my postage stamp quilt.

so i was on the phone with my quilter the other day and she said...
"did you ever blog your postage stamp quilt???"

*crickets chirping*


i can't believe i forgot to show yall my completed postage stamp quilt.
*smacks self in forehead*


isn't she lovely?!?!
me thinks yes.

and that binding...yummmmmmy :)

i love the fabrics.
i love the classic feel to it.
and i just love, love, love it.
end. of. story.


quilt stats:
size = 60" x 80"
fabric = sunkissed by sweetwater for moda
quilting = darla padilla <--SO in love with the bubbly quilting!!!
pattern = postage stamp quilt along {see my tutorial page.}
& a huge thanks to karrielyne for helping me finish piecing the top. <--you're a peach!!!

do yall still love classic quilts now that everything is becoming more modern?!?!
just curious.

♥ rachel

synchronized squares quilt along: finishing

{winners posted below.}

welcome to the finishing part of the synchronized quilt along yall :)


by now everyone should have a completed quilt top.
we're gonna finish this bad boy up now.

there's just a few final steps:
layer, baste, quilt & bind.

after that:
wash & dry your quilt.
when your quilt comes out of the dryer it should have some strings hanging around.
simply clip those strings with scissors.

when you're done...pat yourselves on the back!!!
yall just completed a yummy quilt in 3 weeks.
hi-5!!!

i can't wait to start seeing yall's completed quilts show up in the flickr pool.
:^)


just a reminder:
the synchronized squares quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

TODAY is the LAST DAY to get your two lakes at 20% off!!!!!!
just enter "PSLayerCake" during checkout.

about the giveaway drawing:
leave a comment with a link to your completed quilt top pic via our flickr pool.
example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelgriffith/5811639265/
*yall have to provide a link to be eligable*

1st prize = $100 fat quarter shop gift certificate
2nd prize = $75 fat quarter shop gift certificate
3rd prize = $50 fat quarter shop gift certificate

comments will be closed & winners will be drawn within 24 hours.
i know that's quick, but a completed top {not quilt} is all that was needed to qualify.

i hope yall enjoyed this quilt along as much as i did.
:D

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER:
1st prize = lena {here's her quilt.}
2nd prize = debbie {here's her quilt.}
3rd prize = kell {here's her quilt.}
email: rachel {at} psiquilt {dot} com

congrats to the winners.
a special thanks to all yall that joined along.
& a huge thanks to fat quarter shop!!!
:)

♥ rachel

synchronized squares quilt along: stitching

welcome to the stitching part of the synchronized squares quilt along yall :)


grab all those squares we trimmed down last week.

take a SOLID square & fold it in half. then in half again.
{making four quarters within your square.}

set aside.


take a PRINT square & fold it in half. then in half again.
{making four quarters within your square.}

lay your PRINT square, right side up, over your SOLID square.
make sure to match your fold lines. <--this helps your square become synchronized.


stitch your PRINT square onto your SOLID square with a 1/4" seam allowance.

after you've stitched, cut your WHOLE square in half. then in half again.
tip: layer cake squares = 10" so you're cutting in half at 5"
this yields 4 little stitched squares.

repeat this process for ALL your SOLID & PRINT squares.
this yields 144 little stitched squares.


mix all the colors & prints up into a layout that pleasing to you.
then sew 4 little stitched squares together to make 1 synchronized square.

repeat this process for ALL little stitched squares.
this yields 36 synchronized squares.


now take those 36 synchronized squares & lay them out in a 6x6 block layout.
stitch them together & you've got yourself a completed quilt top.
easy peasy.

now get to stitching & we'll meet back up next week.

i can't wait to start seeing yall's pics show up in the flickr pool.
fyi: the flickr pool includes a q&a section for those with lingering questions.


just a reminder:
the synchronized squares quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

there's still time to get your two layer cakes at 20% off!!!
just enter "PSLayerCake" during checkout.
AND there will be gift certificates awarded to 3 lucky quilt along peeps.
disclaimer: you must have a completed quilt top to go into the drawing.
*tenative drawing date is june 30th*

♥ rachel

synchronized squares quilt along: preparing

welcome to the preparing part of the synchronized squares quilt along yall :)


first things first...
we need to trim all your PRINT layer cake squares down.
your squares will need to be 7 1/2" x 7 1/2"
*do not discard those lovely leftover 2 1/2" strips though*


now we need to trim all your SOLID layer cake squares down.
your squares will need to be perfect 10" x 10" squares.


now's the perfect time to make our binding. <--no groaning!!! :D
if you want a scrappy binding, simply use the discarded 2 1/2" strips from above.
if you want regular binding, simply use 3/4 yards of matching fabric.

now trim those blocks & make that binding.
& we'll meet back up next week.

i can't wait to start seeing yall's pics show up in the flickr pool.
fyi: the flickr pool includes a q&a section for those with lingering questions.


just a reminder:
the synchronized squares quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

there's still time to get your two layer cakes at 20% off!!!
just enter "PSLayerCake" during checkout.
AND there will be gift certificates awarded to 3 lucky quilt along peeps.
disclaimer: you must have a completed quilt top to go into the drawing.
*tenative drawing date is june 30th*

♥ rachel

synchronized squares quilt along.

welcome to the synchronized squares quilt along yall.

i love christmas SO stinkin' much that i feel the need to be ahead of the game.
meaning i'm a christmas in june kind of girl.
christmas in july is just way too far away.
plus i really, really can't stand summer. ugh.

so to kick off the "i wish it was fall-football-winter-christmas-anything-but-summer" season {lol}...
i'm gonna teach yall how to make your very own synchronized squares quilt!!!
{we'll spend the next few weeks making it.}


this week we will focus on our starting materials.
our quilt will be approximately 55" square.
yep. the perfect "lounge on the couch" size.
:)


i cheated this time and had my quilt finished before the announcement.
how else would i be able to convey it's yummy scruffily come & get me goodness?!?!
*sigh*


materials needed:
1 print layer cake of your choice
1 bella solids layer cake of your choice
3/4 yard binding OR use scraps from your layer cake for scrappy binding
4 yards backing

for those inquring minds, i used:
a flurry {by kate spain} layer cake {get yours here.} <--hi kate. xoxo.
& moda bella solids in pure white {get yours here.}

psst: be on the lookout for my other yummy synchronized squares quilt.
it's all prints. zero solids. doesn't scream christmas. and is yum yum yum delicioso.
i promise i'll share it as soon she's home from my quilter.

i have started a synchronized squares quilt along flickr group.
i can't wait to see everyone's quilts come to life.
:)

a big thanks to...
karrielyne's piecing skills. <--i heart you & your helping hands.
& darla padilla's quilting skills. <--i'm loving the snowflakes.


the synchronized squares quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.
what's this mean for yall???

first: do yall need to buy your TWO layer cakes for the quilt along?!?!
well quilt along peeps get 20% off at the fat quarter shop!!!
*use code "PSLayerCake" during checkout*
disclaimer: this coupon code is good towards TWO layer cakes of your choice. layer cakes only.

second: how about free fabric?!?!
fat quarter shop is awarding prizes!!!

at the end of the quilt along...
the peeps who finish their quilts will go into a drawing:
1st prize = $100 gift certificate
2nd prize = $75 gift certificate
3rd prize = $50 gift certificate
*tenative drawing date is june 30th*


grab a button, join in the fun & spread the word.
i hope yall are as excited as i am.

so who's in???

♥ rachel

postage stamp quilt along: finish it up

{winners posted below.}



welcome to the finish it up part of the postage stamp quilt along yall.
:)



by now everyone should have a completed quilt top.
we're gonna finish this bad boy up now.

there's just four final steps:
layer, baste, quilt & bind.
goodtimes.

when you're done...pat yourselves on the back!!!
yall just completed a bedsize quilt in a month.
hi-5!!!

i can't wait to start seeing yall's completed quilts show up in the flickr pool.
:^)

i'll show pics of my postage stamp quilt when she's home from my quilter.
promise.



just a reminder:
the postage stamp quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

TODAY is the LAST DAY to get your two jelly rolls at 20% off!!!!!!
just enter "PSIQUILT" during checkout.

about the giveaway drawing:
leave a comment with a link to your completed quilt top pic via our flickr pool.
example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelgriffith/5320430566/
*yall have to provide a link to be eligable*

1st prize = $100 fat quarter shop gift certificate
2nd prize = $75 fat quarter shop gift certificate
3rd prize = $50 fat quarter shop gift certificate

comments will be closed & winners will be drawn within 24 hours.
i know that's quick, but a completed top {not quilt} is all that was needed to qualify.

i hope yall enjoyed this quilt along as much as i did.
:D

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER:
1st prize = kristin {here's her quilt.}
2nd prize = holly {here's her quilt.}
3rd prize = katie {here's her quilt.}
email: rachel {at} psiquilt {dot} com

congrats to the winners.
a special thanks to all yall that joined along.
& a huge thanks to fat quarter shop!!!
:)

♥ rachel

postage stamp quilt along: construction work

welcome to the construction work part of the postage stamp quilt along yall.
:)



so grab all those lovely blocks we made last week.
we're gonna make a quilt top!!!

lay your blocks out in a 6x8 block layout that's pleasing to you.
make sure to alternate your a & b blocks.
easy peasy.

sew your blocks together to make your quilt top.
& we'll meet back up next week.

i can't wait to start seeing yall's quilt tops show up in the flickr pool.
:^)



just a reminder:
the postage stamp quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

there's still time to get your two jelly rolls at 20% off!!!
just enter "PSIQUILT" during checkout.
AND there will be gift certificates awarded to 3 lucky quilt along peeps.
disclaimer: you must have a completed quilt top to go into the drawing.
*tenative drawing date is feb 1st*

♥ rachel

postage stamp quilt along: patchwork

welcome to the patchwork part of the postage stamp quilt along yall.
:)



so grab all those lovely strip sets we made last week.
we're gonna cut 2 1/2" segments from them.
lots & lots of 2 1/2" segments.

tip: if yall get a little overwhelmed with the thought of cutting all 16 strips sets...
cut 4 strip sets a day for the next 4 days.
easy peasy.



aren't they purdy?!?!
:D



block a will follow this pattern:
3 color strip
2 color strip
3 color strip
2 color strip
3 color strip



block b will follow this pattern:
2 color strip
3 color strip
2 color strip
3 color strip
2 color strip



now make these yummy blocks until the cows come home.
& we'll meet back up next week.
{48 blocks total.}

tip: yall can make this as scrappy or as controlled looking as yall want.
if you want it more controlled; plan out your blocks.
if you want it scrappier; don't plan out your blocks.
it's as easy as that. promise.

i can't wait to start seeing yall's blocks show up in the flickr pool.
:^)



just a reminder:
the postage stamp quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

there's still time to get your two jelly rolls at 20% off!!!
just enter "PSIQUILT" during checkout.
AND there will be gift certificates awarded to 3 lucky quilt along peeps.
disclaimer: you must have a completed quilt top to go into the drawing.
*tenative drawing date is feb 1st*

♥ rachel

postage stamp quilt along: leg work

welcome to the leg work part of the postage stamp quilt along yall.
:)



first things first...
unwrap those yummy jelly rolls & divide your strips into color groups.



strip set a will follow this pattern:
color
solid
color
solid
color



strip set b will follow this pattern:
solid
color
solid
color
solid



yall will need to make 16 strip sets total.
8 strip set a's and 8 strip set b's.

tip: if yall get a little overwhelmed with the thought of making 16 strips sets...
make 4 strip sets a day for the next 4 days.
easy peasy.



now make those strip sets until the cows come home.
& we'll meet back up next week.

tip: always press towards the color strips when making strip sets.
this will ensure perfect seams once we do the patchwork part.

i can't wait to start seeing yall's strip sets show up in the flickr pool.
:^)



just a reminder:
the postage stamp quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop.

there's still time to get your two jelly rolls at 20% off!!!
just enter "PSIQUILT" during checkout.
AND there will be gift certificates awarded to 3 lucky quilt along peeps.
disclaimer: you must have a completed quilt top to go into the drawing.
*tenative drawing date is feb 1st*

postage stamp quilt along.

welcome to the postage stamp quilt along yall.

i've been wanting to make a postage stamp quilt for like EVER.
i really, really love their simplicity.
they're timeless yet so beautiful.

so to kick off twenty eleven...
i'm gonna teach yall how to make your very own postage stamp quilt!!!
{we'll spend the next few weeks making it.}



this week we will focus on our starting materials.
our quilt will be approximately 60" x 80"
yep. the perfect "snuggle under me" size.
:)



materials needed:
1 print jelly roll of your choice
1 bella solids jelly roll of your choice
3/4 yard binding
3 3/4 yards backing

for those inquring minds, i will be using:
a sunkissed jelly roll {get yours here.}
& moda bella solids in pure white {get yours here.}

i have started a postage stamp quilt along flickr group.
i can't wait to see everyone's quilts come to life.
:)



the postage stamp quilt along is being sponsored by fat quarter shop!!!
what's this mean for yall???

first: do yall need to buy your TWO jelly rolls for the quilt along?!?!
well quilt along peeps get 20% off at the fat quarter shop!!!
*use code "PSIQUILT" during checkout*
disclaimer: this coupon code is good towards TWO jelly rolls of your choice. jelly rolls only.

second: how about free fabric?!?!
fat quarter shop is awarding prizes!!!

at the end of the quilt along...
the peeps who finish their quilts will go into a drawing:
1st prize = $100 gift certificate
2nd prize = $75 gift certificate
3rd prize = $50 gift certificate
*tenative drawing date is feb 1st*



grab a button, join in the fun & spread the word.
i hope yall are as excited as i am.

so who's in???