CAT'S FUN- FRIDAY TIP..."HEXAGONS FOR RAW EDGE APPLIQUE"

Hey quilter's.....hope all is going well. It's that time of year when the garden is in & Christmas quilting is in full speed. I've been designing a Cat's Country Christmas Quilt-along that I'll be posting starting in July so please keep following. Super fun & easy tips to create a special quilt for your loved ones. Today I'm designing a "Santa Belt Apron" for our towns Library fundraiser & I'm using a lot of hexagon's & wanted to share this tip for a fast way to fuse hexagons for the "raw edge" application. I'm rotary cutting so many that I had to come up with a speedy method that made me so happy that I just had to share. If you already use this method then disregard and all I have to say is "great minds think alike!" Anyway....keep following for the Christmas Quilt-along in July and as always email me any q's.
Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,
Cat
email...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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Here's all you do...
Depending on your size of Hexagon...cut your strip of fabric 1/2- 1 in. larger then your "HeatnBond Lite fusible webl Pic below is using some leftover scrap squares but the method is the same.
Rotary cut your HeatnBond Lite fusible web about a 1/4" larger then your Hexagon square.
Fuse to wrong side of fabric following manufactures direction.
On paper side of HeatnBond lite mark 2 lines using a ruler the width of your hexagon (see diagram)
Using your Hexagon template then trace the outside edges "the arrow points"
Continue this method until you get the amount of Hexagons desired.
Note...the fabric is cut larger then HeatnBond lite fusible web so when your press this allows for any
glue seepage. :-)

Rotary cut the Hexagons using this same method.
Cut lines first then sub cut the corners.

Fuse following manufacturers direction & raw edge applique.
I fully recommend AURIfil thread....I've never had a breakage with all the raw edge applique that I do & they have wonderful weights & color hues to choose from.
What I've enjoyed using this method is that you have your main lines cut accurately & the sub cuts of angles go fast afterwards....win...win :-)
Enjoy & Hope you've enjoyed this tip.

"SAFE WAY TO DISCARD ROTARY CUTTING BLADES"

Hey quilters....I hope all is going well....we're finally having some nice weather in Texas! I love this time of year...I quilt & garden! Recently was discarding my rotary cutting blades and wanted to do a "shout out" to all you fellow quilter's & crafter's. Well.....first of all I have a confession...."I'm obsessed with Nutella." So when I discovered the jar was a safe way to discard my blades, I thought....win,..win! Not only am I being safe but I don't feel so "guilty" finishing the jar! :-) I did post this tip last year but felt the need to share again. Blades are so sharp and throwing them in the trash can be hazardous.
Also, here's another O.C.D. tip for you...when I use a blade on fabric and it starts to dull a bit, I then put it in a separate jar labeled for "paper." Usually you can use them a while longer on paper items. I tend to be so precise when cutting fabric that I keep my blades very sharp. Kudos to all of you that sharpen your blades. I'm not that brave! :-)
Anyway....keep following 'cause we have a huge project coming soon that I'm very excited about. I've been gearing towards simplifying home décor items with a quilt flair! I know were all busy & I especially need some time saving short cuts these days.

Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,

Cat
email q's....cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
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"SOMETHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN"

Hey quilters....hope everyone is doing good & staying warm. Crazy weather here in Texas! I'm doing a "shout out" to all you home decors.....I'm finally working on my own home & will be posting some fun, time-saving tips on my "Cooking & Décor blog. It's a great "stress relief" to take a break from quilting. Just kidding....no such thing as a "quilting break" :-). Anyway....quilt designs/patterns coming soon but in meantime pop on over to my décor blog.
Below is a peak of what I just did...more info on blog
.
Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours,
Cat
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"OUT w/ THE OLD & IN w/ THE NEW"

Hey quilters....hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start. I've been "forced" to upgrade my software recently & if you know me I'm always about cherishing the history of items. But I've recently came to grips there is a difference between repurposing an "Old Quilt" & a laptop! Sad to say my "old laptop" wasn't even old! Technology is changing everyday so I'm especially glad when someone asks me to "repair" an old quilt to keep it & when they gift-it forward. I always say...."if this quilt could talk"....how many stories were told while piecing and quilting this quilt. I do love my new advanced laptop for designing quilts & getting used to "all my new gadgets" it has to offer :-) Anyway, below is also a pic of what I've been "up to" this year. I'm proud to say our group "Friends of the Library" is doing a Scholarship for a Frankston High School student. The "Hot pad runner" was appliqued & outline quilted with 50# weight AURIfil thread. And yes....again no thread breakage while using this great quality thread! More details soon about the chance to purchase tickets for the fundraiser in our local paper & on Facebook.
As always, email me any q's!
Blessed Quilting from my Home to Yours!,
Cat
cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com
Follow me on Pinterest
and Facebook
I heard it through the quilt-vine

"Roses in my Garden"
( 3 piece Hot Pad Runner for entertaining.....stacks easily for storage)

"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
Follow on Facebook & Pinterest

"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
follow me on Pinterest & Facebook

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