Cats Tip of the Day! "Sewing HST's"

 Hey quilters...it's midweek already...for me it's going a bit too fast. Sometimes I get that quote .."I can't adult today" :-) But we all know it's a part of life...but....don't you have those days where you just want to hang out in your sewing room...drink coffee in your pj's and listen to Christmas music? Don't laugh but that's what I did this morning. It was the best few minutes of my life! :-) I love sewing Christmas quilts...brings me joy knowing that I'll be making a loved one happy soon. Every year I tell myself to start sewing early to avoid the last minute sewing rush. Well, I started early this year and I bet I'll still be sewing up a last minute gift or two. As you know I've been Stitchin' up Christmas with the Christmas in Quilt Town 10" precuts that was gifted to me from Missouri Star Quilt Company. The prints and color hues inspired me to use the "Starburst" pattern by MSQC. It was the perfect pattern for this collection. But my design brain wanted to use as many of tho precuts in this collection as possible. Yes...you can make it as stated in the pattern using a coordinate for your HST's. I did not...shocker...but I did realise something very important while piecing the squares togther. My HST's needed to go a certain direction as per the pattern design. So when sewing my rows together to keep the Starburst design from going in the "wrong direction"...I would place a "quilt pin" at the upper left corner of the row that I was adding on. Trust me..my cutting table is only 4 feet away from my sewing machine and for some odd reason I can manage to flip a block in the wrong direction. If it happens...no big deal...just carefully remove the stitches sewn and sew correctly. This tip has really helped me a lot sewing other designs as well. Just remember to place your pin away from your seam line that you will be sewing and remove before quilting. My other "tip" is a funny one. Years ago my late mother-in-law asked me..."do you trim your dog ears off your HST's?" Hmm...honestly I laughed. I thought what the world are dog ears and why would I be trimming them off my HST's. She said carefully remove them so you don't have the added bulk when sewing your squares together. Clever right? Well...you know me by now I'm going to use those "dog ears" to my advantage. When a block says "square up" to a certain size...especially while sewing the fast method of HST's...I don't trim away the "dog ears" until I have rotary cut the square to the size needed. This is a helpful trip if you are piecing this Starburst pattern due to so many HST's. Plus it never huts to have a friendly reminder to not "forget" a very important step :-) I hope these tips help you when piecing HST's. It's one of my favorite blocks due to it being so versatile when designing a quilt. The pic below shows how my Starburst quilt is coming along plus I circled the quilter's pin for you. I having a blast sewing this design on my Brother machine. I can't wait to start quilting it using the Aurifil colors hues in red and green. Thanks so much for following and check back soon for more fun...fast & fab projects. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

HST tip...

Starburst Christmas quilt progress...

Cats "Still Stitchin' up Christmas!"

 Hey quilters...hope your weekend is full of stitching projects. I've been stitchin' up Christmas still in my sewing room. I know "Christmas in July" is over but for me Christmas stitchin' is all year. I love to make gifts and it seems every year Christmas comes around too fast. I was recently gifted Christmas in Quilt Town 10" precuts by Missouri Star Quilt Company. The fabric collection is filled with brigt Christmas hues and prints in stripes...dots...trees...poinsettias...candy canes..sewing notions and Chuck! I knew right away what pattern I was going to use. I've been holding on to "Starburst" quilt pattern by MSQC for a bit now just waiting for the right fabric. The pattern uses 10" precuts and with the techniques within the pattern you will be stitchin' up a Holly Jolly quilt in no time :-) The pattern is sew versatile and fast. You can choose a accent fabric per design or pair 2 10" squares together of Christmas in Quilt Town precuts. I did the math in my EQ8 software and you will have 10 squares left over. Perfect to make a holiday pillow or table square or whatever your heart desires. I'm having a blast coordinating the fabrics together with this festive collection. It's sew fun and will compliment any decor. I'm sewing and quilting on my Brother sewing machine using Aurifil 50# thread.  I love a fun...fast & fab project that comes 2gether quickly. Don't you? This will definately be a Christmas 2 Remember! Pop on over to MSQC webiste to view more of this Holiday collection and last time I look the Starburst quilt pattern was still available :-) I hope this inspires you to keep sewing up those holiday gifts. This would also make a great pattern to follow for new quilters too. I have more Christmas projects coming soon. And yes...you know me...I just might throw in a Spooky one too :-) Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Christmas in Quilt Town using Starburst pattern....

Coming along :-)...

Cats "Christmas 2 Remember w/ Festive Wishes by Lumin Fabrics!"

Hey quilters...it's Friday...but already August 1st. Geez how does this happen! If you're like me Christmas comes along too fast. I've been sharing on Instagram and Facebook stockings that I've made using Festive Wishes by Lumin Fabrics...Island Batiks along with the Simple HST Stockings pattern by Missouri Star Quilt Co. The fabrics and pattern will definately spark your holiday sewing. I've made the small stocking and medium size and soon to be the large. I had a blast with the pattern. It comes with 3 sizes and instructions to make the ones or get creative and try the other ways noted in pattern. The pattern is super easy to follow along and you can create your own design too. I a-play-qued my stockings using Aurifil 50# thread playing with decorative stitches on my brother sewing machine. I love to hang stockings around the house as decor & give as gifts. The batiks are stunning in this collection and you can view more on MSQC website. I will also be starting a Christmas scrap-a-long soon using this collection Festive Wishes. It's never too soon to start your Holiday stitching. Well for me anyway :-) So check back soon

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Festive Wishes Stockings...

"Small size"

"Medium size"...

Boot Scootin' BBQ "Hat Trivet"

 Hey quilters....hope your weekend is off to a great start. I'm multi-tasking these days. I came to the conclusion that I'm better at sewing than a nurse. Kudos to all you health care workers! Although I did come up with a routine if anyone is going through the same. When he has to "ice" for 2 hours...I run and sew! Clever right? :-) Anyway...today I'm sharing the fun hat trivet with you. I love the nesting templates and it allows you to "fussy cut" the Welcome to Quilt Town fabrics as desired. You will rotary cut and sew the same as the previous boot trivet instrustions with a few size adjustments. The hat trivet finishes roughly 8 3/4 x 8 3/4. I say roughly due to using the Insul-bright for hot/cold items it may be a bit bulky when you fold back your border/binding. Plus....they are stack-a-ble too! Great space saver :-)I hope you're enjoying this fun...fast & fab "scrap-a-long." I love a fun project on a small scale. It gave me the chance to play with my decorative stitches on  my Brother sewing machine and try new techniques using Aurifil thread. Win..win! Remember...no "quilting police' on my blog...sew get creative & have fun! I thank y'all for following and check back soon for a "Christmas in July" project featuring Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics). I'll be showing a "sneak peek" soon of the fabric so you can get it before it sells out :-) Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Boot Scootin' BBQ Hat Trivet...

2nd pic...."Lottie approved"...every sewing room needs a cat :-) she loves to swipe my Aurifil spools across the room! :-)

Here's all you do...

* Select one white 10" square and.rotary cut to 8 1/2 x 8 1/2.

* Select one 10" square of Welcome to Quilt Town fabrics and rotary cut to 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 for the backing.

* Repeat for batting and Insul-bright

* Follow the boot instructions to fuse and a-play-que your hat.

* Remember get creative and have fun :-)

Border/Binding...

* From Welcome to Quilt Town fabrics...

* Rotary cut two strips 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 and sew with rights sides 2gether using a 1/4 seam allowance to top/bottom of square. 

* Press and square up if needed.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 and sew to left/right sides of block following previous step.

* Finish your hat trivet following the same instructions as your boot trivet previously made.

Remember this is the fun step of playing with your decorative stitches on your machine when you top stitch the front :-)

You did it!

I hope you enjoyed making your trivets for your next BBQ. 

It's always fun when someone asks..."where did you get those super cute trivets?"

And your reply is... "I made them!" :-)

Thanks so much for following and talk soon,

Cat

Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivets! Phase 2

 Hey quilters...happy Friday! Hope y'all have fun relaxing plans for the weekend. I'm excited to show y'all the Boot Scooin' BBQ Trivet featuring the boot & sunflower templates. The templates are part of the collection "Hats & Boots" by Missouri Star Quilt Company. I used the "Welcome to Quilt Town" fabric collection by MSQC as well. I love this collection...full of fun colors and prints to spark your inner creativity. In the first Phase you learned some fun a-play-que and maybe even layering/fusing fabrics depending on your design. I love how versatile the nesting templates are to create a "fussy cut" design. I for one had a ton of fun and plan on making more as gifts. This is such a fun...fast project...as you can see we're already "scootin" into phase 2. :-) Sorry...had to do it! I will be showing my border/binding technique but you can definately do a tradtional binding if desired. I do this technique a lot on small projects.I even accent quilted around boots. I love a small project it really gives you the opportunity to try new techniques. Remember...no quilting police on my blog so get creative and have fun! If you are just following a long...no problem...you can still grab all supplies on Missouri Star Quilt Co website...some might even be on sale :-) I'll be featuring the "Hat" trivet next so check back soon. I thank y'all so much for following. Enjoy!

Blesssed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivet...10.5 x 10.5

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut from Welcome to Quilt Town fabrics two strips 2 x 10 and sew to top/bottom of block,

 right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance...press.

Tip...press seams away from block.

* Rotary cut two strips 2 x 13 1/4 and sew to left/right sides of block (same method as above)

* Select one 10" square from Welcome to Quilt Town collection for backing.

* Rotary cut a 10 1/4 " square from low-loft batting & Insul-Bright.

Layer...

* Backing facing down...If not already used in Phase 1

* Insul-bright

* Block right side up (facing you)

Border/Binding...

* Starting at top of block...Fold border to back side leaving a 1/4" binding edge on front.

* Fold in half to secure edge on back and pin/clip to secure.

* Top stitch or quilt in the ditch on front to secure your binding...removing pins or clips as you sew.

Note...I used Aurifil 50 weight #2815 and a decorative stitch around the edges.

* Repeat same step for Bottom binding then left/right side of block.

You did it!!!

Hope you enjoy showing your trivet at your next "Boot Scootin' BBQ!"

Talk soon,

Cat

Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivets 4 Entertaining! Phase 1

 Hey quilters...happy mid-week to y'all. I"m excited to share this fun scrap-a-long with y'all featuring the Hats & Boots Templates & Welcome to Quilt Town Fabrics by Missouri Star Quilt Company. I love the colors and prints in the fabric collection and the templates are "nesting" which gives you the opportunity to really get creative. I layered the fabrics to give a custom boot & hat design. The individual accent pieces of the templates makes it very easy when tracing. I used the Sew light fusible adhesive which is double sided by Missouri Star Quilt Company on the wrong side of the fabric then traced the template...cut out and fuse following manufacturer's directions. Remember to flip the template if you're needing a certain direction. Also you can 'fussy cut" around a print due to the clear templates which allows even more creativity. So in this phase you'll choose your fabrics....fuse following manufacturer's directions and a-play-que as desired. I'll be sharing some tips soon for that as well. I made the trivets using the boots and one of the hat templates and sunflower but will be making more as time allows. The boots will be a large trivet then I made the hat template a bit smaller for layering while entertaining. So fun but they are versatile so get creative and have fun. I thank y'all so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivets 4 Entertaining...

Here's all you need...

* Missouri Star Hats & Boots Templates

* Welcome to Quilt Town 10" squares by MSQC

* Kona Cotton white solid 10" squares (white)...need 2

* MSQC Sew Light Fusible Adhesive (double sided)

* Aurifil 50# thread (4093, 2235)

* MSQC White 50# thread

* Basic sewing supplies

Here's all you do...

* Select your desired fabrics...fuse the sew light fusible adhesive to wrong side of fabric and trace around template on paper side and cut out.

* Fuse following manufacturer's directions to the right side of one 10" square. 

Tip...make sure you remove the paper backing and I like to use a pressing sheet while fusing.

* A-play-que around design as desired. 

Tip...I use a smaller stitch length for a-play que which helps pivoting around the design.

Note...as you can see in pic the "nesting templates" make it fun to fussy cut the stars for the boots accent pieces. Get creative and have fun!

Talk soon for Phase 2,

Cat

"Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivets" w/MSQC Templates!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a restful weekend. I'm excited to share a fun-ctional design with y'all that will start Wednesday. We'll be making "Boot Scootin' BBQ Trivets" for entertaining. Recently I was gifted the Hats and Boots Template set by Missouri Star Quilt Company. Well my brain went straight into designing trivets for entertaining. Y'all know me...I love making trivets for hosting. Mostly due to being able to be creative on a small scale which means completing faster. I'm always thinking of techniques for the beginner to advanced even stepping out of my comfort zone. Trivets give you the opportunity to try some stitching and or quilting that you might not be comfortable on a large scale. I usually just do a simple "a-play-que" technique around the design but I even did some accent quilting that you will see soon. The templates are "nesting" which means you can choose the smaller template to feature accent fabrics then play with your stitching. Sometimes it's fun to just take the time and get to know your machines decorative stitches and attachments. I also discovered that I like a certain foot attachment that is normally not used for a-play-queing bur it works for me. I'll be sharing that tip soon. You can see the pic of templates below and they are on sale today at Missouri Star Quilt Company. My link on home page will take you to the site. They also change their sales "daily deals" everyday too. I'll be featuring my trivets using the Welcome to Quilt Town Fabrics by MSQC. Super cute fabric line to check out too on their website for inspiration. This will be a fun...fast & fab scrap-a-long because we all know we need to celebrate "Christmas in July." Hint,,,hint of what's coming :-). So check back soon for all the supplies needed and details. Here's to a fun "Boot Scootin' BBQ" for entertaining! Talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Missouri Star Hats & Boots Template Set...