Free Snowflake Pattern

I recently discovered that the quintessential tool for paper-piecing, the Add-A-Quarter Ruler, has evolved. What do I mean? Now it has a plus version with a tapered edge, which means you can dispense with the previously obligatory rectangle of template material for creating an edge to fold over the top of. 

As you know, every great gadget deserves a great project. Enter my awesome snowflakes!

If you're a seasoned paper-piecer, you have to do a little self-talk as you adjust to the "Plus" factor. Lay the tapered edge of the Add-a-Quarter Plus ruler along the line with the lip facing upwards; fold the paper over the top. 

When you find your right hand flailing around your cutting mat attempting to locate a wayward chunk of template plastic, it's time to talk to yourself. Say, "Self, slide out the ruler. Flip it over like a pancake, and trim."

Isn't that awesome? The Add-a Quarter Ruler was already a must-have notion, but the updated version is twice as useful.

If you're new to the paper-piecing scene, don't fret. I've have a play by play for you.

Adding the First Two Pieces

For increased efficiency, I have cutting instructions for you.
Snowflake Fabric
Piece 1: 2 1/4" x 3 1/2"
Pieces 4 & 5: 1 1/2" x 5"
Pieces 8 & 9: 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"
Background
Piece 2: 2 1/4" x 4"
Piece 3: 2 1/4" x 6"
Pieces 6 & 7: 1 1/4" x 3 1/2"

Adding the Third Piece

For each piece, align it along the trimmed edge of the previous piece, right sides together.

Shorten your stitch length and sew on the line, starting and ending in the seam allowance.

Press. Lay the Add-A-Quarter Plus on the line, fold the paper over the top of it, slide it out, and trim. Once you have the sections completed, remove the paper and piece them together.

Adding the Fourth and Fifth Pieces

Perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself. You're going to need to download a pattern to get you started. Each snowflake is composed of six identical units. It's very important to set the scale to 100% and the number of copies to 6 for each snowflake you'd like to make. The pattern also includes a template for setting triangles.

I added rectangular chunks to my blocks until the limits of my fabric allotment were met. I'm excited to take advantage of the negative space in this beauty.

Love Your Sewing Space

Today I'm linking up with the Simple Simon and Company Love Your Sewing Space linky party.

How about a few peeks at some of my favorite parts of my sewing room? These little buckets and rods from Ikea are very handy for keeping dangerous items from little hands. I proudly display quilts made by some of my favorite people including my son, Renee, and Cath. Meanwhile, my ledge from Target is great for holding larger rulers.

For fabric that is at least a half yard, but not enough to justify keeping it on the bolt, I've been using comic book boards and rainbow order.

 A design wall has been very useful.

Between my excessive UFOs and children's toys strewn about, the rest of my sewing space isn't anything anyone would be saving to their Pinterest boards. Speaking of that, I have a Pinterest board of some of my favorite sewing room organizing ideas. Here's to getting some projects done so my space becomes tidy-able!

The Trees for the Forest

I've been eyeing the Quick Curve Ruler for a while now. Then, I discovered he Sew Kind of Wonderful company has recently released a mini version. It's a well-know fact that small things are irresistibly adorable, so I had to try it out.

The Sew Kind of Wonderful website has a free Mini Trees pattern. It might not have slipped your notice that the holidays have come and gone. However, I figured that these trees would be just fine out of season. Moreover, they'd be great with my stash of novelty camping prints.

Fabric aside, want to see how the QCR Mini works? It's pretty straight forward. First, cut 5" squares of two fabrics. Use the guideline to lay the ruler like so, and cut in the curve.

Do that as many times as you need. I only wanted green trees, so I put the inverse pieces aside for some other time and project.

Then you place the pieces right sides together with the pizza slice about 1/2" down the skateboarding ramp. Those are the proper terms, right? Sew together using a 1/4" seam. I hold the pizza slice in my left hand as I steer the skateboarding ramp with my right hand. The sewing process goes a bit like...stitch, lift presser foot, reposition the edges together, lower presser foot, stitch, repeat.

Then I pressed toward the darker fabric.

They bred. Actually, it's quick to make oodles of these because you don't have to be fussy about making sure everything looks perfect at this stage.

 A rotating mat would be awesome because, after the pressing, you simply cut 1/8" beyond the pizza slice.

Rotate. Then square it up to 4".

That's it! You have a beautiful, precise Drunkard's Path component ready for whatever curvaceous project suits you.

For me, it was a handful of trees.

Then, I set about making bears from Patchwork Zoo by Sara Nephew. I didn't have enough fabric to make two bears from the fabric I had pulled, so I used some Stonehenge to make two sitting bears.

Then I remembered that I wanted to use light brown to coordinate with my camping fabrics. I resolved myself to accept that one bear would do, so long as he was crawling.

I'm not sure what I'll do with my orphan bear twins.

Anyhow, the super sweet folks at Sew Kind of Wonderful have given me a Mini QCR and a pattern for me to pass along to one of you. Best of luck!

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I'm linking up with: