Boxy - A New Quilt Pattern

Monday, March 28, 2022

Hi friends!
I have a new pattern I wanted to tell you about today.

Meet Boxy:


Boxy is a 5" square-friendly pattern that is very beginner-friendly!
It's a great way to use up some of those random charm packs you 
probably have in your stash!


It comes with instructions for 3 size options - Twin, Queen, and King!
This is the twin size.  It would be a great quilt for gifting
as it is pretty quick to put together and would look great in any
color scheme!


I cut 5" squares from my stash for the main prints and then paired them
with bright, happy solids to give this version a summery vibe!  The binding fabric
is a Tent Stripe from Tula Pink's Pom Poms & Stripes collection (color - Poppy).


I used this colorful print for the back.  
It's called Asian Circles in Pink by Kaffe Fassett.
Isn't it fun!?!


Jen Ostler in Highland, Utah quilted it for me with this new-to-me
echo square design called Symmetry by Patricia E. Ritter.
Jen recommended that design and I think it was perfect 
for this quilt!  Thanks Jen!

I have paper and PDF patterns now listed in my shop.
Click HERE to grab yours!  I can't wait to see your version! 

Happy quilting!

Alpine Paper Piecing Block

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

 Hi friends!
Today I have a little freebie for ya!

My local quilt guild is doing a sampler quilt this year
and they've asked every member to contribute one
9" finished quilt block pattern and sample block.
Every month 3 people will share a pattern.
We can make our own sampler quilt using the patterns
in whatever colors we choose but for the 
sample blocks we are supposed to use bright colors.
Once everyone has shared their pattern we'll put all of 
the sample blocks into a charity quilt to donate. Sounds fun right?


So today I am sharing my block pattern with you!
We're supposed to share a block pattern that represents something we like or a 
quilting method we like to do.  Well, I live in Alpine, Utah
and I'm surrounded by big, beautiful mountains!  
I love to hike and enjoy the beautiful views around me.  
Here's a picture of me and some friends from last summer. 
These mountains are in American Fork Canyon and they're 
just a short drive from my house!


I combined my love of the mountains with my love of paper piecing
and designed this block called the Alpine block.


The green Flying Geese and brown Plus represent trees and the pink
corners represent mountains.  The blue represents the sky.
I think this block would be cute in any colorway though
and when put together with more blocks in alternating colors it creates a cool
secondary pattern reminiscent of a design you would see
in a kaleidoscope!


Basic paper piecing knowledge is required for this block.
I am not going to explain how to paper piece here but I do have some tutorials
that I've done in the past that you might find helpful if you're
new to paper piecing or just need a refresher on this method.



MATERIALS NEEDED FOR 1 BLOCK:
- Elmers washable glue stick
- Scissors
- Rotary cutter, acrylic ruler & cutting mat
- Sewing machine, coordinating thread & iron
- Trash bin
- 4 pink 4" squares (mountains)
- 8 green 2-1/2" x 4" rectangles (trees)
- 2 brown 2" squares (tree trunks)
- 1 brown 1-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangle (tree trunks)
- 8 blue 2-1/2" x 5" rectangles (corner sections)
- 4 blue 2" squares (tree base section)
- 16 blue 3" squares (Flying Geese corners)


ASSEMBLY

Step 1: Print the pattern HERE.
The printed tree sections with trunks should
measure 3-1/2" x 4-1/2" from the outer thin black lines.  
The rest of the sections should all measure 3-1/2" x 3-1/2".
Roughly cut the sections apart.


Step 2: make 4 of the corner sections. 


Trim each completed section on the outer thin black lines.
Each section should measure 3-1/2" x 3 1/2".


Step 3: make 4 of the tree sections
(2 of them have trunks on them and 2 do not).




Trim each completed tree section on the outer thin black lines.
The tree sections without trunks should measure 3-1/2" x 3 1/2".
The tree sections with trunks should measure 3-1/2" x 4-1/2".


Step 4: Sew a brown 1-1/2" x 4-1/2" to the bottom of a tree with trunk section.
Press and trim the excess brown fabric.


Sew the remaining tree with trunk section to the bottom of the above unit 
as shown below and press.


Step 5: Lay out all of the sections as shown below. 


6. Sew the corner sections and trees without trunk sections together
in rows as shown below.  Press.


7. Sew the rows together.  Press and carefully remove all of the paper so as to
not stretch the fabric or pull out any stitches.


The block should measure 9-1/2" x 9-1/2" unfinished.


I hope you enjoy this free pattern!  Please let me know
if you have any questions and if you decide to use this pattern
and post about it on Instagram please tag me @gigis_thimble and
use the hashtags #gigisthimblepattern and #alpineblock.

Happy quilting!