Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Dresden Carnival Blog Hop & MMF

I am so excited to participate in the Dresden Carnival Blog Hop!

Dresden Carnival is a quilting book co-authored by Yvette Marie Jones and Marian Gallian of Pink Hippo Quilts. It's filled with 16 playful Dresden quilt projects and fresh ideas for beginners and advanced quilters. It released this month through C&T Publishing Stash Books.

I jumped at the chance to participate since (shhhhhh, don't tell) I've never sewn a Dresden block and I've never tried needle-turn applique! Now, I am COMPLETELY hooked! I couldn't wait to get home at night to keep working on my project! 

I decided to make the Cotton Candy Pillow since it immediately caught my eye on the cover of the book. I'm also in the process of redecorating my bedroom in grey and white with vivid pops of pink... so, this seemed like the obvious choice :)

I began by choosing my fabrics...
*From top to bottom
1. Little World by Tamara Kate
2. Summer Meadow by Tamara Kate
3. Hop, Skip & Jump by Tamara Kate
(**Used in the pillow but not pictured above: Friendly Forest in Azalea)
I started with all pink but I wanted to change it up a little bit so I added some pale yellow and mustard for the center petals. I used Cotton Couture in Bright White for the background.

 I LOVE how it turned out and I think I'll have to make another... and maybe there's a full sized quilt in my future to match!
I thought about adding some sparkle to the pillow with sequins (and even went so far as to buy them) but in the end, I went with some embroidery floss hand quilting.

 Above are the floss colors that I chose and below is a close up of some of my hand quilting. I think I'd like to add some more... but, I was in a time crunch :)

The Dresden Carnival Blog Hop continues tomorrow with Textile Time Travels...

Here's the full schedule:
Monday, April 18

Tuesday, April 19

Wednesday, April 20

Thursday, April 21

Friday, April 22
 
Monday, April 25

Tuesday, April 26

Wednesday, April 27

Thursday, April 28

Friday, April 29

**Tell us about your experience with Dresden quilts and applique for the chance to win your own copy of Dresden Carnival and a 1/2 yard bundle of Michael Miller Fabrics so you can make your own Cotton Candy Pillow :) 

 An international winner will receive an ebook, while a US winner will receive a hard copy.
*must enter by April 29th, 5pm est
*winner will be drawn at random 

And, the winner is...

Blogger Gina, who said...
"Gorgeous pillow and colors!!! I am making a mini dresden butterfly right now to applique onto a pouch. Dresdens are one of my favorite quilt blocks and i love applique. My favorite dresden quilt i have made is Carousel which is a pattern by Nicole Calver and was published in Love Quilting and Patchwork Magazine last year. Thanks for a fun giveaway!!!"
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Friday, April 15, 2016

Pets A Plenty from Michael Miller Fabrics!!

Pets A Plenty is new from Michael Miller Fabrics and it's shipping to stores now!! 
To view the entire collection, please visit our website~
 It's the FISH FRENZY quilt... and it will be free to download on our website starting on Monday so don't forget to check back :)
*Fish Frenzy designed and pieced by Ellen Maxwell
We think Pet's A Plenty is super cute for kids garments, accessories and for your pets too!

Here's Blue making his debut with MMF wearing Dancing Cats, Zipper Stripe and School's Out.

Paola, of Sweet Julie Boutique, created these adorable summer backpacks for her kids...

If you're looking for some weekend sewing, Paola created a tutorial for the "Easy School's Out Backpack"
It's perfect for carrying around summer books, beach supplies, toys or whatever your little ones might need!
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We love to see all of your sewing projects so be sure to share on social media and tag #MichaelMillerFabrics

xo, kait



Friday, April 1, 2016

Valencia by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller Fabrics

Valencia is Laura Gunn's newest collection for Michael Miller Fabrics- filled with flowers, beautifully painted birds, fruit and textured geometric patterns. She also decided to add gold metallic details and a new assortment of metallic Painter's Canvas!

We just love the dahlias, gerber daisies and the little metallic accents in this collection! They look beautiful in the adorable dress below sewn by Amy of @amylouwhosews
*Laura Ashley Girl's Dress sewn by Amy Webb


*Leighanna Peasant for Girls sewn by Jessica Lane
Pattern available for purchase from Sis Boom Pattern Co



The Valencia Quick Hexie Link Quilt designed and pieced by Karie Jewel


The Valencia Strip Quilt designed by Brooke Wittwer

Laura has been painting and making things since she could hold a crayon. In 2006 she began painting in earnest and discovered her true passion. she's obsessed with color and when she paints, she plays with color, creating just the right amount of contrast and harmony. We feel so lucky  that Laura is a Michael Miller licensed designer! 

To learn more about Laura Gunn, please visit her website.

The Valencia Star Quilt designed and pieced by Jessica Lane
(Free to download on our website!)

To view the entire Valencia Collection, please click the link below.
Valencia by Laura Gunn
In stores now!

You'll also see a ton of Valencia out in the wild as it's the next Sewtopia Challenge Collection! Woo hoo! Can't wait to see what everyone creates!


We love to see all of your sewing projects so be sure to share on social media and tag #MichaelMillerFabrics

xo, kait
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