The Sweet Home QAL -- Assembly & Finishing

Welcome to week FIVE of the Sweet Home Quilt Along 2021, a QAL I'm co-hosting with Sharon Holland, the designer behind the adorable Sweet Home quilt pattern!



During week FIVE we'll be assembling and finishing our Sweet Home quilt tops!

Below you can see the schedule we've been following throughout the QAL, but of course Sharon and I want to encourage all to sew at their own pace. For those just discovering our QAL, please feel free to make your own Sweet Home and access both Sharon's and my QAL blog posts anytime!



When you visit Sharon's blog you'll see the beautiful Sweet Home she's making using her brand new Bookish collection for AGF. Sharon has been sharing weekly blog posts, along with new video tutorial support each week for her Sweet Home pattern for Sweet Home quilt makers!

For my Sweet Home I'm using the Cozy & Magical Quilt Kit available exclusively at Lady Belle Fabric that features prints from both of my new Art Gallery Fabrics collections, Cozy & Magical and Plaid of My Dreams!







For week FIVE, we'll finish the assembling and complete our quilt tops to move on to the final quilting stage! I'll be sending my quilt to Brooke at Lady Belle Fabric who offers an edge to edge long arm quilting service, Lady Belle Quilting, in addition to her amazing fabric shop! This week I'll piece together my quilt back and will photograph full shots of my quilt top to share in full next week for the BIG reveal, before sending my quilt out to Brooke!



I'm so excited reveal week is just a week away! I've loved making this new holiday version and love how these festive prints pop against the sweet Bushing Art Gallery Fabric Pure Solid background, especially the true bright red used throughout my Cozy & Magical and Plaid collections!



I decided to add to our holiday traditions in 2019 to make my family a new Christmas quilt each year, and I'm honestly so surprised and proud that I've made it three years now with no problems and I credit two of those three holiday quilts all to Sharon & I planning these fun quilt alongs. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

In the photo below you can also see a peek of a Sweet Home quilt I made that I've never revealed. It's quilted beautifully by Brooke, as well, and I can't wait to finally get full shots of it all finished to share along with my Cozy & Magical Sweet Home quilt top next week!



This year's QAL has really flown by and I hope you've loved sewing with Sharon + ME! As you finish this weeks assembly & finishing, be sure to share photos of them on Instagram with our QAL hashtag #SweetHomeQAL2021 and to tag me @MaureenCracknell & @SharonHollandDesigns. We can't wait to see them! Now it's time to head on over to Sharon's blog if you haven't already, to check out her Bookish version and to enter our new Giveaway with this week's wonderful sponsor, Hobbs Batting, for a chance to win their amazing quilt batting!

Thanks for joining our QAL! xo Maureen

The Sweet Home QAL -- Corner Squares & Sashing

Welcome to week FOUR of the Sweet Home Quilt Along 2021! I'm once again co-hosting this quit along with my dear friend and talented AGF sister Sharon Holland, who's also the designer behind the adorable Sweet Home quilt pattern!



During week FOUR we'll tackle the thirty Corner Squares in the Sweet Home quilt pattern!

Below you can see the schedule we've been following throughout the QAL, but of course Sharon and I want to encourage all to sew at their own pace. As always, if you're new to discovering our QAL you can join the more than 1200+ makers sewing along with us at anytime by signing up at Sharon Holland Designs. Once you're signed up, you'll have access to a Quilt Kit Directory full of amazing Sweet Home quilt kit options, Sharon's weekly quilt along blog posts that will feature a new amazing Giveaway with one of our sponsors, and new video tutorials each week that Sharon is creating to support her Sweet Home pattern. As her co-host, I'm excited to share the Sweet Home version I'm making each step of the way throughout the duration of this quilt along right here and on my social media!



When you visit Sharon's blog you'll see the beautiful Sweet Home she's making using her brand new Bookish collection for AGF. The Bookish Sweet Home Quilt Kit is available at Lady Belle Fabric and is the perfect Fall quilt!

For my Sweet Home I'm using the Cozy & Magical Quilt Kit available exclusively at Lady Belle Fabric that features prints from both of my new Art Gallery Fabrics collections, Cozy & Magical and Plaid of My Dreams!





Again this week I used the speedy chain-piecing technique to make my Bungalows, a sewing technique that mimics an assembly line where you'll sew piece after piece and then block after bock, continuously feeding your quilt pieces through the machine without cutting your thread in-between each step. If you're new to quilting and/or chain piecing, Sharon has been putting together a super helpful weekly video series on her Sew Along blog that includes video support for each step of her Sweet Home pattern throughout our QAL that's full of helpful information and tips. Sharon is always incredibly informative and thorough with her instructions, so be sure to check out these amazing video tutorials!



These tiny corner square pieces come together so fast and they're so cute! Once you finish all thirty squares and your sashing is cut, all that's left to do is to sew together your log cabin and bungalow blocks with your sashing and you'll have your finished quilt top!





As you finish this weeks piecing, be sure to share photos of them on Instagram with our QAL hashtag #SweetHomeQAL2021 and to tag me @MaureenCracknell & @SharonHollandDesigns. We can't wait to see them! Now it's time to head on over to Sharon's blog if you haven't already, to check out her Bookish version and to enter our amazing Giveaway with this week's sponsor, Oliso, for a chance for TWO to win one of their amazing Mini Project Irons!

Thanks for joining our QAL, we’re so happy you’re here!

xo Maureen

The Sweet Home Quilt Along 2021

Hello, friends! It's been way too long and I'm so excited to have just clicked the "+ new post" button after such a long, unexpected blogging hiatus. For the first time since the beginning of this pandemic, I'm home alone with my oldest away for his first year at college, and my other two both back in public school. It took me a few days to adjust and work on a new schedule for myself, but here I am ready to get back into a routine that includes showing up in this spot much more often! And what better timing than now that Sharon Holland and my most recent collaboration is underway, the Sweet Home QAL 2021!

It’s been one week since the official start date of the Sweet Home Quilt Along that began on August 25th, with the first week dedicated to fabric selection and prepping the materials to start making a Sweet Home Quilt. If you're new here or you're just now learning about our Quilt Along, it's not too late to join the more than 1,000 makers that have signed up to sew along with us so far!



Since Sharon is the creator of the Sweet Home quilt pattern, if you'd like to sign up and access the Sweet Home QAL you'll need to visit Sharon Holland Designs, click the "Sew Along" option and sign up to be able to sign in. Once you're in, you'll have access to a Quilt Kit Directory full of amazing Sweet Home quilt kit options exclusive to participating shops, Sharon's weekly quilt along blog posts that will feature a new amazing Giveaway with one of our sponsors, and new video tutorials each week that Sharon is creating to support her Sweet Home pattern! As her co-host I'm excited to share the Sweet Home version I'm making each step of the way throughout the duration of this quilt along!



For a fun way to end each weekly blog post, Sharon and I have lined up special Giveaway prizes that are being generously donated by our list of wonderful sponsors. Each week Sweet Home quilters will comment on Sharon's most recent quilt along blog post for their chance to win. Check out these amazing companies!



For my Sweet Home I'm using the Cozy & Magical Quilt Kit available exclusively at Lady Belle Fabric! This version features prints from both of my new Art Gallery Fabrics collections, Cozy & Magical and Plaid of My Dreams. The color palette of this holiday collection is very sweet and I'm loving these prints paired with AGF's Pure Solid in Blushing for the background. I'm so excited to see how my cozy Sweet Home holiday village comes together!

For Sharon's Sweet Home, she's using her brand new Bookish collection for AGF that should be arriving to shops any day and is also available at Lady Belle Fabric as an exclusive Bookish Sweet Home Quilt Kit option right now! This version will be so perfect for Fall and for any and all book lovers out there!



Last week I cut out all the pieces from my quilt kit and if how they look all chopped up is any indication of how this finished quilt will look, I'm a very happy girl! This step can be a little laborious and for some it may be the smallest sized cuts you've ever used, but with the helpful videos Sharon created to support this step you'll find lots of helpful information, so be sure to check those out!

Once I started sewing over the weekend I remembered how much I absolutely LOVE this pattern and exactly why this is the FIFTH Sweet Home quilt I'll have made! The Log Cabin quilt block is one of my favorites and these adorable house blocks that begin with log cabin centers are so much fun to make!

Each step throughout the quilt block construction process is made easy with chain piecing, a sewing technique that mimics an assembly line where you'll sew piece after piece and then block after bock, continuously feeding your quilt pieces through the machine without cutting your thread in-between each step. Chain piecing is so easy and to show you just how to do it, incase you've never given it a try, Sharon has a new video prepared for you this week!



I chain pieced each step for this week's Log Cabin Block, including the final step of attaching my rooftop pieces to the log cabins to create all ten of my log cabin houses. It was just like adding the lid to a box. I always feel so spoiled by my Janome and extension table whenever I'm chain piecing, it makes it so very easy. I seriously couldn't live this crazy sewing life without my extension table!





Once all ten log cabin houses were chain pieced, I snipped the in-between threads, gave a final good press to each block, and admired the beginnings of my sweet holiday village!







Aren't they cute?! I'm so thrilled with them! Now it's time to head on over to Sharon's blog if you haven't already, to check out her Log Cabin Blocks made with her pretty Bookish fabrics, to make use of the tutorial videos that she created to help makers this week, and to enter our amazing Giveaway with this week's sponsor, Chenille-It! If you’re on Instagram, we’d love to see your Sweet Home quilt progress, so be sure to tag us @maureencracknell and @sharonhollanddesigns and use the #sweethomeqal2021 hashtag when you share!

Thanks for joining us on this fun quilt along, we’re so happy you’re here!

xo Maureen

Charming Nine: A Collaboration with Sharon Holland

It's been awhile but I'm back today to share a fun collaboration with my AGF fabric design sister Sharon Holland that includes a free new quilt pattern! 



If you follow my Instagram you may have seen my project reels and posts including my current fabric crush, errr obsession -- my most recent collection with AGF, Homebody + Sharon's Kismet + two Bonnie Christine prints from her Lambkin collection that pair perfectly! Just look how amazing this big bundle is that Brooke at Lady Belle Fabric put together!



Using these prints I've already made many things, including a batch of herringbone patchwork bags, several quilted journals and now two large throw size nine patch quilt tops!







When it came time to choose a quilt pattern for these beautiful fabrics, I chose the simple, classic nine patch pattern because I wanted something super scrappy, fun and cozy that would just let all of these gorgeous fabrics shine! I had made a few 18" quilted Homebody pillows for my Homebody LookBook using the pattern of alternating 6.5" nine patches with 6.5" print squares and I LOVE how those turned out so I knew a quilt in this style would be absolutely perfect!





When Sharon saw this first peek of my quilt top she immediately decided to make her own version and from there the idea for Sharon to design the free PDF quilt pattern to offer was decided. Because SHaron had written the free pattern for her Charming One quilt featuring Kismet last fall, she thought this would be a perfect pattern to continue the beginner-friendly series she started of easy quilts and named this quilt pattern Charming Nine. Now you can Find both patterns on her Free Projects page. Isn't she the best! 



Before I share more pics of my quilt I want to share a glimpse of Sharon's amazing version, made with a beautiful, lower volume palette full of soft colors that include a variety of scraps from her upcoming Lilliput collection (due out soon) along with prints from her Kismet, Spirited, my Homebody and a mix of AGF denim, solids & blenders. Just look at this soft, dreamy quilt!





Sharon is so good she even completed quilting and binding hers beautifully for today's quilt reveal and PDF pattern release! 

I'll be sending both of my tops to Brooke at Lady Belle Quilting for her edge to edge long arm quilting service, so to make my reveal feel special I took my quilt tops to one of my favorite nearby spots to photograph! It was a cool 60 degrees, an although there's still snow and ice on the ground in spots, it felt like Spring was finally visiting Potter County!









I hope you LOVE this classic quilt as much as I do, whether it's my super scrappy saturated version or Sharon's softer, sweeter version! If you do, be sure to head on over to Sharon's blog to snag a copy of the free Charming Nine PDF quilt pattern and to see many more gorgeous photos of Sharon's quilt in her blog post!

If you make a Charming Nine Quilt of our own, be sure to tag both @SharonHollandDesigns and @MaureenCracknell on Instagram when you share and add the hashtags #charmingninequilt and #agfninepatchquilt! We can't wait to see them!!

xo Maureen

Sweet Home Quilt Along: Week 6 - GIVEAWAY

Happy Friday! Each Friday throughout the Sweet Home Quilt Along there will be a new Giveaway with one of our amazing participating sponsors and today I'm so excited to share our WEEK SIX  Giveaway with a prize from Lady Belle Fabric & Quilting!



Lady Belle Fabric is run by husband and wife team, Rob and Brooke. In their shop you'll find kits, both bundles and single cuts of hand-picked fabrics that are fresh, modern, and fun! Designer fabrics include many of our favorites -- Art Gallery Fabrics, Cotton + Steel, Figo, Robert Kaufman, Moda, and more! Lady Belle Fabrics goal is to offer the most gorgeous fabric as quickly as they can. Visit them today for an online, one-stop shop for all your fabric and edge to edge quilting needs!



SHOP   *  Instagram  *  Facebook   *  Quilting Service  *  We hope you love visiting Lady Belle!



Our grand finale prize is an amazing package from Lady Belle Fabric in which the randomly drawn winner will receive free long arm quilting, batting, and return shipping for their Sweet Home quilt --incredible, right!!??

Right now, all Sweet Home quilts sent to Lady Belle Fabric by December 31, 2020 will get 15% off their long arm order!



I’ve gotten several quilts edge to edge stitched by Brooke and she’s really the best! She works with you to pick out the right quilting pattern for your quilt, advices on thread color, and does the most professional job! Above is the beautiful, original Sweet Home quilt finished with the Daisy Chain pattern. Isn't it inspiring?!

Thank you Lady Belle Fabric & Quilting for this amazing prize!

To Enter: Be sure to use a public Instagram account to post your Sweet Home Quilt Along progress photos throughout the QAL using the hashtag #SweetHomeQAL. Each time you do, you'll automatically be entered into the Giveaway hashtag pool! It's as easy as that, so be sure to share away your progress pics each week as we work our way to finishing our quilts!



We'll announce each Giveaway winner on Monday's late afternoon EST throughout the QAL on each of your host's Instagram accounts at @MaureenCracknell, @SharonHollandDesigns, and @PenelopeHandmade, so be sure to find us to follow!

xo Maureen