patchwork – Page 2 – Blue Bear Quilts

Posted on March 2, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Spring Posies- Complimentary Block Pattern for March

Spring is coming! The sun will be shining and those gentle April rains will bring the beautiful May flowers. Our complimentary block of the month for Quilt Block Mania, Spring Posies, will definitely get you in the mood for spring.

During the month of March, we are offering 20% off of our digital download Faith Hope and Love quilt and Spring Friends Table Runner patterns. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has more than 25 talented quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme of flowers. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

These colors got my designer mojo going and I was really in the mood for making something fun and springy!

This is the Spring Posies block.

It features 3 posies, in pink, plum and tomato red on a light grey background. This block is part of our Spring Friends Table Runner pattern and you are able to get a complimentary PDF of the Spring Posies block this month. If you would like to make the Spring Friends Table Runner, you are able to purchase that downloadable pattern at 20% off, or for $9.60 this month. This adorable block, or table runner, is sure to brighten up your home and get you excited for spring.

Here is a photo of the Spring Posies block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

This block also looks fantastic set again a dark background. You could turn this block into a pillow. Here it is shown with a tan and green border. Our Wonky Hearts pillow pattern shows you how to turn a 12″ finished block into a pillow cover.

The Spring Posies Block is part of our Spring Friends Table Runner pattern. Spring Bunny and Spring Chick love that the posies are blooming so, they have adorned themselves with posie wreaths to celebrate. The blocks look awesome set against the dark plum background. Here is a picture of the table runner made with fabrics from my stash. The Spring Friends Table Runner pattern also has templates so that the plum flower can be right facing as well, which allows you to make the table runner longer as in these two examples. It also looks great as a vertical wall hanging.

Spring Friends Table Runner with pink border

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our Spring Posies block for March, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well.

Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of March 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on March 2nd which gave you the coupon code.

On our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, we had our fat quarter bundle giveaway with QT Fabrics and the lucky winner was mamma_sews. Sign up to follow us on Instagram and watch for future giveaways.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Orchid Quilt Block by Carolina Moore
Rose Garden by Slice of Pi Quilts
Happy Flowers by Carolyn Burgess
Double Flower by Devoted Quilter
Faux Flowers by Blockofthemodotcom
Mod Tulip
Enchanting Echinacea
Rosebud Wreath at Patti’s Patchwork
Flower Power – Cotton Street Commons
Dottie’s Garden by Heidi Pridemore
Poppies by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Pretty Posies at Perkins Dry Goods
Mittens Smells the Roses at Puppy Girl Designs
Wildflowers by Studio R Quilts
Sweetheart Rose by QuiltFabrication
Flower Patch at Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio
Scattered Petals by Snowy Days Quilting
Scrappy Tulip by Katie Mae Quilts
Happy Bloom Block by Oh Kaye Quilting
Buzz along
Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Inquiring Quilter
Spring Posies by Blue Bear Quilts
Four Roses
Pieceful Crocus Focus
Improv Bloom by Love to Color My World
Sue’s Field of Flowers by The Quilted Diary

Posted on February 2, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Pastel Clover- Complimentary Block Pattern for February

It’s Groundhog Day! Let’s hope he doesn’t see his shadow, or it will be six more weeks of winter. Soon it will be St. Patrick’s Day and we will be celebrating the wearing of the green. I’m sure our complimentary block of the month, Pastel Clover, will help you celebrate in style.

This month, we are offering 20% off of our digital download Zany Zasu and Glorious Garbo quilt patterns. These patterns were both designed with our first fabric line with QT Fabrics, called Coco Chic. This fabric line was inspired by authentic 1920’s fabrics from the QT Fabrics archieves. The link to these patterns is here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania has 27 quilt designers creating blocks for this month’s theme of Lucky Charms. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

I still love eating that cereal with those little pastel marshmallow bits. Magically Delicious, I’d say!

This is the Pastel Clover block.

It features a shaded pink four leaf clover, surrounded by orange and yellow. It is criss-crossed with a green Irish chain. This block will put you in a festive mood for St. Patrick’s Day.

Here is a photo of Blue Bear with the block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash.

You could turn this block into a table runner. This would be a fun gift to give someone, or for you to use to decorate your home, on St. Patrick’s Day.

You also can turn this block into an awesome quilt which measures 50 x 50.” You start with 16 Pastel Clover blocks and then add a 1.5,” unfinished, dark pink border. The total yardage required to make this quilt would be: 1/2 yard, each of light green and green; 3/4 yard, each, of orange, yellow, and light pink; and finally 1 yard of pink, which includes the border. Backing not included in these yardage estimates.

If you would like to see a video on how to use the Folded Corners Clipper Ruler by Creative Grids and how to do some of the piecing, we just posted such a video on our YouTube Channel, which is located here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYcbKCaeszs

If you are new to our website and are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our block for February, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well. Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of February 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on February 2nd which gave you the coupon code.

I know everyone loves being able to receive all of these complimentary patterns the designers are giving away on Quilt Block Mania every month, so it would be greatly appreciated if you would go over to our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, and follow us there as well. This helps us so we can obtain sponsorships and be able to continue to provide you with this type of complimentary content. Thanks so much! You can click on the instagram link, under Get Social, to get to our page. I ran out of time to do the QT fabric bundle giveaway last month, as I am trying to complete a project that uses the fabric, so look for our fabric bundle giveaway this month on Instagram. There’s still time for you to go to our Instagram page and follow us there so you will be notified when the fabric bundle giveaway happens.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Lucky Horseshoe by Carolina Moore
Lucky Squares at Slice of Pi Quilts
Lucky Spin by Carolyn Burgess
Charming Wreath Block by Blockofthemodotcom
Lucky Squares Improv at Love to Color My World
Luck and Sunshine
Luck o’ the Irish at Patti’s Patchwork
Simply Charmed by Cotton Street Commons
Hi My Name is Lucky by Heidi Pridemore
Swedish lucky horse by duck creek mountain quilting
Charmed Clover at Perkins Dry Goods
Charming Lucky by Puppy Girl Designs
Star Bright at Studio R Quilts
Lucky Charms by QuiltFabrication
Magically “Quilt”lious
Wishing Stars by Snowy Days Quilting
Heart Shine 4th by Sara Flynn
Lucky Shamrock Block
Lucky Gnome
Feelin’ Lucky by Inquiring Quilter
Pastel Clover at Blue Bear Quilts
Daddy Hex by Pretty Piney Quilts
Pieced Lucky Hat
Sam’s Pot of Gold
Love and Luck by PhoebeMoon Designs
Maneki Neko by Capaquilts
The Butterfly Charm

Posted on January 5, 2021February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Blue Bear Hug- Complimentary Block Pattern for January

Before we get to the Quilt Block Mania block for January, we have some news of contests to share. Our very first fabric line with QT Fabrics, called Coco Chic, is the free fabric download for the month of January on the Electric Quilt blog.

If you don’t own EQ 8, now may be a good time to get it. There is also a contest on the Electric Quilt blog where you can design a quilt project with the Coco Chic fabrics and there will be two winners chosen, who will each win a fat quarter bundle of the Coco Chic line. You could be among the first people to get your hands on Coco Chic, a fabric line that is inspired from authentic 1920’s fabrics. How fun is that?

Also, on our Instagram page, toward the end of January, we are going to be giving away a fat quarter bundle of QT Fabric’s Evolution Illuminations line. We designed our Kings and Queen quilt pattern using this fabric.

I know that you love being able to receive all of the free patterns we are giving away on Quilt Block Mania every month and this month, I am asking, as a special favor, that you would go over to our Instagram page, @bluebearquilts, and follow us so that you will not miss out on that fat quarter giveaway. You can click on the instagram link, under Get Social, to get to our page.

It’s hard to believe that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. We have some wonderful quilt patterns you could make for the loved ones in your life. This month, we are offering 20% off of our digital download Box of Chocolate Covered Cherries, There’s a Bear in my Watermelon Patch and Ring Bling quilt patterns. You can find the links to those patterns here: downloadable-patterns/

Box of Chocolate Covered Cherries Quilt Pattern

Quilt Block Mania is starting off the new year in January and 29 quilt designers are at it again with this month’s theme of Romance. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

Nothing says love more than shades of pink.

Here is the Blue Bear Hug block.

It features an adorable blue bear hugging a double heart. This might be just the hug that someone you love needs this Valentine’s Day.

Here is a photo of the block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash. I have turned the block into a pillow. This block would make such a fun gift to give someone on Valentine’s Day.

You also can turn this block into a fun pillow which measures 16 x 16.” You start with a Blue Bear Hug block; add a 2.25,” unfinished, light pink border on the front and white backing pieces, which are 9 x 16-1/2″ and 14 x 16-1/2.” Someone special in your life may need a hug. The additional yardage required to make this pillow would be: 1/4 yard of light pink for front border; 1/2 yard of white for the backing pieces. If you would like a pattern for how to turn a 12″ block into a pillow, you might want to check out our Wonky Heart Pillow pattern in our shop.

If you would like to see a video on how to do machine appliqué, we just posted such a video on our You Tube Channel.

If you are interested in downloading a complimentary PDF pattern of our block for January, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well. Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of January 2021.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on January 5th which gave you the coupon code.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Chain of Hearts by Carolina Moore
Heart Postage Stamp by Slice of Pi Quilts
Special Delivery by Appliques Quilts and More
Intertwined by Devoted Quilter
Interlocking Heart Halves by Blockofthemodotcom
Romantic Patchwork Heart by Love to Color My World
Love Notes by Blue Heron Quilting
Woven Together at Patti’s Patchwork
LOVE ARROWS by Cotton Street Commons
refracted heart at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Puppy Love
Be Mine by Perkins Dry Goods
Love is family at Puppy Girl Designs
Love Owl-Ways by Studio R Quilts
Lacy Hearts by QuiltFabrication
Piece of My Heart by Orange Blossom QDS, LLC
Quilting by Candlelight by Snowy Days Quilting
Sunset Walk Block by Sara Flynn
Mini Log Cabin Heart by Katie Mae Quilts
Flowers and Candy by PhoebeMoon Designs
On Point Heart by Oh Kaye Quilting
Love My Gnome
Love Conquers All
Blue Bear Hug by Blue Bear Quilts
Love Me Knot by Pretty Piney Quilts
Pieceful Heart by Off the Wall Quilt
Rose Buds by Rona the Ribbiter
House of love
First Love by Sarah Marcina
Love postcard by Capaquilts

Posted on December 1, 2020February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Seward Star Block- Complimentary Pattern for December

How about some winter quilt patterns? This month, we are offering 20% off of our digital download Greek Isles Modern, Kaleidoscope and Dancing Bears quilt patterns. You can find the links to those patterns here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania is happening in December and 21 quilt designers are at it again with this month’s theme of Stars. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

These are fun colors for wintery stars.

This is the Seward Star block. It features a gorgeous double purple star surrounded by a pink and teal sky. It reminds me of some of the colors you might see in the northern lights in Alaska set against the deep blue sea.

Here is a photo of the block that has been sewn with fabrics from my stash. There is a lot of play in this block with the light and dark shades of colors. The block would make a stunning quilt.

You can also use this block to create a fun quilt that measures 56 x 56.” You combine 16 Seward Star blocks; add a 1″ inner border and a 3″ outer border. It makes a sparkling star quilt sure to brighten your mood and warm you up on a cold winter’s day. The yardage required to make this quilt top would be: 1/2 yard of navy; 3/4 yard of dark pink and maroon; 1 yard of pink and purple; and 1-1/2 yards of teal.

Here is an alternative version with pink border. For this version, the fabric requirements are the same except you need 1-1/2 of pink and only 3/4 yard of teal.

If you would like to download a complimentary PDF pattern of our block for December, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well. Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of December 2020.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on December 1st which gave you the coupon code.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Stargazing Sue
Starburst at Slice of Pi Quilts
Massachusetts Star with blockofthmo.com
Nova Star at Always Expect Moore
Nativity Star
Star Bright – Cotton Street Commons
Five Pointed Star at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
New Year Star at Stash Bandit
Poinsettia Star
Wish Upon a Satar by Heidi Pridemore
Falling Star at Pretty Piney Quilts
Star Splash at QuiltFabrication
Seward Star at Blue Bear Quilts
Moon Star at Perkins Dry Goods
Starburst at Patti’s Patchwork
Cherokee Star
Christmas Tree Star
Christmas Star by Oh Kaye Quilting
Starfish by Appliques Quilts and More
Snowy Star by Seams To Be Sew
Combination Star by Devoted Quilter
Ablaze by True Blue Quilts

Posted on November 3, 2020February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Harbor Holiday Block- Complimentary Pattern for November

How about some holiday quilt patterns? This month, we are offering 20% off of our digital download Cowboy Claus, Peace in the Valley and Adore Him quilt patterns. You can find the links to those patterns here: downloadable-patterns/

Quilt Block Mania is happening again in November and 23 quilt designers are at it again with this month’s theme of Winter Celebrations. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

Beautiful holiday celebration colors. Blue Bear lives in Florida and they have holiday boat parades as part of many city’s winter celebrations.

This is the Harbor Holidays block. It features a festive sailboat decked out with holiday lights and sailing on a beautiful teal sea.

Here is a photo of the block after the shapes have been fused and machine appliquéd to the background.

To see a few things I do to make creating a black like this a success, please look at the blog post from September 1st called Sun-Boo-Net Sue.

You can turn this fun block into a 14 x 18″ placemat. You can add additional background pieces to the completed 12″ block, or you can make the background bigger to begin with. If adding additional background pieces, you will need to sew a 2-1/2 x 7″ light teal background piece to a 2-1/2 x 6″ teal background piece. You will need to make two of these and sew them to either side of the 12-1/2″ unfinished block. Press the seams open. Otherwise, if you just want to make the background piece larger to begin with, and then appliqué your pieces onto this larger background piece, you would sew a 16-1/2 x 7″ light teal background piece to a 16-1/2 x 6″ teal background piece. Press the seam open and then appliqué the sailboat shapes onto the center of the background. Once you have completed the center of the placemat, you will add dark green side and top borders. The side borders measure 12-1/2 x 1-1/2″ and get sewn on first. Then you will sew on the top and bottom borders, which measure 18-1/2 x 1-1/2.” Next, you will baste, with spray or pins, your cotton batting to a backing piece that measures 16 x 20. Then baste the placemat on top of the batting. Quilt as desired and then trim to 14 x 18.” Next, apply the binding and you are done. The yardage required for this project remains the same as for the block pattern, except the required amount of dark green increases to 3/8 yard to account for the borders. You will need a fat quarter for the backing and a 16 x 20″ piece of cotton batting. Also you will need 1/4 yard, or (2) 2-1/2″ strips, for the binding, in the color of your choice.

You can also use this block to create a fun quilt that measures 50 x 50.” You combine 8 sailboat blocks with 8 background squares and add a 1″ border. It makes a quilt that looks like a regatta or a holiday boat parade. The yardage required to make this quilt top would be: 1/4 yard of maroon; 3/8 yard of red; 1/2 yard of off white and dark green; 1 yard of teal and 1-1/4 yards of light teal.

If you would like to download a complimentary PDF pattern of our block for November, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the complimentary pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well. Please note: This pattern will only be complimentary during the month of November 2020.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the complimentary pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on November 3rd which gave you the coupon code.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

Christmas Wreath by Slice of Pi Quilts
Baby Sue’s First Christmas
Celebrate by Inquiring Quilter
Gifts at Always Expect Moore
Snowflakes by Blockofthemodotcom
Gifts of Friendship
Fireworks at duck creek mountain quilting
Wreath & Chain at Stash Bandit
Christmas Star by Michelle Renee Hiatt
Adirondack Mountain Quilt Block
A Present from Penny
Candlelighting at Pretty Piney Quilts
Poinsettia from QuiltFabrication
Harbor Holidays at Blue Bear Quilts
Christmas Cracker at Perkins Dry Goods
Sparkling Spruce at Patti’s Patchwork
Jingle All the Way at Orange Blossom Quilt
Snowflakes & Candy Cane Trees at Quilt Moments
Tower of Gifts by Oh Kaye Quilting
Winter Memories by Carolyn Burgess
Holiday Block by Seams to Be Sew
Ticker Tape Tree at Devoted Quilter
Evergreen by True Blue Quilts
Merry and Bright at Around the Bobbin
Ski Vacation

Posted on September 1, 2020February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Quilt Block Mania- Sun-Boo-Net Sue Block- Free Pattern

We thought we would celebrate Labor Day by offering 20% off of our digital download Sparklers on Liberty Square and Patriotic Polka Patterns. You can find the links to those patterns here: downloadable-patterns/

Sparklers on Liberty Square Quilt at barber shop

Sparklers on Liberty Square Quilt Pattern Cover

Quilt Block Mania is happening again in September and 29 quilt designers are at it again with this month’s theme of Halloween. Here is a picture of the theme colors.

Very fallish don’t you think? So the block Blue Bear created is a take on the classic Sunbonnet Sue block. Sue is proudly holding up the pumpkin she just finished carving.

Sunbonnet Sue is one of those appliqué blocks that people either love or hate. We think she is adorable in this Halloween themed block. The fabrics that we used to create this fun block are called Coco Chic and they are part of a fabric collaboration we are doing with QT fabrics. The fabrics were inspired from 1920’s fabric prints which QT Fabrics has in their archives.

Coco Chic will be available in fabric shops in January 2021. Fabric shops are ordering this fabric now and if you would like for your local shop to carry it, we have a letter we prepared that you can snail mail, email or bring into the shop telling them all about this Art Deco fabric collection. The letter is available on our website under the heading ” Coco Chic Letter.”

Here is a photo of the block with Coco Chic fabrics after the shapes have been fused to the background.

There are a few things I did to make creating this black a success. I cut out fabric squares the same size as the paper template squares I cut.

The squares of fusible web were cut slightly smaller than the fabric squares.

I fused the fusible webbing to the wrong side of the fabric. Then with regular washable school glue, I put the slightest amount of glue on the paper side of the fusible and glued the paper templates onto the fusible webbing.

Now I was able to cut out the appliqué shapes on the solid line. When ready to fuse in place, using the placement diagram for guidance, I carefully pulled off both the paper template and the paper side of the fusible. If you need to score the paper side of the fusible webbing, you can lift the paper template up to do so.

Here I am getting reading to machine appliqué the pieces down after I had fused them to the background.

The block looks very finished with the blanket stitch and this embroidery holds the pieces to the background and prevents them from fraying over time.

When doing machine embroidery, it is important that you use a piece of tearaway stabilizer on the back of your background piece and sew nice and slowly so that you are able to pivot your piece with the needle down when you need to.

If you would like to turn this cute block into a pillow cover, please head over to our YouTube channel, after September 3, 2020, where we will have a video showing how we turned this block into a pillow cover. Here is the link to our YouTube channel: Blue Bear Quilts YouTube. We also have a pattern for making a pillow cover out of a 12″ finished block here: pillow cover pattern

If you would like to download a free PDF pattern of our block for September, all you have to do is look for the box on our blog, on the right hand side, that says “Like this content? Sign up for free updates” and sign up to receive our newsletter. When you have done that, you will receive a welcoming email from us that will contain a coupon code and a link back to the free pattern. You will act as though you are purchasing the pattern and in the cart, you will apply the coupon code, which will make the pattern free. You will need to fill out contact information, but no payment method will be necessary. Don’t worry, we do not send out newsletters very often and we never sell email addresses or contact information. Here is what the pattern looks like. It is in a format very similar to most Blue Bear Quilt patterns, so if you see what you like in this free pattern, you will like our other patterns as well. Please note: This pattern will only be free during the month of September 2020.

Current newsletter subscribers, don’t despair! You will be able to download the free pattern as well as you have already been sent a newsletter on September 1st which gave you the coupon code.

We are so happy that you stopped by to visit us in the Quilt Block Mania hop and we hope that you like our block. Please stop by to see all of the other designer’s wonderful blocks.

You can click on the links to the other blocks here.

“Which Hat?” at Pretty Piney
Black Cat at Inquiring Quilter
Ring of Pumpkins at Always Expect Moore
Haunted House at Powered by Quilting
Three Treats at Sew Brainy
Bat at Slice of Pi Quilts
Day of the Dead Skull at Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
Gypsy Wagon Fortune Teller at Orange Blossom Quilt
Monster at Seams to be Sew
Patchwork Pumpkin at Quilted Diary
Stacked Pumpkins at Perkins Dry Goods
Spooky Star at Block of the Mo .com
Leaf Ghost at Off the Wall Quilt
Leaf and Vine at Quilt Moments
Frankenstein at Around the Bobbin
Bat by Heidi Pridemore
Candy Corn by Quilt Fabrication
Dark night by Cotton Street Commons
Pumpkin by Sew on the Go
Pumpkin and Bat by ScrapDash
Pumpkin Chain by Stash Bandit
Happy Jack-o-lantern by Patti’s Patchwork
Foundation Pieced Creepy Eyes by Amarar Creacions
Spooky Trees by Aunt Em’s Quilts
Upside Down Witch by Appliques Quilts and More
Scaredy Kitty by Tacy Gray
Sun-Boo-Net Sue by Blue Bear Quilts
Spider by Oh Kay Quilting
Candy, Pumpkins, and Witch Hat by Utah Quilt Appraiser

Posted on July 20, 2020February 10, 2022 by Reed — Leave a comment

Patterns, Facebook Live, YouTube Channel and First Fabric Collection

We have been very busy creating many patterns, which we hope you will enjoy. We’ve done Facebook Lives with other talented designers over the summer. We created a YouTube channel. And, we have our first fabric collection.

We have been busy sewing lots of face masks. We even found a Quilt in a Day scallop ruler which helped cut out the mask shapes. Even the bears got into the act. Silly Reed thought you could wear them on top of your head but Beauregard Bear showed him the correct way.

Our Quilt Cruise to Alaska did not happen in June due to the pandemic, but it was fun thinking about the possibility and we hope to schedule another quilt cruise in the future when we can all be together.

We have two new fun summer sailing patterns we created for Accuquillt. One is called Ahoy Mate Table Runner.

You can get the free pattern here: https://www.accuquilt.com/go-ahoy-mate-table-runner-pattern.html

The other is called Let’s Go Sailing, which is a fun combination of signal codes.

Here is where you will find that free pattern: https://www.accuquilt.com/go-let-s-go-sailing-quilt-pattern.html

We have had a bunch of quilts in magazines. The first one was Firework Flowers in May/June 2020 Love of Quilting magazine.

This quilt brought some joy to my 4th of July this year.

Next was 50’s Diner in the May/June 2020 McCall’s Quilting magazine.

Can’t you just imagine drinking an ice cream soda at the soda fountain with your date?

Have you ever tried curved piecing like you would find in the Drunkard’s Path block? The Waverly Path quilt was in the July/August 2020 issue of Quiltmaker magazine.

Finally, named after a grand niece, Thoroughly Modern Vivs was in the premier issue of Fons and Porter Quick and Easy Quilts. It was such an honor to be in this magazine with so many esteemed designers.

We created several patterns for Timeless Treasures new collections. They are There’s a Bear in My Watermelon Patch 2, using their One in a Mellon collection; Patriotic Polka, using their Treats Freedom collection; Adore Him, using the Come Let Us Adore Him collection; Peaceful Valley, using the Winter Blessing collection and Cowboy Claus, which uses the Ho Ho Hoedown collection. These fabric lines are at quilt shops now and you can purchase these quilt patterns on our website.

On Facebook, we did four facebook lives covering a virtual trunk show, accurate cutting, fussy cutting tips and our top 20 favorite quilting notions. We also have a video debuting our first ever fabric collection. If you missed any of these, you can catch them all on our YouTube Channel.

You can see the videos on YouTube on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSRJrsvJV2uIdS1aquYw8JA

Speaking of a new fabric collection, our first fabric collection is with QT Fabrics and it is called Coco Chic.

It will be available in quilt shops in January 2021. This fabric collection was inspired by authentic 1920’s fabric from deep in the QT Fabrics archives. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a Great Gatsby or Roaring 20’s party using these fabrics from the time period. We see this fabric being used in quilts, bags, lady’s dresses and men’s shirts. We hope you are as excited about this collection as we are.

Be sure to ask you local quilt shop if they will be carrying Coco Chic. We have designed several quilts using the collection and will have demos on Youtube using the fabrics. Stay tuned for much more regarding this exciting fabric collection.

On August 4th, we will be participating in Quilt Block Mania, A blog hop with other designers, where they all will be giving away a free block pattern with the theme of Back to School. Watch for this coming soon! Keep on quilting. Oh, and Beauregard says Hi.

Posted on March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 by Reed — Leave a comment

Blue Bear Quilts is doing Virtual Quilt Trunk Show on Facebook Live April 5th 4 pm EST.

There is going to be a Quilter’s Eye Candy Trunk Show Event on Facebook from April 1st through April 10th. Since you can’t come to the designers, they are going to come to you. Many quilt pattern designers will be holding a trunk show on their Facebook page. These will be Facebook Live presentations that will be 15 minutes long and will occur throughout the day, on the hour, from 12-8 pm. EST. Blue Bear Quilts will be doing our trunk show on April 5th at 4 p.m.EST. We hope you will join us and also check out many of the other fabulous designers that will also being doing Facebook Live trunk shows. If you would like to become familiar with the different designers before their trunk shows, click on the links to go to their Facebook page. This should be a lot of fun! The schedule is listed below. #quilterseyecandytrunkshow #fblivetrunkshow #quilterscandytrunkshow

April 1

12 pm EST Andi Stanfield facebook.com/Anditruebluequilts
1 pm EST Nancy Scott facebook.com/MasterpieceQ
2 pm EST becky jorgensen https://www.facebook.com/patchworkposse/
3 pm EST carolina moore facebook.com/alwaysexpectmoore
4 pm EST Jackie Kunkel https://www.facebook.com/cantonvillagequiltworks/
5 pm EST Connie Jonson Sayler https://www.facebook.com/PacificRimQuiltCompany/
6 pm EST Laura Piland/Slice of Pi Quilts https://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/
7 pm EST Sandra Starley https://www.facebook.com/TextileTimeTravels

8 pm EST Swan Sheridan www.facebook.com/swanamitystudios

April 2

12 pm EST Lisa Ruble https://www.facebook.com/LoveToColorMyWorld/
1 pm EST Beth Helfter EvaPaige Quilt Designs
2 pm EST Diane Bohn/From Blank Pages https://facebook.com/fromblankpages
3 pm EST Deb Eggers/the cottage rose https://www.facebook.com/cottagerosequilt/
4 pm EST Heidi Pridemore/The Whimsical Workshop https:/www.facebook.com/thewhimsicalworkshop
5 pm EST Kate Colleran https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/

6 pm EST Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

April 3

12 pm EST Darcy Hunter www.facebook.com/darcydoodlequilts
1 pm EST Teresa Weaver www.facebook.com/yoursewingfriend
2 pm EST Annette Ornelas https://www.facebook.com/southwind.designs/
3 pm EST Jo Westfoot – The Crafty Nomad www.facebook.com/thecraftynomad
4 pm EST Lynn Kane https://facebook.com/puppygirllynn
5 pm EST Geeky Bobbin https://facebook.com/geekybobbinApril 3 6pm EST
7 pm EST Laura Strickland https://m.facebook.com/orangeblossomquilt/
8 pm EST Jen Frost https://www.facebook.com/FaithAndFabric/

April 4

12 pm EST Sherry Shish – Powered By Quilting facebook.com/poweredbyquilting
1 pm EST Bill Locke – Bill Locke Designs https://www.facebook.com/bill.locke.96
2 pm EST Toni Smith/Quiltoni https://www.facebook.com/Quiltoni/
3 pm EST Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/
4 pm EST Jennifer Fulton https://www.facebook.com/inquiringquilter/
5 pm EST Jessica Caldwell/ Desert Bloom Quilting https://www.facebook.com/desertbloomquilting/
6 pm EST Monique Kleinhans / Ladybug’s Cabin https://www.facebook.com/ladybugscabin/
7 pm EST Heather Long / Coffee and Quilts https://m.facebook.com/Coffee-and-Quilts-197254351073271/?__tn__=C-R

8 pm EST Marija Vujcic, Mara Quilt Designs https://www.facebook.com/MaraQuiltDesigns/

April 5

12 pm EST Ebony Love https://www.facebook.com/LoveBugStudios/
1 pm EST Bill Locke https://www.facebook.com/bill.locke.96
2 pm EST Marlene Oddie https://www.facebook.com/kissedquilts/
3 pm EST Sandy Fitzpatrick https://www.facebook.com/HissyfitzDesigns

*4 pm EST Reed Johnson https://www.facebook.com/BlueBearQuilts/
5 pm EST Diane Harris https://www.facebook.com/stashbandit/
7 pm EST Kathryn LeBlanc/Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio https://www.facebook.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudioApril 5 8pm EST

April 6

12 pm EST Becca Fenstermaker https://www.facebook.com/prettypiney/
1 pm EST Cherry Guidry https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio
2 pm EST Cheryl Lynch www.facebook.com/CherylLynchFiberArts
3 pm EST Annie Smith https://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs5pm EST Reeze Hanson https://www.facebook.com/Morningglorydesigns/
6 pm EST
7 pm EST Melissa Marginet https://www.facebook.com/melissa.marginet.quilter/

April 7

12 pm EST Margaret Willingham/ Eye of the Beholder Quilt Design https://www.facebook.com/EyeoftheBeholderQuilt/
1 pm EST Kate Colleran/Seams Like A Dream Design https://www.facebook.com/SeamsLikeaDreamQuilts/
2 pm EST Barbara Cline https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cline.520
3 pm EST Barbara Persing https://www.facebook.com/bpquilts/
4 pm EST Ms P Designs USA/ Sharon Andersen https://www.facebook.com/MsPDesignsUSA/

7 pm EST Diane Harris https://www.facebook.com/stashbandit/
8 pm EST Christa Watson https://www.facebook.com/groups/christaquilts/

April 8

12pm EST Tina Dillard/Quilting Affection Designs https://www.facebook.com/quiltingaffectiondesigns/
1pm EST Raija Salomaa/Quilters’ Treasure Chest https://www.facebook.com/quilterstreasurechest/
2pm EST Robin Koehler//NESTLINGS by Robin https://www.facebook.com/NestlingsbyRobin/
3pm EST Terri Vanden Bosch https://www.facebook.com/lizardcreekquilting/
4pm EST Jackie Kunkel https://www.facebook.com/cantonvillagequiltworks/

5pm EST Leanne Parsons https://www.facebook.com/devotedquilterdesigns
6pm EST Laura Piland/Slice of Pi Quilts https://www.facebook.com/sliceofpiquilts/
7pm EST Ebony Love https://www.facebook.com/LoveBugStudios/
8pm EST Tammy Silvers/Tamarinis https://www.facebook.com/tamarinis/

April 9

1 pm EST Nancy Scott facebook.com/MasterpieceQApril 9 2pm EST Jayme Crow/Bella Nonna Design Studio
4 pm EST Jen Frost https://www.facebook.com/FaithAndFabric/
5 pm EST Annie Smith https://www.facebook.com/anniesmithqs/

6 pm EST Karen L. Miller / Redbird Quilt Co. https://www.facebook.com/RedbirdQuiltCo/
7 pm EST Kathryn LeBlanc/Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio https://www.facebook.com/dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio
8 pm EST Monique Kleinhans / Ladybug’s Cabin https://www.facebook.com/ladybugscabin/

April 10

12pm Sarah Maxwell https://www.facebook.com/DesignsSarahJMaxwell
1 pm Teresa Weaver www.facebook.com/yoursewingfriend
2 pm Karen Overton https://www.facebook.com/TheQuiltRambler

3 pm Alison Stothard https://www.facebook.com/hexadoodlequilts

5 pm Pat Sloan https://www.facebook.com/groups/QuiltWithPatSloan/

6 pm Cherry Guidry https://www.facebook.com/CherryBlossomsQuiltingStudio

7 pm Toni Smith/Quiltoni https://www.facebook.com/Quiltoni/

8 pm Marija Vujcic, Mara Quilt Designs https://www.facebook.com/MaraQuiltDesigns/

Posted on March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 by Reed — Leave a comment

7 Things to do While in Social Isolation.

These are difficult times. We are all concerned about staying healthy, employed and not going crazy. Social isolation is necessary in order for governments around the world to get control of the Coronavirus. There are things you can do to make this time go by a little smoother and more quickly.

I thought I would offer 7 tips of what I am doing to get through this. In offering these suggestions, I do not want to diminished the suffering of those who are sick, have lost loved ones, have lost their jobs or businesses. I am also mindful and thankful for the hardships of those on the front lines, like doctors, nurses, firefighters, police, transportation workers, utility workers, food service workers, warehouse and delivery workers and those working in government or other essential services. This post is just to offer some ideas of what to do with your free time while in isolation.

1. Communicate with your friends and loved ones. We are social beings and still need that human connection with one another. There are many apps on your phone, or computer, that will allow you to video chat with friends and loved ones, such as Skype, Zoom, Facetime and Google Hangouts. The video chat is better than a phone call as it allows you to see facial expressions, show what you are doing or give virtual hugs. Many of these services will allow you to connect with several people at the same time and they all have a free component.

2. Volunteer your services. By volunteering, it will occupy your time and mind and has the effect of making you feel better as you are doing some good in the world. There have been many examples of people that are healthy and able offering to go out and get groceries and other needed supplied for those who are less able or more vulnerable. You could call the elderly that are sheltering in the senior homes with no visitors. One volunteer project for sewists would be to make face masks for healthcare workers as those items are in short supply and are desparately needed. You would need to check with your local health facilities to see if these masks are something they would be able to use and if they have any specifications. Here is a You Tube video tutorial on how to make masks:

3. Listen to music. Music has the ability to sooth the soul. Try listening to different music to see how it affects you. Watch this video of an Italian opera singer singing to his neighbors from his back balcony. It will be a few moments of pure bliss.

4. Exercise to bring your brain positive endorphins. Talk a walk outdoors and maintain your social distance of 6 feet and avoid large crowds of people. There are also exercise videos on You Tube which you can do at home. This is a video for doing exercises in your chair:

https://youtu.be/P-g7TAjjAE8

and this video might be a little more challenging, if you are so inclined and able:

5. Read a good book. There is nothing like a good book to take your mind new places and to forget your cares. There is a company called BookBub, https://www.bookbub.com/welcome, that you can sign up to receive daily emails of digital books that are free, or anywhere from $.99 to $2.99. Also, if you have a current library card, you can download an app called Overdrive or Libby, that allows you to borrow digital books from your library for up to 2 weeks at a time for free.

6. Nourish your spiritual side to find internal peace. For me that comes from attending a church service virtually online, or watching archived sermons, or reading a devotional or the Bible. For you, your nourishment may come from a different source. “Here is an example of a devotional that I recently read from the book 365 Devotions to Embrace what Matters Most by John Michalak. Peace Through Surrender. Here’s a simple definition of war: War is a conflict where the strength and weaknesses of each side are exposed so that one side eventually conquers, and the other side surrenders, resulting in peace. The wars you face will expose your weaknesses. They will give you the opportunity to accept the things you cannot change, and if you choose to see it, they will expose God’s strength and the need to surrender to His strength. Surrendering is scary. But know that God is more than just some distant higher power. He is someone who loves you deeply. He is someone who will stand faithful when you’re ready to give up. He will hold your troubles in safekeeping and offer you a peace that passes understanding. Will you surrender your troubles to Him?” “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:6-7.

7. Learn a new hobby or a new technique in your current hobby. If you are a quilter, you could learn how to make a mini quilt with Sue Bouchard from Quilt in a Day. Here is a video on how to make a mini red, white and blue star quilt:

You could take up knitting by watching this video:

Or, you might even take up the Ukulele by watching this video:

I hope I have given you some ideas that you can use while you are hunkering down. Please take this virus seriously and stay safe and healthy for yourself and your loved ones. We will get through this by being smart, caring and compassionate. Hang in there and keep on quilting.

Posted on February 14, 2020February 14, 2020 by Reed — 1 Comment

Tutorial For Sewing the Accuquilt Hattie’s Choice Block

We have a pattern on our website called Fit For a King and we also designed the pattern called Antique Americana on the Accuquilt website, so I thought it might be fun to do a tutorial for sewing this block. Here are photos of those two quilts.

Here is what the Accuquilt Die looks like.

The die has three shapes on it labeled A, B & C. Now at first glance, you may think that shape “A” is an equilateral triangle, and the die packaging would lead you to believe that it is an equilateral triangle, but it is not. When piecing this shape, there is a correct orientation for laying it out and piecing it.

Look at one of the shape A’s laid over another one, as in the photo below, and you can see that they are not the same on all sides.

There is a distinct orientation for correctly piecing shape “A.” You need to identify the top of Shape” A and stack them all with the top on top.

The next photo shows the correct orientation of shape A on the right side of the shape B Diamond. You flip shape A over to the left on top of shape B per the photo below. Notice the orientation of shape A on top of shape B for sewing.

It helps if you sew with leaders and enders. These are scraps of fabric you start sewing on before sewing on your quilt pieces and stop on after you have sewn your chain of quilt pieces. This prevents the corners of your pieces from getting jammed down in the feed dogs. This next picture shows the 1/4″ seam sewn. Notice how the seam starts on the top point and ends by going through the bottom point.

Next press the seam toward the triangle.

Place another shape A onto the B diamond. Notice the orientation of the top on shape A.

Look at the 1/4″ seam below. Notice how the it starts at the top point and ends by going through the bottom point.

Press toward second shape A. Second photo is view from the back. Make 4 of these combined units.

Layout these combine units with shape Cs to the left of them.

Flip the combined units onto shape C as depicted below. Note how they are sewn from point to point.

Press toward shape C. View from the back. Make 4 of these units.

Lay out the 4 units per the photo below.

Place one of the units on top of another and sew along the right edge with a 1/4 ” seam. Second photo below is view of seam from back.

combined units showing 1/4" seam — combined units showing 1/4″ seam

Press seam toward shape C.

Lay out two half units.

Flip one half unit onto the other and pin where the diamonds intersect. Note the 1/4″ seam line in the second photo.

1/4" seam on half units — 1/4″ seam on half units

Press the center seam open.

Voila! You have a completed Hattie’s Choice block. In a perfect world, these blocks would measure 8.5″, but you can see that mine are only 8.25.” This will be fine as long as all of your blocks are consistently the same measurement.