February 2021 Book List

Oona Out of Order

I listened to this book while driving to and from Florida and really enjoyed it. I was worried that it would be confusing but it wasn't at all. It was a fun look at a young woman who has a very challenging 'disorder' and how she finds ways to face those challenges and thrive in spite of them. I found myself really cheering her on and being impressed at her creativity. It was an enjoyable book.

I didn't really read any other books this month because I watched all 9 seasons of this...

Call the Midwife TV Series

While there is a lot of breathing and pushing and other obvious birth related drama, the real story here is the wonderful characters and their families and relationships. It is an amazing collection of stories based on real events, and also many social events of the times. I watched so many episodes in a row that I'm surprised I'm not speaking with a British accent! 

If you haven't watched this series, I highly recommend it. And season 10 will be released this fall, so I have more to look forward to! Yay!!

Enjoy every story!

Diane

THE FINE PRINT: as always, this post contains affiliate links which earn me a small reward from each purchase made through them. I appreciate your support and enjoy a free book or two each month thanks to your help! 

New Designs for Longarm Quilting

Belly Bop

Citrine

Sun Kissed

Seafoam

Soho

I'm having so much fun longarm quilting for customers again that I treated myself to a few new designs. To see all the designs I have available visit my Pinterest board HERE.

If you would like to know more information on the longarm quilting services I provide, click HERE.

I'm happy to quilt for folks both locally and long distance. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions! I would love to quilt for you!

Enjoy every stitch,

Diane

Happy Valentines Day!

Sending love to all of my quilting friends! I hope you celebrate today by doing something kind for yourself and sharing a little love with someone special. 

The HEARTSY pattern can be found HERE. 

Another one of my favorite red and white quilts is this version of Dreaming in Black and White (but red and white obviously!) The pattern includes 5 sizes and can be found HERE. 

The secret to creating a soft blended look with chains running through the quilt is CONTRAST. Use high contrast for the nine patches and low contrast for the hour glass blocks. This allows the chains to really show up and the diamonds to recede. Or go for any look you want. There is no wrong way to quilt!

  

A complete tutorial for my 'no math' method of making scalloped borders can be found HERE. 

I hope you enjoy your day, however you spend it, and be sure to give yourself a little extra love from me!

XOXOX

Diane

Meet my new Featherweight!

I finally bought myself a Singer featherweight sewing machine! I had been so tempted for years, and never gave in until now. I finally found a deal I couldn't pass up on a machine that is in perfect condition! It belonged to a sweet friend of a friend who wanted to sell but only through word of mouth. So I truly think it was meant to be since I heard about it 'through the grapevine' and wasn't even looking for it!

It has all of the attachments and feet and even the entire instruction manual in a binder. It does not have the original carry case but that's okay by me. It is in a plastic bin that is the perfect size for it and protects it well. I'll just have to make a cute little tote bag to put it in. Maybe that can be the first project I sew using the machine!

According to the serial number, this machine was born on Dec. 5, 1939 in Elizabethtown, NJ. So she will be called Shirley because that was the fifth most popular name of the year. I almost named her Betty for the town the she was born in, but that's my late mother in law's name and I didn't want to confuse anyone (myself included!)

If you have a featherweight and have any advice or tips, I would love to hear them! Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go get acquainted with my new toy!

Enjoy every stitch!

Diane

I'm Longarm Quilting Again!

After taking a break for surgery and recovery, I am happy to announce that I'm taking quilts for longarm quilting again. My surgeon says I have passed final inspection and have no limits or restrictions! Woohoo!

For local folks:

I am happy to accept quilts at home as well as contactless drop off on my front porch. I can also plan to meet you at one of the local quilt shops if that helps. Please attach your name and contact info to all drop offs!

For mail order:

As always, please just send me an email letting me know you're mailing a quilt top (or 2 or 3) so I know when to look out for it. Also, please print the download form found HERE and include it in your box. I'm happy to suggest batting, thread colors and designs if needed. 

If you would like to look at the designs I currently have, just go to my Pinterest board HERE.

I've missed quilting for my friends and looking forward to seeing what you've been working on! 

Thanks for trusting me with your treasures,

Diane

Mystery Block of the Month Step 5

 

 

Step 5

FIRST

Arrange the block you have sewn on the design wall. 

TWIN - 20 blocks set 4 x 5

QUEEN+ - 36 blocks set 6 x 6

Select a sashing fabric and a cornerstone fabric.

Note: I used the same fabric for cornerstones as I did for the center squares in my blocks. You can go scrappy or choose one fabric that contrasts with the sashing. 

CUTTING

Cut strips for sashing 2 ½’’ x 12’’ (measure your blocks and adjust accordingly)

Cut squares for cornerstones 2 ½’’ x 2 ½’’

Throw Size- 49 strips and 36 squares

Queen Size- 84 strips and 49 squares

Two Color- use the opposite color of the strips added last month, or a contrasting fabric of the same color.

Three Color- add the third color as the strips or the squares.

SEWING

Sew the blocks into rows adding a sashing strip between each block and on both ends.

Sew rows of square/strip/square combinations to add between the rows.

(Twin- 6 rows of 5 squares and 4 strips, Queen- 7 rows of 7 squares and 6 strips)

Once the block rows and sashing rows are completed. Sew them together, alternating as shown in the diagram. The blocks should be entirely surrounded by strips and corner squares. 

Border options will be offered next month to change the sizes accordingly. Feel free to add your own borders or no borders at all!

Go HERE to print the instructions. Scroll down to the end to see the latest step.

See the Introduction post for more options and details.

If you are sharing your progress on social media be sure to use the following hashtags so we can find you!

#butterflythreadsquilting

#mysteryblockofthemonth2020

Enjoy every stitch!

Diane

January 2021 Instagram Review

 

The kids and the dogs, hyacinths, my favorite tea

groceries for 3 grown kids, colors of 2020, one little word

sneak peak at my new fabric line, a long winter's nap, postop recovery snuggles

Boomer and Buddy chillin', long walks, good books

missing the kids, a gift from a secret friend, new teapot

rain for days, big family breakfast, video of Buddy

best book in a long time, sneak peak at quilt along, happy mail

Mystery quilt reveal, next book order, sweet gift

flowers from a friend, binding for days, Boomer and Kelly doing school

care package from a friend, snuggles by the fire, hot air balloons

Boomer, excellent book, custom quilting a surprise

This post of the current Mystery Quilt Block of the Month went a little crazy so if you are on Instagram and would like to give a heart or a share, I would be so grateful. I think with just a little help it could hit 1000 likes!

January's Instagram started out with lots of sweet gifts from friends and puppy love. Then we started walking again following post op recovery and read lots of good books. I finished 2 quilts that I will be sharing more of very soon. Sneak peek at the new fabric line and lots of rainy days that are only good for snuggles by the fire, reading books and quilting. Let's hope February brings us some sunshine and warmer temps. 

Diane