Milmompreneur Maker: Wherever we go, I quilt, teach & sew!

The New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop Starts Today!

6/4/2014

Are you always looking for fresh, new quilt blogs to follow? Are you new to quilt blogging yourself and in search of inspiration and tips to get started? Do you just love beautiful quilt eye candy? If you answered
yes to any or all of these, then be sure to check out
The New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop, which starts today at Plum & June. So many inspired writers and lots and lots of gorgeous quilts to ogle! Can't wait to jump in myself when the next round of the hop gets underway.

Economy Blocks for Stash Bee | Berry Barn Designs

I also wanted to share a little of what I'm working on... wrapping up small projects so I can get started on my next big task with a clear plate - err, clear cutting table ; )

The butterfly bee blocks are for Daisy at Ants to Sugar. I tried the Economy Blocks on paper and failed miserably - my machine's tension was a mess - but remade them sans foundation. Then I turned to my trusty Late Night Quilters Club, and went with their interfacing tip so I could tackle the more intricate block below. If you love butterflies or paper piecing, too, here's the link to this great pattern by Juliet at Tartankiwi. What do you think of my first attempt at the technique? Have you made this pattern before? Do you use regular paper, specialty paper or interfacing when you paper piece?

Butterfly block for Stash Bee from pattern by Tartankiwi | Berry Barn Designs

~ Sarah

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Fabric Frenzy Friday and SewJo Saturday.

27 Comments

Adrienne link

6/4/2014 11:45:05

That butterfly block is AMAZING! I did the blog hop last year and had such a blast, and learned tons. Have fun!

Sarah link

6/4/2014 12:41:06

Thanks, Adrienne! It was the perfect project for some of my dearly loved AH scraps : ) I'm so looking forward to my turn in the hop, but already loving the community of meeting all the other bloggers and participating in helpful threads!

Lisa in Port Hope link

6/4/2014 13:36:08

I always paper piece with regular printer paper and it works out fine.

6/4/2014 15:00:57

Maybe it's just my machine then, Lisa? I feel like it's super finicky about tension. The interfacing was nice, though, because I didn't have to rip anything afterward : P

cindy

6/4/2014 16:21:58

Love that butterfly block. I think you did a great job. I do have special paper for printing on when doing paper piecing. I like that it tears easier than copy paper and doesn't shrink or warp at all when ironing.

6/5/2014 01:44:16

I looked at that paper after it was suggested, Cindy, but ultimately decided on the interfacing because I had it on hand. If I was to do a lot more, though, I think that would be really helpful because you could print right on to it : )

Julia D link

6/4/2014 18:06:22

I love the butterfly block! I am a big fan of butterflies and have a good amount of fabric stashed away with butterflies on it. I may have to try these blocks. I have not ventured down the paper piecing road yet...it scares me a little :)

6/5/2014 01:42:40

Have you seen the Harmony print by Jessica Gonacha Swift? It's on my current fabric wish list - I'm not a butterfly person, Julia, but it's so gorgeous! I took a pp class a few years ago and really didn't enjoy it, nor did I finish the project, but this was fun. I don't think I'm ready to tackle and entire quilt, but just a block here and there is a great starting point!

Sue Daurio link

6/5/2014 00:17:23

I love your butterfly, beautiful! I use regular paper for PP never had an issue with it, just need to use a short stitch and change the needle a little more often.

6/5/2014 01:39:55

I didn't shorten the stitch on my first attempt, so maybe I'd have better luck with the ripping that way, Sue - thanks!

Vera link

6/5/2014 09:01:00

Nice butterfly! I use regular paper but I only made few blocks :-)

6/6/2014 14:07:17

Thanks, Vera!

Cheryl link

6/6/2014 12:37:31

I love the butterfly, especially the colors you used.

6/6/2014 13:59:25

Thanks, Cheryl! It's from scraps of a favorite AH print I used for a skirt last summer : )

Lorna McMahon link

6/7/2014 23:15:59

Butterflies and more butterflies! Each of your blocks look lovely, Sarah. I have only paper pieced one block - a bee. But I just used regular paper. Interfacing sounds like a great idea!

6/8/2014 05:51:37

Yeah, I don't really see the point for something like economy blocks, Lorna - maybe I'm not perfectionist enough to get it? But it was really helpful with the butterfly to use the interfacing - good support for the teeny pieces and less ripping for me!

Dorian link

6/8/2014 10:46:33

What a great butterfly! You did a terrific job.

6/8/2014 12:17:09

Thanks, Dorian! I think it came out ok for my first detailed pp effort.

Soma link

6/8/2014 11:14:15

I do a lot of paper piecing, I have been using regular printer paper. Your butterfly block looks really beautiful :)

-Soma

6/8/2014 12:18:31

It seems I'm in the minority for having so much difficulty with the tension while using paper, Soma. My machine is often finicky about tension, though, so maybe it just really hated pp : P

Mania Hatziioannidi link

6/10/2014 08:06:22

I love this butterfly so much. I always practice PP. I use photocopy paper.

6/10/2014 08:16:19

Thank you, Mania! Hopefully I'll do it more as time goes on : )

Paula@TheSassyQuilter link

6/14/2014 15:24:53

Those are gorgeous blocks! I love the paper pieced one:)

6/15/2014 08:10:47

Thanks, Paula! They were fun to make!

Mara

6/15/2014 08:26:07

I just use regular paper, love the butterfly design and love the fabric you have pulled for the Supernova swap.

6/15/2014 12:07:11

Thanks, Mara! The pattern was so easy to follow. If only my Supernova blocks were as complete! lol

Anne Beier link

6/28/2014 04:40:47

Hi Sarah, I love your blog. I am stopping by a little late from the hop. I posted in week 1, and am making my way through all the blogs. I love your paper pieced butterfly. I am on the board of an adoption agency in Rye Brook, NY, but we do adoptions all over the world. We are only one of four agencies approved by The Hague to do that. If you would like to talk to the President, please contact me by e-mail acbeier71@gmail.com and I will introduce you to Joy. She and her husband adopted three boys - two of them twins. They are grown men know. Joy is a friend from HS and has been doing this for about 30 years. Adoption is so special, and I love being part of the board and supporting our mission. See Forever Families Through Adoption. Good luck with the process. I'm excited for you and your husband.

The New Quilt Blogger Blog Hop Starts Today!

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