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

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

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

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

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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...