Wild Heart Pattern release

Surprise!

Today is the day! I and thrilled to announce that my heart quilt, Wild Heart, is finally ready!

Wild Heart is a reimagining of my original design, Home is Where the Heart Is, which was published in AQ Magazine all the way back in January 2019. Since it’s initial debut, I have taught this quilt class a number of times, and each time I made notes on how to improve the instructions and construction. I have also made several versions of this quilt digitally and in person. Still, it wasn’t until Tula Pink unveiled her Untamed fabric line that I was truly inspired to finish this pattern, and make it available for everyone.

Untamed spoke to me- a riot of colorful blooms and patterns coming together to create something wonderful. Immediately realized that it would be perfect for my heart quilt. It also inspired the name change. More than ever lately I have been feeling free to live my most authentic life, a little bit wild, a little bit untamed, living in full color as much as possible. I have been travelling more; for quilting and just for fun. I feel more confident in my own skin and taking up space. Some hearts are meant to be free, and that is what this new quilt embodies – the adventure and freedom to live how you want.

Wild Heart is now live in my new Etsy shop alongside the ever-popular Starlines and Zinnia. The pattern includes all the templates and instructions needed to make your own version of Wild Heart. Untamed fabric is shipping local quilt shops this month. I cannot wait to see what fabrics you chose to make you own Wild Heart!

Happy Stitching,

Spooky Pattern Roundup

It’s that time of year again. The kids are on their way (or already) back to school, the nights are cooler, the leave are starting to change, and pumpkin spice is back on the menu. Its around this time of year my BFF and I start to plan our annual Halloween quilt, and finish up last years.

This year I worked with few different FreeSpirit designers and their seasonal fabric collections. From frightful to delightful, these Halloween quilts have something for every spooky season connoisseur.

I have two Halloween collections form Club Hauer. Club Hauer always has amazingly detailed collections, they are the perfect balance of spooky and fun. The panels make for quick quilts, and the prints support them or are completely useable on their own.

First up is the Storybook Halloween collection. The collection features two panels – a full size single motif and another of multiple fussy cuttable motifs. The hexagon prints makes for a great border, with so many small details in each piece. its also my personal fave choice for backing. The bats and moon border strips makes for great sashing, and the support prints feature cats, bats, and ghosts – the trifecta of Halloween creatures!

Spellbound
Spellbound features the small panel motifs and some of the larger support prints.
Tricks and Treats

Tricks and Treats is a wall size quilt utilizing the large panel with a fun bonus, a table runner that can be made on its own, or using the leftover triangle scraps from the wall quilt!

Tricks and Treats Table Runner

The second Club Hauer collection is Mystic Moonlight. This collection is a little darker, more otherworldly than Storybook. The prints are large and perfect for fussy cutting, featuring some classic creatures of the night. Owls, bats, ravens and black cats take center stage with the support of some very handsome jack-o-lanterns and skulls.

Stirring Up Trouble was my first quilt for this collection. I had visions of cauldrons being stirred and spells being cast while the familiars wait and watch.

Stirring Up Trouble

Halloween is the time of year when it can be easier to believe in magic. Personally when I picture magic, I thinks sparks and stars, and wanted to incorporate that into the next quilt. Believe in magic features all of the prints, fussy cut into their own magic stars. Even the striped corners are fussy cut to create the secondary patter. Because when it comes to magic, sometimes you don’t know what effects you may end up with (WooooOOOOOOooooo!)

Believe in Magic

The third quilt is less spooky and more fun. Who casts spells? Witches come to mind. As do wizards. In my mind, what do these particular spellcasters have in common? They wear some pretty distinctive socks. Since I have features witches socks in the past, it was time for the wizards to have their day. If witches wear stripes, then wizards must wear argyle, obviously! LOL! You know me, I’ll never pass up the opportunity for a good play on words 😉 and since wizards seems to make things more complicated than they need to be, this quilt features oodles of FUSSY CUTTING! Bwa-ha-ha!!
Scargyle

The next Freespirit Collection is none other than Ghostly Greetings from designer Cori Dantini. This family-friendly Halloween collection features a multi-print panel that screamed (at least to me) a pattern set! The all in one pattern bundle gives you a wall quilt, a table topper or banner, and two pillows that takes care of your quilted decorating needs for the season.

Boo Pattern Series

Finally we have Haunted by designer Brenda Walton. This vintage vibe collection throws back to the magic of Halloween as a child. The brightly colored prints were so much fun to work with, I wanted to make a candy inspired quilt. As kids, our number one goal was as much candy as possible in a single night! The Gumdrops quilt (names after a classic candy, of course!) is big enough to snuggle under after trick or treating has ended, watching scary(ish) movies and eating leftover candy.

Gumdrops

I hope these quilts inspire you to whip up something spooky and fun in time for Halloween, and perhaps start your own tradition with your quilty friends!

Happy Stitching!

Fall Quilt Market 2019

It’s always an exciting week on social media when Market rolls around. Not only do we get a sneak preview of the amazing quilts displayed at the Houston International Quilt Festival, we get to see all the new fabric releases for the upcoming six months. There are always a few highly anticipated collections, and the new Tula Pink is certainly no exception. I had the privilege of designing three quilts for her new collection, HomeMade. HomeMade is a quilters dream collection. The colors are classic Tula; bright, cheery, and perfect to brighten up your space. I think my favorite print from HomeMade is the aptly named Getting Snippy. I’m a sucker for a good damask and symmetrical print, so Getting Snippy fits the bill. It makes the perfect fabric to fussy cut, I cannot wait for Instagram to get inundated with EPP projects using it. The Seed Stitch print is a perfect dark navy with enough color speckled through it to make is a beautiful neutral (because navy is the new neutral, dontcha know?) The colorways are perfectly named; Morning Noon, and Night. It’s how we all wish we could sew! All sewing, all the time!!

I knew the moment I saw this collection that I needed to make a sampler style quilt. What quilter hasn’t made a sampler? It’s the place we all start when learning to quilt, and they aren’t just limited to quilters. Knitting, Crochet, and Needlepoint all have their own versions of samplers, so it seemed the perfect fit. Decorative Stitches was inspired by these classic sampler patterns. I love how the center of the quilt just glows with those greens!

Next, I wanted to find a fun, colorful way to showcase the machine print, Pedal to the Metal. I landed on a log cabin style block, and had fun choosing the prints and color order for the block sets. This one has a lot of unique sash sets between the diagonal rows, but it really makes the quilt pop. If you turn it upside down, it looks like scales (mermaid or dragon, whatever floats your boat). The contrasting stripes surrounding the center make the quilt really pop, so I named it Electric Slide. The navy Seed Stitch print can be subbed out for the gray, for some really intense contrast.

Finally, I wanted to make something that could be made using precuts. I have so many languishing in my stash, with nary a project in sight. Precuts can be where most of us struggle, so I wanted to make something fresh and fun for a jelly roll. Enter Wiggle Room! It’s got rainbows and movement, and showcases Pedal to the Metal (my favorite colorway, but it looks good using any of the colorways)

Each quilt will be available as a free pattern closer to the ship date. I’m hoping some of these were hanging at market, and can’t wait to check when I get back. What’s that? Where am I? I didn’t make any of the quilts? Well, turns out I had a prior commitment, and I am happy to report I’m leaving for a 15 day quilting cruise through the Panama Canal it’s my best friend! I was asked to teach one of my favorite quilts, Anchors Away by Tula Pink, to a fantastic group of ladies on board, and my best friend was able to secure a spot as a student. This is a once in a lifetime trip for us, and I can’t wait to show off all the quilts and sights that the Caribbean and Panama has to offer.

Happy Stitching!

Monkey Wrench is here!

Monkey Wrench by Tula Pink will have you going bananas and slipping all over the place to get your hands on some. Monkey Wrench includes some rare black and white Tula prints as well, though of course they have bright pops of color build, because whats a Tula collection without color? I adore the monkeys holding wrenches, and those bananas?! BANANAS!! I want to make everything out of those bananas. The wide back Bananas, aptly names ‘Don’t Slip!’ are the perfect scale for a mermaid flare skirt, so that what i’m going to do, in lime green because come on, who doesn’t love a good lime green asymmetrical mermaid skirt with bananas on it?

I have three quilt designs for Monkey Wrench.

The first is one of my favorite designs to date, Tropical Flora! Combining multiple piecing techniques, this one makes a great class for skill building! I am currently booking classes for the 2020 calendar year, and am thrilled to now offer Tropical Flora!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second is called Nuts and Bolts. I really like the idea of gears turned by monkey with wrenches, so that’s the image in my head that inspired this design. Its a great quilt to play the coordinating Tula Solids with the prints.

 

Third is a quilt I affectionately call Monkey’s Lunch. It’s coming as a publication in AQ Magazine, so stay tuned for the issue and Images! It’s a fantastic project to save your FQ bundles for!

I have a lot of work ahead of my updating the pattern libraries and links. This last year has been crazy and busy and full of life and light and change, and I’m so excited to keep sewing and sharing with you all! Thank you for coming along with me on my amazing sewing journey!

Happy Stitching (and Canadian Thanksgiving)

 

Fall Quilt Market 2017

There is so much to say and so little time to say it in! As always, September and most of October was a time of writing and sewing in preparation for Fall Quilt Market in Houston, TX.

This year I had a number of new designs with FreeSpirit Fabrics. Since quilters are mostly visual, this is going to be a picture heavy post.

Let’s begin shall we?

Flock Together- Featuring All Stars by Tula Pink

Flock Together is a 100% Stacey Day design. From digital design to the final stitch in the binding, this quilt was my favorite to put together. It utilizes a jelly roll and is super fast to whip up. The pattern is a free one and available by clicking here.

Center Stage- Featuring All Stars by Tula Pink

Center Stage was a collaboration with Tula. I had a much lighter hand than usual with this one, but the instructions were all me =) It’s a stunner and I love it! I believe this will be a free pattern from FreeSpirit.

Pom Pom – featuring All Stars by Tula Pink

Finally, there is the Pom Pom quilt for All Stars. This one is a stunner. Check out that quilting by Angela Walters! This one is another collaboration with Tula, and the pattern will be exclusive to the quilt kit.

Then we mosy on over to Joel Dewberry’s new collection, Avalon.

Arise! Featuring Avalon by Joel Dewberry. *Made by someone else, mine hung elsewhere*

Arise! was inspired by the legend of Excalibur, how it rose from the depths in the hands of the Lady of the Lake. I wanted simple pieces to show off the prints to their best. There were two Arise quilts made for Market, this one by an unknown-to-me quilter who did a lovely job, hanging in the gallery. Mine hung in the main booth where all the ordering took place. I quilted mine in straight lines and swirls.I am really enjoying the ribbon candy these days. I used my new favorite Designer Solid, Mineral. It’s a gorgeous green-blue hue and it goes with everything! And of course I had a little helper taking photos.

ribbon candy goodness

swirls and straight lines make a stunning combination

peek! Checking out Mommy’s work.

 

Art Deco- Featuring Roaring Twenties by Snow Leopard Designs

For Art Deco I wanted to channel some classic architecture but add a bit of modern flair. I added the inserts into the clamshell, and the written pattern has optional bias tape around the top curve of each clam. This really makes the individual clamshells pop. The collection is gorgeous. Shout  out to the same unknown maker for this one.

Oasis – Featuring Sugar Beach by Jennifer Paganelli

 

Sugar Beach is a bright and vibrant collection. it was a ton of fun to design with. I wanted to give the feeling of floating on the water, fruity drink in hand, on a hot summers day. I’m pretty sure it comes through in this one.

Fashion Show – Featuring The Dress by Laura Heine

Finally there is Fashion Show. The Dress is based on her very popular class by the same name. You can’t see it very well in this picture, but I quilted each wedge with a trio of feathers. I did a meander and outlined each dress panel, and the sashes are quilted with – you guessed it – ribbon candy and straight lines. This quilt didn’t hang at market, it was being used elsewhere.

Caroles Log Cabin- featuring Boston Commons by FreeSpirit Fabrics

I also had the pleasure of designing a retro quilt for FreeSpirit’s house designed collection, Boston Commons. It is a gorgeous, deeply vibrant hued reproduction collection. That golden yellow is perfect! I quilt is a modern take on the classic log cabin block, and very easy for a beginner.

Thank you to my friend Lindsay who walked the show floor and took all the photos for me.

I will update the pattern links as they become available under the FreeSpirit tab in my Free Patterns dropdown menu. All but Pom Pom will be a free pattern available as the collections come out.

Until next time,

Happy Stitching!

Twist and Shout! A free pattern

Tabby Road from Tula Pink is finally hitting the shelves at your Local Quilt Shops! I designed a couple of quilts for this one, and Twist and Shout is the last one to be released. It’s well worth the wait, as it is a free pattern!

This one is super fun you guys! The best part is it is all foundation pieced, and all straight lines, so no weird seams. yay!

For my American friends, Gotham Quilts has made up kits for this quilt with a backing option and they carry the entire line of Tabby Road.

For my fellow Canadians, MyFabricSpot.com has the entire line and some bundles available.

These are both shops that I frequent, and I don’t get anything for mentioning them. I just like them =)

 

I hope you enjoy the free pattern!

Happy Stitching!

New year, new patterns!

The only thing better than new patterns is new FREE patterns! yay!

I have added some new links in my library of free patterns. 

First up- the Splendor quilts for Amy Butler! Splendor was an amazing collection to work with. With her signature style and use of color, Splendor definitely inspired more than just two quilts, but these two were the favorites right from the start!

Zen Garden is an orange peel style quilt with some gentle curves that make it an intermediate level project that confident beginners could take on to learn a new skill. The main print can be fussy cut as shown in the picture, or you can just cut willy-nilly and see what happens =)

Zen Garden - photo courtesy of Amy Butler

Zen Garden – photo courtesy of Amy Butler Designs

Also with Splendor is the full size Clematis Quilt. You all saw the mini that I made for Quilt Market, but the pattern is for the full size. I might have forgotten to take detailed pictures of the quilting for this one in my baby-brain addled state, but I assure you its fantastic. The center star is feathered like the mini, with an added border of zigzags and a row of pebbles. The border is done in swirls and a piano key border.

Clematis - Photo Courtesy of Amy Butler Designs

Clematis – Photo Courtesy of Amy Butler Designs

You can see some detailed shots of both quilts, as well as the other lovely projects made with Splendor, on Amy Butlers Instagram account @amybulterdesign. I am currently working on her next collection, and I can guarantee you are going to LOVE them! I know I do!

Next up are the Cool Cats projects for P&B Textiles. I love the funky colorful cats, and the second main print is a black and white outline print intended for coloring with fabric markers. How great is that? I came up with a fun, easy quilt and an artist apron. I ended up using my tester apron during my pottery stint a few months back (that I totally forgot to blog about, but you can find my pots on my IG account @staceyinstitches. Pottery is fun!) The quilt has a pair of set in 3D strips in the border for a unique look.

cool-cats_57x57_clowder-new5

Clowder – a group of cats is called a clowder, did you know?

untitled-1

The apron has adjustable straps to be a one -size fits most.

 

Next is a soft and sweet flannel collection called Beaux Bebe. I designed a simple rag quilt that is beginner friendly, and a set of bonus burp cloths. This one will make the perfect baby shower gift set!

Sweet Dreams Rag Quilt

Sweet Dreams Rag Quilt

Lastly there is this fun project for Dear Stella- Meadow Quilt featuring Pine Grove, a collection of super cute woodland creatures. The owl print is my favorite!

Meadow- Featuring Pine Grove by Dear Stella

Meadow- Featuring Pine Grove by Dear Stella

 

 

Soon I am also going to be publishing the next pattern from the book that never was. It is going to be a free tutorial here on the blog, so stay tuned!

Each pattern can be found by following the link in the drop down menu in the Free Patterns section. Enjoy!

Happy Stitching,

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Introducing Bumblecomb!

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Bumblecomb Baby Quilt-Photo Courtesy of Freespirit Fabrics

A few months ago I had the opportunity to design a project using Tula Pink’s new line of baby prints, Bumble. Bumble is a dreamy, sweet collection featuring bumble bees, pollen, birchwood forests and a dreamy cloudy skyland, all in the classic  Tula style. What makes the collection unique is the fabric itself- a super soft, high thread count peached poplin with a gentle texture that makes it perfect for everything from quilts to clothing. It was a dream to sew with, and pictures can’t quite capture the depth of the color-subtle and vibrant at the same time.

Free motion clouds

Free motion clouds

I decided to go with a baby quilt-super easy, appliqued hexagons (because, you know, bees!) and a two tone background. The hexagons are big enough to allow fussy cutting of the feature fabrics, and the edges are left raw, because babies love texture.

IMG_3773

The pattern is available as a free download from from the Freespirit website, as are a number of other great projects.

I love how the project turned out, and I hope you do too. I would love to see your finished version of Bumblecomb! Tag me on instagram @staceyinstitches, or add it to the Stacey Day Quilts Flickr Group.

IMG_3778

Happy Stitching!

StaceyDay_Logo