"BURP QUILT 4 BABY-DECORATIVE PILLOW 4 BIG-SIS!"

 Hey quilter's....hope y'all are off to a great day. As promised....I'm focusing on my "mini" project series. Due to my limited amount of time "sitting or standing," has forced me to "think" in small scale. I have to say it's been a bit of a challenge but fun. I've been able to use my "scraps" due to the small size of projects and if you do need to purchase fabric you don't need to buy a lot. But.....we all know to buy extra when purchasing for those "maybe must have moments." The gifts below are for a sweet friend back in Texas that recently had another sweet baby girl. I had "sew much fun" with this project. The "burp quilt" is very functional....after it's use you can display as wall hanging. #doubleduty! The leaves on the wreath were actually formed by tracing a cookie cutter on the back side of fusible web. Then all appliqued with AURIfil thread (a must have) :-). I also was able to use some of my "scrap fabric" of Hoffman Fabrics for the leaves as well. I wanted the designs to coordinate for the baby & big sis. It's always important for me to make sure you give a give to the older sibling so they feel extra special too. Let me explain why....years ago I was at a baby shower and all the attention was on the new baby coming and although the older sibling was having a blast going thought the presents with mommy, the real excitement happened. A sweet lady had a gift for the big sis to open. Oh my gosh, you can only imagine the joy on that child face. It actually brought tears to a lot of us. I thought from that moment on that I would do the same. Well...if you know me the gifts are going to "coordinate" as well :-) I have brief instructions below for the burp quilt. It's very easy due to basically it's a mini quilt design. The decorative pillow is basically the same applique method but using a "bi-fold" method in which I'll be showcasing designs starting in July for this fun method. Hope you enjoy & stay tuned for upcoming designs ;-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Pinterest & Facebook

Here's what you need...

Leaf "cookie cutter"

Leightweight fusible web

Light weight batting

Light weight stabilizer for applique

Fabric of your choice

Coordinating thread ( #AURIfil)

Here's all you do...

For this size burp quilt (finished out @ 12 x 16....you'll need to cut your front & back piece of fabric to 13 x 17 which allows for your seam allowance of a 1/2"...you can do small if you wish but for a burp quilt I do larger seam allowance just for an extra sturdiness while turning inside out. 

The batting will be cut to the finish size of 12 x 16

*Fuse to back of your fabric following manufacturer's direction.

*Trace leaf design using cookie cutter on back side of fusible paper.

*Cut out shapes

*Tip...I like to "lay out" my shapes to get the design that I want before tearing off the fusible web and pressing to "front side of fabric" This allows me to change anything :-)

*After positioning design as desired then applique each piece (tip....use a stabilizer on back side to make your appliqueing smoother and a more professional appearance as well. Keeps stitches in tact.

*Place front and back fabric (right sides together) and sew along edges leaving a 2" opeing for turning inside out.

*Turn inside out and make sure corners are neatly squared if possible (I use the tip of a pencil eraser to poke so I don't ruin the fabric. 

*Place batting inside & slip sticth opening

Top stitch around edges if desired w/coordinating thread.

That's it...a beautiful handmade baby gift that she can use for many years to come! #doubleduty!

"CAT'S TIP OF THE DAY"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. I'll admit...my "year" did not start off as planned. Some times life gives you a unexpected turn and you just need to make the best of it. I've learned not to give up what I love just do it a bit differently. Yes....I now use a "kitchen timer" while sewing. What!??? Yes...due to back problems....I set timer for 10 minutes (if back allows) and sew....weird but helps! I know....sounds crazy but with back pain sitting or standing can be so painful. So I do things a lot these days in "moderation." The timer helps me stay "on track"....and yes you can use your phone to set time but I love "old school" kitchen timers. Sometimes it makes me feel like 'I'm sewing with an old friend." Here's a funny....that's not the "tip of the day" but maybe it will help someone else that has back issues to not give up, just do things a bit different. 

Here's the tip....recently I was sewing "half-square-triangles" on dark batiks "Hoffman Fabrics" and had difficulty seeing the lines while marking. I probably have every marking tool available and don't know if it's my "eyes now" or what but nothing was helping. So....on my cutting table is also my "colored pencils" in a cute container of course :-)....I grabbed the "bright yellow" pencil & marked my lines and it was perfect! I'm not washing the fabric after piecing due to it being a "quilt art" method. Win...win! My yellow fabric pencil was too light for my eyes so the "brightness" of the colored pencil really helped. Also, the "Fons and Porter" ruler is perfect for making accurate half sq triangles. Hope this tip helps :-)

Anyway....I'll be sharing tips throughout the week and with my recent downtime, I was able to design a very fun project or should I say projects. So stay tuned....I'll be posting this week some fun & easy projects that will aslo make great gifts. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Pinterest & Facebook