Last Days to get BOM Midnight Posies for free

The weekend is here and my birthday is just around the corner.  And come Monday, January 18, the Midnight Posies BOM of 2009 will be over and the new 2010 BOM will begin.  So if you have not yet printed off the Midnight Posies block patterns you have until Monday.  I have been overwhelmed by the wonderful response I have received for this BOM and am so grateful to those of you who have expressed your admiration and gratitude for this free pattern.  It has really been fun to share it with you month by month.

Remember you will still be able to get this pattern after January 18 by going to my ETSY website and purchasing it. 

This morning I was able to get the borders put on my Bargello Block quilt.  I really like the way it frames the interior and brings out the colors.  I am thinking about quilting it in the ditch just to bring out the pattern a bit more boldly. It is going to the quilt shop tomorrow to hang as a class sample until early February, when the class is scheduled.  It really was easy to make once I figured out how to cut it!  LOL

I just can't stand it any more and decided I had to show you a bit more of the new BOM I will be revealing on Monday.  It is called Tulip Tiles and captures a bit of the feeling I get from the wonderful Delft Tiles in blue and white that I love so much.  It also has pink tulips, one of my favorite spring flowers. 

This sort of looks like my "blue and white period" with the Bargello and this quilt together!  But it wasn't intended that way.  It just happened.  LOL.  I love easy fusible machine applique and a bit of fun piecing so I have added elements of both in this quilt.  Here is another sneak peek.  I know I know, you wish I would quit teasing you and post the whole thing.  Well I promise I will. . . . on Monday.  It will be my birthday present to all of you!  Hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are.

Midnight Posies Block 12 -- Tulip Garden Block

I am so pleased to share block 12 with you in the Midnight Posies series!  I hope you have had a blast making these simple but totally bright and fun blocks, and built your quilting confidence in the process.

This last block in the series had four gorgeous red tulips dancing around a green and purple garden.  The block looks complicated, but as always the techniques make it easy!

This pattern is no longer available for free but can be purchased on my web site or at my Etsy shope. [Click here to go to my ETSY shop]

I am working on a brand new Free BOM which will start in January!  No peaking for the moment, but I will share a few hints in upcoming posts.

And you thought Christmas was over!!  Silly you.

Happy New Year!!!

Midnight Posies Block 11 – Pinwheel Posies

I can hardly believe the year is almost gone and the Midnight Posies quilt is nearly complete.  Yes there is still one more block to go after this as well as the sashing and borders.  The Pinwheel Posies block is a bit more challenging, and brings into play the skills you have learned in the preceding 10 blocks.  It is made up of combinations of simple units: half square triangles, quarter square triangles, and flying geese.  The center section of the block is made like a 4-patch, and the rest of the block is assembled like a 9-patch

Click here to download block

The challenges with this block is to get all 8 seams coming together in the center to lay nice and flat (pressing seams open will help) and getting the point of the flying geese block to match the points of the pinwheel.  Making each unit slightly larger than needed and cutting them down to size really helps increase your accuracy when matching seams and aligning points.
Now, what have I been working on in the meantime??  Yipes, I have completed 2 t-shirt quilts, and did five more blocks in my Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler quilt.  I just completed the first three rows and joined them with sashing.  Here is what part of them look like.
I am also working on a bag, which has to be the most difficult bag I have ever sewn.  When I get it to a point that it looks like a bag I will take a picture and post it.  For now, it looks like “parts”.  I like to think of myself as an accomplished sewer, but this one is really kicking my butt!!  hehe
So, what are you working on?

Midnight Posies – Block 10

The Teal Tulip is block number 10 in the Midnight Posies Quilt. It was time to add a new color to the quilt just to keep thing lively. A bright teal or aqua really adds some zing. As we begin row 4 the block become a bit more challenging, but the directions will get you through them with ease.

Download pdf file here.

I know I love having my patterns in color and I think it really makes it easier to see them and understand the various units of these more complex blocks. I hope you enjoy them too. My publisher told me that this pattern would be too expensive to print in full color, so you really are getting a treat if you are printing out these patterns. At the end of the year when I publish this pattern, there will not be near as much color!

When you make this block – all squares and half square triangles – be sure to keep your color straight! And if you would prefer to use a different color scheme in this block. . how about pink or salmon or peach?

In the center of this block where 8 seams come together, press the seam open. Use steam and get it real flat. It was lay nicely if you distribute the bulk of the center seam in both directions.

I would love to see pictures of your blocks. Everyone who sends me a picture of their block or blocks from this series will receive a chance to win a free pattern!!! Send your pics to reezehanson [at] hotmail.com. I will select the winning submission at random on November 15 and post all the submissions. I can’t wait! Thanks!!!

Midnight Posies Block 9 – Forget Me Not

This delicate flower is one of my favorites. My wedding china has little forget-me-nots on it and I have always loved those dishes!

So this months block of the month features this sweet little flower in a simple block. No special techniques are needed for this month’s flower, it is as simple as the flower it is inspired by.

The quarter square triangles are easy to make and the block is a simple nine-patch. After last month’s BIG triangles this one ought to seem like a snap!

Just like my wedding china, I hope you fall in love with this block and with the Midnight Posies Quilt. I can’t wait to see pictures of the blocks you are making!! Please send me pictures when you get your block made.

My friend and pattern tester Kathi, sent me this picture of her finished quilt. She used hand dyes left over from another project. She swears she hates applique and was none too happy about doing the fused applique border, but I think you will agree with me that she did a great job on it. And if a confirmed “applique hater” can do it I am sure you can as well.

Hope you enjoy this months Forget Me Not block!!

PS. The block instructions for this block call it an Aster instead of a Forget-Me-Not. I changed the name of the flower when I revised the block but forgot to change the name on the pattern. Hope that is not too confusing. :-)

Midnight Posies Block 8 & Pattern Give Away!

September crept up on me with all the business of getting ready for school. In my day job as a college professor I sometimes become so engrossed in the problems of the day that I forget my great stress reliever is the simple act of sitting at my sewing machine with a new block to stitch. So with that in mind, here is block 8 of the Midnight Posies Block of the Month Quilt.

This block is very different from the others in this series -- so far. This Daffodil Block is a giant Half Square Triangle! Well, one half of it is, and the other half is a pieced triangle made up of smaller pieced traingles. Ok, that sounds difficult, but it is made in rows and is very easy to do.

Anyway, we are almost ready to begin the last row of blocks, and each of these combine a series of techniques we have learned in the preceding blocks to make some really stunning flowers that are – as always in my patterns – easier to make than they appear.

I would love to have your feedback on my directions. As I am preparing to publish this pattern, it would be great to know what you think about the directions for these blocks. Was it easy to follow? Could I have explained techniques more clearly? Would additional pictures help? Was there more directions than you needed? Post a comment and I will draw a winner from among the comments to receive my September Morning Glory and Asters Table Runner Pattern –Free!

Thanks for leaving a comment and for doing this Block of the Month. I will pull a name at random from among those leaving comments on Sept 15 for the pattern winner.

Midnight Posies Block 7 now available

Wow, it is nearly August and I can hardly believe how quickly each month slips away. But its time to release Block #7 for my free BOM Midnight Posies. This block starts the 3rd row of the quilt and steps up the difficulty of the blocks just a little by adding some additional techniques.

The Carnation Block adds some bold red and gold to the quilt and introduces “Quick Corners” and “Flying Geese”. Both techniques are super easy and accurate. If you want to keep the carnation all red, choose a 3rd shade of dark red for center instead of the gold. It will really look like a carnation then. Or you might want a pink carnation and choose more pink or magenta colors for your carnation. Whatever you choose it will be gorgeous.

This simple block is essentially a nine-patch, and goes together very fast. Watch your color placement! As in all my blocks, it is the color placement and contrast which makes these blocks look more complicated than they actually are.

You can download the PDF pattern for this block here . I hope you enjoy this next block in the series. And as always, I would love to see your pictures!!!!

Midnight Posies Block 6

I love the beginning of each new month – it means I get to post another new block for the Midnight Posies BOM! This month’s block is called the Star Flower Block. It is based on a simple friendship star with an extra blue violet triangle in each corner. It reminds me of a larkspur, the July flower of the month!

You can download the PDF instructions here.

You now have the patterns for the first two complete rows of the quilt. If you want to start assembling the blocks. . . . I know, I get excited and can’t wait to see how they look together . . . here are the directions for the sashing! You will want to save these instructions for later if you wish to continue assembling the quilt as you go. I will post complete sashing and border instructions along with the last block so you won’t miss out once all the blocks are made. Hope you enjoy this next installment of our BOM.

Cutting List for Sashing
Cut (5) 2” strips of black (WOF) for sashing
Cut (5) 5 ½” strips of black (WOF) for borders
• From the sashing strips, cut eight (8) pieces that are 9 ½” long. You will use these to join
the blocks together into rows.
• Make four rows of blocks with three blocks
in each row. Arrange the blocks as shown in
the illustration or create your own arrangement.
• From the remaining sashing strips cut three
(3) strips that are 30 ½” long. You will use
these to join the rows together.
• Press all sashing away from the blocks.

Midnight Posies Block 5

Midnight Posies Block #5 is the Purple Pansy Block!

This wonderful nine-patch variation is super easy. Bright purple petals and a bold yellow center make it striking. The simple leaves are formed by half square triangles using a medium green and the black background fabric. Of course you can make yours any color you choose, but the brighter the better. Bright clear colors really get a big punch from the black background, and Mother Nature is skimpy on colors in her flower garden. She goes for pure clear colors with lots of zing to attract those busy summer polinators!

Download the PDF for this block here.

Want to kick this block up a notch? Experienced quilters might want to "cut off the corners" of the purple petals by doing a quick corner in the 2 outer corners, or even all four corners! Or try a variation like the ones I have created playing on EQ6:

This block uses a "quick corner" to take a bite out of the two outer corners of each petal. It also adds an "hour glass" block or quarter square triange to the center with 2 different yellows. This variation makes the flower look more petite. In blue it would be a forget-me-not!

This version captures the blue and purple petals of real pansies and the four-patch yellows in the center add more interest. Smaller bites off the corners really adds to the shape of the pansey petals as does extending the petals into the center. Instructions for these and other variations will be included in the purchased pattern. I hope you have fun creating your own variations.

I hate to add this little disclaimer but I felt it was important to remind you that this pattern is copywrited and may not be duplicated, sold, or used for profit in any manner. You may download the pattern for your personal use or for charitable causes. If you wish to share it with your friends, please invite them to come to my blog and download a copy for their use.

If you exhibit this quilt or use it for charitable purposes please be sure that the pattern title, Midnight Posies by Morning Glory Quilt Designs, is prominently displayed on the quilt label. And by all means send me a picture!! I would love to see your work and note all the ways you personalized this pattern to reflect your tastes and creativity!!

Thank you so much for respecting rights of designers. We love sharing our work with people who love quilting as much as we do!

Rosey Posey Block 4

I love this time of each month when the new block of the BOM Midnight Posies is posted. It is so fun to see all the bright colors and this simple Rose block is one of the brightest and most cheerful. And never was there an easier rose block than this one.

Download PDF block here.

This quilt has 12 blocks plus a machine appliqued floral border. Block #4 stars row 2 of the quilt. No new techniques are added to this block but the color placement becomes increasingly important as we explore all the possibilities of the versatile nine-patch block to create lots of different flowers. Next month we will introduce quarter square triangles to add to your repetoire of skills in this simple quilt. If you are a beginner you will be amazed at how this simple addition multiplies the possibilities in your quilts. Experienced quilters will enjoy how fun and easy it is to create such varied blocks with minimal changes in piecing technique. No matter what your level of experience, I hope you will love this month's Rosey Posey Block.

If you are joining us late and still want to get the first three blocks and the supply list, click on the image of the quilt in the side bar at right and you will get access to all the blocks todate. I will only leave the earlier links open for a few more weeks, so if you haven't saved the pdf files for those blocks, please do so right away. After June 1, only the current month's block will be available!

Thanks to all of you for your wonderful support of this project. Enjoy!

Midnight Posies featured in Quilting Gallery

Today my blog and my free Block of the Month are featured in Quilting Gallery!

Go take a look!

In honor of the first day of spring, I have posted the third block in the Midnight Posies BOM a few days early. I hope you enjoy the block and my blog. Thanks so much for your support and enthusiasm for this bright spring-filled design.

Midnight Posies Block 3 Posted

Welcome Quilting Bloggers! In honor of having my blog featured on Quilting Bloggers I am offering my 3rd block in my Midnight Posies BOM a few days early! Thanks so much for dropping by to take a look!

I am so excited to be able to bring you the third block in the Free Midnight Posies BOM. This block is a simple friendship star flower in pink, blue and green. Even simple blocks can look anything BUT simple with the addition of bright colors accentuated by the black or dark navy background.

Download Block 3 Pdf

Let me know how you are enjoying this Block of the Month quilt. I will leave the first two blocks of this series up for a few more weeks to give everyone joining me a chance to get all the blocks for this quilt posted to-date. If you click on "free BOM" in the key word list at right you will bring up the posts with the other blocks. I really appreciate your feedback on this quilt, as I will be publishing this pattern later in the year and would love feedback before I do. Thanks so much for your interest in my patterns.

I am working on more free patterns which I will be adding in the near future. Hope you have fun stitching up these colorful posies!

Midnight Posies BOM Block 2 Ready

I am so excited to be able to offer the next block in this Block of the Month Series: Midnight Posies. This second block is "Rosey Posey Churn Dash." Again the block is simple but the colors are dramatic. Bright colors against the black background really make this pieced flower block glow.

Download PDF File.

Please let me know what you think of this block, and the super simple directions for this quilt. After the BOM is over I plan to publish this pattern and your feedback will be very helpful. I wanted to make an easy quilt that a beginner would enjoy, that doesn't look like a beginner quilt. The bold fabric, floral theme, and simple border with fusible applique makes this quilt look so much more challenging than it actually is. That is the concept that drives all my patterns. I hope you enjoy making this quilt as much as I enjoyed designing and teaching it.

Midnight Posies Block 1 Posted

Block #1 of Midnight Posies is ready! It is a simple nine-patch, but I call it a Nine-Patch Daisy.

Each of the blocks in this series are familiar blocks designed to look like flowers by use of color, fabric, and texture. Make your own color selections or use the ones that I suggest. Either way this cheerful block will fill your winter with a little bit of spring. Hope you enjoy this quilt project.

Midnight Posies supply list

Here is the supply list for the Midnight Posies quilt. These are the fabric requirements and suggested supplies, tools and materials. If you have questions please email me. I'll be posting the first block soon. If you want to download the pdf for this file click here:

[Pattern no longer available for free.  Complete pattern is available for sale on my ETSY site]

I am still learning about blogging so I may be asking for help as I try to post parts of this pattern. Have a great Friday the 13th!

-- Reeze

“Midnight Posies© ”40” x 51”

Fabric:

• 2 1/2 yards background & binding fabric – black ordark blue tone-on-tone print, texture or solid

• 1 yard medium green (for vines, leaves & blocks)

• ¼ yard dark green for blocks and leaves

• 1/8 yard of light, medium, dark shades in pinks,reds, purples, blues, yellows and greens for thepieced flower blocks

• Scraps of turquoise, orange and other colors youwish to use for applique flowers in the border

• 1 ¾ yards backing fabric of your choice

Additional tools and supplies suggested:

• 3/8” bias tape maker

• Steam A Seam 2© fusible web

• Applique pressing sheet

• Quick Quarter© marking rule

• Flower head pins

• Dark grey thread for piecing, black thread for quilting

• Matching threads for machine applique on border flowers

• Crib or Throw size black batting 46” x 60”

©2007 by Morning Glory Designs, All Rights Reserved

For Personal Use Only – Duplication Prohibited