Row Addition in Ruby Star Society Fabrics

Have you ever made a quilt by picking out the backing fabric first?  That's what I did in this case.  I wanted to use this new print, Crescent in Soft Blue from the collection by the same name designed by Sarah Watts of Ruby Star Society for Moda Fabrics.

The substrate is a natural unbleached lighter weight quilting cotton which you can read about in this post on Moda's Cutting Table.  To me. it feels almost like a silky lawn fabric.

Now to pick out fabrics for the quilt top.  I decided to make Row Addition in two background fabrics rather than five like in the the original quilt made by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs for the our book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

I chose Soda Pop in Tangerine Dream by Rashida Coleman Hale and Spark in Bright Blue by Melody Miller.  Hawthorne Supply has a great selection of Ruby Star Society fabrics.

For the plus signs and binding I chose Brushed in Peacock by Sarah Watts also from the Crescent collection.

I just love a striped binding and this print has a subtle striped feel.

Here's the quilt top on my design wall after it's all pieced.  It measures 40" x 45".

I was hoping to get by with using only one width of fabric for the backing but it wasn't quite wide enough so I ended up piecing a strip of the bright blue Spark along the edge.  I was surprised I was able to keep strip fairly even through the layering process and quilting.  The little strip finishes around 2".

I was super pleased with how it turned out.  I haven't had a chance to take a overall shot of the finished quilt.  For now, I'll show you the rendering in EQ8.  So, if you want to make Row Addition and not sure about picking out five different background fabrics, just pick out two.

If you can't find the book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts, in your local quilt shop, you can find it here:
(Some of the links are affiliate links where I will receive a small commission and does not change the price you pay.)

• Amazon
• C&T Publishing 
• Signed copy from the Quilted Blooms Designs Etsy Shop
• 
  

Blocking and Binding: July One Monthly Goal

Now that this version of the Modern Plus Sampler has been professionally quilted by Johellen, it's time to finally finish it.  You can see the quilt fresh off her frame here in this post.

Modern Plus Sampler in Fandangle

I have been procrastinating because I'm a little nervous about blocking the quilt since I don't have much experience using wool batting.  Before I block it, I plan to trim the edges, leaving about one inch all the way around.

I had so much fun using Christa Watson's fabric line, Fandangle, which was generously provided by Benartex.  I've decided to bind it in the green colorway of Paper Cuts which I found at a local quilt shop, Viking Sew'n Quilt.

The quilting for the most of the background was inspired by the Paper Cuts fabric design.  Johellen quilted several quilts for our book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts, (affiliate link) co-authored with Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs. 

I hope to report back at the end of the month with a freshly bound Modern Plus Sampler.  And, it needs a title and label too.  Any ideas on a title?

You can see the July One Monthly Goals of others over at Elm Street Quilts hosted by Patty!  Good luck with you July goals.

Modern Plus Sign Quilts ➕ Turns One

Happy 1st Birthday to Modern Plus Sign Quilts!  🎂  

A lot planning, stitching, late nights, pattern writing, quilting, reviewing, binding, label making, and much, much more went into this stack of quilts that make up Modern Plus Sign Quilts (and these are not all of them).   

A Trip Down Memory Lane

In some ways, it seems like only yesterday that my UPS driver, Todd, came up the drive with the horn a honking to deliver the first books.  It was January 30, 2018 to be exact.  The sun was shinning brightly or I was just too excited to take the photo.

I unpacked the box and this is my first glance at the actual book and first time I got to hold it in my hands.

Stash Books/C&T Publishing did a fabulous job with the layout and photography of the book. When I open the book, I never tire of the inside front cover which includes my favorite chartreuse green.

Everyone has been so supportive like Leslie, our local quilt shop owner, Bernina We're In Stitches, threw a big book launch celebration party complete with a plus sign cake.

Blogging friends from all over helped to introduce the book by making a quilt from the book for the two week long blog hop taking place in March 2018 which started in this post and wrapped up in this post. Links to the quilts are also at the end of this post.

Modern Plus Sign Quilts is not only poplar with quilters, look who else is enjoying the book. Jennifer's (The Inquiring Quilter) cat knows a good read.

Modern Plus Signs Quilts in the Wild

It all felt real when I spotted Modern Plus Sign Quilts on the shelf of my local Pickens County Library nested between, non other than, Jinny Beyer and Eleanor Burns.

My friend, Anita, spotted Modern Plus Sign Quilts on the shelf at Powell's Books in Portland, Oregon when on her way to Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.

And, Dana, even found Modern Plus Sign Quilts at The Old Country Store in Intercourse, Pa.

Modern Plus Sampler Quilt Along

The Modern Plus Sampler is wrapping up soon, with a reveal party (including tons of prizes) next month. You can find more information and a full pdf of the pattern (book required to make the quilt) right here.

I made this version of the Modern Plus Sampler from mostly Tula Pink fabrics.  

And, I will be sharing the Modern Plus Sampler made from Christa Watson's Fandangle fabric during the parade.  Here's a sneak peak.

Find Modern Plus Sign Quilts

• Your local quilt shop
• Amazon (affiliate link) - both digital and print versions
• Quilted Blooms Design Etsy Shop - Signed copies 
• Indigo (large Canadian online book store)

I'm looking forward the birthday #2 for Modern Plus Sign Quilts.  

Now, enjoy all the quilts from the book and variations made by bloggers from the blog hop.

An InLinkz Link-up

Modern Plus Sampler ➕ Applique Blocks

Welcome to the December instructions for the Modern Plus Sampler!  

Let's get into the Christmas spirit with some applique, my favorite!

This month's instructions are the Applique areas on the sides of the large plus sign, including Cute as a Button and Petal Plus. Remember, if you would rather not do any applique for the quilt top, Cheryl and I are offering alternative options here in this post.

Modern Plus Sampler

About the sampler - the Modern Plus Sampler will run from July 2018 until April 2019 with a set of directions revealed the first Thursday of every month. The quilt is a large lap sized quilt finishing at about 63" x 78".

The instructions are published within this post in an easy to print PDF format in the link below:

Modern Plus Sampler - Applique Areas

 Additionally, the directions and all of the other information related to the sampler quilt along can always be found on the Modern Plus Sampler Page.

Social Media 

Please share your progress pics on social media with the hashtag #ModernPlusSampler and tag me at @QuiltedBlooms and Cheryl at @MeadowMistDesigns.

I encourage you to join the Meadow Mist Designs Facebook Group (if you have not already).  Cheryl has 3,200 members in the group and everyone is excited to see your progress!

And now without further ado....December's instructions...


Applique Areas

Cutting Instructions

FABRIC D

Cut 1 strip 14" x WOF.
       1. Sub-cut into 2 squares 14" x 14".

Tip: You can oversize the fabric D squares and trim to size after the appliqued blocks are complete.

   FABRIC F

Cut 1 strip 5 ½" × WOF. Sub-cut as indicated in book patterns.

PETAL BLOCK
Use the Petal Plus pattern instructions on pages 84-89, the Petal Plus applique shape on page 110, and the applique instructions on pages 9-11.

1. Iron 1 fabric D square 14" x 14" in half twice on the diagonal (shown as dotted lines).

2. Prepare 4 fabric F petal shapes and center onto the fabric D square as shown, using the ironed creases to align the petals.

3. Applique the petal shapes down to make a petal block 14" x 14".

BUTTON BLOCK
Use the Cute as a Button pattern on pages 26-29, the circle plus applique shape on page 104, and the applique instructions on pages 9-11.

1. Iron 1 fabric D square 14" x 14" in half horizontally and vertically (shown as dotted lines).

2. Prepare 4 fabric F button shapes and center onto the fabric D square as shown, using the ironed creases to align the buttons.

3. Applique the buttons down to make a button block 14" x 14".

Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the Modern Plus Sampler!

Honey, Bunny, and Doll | Sew Fresh Quilts | Make Modern | Aurifil

Cooking Up Quilts | Quilting Jetgirl | Quilter's Planner

Needle & Foot | Fat Quarter Shop | BackSide Fabrics | Whims and Fancies

Meadow Mist Designs | Tish's Adventures in Wonderland | Busy Hands Quilts | C&T Publishing

The next set of instructions will be published on the first Thursday in January 2019 (the 3rd).

Modern Plus Sampler ➕ Transparency Plus Block

Welcome to the October instructions for the Modern Plus Sampler!

This month's instructions are very quick so that you still have more time to finish up the small plus signs from September.

Modern Plus Sampler

The Modern Plus Sampler will run from July 2018 until April 2019 with a set of directions revealed the first Thursday of every month. The quilt is a large lap sized quilt finishing at about 63" x 78".

The instructions are published within this post (right after these few announcements) and are available in an easy to print pdf format from the link below:

Modern Plus Sampler - Transparency Plus Block

Additionally, the directions and all of the other information related to the sampler quilt along can always be found on the Modern Plus Sampler QAL Page.

Social Media 
I encourage you to join the Cheryl's  Meadow Mist Designs Facebook Group(if you have not already).  There is now have over 3,300 members in the group and we are so excited to see your progress!

If you want some feedback on possible fabric choices or have any questions during the quilt along, the Facebook is an excellent resource.  You can find the Facebook Group right here.  Please share your progress pics on social media with the hashtag #ModernPlusSamplerQuilt and tag me at @QuiltedBlooms and Cheryl at @MeadowMistDesigns.

And now without further ado....October's instructions...


Transparency Plus Block

Note: The dimensions of the transparency plus block have been altered from the book to better fit the sampler design. 

Cutting Instructions

FABRIC B

Cut 1 strip 2 1/2" x WOF.
     1. Sub-cut the strip into 4 rectangles 2 1/2" x 5" and 4 squares 2" x 2".


   FABRIC D

Cut 1 strip 5" × WOF.
     1. Sub-cut the strip into 4 squares 5" x 5", 1 rectangle 2" x 5" and 2 squares 2" x 2".


   FABRIC E


Cut 1 strip 1 3/4" x WOF.
     1. Sub-cut the strip into 4 rectangles 1 3/4" x 5".


   FABRIC F

Cut 1 strip 1 3/4" x WOF. 

     1. Sub-cut the strip into 4 rectangles 1 3/4" x 5".


Piecing Instructions

Use the Transparency Chains pattern instructions on pages 90-95. Regular piecing (instead of strip piecing) will be used as only one block is being pieced.

1. Sew 4 fabric B squares 2" x 2", 1 fabric D rectangle 2" x 5", and 2 fabric D squares 2" x 2" together to make a plus unit 5" x 5".

2. Sew 1 fabric B rectangle 2 1/2" x 5", 1 fabric E rectangle 1 3/4" x 5", and 1 fabric F rectangle 1 3/4" x 5" together to make a striped unit 5" x 5". Repeat to make 4 striped units.

3. Sew the plus unit, 4 striped units, and 4 fabric D squares 5" x 5" to make the transparency block 14" x 14".

Note:  The original design has only one transparency plus block, but you are welcome to make additional blocks if you would like to replace some of the applique and/or paper pieced blocks in the quilt top.

Many thanks to the generous sponsors of the Modern Plus Sampler!

Honey, Bunny, and Doll | Sew Fresh Quilts | Make Modern | Aurifil

Cooking Up Quilts | Quilting Jetgirl | Quilter's Planner

Needle & Foot | Fat Quarter Shop | BackSide Fabrics | Whims and Fancies

Meadow Mist Designs | Tish's Adventures in Wonderland | Busy Hands Quilts | C&T Publishing

The next set of instructions will be published on the first Thursday of November (the 1st).

➕➕

Modern Plus Sampler ➕ Small Plus Signs

This month, for the Modern Plus Sampler Quilt, we are piecing lots of little plus signs...40 to be exact.  I'm making mine from Paper Cuts, a fun tone-on-tone print which is from Christa's Fandangle fabric line.

And, while they are not difficult to make, they do take a little time. Unfinished, the small plus signs measure 5" x 5".

I decided to use the instructions for making over-sized signature blocks on page 38 of the book (Modern Plus Sign Quilts) and then trim them down to size.

Here's what my blocks look like before they are trimmed down to size.  They measure 5 1/2" x 5 1/5" at this point.

I used a 6 1/2" square-up ruler to do the trimming.  Do you see how the plus signs fit perfectly within a 3" x 3" grid making them a breeze to trim down to size.

Roughly, a 1/4" was trimmed from two sides.

The block was rotated so the other two sides could be trimmed.

And, here's the small signature plus block all trimmed to 5" x 5".

As a refresher, here is the Modern Plus Sampler rendered in Fandangle.  And, it's not too late to join in and sew along with Cheryl (Meadow Mist Designs) and me.  We are going at a nice slow place.  You can easily catch up as next month's instructions are super easy!

You can find all the details on the the Modern Plus Sampler Quilt a Long page.  The next set of instructions will posted on Thursday, October 4th.