My Block 4 is Wrong! But I'm Okay

So, I did it wrong on both blocks!

Can you see my mess up?

Yep, I mixed up the Quarter Square Triangles.

And,

I left them just like that!

I bet you never even noticed in my finished quilt.

That's why I left them.

I want you to know that some mistakes are okay.

In my mind this was wasn't worth the seam ripper.

Look, I make lots of mistakes!

I bought myself a fabulous seam ripper (or 2).

Why, you say?

Well, when you use a seam ripper as much as I do,

you might as well have a lovely one!

Want to see them?

Of course you do...

I keep one by my sewing machine and one in the long arm room.

Both get plenty of use.

Oh, by the way, I have some Wool Pressing Mats to sell over on my website.  I talked about them in the Block 3 post.

I just need to adjust the shipping charges as I figure out what shipping will really cost.

Let me get back to the task at hand.

The making of Block 4.

Everything started out just fine.

I cut and labeled my pieces as usual.

But, then something happened.

I layed out my pieces without consulting the pattern

(cuz, I know what I'm doing, right?)

NOPE!

Look at that...

I designed a new color lay-out for this block, ha ha.

Have you ever heard someone refer to that kind of mistake as a new design element?

Well, if not, I want to inform you that I have created a new design element for Block 4.

I crack myself up, can you tell?

Anyway, I finished my blocks and my Let's Work Ahead units.

Oh, and I thought you needed another up close view of Scott's fabulous quilting.

So, here you go...

Gosh, I hope you are having as much fun with this Quilt Along as I am.

Until next week,

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

Batik Block 3 - Easy-Peasy!

Why Easy-Peasy?

Because the Batik Block 3 does not use directional fabric!

Don't get me wrong, the directional fabrics look really cool!

But, when you don't use them you don't have to worry about them!

I am pretty consistent in my work process,

first I cut and label!

Next, I assemble units.

Then I put those units together.

Your getting the hang of this, right?

I always do the Work Ahead steps!

Now let me share with you how I get my blocks so flat!

I just started using a Wool Pressing Mat and I am in LOVE!

The mat maintains the heat and the pieces you press just seem like the press faster and better.

When I am assembling the units I like to use Flatter!

There are different scents (I like them all).

The Flatter helps me to give the units a bit of crispness without the use of starch.

I do use the Best Press when I get the block assembled.

I give it a good pressing so it is nice and pretty and ready for the next step.

 

The next step for me is the design board.

I love having a big design board where I can audition my quilt blocks and sashings and such.

Please check with your local Quilt Store for any of the items I have listed that you may be interested in.

Please help keep your local Quilt Store in business.

I am selfish and want the local stores to stay open so that when I travel the country I can try to visit them all!

Besides, I am sure they want to stay open as well.

Until next week....

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

Holy Moly - It's block 2!

Where does the time go?

As I get older the days and weeks and months just fly by!

I try to slow down and enjoy each and everyday, but sometimes I forget to do that.

Well, I guess I should get on to the business at hand...

Block 2

So, I love batiks!

Always have, since the moment I first saw them.

I love the tight weave of the fabric,

the vibrant colors from the dying process.

Some day I would love to own a batik chop or 20.

(that's what they call the item that is used to apply the wax in the batik-ing process).

Wouldn't it be great to go to Bali and watch the entire process?

I sure think so!

You know what else I would really like to do?

Design my own batik line and then get to keep the chops.

A girl can dream, right?

Okay, back to the task at hand...

the other thing that is great about batiks is that the right side and wrong side are usually so similar that it doesn't matter which side of the fabric you use!

What a bonus!

Here are my pieces all cut, labeled and ready for Block 2.

Just like last week, I have worked in units.

Do you remember that I like to press my seams open?

Well, when you press open you also need to pin.

I didn't used to be a pinner, but when the end result is so much better, it is worth the time and effort to me.

Assemble those units into rows and the rows into blocks.

Make sure you post your pictures to Facebook or Instagram, you know Nancy and Sarah have some great prizes to give out.  Use the hashtag #DesignerDuoQAL

You don't want to miss out on that.

Besides, that will be incentive to keep caught up.

Oh, don't forget to do the Work Ahead units!

I am off to share 50+ quilts and a Trunk Show tonight!

I do love to share and teach.

Hit me up if your Guild needs a guest.

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

P.S. I will be checking the hashtag and keeping an eye on all your progress.

Designer Duo Quilt Along: Week #1--April 6 Fabric Selection & Block One

Hello! and Welcome!

I am Tiffany and here is my version of the Kaleidoscope Quilt

which is the subject of the Designer Duo Quilt Along!

Batiks are my favorite, so when Nancy Rink (one of my favorite quilters) asked me to join in as a guest to the Quilt Along, I chose these beautiful fabrics by Laundry Basket Quilts of Andover Fabrics (where some more of my favorite quilt friends work).

Daryl helped me with the fabric choices and Giuseppe photographed the quilt for me when we met up at QuiltCon in Pasadena last February.

Let's just say:

Quilt Friends are Awesome!

Here are my fabrics:

If these are just calling your name, head over to my website and see if there is still a kit available.

NeedleinaHayesStack.biz

I might have some pattern books if you want to choose your own fabrics:

Pattern Book

Shall we start in with Block 1?

First things first...I cut all my background pieces.

If you are using a ruler or tool that is new to you, I suggest that you cut some sample pieces and make sure that your cutting and piecing works out before going on to cut all your background fabric for the quilt.

If you are using The Goddess Tool, let me suggest a couple of videos for you:

The Goddess Tool Overview

Tall Triangles and Half Tall Triangles

(this video is for a block that is made up of Tall Triangle Units, you will understand if you watch)

I make sure to label all my pieces

(keeps me from wasting time later).

These cute little letters are called:

Alphabitties

I stitched together my units and pressed my seams open

(I know, I know you think I'm crazy).

Well, just look below at how nice it is to stitch right at the tip of the triangle point!

Next I put those units together.

Just look at that back!

Make sure you construct two of Block 1.

Oh, make sure you do the "Work Ahead" units.

Let me tell you, you will be happy later!

Just like that, Block 1 is complete!

I shall put in a shameless plug right now.

My husband, Scott, digitized the machine quilting design

and actually quilted this quilt!

No. You cannot have him!

Okay, that was awesome!

Please let me know what you think of my block!

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

Designer Duo Quilt Along is Starting Soon!

Have you heard about it?

Do you want to play along?

We are gonna get this party started April 6, 2018

There is a Facebook page to join.

You should join it!

I am a guest designer and get to blog and join in on the fun with Nancy Rink and Sarah Maxwell.

Karen Brandt O'Connor is also a guest designer.

There are kits available (it's not too late).

You can get the Batik Kit from me:

It is on sale $135.99 and Free Shipping

I hear there will be blogs chocked full of info, 

demos and prizes!

I can't wait for the fun to begin!

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Vol 16 Block Tour Road Rally

Welcome to California, I'm so glad you stopped by.

I hope you are enjoying the Road Rally.

If you are, great!  If your not sure what I'm talking about click on the car below and jump on in.

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks has done it again.

Volume 16 is packed full of new quilty inspiration.

If you are new to my blog, let me introduce myself.

I am Tiffany Hayes of Needle in a Hayes Stack.

I am a lover of all thing quilt related.

I find inspiration everywhere.

After that, I design, piece, quilt and write patterns to help make the world just a bit more colorful.

I even travel and teach.  It's a pretty cool gig.

I have been married for 30 years

(dang I sound old, but I don't feel like I am).

Scott, my husband, has joined in on the design process recently.

Scott is digitizing machine quilting designs to complement the quilts I create.

It's a really cool thing.

Well, let's get to the good stuff,

the block and the chance to win!

Here is my block - Icicle Burst #1535

I know what your thinking, what's a California girl know about icicles?

Well, I live in the Mojave Desert.

It gets really hot here in the summer - like 110 degrees.

It get's good and cold in the winter - down to single digits on occasion.  And yes, we do get a little snow at our house once in a while.

So, it's a pretty cool block, right?

Well, lets see what happens when we put a few of them together.

Let the magic happen....

The quilt above has sashing and cornerstones.

So does the quilt below, but isn't it amazing when you change the fabrics?

I design with Electric Quilt and am in love with the new EQ8.

So, now let me put these blocks on point for you.

Is that crazy? or what?

This is gonna be a long post (sorry).

I need to tell you that I have a tendency to overthink things.

That will become obvious in just a little bit.

Now I need to show you the machine quilting design Scott created for this block.

Here is where the overthinking comes into play.

I decided that this would be a cool quilting design for a table runner.

Well, I did that and it was okay, not amazing.

I was then thinking "I wonder what the thickest thread is that I can run through Elle (that would be my long arm).

My mind kept going and I remembered I had couching feet for Elle.

I decided to couch a whole cloth quilt.

Here is my practice piece.

Now that you have read completely through my post, I would like to invite you to follow me on Facebook and/or Instagram.  I would really love to have you join me.

I have a Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks magazine to give away.

If you leave me a comment below, I will use a randomizer and choose a winner.

This promotion will run until midnight on Tuesday, November 21, then I will pick a name at random and announce the winner.

Thank you for visiting! 

I will contact the winner for there information and get the prize shipped directly to you.

So, if I have caused you to have more questions about me or my quilt life just ask them below.

Now, on to the next blog, I think you should probably move on or your Road Trip might take all day.

Blog at you later,

Tiffany

The drawing for the free magazine is now closed.

The winner is Anita!

Congrats!

Hera - The Greek Goddess of Women and Marriage

Introducing Hera!

This is my new Block of the Month

Believe it or not it is a 6-part program.

Because it is what I consider a Goddess Quilt it is best if you have The Goddess Tool (which you can find on my website).

The Goddess Tool is included as a paper version in the first pattern.

Lindsay (youngest daughter) got married in April 2017.  She asked me to make her a wedding quilt!  Of course I said yes!She wanted her quilt in gray tones and she helped pick out the fabrics.I asked Lindsay if she cared if I turned her quilt into a Block of the Month pattern.

Lindsay gave me full permission to do so (whew)!

I think this is a great quilt (no curve piecing by the way).

Here is Lindsay's quilt.

Scott (my husband and Lindsay's dad) who I also refer to as the Great Digitizer, created the machine quilting designs which he then quilted onto Hera.

Check out the close up below:

This design could stand alone as a whole cloth quilt.

He is amazing (yes, I said that).

The pattern for Hera is available on our website: NeedleinaHayesStack.biz.

If you would like to sign up for a Block of the Month with Hera that includes fabric too, check out Stitchin' Heaven.  

The program will start with them in February 2018.

You might be able to locate it at other shops too.

The digitized design will be available on the website around the beginning of 2018 (maybe sooner).

Thanks for stopping by.

Blog at you later,

Tiffany