2019 in Quilts + 2020 Goals

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

I'm so excited to recap my quilty year! I love looking back and remembering all the stitches I've made!

Want to take a guess as to how many quilts I made in 2019??

(Drumroll...)

The final count was 124 quilts!!

Where's the hands on cheeks and mouth wide open emoji?? 


Quilts I made in 2019

Christmas Cathedral Window Pillows

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Now that Christmas has passed, I can share these cathedral window pillows I made! There are just two in the picture, but I actually made four!

Cathedral window pillows


Crayon Pillow Tutorial

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The first time I saw Mathew Boudreaux's (aka Mister Domestic) new Playroom fabric, I immediately thought how fantastic it would be for making crayon pillows!! You know, like those giant inflatable crayons you can win from carnival games? But pillows!! It sounded so fun!

Crayon pillows

I'm elated to tell you that idea came to reality, and the pillows are featured in the Lookbook for the fabric collection!! Be sure to hop over there and see all the amazing projects included!!

Three Birds with One Bag!

Sunday, December 8, 2019

If you've been around here for long, you know 3-D sewing makes me all squirmy and uncomfortable. But somehow, I found myself with THREE different 3-D sewing challenges on my to-do list that all needed done before the end of the year!

1. The November Aurifil Artisan challenge was to make a Sallie Tomato bag (the deadline was extended into December!)
2. The December Island Batik Ambassador challenge was 3-D sewing
3. As a Kraft-Tex Ambassador, I needed to make two projects before the end of the year (see the first one here)

Although it seems obvious in hindsight, it was just about a week ago when I realized all three of these challenges could be met with the same bag!

Holly bag by Sallie Tomato using Island Batik fabric, Aurifil thread, and Kraft-Tex


Giveaway Party - December

Sunday, December 1, 2019

It's time to party!! It's a Giveaway Party!!


I sure hope you've bookmarked the Giveaway Party page and keep coming back regularly! There are SO many giveaways linked up here every month!!

Creative Gift Ideas for Quilters & Sewists

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Are you looking for unique gift ideas for the quilters and sewists in your life? Do you need a gift for a secret gift exchange at a quilting retreat? Do you want to get a special birthday or Christmas gift for your best quilty friend? Or maybe you're looking for quilty ideas to put on your own wish list! Here's a great list of ideas grouped by price so you can find the perfect thing!

Looking for discounts and deals on quilting and sewing things from around the web? Join the Quilting & Sewing Deals with Slice of Pi Quilts Facebook group!

Have other ideas that aren't on the list? Leave a comment for others to get ideas too!


Gift ideas for quilters and sewists


Handmade Key Fob Wristlet Tutorial

Friday, November 22, 2019

Welcome to my stop on the Holiday Gifts to you blog hop!

My favorite handmade gifts to make are key fob wristlets! They are so quick and easy, and you can make lots of them at once to really be efficient with your time. I usually gift them at Christmas to the mail carrier, AWANA leaders, Sunday School teachers, and those in my mom group. I always get thanked for them even months later as the recipients use them and remember that I had made them!


Key fob tutorial for making DIY key chains as gifts

As I was making them this year, I thought I would share a tutorial with you so you could make and gift some too!

Island Batik Blog Hop + GIVEAWAY!

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Well, for the first time since I became an Island Batik ambassador nearly three years ago, I didn't finish this month's quilt in time. BUT! When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade! So, I'm sharing my *finished* quilt top with you!


Octopus quilt made with circles

This month, many of the ambassadors are sharing the newest Island Batik fabrics with you in the "A Piece of... Blog Hop." Today is my day to share the Blue Sea collection with you!

Giveaway Party - November

Friday, November 1, 2019

It's a new month, so it's time for a new Giveaway Party!

The Giveaway Party for quilting and sewing giveaways

Have you been checking in regularly to see all the giveaways that are added to the Giveaway Party?? There were 123 giveaways linked up in October!! That's an average of four new giveaways every single day!!

Bookmark the Giveaway Party page so you can visit often! You can't win a giveaway if you don't enter!

Start to finish in TWO hours!! + TGIFF

Thursday, October 31, 2019

I have a friend that is a foster mom. One day last week, she got a days old baby boy. I was knee deep in making deadline quilts, but I could not stop thinking about making a quilt for the baby! I continued sewing the quilt with a deadline, and tried convincing myself that I just didn't have time to make one. But then, as I was sewing the binding onto a deadline quilt, I remembered the "3 hour quilts" that I had made before (here, here, here, and here). Surely I could come up with an extra 3 hours!


Quick and easy quilt as you go baby quilt

So just as soon as my needle took the final stitch on the deadline quilt, I threw it in a heap and ran to my fabric stash to pull fabric for a baby quilt! The race was on!

Sew the Rainbow!

Sunday, October 27, 2019

This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to make something using 5 or more colors of thread. After thinking for a bit overthinking it, I finally realized I had the perfect thing in my WIP pile! I needed to quilt this NICU size version of my Bundle of Joy pattern! AND October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month, so it was the perfect time!

Bundle of Joy rainbow NICU baby quilt

I wrote the Bundle of Joy pattern after having my own rainbow baby (who just celebrated his 1st birthday!). The pattern includes the directions for making a 36" baby quilt and an 18" NICU sized quilt. This NICU sized one just needed quilting and binding!

High Tide at Kiamesha Lake

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Crystal Manning is a fabric designer for Moda Fabrics. She makes beautifully designed fabric! When she asked if I would make my High Tide quilt in her new Kiamesha fabrics, I immediately said YES!!

High Tide quilt with Kiamesha fabric for Moda

Kiamesha is a collection of prints inspired by the 1960s vibe at Kiamesha Lake. The prints feature sailboats, sunshine, fish, and pineapples! The full collection includes both blues and corals, but I used just the blue fabrics for my High Tide quilt.

I want my mummy!!

Monday, October 21, 2019

This month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge was a fun one! The requirements were to make a seasonal table runner using applique - and Island Batik fabrics, of course! I had this idea many months ago, and it was so fun to bring it to life this month!

Scrappy Mummy - a raw edge applique and quilt as you go table runner

Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 14, 2019

This quilt has been two years in the making!! I am so excited to be able to cross it off my WIP list and use the quilt!

HST Halloween quilt made with Cats, Bats, & Jacks fabric by Riley Blake Designs

Giveaway Party - October

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Happy October! I really hope you're enjoying the Giveaway Party!


Last month was just the second month for the Giveaway Party, and TWO HUNDRED FIVE giveaways were linked up throughout the month!!

Thank you so much for your enthusiastic support of this new resource!

Exploding Heart Quilt

Monday, September 30, 2019

This month's Island Batik ambassador challenge was to make a quilt using an AccuQuilt Block on Board (BOB) die with the theme "Child's Play." Island Batik (in conjunction with AccuQuilt) sent me the Ohio Star block die. Now, I love the Ohio Star block, but it doesn't scream "kid's quilt" to me. I drew the block components (a quarter square triangle and a square) in EQ8 and began to move the pieces around to design something a kid might like. The resulting quilt is one I think any tween or teen girl would love!


Heart quilt with quarter square triangles


Quilted Cell Phone Clutch with Kraft-Tex

Friday, September 20, 2019

I took a wee break from making quilts to sew something 3-D!


Quilted cell phone clutch with Kraft-Tex

I can make quilts in my sleep, but 3-D sewing makes my palms sweaty! On the rare occasion that I do sew something 3-D, I follow the directions to the letter. However, after I had the idea for this clutch, I couldn't find a single pattern or tutorial for one like it, so I had to make it up! I argued with myself and made some serious attempts to abandon the idea, but I just couldn't shake it. I had to try it! (I did use this tutorial and this one as a guide moral support, but ultimately my mistakes are all my own.)

Going for the Gold

Friday, September 13, 2019

This year, Island Batik became a sponsor of Triathlon Gold, an organization that coaches triathletes on their journey to become national and world champions. As an Island Batik ambassador, I had the unique opportunity to make a quilt for one of the triathletes - Annie Kelly.


Red, white, and blue batik string quilt for triathlete Annie Kelly
Photo courtesy of TriathlonGold

Over the Rainbow

Friday, September 6, 2019

Earlier this summer, Paintbrush Studio Fabrics sent me a bundle of "Over the Rainbow" fabrics by Ampersand Studio. Both PBS Fabrics and Ampersand Studio are based in Kansas City, so I was excited to be a part of a local collaboration!


Bundle of Joy rainbow baby quilt by Slice of Pi Quilts

A Speedy Gonzalez Quilt - Take Two!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Do you remember when I made this Speedy Gonzalez quilt? I gifted it to a friend when she had her first child - a girl - a couple years ago. Now she's expecting a boy, and I thought it would be fun to make a second one for her!


Quick and easy raw edge applique baby quilt

I've made this pattern several times now (here, here, and here). The last time I made it, it took just three hours from beginning to final stitch! This helped me to know how to plan how much time I'd need to make it. I ordered fabric online early in the week, and planned to make the quilt Friday night. I had to leave early Saturday morning for the baby shower!

Star Light, Star Bright

Friday, August 30, 2019

Which came first? The pattern or the fabric?



This month, the fabric!




Improv star quilt using Island Batik fabrics and Aurifil thread

High Tide Quilt

Friday, August 23, 2019

I designed the High Tide quilt almost a year ago. I had planned to use completely different fabrics, but for a long list of reasons, the quilt never happened. Fast forward to this summer, and I knew the design would be perfect for Mister Domestic's Catch & Release fabric!


High Tide quilt - a bias tape applique quilt for advanced beginners

Catch & Release Party with Mister Domestic

Monday, August 19, 2019

Mathew Boudreaux aka Mister Domestic is celebrating the release of his newest fabric collection, Catch & Release, with a six-week long party! Every day for six weeks, a different maker will be featured, and there will be giveaways too!

The party officially starts today, and I'm so excited to share my High Tide quilt with you!

High Tide quilt - a bias tape applique quilt for advanced beginners

Happy Fall Y'all!

Thursday, August 15, 2019

This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to make a whole cloth mini quilt using a Painter's Palette solid fabric. The catch? I had to use whatever color was sent to me. And you know what color I got??

Autumn whole cloth mini quilt using Painter's Palette Mink solid fabric and Aurifil threads

Brown.

Brown!

To Infinity and Beyond!

Monday, August 12, 2019

Both of my older boys (ages 4 and 6) have been asking to make quilts for quite awhile. I decided I would start with the oldest, and see how it went. Back in March, I submitted Jeremiah's name to Quilt Expo as a potential entry for their kids' quilt challenge division. They only accept the first 50 entries, and Jeremiah was chosen! The quilts had to be sent to them by August 16th. Now we had a deadline, so it had to happen!


Outer space quilt by six year old boy


It's a GIVEAWAY PARTY!!

Thursday, August 1, 2019

I'm am SO excited to announce the launch of the Giveaway Party today!!


The Giveaway Party at Slice of Pi Quilts

The Giveaway Party is a monthly linky party for all giveaways related to sewing and quilting.

How does it work? ANYBODY can add any giveaway from around the web, and it will immediately appear in the party! Everyone who adds a link to the party really helps make this a successful community effort!

Keep Your Face to the Sunshine

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Do you ever try something way outside of what your usual just for fun? I love doing just that! It gives my brain a bit of a break, but also stretches my creative muscles!

Sunflower and butterfly art mini quilt

This month's Island Batik ambassador challenge was to use three (or more) different weights of Aurifil thread to make an art quilt. And last month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to use a new-to-me thread weight. This sunflower mini quilt is the result of combining both of these challenges!


Needle punch butterfly made with Aurifil 12wt thread as art quilt accent

An Island Batik Christmas in July

Saturday, July 27, 2019

As you know, I'm an Island Batik Ambassador this year. As part of the program, I get two shipments of Island Batik fabrics to use in monthly quilt challenges. Today I get to share with you what came in the second box!


Fabric, thread, batting, and Accuquilt die I received as part of the Island Batik ambassador program

Shark Attack!

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Have you heard the baby shark song? It's been around for ages, but it's recently gotten quite popular in this age of viral videos.

The son of my friend, Kiffany, turned seven this month, and he chose Baby Shark to be his birthday theme. Well, I knew I had the perfect quilt in my stash just for the occasion! (And I've never shared it on the blog!)

Baby Shark quilt with Riley Blake fabrics for the Modern Quilt Guild fabric challenge

Sew, Let's Quilt Along - Block 10

Monday, July 15, 2019

It's time for the 10th block release for the Sew, Let's Quilt Along!

I designed this block - buttons!


Modern buttons quilt block pattern
 

Sew, Let's Quilt Along is the current quilt along for the Partners in Design group of quilt pattern designers. Be sure to read this post if you need more information, and join the Facebook group to meet lots of quilty friends!

Sew Let's Quilt Along


Ready to make the buttons block?

The directions make a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished quilt block. The block is made with raw-edge applique for a quick and easy finish! The buttons are created by using both the right AND wrong sides of the fabric!


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Be sure to visit all the hosts of the QAL to see their versions of the block! My favorite thing as a pattern designer is seeing the same pattern made in many different fabrics!

Abbie at Sparkle On!
April at JANDA Bend Quilts
Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
Bobbi at Snowy Days Quilting
Karen at Tu-Na Quilts
Kathleen at Kathleen McMusing
Sandy at SandyStar Designs
Sherry at Powered by Quilting

Modern buttons quilt block pattern

To quilt along, be sure to join the QAL Facebook group. Here, you can see other participants' blocks, post photos of your block, and ask questions. On Instagram, use the hashtag #sewletsqal.


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

If you complete Blocks 10-13 (Segment 3), you'll be entered to win some great prizes!

Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 3 Prizes

The prizes includes:
4" Needlecraft Scissors from Omnigrid (a Prym Company)
5-piece Fat Quarter Bundle from the "ring Ring" collection by Hoodie Crescent for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics
Craft Storage Tool Box from Everything Mary
13-piece Fat Quarter Bundle of the Colette Collection from Timeless Treasures

Sew Let's Quilt Along Segment 3 Prizes

The Segment 3 prize winner will also receive a free digital pattern from each of the Segment 3 Pattern Designers!

Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <--- That's me!!
Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
Sandy at SandyStar Designs
April at JANDA Bend Quilts (*Christmas Tree Farm Table Runner pattern)


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

To enter the Segment 3 giveaway, complete all four blocks in Segment 3 (Blocks 10 through 13) and post one photo showing all four blocks in the Facebook group, on Instagram using #sewletsqal, or the ending linky party (posted on August 27th).


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Here is the schedule for the remaining blocks in the QAL:
July 16th - Block 10 - Laura at Slice of Pi Quilts <--- That's me!!
July 30th - Block 11 - Becca at Pretty Piney Quilts
August 13th - Block 12 - Sandy at SandyStar Designs
August 27th - Block 13 - April at JANDA Bend Quilts

There's also an amazing Grand Prize giveaway for those that complete all 13 blocks!

The prizes are open to international participants and all participants must be at least 18 years old. Please make your blocks your own in fabrics and embellishments, but only those that make the designers' patterns are eligible to prize entry.


Modern buttons quilt block pattern

Let's quilt along!




Everyday Tank

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

I have wanted to sew my own clothes for several years now. I always have some sort of excuse, but it really boils down to the fact that 3-D sewing (especially sewing clothes!) scares me!

Everyday Tank by Indygo Junction sewn with Art Gallery fabric

My BQF (best quilty friend) Heather, is always sewing the cutest clothes, and she makes it look so easy! This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge is to sew something seasonal. That combined with our upcoming summer vacation was just the motivation I needed to dive in and attempt getting over my fear of clothes-making!


Glowing Lone Star #2

Friday, July 5, 2019

I'm so excited to be able to share my second Glowing Lone Star quilt with you!


Glowing Lone Star quilt for Bluprint

The first one was made with blues and greens and is available on Bluprint as a kit here. (UPDATE: Bluprint has closed. You can buy the pattern for the Glowing Lone Star quilt HERE.)


Glowing Lone Star quilt for Bluprint

This quilt is exactly the same design, except it has completely different fabric colors! I absolutely love seeing the same quilt made out of different fabrics!! This one is so striking in both the warm and cool colorways!

Adding a laser to ANY sewing machine!

Thursday, July 4, 2019

Do you remember when I discovered a laser that would work on a sewing machine? (You can read that post here.) Well, I'm happy to be able to share with you that there's a new kid in town!


Adding a laser to any sewing machine!

Meet the ViviLux Laser light!

Many new sewing machines come equipped with a built-in laser. The laser line can be used to sew straight lines to make half-square triangles (HSTs) or stitch-and-flip corners without drawing the lines corner to corner. It can also be used for dot-to-dot straight line quilting. BUT buying a new sewing machine equipped with one of these fancy lasers is expensive!

But now, you can add a fancy schmancy laser to ANY sewing machine!!

Louvered Mini Quilt

Sunday, June 30, 2019

As a member of the Modern Quilt Guild, I'm able to participate in a couple quilt challenges they do each year. This spring, Riley Blake sponsored the challenge. I received five fat eighths of fabric and decided to revisit a couple techniques from previous quilts for this one.


Louvered mini quilt with twisted strips for texture