Cats Tip of the Day!..."Why I Love a Quilt Wall"

 Hey quilter's..happy Sunday! I hope y'all are seeing some "Sun-today" :-) Gosh..watching the weather this morning a lot of y'all are still getting crazy weather. I usually get restless by the time March arrives. I usually want to plant a garden...work in the yard & just enjoy sitting outside again. A few weeks ago as I was speaking to my daughter on my cell she noticed my voice was a bit shakey. She asked whats wrong? I commented "I'm outside and it's cold." She laughed 'cause I'm in Florida. Seriously y'all...Florida weather has been a bit unusual. I guess that' why I love sewing and quilting. The weather is always perfect in my sewing room. :-) Well, today's tip will benefit you before the next Phase of "Duck...Duck...Chuck," or any project your working on. I for one did not have a design wall...quilt wall for a long time. I would lay my blocks out on the floor even quest room bed and will admit I still do. But when I'm working and or designing a quilt and it has many blocks and half-square triangles that are going in a certain direction a design wall is wonderful. A design wall is usually flannel which helps your squares adhere to wall securely. You can also get more of a visual as you are placing your fabrics together. Change any blocks around as needed. In my next Phase you will be rotary cutting rectangles and squares for your accent rows. If you've finished your "Scrappy Half-Square Triangles" in Phase 2 you're probably thinking now what. Well...one reason I love designing in EQ8. You can refer to my design as you sew for block placement. If you don't have a design wall the pic below shows Missouri Star Quilt Co new Quilt Wall that is currently on sale. My link upper right will take you to their website is desired. In the meantime you can use a large piece of flannel...or even quilt batting. It just might hang a bit wonky due to not being as sturdy. I've put MSQC on my wish list for the Easter Bunny because I've used my design wall for many years that now I'm having to pin each block. Ugh! So check out all the wonderful features of MSQC Quilt Wall and treat yourself to a great way to visualize your projects as you sew. I thank y'all 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)

MSQC Quilt Wall...

* Handy Grip/Pin Free Design Wall

* 62 x 72

* 100% Cotton Flannel wall hold fabrics w/out pins

* Grommets seperated by cute images of quilted stars & "Chuck" for easy hanging.

* 5" square grid markings. Love that!

"Duck...Duck...Chuck! "Phase 2...Scrappy HST's!

 Hey quilter's..it's Finally Friday! Hope everyone's week has been going well and you're ready for a "sewing weekend." Right??? Well...get ready for some fun "Srappy Half Square Triangles." I say fun because the technique using two 10" squares sewn together using the fast method of creating 8 HST's is amazing. Who ever came up with this technique deserves a big hug...I think anyway :-) I used to dread sewing HST's back in the day and now with all the time-saving techniques this block has been one of my fav's. I love this technique due to my design has a lot of Scrappy HST's, 54 to be exact but it happens sew quickly with this technique.You'll be sewing this technique only 7 times to make all Scrappy HST's ...amazing! I will walk you through the technique but you can always google instructional videos if needed. All be honest...when I first watched this technique I might have been a bit timed. I thought no way...then I tried the method and I'm a forever fan. I also love how you are using your "Pre-cut 10" squares" as well. I've mentioned that I note the rotary cutting measurements along the way due to this design being very "scrap-friendly." I love "Quilt Town" fabrics by Missouri Star Quilt Company but my design will definately help you clean out a stash pile :-) Also it's shown as a baby quilt but can be easily enlarged for all us 'Chuck fans." You can easily add more borders or make your borders wider. Sew many possibilities. I hope y'all are enjoying this fun...fast & fab design. I'll be featuring more "Children's Quilts" through the year along with home decor for entertaining. I thank y'all so much for following and wishing everyone a great sewing weekend. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Scrappy Half-Square Triangles...

Here's all you do...

* Select one light (white) 10" square & one print 10" square from Quilt Town layer cakes.

Tip...if you are using scraps...just rotary cut a 10" square as above :-)

* Place squares with right sides together.

* Mark diagonal lines from corner to corner on your "light fabric" which makes an "X"

Tip...I place a "pin" in center to secure fabric as I start sewing...just remember to remove pin as you sew to the center :-)

* Sew a 1/4" seam on each sides of diagonal line...corner to corner.

Tip...if you do not have a 1/4" foot for your machine just mark a 1/4" sewing line on each side of your diagonal lines and sew on those sewing lines. Just make sure you rotary cut on your original diagonal lines per next step.

* Rotary cut down center of squares...Horizontal & Vertical.

* Now rotary cut on original marked diagonal lines with in each square.

Note...I rotary cut this way due to it stabiliazes the fabrics while I rotary cut. The internet has many methods for this technique so do what is best for you...either way it's sew clever :-)

* Press each Scrappy Half Square Triangles to the darker side and square up to 4 1/2" if needed.

* Repeat this method 7 more times for 56 HST's .

Note...you will only need 54...save your spairs :-)

Have fun selecting your fabrics...I don't think you can go wrong with this beautiful collection of Quilt Town fabrics from Missouri Star Quilt Company. My link upper right on home page will take you to site to view the stunning collection.

Have fun & talk soon for Phase 3,

Cat

Cats Tip of the Day..."Why I Love "EQ8" the Electric Quilt Design Software!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are doing great. I wanted to share a quick tip with y'all. I know a lot of us are still old school when we're designing a quilt. I grew up sketching designs for homes and to this day sketching a design is relaxing. But I will admit that I love the convenience of designing in EQ8, the Electric Quilt Design Software. I've been using their software for many years before I started my "scrap-a-longs" and sharing designs on my quilt blog. I've advanced along the years from the Quilt Design Wizrd to EQ7 then EQ8, that's how easy it is. It gives me the opportunity to put whats floating in my "design brain" to life. I love how I can upload fabrics and place within the blocks and it even has a "Aurifil" thread section to coordinate your thread colors. This allows me to visually see the design with color hues to make any changes a long the way. As I am cutting fabric you will get the exact rotary cutting measurements to allow for less mistakes and fabric waste. I love to host "Scrap-a-longs" on my blog. Designing in EQ8 allows me to see the process which also allows me to catch any mistakes before hand. I have a "portable design" wall...nothing fancy in fact I should get a new one soon. But as I am "placing & pinning" my squares on design wall I refer back to EQ8 for block placement. This came in handy yesterday while placing the "Scrappy HST's". In the design "Duck...Duck...Chuck" I have 3 rows of "Scrappy HST's" going in opposite direction. Well I had a "stoopie" yesterday when placing the last row of scrappy HST's in the wrong direction. I was able to catch it a head of time due to having the quilt design up on EQ8. Sometimes I get a bit excited when I'm finally placing the blocks on the design wall. Anyone else? :-)  Remember you don't have to be a quilt designer to dabble in EQ8. It's a fun & easy software to help you create your own unique quilts. Trust me...it's full of inspirational blocks...tips & techniques! I thank y'all so much for following a long on this journey with me. Check back soon for Phase 2 of  "Duck...Duck...Chuck." Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Why I love EQ8...

Duck...Duck...Chuck...Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all had a restful weekend and ready to Kick-off the first of many Children's Learning quilts with me. I'm really excited to finally share with y'all my Children's Learning Quilts. I've been designing Learning Quilts w/ the aid of my sweet Grandson Davin for several months. I've been waiting to share because I wanted to showcase the right fabric collection per designs. Duck...Duck...Chuck is featured with the "Quilt Town" fabrics from Missouri Star Quilt Company using 10" Layer Cakes & accent fabrics from same collection for borders & backing. I received this collection as part of the affilate program to host a long with the Kona Cotton white 10" Layer cakes as well. I thought this collection is perfect to incorporate the Ducks for this learning quilt. This is the first of many Children's Learning Quilts and they all come with a sweet poem to say with a child. I started this collection due to many times snuggled up in a quilt with my sweet grandson Davin...reading books and counting together. Memories like these are so precious to me and I wanted to share designs for y'all to cherish as well. He's now 14 and even helps me no on the "tecky" side which I always need. The design will be festured in Phases..so you can sew at your own level and cuttings wll be stated a long the way due to it being very scrap friendly. The Children's Learning Quilts are "Fun...Fast & Fab" designed in EQ8 and it can be easily enlarged just by adding more rows or borders. I know a lot of us "Adults" love "Chuck" from Missouri Star Quilt Company so this would make a great gift for any age. Today we'll start making the sweet Chuck squares along with his Duck friends. You can view design on previous post. Below is a peek of the poem that you can say along with your child once the quilt is completed. I'm very excited on this adventure and grateful for y'all following me on this journey. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Poem "Duck...Duck...Chuck!"...

"Count the ducks

   one by one...

Count the ducks

   fun...fun...fun!"

Here's all you need...(Phase 1)

* MSQC "Chuck Template" he's the star :-)

* MSQC Quilt Town 10" square Layer cakes

* MSQC Sew Light Fusible Adhesive (double sided)

* Kona Cotton 10" Layer Cake from Robert Kaufman

* Aurifil 50 weight thread (veriegated #3910)

* Rotary cutter...ruler & small sharp scissors

* Marking pen or pencil for tracing around "Chuck"

Advanced step (Chuck)...

* Scrap black fabric

* Aurifil 50 weight (#2692)

Duck background...

* Rotary cut from 3 White 10" squares in half down center then subcut to equal 4 (5 x 5" squares)

* Repeat for each 10" square.

Note...you need a total of 9 squares so set the extra side :-)

* Chuck....

* Select 1 yellow 10" square & rotary cut using same method as above.

* You will have 4 (5 x 5" squares)...only need 3 so set one aside :-)

* Chucks Friends....

* Select one orange and one teal 10" square and rotary cut using same method as above.

* Set aside each extra square :-)

* Rotary cut 9 (4 1/2 x 4 1/2) squares from MSQC Sew Light Fusible Adhesive

Tip...great time to use any scraps!

* Fuse to wrong side of all 9 squares (centered with in the square) and fuse following manufacturer's directions.

Note...I use a pressing sheet to protect my iron from any glue seepage. Fusible adhesive squares are rotary cut smaller to help as well.

Per design...

* Using "Chuck Template"...trace 3 Chucks & 6 Chuck Friends on paper side of fusible adhesive.

Note...the direction of Chucks and flip template over as needed.

* Using scissors carefully cut on marked line.

* Remove paper backing.

* Position "Ducks" right side up with in each 5" white square

* Fuse following manufacturer's directions.

* Repeat for all 9 Ducks :-)

Advanced step...

Chuck the Duck....we all love him so I had to make him be the star of this design. I used my scrap pieces of black fabric...fused the MSQC sew light adhesive to wrong side and using my template I then traced Chucks wing and eye. I then used a scrap piece for his beak and cut a triangle shape and fused using the same method. 

* I used Aurifil 50weight (#2692) and a straight stitch with small sttitch length to secure wings and a "tacking stitch" on machine for eyes. 

If you like embroidery this would be a fun time to use embroidery floss for Chucks accents.

A-play-que Chuck & Friends...

* I used Aurifil 50 weight veriegated thread #3910 which completed the fabrics perfectly.

* I used a decorative stitch on my machine and slowly went around each duck pivoting at curves.

Note... You can adjust your stitch length & width to get your desired stitch. Sometimes a shorter stitch length will allow easier stitching around curves etc. Play with your stitches on a scrap piece of fabric until you achieve your preferred stitch if desired. 

Remeber this is a small project so get creative & have fun :-)

* Repeat for all 9 Ducks.

* Press & square up to 4 1/2 x 4 1/2

Tip...I square up the blocks after I a-play-que to allow for any fabric shrinkage :-)

Check back soon for Phase 2.

Cat

Sneak Peek...."Duck...Duck...Chuck!" Sweet Baby Quilt

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. I don't know about y'all but this is the craziest weather. But maybe it's me...a man yesterday passed me wearing shorts and t-shirt. Hmmm as I'm dressed in flannels. :-) Well I wanted to give y'all a "sneak peek" of a sweet baby quilt that starts Monday. One reason is some of the fabrics are on sale today at Missouri Star Quilt company along with the "Chuck Template" that I'm using. I try to stay on top of the fabric sales that I'm incorporating for y'all. I know everything is going up these days so saving every penny sure does help. I'm featuring the Quilt Town fabrics from Missouri Star Quilt Company along with Kona cotton 10" squares by Robert Kaufman that I received from MSQC as part of the affiliate program. I wanted to showcase the fabrics in a sweet baby quilt but it can be easily enlarged if desired. I know a lot of us adults love "Chuck" from MSQC so just add more rows and or borders for a lap or throw size. You'll learn the fast HST's technique using the 10" squares which makes the design come together quickly. Plus we'll "a-play-que" together using my fav...Aurifil thread. I'll be featuring this fun scrap-a-long in Phases so you can go at your own level. I designed the quilt in EQ8 and will state the cutting sizes a long the way due to this is also very scrap friendly is desired. This is a super cute baby gift or fun quilt for any adult. I love MSQC fabrics and they were perfect to compliment the "Chuck template." I hope you check out the sales today at MSQC. My link on home page will take you for all the daily sales. The sales change daily on their website. This is the first of many "Fun...Fast & Fab Children's designs" that I'll be sharing in 2025. I thank y'all so much for following & talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Duck...Duck...Chuck...(40 x 49 1/2)

Lucky Trivet 4 Entertaining...Phase 3 & finishing!

 Hey quilter's...hope your day is off to a great start. I'm excited to share the last phase of my "Lucky Trivet 4 Entertaining." As y'all know I'm loving this collection "Sunlit Garden" by Jennifer Thomas for Island Batik Fabrics. Well, in this phase you'll learn my border/binding technique if you haven't already. I love to do this technique especially on small projects. You also get to use decorative stitches too for securing the fold on back of your trivet. I will mention when you are sewing your binding fold to maybe not start in the corner. I found out that it is a bit bulky due to the layers starting in the corners. Again...you do what's easier for you. Also, if you have a preferred method for your binding please do what you like. I did use a scrap piece of Quilt Town Stars by Missouri Star Quilt Co. white for the backing. I like to scrap the back if I'm not planning on using both sides of the trivet. Again..you do what works best for you. There are no "quilting police" on my blog..we're just here to have fun & learn new techniques. As I always say..."Less Stress Quilting." :-) I don't know about y'all but I'm excited that my St.Patrick's Day trivet is finished and we're still in February. Right? :-) I thank y'all so much for following me on this creative journey. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Lucky Trivet 4 Entertaining...

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut your backing fabric & Insul-Bright 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 

* Lay block right side facing down...then Insul-bright

* Position your backing fabric right side up within your square.

Tip..I use a pin to secure layers 2gether...just remember to remove pin once all clipped before sewing.

Border/Binding...

* Starting at top..fold back binding in half...then fold in half again to secure raw edges and clip or pin to secure. I like to leave about a 1/4" "binding" on the front but don't stress...it's a trivet :-)

* Repeat for bottom of trivet same method as above.

* Repeat for left/right sides of trivet same method as above and mitering at corners or your preferred method. 

Tip...once I have clipped all edges...I then make sure that the border/binding is all tucked in on the back side and every thing looks even as possible on the front. This is the time to do any adjusting if needed before you secure with top stitching or "a-play-que" stitch.

* On the right side of your trivet...stitch in the ditch...top stitch or decorative stitch to secure your border fold on back side. Take your time sewing...removing pins/clips as you sew...pivoting at corners.

I love to do a decorative stitch within my border on front of block...not only is it "pretty" gives me a chance to show off some more Aurifil thread but it secures the fold on back easier. :-)

Tip...if your stitches don't catch the fold on back of trivet...don't stress...you can tack using "washable permanent fabric glue" to secure. Remember...less..stress...quilting :-) 

Well you did it...you now have a super cute "fun-ctional" trivet for your Holiday entertaining!

Talk soon,

Cat

"Lucky Trivet 4 Entertaining"...Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope everyone is having a great day & staying warm. I don't think I've ever seen weather so crazy. One minute I think it's T-shirt weather then we go back to Sweater weather. But not going to complain. One thing I know is "it's always sunny in my sewing room." Sorry...had to do it :-) I can't help it...this stunning collection "Sunlit Garden" by Jennifer Thomas for Island Batik makes me smile. I want to "hug it" everytime I go in my sewing room. Shhh...I actually do :-) It's like when you go fabric shopping and you see someone "petting" fabric. You know what I'm talking about. It's just like thread too for me. When I have a design in my head and it comes to life with the fabric and thread it's a win for me. I can always count on Aurifil thread hues to compliment my Batiks. It brings my designs to a whole next level. You will see exactly what I'm talking about with Phase 2. When you "a-play-que" as I like to say using Aurifil thread, not only are you accenting your design but it makes your design shine. Plus you get the chance to play with your decorative stitches on your machine. This trivet is very easy & fast but  highlighting this stunning fabric with Aurifil thread & decorative sitches you get a fast reward. I love projects that come together quickly but also learning new techniques. So take your time with this next step when it comes to trying new decorative stitches. Make a "sample" to try the stitches and stitch length. I know on my machine changing the sitch length and width will create a whole new stitch to use. I used Aurifil #3910 varigated thread and it compliments both fabrics perfectly. So have fun...play with your sewing machine and create a trivet for your Holiday entertaining. I thank y'all so much for following me on this fun advanture. I can't wait to share more stunning designs with y'all using this beautiful collection. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

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

Lucky Trivet 4 Entertaining...

Note...supplies needed are on previous post.

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut your scrap pieces of fabrics to accommodate 4 each (per design) of the MSQC Half square heart template.

Note...I say scraps but you can rotary cut a piece of fabric to your needs. I try to use my scrap pieces especially when it's a small template...no stunning scraps left behind :-)

* Rotary cut MSQC Fusible adhesive to scrap size and fuse to wrong side of fabrics following maufacturer's directions.

* On paper side trace around your template...4 hearts Floral vine...flip template over and trace 4 for the Floral dot green.

* Carefully cut on line.

* Peel off paper backing and fuse to block per design alternating the white/green fabrics.

Note...your hearts will be on the opposite color of your background square

* Fuse following manufacturer's directions. I reccommend a pressing sheet to protect your iron.

Tip...before next step please make sure you have no loose threads on back of block....trust me they will show....remember my tips are preventive mistakes that I've come across :-)

* Rotary cut fusible fleece 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 and fuse to back of block following manufacturer's directions.

Tip...center it within your square on back leaving about a 1/4" side around block edge for your binding fold later. Remember your border will be folded over so need need for the extra bulk...less stress :-)

A-play-que as desired...

Have fun...get creative with your decorative stitches :-)

Check back soon for Phase 3 & finishing,

Cat