A New Year -- A New Block of the Month

Welcome to 2022!  While the winter sapped my energy and my motivation, signs of Spring are showing up and it is time to bring out a new project that has been in the works for the last 2 years.

As a quilt designer, I dabble in color, shape, and visual relationships. Numbers are as much a part of my work, as my color wheel.  I have always loved what happens when you take a shape and repeat it, or move it around, or turn it upside down.  It is no surprise then, that I stumbled onto Sacred Geometry, which is exactly what I was doing.  Take inspiration from the natural world, history, culture and the visual arts and using elements from each to create my own brand of textile art.

After more than 2 years of reading and studying Sacred Geometry -- the relations of space, shape, time, and pattern, a project evolved which communicated to me on so many levels.  Perhaps it may speak to you as well.  It is my Block of the Month for 2022.  Many of my past designs have been florals.

I love the symmetry of flowers, the colors, the invitation to come closer and smell their perfume.  Like pollinators, the flowers invite us in as we engage in a mutual dance of survival.  We draw beauty from their presence in our lives, and they share their pollen with insects who use it for food while they unwittingly share in the flower's reproduction cycle.  When you superimpose lines and shapes over each bloom, their mathematical and geometric structures become clearer.

This was my inspiration for this years Block of the Month.  OK, I admit it may be a little "out there" and for some even a bit "Woo Woo" but come along with me, if you will, to explore how all this makes sense for the quilter.  Or at least for me! Hahaha!!

Block 1

The first block is a circle, made up of flower petals.  The yellow is for the sun and the small dots on the black background are for the moon and the night.  The circle is the source of all shapes, as we will see as we move through each block in this quilt.

Each month you will get a complete, full color pattern along with an in-depth explanation of the significance and symbolism of the shapes which make up each block.

This is a 10 month block of the month program which will end in December of 2022.

You will be able to purchase each block for $8.00 for a digital download or $10.00 for a printed copy mailed to your postal address each month.

Monthly Subscription

You may choose to pre-pay for the whole Block of the Month at a discounted price.

Pre-Pay Subscription

Complete kits will again be available from ConnectTheBlocks.com and will include all fabric needed to make the quilt plus binding, a print copy of the pattern and shipping all for a remarkable price.  

 The link to order kits ($34.00 per month) will be available March 7, 2022

Order Kits Here

If you would like to sew along with others or make new friends online, we welcome you to Join the Morning Glory Designs Block of the Month Facebook Group.

Join Here

Want to get Monthly reminders, along with tips and tricks for each block in your email?  Join my newsletter.  I do not share any of your information.  It is used solely to send you monthly block of the month information.  You may unsubscribe at any time.

Sign Up for my Newsletter

Thanks to those who have been following my Blog and Pattern Co for years!  I so appreciate your loyalty and support.  And Welcome to all of you who are new to my blog. I an glad you are  here and hope we work together in the coming year.

Reeze

New Patterns coming soon

I am excited about the new Morning Glory Designs patterns that will be in shops this summer, featuring a new Christmas collection from Northcott called Old Time Christmas.

The patterns are done and on their way to the printers.  They will ship in April and go to shops in May, if all goes as scheduled.  Yea right!  Hahaha  If you want a jump on them, I will be putting them up on my website as digital download patterns next week.

There are two patterns.  The first is called Celebrations Table Topper and is super simple.  It measures 50 x 50, a perfect size for a dining table.  It uses a tree skirt panel appliqued to a big square of background fabric!  Add a border and you are done.

MGD 233  Celebrations Table Topper

The second pattern is actually THREE patterns in one!  Celebrations Table Trio. Yup, this one is a great value.   It is a set of 2 placemats with a matching table runner (20 x 48).  

MGD 234  Celebrations Table Trio

The pattern is paper pieced to make it easy and accurate featuring blocks on point.  On-point blocks often have fractional measurements which are difficult to cut, so piecing with foundations makes them perfectly accurate every time.  The ribbon print borders are a stripe printed on the diagonal so cutting rectangles is easy- no bias edges!

I even added a bonus 6" mug rug pattern to go with the set.  Isn't it cute?  This set will make a great Christmas or Holiday gift for friends or family.  Watch for the Northcott Old Time Christmas collection in shops this summer.

The mug rug would make a great class project for shops.  It could be completed in one class session, incorporating foundation piecing and directional cutting.

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Beach Dreams Block of the Month

I just finished printing Block #3 for Beach Dreams!  WOW this is a BIG pattern. 21 pages!  But they are printed, bagged and ready to go out to subscribers.  

The pattern is big because the blocks are big!  The palm trees in Block 3 are 14" x 25".  They are almost big enough to plant outside!

It is not too late to purchase Beach Dreams Block of the Month or Beach Dreams Fabric Kits (which include full color patterns and postage).

CLICK HERE to Subscribe

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One More New Pattern

I just heard from Northcott who approved another new pattern.  The fabric is a Southwest fabric collection called Stonehenge Sun Valley.  Their Stonehenge SW collections have been popular in the past and always sell out.  So I am excited to see a new collection coming.

I will be writing this pattern, but it needs a name.  I would love some suggestions.  Normally my pattern naming mojo works well but I could use your help on this one.  This is a lap quilt 56 x 56 with a bonus wall hanging version in the same pattern.  It would also make a great table topper if you have SW decor.

 Leave a suggestions in the comments.  

If I choose your suggestion you will get the pattern for free when it is ready to release!

Thanks for taking a look!

Beach Dream Kits are Here

2021 Block of the Month:  Beach Dreams

Don't you just love a kit to make the fabric shopping decisions easy?  Yup, me too.  I love kits.  And the fabrics beautifully selected for Beach Dreams will tempt you for sure.

Take a look:

Patterns for Blocks 1 - 5

Block 1 Pattern

Block 1 Fabric Kit

WOW.  Patterns and kits are available now.  This is a great value that includes all the fabric needed to make the quilt, all 12 patterns and 12 fabric kits!  Where can you get them?

Morning Glory Designs

Beach Dreams Block 1 Available NOW

Beach Dreams is the 2021 Block of the Month. 

And what a dreamy quilt it is!  It is fun to make, and will banish the blues as you dream of a sunny warm day at the beach.

 On January 15 we released block 1: Dolphins leaping

It was so easy to make using machine appliqué,  and the beautiful batik fabrics are perfect for this quilt.  Here is a beautiful version made by Tina B.

Or this one made by Kim R

There is still plenty of time to order your copy before the next installment is released on February 15.

CLICK HERE to order the pattern.

Do you want a kit with all the fabrics for the complete quilt preselected and beautifully packaged?  Kits are still available at a great price which includes the full pattern in color and shipping.

CLICK HERE to order the fabric kit.

On February 15 Block 2 will be released.  It is the pieced background for the whole center row of the quilt.  

Once you have Block 2 completed the following months will include the applique for the palm trees, pelican, and flamingos.  It would make a great table runner all on its own, but looks best as part of the whole quilt.

Join us for this fun in the sun seaside adventure.  It will make you smile!

Beach Dreams Block 1: Leaping Dolphins

Excitement is building as we get closer to the release of the first block in the NEW BEACH DREAMS block of the month for 2021.

Block 1 will be released on January 15, 2021.

These adorable leaping dolphin are cut out using fusible web and machine appliqued to the simple 2 part background.  And their tails leave an extra fun splash behind them as they leap. 

I saw these two leaping on a bird sight-seeing trip off the Texas shore last winter.  I was so excited to see them out in front of our boat, showing off and playing in the surf.  It is a special memory I will always remember about my time at the beach at Rockport, TX.

Two-piece sea and sky background for the dolphins.

I hope you will take the time between now and the 15th to comb through your stash and pick out just the right fabrics for your quilt. 

If you plan to go out and purchase fabric, you can take along the Fabric Requirements Guide I prepared. 

CLICK HERE to download the Fabric Requirements.

CLICK HERE to sign up for a monthly Pattern subscription or the Pre-Pay Option.

With the Pre-pay Option you get 2 months free!

What about Kits?  

Of Course we are offering fabulous batik kits for each block, at the same price as lasts year's BOM!  It is a fabulous value.  You receive all the fabric to make the entire quilt top, including the background, all the applique, and the paper pieced blocks.  You also get the complete pattern printed in full color with complete instructions, illustrations, along with tips and tricks to help you be successful.    

CLICK HERE to order Kits.

In addition we will be posting monthly videos showing you how to do each block, and a dedicated Facebook Group just for this quilt.

So come along and quilt with us and make your Beach Dreams come true.

2021 Beach BOM has a name:  Beach Dreams

Balmy breezes …. Sunshine …. The soothing swish of waves brushing the shore …. The music of sea birds in the air accompanied by the slap of flip-flops against one’s heels … The chime of sail and flag riggings gently hitting their masts …. The tangy scent of salt and seaweed in the air …

Connect The Blocks and Morning Glory Designs are excited to partner again in 2021 to bring you this sea-worthy Block of the Month!  After a tumultuous 2020, aren’t we all ready for some calm? Our beachy BOM represents the easy-going life at the beach.

This will be a 12-part series that will include piecing, applique, and some paper-piecing.  It’s appropriate for confident beginners and seasoned quilters alike and when it’s complete you’ll have a beautiful large lap throw or wall hanging (approximately 68” square) to give someone special or keep for yourself.

Click on the 2021 BOM tab at the top of the page for more details.

Sign ups are open now, and the first block (Dolphins) will go out January 15, 2021.  You may choose to get monthly digital downloads, or have a paper copy mailed to your home (or beach) address.

You may subscribe by the month or, pre-pay for the whole project, and get 2 months free!

Click Here To Signup

Block 1: Dolphins

And of course, gorgeous batik fabric kits will be available from ConnectTheBlocks.com

                                              Click Here to Order Kits

Your kit subscription to this Block of the Month (BOM) includes all the fabrics you need to make the top, the printed patterns and templates for each block, and the postage to send it to you monthly.  The first kits will be sent out in January, usually about a week after you sign up.  If you choose to start later in the year, that’s no problem!  We’ll work with you to complete this on your time schedule.

I hope you will join us this year for another great block of the month adventure.  I will be offering monthly videos to help you each step of the way.   Thanks for hanging out with us and playing along on this beautiful Beach Dreams quilt.

Name that Quilt Contest for the NEW 2021 Block of the Month

It is almost ready, and I can't wait to share with you the new Block of the Month for 2021.  But before I can release the patterns it needs a name!  It is fun, beachy, and full of all the things I love best about being on the Beach.  Now is your chance to Name that Quilt.

2021 Beach Themed Block of the Month

Leave a comment with your idea for a name.  The winner of Name that Quilt Contest will win a fabulous bundle of Beach fabric.  Details about sign ups and the release of the first installment will be coming in the next few days.

Southwest Sunrise Block 1 Tutorial

Assemble the tools you will need:

You will need the template pages from the pattern, 

Steam A Seam 2 Lite fusible web, 

an applique pressing sheet or Fusamat,

a thin Sharpee to trace templates, 

a pair of sharp scissors for cutting out fusible and fabric, 

a pair of bent nose tweezers, 

transparent tape, 

blue painters tape, 

applique placement guide from the pattern.

To assemble the applique placement guide from the pattern you will need to tape the pages together on the registration lines.

Trim off the right edge of page 1 of the guide on the registration line.

Place the left page over the right page and tape with the pattern lines perfectly aligned.

Turn the two pages over and tape over the whole seam from the back.

Do the same thing to the two bottom sheets of the placement guide.

Cut off the top of the two lower pages on the registration lines.

Tape the bottom pages to the top pages on the registration lines.

 

The applique placement guide in your pattern has been labeled for you with the template letter and the placement order.

Draw a 12" square around the pots to show the finished size of the block.  Draw a center line down the middle of the block horizontally and vertically.  You will use those lines later when you are ready to place the applique on the background fabric.

Set the placement guide aside and get the fabrics you plan to use for the applique.  If using fabric from the kits match up the template with the label on each fabric in the kit.

Press all the fabric to remove creases and wrinkles.

Trace the applique templates on the yellow gridded side of the fusible web using a fine line Sharpee.

Label each template with the template letter and color from the pattern.

Cut out around each traced template.  DO NOT cut out on the traced lines.

For any template larger than 2" cut out the middle -- or window -- the traced template.  Leave about 1/4" of fusible around the INSIDE of the traced template.

Place the templates on the selected applique fabric.  Remove the paper from the back of the fusible and press the template onto the WRONG SIDE of the fabric.

If you are using Steam A Seam 2 Lite, you can finger press the templates to the fabric.  If using any other fusible product, you will need to fuse the template to the fabric with a warm or hot iron, depending on the product you are using.

Cut out each template ON THE TRACED LINES using a sharp pair of scissors.

Tape the applique layout guide to a pressing surface or table.

Place an applique pressing sheet or Fusamat on top of the layout guide.  Tape or pin both in place so they do not shift.

Watch the video to see how to place each piece of the applique onto the applique pressing sheet.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

Adjust the outside edges of the applique so they sit right on the outer line of the layout guide.

Press the applique to the pressing sheet.  Allow the applique to cool completely on the pressing sheet.

When cool, peel the applique off the pressing sheet and set it aside while you prepare the applique for the next pot.