Welcome back to the Rainbow Quilt Block of the Month designed by Janome Maker Carolina Oneto! You are over halfway done with your beautiful quit! Give yourself a pat on the back and get ready to start your next block!

This month you will learn how to make block seven, the Rolling Stone quilt block.

From Carolina:

I sew all the blocks on my Janome 1600P-QC, which I really love, one of the great things about this machine is that the bobbin winder is independent of other mechanisms and the speed control is variable depending on the user’s need. These are only a couple of the features that make sewing and quilting fuss-free.

Please read through all instructions prior to piecing. Remember that all the blocks will have a finished size of 12” so that means the unfinished size will be 12 1/2”. All seam allowances are 1/4"

Fabrics:

White background

• Five 4 1/2” squares
• One strip 2 1/2” x 18”

Light Blue:

·Sixteen 2 1/2” squares

Blue:

One strip 2 1/2” x 18”

INSTRUCTION FOR SQUARE IN A SQUARE UNITS

Mark the wrong side of the LIGHT BLUE 2 1/2″ squares in half once diagonally. Lay marked square right sides together with a white 4 1/2″ square and sew on the marked line. Repeat on the diagonally opposite corner. Repeat on the other corners. Make 4. Unit measures 4 1/2″ unfinished.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RECTANGLE UNITS

• Sew the two long strips of fabric, right sides together. Next, cut your sewn strip of fabrics into four equal parts. 4.5”. Press to the dark side.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:

• Arrange your blocks in the correct layout
• Using a quarter-inch seam allowance, sew together in rows. Join all rows, using a quarter-inch seam allowance.
• Press your completed block and trim down to 12.5″ square (if necessary).

And that’s all!

I hope you enjoy this new block! And don’t forget to share it!

Block One     HERE

Block Two     HERE

Block Three  HERE

Block Four    HERE

Block Five     HERE

Block Six      HERE   

After you make your block, we’d love to see them!

Janome Sewing Classroom

Janome America Instagram – Be sure to tag @janomeamerica and use the hashtag #janomemakes and also tag @carolinaoneto!

Janome is excited to partner with the newest and most innovative show in designer reality competitions THE HYPE! 

"The worlds of streetwear, business, and culture collide! THE HYPE features ten streetwear professionals who will compete in challenges to prove they can talk the talk and deliver the product. Every episode will offer unique tips and takeaways about the intricacies of designing, the business of fashion, and the savvy it takes to identify the latest trends. See which contestant can elevate their designs and entrepreneurial sense to avoid elimination — while still remaining authentic to their own style."

Follow along as these talented designers create their one-of-a-kind looks on the Janome HD 3000 sewing machine, Air Thread 2000D, Memory Craft 550E, and Janome Artistic Digitizer software.

THE HYPE studio was set up for success with the following Janome machines and instruction from our Janome Education Team:

The HD-3000 is a heavy-duty machine, perfect for a beginner or sewist looking to do a wide range of sewing. A handy instructional guide is located in the top tray door of the machine, which indicates the feet and stitch settings for a variety of sewing tasks. Heavy-duty aluminum body and 18 stitches, including a one-step buttonhole, give you the tools you need to handle any kind of sewing project. Stitch length and width adjustment are conveniently located on the front of the machine, and a hardcover comes standard for easy storage.

Serging Simplified. Every project is easier with the right tools for the job, and the AirThread 2000D provides all the tools you need to deliver professional quality finishing. With Janome's One-Push Air Threading System the tedious threading of upper and lower loopers is a thing of the past. The 8-Piece Feed Dog System will easily grab and feed your fabric, from slinky knits to denim, the AT2000D will meet the challenges of your sewing projects. 

The Built-in One-step Converter makes changing from 3-thread to 2-thread applications easier than ever. And with a built-in needle threader, manually threading your serger needles becomes easier than ever. One unit provides threading of both the right and left position needles. 

Have you been sewing along with Natalie Santini for the Candy Crush Quilt Along?

Natalie has been hosting Facebook Live events on the Janome Sewing Machines Page on Fridays at 3 pm ET to go over the current week's tasks and also provides tips and tricks for better results! 

We are into Week 2 of the #candycrushQAL and Natalie is super excited!

If you've already signed up, you'll be receiving your email Saturday morning with Zoom log-in info (if you want to join the Meet & Mingle happy hour). I'm hosting meetings weekly, it's a low-pressure atmosphere to answer questions or share motivation and progress. 

This is an easy quilt to make. We basically are sewing squares or strips of squares together. You can DEFINITELY do this!

To be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE of a Janome Sewist 721 sewing machine, post a photo of your finished quilt top (does not need to be quilted and bound) by September 4, 2021. 

A random winner will be chosen from those who have finished the quilt top and share the finished quilt, it doesn't have to be quilted and bound. There will also be other fabulous giveaways for participating during the event! How cool is that news?

(Entries for the machine are limited to U.S. residents only, 18 years of age or older, due to laws and restrictions)

You can sign up at any time, the quilt along will be open through August.

On September 5th, after the QAL is finished, we will be awarding the grand PRIZE of a Janome Sewist 721 sewing machine to one lucky winner!

Whether you are just beginning your sewing journey or are an experienced sewing enthusiast, the Janome 721 mechanical sewing machine has features to enhance your sewing experience. The 19 built-in stitches offer everyday stitches including stretch stitches and a 4-step buttonhole. Features include Adjustable Foot Pressure, Built-in Needle Threader, Extra High Foot Lifter for thicker fabrics, Drop Feed plus a Hard Machine Cover for safe storage. Plus it is lightweight for easy transport to classes.

I pieced my entire quilt on the Janome Skyline S7, then quilted straight lines diagonally over the whole quilt. It was so fun!

Here's an introduction video if you'd like to see more!

It feels like I harp about using quality machines and tools all the time, but there is something to be said about really understanding this. When I started sewing a long time ago I didn't have a quality machine, and EVERYTHING was so difficult to complete because of jams and problems. After my patience was worn out I called a local sewing shop and went to get the machine I truly needed. I've never looked back, and have had zero regrets for investing in ME.

That's how it should be viewed- it's not just "buying a machine" -- it's investing in YOURSELF.

We hope to see you on the quilt-along! Be sure to tag@sewhungryhippie and @janomeamerica in your posts and use the hashtags #candycrushQAL! If you are sewing along on a Janome please also use the #janomemakes hashtag!

Sign up here.

-Natalie AKA Sewhungryhippie

Ah, the dreaded zipper! One of the most essential parts of creating bags, garments, cosplay, and home decor is also one of the most frightening for many sewing enthusiasts. We are here to say fear no more! Janome Maker Meredith Daniel from Olivia Jane Handcrafted is going to show you not only how easy it is to install a zipper by creating a zippered pocket in anything!!!  After you add zippered pouches to everything, you can use this skill builder to go forward adding zippers pillows, dresses, and so much more!

A zippered pocket is such a useful addition to any bag! Did you know they are also incredibly easy to insert? This tutorial will show you how to do just that, and you will be an expert in no time at all! 

You'll need just a couple of things:

• the fabric you want to put a zipper pocket into
• a zipper the length of you want your pocket opening (I'm using a 7" metal zipper)
• a cut of fabric for your pocket (you'll need less than a fat quarter!)
• a scrap of interfacing (I'm using SF 101)
• a marking tool, ruler, and cutting tools

To demonstrate this technique, I'm installing a zipper on the front of my Basic Drawstring Bag. It would also make a great addition to my Mosaic Heart Tote, but you can use this to add a pocket to whatever you need! I am using my Janome Skyline S9 with a walking foot for the whole of this tutorial. That's right! You don't even need a zipper foot. Let's get started!

Cut two pieces of interfacing 1.5"x 1" longer than your zipper. I cut a piece 1.5x8". Cut two matching pocket bags. They should be at least 1.5" longer than your zipper, and you will need at least 1" above wherever your zipper is at. I cut two pieces measuring 11x7.5".  Mark the placement of your zipper opening on the outer fabric. I find it useful to crease the fabric where I want the zipper to be, and then I have an accurate way to tell where to add interfacing.

Place one strip of interfacing on the wrong side of your outer fabric. Center it over where the zipper will be placed, and fuse according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat this on the wrong side of one pocket piece. The interfacing needs to be placed 1/2" under the top of the pocket piece. 

**Tip: to help protect your iron and your ironing board cover, use a pressing cloth! 

Find the center of your interfaced section on the pocket piece and draw a line that is 1/4" longer than the teeth of your zipper. I marked a line 7 1/4" for my 7" zipper. Now mark two matching lines 1/4" above and below that line. You will now have three lines. Mark little triangles that reach from the outer corners to about 1/4" in on the centerline. Align your pocket piece and outer fabric right sides together so that the interfaced sections are at the same area since you will be sewing through all layers in the next step. I used clover clips to keep my fabrics still and in line. Sew around the outside rectangle that you drew, overlapping by several stitches once you reach the beginning. All the inner lines are cut lines.

Using very sharp scissors, cut through all layers along the centerline until you reach the triangle points, then very carefully clip along those diagonal lines to the corners. Do not clip your stitches. Turn your pocket pieces toward the inside through the hole you just cut, and press well.

Align your zipper within the rectangular opening, and begin stitching somewhere in the middle. You will want to use a 1/8" seam allowance since you are sewing close to the folded edge of the fabric. When you get close to the zipper pull, put your needle down, raise your presser foot, and carefully open the zipper so that you can stitch unencumbered by the bulk of the pull. You can then close it again when you need to.

Place your remaining pocket piece right sides together with the sewn pocket piece, and pin the corners. You will now sew all the way around the pocket pieces with a 1/4" seam allowance. Move the main fabric out of the way as you sew. 

You have now completed your hidden zipper pocket!

Give yourself a pat on the back for learning a new technique!  You can now include this skill in your sewing toolbox!