National Park Patterns – Monthly Subscription
$10.00 / month
Whether you are a seasoned quilter, or a brand new sewist (or you’ve never used either of these methods), you’ll enjoy sewing our national treasures! Patterns are suitable for brand new beginners to confident stitchers.
Every month you’ll receive 3 NEW downloadable patterns that show off the beauty and majesty of sites in the United States and Canada. You will not get patterns that are currently on the website, or previously released patterns. Each month will have new patterns. (Keep scrolling to see a sneak peek of next month’s patterns, and FAQs).
Then join me during the month to sew them together with video tutorials!!! I’ll teach you my tips and tricks, from selecting fabrics to make your blocks look realistic, to how I navigate tricky steps, and make them a breeze.
Choose the method you’d like to sew. No sewing machine or want to stitch by hand? Choose English paper piecing. Prefer to sew with a sewing machine? Choose foundation paper piecing.
Each week there will be a video tutorial with a block. No need to have sewn with either English or foundation paper piecing; it’ll be like I’m in your sewing room, guiding you step by step!! I have taught numerous sewists how to English and foundation paper piece from video. I’m confident you’ll be wildly successful as well!
Videos are posted to youtube each week; you can watch on your own schedule.
New patterns come out on the first of every month!! You can cancel your subscription at anytime, but I’m pretty sure you’ll want to sew them all! 😉
FAQ’s
Will you have previous blocks or patterns that are on your website in this subscription? No. Each month will have brand new patterns. You can purchase the previous blocks individually.
Can I purchase patterns previously released in the Monthly Subscription? YEP! Click here.
Are these patterns beginner friendly? Yes! Both methods are beginner friendly! If you can sew, you can use either method. Start with the National Park Sign if you have never paper pieced before.
Can I get printed copies? At this time, I only offer PDF patterns. They can easily be printed from any home computer, or you can send them to your local Kinkos/print at the library.
Where are the videos posted? They are posted to YouTube for you to watch on your own schedule.
What method is shown? I generally piece first in EPP for the photos, then I make the pattern in FPP for the videos. Since FPP is faster, this is the method I use for the live videos. I have several videos on how to EPP on my blog; they will be moved to YouTube soon.
Which method is easier? Both are simple. I have a method for FPP that makes it easier than how most people teach. EPP has a shorter learning curve, because the templates can be folded and manipulated, and there is one stitch. There are smaller pieces in my patterns than normal with EPP, but again, I have easy ‘hacks’ to make these a breeze. I have a short attention span; if I get frustrated easily with a pattern, or pieces, it never makes it to print 🙂
FPP uses a machine. The learning curve isn’t hard. I haven’t lost a student yet, so I’m confident that you’ll be successful!
All you need to do is decide which method you prefer!
What is your cancelation policy? You may cancel at anytime! (But I’m pretty sure you’ll be obsessed with these little blocks!) If you wish to cancel, you may do so from inside your account.
How long is the subscription? This is a month to month subscription. You can subscribe as long as you want, and cancel your subscription when you want! This isn’t a block of the month club; there isn’t an anticipated ending date. This is like a subscription box, but better because you don’t have to wait for anything to arrive at your home, you can print the patterns on your schedule.
Choose English or Foundation Paper Piecing
English Paper Piecing
This is a technique that involves fabric wrapped over a paper template, and template pieces are whip stitched by hand. I had previously poo-pooed this method thinking it was like traditional hand piecing with a 1/4″ seam and a running stitch. It sounded like a horrible way to spend my time. I decided to give it a go before a trip (where I couldn’t take my sewing machine), and I pieced ALL the pieces I had prepped FOR my trip! I was INSTANTLY hooked!!!
This method is fantastic for sewing while you travel, or in the evenings while watching TV! It is portable, and supplies can easily fit in a small bag (I often toss my piecing bag into my little purse, if I know I might be waiting somewhere…idle hands and all that ;P)
The learning curve for this method is also very short. Because the fabric is stabilized with paper, it allows for seemingly complicated designs to be made very easily!!
Foundation Paper Piecing
This method is similar to English paper piecing, in that they both use paper. However, with foundation paper piecing (or FPP) you use a sewing machine to sew pieces together, and you will sew on top of the paper, on solid line, between 2 spaces. This method has gotten a bad wrap; for one reason or another, many sewists think that this is a complicated method, and requires a super ability. I have a simple, foolproof method for teaching FPP. This method doesn’t involve magic…but the end result really is magical!!! We sew right sides together, and use a 1/4″ seam…just like you are likely used to!
This method allows for details that are not possible with traditional piecing or English paper piecing (EPP). No need to be daunted by the details – the method is always the same. AND! There are no curved seams!! This method allows for the appearance of curves…without the fuss!!
If your preference is to sew by machine, this is the method for you!!!
Don’t know how to EPP or FPP?
No problem!! Every pattern comes with a simple National Park Sign that you should start with. It will help you get comfortable with English or foundation paper piecing.
After you purchase, you will get a welcome email with links to videos on how to EPP or FPP.
Please join the Quilt Along group so you can get supportive help from other quilters, and Rachael!
Meet Rachael – your pattern designer
Meet Rachael – your pattern designerI believe that YOU are wildly creative…and we are conditioned to believe that we aren’t. I’ve designed these patterns to draw out your inner artist! You’ll create a functional piece of art!! These patterns allow you to ‘paint’ with fabric!
Like so many artists, my inspiration comes from things around me. My family and I love traveling in our vintage Airstream. We are National Park lovers, which has been the inspiration for the National Park patterns.
It brings me SO MUCH delight seeing how you make my patterns your own! Please tag me in your photos; I can’t wait to see your creations!
💝Rachael
Learn how to English or Foundation Paper Piece using your favorite topic: National Parks! Make a pillow, tote, wall hanging, or even a quilt! These blocks also make great gifts!
Let your creativity run wild, and let your inner artist out (even if you don’t think she’s in there…she is!!!)! Explore color by using fabric as your paint!!
Join the Facebook™️ group…get support, encouragement, troubleshoot, learn about National Parks, share your love of sewing and National Parks. Numerous sewists have mentioned this group is just the thing they’ve needed to get their mind off current events.
Sneak Peek at December’s Patterns
USS Arizona Memorial with USS Missouri behind it
Moose
King’s Canyon NP
Liz Berg –
I am currently doing the foundation paper piecing National Park series. I love our national parks and doing these blocks bring back memories. I was not a paper piecer before I started but being part of the Facebook group brings lots of suggestions and ideas. Rachel is so responsive and supportive. I don’t believe she ever sleeps as she responds to questions so quickly. The group is fun and I look forward to the new patterns and to seeing how others have done the blocks. I have become a good paper piecer. Some of the simpler blocks are a good way to start if you have never done this type of work before.
Kay Thyse –
I love our National Parks. This series of patterns are really fun and create great memories!
Hannah Peterson –
The National Park patterns are really fun to sew and user-friendly. I especially love choosing fabrics! It’s fun to see the new patterns come out each month.
Gail Edelen –
Finished my Fiona Sandwich National Park quilt! It was the most creative and enjoyable project I’ve ever made! I completed 150 blocks and enjoyed every single one. Ready to take it camping now. Thanks Rachael for the wonderful patterns and support.
Brittany B (verified owner) –
I am pretty new to sewing, only just picked it up a few months ago. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do these patterns as i have never paper pieces before but I really love the National parks and wanted to give it a try. The video tutorials are fantastic and after watching a couple I felt confident enough to jump in. The results are fantastic even from a beginner like me and I have already completed 12 park blocks in 2 weeks. You won’t be disappointed with this pattern subscription or any of the other Park patterns available for purchase.
Jennifer Moore (verified owner) –
I love my National Parks subscription!! Rachel is awesome and responds quickly if you have questions but really, the Facebook group is the bomb!!! You get tons of fabric ideas from other quilters and it’s a great community.
Gail V. (verified owner) –
Addictive! I am a beginner, but instructions were easy to follow and videos helped. Fun to choose from your scraps and be creative. Can finish a pattern in an hour or two and admire your result.
Julie –
It very fun to work on these quilt squares. I’m making placemats and table runners for Christmas presents with the patterns not just for quilts!
Andrea Linn (verified owner) –
I just love these patterns! I had never quilted before and I found the patterns easy to use. Rachael has made wonderful videos to help the beginners! I have completed 18 blocks and I can hardly wait to get the new ones every month in the monthly subscription.
Libby Riemersma (verified owner) –
I’ve been working on these for a year or more and really enjoy the new patterns that come out. It’s always a fun surprise and I’m never disappointed. The pattern is just the starting point. These are something you can get really creative with.
Lori Cotton (verified owner) –
I love this project sooo much! It really is my new favorite hobby. I do the EPP squares so I can sew anywhere. I love commemorating my national parks visits. I’ve found that I look at things differently since I started this project….I really notice color and shading and details. (What color are those mountains in the distance?) The online Facebook community of quilters is fabulous and supportive and Rachel’s videos are really helpful. ❤️
Carolyn S. (verified owner) –
My husband and I love traveling and the great outdoor.
I’ve started sewing these National Park quilt blocks during Hurricane Laura evacuation. This is an easy project to sew while traveling or sitting at home watching TV and very addicting. They take just a little fabric and you can use scraps.
Now I’m home, had time to press them and post some pics.