Modern Mini Quilt Challenge 2013!

It's Modern Mini Challenge Time! 

And I want YOU to join in! Yes, you! 

Here's the deal. The Modern Mini Challenge is a call to challenge yourself. Try something new: a new technique, a new pattern, a new thread, etc and make a mini quilt. 

A mini quilt makes it possible and oh-so-doable! 

What's a mini quilt? It's a mug rug, a pillow, a wall hanging, a table topper... you get the idea!

Check out the AMAZING minis in last year's contest! There were over 200 entries! Seriously, if those don't inspire you, I don't know what will!

I've heard several people say they weren't good enough to enter the contest but please, please don't let your lack of experience keep you from joining in! I want this event to be fun, encouraging and inspiring- just go for it! Believe in your ability and go CREATE!! 

Go be AWESOME!!

Speaking of awesome, there will be fabulous prizes available just for entering! So try your best, pick something fun to create that speaks to you and get sewing. 

The details:

You can enter any mini quilt that you've made within the past 6 months. Only one entry per person. 

Size requirements: must be at least 6" x 6" and no bigger than 24" x 24". 

You can enter a mini quilt made from your own design or from a pattern. Please give credit to the pattern designer in your description. 

Need some inspiration? Never fear. I've got that covered! There's a snazzy group of quilters ready to share some of their creations to show just how fun a mini can be. The Modern Mini Blog Hop is June 5 - 11. 

Starting June 12, you'll be able to link up your entry here at Ellison Lane. You'll have until 5:00 PM EST on June 16 to add your mini quilt. Link from your blog (a NEW post please), your Flickr account or your Threadbias account. Remember, you don't have to have a blog to enter! 

PRIZES! Did she say prizes? For sure! Check out these amazing goodies up for grabs: 

$125 Gift Certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop

$75 Gift Certificate to the Intrepid Thread

$50 Gift Pack of Pellon Products

$50 Box of Coats and Clark Threads

(2) $50 prize packs of Dritz sewing products

$25 Gift Certificate to Christa Quilts

A Bundle of Marblehead fabrics from Fabri-Quilt

The $125 Gift Certificate winner will be chosen by my husband- his is the Wild Card Choice! The other prizes will be awarded by random draw.

So what are you waiting for? Get excited, get creative and get sewing. Challenge yourself and go make something great!

xo,
Jennifer

PS: If you have any questions just shoot me an email! (ellisonlane (at) gmail (dot) com)

Summer Sampler Sew Along: Block 5 Milkshake

Ready for Block 5 in the Summer Sampler Sew Along? 

Today's pattern is a milkshake! 

Here are all of the blocks so far! 

Download the Milkshake Pattern

Tips for this block: 

• Don't forget to cut out the two pieces of background fabric as indicated on the pattern. 
• Label your sections, particularly the top section. 
• Sew D to E then add the 2 background pieces at the 1.5" end.
• Sew the sections in this order D, E, O, F, G. 
• G goes on the bottom. 

Be sure to add your pics to the Ellison Lane Flickr group! Here's a sampling of some of the blocks people are making! Aren't they cute?

1. Mmm. Chocolate ice cream anyone? #summersamplersewalong with @ellisonlane, 2. 4 so far, 3. Cupcake Block!, 4. Lemonade Block!, 5. Popsicle Block!, 6. MintIceCream, 7. Summer Sampler Sew Along Blks 1-4, 8. Popsicle Paper-Pieced Block, 9. week one summer sampler QAL, 10. SAM_8392, 11. Cupcake, 12. Summer Sampler Sew-Along, 13. Lemonade, 14. Block One and Two, 15. IMG_6199, 16. Untitled, 17. IMG_6197, 18. Cupcake with sprinkle and a cherry! #summersamplersewalong with @ellisonlane

Have you missed the other blocks in the series? Here they are:
popsicle
lemonade
cupcake
soft serve ice cream

Check back Friday for the 6th block in the series! Happy sewing!

xo,
Jennifer

Summer Sampler Sew Along: Block 4 Soft Serve Ice Cream!

Hope y'all all had a great weekend. We had some good family time and even had a chance to get a rare family pic of the four of us! 

Fancy dress, heels and all! 

So are you ready for today's block?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

Ice Cream! 

What ever way you like it, soft serve, frozen yogurt, gelato, or by the scoop, ice cream is the perfect summertime sweet treat. 

Click here to download the pattern. (Then click the download button.) 

Tips for sewing this block: 

• Label the parts of each section. 
• Choose a contrasting color for the spoon handle. 
• Remember that images are reversed in paper piecing so your spoon handle will be on the left when the block is finished. 
• When sewing the sections together, I found it helpful to remove the paper first with this block. The spoon should touch the ice cream. 
• Press after sewing and after joining sections. 
• Sew sections D + E then add C. 
• Sew sections F + B then add A. 
• Then sew DEC to FBA. 

Be sure to add your pics to the Ellison Lane Flickr group! I'll be posting a sampling of everyone's blocks in the series soon. 

Are you working on your mini for the Modern Mini Challenge coming up in June? All the contest details (and prizes) are coming your way tomorrow! 

Happy sewing! 

xo, 

Jennifer

Summer Sampler Sew Along: Block 3: Cupcake!

Cupcakes anyone? Today's pattern is a festive cupcake with a decorative topper, all dressed up for a party!

Click here to download the Cupcake Pattern. (Click on the link then click on the download button- you do not need to download dropbox.) 

Tips for making this block:

• Make the top section first. Start with the topper. Those tiny triangles sew just like every other piece in the pattern. They are small but you can do it! 
• Be sure to label your pattern sections so you know what colors to sew.
• The pattern map shows where each section goes. 
• If you are worried about lining up your sections when sewing them together, sew them with a larger seam allowance (4.0) then check, then resew with a smaller seam allowance (2.0.)

Don't forget to use the #summersamplersewalong on Instagram so we can check out your blocks and be sure to add them to the Flickr group! 

Did you miss the other blocks in the sew along? 

Find them here: Popsicle, Lemonade Cup

Don't forget to add these to your Pinterest boards! 

Three more blocks coming your way next week! Happy weekend! 

xo, 

Jennifer

Summer Sampler Sew Along: Block 2 (Lemonade!)

Who's ready for more paper piecing? I'm loving the cute popsicles I've seen in the Flickr group. Be sure to add yours!

Today we're making lemonade! A cup of lemonade that is.

Take a long cool sip and sit back and relax. That tastes like summer to me!

Download the pattern. Print at 100%. (Make sure you click on the download button on the dropbox screen. You will download the pattern, you do not have to download dropbox.) 

The cup of lemonade pattern is two halves. Choose a small print for the straw - a stripe cut on a diagonal would be super cute! 

This block is very straightforward to piece. The only tricky part is when you sew the two parts together. You want the line for the top of the cup to match up when the sides are sewn together. To do this, place the right side of the cup, face down on the left, about 1/8th" down from the top edge. See picture below. 

See where the seam ripper is pointing?
That is where you need to slide the top pattern piece down a little.

I suggest increasing your stitch length to 4.5 or 5 when sewing the halves together, checking to make sure they match up, then resewing the seam with a 2.0 stitch length. 

All set! 

Be sure to add your block to the Inspired by Ellison Lane Flickr Group! I can't wait to see your cups of lemonade. 

And don't forget to use #summersamplersewalong on Instagram and Twitter! I want to be sure to see your blocks!

Did you miss the Popsicle Block, Block 1 in the Summer Sampler Sew Along? 

Be sure to check back on Friday for Block 3 in the Summer Sampler Sew Along!

xo, 

Jennifer

Zipit! Zipper Happy Land

I love Zipit. 

I really do. Jennie has the best customer service and super fast shipping. Plus how can you go wrong with all of those lovely colors?!

My latest purchase from Zipit.

Summer Sampler Sew Along: Block 1 Popsicle!

Hey y'all! Hope you had a fabulous weekend and all of the moms out there had a very happy Mother's Day.

Today kicks off the first day of the Summer Sampler Sew Along. It's a three week, 9 block, paper piecing series here on my blog. I'm excited to share these patterns with you. Each Monday, Wednesday and Friday there will be a new pattern for you to try.

All the blocks in the series are centered around summertime sweet treats. I have such a sweet tooth and summer just seems to bring out the best in tasty treats.

All of the blocks are 6" x 6" finished and are perfect for a mini quilt but don't let that hamper your creativity! You can take any of these designs and work them into a pillow, a table runner, a banner and more.

The patterns will be available for free during the sew along then will be available for purchase. They have to earn their keep! :)

Each pattern comes with a few paper piecing tips, the pattern pieces and when necessary, a map for the layout. Directions are not included in the pattern but tips will be given during this sew along.

If you are new to paper piecing, I encourage you to check out my paper piecing tutorial and practice on this diamond in a square pattern.

Print your pattern pieces at 100%. 

Download the pattern here. (It may look crazy when you see it in Dropbox but once you download it and print it, the text will come out fine.) 

Supplies:
1.5 yards background fabric (This is my best guess. I am using scraps.)
5-6 coordinating fat quarters for the blocks
ruler with a 1/4" marking - (optional but highly recommended: a small Add-A-Quarter Ruler)
thread (I recommend Coats and Clark Paper Piecing Thread)

First up is the Popsicle Pattern.

A double popsicle is doubly delicious on a hot day.

This block is made with Timeless Treasures Sketch fabric in Candy and the background is Kona Ash. 

Start by cutting out your pattern sections. Do not cut away the seam allowance. 

You will need to cut the two side pieces from your background fabric. 

Label your sections with the colors for each part. 

You need enough fabric to cover the patter sections and the seam allowance. Obviously this is an exaggeration but you get the idea. 

Sew your sections in the numbered order. 

Your piece should look something like this once the section is complete. 

Trim the excess along the dashed line. 

Lay out your pattern pieces and sew the sections together, pressing after each one. Sew the top and bottom to the middle. Press. 

When adding the side pieces, use a scant 1/4" seam. 

Ta-da! Your popsicle is complete! Now, once you make your block, please add it to the Ellison Lane Flickr group. I can't wait to see your interpretations! 

Be sure to come back Wednesday for the next block in the Summer Sampler Series! 

Happy Sewing! 

xo, 

Jennifer

Winner! Winner!

Thanks to all of you that stopped by for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

This fun bundle goes to... 

Kimberly!

I've emailed you Kimberly so check your email 

and thanks to all of you that entered! 

Be sure to check back Monday when we begin the 

Summer Sampler Sew -Along! 

xo, 

Jennifer