Cats Scrapin' quilt-a-long..."the Sweetest Gift Ever!" Phase 2 & finishing!

 Hey quilters...hope y'alls week is going great. I've had so much "joy" quilting my grandson Davin art block. Oh my gosh, I did not realize his "tiny" detail in his art until I started quilting. His tiny windows and how he staggered the towers is amazing. He was only 9 at the time of this artwork.He is now going into the 6th grade and every year he amazes me even more with his creativity in art & his school and sports ability. As you can tell, I'm pretty proud of this young man and my heart is still full :-) I love how aurifil thread compliment his art. All I did was do outline quilting 'cause I didn't want to take anything away from his design. Aurifil # 2692 (black) complimented his design perfectly. Plus, I just got a "2 thumbs up" on a text from him. Have to say...that's all this Gege needed! Well, this was a fast/easy quilt-a-long but stay tuned for a very exciting adventure ahead! Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you do...

*At this time, you have already quilted your block, and this is where the "Border/binding" technique comes into play.

Tip..."finger press" due to the nature of the "fabric"

*Fold back your "top border" 1/2 ' to bak of block and finger press. Then on back of quilt fold in again creating a secure fold on back when you top stitch.

*Finger press....clip or pin as desired.

*Top stitch or quilt in the ditch on front of block w/ coordinating thread. This technique gives you a finished border plus easy binding...you know me...#less-stress-quilting! :-)

*Repeat this method for the bottom...then left border then right border.

Now take a look at the "quilt art" you just finished! I know mine isn't perfect but I'm pretty please. After all, I just did got at "2 thumbs up." I love that young man!

Cats Scrapin' quilt-a-long..."The Sweetest Gift Ever!" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's.....hope everyone is having a great day. It's that time of year when we get geared up for the Holidays. If you're like me...thinking of a different and perfect gift can be daunting. I usually try to make my gifts homemade...personalizing in some way. Well,,,I have to share my sweet grandson did exactly that for me! He turned his "school art" into a "quilt block" for me for Christmas. Wth our crazy move to Florida, I had packed it safely and needless to say I just found it 2 days ago. Here's the funny....I safely packed it with my sweaters. Seriously no wonder I couldn't find it! My Texas sweaters have not been worn in 2 yrs. Even when I visit my family, I pack lightly so finding his art was a true blessing for me. He previously had done one of his art pictures into a "quilt block" for me that I will be sharing soon 'cause it became my "new technique." He knew how excited I was, so he did it again. It's so precious seeing his art detail grow. He's so thoughtful and always thinking of ways to make his "Gege" happy. I'm sharing this as a quilt-a-long and hoping to inspire others for a great gift idea. You can almost turn any photo into a "quilt block" and personalize the design using your scrap fabric. Win...win for me! I used Aurifil 50 weight thread 2692, 3910, 2582, 2780, 2260 & scraps from Hoffman Batiks & Michael Miller Fairy Frost to compliment his creativity. The "quilt block" is 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 so I will be making a wall hanging and one day he can have it back! :-) This is a fun & fast quilt-a-long so...Let's get scrapin'!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook,,,Pinterest...Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Here's all you need...

*Photo quilt block

*Scraps to compliment your photo & fabric to accommodate the size of block for your backing.

*Battting 

*Thread to accent your design (you know me...it's Aurifil thread!) :-)

Tip...before we get started...due to the nature of "photo fabric" please do not get heat from an iron on or near your precious block...I carefully used a pressing sheet to cover when I needed to iron close. :-)

Here's all you do...

*Trim your photo block sides to a 1/4" with a rotary cutter & ruler...(carefully) :-) They usually come with a white trim around your photo.

For 1st Border...

*Rotary cut strips to "frame your picture"...I did a 1/4" border but do what works for you. 

rotary cut strips per your square...

Ex...mine are 3/4 x 6 1/4 for top/bottom & 3/4 x 9 for left/right border.

Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance strip to top of square (right sides together) then your strip to bottom of square....finger press & trim, square up as you go.

Now sew your left/right strips using same method above. Pic below shows the first border of "black fabric" framing the pic. 

2nd border...

*For a 1/2 " border...Rotary cut strips 1" by the size of your block.

Ex... mine are 1" v 7 for top/bottom and 1" x 9 3/4 for left/right border. Follow same steps as above and trim/square up as you go.

Border/Binding...

Tip...this strip will be larger due to my border/binding technique...use your preferred method but you know me...it's less-stress-quilting! :-)

For a 1/2" border...Rotary cut strips...2" per your block.

Ex..mine are 2" x 7 3/4 for top/bottom and 2" x 12 1/2 for left/right borders.

Sew using same method as previous steps. 

Tip...I reversed the color order of the fabric strips...do the same or get creative...it's your design :-)

*No worries about the strip size because we "fold back" later after quilting :-)

Carefully using a pressing sheet...press only your fabric strips. 

*Roughly fold back your border strip a 1/2"...measure your block and rotary cut your backing fabric and batting to this size. Finger press back out as you layer your backing (right side down) batting then block (right side facing you)

*Pin or clip and quilt as desired. I will be quilting in the ditch and straight-line stitching following his design. The more I look at his design I see how creative he was with all those tiny specks throughout his design, My heart is full with this project!

Tip...I used a "new needle" before quilting the square due to the nature of the fabric block. 

Have fun quilting & check back for Phase 2! ;-)

Cats "Tip of the Day!"...marking blocks/rows when sewing/quilting :-)

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. Recently I was watching one of my favorite shows "Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting" and saw this tip. I love this show and at the end they share tips from viewers. This tip is genius! I always mark my squares/blocks with a "paper scrap" labeled with the number but this is "sew much easier." This tip recently helped me because I sew a lot of "directional half-square-triangles." I did add pins labeled "Top/Bottom/Left/Right" for borders. I am working on a design that I'll be sharing soon, and the pattern has an "advanced tip" of directional borders. I do have to say, if you know me, this tip had a reason behind it! It is no fun...ripping out a border after you have it sewn on perfectly and realize your half-square triangles are facing the wrong direction. It happens! I guess that's why we all have a "seam ripper." :-) Needless to say, I'm sharing this tip for a great-fun-soon-2b-posting design! So, check back soon. As always, I promise it will be a fun & easy design! #Less-stress-quilting!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats "Scrapin' a-play-que Series"...Kids Project...Quilted Wall hanging in a Weekend...Phase 2

 Hey quilter's....hope y'all are having a great weekend and enjoying this fun project. Today you will be finishing your wall hanging & "blinging it out" if desired. I'll be showing some tips of how I did this sweet design but remember let your creativity go! A wonderful thing about sewing/quilting it really inspires your "inner creativity." I believe there is no "wrong" in creating...just an opportunity to make things a little different and possibly a better version. Quilt designs have evolved tremendously in the years that I've been quilting. Designs have become a work of art... combining old and new to create unique designs. When I learned to quilt, we "tied" certain quilts and when we quilted, we used our "presser foot" as our guide. We didn't have "fancy tools and rulers." Maybe that's why I'm obsessed with my rulers and all the color hues of "Aurifil thread." I hope you continue to follow along and explore how sewing/quilting can be therapeutic for the soul. So, let's finish this fun wall hanging!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook...Pinterest & @ihearditthroughthequiltvine on Instagram

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you do...

*Press sides again if needed

*Starting at top of block...Fold over about an inch or binding to back side and press. 

*Fold in again and press/pin or clip to close your binding on back side. 

*Sew "in the ditch" on right side of your block...this will give you a finished hem on back of your block as well....(c pic)

*Repeat same process for bottom...then left and right border...Press as you go if needed. 

* You will have a closed binding on back...#less-stress-quilting! (see pic)

You did it....be proud of what you have created! Now technically you're finished unless you decide to "add some bling." Just remember to "erase" any pencil marks before embellishing your design.

Here's all you do...

*Fuse heatnbondlite to the wrong side of your fabric (following manufactures directions)

*Trace your design on paper side but remember your design will be reversed. I used a stencil for this design and then carefully using sharp scissors cut the design out. Then following manufacturer's directions, I fused to block in center. 

Tip...I used a "circle template" to help keep my design in order (see pic)

* I then adding some "jewels" using glue specifically for adhering jewels to fabric. 

Get creative or just stand back and say those "chevron lines" look amazing and that's how I'm keep it :-)

Just remember....no matter what you decide to always have fun!

Cats "Scrapin'-a-play-que Series"...Kids project "Quilted Wall Hanging in a weekend!" Phase 1

 Hey quilters...hope y'all have been having a great summer. It's pretty HOT here in Florida...even the gators are laying low. As promised, the last but not least summer project for kids is a fun & easy wall hanging. The one pictured is a baby gift for a girl's room but you can totally change this design into a boy or girls' design. Change your fabric per your design. The chevron quilting is pretty basic for any age. You'll be learning "straight line quilting using your pressor foot as your guide"...You know me...#less-stress-quilting!" This would aslo make a great "4-H project" design in your school colors. What a fun gift for someone going off to college as well. Anyway, the instructions are easy to follow along and today I'll be posting "phase 1." I quilted with Aurifil 50 weight thread #1320, 2710, 2588 & used 2 fat quarters for the front and scrap fabrics from Michael Miller Fairy Frost. I love how the thread & fabric complement each other nicely. Her room has blue tones, so I accented a few stitch lines to bring out her colors. At the end I embellished with a wreath design traced from scraps & then added a "little bling" with some rhinestone beads. Embellish the design as you wish. Remember this is your design...get creative but most of all have fun! Sew let's get started! :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook...Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Wall Hanging (16.5 x 16.5)

Here's all you need...

*2 Fat quarters

*Batting/Backing (roughly half yard each...borders will be cut from same fabric)

*Ruler w/ a 1/4" seam mark

*Aurifil thread to compliment your fabric :-)

Here's all you do...

*Rotary cut one fat quarter to 12.5 x 12.5 (includes 1/4" seam allowance)

*Lightly mark with your preferred method (I use a #2 Pencil, then erase later) a 1/4" seam all around your square to make sure you don't sew into your "seam allowance" 

*Now divide your square into sections...using your pencil mark 4 diagonal lines & four horizontal lines creating 4 (3"sections) per row....16 sections all together. (see pic)

*Using your ruler as your guide...mark diagonal lines in each 3" square...alternating angels creating the "chevron design" Repeat with each square. Then come back to each square and draw a 1/4" line from original marking to create your sewing lines. Repeat this process until your grid is complete or your desired design. (see pics)

Step 2...adding Border/Binding

*In this step you will be adding on your "border strips and your binding strip". What..binding now too...Yes, this is my "Border/Binding technique" that I lazily love to do :-)

*Rotary cut 2 strips to 1 1/2 by 12 1/2 (includes 1/4 seam allowance) ...Sew to top and bottom of your block...press...square up corners as needed. 

*Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 14 1/2 and using same method as above sew to left and right side of block.

*For second row of borders...repeat same method but your border strips should be rougly 1 1/2 x 14 1/2 for top and bottom (you can square up extra) and 2 strips 1 1/2 x 16 1/4 for left and right side of block. 

Press and square up as needed. 

Now for your "border strip"...rotary cut 2 1/2 wide x the top/bottom/right and left side of square and using the same method as above for sewing and squaring up. 

TIP...while you are pressing only press your border strips...not your pencil marks with the squares :-)

*Now turn block over and measure the inside of block w/borders...but only add One inch. You will now rotary cut your batting and backing to this size. The extra length is not added onto at this time because you will later turn the "binding strip over to the back for your finished edge) 

*Place your backing piece (right side down)

Your batting piece on top

Block (right side facing you) :-)

Pin or clip to secure in place. 

Quilt on your grid lines creating the chevron design or quilt as desired. Have fun...remember this is your design so let your creativity flow! :-)

Tip...

Carefully use your hands to hold fabric in place when quilting. If you have "small hands" a child's garden gloves with a gripper back work wonderfully ;-)

Next phase you'll be finishing the border and embellishing :-)

Cats "Scrapin a-play-que Series"...Re-purpose a Pillow...Phase 2 & Finishing! :-)

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend & enjoying this project. I really enjoyed this project and I hope y'all are having fun as well. Today you will be quilting the "front" of your pillow. One reason why I designed the pillow this way is for a child to get "fast gratification" during a project. I know working with kids if you can keep their interest, they will want to do more! I would absolutely love if every child learned the great art of sewing & quilting. Some say it's an "old school art" but I have to say quilts have become not just something to "snuggle" with but truly a work of art. I learned at a very young age and sometimes I feel it help with my "creative mind" in designing homes. A child has so much creative thinking, and I love seeing their work of art. Well on that note...let's finish this fun pillow so they can display it in their room :-) Have fun!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram (ihearditthroughthequiltvine)

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you do...

*Lay your "Lining piece" right side down.....batting then your "front square" (facing you)

* Pin or clip to secure around edges while quilting

Tip....I'd like to share that I use a light-colored thread ( Aurifil 50 weight # 2710) and I used my presser foot as a guide to basically just outline my previous decorative stitch lines. This is an easy way to learn quilting with "less-stress"...do what is comfortable for you :-)

*Now start in the middle of your square & use your hands to keep fabric "taught" while stitching.... quilt your pillow as desired. If you do a "straight line quilting" like I did.... I set my "stitch length" a bit longer to create that "hand quilted look"...play with your stitch length to get your desired length.

Once you've finished quilting...do a light press if needed and now you're ready for your back pieces to make your "bi-fold".....you're getting closer to the finish! :-)

*Now you will be making your sides (2) for your bi-fold...you can "google" the instructions due to everyone has their method, but I like mine to fit a bit "snug." 

*With one "Fat Quarter" press if needed & rotary cut to 18 x 13 (this includes your seam allowance)

* On right side of square...press a 1 inch fold to back of square (see pic)

*Now Fold that seam in half and press. Tucks your "raw edge" in. Stitch a seam on right side...use your presser foot as your guide if desired. I like to make a "double seam" which reinforces & gives a "professional look as well.

For "Fat Quarter #2"...Rotary Cut to 18 x 11 and do same method as above.

*Now you are ready to sew your sides 2 your decorative front piece!

*Layer your "front square"...decorative stitches facing you!

*Layer your "short piece" on top (right side down) to "left side" meeting raw edges together.

*Layer your "long piece" on top (right side down) to "right side" meeting raw edges together.

*Pin or clip all around square to secure all pieces together. Sew a 1/2" seam all around your square. Reinforcing at your start and stop points. Then do another 1//4" seam to "reinforce your seam"...this step is optional but it's a great step to do. :-)

Tip...I like to start at the "bi-fold" seams to help me remember to reinforce my seams.

*Now turn your block "inside out".... carefully use your finger to "poke out" the corners if needed & place your "old pillow" in....you did it!!! 

*You just "Re-purposed" your old pillow into a "u-nique...one of a kind pillow" for your room!

*Keep following...next project we'll be doing a "mini wall quilt" for your room! :-)
 

Cats "Scrapin a-play-que Series"...Re-purpose a Pillow...Phase 1

Hey quilter's ...hope all is well and enjoying summer activities. It's very hot here in Florida for June....something tells me it's going to be a long hot summer. Well, with that in mind a few great indoor activities may be the answer. What better way than to "teach a child 2 sew this summer!" In this phase we'll be starting to "re-purpose" an existing pillow. You can purchase a pillow form but why not "re-purpose" one you already have, sometimes a fresh new look in a kid's room is priceless :-) You'll be learning your decorative stitches on your sewing machine.... basic machine quilting all from the privacy of your home. Needless to say, out of this heatwave! Also, you will again have a "one-of-a-kind-u-unique pillow." I love fast and easy projects, and this is definitely one. The pillow instructions below are for a 16 x 16 size but you can easily enlarge if needed. I did my "idea" of an envelope style pillow but you can easily "google" instructions if needed. I design my wrap ends a bit wider than most due to wanting more of a secure fold and I allow extra for a "double seam", again reinforcing the pillow. I used 3 "fat quarters" for this pillow....which can be purchased just about anywhere. Aurifil 50# variegated thread (4663) took this simple design to a whole new level! Keep for yourself or give as a gift....great college gift or do in your school colors....endless possibilities! Plus....if you notice my design...you can flip pillow vertical or horizontal...2 pillows in 1 :-) As I always say....get creative...have fun...enjoy your "unique" design that you're about to create!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Instagram...ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Facebook & Pinterest

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Here's all you need...

*16 x 16 pillow

*3 Fat Quarters (or fabric scraps)

*Pellon Tear n Wash Lightweight Stabilizer

*Decorative thread (me....love aurifil 50#.....great colors & weights for all projects)

*Lining ( to cut size of pillow....see instructions below)

*Batting (to cut size of pillow....see instructions below)...I use warm & natural

Here's all you do...

*Rotary Cut your front fabric, batting & lining & stabilizer to 18" x 18" (you'll be cutting your back pieces for the fold at a later step) :-) 

*Iron your front piece of fabric....

*Finger press fabric in half or use your iron to press a seam.

*Then fold & lightly press that seam in half to make four lines (you'll be sewing on lines to help create straight lines while using decorative stitches. ex 18 (half is 9...then half is 4.5 and so on :-) 

Tip...Make sure you don't have heavy crease lines 'cause this can cause your stitches to buckle...I lightly press just to make sure I see "seam line to follow"

Or...you can use your ruler and lightly mark with your preferred method (I use a #2 pencil)

*Now pin your lightweight stabilizer to back of your "front fabric"...pin or clip if desired.

* Do your favorite decorative stitches on these lines....get creative...have fun!!! (See pics below)

Tip...if you are new to using your decorative stitches...make a "mini sample" of your fabric/batting etc and "test" your stitches....you can create many stitches using the same design by adjusting your stitch length & width on your machine. Lots of fun!

I also like to "lightly press" as I go...maybe it's my O.C.D (only Cat does) but keeps fabric smooth. 

Aurifil 50 weight # 1320 was used for these decorative stitches.

Aurifil 50 weight 4663 (variegated thread used on decorative stitches here!

Continue to "divide and conquer until you get the desired design you like....remember you still have quilting to do :-) 

*Once you've achieved your design....carefully "tear away" your stabilizer....lightly press & get ready for next phase....quilting & finishing :-)