A couple of Days late But hopefully worth it

I had planned to blog about a particular project that I am working on but I keep forgetting to take a picture. So that will be next week's installment instead. I don't think you will be disappointed with this week's offering though.

​I love The Quilt Pattern Magazine. (http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com) I have published over a dozen patterns in this digital magazine. I love that each month I received an emailed newsletter that tells me the new issue is ready to download. Downloading involves 2 files. The larger file is the issue. The smaller file is any templates needed for piecing, applique or quilting designs. I have a folder ready fro these files so I always no where to find my issues.

​Each issue contains a number of stand alone patterns. The March issue has 3 - Union Stars, Squares Chasing Squares and By the Seashore Table Runner. I'll share more about Union Stars below.

There are also usually 3 block-of-the-month programs going on. One is usually patchwork, a second is applique and the third could be a mystery or other project. In the March issue they will be Month 8 of 11 for Scrap It Up Row a Month (a great stash buster), Month 11 of 12 for Botanicals​ (fabulous workshop on using #8 Perle cotton to embellish), and Month 2 of 12 for My Colorado Backyard (Baltimore album style applique that is stunning).

​Each issue of TQPM also includes book reviews and articles of interest. The March issue also has a tutorial on binding that was written to accompany Union Stars. So maybe I should tell you why I keep mentioning Union Stars. Well, of course, it is because it is my pattern. Well, actually, not totally my pattern. I have an online friend, Joanne Maner, who drew up the original design for this pattern. I have a fondness for five 1-yard cut quilts. So I took Joanne's original designa nd tweaked it to use five 1-yard cuts. There was some extra fabric in a couple fabrics so I also designed it with 3 different options for binding, one of which became the binding tutorial in the issue.

I always try to finish 2 version of my patterns to show the impact fabric choices make. So here is the top for my 2nd version.

Now you might have noticed that on first picture it looks like the binding is two colors - dark blue and gold. That is the reason for the tutorial. I call this a binding with an accent flange. Here is a close-up so you can see what I'm talking about.

The blue stitching is #12 thread to give another decorative feature to the binding. 

​I hope you like the pattern and binding technique. If you subscribe to TQPM (www.quiltpatternmagazine.com), then this is part of what you'll get in the March issue. If not, I have a deal for you. I am able to offer you a special subscription price. Go to ​http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/program/S/?D=CDMQ and use the secret code CDMQ to take advantage of this special offer.

​Now I need to dig out my camera and get serious about taking a picture of that other project for next week's post. Until then, take care.