Scrap-a-long w/ Cat "2cute 2spook" Table square!

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a blessed Sunday. I was hesitant on posting the table square design due to it being so late in the month. But with this design and most of my designs you can flip it to any season just by changing the fabric. If you've noticed my designs are featuring the technique that designed, "Scap...Crackle...Pop!" I love this technique, it's very therapeutic and you're using those tiny scraps. There is no paper piecing involved and you achieve a unique design due to no 2 squares are the same. It's very addicting once you start seeing those scraps being used that sometimes you toss. I am excited to say we'll be doing some fun Fall & Christmas designs soon. But that is why I decided to share the Halloween table square. You can totally change out the Halloween fabric and use your Fall or Christmas scraps to achieve a gorgeous table square for your holiday centerpiece. Mine roughly finished out to 15 x 15 but again you can see by pic below you can easily enlarge if because I'm using the same design concept. I like to say "1 design...sew many ways!" I made the center squares the same as the "trivet" in earlier post and I just added more 3" blocks in accent fabric, added a couple more candy cane squares &.some fun Halloween fabric squares accented each corner and again did the random scrappy candy cane border. I did the crazy spider-web quilting and crazy stitch quilting in the candy corn squares with coordinating Aurifil 50 weight thread. The directions are basically the same as the "trivet" just adding more squares pieced together and just following the directional pattern of each square in design. I mostly wanted you to see how fun & easy it is to take a simple block and just do some creative accent blocks to enlarge the design. Sometimes even I get caught up on trying to be perfect but it's the simple designs that are super cute and less-stress to make. If you're like me....it's the thread & fabric that brings a design together and then accenting with some fun quilting. Due to the hurricane I'm a bit behind on projects so wasn't able to do some crazy quilting on the candy corn scrappy border but that's o.k. too. I'm slowly learning in my young old age you just need to deal with what life brings you. Anyway, give the design a try with different fabric. It's a fun design to practice piecing your squares together with matching points together too. Well, as always, I appreciate you following me and please check back soon for a design that I'm super excited about featuring Northcott fabrics. Beautiful fabrics to incorporate for Fall & Winter entertaining. Check out their website...you'll see what I'm talking about :-) I have seasonal scrap-a-longs coming in 2023 that I'm super excited about as well. Those have been super fun designing especially during Hurricane season. Helps keeps me focused. Well, have a great week and check back soon. This gal is excited about Fall :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Scrap-a-long w/ Cat..."2cute 2spook Trivet" Phase 2 & finishing!

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going great. We're finally having sunny days and no rain. Due to the coolish weather the humidity is much better and those of you with arthritis like me know how happy that makes me! Gosh,,,it stinks getting old, but we have to keep going and somehow keep doing what we love. Baby steps but that's why I designed..."threadnfabrictherapy!" Every day is a journey when you're in pain for whatever reason but sometimes it helps to have a "therapeutic out." For me...it's always been designing and with my limitations now it's been a relief to design quilts and share what I love...hoping to help others along the way. Well....the trivet will be completed in this phase but remember with my designs you can always change up the fabric in the design for any Holiday. I love how Aurifil thread complimented the fabric design with the candy corn squares & my crazy spider-web quilting. I'm not a "spooky" Halloween person...never did like haunted houses as a child and definitely not as an adult. My grandson laughs and tells me that it's not real Gege...I just laugh, what I don't want to tell him is that your Gege will have nightmares for weeks. Ha! Anyway, keep following 'cause I have a really fun fall design coming soon that is so easy and super scrap friendly. Now let's get started on finishing this trivet for your holiday entertaining. 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Instagram @ ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Here's all you do...

* Press your accent fabric ( I used black Fairy Frost by Michael Miller) 

* Rotary Cut your border fabric strips and sew as follows...

  (1) Rotary cut 2 strips 1 x 6.5 and sew w/ right sides 2gether to top/bottom of block using a 1/4 " seam allowance. Finger press as you go.

   (2) Rotary cut 2 strips 1 x 7.5 and sew w/ right sides 2gether to left/right side with a 1/4" seam allowance. Finger press as you go and square up if needed. Iron before adding scrapping borders in next step

Tip: at this stage your block should roughly be 7.5 x 7.5. This is where you could skip the scrappy border and just do another sold strip if desired but would love for you to try it...super fun! 

Advanced scrappy border...

* Randomly piece your scraps in the candy corn fashion using a 1/8 in seam allowance (less bulk) & finger press as you go.

Tip...I roughly do my strips a bit longer then needed then square up as I sew...do what's easier for you.

* Now press your strip and rotary cut to a 1 1/4" inch width This includes a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Due to the "stretch" sewing scraps together this is what I recommend...I rotary cut my strips a bit longer than the size of block as I go....this is why I'm not stating exact strips measurements. Fabric will stretch along the way using scraps so just square up as you sew for less-stress quilting ;-)

*Sew top border to square with right sides together and press/square up.

* Repeat step for bottom and then left and right sides.

Again...if you omit this step just add a 3/4" border with coordinating scrap fabric.

Border/Binding strips...

Rotary cut your strips as follows...

2 strips 2 x 9 and sew to top/bottom of block with rides sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance.

2 strips 2 x 11.5 to left/ride side in same fashion....press and square up if needed

Tip...do not worry about your border being wider then backing due to this is where you will later do my border/binding technique (fold back)

* Rotary cut batting and tear-away stabilizer to roughly 9.5 x 9.5

* With block (right side facing down) Layer block...batting then stabilizer. 

* Pin in place and quilt as desired. I did my crazy-spider-web quilting which is so easy...no precise web quilting...I just drew a diagonal line from center of triangle to outside and pivoted a half circle as I sewed. Mimicking a spider web. You can do a precise web design if desired, but this was a fun way to achieve the same concept. You can use a wipe away pencil to mark your design first to follow along while sewing. It's your design just have fun! 

Repeat for all purple half-square triangles.

Carefully tear-away stabilizer when finished.

* Rotary cut your backing and insul-bright to 9.5 x 9.5 and layer as follows.

* Back fabric w/ right side down

* Insul-bright

* Block facing w/ right side up 

Fold borders over in this method....first top/bottom then left/right using steps below.

* Fold border over to back side leaving a 1/4 seam allowance on front.

* Fold over again and tuck in to make a finished seam on back side of block. Pin or clip to secure.

* Top stitch on front of block to secure the binding on back side. (less-stress-quilting)

Tip...I do this for all my projects unless I plan on it being "judged" then I would do a traditional method.

Once you have achieved this step then you can "crazy-quilt" around the candy corns & border or quilt as desired. 

You now have a unique trivet for your Holiday entertaining. Using the insul-bright insulated lining you'll be able to set a hot or cold item on your trivet. If you get a spill and need to wash, I would just "spot clean" and "air dry". Hope you enjoyed this fun project and check back soon for my fun fall designs. 

Have a great Halloween!

Cat

 

Scrap-a-long w/ Cat..."2cute 2spook Trivet" Phase 1

Hey quilter's...hope all has been going well. We're slowly getting things going again after the hurricane. I don't want to complain because we're only doing minor repairs and I can't even imagine what others are dealing with every day. I've been out of my routine dealing with things and excited to finally get to share the trivet design for the holidays. One good thing about how I design is you can use the same design concept and just change out the fabric per decor...#onedesignsewmanyways! This concept might come in handy due to the late posting of Halloween decor. But it's so easy so I believe you still have time to make this fun 2cute 2spook 9x9 trivet for Halloween. The design is using my "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique with an advanced "scrappy border." If you're short on time you can totally omit the advanced border and replace with an accent scrap piece of fabric. But I would like to challenge you if you haven't already tried a scrappy border. The technique is sew much fun and you use up a lot of those tiny scraps! That's a win for me...I hate to waste fabric :-) Just like the "mug mat" you'll be doing the same techniques, but I did some crazy accent quilting to enhance the design & fabrics. Anyway, I hope we have no more hurricanes this year. It's frustrating packing up things...aka "sewing room" cause you never know what mother nature is going to bring. Believe me...this one was a shocker for this "Texas gal." Well...let's get started on some Halloween fun!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Here's all you need...

*Halloween scraps w/ coordinating Aurifil thread ( I used 50# 2692, 2582, 2235, 2134)

* Sulky light-weight tear easy stabilizer

* Insul-Bright (by the Warm Company)

* Cotton batting

Here's all you do...

* You will be doing the same "Scrap....Crackle...Pop!" technique on blog post (8-9-22) but using your Halloween scraps. 

* I scraped pieced my fabrics in the "candy corn fashion" then pressed and squared up. 

Tip...to make this step a bit easier....I also color coordinated my scraps in piles to make this step faster. 

Again....randomly sewing scraps in the "candy corn fashion"

Once you have made your squares...lay them in the pinwheel design and rotate your scrappy candy corn squares per design. 

Sew blocks 2gether in the same fashion as posted on (8-9-22)

Press & square up to a 6.5 x 6.5 block

See ya back soon for Phase 2 :-)

Scrap-a-long w/Cat..."2cute 2spook Mug Mat" Phase 2 & finishing!

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going great. We're preparing for the beast here in Florida. Please pray for everyone during this season. I've lived my majority of life in Texas and have to say I can't wait to get back. Dealing with the possibility of a Hurricane is nerve wracking and I've realized it's definitely not for me. We moved here from Texas 2 yrs. ago to help my mom-in-law and now she can come with us when we find a home again in Texas. Plus, I don't do well being away from my family. I don't mind flying but it's great to just load up the car and go! I'm so thankful for this "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique, it really helps with anxiety taking your mind off what's happening. I'm preparing for the worst due to our location, but I've got my "doodling sketchbook" ready to work on next years "scrap-a-long." That sounds weird just saying next year but we're almost there, Holidays are fast approaching. Oh, and before I forget, if you see a "lull" in my posting that means I'm somewhere hunkered down and praying! So don't let this Hurricane slow down your project. Most of my designs are easy for you to put your own spin on them to finish. I always say...I start the creativity flow then put your own spin on it if needed. My next project will be the "Scrappy Spook-tacular Hot Pad/Trivet for Entertaining." I love placing food on a hot pad/trivet that I've made, just adding that personal touch to the table plus it makes a great gift! So, let's get this fun project finished so we can get on to the next one before the beast shuts down my "quilting." Thank God for #threadnfibertherapy! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Featured on www.auribuzz.com "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!"

Here's all you do...

* Rotary cut your batting & tear-away stabilizer to 3.5 x 3.5

* Layer as follows to prepare for your "Crazy-Spider-Web-Quilting" You can do a traditional spider web if desired, but I love how this is more "free-form" and a bit "spooky" :-)

* Square wrong side facing you, batting & tear-away stabilizer.

*Secure as desired...I pinned at this stage around square to secure layers in place while quilting.

* On your "solid triangle" draw a diagonal line to help start your web. Then just "free form" your lines while quilting doing an off-set design. I used coordinating 50 weight Aurifil thread # 2582 (purple) & 2692 (black) for the outline quilting. No wrong or right here just have fun! That's why I love this technique because I don't need a perfect curve for the web...#less-stress-quilting!

Tip...I do outline my block first "stitch in the ditch" to secure before quilting. :-)

* Quilt block as desired then "carefully tear-away" your stabilizer. It will look a little wonky at this point :-)

* Now rotary cut your back fabric to 3.5 x 3.5

* Rotary cut your Insul-bright to 3 1/4 x 3 1/4. I cut a bit smaller for less bulk on edge of square when finishing, 

* Layer as follows...your wrong side facing you, insul-bright then back fabric (right side facing up/you)

*You will then fold over your binding about a 1/4 inch to back side then tuck in to form your closed binding on the back side of square. If you follow my projects, I do my "border/binding" technique on just about all projects unless it goes for a "judging" then I would get a bit more "professional" :-)

*Start at top then bottom then left and right side...clip or pin * "finger press" as you go.

*Flip over and now you're ready to quilt in the ditch on the front side to secure your binding. 

#less-stress-quilting!

Tip...I start in middle on side border seam. Less bulk then starting at the edge. Then I remove the clips as I go & "pivot" at the corners. (raise presser foot/turn block/lower presser foot & continue sewing) Less stress when quilting in the ditch & easier for you as well. 

As you can see with my finished "Spook-tacular mug mat" I left my quilting simple. I liked how my "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique showed the different layers of the fabric in each square so I only did the "crazy-spider-web-quilting." I just love how this technique shows how each square is never the same without the fuss! Remember...it's your project so let your creativity flow! I can recommend Aurifil 50 weight # 2235 (orange) if you decide to quilt the "candy corns." Each project will get a little more advanced, learning new techniques as we go. The hot pad/trivet will have an advanced scrappy border plus more accent quilting w/ Aurifil thread. So, check back soon for our next "scrappy-spook-tacular-scrap-a-long!" 

Thanks for following and please continue to pray for everyone during this Hurricane season. 

Scrap-a-long w/Cat..."2cute 2spook Mug Mat! Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well. It's been crazy lately in my "quilting world" the last few weeks. I had a allergic reaction to new meds & now embracing a Hurricane. Oh, my goodness...my prayers are with everyone that is going through this Hurricane season. You just never know & the best advice is to be "over prepared" & have hands on projects to keep you calm. This is the time to practice your "quilt doodling." Trust me...great way to calm the nerves. :-) Well, as promised we're going to have some quilting fun with smaller projects using the same "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!" technique. I'm obsessed with this technique. You get a different square/block every time plus no paper-piecing! Koodos to everyone that paper-pieces but I'm a bit impatient and I love how my technique still gives you that "unique" design without the fuss. In this "2cute 2spook" scrap-a-long series we'll be making a 3.5 x 3.5 mug mat, hot pad for entertaining and a table square. We'll be using the same technique and using up those Halloween scraps & doing "crazy spider-web-quilting." Such a fun project and great gift as well. If you notice from my previous design "table runner" we're just changing the fabric using this same fun technique. Oh yes...my favorite Halloween candy just might be "candy corn" :-) So, grab your "spooky scraps" & coordinating Aurifil thread & let's have a "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long" 2gether!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

Featured on www.auribuzz.com "Scrap...Crackle...Pop!"

Here's all you need...

*Spooky scraps

*Coordinating Aurifil thread ( I used 50 weight #2692, 2583, 2235)

*Batting

*Sulky tear-away Stabilizer

*Insul-bright (needle insulated lining hot/cold)

Here's all you do...

*Sew your scraps 2gether in a "candy corn" fashion. I use a 1/8" seam when piecing for less bulk due to the tiny nature of this cute little block :-)

*Using my "Olfa Mat spinning technique" square up to a 2.5 x 2.5 square.

* Now "rotary cut" a solid block 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 and draw a diagonal line across each side of your Fons & Porter 1/4" seam ruler.

*Place your squares "right sides 2gether" and sew on the mark lines.

*Rotary cut down the middle and press open to the solid side. 

*This will give you 2 blocks...repeat step to make 4 scrappy blocks.

*Layout squares in the "pinwheel" fashion (see pic)

*Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance top 2 (right sides 2gether) finger press open

*Then bottom 2 (right sides 2gether) finger press open

*Then sew top to bottom, carefully matching center seam. Press and square up if needed. 

*You will have the cutiest...spookiest  3 1/2 x 3 1/2 block :-) 

*Now rotary cut your border/binding strips as follows...

1 1/2 x 3 1/2 (Top/bottom) side

1 1/2 x 5 1/2 ( Left/Right) side

Oh yes...just noticed I flipped block wrong when taking pic :-( it happens!

Anyway! Sew using a 1/4" seam and right sides 2gether your top/bottom strips to square.

Press & square up if needed.

Now sew using same method your left/.right strips to square.

Well, you did it! Next phase will be "crazy spider-web quilting" and finishing your unique one-of-a-kind spook-tacular mug mat! Check back soon & thanks for following!

Please continue to pray for everyone this hurricane season. Cat

     

Happy Labor Day....aka "Quilting day!"

 Hey quilter's.... hope your weekend is going great. Well, the humor below says it all...."Labor Day starts quilting season." Honestly, I love it although that cracks me up and any quilter probably is thinking the same. I could not wait to "Labor Day" to start quilting. None of my projects would get finished plus I'd go nuts. As I've mentioned before it's "thread n fabric therapy" for me! If I'm not stitching with Aurifil thread or coming up with a new pattern in EQ8 then I'm not happy. Quilting is my therapy being away from my family especially during the holidays. If I'm creating something for them, it makes me feel like we're together while away. I know corny. But it helps. Also, if you have pain issues like me focusing on what brings you joy sure does help! So, this Labor Day weekend I'm wishing everyone a fun...safe & fabulous quilting weekend! If you have kiddos teach them to quilt this long weekend. I have previous post that are great fun & easy projects for kiddos. Most of all take time to do whatever you love. But remember...check back early next week for my "Spook-tacular Scrap-a-long!" Follow me on Instagram for updates of what's happening in my "quilting world" :-)

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

Follow on Facebook, Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

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

Follow on Facebook...Pinterest & Instagram @ihearditthroughthequiltvine

www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com