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31 May
Finished Quilts, Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL, Quilt-Alongs, Sponsors

A Finished “Bikini” and Polka Dot Giveaway

I am so thrilled that my mom came to town to visit and we are going to Camp Stitchalot next week in Michigan! She also has her finished Polka Dot Bikini Quilt to show. I have mentioned this quilt before during our Quilt Along. She made a variation on the pattern by splitting the backgrounds into black and white. It creates such a neat, three dimensional design. The fabrics are all from her stash, she collects black and white prints and loves to pair them with bright colors. The binding is a funky print by Lakehouse fabrics with cupcakes printed on...

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22 May
Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL, Work in progress

Work In Progress: Quilting

Fabrics….. Have you ever made a quilt and then just couldn't decide how to quilt it? I have been thinking about what to do with this one for a couple of weeks, not sure how to go. You see, I really love this quilt, and I didn't want to mess it up. In the end, I just had to go for it (partly because I needed to free up my basting pins for another project, but nonetheless…) This project is my second version of the "Polka Dot Bikini" pattern. Check out the QAL posts over the past couple of months HERE. I...

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18 Apr
Curved PIecing, Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL, Work in progress

Polka Dot Bikini Quilt Along: Progress and Troubleshooting

Happy Bikini Day! It also happens to be really sunny outside and almost Friday, so it's a good day! Today is the last check in for the Bikini Quilt Along, do you have all of your blocks sewn up? During the next two weeks we should be sewing the blocks together to make the finished top. I am so excited! Just wanted to give you a bit of a peek at mine so far, here are some blocks laid out… I decided on this layout, turning every other block so that the patchwork squares alternate with solid blue fabrics. Some of...

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03 Apr
Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL

Bikini Quilt Along Progress

Happy April! For our Polka Dot Bikini quilt along schedule, you should have four more border blocks and the last of the center blocks sewn up. How did you do? Today I want to share some great inspiration: the finished Bikini top made by my mom, Marian. I showed you this as a work in progress back at the start of the quilt-along. Didn't this turn out stunning? Marian made her blocks by piecing the setting arcs with half black and half white, this creates the neat pinwheel where the blocks come together. I like how this makes the individual blocks disappear and...

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21 Mar
Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL

Polka Dot Bikini Quilt Along: Giveaway Day!

Ok. I know I am a day late. I am also a few pounds lighter. I was completely wiped out of commission yesterday by a stomach bug. I will spare you the gory details and just say, better late than never! Today's Bikini Quilt Along check in is sponsored by our friend, Brenda, at Pink Castle Fabrics. More on that in a minute…how about the quilts? coming along? if you still need the pattern, you can purchase it Here. I rearranged some of my border blocks so all the patchwork squares are in the center…I think it looks really cool, what do you...

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30 Jan
Polka Dot Bikini, Polka Dot Bikini QAL

Bikini QAL: a pattern tip

Here today with a good tip for those making the Polka Dot Bikini Quilt with me. I want to share a pointer on cutting the arcs that form the "sashing" around the pod shape. Once you have sewn the first two curves (steps 5-9)  that set the "P" shape inside your gray square, you must square up that unit to 8 1/2" square. This will help you accurately cut the gray pieces for the next step. **in my block example, I replaced one gray piece with a yellow one, but I am still at the same stage** Prior to cutting for...

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