This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here.  Welcome to the final week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Today I'm going to share my finished mini quilt and give you a chance to link up your finished quilts!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Finished!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

When I was choosing fabrics for my mini quilt, I worked backwards, choosing the binding fabric first and then from there chose the sparkle fabrics.   It can be hard to choose binding that coordinates with all your prints, so why not try choosing it first! I think it worked out really well!

Sparkles: A Day in the Life by Mummysam, The Woodlands by Khristian A Howell, Castle Peeps by Lizzy House, Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket. Background: Kona White. Binding: Follow your Imagination by Prince Charming.

Sparkle Quilt Along: Finished!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

For backing I was originally going to use the same fabric as the binding, but I didn't end up having quite enough. So I mimicked the stripey binding fabric by using strips of coordinating solids from my stash.  I actually quite like how it turned out!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Finished!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I quilted my mini quilt with my signature doodle loops.  I just can't get away from them! They're second nature for me, and so quick! Plus they're sort of whimsical, which definitely went with the fabrics I used!

Now it's your turn to share your quilts! Link them up! :)

Thank you for quilting along with us, it was a lot of fun! Please continue to add your photos to the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group, we love seeing your progress!

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Finishing Up

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here.  Welcome to the sixth week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Head on over to Megan's blog today for Week Six: Finishing Up!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Finishing Up!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I finished up my mini quilt this morning! I quilted it with simple free-motion doodle loops! Full reveal next week!

Don't forget to add your photos to the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group! Next week we'll have a Linky Party so you all can show off your finished quilts!

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Putting together your quilt top

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here. 

Sparkle Quilt Along, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Welcome to the fifth week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Today I'm going to walk you through how to put your quilt top together!

Before we start sewing, make sure your blocks and sashing strips are well pressed. If you haven't cut your sashing yet, refer back to the cutting instructions here.  If you're sewing the lap size, you'll need to join two strips together and trim to the correct length for sashing in steps 2 and 3!

Sparkle Quilt Along, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

1. Lay out your blocks, placing a 2"x12.5" sashing strip between each block. Sew the blocks and sashing in each row together. I pressed my seams towards the sashing to reduce bulk, but feel free to press them however you'd like!

Sparkle Quilt Along, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

2. Once all your rows are sewn, we're going to sew the sashing that goes between each row as well as the top and bottom of your quilt. This will vary depending on what size quilt you're making! Sew together the same way we sewed the rows! Press seams.

Sparkle Quilt Along, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

3. Now we're going to sew the side sashing pieces on! Press.

Sparkle Quilt Along, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Voila! You're done! Give your finished top a good press and square up if necessary.

Don't forget to join the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group! Next week Megan will be showing you how to finished up your quilt! :)

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Sewing Your Sparkle Blocks

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here.  Welcome to the fourth week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Head on over to Megan's blog today for Week Four: Sewing Your Sparkle Blocks!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Blocks, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I stitched up my blocks earlier this week!

Don't forget to add your photos to the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group! Next week I'll be walking you through putting your quilt top together! :)

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Half-Square Triangles

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here. 

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Welcome to the third week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Today I'm going to show you how to make Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)! So, let's get started!

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

1. Take two of your 3" squares, one print and one background.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

2. Place the background square on top of your print square, right sides together.

3. Using your ruler and a pencil, draw a line across the diagonal of your background square.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

4. Sew 1/4" on either side of the pencil line.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

5.  Using a rotary cutter or scissors, cut down the pencil line, splitting apart your squares.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

6. Press your seams. I like to press mine open because I think they end up laying flatter, but feel free to do what you're comfortable with.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

7. Place your ruler over your HST with the corner on the diagonal seam. Line up the diagonal line on the ruler with the seam. Carefully trim as little as necessary on both sides.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

8. Turn your HST and trim the other two sides, again lining up the seam with the diagonal ruler line. This time line your newly trimmed edges up with 2.5". Trim the excess.

Sparkle Quilt Along: HSTs, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Voila! You should now have two Half-Square Triangles that measure 2.5" square! Repeat with remaining squares!

Don't forget to join the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group! Next week Megan will be showing you how to construct your blocks! :)

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Cutting

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here.  Welcome to the second week of the Sparkle Quilt Along, hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Head on over to Megan's blog today for Week two: Cutting Instructions!

Cutting!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

I finished up my cutting this morning! Getting excited to sew!

Don't forget to join the Sparkle Quilt Along Flickr Group! Next week I'll be walking you through making your Half-Square Triangles! :)

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Choosing Fabrics

This post is part of the Sparkle Quilt Along. For more information see here. 
Welcome to the first week of the Sparkle Quilt Along hosted by Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations and myself! Today we're going to talk about choosing fabrics for your quilts as well as the yardage you'll need for each size! So, let's get started! :)

Choosing Fabrics
Each sparkle is made up of one large central square, sixteen half-square triangles (HST) and four small background squares.  This pattern is perfect for showcasing your favorite prints since you end up with a large uncut square in the middle of each sparkle!

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Tone-on-Tone prints as well as Color + white prints (for more information about these types of prints, see this post from the Art of Choosing) will read as a single color and would be great for your sparkles.  Solids or semi-solids like crossweaves/shot cottons/quilter's linen would be fun too!

From top to bottom: Ruby by Bonnie and Camille, Dolce by Tanya Whelan, Aviary by Joel Dewberry, Habitat by Michele d'Amore, Oval Elements by Pat Bravo, Parisville by Tula Pink, Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry, Too Muchery by Helen Dardik, Arvika by Alexander Henry, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Echo by Lotta Jansdotter, Half-Moon Modern by Momo, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Secret Garden by Sandi Henderson, 1001 Peeps by Lizzy House, Echo by Lotta Jansdotter, Metro Living by Robert Kaufman, Half-Moon by Momo.

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Story prints, prints that have some kind of story/animal/person/object, as well as other bold multicolored focus fabrics would make fun sparkles too!

From top to bottom: The Woodlands by Khristian A Howell, Metro Cafe by Robert Kaufman, Critter Community by Suzy Ultman, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Outfoxed by Lizzy House, 1001 Peeps by Lizzy House.

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

When choosing your background fabric, keep in mind the colors you'll be using for your sparkles. To get a nice pop, you'll want to make sure there is plenty of contrast between your background fabric and sparkle fabrics! Solids, semi-solids, and linens would all make great backgrounds!

From top to bottom: Farm Fresh by Riley Blake, Quilter's Linen by Robert Kaufman, Smirk gray Grid by Kyla May, Heath by Alexander Henry, Annie's Farm Stand by Lakehouse Dry Goods, Kona white, linen, Sparkly linen from JoAnns.

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Here is what I choose for my sparkle quilt, I'm making the mini size! I started with the bottom stripe by Prince Charming and pulled colors from there. I'm using some fun story prints! I'll probably use Kona white for my background

From top to bottom: A Day in the Life by Mummysam, The Woodlands by Khristian A Howell, Castle Peeps by Lizzy House, Tailor Made by Cosmo Cricket, and Follow your Imagination by Prince Charming. 

Fabric Requirements
One of the great things about these sparkles is that they are fat quarter (FQ) and fat eighth (F8) friendly! You can comfortably get two sparkles out of one FQ! You may choose to have all different sparkles or use a fabric more than once, it's up to you!

Each sparkle block is 12.5" unfinished, 12" finished. 

Mini - 28"x28" - 4 sparkles

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

- FQ/F8 of 4 different prints
- 5/8 yd of background fabric (includes sashing/borders)
- 1 yd backing fabric
- 34"x34" piece of batting (1 yd)
- 1/4 yd of binding fabric

Baby - 42"x42" - 9 sparkles

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

- FQ/F8 of 9 different prints
- 1 1/4 yds of background fabric (includes sashing/borders)
- 1 1/2 yds of backing fabric
- 48"x48" piece of batting (1 1/3 yds)
- 1/3 yd of binding fabric

Lap - 55"x55" - 16 sparkles

Sparkle Quilt Along: Week One, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

- FQ/F8 of 16 different prints
- 2 yds of background fabric (includes sashing/borders)
- 3 1/4 yds of backing fabric
- 61"x61" piece of batting (1 3/4 yds)
- 1/2 yd of binding fabric

Check in next week with Megan for cutting instructions! I hope you'll share your fabric choices in the flickr group! Don't hesitate if you have any questions!

Happy Sewing!

Sparkle Quilt Along

Before we dive in, do you guys know Megan of Canoe Ridge Creations? I met her this past year through Sewing Summit, and let me tell you, she is awesome! I am so, SO happy that she leaves a hop skip jump away in Iowa! If you don't know her, go check out her blog and then come back here! :)

Sparkle Quilt Along!, a photo by jenib320 on Flickr.

Megan and I are putting on a quilt along in the new year! Yay! Megan drew up this rad design which we have decided is a SPARKLE! You know I love sparkly anything, so I'm super excited! It's a simple, yet modern design suitable for even beginning quilters! We'll have a range of sizes for you to choose from, from mini to twin! Free free to join in at any time! Here are all the posts:

Sparkle quilt along schedule!
Week One: Choosing Fabrics
Week Two: Cutting
Week Three: Half-Square Triangles
Week Four: Sewing your Sparkle Blocks
Week Five: Putting Together your Quilt Top
Week Six: Finishing Up
Week Seven: Linky Party

You can head on over to the Sparkle Mini Quilt Along Flickr Group and grab a button below, if you'd like!

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