Simple Designs: Weekend Quilting Book Tour

Weekend-Quilting-Book-Showcase

I'm bringing you something special today, my quiltketeers. A book tour! Oh yes, and not just any book tour – it's your favorite kind of book tour – one that involves quilts and notions and many beautiful quilt photos taken by other quilters all over the world. 

Before launching into my Weekend Quilting project, I think I should tell you something. I don't usually make quilts that I didn't design. It's not that there aren't other fantastic quilt patterns out there, it's just that I'm a very distractible person and I've got so much cooking in my head, it really doesn't occur to me to look outside of the brain chaos.

Actually, the last time I sewed another designer's pattern was about a year ago – for Amy Butler's book tour.

I'm telling you this because for this book tour I made a quilt from another designer's pattern. And you know why? The designer is super sweet and simply irresistible (in a very quilty way).

Even before I got to meet Jemima Flendt (which I did this past 2017 Spring Quilt Market), I agreed to be on this Weekend Quilting tour because I knew I would enjoy her book. When visiting Jem's IG account there are two things you can figure out pretty quickly: 1. She's adorable and 2. She's Australian...which is also uh-dorable! That accent!

Trending patterns!

(Jemima, if you are reading this I'm sure you're thinking, "Why again did I ask her to be on my book tour? Is she ever going to even talk about the book??" The answer is yes...eventually...I've just got to sift through that brain chaos, member?)

Weekend Quilting - The Book

Weekend-Quilting-Book

See? Told you I would get there eventually.

I made the Duck, Duck, Goose Mini Quilt sans the mini part. Jem, I should apologize for this​, but I just couldn't help myself. I wanted this as a lap quilt because the design was crying out to be cuddled – and I know a little boy who would be the perfect cuddle monster.

Weekend Quilting is filled with fast finishes. There are many different techniques included in the book, so if you've ever wanted to try out English Paper Piecing, without the commitment of a large project, this book has it!​

This vintage-meets-modern riff on the classic Flying Geese block literally popped off the pages of my book screaming, "MAKE ME!"

So I did.

Best-Fabric-Shopping

I had just returned from Quilt Market where I had received a fresh new pile of fat quarter bundles. The Uppercase line by Windham Fabrics was burning a whole on my shelf, so in a frenzy I chopped it up and paired it with some classic Kona Snow. Dreamy...and patriotic!

Weekend-Quilting-Book-Tour

​The picture above needs an explanation...while yes, the quilt is looking quite nice, I, however, am trying desperately to use all of my modeling skills acquired over 15 seasons of America's Next Top Model. Tyra says to booty tooch, and my gosh I try! (Did that explain anything?)

Weekend-Quilt

I wanted the bold quilt pattern to pop, so I used simple straight line stitching. If you've never seen my machine quilting tutorial, check it out!​

Modern-Flying-Geese-Quilt

To avoid fabric pulling one direction and then the opposite direction when quilting large areas, I quilt one line top to bottom, then lock the stitch and cut the thread. Starting from the top again, I sew another line. By sewing all of the lines in the same direction there are no tension issues and the fabric never puckers in a weird way.

After sewing one half of the quilt, I flip it and start in the center again – continuing to sew top to bottom.​

Weekend-Quilt-Book-Showcase

I almost didn't add this next picture cause I know some people are weird about feet. But we've had reeeeally great barefoot weather lately, so...this one slipped out. Sorry feet people. Promise not to show any more.

Red-White-Blue-Quilt
Flying-Geese-Quilt

And the one time I actually want Scrappy to sit on a quilt for a photo, she does this. Classic...

Red-White-Blue-Baby-Quilt

Follow Along on the Weekend Quilting Tour

May 29 - A Spoonful of Sugar Designs
May 30 - The Strawberry Thief
May 31 - Oh How Sweet
June 1 - Quilty Love
June 2 - Aqua Paisley Studios
June 5 - Ellis and Higgs
June 6 - She Quilts Alot
June 7 - Stacy Olson Design
June 8 - Down Grapevine Lane
June 9 - Quilters Candy Box
June 12 - ME!!! Suzy Quilts
June 13 - Family Ever After
June 14 - nanaCompany
June 15 - Ric Rac
June 16 - A Little Patchwork
June 19 - Quilt Story
June 20 - Elea Lutz Design
June 21 - Molly and Mama
June 22 - Claire Turpin Design
June 23 - Clover and Violet
June 26 - Fat Quarter Shop
June 27 - Ministry of Fabric
June 28 - Minki Kim Sewing Illustration
June 29 - Tied with a Ribbon

13 thoughts on “Simple Designs: Weekend Quilting Book Tour

  1. Jemima says:

    t love your up-scaled version of the Duck, Duck Goose Mini Quilt Suzi. Thank you so much for your sweet words on my book and accent. Thanks so much for being a part of my Book Showcase.

  2. Tutti says:

    Hi Suzy! Great post. Have you ever tried the “quilt as you go” method? If so, what has been your experience?

  3. Shelly says:

    Hi Suzy!!
    LOVE your quilt! (With all the heart eye emojis)
    Just curious – what is the size of your up sized blocks?

  4. Leslie says:

    I love this fabric by Uppercase. The company is new to me, and I hope a local fabric store carries this line when it comes out in November. <3 Love it and love your beautiful quilt!!

  5. Valerie says:

    I have been directed to your site several times but I am unable to find The Weekend Warrior quilt which i would gladly purchase. Can you help?

    • Laura Hopper says:

      Hi Valerie! We previously had a free pattern named Warrior which has been retired. We are currently working on a replacement free pattern which is planned to be released in 2022, so stay tuned for that!

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