Cats Mystery Quilt..."LIVE LOVE FLIP FLOPS" reveal...

 Hey quilters...it's finally Friday and the big "reveal" of my "Mystery Scrap-a-long." First I want to say thank you for following along on my first but not last mystery scrap-a-long. I'm revealing the design today for y'all to be able to place your blocks for your final fun stages of the design. If y'all remember my post on March 15th...Cats Tips of the day...cuteness x 5 or 10? Well it was geeting y'all geared up for this fun scrap-a-long. I wanted to share a technique with y'all to use charm packs or Layer cakes or scraps for y'all to make your "flip flops." Yes...it's finally here...the flip flop stage. But first lay out your previously sewn blocks that you've been setting aside to get an idea of where you would like your flip flops. My design below gives you a general idea to guide you but this quilt is sew fun so let your imagination run! I'll be sharing the final pic of my quilt soon. It's currently being prepped for the longarmer. I was thrilled to use my inherited neutral scraps for the backing. I did a bit of piecing of yardage but all went well. I usually use a wide back which makes life a bit easier but wanted to use as much of my late Mom-in-laws fabric. This quilt is very special and will be a gift to pass on for generations. The quilt design is 49 x 49 but can be easily enlarged. If you need yours larger just do a wider border. As you can see in pic below my border is 1" using the fabric as the accent. The design was inspired by our family walks on the beach and the water running up to the sand. It always gave me a laugh when I would count how many "flip flops" were left behind on the beach. So the final phase of the design is laying out your blocks per design...creating your flip flops and positioning them within your blocks as desired...having fun a-play-queing then piecing your blocks together using a 1/4" seam allowance...matching seams as you go....pressing your quilt...squaring up if needed and adding your borders as desired. Then you will either prepare your backing and batting for quilting. I love how you can take a basic 4 patch block and create something very special...don't you? I hope you have as much fun as I did digging into my scraps to create fun and colorful flip flops. You can get a idea with all my previous "clues" but I wouldn't add any embellishment like buttons etc. until after the quilt is quilted. One reason why playing with your decorative stitches on your machine around the flip flops and using fun thread hues is great for accenting. Remember have fun & get creative and put your own spin on the design if desired. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

"LIVE LOVE FLIP FLOPS"...51 x 51

*designed using EQ8

* Accuquilt "Summer Medley Die"

* Lumin Fabrics & inherited neutrals

* Sewn on my brother sewing machine using Aurifil 50# thread.

FREE Digital Pattern w/ Missouri Star Quilt Company!

 Hey quilters....I'm sharing something sew fun to get you through the mid week blues. I for one look forward to the weekend and here's something special to get your projects ready to sew. Missouri Star Quilt Company has gifted me a special link for y'all to receive the "Digital" version of "Double Square Star Table Runner 2.0" This pattern is sew versatile from a table runner to quilts...pillows..it's a fun & fast pattern for all home decor. All you need to do is pop on over to my Instagram page for all the details. Today's post on Instagram shares a fun...secret project using the new collection "Ingrid's Wildflowers" by Missouri Star Quilt Company. My pic below is a sneak peek of my Instagram page. This new collection is stunning...full of beautiful floral prints and complimentary blenders in shades of blue, green, pink, yellow and white. Once you message me on Instagram,,,I will send you the "code" to use on Missouri Star Quilt Companys webiste and the discount applies automatically at checkout. Then the free digital download will appear in your subscriptions account. This is a limited code..only one per person and ends May 31, 2026. I love this...no waiting in the mail and you can get ready for some fun weekend sewing. You will love viewing the whole collection of "Ingrid's Wildflowers" on their website along with the history of how this stunning fabric line came about. Well...I'm piecing all my rows together for my mystery scrap-a-long and will be sharing the final design with y'all soon. I thank y'all so much for following and hope you enjoy this free digital pattern download. Talk soon.

Blessed quilting,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Note..this is a limited share of a free download so if for some reason my code doesn't work at checkout then message me on Instagram and I'll notify MSQC...thanks again!

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 7 w/ Clue #8

Hey quilters...Happy Tuesday! I'm excited to share phase #7 with y'all. In this phase you'll be making 21 of the same block design and this completes all your blocks for the design. This also means the big "reveal" is coming soon. I loved designing this quilt in EQ8. The software is sew fun and I was able to bring my vision of my fun..family summer beach trips. Wait was that the clue? In this phase you'll be making the same block with the light fabric hues with the 4 patch that consists of another light accent fabric and white squares. These blocks resemble the sand at the beach before the water rushes over. I love how when the waves of the water darkens the sand as the shore comes in. Mother nature is amazing and beach days with the family are some of my fun special memories. Once you have completed all 21 blocks..sewn in the same manner as previous blocks then you set them aside. Soon I'll be sharing the big reveal of "LIVE...LOVE...FLIP FLOPS" for you to lay your blocks before you make your flip flops. Wait...was that the clue? Yes it was :-) I shared in the previous post of how important pressing your seams and in this phase sewing your seams in opposite directions. This helps for your seams to nest together nicely and lay flat for your "a-play-que" stage of flip flops. You'll be doin that fun phase real soon using the Accuquilt GO! Summer Medley Die. The pic below also shows how versatile the simple 4 patch design can be. If you change your mind before you sew all your finished a-play-qued blocks together it's no biggie...The direction of the accent 4 patch gives you that opportonity. Trust me it works..I flipped 2 of my flip flop blocks and keeping in mind the 4 patch direction all was perfect. I try to think of things that might occur when I'm designing in EQ8. You're getting cloeser so check back real soon! Oh before the big reveal I do have an exciting post tomorrow with a "free pattern" from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I'll share all the info on that tomorrow. Talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Phase 7...

Tip...how versatile the design can be for you to personalise as you desire...

Here's all you do....make 21 of the same block per pic below following the same sewing methods in previous phases. Please not the direction of the fabrics in the accent 4 patch squares. 

Once completed all blocks...set aside for the big reveal :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long... Tip of the day!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a great weekend. I had a weekend of getting projects caught up...or I tried anyway. Needless to say some of those projects are on my "to-do list" for this week. Well todays tip is prepping you for our next phase of the "Mystery Scrap-a-long." I love to iron...I know probably sounds weird but I do find it relaxing. When I first learned to quilt..Oma told me that pressing fabric and matching seams was the key to even a simple block. As y'all know by now this quilt design features the fun and easy 4 patch block. I've always loved this block plus it's one of the first blocks that I learned many moons ago. The 4 patch block is a classic and so versatile. I also love 'strip piecing" which was featured in the earlier phases. Strip piecing is a fast technique which allows you to then "subcut" your strips for a fast 4 patch block. But...pressing your seams in opposite directions and having them lay flat is the key for your next phase. Hmm...maybe I should give you a 'hont." In the next phase you'll be making "21" of the same block. Trust me the "strip piecing" tecnique will be your friend. :-) Remember when we do "scrap-a-longs" 2gether I'm not that far ahead of you. I always stay a bit ahead so I can catch any tips and techniques to share. As you can see in the pic below that I'm using my Oliso iron. My late mom-in-law gifted it to me for my birthday and I love it. They even have a 'mini" iron that's been on my bucket list. Whatever you use just remember to Press your seams...not iron. When you iron your using a bit more force which could distort the fabrics. Well...this tip is also very important for a soon to be fun phase.:-) Remember you're getting closer to the big reveal! Also I have a fun suprise that I'll be sharing with you from Missouri Star Quilt Company... Wednesday on my Instagram Page. So Please follow me on Instagram and Missouri Star Quilt Company so you can qualify. :-) I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Pressing is the key to success...

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 6...Clue #7

 Hey quilters...It's finally Friday! I love this day...it gives me the chance to reflect on what I've accomplished and or what I still need to do. First I'd like to say "thank you: for following. I always look at my stats to see what countries are following and last month was exciting. I love designing and sewing being creative. Sharing my love with y'all brings me joy so I hope y'all are having as much fun as I am with this "mystery" scrap-a-long. I love Phase 6 becasue it features "clue #7" and it's a huge part of the design. In this phase you will be making 7 of the same block and eventually once all blocks are made you will be making 3 flip flops. Yes that was clue #7 :-) I will be sharing soon of how the blocks all come together. Lets just say for now you are getting extremely close. Remember your blocks are all rotary cut the same and pieced but not the fabric placement of the Light medium fabrics and the Light fabric squares along with the 4 patch square. I'm having a blast with this mystery scrap-a-long and I thank y'all so much for following along on this journey with me. Talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Phase 6...clue #7...

Phase 6 Block...

Here's all you do...

* Make 7 blocks all the same as above pic. Alternating with Light medium fabric square in upper leeft and Light fabric in lower right. Your 4 patch is pieced the same with light hues of fabrics but note the direction of the white squares. Sew in the same manner as previous blocks...press and set aside.

Tip...the four patch squres features light fabric scraps with white fabrics. The blocks are the same with the white squares in upper left and lower right of the 4 patch. This will show the direction once the blocks are sewn together. This is where I was able to use the shade variations of all the light fabrics that I had inherited. Hmm was that another hint :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 5 w/ clue #6

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great week. mine has been exciting. I was able to pick up a quilt yesterday from the "longarmer" and it was stunning. Oh my gosh y'all...I love to quilt but if you can take a quilt and have it professionally quilted you will be amazed. The detail around the flowers was absolute perfection & the accent quilting was amazing! This is a gift so I can share much more detail than that...hmm..seems my life is full of "mystery's" :-) Well...I'm excited to share phase 5 with y'all plus a huge hint. You will make 6 blocks (pic below) using your "light medium" scraps along with your blue/white four patch block. Here's the hint....this is the last of the blue/white 4 patch squares and it creates a "water line." What? Yes...that's all you get besides "Clue #6." Yes...playing with my decorative stitches using Aurifil thread on my Brother machine is another one of my fav's. Any chance I can to use a decorative stitch and "a-play-que" on my Brother is a win for me. It gives me a chance to really get creative and have fun. The Accuquilt Summer Medley die is a blast and allows me to think out of my comfort zone while playing with different stitches on my machine. I will say if you're trying a new decorative stitch to do a sample first on a scrap piece of fabric. Just in case you need to make any slight adjustments. More detail to come on that tip :-) I really thank y'all so much for following along on my first but not last mystery scrap-a-long. Oh did I mention...you are getting closer :-) Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Phase 5..

Clue #6...

Fun a-play-que using Aurifil #2588, 4093

Phase 5 Block...

* Make 6 Blocks using medium scraps and blue/white fabric 4 patch. (note fabric direction of the medium squares and the blue/white 4 patch.

* Sew squares together in same manner as previous blocks.

Tip... Press seams in opposite directions as you go.

* Set aside

Check back soon for next phase,

Cat

Cats Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 4 w/ clue #5

 Hey quilters...hope you're having a great week. I've been organizing in my sewing room also know as "Spring Cleaning." I finally figured out why we have four seasons. It's so you start your cleaning in the "Spring" and you have the other 3 months to finish. Oh my gosh...can you relate? Seriously y'all...I'm still in my sewing room. But my hubby did drag out the old shop vac this week and vac under the fridge. I know don't ask...I think it might be a "man" thing so I don't ask. Has something to do with the "coils" and making a fridge last longer??? Hmmm...anyway, back to sewing ;-) Well, today's phase is another short and sweet step. You'll be rotary cutting and piecing all in the same manner as before but alternating the block with medium fabric hue and light/medium fabric hue. Upper left of block is the medium and lower right of block is your light/medium fabric hue along with your pieced 4 patch squares. This is why I'm breaking the Mystery into short phases for you to see how the staggering of your neutral fabrics takes place. Hmm..was that a clue? Oh here's another clue...you only make 5 of the same block.Well, pic below also shows Clue #5 of the adorable flip-flop that I a-play-qued with Aurifil 50 weight #2134. I had a blast playing with the decorative stitches on my Brother sewing machine. Remember after you make your 5 blocks in this phase set them aside for the next phase and more clues. You're probably wondering by now of how many more blocks you have to sew...right? Well, here's a hint...there are 49...7" blocks in total. Sew you're getting closer:-) Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Clue #5...

Phase 4 make 5 blocks..square up to 7 1/2" for a finished 7" Block (note themedium fabric is upper left corner and light/medium is lower right corner.) and direction of the 4 patch. 

(only make 5 of this block) set aside when finished :-)

Set blocks aside once finished.

Talk soon,

Cat