Friday, June 30, 2017

Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Streamers

I'm so happy you are here today for the patriotic palette blog hop, sponsored by Paintbrush Studios.
This will be the story of a quilter (me) who had the opportunity to work again with Painter's Palette solids and has had a hard time following the guidelines (also me).

Since I sew primarily with solids, I have worked with solids from nearly every major manufacturer. The Painter's Palette solids are absolutely wonderful and have quickly become my favorite. When I received the fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to make, and started cutting into the fabric. In the bundle were fat quarters in three shades of red (Claret, Crimson and Tomato), three shades of blue (Patriot, French blue and River) and a fat quarter of White.
All the beautiful fused glass was made by my husband, Mark
Shortly thereafter, I re-read the guidelines and thought, "uh oh." 

Let me explain. A few months ago, I designed a quilt, one which I haven't fully shared yet, but let me give you a sneak peek.
The blocks in the center of the quilt looked like ribbons blowing in the wind, so I thought it would be fun to make a patriotic version.
I quickly realized that one fat quarter of white would not be nearly enough. Fortunately, I had more Painter's Palette white on hand, so I kept going. I really wanted to do the double rows of hour glass blocks all around the outside, but didn't have enough blue. More is on the way. 

For the quilt top as shown, three fat quarters of blue and three fat quarters of red is plenty, but you will need 3/4 yard of white. If you decide to do the double row of blue and white hourglass blocks as shown in the diagram further down, you will need one yard of white, and at least two more fat quarters of the blue.
Cutting instructions are as follows (cutting total for the double hourglass border is in parentheses):

White: 
12 (28) - squares 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" sub-cut in quarters diagonally (each square will make two blocks--see below) for quarter square triangles (QST)
2 - squares 4 1/2 " 4 1/2"
14 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
23 - squares 3" x 3", sub-cut in half diagonally for half square triangles (HST)

Blue:
12 (28) - squares 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" sub-cut in quarters diagonally (each square will make two blocks--see below) for QST

Red:
Color 1 (dark):
           13 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
             9 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST
Color 2 (medium)
          12 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
             8 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST
Color 3 (light)
              8 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
               6 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST

To make the hourglass blocks, match a blue QST with a white QST (make sure the same color is on top as you chain piece) and sew down one side. Press toward the dark. Line up the two halves and sew. Trim to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" 

To make the red and white HST blocks, sew as shown below. Trim to 2 1/2" x
2 1/2".
Laying out the red and white blocks proved to be trickier than when I made the single-color version. Each block consists of squares and HST triangle units, as shown on the right side of the diagram. I labeled the blocks in the center of the quilt to correspond with block layouts along the side. If you have any questions, or something doesn't make sense, please email me. I'm happy to answer any questions.


I really like the way it turned out, even though it was a bit trickier than I anticipated. The double hourglass border will be worth the wait. And I have some really pretty red, white and blue variegated thread waiting when it's time to do the quilting.
Even though I made a few blunders when it came to the guidelines, I'm going to be sew happy with Streamers when it is completed. If you haven't been following along, please go back and check out the others who have made a lot of beautiful and varied projects. Thanks to Paintbrush Studio for including me--I love working with this fabric, and to Lisa Ruble for putting this all together. 

6/23: Jayne of TwiggyandOpal (@twiggyandopal)
6/26: Elizabeth of OPQuilt (@occasionalpiecequilt)
6/30: Cindy Wiens of Live a Colorful Life (@liveacolorfullife) YOU ARE HERE.
7/3: Stephanie of Peas in a Pod (@stephiepeterson)

What would a blog hop be without a giveaway? 
*One winner will receive seven fat quarters in the colors used  for the projects in the blog hop. Each blogger is giving away a bundle, courtesy of Paintbrush Studios, so make sure to visit each stop on the hop.

*To be entered here, please leave a comment on my blog and let me know your favorite place to see fireworks, or if there is someplace special you hope to see them. My brother lives in Washington DC and can see them from where he lives--so that is definitely on my bucket list. 

*The giveaway will be open until Monday, July 3. I'll announce the winner here as well as Instagram (@liveacolorfullife).

*If you comment, it is important that I can contact you in case you are the winner. If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address and IG handle in the comment.

*Anyone can comment, but only US residents can win the FQ bundle.

Happy 4th!

50 comments:

05 08
Dear Faye said... #

Such wonderful colors. Will be checking out this fabric. Jkestevens@ail.com

Alison V. said... #

As a kid we used to be able to see the fireworks from the front yard of our friends' home until the trees got too tall!

Jayne said... #

How cool is this?! I love the ribbon idea, just like streamers! Leave it to you to go off script...kidding...well worth the wait!

stitchinpenny said... #

Favorite place to see fireworks was a friend's house on a local bay. The little municipalities all have fireworks shows so from her back yard there were 7 possible shows and even though there was some overlap usually you could watch one and then the other.

Lisa England said... #

OVer the years we've seen great fireworks displays in Salt Lake City, Washington DC, and DisneyWorld but don't have a particular favorite.

Amy said... #

I live outside Washington DC, and love to go in for the festivities! If I can't make it, there are several shows in Northern Virginia that come close, without the crushing crowds.

Kathy E. said... #

Talent and creativity is alive and abundant in your household! Your husband's glass work is just as beautiful as your sewing work! I've always wanted to make a patriotic banner for my front door, so this bundle would be perfect! (Don't worry about those blunders...who cares?) We watch the fireworks over the Mississippi River each year! duchick at gmail dot com

Cynthia Brunz Designs said... #

Great design and worth the wait! You are not the only one who gets into quilts trouble. For me it is my usual mode of operation. Happy 4th!

Elaine M said... #

The quilt will be lovely when done. Thanks for the directions. I always go to Shoreline Park, Mt View, CA to see fireworks. The glass work is eye catching and inspiring for this time of year. Pull out the BBQ and have a Happy 4th of July!

EllenB said... #

We meet up with family and friends at the community park for a picnic and fireworks. Thanks for your tutorial - a different idea for the patriotic holidays!

Kathy H said... #

Looks beautiful in the red, white and blue too. We will watch fireworks at a local park in Pennsylvania. My husband and daughter will be playing in the community band so it is especially fun for us.

Anonymous said... #

SO NEAT! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING! WE WATCH FROM THE BLEACHERS OF OUR LOCAL BALL PARK! HAPPY 4TH!!!

Chiska said... #

This year it's in front of my house....but my favorite place is along the dock on Douglas in Alaska. There's something amazing about Fireworks over the water that nothing else can compete with. Your block is very fun!

Anonymous said... #

I love to stand on one of the pedestrian bridges over the willamette river

Donna W said... #

Love your quilt! My favorite place is down the road from our house. We live near a resort area where the hotels have firework displays. We sit along the road (along with lots of other cars)in our 1960 MGA, which my husband restored, and watch the fireworks. There usually is about 5 diferent ones going on at the same time that we can see. But, we are really close to one of them. So, we sit in the covertible and the fireworks are overhead. And, the sounds echo in the woods. It is just breathtaking.

Janna said... #

My favorite place to watch fire works is a Disney park.

Susan said... #

Probably the best ever was when my husband and I stayed in an RV park in Silver City, NM. We took our lawn chairs and sat under the goose neck of our 5th wheel watching them over the mountain between us and the downtown park where they were set off. It was a new park, and we were the only people on our end, so it seemed like a private showing just for us! Thanks to you and the sponsors for the giveaway. I'd love to win those and make this as the center of an American Hero quilt! dezertsuz at gmail

Unknown said... #

Very nice patriotic quilt pattern! It'd also make a great QoV medallion type quilt. I just recently purchased a bundle of Painter's Palette solids. Their 'hand' is very nice and the colors so rich. Thank you for the chance to win. No idea if a I am a no reply person so my IG name is @dlthgrl

tac73 said... #

Love your quilt! I'd love to see the fireworks in Washington, DC. Mostly now I only see them on television. tacdah at gmail(dot)com

French 75 said... #

Your patriotic quilt definitely give me the sense of ribbons and flags rippling in the breeze. My favorite place to watch fireworks is Disneyland. There is something magical about seeing fireworks at the happiest place on earth.

kathy slaughter cummings said... #

I love watching the fireworks from my own backyard ! They are done @ UK about 2 miles away !
Thank you for the giveaway but most of all , for your design !!!
kcummings71@gmail.com

OPQuilt said... #

I LOVE this!! I'm going to put this is my MAKE NOW file, as I love the Streamers effect you've got going across the quilt. So terrific, Cindy. I'm so glad you participated and made this!

Lori said... #

this is really lovely. when we moved to our house 30 years ago, the trees where young and not so tall. We would go out to my parents in the country and see fireworks from all over. then we got a dog and the noise literally drove her crazy. that is when we realized we could see so much from our back yard. and of course the neighbors have always done fireworks. lots of fun in our back yard on that weekend.
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said... #

Love the Ribbons quilt! I am so anxious to see the finished quilted piece! I love fireworks anywhere!

Quilting Tangent said... #

Roof top away from the fireworks. 24Tangent@gmail.com

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said... #

This looks like a doable project. I love red, white and blue and fireworks. We used to be able to see them from our house until the trees got too big. Now we walk down to the end of the block and watch from there. I hate to go out and then have to fight traffic to get home afterwards.

Debbie said... #

I love your quilt and your husbands beautiful glassworks! My favorite place to watch fireworks is at home where we have our family cookout. The neighbor across the street goes all out with his firework display and we enjoy it along with them!

Janie said... #

I like going to our local fairgrounds visiting friends and family, ohhhing and awwwing. LOL it is a good time.

Liz Horgan said... #

We go to the neighboring town's high school. When we sit in the field, we can see the firework display at the town's lake. We can't see the low fireworks, but that's OK!
Happy 4th of July!

Lee said... #

I love the Freedom fireworks over the Detroit river! tks

Karen said... #

Great project. We see fireworks down by Pensacola Bay. Alwyfun!

Vicki H said... #

I can sit in my backyard and see fireworks three different communities.

Anonymous said... #

My favorite place to watch fireworks is to watch the local fireworks from my friend's deck.
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

mumbird3 said... #

Love going to our local park to watch the fireworks!

Rozz01 said... #

I can see the fireworks from my front yard. Fun & handy!
rozz01 at cox dot net

Kristina said... #

I love the reds and blues you used! Growing up, my favorite place to watch fireworks was at my grandparents' house. They lived close enough to a stadium to see the annual 4th of July fireworks really well. So we had the comforts of home with a prime view! :) instagram is @centerstreetquilts.

McQuilt said... #

I would love to see the Sydney fireworks on new years 'eve.

Kathleen said... #

This looks great! Thanks for sharing, and being real :)
My favorite place to view fireworks used to be my own back yard during community days. But over 30 plus years, the trees have gotten so big I can only see the ones that shoot the highest now.
kakingsbury at verizon dot net

Cool Lizzie said... #

My favorite place is from my bedroom - the south wall is all windows and gives me a wonderful view!

boltonia55@yahoo.com

Peggy said... #

We have some pretty fireworks in Pensacola FL.
Thanks, Peggy
Peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

Needled Mom said... #

That's a great design and such wonderful patriotic colors. Thanks for the tutorial too.

I love seeing fireworks over any body of water. The reflection makes it double the fun.

Pamela said... #

I saw the fireworks over Lake Michigan once, watching from Navy Pier in Chicago. They were beautiful! Thanks for the patriotic giveaway!

Beth said... #

I always love seeing Disneyland's fireworks. And when I lived in California, we watched the San Clemente fireworks blazing over the pier / ocean. Very beautiful.

Kathy - mom of many said... #

This is a beautiful design, but I have to say, your husbands fused glass art is spectacular! My favorite place to watch fireworks is from the golf course alongside my friends and family following a cookout.

Kathy - mom of many said... #

I neglected to leave an email for you. kathyhills 22 (at) gmail (dot) com

Dorothy said... #

I love your quilt! it's definitely going on my "must make" list. I would love to travel to DC to watch fireworks. One of my daughters did an internship there a few years ago and had a front row seat to them and said they were wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity.

Brenda said... #

The best place I ever watched fireworks was not in the US, but in Denmark. The Tivoli Garden in Copenhagen closes every night with an incredible fireworks display. I also enjoy our community fireworks display, but am sorry it moved to the far side of town instead of just a half mile from where I live.

Stephanie in Michigan said... #

I don't understand why you say you made blunders in the guidelines. This is awesome. I'm not doing a tutorial. Blunder!

grammajudyb said... #

I love your Streamers! Very clever. We watch fireworks in our own city. Our city and county government coordinate an absolutely wonderful show every year. We sit on the grass at the County Event Arena and enjoy the show, complete with music and most of the town folk.

Spontaneous Threads said... #

Lovely as always! Modern with the nod to the upcoming holiday. Perfect!!!