Covering the World: One Quilt at a Time

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Hello and welcome! Today it's my turn to share the quilt (top) I made for Covering the World: One Quilt at a Time. (I spent so long writing up this post and tutorial I didn't get my top quilted yet!) In 2022, AccuQuilt, Moda Fabrics and Baby Lock are partnering in this pay-it-forward campaign. Moda and AccuQuilt designers (like me!) will make and donate one quilt a week to a charity of their choice to support this campaign. 

For those of you that know me, you know I love creating quilts with half square triangles. For my Covering the World quilt, I designed a fun and colorful patchwork heart quilt using half square triangles. To make fabric selection easy, I used Rainbow Bio - Multi fabric designed by Adrienne Leban for FreeSpirit Fabrics which paired perfectly with Fairy Dust - Whisper by Tula Pink for the background.

The benefit of using a rainbow or ombre fabric is you get multiple coordinating colors and patterns to create a cohesive patchwork rainbow by purchasing yardage!

Because I like to use BIG HST blocks to make quick quilts, and this quilt finished at 48" square.

Dies Used:

• GO! Half Square Triangle-6" Finished Square Die (55001) OR GO! Qube Mix & Match 12" Block, Shape 3 
• GO! Strip Cutter-6 1/2" (6" Finished) Die

Fabrics:

• Free Spirit Rainbow Bio - Multi (or other rainbow ombre fabric) - 1-1/2 yards
• Fairy Dust - Whisper (or other background fabric) - 1 yard
• Binding - 1/2 yard
• Backing - 3 yards (for pieced backing)
• Batting - 54" x 54"

Cutting:

Rainbow Fabric:

• Cut rainbow fabric into 6 strips (parallel to selvedge) approximately 7-1/4" wide. (Plan this out before you start cutting! Since most quilting fabric is 42" to 44" wide, there isn't any extra room for miscuts.)

• Stack the 6 strips on top of one another and cut 40 6-1/2" HSTs

Background Fabric:

• Cut 3 - 7-1/2" strips using rotary cutter
• Cut 2 - 6-1/2" HSTs from one end of each of the strips
• Trim remainder of strips to 6-1/2" using 6-1/2" strip die
• Cut 1 - 6-1/2" strips using 6-1/2" strip die
• Cut 2 - 6-1/2" squares from end of the strip
• Trim 6-1/2" strips to 24-1/2" lengths

Binding Fabric:

• Cut 5 - 2-1/2" strips

Sewing: Use 1/4" seam allowance and press seams open.

• Sew 40 HST blocks using the rainbow fabric

• Sew 12 HST blocks using the rainbow fabric and background fabric

• Sew the center heart sections by sewing the HST blocks and 2 background squares together as shown in the diagram. 

• Add 2 of the background borders to the right and left sides of the heart block. Sew a HST to each end of the remaining 2 background border strips. Sew to the top and bottom of the heart block.

• Sew 6 rainbow HSTs together in a row. Repeat to make a second row. Sew to right and left sides of quilt.

• Sew 8 rainbow HSTs together in a row. Repeat to make a second row. Sew to top and bottom of quilt.

Quilt, bind and donate!

I will be donating my soon-to-becompleted quilt to the Omaha Project Linus chapter. I have been making quilts for Project Linus since 2012 through my do. Good Stitches quilting circle. Project Linus is a volunteer organization with a mission to provide a sense of comfort to children who are seriously ill or traumatized through the gifts of new, handmade blankets, quilts and afghans crafted by volunteer “blanketeers.” All donations to the Omaha chapter of this nation-wide organization are given to seriously ill or traumatized children of the Greater Omaha and Council Bluffs area.

You can be a part of this big pay-it-forward campaign...and be entered to win some pretty wonderful prizes! You can find all the details on this AccuQuilt blog post. Together let's #QuiltTheWorld2022!

More Modern HST BOM {November 2020}

Happy November! It's hard to believe, but with the release of the November block, there are just TWO blocks left for the 2020 More Modern HST BOM. The final bonus block will be released some time in November, and the last block will be released on December 1. But I'm getting ahead of myself! Here is the November block:

Zina has another gorgeous quilt block using rainbow fat quarters from the Foundation collection by Shayla Wolf for Windham Fabrics. Her completed quilt top is going to look beautiful!

As a reminder, Zina and I will be hosting yet another HST BOM in 2021. We are excited to announce that Miriam of Quilt Africa Fabrics will be joining the fun next year! Miriam lives in Nigeria and sells beautiful African prints and fabrics to quilters around the world. As in previous years, participants are welcome to make their quilt blocks using any fabrics! For those that already love African prints or want to try something new, Miriam will have beautiful fabric bundles available in her shop. To learn more about Miriam and her fabric shop, check out the Quilt Africa Fabrics Facebook page and follow Quilt Africa Fabrics on Instagram.

If you're on Instagram, please share pics of your blocks and use the hashtag #moremodernhstbom and #modernhstbom2020. Please tag Zina (@zanymouse) and me (@stephjacobsondesigns) in your BOM posts so we can find your beautiful creations. You can also post a pic of your block on my Facebook page, Steph Jacobson Designs. We cannot wait to start seeing completed quilt tops after the final block is released December 1. You can find links to all the quilt blocks on the "2020 Modern HST BOM" page here on my blog.

Happy sewing!

2020 More Modern HST BOM {March Block!}

Ok...I know February is a shorter month, but it really seemed to fly by! March is here which brings the third block in the 2020 More Modern HST BOM designed by Zina:

Don't panic! I know this looks like a lot of dark background, but it's going to look just fine with the rest of the quilt blocks. I promise!

Here is Zina's version of the February block using rainbow fat quarters from the Foundation collection by Shayla Wolf for Windham Fabrics.

I am sticking with my grayscale quilt blocks.

Even though I usually work with bright colors, these shades of gray are starting to grown on me. So far I think they look great together!

We are so close to having the first row of our quilt done! If you're on Instagram, please share pics of your blocks and use the hashtag #moremodernhstbom and #modernhstbom2020 so we can see them. Feel free to tag Zina (@zanymouse) and me (@stephjacobsondesigns) in your BOM posts. You can also post a pic of your block on my Facebook page, Steph Jacobson Designs. (There will be a photo album for each month's block, and you can add your picture as a comment in the album.) Throughout the year, I will update the "2020 Modern HST BOM" page here on my blog, so that's the best and easiest way to find all the info in one place. It's not too late to join in the fun, so share please share with all your quilting friends...the more the merrier! Happy sewing!

2020 More Modern HST BOM

Since my 2019 Modern HST BOM was a huge success, there will be a 2020 block of the month! For 2020, I'm excited to have a cohost. Zina (zany mouse on Instagram) and I have been busy creating and are ready to release the first block on January 1.

To make this upcoming BOM "more modern" blocks will be a combination of half square triangles (HSTs) and squares. Instead of traditional square blocks, each 2020 block will be rectangular and made of up 12 individual units. Both of these changes will add more negative space, asymmetry and an overall more modern feel. 

All of the 2020 BOM info will be listed under the "2020 More Modern HST BOM" tab at the top of my blog. (Click here for a direct link to that page.) I will add direct links on that page to each month's quilt block as they're released. Blocks will also be posted on the first of each month on my Instagram page, Zina's Instagram page, and my Facebook page.

We hope you will join us!

July 2019 HST BOM

Happy July! Here is the July block of the month. This one looks pretty traditional, so I'm sure it has been done before. Nevertheless, it will make a great addition to our modern HST sampler quilts.

If you're on Facebook, you can share your quilt blocks on my page, Steph Jacobson Designs. If you're on Instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #modernhstbom so I can see what you make.

Happy sewing!

June 2019 HST BOM

It's June! Well...almost. I haven't done a great job in posting each HST BOM on all the social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, my blog...) in a timely manner. Since I'll be at a baseball tournament all weekend, I'm getting the June block posted just a little bit early!

I'm having so much fun playing around with HSTs to create these monthly blocks. HSTs are such a versatile block and definitely one of my favorites to work with. I love seeing all the beautiful blocks showing up on the #modernHSTBOM hashtag on Instagram. Many participants are assembling blocks into rows as we go, so there are going to be a lot of amazing quilt tops done the beginning of December. 

We're now halfway through blocks for the year. Thank you for sewing along with me!

Modern HST BOM {April 2019}

Happy April! Here is the fourth block for the Modern HST Block of the Month. I apologize for the delay in posting the April block to the blog.

Through the magic of Electric Quilt 8, I was able to draft up what a quilt would look like using just the April block. I love how HST quilt blocks make such fun secondary patterns when put together in a quilt.

If you're just now joining in, welcome! You can find all the details here. I also have a 2019 Modern HST BOM page to easily access all the blog posts related to the sewalong. I would love you see your progress! You can share your blocks on my Facebook page or on Instagram. If you post on Instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #modernhstbom and/or tag me (@stephjacobsondesigns) so I can find you.

Thanks for joining in and sewing with me!

Modern HST Block of the Month {March 2019}

Happy March! (I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the cold and snow and am ready for spring.) Here is the third block for the Modern HST Block of the Month. If you're sewing your blocks together as you go, the March block will complete your first row.

If you're just now joining in, welcome! You can find all the details here. I also have a 2019 Modern HST BOM page to easily access all the blog posts related to the sewalong. I would love you see your progress! You can share your blocks on my Facebook page or on Instagram. If you post on Instagram, be sure to use the hashtag #modernhstbom and/or tag me (@stephjacobsondesigns) so I can find you.

Thanks for joining in and sewing with me!

Turnabout Patchwork Blog Hop

I received a free digital copy of Turnabout Patchwork: Simple Quilts with a Twist by Teresa Mairal Barreu from Martingale in exchange for making a quilt for this blog hop.

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my blog for my stop on the Turnabout Patchwork Blog Hop. I'm excited to be a part of the blog hop and to promote Teresa's new book which is available on Amazon or from Martingale. I was drawn to this book because I love starting with basic quilt blocks (like half square triangles) and rearranging them or randomly sewing them together to create quilts.

I made the Arrowhead quilt using half square triangles made from a stripe fabric and a neutral/background fabric. For my stripe fabric, I used Bake Shop Awning Stripes by Patty Sloniger for Michael Miller Fabrics, and I paired it with Kona white. When I make half square triangles, I almost always use my AccuQuilt Go!, but that wasn't going to work for this particular pattern. I hadn't trimmed down HSTs in a long time, and it was satisfying to have a stack of perfectly-trimmed HSTs and trimmings. (This was also a good reminder to try different methods and techniques from time to time.)

It took me awhile to start this project because I knew I wouldn't be able to get all the stripes matched up. (I have my vivid memories of my mom checking that my stripes were lined up correctly on my childhood sewing projects.) After I made one block, I realized it didn't matter if the stripes lined up or not!

Because I had some other projects going on, I decided to make a small baby/crib quilt. I love how just 12 of the Arrowhead quilt blocks make such a fun quilt.

I've been trying to only use my fabric stash this year, and I had the perfect Moda teal polka dot fabric that was just big enough for the backing. I used a dark navy solid for the binding.

I longarmed the quilt on my APQS Lucey. I used the Papyrus pantograph from Urban Elementz.

As part of the Blog Hop, I'm giving away an electronic copy of Turnabout Patchwork! To enter, just leave a comment on this post. I would love to know what quilt or quilt project you're currently working or what you have on your quilt to-do list. The giveaway will remain open until 9pm CST on Friday, February 8. At that time, I'll randomly select one winner. If you're a no reply blogger, please make sure you leave an email address so I can contact you if you win!

Be sure to check out the quilts made by all the quilters on the Blog Hop. Many of them are giving away a prize, so there are a lot of chances to win!

January 30 - Quarter Snow Ball

Arrowhead

• Jen Shaffer blog: Patterns by Jen
• Lorinda Davis blog: Laurel, Poppy and Pine

Sweet Bows

• Kate Colleran blog: Seams like a dream
• Sandra Healy blog: Sandra Healy Designs

Tutti-frutti

• Moira de Carvalho blog: Quilt Design Duo
• Lynn Kane blog: Puppy Girl Designs

Sun Dunes

• Sarah Goer blog: Sarah Goer Quilts
• Tammy Silvers  blog: Tamarinis

February 1 - Modern Shoofly

Flying Rainbows

• Gretchen Wylegala blog:  Snug Harbor Quilts

Flying Butterflies

• Anorina Morris blog: Samelia’s mum
• Raewyn Barge blog: Stitching Farmgirl

Flying Flags

• Tammy Silvers blog: Tamarinis
• Becca Fenstermaker blog: Pretty Piney

Flying Confetti

• Laura Piland blog: Slice of π Quilts
• Sarah Ruiz blog: Saroy

February 2 - Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and squares

Rose Garden Star

• Anne Boundy blog:  Said with Love

Swirl

• Joanne Harris blog: Quilts by Joanne
• Sarah Myers blog: The Quilted Diary

Houndstooth

• Becca Fenstermaker blog: Pretty Piney

Diamond Star

• Sarah Vanderburgh blog: Sew Joy Creations
• Sarah Scott blog: Piccolo Studio

February 4 - Striped Fabric Block

Shells

• Gail Sheppard blog: Quilting Gail
• Julie Burton blog: Running Stitch Quilts

Xs and Os

• Linda McLaren blog: The Quilting Biker
• Sarah Scott blog: Piccolo Studio

Jaws

• Cheryl Brown blog: QuilterChic

Arrowhead

• Stephanie Jacobson blog: Steph Jacobson Design

February 6 - Coordinated Strips

Peaks

• Afton Warrick blog: Quilting Mod

Diamond and Crosses

• Linda McLaren blog: The Quilting Biker
• Brandy Pettit blog: Pampered Pettit

Knots and Crosses

• Leanne Parsons blog: Devoted Quilter
• Andy Knowlton blog: A Bright Corner

February 8 - Double Disappearing Nine-Patch

Holiday Trellis

• Sherry Shish blog: Powered by Quilting

Stepping Stones

• Bobbi Bridgeman blog: Snowy Days Quilting
• Anja Clyke blog: anjaquilts

Two for One

• Mania Hatziioannidi blog: Mania for Quilts

Cross

• Sandra Starley blog: Textile Time Travels
• Anjeanette Klinder blog: Anjeanette Klinder

Modern HST Block of the Month {February 2019}

It's finally February which means block 2 of the 2019 HST BOM! I know many of you have been waiting patiently for the next block, and I hope this doesn't disappoint.

It has been so much fun seeing all the beautiful January blocks posted on my Facebook page and on Instagram (#modernhstbom).

Playing around in EQ8 shows a few fun options with just this one HST block. Placing 20 blocks in the same orientation (5 rows of 4 blocks per row) makes a fun diamond quilt.

This is similar to my favorite HST quilts that uses blocks made in the diamond pattern instead of the "X" pattern.

By rotating every other block, you get a complete different look...using the same HST block! (Seriously...HST blocks are so versatile and amazing.)

If you're on Instagram, post your HST BOM blocks with the hashtag #modernhstbom and/or tag me (@stephjacobsondesigns) so I can see them. If you're on Facebook, please add a picture of your February block as a comment in the February HST BOM album on my FB page. I'm excited to see your creations!

Happy stitching!

The Island Batik Great Outdoors Blog Hop!

The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik.

Aaaah the great outdoors. We’re seeing more and more research that says spending time outside is good
for your mental health. (A lot like quilting, in that way!) So, on those days when it’s just too hot to fire up the
iron and sewing machine, we say get outside and have fun walking, tending to your garden, or just basking in
the glorious (hot) sun!

The great outdoors are what inspired this hop’s theme. Throughout the month of August, our Ambassadors
will be featuring Island Batik’s newest fabrics, appearing on shop shelves SOON! See something you like?
Ask for it at your local quilt shop, or request it if you don’t yet see it. We have the most delicious collections to
share with you!

One of the fun things about being an Island Batik Ambassador is being able to sew and create with a fabric
line before it has been released. When I opened my "Surprise!" package of fabric from the box we
received in January, I had received the Spirit Rhythm collection.

To be honest, this is not a fabric line I would have chosen for myself as I tend to gravitate towards brighter,
more rainbow-colored fabrics. Another great thing about being an IB Ambassador is the opportunity to do
things outside my comfort zone. Afterlorking with these fabrics, I've grown to love the deep, rich colors and
the graphic, geometric patterns. Because I wanted the focus to be on the fabrics, I decided to use my HST
Building Blocks plan using AccuQuilt 6.5 inch (6 inch finished) half-square triangles. (If you live in the Omaha/Lincoln area, I'm teaching this workshop at Calico House in Lincoln on Saturday, Sepember 29!)

I was able to use all the fabrics from the Spirit Rythm collection and paired them with an Island Batik neutral I found at my local quilt shop. 

I pieced the back and used  a black and cream stripe for the binding. I used a "Seagrass Braid" edge-to-edge pantograph from Urban Elementz.

I was hoping to get some better quilt pictures using the beautiful Lake of the Wood as the backdrop, but it was
too windy today. Fortunately I have a wonderful husband that helped me get some pictures to share!

Giveaway!

***ETA: Giveaway is closed!***

Check out this Island Batik blog post for the complete hop schedule and a giveaway from Island Batik.
Each blogger is also having a giveaway so there's lots of great prizes to be won! For my giveaway, I'm
going to send one winner a flat-rate envelope filled with some of the wonderful fabric I've been given
by Island Batik. To enter, just leave a comment below telling me your favorite handmade gift to make
and give. If you have links to patterns or tutorials, even better! (Christmas is coming, and I need ideas!)
I will randomly choose one comment on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 after I get home from work
(approximately 9pm CST). Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

Island Batik July Challenge {Secondary Pattern Challenge}

The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik.

So...I'm not quite sure what happened to the month July. Or summer for that matter. My son goes back to school in just a little over a week, and I'll miss having him around. I will not miss the constant questions of "Can I play Fortnite?" and "What are we doing today?" Hopefully I can get back on track with my quilting!

The July Island Batik Ambassador challenge was to make a quilt with a secondary pattern. Half-square triangles are one of my favorite quilt blocks to play with, so I knew I wanted to use HSTs to make my July quilt. I browsed through the AccuQuilt Qube 72 Block Patterns and decided on the Go! Whirlpool 12" Block Pattern. 

The original pattern uses 3.5" (3" finished) HSTs to make a 12.5" (12" finished) block. I like big blocks, so I decided to use the 6.5" HST die (6" finished HST) and make 4 supersized, 24" blocks. We were on a family fishing trip in Minnesota for a week in July, but I took along my sewing machine to work on my quilt top. Here is the first 24" block completed on vacation.

A post shared by Stephanie Jacobson (@stephjacobsondesigns) on Jul 24, 2018 at 3:06pm PDT

I think I had to rip out and resew blocks and/or rows at least four times because I kept getting pieces in the wrong order. That's probably why I prefer random/improv sewing instead of using a pattern! Fortunately, the last three blocks went together much faster. When four of these whirlpool blocks are sewn together, they make a secondary pattern of a pinwheel as seen in the center of the quilt top. (Aren't HSTs awesome?!)

I wasn't able to get this top quilted, but I wanted to get my post up...and it's still 3 days late! Hopefully once school starts, we can get back on a schedule and I will be back to my regular quilting schedule.