Butteryfly Heart Flutter

It doesn’t happen as often as it used to, but every now and then someone tags me on social media with a project made from one of my patterns or tutorials. The latest was from Maggie Beard of pearlinthepinesco on Instagram.  A darling little wall hanging featuring my Flutterby quilt block.

 

The funny thing was the day before she tagged me, I was thinking about starting a new quilt with simple patchwork and a few of these butterfly blocks.  Springtime always puts me in the mood for posies and butterfly quilts.  Well anyway...Maggie isn't just a maker of cute handmade items she also sells her handmade items on Etsy.  You can find her Etsy shop by clicking here.

Thank you Maggie for sharing your creation with me.❤️  It made my little ole heart flutter.  There's nothing more rewarding than knowing others find my creations worth making.

I've used my Flutterby block in several quilts over the years.  You can find the tutorial for this block and the quilt Podunk Posy that you see below by clicking here.

If you make one of my patterns, I'd love to see them.  Send me an email at podunkpretties@gmail.com.  Of course, let me know if it's okay to share them.  If you would prefer they not be shared here on the blog, that's okay too.  I'd still love to see them.

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First Day of Spring

Hello cute quilters!  Today is the first day of spring and it snowed last night.   What the heck?  Obviously mother nature wanted the new spring flowers to have a beautiful white backdrop allowing them to really POP and say HELLO SPRING!  She's so smart. What better way to get the attention of even the Gloomy-ist Gus, reminding us that warmer weather and brighter skies are headed our way.  The signs are everywhere in nature if your willing to take a moment to stop and take them all in.  

Life tosses us signs if we pay attention.  As I mentioned yesterday I've been in a slump for a few weeks and have been in need of something.  Well that something was a reminder of why I started this blogging and quilting journey.  This one e-mail put it all in perspective for me.  With the permission of sender I'm copy and pasting the exact email.  Thank you Turid for allowing me to share your e-mail.

The attached picture of their quilt made with my free Podunk Posy pattern.   

This is why I quilt, this is why I shared free patterns.  When I say "this" it's not that I could share her picture.  It was"This" moment for her, the comfort she felt. 

Thank you, Turid for sharing your story and photo.  You and your husband are in my thoughts, blessings to you both.  This was just the push I needed to get out of my slump.  

~ Lea Anne ~

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Free Podunk Posy Pillow pattern from Becky and Dean

Nothing makes my little ole heart sing like pictures in my inbox of projects made using my tutorials and patterns.  It's makes all the hours spent designing and writing them worth the effort.  About a week ago Becky contacted me sharing her sweet pillows made with my Podunk Posy Tutorial.  

I knew immediately I NEEDED to make one.  They are right up my alley in cuteness and springy decor.  

Well it's my block but not my idea and not my photos so I had to ask for permission to share her and her husbands creations....yes I said her HUSBAND.  Dean you are every quilters dream husband.  Your little pillow in the front looks fabulous!

Becky graciously supplied her cutting measurements with me.  Thank you Becky it saved me from more quilty math...not my favorite thing to do.  So below is her math.  You can use this to make a few pillows of your own.  First you'll need the directions for my Podunk Posy block that can be found by clicking HERE.  Make 2 of these blocks.

 After the blocks are made, add your sides, then the top and bottom borders.  The block should finish at 17 inches square.

Here's the back of one of  Becky's finished pillow cases.  

 This is how a I made my back panes using the measurements provided.  (2) 17 x 13 backing fabrics.  I pressed a double fold on one side of each of the 17" panels.  Then used my quarter inch foot to stitch the hem.

Here's where my pattern differs a bit from Becky's.  I made my Posy Pillow top and quilted it.  Becky did not.  Her instructions suggest you do a french seam.  You can find directions for making a french seam by clicking here.  Remember use Becky's measurements, not the measurements in the link provided.

Ok, I chose to quilt my pillow top before adding the back panels.  Then I layered on my pieces wrong sides together as shown in the next two pictures.

Secure them in place with a few pins all the way around.

Stitch about 1/8 of an inch away from the edge all the way around, securing the two pieces.

Next I used (2) 2.5 X WOF strips to add a binding just like you would if you were making a quilt.  

You won't need to look to hard to see my pillow top flaw.  Those stand out squares are what happens when you miss cut your fat quarter and use another one.  Same brand, same line of fabric but it must have been a different dye lot.   I couldn't see the color difference at 11 pm.  But it shined like the north star at 7 am then next day.  Oh well I decided to just continue on like nothing was wrong.  So here's another tip.... had I not made an error in cutting, the pillow top could have been made with one fat quarter for the background fabric.  Start cutting your largest pieces first.  I cut the borders first then all the pieces for the Podunk Posy blocks, starting with the larges pieces first.  

Now if I get tired of seeing this as a pillow the pillow form can be removed and it can be hung on the wall as a mini quilt.  First I think I'm gonna wash it, maybe those two patches will fade.  

Thanks again Becky and Dean!  You've made this spring so much more special!

To everyone else, here's a reminder.  If you make something using one of my tutorials or patterns please let me know and share your pictures with me via email.  It lets me know that all my time and effort making patterns is worth it.   Since I don't sell patterns the only thing that makes it worth my time and effort is your sharing.  I won't share any pictures here on my blog without your permission.  So if your bashful for whatever reason...you're safe with me.   But you shouldn't be bashful...I mean really...just look at my big error in the picture above.  To error is human.    

~Lea Anne ~

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Just what I needed

Okay call me crazy but I'm a firm believer that the powers that be will give you just what you need when you need it, good or bad.  If it's good, enjoy the moment.  If it's bad just make the best of it, laugh, and move on.   So when I received an e-mail from Roxanne I thanked those powers.  Roxanne made my day by sharing a Podunk Posy quilt made for her grand daughter.  It was just what I needed this week.  If your new to my little spot in Podunk and have no idea what I'm talking about, you can find the free tutorials for this quilt by clicking on Tutorials and Patterns at the top of this page.

Designing quilts, writing tutorials and patterns is time consuming in a positive way.  When you love what you do and do what you love it's not work.  And when someone else loves it enough to make it also....Euphoria!   The close up picture below was an added bonus because I love seeing the print of the fabrics.  Looking closely at each piece to see if I have it in my stash, or know the manufacturer.  Do you do this too?  I'm pretty sure the first Posy below the butterfly is a David Textile from about 4 yrs ago.  If its not, its really close to the piece in my stash.

Of course I had to run to my stash and check it out!  Whatcha think, the one on the right?  Pretty close isn't it?!  In my picture it doesn't look as bright but that just my poor lighting this early in the day.

Thanks Roxanne!  Your quilt is FABULOUS!  I know most of my followers are as obsessed with quilting as I am so we'll all be waiting for updates when it's quilted.

~ Lea Anne ~

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