Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Happy New Year!

Yes I know - it's the first of September. But for me that's New Year. It's the beginning of a new school year and as a student and then a mother and the wife of a University professor the beginning of September always marked and still marks a new year for me. The heat of the summer is over and warm and colorful fall days are around the corner so it's time to take a gulp of fresh air and get going. 
 
This year for me the new year means that I will reactivate my blog. I refuse to let the pandemic drag me down as it did the last few months. As always quilting will be my therapy. 

So - how to celebrate this new start? The best way I can. With a free quilt pattern for you all - the pattern for my quilt "Jewels" which you can also see at the top of my website. 
 

The name comes from the fabrics in jewel tones which are really glowing because of the black sashing and border fabric.This pattern is for a twin size quilt 140 x 200 cm (74“ x 107“) but of course with a few blocks more or less you can easily make it any other size
 
For the top you will need
54 squares of fabric 20 x 20 cm (10“ x 10“) in jewel tones
250 cm (3 1/3 yards) for the sashing and border strips
 
Cut a length of 210 cm (7 feet) from the black fabric
Cut this fabric lengthwise into
8 long sashing strips each 4,5 cm (2“) wide
4 border strips each 12 cm (5“) wide and
4 binding strips each 6 cm (2 ½“) wide.
 
Please note: seam allowance is already included in the measurements.
 
Btw - if you do the maths you will realize that the measurements in centimetres and in inches do not exactly correspond. That's because I adjusted them for easier cutting.  
 
Cut all 54 squares in jewel tones on one diagonal – you will get 108 triangles.
 
Join 2 triangles in different colors on the long side and press the seam allowance to one side. Sew 54 blocks.
 
From the remaining black fabric cut 40 short sashing strips 4,5 cm (2“) wide and the length of your block.
 
Lay out the blocks in 9 rows, 6 blocks in each row. When you like the color combination sew the blocks into rows, adding the short sashing strips between the blocks.
 
Sew the rows together adding the long sashing strips.
 
Add the border strips.
 
Assemble the quilt sandwich and quilt.
 
Bind the quilt with the 4 binding strips.
 
Have fun and enjoy your beautiful quilt! See you next time!
 
I'm linking to Nina Marie's "Off the Wall Friday"


Monday, August 31, 2020

Looking back at August

 
spending some time with horses
watching the numerous butterflies
tasting the (ripe) blackberries
some rain
and much more

Friday, July 31, 2020

Looking back at July


vacation in the mountains of Styria
looking for comet Neowise
my beautiful hibiscus is blooming
spectacular sunsets


Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Looking back at June




hiking to see wild orchids
indulging in strawberries
roses in full bloom
some rain
taking time to smell the daisies

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Looking back at May


rain and rainbows
rhubarb cake
poppies everywhere
painting my new sewing room
a new mug
and much more