Retro Stitchery

Well hello!  I've been working on something just a little different (for me) this past week and I have a fun new book to share with you today.

Four Patch Spin Quilt Pattern

Oh just look how we're just cruising through March! 

I've been sewing with these Goose Creek Garden prints over the past week and the colors and florals are really making me SO very excited for spring to officially begin. 

Goose Creek Garden is the newest line from Poppie Cotton (click here to see the shops that carry it). It has some pretty teal and berry colors as well as some warm yellows and some really lovely florals.

I decided to make a version of my Four Patch Spin quilt in these pretty fabrics. This quick little pattern has become one of my favorite go-to solutions when I need a quick finish.

Windy City quilt in Shabby Basics

I don't know why, but I always forget just how FAST baby and crib sized quilts are to make! Back in December I started working on this crib size Windy City quilt and I have to say that the cool blues and greens were a refreshing change from all of the Christmassy reds and greens that I had been sewing with! 

You know that one of my new favorite things is to use textured fabric for my background print - but I loved these colors so much I wanted to make them the star of the show in this Windy City quilt. 

These are all prints from a line called Shabby. Shabby is a fun textured line of fabrics created by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs. There are 55 colors available* and even a handy color card that you can get to make it easier to find the perfect color of Shabby to go with your project. 

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

Fast Track Ombre Fairy Dust + Quilt Along Wrap Up

Our Fast Track quilt along just finished up last week and I'm excited to be able to share my finished quilt! This was a nice and quick QAL - only four weeks - and it's a nice and quick quilt to piece (say that four times fast - Ha!)

I used a bundle of fat quarters, but the pattern also allows for Jelly Roll strips, Layer Cake squares, or 1/4 yard cuts to be used as well. You could even dig through your scrap bins for this one.

For my quilt I used this bundle of Ombre Fairy Dust (by Vanessa Christensen for Moda Fabrics)* and I love how the black contrast print just makes the colors that much more vibrant!

Fast Track Quilt Ideas + Quilt Along

 Hey everyone! Just wanted to share a quick reminder that the Fast Track quilt along starts on Monday!

I've been having fun this week mocking up the Fast Track quilt pattern in a bunch of different fabrics and thought you'd like to see some of them!

   Want to join in? Sign up for the Fast Track quilt along here!

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

First of all, here's a peek at what I'll be sewing with for the quilt along: 

This is a bundle of Ombre Fairy Dust (by Vanessa Christensen for Moda Fabrics)* and I've been debating on whether to use the black print or the white one for the contrasting print. I mocked up both versions - which one do you like better? 

**This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post. Thank you!

At first I really loved the white, but the black is so striking!  

(The black print is Ombre Fairy Dust Metallic Soft Black and the white print is Ombre Fairy Dust Metallic Off White ). 

This version of Fast Track (above) is made with Gingham Gardens (Riley Blake Designs). This is such a pretty fabric line!

For all of you solid fabric fans, this is made with Kona Cotton Solids (colors: Butterscotch, Creamsicle, Eggplant, Everglade, Foxglove, Ice Peach, Mustard, Plum, Sage, Salmon, Seafoam, Shell, Lt. Parfait, Sienna, and Coal)

How about a faded beachy version? I love this scrappy look! These are all different light blues and light reds from a variety of Riley Blake fabric lines, paired with a solid white. I love this one - and really want to make one this Summer.

How about a bolder red, white, & blue version? This patriotic Fast Track is mocked up with American Gathering (by Primitive Gatherings for Moda Fabrics)

Here's another scrappy version, with low volume prints and a fun Riley Blake polka dot for the contrasting rectangles. 

This final one is a version that I plan on making, and I even already have the bundle and background fabric ready to go. This quilt uses a line called Golden Hour (Ruby Star Society) and Moda Bella 97. 

It's so fun to see how the look of the quilt changes with different fabrics!  Which one is your favorite? 

And here's one more that I've finished but haven't yet shared here on my blog:

This one was made with a fun bundle that I put together with Maker Valley. The bundles have sold out, but Holly always has a fabulous and unique selection of custom bundles for sale on her site.

I can't wait for the quilt along to get started! The first newsletter will go out on Monday so be sure you're signed up so you don't miss a thing.

edited to add: the QAL has ended but sign up here to be notified of any upcoming quilt alongs!

If you're still needing a copy of Fast Track, grab one here (sale ends on Monday!). 

Fast Track QAL Weekly schedule:

Week 1: Fabric selection & cutting fabric

Week 2: Block construction

Week 3: Finish blocks & quilt top assembly

Week 4: Quilting & binding your Fast Track quilt

French Market Tote Bag Tutorial + Dots and Posies Fabric

 Sometimes it's fun to switch things up! I've been doing a lot of quilts lately but last week I spent an afternoon making a new tote bag for myself with some lovely new fabrics.

I first designed this French Market Tote bag back in 2017 (and shared the tutorial here).

I've always loved choosing a fun liner print for my tote bags but usually the liner is never really even seen! So I designed this bag specifically so that the bag liner could be seen...and appreciated.

And seriously - that large polka dot print deserves the attention!

This latest version of the bag is made with a new fabric line from Poppie Cotton called Dots and Posies.

The fabric line has over 20 different prints but I chose just a few of my favorites for these projects. I do love that large floral!  The line also has a fun cheater print (the one on the top left) that looks like english paper pieced hexagons. It's so darling!

For the interfacing on this bag I used Pellon 809. It's my favorite interfacing for bags and zipper pouches because it gives structure without making the bag all puffy.

The finished French Market Tote measures 11"(H) x 14"(W) x 3"(D)

To make one bag you'll need:

1/3 yard main bag print

3/4 yard bag liner and handles

18" x 45" piece of interfacing

I also made a small coordinating zipper pouch using one of my favorite tutorials (by Jedi Craft Girl - find it here). 

I used to be so intimidated by zipper pouches - well...anything with a zipper really.  But Amanda's tutorial is easy to follow and makes a great size of pouch: 5.5" tall, 8.5" wide (at the widest point).

I used the same Pellon 809 interfacing for the pouch that I used in the tote bag. And I just HAD to use a fun liner print! 

Dots and Posies fabrics will be in stores soon, and if your local shop doesn't carry it, check etsy!

Hope you have a great week, and that you're able to sneak in some sewing time!

Coral and Gray Scrappy Quilt + Season to Taste Book

 There's been some scrappy sewing around here lately.  After all of the reds and greens of the holiday season I sure was ready for a new color palette!

After auditioning some different color combos (green + yellow, navy + pink) I pulled these two stacks from my stash and they just clicked!