Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup - March 2022

  Welcome to March's Favorite Finish Monthly Linkup!

I first would like to apologize for missing the monthly linkups for January and February.  I had all of last year's linkups set in June and when the new year started, I forgot to create new posts.

This month has been full of designing and some secret sewing.  The next mystery quilt is now ready for testing and I have been making tons (and tons and tons) of HST this month.  So no finishes, but here is a stack of some cut fabric (PB&J by Basic Grey for Moda Fabrics):

Ready for the party?  

Here is a reminder of the party details:

• The linky party will open at 12:01am EST on the last day of the month and will be open for 5 days, through the 4th at 11:59 pm EST.

• For instructions on how to link up blog, Instagram, or pictures from your computer (new - there is now a way to just upload a picture without a web link) to the party, click here.  

• If linking a blog post, I ask that you please add a link back to the party.

• Please visit at least 3 other links (and preferably leave comments) to share the love and celebration :)

I hope you join in by checking out the posts or linking your favorite finish of the month!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Swamp Rabbit Quilt Pattern

I am happy to be sharing my newest quilt pattern with you today...Swamp Rabbit Trail.  I made the quilts last fall and used the pattern in the Paper Piecing for Beginners workshop I taught at QuiltCon last month.  I am excited for the official launch of the pattern.

The quilt is named the Swamp Rabbit Trail after the walking/running/bike path that runs for over 22 miles through the heart of Greenville, South Carolina. It is a favorite trail of my family's, especially because of an ice cream shop near the end with homemade, pink waffle cones!

The trail is mostly level with just a few peaks, just like the Swamp Rabbit block.  I originally made the block as party of the Summer Sampler 2020 quilt and was excited to turn it into a full pattern.  Swamp Rabbit Trail contains instructions for two different lap sized versions, the horizontal and the vertical layouts.

You can find Swamp Rabbit Trail on an introductory sale for $10 through Thursday, March 31st.  In my pattern shop, you can combine this intro sale price with coupon codes for more savings. Use the code "TWOPATTERNS" for $2 off 2 patterns and "THREEPATTERNS" for $4 off 3 patterns.

VERTICAL LAYOUT

The vertical layout of Swamp Rabbit Trail combines some blue, turquoise, and green solid fabrics (one of my favorite color combos) on a crisp white background.  Because of the contrast between the blue/green solids against the white, the design shows up really well.

For the quilting, I wanted to do a wavy design that went along with the direction of the pieced blocks.  I settled on this wavy back and forth pattern using my free motion quilting foot using white Aurifil thread.

For the backing I found some green and blue solids yardage.  I did not have enough of either to do the entire back, so I pieced them together to make a two colored backing.  A dark blue binding finished the quilt off.

HORIZONTAL LAYOUT

I was originally going to make the horizontal layout version of Swamp Rabbit Trail using a similar color scheme to the vertical layout, but as it turned to fall I really wanted to make a Halloween quilt.  Making a Halloween quilt has been on my to-do list for a couple of years and I have been collecting Halloween fabric.

The peaks in the blocks reminded me of a witch's hat a little so I decided to make a Halloween version.  I used fabrics from Spooky and Sweet (last years line) and Spookier and Sweeter (currently available, affiliate link) against a light gray background.  I love the little witch's hats, bats, and candy.

For the quilting, I went with one of my favorite designs, a large paisley shape that is quick and gives great texture without taking away from the piecing.

For the backing, I knew that this was probably the only Halloween quilt I was going to make in the near future so I wanted to use up as much of the fabric as possible.  I put the panel that came with the fabric on the back and then added in prints that I had not used from the bundle.  I like that it is really a two sided quilt :)

PATTERN DETAILS

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is written at a confident beginner level that uses strip piecing in a modern way to create the geometric flying geese design.  The pattern contains instructions to make two different lap quilts.  The blocks finish at 18" square so there is no tiny piecing :)

The pattern is now available in the Meadow Mist Designs pattern shop and Etsy.

Digital Version

Print Version

Etsy (digital) Version

Swamp Rabbit Trail is on sale in my pattern shop at a special introductory price of $10 through Thursday, March 31st.  Once you make a Swamp Rabbit Trail of your own, you can share it via social media using the hashtag #SwampRabbitTrailQuilt and #SwampRabbitTrailBlock.

In my pattern shop, you can combine this intro sale price with an additional coupon for more savings, use the code "TWOPATTERNS" for $2 off 2 patterns and "THREEPATTERNS" for $4 off 3 patterns.

MANY THANKS

I would like to thank Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl for her amazing tech editing skills and quilting ideas.  I would also like to thank the Warm Company for the Warm & White batting (my favorite!).

MORE PICTURES

I had a lot of fun at the photoshoot for Raindrops, here are some of my favorite shots and you can see other pictures and short videos on my Instagram account Meadow Mist Designs or by using hashtag #SwampRabbitTrailQuilt.

I'd love to see your version of Swamp Rabbit Trail!!

 

Square in a Square Paper Piecing Templates

There are many different ways of making square in a square blocks, but especially for smaller blocks I think that paper piecing is an ideal way to make accurate and quick square in a square blocks.

For the smaller square in a square blocks, sewing those bias triangle edges onto the squares can be sometimes very frustrating.  Paper piecing means not having to worry about the bias side of the triangle moving while I sew or keeping a perfect 1/4" seam allowance.  

For a mini quilt I made a few years ago making, I needed a bunch of 2" (finished) square in a square blocks.  I created the block template in Corel Draw and thought that the template might be helpful to other quilters.  

I created a set of ten (10) templates for 2" up to 6 ½" (finished) square in a square blocks in ½" increments.  You can get a copy of the Square in a Square Template Set (for free) by signing up for my Meadow Mist Designs Newsletter.  

Please note: the file does not contain paper piecing or fabric cutting instructions, the file is only the templates for paper piecing.

When printing these templates, print at either “no scaling” or “100% scaling”.  Each page contains a test 1” square to ensure the correct sizing of the blocks.

I hope you find the templates useful :)

Free Square in a Square Paper Pieced Templates from 2" to 6 ½" (finished) by signing up for my newsletter.

Happy sewing!  I would love to see what you make with the templates!

 

Happy Pi Day!

To quilty engineers, scientists, Pi lovers everywhere,

Happy Pi Day!

 
I am a chemical engineer and got my degree at Carnegie Mellon University (known to be a super nerdy engineering school). We did not have many of your typical college parties, but holidays like Pi day (March 14th for 3.14) were always huge celebrations.

Students spent most of the night writing out the thousands of digits of pi on the sidewalks all through the campus. I always try to celebrate pi day now with a celebration including some pie.

A bunch of years ago, I made a pi quilt for my engineer husband containing 49 paper pieced digits of Pi and I thought that I would post it again for the occasion.  You can find the Paper Pieced Numbers and Pi Quilt pattern in my shop if you would like to make your own.

Go have a piece of pie today to celebrate Pi Day :)

 

Macaron Mystery Quilt ++ Working Month

 Macaron Mystery - Working Month

It is the first Thursday of the month, but because the quilt top assembly instructions were posted in February, we have March to work on our quilt tops / quilts.

Reminder, the Macaron Mystery quilt linkup deadline is Thursday, April 7th at midnight (EDT).

Remember, you can always find all of the information and posts about the quilt along on the Macaron Mystery Quilt Page.

The Reveal parade post will be posted on Thursday, April 14th.  

On the 13th the pdf links from the posts will be removed.  The instructions will always be available in the blog posts and a full, easily printable version of the pattern will be available in my pattern shop.

LINKUP YOUR QUILT BY APRIL 7TH EST

• Use the linkup link below. You will link up your quilt top or quilt and then on the reveal parade day, they will all publish together in one post.
• The deadline to linkup is April 7th at midnight EST.
• If you have any problems or questions with the link-up, e-mail me at MMDmysteryquilts@gmail.com. I can load your quilt picture into the linky party for you.
• If you need help, please do not DM me through Instagram, message through Facebook, leave a comment in the Facebook group, etc. I simply cannot keep track of all of the different avenues of communication and might not see your question or problem.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Do I need to finish my quilt (quilted and bound) to take part in the parade and be eligible for prizes? 
• No, you can enter pictures of completed quilt tops or finished quilts.

• I posted my quilt picture to Facebook / Instagram / my blog, am I entered into the parade? 
• No, you must link up your picture to be eligible. I will help you if you have any problems.

• How are the prizes given out? 
•  All prizes are given out randomly to quilters who participate in the reveal parade.

• I loved the mystery quilt so much I made two (or more) versions, can I link up both of them? 
•  Yes! You can link up all of the quilt tops and/or finished quilts you made from the Macaron Mystery quilt and each quilt gets an entry into the prize drawing.

• I changed up the design (added borders, arranged blocks differently, changed size, etc), can I still enter the reveal parade for prizes?
• Yes!  Any and all Macaron Mystery variations are eligible for prizes.

Click here to enter your quilt top and/or quilt into the linky party

 

Pre-Cut Bundle Sale

 

You all know that I love pre-cuts (as evidenced by my latest book Just One Charm Pack Quilts).  If you love pre-cuts too, then this bundle is for you!

Announcing the Pre-Cut Pattern Bundle!  (affiliate link)

The bundle contains digital 10 patterns for only $19 from very popular designers and every pattern is pre-cut friendly.  It is a great way to get some patterns to help use up your stash of various pre-cuts and get them into finished quilts.

My contribution to the bundle is Charming, a charm friendly pattern available in baby, lap, and king sizes.

The Pre-Cut Pattern Bundle includes 10 digital patterns for only $19.

Buy now (affiliate link)

This bundle is only available for a four days through Saturday, March 5th, then it’s gone forever. 

The following patterns are included in the bundle...

1. Charming by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs - Charm friendly pattern available in baby, lap, and king sizes.

2. Garden Patch by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life - Charm friendly lap size pattern.

3. Bundle Buster by Yvonne Fuchs of Quilting Jetgirl - Fat Quarter friendly pattern available in baby, throw, and lap sizes.

4. Campin Gnomes by Mary Hertel of Made By Marney - Charm friendly 41" square pattern.

5. Skit Row by Laura Strickland of Orange Blossom Quilt - Scrap / Charm Pack / Honey Bun friendly table runner pattern.

6. Color Story by Heather Valentine of the Sewing Loft - Scrap / Fat Quarter friendly lap size pattern.

7. Sprockets by Becky Jorgensen of Patchwork Posse - Jelly Roll friendly lap size pattern.

8. Star Sweep by Kirsty Cleverly of Bonjour Quilts - Jelly Roll Friendly pattern available in baby, throw, twin, queen, or king sizes.

9. Life is a Highway by Cynthia Brunz of Quilting is Better Than Housework - Jelly Roll friendly lap size pattern.

10. Fruit Salad by Kris Driessen of Phoebe Moon - Jelly Roll and Fat Quarter friendly lap size pattern.

Remember the deal is only available for four days through March 5th.

Here are pictures of the other 9 patterns...