Cats Tip of the Day!..."Wool Pressing Mat is the key to Success"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are enjoying an "extra day of quilting" this month. I wanted to share this tip that saved me when pressing half-square triangles. As y'all know by now I love HST's. They are so versatile in a design plus scrap-friendly. But we all know sometimes when pressing HST's can shift. I love my felted wool pressing mat by "the Gypsy quilter." I have a large one and now 8 1/2" sq. that I keep beside my machine when piecing. The density of the high-quality 100% felted wool mat localizes heat to the seams and stitches...pressing both sides at once. Also, the texture of the wool stops fabrics from shifting so there is no distortion when pressing. I'm telling y'all...this has been a game changer for me :-) They have so many sizes to choose from plus you can save 15% with my link (upper right on home page) from Missouri Star Quilt co. I will say they would make a super sweet gift to for any quilter or crafter. I hope y'all enjoy this extra day by doing what you love. I have a lot to share for the month of March with you. Thanks so much for following and stay warm!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Cats Tip of the Day!..."You're Snow Special...a-play-que & finishing"

 Hey quilter's...hope all is going well with you. It's been a bit crazy this last week in my world. A week ago, we went out for breakfast which is a treat then pet store. Sounds like a simple morning...right? No...I've been recovering from the flu all week. I'm minding my own business playing with the cats that need to be adopted and this woman walks by and "sneezes" so hard the cats jumped. First, I thought...these poor cats are breathing that for the rest of the day not even thinking of myself. I finished playing with the cats...paid...left didn't think anything until that night when started having a fever. I was so mad...who has time to be sick. I'm such a dork that I was wondering if the cats got sick too. Lord help me. Needless to say, I've gotten caught up with all the fun tutorials from Missouri Star Quilt co. Now to get back on track and a-play-que'ng these snowflakes. Y'all might have given up on me and finished the runner already which is great. One reason my scrap-a-longs are pretty simple so you can continue at your own pace. I did want to share this tip if you find the a-play-que'ng difficult. I don't want you to get discouraged because it's really a fun way to enhance your designs. I set my stitch length to a very tiny length which allows easier pivoting especially when you have a design like the snowflake. Machines can be different so test what length works best with your machine. I recommend a straight stitch when you do have a lot of pivoting. I love raw edge a-play-que. Depending on the design you have the opportunity to really play with your decorative stitches and give your design a custom look. We have some fun projects for March, and you'll have many chances to play with your decorative stitches on your machine. I'll walk you through Phase 2 so I don't slow you up ;-) I'll be doing mine a little at a time until my head stops spinning. Don't forget if you need supplies my link will save you 15% from Missouri Star Quilt Co. (upper right on home page). Y'all thanks so much for following & please take care!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours, 

Cat

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* Once you have finished your "a-play-que'ng" of Snowflakes...carefully remove your stabilizer.

* Following design...sew your 4 patch snowflakes 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Sew your blocks per design with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Rotary cut your backing and batting to your runner size.

* Border/Binding...

* For 1/2" border stips...I measure the top/bottom add 2 inches to the finished width and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance on front then do a folded wrap to the back and top stitch on front to secure. 

* Then do the same for the left/right side.

* You will layer your backing fabric with right side down...then batting...runner facing up.

* Fold your edge to the back leaving a 1/2" border on front. Fold in half on back to secure. Top stitch on front to secure with coordinating thread.

Everybody has their preferred method so do what's easier for you. This snowflake runner is pretty simple but cute and you can even shorten the design to 3 squares too.

Quilting around the snowflakes would be a fun way to accent the design too. I plan on doing the same once my life get caught up ;-)

Take care!

Embroidery 101: Hand Embroidery Basics for Beginners

Hey quilter's...hope your weekend is going great. In leu of National Embroidery Month had to share Natalie's tutorial with y'all. Natalie has a complete series of tutorials to learn this awesome technique. I love to personalize gifts...home decor.or embellish anything with that personal touch on any item Follow Natalies series on Missouri Star Quilt co. and if you need supplies my link (upper right on home page) will save you 15%. I'm having a blast catching up on techniques and will be sharing some design too. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

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Cats "You're Snow Special" table runner! Phase 1

 Hey quilters...well it's Wednesday & wanted to share a fun design to get you excited for the weekend. I know some of us are going to have some yucky weather this weekend. When the weather is bad, I especially love to have a fun project to do. Not only is this runner fun but it's super easy & it's a cute decor to leave out for several months. This year you could display from Christmas to now. I watch the weather every morning and this has been the craziest winter that I can remember anyway. I know a lot of you might be saying why Snowflakes? Well...remember I promised "Quilt-Mas Cheer all Year?" I will admit this design is dear to my heart. My daughter 'mentioned" last year that she wished some of her decor could stay out past Christmas. Well, if you know me by now my brain started spinning. We both collect Santas but also love Snowmen because they carry into the winter months. When Missouri Star Quilt Co. showcase these stunning Snowflake templates I knew where my "design mind" was going. She has teal accents throughout her home so I knew the Moda Ombre flurries would be perfect. I wanted to do a bit of a modern spin on the runner but still keep it simple. You could totally omit a few of the smaller snowflakes and just "stagger 2" within the 4 patch if desired. It's all fused and "raw edge appliqued." which makes this beginner friendly too. I'm having a blast with the simplicity of the design. She's pretty simple when it comes to decorating but still loves a classic design. This will be a Christmas gift for this year & super excited it will be done ahead of time :-) The winter season is always a blast in Texas especially if you get a few "snowflakes." So, what better way than to name this runner..."You're Snow Special" after my sweet daughter. I hope you enjoy making this runner & if you need the templates, fabric or supplies my affiliate link will save you 15% at checkout. Thanks so much for following & stay warm!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Runner is 11 x 51

Here's all you need...

* Snowflake Templates from Missouri Star Quilt co.

* 3/4 yard each of Moda Ombre Flurries Metallic Snowflake in Turquoise & Platinum

* 1 yard of Maywood Studio Solitaire Whites-ultra-white-snow (for snowflakes/ extra can be used for binding or scrap piece the back if desired)

* 1 pkg. heatnbond Lite Iron on adhesive)

* Sulky Tear-Easy lightweight Stabilizer

* MSQC white 50# thread

* Aurifil 50 weight # 2615

* Pkg. light weight batting

Here's all you do...

* Per design...rotary cut (3)...10.5 x 10.5 squares from Ombre Metallic fabric 

* Rotary cut (4) 5.5 x 5.5 squares from each Metallic fabric & Turquoise fabric

* Rotary cut (3) 9 1/4 x 9 1/4 squares from white snowflake fabric

* Rotary cut (8) 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 squares from white snowflake fabric

* Following manufactures directions fuse heatnbond lite to each of the white snowflake fabric sq's.

* On paper side of the white squares trace around the large snowflake template on the 3 lrg squares & the small snowflake template on the 8 small white squares.

* Carefully cut around the snowflakes & fuse to the "right side" of the fabrics following design.

Tip...I use a pressing sheet to protect my iron & "staggered" my snowflakes within the 4 patch so it wasn't so perfect :-) Yes, my O.C.D. was killing me but I do like the feel of the snow "falling." 

* Place light-weight stabilizer behind the squares and a-play-que each snowflake as desired.

Tip...I used a small stitch length around the snowflakes for easier pivoting.

Have fun & check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Triple Play: How to Make 3 NEW Pinwheel Quilts - Free Quilting Tutorial

Hey quilter's...can our weekend get any better? I had to share this tutorial just in case you missed it. The lovely ladies did it again! I hope you enjoy this tutorial and wishing everyone a great sewing/quilting weekend. My link upper right on blog will save you 15% at checkout on most products from Missouri Star Quilt co. I'll be sharing a fun design real soon too! Thanks so much for following and talk soon.

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Embroidery 101: Hand Embroidery Basics for Beginners

Hey quilter's...it's National Embroidery Month & what better way to celebrate than learning w/Natalie from Missouri Star Quilt Co. She's awesome & tutorials are great if your new to embroidery. The kit is perfect for a beginner. I'm excited to get back to something that I love and learned as a child. Yes...was taught in "school"...home ec! I'll be sharing soon one of my designs too in her honor. Natalie's tutorial brought back sew many memories and I definitely needed a "refresh" on techniques too. Embroidery is a great technique for kiddos too! Can you imagine all the "garments" they can create that would be one of a kind! Come join the fun & don't forget my discount link too :-)

Blessed Quilting,

Cat

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Havin' a Gnome-ful Year!..."Irish Gnome"

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great & the weather is being kind to you. This has been the craziest weather...one day heat is on...next we're cranking on the a/c. I never thought Florida would be like Texas :-) I know tomorrow is Valentine's day but I wanted to get y'all started on my New Best Friend...oh my gosh...he's  so stinkin' cute!!! Plus he reminds me of my dear dad. I know he's cracking up in heaven. I actually highlighted the "beard" w/ Aurifil thread. So easy to do...don't let that intimidate you. Mines not perfect but it just adds that extra touch to the design. I have a tip for that in the instructions. I do want to mention I'm always preaching "Less-stress-quilting" so if you're not ready to piece this design please refer to the "Valentine Gnome" instructions. You can totally do a solid strip of fabric verses cutting the charm pack into squares. I just like to challenge myself and you and that is why I started out pretty simple. I love the charm pack (Karat Gems) Emerald Forest by Wilmington Fabrics. You get 42...5" squares of the prettiest fabrics to compliment your "Irish Gnome." Please try the charm pack technique. It's super easy. Trust me..y'all know me with my back situation I will not be showing something difficult. We need to keep doing what we love...just in moderation. But I will say...this Irish Gnome may be simple but he's the cutest Gnome in my book! If you haven't already ordered him from Missouri Star Quilt Co. don't forget to click on my link (upper right on home page) so you can save 15% at checkout. I love a savings...don't y'all? :-) Here's a helpful hint...when you "replace your pillow wraps" store them neatly. Thanks so much for following and let's have a "Gnome-ful Year 2gether!" Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Note...Remember to adjust for your pillow size :-) Supplies can be found on MSQC website.

Here's all you need...

* Irish Gnome pattern by "The Whole Country Caboodle"

* One "Karat Gems" Emerald Forest by Wilmington Fabrics

* Scrap fabric for backing (see pic of Fairy Frost by Michael Miller Fabrics compliment perfectly)

* Light weight batting if you quilt...I did not :-)

* Sulky light-weight tear-away stabilizer

* Missouri Star 50# thread...Teal

* Aurifil 50# thread...2692...2235...4150 (variegated)

* No sew Velcro dots

Tip...I fully recommend a small pair of scissors for trimming...I love my "gingher"

Here's all you do...

* Following the instructions on pattern...carefully cut apart the pattern pieces. 

I use my small gingher scissors and snip on the wrong side. You can see it better :-) 

* Lay design out and set aside.

* Rotary cut each 5" square into 3.5 x 5" strips Set the 1.5" strips aside :-)

* Lay out your squares to your liking. I did two rows of 8 squares to make my desired length of 37"

* Now "stagger" the 1.5" strips on each side of the squares. This is where you can have fun :-)

* Once you've achieved your desired layout...find your "center" where you Gnome will be.

* Sew those with right sides together using a 1/4" seam allowance. I used MSQC teal for piecing 2gether.

* Finger Press as you go then iron.

Tip...I stitched a row of 3 then fused my "Irish Gnome" following directions on pattern & accented his beard with Aurifil thread :-)

* Sew your squares 2gether until you achieve your desired length. Press.

* Rotary cut your backing fabric to your desired length. I used my scraps Fairy Frost from Michael Miller fabrics and love how it complimented all the hues in the fabrics.

* Sew w/ right sides 2gehter using a 1/4" seam. At one end mark an opening to turn right side out.

* Reinforce stitching opening at your start and stop points.

* Turn right side out & press if needed.

* Top stitch opening closed or use washable fabric glue.

* Wrap around pillow...Mark where your you overlap, and place no sew Velcro dots following manufacturer's directions to secure.

Ya did it!!! Isn't her adorable :-)

Talk soon,

Cat