September at Farmhouse Quilts

 Hello again ( now don't fall off your chair in surprise that I am back this soon with another blog post! ;) ).

We are having some gorgeous Fall days here in Northwestern Pennsylvania...as I'm typing this, my patio doors are wide open and I can hear the windchimes gently tinkling away...

This week I want to share a project that I started work on a  couple of weeks ago: It came from a wonderful British quilting magazine called Today's Quilter and it is probably one of my favorite magazines ever, because each and every month they include a little something extra. Sometimes it's a pattern book, other times templates, and even specialty rulers! Who wouldn't like to receive a nice surprise like that? 

( this post contains affiliate links~ please see my disclosure in the sidebar~ thank you for supporting me in this small way!)

This months cover quilt, called Orange Sherbert,  just begged to be made! So I got right to work and started pulling my fabrics and tracing the templates. Now, as you may or may not be aware, I DO NOT do needle-turn applique, and this quilt is all needle-turn applique, so I have to pay a little bit of attention when using my fusible web, but the shapes used in this quilt are all symmetrical so this hasn't been much of an issue.( And yes, I have tried needle-turn, and NO, it is really not for me ;) ). 

I am trying to stay true to the colors in the quilt because they spoke to me right away, but have felt free to change some of the shapes so they are more to my liking (this is such an easy way to make a quilt pattern more your own!)

Here is a photo of the original quilt: 

Doesn't it just make your heart happy to look at it? I find that working on it is such a joyful experience, exactly the way I feel when I'm working on a Lori Holt pattern ( and this quilt is a little reminiscent of her style I find). 

In order for my applique shapes not to feel too stiff, I am cutting and trimming away as much fusible web as possible before fusing it to the backside of my fabric. It's a great way to save fusible web too because I will trace smaller shapes inside of the larger shapes so every little bit gets used!( This is a link to the fusible web I'm using for this project ( click)).

Although I'm mostly using a collection of fabrics designed by Poppie Cotton ( you can find this collection at one of my favorite Etsy shops ( click), I am also throwing in some scraps...win-win! 

These are some of the blocks I have completed so far: 

 

As I complete the blocks, I am stitching each shape down by machine ( with batting already on the back of the block!). To make it easier to remember, I made a little note card on which I wrote the stitch and size I used on the various pieces:  

Right now I'm busy stitching down the daisies that will go on the corners of the blocks: 

It has been fun searching through my collection of thread to find colors that compliment the fabrics I am using! 

Here is a link to some of the thread I'm using (click), in case you are interested. And in case you would rather get the large spools of thread, I found this awesome deal here ( click).

While looking for background fabric for my blocks, I also found this great red and white dot, which I think will be great in the borders! Crazy, but great! 

I will be sure to keep sharing updates as this quilt progresses!

There is another project on my horizon already! I have decided to host another sewalong. The PLUS quilt was so much fun to make and now that it is finished I found another great, FREE project that I think will be just as fun. You can find the pattern right here ( click): 

( image via Jedi Craft Girl website)

This one will be great for featuring those special fabrics that you just can't bear to cut up! 

I will be sharing the steps right here on my blog, so stay tuned for the start of that ;).

Finally, I don't believe that I shared my finished PLUS quilt with you. It is all done and decorating our new ( but boring) sofa. I think it makes it look so much happier! 

And a picture of the backing fabric...so darn cute! 

Alright, that is all for now! If you would like to join in on the sewalong, go ahead and print off the pattern and start thinking about your fabrics. I will be back soon to share the first set of directions!

Until next time~ happy creating!

Monique