Happy National Quilting Day!

 Hey quilter's....can you believe it...it's National Quilting Day! I love how every third Saturday in March of each year we take the time to honor this wonderful trade of quilting. I've seen quilting evolve sew much in my years and so blessed to be a part of the quilting community. I love seeing everyone's creativity from sewing/crafting and quilting. I especially love seeing the younger generation enjoy the love and creativity in quilting. As y'all know...sewing and quilting is very therapeutic for me and has helped me in more ways than you can imagine. I've been sewing from the age of 7...and still sewing strong after all these  years...ahhhhh....But most of all I truly love sharing my tips...techniques & Scrap-a-longs w/ y'all. I hope to inspire others with the art of sewing and quilting. It's my passion...my creative outlook and brings me so much joy. I'm wishing everyone a perfect stitching day with whatever you have under your sewing needle. Enjoy this day...cherish it forward...introduce someone to this amazing art of quilting. I hope y'all are following all the exciting events going on w/ Missouri Star Quilt Company. Many events in Hamilton "Quilt Town" & daily deals...inspirational tutorials on their website. I thank y'all so much for following and check back tomorrow for our final stage of "Duck...Duck...Chuck!"

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Note...see previous post for "free shipping" from Missouri Star Quilt Company until March 17th for new customers. Sew fun!

"Celebrating National Quilting Month w/a Sweet deal!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I'm sew excited to share with y'all this sweet discount from Missouri Star Quilt Company. To celelbrate National Quilting Month....Missouri Star Quilt Company is offering "free shipping" to "new customers" from March 13-17th w/my discount link below. Plus they are hosting exciting events...quilting deals...inspirational quilts projects & more. You can check out all the excitement and events on their website or run to Quilt Town in Hamilton. It is definately on my bucket list. Can you imagain...strolling down a Village that is all fabric and quilting and notions...oh my gosh! I know it has more but the shops are all geared towards sewing/crafting/quilting. You can see more details and events on their website calendar. PLUS...they have a new collection "Welcome to Quilt Town" fabrics. Yes...Chuck is really looking dapper in this collection :-) I'll be featuring a design incorporating this new collection w/ y'all real soon. I'm currently sewing on the borders of "Duck...Duck...Chuck!" that is featuring the original Quilt Town fabric collection. I'll be posting the last Phase soon of this fun scrap-a-long. I hope y'all check out the "daily deals" too. I have a fun habit of getting up during the weeee early hours to check out the "daily deals" before they sell out. :-) Perks of not sleeping! Well, I hope y'all have fun celebrating National Quilting Month. I love how we still honor the art of quilting...celebrating the stories and sharing this wonderful tradition with others. My link to MSQC is upper right on home page and discount link below. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

*Free Shipping discount for "new customers" from March 13-17th is QUILTVINEFS

(Some exclusions may apply)

Welcome to Quilt Town Fabric Inspiration...

Duck...Duck...Chuck! Phase 4

 Hey quilter's...I don't know about y'all but this week is flying for me. Sometimes I think it's because the "sun" has been peeking out a bit which helps with the humidity here in Florida. Watching the news I'm seeing a lot of y'all still dealing with the cold snow. It was fun when I was younger but as I'm getting older I've realized a nice sunny warm day...no rain...no humidity...slight breeze is for me. Hmmm...anybody know where that place is ? Ha! Well thank God it's always sunny in my sewing room :-) Well todays Phase is a bit exciting. This is where you start seeing your quilt come together. Your hard work is paying off. You'll be joining your squares together by rows. Now the traditional way is row 1 squares sewn together using a 1/4" seam allowance w/right sides together. Pressing seams as you go is a huge tip. Also making sure you don't have any "loose thread" on back. They will definately pop on the white accent fabric when quilting. Then rows 2 same method until you have all your rows sewn then you join your rows together. I'm hesitant at mentioning what I do because it's not the traditional method of piecing a quilt. One reason I sew my quilts in a different way is because "for me" I don't like bulk when I'm having to sew squares together matching a lot of seams as well. I sew my squares 2gether in sections...then sew the sections together. I know...what! But like I said this is how I sew my rows but you do what's comfortable for you. There are no "quilting police" on my blog :-) Thank God! Seriously y'all...when you are sewing squares 2gether that do have a lot of  "matching seams" like my design sometimes a "short cut" makes life a bit easier. I'm not saying don't do the traditional method of joining rows together just do what you find is comfortable within your sewing skills. I like to give tips that have helped me a long the way and at this stage of piecing your rows together can be a daunting. The pic below shows how I join my squares together in sections. Just remember pressing is the key but most of all enjoy the process of seeing your quilt all come together. Remember I'm just one step ahead of you but I'm actually still sewing some of my rows together as well. I'm taking my time making sure the squares are staying in the right direction as I remove from design board to sewing machine. Yup..it happens folks,,,thank god for a seam ripper. So take your time...enjoy the process and please reflect back to the design as you sew rows together making sure your 'Scrappy HST's" are facing the right direction :-) I thank y'all sew much for following a long on this quilt journey with me...Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Duck...Duck...Chuck!..Phase 3

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. Well...this design "Duck...Duck...Chuck" is coming along quickly. Using the fast method for the "Scrappy Half Square Triangle" makes the design so easy. i previously mentioned how a "Design Board....Wall...or florr" comes in handy especially for this phase. You'll be rotary cutting your accent squares and rectangles which to me brings the whole design together. I used the 10" squares from the Quilt Town Collection Layer Cakes then cuttings from the coordinating Quilt town collection for the accent squares. If you do not have this collection rotary cut your fabrics using the same method. I love layer cakes...just makes cutting a breeze plus you get a nice sortment of the collection. I placed my half square trinagles on my design wall along with the rows of ducks before I started rotary cutting the squares. I like to get a "visual" of fabric placement so I don't have similiar colors and or prints together. You can view my previous post for tips if you don't have a design wall/board. I would take my time with this phase. Place your fabrics on design wall as desired. Step back and re-check to make sure your "Scrappy Half Square Trianges" are facing the correct direction (per design) if desired. I staggered my colors and prints for the accent squares but you create as desired. This is such a fun and easy design that comes together quickly....you can easily enlarge just by adding more rows or wider borders. I hope you're enjoying this scrap-a-long and check back soon. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Advanced Scrappy Rows...

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut from one 10" square as follows...

* Sucut into four 2 x 10" strips

* Subcut each strip into two 4 1/2 in. strips

* You will get 8...2 x 4 1/2" rectangles per each 10" square.

Tip...pic shows that I squared up end then sbucut into the two sections leaving little waste :-)

* Repeat same method 6 more times alternating fabric colors for a total of 45 rectangles.

* Rotary cut from desired coordinating fabrics 18...4 1/2 x 4 1/2 squares.

Tip...whenever I cut a 1/2" square I will do a clean up cut at end of fabric with the 1/2" marking on my mat...then I count back the desired width...in this case 4" and rotary cut. This helps my O.C.D. "only Cat does" brain. 

Following design...lay your rectangles and squares on design board/wall alternating fabric prints and colors as desired. Take your time and have fun!

Talk soon for Phase 4,

Cat

Cats Tip of the Day!..."Why I Love a Quilt Wall"

 Hey quilter's..happy Sunday! I hope y'all are seeing some "Sun-today" :-) Gosh..watching the weather this morning a lot of y'all are still getting crazy weather. I usually get restless by the time March arrives. I usually want to plant a garden...work in the yard & just enjoy sitting outside again. A few weeks ago as I was speaking to my daughter on my cell she noticed my voice was a bit shakey. She asked whats wrong? I commented "I'm outside and it's cold." She laughed 'cause I'm in Florida. Seriously y'all...Florida weather has been a bit unusual. I guess that' why I love sewing and quilting. The weather is always perfect in my sewing room. :-) Well, today's tip will benefit you before the next Phase of "Duck...Duck...Chuck," or any project your working on. I for one did not have a design wall...quilt wall for a long time. I would lay my blocks out on the floor even quest room bed and will admit I still do. But when I'm working and or designing a quilt and it has many blocks and half-square triangles that are going in a certain direction a design wall is wonderful. A design wall is usually flannel which helps your squares adhere to wall securely. You can also get more of a visual as you are placing your fabrics together. Change any blocks around as needed. In my next Phase you will be rotary cutting rectangles and squares for your accent rows. If you've finished your "Scrappy Half-Square Triangles" in Phase 2 you're probably thinking now what. Well...one reason I love designing in EQ8. You can refer to my design as you sew for block placement. If you don't have a design wall the pic below shows Missouri Star Quilt Co new Quilt Wall that is currently on sale. My link upper right will take you to their website is desired. In the meantime you can use a large piece of flannel...or even quilt batting. It just might hang a bit wonky due to not being as sturdy. I've put MSQC on my wish list for the Easter Bunny because I've used my design wall for many years that now I'm having to pin each block. Ugh! So check out all the wonderful features of MSQC Quilt Wall and treat yourself to a great way to visualize your projects as you sew. I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate 

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

MSQC Quilt Wall...

* Handy Grip/Pin Free Design Wall

* 62 x 72

* 100% Cotton Flannel wall hold fabrics w/out pins

* Grommets seperated by cute images of quilted stars & "Chuck" for easy hanging.

* 5" square grid markings. Love that!

"Duck...Duck...Chuck! "Phase 2...Scrappy HST's!

 Hey quilter's..it's Finally Friday! Hope everyone's week has been going well and you're ready for a "sewing weekend." Right??? Well...get ready for some fun "Srappy Half Square Triangles." I say fun because the technique using two 10" squares sewn together using the fast method of creating 8 HST's is amazing. Who ever came up with this technique deserves a big hug...I think anyway :-) I used to dread sewing HST's back in the day and now with all the time-saving techniques this block has been one of my fav's. I love this technique due to my design has a lot of Scrappy HST's, 54 to be exact but it happens sew quickly with this technique.You'll be sewing this technique only 7 times to make all Scrappy HST's ...amazing! I will walk you through the technique but you can always google instructional videos if needed. All be honest...when I first watched this technique I might have been a bit timed. I thought no way...then I tried the method and I'm a forever fan. I also love how you are using your "Pre-cut 10" squares" as well. I've mentioned that I note the rotary cutting measurements along the way due to this design being very "scrap-friendly." I love "Quilt Town" fabrics by Missouri Star Quilt Company but my design will definately help you clean out a stash pile :-) Also it's shown as a baby quilt but can be easily enlarged for all us 'Chuck fans." You can easily add more borders or make your borders wider. Sew many possibilities. I hope y'all are enjoying this fun...fast & fab design. I'll be featuring more "Children's Quilts" through the year along with home decor for entertaining. I thank y'all so much for following and wishing everyone a great sewing weekend. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Scrappy Half-Square Triangles...

Here's all you do...

* Select one light (white) 10" square & one print 10" square from Quilt Town layer cakes.

Tip...if you are using scraps...just rotary cut a 10" square as above :-)

* Place squares with right sides together.

* Mark diagonal lines from corner to corner on your "light fabric" which makes an "X"

Tip...I place a "pin" in center to secure fabric as I start sewing...just remember to remove pin as you sew to the center :-)

* Sew a 1/4" seam on each sides of diagonal line...corner to corner.

Tip...if you do not have a 1/4" foot for your machine just mark a 1/4" sewing line on each side of your diagonal lines and sew on those sewing lines. Just make sure you rotary cut on your original diagonal lines per next step.

* Rotary cut down center of squares...Horizontal & Vertical.

* Now rotary cut on original marked diagonal lines with in each square.

Note...I rotary cut this way due to it stabiliazes the fabrics while I rotary cut. The internet has many methods for this technique so do what is best for you...either way it's sew clever :-)

* Press each Scrappy Half Square Triangles to the darker side and square up to 4 1/2" if needed.

* Repeat this method 7 more times for 56 HST's .

Note...you will only need 54...save your spairs :-)

Have fun selecting your fabrics...I don't think you can go wrong with this beautiful collection of Quilt Town fabrics from Missouri Star Quilt Company. My link upper right on home page will take you to site to view the stunning collection.

Have fun & talk soon for Phase 3,

Cat

Cats Tip of the Day..."Why I Love "EQ8" the Electric Quilt Design Software!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are doing great. I wanted to share a quick tip with y'all. I know a lot of us are still old school when we're designing a quilt. I grew up sketching designs for homes and to this day sketching a design is relaxing. But I will admit that I love the convenience of designing in EQ8, the Electric Quilt Design Software. I've been using their software for many years before I started my "scrap-a-longs" and sharing designs on my quilt blog. I've advanced along the years from the Quilt Design Wizrd to EQ7 then EQ8, that's how easy it is. It gives me the opportunity to put whats floating in my "design brain" to life. I love how I can upload fabrics and place within the blocks and it even has a "Aurifil" thread section to coordinate your thread colors. This allows me to visually see the design with color hues to make any changes a long the way. As I am cutting fabric you will get the exact rotary cutting measurements to allow for less mistakes and fabric waste. I love to host "Scrap-a-longs" on my blog. Designing in EQ8 allows me to see the process which also allows me to catch any mistakes before hand. I have a "portable design" wall...nothing fancy in fact I should get a new one soon. But as I am "placing & pinning" my squares on design wall I refer back to EQ8 for block placement. This came in handy yesterday while placing the "Scrappy HST's". In the design "Duck...Duck...Chuck" I have 3 rows of "Scrappy HST's" going in opposite direction. Well I had a "stoopie" yesterday when placing the last row of scrappy HST's in the wrong direction. I was able to catch it a head of time due to having the quilt design up on EQ8. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I'm finally placing the blocks on the design wall. Anyone else? :-)  Remember you don't have to be a quilt designer to dabble in EQ8. It's a fun & easy software to help you create your own unique quilts. Trust me...it's full of inspirational blocks...tips & techniques! I thank y'all so much for following a long on this journey with me. Check back soon for Phase 2 of  "Duck...Duck...Chuck." Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Why I love EQ8...