Ever feel like you're juggling a million things at once?
Work, hobbies, family, downtime... Lately, it seems like I'm trying to manage more than ever, and sometimes it feels like my head just can't keep up.
And as someone who never needed an agenda for appointments or telephone numbers, forgetting things lately is a whole new world! Can you relate? I'm sure you can, {name}!
Quilting is undeniably one of the most wonderful hobbies out there. It's incredibly creative and satisfying when you finish a quilt. But let's face it, it requires time – lots of it!
Do you struggle to find time to sew all the projects you dream of? Planning them, picking the fabrics, figuring out the pattern, cutting... It's a lot! But the satisfaction it brings is absolutely worth the effort to find that balance.
I hope you can carve out a moment in your busy schedule to dive into the May QuiltInk Newsletter - Mini Magazine. I guarantee its content will enrich your quilting journey just as much as QuiltInk itself does! So grab your favorite weekend beverage, find a comfy seat, and let's get reading!
Oh, and if you're curious about what I'm balancing right now, be sure not to miss the last section of the newsletter where I'll share a new thing about myself! |
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15 new patterns have been activated during April in QuiltInk!
Explore them all because with the great variety of styles and techniques, you're sure to find the perfect pattern for your next project! Remember, from QuiltInk, you can access the designers' websites to get a copy of the pattern and start sewing!
Are you new here? Wondering about those "?" patterns? And what's the lock? The "?" covers are used for patterns that designers don't want to reveal to the public. And the lock indicates patterns exclusive to a community. So, you need to be part of the Toad Circle community to access and color the Lemon Blossom Cheater Club.
Click on the following images to go directly to color the patterns!" |
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The latest feature we've introduced this month to the platform is the ability to filter news in QuiltInk.
Curious about the latest patterns activated? Interested in reading interviews with our designers? Or perhaps you're searching for the rules of the current QuiltInk Challenge?
Simply head to the main page of QuiltInk and look for the icon just beside the "QuiltInk News" title. From there, you can select from several categories of news to explore.
Happy exploring, and stay tuned for more exciting updates and features coming your way on QuiltInk! |
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Exciting patterns are set to be released throughout May, and you have the opportunity to color them with QuiltInk! Make sure to follow the designers so you don't miss out.
And if you're in search of a Sew-Along (SAL) or Block of the Month (BOM), be sure to check out the ones that are currently running or will begin soon!
If any new event pops up during the next month, we will announce it in our social media, @quilt_ink . Follow us on Instagram to enjoy our fun pattern announcement videos and the weekly #qink_mockupmonday ! |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
Heckin' Checks by A Jess Rash Quilts
Dates: May 10th Details: A traditionally pieced, large throw (64" x 80") suitable for confident beginners.
Website / Instagram |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
Aaraon's Garden by A Piece of Quiet Quilts
Dates: May 20th Details: Quilt pattern perfect for those looking to explore curves for the first time. It blends two traditional quilt blocks into a fresh, contemporary design. Available in three sizes—crib, lap, and throw.
Website / Instagram |
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PATTERN RELEASE |
Ombre Star by Octopurse
Dates: Mid May Details: Octopurse first pattern, born from my passion for star quilts and bright colors. Traditional piecing, modern style. It is particularly well suited to solids or blend fabrics. Skill level: intermediate. Have fun!.
Website / Instagram |
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QUILT ALONG |
All Wrapped Up by Sew Joyful Studio
Dates: May 3rd - June 7th. Details: Short and sweet, just 5 weeks, but plenty of time to get your quilt done by the summer - the perfect chance to make your new favorite park/picnic quilt!☀️ Follow along via the link so you don’t miss any of the fun!.
Sign up here / Website / Instagram |
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SEW ALONG |
Camp Star by Plains and Pine
Dates: Starting May 10th. Details: Join the 6 week sew along to make this radiating Lone Star pattern. This quilt pattern used large diamonds and strip piecing to create smaller diamonds. It comes in 3 sizes: Baby, Small Throw and Large Throw.
Sign up here / Website / Instagram |
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QUILT ALONG |
Briar Point by Due North Handmade
Dates: May 1st - June 5th. Details: Great quilt along for skill building with *live* tutorials for different aspects of the pattern. It comes with some amazing prizes, including free longarming and a Full Size Oliso Home TD1600 iron!
Sign up here / Website / Instagram |
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH |
2024 Asterism BOM Program by Alexandra Bordallo Dates: 9-month sewing program, starting April 1st, 2024 Details: You'll receive a new PDF block pattern each month to help you learn new quilting skills, working at your own pace from the comfort of your own home - twelve different star blocks total Sign up here / Website / Instagram |
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BLOCK OF THE MONTH |
Once Upon a Garden by Alderwood Studio Dates: April - June Details: Join us to create this whimsical quilt! This sweet pattern is a fantasy garden filled with tulips, snails, flowers, and fairytale mushrooms. This block of the month will deliver one block (plus tutorials, tips, and tricks) a month for three months. Sign up here/ Webite / Instagram |
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ROW OF THE MONTH |
Vesta 2024 row of the month project by Julia Wachs Designs
Start date: April 1st
Details: Vesta uses both foundation paper piecing and appliqué to create (5) 9” blocks per row. The block pdf will be delivered on the first of each month.
Sign up here / Website / Instagram |
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In our ongoing exploration of coloring options on QuiltInk, we're excited to introduce the "Clear all colors" feature.
Every pattern available for coloring on QuiltInk has been meticulously curated by its respective designer, providing you with a starting point for your coloring journey.
However, we also understand the appeal of starting with a blank canvas. Just like coloring sheets in quilt patterns or the drawings in coloring books.
Blank coloring sheets offer a canvas for unlimited creativity, allowing users to experiment freely with color combinations and designs. They provide a unique opportunity to explore personal preferences and artistic expression without constraints. Whether you're seeking inspiration for your next quilt project or simply indulging in the therapeutic act of coloring, these blank diagrams offer a versatile and customizable experience for users of all levels. |
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How to use the "Clear all colors" option.
1. Unmerge the pieces by color. Many patterns are initially set up with merged pieces for quick coloring according to the designer's color scheme. To color each piece individually, you'll need to unmerge them. How: Click on the "Unmerge all pieces" icon to separate the pieces by color. |
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2. Clear all the colors. After separating the pieces, transform the diagram into a blank canvas. How: Click the "..." icon and choose the "Clear all colors" option. |
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Note: By changing the color layout from the one set up by the designer, it's essential to note that your fabric needs and cutting directions may not align with those in the pattern. This adjustment presents a challenge, albeit a beautiful one, offering the potential for a stunning outcome. |
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Explore the versatility of the 'Clear all colors' option, empowering you to customize patterns to your heart's content. Whether you prefer a fresh start or want to experiment with new color schemes, this feature offers endless possibilities. Dive in and unleash your creativity with QuiltInk! |
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Delving further into the colorful tapestry of secondary hues, we now explore the verdant and rejuvenating shades of green—a cornerstone of the color wheel that brings a refreshing vitality to quilt designs.
Green, a captivating secondary color formed from the harmonious fusion of blue and yellow, radiates with a unique vibrancy and natural allure. |
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MEANING
Green emerges as a symbol of growth, renewal, and harmony, evoking imagery of lush landscapes, flourishing foliage, and tranquil meadows. With its association with nature's abundance and vitality, green embodies a sense of balance and serenity that resonates deeply with the human psyche. Its calming and rejuvenating qualities make green a versatile choice for infusing quilts with a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world.
With its ability to evoke feelings of freshness and vitality, green serves as a grounding color that brings a sense of harmony and balance to quilt designs. Whether used to evoke the tranquility of a verdant forest or the vibrancy of springtime blooms, green adds depth and dimension to quilts, imbuing them with a sense of renewal and vitality.
FOCAL POINT
As a secondary color born from the primary hues of blue and yellow, green occupies a unique position within the color spectrum. Its cool yet invigorating nature makes it a captivating focal point in quilt designs, drawing the eye and imbuing the fabric with a sense of freshness and vitality. When paired with complementary colors or juxtaposed against warmer tones, green creates captivating visual contrasts that enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of quilts.
In quilting projects, green serves as a focal point that anchors the design and guides the viewer's gaze across the fabric. Its soothing and rejuvenating presence infuses quilts with a sense of tranquility and connection to the natural world, transforming them into captivating works of art. By strategically incorporating green into quilt designs, quilters can create compositions that evoke a sense of harmony and balance.
QUILTING APPLICATION
Incorporating green into quilting projects opens up a world of creative possibilities, allowing quilters to experiment with a diverse range of shades and patterns. From earthy olive tones to vibrant emerald hues, green offers a spectrum of options for adding freshness and vitality to quilt designs. Whether used as a dominant color or as a subtle accent, green can be combined with other hues to create visually captivating compositions that resonate with a sense of renewal and connection to nature.
As you embark on your quilting journey, consider the unique impact that green can have on your designs. Experiment with different shades and combinations, and embrace the rejuvenating energy that this dynamic color brings to your quilts. Stay tuned for more insights into the fascinating world of color theory as we continue to explore the diverse palette of hues that inspire and captivate quilters around the world! |
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This month marks the launch of the Winged Garden Fabric Collection by Alexandra Bordallo. Inspired by nature, this beautiful collection has been chosen as the centerpiece for our monthly challenge.
Start planning your upcoming quilting projects with this incredible fabric collection as you participate in our monthly challenge!
Click here for more info about the #QuiltInkChallengeMay24 |
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Curious about what I'm balancing right now? Let's rewind to the beginning of QuiltInk.
QuiltInk was born out of my necessity to provide coloring pages for my foundation paper piecing patterns to my customers. Unable to find a tool that offered this service, I took matters into my own hands and created it myself. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, our focus shifted to QuiltInk, and I temporarily set aside pattern designing. Though I dabbled in a few blocks and patterns, it wasn't my primary focus.
Now, three years since the launch of QuiltInk, I find myself once again immersed in pattern designing, working behind the scenes to bring new creations to life. But that's not all! There's something even more exciting brewing, something I'm bursting to share. Faced with the need for a specific type of ruler, and after an exhaustive search left me empty-handed, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create it myself! It's currently in the sampling stage, and I can't wait to share more details with you soon. And yes, it all started because I couldn't find the right ruler matching my math expectations—blame it on my perfectionist tendencies!
Stay tuned as I continue to update you on this exciting journey! |
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Are you new and want to learn all the tips about QuiltInk I explained in the previous newsletter?
Curious about the designers in QuiltInk we interviewed during the past months?
Or are you willing to follow up on our Color Theory section, being aware of the meaning and usage of each one of the colors we have already talked about?
Visit our Newsletter Archive, where you will be able to access all this fun content! |
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Ready to elevate not just your creativity but also your business on QuiltInk? Whether you're a Designer wanting to showcase your patterns for public coloring, a Fabric Shop looking to feature fabrics and offer kits, or a Supporter willing to enjoy unlimited printed fabrics and the ability to upload private patterns — we have plans designed to amplify your quilting journey. Explore all the QuiltInk Plans and elevate your artistic and business potential today! |
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We can't express our gratitude enough for your contribution to our vibrant community. Every day, it grows stronger and more vibrant, all thanks to each and every one of you.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
Warm regards, Catalina QuiltInk www.quiltink.com |
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