Cats Tips of the Day!...LOVE Accuquilt GO! Alphabet Die

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great week. I wanted to share of how much I love my new Accuquilt Go! Classic Alphabet Uppercase Set Die. I've been hand cutting letters for many years and I finally decided to make my life a lot easier. I love how fast and accurate the die makes perfect letters. As you know I'm designing Children's Learning Quilts to pass down for generations. Well...a lot of my designs use letters and now I'm able to achieve perfect letters and saving time. The letters below are from the Jennifer Schivano new collection "Berry Crush" designed by Jerry Khiev for Lumin Fabrics. I'll be featuring this fabric collection in my "ABC Scrap-a-long" design that starts this weekend. The design will have beginner to advanced techniques a long the way. I'm so pleased with how the design came about. I was designing in EQ8 (electric quilt software) and my block created a "secondary block" design. Oh my gosh...if you're like me and you can create a fun..fast & fab design without the fuss,..it's a win! Well...it gets better...the same block and techniques is used through out the quilt and it creates a fun accent border as well. I'll will be using scraps of the Berry Crush collection and showing how easy the design is made. You can also use the same design and omit the letters for an adult version if desired. My design features the advanced 4 patch technique on the accent corners which creates the secondary block but I will show a beginner version as well. I hope you check out the Accuquilt Letter dies on their website. They always feature great sales to make your sewing/crafting/quilting sew much fun! Thanks 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)

Accuquilt GO! Alphabet die featuring Berry Crush collection...

Celebrate National Embroidery Month w/ a "Red...White and Bloom Embroidery Kit....Give-a-way!"

 Hey quilters...it's National Embroidery Month! We're celebrating National Embroidery Month and Americas 250th Anniversaty w/ a fun give-a-way. Missouri Star Quilt Company kindly gifted me two of the "Red, White and Bloom" embroidery kit...one to keep and one to give-a-way. The kit comes with everything you need to embroider a beautiful wall hanging or follow MSQC to see Misty Doan turtorial of a quilt wall hanging. The embroidery kit is sew fun & versatile to let your creativity shine. All you need to do is Follow me on Instagram (link upper right on home page) and my post shares the info to enter. But hurry...deadline to enter is Feb. 14th at midnight (EST time) and I'll announce the lucky winner on Instagram Feb. 15th. I'm having a blast with mine and you can see the pics below of how to see the beautiful design. I thank y'all for following and check back soon for another "ABC Scrap-a-long." 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Red, White and Bloom embroidery kit...

Good luck!!!

Talk soon, 

Cat

Cats Tip of the day!..."Washing Batik Fabric"

 Hey quilters...hope the weather is being kind to y'all. I found out recently what a wimp I am. This so called "virus" that is going around is a doozy. The weather doesn't help much so keep safe. Recently I was asked about the care/washing of Batik fabrics and the reason why they said they don't use Batiks. First...my heart sunk due to I love Batiks. I love to mix Batiks with a solid or print cotton to add variation to the design. They were afraid of "fabric bleed." Yes...Batiks are "hand dyed" which makes them so unique. The design is printed on both sides of the fabric so you can't go wrong when piecing. Another plus :-) Most of the time when sewing with great quality fabrics you don't have an issue.  But with any fabric I always say..."do a test first." The few minutes of extra care is time well spent. I always "pink the cut edges" of my fabric before washing. The pics below show my Berry Crush fabrics pinked on edges before washing and a test of not pinking edges showing little ravel. I will throw in a test square of 100% white cotton fabric for any fabric bleed. White cotton will absorb color quick. It's kinda like when you accidently have a white sock in your load of colors. Yes...I've done that too :-) Then I will add about a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of vinegar to my mild detergent. The vinegar varies depending on how much fabric I am washing. I actually was told about the "vinegar" years ago by a fellow quilter. Somehow the vinegar helps set the colors. I'm not a scientist so I can't explain it but I will say so far it has worked for me. I then hang dry my fabric after washing. Again...this might be a bit extreme but for me it has worked and I feel comfortable combining Batiks and cottons especially when I am "gifting" an item. I also follow the same steps when washing a finsihed quilt. So,  if you're a bit timid to try Batiks I hope todays tip inspires you to try Batik fabrics. I've been a lover and user of Batiks and my Children's Learning quilts for this year was designed using Island Batiks/Lumin Fabrics. I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon. We have a fun year of projects ahead. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Berry Crush Batiks by Lumin Fabrics/Island Batiks before/after washing...

Pic below of "pinking cut edges" before washing....

Pic of Lumin Fabrics Berry Crush washed w/ a white cotton scrap....pretty pleased :-)

Pic of pinked edges and a one not pinked after washing...not bad at all :-)

Embrace your Journey...one stitch at a time in 2026!

 Hey quilters...Happy New Years Eve. Where did this year go? If you're like me every New Years Eve we're setting goals for the New Year. I usually have a few that I know will be achieved then a few to keep me focused through out the year. I'm excited to share my new pattern designs with y'all. We'll be "Scrapin in the New Year" together so don't put away those scraps. Also I'll be sharing new Children's Learning quilts and Quilt-Mas Cheer all year. I'll be sharing "give-a-ways" with Missouri Star Quilt Company so keep checking in for those exciting events. However you ring in the New Year just remember to take it "one stitch at a time." Less stressful for sure :-) I thank y'all sew much for a wonderful 2025 and following me on another creative year together in 2026. Happy New Year!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Embrace your Journey...

Organizing Tips 4 Success in 2026!..."Ingrids Wildflowers Pattern Binders"

 Hey quilters...hope your enjoying your Holiday season. It's crazy to believe that a new year is upon us. I get a bit excited about being organized for the upcoming year. I like or need to be organized. So I'll be sharing some items with y'all from Missouri Star Quilt Company that I love to use. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big impact when organizing. You don't need a large sewing/craft room to be successful. It's all about organizing your current projects for convenience and hopefully inspiration for your next. I love to have my design visible for inspiration that I am currently working on plus have the tools and fabrics to complete the design. Sometimes I get inspired for my next design just by seeing my fabrics.& thread on racks on my shelves. Well, recently I've been organizing my patterns and templates in the Missouri Star pattern/template binders. It's been wonderful! The binders store your patterns and templates in the sleeves of the binders for easy access. Plus the binders are super cute displayed on your shelves for color inspiration...win,,,win. Plus they are currently on sale at Missouri Star Quilt Company. You can view more information and inspiration on their website. I hope y'all have a great stitching weekend and keep checking back for more organizing tips for success in 2026! Enjoy.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Missouri Star Ingrids Wildflowers Pattern Binders...

Cats Crazy Christmas Coaster's Scrap-a-long!

 Hey quilters...hope you're countdown to Christmas is going well. I spent the morning wrapping...drinking coffee and watch Hallmark...best way to start the day! I'm showing the Crazy Chrstmas Coaster's that I recently finished. I love to make a handmade gift that isn't complimcated and uses scraps. This fabric collection "Festive Wishes" by Lumin Fabrics/Island Batik is festive and fun. I've made stockings...gift bags and coasters so far. The coaster instructions are on previous post. It's all the same just changing up the fabric a bit. I hope this simple fun gift idea helps you with some last minute gift ideas or get a jump on next year. You can use the same technique for all Holidays or events just by playing with your fabric scraps. But don't put away those Christmas scraps...I have a fun Christmas Scrap-a-long starting in January. I love Quilt-Mas cheer all year! There's something about Christmas fabric that makes me smile and brings me Joy. Wishing y'all a great Christmas countdown!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & pinterest (links on home page)

Cats Crazy Christmas Coasters...

Cats Crazy Christmas Coasters...Scrap-a-long!

 Hey quilters...are you still looking for a fun...fast...Christmas gift? Well, I've got the perfect gift idea and it uses your Festive Wishes by Lumin Fabrics/Island Batik 5" Stamps (squares) and scraps from yardage if needed. I love this Christmas fabric so much that I had to come up with a plan with all these beautiful scraps. We all love to make a handmade gift but time is running out but no worries. These Christmas coasters come together quickly that you'll want to make them for all seasons. Just change the fabric per your needs. I'm all about using scraps. In fact, my goal for 2026 is to feauture designs/projects using your scraps. Plus learning new techniques using my B sewing machine. The coasters are called crazy due to you'll be doing some fun "crazy stitching" on your machine. I love to play with my decorative stitches  and it's a great stress relief for me especially at this time of year. I used Aurifil 50# thread to crazy stitch the coasters playing with different stitches. This is a fun technique...no paper piecing...just grabbing your scrap pieces as you go. The fabric designs on 'Festive Wishes" collection allows you to choose "fussy cut" a starting area if desired. They finishes out to 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 but you can adjust to your needs. Just keep scrap piecing as you go ;-)  I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon for more exciting scrap-a-longs. Enjoy!

Blesssed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Cats Crazy Christmas Coasters....

Here's all you need,,,

* Festive Wishes scraps 

* Aurifil 50 weight thread # 2885

* Pellon 987F (fusible fleece)

* Insul-Bright by Warm company

* T-Shirt pressing cloth (june Tailor)

* Basic sewing notions

* Brother sewing machine :-)

Here's all you do...

* Fussy cut a print from scraps if desired as your starting point. I chose the "deer" then I added scraps in the coordinating prints alternating from dark to light prints. You can start piecing your sraps together in any area as desired just remember to place your scraps...rights side together and after you stitch your scraps just trim away your extra piece on back and finger press seam before you join another scrap piece. I like to trim my seams about an 1/8 " to have less bulk when I "a-play-que." If you desire a larger piece just keep scrap piecing until you achieve your desired size. Once you have your size...press and make sure all thread tails are trimmed away on back. I then squared up to 5 x 5'.

Time to a-play-que...

* Rotary cut your Pellon Fusible fleece to 5x5" and fuse to wrong side of square following manufacturer's directions.

Tip...I always use a "pressing sheet" to protect my iron.

* A-play-que as desired on the lines as desired. Play with your decorative stitches on your machine and have fun :-)

Border/Binding...

* Rotary cut  from scraps a accent piece 2 strips 1 1/4 x 5" and sew with right sides 2gether to top and bottom of square. Press seams and square up if needed.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/4 x 6 1/2 and sew to left/right side of square using the same method as above. 

* Rotary cut Insul Bright to 5 x 5" square.

* Choose a 5" stamp for baking or rotary cut from scraps a 5" square.

* Layer square right side down...then Insul-Bright and 5" square for backing (wrong side down if you are not using a Batik so the right side is facing you)

* Starting at top and right side of square...fold your border/binding strip to back...finger press and fold in half leaving about a 1/4" binding on the from of square. Clip to secure.

* Top stitch on front of square with desired stitch to secure removing clips as you go.

* Repeat same method with bottom border/binding strip then left/right side.

* Press if needed.

You did it! You just made a super cute Christmas coaster and used some of your scraps & played with some decorative stitches on your machine:-) These are so fast and easy so have fun creating yours. I have a few more to make as gifts :-)

Talk soon,

Cat