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

MSQC Affiliate

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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

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

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