Wild about ABC's....Phase 2...Lets a-play-que!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great start to your weekend. I'm multi-tasking today. Sewing....sewing and sewing :-) Phase 2 is one of my favorite parts to a design. I love to a-play-que w/ Aurifil thread. Aurifil has so many thread hues to coordinate wtih your fabrics. I'm loving the Teardrops yellow lemon by Lumin fabrics from the Sunset Collection. The fabric is beautiful and Aurifil # 3910 is a verigated thread and it coordinates perfectly. I used this thread for the a-play-queing around the letters and pieicing/quilting. It actually is one of my "go to" hues when quilting. Today we're making and a-play-queing the letters for "Wild about Learning" I make my letters by hand. It's a bit old school but very therapeutic for me. Yes...a die cutter would be wonderful if you have one....lucky you! :-) But if you don't like me they are super easy to make. Just grab a cup of coffee and it goes quickly! I've listed the supplies needed below and you can see that I'm a huge fan of HeatnBond lite. I use this product on a lot of projects but you do what product you prefer for securing your letters. Here's a tip when you get to the stage of a-play-queing your letters on your machine. I use a small stitch length which makes pivoting easy plus I don't pull up my presser foot lever all the way. I gently raise the presser foot level just enough to pivot my fabric then continue sewing. This puts less stress on your lever.Plus it's a time saver as well. Another tip is reverse your letters on the paper side of the fusible web when tracing. I also use a very small pair of sharp scissors when cutting around the letters. I thank y'all so much for following and I hope you're enjoying creating a gift that will be passed down for generations. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat 

MSQC Affiliate

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

Wild about ABC's....

Here's all you need...

* Teardrops yellow lemon from "Sunset Collection" by Lumin Fabrics

* HeatnBond Lite (double sided fusible adhesive)

* Aurifil 50# thread (3910)

* Small sharp scissors

* 2 1/4" letters for tracing 

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut a 3" strips by width of fabric (more if needed) of Teardrops fabric.

* Rotary cut strips 2 3/4 wide of Heatnbond Lite and adhere to wrong side of fabric following manufacturer's directions.

Note...You will make a few cuttings of Heatnbond lite due to the width it usually comes in.

* On Paper side of HeatnBond Lite trace around letters (remember to reverse) and carefully cut out.

* Once you have your letters cut out position within the squares per design and fuse following manufacturer's directions.

Tip....a pressing sheet is wonderful to protect your iron...trust me :-)

* A-play-que around each letter as desired.

Have fun and talk soon for Phase 3.

Cat

"Wild about ABC's"... Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great. I always feel that "Wednesday" is the day that I reflect on how my week is going. I always set goals to reach for the week and needless to say this week...I wish it was Monday. Ha! But that's o.k....the old phrase of burning the midnight oil comes to mind :-) Sometimes I do put too much stress on myself to stay on target but then I think "Lord I'd be a hot mess if I didn't." Well today starts Phase 1 of the "Wild about ABC's" Children's learning quilt...wall hanging. I'm very excited about this new design series that I'll be sharing with y'all. I designed the quilt in EQ8 "the electric quilt company" which gives me the opportunity to play with the fabrics plus accuracy. I love this design software...super easy to navigate through and it has endless block selections to inspire your creativity. This software come in handy especially for this design using one block "square-in-a square." I realized that my design is super easy and scrap friendly as well. The square-in-a-square has 'flippy corners"  which is great for those tiny scrap pieces that we all wonder what in the world to use for...right? I obviously would love for you to use this stunning collection "Sunset Studio" by Lumin fabrics due to the fabric hues. I fell in love with all the prints and hues and that is how the name came about as well. The wall hanging is 15 1/4 x 47 including the 1" border. The letters were created from a simple card stock package but if you are blessed to have a die cutter that would save you time. I will say cutting the letters with a morning cup of coffee is very therapeutic. The first tip that I would encourage is to take advantage of a closet door or entry door into your sewing room. This design incorporates many corners that come together for each block which is great for playing with your fabrics but can be tricky too. I found it to be easier to cut my batting larger than needed and use it as my "design wall" on my closet door. As I was piecing my squares together it gave me the opportunity to change any squares needed if the fabrics were similiar together. Although I used the Sunset Studio collection, I still wanted to achieve a scrappy flair with this design. Not all of us have a "design wall" so I hope this tip helps. I'll be sharing the instructions in phases but I totally encourage you to get creative with your fabrics and have fun. Below is a pic of the original design in EQ8 and then a pic of my progress as it was hung on my closet door. The post yesterday is also a finished pic for you to reflect on along the way as well. So todays phase is a easy one. Organize your fabrics....remember the scrappier the better...position your design wall in your area and have fun. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Wild about ABC's...

Here's all you need...

* Sunset Studio collection from Lumin fabrics ( will be stating cuts a long the way)

* 3/4 yard of Teardrops (yellow lemon) for Letters...borders...backing

* 1/4 yard each from fabric collection (precuts are great too)

Burst Multi Orange...Burst Mult Pink...Squiggle Red Paprika...Squiggle Pink Geranium...Macaroni Purple

* Neutral background for letter squares (Almond) 

* Coordinating Aurifil thread ( I used Aurifil 50# verigated #3910..blened perfectly!)

* Cardstock letters 2 1/2 " or your preferred method.

* Double sided fusible adhesive for the letters

* Small Scissors for cutting around letters

* Batting

* Basic sewing tools

Here's all you do...

* From background fabric ( 1 1/2 yrd Almond by Lumin)...rotary cut 26 ( 5 x 5 ) squares for your letter squares.

* From purple accent fabric rotary cut 4 ( 5 x 5 " squares for the accent corners.

* Lay squares per design on your accent wall or batting. ( 10 rows of 3 blocks each)

* Pin each square to secure.

* From printed fabrics...rotary cut strips 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 then subcut into 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 squares for your "flippy corners"

Tip...I cut a few squares of each accent fabrics then placed within the individual blocks before sewing to play with the color hues if needed.

* For each squre-in-a-square block...

* Place a 2 3/4" square at each opposite corner of the 5" square.(scrappier the better)

Note...Upper left...then bottom right

* Draw a diagonal line on the square and sew directly on that line.

* Cut a 1/4 seam away from sewing line and press seams out.

* Now repeat same method with Upper right then bottom left :-)

* Repeat for all squares.

* Each square will be 5" square for a finished 4 1/2" square once pieced together.

Tip....as you finish your squares...step back or take a picture to see if you want to reposition any of your squares. But don't get as O.C.D as I did....remember to have fun!

Check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Sneak Peek! "Wild about ABC's"..Children's Learning Quilt!

 Hey quilters...happy Tuesday! I'm thrilled to share this new adventure with y'all. I've been designing Children's Learning quilts for a while and was waiting to incorporate just the right fabric line. Well I'm thrilled to say Lumin Fabric aka Island Batiks recently shared with me this stunning collection "Sunset Studio." This fabric line is stunning and perfect for the "Wild About ABC's" Children's Learning quilt. This is the 'first" of many designs to come. I'm super excited about this journey in hopes to inspire others to create a learning quilt for a child and to pass down for many generations. We all love to create that perfect gift and to hear those words "I love it...will cherish it forever!" Well...I seriously believe that creating a quilt for a child to learn and snuggle with is the ultimat gift. I also believe the fabric makes any simple design stunning. As you can see the "Wild about ABC's" is designed with one simple block...square in a square! Yes...can you believe it? I wanted to create quilts with the simplicity of the design in mind. This learning quilt is a wall hanging which is fun for children's room decor. What child wouldn't love to learn and sing their ABC's in a fun fashion. I'll be sharing many designs soon with y'all most are "snuggle quilts" with simplistic designs for a great gift too. All designs are geared toward the beginner quilter with advanced techniques a long the way. I used Aurifil thread to a-play-que the letters on my Brother sewing machine. I also used the 4-N-1 ruler by Piece n Quilt on my brother machine for the curved accent quilting. The fun starts tomorrow!You can view the "Sunset Studio" collection at Lumin fabrics website for more inspiration. I thank y'all so much for following this fun journey with me. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Wild about ABC's...Children's Learning Quilt Wall hanging...

Sunset Studio collection by Lumin Fabrics...

Spook-tacular Give-a-way!

 Hey quilters...hope your week is off to a great start. I'm excited to share with you that I'm hosting a "Spook-tacular Give-a-way" on my Instagram page. Recently Missouri Star Quilt Company gifted me these adorable templates to either keep or giveaway. Well....it was a hard decision because they are super cute but my heart said to share. Ya know...one of those moments :-) If you're like me hosting for the holidays is my things. I love to make table decor...pillows...etc. for my home. There is just something special during the holidays to see handmade decor This Patchwork Potions Template Builder Set by MSQC includes 12 quality, easy-t-use, buildable acrylic templates. They come with  nesting shapes within to really inspire your spooky creativity. You can Mix, Match, Stitch Bewitch your Holiday decor! All you need to do is pop on over to my Instagram page to enter (link on upper right on home page). All the details are included within the post. But hurry....you have until the 17th to enter (tomorrow). I'll announce the lucky winner the 18th. Please note this is open to U.S. residents. I always am grateful for all the followers on my blog but mailing is a bit crazy these days. Good luck and can't wait to see what the lucky winner makes! Check back soon for a fun...fast n fab Scrap-a-long that I'll be sharing. Plus who knows what else I might be giving away on my Instagram page :-) Thanks so much for following and have a great week!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Mix...Match...Stitch...Bewitch!..

View Missouri Star Quilt Company for more details of the template set ;-)

Christmas 2 Remember..."Festive Wishes Gnome Gift Bags" Phase 2

Hey quilters...Happy Labor Day! I hope y'all are enjoying the day and doing what you love. I'll be sharing Phase 2 of the Gnome gift bags with you using the same method of previous post. The "Forest Gnome" that I'm calling him due to the deer prints and I used the tree template in the collection. The concept for these two bags are the same using the basic 4 patch. I just played with the super cute Gnome templates and fabrics to creative different bag designs. I lined the inside of the bags with scrap fabric which is an optional step but it gives the bag a more finished look. The band at the top of the bag is using the 5" squares and I used the "tie" from the 5" stamps for the handle. I love to use the ties from the precuts. It gives a fun look to the bag plus it shows the fabric line used. I blinged the bag a bit with some snowflake buttons that I've been hoarding :-) The tree ribbon was made from a decorative stitch on my Brother sewing machine using Aurifil 50 weight 2260. I used Aurifil #2885 & 2260 to accent around the Gnome and tree to secure.The tree was pieced together using the 5" squares cut in half and layering from light to dark and fusing as previous bag instructions. I positioned tree on side of bag front making sure I was allowing for the 1/4" seam allowance once sewn. As you can see the possibilities are endless to create your own gift bags. I do share a lot of gift bags becasuse they are super fun plus it's a gift in itself. They are 100% re-gift-a-ble :-) If you're still in the need of the Gnome templates my link to MSQC will take you there to view the whole collection. I hope you're enjoying this fun scrap-a-long and I thank y'all so much for following. Check back soon for more fun...fast & fab gift ideas. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Phase 2...

Backing...

* Select 4 5" stamps and sew together using the basic 4 patch design. Press.

* Rotary cut your Fusible fleece to this size following the same instrutions as bag front.

* Accent quilt around seam lines if desired.

* Place bag front and back with right sides 2gether and sew a 1/4" around the sides and bottom of bag leaving the top open. Reinforce stitching at start/stop.

* Turn bag right side out.

Lining...optional...

* From scrap fabric rotary cut your lining to bag...I cut mine 9 1/2  x 19...trimmed later if needed.

* Sew with right sides together down sides leaving top open.

Adding lining inside bag...

* Insert lining into bag with wrong sides together.

Note...you will see the right side of fabric as you peek in :-)

* Fold down top of edge of lining to wrong side if needed.

Bands...

* Select two 5" stamps as desired and rotary cut in half.

* Join the pieces at sides using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Fold the band in half lengthwise with wrong sides together.Press.

* Position the band with raw edge at top of bag front...matching side seams if possible.

* Pin or clip to secure.

* Sew a 1/4" at top of bag to secure.

Tip...you can remove your machine bed to have a "free arm" for easier sewing around top.

* Fold band to inside and top stitch on front of bag to secure all layers of fabric.

Optional handles....I cut my tie to desired size and tucked with in the band at each end before I top stitched in front. This secured the ties in place. You can always use fabric glue if desired.

I say optional handles because the bags are super cute without them :-) I hope you had fun making these two styles. Check back soon for another fun...fast & fab gift bag using 5" stamps or charm squares.

Talk soon.

Cat

A Christmas 2 Remember! Festive Wishes Gnome Gift Bags!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great weekend and hopefully a fun relaxing one to celebrate Labor Day. If you're needing a super fun project to stitch up this weekend then hang out with me! I've been having a blast using these super cute Gnome Templates gifted to me by Missouri Star Quilt Company. If you're a Gnome lover like me you need to grab these templates while they are still in stock. They are sew versatile to spark your Holiday sewing. I've been designing "Gift Bags" that are 100% re-gift-able using the "Festive Wishes" 5" stamps by Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics. Oh my gosh y'all...the prints of this fabric collection was perfect to compliment the Gnome templates. I a-play-qued around the designs using Aurifil 50# thread on my Brother sewing machine. I love to play with decorative stitches on my machine. You can get creative and add a personal touch to a simple design. I've designed 3 bags so far using the templates that I'll be sharing all using a fun technique of piecing the 5" stamps together. Plus I'll be sharing tips a long the way to make this a super fun...fast & fab project :-) The only extra fabric that I used was for the lining but that is an optional step. I wanted to incorporate some of the Christmas fabric that I recently inherited.The first 2 bags finish roughly at 9" then I have a fun bag to use for small gifts or a gift card. I made gift bags last Christmas and they were a hit so I'm continuing the fun! I'm listing the supplies below to get you started so you too can create a Christmas 2 Remember. Thanks so much for following. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Here's all you need...

* Gnome Sweet Gnome Template Builder Set by Missouri Star Quilt Co.

* Festive Wishes 5" Stamps by Island Batik/Lumin Fabrics

* Scrap fabric for lining (optional step but gives bag a professional look) :-)

* Aurifil 50 weight thread # 2260...2885

* Pellon fusible fleece

* Missouri Star Quilt Co double sided fusible adhesive

* Applique scissors for trimming around templates and basic sewing notions.

Phase 1...direstions for my design above...

* Select 8 fabric squares from the 5" stamps per bag for the front and back. Set aside.

* Select 2 5" stamps for the top band...set aside.

* Per Gnome (pictured)...

* Select 5" squares desired for the Gnome body...beard....hat...nose

* Rotary cut your fusible adhesive 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 and fuse to wrong side of 5" squares following manufacturer's direstions.

* Trace templates on paper side of square...cut out. Set aside,

Per Mushroom Home...

* Select 2 5" print squares and sew together for the "Mushroom Cap"

* Repeat same method as above for fusing adhesive to wrong side of fabric squares.

* Trace on paper side using the mushroom cap template. Cut out...Set aside.

* Select 2 prints for the mushroom bottom and repeat same method as above...Set aside.

* Select 1 square for the door and repeat same steps as above. Set aside.

Per bag front...

* Sew your 4 squares previously set aside together per design using the 4 Patch method and 1/4" seam allowance. Press seams flat.

* Square/s will be roughly 9 1/2 x 9 1/2.

* Rotary cut Fusible Fleece 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 and fuse to wrong side of square following manufacturers directions.

* On bag front...place your cut outs as desired making sure you peel off paper backing. I layered mine but you do you. These are super fun templates so put your own spin on it if desired :-)

Tip...I use a pressing sheet while fusing to protect my iron from any glue seepage.

A-play-que as desired....

This is where I love to play with my decorative stitches on my Brother sewing machine. Sew fun to try new stitches and get creative. I used a loop stitch to add "lights" around the Gnome Mushroom Home and did straight stitching around the other pieces.

Tip...when a-play-queing around the designs...use a small stitch length to make pivoting easier around the curves.

I sewed on  a "Snowflake button" for the wreath on the front door and glued a old button for the knob.

Remember...get creative and have fun!

Talk soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Cats Christmas 2 Remember "Christmas in Quilt Town Top Finished!"

 Hey quilters...hope your week is off to a great start. We're having weird weather here in Florida but I shouldn't complain considering it's Hurricane season. But I'm like a kid when it comes to lightening...I would be under with bed with my cat if I could fit :-) I also don't like to be on the computer or on my sewing machine during storms. I know...I'm a bit too cautious. But that's me! Well...I recently finished the quilt top using the Christmas in Quilt Town 10" squares that was gifted to me from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I've had a blast with this stunning collection and the pattern "Starburst" is sew clever with the techniques stated within the pattern. I seriously will be using this pattern especially when I need a fast gift too. I was so excited when the top was finished and you know me of how I like to take pictures in progress. But....we had a bit of a "photo shoot" malfunction....misshap...cat happened....whatever you want to call it :-). I don't know what it is but when I lay fabric out and Aurifil thread my sweet cat "Lottie" arrives. I should know this is going to happen....she loves to sling Aurifil thread scross the room plus she almost stepped on "Chuck." The good news is Chuck was not harmed and I finally found the thread under my couch but gosh what a morining! Plus if you're like me...you press your quilt tops before taking pics. Right? So please excuse the wrinkles in the quilt top...I finally just gave up! Yup...one day I'll learn :-) On a serious note...check out this stunning collection of Christmas in Quilt Town precuts on MSQC website. You can get a better view of how beautiful this collection is with all the Christmas prints and sewing notions within the fabrics. Super cute and you too will be stitchin' up a Christmas 2 Rmember in no time at all! Plus the Starburst quilt pattern comes together sew quickly and is great for beginners as well. I used Green fabric from a stash that I inherited for the borders so this quilt is super special. I'm off to my next project that I'll be sharing with you so check back soon. Thank so much for following!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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

Christmas in Quilt Town top using Starburst quilt pattern by MSQC...