This post is a part of the I am Enough quilt along that starts September 28, 2018 and ends February 1, 2019.

If this is the first time you are learning about this quilt along then please read this post to find out the intentions behind the quilt along and more details.

To view all the posts concerning this quilt along, click here.

To view the email archives of this quilt along, click here.

 

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I cannot believe how quickly this quilt along has passed.  Today is the final post and I’m a bit sad about it.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, gushing over your beautiful progress photos, and reading your lovely words on what this quilt along has meant to you.  A part of me is also quite joyous, though.  I’m in love with my quilt.  SO IN LOVE!  I’m also in love with so many of your quilts.  I’ll be highlighting them on IG as I see them finish.

 

You are Enough

There are going to be those of you who have stayed on task with this quilt along and those of you that are moving along at your own pace.  No matter where you, you are in the exact right place for you.  If you are finished, pat yourself on the back, gaze lovingly at your finished quilt top and feel the pride of a finished quilt.  A part of you may be sad it’s done with and a part of you is quite pleased with yourself.  It’s time for you to post your pictures of your finished work and encourage others who still have work to do.

If you are still working, keep working.  The journey to the finish line is the best.  You are still doing the thing that you love to do.  Take your time, but don’t stop, and if you do find yourself in the middle of a pause that has gone on longer than you wanted, don’t sit there muttering at yourself.  It’s okay.  Life gets busy.  You’ll get to it when you are ready.  The longer it takes, the better the finishing of a quilt feels when you get there.

Be nice to yourself no matter what.  There are no rules, no deadlines, only the joy of all the stitching.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve loved every moment of this quilt.

 

 

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Today’s Lesson

There’s not much in the way of a lesson today, but I do have some tips about sewing large pieces together that I thought I’d share for the beginner quilters.

Tips for sewing larger patchwork pieces:

1. Fold each piece in half and finger press.
2. Line up finger press marks and pin, and do the same for the ends.
3. Add more pins as needed.
4. There are instructions in the pattern for getting the flattest seams, but when it comes to the end of the quilt and the fact that all the pieces are so large, I tend to let the seams fall where they may and let it be.

 

 

Pattern 10 – Finished Quilt Top

You only have two more pieces of fabrics to cut for filler and then we are on to sewing everything together.  We’ve slowly done the majority of this along the way, so this last bit is pretty quick and pretty pleasant.  Did you like doing all the section building along the way?  I did!

Onto the pattern!

Click the tab below to download the pattern and get started.  I cannot wait to see what you make!

Click here to download the pattern

 

There’s no video tutorial today, but if you follow me on Instagram, there will more than likely be a few videos in my Stories of my own quilt.  I may gush a bit!  🙂

 

 

I am Enough Quilt Along Schedule

• Pattern 1 – September 28 – YOUR Color Wheel
• Pattern 2 – October 12 – French Braid
• Pattern 3 – October 26 – Maker’s Hand, I am Enough + Monogram
• Pattern 4 – November 9 – Hourglasses
• Pattern 5 – November 23 – Trip Around the World
• Pattern 6 – December 7 – Scallop Border
• Pattern 7 – December 21 – Courthouse Steps
• Pattern 8 – January 4 – New York Beauties
• Pattern 9 – January 18 – Half Rectangle Triangles + Half Square Triangles
• Pattern 10 – February 1 – Finished Quilt Top

 

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Get a personalized I am Enough quilt along label for your quilt.

 

Order here.

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Helpful Links

• This week’s fabrics and supply details
• Introduction PDF
• Personalized I am Enough quilt label

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Many of you have been asking me about the NEXT quilt along.  I will be hosting another sampler quilt along with Havel’s sometime this year.  Subscribe to my newsletter so that you don’t miss those details.  Until then, I’ve got a short and sweet quilt along that starts February 22 and is only four weeks long.  If you are interested, read about it here.

I do want to take a moment and thank Havel’s Sewing for this amazing opportunity, for all the fantastically “sharp” prizes they’ve given you and me, and for their support of all of us completely obsessed with quilt making.

Hugs,

Melanie

Let’s Connect

Blog / Email / Instagram / Newsletter

 

This post is a part of the I am Enough quilt along that starts September 28, 2018 and ends February 1, 2019.

If this is the first time you are learning about this quilt along then please read this post to find out the intentions behind the quilt along and more details.

To view all the posts concerning this quilt along, click here.

To view the email archives of this quilt along, click here.

 

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We are making lusciousness today!  Patchwork lusciousness!  I must tell you that while learning to make the half rectangle triangles I spent the better part of two weeks cursing at myself.  It wasn’t pretty, BUT here we are on the other side!  I’ve completely washed my hands of troubles and am gazing lovingly over all the pretty shapes.  I really hope you enjoy making these.  All the issues I had are solved and that means smooth sewing for you!

 

You are Enough

We’ve talked about comparison already, but I think we’ll discuss it again, because it seems to be a constant battle for the majority of us.  I’m hearing about it ALL THE TIME.  My friends say it, my sister says it.  It’s even in my own head, this voice.  I see a woman who posts amazing pictures and has such funny stories that are perfectly written and her house is always clean and she dresses so well.  Does she ever sleep?  Why can’t I be like that?  How is she so perfect?  Why am I such a dud?  She has everything and I’m always struggling.

This is completely unhealthy and based totally on a LIE.

A week or so ago I super cleaned my house and it sparkled and I gazed around and smiled and patted myself on the back and then berated myself later because I didn’t get the quilt I wanted to finish done.  The next week, I cleaned nothing, but sewed the week away and then berated myself for having a dirty house.  Seriously, I’m a human being with only so many hours in the day.  Why am I asking so much of my body?  Down time is allowed.

Everybody is struggling.  Everybody puts their foot in their mouth, everybody makes messes, everybody sleeps, everybody binges something, everyone cheats with a cookie or two or skips the exercise or buys way too much fabric one week, or has a house that’s embarrassing some days, in every single one of us there is a voice in our head fussing about something we did or didn’t do.

Even the woman you think is perfect.

 

 

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Today’s Lesson

I did my sections today in monochromatic colors or thereabout.  Just in case you don’t know, monochromatic means to use different shades of only one color and all the shades of that color.  I kinda stuck with pinks and oranges and then splashed in a bit of burgundy for one set of blocks and then for another made all shades of blue and green.  I love monochromatic quilts.  It makes fabric choosing easy.

Practice your monochromatic skills by putting the top grouping of half rectangle triangles in one color family and the bottom set in a different one.  Remember that you can completely break the rules and do your own thing if you’d like!

 

 

Pattern 9 – Half Square Triangles and Half Rectangle Triangles

You’ve probably made a half square triangle before, probably many times.  It’s one of the very basic shapes in quilting.  This week I’m showing you how to make four-at-a-time half square triangles.  Is it faster?  Maybe.  If it’s faster, it’s not by much.  Still it’s fun to mix things up and since we have so many half square triangles to make…. 20!  These have a little bit more wiggle room than the standard 2-at-a-time I normally make as well.

Have you made a half rectangle triangle before?  This last month I’ve made gobs of them!  They are tricky little devils!  There are some tricks I use in the video that you won’t want to miss to make these easier.  Just remember to organize first since we are putting these in color families.

Onto the pattern!

Click the tab below to download the pattern and get started.  I cannot wait to see what you make!

Click here to download the pattern

 

Video Tutorial

One note about the video:  When I’m discussing the organization of your rectangles for your HRTs, I keep saying separate your background rectangles and your print rectangles.  This is a slip on my part (sorry!), I should have said your A rectangles and your B rectangles.  You might want to go color on color for your rectangles and your way is the right way!

 

 

I am Enough Quilt Along Schedule

• • Pattern 1 – September 28 – YOUR Color Wheel
  • Pattern 2 – October 12 – French Braid
  • Pattern 3 – October 26 – Maker’s Hand, I am Enough + Monogram
  • Pattern 4 – November 9 – Hourglasses
  • Pattern 5 – November 23 – Trip Around the World
  • Pattern 6 – December 7 – Scallop Border
  • Pattern 7 – December 21 – Courthouse Steps
  • Pattern 8 – January 4 – New York Beauties
  • Pattern 9 – January 18 – Half Rectangle Triangles + Half Square Triangles
  • Pattern 10 – February 1 – Finished Quilt Top

 

Helpful Links

• This week’s fabrics and supply details
• Introduction PDF
• Pattern #9 PDF
• HSTs + HRTs blocks video tutorial
• Sign up for the I am Enough newsletter
• Personalized I am Enough quilt label

Havel’s Tools I use in the video

• 16×22″ reversible cutting mat
• Aqua rotary cutter

Prizes

Be sure to post your progress on this week’s blocks on Instagram to be eligible for the bi-weekly prize from Havel’s Sewing.  Havel’s will announce the winner on Instagram on the Thursday before the next pattern releases.

To enter to win new rotary blades:

• Use the #IamEnoughQuiltAlong on a progress pic of this week’s blocks.
• Follow @Havels_Sewing and tag them in the post.
• Follow @SouthernCharmQuilts and tag me in the post.
• If your account is set to private, you will not be entered.
• Prizes open to US residents only.

 

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How great is your quilt now?  I was getting worried that I’d made mine using too many dark fabrics, but now everything is starting to come together and look right.  I might not have to make any changes like I thought I would.  Have fun sewing this round!

Hugs,

Melanie

Let’s Connect

Blog / Email / Instagram / Newsletter

 

This post is a part of the I am Enough quilt along that starts September 28, 2018 and ends February 1, 2019.

If this is the first time you are learning about this quilt along then please read this post to find out the intentions behind the quilt along and more details.

To view all the posts concerning this quilt along, click here.

To view the email archives of this quilt along, click here.

 

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It’s time to take on the Quarter New York Beauties.  I was both excited and nervous making these blocks this round.  Excited because this block is to die for!  Nervous because, well, curves are tricky for me.  I’m pleased to say I made it through to the other side and am just squealing over with excitement.

 

You are Enough

One of my resolutions last year was to be a more grateful person.  Being grateful is a method to becoming a happier person and having a better attitude.  A trick I read a while back was to replace the word “have” with the word “get” in your inner thoughts.  I don’t “have” to make all these NY Beauties today, I “get” to.  This can translate to every single task or chore that you do today or any other day.  It’s such a small thing, but these small things add up.  Chances are it’s more of our inner thoughts telling us we are not enough than an another person.  Practicing gratitude is a way to keep bad thoughts at bay and to change that pesky voice in our head.  Changing the voice in your head starts with very small steps.

You may be learning how to foundation paper piece and sew curves today for the very first time.  It can be frustrating.  Remember to breathe and remind yourself, you don’t have to learn these skills, you get to.

 

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● Five layers thick to protect rotary blades and
workspace
● Multi-angled grid lines offer more creative cutting
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● Fabric and mat won’t slide during use
● Outside dimensions: 24″ x 18″
● Gridded area for measuring: 22″ x 16″

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Today’s Lesson

We are learning how to foundation paper piece and sew curves this round.  As somebody who had MAJOR struggles with this when I first started, trust me when I tell you that you CAN do this.  I promise.  I hated paper piecing the first time I tried it.  I HATED it.  If you fail, do it again, and again, and again.  You will get this.  It may end up not being your thing and you might never enjoy it, but I promise you that you can get the job done.  It’s not my favorite way to sew even now, but I can’t deny all the doors and shapes that paper piecing can open up.

Try to understand what it is paper piecing actually is and how it works and that will help you understand the steps of this skill a bit better.

A Few Things to Remember when Paper Piecing

• The printed side of the paper is the side you stitch on.
• Your fabric is always placed on the unprinted side of your paper.
• The numbers on the template refer to the order you should piece them.  The letters refer to each section.
• The lines on the paper are what you sew on.
• When sewing a section, your first fabric always starts face down.  After your first piece, you sew them on face up.

A Few Tips for Sewing Curves

• Accept that it is not as easy as sewing a straight line and that you may struggle and that is okay.
• Go slow.  GO SLOW.  We are not in a race.
• Smaller style pins are the best for this.
• The more pins you use, the less chance of the fabric on the bottom slipping and messing your 1/4″ seam up.
• The more you do this, the better and easier it becomes.

 

 

 

Pattern 8 – Quarter New York Beauties

These are pretty slow, I’m not going to lie.  If you’ve never paper pieced before, give one a go, before cutting everything out.  Once you have everything understood, you can cut them all out at once and assembly style these blocks if you want.

We won’t be sewing them into a circle like the picture above, but I couldn’t resist a quick snap of it like that.  I’ve always wanted a full circle New York Beauty quilt.  It’s on the bucket list!

There’s five of these blocks.  They don’t all need doing in a single day.  Spread them out if you prefer.

Onto the pattern!

Click the tab below to download the pattern and get started.  I cannot wait to see what you make!

Click here to download the pattern

 

Video Tutorial

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I am Enough Quilt Along Schedule

• • Pattern 1 – September 28 – YOUR Color Wheel
  • Pattern 2 – October 12 – French Braid
  • Pattern 3 – October 26 – Maker’s Hand, I am Enough + Monogram
  • Pattern 4 – November 9 – Hourglasses
  • Pattern 5 – November 23 – Trip Around the World
  • Pattern 6 – December 7 – Scallop Border
  • Pattern 7 – December 21 – Courthouse Steps
  • Pattern 8 – January 4 – New York Beauties
  • Pattern 9 – January 18 – Half Rectangle Triangles + Half Square Triangles
  • Pattern 10 – February 1 – Finished Quilt Top

 

Helpful Links

• This week’s fabrics and supply details
• Introduction PDF
• Pattern #8 PDF
• Quarter New York Beauty blocks video tutorial
• Sign up for the I am Enough newsletter
• Personalized I am Enough quilt label

Havel’s Tools I use in the video

• 16×22″ reversible cutting mat
• Aqua rotary cutter
• Snip-Eze Scissors

Prizes

Be sure to post your progress on this week’s blocks on Instagram to be eligible for the bi-weekly prize from Havel’s Sewing.  Havel’s will announce the winner on Instagram on the Thursday before the next pattern releases.

To enter to win the smaller cutting mat that could sit easily by your sewing machine:

• Use the #IamEnoughQuiltAlong on a progress pic of this week’s blocks.
• Follow @Havels_Sewing and tag them in the post.
• Follow @SouthernCharmQuilts and tag me in the post.
• If your account is set to private, you will not be entered.
• Prizes open to US residents only.

 

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After our New York Beauties, there’s only one more pattern left!  How are we so close to finishing?

Hugs,

Melanie

Let’s Connect

Blog / Email / Instagram / Newsletter