Making A Stitch Catalog + My Sewing Circle Block

Hello to any new friends visiting this week from the Splendid Sampler sew along!  

It was an honor to design a block for the Splendid Sampler II book, and today I get to share my block along with some details about something I call my stitch catalog.  More about that in a minute!

My name is Andy Knowlton and I'm a pattern designer and quilter who loves color, sewing with scraps, trying new techniques and sharing them with you.  I blog here at A Bright Corner and you can also find me on Instagram (@abrightcorner),  Facebook and Pinterest.

The block I designed for the Splendid Sampler is called Sewing Circle and can be found on page 86 of the Splendid Sampler book. 

I often like to mix traditional piecing techniques with some shortcut techniques - like machine applique - and this block is a great example of that!  No curved piecing here thank you very much.  

In the block above I used a narrow zigzag stitch for the machine applique, and in the block below I used a blanket stitch. This pretty pastel block is the one I'll be adding to my own sampler quilt.  

Now if you're like me, you might not use what I call "fancy stitches" often enough to remember what settings you prefer.  Years ago I created a little stitch catalog of my favorite stitches.  I keep my stitch catalog under my presser foot so I always know where to find it.  

In this little catalog I have examples of my most-used stitches along with the stitch number, the stitch width and the stitch length.  When I'm needing to do a bit of machine applique, I can refer to this to decide which one I'd like to use.  It's super handy!

Want to make one?  Here's how! Cut 5 or 6 fabric rectangles that are 4" x 5".  Stack them together and secure them like a book by stitching down the left side with a straight stitch.  

Time to add your favorite stitches.  I used a black Aurifil thread that would contrast with the white fabric.  Stitch one line, then use an ultra fine point sharpie or fabric marker to write the stitch number and settings.  I write the stitch width / stitch length underneath the row, and the stitch number at the end of each row.

It's okay if you don't completely fill your catalog right now - leave some space or even add a blank page or two at the back for adding in other stitches later.  

And there you go - your own stitch catalog to refer to!  

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to add your blocks to the Splendid Sampler website so you'll be entered to win this week's giveaway.  And I love seeing everyone's blocks in the Facebook Group so check in there this week too! 



A few more things:

• Want to receive tips, free downloads, sale announcements and other inspiration from me right in your inbox?  Subscribe to my newsletter here!

• My pattern shop can be found here.  Three new patterns will be hitting the shop soon!

• The full list of tutorials found on my blog is here - feel free to add any of them to your Pinterest boards for later!

• If you're looking for the Splendid Sampler II book you can find that here on Amazon.

You might also like:

**This post may contain 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.

Splendid Sampler Blocks

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to my friends here in the USA.  I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend filled with family, friends, fun, and of course food!

I just wanted to share my latest few Splendid Sampler blocks with you. The book is now available and we're sewing blocks from the book - four blocks each week - but you can choose to do all of them or just one or two each week!  

This week's block is actually a bonus block so it's a free block pattern not found in the book.

It's designed by Pat Sloan and it's called Magic Squares.

Last week's block was also a bonus block- this one was designed by Jane Davidson and it's called The Last Leaf

You can find the free pattern for this block here.

These next three blocks are ones that are from previous weeks but can also be found in the book.

This one is called Around Four Corners designed by Rachael Daisy.  It's a pretty clever design, and I love the optical illusion created by the circles!

This block below is called Ticker Tape and it was designed by Debby Brown.

It's a foundation pieced block which really helps with the accuracy of all of those interlocking seams!

This next block was a fun one.  It's called Hashtag Love designed by Jane Davidson.

It's a quick little applique block and I just used some Heat n Bond Lite and a straight stitch to finish off the pieces.  

I do love the mix of techniques used in the book - we've tried foundation piecing, applique, embroidery and traditional piecing. If you haven't joined in the fun yet, you can still order the book here on Amazon.

There's a Facebook group to join here where everyone is sharing their blocks and tips.

And you can read more about the Splendid Sampler Sew Along here on the official website.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
--Andy

Applique Tips + Splendid Sampler Block

Happy Thursday!  I wanted to talk about applique today for just a few minutes.  

And I have to start by admitting that applique used to intimidate me quite a bit.  But now I think it's kinda fun to try out different techniques and products!

First of all, you can find the free printable PDF pattern for this sweet block here.  

This is the next block from the Splendid Sampler II.  It's called Rose and Dot, and was designed by Lori Kennedy.  We're getting a head start with the first 20 blocks - all of them are being released for free!  After that, you'll need the book to keep sewing along with us.  But don't worry - you can pre-order the book here, and it will be conveniently shipped to you when it's released in October!

So.... back to my block.  I ended up using two different applique techniques on this little 6.5" block.

For the two circles, I used a product called Perfect Circles.  These are SO handy to have in your quilting toolbox!  I use them more often than I ever thought I would.  I have both the Perfect Circles and the Bigger Perfect Circles sets.  

To make the two circles for this block, I found the circle templates that matched the sizes of the circles in the block pattern.  

Then I followed this tutorial from Buttontree Lane to make the circles.  She does a great job of demonstrating how to use these templates - with plenty of helpful photos!  Did you know these are heat resistant and you can iron the circles with the templates still inside?!?  Just make sure you use a medium setting and no steam!



For the leaves, I used a technique that Lori Holt likes to use a lot.  You can see a sample of her technique here.  It uses some lightweight interfacing, and instead of using the plastic shapes that she uses, I just traced the leaf shape from the block pattern right onto the interfacing using a pencil.

I then continued following Lori's technique to stitch, clip, turn, and press each leaf shape.  

Once all of the pieces were placed onto the block background, I sat and watched a little Netflix as I hand stitched everything down.  You could also just do a simple machine stitching around the outside of each piece too - no judgement here!  Do what works for you!

As a final note, I shared a different applique technique for making circles here, that uses aluminum foil (of all things!)  It's become one of my favorite ways to make circles.  You could use that technique with the circles on this block too.  

If you're sewing along with us in the Splendid Sampler, be sure to add your block on the Splendid Sampler blog, and also in the group Facebook page. It's so fun to see everyone's version of each block!  

And if you are thinking of joining in, it's not too late!  You can find links to all of the past blocks on the blog here.  


Happy Stitching!
--Andy

**This post may contain 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.

Clamshell Block How-To and Splendid Sampler Block 3

Boy oh boy was this block a learning experience for me!  At first I was so intimidated by the embroidery that I didn't even want to attempt it. 

But I do so love a good challenge, and for months now I've been wanting to improve my embroidery -- and by "improve", I mean actually learn how ;)

This week's Splendid Sampler block was designed by Helen Stubbings and it's called Clamshells.  You can download the free block pattern here.  

Before I talk about my attempt at embroidery I want to share some tips with you for those adorable little clamshells. 

I have three tutorial links to share -and if you've never attempted clamshells before, I recommend reading through all three and then deciding which one appeals to you the most!  They each have some great tips and perhaps you'll end up using a mix of tutorials for your own block. 

Clamshells the iron-on way

Clamshells with the foil technique

Clamshells:  EPP style

That last tutorial is the one I used, since I'm a big english paper piecing fan!

Alright.  Now about that embroidery.  I've done just a bit of it before, but it's been so long that I'd forgotten even the basic stitches.  Youtube the rescue!

For this block we use the backstitch, the stem stitch, and the lazy daisy stitch.  Here are the youtube tutorials I used:

Backstitch how-to
Stem Stitch how-to
Lazy Daisy how-to

All three are from Mary Corbet (Needle 'n Thread)  and she has TONS more.  See them all here.

  I didn't use a hoop, and I feel like it turned out alright.  I'm pretty sure I used the wrong type of needle but since two strands of floss fit through the eye of the needle, I just kept going.

But my finished block isn't too shabby, right?  I think that once I get more comfortable with the basic stitches (and find the right needle) embroidery might be quite relaxing! 

Don't forget - find the free block pattern here, and join in the Splendid Sampler fun here on the blog, and here on the group Facebook page.  

And I HAVE been working behind the scenes on some full quilts - I promise!  I'll be sharing one here on Saturday!

Happy sewing,

--Andy

Splendid Sampler + Circle Applique Tutorial

Thursday is here again which means it's time for a quick blog post to share the next Splendid Sampler 2 block!

This block was designed by Rebecca Bryan (Bryan House Quilts) and it's called Milk and Cookies.
You can find the printable PDF here.

This block has some applique steps in it and you can definitely use your favorite technique - or take this opportunity to try a new one!

I recently found this tutorial from Sarah Fielke for applique circles and have been looking for an excuse to try it out.  It worked GREAT - and I'll definitely use it again!  There's a text version of the tutorial here, and or watch the video below.

If you're sewing along with us on the Splendid Sampler 2, hop over to the facebook group to share your block!  And if you haven't started yet, no worries - it's easy to catch up.  You can grab the free pattern for block #1 here, and block #2 here.  And don't forget to pre-order the book here from Amazon.  

Happy stitching!

--Andy

Splendid Sampler 2!

Hi everyone - I'm just popping in for a few minutes today to share some exciting news with you!

There's a Splendid Sampler 2 in the works, and I'm honored to be one of the contributing designers.

The Splendid Sampler 2 book will be filled with 100 different quilt blocks from a great group of talented designers.  Every block is 6" square and they include a fun variety of techniques ranging from traditional pieced to paper pieced to applique.

You can pre-order the book now, and it will be shipped to you in October - how handy is that?  I love pre-ordering books from Amazon.

And because five months is along time to wait, there will be a sew along starting June 14 - with some free blocks being released early so we can all start sewing along, even before the book arrives!  More than 28,000 quilters have joined in with the first Splendid Sampler quilt along and they've created quite a fun community in their Facebook group.

This week my goal is to decide on what colors and fabrics I want to use for the sew along.  I keep changing my mind!

I'm already thinking about a setting for all of my sampler blocks, and I've started a Pinterest board with great sampler quilt ideas!

So mark June 14 on your calendar for the sew along, and be sure to pre-order the book here:

And for some inspiration, you can see the gallery of completed quilts from the Splendid Sampler 1 quilt along here.  

**This post may contain 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.