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

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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...

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