Cats Tip of the Day..."Cuteness x 5 or 10"

 Hey quilters....hope y'all are having a great weekend. I did a little playing on my new Accuquilt Summer Medley GO! die and couldn't wait to share with you. I have leftover 5" precuts and always wondered what to do with them besides piecing into a patch design. Well....I measured those super cute flip flops on the die and came up with a great stash buster. I'm sharing this tip with y'all now due to the die is on sale this month at Accuquilt. Plus...it's a "sneak peek" of a summer scrap-a-long :-) So here's a hint....each 5" square will make a set of flip flops...then for the strap you can actually get 2 sets if you subcut the 5" square into 4 squares. I used HeatnBond lite double sided fusible following manufacturer's directions. Then y'all know my "quilters brain"...I thought subcut your 10" precuts into four 5" squares and really have fun! I'll be sharing a design soon but wanted y'all to catch the sale at Accuquilt in the meantime. Thanks so much for following and check back soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cuteness on the Accuquilt GO!...

Cats Spring Cleaning Tip..."Accuquilt Inspiration"

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great week. I'm "organizing" my sewing and quilting room in between sewing my blocks for the "ABC Scrap-a-long." My "quilt brain" is constantly multi-tasking." Anyone else? :-) My brain constantly sees inspiration. It doesn't matter where I am. I see patterns & colors for my next sewing project. This came in handy designing homes and especially now with quilt designing. Plus I'm a bit O.C.D as I like to say "Only Cat Does." But my dear dad always said "organization is the key to success." I live by those words to this day. I love to be organized. I have neighbors that stop by for an item and it's so nice to find it right away. Trust me...there have been times when I say "come back later and I'll have it for you" :-) Well...if you're like me...I need inspiration too and spring cleaning started in my sewing/quilting room. Y'all know by now how much I love Accuquilt dies. I recently purchased some during the March madneess sale that I'll be incorporating into my Children's Learning quilts. Well, as you can see in pic below they are displayed on an antique chest for inspiration. I use my old iron collection to help prop the dies together as book ends. My dies are out for inspiration...organized and ready to "Go!" My sewing room is not large....it's my spare bedroom. But you don't need a large space...it's all about organizing your space to your personal needs. I'll be sharing more inspirational organizing tips and progress on my ABC Scrap-a-long soon. I thank y'all so much for following and hope these tips inspire your spring cleaning. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Accuquilt Spring Cleaning/Inspiration....

Cats Coastal Coasters...On the GO!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a great sewing weekend. I made some fun & fast Coastal coasters for gifts using my Accuquilt Go! die cutting machine. I love how perfect every items it cut and it's a great time saver too. I recently purchased the Nautical Medley GO! die and couldn't wait to use it! The die inspired me to make some fast Coastal coasters for our sweet friends. I personalized each set using the Go! Classic Alphabet 2" die to add that personal touch. I used my scraps from Lumin Fabrics and personalized to their decor. The coasters are 5" each which is great for a mug/mat size and Insul-Bright was used for hot/cold items. You have the advanced option of a-play-queing around the items or use a permanent washable fabric glue. The fast border/binding technique makes this project super easy & another great way to use scraps. My friends are leaving soon so I needed a great fast "thank you" gift. I love how Accuquilt dies inspires creativity and makes sewing/crafting fun! Thank y'all so much for following and check back soon for more fun projects. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Coastal Coasters...

Here's all you need...

* Accuquilt Go! Nautical Medley die & GO! Classic 2" Alphabet die

* Lumin scraps

* Faux leather fabric

* Aurifil 50# 2235

* Heatnbond Lite

* Insul-Bright

* Basic sewing tools

* Brother sewing machine :-)

Here's all you do...

(per each coaster)

Prepare your fabric per manufacturer's directions on the Accuquilt GO! die

* Rotary cut 2 scraps of blue background fabric 4 3/4 x 4 3/4

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 5 of border fabric and sew with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance to Top/bottom of front square.

* Press & square up.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 7 in same method to left/right side of square.

* Press & square up.

Note...this is a great time to a-play-que around decorative items if desired. Play with your decorative stitches on your machine. :-)

Border/Binding...

* Starting at top...fold back border to back leaving a 1/4 binding on front.

* Fold in half again on back to secure hem.

* Pin or clip to secure & top stith on front.

* I did the stitch in the ditch method with Aurifil thread.

* Repeat same method w/ bottom border...then left/right sides.

* Secure your decorative items on front of coaster if you haven't already done.

Tip...I used washable permanent fabric glue due to my time frame. This is a great fast project to really have fun and get creative. 

Talk soon,

Cat

"ABC Scrap-a-long"...Project Progress & Spring Cleaning Tip!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all have great plans that include a weekend full of sewing and quilting. I've been trying to "multi task" lately....sewing and spring cleaning.I decided to start in my sewing room then possibly the rest of the house by fall. :-) I'm a pretty organized person but this is the time when I  like to donate items that have not been used in a while to other fellow quilters. I"m thrilled that my daughter is sewing and quilting again so I'm having fun making her a "pile" as well. Sometimes you don't realize of how many items you need when you first get the "quilting bug." I have learned through out the years that certain items now are not needed for me anyway. I've even gone through my "ruler stash." Shocker! :-) I hope this spring cleaning idea inspires you to help a fellow quilter with items that you may not be using. I'll be sharing organizational tips soon with y'all that I have found to be helpful. Well....I am having a blast sewing with "Berry Crush" by Lumin Fabrics for the ABC Scrap-a-long. I am doing a very scrappy version of the design but the design is very versatile to create your own version. I posted below the pics of my progress and will admit that using the Accuquilt GO! die cutter for the letters saved me tons of time.I used to trace and cut my letters for my crafts and quilt design which is very time consuming. Now using the 2" Alphabet die makes my life sew much easier. Plus it's on sale! :-) I have recently purchased some fun dies that are on currently on sale for future scrap-a-longs. If you are a head of me with piecing your blocks together just remember to secure the letters by a-play-que or a straight stitch. The fusible web is great but securing the letters with a stitch is highly advised. I also do this before sewing the blocks together. Much easier :-) I'm taking my time but don't let me slow you down. You an always revert back to the original design posted and sew at your own speed. Just remember to always use a 1/4" seam allowance and press seams in opposite directions as you go along. This helps sew much when joining rows 2gether. I thank y'all sew much for following and have a great stitchin' weekend. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

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ABC Scrap-a-long progress...

Cats Tip of the Day!..."Chain Piecing for ABC Scrap-a-long"

 Hey quilters...it's finally Friday! I hope y'all have great weekend sewing plans. I wanted to share a fast method that I have been doing while piecing my blocks together for the ABC Scrap-a-long. Y'all might have already discovered this technique depending on how far a long you are picing the blocks. My design consists of a one block design which makes the quilt a fun & fast design. But I am always trying to make steps easier to share with y'all. I love to chain piece squares together when possible. This method is wonderful...saves time & helpful piecing the advanced step of the corner squares. The corner squares are first stripped pieced together using coordinating fabric then subcut into strips (shown in previous post). I then gather my strips and place in opposite color hues aligning seams to form the 4 patch design. I sew the strips together using the chain piecing method...press...then square up using my rotating mat. I find this method to be so helpful and I hope you give it a try if not already using this method. I hope you're having fun picing your blocks together with your ABC Scrap-a-long. I'm doing a very scrappy design...trying to use as much of this beautiful fabric of Berry Crush by Lumin fabrics. I'll be sharing pics soon of my preogress. Thanks so much for following and talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Chain Piecing method...

Here's all you do...

* Place your squares alingned with your 1/4" foot and sew till end of square.

* Slightly raise your presser foot and place your next set of squares making sure you still are using the 1/4" seam and have a slight gap between each set. Continue until all set are sewn.

* Cut the threads that are attaching the squares.(thechain) ;-)

* Press seam flat in opposite directions.

* Square up using the rotating mat per dierections on previous post. 

ABC Scrap-a-long!...Phase 2

 Hey quilters....happy Tuesday! I'm having a blast sewing together the blocks for this scrap-a-long. I love the prints and hues in the Berry Crush collection. I had to laugh yesterday....I created another scrap stash of this fabric as I was trimming my squares. But will admit they might even be too tiny for me :-) I'm always impressed when I see how creative everyone is using scraps. No scrap left behind as they say! Well, todays you'll be piecing together the block. As I mentioned in Phase 1 the design is created using just one simple block. The block creates a "srcondary block" when you incorporated the advanced 4 patch corners. If you decide to do the beginner stage to this design you just omit the 4 patch method and rotary cut a 2 1/2" square from an accent fabric to complete the block. Either way it will be stunning. I will be hosting another Children's Learning Quilt using that same method soon and will admit it's a great project for a fast gift. The design can be easily enlarged by adding more borders if desired or even a wider border than my design. I am showing the fast strip method for the 4 corner patch which is a great time-saver. Once you start rotary cutting and sewing your blocks you'll see how fast and fun the design comes together. Remember...there's no "quilting police" on my blog so get creative and have fun creating a "Children's Learning Quilt" that can be passed down for generations. Thanks so much for following. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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ABC Scrap-a-long"...Phase 2

Note...A design wall or board is helpful as you select your fabrics per each square. I'm loving how the color ways compliment each other in the fabrics to create a fun and creative scrappy design. 

Here's all you need...

* Scraps from Berry Crush collection 

* Aurifil thread #2520

* Rotary cutter

* Omnigrid spinning mat :-)

* Oliso iron

* Design wall/board

* Brother sewing machine

(All above items are what I use and love.)

Here's all you do...

* Instructions are for a finished 7 " Block....all methods are using a 1/4" seam allowance.I use a rotary cutter & press my scraps a long the way.

* For center....rotary cut scrap fabric 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 

* For sides....Rotary cut 4 rectangle strips 2 1/2 x 3 1/2

Tip...place on design board to see how your scraps are complimenting each other :-)

4 Patch corner squares....

Note...this is how I make my fast strip piccing...they will be oversized then you square up after.

* Rotary cut 2 strips from scraps..2" x desired length (for me a length of 8 to 10" works well)

* Sew strips with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press towards darker fabric

.

* Subcut strip into 2" segmants.

* Align 2 strips in opposite color ways to form the 4 patch. 

* Place with right sides together...matching seams at center...sew together using a 1/4 " seam allowance.

* Press seams flat.

* Trim to a 2 1/2" square.

* Repeat for all four (4 patch corners)

Tip....I use my Omnigrid Rotating mat to square up....I align my seams with in the mat as I rotate the mat and rotary cut adjust ruler only and keeping the block squared as I trim up all sides. 

Tip...start at center and measure 1 1/4" out from center on all sides as you rotate you will have a 2 1/2" square :-)

Beginner method....select desired scrap pieces for corners and rotary cut 4 squares to 2 1/2" each.

* Per design place pieces in rows making sure you have the 4 patch corner squares colors in correct direction. I use a design board to keep my rows correct...then carry it to my sewing table :-)

* Sew row 1 squares with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance...press seams in opposite directions.

* Repeat with rows two and three.

* Join rows together matching seams...pin or clip if needed...press.

* Square up block to 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 

* Peel of backing of letter and position with in the center square and fuse following manufactures directions. 

* Repeat same method for all blocks noting the layout of the alphabet letters per design. You will have 4 blocks on first row that does not have a center letter. Choose your fabrics as you go for a fun scrappy design or get creative and put your own spin on design. Just remember to have fun!

Tip...Position your blocks on a design wall as you finish to keep the orientation of rows per design if desired. If you don't have a design wall you could pin to the batting you will be using to quilt then you could fold it up as you go. You have 30 blocks to make so this tip might come in handy :-)

Talk soon,

Cat

ABC Scrap-a-long....Phase 1

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a great weekend and ready to dive into this fun scrap-a-long. I recently was thrilled to participate in Jennifer Thomas...Berry Crush Blog Hop and I had a few scraps left over from my design. The fabric collection is stunning and it inspired me to design my next Children's Learning Quilt. The Berry Crush collection is Jennifers new signature collection designed by Jerry Khiev for Lumin Fabrics. My design comes together quickly. You will create one block and the block design creates a secondary block and the accent border. All using the same cutting and piecing technique for the whole quilt. You can easily enlarge the design....change the fabric per your decor and even omit the letters for an adult version. Hey speaking of letters...I'm in love with Accuquilt GO! Classic 2" Alphabet Uppercase Set Die. Perfect cut letters and what a time saver! You can view more info on Accuquilts website. You'll be glad you did :-) I also was recently asked about where to purchase the Berry Crush collection. I ordered some extra yardage for my backing and piecing of the quilt from Shabby Fabrics. I did check on line this morning and the collection is still available. I'm getting low on my Berry Crush scraps but excited to use them all. The fast strip piecing within the design allows you to use those scraps in a fun way. I always lightly press my scraps before rotary cutting and wash/test my fabrics before piecing. You can view my tip on a previous post for how I wash Batiks. Well I'm excited to share the "ABC Scrap-a-long" with y'all. I love to design and quilt fo loved ones. I'm designing many Children's Learning Quilts to pass down for generations with beginner to advanced techniques a long the way. I thank y'all for following and keep checking in as I post the scrap-a-long in phases. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

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ABC Scrap-a-long...

Note...the design is 50 x 57...Blocks are 7" finished using a 1/4" seam allowance. I pressed seams to the darker side of fabrics and pressed seams in opposite directions when sewing rows together. This makes "nesting" your seams together easier when sewing. No stress in my quilting room :-)

Advanced version...the corner accent blocks are created using the fast strip method. 

Beginner version....omit the 4 patch accent corners and cut a 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 square for each corner from accent fabric. 

Tip...due to the design being "scrappy"...I selected my scrap fabrics per each square as I went. This allowed me to have a creative design plus using up as many scraps from this stunning collection. The design above is created in EQ8 featuring a more "controlled scrappy" :-) 

But you have fun and create a design for your loved one to cherish for many genterations!

* Per each block you will sew using the same method...the block will be 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 square until you join blocks together for a finished 7" block. All using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

* Please refer back to original design for square placement if desired.

Here's all you need for Creating the Letters...

* Accuquilt GO! Classic 2" Alphabet Uppercase Set Die or your preferred method.

* Select scrap fabric of your choice for accent letters. I chose the darker fabric due to using light for my center squares. Do all one color or get creative and change up the fabric hues. 

* HeatnBond Lite or your perferred method.

* 2" alphabet stencil if not using the Accuquilt GO! die cutter

Here's all you do...

* Rotery cut/press your desired scrap piece of fabric for letters.

* Rotary cut your Heatnbond Lite to the same size.

* Following manufacturer's directions of your fusible web....adhere to the wrong side of fabric. 

Tip...I use a pressing cloth to protect my iron from any glue residue.

* Per Accuquilts manufacturer's directions...place fabric within the die cutting mat and follow the drections per your Accuquilt machine. I have the  Accuquilt GO! and I love it!

Perfect letters every time!

* If cutting letters by hand follow the same directions for preparing fabric and HeatnBond lite.

* Trace your letters on paper side of fabric and cut carefully cut letters out. 

* Note...some letters may need to be reversed.

* Set letters aside until you finish piecing each block in Phase 2.

Tip...I don't place the letters within each block until after I have squared each block if needed. It helps me to remember to double check each block for accuracy. I know...it's an O.C.D. thing (only Cat does) but it sure helps :-)

Check back soon for Phase 2.

Cat