the #potterswheelqal, and I’ll enter you in the final giveaway! I am dying to tell you about the giveaway, but I’ll keep it a secret for a little while yet! Remember, Week 6 (Easy Week) is the week after next! You can use it to catch up, or take a break, or get ahead on your Potter's Wheel project. This week is just like last week, our goal is sewing more blocks: 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Next week’s goal is exactly the same: 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) A note: If you happen to create a snag in your acrylic ruler by cutting into the edge of the curve with your rotary cutter this can easily be repaired. File it down with a metal nail file. (I have also had to do this on my Stripology ruler, and filing down the snag makes the edge smooth again so it doesn't catch the rotary cutter.) Until next week, happy sewing!

A group of us ladies are making blocks to go into a hug quilt for a very dear friend. This is the block I made.

With toddler-friendly finishes, it’s a sanctuary for everyone

If you’ve always wanted to appliqué exquisite quilts just like bestselling author Kim Diehl, we’re thrilled to tell you that the following statement has never been truer than with the release of Kim’s new book: You CAN do it! “Homestead Harvest” from Simple Appeal In her ninth book, Simple Appliqué, Kim shares her best techniques—developed …

Well, I am stuck in bed today for the second day in a row. I haven't been sick in a while, and as lovely as a lazy day sounds, this isn't quite what I had in mind. :-) I'm just...

This Easy Huli Huli Chicken recipe is so full of flavor and makes a fast and easy dinner using chicken thighs!

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Denniele's Briar Rose Block #6 for Varina Davis a close member of Cassandra's Circle We've got some beautiful examples to show a week before Block #7. Lisa's Her background is Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in script. Maureen Valinda Peggy Beth Karrin Christine Dorothy Debbie I noticed the rose with reverse applique detail in a couple of mid-19th-century quilts with an odd wreath based on three. See a post here: https://encyclopediaquiltpatterns.blogspot.com/2020/07/triple-rose-wreath.html

We are so excited to start the Potters Wheel Quilt Along. We will be starting our eight-week Quilt Along Monday, September 24th! It's my first hosted QAL, and I'm really excited to get to sew along with you. (Since the QAL is now complete, here are links to every blog post if you would like to follow along while making your Potter's Wheel Quilt.) WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 WEEK 7 WEEK 8 What you can expect: You’ll receive a weekly email on Mondays talking about that week’s prompt/goal, and sharing any tips you could use when making your blocks. This will also link you to the week's QAL blog post. The Schedule Week 1: Planning week - Show us your fabric palette. Use the provided colouring page to consider colour placement, whether organized or random. Introductions and the first giveaway for all participants. I’ve gathered all my favourite things, and I’m giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning to share my favourite sewing tools and give them away. Week 2: 10 blocks - I’ll be sharing few quick videos, on cutting using the Circle Cut Ruler, sewing curves, pressing, and truing up curved pieces. Week 3: 10 blocks Week 4: 10 blocks Week 5: 10 blocks Week 6: Easy Week. This is a great week to catch up on blocks. If you’re all caught up, prep for your last week of blocks, or make your binding. Week 7: final 9 blocks Week 8: Quilt Top week: I’ll be sharing my favourite FMQ ideas, or my favourite pantos. Those of us who have assembled quilt tops by the end of the week will take be entered in the final giveaway. Finishing touches, Though the active part of the Quilt Along will be over, the final giveaway will take place at the end of week 10. We’re hoping to have lots of finished quilts to show off! I’ll be sharing some quick pattern ideas to use up those awkward-shaped scraps left from the curved cuts. (Made by one of my students in a Curved Piecing class at Patch Halifax.) Supplies you'll need: The Potter’s Wheel Pattern is available as a .PDF in our Briar Hill Etsy shop, and also can be found in print in Quilt Shops. The pattern also requires the Circle Cut Ruler by EZ Quilting, which can be found at Michael’s, Joann’s, Amazon, and many other craft stores. Fabric choice is all up to you! There's an option in the pattern to use one print/solid for the background, or a variety of prints. I'll be using low volumes for my background and a variety of colours for the circles. Q & A: These are some questions I'm imagining we might have. if any other questions arise, I'll be updating this blog post, and adding questions and answers here. I’d like to make the Crib size, will that work? Definitely! I’ll be formatting the Quilt Along for the largest size of the pattern: 49 blocks. If you choose to make the Throw or Crib, you can plan to make fewer blocks every week, as follows: Throw, 25 blocks: 5 blocks each week. Crib, 16 blocks: 4 blocks on Week 2; 3 blocks on Weeks 3, 4, 5, 7. Is it ever too late to join? Never! The blog posts will always be available with that week’s prompts. The giveaways will take place only with those participating in the QAL starting September 24th, but you can follow along through the blog posts at any time! Grab a few friends and do it together! I’d love to see what you make, so please share using #potterswheelQAL Do I NEED the Acrylic template? Not completely, though I find it to be a great friend when cutting the pattern pieces. Here’s a link to how Latifah Safir cuts curves using a paper template and a straight ruler. Do I need the pattern? Definitely! You’ll need the cutting chart and pattern pieces exclusive to the pattern instructions. Do I need a special rotary cutter? Anything larger than a 22mm blade cuts these curves easily. I’m so intimidated by curves! Do you think I can do this? Definitely! I’ve designed the pattern to be a great introduction to curves. Also curves are trimmed smaller once sewn to give you best results. Which online forums will host the Quilt Along? You’ll be receiving weekly emails to the email you subscribed with, which will link you to that week's blog post. This blog will have weekly QAL posts for the duration of the event. Please feel welcome to share pictures anywhere online. Use these hashtags #potterswheelQAL #potterswheelquilt to share your progress online. I'll be sharing pics on Instagram and Facebook. Final Giveaway is selected from those who have shared their finished quilt top on IG, using the hashtag, #potterswheelQAL. How do I qualify for the giveaways? Signing up and RSVPing qualifies you for the “Favourite Things” Giveaway, and I’ll be confirming proof of pattern purchase once I’ve drawn a winner. Final Giveaway is selected from those who have shared their finished quilt top on IG, using the hashtag, #potterswheelQAL. What if I get stuck while sewing the pattern? It’s really important to me that you feel success with my patterns! Email me at [email protected] with your question, and a picture if you think that will help, and I’d love to walk you through the step you’re stuck on. I'm really looking forward to sewing with you! I can't wait to see that fabrics you've chosen! Here's my palette. Just like my last Potter's Wheel quilt, it's entirely Cotton + Steel. I think I'll do a planned colour placement: a gradient effect, with pinks in the top right corner, and moving through to navies in the bottom left corner of the quilt. Subscribing starts now! Join us!

I came across photos of a baby blanket that I fell in love with, but couldn’t find a pattern. I decided to recreate what I saw, hoping it would come out right. I was very pleased with my resu…

Here we are at week one of the QAL! I'm thrilled we're here! Here's the final palette! Just as my last Potter's Wheel quilt, the prints are entirely a selection of Cotton + Steel. I can't wait to play this out! I'm a little tempted to take out the pink. Quite often in my creative process I give myself some room to make choices once I see the quilt coming together. Often that means: I have other prints that could be added, or I have more than enough so that I can omit some prints, or I go shopping to find fabrics I think the quilt needs. I almost always plan out the layout by using the colouring page or doing a rendering in Electric Quilt. This always gives me a better understanding of how the quilt will come together. Though I've organized the QAL to have a certain number of blocks completed every week, another option is to make the four quadrants of the block, and keep them separate until you finalize the full quilt layout. In that case, I'd aim to have all quadrants made by the end of Week 5, lay them out Week 6 and work to have all blocks assembled by Week 7, and Quilt top together Week 8. I'm considering these two layout options: a diagonal gradient, or a horizontal gradient. I'm curious! Which do you prefer? I'll likely do a poll on Instagram to get some help deciding. Here's what you can expect from me this week: You should have just received an email linking you to this blog post. There's also a link to Crib, Throw and Twin Colouring Pages. I'll be adding 3 video tutorials to this blog post through the week: Curved Cutting, Piecing, Pressing. I'll be sharing some information on the cool things I've gathered for the "My Favourite Things" Giveaway which will take place on Saturday! Here are our goals for the week: Although you can definitely get a head start on sewing blocks, here are our goals for the week. Introduce yourself online using the #potterswheelqal and tag me @briarhilldesigns. I'd love for us all to make some new quilty friends! Use the colouring page (provided with your pattern, but also there's a link below to get Twin, Throw and Crib layouts) if you would like to plan out colour placement in your quilt. Follow #potterswheelqal and #potterswheelquilt, share pics using these hashtags, and cheer on your fellow QAL-ers! Share your fabric palette using the hashtag #potterswheelqal! (Guys, I CANNOT wait to see!) Sew a few practice curves after watching the tutorial provided later this week. Some housekeeping details: Please feel welcome to contact me with any questions at any time. I'm not often available on Sundays, so I'll likely return messages on Monday AM. You will be notified via email every Monday of the week's blog post. There will be only one blog post per week, but there will be weeks that I add more content to the week's blog post. In those cases you will receive an email linking you back to the week's blog post, and scrolling down will bring you to the additional content. The Schedule Week 1, Sept 24th: Planning week - Show us your fabric palette. Use the provided colouring page to consider colour placement, whether organized or random. Introductions and the first giveaway for all participants. I’ve gathered all my favourite things, and I’m giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning to share my favourite sewing tools and give them away. Week 2, Oct 1st: We'll be making blocks! 4 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 3, Oct 8th: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 4, Oct 15th: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 5, Oct 22nd: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 6, Oct 29th: Easy Week. This is a great week to catch up on blocks. If you’re all caught up, prep for your last week of blocks, or make your binding, or prep your backing. Week 7, Nov 5th: Sewing the final blocks, 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 9 (Twin) Week 8, Nov 12th: Assemble your Quilt Top. I’ll be sharing my favourite FMQ ideas, or my favourite pantos. Those of us who have assembled quilt tops by the end of the week will take be entered in the final giveaway. Finishing touches, Though the active part of the Quilt Along will be over, we're hoping to see finished quilts at Week 10, Nov 26th. We’re hoping to have lots of finished quilts to show off! Also, I’ll be sharing some simple pattern ideas to use up those scraps left from the curved cuts. Week 1 Blog Post Addition 1 The Favourite Things Giveaway! Like I've said I'm giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning about this giveaway! I've gathered my favourite notions and tools valued at over $75 CDN, and now I get to share them with you, and mail them out to one of you! I've shopped all over to gather up my favourite items! I'll share what I love about them all, and show you mine, out of the packaging! Glue basting is a method I find I'm using lots. A little Elmer's school glue, once heat set is holds fabric together really well. It's a temporary help, and washes out completely. I use it to glue my Invisible Pieced Backing (I've also hear the method termed Pattern Matching), and similarly to close my binding. I've used it to glue a zipper into place because pins were getting in the way, and really it's so helpful to use! The Fineline brand tip is new to me, I like it because of the little needle on the cap. This slides down into the tube and keeps the glue from drying, and doesn't change the colour of the glue. I bought mine here, but I think next time I'll order the next size up. The best thimble ever! This is a rubber thimble that will stick to your finger. You place it right over the spot that your needle hits, and it works like a dream. It feels like it's part of your finger. There are 24 thimble dots in one tin, and they can be used over and over again. I know I've used one a dozen times because I counted, but the tin will easily last me a full year of handsewing, and has saved me from sore fingers. Here's where I ordered the Poke-A-Dots from! I couldn't find them in Canada. I really like these ruler grips. You can use the larger ring size or the smaller circle inside. They stick well, and are perfectly clear so they don't block your sight. You can order True Grips from the USA, or from Canada. I love these thread snips. They have a place on my sewing machine, to the far right of the needle, so I can grab them at any time to snip threads or fabric. Before these I had a teeny pair of scissors, but these snips save me time because I can grab with one hand, snip, and drop them faster than I could with any other snips. These snips have a dull point, which I like and they look almost exactly like the snips from Tula's line of notions, without the price point. I tried to find these online with no luck, they're hard to search because there are several types of blades, and under several brand names. I bought mine at Fabricville, and I can only find them in store, but here are some close alternatives in Canada, and USA. Aurifil! Love it all! This is my most used colour, 2615 Aluminum! The best! These Monkey Jacks or Bobbinis have been really helpful saving me time looking for the right bobbin. I only have a handful that I use with my most commonly used colours, but I find they save me time, so I love them! I bet this colour of Aurifil thread is in your local quilt shop, but just in case, Canada and USA. Monkey Jacks/Bobbinis can be found in Canada, and the USA. Photo Credit, Heather and Megan of Quilt Story This little thing is a game changer! I love it! It's a Stringblade! Mount it onto your sewing machine or on the wall by your iron (for example) and in moments you can separate miles of chain piecing. I've tried other brands and believe me, this is the best. Here's where you can order Stringblades. Lastly, this pattern is my favourite recommendation of what to do with the curve pieces leftover from cutting the pieces you need. Later on in the QAL I'll share some ideas of what to do with those pieces, and refer you to a few different patterns! Also, Glimmering has been on my mind lots because I've just completed pillows made out of my two test blocks for this pattern, and really I just wanted to add something else to the giveaway pot! Glimmering is available in stores or in my Etsy shop, but psst! Hold off for a bit, because mumble mumble coupon code, mumble mumble, just for QAL, mumble. Week 1 Blog Post Addition 2 Giveaway is today for the "My Favourite Things" goodies! I've just drawn a name from the entrants, and want to wish huge congrats to,......... Yo Warden !!! I'll be in touch to get your mailing address! Here are the tutorials including how to cut, piece and press curves, and some pressing accuracy tips! I'll add a little spoiler, while I'm pointing at things in the videos my fingers get close to the blade of the rotary cutter, and it looks especially risky in the videos, but just so that I don't give you a heart attack, and so you can watch the videos without biting your nails, no injuries happened. Not a scratch! ;) Cutting: Sewing: Pressing: Trimming with the True Up template: Adding the String: Here's something I wanted to expound on in this video, I find an easy way to ensure I have all the strings needed in all the colours needed is to cut my outside corner piece 1" inch wider, then cut off a 1" piece and use this as the string. This makes my string 1" x 8 1/4" instead of 7 1/2" . It just saves effort, though it wastes a little fabric. You can choose either option! Because I was focused on other things, like pressing accuracy and not tripping over my words, (which I did a few times anyway), I pressed the seam in the wrong direction for this take. In the pattern the string seam will be pressed towards the circle, not the string. Week 2 QAL email and blog post will drop on Monday!

Shop the Yonder pattern here: When C+S asked me if I'd be interested in designing patterns for their new collections I had to keep my composure, so I didn't scream "YES!" and make them think I was a weirdo. Because I'm not. I was so happy to have the opportunity because: 1. I'm a huge Rifle Paper fan, and would get a sneak peek at their newest collection. (I know, we're Textile Designers too, but I feel that has even expanded my appreciation of other designer's creations, and it's fun to spend some time admiring other artist's work!) 2. I was intrigued by the challenge of acting as a proxy Quilt Designer for another Textile Designer. I imagine most textile designers have a feel for how they wanted their fabric line to be seen. Being that for another means I hope to design a quilt that they would love, and that shows off their collection as they wish to portray it. I've enjoyed it! 3. Though I wasn't attending Fall Quilt Market, I was excited that some of my projects would be there. I was sent digital artwork of the collection in August and submitted designs within a week. I submitted a few ideas for the Wildwood collection, and here is one I loved, but I'm glad Yonder was the winner. In 2018, Anna Bond had her artwork placed on a stamp. She had mentioned at the time that it was a huge achievement for her because she had loved stamps as a child, (but don't ask me how I know that because I can't find the source, but here's the stamp, so I didn't completely make it up). So I thought this would make a fun quilt, and C+S basics had a great manilla envelope colour for the background. I guess this designs will just have to go into the vault for another time. My goals in designing Yonder were as follows: 1. No background fabric. I imagined a high saturation of print and colour. 2. I wanted to see five different fabrics in a large 18" block. 3. I was hoping for a pretty secondary design. 4. I wanted to build from a simple star design I'd fallen for a few months previous. Andrea of @3rdstoryworkshop had asked me to contribute star blocks to a quilt she was making. I could make any design I wanted that was a star, and made this simple block. When I handed the blocks over to her at one of our MMQG meetings, I mentioned, "I think I'm going to play with this star!" My quilty to-do list turned into a traffic jam in the Fall due to a truckload of unforseens, so I called out to my amazing quilty friends and they came to the rescue. Eleanor Thili sewed up this quilt beautifully. She also fussy-cut the bunny for the centre square (shown in the pic below). I love her for that! I knew for a long time I wanted to have it quilted in a woodgrain, but I couldn't find a pantograph that was organic and un-repetitive for my vision, so I rented Bella, the longarm at Violet Quilts, chose a pistachio coloured thread, and quilted it myself over about 5 hours. This pattern has been such an agreeable project. Writing, proofing, testing, sewing, and editing were all easy breezy; so for the present, Yonder is my favourite child. I always have a giveaway for a new pattern release, so on Friday please see my Giveaway post on Facebook or Instagram to enter. Contest closes Monday, March 11th at 9am EST. A winner will be chosen from FB and Instagram, and will win a great big coupon and a digital copy of the pattern for themselves and their tagged friend. This quilt needs a Quilt Along. It just does. So, I'm starting a QAL on April 29th. Sign up here! (Since The QAL is finished, here are links to all the content.) WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5 WEEK 6 Bonus Files: Using Fat Quarters with Yonder Using Directional Prints with Yonder Here's the plan for the QAL: hashtag to use: #yonderquilt You can expect an email every Monday of the QAL. It will link you to the week's Blog post. In anticipating the "Can I use Fat Quarters?" question, the answer is yes. You'll need two for every block, but it's tight, and I'd recommend having a few extra FQs on hand in case you need to bring them into the fold. I'm sewing up a Yonder made with FQs, and there will be a Blog post all about it before the QAL. I find it best to cut the entire quilt, match up which prints you want together in a block, then make blocks one by one, so that's how I've organized the QAL. Opening giveaway will be on April 29th. If you have signed up for the QAL you are automatically entered. Once I draw a name, I'll request to see proof of purchase of the pattern, then the giveaway will be mailed to you! WEEK 1, April 29th Steps 1 and 2: Cut all fabric for your blocks, match up fabrics you would like in the same block. WEEK 2, May 6th Sew a third of the blocks Bassinet:1 Throw: 5 Twin: 8 King: 12 WEEK 3, May 13th Sew a third of the blocks Bassinet:1 Throw: 5 Twin: 8 King: 12 WEEK 4, May 20th Catch-up, get-ahead or take-it-easy week WEEK 5, May 27th Sew remaining blocks Bassinet: 2 Throw: 6 Twin: 9 King: 12 WEEK 6, June 3rd Layout and assemble quilt top. Post by midnight June 9th to be entered in the final giveaway. June 10th Final giveaway winner announced! It's going to be a fun QAL, I just know it! I hop you'll join us. Follow this link to Subscribe!

Designing our new collection has been a lot of fun. Strawberry Season will be in stores early 2024. Here's the Strawberry Season Lookbook full of good reasons to look forward to spring! I'm so pleased to get to share a free pattern with you! It's the Jam Jar block! And as another bonus, in the instructions, I've given you some guidelines to calculate larger projects. Happy Sewing! ... ... ... ...

We are in Week Four of the quilt along! I’m am so inspired by you! Your blocks are amazing and your colour palettes inspiring! I love this "one colour per block" look Terry, @trowquilting! All the heart eyes for these blocks by Gretchen @gollygwhiz! This soft palette by Diane @d_bates79 makes me want to pull fabrics for another! ;) Did you see! We already have some finished quilt tops! Way to go Adrienne @seam_work, and Wendy @redlabelquilts! Keep at those blocks, friends! They’re looking gorgeous! Before you know it, you’ll have a quilt top, too. Share your quilt top using the #potterswheelqal, and I’ll enter you in the final giveaway! I am dying to tell you about the giveaway, but I’ll keep it a secret for a little while yet! Remember, Week 6 (Easy Week) is the week after next! You can use it to catch up, or take a break, or get ahead on your Potter's Wheel project. This week is just like last week, our goal is sewing more blocks: 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Next week’s goal is exactly the same: 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) A note: If you happen to create a snag in your acrylic ruler by cutting into the edge of the curve with your rotary cutter this can easily be repaired. File it down with a metal nail file. (I have also had to do this on my Stripology ruler, and filing down the snag makes the edge smooth again so it doesn't catch the rotary cutter.) Until next week, happy sewing!

Here we are at week one of the QAL! I'm thrilled we're here! Here's the final palette! Just as my last Potter's Wheel quilt, the prints are entirely a selection of Cotton + Steel. I can't wait to play this out! I'm a little tempted to take out the pink. Quite often in my creative process I give myself some room to make choices once I see the quilt coming together. Often that means: I have other prints that could be added, or I have more than enough so that I can omit some prints, or I go shopping to find fabrics I think the quilt needs. I almost always plan out the layout by using the colouring page or doing a rendering in Electric Quilt. This always gives me a better understanding of how the quilt will come together. Though I've organized the QAL to have a certain number of blocks completed every week, another option is to make the four quadrants of the block, and keep them separate until you finalize the full quilt layout. In that case, I'd aim to have all quadrants made by the end of Week 5, lay them out Week 6 and work to have all blocks assembled by Week 7, and Quilt top together Week 8. I'm considering these two layout options: a diagonal gradient, or a horizontal gradient. I'm curious! Which do you prefer? I'll likely do a poll on Instagram to get some help deciding. Here's what you can expect from me this week: You should have just received an email linking you to this blog post. There's also a link to Crib, Throw and Twin Colouring Pages. I'll be adding 3 video tutorials to this blog post through the week: Curved Cutting, Piecing, Pressing. I'll be sharing some information on the cool things I've gathered for the "My Favourite Things" Giveaway which will take place on Saturday! Here are our goals for the week: Although you can definitely get a head start on sewing blocks, here are our goals for the week. Introduce yourself online using the #potterswheelqal and tag me @briarhilldesigns. I'd love for us all to make some new quilty friends! Use the colouring page (provided with your pattern, but also there's a link below to get Twin, Throw and Crib layouts) if you would like to plan out colour placement in your quilt. Follow #potterswheelqal and #potterswheelquilt, share pics using these hashtags, and cheer on your fellow QAL-ers! Share your fabric palette using the hashtag #potterswheelqal! (Guys, I CANNOT wait to see!) Sew a few practice curves after watching the tutorial provided later this week. Some housekeeping details: Please feel welcome to contact me with any questions at any time. I'm not often available on Sundays, so I'll likely return messages on Monday AM. You will be notified via email every Monday of the week's blog post. There will be only one blog post per week, but there will be weeks that I add more content to the week's blog post. In those cases you will receive an email linking you back to the week's blog post, and scrolling down will bring you to the additional content. The Schedule Week 1, Sept 24th: Planning week - Show us your fabric palette. Use the provided colouring page to consider colour placement, whether organized or random. Introductions and the first giveaway for all participants. I’ve gathered all my favourite things, and I’m giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning to share my favourite sewing tools and give them away. Week 2, Oct 1st: We'll be making blocks! 4 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 3, Oct 8th: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 4, Oct 15th: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 5, Oct 22nd: Sewing more blocks! 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 10 (Twin) Week 6, Oct 29th: Easy Week. This is a great week to catch up on blocks. If you’re all caught up, prep for your last week of blocks, or make your binding, or prep your backing. Week 7, Nov 5th: Sewing the final blocks, 3 (Crib), 5 (Throw) 9 (Twin) Week 8, Nov 12th: Assemble your Quilt Top. I’ll be sharing my favourite FMQ ideas, or my favourite pantos. Those of us who have assembled quilt tops by the end of the week will take be entered in the final giveaway. Finishing touches, Though the active part of the Quilt Along will be over, we're hoping to see finished quilts at Week 10, Nov 26th. We’re hoping to have lots of finished quilts to show off! Also, I’ll be sharing some simple pattern ideas to use up those scraps left from the curved cuts. Week 1 Blog Post Addition 1 The Favourite Things Giveaway! Like I've said I'm giddy like a Mom on Christmas morning about this giveaway! I've gathered my favourite notions and tools valued at over $75 CDN, and now I get to share them with you, and mail them out to one of you! I've shopped all over to gather up my favourite items! I'll share what I love about them all, and show you mine, out of the packaging! Glue basting is a method I find I'm using lots. A little Elmer's school glue, once heat set is holds fabric together really well. It's a temporary help, and washes out completely. I use it to glue my Invisible Pieced Backing (I've also hear the method termed Pattern Matching), and similarly to close my binding. I've used it to glue a zipper into place because pins were getting in the way, and really it's so helpful to use! The Fineline brand tip is new to me, I like it because of the little needle on the cap. This slides down into the tube and keeps the glue from drying, and doesn't change the colour of the glue. I bought mine here, but I think next time I'll order the next size up. The best thimble ever! This is a rubber thimble that will stick to your finger. You place it right over the spot that your needle hits, and it works like a dream. It feels like it's part of your finger. There are 24 thimble dots in one tin, and they can be used over and over again. I know I've used one a dozen times because I counted, but the tin will easily last me a full year of handsewing, and has saved me from sore fingers. Here's where I ordered the Poke-A-Dots from! I couldn't find them in Canada. I really like these ruler grips. You can use the larger ring size or the smaller circle inside. They stick well, and are perfectly clear so they don't block your sight. You can order True Grips from the USA, or from Canada. I love these thread snips. They have a place on my sewing machine, to the far right of the needle, so I can grab them at any time to snip threads or fabric. Before these I had a teeny pair of scissors, but these snips save me time because I can grab with one hand, snip, and drop them faster than I could with any other snips. These snips have a dull point, which I like and they look almost exactly like the snips from Tula's line of notions, without the price point. I tried to find these online with no luck, they're hard to search because there are several types of blades, and under several brand names. I bought mine at Fabricville, and I can only find them in store, but here are some close alternatives in Canada, and USA. Aurifil! Love it all! This is my most used colour, 2615 Aluminum! The best! These Monkey Jacks or Bobbinis have been really helpful saving me time looking for the right bobbin. I only have a handful that I use with my most commonly used colours, but I find they save me time, so I love them! I bet this colour of Aurifil thread is in your local quilt shop, but just in case, Canada and USA. Monkey Jacks/Bobbinis can be found in Canada, and the USA. Photo Credit, Heather and Megan of Quilt Story This little thing is a game changer! I love it! It's a Stringblade! Mount it onto your sewing machine or on the wall by your iron (for example) and in moments you can separate miles of chain piecing. I've tried other brands and believe me, this is the best. Here's where you can order Stringblades. Lastly, this pattern is my favourite recommendation of what to do with the curve pieces leftover from cutting the pieces you need. Later on in the QAL I'll share some ideas of what to do with those pieces, and refer you to a few different patterns! Also, Glimmering has been on my mind lots because I've just completed pillows made out of my two test blocks for this pattern, and really I just wanted to add something else to the giveaway pot! Glimmering is available in stores or in my Etsy shop, but psst! Hold off for a bit, because mumble mumble coupon code, mumble mumble, just for QAL, mumble. Week 1 Blog Post Addition 2 Giveaway is today for the "My Favourite Things" goodies! I've just drawn a name from the entrants, and want to wish huge congrats to,......... Yo Warden !!! I'll be in touch to get your mailing address! Here are the tutorials including how to cut, piece and press curves, and some pressing accuracy tips! I'll add a little spoiler, while I'm pointing at things in the videos my fingers get close to the blade of the rotary cutter, and it looks especially risky in the videos, but just so that I don't give you a heart attack, and so you can watch the videos without biting your nails, no injuries happened. Not a scratch! ;) Cutting: Sewing: Pressing: Trimming with the True Up template: Adding the String: Here's something I wanted to expound on in this video, I find an easy way to ensure I have all the strings needed in all the colours needed is to cut my outside corner piece 1" inch wider, then cut off a 1" piece and use this as the string. This makes my string 1" x 8 1/4" instead of 7 1/2" . It just saves effort, though it wastes a little fabric. You can choose either option! Because I was focused on other things, like pressing accuracy and not tripping over my words, (which I did a few times anyway), I pressed the seam in the wrong direction for this take. In the pattern the string seam will be pressed towards the circle, not the string. Week 2 QAL email and blog post will drop on Monday!

This Brooklyn brownstone, with interiors by Crystal Sinclair Designs, strikes the perfect balance between historic charm and modern sentiments.

Two blog posts in a row! I wanted to share this quilt I made recently for one of my best friends who is having a baby girl. It's an ...

Pattern: #78 Briar Rose from 200 Crochet Blocks for blankets, throws, and afghans by Jan Eaton Hook used: H Finished Size: 8" Colors Used: I love this yarn's Grey Beard, Ivory, Old Leaf and Peacock Guess what?! Granny number 30 means time for a mosaic :) Click the image to...

This Brooklyn brownstone, with interiors by Crystal Sinclair Designs, strikes the perfect balance between historic charm and modern sentiments.

Blogged: thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=466

Designer of Thimble Blossoms patterns, half of Bonnie & Camille fabrics, mom of 3 boys. I love cookies almost as much as I love to make quilts.

This Briar Rose Star Quilt is one of our favorite queen sized quilts because instead of repeating one block across the whole quilt, it incorporates several different kinds of blocks into a larger star quilt pattern. Enjoy making star blocks, pinwheel quilt patterns, basket quilt blocks, four patches, and other blocks in this engaging quilt pattern. Free bed quilt patterns with such a rich variety not only present your best quality quilting, but also can become an everyday part of your bedroom decor.

Over the past month and a half, I have been working on this quilt that I am naming Briar. My daughter came up with the name and I liked it. I really enjoyed pulling my palette together. I went with…

As you know I love the video tutorials by the Missouri Star Quilt Company. They always have great ideas for quilts and find all sorts of ni...

Put your fat quarters to good use by creating a quilt fit for a princess with this Briar Rose Strip Quilt Tutorial. This free quilting tutorial is the perfect way to add a feminine touch to any nursery and makes a great quilting project for daughters and granddaughters. With this fun fat quarter project, you can create a whimsical pattern using bright colors and fun prints to make an adorable baby quilt. This easy quilting project is fantastic for beginners, so if you've always wanted to try making a baby quilt, this project is perfect for you! Give your own little sleeping beauty the royal treatment with this pretty baby quilt tutorial.