Valentines Day Project with Perfectly Pieced

I've been having a lot of fun this week playing with the January Perfectly Pieced subscription box from ME Time. This month's box is Valentine's-themed and I made the cutest Love Note mini quilt which can also double as a throw-pillow!

What is Perfectly Pieced?

Perfectly Pieced is a new method for for foundation piecing (and quilting!) perfect quilt blocks in the hoop of a sewing machine with machine embroidery capabilities. This post is sponsored by M.E. Time, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.  Go here –> to read my first introduction to M.E. Time Perfectly Pieced and how foundation piecing quilt blocks in the hoop works.

Each monthly subscription box contains a gorgeous curated fabric bundle (I have not been disappointed in a single one so far!), a coordinating spool of thread, a fun new notion and excellent instructions to make multiple projects with the contents of the box or your own fabric. Here are the contents of this months box:

The notions this month were two Clear Blue Tiles - excellent for marking machine quilting designs and a selection of sweet leather tags.

This month's foundation-pieced pattern is this adorable little love-note block.

I LOVED the fabric included in this month's box. A warmer, more neutral palette in valentine's colors but not specifically "VALENTINES", if you know what I mean.

I especially love the embroidered heart detail that "seals" the envelope.

But - as with all of these projects - there's lots of room for personal creativity. Every aspect is optional. For example, you could just as easily leave the heart detail off and just use the foundation piecing method to make traditional quilt blocks.

I decided to make the 4" x 4" blocks. (Every month's block is available in 2", 4", 6" and 8" square blocks.) Each block is foundation-pieced in the embroidery hoop using a piece of lightweight stabilizer as the foundation. Depending on your hoop size, you can piece multiple blocks in the same hoop.

After piecing a few of these blocks I thought they would be perfect for a traditional "Economy Block" and added an extra set of 4 outside triangles, and turning the foundation-pieced 4" block "on point".

For anyone who wants to do the same, here's how I did it. Take two 4" x 4" squares and cut them both on the diagonal to get 4 triangles.

Sew two triangles to opposite sides of pieced blocks. Press seams away from center block and trim over-hanging tips.

Sew two triangles to remaining two sides. Press seams away from center. Trim ends to square up block to 5 ¾" x 5 ¾".

Machine Quilting in the Embroidery Hoop

In addition to the 4 sizes of block files each month, there are also two different machine quilting designs included. One is a design that can can be used on a block-by-block system. The other is an allover design that pairs perfectly with the Kimberbell Clear Blue Tiles Machine Quilting System that can be used to create quilting on any size project.

(All block and quilting designs are for use on a machine with embroidery capabilities.)

After piecing my blocks together I used the all over quilting design with the Clear Blue Tile system. (Can I just say again how much I LOVE the Clear Blue Tiles Machine Quilting System? It's SO easy to use and I love the results.)

I used the blush-colored embroidery thread included in this month's box for the quilting.

This month's quilting file is a perfect compliment to the love-notes blocks. A meandering loop with assorted envelopes and post boxes. So perfect. I'm using the design to quilt another Valentine mini quilt I'm working on too.

That is one of the things I love about the Perfectly Pieced subscription. The foundation-pieced blocks and the quilting designs can be used over and over on future creative projects.

I also added one of the cute little leather tags to the edge of the project for a perfect added detail.

How does the Perfectly Pieced Subscription Box work?

Visit the M.E. Time Embroidery site to learn more about this month's box and get a sneak peek of next month's box!

Two different subscription options are available:

1- Get a box of fabric + goodies delivered to your doorstep each month as well as all of the digital block and quilting files delivered electronically. 

2 -If you’ve already got more fabric than you need, and/or you want to pull from your own fabric stash, the second option is to subscribe to the monthly digital files only.

All digital designs – both block and quilting options – are available exclusively to Perfectly Pieced subscription members. More details on how it all works found here. You can cancel or modify your subscription at any time.

Want to see a block being pieced? Check out this video from Jess at Oklaroots as she walks through the block-piecing-and-quilting-process in the hoop!

One Last Tip about Fabric Waste

One last tip to share if you're already using the Perfectly Pieced system. If you're like me, you may get a little twitchy about fabric waste.

Did you know that Perfectly Pieced has given instructions on how to pre-cut your pieces that minimize fabric waste? Just go to your Perfectly Pieced General Resource Guide. (It's available as a digital copy with every month's subscription.)

I printed mine out and keep it hand in a three-ring binder along with my monthly patterns that are included in the boxes.

On page 7 of the General Resource Guide you'll find a page called Reduce Fabric Waste. This will walk you through the simple steps for modifying any cutting instructions to reduce cutting excess fabric. It's super handy!

There you go!

Here you can find my previous projects made with ME Time Embroidery's Perfectly Pieced system. Click on photos for more information.