Hugs from Helen

#SewPink

I was honoured to offer to contribute to ByAnnies #sewpink initiative to support Breast Cancer worldwide. As someone who has known and continues to support many close to me fighting this dreadful disease it is something dear to all of our hearts. I sit with you all with a 1 in 8 chance of also fighting this fight one day – but with all the promotion and education, and funding for research it is heartening to know that there is now a 90%+ survival rate.

Early detection is the best tool we can have, and I have designed a fun project to remind us to ‘check the bumps for lumps’.  Yes I know, its not the most pleasant biannual trip we have to do, having our breasts squeezed between a  vice – but its a small few minutes of discomfort to hopefully save a lot more down the track…

In Australia, most women after 40 can get free annual or biannual screens – so there’s no excuse. Of course in between these screenings we should be regularly checking those bumps for lumps.

Here are a couple of links if you’re not sure how to

https://www.bcna.org.au/breast-health-awareness/breast-awareness/

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam

So here is my little project for you – Check the Bumps for Lumps

it uses my Easy EPP method (or you can use your own preferred method) and

some raw edge applique

I applied mine to a ByAnnies very useful Zip it Up bag. I made up the outer pocket piece – quilted the three layers and then appliqued my EPP’d  boobies by hand, then used my eye as a guide to place the steam a seam prepared letters into place. Then I fused to secure. The pocket then just made up as per the bag instructions from Anni.

It’s a great little bag with zippered pockets on the outside and mesh and clear vinyl pockets on the inside. The whole thing then zips up closed so you can fill it with everything you need and nothing will fall out. Im hoping my new little laptop will  fit in my outside pocket as I made the large version.

For my day in the bloghop Im offering the Check the bumps design as a free download.

Alternatively you can purchase the kit which has the preprinted applique paper, steam a seam, and the fabrics (same or similar to what Ive used) and the printed layout guides and templates.

ByAnnie are donating 30% discounts on all things pink as per the links at the bottom of this post.

The #SewPink Initiative was created by ByAnnie.com LLC to raise awareness for breast cancer during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. They have pledged to raise funds to donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through sales and promote action through giveaways.
For more information please visit their official #SewPINK information page: https://www.byannie.com/2019-SewPINK
To donate directly visit: https://give.bcrf.org/give/31404/#!/donation/checkout
To see the calendar of events visit: https://www.byannie.com/2019-SewPINK#calendar
ByAnnie will be donating 30% of profits on all SewPINK items sold on their web store. You can search for SewPINK items on their website or see the list of items here: https://www.byannie.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=sewpink

Hugs for today

Helen

What a simply Splendid day it is!

How exciting is it that I was invited to be a designer in the second series of the Splendid Sampler?

And I even made the cover! so yes, you get my block for free to get one step ahead before the book ships!

We are taking preorders for these books at Quarter Inch - and we'll send you them as soon as they arrive in October  - you can order the first one too if you'd like.

The lovely team of Pat and Jane sent me a bunch of fabrics from Moda

and Erin at Aurifil some threads to play with.

We could use any method, design or technique we wanted so of course I included two of my faves…..

 embroidery….. (note: I used Presencia Finca Perle#16 threads for the embroidery)

and English Paper pieced clamshells

Of course many people may not have tried these methods before (and I always like to teach something new to even one stitcher out there) so I won’t leave you in the cold…

You can join in my FREE series of embroidery lessons and learn every hint and tip I can give you (just click on the pic below)

and if you need help with clamshells?  well I have a unique product for English paper piecing – they are EPP Iron-ons – yes, iron on leave in epp templates… They are cut from my Applique paper which is a semi water soluble paper with a fusible on one side. So you just iron them on, and leave them in!  You can see the step by step tutorial for clamshells by clicking on the pic below.

If you’d love to have the EPP Iron-ons to make your block you can get them here. (and why would you do it any other way!)

And for even more information and free help on my paper and method subscribe to my Youtube channel where there is a ton of information and technique how to’s for you.

To celebrate my day, let’s have a little competition! Over on Instagram…. Follow me (on IG) and share a pic of your version of my block….(don’t forget to tag me so I find it @helen_stubbings)

 

I’ll choose two new followers over the next two days (for those quick off the batt) – and one tagged pic (per week on Fridays) over the next month to send a free pack of EPP Iron on Clamshell papers to..

I do so hope you love my block, learn a new tip or technique and keep on stitching along with the Splendid sampler team….

can’t wait to see them all appearing!

what to do now?

Sign up for free embroidery lessons

Order your clamshell EPP Iron-on papers

Watch the tutorial

Gather your fabric and threads

Follow me on Instagram

Post your block to win! (and you have to tag me! @helen_stubbings)

 

happy stitching

hugs from Helen

I’m the October pinup girl!

Apple or Yellow Greens are the colour for this months Aurifil block designer – and I’m it!  I love my Aurifil threads and was chuffed when they asked me to be the October girl…

This year this free BOM quilt is based on the colours of the Rainbow – and we are up to October already – but never fear you can go back and find all the previous months quite easily here

Growing up on a farm there were plenty of memories for inspiration for this colour – and it just so happened that my greens in the Basically Hugs range for P&B Textiles were also perfect to use.

I, of course, had to include some English paper piecing (using EPP Iron-ons – iron on leave in epp papers) and a touch of whimsical embroidery using the 12wt threads.In the pattern I included a printable sheet for the templates you can print onto my Applique paper so you too can use the iron-on/leave-in method.

If you need help with the how-to’s of English Paper piecing I have several YouTube videos on my channel – go subscribe as there are more coming soon!Or I have a great Craftsy class which will take you through everything step by step…. if you click on the photo below it will take you to a 33% off link!

If you need help with embroidery stitches you can sign up to my free embroidery lessons right here.

 

So I hope you enjoy my block and would love to see them if you do happen to make it – Please share on Instagram (if you’re not following me its helen_stubbings)

and use the hashtag #stitchwithhelen so I can find you….

 

don’t forget to also share your blocks with Aurifil and you can win a full set of yummy threads… go here to see the details and follow Pat Sloan as she makes the blocks along the way.

 

happy stitching!

hugs from Helen

PS- forgot to tell you where to get it!

head to here to download the pattern.

The Leah Day Project

Whilst testing my blocks for my latest Block of the Month Project ‘In The Good Old Days’, I decided to use one right here to send to Leah and see what she did with it! 

and here are the results! Pop over to her blog to see what and why!

so here’s a quick tute on how I made it..

 

Make four A/B and eight B/C half square triangle units.

Place the squares right sides together with all edges even. Use a Clearly Perfect Angles tool to eliminate the need to mark diagonal lines. Check out this video for help on the tool – it is brilliant and will give you accurate units every time.

So to make half square triangle units you are going to line the point up with that grey line and stitch 1/4” either side of what would be a centre line. Chain piece all the units through and then turn them and stitch down the other side.Then use scissors or your rotary cutter and ruler to cut them apart down the center of the two stitch lines (point to point)

Press them all open. You will have 4 corner blocks and 8 blocks which go on the 4 sides of your finished block.NOw take your D squares, right sides together and make four half square triangles as before.You are then going to use your ruler and cutter and cut them in half point to point. And discad the four top halves (use them for something else one day)Next we find the four C triangles (we cut our squares in half earlier). Place right sides together and stitch along the long edge-  you need to take care not to stretch this bias edge.Press open carefully.

Now lay all your units into rows and stitch together matching all points. note: if you press the seams in each row in opposite directions (ie top row to left, 2nd row to right) then they will butt up nicely and make for easier seam matching.

To complete my block I added corners to put it on point (note: this was testing my measurements for my BOM quilt side and corner set triangles)

Cut two squares light fabric 5 3/4”

Cross cut once to make four triangles

Cut one strip red fabric 1 1/2” x wof

Lay the triangles right sides together along the long cut edge on the red fabric strip. Stitch taking care not to stretch the bias edge. Leave space in between each one for turning and cutting.

Press red strip outwards and use a ruler and cutter to trim the red strip at an angle in line with the edge.

Attach a triangle to opposite sides of your block. press open. Attach remaining two and press out. Trim your block and then see what Leah does with her amazing quilting!

This is where and how I used my block! can you spot it?

hugs for today

and thanks Leah for the invite to work with you.

Helen

Grandmas Fancy work box

As my next fabric range is about to hit the Aussie stores (and I think may already have arrived in US stores) I thought I should tell you a bit more about it. When designing a fabric range it is so far from my memory once it finally delivers that I often have moved on and forgotten I haven't even shared my travels with you.

This range is special to me as it is inspired by my grandmother who taught me to embroider from her fancywork box at a very young age. I actually have her original goodies from that box – now in a shoebox carefully stored, but I practiced my stitches on the prestamped linens with  her guidance….

So I really wanted to re-create those memories and those prestamped doilies and designs… so the collection includes a panel – with a table doily set (3), three rectangular doilies and two sweet little oval doilies…

It is printed in coloured lines so you can just use it as fabric – and make into a myriad of projects..

OR, as I envisaged, you can cut each one out and embroider over the pre-printed lines…

my only problem now is that she always crocheted the edges for me – and although she also taught me to crochet – that is one craft I haven't kept up with and can only do the basics…

 

so I added a faux crocheted lace edge onto the panel… So you have choices… if you can crochet – then do as Grandma would have and finished your doilies beautifully, or cut the printed lace off and use purchased lace trim

OR, cut around the faux edge and applique onto your projectOr use the printed lace to embroidery over the lines to make your own stitched lace – stunning – but a lot of stitching

I (and Jo) had a lot of fun making various things to show you how you could use them in other ways – just look at my vintage doilies board on Pinterest and you will see heaps of ideas…meanwhile….. just stitch

Note: none of these photos are patterns available – they are just ideas for you to use the panel… as I know you all want to embroider but what to do with them once finished.

 

There is a free pattern for the quilt below available on the Red Rooster website – which uses one whole panel and then the coordinating prints (along with some of my basics). This was made and quilted for me in the pre-market rush by my lovely lifelong friend Twyla in South Dakota… If you’d like a fabric kit for this – let me know or ask at your local store.

Oh, and if you’d like a panel – they are here – or very soon at your local store…

hugs for today

Helen

Free Free EPP quilt along with me….

Do you want to quilt along with me?  from right in your lounge chair each night… from anywhere in the world?

If so, you only have a small window of opportunity to join in..

From now until Midnight 30th September Australian time you can join up by visiting here and purchase the precut pack you will need to complete the mystery quilt. Okay, so that’s not free then you say – but you need these pre-cuts to be able to make the project – and instead of having to purchase a full pack of every different shape poor Tessie has spent hours cutting just the amount you will need for a very good price..

But – the pattern – all 26 parts delivered by email – will be free – for those who have signed up by the 30th September – after that it will need to be purchased from a store running it as a BOM project…

So this free offer is a little thankyou to all of you who have followed me over the past 14 years, who have supported me, bought my patterns, encouraged me and thanked me for bringing a little joy into your life.

And it is for you, stitching friends around the world to learn the joy of English Paper piecing the Hugs ‘n Kisses way!

Join with us on this 26 part Quilt along – learn many shapes, techniques, a little gluestick applique and more.

I will take you step by step through the mystery quilt learning a new block, shape or technique with each installment.. The final quilt top will measure approximately 48” x 48”. Most blocks involve handwork, with a small amount of simple machine piecing – and I have assembled the blocks by machine. But all the individual blocks are appliqued or paper pieced by hand – just your little bit of daily therapy… not too much, you’ll easily be able to keep up with just those five minutes of stitching per day or so..

We will be using the Hugs ‘n Kisses EPP iron –ons – if you haven't tried these then my mission on the QAL is to get you totally addicted – you will never do it any other way again….

Our Iron-on English paper piecing shapes are cut from Hugs ‘n Kisses applique paper – which is 50% soluble with a glue on one side. Which means, you iron the precut shape to your fabric, glue over the edges, stitch it up AND LEAVE THE PAPERS IN! so easy….. there are many other positives of this product that make the process so easy and forgiving for all skill levels.

and remember - IT WILL BE FREE! yes totally free – but for that limited time only…

remember join up now by purchasing the EPPQAL Paper pack  AUD$60 + postage (GST included.)

  More information here..

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Once you have signed up (by purchasing the pack) you will be added to a mailing list and as each installment is released  will get a link to download the pattern (which will be work for only 2 weeks).

Once the program is finished we will release it as a BOM pattern worldwide as a paid pattern through stores. Some stores are already offering fabric packs to join in now..

There are 26 parts and we will release them randomly – maybe two a week, depending on how involved the block is and when I'm home/or away to do it

Whilst you are working along use the hasthag #EPPQAL to share the fun.

I have used my Fancywork Box and Basically Hugs fabrics for my quilt version –which is what you will see each month. We have prepared fabric packs using the same/or very similar fabrics as I have used.

Hugs fabric pack – (optional) PLEASE NOTE: we have been overwhelmed by orders and have run out of some fabrics, we have ordered more but they may not get here in time so any orders from now will include substitutes - same colours and very similar values but not the originals. If the order arrives I will remove this message and return to original fabrics.

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$90 + postage.(please select other for postage- if more is required we will contact you before processing)

Fee is making a version for me using The new Tilda  Autumn tree range which  she’ll be sharing on Social media as we progress. Many stores have this in stock now. Esmes has kits ready to offer in Tilda and Sew Bright Alpine Quilting will be ready with kits also by our October start.

Or choose your own fabric/colourway – a modern version would be great too!

Other things you would have in your sewing box – but if not they are available from here.

Sewline Glue pen & refills

Hugs ‘n Kisses applique needles

Roxanne’s Glue baste it

Karen Kay Buckley perfect scissors

Bottomline sewing thread in neutral colours

Inkjet printer or Sewline ceramic pencil.

- See more at: http://hugsnkisses.typepad.com/hugsfromhelen/epp-quilt-along.html#sthash.lto0C7z3.dpuf

The program will begin in October –

You can see lots of peeks of what you will be making on my instagram feed or Facebook page. And you may like to join in and share our Facebook group just for EPPQAL gals..

Tell your friends- or don’t if you want this to be your secret  

remember, click that button now to join in before its too late – Tess needs time to cut enough kits for you so numbers the earlier the better will be great… In the meantime I shall get the patterns ready to go!!!

Read more details here.. or sign up right now by clicking the button below.

THE FREE OFFER HAS NOW EXPIRED. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN BY SIGNING UP WITH A STORE WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM AS A BOM OR FROM OUR WEBSITE ONCE THE Initial Quilt along - has finished.

AUD$60 + postage GST included.

 

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hugs for today

Helen

Me & the Quilt show

its been so long I hardly remember, but way back in May of 2013 whilst I was in Portland for quilt market I taped an episode for THE QUILT SHOW! how excited was I!!! but I haven't been able to say anything for all of this time…. now I can tell the world – and even let all of you, my online friends, watch it for free….

you can watch a little trailer here

Now if you know me you are probably wondering if I have been able to watch it yet….. well I was a brave little girl, pulled up my panties and quietly hid away and watched it all by myself before I told even my family about it… and I don’t think I have totally embarrassed myself so here goes….

 

I was joined by my sister Tracey Browning of Constantine quilts and you get the chance to see all about my iron on EPP hexies, how to do them, and my gluestick applique method…

and you can watch the whole show here….

 

so go forth and learn (or have a laugh) – this link is free for you to watch for just one week….

it was fun! and an experience I am very grateful for in this industry. Thanks Shelley, Alex and Ricky for the opportunity.

til next time, hugs for today

Helen

JellyRoll Sands–free quilt pattern/tute

if you follow me on instagram you may have seen some progress shots as I made this little quilt a week or two ago..

well, it is now complete and I am pleased to say I have decided to do a free tute on it for you…

It started with this!  A 2 1/2” strip set of Primrose Sands for Red Rooster Fabrics – available in Australia through Two Green Zebras, many stores may have these – if you cannot find one – I have some!!!!

- and is based on this block I made up – don’t you think it looks like an ‘H’ for Helen… or others suggested a chair… anyway, its simple and comes together easily.

So we start by choosing 16 strips – there are 17 in the pack so choose which one to leave out.

Lay them all out at once on your cutting board. I left them folded (thats how they come on the roll) and layered them up to three in each layer approx.

Using your ruler and rotary cutter trim off the selvedge ends evenly.

Then you are going to cut from the left of the strip:

8 1/2”           3 1/2”         2”

Then open out your folded ends and again stack them.

cut from the left:

8 1/2”        3 1/2”       2”

You should now have from each colour

3 strips 8 1/2”, 3 strips 3 1/2” and 3 strips 2”

Each colour fabric will be in three blocks. So you need to take one of each size and match them up into pairs. eg.that is as in the picture below – I have paired the dark red and the stripe together – you can pair these three times or you can do a total mixup of colours.

Next: your sashing fabric – I used white.

Cut 14 strips 1 1/2” x wof (width of fabric)

Now two choices here – you can either

Cross cut them (in piles- as many layers as you can handle)

to make:

50 strips 1 1/2” x 4 1/2”

75 strips 1 1/2” x 2 1/2”

 

Or simply sew together in the following manner:

Take half of your coloured 2” x 2 1/2” strips (one fabric from each pair) – place them right sides together on a long white sashing strip (the longer – 2 1/2” edge is on the white strip) Stitch. continue to chain stitch all of your pieces onto the long white strips. Trim them apart and press seams to the coloured fabric.

 

Now take the opposite remaining fabric from your pairs and sew in the same manner on the other side of your white sashing strip. again press to colour

Next you are going to stitch these units onto another long white sashing strip. Just chain piece them through again.

Trim them apart and press to the SASHING. Repeat this by stitching the other side of your unit to another strip of white fabric and press open to SASHING.

In the same manner as above stitch the short end (2 1/2”) of every 3 1/2” colour fabric piece to a white sashing strip. Trim apart and press to colour.

Lay all of your units back into their piles with matching pairs.

Attach a matching unit to the left of all centre blocks. Press open.

Make sure those seams line up  - this should be easy if you have press as above as the seams will be mirrored.

Repeat with the matching unit on the other end. You now have 24 of these units.

Finally you will add the 8 1/2” matching strips to the top and bottom.

Next step is to layout all of your blocks out on the floor to decide placement. Each alternate blocks rotates 90 degrees.

Cut from white sashing fabric:

15 strips 1 1/2” x wof.

Cross cut six of them to make 25 strips 1 1/2” x 8 1/2”

Join a white sashing strip between blocks as per the photo below. press all seams to blocks.

Join the remaining strips together to make one long strip.

Attach strip to the left edge of your first row and trim off at the bottom. Take care not to stretch as you sew ( this is cheating, really we should cut the strips to length and pin every quarter to make sure we are not stretching either seam – if you’d prefer to do this they should mathematically be cut at 53 1/2”)

Repeat between all rows until they are sewn together into one unit.

You should have enough white strip left to attach to the top and bottom of your quilt top.

tada, your top is done in just a few hours.. now to layer and quilt – but that’s a whole ‘nother story…

Well I’m off to the Australian Quilt market in Melbourne tomorrow (trade show where we show all of our wonderful shops what we have new to order for you) – so I will leave you with this and tell them all to order their rolls whilst they are there for you.

I have some here  - only $25 while stocks last – not on the website so you’ll need to phone or email Lori to bags one..

hugs for today – off to pack some clothes…

Helen

footnote: requirements for this size are:

One Primrose Sands 2 1/2” strip roll

75”/1.9m white sashing fabric

13”/35cm stripe binding fabric.

Quilt measures 37” x 55” /  93x138cm approx

Love Thy neighbour part 2

a little progress on my neighbourly quilt this week – hope to finish it over the weekend between dance Eisteddfod performances.

so the next step is:

to sew all of those blocks together, first into rows, then the rows together to make your centre panel.

The first step was easy, but you do now have lots of bias seams that are a little unstable (because we cut off the underlayers) so you need to pin match all of your joins at the centre strips. Hopefully you were fairly accurate so its not a problem to get them matched at all, but do pin.

Press the seams in each row in opposite directions so that when you join your rows they butt nicely.

 

When joining your rows you need to pin the three points at each block join so they all match on the front. Pin at the 1/4” mark where the stitch will pass straight through.Continue joining strips until your rows are all together and pressed nicely.

Next I added a plain(ish) border – remember i ran out of my lemon sashing fabric so chose this tone on tone from the range.

My centre panel measured 30” x 42” and my half square triangle blocks measured 4 1/2” (4” finished) so I cut my borders at 3 1/2” so that the finished size would then be 36” x 48” (divisible by 4)

 

You may have a different number of blocks in your centre panel – just work out how wide you need to cut this border so that it will have a finished measurement divisible by 4 – so we can use those half square triangle blocks neatly on that last border.

Attach the 3 1/2” cut strips to both long sides, press outwards then attach remaining strips to the top and bottom.

Now I’m ready to work on my outer border.

be back soon…

hugs for today

Helen

A Free E-book- review

The lovely folks at Fons & Porter have sent me a free e-book to review – so here we go…

I have done only a couple of log cabins and variations in my quilting life- not a lot, actually it hasn't been a favourite block of mine but after reading this book maybe I need to keep this option closer as it really is very versatile and can use up many of your fabric scraps.

This easy to download and read e-book has titbits of useful information, size charts, cutting charts and diagrams of the many variations and layouts for each setting. It explains the three basic Log Cabin Variations – Traditional, Courthouse steps and Chevron. I particularly like the Antique samples shown and the snippets of history regarding the block. Did you know that Folklore says that a red centre square represents the fire in the log cabins hearth and a yellow square, the lighted window?

There are three full sized step by step quilt patterns included along with tutorials on Trapunto quilting, quilting with Razzle Dazzle thread, binding with piping and how to join your binding strip without lumps and bumps!

I also love the tip about keeping your cut strips in a pizza box!

All in all I think I’ll save this book for future reference when and if I use the block in my next design. Fantastic value – as its free! – and a book well worth taking a look at. Suited to beginners and the more experienced alike – you too can have it!

Visit http://www.fonsandporter.com/landing/free-log-cabin-quilt-patterns to get your own copy and let me know what you think.

hugs for today,

Helen