Monthly Archives: July 2020

Peak into Batik Block #7

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Are You Ready? Let’s SEW! Michael Miller Fabrics has a free Monthly Quilt Along going on this year. Block #7 instructions are now available. Video tutorial by Lora and Lisa of Material Girlfriends! Tadah!!

This has been a fun Quilt Along. You can either cut your pieces using your Accuquilt machine using the 8″ Qube or you can cut your pieces in the traditional way. Both cutting instructions are included on the Michael Miller blog. Find all the info here blog.michaelmillerfabrics.com

When we were asked to give the Accuquilt system a go for this program, I was… less than excited about it. I liked cutting fabric the traditional way. They said Accuquilt was fast and accurate. So was I. BUT, I was blown away. It is VERY fast and accurate. In December, we were generously given the AccuquiltGo! – the hand crank one – as well as the 8″ die block for being Michael Miller Ambassadors. Since then we have purchased the larger version, AccuquiltGo! Big, plus the 12″ and 6″ Qubes, as well as a few others dies. The 9″ Qube is next on my wish list. I’d like to start adding an Accuquilt page to all my compatible patterns. The cutting system is amazing. Pricey, but amazing.

Material Girlfriends was given the honor to present Month 7! The block looks complicated. After all, it has 44 pieces! Challenge accepted, right? We created this video to break it down into manageable units. The Michael Miller instructions are very clear too. Check it out.

If you didn’t fall asleep before the ending of the video, you’ll see that Lora and I are making two Michael Miller Fabric Quilt Along quilts. I’m making the one in the lovely Michael Miller batiks and Lora is making her quilt using their sumptuous Cotton Couture solids. Both fabric bundles were sent to us in December and we have had a huge amount of pleasure working with these high quality cottons. They are just delicious.

We have five more months, five more blocks. Let’s have fun together! It is not too late to join in on the fun. In December, I’ll share instructions for an optional layout design as well.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton

Our Trip Around the Sun

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This year, 2020, has been especially challenging and will not likely be a Trip Around the Sun we will forget! We made it half way through so let’s celebrate! I virtually pat you on the back and cheer for you in getting through the first half of the year. Challenges can strengthen us. I cried. I was depressed. I was fearful, worried, and downright shocked by the behaviors and reactions of many. But, this too shall pass. I understand and fully believe that we will come out of this year stronger. So I’m celebrating the half way mark and counting my blessings. YOU are one of my blessings.

The sun comes up, the sun goes down.
This old word keeps spinning ‘round and ‘round.
Blink your eyes and it is done,
Another Trip Around the Sun.

The tide rolls in, the tide rolls out,
an unchanging pattern there is no doubt.
Count your blessings, one by one
And enjoy each Trip Around the Sun.

 

Poem Excerpt, Another Trip Around the Sun, by Billy Clyde (requested permission to use a portion in advertising)

Introducing our new Trip Around the Sun Block of the Month pattern! The quilt quadrants represents some of my favorite elements of the seasons. Each appliqué corner extends and reaches to the next season. Between the seasons are appliquéd peel blocks that repeat the bright multi-color palette of the Trip Around the Sun. The center sun appliqué uses warm and cool tones to represent the season’s climate change.

Pattern Highlights:

  • 12-month Block of the Month pattern that is broken into four parts: winter, summer, spring and autumn. Pattern is written to start in whichever season you choose!
  • Find 39 color pages with detailed graphics and instructions. Reversed appliqué templates are included. Plus, enjoy extra-large, 19” x 13” insert sheets for appliqué positioning.
  • Pattern techniques include piecing, paper-piecing (summer apples), and appliqué.
  • Patterns are available NOW!
  • Kits are available soon. Reserve your kit by contacting Lisa@Materialgirlfriends.com
  • Quilt measures 60” x 60” finished size. Fabrics used are Marcus Fabrics Primo Batiks by Material Girlfriends.

To celebrate getting through the first half of 2020, I removed all shipping charges from our SquareUp store. Shipping is free for any of our kits and patterns. If you purchase your Trip Around the Sun kit, I’ll ship it free mid-August or as soon as my bolts arrive.

The fabric line used in creating Trip Around the Sun is Material Girlfriend’s Primo Batik Collection by Marcus Fabrics. The fabrics will be shipped to quilt shops in August. Shops across the US will be running Trip Around the Sun as a Block of the Month program, including Keepsake Quilting!

I’d like to thank the Material Girlfriends testing and proofing team for their thorough work on Trip Around the Sun! They are the reason we have such a great reputation in error-free pattern writing (not my blogs unfortunately!). Thank you Diana Garnhart, Doris Garnhart, Katheline Monnier, Nancy Huffman, Jennie Castner, Nicole Castner, Kim Matsumoto, Cindy Croll, Linda DeMarco, Barbara Neumayer, Linda Perricone, Irene Sena, and Joanna Crimmins. I count this team as a huge blessing.

As you reflect on the past six months, I hope you recognize the times you over-came the challenges. Remember to count your blessings. There is so much beauty within each season. Let go of fear and worry and hold tight to what is good and beautiful. Before you know it, we’ll be celebrating 2021! Here is hoping the second half of 2020 is full of blessings for you.

Absewlutely,

Lisa Norton