Down Home Darling

This week we will start adding dark strips. I used a

variety of browns, tans and blues. Use the same technique
as previously described. You can find all the details here. 

Trim up all your units, I love this part and find it kind of relaxing.

I am sure we could all use a little of that. See you next week! 

Mondays With Marcus

 I am so honored to be a Marcus Designer. It is still

such a thrill to pull bolts of fabric out of the box and

see my name on the selvedge. Because we are already 

quilting together on Mondays (Down Home Darling)

 I am not participating in Mondays with Marcus but I

  wanted to let you know what is happening on the
other designers websites and blogs. 

Check out all the details on Marcus Fabrics.

Down Home Darling - Trimming Trick

Trimming up these blocks is a little time consuming, but very relaxing!

I have a simple trick that might make it a little easier for you. I feel like

when you trim off the little strip from the bottom up it pushes the corner

out creating a flair on the corner. This trick seems to get rid of that problem.

For your first cut turn the block upside down and trim the extra off.

Just line your ruler up with the seam. This will eliminate the flair out.

Turn the block right side up and repeat the process.

Take your time and enjoy the process. 

One perfect little block. If you are a visual learner I made

a quick YouTube video, visit my channel here and let me

know what you think.

Down Home Darling

How is your stitching going? Did you like using Batch Piecing?
Grab your light strips and lets add another side. 
Add the second side using the same batch piecing method used in step one. 
Be sure to keep your center piece oriented the same direction when you
add it to the strip. I also like to use the same fabric for both pieces. 
Roughly cut units apart as described in original post.
Finger press or use an iron to press lightly so you do not distort. 
Trim up each unit. Check back on Wednesday for a little trimming trick. 

Just joining us? Check out all the details here. 

Down Home Darling

Down  Home  Darling

A New Temecula Quilt Co Sew Along
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
I purchased this amazing vintage quilt many years ago from a local dealer,
Down Home Antiques. I have always wanted to remake it and with the arrival 
of my latest line, Bygone Browns from Marcus Fabric it seems like the perfect time.
Gather a large variety of browns, lights and a touch of blue and let's sew along together.

You can order a bundle of Bygone Browns here.

Here are a few Down Home Darling Details
Finished Quilt 61-3/4" x 76"
Finished Blocks 4-5/8"

Gather Supplies
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

½ yard small red print – center blocks

Large Variety of light prints | 3 yards total, Creams, light tans and light blue

Large variety of dark prints | 3 yards total, Browns, caramels, tans and blues

Cutting
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
From small red print, cut: 8 strips, 1-3/8" x 42"
Sub-cut 208 red squares, 1-3/8" x 1-3/8"

   From a variety of light prints cut a large pile of 1-1/8" x 42" strips
This is a great chance to use up scraps, so keep in mind, strips 
do not have to be 42” long. I am incorporating my Bygone Browns, 
along with other great light prints from my stash. 

Batch Work
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Piecing log cabin blocks in batch steps is my favorite technique.
 Let’s get started. Grab your red squares and using ¼” seam allowance
 stitch several to one side of a light strips. Continue until you attach
all 208 red squares to a variety of light strips

Batch Work
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Roughly cut the squares apart and finger press towards dark. 
 I prefer finger pressing at this point to eliminate distortion. Give it a try!y

!

Squaring Up
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Head to your cutting mat and square off the little extras on 
each side of block. Be sure to line up a ruler line with your seam
line to be sure you get a nice straight cut. Repeat on opposite side. 

Favorite Tiny Tools
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
28mm Olfa Rotary Cutter
Creative Grid 1 ½” x 6 ½” ruler  
Navy 5 ½” x 6 ½” Olfa Rotary Mat

Finishing Up
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Get your first batch all squared up and ready for the next step

I am so excited you have decided to join us. 
New step posted each Monday 
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
I am trying out a new venture, check out my new YouTube channel
for a fun and happy way to view Down Home Darling. 

Road Trip Stitching

We recently returned from a road trip to Idaho for grandson #3's first

birthday. I always need a little sewing project to work on here and there.

Organizing the project is sometimes my favorite part! Here is my set up. 
I use stack-able plastic bins for all the little pieces. Our original ruler boxes

make the perfect dividers to keep everything organized. Pictured here

medium box and empty bobbin box. You can order some here. 

My Sew Together Bag is the perfect spot for all the stitching necessities. 

Thankfully this special bag was made by a sweet friend, bag making is not

 my favorite! I pieced the clam shell outside using Temecula Treasures and
Special Scraps my first two fabric lines and she performed all the magic. 
It is truly a "Special Treasure" 

It is just the cutest and I smile every time I unzip it!

I am using 5/8" hexagons and a 4-1/4" red square. I will be sticking to 

the color palette you see here. Reds, browns, pinks, blues, blacks and
grays. If you would like to join me you can order the hexagon papers

and an acrylic template here. You also could easily change up

your hexagon size and adjust your background square to fit.

This will be an ongoing project and the end results are
not really nailed down at this point. It is always nice to
have a little project to pick up when needed. 

@temeculaquiltco

Here is what has been happening on Instagram.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Added something else to his honey do list. Stay tuned

Installation Day!

Giant quilt ladder complete. Just what I had in mind.