Cats "Mystery Scrap-a-long"...Phase 2

 Hey quilters...hope y'all are having a great week and ready to have some sewing fun! I will admit that I'm having a blast featuring this "Mystery Scrap-a-long." Although my O.C.D "only Cat does" is killing me. I love to know what I'm getting into...seeing the whole design of a project to keep me focused. Well....that's the fun part of a mystery...right? :-) I shared my products that I'm featuring in Phase 1 so if you're just joining in see previous post. No worries...Phase 1 was organizing your fabric scraps so you can catch up real quick. What I love about a scrap-a-long is you can change it to your needs and your fabric stash. Sometimes fabrics inspire you in a different direction than originally planned. You'll be using a lot of neutral scraps...ranging from light to dark that looks like wet sand...what...was that a hint? :-) In the pic below you will notice two blocks that look similiar but once you read the directions you'll notice the fabric hue changes. The design consists of one block....a basic 4 patch with two smaller 4 patch accent squares. If you're a beginner you can definately omit the 4 patch accent squares and make a 4 x 4 fabric square. The design consists of 49...7" blocks that come together quickly using the fast strip method so it's  a great design to advanced your sewing and quilting levels. Once you've completed all your blocks and I feature the design you can easily enlarge your quilt just by adding more borders or a chunky border that I like too say. Enless ways to make it your own. I'll be sharing "Hints...Tips...Clues" along the way that I have found to be very useful. I used Aurifil 50# thread to piece my blocks together and later you'll a-play-que decorative stitches using Aurifil thread on flip flops....another hint ;-) I thank y'all so much for following. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Mystery Scrap-a-long...Phase 2...

Here's all you do...

Tip...directions are the same for each finished 7" block but you'll be changing the 4" square neutrals...staggering your fabrics from dark to light. All blocks are pieced together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Your blocks will be 7 1/2 for a finished 7" block once sewn together.

Make 3 Dark fabric 7" squares...

* Rotary cut six 4 x 4" squares from dark fabric. Set aside

Make blue/white 4 patch...

* Rotary cut one blue fabric strip & one white fabric strip 2.5 x 11

* Sew with right sides together. Press to dark fabric.

* Subcut your strips to 2 1/2 inches wide creating 4 cuts from each strip.

* Join two cuts together in opposite color hues with right sides together....matching seams at center.creating the 4 patch square.

* Repeat same method twice for each 7" block.

* Press & square up to 4" square.

* Per block lay 2 dark fabric squares in opposite direction along with 2 blue/white 4 patch squares per pic below.

* Sew with right sides together....top two squares...set aside...then bottom two squares...then join the top/bottom together matching seams at center.

* Press...square up to 7 1/2" block. 

* Repeat steps to make 3 dark print blocks. Set blocks aside :-)

Make 3 dark/med dark fabric 7" blocks...

* Rotary cut from dark fabric three 4" squares

* Roarty cut from medium dark fabric three 4" squares.

* Using same method as above make 2 blue/white 4 patch squares.

Note...fabric color layout

* Per each block...

* Place dark fabric square at upper left corner & medium fabric square at lower right corner.

* Join squares together in same method as above creating 3 dark/medium fabric blocks.

* Press and square up to 7 1/2" ea.

* Set blocks aside.

Clue #2 ...

I a-play-qued with Aurifil #2588 & 2520 using decorative stitches around the strap using my Brother machine. This is a great time to practice using decorative stitches on your machine once you make the flip flops. :-)

Check back soon for Phase 3,

Cat

 

Cats "Mystery Scrap-a-long" Phase 1 begins!

 Hey quilters...hope y'all had a great weekend. If you're like me the first day of the week can be a bit daunting...especially if you're a planner like me. I tend to set 'goals" to keep me focused and "sticky notes" through out the house to keep me on track :-) So, I thought..."what better day to start my Mystery Scrap-a-long! Makes a Monday fun :-) I've always wanted to host a Mystery Scrap-a-long but it's all about timing. Seems the month of April geers us thinking of summer projects and quilts. Also the weather is still changing and now rainy season s I like to have a "go to project" to keep my mind happy. Sewing...quilting and designing brings me joy so I hope you join me on this mystery. I'll be sharing Hints...Tips & Clues along the way with beginner to advanced techniques. A few years ago my late mom-in-law had a stash of neutral fabrics and asked me to do something with them Well, I finally am. I pulled 4 shades of neutrals from light to dark then set the lightest fabrics aside for scrap piecing (that was a hint) :-) You'll be amazed of how one light fabric layed near another really makes the color hues vary for the sand (another hint). Then I knew my Island Batik (Lumin Fabrics) stash would be perfect for this quilt.I pulled aside the blue print yardage for the water background along with some fun bright scraps to use on my "Accuquilt GO! Summer Medley Die (another hint). Gosh...am I giving too many hints? :-) Well...I do want you to get a visual to help but still need to keep the Mystery going. I designed the quilt in EQ8 and will feature the design towards the end. You'll be a-play-queing and learning fun techniques using Aurifil thread too (another hint) The pic below is full of "clues" of the items/products that I'll be using. So grab your scraps and supplies and check back for Phase 2 of this fun "Mystery Scrap-a-long!" Thanks so much for following & talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Let the Mystery begin...

Cats Tip of the Day!..."Free Shipping w/ Missouri Star Quilt Company!"

 Hey quilters..hope y;all are having a great week. I've been multi-tasking....still spring cleaning in my sewing room and finally making progress. I realized lately that it's "o.k." to let fabric go. Trust me with my O.C.D...I am not a horder BUT I did inherit tons of fabric from my late mom-in-law. Although we did donate items per her wishes she did give me fabrics that she wanted me to use. I will be hosting a fun mystery scrap-a-long soon incorporating those fabrics. I've always wanted to host a mystery scrap-a-long but I'm the kind of person that likes to know what I'm getting in too. :-) Sooo...I decided that it will be a "Mystery Scrap-a-long" with tons of hints a long the way! In the mean time I'm sewing my squares together of the "ABC Scrap-a-long"....spring cleaning in sewing room & designing more fun Children's Learning Quilts for the Holidays. My "quilters brain" is on a mission but I still need to tell myself to stay focused :-) Ha! Anyway....I hope y'all follow the daily deals at Missouri Star Quilt company...Today's daily deal is so awesome that I had to share. Free Shipping on standard U.S. orders and if you're an International Shopper they will discount you 5.99 at checkout. Plus Jelly rolls and Layer Cakes are buy 1 get one 1/2 off. I love a sale like this! They post the daily deals on the website early and have wonderful items and check out their tutorial section too. Sew much inspiration. I hope you're having furn witht he ABC Scrap-a-long and if you're a head of me just refelct back to the original design post for your block layout. This design is super easy just sewing blocks together using the traditional sewing/piecing methods. and the finish design creates the outer border too. Plus it can be easily enlarged just by adding an aditional border to your desired size. Well...I thank y'all so much for following and looking forward to a fun April month 2gether. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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Love this Daily Deal...

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...