Quilt Series...Scrapin' w/ Cat "Sea Turtle Trivet"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. Calm morning here in Florida but prayer's still go out to everone going through the storm or recovering. I learned not to take any "tropical storm" lightly. Well....I hope everyone has their "scraps" ready??? :-) If not....maybe this fun & cute "Sea Turtle Trivet" will inspire you. I will admit, had a blast with this tiny little project....the color hues of AURIFIL threads & my scraps of Hoffman Batiks really inspired me for this design. Again, it's not fancy, just fun. When I finished appliqueing the "sea turtles," I had to laugh. One of my turtles looks liked he "ate" more then the others. Oh well...as I love to say "being imperfect is perfect," for me anyway :-) The AURIFIL thread hues mimick the waters as they go from light to dark along the sand. The light fabric for the sand is just a scrap piece of "muslin." If you're like me you have tons and what a great way to use it for a "Coastal" design. Finished out roughly is 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 depending on how you do the borders. I love trivets for myself or especially giving as a gift. Using insulbright it allows you to place a hot or cold dish on to protect your table surface. Plus it's a "functional decor", win win!The trivet can be easily enlarged by adding on more border strips. One reason why I do the "log cabin" methof of piecing borders. Sometimes the design "speaks to you" while sewing/piecing and this methold allows you to add on if needed. Sometimes it just looks like it was designed that way :-) Anyway...hope you enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

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Here's all you need...

Scrap Batiks "Hoffman Fabrics"

AURIL thread 50# numbersin order as shown.. 2710, 4093, 4663, 1126, 2780

Lightweight tear-away stabilizer

Lightweight batting

Heat n Bond Lite

Insulbright

Here's all you do...

*Rotary cut your muslin, backing, light weight tear away stabilizer, batting & Insulbright all to 71/2 x 7 1/2

*Place your light weight stabilizer to wrong side of muslin (funny here cause I seriously can't tell the difference)...one reason why I love batiks :-) Secure in place with a quilting pin at top if desiered. Set your machine to your desired stitch & width & start "making waves" with your AURIFIL threads. Your stabilizer will make your stitches so pretty & secure and I used my pressure foot as a guide for my width between stitches. Do the same if you wish. 

Next I used a scrap Batik to make the corner wedge by sewing wrong sides together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance....finger press back and trim away extra fabric the square up! You can do this method or just continue accenting the dark waves with your AURIFIL thread.

Now fuse Heat n Bond lite to wrong side of batiks (following maufactorer's directions)...cut out and place on front of trivet as desired. I like to "audition" my design first before fusing just incase I need to add or delete anything. 

 Applique around turtles with your coordinating AURIFIL thread as desired. 

Border...Rotary cut strip1 1/2 x 7 1/2 using "log cabin method) with right sides together, sew to bottom of block, press open & square up.

Left side...rotary cut 1/2 x 8 1/2, sew with right sides together, press open & square up. 

Top...rotary cut 1 1/2 x 8 1/2  & do same method as above.

Right side...Rotary cut 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 & do same method as above.

Tip...you can at this time enlarge your trivet if desired but just remember your batting, insul bright & back fabric need to be adjusted to your desired trivet size. 

Now layer block then batting, insulbright & batting together. 

Your "Border strips" will now become your binding  when you fold your strips to back side of fabric (again using log cabin method) I did a 1/4" fold which allowed me to use a decorative stitch around the edges, catching front and back seams while sewing. Do the same if you wish. 

Tip...if you are a beginner to sewing borders this way, you can cut your strips a bit "wider" ex 2" width to allow a larger "fold" and sewing might be a bit easier for you. 

This method is easier for me anyway when piecing a binding strip on small projects. 

Tip: I did not "tear away" my stabilizer after appliqueing. I liked how it made the trivet a bit extra sturdy. Do the same as you wish.

That's it...you now have a sweet gift to give or keep for yourself & your "scrap pile" might be a little smaller ??? :-)

More designs coming soon :-)

QUILT SERIES..."Scrapin' w/Cat"...

 Hey quilter's....hope all is well. My prayer's go out for everyone during these horrible storms. Not much sleep last night but no damage so not gonna gripe! I'm starting a new quilting series..."Scrapin' w/Cat." These designs came about through our "being stranded" last year and being forced to use what you have due to several stores temporarily closed and also being safe and not shopping. It also made me realize how much "scrap fabric" I have and need to use. I'm not a "fabric horder" but I do have a "healthy scrap stash" or what I like to call my "little pretties." Oh and while I'm being honest, I mind as well share the truth of how I named my scraps "little pretties." Yes...I was sorting my scraps and for some "odd reason" my voice went into "the wizard of OZ witch" when I was saying "come here my little pretties." I know creepy....but it goes without saying....I have never seen a "ugly...weird....piece of scrap fabric." To me...all fabrics are beautiful....the thought process that goes behind every pattern design is amazing! Anyway, throughout this series you'll see "1 Design...SEW Many Ways" & "1 Pillow...SEW Many Ways!" Pattern designs from Country to Coastal to Christmas! You'll learn fun easy techniques, space-saving tips & great gift ideas plus doing the new trend of quilting art enhanced with Aurifil thread. All using your scraps! Of course I'm not gonna judge if you go buy some new fabric :-) But do try and get creative with your scraps. It's been challenging but I'm pleased of what I've accompolished so far! 

So grab your scraps & AURIFIL thread & let's have some fun 2gether!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

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Fabric Stash humor....love this but we can do this 2gether :-)

"Cat's Tip of the Day!" Quilting Tiny Life-saver!

 Hey quilter's...hope all are doing well....preparing for storm here! I've been sharing posts lately  with designs that are "tiny" for me anyway. My back limits my sewing and quilting time but it does make you get a bit more creative on how you do things. I've also "downsized" my quilting/sewing room. Double wammy! But have to say coming across this padded pressing board by June Tailor has made things a lot easier. Not only is it a great pressing board but as you can see below it's also a great "mini design board." The size is 18 x 25 and it fits perfectly on my old sewing machine stand that I use beside my main sewing desk. Very convenient when needed to press a seam while piecing as well. Sometimes these little time-savers are so wonderful while piecing. Oh and can I say....it's wonderful when you are "auditioning your fabric and Aurifil threads! You'll be seeing this week on which thread won the battle with my upcoming Summer Series ;-) As long as we don't get blown away! Lord give me strength 'cause I'm the biggest wimp when it comes to "storms." Hope this tip is useful :-)

Blessings from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"Cat's Tip of the Day!"

 Hey quilter's....hope all is going well. Here's a "funny tip" if you"re traveling this Holiday weekend or anytime actually. Sometimes you just need to laugh as I always say! Have a Safe & Happy July 4th weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Series..."1 Pillow...Sew Many Ways!"

 Hey quilter's....hope all is well. Today is the beginning of my series "1 Pillow...Sew Many Ways!" I'm excited about sharing this with you these fun tips & techniques. Throughout this series you'll learn time saving tips & techniques. The most exciting tip for me to share is that you"ll be using "1 pillow." Yes! If you have limited space like me or just like to change out your decor then this is definately for you! This idea started a while back when I was making pillows for my grandson and my daughter had limited storage space.  I fully understand now that I've recently down sized. When you love to decorate for the holiday's but have limited space it does limit you a bit. So throughout this series, I'll be sharing some fun designs for special occassions and holiday's. I'll be sharing designs using my "scraps" & some "quilting art" designs as well. You can use a pillow you already have due to my designs are all using the "envelope wrap" or pillow slip design. Few recent designs below include a "Bunny Tree Farm" for a Easter gift for my daughter. The 2nd design is how I used Davin's "Grinch Pillow" (in earlier post) & turned the same pillow into a "Basketball theme" cover for him to use all year. The other is a gift for a sweet friend and I did a "Easter design" then incorporated a monogram wreathe to use all year. All designs are using the same pillow. A gift that keeps on giving! I hope you enjoy and keep following along for upcoming designs from Country to Coastal to Christmas!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Just a few recent designs below :-)

Designs appliqued with Aurifil thread & scraps are from Hoffman Fabrics. Endless Possibilities!

 

                                                

"BURP QUILT 4 BABY-DECORATIVE PILLOW 4 BIG-SIS!"

 Hey quilter's....hope y'all are off to a great day. As promised....I'm focusing on my "mini" project series. Due to my limited amount of time "sitting or standing," has forced me to "think" in small scale. I have to say it's been a bit of a challenge but fun. I've been able to use my "scraps" due to the small size of projects and if you do need to purchase fabric you don't need to buy a lot. But.....we all know to buy extra when purchasing for those "maybe must have moments." The gifts below are for a sweet friend back in Texas that recently had another sweet baby girl. I had "sew much fun" with this project. The "burp quilt" is very functional....after it's use you can display as wall hanging. #doubleduty! The leaves on the wreath were actually formed by tracing a cookie cutter on the back side of fusible web. Then all appliqued with AURIfil thread (a must have) :-). I also was able to use some of my "scrap fabric" of Hoffman Fabrics for the leaves as well. I wanted the designs to coordinate for the baby & big sis. It's always important for me to make sure you give a give to the older sibling so they feel extra special too. Let me explain why....years ago I was at a baby shower and all the attention was on the new baby coming and although the older sibling was having a blast going thought the presents with mommy, the real excitement happened. A sweet lady had a gift for the big sis to open. Oh my gosh, you can only imagine the joy on that child face. It actually brought tears to a lot of us. I thought from that moment on that I would do the same. Well...if you know me the gifts are going to "coordinate" as well :-) I have brief instructions below for the burp quilt. It's very easy due to basically it's a mini quilt design. The decorative pillow is basically the same applique method but using a "bi-fold" method in which I'll be showcasing designs starting in July for this fun method. Hope you enjoy & stay tuned for upcoming designs ;-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's what you need...

Leaf "cookie cutter"

Leightweight fusible web

Light weight batting

Light weight stabilizer for applique

Fabric of your choice

Coordinating thread ( #AURIfil)

Here's all you do...

For this size burp quilt (finished out @ 12 x 16....you'll need to cut your front & back piece of fabric to 13 x 17 which allows for your seam allowance of a 1/2"...you can do small if you wish but for a burp quilt I do larger seam allowance just for an extra sturdiness while turning inside out. 

The batting will be cut to the finish size of 12 x 16

*Fuse to back of your fabric following manufacturer's direction.

*Trace leaf design using cookie cutter on back side of fusible paper.

*Cut out shapes

*Tip...I like to "lay out" my shapes to get the design that I want before tearing off the fusible web and pressing to "front side of fabric" This allows me to change anything :-)

*After positioning design as desired then applique each piece (tip....use a stabilizer on back side to make your appliqueing smoother and a more professional appearance as well. Keeps stitches in tact.

*Place front and back fabric (right sides together) and sew along edges leaving a 2" opeing for turning inside out.

*Turn inside out and make sure corners are neatly squared if possible (I use the tip of a pencil eraser to poke so I don't ruin the fabric. 

*Place batting inside & slip sticth opening

Top stitch around edges if desired w/coordinating thread.

That's it...a beautiful handmade baby gift that she can use for many years to come! #doubleduty!

"CAT'S TIP OF THE DAY"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. I'll admit...my "year" did not start off as planned. Some times life gives you a unexpected turn and you just need to make the best of it. I've learned not to give up what I love just do it a bit differently. Yes....I now use a "kitchen timer" while sewing. What!??? Yes...due to back problems....I set timer for 10 minutes (if back allows) and sew....weird but helps! I know....sounds crazy but with back pain sitting or standing can be so painful. So I do things a lot these days in "moderation." The timer helps me stay "on track"....and yes you can use your phone to set time but I love "old school" kitchen timers. Sometimes it makes me feel like 'I'm sewing with an old friend." Here's a funny....that's not the "tip of the day" but maybe it will help someone else that has back issues to not give up, just do things a bit different. 

Here's the tip....recently I was sewing "half-square-triangles" on dark batiks "Hoffman Fabrics" and had difficulty seeing the lines while marking. I probably have every marking tool available and don't know if it's my "eyes now" or what but nothing was helping. So....on my cutting table is also my "colored pencils" in a cute container of course :-)....I grabbed the "bright yellow" pencil & marked my lines and it was perfect! I'm not washing the fabric after piecing due to it being a "quilt art" method. Win...win! My yellow fabric pencil was too light for my eyes so the "brightness" of the colored pencil really helped. Also, the "Fons and Porter" ruler is perfect for making accurate half sq triangles. Hope this tip helps :-)

Anyway....I'll be sharing tips throughout the week and with my recent downtime, I was able to design a very fun project or should I say projects. So stay tuned....I'll be posting this week some fun & easy projects that will aslo make great gifts. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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