How Fabric Inspires Creativity!

 Hey quilter's...hope you're having a great week. I've been working on my next project that I will be sharing soon with y'all but first want to share something very dear. Have you been inspired just by looking at fabric? Has fabric sparked your inner creativity by the pattern...color hues...textures? Sounds crazy but what I'm going to share with y'all will blow your mind. We all know that I recently made drapes from an old quilt top....well...as I was "carefully pressing" the quilt top I was admiring the pattern & fabric colors. Oh my goodness...I immidiately went to my "scrap basket." My left-over Jelly Roll strips of "Old Glory" by Lella Boutique for Moda fabrics coordinated perfectly. Honestly I got the chills. I've been wanting and needed to make a cover for my sewing machine that I use in front of my window. I get tons of sun and that is also why I will be adding a "mock lining" to the drapes. We all know how much sunlight can cause damage but I also wanted a cover to be super cute. I've procrastinated on this project for quite a while but this definately inspired me to get the project done. After all we are re-doing our sewing room now that we have time with the kiddos being back in school. The pic below is the inspiration for my "Jelly Roll Strips 2 Sewing Machine Cover" that I will be sharing with y'all next week. I wanted to also give y'all a heads up that my discount code with MSQC will be running out at the end of the month. Plus "Jelly Rolls" seem to sell out fast because they are very versatile too. My link to MSQC (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more until the end of August. Also check out MSQC webiste for daily deals and inspirational tutorials. If you're like me they have so much to offer that I keep going back to see everything :-) Don't want to miss out on their fun tutorials! So grab your "jelly rolls" and lets get ready to make a super fun & easy sewing machine cover for our "sewing room re-do." Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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Quilt Top 2 Drapes...1st Cut w/ Amelia Scissors by MSQC!

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all had a great weekend. I spent mine re-organizing fabrics...making a donate pile for items that I definately know won't be used or by me anyway. I for one know when a quilter passes and you inherit tons of items can be daunting. So I have been doing a little at a time so my daughter won't be left with my crazy U.F.O's :-) My motto lately is...if I haven't used it in 4 years let someone else give it a go! It's actually been fun. Makes you feel good of quilting it forward so to speak in hopes someone will enjoy the items. I have been donating to a local church sewing group that a neighbor has been organizing. They are mostly new quilter's so donating my items will definately help them all. My project that I'm sharing with y'all is very centimental...as you've read in previous post. But I will admit the 'first cut was the hardest." I used my Amelia 8" scissors by Missouri Star Quilt Company for precise cutting by hand. Seriously I haven't cut that much fabric by hand in ages. I love my rotary cutter and normally r/c everything. The biggest tip that I can share before starting this project if using an old tattered quilt top is to carefully spot clean or wash by hand in a very mild detergent. I know...ugh but they shred and tear. There is wonderful quilt detergent/soap on the market but I hand washed with Dawn. I feel if it's safe enough for birds then it should be great for fabric ;-) The previous person might have washed it in a machine and i feel that's one reason why it was so wonky. I did use a little fabric glue on some places but then decided I was just going to keep the torn areas and do the best that I could to honor the quilt top. Again...cutting down the middle was impossible with how wonky it was and fragile. Even cutting by hand was difficult but I'm glad that I did. Also second tip...you will need to carefully...lightly press the quilt top. If you agressively iron with pressure again it will get more wonky as it will stretch on you. I know you are probably going...yuck..then I'm not even going to try. But please do...cherish someones legacy by stitching their legacy forward. Trust me once you do your side seams you can hardly notice :-) I will line mine with Moda Muslin once it arrives due to sunlight. I want the drapes to last and hopefully someone else will admire all this hand piecing like me. I actually did my hem/side seams on my Babylock Jazz II. I took my time due to the wonky-ness but it worked out fine. So don't be afraid to start a fun project like this and cherish someone elses hard piecing. I'll be sharing some more fun tips and tributes to this quilt top this week. It's really fun of how a "quilt top" tells a story as you admire all the squares. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Link upper right on home page will save you 20% off $50. or more in August on most supplies. 

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

Here's all you do...or what I did :-)

* Fold your quilt top in half (verticle) and finger press down the middle to create a cutting line.

* Carefully cut on that line...take your time...if it's wonky/tattered like mine it will shift on you as you cut.

Hem the sides/top/bottom...

* Carefully fold top over to create at least a 1 1/2" fold ...then fold again to secure the raw edge on back.

* Pin or clip to secure.

* Top stitch on front of quilt to secure seam on back.

* Repeat for both sides and top/bottom.

* Lightly press the hem.

Tip...I took my time and actually did a fold n go as I stitched...that way I could carefully fold the quilt top in the areas that were torn and wonky. I used a long running stitch on my babylock with a long stitch length. I truly and pleased with the outcome but every quilt top is different so you stitch yours as needed. Just don't speed sew...take your time...you're sewing a very deliecate item that you are preserving :-)

Note...I kept the length of the quilt top just in case I was to move and my next window is longer. I just let them "puddle on the floor." But you could always do an exact length to accomodate your window if desired. I also used "rings" to secure to the rod. This is another easy method of hanging drapes plus it doesn't put as much "stress" on the quilt and it's very decorative too ;-) 

Here's all you do to hang using the "rings/clips"...

* On the right side of the drapes at the top...Fold over about a 4" hem.

* Then fold that hem back up to the top in half which makes a floating pleat as you position the rings.

* Depending on your width...position the rings/clips about every 4-5"

* Clip all layers of the fabric and hang on your rod.

* Super easy and gives a cute decorative top with new sewing ;-)

* Enjoy!

Note...I will be sharing my easy lining technique soon with y'all once my fabric comes arrives.

Talk soon,

Cat

Project Peek..."Quilt Top 2 Drapes"

 Hey quilter's...happy Friday! I hope y'all have fun but restful plans for the weekend. I know a lot of the kiddos are back in school and I can't wait to hear how my Grandsons week went. Hard to believe he's in 8th grade. Time sure does fly y'all. I started a serirs "Back 2 School...more time for you" w/ a sewing room re-do. In my previous post you can see the fun wall decor. Had a blast with that one...it's sew me :-) A doc told me once to not drink coffee. Yes, can you believe it? But in his defense I did cut back...ugh! The truth is, I don't sleep due to my pain levels & coffee just keeps me going. Well the second part to this fun series is very dear to me. Over ten years ago, while antique shopping in Indiana I came across this 'tattered" but stunning quilt top. I went nuts due to that is one of my passions...collecting quilt tops. The strore owner say me 'eye balling" it and she told me that it is very worn and would be impossible to quilt. Honestly at the time I thought no biggie,,,I can do it. She even preceeded to tell me that she tried and it kept shredding as she worked on it. Again...in my weird quilter's brain I was still thinking "no biggie." I put it down and walked away. Well we checked out with a few items and she then said..."you can have the quilt top for 7 bucks." What!!!!! My fat feet couldn't get over to it fast enough! My husband said "what are you going to do with it?" My reply was 'Who know's but it's mine now!" my thought was...it's all hand pieced and how many stories we're told while sewing it together. Then how did it end up in a quilt shop. How many owners...hands exchanged of people giving up on it. Was it just stuffed in a hope chest? Hoping to get quilted one day? It was pieced with so many fabrics so we're they shirts from loved ones? Oh my gosh y'all...my thoughts to this day wonder. I alway's say...if quilts could talk,,,oh the stories we would here. I know quilting with Oma was my time to hear stories of her childhood and what made her the remarkable woman she became. It's really crazy of how fabric and the art of quilting brings people together. I've carried this quilt top from Indaian...to Texas and now Florida. Seriously! :-) I tried several times to "repair/patch" and it was impossilble." The more you touched it the more it shredded. I told myself one day I will honor this quilt by making something special out of it. I know...you're thinking..."what would you do and how could you cut it up?" Yes...I couldn't cut it up...I had to cherish the design...the hard work that went into it plus I wanted to see it for inspiration. Alot of hard work went into every stitch. When you piece by hand it is time consuming plus hard. Every square was preciously pieced to perfection and that's what intrigued me from the beginning Well, needless to say with my "sewing room re-do" was the time to honor and cherish this stunning quilt. I've wanted drapes in my sewing room and I love the pattern and fabrics so I did it y'all. I actually made this adorable quilt into panels that I will cherish and hope to gift to someone one day. Her legacy or their legacy will continue on as I cherish it everyday as I'm sewing. Yes...it was hard to cut. I had to cut by hand due to it being "wonky." I used my sharp Amelia scissors by Missouri Star Quilt Company and carefully hand cut the quilt in half lengthwise. Starting Monday I will share how the process went just in case you have a "quilt top" lying around. I will admit it was a bit hard to sew with it being so delicate but I'm pleased of the outcome. Due to the strong sunlight that I get in my sewing room I will be lining the panels later. I was able to catch the Moda sale that was going on with MSQC and I ordered Moda Muslin for the lining. I will be doing a "old school trick" of "free floating" the lining due to the delicate quilt top. That is a fun technique that I will be sharing with y'all too. I've got so much to share with y'all of things that I noticed within the quilt even when I was carefully pressing. I hope this might inspire you to purchase an old "tattered" quilt top. Sometimes we do need to keep someones legacy going even if we don't even know them :-) Wishing y'all a great weekend and check back Monday of how this was sewn into drapes and the next project that was inspired from the fabric squares. As the story goes...fabrics bring people together! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

(link upper right on home page to save 20% off $50. or more on most supplies.)

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

Cats Project Progress..."Coffee...Sew...Quilt Repeat!" Wall decor Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going great. I'm super excited to show the finishing of "Coffee...Sew...Quilt Repeat!" wall decor. This is the first project of our sewing room re-do. The kiddos are back in school and now it's time for you! I know you're a bit sad...I went through the same thing years ago. Honestly...still do. I hate being away from my daughter and she's 40 :-) I think it's a feeling that never goes away but it does make you appreciate the time spent together. Life is really short so we "I" need to start making every moment count. I now wake-up and say what can I do today...for me...for others and my sanity :-) Well, you know me...I have to do some sewing and quilting. I do things in moderation but I'm not giving up on what I love. I totally believe in "thread and fabric therapy." Take your mind of pain even if it's just a few moments rejouvinates you to continue. So on that note...sewing room inspiration to the rescue! I know for me...seeing fun inspirational items keep me focused. I love the small size of this wall hanging. It will be with my small quilted art project that my grandson designed and made into a quilt block for me that I later quilted. Moments like that keeps me going...makes me realize that now matter what..."There is always something to be Thankful for" :-) I thank y'all so much for following. Check back later this week for another fun & inspirational project for our sewing room re-do. Oh...if you need any supplies my link to MSQC (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more in August on most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you do...

Border/Binding...

* Starting at top...Fold border to back of quilt leaving a 1/4" binding on front.

* On back fold again to secure hem.

* Pin or clip to secure.

* Stitch in the ditch on from of quilt to secure your fold on back.

* Repeat  same method for bottom binding

* Then Left/right side.

* Press quilt if needed.

Embellishing...

* Follow instructions within the pattern or get creative and personalize it to your likings. I did a fun "Aurifil Thread" spool with the scraps and a little bling embellishment around the heart.

* Remember...have fun & enjoy your super cute wall decor :-)

Hang as desired.

Talk soon,

Cat

Another great Monday w/Misty..."Interlocked Quilt" Pattern

 Hey quilter's...hope your Monday is off to a great start. I used to dread Mondays but now Misty Doan w/Missouri Star Quilt Company shares awesome designs & tutorials. I love watching her tutorials even if I don't make the design. She's so calm when teaching and their is always some clever technique shared. Plus it's free download on internet but you can purchase the pattern on MSQC webiste. They are so easy to follow and inspirtaional. I'm wrapping up my "Coffee...Sew...Quilt...Repeat!" wall decor but had to share this in the meantime. I hope you enjoy & keep following as I share more "quilt room re-do" The kiddos are back in school so now you have time for you! I can't wait to share this weeks project with y'all...so keep following for more fun & easy inspirational projects. Don't forget if you need supplies my link to MSQC (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more in August on most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Afiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

"Coffee...Sew...Quilt...Repeat!"...Wall decor Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off toa great start. I know it's that crazy time when kiddos are going back to school and then we're sharing Holiday inspiration. My design wall right now has layers, from Labor Day...Halloween to Christmas. But I had to share this super cute pattern with y'all. Why??? Because with the kiddos going back to school this is a time for you! Yes..take time to do some fun things for you. I'll be sharing some Sewing/Quilt room re-do's with you and I had to start with a wall hanging. I love this 'sewing machine" pattern by "the Whole Country Caboodle," and I love coffee. So I created a design that ties all my loves 2gether. Coffee...Sew...Quilt...Repeat! Can you relate? Actually mine should state..."Coffee...Sew...Rip..Repeat!" that's usually true when I've had tooooo much coffee :-) I traced and fused the letters on Moda Bella Solids Black scraps that I had but you could totally purchase letters if desired. I used my scraps from Missouri Star Quilt Town for the background and backing then used my left-over squares from my "Bright Lights" charm pack by Kimberbell Basics. I'll be sharing some fun designs the next several weeks using up some unique items to enhance your sewing room and gift giving ideas as well. Most of the supplies I'll be using can be purchased on Missouri Star Quilt Company's webiste. My link to MSQC is on upper right of home page. You can save 20% off $50. or more for the month of August on most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Check out MSQC daily deals and tutorials too for more sewing inspiration. This project comes together quickly so grab your scraps and let's have fun re-doing our sewing rooms 2gether. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Note...wall decor finishes roughly at 11 1/2 x 16 1/2...easily enlarge if desired.

Here's all you need...

* Sewing Machine pattern by "The Whole Country Caboodle"

* MSQC Quilt Town Tossed Star White Scraps

* Moda Bella Solids Black Scraps

* Bright Lights by Kimberbell Basics Charm pack Scraps

* Fusible web for letters

* MSQC 50# thread (white) piecing/quilting

* Low loft batting Scraps

* Letter stencils or create your own :-)

* Aurifil thread 50# Black (use in Phase 2)

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut 2 squares 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 from Quilt Town white fabric for front/back 

* Low loft batting same size

* Set all aside :-)

Scrappy Border/Binding...

* From your charm square scraps...

* Rotary cut strips 2" x 5" or random lenghts for a more scrappier design :-)

* Join strips with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Sew lengthwise and finger press as you go.

* Make 2 strips 2 x 11 1/2 " for top/bottom border

* Sew strips to white background fabric to top/bottom w/right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam.

* Press & square up if needed.

* Make 2 strips 2 x 19 1/2" for left/right border

* Sew as above.

Note...next step is optional but great time to practice quilting :-)

Pre-quilt background...

* Layer white backing fabric with right side down...then batting...quilt tip (right side up...facing you)

Note...position the backing/batting within the quilt top...it will be smaller due to your border will be folded back to form the border/ binding at a later step. :-)

* Mark diagonal quilting lines 2" apart w/your preferred method or use your presser foot as a guide & quilt on the lines or quilt as desired.

* Remove marks if needed per manufacturer's instructions.

* Press before next step.

Fusing Sewing Machine/Letters...

Tip...I fully reccommend a pressing sheet used for following steps :-)

* Position /Fuse Sewing machine pattern as desired following pattern instructions.

* Fuse fusible web to wrong side of scrap Moda black fabric.

* Trace your desired letters on paper side of fusible web.

Note...trace letters reversed on paper side :-)

* Carefully cut out letters.

* Position letters as desired and fuse following manufacturer's instructions.

Tip...I fused scraps of charm squares for the "QUILT' word...do the same if you wish :-) and I will probably re-do the "Q",,,my O.C.D. kicked in..it looks a bit small :-) :-) :-) 

Enjoy & have fun...embellish more if desired.

Check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Santas Christmas Cookie Party...Hostess Gifts Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great. I'm praying for everyone bracing for the Hurricane. I for one know it's frightening & mother-nature always wins. I just wish we could have one Hurricane season when the news says "Hey...no Hurricane's this year!" I guess a girl can always dream. One reason why I sew and quilt. It truly helps with my anxiety. I preach thread and fabric therapy a lot and I know a lot of you feel the same. Sometimes just taking our mind of the pain even for a few minutes helps. Just remember if you're like me with back issues don't give up on what you love...just do in moderation. Remember my "timer" post? Well...day's like today it really is handy. I guess that's one reason why I love a fast but super cute "fun-ctional gift." The Christmas Template Bundle Set 2 by Missouri Star Quilt Company have been a blast. I've design my "Santas SN-UGLY Christmas Sweater Party" table runner for Holiday entertaining using the free sweater template dowload & template. Now we're creating these fun "hostess gifts" to give as well. They are fast to make and fun-ctional. You can give as a mug mat...for coffee...teas...soupls etc. or use as a small trivet when entertaining. They are layered with Insul-Bright for hot/cold items. I did they "scrappy border" in two different styles...quilted in the ditch with Aurifil 50# thread and did "accent quilting" around the template design. You have so many ways to design your own so get creative and have fun. I'll be posting mine a long the way & also showing more fun projects too. If you need supplies my link (upper right on home page) to MSQC w/save you 20% off $50. or more in August for most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Check out their daily deals and tutorial for inspiration too. I thank y'all so much for following and check back soon for more fun projects. Enjoy & stay safe!

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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

Here's all you need...

* Missouri Star Christmas Template Bundle Set 2

* Fabrics used....Merry Little Christmas by Riley Blake Designs

& Once Upon a Christmas Sugar Cookies Sprinkles by Moda Fabrics

* Insult Bright

* Low loft batting

* Aurifil 50# thread

Here's all you do...

The Hostess gifts roughly finish out to a 5 x 5" square.

Instructions for the Santa Sweater design...

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2" x 5" (scrappier the better) :-)

* Sew with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance... to Top/bottom of block

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2 strips 2 x 8...sew as above to left/right side of block. Press

* Layer....backing fabric (right side down)...batting...insul-bright...block...right side up(facing you)

Border/Binding...

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

* On back...fold binding in half to secure the fold...pin or clip.

* Repeat for bottom binding.

* Stitch in the ditch on front of block...this will secure your fold on back.

* Repeat same methold for left/right borders.

Quilting...

* I quilted around the template design but embellish as you desire. Small projects are a great time to practice fun new quilting stitches or play with your decorative stitches on your machine.

* They roughly finish out to a 5 x5 " trivet (hostess gift) :-)

Christmas Tree design...

* Rotary cut a strip 2 x 5 and sew as above to the top of square. 

* Rotary cut a strip roughly 2 x  6 1/4 and sew to right side of square

* Rotary cut a strip roughly 2 x 6 1/2 and sew to bottom of square.

* Rotary cut a strip roughly 2 x 8 and sew to left of square.

* Press.

Note...I cut my strips a bit longer then square up after...less stress :-)

* Now you will fold your border to the back side as previous instructions on the sweater design but you will do the direction as you sewn your strips to give the different border design.

* Have fun quilting!

Enjoy & Talk soon,

Cat