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Bryan House Quilts

Love a Challenge {Color me Happy!}

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14 Feb
Back at Fall Quilt Market, my friends and I were (loudly) taking in all the wonderful sights. We ran into Vanessa Christenson, who is lovely and witty and had a lovely booth with a lovely new fabric line Color Me Happy (yardage ships in March!).
She challenged us to come up with projects using candy squares from Color Me Happy. Someone joked that she would make a hotdog (oh goodness… I think it might have been me?! It’s embarassing to recall now.). Vanessa agreed to show our projects on her blog if we all committed to make a project. What a deal right? Thanks Vanessa! 
IMG_8285

After showcasing my antique Dresden quilt made by my Great-Grandmother Minnie, I naturally made a giant pincushion. (I like big cushions and I can’t deny… )

Color Me Happy Pin Cushion

This fabric is so very true to its name “Color Me Happy.” It’s so cheery. It reminds me of something.

In my first grade classroom, with Miss Whaley (she had the best whale themed name tag!), there was a corner full of story books. Among the story books there was a book about jelly-beans, or maybe it wasn’t about jelly-beans, I can’t remember. I loved that book and read it almost everyday. I loved to look at the jelly-beans, their colors made me so happy.

Vanessa Christenson’s, of V and Co., new fabric line Color Me Happy reminds me so much of this jelly-bean book, especially the jelly-bean colored polka dots (will be buying a heap of that!).

Color Me Happy Pin Cushion

Please check out the other “Love a Challenge” projects made by Sally, Tammy, Brooke, Julie, and Joanna.

Thanks so much Vanessa!

—

I’ll be linking up to Finish It Up Friday and Sew Cute Tuesday.

Previous Post: « Closing out the Dresdens
Next Post: Crafty Traveler Blog Hop {Art Student Tote} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jeifner says

    February 14, 2014 at 9:53 am

    I like the looks of that pincushion, the other mothers out there can't deny 😉 . I love a good challenge.

  2. Karamat says

    February 14, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Love your pincushion! Happy Valentine's Day to you & the family 🙂

  3. newmanjo says

    February 14, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    So great! Amazing how differently we each apprached the projects, and yet the similarities each embrace. Good work!
    -joanna

  4. Taryn @ from Pixels to Patchwork says

    February 14, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    Your pincushion is so sweet! I love the blanket stitch around the heart. This post reminded me that I have some jelly beans hidden in the pantry. 😀

  5. Heidi Staples says

    February 15, 2014 at 3:17 am

    This is such a darling pincushion! You're right, the prints are perfectly cheerful and that polka dot needs some serious stashing…

  6. Taryn says

    February 15, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Gorgeous work – I love the colours too. What did you stuff the cushion with?

  7. Kay says

    February 15, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Gorgeous. I always use large pincushions too, fun and easier to use for me.

  8. Suze says

    February 15, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    I love your pincushion. I didn't see your post come through on Bloglovin' for some reason. I thought of you today and wanted to check in on you. I hope your book in progressing and all is well with the family. Praying for you.

  9. Kristy says

    February 21, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    Okay, before I talk about the pincushion…I have a completely off the wall question. You said you grew up or lived in St. Louis for awhile. Where did you go to Elementary school? I ask because while I didn't have a Ms. Whaley…there was a teacher at my school with that name.

    Now, onto the Pincushion – it is super adorable, and those hand-stitches are the cherry on top.

  10. Melissa says

    March 3, 2014 at 6:10 am

    Adorable! I love teensy dresdens. I need to make those more often. 🙂 Your pin cushion is adorable.

  11. Meg Moe says

    April 4, 2014 at 2:56 am

    I really love this pincushion! Is there any chance you would make up a tutorial or a pattern for it??

  12. Swedish Scrapper says

    April 19, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    Awesomely sweet pincushion!!

Trackbacks

  1. Dresden Pin Cushion {Sizzix Tutorial} says:
    June 29, 2016 at 5:56 pm

    […] This was my second version. […]

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 Sew your binding to the BACK of your quilt first. Not the front!

When I first started machine binding, I did it the traditional way. I’d attach the binding to the front, wrap it around to the back, and then stitch in the ditch from the front.

The problem? I couldn’t actually SEE where my stitches were landing on the back. And sometimes the back ended up having a few surprises waiting for me. 😅

Then one day I thought, what if I just do this the other way around?

By attaching the binding to the back FIRST, I can wrap it around to the front and actually see where I’m stitching as I finish it. No more guessing what’s happening underneath!

It’s such a simple switch, but it makes getting a tidy, consistent finish SO much easier.

And when you’ve spent all that time piecing and quilting something beautiful, who doesn’t want the binding to look just as good?!

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The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

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In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

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If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, b If no one ever showed you this trick, get ready, because it might change the way you do it forever! 

 Sew your binding to the BACK of your quilt first. Not the front!

When I first started machine binding, I did it the traditional way. I’d attach the binding to the front, wrap it around to the back, and then stitch in the ditch from the front.

The problem? I couldn’t actually SEE where my stitches were landing on the back. And sometimes the back ended up having a few surprises waiting for me. 😅

Then one day I thought, what if I just do this the other way around?

By attaching the binding to the back FIRST, I can wrap it around to the front and actually see where I’m stitching as I finish it. No more guessing what’s happening underneath!

It’s such a simple switch, but it makes getting a tidy, consistent finish SO much easier.

And when you’ve spent all that time piecing and quilting something beautiful, who doesn’t want the binding to look just as good?!

Give it a try on your next quilt and report back! With our finished quilt tops for the Dutch Summer, members will be binding them soon! Share in the comments how you do your binding! 🩷

#quiltteacher #quiltingtutorial #quiltingtips #modernquilting
I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing I was ready to give up on foundation paper piecing altogether, and then I was introduced to freezer paper piecing, and it changed my whole world forever.

Let’s talk about Freezer Paper Piecing versus traditional Paper Foundation Piecing. 👇

The techniques are similar, both methods focus on precision and ease of assembly, but with Freezer Paper Piecing, you get to reuse your templates without turning them into confetti! 🎉 MAJOR WIN!

All you have to do is trace a few copies onto freezer paper or use printable sheets for your printer. It’s versatile, efficient, and saves you tons and tons of time.

🌟 The key benefits of freezer paper piecing: 🌟

👏 Reuse & Recycle: No more wasteful piles of ripped paper templates.
👏 Easy Removal: Templates peel off effortlessly, leaving your masterpiece intact.
👏 Versatility: From intricate designs to straightforward patterns, freezer paper can be used for any foundation.

WAY MORE TIME TO QUILT! 🙌

In all of my programs, we use the Freezer Paper Piecing method, and anyone can learn this, even first-time quilters! I’ve got a NEW block-of-the-month quilt design coming soon, so follow along if you’re looking for a faster and easier way to paper-piece! ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with Want to make a witchy little Modern Triangle with me? 🧙‍♀️🧵

I’m teaching a FREE class, and we’re getting a little spooky with this one! 🤓

I’ll show you my favorite way to make Modern Triangles using my no-waste, no picking method, and then we’re turning our triangle into a WITCH HAT. ✨

And yes, beginners are absolutely welcome!

I’ll walk you through it step by step, show you how these simple little triangles can be arranged into much more complex-looking designs, and we’ll spend some time actually PLAYING with what we make.

PLUS, if you show up live, you’ll get my exclusive Spooky Witch Hat Modern Triangle pattern FREE so you can keep sewing after class. 🎁

Come hang out, learn something new, make a witch hat, and have some fun with me!

Comment WITCHY, and I’ll send you the link to save your free spot! 🧙‍♀️

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a quilter without telling me you’re a quilter. 😂🧵

I’ll go first: I can find quilt inspiration in approximately ANYTHING. I own fabric that is apparently too special to actually use, and “one more seam” has never once meant one more seam.

Your turn. 🤓 Finish the sentence in the comments 👇 

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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