Carrie Merrell's Blog

I've spent my limited sewing time over the past few months completing this quilt. I was commissioned by my son's preschool to put assemble this quilt from fabric printed with art the kids in the 2 day class (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years old) created. The completed quilt will be auctioned off at the school's silent auction fundraiser in May.

The class coordinator ordered the quilt blocks through Original Works. I thought the fabric was very papery feeling and they obviously used an iron on tra...

I am thrilled to announce that the Half and Half Quilt Pattern + eBook has been upgraded to become the Half and Half Quilt Pattern + Block Gallery.

It now features beautiful new photography and page layout by Page + Pixel. All of the text/content remains the same.

If you have already purchased a PDF version of the pattern of the pattern from me, an updated version should be automatically pushed out to you within the next few days. Owners of the printed booklet now have a rare first edition --...

You will needquilting ruler - my most used ruler is an OmniGrid 6x24marking tool - my favorite is the Clover Chaco liner Omnigrid 6-Inch-by-24-Inch Quilter's Ruler $14.99 Omnigrid Clover Pen Style Chaco Liner Blue $6.23 Clover 1. Mark your seam allowance Along the edge you want to stitch

I like to take the total measurement of my piece and subtract 1/4" so that if my piece is not perfectly cut, excess is added to or subtracted from the seam allowance instead of my finished block. You could m...

You will needquilting ruler - my most used ruler is an OmniGrid 6x24rotary cuttercutting mat Omnigrid 6-Inch-by-24-Inch Quilter's Ruler $12.49 1. Cut two or more strips of fabric and piece them together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Press the seam open.

In this example, I am using strips that are 1 3/4 inches wide cut from the long edge of fat quarters. After piecing and pressing, each strip is 1 1/2 inches wide and my entire unit is 3 inches wide.

2. Cut one end of the strip unit at a 45...

I was digging through some old photos on my computer today and found these. These are the only photos I have of the 2nd quilt I ever made. (Note to self: take more photos.) It was a gift for my cousin's baby shower -- girl baby but trying not to be overly babyish and I used that little dragonfly print on the navy for her dragonfly themed nursery.

My points matched terribly and I totally butchered the binding. Like seriously there was batting sticking out in places where I didn't trim it close...

19th-Century Patchwork Divas' Treasury of Quilts: 10 Stunning Patterns, 30 Striking Options $21.85 By Betsy Chutchian, Carol Staehle Wanderlust Quilts: 10 Modern Projects Inspired by Classic Art & Architecture $24.95 By Amanda Leins Quilting Is My Therapy - Behind the Stitches with Angela Walters $22.46 By Angela Walters Quilting with a Modern Slant: People, Patterns, and Techniques Inspiring the Modern Quilt Community $16.01 By Rachel May Sunday Morning Quilts: 16 Modern...

I am pleased to announce that the Quilty Math Workbook is now available as a printed booklet.

I still think the PDF version is more ideal because it's really easy to print multiple copies of each worksheet, but if you do prefer a printed booklet, I recommend photocopying the worksheets so you can keep the original booklet clean for use again and again.

Quilty Math Workbook: For Quilts Composed of Squares, Rectangles, and Triangles $15.00 By Carrie Merrell

For quilt pattern designers intere...

This week, I accomplished a mega goal I set for myself.I am pleased to announce that my first printed pattern is now available. The Giant Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt is available through Amazon.com.

Are you a pattern designer interested in learning more about how to publish your own printed patterns?

I'd love to tell you more! Keep reading!

I started out creating just the PDF pattern that I sell through Gumroad. I like Gumroad because they handle VAT in the EU for me.

Creating the PDF required m...

Exciting news

The Half and Half Quilt Pattern + eBook is now available from Fat Quarter Shop! It is such an honor for me to be listed as a Pattern/Book Designer there.

You can also purchase the Half and Half Quilt Pattern + eBook directly from me in PDF format, on Amazon in Kindle format*, or in ePub format from iBooks or Kobo.

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Updates on upcoming patterns

I am hard at work on the Giant Dresden Christmas Tree Skirt.

I've had the idea in my head t...

I'm pleased to announce the the Half and Half Quilt Pattern + eBook is now available on Kindle!

This version is $9.99 and includes the pattern and block gallery. Since you can't print from Kindle, the printable coloring pages are sold separately for those who want them.

Half and Half Quilt Pattern + eBook By Carrie Merrell

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