Cats Tip of the Day! Tip to get ready 4a "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long!"

 Hey quilter's...hope your Friday is off to a great start & ready for the weekend. When you retire some days just seem to "run-2gether" which can be a bit embarrassing at times. I've enjoyed sharing my "Scrap-Crackle-Pop!" technique and hoping it's been "therapeutic" for you as well. I'm a bit addicted to this technique so of course had to step it into some holiday fun! :-) Yes...small projects and actually great inexpensive gifts for the Holiday's as well. You're using your "scraps" and most likely you have the supplies already...win...win...:-) In a few of the designs you'll be "scrapin' small quarter square triangles" so I wanted to share again this technique to make this project easier. You know me by now I'm all about less-stress-quilting! I know if you are a beginner quilter supplies can add up quickly and gadgets are so tempting. I for one have to "control" myself :-( still working on that! So, here's an inexpensive tip that I do to make these triangles easier to trim. If you are fortunate to have one of those fancy "spinning mats" then this is just an extra fun tip for you :-) But, I do this.... I place my small "Olfa Mat" on top of my larger cutting mat and spin it around when rotary cutting the half-square triangles w/ my square-up-ruler. Makes trimming easier and safer. I still to this day am extra careful using a rotary cutter and this technique assures me the quality of a clean cut plus the safety as well. Plus, not to mention if you have "back issues" like me you are not stretching over to rotary cut...every bit helps with back issues :-) Also, the Fons & Porter 1/4" ruler is wonderful to help mark your half-square triangle lines. I have 2 sizes and use them always to mark my squares. For marking lines, I use a "dritz water soluble marking pencil" Again...great gift idea for a "beginner quilter" :-) Oh, did I mention you'll be doing some "crazy-spider-web-quilting? So, grab your "spooky-scraps.... your coordinating aurifil thread" and get ready for a "spook-tacular scrap-a-long" coming soon! Thanks for following and please share the love of quilting w/others! Cat

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Karen Miller Orange Peel Grid Quilting Design - Continuous Curve on a Domestic Machine

Hey quilter's....hope your week is going well. I have to share one of my favorite all time quilt designs "orange peel" and it's tutorial by Karen Miller with Redbird quilt co. Oh my goodness...her quilting is amazing....so fun to watch her tutorials and easy to follow. She quilts with Aurifil thread, and you can see the quality in her designs using this thread. I've been sewing and quilting for too many years to state, and I can only "imagine" being this talented. She quilts on a "domestic"...yes a domestic no longarm here! She is my "quilt inspiration" & I hope you enjoy this tutorial. She has plenty more as well. Have a great week & keep following for a "fun & spooky quilt-a-long" coming soon!

Quilt Blessings from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Scrap-Humor....when you're "quilting" & you get asked..."what's 4 dinner?"

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. Had to share a little "scrap-humor" to get you through the week. I think we've all had this moment of getting interrupted in some way while quilting. What's hard for me is that I have to "limit" my sewing/quilting time due to my back limitations. Well, not that I don't mind interruptions sometimes when you get in that "quilting groove" as I like to say & then stop it's frustrating. For me anyway :-) Recently I even had a "rotary cutting incident" when had to go do something else :-( It happens...but I did learn due to this mistake that if you are sewing "squares" 2gether and for some reason your seams aren't matching up...there's a reason. In a soon-2b-project that I will be sharing I must have not trimmed up 2 of my accent blocks before piecing and quilting. Yes...I did it! It happens...In the "construction world" that would not work...in the "quilting world" I'm saying that table square has memories :-) Seriously, what else can I do when you've quilted it and then see an "oopsie." So now I have a "sticky pad" by my projects to remind me where I stopped on the project to prevent "oopsies." Don't get old quilter's...I'm blaming my "memory loss" on my meds :-) :-) :-) Anyway, I usually have a snappy comeback when getting asked what's for dinner because honestly, he doesn't care but this time I said "scraps" instead of "leftovers." Again...it's the meds', right? :-) Well...the pic below is showing my soon 2-be scrap-a-long. The "sneak-peek" features 50# aurifil thread, scraps from Moda, Michael Miller Fabrics & Hoffman Batiks, Actually, looks like a pretty good "high-fiber" diet to me! As promised small projects for the holidays are coming soon so keep following. Thanks for "scrapin'-a-long w/me" & please share the love of threadnfabric therapy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

email q's cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Pop on over to my "cooking blog" for some easy & healthy recipes to make while quilting!

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Cats Tip of the Day!..." Love Fons & Porter 1/4" Seam Marker"

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going well. I wanted to share this tip that I love and use constantly when marking my "scrappy 1/2" and 1/4" triangle blocks. I posted this tip on my "Scrap...Crackle...Pop" scrap-a-long but wanted to "re-fresh" for my upcoming projects. My "smaller" projects that I'll be featuring soon still incorporate my fun technique of the "scrappy half-square triangles." The holidays are approaching a bit fast for me & I love to give a "handmade" gift. So, my "soon-2b-designs" will of course incorporate "scraps" & all pieced/quilted w/ aurifil thread. We all know by now how much I love this thread. It never lets me down with the quality & so many weights and color hues to coordinate with any project. My "Scrap-Crackle-Pop!" design is so versatile & therapeutic and it's featured on my previous posts if you have seen already. My "scrapin' technique" is also featured on auribuzz.com. Check it out when you can. My goal is to help others with thread and fabric therapy through the love of quilting So keep following for more "scrap-a-longs." Have a great quilting weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Post any q's in comment section & I'll be happy to answer to the best of my knowledge :-)

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Tip....when using "scraps" we know they have the tendency to stretch so I press first...rotary cut my square and this ruler helps mark your diagonal lines for a great ponts on your triangle piecing! Just sew on marked lines...rotary cut down the middle of the lines.... press to the dark side and it's perfect :-)

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! Scrap-a-long...Phase 5 (Border/Binding/Quilting) :-)

 Hey quilter's....hope you're doing well. We're at Phase 5...so exciting! I have to say that I was thrilled when I came to this stage of piecing. It's wonderful when you can see your hard work to start coming together and using scraps! This phase is totally up to you of how you would like to finish your runner. I always mention to people even when I was designing homes that it's your project...it needs to be in your comfort zone. On the other hand, for me, I still had tons of scrap pieces that I knew needed to be used. So, with my runner I did my "Scrappy border technique." Trust me it's easy & have to say just as rewarding as piecing the scrappy blocks 2gether! I do recommend having your iron nearby or you can finger press as you scrap piece. Either way you decide my border/binding technique is pretty easy. But before we begin, I would like for you to gather your fabric for your backing & batting. I had to piece my backing into two sections due to the length of the runner. Not complaining cause, I had some coordinating batik fabric...love! Just remember while piecing for your backing to make sure your "seam" is pressed flat, so you don't have a bulge when it comes time to quilt. Anyway, I've truly enjoyed this scrap-a-long with y'all and keep following 'cause I have plenty more "smaller projects" for the holidays. :-) Please continue to share the love of threadnfabric therapy with others. So, let's get this runner finished! :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Note: I will post pics for the advanced technique of scrappy border 2nd.

Here's all you do for a standard Border/Binding...

* Press your fabric & rotary cut your strips 2 1/2 times the top/bottom sides of your runner.

*Sew with right sides 2gether, using a 1/4" seam allowance your top border first then your bottom border and press.

*Now rotary cut your 2 1/2 strips to the length of your left and right border and sew 2gether using the same method as above. 

*Rotary cut your backing and batting roughly to this size minus an inch all around. This gives you enough for your border to fold underneath later after you have quilted. If you are not comfortable cutting at this point, you can always cut your pieces larger then carefully trim away after quilting. Do what method is great for you. 

*Now pin 2gether all layers to get ready for quilting. I did accent quilting and straight-line quilting complimenting the direction of the blocks. Meandering would also be a great way to quilt the blocks.

Tip: if you would like some "quilt inspiration" google Karen Miller @ www.redbirdquiltco.com

 Her quilting techniques are so amazing and inspirational. 

Either way have fun!!! 

Once you have achieved your desired quilting now you can finish your border/binding technique. 

Here's all you do...

Starting at the top, fold over your border a 1/2...finger press and fold in again to form a finished seam on back of quilt. 

Pin or clip. Top stitch on front in the border seam. This will secure your binding on the back

.

On the front side, quilt in the ditch by your border. This will secure the fold on the back side :-)

Now do the same method with your bottom border then left and right border. 

This will give you a finished 1/2 " binding for your runner. You can always adjust as desired...add more borders if you wish but just end with this technique for a easy finished binding :-)

Well, you did it! I hope you enjoy entertaining with this beautiful-unique-scrappy-runner!

Here's all you do for the "scrappy border"...

*Lightly press your scraps.

*For the top & bottom border and right-side scrappy border piece as follows...

*  Rotary cut scrap pieces a bit larger than a 2 1/2" width. With right sides 2gether mark a 45* line

 on your fabric and sew on that line. (Notice strip direction in pic below)

* Trim to a 1/8th inch seam allowance from that sewn line if possible. 

* Add on another scrap piece and continue "scrap-piecing" until you get the width plus 1" of the length of runner top. Press and trim strip to 2 1/2 " wide.

*With right sides 2gether, sew scrappy strip to top using a 1/4 seam allowance.

*Press and square up the sides.

*Continue this "scrappy border technique" for the bottom border then the right border. 

For the left border the scrappy-border angles are revered so notice the position of fabric strips in pic below to achieve this design.

Sew 2gether your scraps using the same method as above and sew strip to left side of runner with right sides 2gether following same steps as above. Press & square up if needed. 

At this point your runner will look similar to pic below. This technique will give your design a very unique finish plus you're using more scraps ;-)

Now following the steps in previous directions of "standard border/binding", prepare your backing and batting fabric, pin or clip all pieces 2gether to prepare for quilting. Quilt as desired and see quilting tips in previous section. Just remember to have fun! :-)

Here's a view (above) of how I followed the triangle angles for straight-line-quilting. "No judging" my eyes are getting a bit old :-) Not perfect but sure was fun!!! The quality of aurifil 50# thread will make any quilt look stunning! I love how these thread hues compliment the fabric :-)

 Now you're ready for the border/binding step. :-)

Follow the same steps in section above for "standard border binding" Just remember to start at top then bottom, left then right. Once you have achieved this step you will have a "one-of-a-kind-unique-scrappy-border," (See pic below)

I loved how this step complimented the "crackle" in the scrappy-squares. I hope you enjoyed this "scrap-a-long" and continue to share the love of threadnfabrictherapy! Keep following for more designs using this technique. The holidays are approaching so I'll be sharing fast & easy gift-giving ideas and you'll be using your scraps! 

Thanks for following & save those scraps! :-)

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! "Scrap-a-long" Phase 4

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well w/ this fun & therapeutic scrap-a-long. A little "humor" just in case by now you're wondering if there is an ending in sight. Well, yes there is and you're almost there! In this phase we'll be doing some "fun" piecing therapy of finally sewing the squares 2gether to form the "sections" in the design. So, if you notice the design and I hope you used the tip of printing it out, you will see the design has 5 sections. Well to make this easier I will be sharing the instructions "1 section @ a time for less-stress-quilting! :-) Also, my tip for this phase is to set up an "iron station" that will be near you as you sew. This is so important...less-stress on you and convenient. I do "finger press" as I go but for the overall of piecing rows 2gether I do take the time to heat press. Please remember that your squares may not come 2gether perfectly due to the stretch of using fabric scraps. That is totally fine...don't stress...that's the fun on this blog...we have no "quilt police" showing up :-) :-) :-) I know by now you are ready to start piecing the blocks 2gether so lets get started!

Thanks again for following & please share the love of thread&fabric therapy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Here's all you do for "Section 1"

* On a rotary mat or flat surface (easy to transport to machine) lay section 1 squares as per design.

*You will sew 2gether in rows, w/ right sides 2gether & using a 1/4" seam allowance.

* First row sew 2gether as per design

* Second rows 2 & 3 you will sew your side squares first then sew them to the left/right side of the "pinwheel square" your original block #1

*Row 4 you sew the same as row #1.

Tip: Now take your mat with your rows to press them all before sewing together. 

*Sew row 1 to row 2 then 3 & 4 matching seam lines as you go. Remember don't stress :-)

*Press and Pin #1 

Congrats and now were on to Section 2 :-)

Here's all you do...

*Layout squares per design.

*Sew squares 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance & right sides 2gether as follows...

*Sew row 1 together...finger press seams as you go or heat iron

*Sew row 2 together using same method as above

*Sew row 3 together as above.

Press/Iron before sewing rows 2gether.

*Now sew row 1 to row 2 and then sew row 2 to 3. Remember all using a 1/4" seam allowance & matching seams as you go. 

*Press & Pin #2 :-)

Here's all you do for Section 3...

*This section is the same as Section 1 but reversed. So, you will use the same method but use the printed design as your guide to follow correct placement of the accent half-square triangles & squares. 

*Press & Pin #3 :-) "you're doing great!"

Here's all you do for Section 4...

*Same method as Section 2 but reversed. Please reference design layout before sewing squares 2gether.

*Press and pin #4...you're doing great!!!!

Call me crazy but aren't these Scrappy quarter square triangles cute? I just love how now 2 squares are the same using this technique.

Here's all you do for Section 5...

* In this section you'll be using the same method as Section 1. Please reference the design due to your 

accent squares are placed differently. 

* Once you have completed this block section press & pin #5 :-)

Well I hope you're proud of your achievent so far. Now we get to sew all the sections 2gether. 

We're getting closer y'all!!!! :-)

Here's all you do...

*First make sure you lay all your sections in correct order. Use your floor like I did if needed. One perk

of keeping your floors clean :-) Remove original marked pins as you go.

*Sew section 1 to section 2 w/ right sides 2gether and using a 1/4" seam allowance. Matching seams  and pin/clip as desired. 

* Sew section 2 to 3 same method as above.

*Sew section 3 to 4 same method as above.

* Sew section 4 to 5 same method as above.

Now you have "officially" completed the basic design of the runner. Press and what I like to do is only pin #1 at the top so when I get ready to sew on my borders my runner is in the correct direction.

 

I hope y'all are excited 'cause next step is my border/binding technique and quilting :-) No worries it's easy...you know me...less-stress-quilting! See ya back soon!

Scrap...Crackle...Pop! "Scrap-a-long" Phase 3

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well and you're enjoying this scrap-a-long. I love a scrap design that is versatile, so I'll be sharing some smaller projects soon using the same technique. We're already in August which seems crazy for me, and some "mini scrap gifts" would be great for the Holiday's. So, keep following for small projects soon. If you're like me, you're probably ready for some "rotary cutting therapy" by now. There is nothing more rewarding than to take "scrap fabric" and rotary cut into squares. I feel rewarded re-purposing something that usually gets thrown away but not here on this "scrap-a-long!" In this phase we'll be piecing our 3 1/2" half-square triangle blocks and getting ready for phase 4 of sewing squares 2gether. This is why my "tip" of printing out the design is so useful at this stage. You can reflect on design to make sure your fabric choices are the same before rotary cutting/piecing 2gether. Thanks again for following & please share this scrap-a-long w/others. My goal is to help others with thread & fabric therapy. So, let's get scrapin'!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequilt-vine.blogspot.com

Note: If you have any q's for me, please leave in the comment section & I'll do my best to help :-)

For 3 1/2 " accent half-square triangles.

Here's all you do...

*Press your scraps first.

*Rotary cut your dark fabric to 3 7/8 square's (total of 6)

Tip: this is the same dark fabric used in previous 6" block (per design) 

Remember using scraps your fabric will stretch a bit.

*Rotary cut your medium-colored fabric to 3 7/8 squares (total of 6)

*Now using the same method in previous post for half-square triangles, make a total of 12 half-sqauare accent triangles. (per design)

Tip: I'm not a "fan" of a 7/8 cut, especially using scraps due to the stretch so I rotary cut my squares to 4" and then after the half-square triangle technique, I press and "square-up" with a ruler to a 3 1/2" block. You know me less-stress-quilting!
 

For 3 1/2 " solid accent squares...(scrappy background)

Here's all you do...

* Press your scraps...

*Rotary cut 18 of your light fabric into 3 1/2 " squares. 

*Rotary cut 24 of your medium fabric into 3 1/2" squares.

This will give you the "scrappy background" when piecing 2gether later. 

Now the fun begins...per pic below...layout your blocks

This part is "so rewarding".... step back & look at what all you achieved so far & no two blocks are the same :-)

Now you should have the following total of squares before we start sewing 2gether.

(3) 6 1/2 x 6 1/2" scrappy triangle squares

(6) 3 1/2 x 3 1/2" scrappy quarter-square triangles

(12) 3 1/2" half-square triangles

(18) 3 1/2" light fabric accent squares

(24) 3 1/2" medium fabric accent squares

You don't need to be as O.C.D as me but it does help :-)

See ya back soon for Phase 4...when we'll have some "sewing therapy" this part is exciting!