Framed Up Mystery Quilt

I had a mystery quilt class last week where only I knew the final quilt. It was a simple block but set on point with sashing in between the blocks and the whole quilt is made from 2 1/2 inch strips so it is perfect for pre cuts.

This is my class sample finished to top stage. I need to quilt it or have it quilted.

 This one was made using a  Penny Rose Fabrics Rolie Polie bundle called Meadow with a background fabric and sashing fabrics.

The great thing about this quilt is you can make it with 4 fabrics as I have done in a smaller version with a new range in store Lewis & Irene Autumn in Bluebell Wood range.  This would make a great baby's quilt for a boy or a girl with the cute little animals through it.

This one I am quilting using the Westalee rulers which I stock.  I love using them and seeing what i can create using them especially when I have new ones to try. We will be have a number of days over 2018 for you to can and do workshops on them. From the beginners starter class to an more advanced class where we will be making a quilt and then quilting the blocks. It will be like a sampler quilt for the rulers.

I have used Glide thread to quilt this quilt in. I used Battleship in the blocks and Raspberry in the sashings.

With all this said there is one more version of this mystery quilt I want to try out. That is the totally scrappy version with a standard Jelly roll. My first version had what I call a control fabric in it. (my background fabric was the same in all the blocks.) I must admit that is my preferred scrappy way.
So when I get around to doing it I will share what happens and will I be able to be totally scrappy or will I pull back to my comfort zone.

Maybe I can share the next mystery quilt class here online with everyone if there is enough interest! Let me know if you are interested. Nothing too hard.  Maybe it's time to get The Block Library going again.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

The HST Report 2017

I have been wondering how many HST I made during 2016 and  looking over the year they  have appeared so often. Whole quilts full of them and quilts that have them as part of  blocks. There wasn't too many projects over the year that didn't have some in it. So what I am going to do is count them up in 2017.

No matter what project I am make I am going to tally them all up over the year. Plus I will share some projects made from half square triangles. This is the last batch I made in 2016 so these ones do not count but I am only halfway through this batch so there will be more.

Do you make lots of them? Do you avoid them? I know someone who avoids them. She doesn't like triangles full stop. There is so many ways of making them too. Do you have your favourite? I generally use the 2 square method so I end up with two blocks and I can trim them if I need too. Some days I can't seem to sew a straight line, that is why I need to trim, other days I'm good.

There is a tutorial in The Block Library on them  TBL-1  It was the first block we explored last year.

 I am should we will be seeing again in other blocks we explore through The Block Library. The back issues can be found here on the blog under The Block Library tab but to get the current edition sign up for our newsletter and you will receive it in your inbox  when it has been released. Edition 6 was released in December. The blog will always be 3 editions behind. The Block Library is bi monthly, so  the next one will be  in February.

You are welcome to join me counting your Half Square Triangles to see how many you make and along the way we will have some giveaways (Sponsored by Cynthia's Ark).

It should be a fun experience. Maybe we make tons of them or maybe we don't make as many as we think we do. We will find out over 2017.
If you are interested in joining me let me know in the comments below and I will make a page here on the blog and we will keep a running tally each month and we will see what happens over 2017.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Fabric Clubs

Are you a member of a fabric Club? Have you thought about joining one? At Cynthia's Ark we have two for you to choose from. Let me tell you about them if you haven't heard about them.

The first one is our most popular Stash Building Fabric Club. Each month you receive 1.5 metre of fabric generally it is all from the same range but we have done some themed months which I am happy to receive suggestion for. Eg Christmas, florals, Halloween etc. We have had a spotty month featuring the humble spot and we have had a stripe month. Plus 4 time a year you receive a bonus product with your fabric pack. eg thread, pattern, notion etc. Each month the cost is $38 plus postage. You can start anytime. It is easy to join. You can log into the website and you will find all the clubs listed under the New Products section or you can ring me if you live in Australia on 08 8527 2120 to join. If you live overseas you are welcome to join also. I am happy to ship to you. You can email me at sales@cynthiasark.com.au if you would like to me to work out the postage first for you.
Now February's pack contains fabric from Faye Burgos  Collector's Gallery. So if you join up before the 22nd February you will receive this pack after that date you will start in March.

The second club is our Batik Fabric Club. Each month you receive 1.2 metres of hand dyed batik fabric. Colour tends to rule this club so often a colour will be featured but that is not set in stone as January pack features some stunning  batik stripes. Plus 4 times a year you receive a bonus product with your fabric pack. eg thread, pattern, notion etc. Each month the cost is $30 plus postage. (In Australia the postage is around the $6  mark.) Once again you can start anytime.
Now February pack is themed with the colour orange. So if you join before the 22nd February you will receive this pack, after that date you will start in March.

A question that was asked in store last week Can you be a member in both clubs? The answer is yes. When you see the packs it is hard to choose which one so the bonus product in each club are now different as we  have quilters in both clubs. So if you join both clubs you will not get 2 bonus products the same. 

Last month the bonus products were a Sew Easy 14 x 1 inch acrylic ruler for the Stash Building Club and the Batik Fabric Club got an extra 30 cm piece of fabric as their bonus product as there were 5 new striped batiks I couldn't leave one out now.

It is not hard to join, pop over to Cynthia's Ark and select the club you want on the homepage under the Club heading tab and follow the directions through the checkout. I look forward to having you on board. Any questions just ask.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

PS Have you signed up for our newsletter and The Block Library? It is free. Each month you will receive a newsletter telling you what is happening at Cynthia's Ark, new products, newsletter specials, workshops etc and you will receive an edition of the The Block Library where we will explore all sorts of quilt blocks with a How to make the block and a couple of quilt layouts using the block. The aim is to inspire, try something new, learn a new technique and may be push a boundary or two in our quest of making beautiful quilts.
Top Right hand side of my blog is the newsletter sign up.

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Introducing The Block Library

I would like to introduce  everyone to The Block Library by Cynthia's Ark. Each month we are going to explore a quilt block with instructions on how to make it in a couple of sizes, a couple of quilt layouts featuring the block. We will explore different techniques, lots of blocks can be pieced using a variety of methods and  you still come out with the same block at the end. We are going to feature some blocks that are well known and most likely use regularly and some are going to be new creations.  There will be easy blocks and more challenging blocks. Plus there will be some blocks that will be appearing in some of my new pattern releases. You are welcome to suggest a block and I will add it to the schedule.

Now the important bit, these will be PDF files so you will need a PDF reader to open them.
Where to find them when I release them? Sign up for my Cynthia's Ark newsletter which is at the top on the right hand side of my blog and you will receive them in your inbox attached to my monthly newsletter where you will find out what is new in stock, workshops, patterns and events. So if you have already sign up in the last month, you are all set. They are free.
 When does it start?  February's newsletter will have the first one attached to it and my plan is for the newsletter to go out in the second week of the month.
Any other questions or suggestions please  put them in the comment box and I will address them ASAP or email me on sales@cynthiasark.com.au

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia