Why Not Sew?

Friday, October 16, 2015

Block No.24 Coral - Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Sew Along

Hello there! Today I'm going to show how I made block no. 24, Coral for the Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Sew Along with Gnome Angel, Fat Quarter Shop, and Marti Michell. It's a simple block. Basically, it's a saw tooth star with a cute little square added to the bottom of the center block.

I used From Marti Michell templates from set A for mine. I have fallen in love with these templates. If you have read my blog for a while you might know that I started quilting by drawing templates on card board and tracing all my pieces by hand and then cutting them out with scissors. I did not like it very much. I wasn't careful or accurate with what I was doing. But these, these Marti Michell templates are so nice. They are sturdy and trimming the corners makes everything match up so perfectly. And I'm using my rotary cutter and strips with them. It's pretty fast. I'm really happy with them.

I chose to make flying geese units for the top, bottom and sides instead of half square triangles. One less seam to piece sounds good to me!

I put the flying geese to the side and then pieced my center. Like this.

Sew 2 geese units onto the sides of the center block. Sew 2 squares onto each side of the 2 remaining flying geese units.

Sew your rows together.

I pressed my row seams open.

The link to Marti Michell's conversion charts to use the templates for this block is HERE.

I really love the story that goes with the Coral block. The lady writing is a farmer's wife writing from Wisconsin in October 1936. She talks about taking time to enjoy her little ones. How many of us can relate to this? It seems a running theme through out time. Whether it's 1936 or 2015 so many of us are trying to do this. Live in the moment and enjoy the little things in life and those little blessing especially.

I hope you are enjoying the sew along. The blocks and stories are wonderful.

Fat Quarter Shop has a special code for 10% off your total purchase you can use towards making your Farmer's Wife quilt.

The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird for Fons & Porter/F+W; RRP $28.99 – Click here to purchase.

29/09/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

30/09/2015:Lucy @ Charm About You & Melissa @ Oh How Sweet

01/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

02/10/2015: Jodi @ Tales of Cloth

06/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

07/10/2015: Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts

08/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

09/10/2015: Jess @ Elven Garden Quilts & Sedef @ Down Grapevine Lane

13/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

14/10/2015: Melissa @ Ms Midge

15/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

16/10/2015: Erin @ Why Not Sew

20/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

21/10/2015: Nathalie @ Les Ouvrages de Nat

22/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

23/10/2015: Tina @ Emily Ann's Closet

27/10/2015: Angie @ GnomeAngel.com

28/10/2015: Rachel @ Wooden Spoon Quilts

Sunday Link Party

Sunday Link Party at GnomeAngel.com.

Happy Sewing!

xo Erin

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt Sew Along - Week 1

Good Morning! Are you sewing Farmer's Wife 1930s blocks? I 'm sharing my blocks from week 1 for the Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Sew Along with Gnome Angel.

I chose to use aqua, red and grey for my blocks. Most of the fabrics are from Lakehouse Fabrics Pam Kitty Fog City and Holly Holderman Sunrise Studio with a few others tossed in the mix.

The first block for this sew along was #12 Becky. The blocks for this sew along are going in order of simplicity I think. This block was a breeze to put together. I used the rotary cutter for this block.

The next block was #16 Bonnie. Another simple block that I used the rotary cutter to make.

I love this block. It's #8 Aunt. For the block I used a rotary cutter for the side and corner squares.

For the center on-point square and it's corner triangles I used Marti Michell's template from set A. The pieces go together so nice. Cutting those little nubs off the ends of the pieces really makes a difference. I have never been fond of templates but I have changed my mind. I learned to quilt using cardboard as a template and tracing around each piece. I never enjoyed it. My accuracy was lacking, to say the least. These are lovely. They combine the speed of rotary cutting with a precise template. I watched this video of Marti Michell and really got a grasp of her templates. I'm going to use them as often as I can. I love the way my points look in the center of this block!

I hope you are sewing along. These blocks have been fun to sew and the stories in the book, as with all of Laurie Aaron Hird's books, are really wonderful and touching. I look forward to seeing all of the blocks being made.

There is a link up party HERE!

There is also a Facebook group HERE!

Happy Sewing!
xo Erin

Thursday, October 1, 2015

American Patchwork & Quilting Radio Podcast with Pat Sloan

Hi there! I am so excited to let you all know that I will be talking with the fabulous Pat Sloan Monday, October 5th at 4pm (eastern time) on the American Patchwork & Quilting Podcast!!!

This is yet another surreal moment for me. I never would have thought I would someday be on her radio show. I met Pat at a quilt show in Hershey PA years ago. I was so nervous I forgot how to speak. Anyone who knows me knows that is REALLY not like me. I proceeded to tell her meeting her was cooler than meeting a rock star (cringe, I know). I am SUCH a dork. I'm sure I was beet red. She just gave me a big ol' hug and told me I should get on Facebook!!! hehe! The next year at the same quilt show I was so nervous I didn't even talk to her. I talked with her husband about an upcoming cruise while she was speaking with someone else and my daughter nudged me to talk to her, I ducked out and down the aisle. Silly me.

So, I hope I do not get tongue tied Monday. Wish me luck. If you'd like to listen you can use the links below. You can listen on your computer, subscribe in i-tunes or download to a player.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast

http://www.creativetalknetwork.com/

Happy Sewing!
xo Erin

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Sweet Tweets Blog Hop Big Giveaway!


images belong to the makers in the blog hop listed below in order

Good morning! Today is the last day of the Sweet Tweets Blog Hop. I hope you enjoyed all of the stops on the hop. I loved seeing all of the different takes on the projects and ideas in my book by these talented ladies. I want to thank each of them for taking the time to play along with me! Thank you, thank you, thank you sweet friends!

Sweet Tweets Blog Hop

Tuesday, Sept.8 - Erin (intro post) Why Not Sew?

Wednesday, Sept.9 - Heidi Fabric Mutt

Thursday, Sept.10 - Debbie A Quilter's Table

Friday, Sept.11 - No Post

Saturday, Sept.12 - Jacque Brown Dog Prims

Monday, Sept.14 - Amy nanaCompany

Tuesday, Sept.15 - Svetlana s.o.t.a.k handmade

Wednesday, Sept.16 - Renee Sewn With Grace

Thursday, Sept.17 - Martingale Stitch This! The Martingale Blog

Friday, Sept.18 - Heather Vintage Grey Handmade

Saturday, Sept.19 - Clara and Jennie Clover & Violet

Monday, Sept.21 - Amanda Jean Crazy Mom Quilts

Tuesday, Sept.22 - Cindy Live a Colorful Life

Wednesday, Sept.23 - Carla Grace and Favour

Thursday, Sept.24 - Mary Molly Flanders

Friday, Sept.25 - Minki Minki's Work Table

Saturday, Sept.26 - Erin, Big Giveaway Post!!! Why Not Sew?

I wanted to end the blog hop with a really fun giveaway! I picked up a few of my favorite things, to help you in making a project from my book, as well as some other fun things.

The giveaway includes:

- a fat quarter bundle of Hello Darling by Bonnie and Camille for Moda (this was generously given by Fat Quarter Shop, Thank you so much FQS!)

- a hard copy of my book Sweet Tweets

- a mini charm pack of Hi-De-Ho by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda ( 2.5" squares perfect for many projects in my book)

- a handmade by me Birdie and Strawberries basket to hold your sewing notions

- my favorite 2.5" omnigrid ruler perfect for fussy cutting

- a Clover Hera Marker

- Clover Wonder Clips

- Coats and Clarks machine quilting thread in black for the free motion applique in my book

To enter comment on this post and I will pick a winner next week. Thanks to you all for being so kind in your comments and encouragements about the book!

Happy Sewing!!!

xo Erin

Friday, September 25, 2015

Farm Girl Fridays - Welcome Block

Good Morning! I'm so happy today is my day on the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along with Lori Holt and Fat Quarter Shop. It's week 22 and we are almost finished sewing the 45 blocks for the sew along. It has been such fun seeing all of the blocks people are making from Lori's book Farm Girl Vintage.

My block is the Welcome Block. Lori named the block Welcome because it's also used in her Farmhouse Lane quilt from the book and the block looks like colorful welcoming flowers. I love the colors Lori used for the block in her book. I wanted to keep it as close to those as possible when I made mine.

The red and mint prints are from Lori's Modern Minis line and the center coral print is from Lecien.

There are instructions for both 6" or 12" blocks. I chose to make the 6" blocks. They are just too cute to resist! I am not all caught up on my blocks yet and it's not too late to sew along at any time.

I love Lori's style and I have learned so much from her you tube videos and books. If you haven't already checked out her videos with Fat Quarter Shop on You Tube I highly recommend them. I love her system for saving and storing scraps and her quilty back pockets.

HERE is the schedule for the sew along where you can see all of the blocks that have been made so far.

Happy sewing!
xo Erin

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Good Neighbors Pincushion Party and a Giveaway!!!

Hello! I am so thrilled to be a part of the Good Neighbors Pincushion Party celebrating the new fabric Good Neighbors by Amanda Jean Nyberg a.k.a. Crazy Mom Quilts! Amanda Jean is one of my greatest inspirations in our quilting community and I know she is for many of you too.

just like candy!

When I heard that she was releasing a fabric line with Connecting Threads I was so happy and excited to see it! The fabric is perfect! The colors are vibrant. The low volume prints are spot on! Those little x's... love them. Playing with these fabrics was pure joy.

For my pincushion I made a pair of birdies. Are you surprised? :) I picture these little birds as "Good Neighbors". Ya know, just hanging quilts out on the line together, chirpin' away. Isn't Good Neighbors a great name for the fabric? I think so. That is why I embroidered it on the pincushion.

For the little quilt on the line I cut .25" strips and then sub-cut those into .25" squares to make a 1" quilt with 16 little squares.

I fused those onto fusible web, ironed it to the linen and quilted it.

I love this fabric and love how affordable it is too! I think a bundle of this would be a great starter bundle for a new quilter. It has everything you need in fabric right there. Of course, it's great for any quilter. For me, I'll be using it in just about everything!

If you would like a chance to win a charm pack of all of these yummy prints just leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner next week.

Don't forget to check out the other pincushions for the party! Here is the schedule below with a chance to win a charm pack at each stop!

Date	Blogger Name	Blog URL
9/1/2015	Amanda Jean	http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/
9/2/2015	Anna	http://www.noodle-head.com/
9/3/2015	Mary	http://maryonlakepulaski.blogspot.com/
9/4/2015	Svetlana	http://sotakhandmade.blogspot.com/
9/5/2015	Debbie	http://www.eschhousequilts.com/
9/6/2015	Holly	http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/
9/7/2015	Carla	http://carla-graceandfavour.blogspot.com/
9/8/2015	Faith	www.FreshLemonsQuilts.com
9/9/2015	Vanessa	http://www.vanessachristenson.com/
9/10/2015	Anna	http://www.thimbleanna.com/
9/11/2015	Krista	http://poppyprintcreates.blogspot.com/
9/12/2015	Erin	http://whynotsew.blogspot.com/
9/13/2015	Lee	http://www.maychappell.com/
9/14/2015	Alex	http://teaginnydesigns.blogspot.com/
9/15/2015	Cheryl	http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/
9/16/2015	Penny	http://sewtakeahike.typepad.com/
9/17/2015	Amy	http://duringquiettime.com/
9/18/2015	Debbie	http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/
9/19/2015	Anne	http://www.springleafstudios.com/
9/20/2015	Melissa Corry	http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/
9/21/2015	Amber	http://www.oneshabbychick.typepad.com/
9/22/2015	Nettie	http://aquiltisnice.blogspot.com/
9/23/2015	Adrianne	http://www.littlebluebell.com/
9/24/2015	Cindy	http://www.liveacolorfullife.net/
9/25/2015	Amy	http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/
9/26/2015	Chase	http://quarterinchmark.blogspot.com/
9/27/2015	Rene	http://www.renecreates.com/
9/28/2015	Erin	http://www.houseonhillroad.com/
9/29/2015	Nicole	http://modernhandcraft.com/
9/30/2015	Teri	http://blog.connectingthreads.com/

Have fun and
Happy Sewing!!!
xo Erin

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Sweet Tweets Blog Hop

Good Morning! Today I am so excited to kick off the start of the Sweet Tweets Blog Hop for my book! I've asked some of my friends if they would like to blog hop with me and they very kindly said yes. Thank you so much, ladies!!! You can stop by their blogs (schedule below) to see what they have to say about my book and for a chance to win an e-copy at each stop on the hop. I will also be having a giveaway at the end of the blog hop that includes a hard copy of my book, some of my favorite notions, a kit to make a project from my book, a sweet handmade item and a big bundle of something very "darling" (hint, hint)!

I want to thank those of you who have sent me emails and left comments about my book. They mean so much to me. I have loved seeing the things that you are making from it. If you are on Instagram you can use the hashtags #sweettweetsbook and #sweettweets to share if you would like!

Happy Sewing!
xo Erin