Pattern Testing – Two Terriers Studio

The Night Vision Quilt

Published on April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 by twoterriersstudioLeave a comment

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve shared stories of quilts here. I didn’t realize how long until I started this post, but hello again, I’m glad you’ve joined me. I’ll be catching up with stories and photos of many quilts (some from 2022!) and travels very soon. I hope you’ll come back and visit.

A Pattern Test

This project was a pattern test for my quilt designer friend, Morgan, of www.modernlymorgan.com. She and I have worked together several times and when she asked me to test / review this pattern, I was happy to do it. Pattern testing gives me a path to keep my editing skills fresh and to work with talented makers, as well as having a sneak peek into yet to be released designs. It’s all good.

The Fabric

There’s a joke around the internet that buying fabric and quilting are two different hobbies. As a quilter, and fabric enthusiast, I tend to agree. I often buy fabric I love, without a clear-cut plan for it, but I know it will be used one day. Nothing goes to waste in my studio. For this quilt, I pulled a fat quarter bundle from my stash. This particular bundle is called Americana, by Art Gallery Fabrics. While it’s not specifically Stars and Stripes, the color variation is definitely one that evokes patriotic feelings. In a decade of quilting, I’ve not made a patriotic or Independence Day summer quilt, so this seemed the perfect time. I purchased this bundle from another friend, Jen at www.knottedthread.com.

There’s something so beautiful about freshly cut fibers, stacked neatly together. To take yardage, cut it apart and reassemble into something new is a wonderful thing.

Half-square triangles in the making. I’ve only recently started using Seam Tape when piecing HSTs. It certainly cuts down prep time and results in accurate measurements too.

Fabric confetti is an unavoidable “work hazard”! Even these tiny pieces have a purpose. I donate these to a friend who uses them as “stuffing” for bedding for local animal shelters. It makes my heart happy to know that nothing goes to waste and that these trimmings give comfort to an animal in need.

Piecing the Blocks

The instructions for this quilt are very straight forward and allow for a lot of chain piecing. I like the repetitive nature of matching blocks and being able to sew several sections all at once and then work on the layout by color value / design. Morgan’s patterns are precise and easy to follow. I never question the math or accuracy, even in the “testing & editing” phase.

Tools

I rely on a few tools in my studio to enhance my quilt blocks. A wool pressing mat, tailors’ clapper, a HOT iron (no steam) and Faultless “magic” spray. This is not a sponsored post (although, I wish it were!), but here’s a glimpse of some of my favorite tools. The combination of these really helps to create flat seams and we all know that flat seams build flat quilts.

A Stack of Blocks

Seeing these photos reminds me, again, how long it’s been since I’ve blogged! I started this quilt while there was still snow on the ground. The colors brightened those winter days and made me look forward to summer picnics and celebrations. This quilt has traveled all around the eastern USA; see the sights below.

The pieced top, not yet quilted, traveled to Florida. For my family, the beach is among our favorite places to be, so of course, I needed to photograph this here. I do travel with quilt tops; I like the varying scenery for backdrops, but it also blends my hobby/work with family adventures. My husband is my trusted quilt holder & photo assistant, and thank goodness he’s tall and willing to hold these for all the photos! I literally couldn’t do this without him. He’s my biggest cheer squad too.

Quilt Travels Continue

Quilted, not yet bound. Photographed at the Norman Rockwell Museum, MA

I sent this quilt top to NJ to be longarm quilted by Jen, at Knotted Thread. Her work is the exact finishing needed to bring these to life. I went with a swirl and star motif to balance the squares and to add a flair of celebration, as would be appropriate for Independence Day!

When it was returned to me, I brought it along on a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. Norman Rockwell’s paintings and illustrations tell the story of American life and it was not only a treat to see all his work, but the property is gorgeous too. I thought it was an ideal location to photograph my Americana themed quilt; at the home/studio of a renowned American illustrator. If you ever find yourself in western Massachusetts, stop in and see his work. It’s even better up close. I was in awe of the details – you don’t want to miss it.

Night Vision at the Norman Rockwell Museum, along the footbridge

The Details

This pattern comes with instructions for four sizes: child, throw (as I’ve made), twin & bed. It is fat quarter friendly and would also be great in a scrap-busting finish. You can purchase this & other designs at Morgan’s website as linked above. Check out all the other testers’ versions on Instagram too; so much creativity and inspiration to be found there!

Thanks again to Morgan for including me in the tester group. I end up with so many beautiful projects by doing this work.

All photos and stories property of Two Terriers Studio & not to be duplicated or shared without written consent.

Holiday Hills Quilt

Published on November 10, 2021 by twoterriersstudio2 Comments

I’m BACK!

I’ve been a little quiet in this story telling space, but today is the pattern release day for the Holiday Hills Quilt and time for me to get back to the writing of these quilt stories. As the leaves change from vibrant green to red, yellow and now a tinge of orange, it’s clear winter is on the way. It’s perfect timing to prepare for the holidays and handmade gift giving, or to even make something festive for yourself. Truth be told, I will most certainly be keeping this quilt for my family.

A New Quilt

I was fortunate to work with Raye, thehomebodyco.com, who designed the Holiday Hills pattern. She began the initial discussion with testers in 2020 and as you might imagine, there were a few other things that needed attention in that crazy year. Quilting was certainly a positive distraction, but when you’re offering a product to so many people, distractions may not be the best element in the equation. Fast forward to 2021 and this quilt was entirely worth the wait. While we all wanted to go-go-go in 2020, it was wise to settle in and wait; make it perfect. It is well-written, with precise details, easy to make and might I add, FUN.

I have been mindful of “sewing from my stash”; Lord knows I don’t NEED more fabric, as fun as it is to shop and add to my collection. I did want to make a quilt with a traditional color scheme, so I headed straight to my Christmas bin of textile goodness. I pulled this collection, called Merrily by Gingiber for Moda Fabrics. Adding in some coordinates by Cluck Cluck Sew and Sweetwater, I was all set. Let the cutting begin.

There’s always something a little delightful about seeing these fabric trimmings piled together. It’s a sign of what’s to come, but also indicative of little waste, which is a good thing!

A Forest in the Making

Seriously, just having these beauties lined up on my cutting mat was the inspiration I needed. I could already tell how much I would love this quilt.

The Backing

If you’ve been around here for very long, you have seen the photos and heard the stories of all the creatures, great and small, we see in our neighborhood. The black bears seem to be the ones who garner the most surprise and awe, but we also have almost daily visits from deer; the occasional bobcat sighting, and often the hooting of an owl in the trees behind our home. It continues to be magical, if not also frightening at times. I mean, nobody wants to find themselves 15 feet from a bear without any warning (and it happens!). Long story long, that is what drove me to purchase several yards of this fabric. It looks and feels like home. I was shopping with my daughter and stopped the moment I saw this bolt, “isn’t this perfect?” Her reply, “what are you going to do with it?” I had no clue in that moment, but the pine boughs, deer, owl and vibe of it, drew me in. It came home with us that day! I knew I’d figure something out & that it would be used and loved.

A Pieced Quilt Top

Another common thread is my love for summer. It might seem odd that I was as thrilled as I was to dive into a winter holiday quilt. It’s not hard to be excited about changes when things go smoothly. That smoothness isn’t always the case, but in the wait for this pattern and seeing how well it all came together, I was mostly on board for letting summer fade away to focus on the next thing.

Quilting, Edge to Edge

If I’m quilting a small item or baby size quilt, I’m comfortable with doing that on my domestic machine. This quilt’s size and my vision for the pantograph meant sending it to be professionally long armed. This quilting work was done by Jenn at knottedthread.com. It’s exactly what I imagined. The ornaments give a feeling of snow and wind gusting through the hills of trees, but also a nod to favorite Christmas decorations. It finishes the “story” perfectly, in my opinion.

I’m staking claim to this one, for snuggles by the fireplace this holiday season. It’s a simple theme, but each element ties together feelings of home for me. To think the fabrics were purchased years apart and that the pattern was a year in the making, it was just meant to be. Timing is everything, correct? I think timing worked out pretty well on this one.

Pattern Release

The Homebody Company is releasing this pattern today, November 10, 2021 for purchase. You’ll find this quilt in both printed and pdf versions, as well as an extension for making a pillow and even a paint-by-numbers kit. It’s a win-win. Special thanks to Raye for including me in the tester team. It’s always a joy to work together!

Holiday Hills Quilt, by Stacey at Two Terriers Studio

Thanks for stopping by! More projects coming soon.

This is not a sponsored post; all opinions are my own. Content not to be copied or distributed without written permission of Two Terriers Studio. All data and photos property of Two Terriers Studio.

Festive Forest

Published on September 30, 2020October 7, 2020 by twoterriersstudioLeave a comment

It’s still September, but there are Christmas trees in my studio. I am not one to jump ahead in holiday decorations, choosing instead to savor the current moment. However, when the opportunity to test a pattern for Monika, @pennyspoolquilts, came about, I gladly set aside my Autumn projects and worked on some scrappy Christmas trees. I’ve tested patterns for her before & knew this one would also be a quality project.

This particular pattern is based in foundation paper piecing, which is not outlined in the pattern, but assumes the maker has a basic understanding of this technique. I found it to be a simple FPP pattern; the pieces are easy angles and manageable sizes. No tiny piecing here.

I’ve made two projects with this pattern; each using a different template size. The first, this turquoise, gray and white table runner using the larger of two tree sizes. Compiling four blocks, alternating their “top” direction, it has become my first holiday gift to be finished for the Christmas of 2020. That seems so odd to say…I’m sewing Christmas gifts in September. That’s not a typical event for me; maybe it’s a new trend. I opted for these non-traditional colors so that I could coordinate with the recipient’s decor colors. This pattern would be lovely in a coordinated fabric pull or any variety of multi-colored scraps. The versatility is limited only by the maker’s imagination!

In my second project, I shifted the color scheme to one that is considered more traditional. If I’m going to be making Christmas gifts a few months ahead of schedule, I’m going to include gift bags! I truly think the sky is the limit in how this block is depicted; color choice could make it more or less holiday-themed. Go with bright colors like hot pink or yellow and make it a retro vibe. In a variety of greens or backgrounds of darker colors, this could easily be a woodland theme.

This gift bag is fully lined and uses the red grosgrain ribbon as a drawstring. By adding additional borders, it could be resized to suit your needs to accommodate a different sized gift. I will likely be using this size for smaller gifts and treats this holiday season.

I’m thankful to have worked with Monika again & hope readers will take a minute to browse her Instagram (@pennyspoolquilts) and website, http://www.pennyspoolquilts.com and check into the patterns and tutorials linked there. This particular pattern, Festive Forest, will be released to the public October, 8, 2020.

So tell me, do you sew for the holidays or other gift giving seasons? What’s your favorite thing to make?