Hello, my dear sewing friends!
If you've been following along on my journey, you might have noticed some exciting changes happening. I want to take a moment to talk about what's happening with my creative world and assure you: all the quilting, sewing, and bag-making fun you love is RIGHT HERE at SewMelanie.com!
Two Websites, Twice the Creativity
I've recently split my creative passions into two dedicated spaces:
SewMelanie.com (you're here!) - This is your home for everything fabric! Quilting tutorials, sewing projects, bag-making patterns, fabric hauls, tips and tricks, and all the fiber arts goodness you've come to expect from me.
TheMelanieGrace.com - This is my new music site where I'm pursuing my lifelong passion for songwriting and music production. (More on that adventure later!)
But don't worry - I'm not going anywhere! Quilting changed my life when I started in 2019, and it remains one of my greatest creative loves. I'm still creating patterns, still making quilts, and still so excited to share this journey with you.
What You'll Find Here at Sew Melanie
This site is your go-to destination for:
✂️ Quilt Patterns - Original designs that I create and test (like the brand new Cali Pines pattern - keep reading!)
🧵 Sewing Tutorials - Step-by-step guides for projects of all skill levels
👜 Bag Making - Patterns and tips for creating beautiful, functional bags
📚 Quilting Tips & Techniques - From beginner basics to advanced skills
🎨 Fabric Love - Stash organization, fabric hauls, and collection showcases
👥 Community - Because quilting is better together! I want this to be a place where we connect, encourage each other, and celebrate our makes
And Now... Introducing the Cali Pines Quilt Pattern! 🌲
I'm absolutely thrilled to announce the release of my newest quilt pattern: Cali Pines!
About the Pattern
Bring the beauty of a winter pine forest into your home with this stunning throw-size quilt! The Cali Pines pattern features a charming arrangement of 12 Christmas trees set against a backdrop of elegant bow (or hourglass) blocks. The geometric design creates beautiful movement and visual interest, while the festive trees add a cozy, seasonal touch.
Here's what makes Cali Pines special:
The combination of those classic Christmas trees with the geometric hourglass blocks creates such gorgeous movement across the quilt. I love how the trees feel grounded and traditional, while the background blocks add a modern, dynamic feel. It's the perfect blend of cozy and contemporary!
And here's my favorite part: while this is definitely a holiday quilt, the design is sophisticated enough that you could display it year-round if you wanted. Choose traditional Christmas colors for a festive look, or go with blues and grays for a winter forest vibe that works all season long.
Pattern Details at a Glance:
- Finished Size: 48" x 61" (the perfect throw size for snuggling!)
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Technique: Traditional piecing
- Fat Quarter Friendly! Use 6 different fat quarters for your trees to create variety
What's Included:
- Complete fabric requirements and cutting instructions
- Step-by-step assembly directions with clear diagrams
- Full-color pattern pages
- Tips for successful construction
- Instant PDF download - start quilting today!
Perfect For:
✨ Creating a beautiful holiday throw for your home
✨ Gift-giving (this makes a treasured heirloom!)
✨ Showcasing your favorite fat quarter collection
✨ Intermediate quilters looking for a fun, engaging project
Fabric Requirements:
You'll need:
- Background: 3 yards
- Fabric A: ¼ yard
- Fabric B: ¼ yard
- Trees: 6 Fat Quarters (this is where you can have fun mixing and matching!)
- Tree Trunks: 1 Fat Quarter or scraps
- Inner Border: ½ yard
- Outer Border: ¾ yard
- Binding: 1 yard
- Backing: 2 yards
A Fun Crossover Coming Soon...
Here's where things get interesting! Remember how I mentioned my music journey? Well, I'm working on something special that brings my two creative worlds together: songs for quilters!
That's right - I'm writing music inspired by our craft, our community, and the joy of creating with fabric and thread. Because why should my passions stay separate when they can dance together? Stay tuned for that - I think you're going to love it!
Let's Stay Connected
I'm so grateful you're here, and I'm excited to continue sharing this quilting journey with you. Whether you've been following me since 2019 or you're brand new to the Sew Melanie community, welcome!
Find me here:
- Website: SewMelanie.com
- Social Media: @SewMelanie
- Email: TheMelanieGrace@gmail.com
Want to grab the Cali Pines pattern? Buy it here
Join my email list to get first access to new patterns, exclusive tutorials, and special discounts!
Thank You!
Thank you for being part of this creative community. Thank you for your support, your encouragement, and for sharing your beautiful makes with me. Quilting has changed my life, and being able to share that with all of you makes it even more special.
Now, let's go make something beautiful! Those Cali Pines trees aren't going to piece themselves! 🌲✂️
With love and happy stitching,
Melanie
P.S. - If you make a Cali Pines quilt, I want to see it! Tag me @SewMelanie so I can celebrate your beautiful work!