Loretta’s Sampler, Month One

Posted on September 12, 2020 by prairiemoonquilts in Loretta's Samplers

It starts today! The Loretta’s Farm and Garden Samplers Block-of-the-Month at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop in Brunswick, Missouri. If you haven’t gotten signed up, it’s not too late. I’ve got lots of information for you, and a give-away, if you read far enough!

You can sign up for the traditional version without appliqué, Loretta’s Farm Sampler, 84″ x 84″:

Or you can sign up for the modern version with appliqué, Loretta’s Garden Sampler, 84″ x 84″:

Or you can sign up for both!

As always, the two designs are interchangeable. The pattern booklet comes with instructions for both versions, and you can do the Farm Sampler in the modern look, or the Garden Sampler in the traditional look, OR you can even mix them up!

Do the pieced center medallion with the appliqué borders, or do the appliqué center medallion with the pieced borders. Have I ever mentioned how much I like options? I like to build them into every one of my patterns. I think it’s a symptom of never being able to make up my mind, cos I like making ALL the things! Haha!

Here’s how it works:

Call Sew Sweet Quilt Shop at 660.548.3056 to get signed up.

You purchase your pattern booklet up front from Sew Sweet for $28.50. The pattern booklet has full-sized appliqué templates, complete instructions for both quilts, color photos of the blocks, and labels for you to use to help keep everything straight while you’re working.

For $5 each month, you can go pick up your monthly block packet at the shop on the second Saturday of the month (or after). For an additional $3, they will ship it to you, if you’re not able to come in to the shop personally.

The block packets include fabric for the 12 pieced blocks around the sides of the quilt. The fabric in your packets will be the same as the samples, or very similar.

The setting fabric is up to you. Sew Sweet will make finishing kits available for purchase around month 7 of the BOM (March 2021 or thereabouts), but their quantities will be limited. You can choose to use one of the settings shown (remember, they’re interchangeable), or come up with your own setting for the 12 blocks.

The appliqué version is Jen Kingwell fabric so any of her fabric (or similar scraps) will work for finishing. The black and cream is a variety of fabric lines so you can use any similar fabric for finishing. The background is a basic.

You can also purchase the booklet by itself and not the monthly packets, if you want to make the quilt in your own color scheme. Just give the shop a call to get the pattern (660.548.3056).

To get you started off right, once you have your pattern booklet, refer to this article on how to set it up and make it yours: Setting Yourself Up

I don’t normally recommend using any specific tools in my patterns, but for this particular one, there are a couple you might find handy.

For the appliqué vines, I recommend using a bias tape maker. The center block uses a 1/2″ bias tape maker, and the outer blocks and border use a 1/4″ bias tape maker. You can refer to this tutorial for help: Using a Bias Tape Maker

Since these blocks have lots of pieces, it makes for more precise piecing to make your triangle-squares a tidget larger, and then trim them down, which is how I’ve written the pattern. One easy way to do this is to use a Bloc-Loc ruler, and I have an article on that here that you can reference: Using a Bloc-Loc Ruler

For these quilts, a 4 1/2″ Bloc-Loc ruler will work, but a 6 1/2″ size could come in handy on the center block of the traditional version.

Sew Sweet has Bloc-Loc rulers and bias tape makers for sale in their shop, so when you call to get signed up, you can add any tools you need to your initial order, and you’ll be all set.

But to kick things off, since it’s launch day today . . .

I’m giving away a Bloc-Loc ruler in the 6 1/2″ size. All you have to do for a chance to win it is leave a comment on this post. Let me know which version you’re doing, or if you’re tackling both! I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday, September 16th.

UPDATE: The winner of the Bloc-Loc ruler is Donna! Thanks for playing along, everyone!

As you work on your Loretta’s Sampler over the next 12 months, be sure to post your progress photos in Sew Sweet’s Facebook Group HERE. If you’re not already a member, just ask to join — it’s a public group, and they have all sorts of other fun things going on there, too.

As the BOM rolls along, I’ll also have some more helpful articles for you, and some bonus projects along the way, so check back. All the articles related to these quilts will be HERE, in the Loretta’s Samplers category (you can also use the pull-down menu in the sidebar to access them).

I’m excited to start seeing your blocks come together!

22 responses to “Loretta’s Sampler, Month One”

  1. Tonya Bagnell says:

    I am doing the modern version.

  2. I love both versions! I’m tempted….then I bring myself back to reality as I review all my WIPs waiting to be finished 🙂

  3. Tonia Z says:

    I think I’m going to try the modern version! I love the sample you put together!

  4. Sandra Famuliner says:

    I’m doing the traditional version and would appreciate any help I can get! Thanks for another wonderful pattern.

  5. Robin Hoover says:

    I’m going to do the modern version with ‘some’ appliqué. I like that middle star, but gotta have lots of color! 😉

  6. Sharon Cravens says:

    I am doing the traditional and would like any advice I can get.

  7. Wanda Marvel says:

    I would like to do the modern fabrics in the farm sampler. I would like to have it mailed to me please.

  8. Romme Darrah says:

    I am doing the modern version. I love all the color in this version. I just recently discovered your patterns at Sew Sweet Quilt Shop and have finished the top for Garden Path Sampler. I really like the unique ways you use for setting the blocks together.

  9. Sherrie Thurman says:

    I’m doing the modern version! Very pretty quilt!

  10. Ginny says:

    I’m doing the traditional pattern but using the colored fabric. My first of your for Sew Sweet. Looking forward to getting started. Hope I can keep up with our travel plans & other quilts on the must do now list.

  11. I’m doing the traditional version once I finish the two WIPs I’m working on – one is the Arrow Rock Sampler.
    I’ve ordered my pattern booklet as I’ll be doing a scrappy one. Thanks for the chance, Shelly.

  12. Laverne Farrar says:

    I signed up for the modern version immediately! It’s lovely!

  13. Cathy Greenley says:

    I am doing the traditional version and can’t wait to get started.

  14. Ann Ostermann says:

    I’m doing the modern colors but with the pieced center and corner blocks. I love the look of appliqué, but would rather piece. 🙂

  15. Donna says:

    I have the pattern, but I’ll wait until I get some of the past BOMs set and ready for quilting before I begin this one. That doesn’t mean I won’t begin shopping for the fabric, though!

  16. Teri says:

    I’d love to do the traditional version. Both are lovely.

  17. MICHELE Y BREAULT says:

    I am drawn to the modern applique version.

  18. Shirley Guier says:

    I will get the pattern and may have to ditigize some more embroidery.

  19. You know how I love applique! Both versions are beautiful. Never used one of those rulers, would like to win!

  20. Elle says:

    I had a bloc-loc and lost it! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win your bloc-loc ruler 🙂

  21. Mary Delia says:

    Scared to tackle either one! LOL

  22. Ginabeth says:

    I bought the pattern to use the center of the modern version in another quilt I’m making. But may do this sew along to reduce scraps. Love your design. Also need to give a shout out to Sew Sweet on how quickly the pattern arrived❣️

Leave a Reply to Ginabeth Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *