Got Scraps? Fun...Fast n Fab "Lake Garden Flag"...Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope the weather is being kind and you're having a great week. I love seeing the pics on social media where people are still getting snow. I don't know about y'all but this has been the craziest "Spring," I'm just praying the rain stops for those to recover. One thing I've learned living in Florida is "Mother Nature is unpredictable." As I like to say..."It's always Sunny in my sewing room." :-) Well today I'm sharing the final phase of this fun lake garden flag. In my previous post I mentioned it could easily be turned into a wall hanging if desired. I love a design that inspires you to make it unique to your needs and home decor. I've had sew much fun designing this flag in EQ8 that it inspired me to create more! So keep following...you never know what my "quilting brain" will create. As I mentioned in previous post that I have a "tip" to preserve your garden flag due to the fabric. I use Scotchgard outdoor fabric protectant even on the garden flags I purchase. The sun will damage fabric...we all know that and just because an item states it's been weather treated doesn't mean it will last forever. So. I take a preventive measure and spray my flags before using them. Yes...I always test first so it doesn't bleed and most of the time a purchase flgs design is double sided. Again...test your fabric scraps before you spray your "unique" garden flag. Also the pillow form that I use is a outdoor pretreated garden pillow. Most of the time you can find them at your local "W" store for around $5...to me that's a bargain! Yes..I spray those too...I guess it's my O.C.D. "Only Cat does" :-) but they do last longer! Well...I thank y'all so much for following me on this fun journey and check back soon for more "Fun...Fast n Fab" projects. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Lake Garden Flag...Phase 2...

"I love how the morning sun shines on the Lake...so peaceful" although it was a windy day :-)

Here's all you do...

Note... Press and square up your quilt block if needed after you've finished quilting.

Adding Letters...

*Yes...you can purchase pre-fused letters if desired but I love to make my letters from the fabric scraps I'm using to add that extra touch :-)

* Fuse to wrong side of  scrap piece desired...Sew Light Fusible adhesive (double sided) using a pressing sheet to protect your iron if desired. Trace your letters on paper side of fusible adhesive (not some letters need to be reversed) 

* Carefully cut out around letters and fuse to quilt top as desired.

* Once you have your letters positioned on quilt top.

* Fuse following manufacturer's instructions.

 *  "a-play-que" around letters to secure. I used Aurifil 50# thread...compliments perfectly!

Adding Borders...

* For a finished 1/2" border...rotary cut your lime fabric 1 x 10 3/4 (or your width) and sew using a 1/4" seam allowance with right sides 2gether to top/bottom of quilt block. Press and square up if needed.

* Rotary cut from lim fabric 1" x 16 and sew as above to left/right side of quilt block using same method as above.

Binding...

Note...this is a where you bind your quilt block as desired. I like to do my border binding technique on small project. I rotary cut my strips wider to fold back leaving a 1/4" seam on front and top stitch in front of quilt block to secure. No it's not the traditional method but it's sew easy for me....as I alway's say..."you do what works best for you" :-)

Check back soon for more "Fun...Fast n Fab" projects!

Talk soon,

Cat

Got Scraps? Fun...Fast n Fab "Lake Garden Flag" Phase 1

 Hey y'all....hope your week is off to a great start. I'm loving this morning...the wind has slowed down a bit. I've been trying to take pics of the Lake Garden Flag which is the second part of "Got Scraps" series. We've had winds the last couple of days and it almost made picture taking impossible. I do laugh when I see pics of quilts blowing in the wind on Instagram. Sometimes its funny then other times it's nuts and you just take the best of the worst ;-) I didn't notice while taking one of the pics that I had an admirer. Yup...a pretty good size gator was just hoping I'd fall in for his "morning snack." Funny story...I almost did and I gave a new meaning to the term..."stop...drop and roll." My pride was hurt more than anything and then I couldn't stop laughing. Oh the life we lead :-) Well...as you can see by the pic below the flag was blowing a bit but I managed to catch a some what good one. The Lake Garden Flag has been a blast using the scraps from Sunlit Garden for Lumin Fabrics by Jennifer Thomas. I love it when fabric inspires creativity...don't y'all. I always wanted to design my own garden flag and EQ8 software makes it super fun & easy. The flag is 12 x 16 plus 2" tabs and I pieced and quilted in Aurifil 50# thread. I had such a fun time making the garden flag that I'm pretty sure their will be more designs coming your way. I'll be sharing my tip on preserving the flag on next phase. This is a fun...fast n fab project that can even be turned into a wall hanging if desired. You'll be making "Scrappy Half Square Triangles" so this is a great beginner project too. So grab you're scraps and lets make a "unique" Garden Flag together!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Lake Garden Flag...

Here's all you need...

* Scraps from Sunlit Garden by Lumin Fabrics ( Island Batiks) 

* Coordinating Aurifil thread

* Ruler for squaring up Half Square Triangles

* Low loft Batting

* MSQC Sew light fusible adhesive (double sided for letters)

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut from Floral Vne White 6 1/2 x 10 1/2 (set aside)

* From Teal/orange fabrics rotary cut   nine  3" squares.

* Place one teal and one orange with right sides together and draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Sew a 1/4" seam on both side of line. Rotary cut on drawn line. Press towards darker side.

* Using ruler...square up to a 2 1/2 in square.

You will have 2 "Scrappy Half Square Triangles.

* Repeat same method for all squares.

* From white and teal fabric rotary cut a 3" square from each and sew as above. You only need 1 set.

* Per design...lay your white center with the "scrappy half square triangles."

* Sew your scrappy half square triangles in sets with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Per design...join the sets together to make the right and bottom rows.

* Join the right scrappy half square triangles to the center. Using 1/4" seam allowance. Press

* Join the bottom row matching seams as needed. Press.

Tip....I join in sections due to matching seams as I sew. It's easier for me but I always say do what is easier for you. :-) 

Check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Got Scraps?...Fun...Fast n Fab Easter Eggs!

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. I'm super excited to share this "Got Scraps?... "Fun...Fast n Fab" mini series with y'all. Do you save scraps because the fabric is just sew stunning you can't waste even the tiniest little piece? Well...I do! I even save my Aurifil threads when I'm trimming away blocks while sewing. It's amazing of how all the thread hues inspire creativity all piled up :-) Well...y'all know I've been sharing designs using the stunning fabric collection "Sunlit Garden" by Jennifer Thomas for Lumin/Island Batik fabrics. I love the prints and color ways and I thought how fun would it be to cover those plastic eggs and make a Holiday centerpiece. I love to die eggs...don't get me wrong but with the price of eggs these days it's driven me a different route. Plus I'm using those tiny scraps that I know would be difficult to sew together. In fact with this fun project the tiniest scraps actually lay better while glueing due to the shape of the eggs. I will admit that this project is very therapeutic and super fun. This would aslo be a great project to get the kiddos involved especially with "Earth Day" next month too. The plastic eggs are very inexpensive and I used regular school glue diluted with a few drops of water. I brushed the plastic eggs first then just started layering the fabric until the egg was covered. I did a top coat on the fabric to secure once I liked how the egg was looking. I placed the eggs on water bottles to dry (pic below)...so easy. For the thread eggs I was a bit more careful when applying glue. The thread...and glue...and my fingers became a hot tangled mess at first so  I decided to do an area at a time...let it dry a bit so I had something to hold on to then started again. For the thread eggs I let them dry on a waxy paper plate so they didn't stick. I also rotated these while drying too. The fabric eggs are to be filled with candy so I pinked the edges to give a dcorative look where you would open them but the thread eggs were covered solid for decor. They are not perfect but I had a blast and what a fun way to "upcycle" a plastic egg! I hope y'all give this fun project a try and check back soon for more of "Got Scraps?...Fun...Fast n Fab" mini series. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Cats Tip of the Day!

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is filled with excitement. I know a lot of y'all are on "Spring Break" so hope everyone is having a great time. It's still a bit "nippy" here in Florida. I love how the birds are starting to chirp...I think they we're getting tired of the cold weather too. I recetnly received a text from my daughter stating they saw 3 hummers in Texas. I've only seen one here in the past 6 years and I got so excited that I scared the little fella away. We had tons of hummers back in our Texas home. Another reason why I can't wait to get back to Texas :-) Well...in the meantime...here's a tip that I use a lot. If you're like me and you "hand cut" your letters then I hope you try these tips. I use Missouri Star Quilt Co. "Sew Light Fusible Adhesive" for my letters. It fuses nicely to the back of your fabric then I trace letters and cut out. I also was gifted these "Karen Kay Buckley's" pulti-purpose scissors from my late mom-in-law and they are awesome. They are perfect for cutting around letters etc. on fabric that has been fused with a stabilizer. Plus I noticed recently MSQC has a new fun color as well. I also use a wool pressing mat which helps when fusing letters to fabric. Recently I received the new collection "Welcome to Quilt Town" fat quarters from MSQC as part of the affiliate program and below is a "Sneak Peek" of the center. I fused and a-play-que" using Aurifil 50# thread around the letters. The design is a wall hanging "All Roads Lead 2 Quilt Town"' that I'll be sharing soon. This new fabric collection is super cute with fun quotes which inspired my design. In celebration of "National Quilting Month", MSQC has tons of inspirational events and sales going on their website. I hope these tips help if you are like me that still hand cut & fuse your letters. Maybe one day "Santa" will bring me the cutter that's been on my list for quite a while. :-) Wishing everyone a fun & safe Spring Break. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Duck...Duck...Chuck!...Phase 5 & Finishing :-)

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great weekend. I'm very excited to share this final phase with y'all. I've had a blast with this Quilt Town fabric collection from Missouri Star Quilt Company. The fabric is super cute and was gifted to me from Missouri Star for the affiliate program. I knew a design had to be created high lighting 'Chuck." We all love Chuck,,,but I wanted a design that could be for a baby quilt or an adult. I designed the quilt in EQ8 and you can easily enlarge the quilt just be adding more borders or even enlarging the width of the borders. Sew simple but it's adorable. I'm mean seriously...you add "Chuck" and any design is super cute...right? :-) The design did incorporate Scrappy Half Square Triangles but that clever fast patch technique made it sew fun. In this phase you'll be sewing on your border...quilting...binding. I will mention before you begin to press your quilt top. Check your seams on back to make sure they are flat and going in the right direction before you quilt. Also....I love "wide back" fabrics. Why...I don't have to piece my backing for a baby quilt or lap size. You can order the width needed (plus a bit extra) for shrinkage. The fabric is so wide that it really makes quilting a breeze. No seam allowances to deal with when sewing/quilting. If you need to piece your back fabric the internet has many options as well. Also when it comes to rotary cutting your border strips you will measure the longest width and length then take the largest for your cutting length. I add a few extra inches to that and then square up once sewn/pressed. You also might feel a bit over whelmed when adding on your borders due to the weight. Here's a helpful hint that I always do...if possible place your ironing board along side your sewing table to help take the weight off the quilt when sewing. I also use this method when quilting too. Anything to help ease the weight off your machine will help with even stitching and less stress on you too. Remember there are no "quilting police" in my sewing room so always do what is easy for you. Plus...final tip...I promise :-) Take your time...take breaks to stretch your back when quilting. Trust me...:-) I have a pic below of how mine looks before quilting. I ordered batting and hope it comes in soon. But in the meantime...have y'all seen the new collection "Welcome to Quilt Town?" Oh my gosh y'all...it's super cute and Chuck again looks pretty handsome as always. The colors and prints are beautiful and sew inspirational. So check back soon...we have a super cute wall hanging to share featuring this stunning collection. You know me...there is always a "scrap-a-long" happening in my sewing room. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Duck...Duck...Chuck...

Adding Borders...

* Press and square up your quilt.

* Rotary cut your strips 2 1/2 x top/bottom width of your quilt top.

* Sew with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Press and square up if needed.

* Repeat same method for the left/right sides.

Tip...If possible a solid or a simple print is usually the best start for a beginner. You will most likely be joining 2 strips together for the length of this quilt. You can do a miter joint when adding if desired. 

But...if you fell in love with the Quilt Town Triangles print like me then here's a helpful hint for you...

First...I love to use my rulers to make sure the fabric design is straight as I am rotary cutting.

Then,,,due to my O.C.D. "only Cat does"...I decided to join my strips by trying to match up the prints and just sew a 1/4" seam to secure. It's not perfect but it works. I also joined the seams with the quilt so my border seam did not stitck out. :-)

After you have your borders sewn as desired then you will layer your backing fabric...right side down...then batting and quilt top right side up (facing you).

Pin & quilt as desired.

Tip...as you are pinning...make sure your backing fabric is smooth on back as you go along.

Once you have quilted then add your binding as desired. 

There are so many quilting tutorials to watch if you are new to quilting. I know MSQC has many tips and techniques on their website too. 

I for one will be machine quilting along with my Grandsons favorite old school method of 'hand tying." 

Remember...have fun...enjoy every moment and be always be proud of your accomplishments. 

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...