"CHRISTMAS MEMORIES...T-SHIRT to PILLOW"

Hey quilters....hope all is well....it's that wonderful time of the year....leaves are starting to turn and décor is everywhere in the stores. Absolutely love Christmas that I actually make gifts all year round and have to admit watch Christmas movies all year with my grandson too! I was so thrilled when he asked me to make a "pillow" out of his favorite Christmas T-Shirt. Every time I visit he pulls out his T-shirts to add to a quilt. Well, this one was pretty special so I was honored to make his "Buddy the Elf" shirt into a pillow. How sweet to keep his Christmas memories going....but had to come up with a clever way to not have the "bulky storage" for my daughter as well. I decided to do an "envelope style' pillow slip with his T-shirt. This actually slips over my daughter's existing accent pillows. Win..win….for everyone! I used scraps for fabric....all dots were appliqued with Aurifil 50 weight #2260....you can purchase dot fabric if you wish.....I designed it to fit their existing 16 x 16 accent pillow. Heat n bond lite was used to secure the T-shirt but you can use your prefer method but highly recommended it for all the 1" circles. Follow manufacturers direction and it's a breeze!
Due to T-shirts being different, I will give you a "basic" pattern and then you can decide what works best for you. I hope to see some of your posts showing off your work. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Here's all you do...
*Iron the "wrong side" of T-shirt using a protective heat pressing sheet
*Square up the design....leave if possible a 1-2" edge
*Use your preferred method to stabilize your shirt...then square up to desired size
For Borders...
I pulled my Christmas fabrics from Hoffman, Moda Classic, Quilting Treasures.
Design your borders and add for your !/4 "seam allowances. Square up pillow as you go!
Again, if you don't want to applique the dots then choose a sweet dot fabric.
Once you have completed your borders and pillow id squared….choose your background fabric and "google" envelope style pillow directions to accommodate the finished size of your "pillow front".
Hint....I can honestly say that I prefer to add a few extra inches when doing the "envelope style" so it's a bit easier to slip on and off....ex....my "fold" will overlap a little more...you can easily practice this technique or just do a basic pillow back and you will just need to store it throughout the year. Doing a "envelope style" does come in handy when you have limited storage space. Also, try not to get upset your t-shirt may not be perfect due to the stretching with all the washing and drying. I feel that's what makes them unique! Design yours and have fun!

        What a genius idea for a 7 yr. old....Making Christmas Memories to last a lifetime!

"Happy Labor Day....Start of Quilting Season?"

Hey Quilters....hope all is going well & you are enjoying your day. I started working aka babysitting when I was 9 so I feel today is a day to relax and enjoy the family & be thankful for what I have! I also got the biggest laugh when I saw this pic below that Labor day is the official "start" of quilting season. Oh my goodness.....I am either way "behind" or way "ahead" for once! When you quilt all year it's Quilting season everyday! I absolutely love creating projects with Aurifil  thread....wonderful hues & weights to choose from for all your project needs! Facebook Alex Veronelli to get more info on this awesome product line....trust me I post many compliments about this thread but when you are quilting on a large project "Stain Glass Windows" recently for our towns Museum windows, and I had "No" thread breakage and thread hues complimented the Batik fabric perfectly, it's definitely worth talking about! Anyway, loving this special time with my family & Grandson Davin....we are working on some wonderful Christmas projects so check back....post coming soon! Hope everyone has a wonderful day & quilt away!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" SANTA BLESSINGS...TUTORIAL...(part 3)

Hey quilters....right about now you are breathing a sigh of relief or wondering what in the world was I thinking with all those "Orange Peel" squares. Here's a hint of how I design...if you have ever traditionally sewn a "Orange peel block" you will then realize why I personally applique them onto the square. I personally don't have the patience for the "tedious" stuff and "why not" make it easy...right? I love to quilt but "love a fun & fast break" every now and then too. ;-) Well, now you're on to the "sewing of blocks together & finishing up your quilt. I have to say the designs have two outside borders but you can totally omit those and do what's easier for you. You can view online tutorials of "Straight grain French Fold binding....double fold binding.....all sorts of ways you can bind your quilt....so at this point, honestly, do what's better for you. Just remember certain styles of binding require more yardage then others. This is another reason why I always buy more fabric 'cause sometimes when I finally get to the borders & binding....well....lets just say I may "tweak" a bit :-) Don't forget to check back next week for some more Holiday projects. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Part 3..."Quilt Assembly"
Make sure all individual blocks are pressed & squared up.
Lay out blocks per design (design boards are great)
Join blocks into rows using a 1/4" seam
(Press seams in one direction as you are going along)
Join rows to complete quilt top.
Press & Square up at this time if needed.
Add borders at this time if desired per design.
Measure top & bottom....add strips
Measure left and right sides....add strips
Press & Square up as you go along.
The designs have 1 inch borders so cut your strips 1 1/2 inch wide for seam allowance.
Or omit borders & do a straight-grain French Fold binding...whichever is easier :-)

Tip....if you are going to have your quilt professionally quilted by a "long arm" quilter, "please" call them ahead of time so you can meet their requirements before you do the backing, batting, etc.

Backing...per size of quilt....join two backing panel fabrics together to make size of quilt. Google this method as well if needed....some prefer one larger piece in center with two smaller widths on each side. Again this is a personal thing....due to it's small size you can do whatever is easier for the backing....larger quilts I would recommend dividing your backing into 3rds.
Press your seams.
*Layer backing (seams side up/facing you)
then batting & quilt.
Baste & Quilt as desired.

Binding your quilt....as previously stated, bind the quilt as desired.

I hope you've enjoyed this Christmas Tutorial & come back next week for some fast & easy gifts to make.....I don't know about you, but for "once" I am finally getting a head start on my Christmas gifts!
Blessed Quilting,
Cat

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY"...SANTA BLESSINGS TUTORIAL (part 2)

Hey quilters.....hope everyone is having fun choosing your fabrics. I've come to realize the computer glitch is me....I am wearing a brace while typing and I've noticed "sometimes" I tend to lean on the keys creating the "drama"....still should be able to retrieve the post though....it says the post is saving along the way...hmmmm :-)...anyway, here's part 2 & don't let the orange peel squares make you nervous….they are "appliqued" and raw edge applique to make it easier....I for one use this technique 'cause it's so easy & fast. Take your time cutting the "orange peel" design & not to worry if you're a bit off while cutting....you can cover any uneven lines while appliqueing. The advanced design "Santa Blessings" has a few 1/2 sq. triangles....omit this step if you are doing the beginner design "Many Blessings". Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Part 2....
Per 44" wide fabric....cut 4 1/2 inch wide strips....then sub cut each strip into 4 1/2 " squares...this is including your 1/4" seam allowance.  Yes....I do lightly press my squares....it's an OCD thing! ;-)

Per "Santa Blessings" design you will need....
Grey....36 squares
Black...20 squares
White...50
HST's (half square triangles)...24 grey/white (see instructions below)
Orange Peel block....(see instructions below)
Red...104
White...22
Gold...4

Per "Many Blessings" design you will need...
Grey...130 squares
Orange Peel block....(see instructions below)
White...88
Gold...42

HST's (Half Square Triangles)
Rotary cut strips 4 7/8 inch wide of grey & white fabric...then sub cut into 4 7/8 inch squares.
With Right sides together....mark a diagonal line w/fabric marking pen on top of square.
Sew a scant 1/4" on each side of line.
Cut in between sewn lines (on original marked line)
Press seam towards darker fabric
Trim or square up if needed

Note....make sure seams are flat before you fuse the "orange peel" fabric designs onto HST's. You can also google a tutorial on the internet using this method if that's easier for you.


"4 inch orange peel design/block
Print out block below.....you can also make your own "plastic template" to make tracing easier :-)
I colored in the block dark for easier tracing.

Orange Peel design/block instructions....

Using "Heat n Bond" Lite....following manufacture's directions.....cut & fuse heat n bond lite to the wrong side of fabric per square. (You can do a strip all at once of fabric & heat n bond lite if that's easier)
Note....I use a "Non-stick Reusable Pressing Sheet" & I have a designated iron that I use strictly for fusing onto fabric....this can be a bit messy sometimes.
Trace Orange Peel design to the Paper side of heat n bond lite
Carefully cut out design & fuse to the "right side' of each square (per quilt design)

You can applique each "Orange peel" block at this time. Little easier then trying to applique when blocks are all sew together. ;-)

Per your design that you are doing....this step will take a while...no worries...this is why we are starting this project in July! :-) Take your time & have fun!

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" SANTA BLESSINGS TUTORIAL (part 1)

Hey quilters....hope all is going well. I've been trying to post this tutorial and for some "odd" reason it keeps deleting. They say 3rd time is the charm but seriously this is the 4th time....seriously laughing because I could actually be crying right now. My previous post are not saved anywhere....gotta love modern technology sometimes. I've decided to post into parts to eliminate future "mishaps" 'cause I'm sure it's not me doing it! ;-) Anyway....I hope you're ready for a fun & fast Christmas design that can be easily enlarged & would make a great "stash buster" using your Christmas fabrics. The design "Many Blessings" is the beginner pattern and both are 44 x 56 using the classic "Orange Peel" design (appliqued for easy piecing) & the advanced design "Santa Blessings" has a "few half square triangles. This sweet design would also make a great gift for anyone going through a difficult time. I fully recommend Aurifil thread for your applique & quilting techniques. If you're thinking this might be too big of a project to jump into, well no worries there's more Holiday designs coming soon using this same method. I hope this one will help kick off your Holiday season with some fun. As always, email me any q's. Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours"
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Fabric yardage for "Santa Blessings"

White....2 1/2 yrds.

Red....1 3/4 yrds.

Gold....1/2 yrd.

Grey....2 yrds

Black....3/4 yrd.

Backing....roughly 3 1/2 yrds ( allow more if you're long arm quilting)

Batting....twin size (save extra)

*Note....I always but extra fabric just in case I have a "oopsy" while rotary cutting.

Fabric yardage for "Many Blessings"
Grey....4 1/2 yrds.
Gold....1 1/4 yrds.

White...2 1/2 yrds.
Backing...roughly 3 1/2 yrds (allow more if you're long arm quilting)
Batting...twin size (save extra)….more small projects coming soon to use the scraps!
*Note....I always buy extra fabric just in case I have a "oopsy" while rotary cutting. It happens...trust me!
Remember....this is also a great "Scrap Buster"....so have fun designing & choosing your fabrics!

"CHRISTMAS IN JULY" tutorial..."SANTA BLESSINGS...1 DESIGN SEW MANY WAYS"

Hey quilters....it's that wonderful time of the year...."Christmas in July". Kicking off the holiday season I am sharing this fast & easy tutorial that can be incorporated into any time of the year. The design is incorporating one of my favorite quilt squares "Orange Peel" & everyone's favorite square "HST's" (half square triangles). The quilt was named Santa Blessings due to my sweet Grandson Davin. It's our favorite time of the year and have to admit we watch Christmas movies all year round together! I can only pray he carries that tradition on :-). Anyway, you will learn techniques from beginner to advanced.....design would make a great baby quilt...scrap quilt & can be easily enlarged for a bed quilt. The lap quilt is 44 x 56 & designed in EQ7 & fully recommend using Aurifil thread for your applique and quilting. So get your creative brain thinking & check back soon for all your fabric needs & instructions to complete this fast & easy quilt!

"Blessings from my Home to Yours"
Cat
Residential & Commercial Designer
AQS Member
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"SANTA BLESSINGS"

"MANY BLESSINGS"

"IT'S CHOCOLATE DAY'!!!

Hey quilters.....hope everyone is doing well. Have to say when I noticed it was "Chocolate Day" today my heart dropped...seriously, had no idea there was such a "thing". If you're like me, chocolate & quilting/crafting go "hand & hand" so to speak. So today, I'm assuming it's also "calorie free" due to it being a "holiday" ;-)….a girl can only hope! Anyway....wanted to share a few other important dates as well! Also keep popping in 'cause soon I will be posting my "Christmas in July" quilt that you can create for anytime of the year! View a "low sugar chocolate pie on my blog below". Fast & easy to take to any quilt function or get together. Enjoy your chocolate!

Dates to be listed on all Quilter's Calendars :-)...
International Choc day...Sept. 13th
National Choc days...Oct 28 & Dec 28

Blessed Quilting from "My Home to Yours",
Cat
email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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