Botanical Beauty QAL: IT'S HERE:)

 I am giddy with excitement!!

As I said before, this is one

of the grandest things I have ever done!

After many hours of work

 I am THRILLED to bring my,

Botanical Beauty: Sestercentennial Sampler

quilt pattern to you!

Lots of information in this post

so please read to the end.

I am very proud of my 

family's military service

and of all the military members

and their families

that sacrifice much 

more than most will ever know.

In honor of those who sacrifice,

I will be highlighting some

not-so-well-known heroes of 

the Revolutionary War each month

with the block for that month.

There will also be a bit of history

about the block shown (designer, etc).

MONTH 1:

Eagle and Stars set on a background.

There will be a video assist for 

aligning those stars so neatly:)

After I drew my eagle, I thought I 

remembered a myth about what the 

direction of the head meant.

I asked my fellow historians in the 

American Quilt Study Group and 

this is what I was told:

"When the eagle on the presidential

seal faces left and the talons hold

arrows, we are at war. 

When it faces right and holds 

olive branches, we are at peace.

The presidential seal doesn't switch out

like that but the information is interesting.

I am glad I drew it facing right but I 

left out the olive branches for ease of applique'.

Now to the QAL:

Thank YOU for being here.

 I look forward to 

lively participation!

The FULL pattern is available as a 

PDF digital download HERE at an

introductory price of $42 until 

February 15th, 2025

(Reg price $48)

Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.

Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.

All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.

This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!

Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 

be shared with others!

The pattern is required for the QAL.

My accompanying posts and videos

will not provide any measurements.

I will be providing technique

tips and history tidbits.

The QAL will take place in 

my FB Group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 with blog posts

adding additional information.

Make sure all your notifications

are turned on so you don't miss anything.

If you aren't a member yet, please 

answer all 3 questions an agree to the 

rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE

Looks like a lot, but time flies when we quilt:)

February 2025: Pattern Release

February '25-April '26: 1 block per month

May '26: Finishing Instructions

June '26: Time to get it quilted

July 2026: Show that baby off to all 

who will want to see to celebrate 

our country's 250th birthday. 

Just hearing about all of this?

Follow these links to catch up:)

Introduction

Fabric & Supplies

OK, 

Ready ~ Set ~ GO!

See you over on FB

In case you forgot to click over:)

AVAILABLE HERE

Botanical Beauty QAL: Fabric and Supplies

 

We are 1 day away from starting

the Botanical Beauty QAL and I

don't even have time for ironing-LOL!

If you are new to the conversation,

go read the introduction HERE...

we will wait:)

Fabrics:

As you can see in the photo above, there

are more than just 1 red, white, or blue.

I didn't quite go scrappy nor did I 

stick to my usual organized, cohesive look.

I decided to mix it up a bit this time.

The pattern will have overall yardage (ex. Red- #yards)

 and if you choose to go a bit scrappier, just 

add up your pieces to total yardage listed.

I added cutting instructions to each block

so, while you are doing the QAL with us,

there is no reason you can't choose

as you go and shop your stash.

Supplies:

I do a lot of hand applique' so some of these 

are unique to that type of work.

I also like to design a lot

of swirly twirly designs:)

First up, bias vines.

This quilt has a lot of vine work on it.

I have tried various bias tape makers

and the original Clover 

is still my favorite!

I even tried their version that 

applies the fusible web tape as

it presses over the edges-nope-

not for me:) 

It works well enough for shorter

lengths but I personally found

that the web didn't stay on well

enough for longer lengths.

Since I don't use the web tape, 

I wouldn't want to make any

vines without Magic sizing.

I spray my bias vine so

that it is damp.

Your cut length should have

a 45 degree angle at one end.

This is the end that I start

through the maker using a

straight pin to help it along.

As you pull the fabric through

the iron will dry the sizing

and stiffen the vine just 

slightly and help the 

edges to stay closed.

Then because I do not have

fusible web tape on the back

of my vine, Roxanne Glue

Baste-It(R) is my best friend

for basting vines to traced lines.

Other helpful items:

a pencil & metal sharpener- So Good,

the white chalk Bohin 

mechanical pencil is 

fantastic on dark fabrics,

& Karen Kay Buckley

serrated scissors for cutting

my applique' (especially

cutting into V points/curves.

These items make my life 

so much easier.

Let's not forget my 

favorite hand applique'

thread: Aurifil!!

I use the 50 wt for all my hand applique'.

You will need fusible web for all the 

applique' if you aren't working by hand.

I like Pellon's 805 Wonder Under.

I find it easy to use and light weight.

If you right click on image below then save to your computer, 

you can print out to start assembling supplies.

There are a couple of 

"(highly recommended)"

supplies that are optional 

but awesome to have.

Obviously if you don't have a

light box then a great 

window works wonders.

I also have the teflon applique'

pressing sheet listed.

It is so helpful when you have layered

flowers that can be all layered

and fused, pulled off the sheet once

cooled, and then placed directly

where you want them on the background.

This way all the parts don't start

shifting around before you get them fused.

As a reminder, "Botanical Beauty" 

will be available for sale in my 

Etsy shop as a full PDF download 

on February 9th, 2025.

The full pattern will be released 

at an introductory

rate of $42 for the first week only

(it will go up to $48 after that).

You will need a pattern to participate.

Every month, I will present a block

via a post here, in my newsletter,

and in my FB group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles.

We will be doing all the discussion

and ooohing/aaahing of 

fabric choices in the FB group.

See you soon!

~~~

Please leave a comment if you

have questions or email me

at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Thank you:)

Botanical Beauty QAL: Introduction

 

BOTANICAL BEAUTY:

This design is a culmination of many

of my designs over the years 

(some published, some not).

The 250th birthday felt like the 

right time to be 'GRAND'.

This is the biggest, most grand

design I have ever attempted and 

I am grateful that you are here

for the journey!

I hope that those of you new to applique'

will give it a try. There are many methods

out there and we will discuss

many of them over the next year.

As some of you may know, 
I come from a military family.
After joining the Coast Guard myself, 
I met and married my husband then
 followed him in his 30 years of service.
We were fortunate to be able to see 
a great deal of the country through 
our moves, learning the history and culture
of many regions.
It was an honor to be a part of the 
Coast Guard and its missions.

As a quilter, I am involved with the 
Quilts of Valor Foundation.
The foundation's mission is an 
important message to those that
serve our country, you are not forgotten,
you are appreciated.

Why a QAL?

As our country prepares to celebrate
250 years as America, I choose
to celebrate through my design work and 
stories about my travels.
I am excited to have you here, 
stitching along!

When and How?
"Botanical Beauty" will be available
for sale in my Etsy shop as a full
PDF download on February 9th, 2025.
The applique' templates
are full sized.
The full pattern will be released 
at an introductory
rate of $42 for the first week only
(it will go up to $48 after that).

You will need a pattern to participate.
Techniques will include some piecing
but mostly applique'.

Of course there will be some
video assists to help the process.
Every month, I will present a block
via a post here, in my newsletter,
and in my FB group, 
Robin's Rocking Needles.
We will be doing all the discussion
and ooohing/aaahing of 
fabric choices in the FB group.
I pride myself on quality (tested)
patterns with full-sized templates
and assembly diagrams.
This is going to be fun!

Lots of posts coming your way 
this week to get us up to speed
on fabrics and supplies so
you will be ready to go
as soon as you get
your pattern!
Please leave a comment if you
have questions or email me
at 
robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com
Thank you:)

Stars of Peace: Let the stitching begin:)

 IT'S HERE!!

After many hours of work
 I am beyond excited to bring my
Stars of Peace: Sestercentennial Sampler
quilt pattern to you!
Lots of information in this post
so please read to the end.

I am very proud of my 

family's military service

and of all the military members

and their families

that sacrifice much 

more than most will ever know.

In honor of those who sacrifice,

I will be highlighting some

not-so-well-known heroes of 

the Revolutionary War each month

with the block for that month.

There will also be a bit of history

about the block shown (designer, etc).

MONTH 1:

Eagle and Stars set on a background

of 4 blocks together.

After I drew my eagle, I thought I 

remembered a myth about what the 

direction of the head meant.

I asked my fellow historians in the 

American Quilt Study Group and 

this is what I was told:

"When the eagle on the presidential

seal faces left and the talons hold

arrows, we are at war. 

When it faces right and holds olive branches, 

we are at peace.

The presidential seal doesn't switch out

like that but the information is interesting.

I am glad I drew it facing right but I 

left out the olive branches for ease of applique'.

The block I used to create the center is 

originally attributed to Nancy Cabot, a 

syndicated column writer and quilt designer

from the 1930s.

Now to the QAL:
Thank YOU for being here.
 I look forward to 
lively participation!

The FULL pattern is available as a 
PDF digital download HERE at an
introductory price of $20 until 
February 7th, 2025
(Reg price $25)
Etsy offers tips for printing digital patterns.
Please be sure to print ACTUAL SIZE.
All templates have a 1" square for accuracy.
This is a single-copy purchase for a single user!
Copies may not be forwarded or copied to 
be shared with others!

The pattern is required for the QAL.
My accompanying posts and videos
will not provide any measurements.
I will be providing technique
tips and history tidbits.

The QAL will take place in 

my FB Group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles

 with blog posts
adding additional information.
Make sure all your notifications
are turned on so you don't miss anything.

If you aren't a member yet, please 

answer all 3 questions an agree to the 

rules in order to be accepted. Thank you.

SCHEDULE
Looks like a lot but time flies when we quilt:)
February 2025: Pattern Release
February '25-April '26: 1 block per month

May '26: Finishing Instructions

June '26: Time to get it quilted

July 2026: Show that baby off to all 

who will want to see to celebrate 

our country's 250th birthday. 

I will also be offering a block by block option.
Block 1-Eagle/Stars will be available on 
February 1st, 2025 for $8.
It will include all the pattern instructions.

Subsequent blocks will be $5 each.

You can find month 1 HERE.

Just hearing about all of this?
Follow these links to catch up:)
Introduction
Fabric selection & Supplies

OK, 

Ready ~ Set ~ GO!

See you over on FB

In case you forgot to click over:)

AVAILABLE HERE

Stars of Peace QAL: Fabric and Supplies

 

We are only 3 days away 

from this fun and inspiring quilt along!

So Exciting!!

If you are new to the conversation,

go read the introduction HERE...

we will wait:)

Fabrics:

As you can see in the photo above, there
are more than just 1 red, white, or blue.

I didn't quite go scrappy nor did I 

stick to my usual organized, cohesive look.

I decided to mix it up a bit this time.

The pattern will have overall yardage (ex. Red- #yards)

 and if you choose to go a bit scrappier, just 

add up your pieces to total yardage listed.

I added cutting instructions to each block

so, while you are doing the QAL with us,

there is no reason you can't choose

as you go and shop your stash.

Supplies:

This is pretty straight forward piecing project.

I like to use 40 wt thread for piecing

and will put opposing colors top/bottom

for blending purposes (red top-blue bottom).

You will need fusible web for the eagle

and stars if you choose to add them.

I like Pellon's 805 Wonder Under.

I find it easy to use and light weight.

I also use Magic Sizing vs starch or 

other pressing agents. It will keep your

seams nice and flat (very helpful for all

the bias seams).

If you right click on image then save to your computer, 

you can print out to start assembling supplies.

There are a couple of 

"(highly recommended)"

supplies that are optional 

but awesome to have.

Obviously if you don't have a

light box then a great 

window works wonders.

Then there are the slotted trimmers

by New Leaf Stitches....

I have trimmed my HSTs a 

multitude of ways but these

have been by far the easiest!

I almost didn't mind the trimming-LOL!

As a reminder, "Stars of Peace" 

will be available for sale in my 

Etsy shop as a full PDF download 

on February 1st, 2025.

The full pattern will be released 

at an introductory

rate of $20 for the first week only

(it will go up to $25 after that).

The pattern will also be

released as a BOM with 

each month posted for sale 

in my Etsy shop.

You will need a pattern to participate.

Every month, I will present a block

via a post here, in my newsletter,

and in my FB group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles.

We will be doing all the discussion

and ooohing/aaahing of 

fabric choices in the FB group.

See you in 2 short days!

~~~

Please leave a comment if you

have questions or email me

at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Thank you:)

Stars of Peace QAL: Introduction

As some of you may know, 
I come from a military family.

After joining the Coast Guard myself, 

I met and married my husband then

 followed him in his 30 years of service.

We were fortunate to be able to see 

a great deal of the country through 

our moves, learning the history and culture

of many regions.

It was an honor to be a part of the 

Coast Guard and its missions.

As a quilter, I am involved with the 

Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The foundation's mission is an 

important message to those that

serve our country, you are not forgotten,

you are appreciated.

Why a QAL?

As our country prepares to celebrate

250 years as America, I choose

to celebrate through my design work and 

stories about my travels.

I am excited to have you here, 

stitching along!

When and How?

"Stars of Peace" will be available

for sale in my Etsy shop as a full

PDF download on February 1st, 2025.

The applique' templates

are full sized.

The full pattern will be released 

at an introductory

rate of $20 for the first week only

(it will go up to $25 after that).

The pattern will also be

released as a BOM with 

each month posted for sale 

in my Etsy shop.

You will need a pattern to participate.

Techniques will include piecing

and a bit of applique'.

This is a great technique sampler.

The following will be included:

Half-Square Triangle

Quarter-Square Triangle

Flying Geese

Parallelogram.

Of course there will be some

video assists to help the process.

Every month, I will present a block

via a post here, in my newsletter,

and in my FB group, 

Robin's Rocking Needles.

We will be doing all the discussion

and ooohing/aaahing of 

fabric choices in the FB group.

I pride myself on quality (tested)

patterns with full-sized templates

and assembly diagrams.

This is going to be fun!

Lots of posts coming your way 

this week to get us up to speed

on fabrics and supplies so

you will be ready to go

as soon as you get

your pattern!

Please leave a comment if you

have questions or email me

at 

robin@nestlingsbyrobin.com

Thank you:)

Good-bye 2024 and Hello 2026

That is Not a typo:)

It has been a rough year on so many levels for many people and I don't know about you, but my calm, the balm for my soul is stitching. The slow and steady pull of the thread through fabric calms me in ways I can't fully describe. There is a form of meditation in this glorious art form that I am thankful to have in my life and hope I can entice others to feel as well.

I have been absent a bit now, I know.  For those following along, we moved from Florida at the end of 2023 to Northern Illinois to be near our grand little.  Once here we were so excited to find out there would be a second one too!  They are a delight, and it is nice being near family again.

Something I have been relatively quiet about is that through the move and littles and all of 2024 I have been going through many medical tests for an unknown (as of now) neurological disorder. It has put a small crimp in some of my plans but not all:)

I have taken 2024 to enjoy my littles, get my new studio up and going, and come to terms with my slightly restricted abilities of which stitching is not one of them!!  Every day I am grateful for that. This time away has let me think about priorities and what I want from my business. 

In 2026 we will celebrate the Sesquicentennial, the 250th birthday of our always great country. I have been designing a BOM that will start in early 2025 and take us up to the celebrations in 2026. There will be 2 designs to choose from to cover the piecers and the applique' lovers and both done sampler style.

I want as many of us quilters as I can get to celebrate together leading up to all the events that will be planned. The pieced quilt will have a touch of applique' because this is still me...LOL. The applique' quilt will be an appliquepalooza of beautiful florals designed by me over the years.

So, gather your red, white (cream), and blues for a fabulous year of stitching.

This is how I want to spend my time, creating beauty and inspiration. I do hope you will join me!