Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns – Page 7

Zentangle Inspired Quilting

12 Comments / free motion quilting, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns, SSMQG, The Modern Quilt Guild / By Melissa Dunworth

The entire reason I decided to start doing Zentangle drawing is because I was hoping it would help me with my quilting. I wanted to be able to see a space and fill it with designs. Now, I haven’t figured out how to do the shading or filling in, but the line drawings of Zentangle translate quite nicely to quilting.

I’ve been working on my March goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes and have finished all the quilting. All that’s left is binding but before I can do that I need to make my Do Good Stitches blocks. In the mean time here are some pictures of the back of my quilt.

This design was inspired by the Zentangle design called Paradox. I started with a triangle of blue tape on my quilt. I used my walking foot to outline the triangle and then removed the tape. Every subsequent line I eyeballed. I continued adding triangles until the bottom half of the quilt was filled. Here is an in progress shot:

I added some boxy spirals in my background fabrics and some wishbones in my main fabrics to finish the quilt. The wish bones were the only part that I did with my free motion foot, the rest of the quilting was all done with my walking foot.

I have to say that this is the quilt that I am the most proud of the quilting. I worked really hard on it and I love how it turned out. Once I get the binding on maybe then I will be ready to reveal the front…we shall see!

Happy Tuesday!

Can A Girl Get A Refund? And A Quilt Reveal…

11 Comments / 2015 Finishes, A Lovely Year of Finishes, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns / By Melissa Dunworth

If I was to tell you that 2015 is just not working out so well for me, would you take me at my word? In addition to all the things that have gone wrong with my fridge and house, then family and friends who passed away at the beginning of the month, for some reason Anne and I both decided to top off February with two separate trips to the ER. One for me – I sliced my finger open (learned a new rule – if you can make it talk, go to the doc); and one for Anne – she had her first ever headache and we couldn’t figure out what was going on. Needless to say I’m exhausted and would like a refund on the last 2 months!

I haven’t been able to sew much this week, something about one of my hands being bandaged and both hurting because I can’t take my RA meds – they impede healing. That being said, I still have a reveal for you!

Quilt Stats:

Name: Spinning Out
Designed by: Me – Melissa Dunworth
Quilting Thread – Aurifil
Size: 56″ x 56″
Made for: Our new niece

I enjoyed making this quilt. It felt like too much pink so the backing is bright green with large flowers.

Here is one more pic all folded up:

I do love a good finish! You still have time to link up your February finish! The party closes on Saturday, February 28th and March goals go live on Sunday March 1st. Come join us for some fun, finishes and prizes!

Happy Thursday!

Stacked Pyramids Quilt

15 Comments / Craftsy, Do.Good Stitches, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns / By Melissa Dunworth

Many of you may be familiar with my quilt block pattern, Stacked Pyramids.

It is a fun and versatile block. Back in November, I was the quilter for Do. Good Stitches and I sent everyone in my circle a free copy of my pattern and asked them to please create two blocks using aqua, raspberry and Kona Ash for the background. Can I just say that these ladies sure do know how to deliver!

I have to admit that I love this quilt and it will be hard to let go of, but I am so glad that it will go to a foster child in need of some love and comfort.

I couldn’t resist a full shot outside. With no on here to help me, I took my design wall out and put it right up against my garage. Welcome to my home!

If you were on the fence about how this pattern might look all sewn together into a quilt, now you know!

Have a very happy Wednesday!

A Lovely Year of Finishes – November Finishes Party!

6 Comments / A Lovely Year of Finishes, Fiber of All Sorts, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns / By Melissa Dunworth

Whew! We made it! Survived another month! This has been a crazy sewing month for me. I finished quilting my goal. I designed, pieced, quilted an bound another quilt. I released a new pattern, and I’ve got a jump start on my Christmas sewing. Who needs sleep…right?

Sorry for the picture, I realized as I was writing this post, that I never got a proper picture of my quilt outside. My goal this month was to finish quilting this and if I was able to bind it then that would have been icing. I couldn’t bind it though…there is still no name for the baby it is going to. Don’t worry, the parents still have lots of time as she isn’t due to make her arrival until January! Binding will wait. In the meantime, I finished my goal, woohoo!

How about you? Did you have a successful month? I sure hope so!

You have two requirements to be entered into the prizes this month.

1. Link-up the first 7-days of the month

and

2. Link-up in the last 7-days of the month.
Add your blog post or flickr photo (with appropriate descriptions) to the linky party below.

Please grab a button or link back to Shanna and I so other people can join in the fun!

**Please note, the linky party is the same here and over at Shanna , so there is no need to enter twice **

Here is a list of our generous sponsors for November!!

1. One pdf pattern from Sew Sweetness

2.Thread Prize from Aurifil

3. PDF Pattern from Persimon Dreams

4. One Charm pack or $10.00 gift certificate to
Stitches n’ Giggles (winners choice)

5. One PDF Pattern from Meadow Mist Designs

6. Thimblepie’s Quilt Supplies – Custom fabric package, 4 yards (worth $20) plus free shipping

7. Sew BitterSweet Designs one pdf pattern

8. PDF Pattern from Katy – The Littlest Thistle

9. One pdf Pattern from Clover and Violet

10. Green Fairy Quilts – 3 pdf patterns

Stacked Pyramids Quilt Block

8 Comments / quilt blocks, Sew BitterSweet Designs Patterns / By Melissa Dunworth

Today I am excited to launch a new quilt block pattern! The Stacked Pyramids Pattern!

This block is very special to me because it incorporates one of my favorite quilting themes, Flying Geese. It is also very versatile as you can see from the color variations below:

Materials Required:

- Background Scraps (low volume or solid): 36 squares – 2.5″ x 2.5″

- 6 Raspberry Rectangles – 2.5″ x 4.5″

12 Aqua Rectangles – 2.5″ x 4.5″

The one note I will give before you purchase this pattern, is that an accurate 1/4″ seam when piecing this block is absolutely essential, 0therwise it will not measure 12.5″ x 12.5″.

I recommend testing out your 1/4″ seam and measuring before you start sewing. I have found that a seam gauge is the most helpful for determining if your seams are accurate You can buy one here – this one by Dritz is my favorite and is the one I use to check my seam allowance when piecing. If you seam is too big, move your needle position over towards the right, closer to your seam guide.

The Stacked Pyramids block is on sale in my Craftsy Store and is available for $2.50. As you can see it is a fabulous block that allows for lots of freedom in your design!

I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed it!