Patterns + Classes

A collection of free patterns from I See Stars Quilting and offers from other talented quilting artists.

FREE (Truly Honest) Printable Gift Tags

I always send two things with my quilt. Small little tokens, if you will.
1. A handwritten written card with messages of hope for a healing quilt or maybe well wishes for a sweet baby play quilt. Just something personal.
2. My quilt labels stitched into the binding
I got my quilt labels on Etsy. They weren’t too expensive, so I bought a bunch of them and never once have I regretted that decision. You can also design and print them yourself if you feel up for a little challenge, but these were way easier at the time.

Update: Amazon has a lot of really good options too! I will be ordering these just as soon as I finish using my etsy labels!

The only thing that sometimes bothers me is that one little line across the bottom of my label…

“MADE WITH LOVE”

Hmm… is it though? It has such a sweet ring to it, doesn’t it? …but some of my quilts have been a pain in the patootie and I sure it wasn’t all heart eyes and roses the whole time I was sewing. I remember those nights quite well.

Sure, each of my precious works of art is made with love…. otherwise, it wouldn’t be made at all. Duh.

But I’m sincere here… what else are my quilts made of?

A few curse words? Some blood when I stuck my finger with a straight pin for the 9th time in the last hour? What about a little sass, sarcasm and a ton of me talking out loud? Yes and yes. All of those… And my chosen recipient has not one clue beyond a rainbow-y unicorn “made with love” tagline.

So that got me wondering… What if I WAS honest on my label? What would it say?

I put together this set of six “honest” free printable gift tags because I’m a graphic artist/marketing addict by day.

If you view yourself as a seriously formal, no funny business person, these aren’t for you. Move along. But if you’re real and honest with yourself… I’m sure that you’ll love these little printables to send with your precious gems!

Enjoy, my sweet friends! You’ll also be added to my e-mail list. I promise I won’t spam you. We’re friends here, and friends don’t do that to each other. You’ll only get one email from me a week (at max). I like to add special goodies in my newsletters and links to tutorials you might have missed.

If you love them, let me know in the comments. I would love to hear what other projects you use these on!

Guess what? I created MORE gift tags to tuck in with your handmade creative gifts!

This little download has been such a fun and popular item…

If you’re looking to spice up your sewing projects, check out my Favorite FREE quilt pattern.

Stay Sassy! 🙂
100 Modern Blocks – A Book Review

100 Modern Blocks – A book Review

As a busy momma (and wife and all the other hats we wear as adults) I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy projects. Projects that I can work on in small chunks of time and will not take over my office space for 6 months.

You know those projects? While I may have a few hours today to work on a quilt, I may not get another break to work on it until next week.

I am an avid stalker of “quilt top in 1 hour” patterns and “quilt in a weekend” projects. (Side Note: I have an easy quilt pattern that fits just that description! Click here)

Those quickies great if you just want to get something done but I think you miss out on refining your skills with the easy/quick stuff. If you do have the time, a more complex pattern is a challenge for your mind, your skills and your patience in some cases!

I’ve found a way to mix both simple and complex… Sound too good to be true? ha… maybe in the world of physics, but not for the world of quilting… yee of little faith! I never disappoint when I make a promise, don’t you know?

So have you seen the book “100 Modern Quilting Blocks” or “City Sampler” and wondered what the deal was? Is it worth it? I’m here to tell you that it totally is!

The above image is from http://www.Tulapink.com

First of all… It’s Tula Pink. I mean that right there should tell you that you’re in for something pretty awesome. If you are not familiar with Tula Pink…. allow me to introduce you to a world of so much magic and splendor you’ll be smiling for days! I mean how can you not be so excitedly happy looking at this picture? It’s amazing.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels without feeling like you’re getting anywhere with quilting… check out her book. Just like the title says, the book consists of 100 Modern quilt blocks. It lays out everything you need to make each one and superb instructions. (side note: don’t just dump all your cut pieces into one pile and assume you’ll be able to sort them out later. Just trust me on this one…)

Each of these bite-sized block projects can be completed in a short amount of time. It depends on your sewing skills but I usually take roughly about an hour from cutting to completion. Easy peasy and totally feel fulfilled at the end! Some are simple while others are more complex. But when all of them combine….. wowza! what a lovely large quilt!

You can either start with a big dreamy vision or you can just work with one block at a time. It’s is perfect for those nights when you just want to declutter your scaps.

And this has nothing to do with the quilting templates but as an avid writer myself, I feel as though this book is like reading a conversation journal from a dear friend. She’s speaking to me, asking my opinion and encouraging me to go on this quilting journey with her. She encourages writing in the margins, crossing out blocks you don’t like and making notes.

“This is your quilt”.

She encourages doing whatever you feel like. Make 100 of the same block? You go for it. Do something entirely different with the 100 blocks in the end? Yep.

From the first page introduction: “Tula Pink’s city sampler is a collaboration between you and me. I am the platform and you are the speaker, so stand on my shoulders and tell the future who you are and why you make.”

*Sigh* is she not just the greatest? I love this quote.

If you decide to buy the book (and you totally should… or ask for it for your birthday… or Mothers Day or Christmas or because its Tuesday or whatever) You can get the book on Amazon here!

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*This post contains affiliate links. That just means that if you buy a product using a link on my site, I get a very small commission of the sale at NO extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me keep my site up and running and so we can continue to share a wonderful quilting community!*
Favorite FREE Quilt Pattern

You know how much I love a great quilt pattern… and bonus points if it is a freebie! This particular quilt that I am sharing with you today is a pattern of my very own and totally my Favorite FREE Quilt Pattern!

I love my quilting friends and I’m happy to share all my internet hunting finds and any other great quilt bloggers you should be following. **Plus, if you look at the bottom of this post there is a bonus blooper shot of this photo shoot ;)**

This one was one of the first patterns that I created. I’ve created many more designs since then, but this one is still one of my favorites. It comes together really quickly as well.

I actually took the time to carefully plan and write down everything instead of just sewing my seams by the seat of my pants and praying it all works out in the end. That was how I used to live my sewing days. Out on the edge. As hardcore as I’m trying to make that sound…. (and I’m a bit ashamed I even attempted to do that in the first place), I was the furthest thing from hardcore. I was silly and I learned a lot of lessons the hard way. I’m so glad I’ve grown up in my quilting skills since then… for both our sakes, honestly.

This Windy Days quilt pattern is full of possibilities for happy spring colors!… suitable for any color palette, but I created it with spring colors in mind, so let’s go with that today, mmmk?

That’s the front of the Windy Days Quilt… This quilt is an easy quilt! Do not let all the angles and corners fool you.

It is totally beginner friendly!

I wouldn’t lie to you or set you up for something I didn’t think you were totally capable of.

And then here is the backing! (it’s just a really amazing solid printed piece that I used, I promise… don’t be scared, ok?)

Beautiful backing choice, don’t you think? – This quilt lives with me in my office. It’s the perfect lap quilt size for when it gets chilly in here.

…So, on to the FREE part!

I’ll e-mail you the pattern that lays out the foundation and goes over every step how to piece this impressive beauty if you join my e-mail list. *please don’t groan* I swear I hate junk mail just as much as everyone else. I promise I’ll only e-mail you once a week (at max!) and it’ll always be full of fun goodies… no garbage and no gross sales-y tactics. I’m a marketer in my day job. Quilting is fun and in my opinion, has no room for that sneaky product pushing!

Let’s build a group of wonderful quilters together!

Side note: I’ve been asked about the fabric choices I used for my quilt. I used a 6″ layer cake by Moda for the bright colored pieces. The backing and the ‘ink splatter’ grey and black fabric on the front are by Art Gallery.

And a special thank you to my husband who didn’t ask ‘why’ when I told him to ‘go over there and hold my pretty quilt up so I can take a picture’ for the thousandth time. He gets it now and he loves me 🙂

The Bonus Blooper Shot

If you want to see what a blooper shot of a quilt photo shoot looks like…. well here you go. That’s my 6 year old who wanted so desperately for me to take his picture too. I still don’t know why it didn’t make the final cut 😉
5 things To Sew For Vacation!

Do you have a get-away planned in the future? Looking to take a long a few handmade items on your trip? Here are my favorite top 5 Things To Sew For Vacation!

Vacations are the best….

One of my favorite things to do before vacation is to procrastinate packing… anyone else with me, mommas?

Oh, I’ve got it all figured out in my head. I’ve done the laundry and have a semi-system of piles ready to go in the suitcase. But I will find other things to do to prep for our vacation besides actually packing… for example, creating fun sewing projects that will be useful while on vacation!

What a great idea, right?

5 Sewing Projects For Vacation

1.Catch-all Fabric Bins – I love making these little bins because they’re fun. They’re easy and they are useful in so many ways. Use up those pretty scraps, Be creative, go crazy with that fun fabric you couldn’t live without! These were a sanity saver in the hotel bathroom as well as in the hotel room. Everyone in my family has a bin and they know to keep the things that are important to them in the bin so it doesn’t get left behind. This comes together really easily and does not require a lot of skill or sewing magic! You can get the full tutorial here – The Perfect Easy Catch the Mess Fabric Bin

They also fold down to almost nothing in your suitcase. Bonus!

2. Dirty Laundry bag – This was the easiest and absolutely most helpful thing to have on vacation when you’re traveling with a family!

3. Does everything have to come with its own separate charging cord?! The girls at Live It, Love IT, Make It found a great solution to manage the mishap of crazy cords when traveling!

I could even use thing around the house come to think of it. Perhaps I should make up a few more after I write this post 😉

4. Jewelry organizer that is really pretty? Yes, Please. And Thank You. I love this little pouch. I’ve made several over the years as gifts for friends too. They work really good to hold your essential oils too!

If you are vacationing with kids, do not leave home without your lavender! 🙂

5. Zipper Box Pouch – This sews up in about an hour. I promise you can make these! Its the perfect cosmetic pouch, organizer for little small toys, snacks, game pieces on a long car ride… we’ve used it for everything you can imagine!

There you have it! These are my go-to vacation accessories!

If you’re a DIY-er, don’t leave town without something handmade close to you!

Also, if you are procrastinating your packing… don’t try and do all of these in one day and then stay up all night packing because you were sewing and then blame it on me, ok? – I mean, thats exactly what I would do, but I am warning you so you can know better!

Happy sewing and safe travels!
5 FREE Weekend Quilt Patterns

Are you feeling like me this week? Looking around for some free weekend quilt patterns to sew away the stress?

It’s been one of those weeks! Whew! I never could get caught up enough with normal chores to get to where I thought I could sit and relax (I should know better by now, right?) … unless you count going to the fabric store and shopping with your BFF for like 2.5 hours – wait for it – without the kids. (*OMG, we totally did and it was absolute bliss*)

But now I’m dying to create something with all the lovely new fabrics and like… I need something quick that I can create so I don’t have this lonely project staring at me all week until I find another moment to work on it. I need something I can work on, make it look fantastic and it won’t take me all month.

Do you know that feeling?

So I hopped on Pinterest. And like 45 minutes later (with a few distractions) I had it narrowed down to 5 of my favorite quick quilt patterns. Yep, 5. It was a hard search.

The quilt pattern had to be:

-From a designer I know. (I can’t bother trusting someone new to walk me through all the steps when I’m short on time!)
-Quick and easy pattern
-Big bold pieces of fabric

So, I thought I would share my findings with you! Maybe you won’t have to spend time looking all over the interwebs for a free fun pattern and you’ll get to sewing quicker!

These are from some of my favorite bloggers so you won’t be disappointed! Happy Sewing!

1. Giant Vintage Star Quilt Tutorial

(You know I’m going to start with a star!) I wish I had more pictures of the quilts that I have made using this pattern from Jen over at In color order. She is such a doll! If you can’t bring yourself to cut up some of your favorite fabric for fear of losing some of the beauty to the scrap pile? Say no more! This makes such a great quilt with large pieces. It has a classic quilted by your great-grand-momma feel to it, but can be updated with a few modern fabrics.

Click here to see the pattern and amazing tutorial.

(Photo Credit In color order)

2. Easy Patchwork Quilt

Not thinking you’re ready for triangles yet? Look at this cute baby quilt! I like to think of baby quilts as “bite-sized quilts”. It is the best starter size that won’t take you forever to finish.

Sewfreshquilts has a really good step by step tutorial that makes this little quilt a walk in the park!

Get the pattern here.

(Image Credit Sewfreshquilts)

3. Simple Stripes Quilt Tutorial

Do you ever read a blog online and you just know that you and that girl could be total BFFs? I’ve been a fan of Amy at Diary of a quilter for a long time. I adore her blog and her designs. Talk about pretty! oh, my goodness… You’ll have a special little quilt put together in no time following this tutorial!

You can view this pattern here.

(Photo Credit Diary of a Quilter)

4. Pixelated Heart Quilt

Told you I was a fan of Amy over at Diary of a Quilter! Here is another super sweet design that the majority of hands-on time is just placement of fabric squares! This is a great scrap buster project too. With this heart design as a starter point, feel free to adjust the square sizes to suit your needs and overall quilt size!

Read all about it from Amy here.

(Photo Credit Diary of a Quilter)

5. Huge Flying Geese- Layer Cakes Quilt

This beautiful quilt comes together quickly and beautifully. Do the triangles scare you? Well, stop it. You can do this. The tutorial is super informative and will hold your hand the entire time! Once I finally got over my nervousness about triangles I realized it wasn’t that big of a deal! You can take the plunge too!

Isn’t it lovely? The pieces are large and you can quickly gain size without having to fuss with teensy little pieces.

Click here to visit the site and get this FREE tutorial over at reannalilydesigns.

(Photo Credit Reannalilydesigns)

To make things even faster, you can use pre-cut fabric. If you are new to quilting and want a bit more of a puzzle piece and create method, pre-cuts will be your friend.

Fat Quarters– Taken from one yard of fabric, cut in half lengthwise, and then in half width-wise. Approximately 18″ x 22″.
Fat Eighth– Measure 9″ x 21″, rather than the typical one-eighth yard cut of 4.5″ x 42″.
10″ Stacker– 10″ squares that are pre-cut by the manufacturer
5″ Stacker– 5″ squares that are pre-cut by the manufacturer
Fabric Roll or Jelly Roll– A whole collection of fabric strips that measure 2½” x 44″.

BONUS FREE QUILT PATTERN!

OK, I can’t just give you free quilt patterns without shining a little light on one of my own patterns, can I? We all know the answer is ‘no’ obviously 🙂 Windy Days Quilt Pattern -This is a fun and easy quilt for all skill levels. Enjoy!

I hope you’re reaching the end of this blog and feeling inspired to tear through all your lovely fabrics!

If you’re on a deadline for a quilt gift (we’ve all been there!) I hope you are inspired to create one of these! If you do, let me know down in the comments. I would love to hear what you’re up to!

Enjoy your quilting this weekend!
Scrappy Holiday Table Decorations

What do you do with all your scraps? – Turn them into scrappy Table Decor!

I have a few dear quilting friends that I share scraps and fabric odds and ends. (Bless those girls!). We share quilting knowledge and desserts too. – good, sweet girls.

One of them gave me this Valentine themed scrap of fabric. It’s cute, so I can’t get rid of it obviously… Into my stash, it went. You never know when it will come in handy. (I’m ~~totally~~ being sarcastic right now, but seriously I just can’t bring myself to throw away fabric) *Fabric hoarders unite*

Inspiration struck late one night and ta-da! Enter this versatile little tiny quilt. I’ve never had a thing for table runners but this… this I like. Small enough to make it easy to store when it’s not cupids holiday and yet festive enough to sit out the month of February. Bonus: It came together in 1/2 an evening using other scraps I already had. This came together so easy… its hard not to be absolutely in love with it.

I keep saving every spare piece of usable fabric, because ‘someday I’m going to make a huge scrappy quilt!’ and its true. Someday I will. 🙂 What are some of your most favorite projects and uses for scraps?

If you are relatively new to quilting, these little projects are PERFECT for beginners! You can download my free quilting pattern here if you’re wanting something a bit more challenging, but still beginner & Intermediate level friendly!