Welcome to Ships & Violins

The final round of shops in our Shop Hop is available for your perusal!  It's evident that the pattern designing community is filled with talent, and I hope you found an item or two that sparked your own creativity.  In the end, this Shop Hop was an opportunity for 40+ designers to join in on a synchronized message: support small businesses as best you can. Many designers, including myself, experienced a surge in newsletter subscribers, increased website traffic, and even made some sales. All of this is appreciated as we grow our businesses.  Please enjoy the final round of shops! I've...

We're in the home stretch of this shop hop, and there's a ton more to see! How have you been pacing yourself? My favourite products today are colourful creations; I'm envisioning all the wonderful quilts I could make with the beautiful designs. And that applique kit by Hissyfitz Designs?! How fun is that? FYI If you've missed the previous rounds of the shop hop, I've included the links at the very bottom. Ready, set, hop! Bequilter My favourite product: Star Light Star Bright Quilt Pattern https://www.beaquilter.com/shop   Presto Avenue Designs My favourite product: Ferris Wheel Flowers Pattern https://www.prestoavenuedesigns.com   Cheryl Lynch Quilts My favourite...

Round two of the Shop Hop has arrived. There are so many quilt patterns to choose from! I've enjoyed doing a little exploring myself, and seeing all the work that my colleagues are accomplishing. It's inspiring! I hope you are inspired by their work too; let them know if you are!    The Devoted Quilter My favourite product: Mix It Up! Mini Quilt Pattern https://www.devotedquilter.com   Christa Quilts My favourite product: Infrastructure Quilt Pattern https://www.christaquilts.com   Stitched by Susan My favourite product: Custom quilting http://www.stitchedbysusan.com Tamarinis My favourite product: Luminous Block of the Month Quilt Pattern https://www.tamarinis.com Studio R Quilts...

 Let's kick off National Quilting Day with our first round of virtual shops. Below are ten fabulous designers for you to explore. I did a little exploring myself, and listed one of my favourite products from each shop. What's your favourite? Use the hashtags #stayathomeandhop or #stayathomeandshop to share your purchases, spread the word, and show our entrepreneurial community some love! Linen Closet Designs My favourite product: Love Note Punch Needle kit http://www.linenclosetdesigns.com   Designs by Sarah J My favourite product: Coming UnWound Quilt Kit https://www.designsbysarahj.com   Rona the Ribbiter Quilts My favourite product: Kiss My Stash T-Shirt https://www.ronatheribbiter.com      Quilt...

The Drop Pillow pattern is primarily foundation paper pieced, and in Ships & Violins fashion, I've incorporated various opportunities to use the offcuts from one completed template in a subsequent template, in an effort to reduce dust-collecting piles of scraps.  I've photographed instructions on paper piecing Template H, assembling Block E and some other miscellaneous notes to guide you through the template assembly. You've got this! Assembling Template H Step1 : We will be sewing along the line CA1 and DA2. Place a CA fabric piece* right side down under section CA1 as shown below. Nestle the template into the corner of your...