Windham Wednesdays & Giveaway

Gazebo Collection by Windham Fabrics

OK, I know it's still the dead of winter (we had ice earlier in the week), but there's nothing to cheer me up faster than happy, warm-weather fabrics with garden motifs and sunflowers! I had no idea what to make with these fabrics so I asked them (my usual method): "Hey. What do you want to be when you grow up?" They huddled around each other and then noticed a new book on my sewing table. They grabbed it (I'm NOT making this up) and flipped through it and then pointed to the cover. "WE WANT TO BE THIS; AND WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL WE GROW UP." What did they see?

Paper Piecing Perfect Points - February 2013

(You can see ALL the quilts from the book HERE.)

Yes, they insisted they wanted to be like the center block. I had no choice - I selected fabrics, did some cutting, printed my foundations and set to work.

I chose the 3 solid reading fabrics and a Windham white

To get really, really sharp points, paper piecing is the way to go. Pre-cutting strips for the patches takes all the guesswork out of the process. I use a postcard to fold along the lines, trim with the Add-a-Quarter ruler to get an accurate result.

Yes, you can chain sew foundation units. See, they're all attached with the thread!

The process:
1. Pin
2. Fold back on seam line
3. Trim, leaving 1/4" seam
4. Sew on line
5. Press
6. Repeat from step 2 above

OK. What does it look like from the back?

All patches are covered; time to trim along the outside lines

And from the front?

One of four units BEFORE trimming

See how you trim away everything using the outside lines?

 So, what does my block look like? Here's a quarter block. Love those sunflowers!

1/4 block. Love, love those sunflowers. Can you see the little ladybugs?

Four units with a circle center. Set on point.

Yes, I have not forgotten that I promised to share a tutorial about how to make your setting triangles look like the center square is "intruding." It's coming! I just found the digital notes with art.

Would you like to win a FAT QUARTER BUNDLE of these Gazebo fabrics? Well, you can. Go visit the Windham Facebook page and let them know you like these fabrics. (You may have to wait until after 9 am EST US time when they update their site).

 Then let me know with a comment and I will enter your name in my contest. I WILL PICK THE WINNER! And if you get a minute, go look at the pictures of the quilts in my book and tell me if you have a favorite. I will be posting more pictures throughout February.

I will select a winner and Windham will send you the fabrics. Now, that's easy, right?

Please, please make sure I can see your email when you leave a comment. Check your settings in your blog software or Google account and select "show email" in the dashboard. If I can't reach you, you don't have a chance to win.

Deadline: Monday evening, February 4 at midnight (USA Eastern Standard Time).