The Sudoku Quilt

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Sudoku is the second quilt I made with Urban Scandinavian by Kirstyn Cogan for P&B Textiles. This quilt uses all of the color prints from the line, where Silent Film used all of the black and white prints. Sudoku was featured in the Fall 2016 issue of Scrap Quilts from Fons and Porter and features a star-in-a-star block that I just love.

I chose the Star-in-star block in order to use as much of the line as possible. Each print has a light and dark counterpart in each motif, which made the block so successful. Its not overwhelming or jarring, the prints flow harmoniously, there is visual interest and movement. The quilt is perfect for a baby quilt, and the pattern can easily be brightened up with a selection of colorful prints or solids. Imagine an ombre solid, with the light in the center and the dark in the outer star? Yum! It’s in the Scraps Quilts issue because each star is made from small amounts of different fabrics. The prints cycle through, and then repeat on the bottom row. You could bust out a whole lotta scraps and leftover pieces with this one! Got a Fat Eighth bundle hanging about that you don’t know what to do with? Sudoku to the rescue!

I quilted it all over in a swirly pantograph called Brittany from Anne Bright Designs. It is one of my favorites, lots of movement and interest, works well with almost anything.

The sample quilt finally made it home after an extended stay in customs, and just in time. Isn’t it perfect with our Christmas tree? I foresee lots of snuggles and hot chocolate in front of the fireplace with this one!

Happy Stitching!

2Nov2016

Market Quilts

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Quilt Market wrapped up this past Monday, and in between basement reno’s and Halloween prep and a family visit, I found some time to follow along on Instagram and check out all the new awesomeness that was released. I was also stalking patiently to see pictures of the quilts I made for Market.

I have been sitting on my hands waiting patiently for the official release so that I can show off my new designs. I LOVE the new collections, and and super excited and happy with how everything turned out. My sewing room is finally set up the way I want it, and that includes the home for my new longarm!

That’s correct, I am now the proud owner of a Tin Lizzie Apprentice. I love my machine! She still needs a name (if I go that route, which I likely will). She stitched beautifully and works with my favorite threads – Glide and Aurifil – without issue. The best part is now I don’t have to get a quilt done all in one sitting! I have been getting more creative with my quilting as a result and I am seriously excited as all heck about the future. I can see it getting a lot more productive around here!

Now it’s time for quilts!

Fleur-de-Lis is an applique quilt using Joel Dewberry True Colors. It was a gloomy rainy day when I finished this one up, but @freespiritfabrics has a great picture on their IG account. I quilted it with the extended piano key on the outside borders, and an all over stipple in white Glide between the applique pieces. I outlined each piece in a matching Aurifil thread to quilt. This is going to be a free pattern from FreeSpirit Fabrics.

Fleur De Lis

Fleur de Lis

Next up is another True Colors quilt using Tula Pinks collection of prints. This one is going to be a Craftsy kit. It was hanging front and center in the FreeSpirit Gallery at market, what an honor! I quilted it with an all over swirl in a pretty aqua thread. The aqua pretty well went with everything.

Rainbow Bargello

And then there were two quilts for Amy Butler’s new collection, Splendor. Zen Garden was designed by myself and sewn by Kerri Thomson. Clematis was quilted on my Lizzie, and I am so proud of it! I was able to take mytime over a couple evenings and really get creative with my quilting. Clematis and Zen Garden are both going to be free patterns. These are the mini versions of the quilts, just wait until you see the full size! I haven’t shown a full size of Clematis because it wasn’t actually pictured yet, but once it’s been released, I will. But sneak peeks of the fabric have been posted to Amy Butler’s IG feed, so I can share the quilting details. These are slated to be free patterns as far as I know. A big thank you to Amy Butler for choosing my designs!

Zen Garden – image from @freespiritfabrics on instagram Sewn and quilted by Kerri Thomson

Clematis-Details

Clematis-Details

Finally, I am super pleased to share the Catnip quilt, which is a collaborative design between myself and Tula Pink for her new collection, Tabby Road. I am not entirely sure who did the quilting on it, either Angela Walters or Tula herself, but it is fantastic! Tula pieced the quilt. This quilt is the new exclusive quilt kit, which will be available from your local quilt shops and online retailers in March 2017, which is when the collection hits the stores. I already have a full yard bundle on pre-order!

Thh Catnip Quilt- Image from @tulapink

The Catnip Quilt- Image from @tulapink

There are going to be a couple more quilts for this collection eventually, so I will keep you posted.

Until next time, Happy Stitching!

29Sep2016

The Silent Film Quilt

Posted in Finished Quilts, Tutorials and Patterns by StaceyinStitches

I am happy that I finally remembered to share this with everyone! As you know the last few months have been super busy preparing for the new house and baby. Now that things are settled down, I realized I still had quilts floating around out in the world that were ready to share.

Wave hello to Silent Film.

Silent Film - Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2016 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

Silent Film is one of the quilts featured in the December issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. I sewed this up ages ago, mailed it off, and then promptly forgot about it until the lovely editor emailed me with pictures and a release date.

I designed Silent Film as part of the Urban Scandinavian collection by Kirstyn Cogan for P&B Textiles. Black and white collections are always a challenge for me. I love color, so B&W is right out of my safe box. Designing with it always comes down to value. I used different variations of black on white and grey on black to create subtle changes in value, and the striped print for visual interest in the blocks and border. The resulting quilt reminded me of an old-time movie theater, playing a black and white movie.

Silent film is the perfect sofa quilt. Back it in a soft flannel or minky, and you have a cuddly yet elegant quilt to snuggle up with and watch your favorite movie. And when guests come over, Silent Film can be left folded over the couch as a sophisticated party guest!

I used the following fabrics from Urban Scandinavian B&W

Funny story about this quilt- this was quilted on my friends longarm, back when we had a small quilting co-op running. I was on a tight deadline, and I was SURE that I had black thread in my cubby at the space. I got the quilt loaded and wouldn’t you know, NO black thread! I almost panicked, and then started auditioning other colors. This is actually quilted with Navy Aurifil 50 wt. The thread was very fine, and it blends in into the quilt so well you cannot even tell. It was a close tie between this and a beautiful warm violet 40 wt Aurifil I had at the space.

Of course, we also love color, so the good people over at American Patchwork and Quilting made up this lovely mini version using color prints from Alexander Henry.

Used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine. ©2016 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved.

As you can see, it makes a fun statement and would be perfect for gifting to a new baby! You could also use black and white and a touch of color. The possibilities go on and on with this one!

The December issue of American Patchwork and Quilting goes on sale October 4. You can pick up a copy on newsstands or download a digital copy directly from All People Quilt. Please tag me when you make your version on Instagram @staceyinstitches or send me an email with pictures of the finished quilt (or top) and I will feature it here. I love to see what others make from my patterns =)

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!

4Aug2016

Welcome, welcome!

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Welcome to our newest addition, little L! H is super happy to be a big brother. L is a month old this week, and we have been adoring every minute of it.

I actually made matching quilts for both little kiddos back in May, during the awesome weekend with Latifah Saafir and the VMQG. We invited her up for 4 days of lectures and workshops, of which I made it to three. I took Rocket 88, which I have adored since I first saw it, and the Glam Clam. I love Latifahs method of piecing clams.

I made this large Rocket 88 quilt for H using a fabulous fat quarter bundle of Neighbourhood from Windham Fabrics. I added the orange from my stash because it’s H’s favorite color.He absolutely loves his quilt!

H’s Quilt- Rocket 88

I finished the Glam Clam top, and then realized it was going to be too big for the baby at first. Then H saw it and claimed it because, again, orange. So I whipped up a mini version of Rocket 88 using a Fat Eighth bundle of Bluebird Park that I had stashed a couple years ago.

L’s Baby Quilt- Rocket 88 mini

We are all very happy and tired, but things are settling into a good routine with home and the baby. It is going to be a great year!

Happy Stitching!

11Jul2016

The Bloom Quilt

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

It’s been a long, exhausting month here at Stacey In Stitches. Not only did we buy a house and move, we also welcomed a new addition to the family! Nothing like cramming everything into two weeks *I’m not crazy I swear*
I haven’t had time or energy to unpack my sewing room, everything is just sitting in boxes, and I haven’t sewn a stitch since June 20th (I’m not counting or anything) so it’s nice to have a fantastic finish to share with everyone!

This is the Bloom Quilt that I designed back in January for Tula PInk’s Chipper Collection. I forgot to take actual pictures of it, I was a little crunched for time, but the man at the FedEx office was nice enough to hold it for me while I snapped some photos with my phone ( and then promptly packed it back up in the box)

Thankfully it is a kit available on Craftsy, and they take some GORGEOUS pictures, so I can share some of those! Woot!

Image Courtesy of Craftsy

Image Courtesy of Craftsy

Image courtesy of Craftsy

I quilted this pretty heavily, but as you can see, the prints absorb it really well, so it creates a nice suprise when you get up close. I used all Aurifil 40wt for my quilting. A light lavender for the star points, a light teal for the chipmunk squares, and light mint for the background. I did an all-over triple paisley motif in the background that I really liked, and it worked well with the print. The chipmunks were all pebbles, and the star points were an orange peel motif. That took a little bit of thinking to avoid too much backtracking but I finally got it worked out. I especially LOVE the bias binding, I love bias striped binding!

I am super happy with how this quilt came out! You can get your own Bloom Kit from Craftsy by Clicking HERE.

Happy Stitching,

25May2016

Spring Quilt Market

Posted in Finished Quilts, Gallery by StaceyinStitches

So, I didn’t make it to quilt market this spring, but a few of my designs did! I have been sitting on these quilt design for months, and its been driving me crazy because I love them SOOO MUCH! When FreeSpirit asked me to design with Tula’s upcoming Slow and Steady line I of course said (in a calm and professional manner) YESSSSS! I submitted a handful of designs, and they were given to Tula herself for approval. She liked them a lot, and made a tweak or two with color placement in the approved designs. She really is a genius of color, and I found the collaboration to be eye opening and inspiring. She is also a genuinely super nice person. I would buy her fabric based on that alone if I didn’t also love it so much. Then the good news came that they wanted one of the designs for a kit. I didn’t clue in until the market photos started popping up that it was one of the amazing pre-cut box kits! HOLY COW!

Seriously, thank goodness for social media, otherwise when would you ever find pictures of stuff! Yay for Instagram and a huge thanks to @swimbikequilt, @angelafmq, and @tulapink for posting photos.

Fandango, pieced by Tula Pink, Quilted by Angela Walters

Then there is the lovely Wall of Fame Quilt. This quilt is to be a free pattern download from FreeSpirit Fabrics. I will link to it in my patterns section once it goes live.

Pieced by myself, before Angela got her talented magical hands on it…..

…and after! Gorgeous quilting!

Hanging in the FreeSpirit booth. So many gorgeous projects. Check out those Umbrellas!

There is one more project that I made for this collection, but it is heading someplace else. I cannot wait to share it with you!

Happy Stitching!

11May2016

Anemone Quilt Kit

Posted in Finished Quilts, Tutorials and Patterns by StaceyinStitches

I am pleased to announce that the second colorway of my Anemone Quilt is available now exclusively from Craft of Quilting! My friend Anne sent me a picture today of the paper catalogue in her mailbox. Which is super cool. How many people get the mailer? I didn’t even know I could! And it’s an entire page!

Thanks Anne!

The blue/orange colorway looks amazing in person. Of course in my addled brain I once again forgot to take my own photos (boo!) of the finished quilt, but I can assure everyone that it looks spectacular.

You can get both the wall quilt pattern and a pillow pattern. The pillow is super fun and will sew up in an evening. It makes a great gift!

Photos from Craft of Quilting

I love the Anemone Quilt and I plan on making myself a larger version in the future.

Thank you Craft of Quilting for loving the quilt as much as I do! To get your own Anemone Quilt Kit, click on the link here.

Stay tuned for some more super fun stuff happening at the end of the month (squee!)

Happy Stitching,

p.s. I have been receiving a lot of questions as to the availability of the pattern itself. First off, let me thank you for your support and enthusiasm for this quilt, it blows me away! Windham Fabrics is the official distributor for this pattern, and they will be releasing it sometime in the future, though the format (paper or PDF) has yet to be determined. If you have questions or concerns regarding the pattern or quilt kits, kindly email Windham =)

1May2016

Happy May!

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

Now that it’s May, I can introduce a new quilt pattern that is in the McCall’s Quilting May/June issue.

Meet Northern Lights!

Photo courtesy of McCall’s Quilting

Northern Lights started life as a QDAD design. When Elizabeth Hartman released Rhoda Ruth (her very first fabric collection with Kaufman) I just ADORED it. And still do. I love rich, vibrant jewel tones, and since my good friend Anne introduced me to the joys of navy as a background, I love them even more! I knew when I saw it that I just HAD to make something with Rhoda Ruth and started digging through my files. I landed on this beauty from Aug 30th. The inspiration photo was a bunch of root veggies-carrots and radishes I believe.

As you can see, the final design took quite a departure from the original. It took a couple versions to get the paper piecing just right. I REALLY wanted to have the chevron shape at the end of the point, instead of just a straight across piece. Would it have been easier? Yes. Would it have looked as stellar as it does now? Not a chance!

I wanted to try and showcase as many of the Rhoda Ruth prints as possible, for the most part because I couldn’t narrow them down much, and then paired them up with the coordinating Kona Solids.

The quilting took me a while to think of, but I finally went with a combination of freehand designs that really made the quilt pop! I changed thread for each color of stars (a lot of winding the quilt top back and forth for that!) and quited some dense straight lines in the star points and then some pebbles in the center solids for texture. The background I went with a freemotion swirl between the stars to represent the motion of the night sky, clouds and wind. Then I chose an elongated piano key for the outside edge, giving the quilt a faux border and adding some additional visual texture and interest in the solid background. This is why I have a love/hate with solids, because you can have some amazing quilting stand out but you need amazing quilting because it will stand out. Makes total sense, yes?

I love that the quilting hides the seams of the blocks so you can’t tell it’s on point. I don’t know why I love that, but I do =)

You can find the May/June issue of McCall’s quilting on Newsstands now. I really hope you give Northern Lights a go! It’s one of my favorite quilts to date =)

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!!

31Mar2016

Fletching- A free Pattern

Posted in Finished Quilts by StaceyinStitches

It’s been a busy time here at Stacey in Stitches, so I thought I would post another free pattern for everyone! Say hello to Fletching!

Fletching is another quilt pattern from the book that never was. It was one of the first designs for the book, and my goal with it was to create a large, useable quilt that sews up quickly. I think I succeeded in Fletching. The best part is that it has an improv with intent element to the construction, so no two quilts will look the same. The pattern uses large scale simple paper piecing, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to get their feet wet. I mocked it up in a few different colorways, and they all look spectacular, so you know whatever fabric you choose is going to look great. I used a selection of my favorite warm, rich prints and batiks from my stash to make the fletchings. Joan Nicholson of Maple Leaf Quilters did a bang up job on the quilting. I asked for simple and modern, and the straight lines in a rainbow variegated thread are perfect for this quilt.

The Fletching quilt went on a long flight recently to it’s new home with J, a childhood friend of mine in the UK. He went on a long vacation that ended up as a staycation, and finally has a proper flat in a charming little town full of old churches, hills, and bunny rabbits. He was my brothers best friend growing up, and we have known each other since I was 7 and he was 5 ( I think, it’s been a LONG time) when they moved onto our street. I have a lot of happy fond memories growing up in that neighborhood.

When J posted a picture of his room on Facebook, touting the fact that he finally had a real bed and pillows again, I realized he needed a quilt. Badly. White pillowcases and a sheet, it was screaming for some color!

Every so often, a quilt tells me where it wants to live, and in this case Fletching practically jumped out of my trunk and into a mailbox. I knew it would be the perfect quilt for J. The rich, vibrant colors and multidirectional arrows of the quilt seemed to speak to his life, in which he is a performance artist and now a traveller. His life has gone a direction he maybe didn’t plan on, but he is making the most of it. So I went out on the first actually sunny day in what seemed like forever and captured a few pictures (with the help of my little buddy) and promptly sent it away.

The quilt has been received and it goes great with his flat. I am so happy that Fletching has a forever home with J, where it will be used and appreciated as a quilt should!

You can find the free pattern in my Craftsy shop by CLICKING HERE.

Happy Stitching!

16Mar2016

Celebrate Old Glory

Posted in Finished Quilts, Tutorials and Patterns by StaceyinStitches

Well hello everyone! I am so pleased to finally be able to share this pattern with you. You may remember back in 2014 I had my very first Craftsy kit. It was quite popular and I got plenty of emails asking when just the pattern would be available. Enough time has finally gone by (plus some bonus time because, you know life happens) and I have FINALLY formatted Celebrate Old Glory as a Stacey Day Quilts pattern! Yay!

Celebrate Old Glory!

This quilts started out as a QDAD design, done on Memorial Day 2014. The inspiration photo was, you guessed it, an iconic antique American Flag. I created the block using my Electric Quilt 7 program, and I love the result. It really has a fun, celebratory movement to it. I love bringing a QDAD to reality!

As with any pattern, don’t feel limited to the suggested colors. I know this would be stunning with some flashy rainbow stars, or having the spin in a single hue ombre.

You can purchase your very own copy of Celebrate Old Glory by clicking here. Please tag me on Instagram @staceyinstitches or with the hashtag #OldGloryQuilt so I can see your own take on Celebrate Old Glory. Or email me a picture!

Thank you!

I also want to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your readership and support! Without my fellow quilters, I wouldn’t have anyone to share my work with. And really, that’s what it’s all about, being able to share my love of quilting with other like-minded individuals. So, THANK YOU!

Happy Stitching!