All about patchwork and quilting

circle of flying geese pattern

By Hatun Comak → Saturday, February 6, 2021

The circle of flying geese pattern has been on my to-do list for a long time. This week finally the time came for this lovely pattern. As you might have seen around, there are many variations of flying geese. This is a paper pieced block pattern. I really like paper piecing. It is a kind of addiction. When you see these lovely patterns, you can't help giving them a try.

The pattern is shared by Piece by Number. You can find the free pattern HERE.

If you are new to paper piecing, have a look at this tutorial first. It teaches you the basics of paper piecing.

Foundation paper piecing tutorial

Once you master the method, you can make any paper piecing pattern. The circle of flying geese pattern is easy to make. The trickiest part is that it involves some turning. It is easy to get confused and make a mistake. So just pay attention to the directions of the triangles while assembling the pieces.

I used rainbow colors for the triangles and black for the background. You need to make pieces to complete the pattern. The finished size is 12"×12". It is big enough to make a cushion. I haven't decided what to make of this circle of flying geese pattern yet. It is so nice to be a wall hanging also. I love it with dark background.

Flying geeese is a such a versatile pattern that it can be used either to make a complete quilt or to complete another quilt pattern. As I have mentioned before, there are other ways also to make flying geese. If you are interested in other variations of flying geese, this may be helpful:

No waste flying geese tutorial

thumbling blocks tutorial

thumbling blocks baby quilt

By Hatun Comak → Monday, January 25, 2021

It has been a long time since I started making thumbling blocks and put them aside. I had started making them without any plan in mind. Lately I need to make a baby quilt to be gifted and has been thinking of what to make. Then I remembered about these thumbling blocks and took them at hand again. I decided to make a colorful bunch of thumbling blocks for the baby quilt. Thumbling blocks is an appropriate pattern for a baby quilt. Especially the baby quilt with bright colors are perfect.

There are various methods of making thumbling blocks. I made them by english paper piecing. Using dark fabric on one side, medium on the other and and a light fabric on top enhances the 3D effect. Here you can have a look at my THUMBLING BLOCKS TUTORIAL and get the free paper piecing patterns.

Making these thumbling blocks take some time, and after completing thumbling blocks, the rest comes fast. I made 25 thumbling blocks in different colors. I planned to make it as lively as possible.

The next step is to sew the thumbling blocks together. After sewing them together, I pressed with iron and pulled out the basting thread and removed the papers. If you are new to english paper piecing this ENGLISH PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL might help you.

I chose a plain gray fabric for the background and I placed the blocks on the fabric, pinned them, did the basting and appliqued it to the background fabric.

The last step is making the quilt sandwich and quilting it. For background fabric I used pink flannel. I quilted it by stitching in the ditch around each block. Below you can see the back side of the baby quilt.

The baby quilt is for a baby girl so I used pink for the background and purple for binding. The finished size of the baby quilt measures 35"×50"

It is ironed lastly and got ready to be gifted. The bright colors will take the attention of the baby. Hope it will be loved.

If you like this baby quilt, you can give it a try. Playing with colors, arranging the blocks is the fun part. I like gifting my quilts since each is unique.

hexagon snowflake quilt tutorial

hexagon snowflake quilt

By Hatun Comak → Sunday, January 17, 2021

Well, it is winter time; perfect timing to make hexagon snowflake quilt. Actually, there is no snow around and it rarely snows where I live. So it will be nice having some snowflakes around. That is where I started my new project.

I not only made this lovely cushion but also prepared a tutorial in case you would like to give it a try.

Here we go!

Tutorial

You will need HEXAGON TEMPLATES. You can choose and pick up the sizes you want. There is from 1" to 5" hexagons in the link above. Here I made hexagon snowflakes with 1/2" and 1/4" hexagon templates. You can download 1/4" hexagon templates HERE.

Print your templates and start stitching your hexagons. Do you need help with stitching hexagons? Here is a tutorial to learn HOW TO SEW THE HEXAGONS. English paper piecing method is used for making the hexagon snowflakes. EPP is good for long winter nights. You can make your hexagons while sitting on your cosy couch and watching your favourite TV program or series. It is a good way of relaxing also.

Once I prepared my hexagon snowflakes, I pressed them with iron and removed the paper templates. For background fabric I used light blue fabric so that it could remind of the sky. You can play around the placement of the hexagon snowflakes. I made two 1/2" hexagon snowflakes and one 1/4" hexagon snowflake. When you are pleased with the appearance, pin down them to the fabric.

The next step is appliquing them. I hand appliqued the hexagon snowflakes down to the background fabric.

The next step is quilting. I did a little bit quilting around the shapes.

Then I did some embroidery work to give it the ambiance of snowy weather. I also like these little snowflakes.

Finally I sewed the back of cushion and it is ready. What do you think?

It is good for winter. If you are a hexagon lover, like me. You can make different shapes with hexagons. I like these hexagin snowflakes pretty much.

dancing ribbons quilt

dancing ribbon quilt

By Hatun Comak → Sunday, January 3, 2021

I have seen this beautiful, elegant quilt pattern on the net with its fluffy pattern with circles of colors. It had my attention everytime I saw it on Facebook or Instagram people sharing their own work with different color variations. Finally the time came that I decided to give it a try.

In my patchworld, everyday I learn new things, new patterns. I like challanging myself by practising and updating my skills and knowledge of quilting and patchwork.

Dancing ribbons quilt is well known and practised by many quilters. And it is my turn now. My plans for this beautiful dancing ribbon quilt is to turn it a wall hanging and use it in my seven year old son's room who is in love with the colors of rainbow.

I chose to work with many different colors for this dancing ribbon quilt. You can choose colors as you prefer, proper to your house decoration.

Dancing ribbons quilt design belongs to Cindy Round Richards. You can reach the free pattern HERE.

Dancing ribbons quilt is done by foundation paper piecing method. The instructions and patterns are shared in the link. The first thing to do is to print out the pattern and and decide your colors. At first it seemed complicated to me and I started by noting down my color choices that matches with the ones in the pattern. Since it is important to sew the colors according to the instructions. Below you can see my color choices.

Every piece has a different color combination, so you need to pay attention to the order you sew them. For background color I preferred to use only white fabric. Once I figured out how to make it, I started sewing. Below is the first piece of dancing ribbon quilt.

The center is combined of eighteen pieces which are made seperately. It was fun to sew these. It is like solving a puzzle and you wait curiously what kind of thing will come out.

When I finished piecing the eighteen pieces, I sewed them together.

The next step is to remove the papers behind and then sew the edge pieces, which will turn it to a square. Removing all the tiny pieces of paper behind is a kind of burden.

Finally I appliqued the center square by hand and it's finished. It still needs quiltibg, though. I like this dancing ribbon mini quilt so much. You shouls also give it a try.

quilt blocks

frienship star quilt block tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Saturday, November 28, 2020

The friendship star is another perfect quilt block for beginners. It is really simple and quick to make with half square triangles (HSTs). It is not only simple but also looks cute. I like how it looks and I'm sure you'll love yours, too.

In order to make a single friendship star quilt block, you need three squares of fabric measuring 10"x 10". It looks great with contrasting fabric. I preferred red and white fabric here. The finished size is 12"×12".

Cutting instructions

Cut four 4 1/2"×4 1/2" red squares. These are for the corners
Cut two 4 7/8"×4 7/8" red squares. These are for making HSTs.
Cut one 4 1/2"×4 1/2" square. This is for the center.
Cut two 4 7/8"×4 7/8" squares. These are for HSTs.

Below is a cutting chart for blocks in different size.

Making half-square triangles (HSTs)

Take one light and one dark fabric square. Draw a diagonal line on dark fabric square.
Place the two fabric squares right sides together.
Sew along the both sides of the line with 1/4" seam allowance.
Cut along the drawn line with rotary cutter.

Press seams through dark fabric and trim the block to 4 1/2".

With this method of making HSTs, you get two HSTs, so you need to make another two half square triangles. If yoy need a more detailed tutorial for making half square triangles, it is HERE.

Assembly of the friendship star quilt block

Arrange your squares and HSTs as in the image below.

First sew the squares in rows with 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seams in the same direction.

Join the rows together. Press the seams and then press the completed block and trim it down to 12.5". And it is completed.

I love the simplicity of this block. It comes with many options. You can use friendship star quilt block to make an entire quilt, a cushion or table runner. Start making the quilt block and let your imagination decide the next step.

Enjot it!

Half -square triangles are used in many many ways to make quilt blocks. They are simple but you can make many different quilt blocks using them. If you like HST blocks, you might also like these:

Labyrinth quilt block

Carpenter's star quilt block

christmas sewing

10 easy christmas gifts to sew

By Hatun Comak → Wednesday, November 18, 2020

It is nearly the end of November and it is time to start thinking about and making Christmas presents.Here I have a list of easy sewing ideas you can make yourself. They have step by step easy to follow tutorials. These are relatively simple projects and do not take much time. Some of these are my tutorials and some are others which are also tried. A gift that you have made with your own hands is much more precious than a bought one. When you give effort and time for a gift, it makes the gift special. I'm sure these christmas gift ideas won't disappoint your fiends or family.

Hope you find the inspiration here.

Here we go!

Easy Stocking Tutorial by Amy Smart

Christmas stockings are perfect for decoration. The color choices are also cute and adding some candies in the stockings will make kids happy.

Zippered Pouch

Zippered pouches are good for everyone. Everybody needs them for any reason. So they are guaranteed to be liked.

DIY Fabric Bookmark

Fabric bookmarks are easy and quick to make. They are also great to use your scraps. You all need some leftovers of Christmas fabrics. Bookworms will love these fabric bookmarks.

Twisted Hexagon Coaster

With some pieces of Christmas fabrics and english paper piecing method, you get these twisted hexagon coasters. Aren't they lovely?

Folded Star Potholder

This may look complicated but it has a simple technique.You can amaze your friends or family with this nice folded star potholder.

Hexagon Pincushion

Christmas Tree Pom Pom Pillow by Onsuttonplace

This pillow looks so cute and absolutely on my to-do list. After making pom poms, it is not much work.

Santa Apron by Crazy Little Projects

Reading Cushion by Sewingdirectory

This reading cushion has a pocket on the front to put a book into. How about giving this reading cushion with a book as a coordinating gift? This may encourage the kids to read more!

Hexagon Fabric Tray by Aspoonfulofsugar

Hexagons are always popular and I like to see how differently they are used. This mini hexagon fabric tray is also cute.

Here I collected some sewing ideas for Christmas that is proper to be gifted. Hope you find someting suitable for you.

10+ Free Christmas Quilt Patterns

8 Christmas Fabric Ornament Tutorials

hexagon quilts

folded hexagon star tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Friday, November 13, 2020

I'm here with a pattern that I have wanted to make for a long time. Folded hexagon star is made from folded hexagons, which is pretty easy. It also looks gorgeous and it is versatile, you can make it anything with it, whatever you choose. A single folded hexagon star can be used as a coaster, adding more folded hexagon stars you can turn it into a table topper or runner. This is actually what I am planning to do. I stitched ten of folded hexagon star pieces together and by adding more, I will make it a table runner.

I also prepared a step-by-step tutorial for you. I'm sure you will want to make one for yourself. At least you will give it a try.

Below you will find the instructions for making folded hexagon star without batting. The hexagon stars can be made in any size.

Instructions for folded hexagon tutorial

Choose the size you want to make your folded hexagon stars. I preferred 5 inch hexagons. If you don't have the templates for 5 inch hexagons, you can download it HERE.

Using your hexagon template, cut two hexagons from two different fabrics.

Right sides together, sew all around the hexagon, use 1/4" seam allowance. But you should leave around 1" opening for turning. Clip the exess pieces and corners also.

Turn the right side and poke out the corners. You can use a pencil to obtain sharp corners. Press with iron.

Find the midpoint of each edge simply by folding it in half and mark the midpoints. I used pins for that.

One by one fold each corner. We will be making isosceles triangle. While folding, measure the height of each folded triangle, so that they can be the same.