Cats Tip of the Day!..."Audition those Scraps W/ Aurifil thread!"

 Hey quilters....hope your "mid-week" is going well. I wanted to share one of the "advanced tips" of the Scrap-a-long design, a "Rose for Mom." As you can see with previous post/design you can definitely use a few scrap hues and make it simple especially for a new quilter. But I love to challenge myself within a design. I guess it's the "Interior designer" coming out or maybe I like to live on the edge a bit. Ha! But when I saw the charm pack of "Pebbles & Daisies" by Banyan Batiks for Northcott fabrics I knew it had to be "scrappy." All the color hues of the stunning batiks inspired me & have to say challenged me. This is why I wanted to share this tip. I love to "audition my scraps."...I lay them out.... switch them around.... step back...most likely change again (My O.C.D) :-) Only Cat does! But this step is great cause sometimes you might have 2 hues that are similar and can make or break your design. I wanted to use as many pieces of that pack as possible. The more scraps I use the more Aurifil thread I can accent my design with...win...win for me! I may have got a bit crazy, but I do love all the color hues. It did challenge me and you don't have to use as many scrap pieces like me but do challenge yourself. I especially love to step out of my comfort zone in small projects. Trying new techniques on a small scale is less stressful and you know me I'm all about "less-stress-quilting" ;-) Well, Phase 1 starts tomorrow so grab your scraps & aurifil thread & lets "a-play-que" 2gether this spring. Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"Cats "Spring Scrapin' a-play-que Series" Sneak peek!

 Hey quilter's....hope you had a great weekend. I wanted to start off our Monday with a "sneak peek" of this week "scrap-a-long." This design is very dear to me. My mom-in-law recently passed and she was an exceptional quilter. Her detail with her perfect points always impressed me. She believed in buying great quality threads and fabrics. Mom won many awards with her quilts & she loved helping others new to the "quilt world." Yes, she was also a fan of Aurifil thread & Batiks. She once told me why would you spend all that time on a project and not use quality thread and fabric. Needless to say, I have spent the last two weeks donating her fabrics and notions to our quilt club. Her legacy will continue with all the projects they will make to help others. Mom loved roses. So, the design below is a tribute to her love of "pink roses". It's my modern spin on a rose using the "orange peel template" that I recently received from Missouri Star Quilt co. I will be using my fav of "Pebbles & Daisies by Banyan Batiks for Northcott fabrics, but you can see any fabric scraps will work! I'll be showing my "advanced technique" featuring 50 weight  Aurifil thread and designs from a trivet...table runner & pillow. Design easily can be enlarged for a lap quilt or any size. Endless quilt-possibilities with this fun scrap-a-long! You still have time to purchase the sweet "mini peel template" by Missouri Star Quilt Co or the Pebbles & Daisies fabric. I'll be starting the "scrap-a-long" mid-week but you sure can join in anytime! Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Design...."A Rose for Mom" 13 x 33 

Cats Tip of the Day!..."Why I love Aurifil Thread!"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I was recently ask why I'm I love Aurifil thread. I laughed and said, "how much time do you have?" I've always been a fan of Aurifil thread but a few years ago I became obsessed. I few years I took on a large project for our sweet towns Museum of "Stain Glass Windows" out of Batik fabrics & appliqued with Aurifil thread. I designed the pattern at the time in EQ7 for accuracy. Now I use EQ8 but that's another story :-) Well each individual piece of the stain glass design was appliqued with "Aurifil 50# thread" with no thread breakage. Yes...that's right....I designed 3 windows (one below of the Texas rose) and not once did I have a thread breakage or any kind of a thread "hick-up." This was a huge project of me & Aurifil thread made it a breeze with no stress. I preach on my techniques of "less-stress-quilting" with my "Scrap-a-longs" & this project started it all for me! The quality of Aurifil thread is beyond amazing plus you have so many color hues & weight threads to compliment any craft or quilting project. The term "endless possibilities" is definitely used to describe "Aurifil thread."  I hope you try Aurifil thread if you're not already addicted like me! 

Here's a tip...if you're not sure of what "thread hue" to use cause you have so many choices....purchase a smaller spool to "audition" your thread with your fabric. I recently ordered "2615" it's a very neutral color that I love while piecing my "scraps" together. Plus ordering small threads spools allows you to purchase more color hues especially if your just new to the wonderful world of quilting :-) I have a link at the upper right of my blog to Aurifil  & Missouri Star Quilt co where you can purchase this great thread. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Tip of the Day.!..."Budget-Friendly Quilting!"

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is off to a great start. Well this week I'll be starting my "Spring-a-play-que" series using this stunning collection of "Pebbles & Daisies" by Banyan Batiks for Northcott fabrics. My series are "scrap-a-longs" but if you're new to the quilting world you may not have a lot of scraps especially in these stunning fabric hues. So, I wanted to share a "budget-friendly" quilting tip with y'all. In this pack of "Pebbles & Daisies" you get 42-5" squares of this stunning collection that allows you to have 2 of each fabric sku. Oh my goodness! With my "scrap-a-long" you don't need to purchase tons of yardage unless you absolutely want too ;-) Trust me...you probably will especially if you do the advanced designs. But that is why I love "Missouri Star Quilt company... "Sew much fabric to choose from at a great price. I do have to mention.... once you start "scrappin" with me you can't go back :-) We'll have so much fun and before you know it you'll have more tiny "scraps" for our next project 2gether. So pop on over to their website & grab your bundle of this stunning collection for this weeks scrap-a-long. You can click on their website at the top right corner of my blog under "sites I love" for convenience. Y'all know me by now....less-stress-quilting and I love a great bargain to share! Talk Soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Easter Blessings & "Rabbit in a hole for Breakfast"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going great. If y'all know me by now I love quilting & cooking. My tips are a bit easier these days but that's o.k. too. For me...it's all about sharing and making memories rather it be quilting or cooking. If you've been following my cooking blog you know I've been working on a recipe cookbook with my sweet Grandson Davin. He's only 12 and wanted my recipes for when he goes off to college. Be still my heart! Well in our family "egg in a hole" is a tradition. We also love using "cookie cutters' every Holiday and make "Cinnamon Toast." Honestly, no matter your age this is such a fun Easter breakfast to make. I hope y'all pop on over to my cooking blog and try this fun recipe with your loved ones. I wish y'all a Blessed Easter weekend! Keep following for my fun "Spring-Scrap-a-long." Previous post shows the sweet "orange peel template" we'll be using :-) Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Tip of the Day!..."Why I love Batiks"

Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great week. I was recently asked "why I love Batiks/" Oh my goodness...where do I begin. First of all Batiks are handmade, so you get a different design & texture throughout the fabric. The colors are just stunning incorporated into a design/pattern. I love blending Batiks with solids to give an interesting design in my 'scrap-a-longs." So, here's the funny.... sometimes when your piecing fabric squares 2gether and you go "shoot...I just sewed a wrong side of fabric together." Well at least for me it happens. :-) Piecing with Batiks you no longer need to worry about a 'mishap." Batik fabrics have no "wrong side." Yes...if you haven't already experienced the love of Batiks check them out. You will be amazed not only of the quality but the fact it's fabric dye is on both side of the fabric. Absolutely amazing! The pic below shows just a few of my "Batik love" with Banyan Batiks by Northcott fabrics. I'm obsessed with the collection "Pebbles & Daisies." So much in fact this is a "sneak peek" of what I will be using on my "Spring -Scrap-a-long" starting next week. I just received my "Pebbles & Daisies" 5 x5 Chip Pack. It contains 42 pieces (21 design selections) that I'll be using a long with my scraps of this stunning collection. If you peek at the picture you will also see the sweet "Mini Orange Peel" template by Missouri Star Quilt co. that I'll be using in the design/pattern. This orange peel template is perfect for my 2 1/2 in blocks that we'll be doing! I'm also to mention that I'm a part of the Influencer Program with Missouri Star Quilt co. They are a family-based business with excellent customer service and need to say great sales every day! So whatever your quilting/sewing/crafting needs are please check them out. You can click on my link below to go directly to their website if you wish. I do get a "kickback" going through my link which allows me to get some of the items needed for these fun "scrap-a-longs." Or go to their website listed below. I love to share the joy of quilting with others. My designs/patterns are geared towards the beginner quilter with advanced techniques along the way. So, check these stunning fabrics & check back soon for my exciting "Spring-Scrap-a-long." Talk soon!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Crazy 1/2 sq. Triangles "Easter Trivet" Phase 2

 Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is off to a great start. Well as promised "Phase 2" of our fun Trivet scrap-a-long is here! I had so much fun with this trivet that I'm going to make a few more as gifts. Just change the fabric for any seasonal decor :-) I also would love if you try the advanced "basket-weave-border." Instructions are for both beginner and advanced techniques. I love to try something new especially if it's on a "small scale." Sometimes larger projects can be a bit intimidating when trying new techniques. This small but fun project will give you the chance to step out of your "quilting zone." It did me anyway. If you follow me on Instagram you will see that the cute carrot inspired the "basket-weave-border." I thought.."you can't have a trivet w/out a basket design." I know it's my O.C.D "only Cat does" My trivet is not perfect but have to say it was a lot of fun learning a new technique. I hope you enjoy this "scrap-a-long" & keep following for another "Spring-Scap-a-long" soon! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Pic above is where Phase 1 stopped...

* Now you can decide on which border....standard or advanced.

Standard border instructions...

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2 x 5 1/4 for Top/Bottom of center block and sew with a 1/4 seam....right sides 2gether....press & square up if needed.

* Rotary cut 2 strips 2 x 8 for Left/right sides and sew as above.

* Proceed to Border/Binding.

Advanced basket-weave w/cornerstones instructions...

* Rotary cut 4 strips of your accent fabric 2 x 5 1/4 for Top/Botton of block

* Now using your accent fabric for "basket weave"...rotary cut 1' strips.

* Finger press a 1/4" fold to the wrong side of fabric strip...finger press then iron making a 1/2" strip.

Note: Depending on the length of your scraps repeat this step a long the way as you continue piecing your basket weave.

* Follow design "criss-cross" your strips on scrap piece of 2 x 5 1/4 strip.

* Use fabric glue to tack in place if desired.

* Sew a seam on sides to secure in place (see pic)

Tip....I used a 1/8 seam allowance, so my thread didn't show when sewing sides to center block.

Note these 2 pics are reversed :-(  Pic above is what border looks like once sewn/trimmed :-)

* Trim your basket-weave sides even with border strip.

* Now sew with right sides 2gether the top/bottom strip to center block using a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Press

* Your block should now look like pic below...or similar...remember "less-stress-quilting" :-)

Left/Right Border...

* With your "accent fabric scraps"...Rotary cut 4 cornerstones (squares) 2 x 2 1/4 

Tip....it's best to press your scrap fabric before you rotary cut these squares. Helps w/ piecing 2gether.

* Now Rotary cut 2 "accent fabric scraps" 2 x 5 for left/right borders.

* With right sides together...using a 1/4" seam allowance...sew your cornerstones to your 2 x5 border strip @ each end (see pic)

* Press seams. Repeat steps for left/right border strips.

*Now with right sides 2gether...using a 1/4" seam allowance...sew your border strips to right side of center block, carefully matching seams. Press seams away from center :-)

Tip...I line seams 2gether first...do a small stitch length to secure then sew a quarter inch seam allowancing when sewing sides to center block especially when using "cornerstones" :-)

Remember...less-less-stress quilting!

* Repeat steps for Left side & press block

* Your block will look similar to pic below :-)...roughly 7 3/4 x 7 3/4

Border/Binding...

* Press accent scraps & rotary cut strips...following these steps...

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 8 for Top/bottom of block.

* Sew border strips using a 1/4" seam allowance w/ right sides 2gether to Top/Bottom of block. 

* Press seams out (away from block)

* Rotary cut 2 strips 1 1/2 x 10 for Left/Right border.

* Sew as above.

Rotary cut your backing fabric...insulbright and batting 8 x 8

* Lay block w/ right side facing down

* Then low-loft batting

* Then Insulbright

* Now Backing fabric with "right side facing you"

* Top/Bottom 1/4" binding...

* Fold border to back of block a 1/4 " binding on front of block. 

* Fold/ tuck in again to secure binding on back. Leaving no raw edge. Clip or pin to secure

Note...remove pin that you used to mark "top" of block before quilting :-) 

* Top stitch or stitch in the ditch on front of block to secure binding.

Tip...no worries if you don't catch seams on back. Fabric glue works wonderfully :-)

Remember...less-stress-quilting!

* Repeat steps above for bottom binding then Left/right binding.

* This will give you a 1/4" binding strip on your block w/out the stress :-)

Block finished size is "roughly" 8 x 8 .... remember no stress ;-)

* I quilted in the ditch around center square only due to using "insulbright" when making a Trivet. It

sometimes gets a bit "puffy" with the layers when quilting.

* Quilt your block as desired. 

I love the fabric that I used for the backing. Its Plaster of Paris for Frond design studios by Stephanie Brandenburg for Northcott Fabrics. It complimented my Aurifil thread hues perfectly!

I hope you enjoyed this sweet Trivet "Scrap-a-long" You can easily enlarge this design just follow the instructions & adjust  per your desired square. Sew many blocks 2gether for a fun-sweet table runner. Change the fabric for any decorative season. Endless Possibilites. Just remember to have fun!

Keep following for another "Scrap-a-long" soon!

Thanks for following & Blessed Quilting, Cat