"Quilter Gnome Wall decor"...Phase 2 & finishing!

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are having a great Friday. I know a lot of y'all are getting ready for Spring Break. I'll be checking in tonight to see what plans my grandson has for his week off. I'm sure it will be sports related. He amazes me every day...so thankful! Well, I hope you're having fun with your "Quilter Gnome" by the Whole Country Caboodle from Missouri Star Quilt co. Oh my gosh she makes me smile every time I look at her. I'm still working on a name...I thought of Quilti-Pie but then it makes me want to eat pie :-) I propped her right beside my "Aurifil thread" for inspiration. I have an industrial shelf that I bought from Wayfair that hold my machines that I'm not using. I love it...the shelves hold up to 26 pds which is perfect for sewing machines. I marked my stitch lines with a heat erasable pen then did basic outline stitching around the design using small stitch length for easier pivoting. (see pic). Then accent quilting in center star/heart block. I left the pins off...she's so cute that I couldn't poke her :-) :-) I wrapped the design onto the canvas then used a staple gun to secure. I did start at the bottom...then sides...and finished at top smoothing as I stapled. Here's a tip...if you're corners look bulky carefully trim away the batting just at the corners then wrap to back. This will help the corners lay flat. It's an old upholstery trick but I use it a lot on canvas prints. I then trimmed away any extra fabric on back so it will lay smooth if hung on wall. This pattern & design was so much fun to work with & we'll be using the rest of the charm squares by Maywood Studio real soon. I hope y'all are enjoying National Quilting Month and don't forget my link (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off $50. or more all month from Missouri Star Quilt co. Thanks so much for following and have a great weekend!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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"Quilter Gnome Wall decor"...Phase 1

 Hey quilter's...hope your week is going great and enjoying National Quilting Month. I love all the celebrations...daily deals that Missouri Star Quilt Co is sharing to celebrate this wonderful skill. That's right...I call quilting a "skill." Yes, it's been around forever and has evolved like crazy but it's still a skill that we need to pass on to others. Quilting designs are plentiful...so many to choose from even if you are new to the love of quilting. You will find many designs to choose from no matter your skill level. I especially love cute small projects or "hacking" a large pattern design and making a table runner...square or wall decor. You have so many opportunities to make a design custom to your needs. So, if you see a pattern...design please don't get intimidated. Look at it as a challenge to put your own spin on it. The "quilter gnome" that I'm sharing with you is from "The Whole Country Caboodle." and can be purchase from Missouri Star Quilt co. (link upper right on blog). I'll be making a "wall decor" using this super cute pattern but again you do you. A pillow would be adorable...an apron.... endless possibilities. I am also using a charm pack by Maywood Studio (Kimberbell basics bright lights) for the pieced border, and it matches perfectly. You won't be using the whole charm pack but no worries...I have another project lined up for the extra squares :-) I'm having a blast with this pattern. She is so stinkin cute and makes me smile every time I look at her. She is the perfect addition to my series "Havin' a Gnome-ful Year 2gether!." I haven't named her yet, but she definitely needs a super cute one. I listed the supplies needed on previous post and my link (upper right on home page) will save you 20% off of $50. or more until March 31st to celebrate National Quilting Month from MSQC. Thanks so much for following & let's celebrate our love of quilting 2gether w/this super cute quilter gnome. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

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Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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Note...Instructions are for the 7 x 14 stretched canvas.

Here's all you do...

* Select 8 of the 5" charm squares.

* Rotary cut each 5" square  2 1/4 x 5...(just one for the scrappy look....save the scraps)

* Rotary cut each 2 1/4 strip to a 2 1/4 " square

* Per design...lay out your squares as desired. .

* Per design sew 1st row w/ four of your squares with right sides together using a 1/4" seam & finger press as you go. 

* I used 50# white MSQC thread when piecing/sewing 2gether.

* Sew second row the same then join your rows 2gether matching seams. Press.

* Rotary cut 2 strips from you fat quarter (background fabric) to 2 1/4 x 3 3/4

Note...next step you will use an 1/8 seam allowance. ( less of a seam lines up better w/ canvas)

* Sew strips to left/right side of border w/right sides together...Press.

* Rotary cut background fabric for bottom border to 2 1/4 x 10 3/4.

* Per design sew with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

*  Rotary cut your background fabric to 10 3/4 x 13 and sew to top of border with right sides 2gether using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

Note...I used the scrappy block border to line up my quilter gnome. Plus, I found it easier to start fusing "her" at the bottom then working my way up. :-)

* Following instructions on pattern...fuse your quilter gnome to background fabric. I fully recommend using a "pressing sheet" to protect your iron.

* Once you have fused your "quilter gnome" to background fabric then rotary cut your low loft batting to same size and quilt as desired with coordinating thread. I used 50# Aurifil thread (4150, 2360, 4093)

Note...if you are "a-play-que-ing" around her use a light-weight tear-away stabilizer...helps for stitching. Test with your machine if needed. Sometimes fusing a pattern to background fabric is stable enough but always test per your machine. ;-)

Have fun & check back soon for Phase 2,

Cat

Pattern Peek of the Week..."Quilter Gnome Wall decor"

 Hey quilter's...hope y'all are enjoying all the excitement of National Quilting Month. I love seeing everyone's posts on social media and all the pics of places and things to do. I get excited seeing everyone's creativity and especially seeing "young quilters." Quilting has definitely evolved but I have noticed we're starting to kick it "old school" again by incorporating embroidery into blocks for a unique design. I enjoy all the tutorials that Missouri Star Quilt Co. offers and seeing their twists on designs. My link (upper right on home page) will take you to their site for you to view tutorials. Missouri Star Quilt co is also offering 20% off $50. or more on orders until March 31st. to celebrate National Quilting Month. How exciting! Plus, if y'all know me I have to incorporate fun designs celebrating this month too. The first project that I'll be sharing this week is "the Quilter Gnome" by The Whole Country Caboodle. I'll be featuring this super cute design as "quilt wall decor" for your sewing/quilting room. She is so stinkin' adorable and I'm using a charm pack by Maywood Studio which accents her perfectly. We'll use a stretch canvas to secure the design for hanging on the wall or you can prop it on sewing desk too. This pattern is so adorable and makes me smile every time I look at her. I definitely need that...don't you?:-) Well, I've listed the items that I'll be using so y'all can take advantage of the discount that MSQC is offering and get supplies you may need. You can totally quilt the whole design and hang as a quilt if you decide not to use the stretch canvas. This is the first of many fun projects this month! I thank y'all so much for following & 2gether we can create a "Gnome-ful Year 2gether!"

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

Note...if you click the "follow button" on left of home page you will automatically get the updates as I post :-) thanks again for following!

Supplies needed...

*Quilter Gnome by "the Whole Country Caboodle" from MSQC

* KimberBell Basics Bright lights charm pack by Maywood Studio

* MSQC 50# thread...white

* Coordinating Aurifil  thread ( I used 50# 4150, 2260, 4093)

* 1 fat quarter for background

* 1 7x14 Stretch Canvas

* Pressing sheet for fusing

* Sulky Tear-Easy stabilizer

* Low-loft batting 

* Staple gun to secure design to canvas

* Giingher scissors to carefully separate pattern pieces

Talk soon!

Cat

"The Traveling Quilter" w/super cute Quilter Cork Luggage Tag!

 Hey quilter's...Sunday blessings to y'all. March is National Quilting Month and had to share this super sweet "Quilter Cork Luggage Tag" with you. In leu of National Quilting Month Missouri Star Quilt Co. is offering a extra special deal...20% off $50 or more until March 31st. I had to get this luggage tag from MSQC. I for one have a "black bag" and my grandson laughs every time he's looking for it at baggage claim. I did however purchase a "leopard tag" but now this super cute "Quilter luggage tag" will be seen right away! I'm not going to say anything to him until I visit again and see his face when it comes around. I had to laugh recently when going through my late mom-in-laws quilting stash. I found the "Traveling Quilter." I remember when she showed me this many years ago and I told her you lost me at the first requirements...just lost 10 lbs. This was definitely her...the quilted vest....fancy quilt bag...the sporty sneakers to match her outfit. She was quit the fashionista! So, if you're traveling this month to all the fun quilt shows pop over to my link (upper right on blog) & grab yourself this super cute luggage tag. You will defiantly see your bag at luggage claim! Thank y'all so much for following & check back soon for a super cute wall decor for your sewing/quilting room. Happy National Quilting Month!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest

Happy National Quilting Month & Special discount from MSQC!

 Hey quilter's...can you believe it? It's March already. I'm super excited to share with y'all that Missouri Star Quilt Co. is offering 20% off $50 or more all month long! We'll be celebrating our love of quilting together with fun & easy projects plus saving more on our supplies. I'm always excited to share projects with y'all but this month in leu of National Quilting Month it will be a bit more special. I have some sweet items to share with you that are dear to my heart plus projects using "charm packs" that will be super easy for all stages of quilting. I've been sewing and quilting for over 50 yrs. and to have a special month to celebrate all month long is amazing. I do want to challenge everyone to share the love of quilting with others. The quilting industry has grown so much throughout the years & there is so many designs and techniques for all to learn. So, no matter your design style or your level of quilting you will definitely love quilting if you aren't addicted already :-) I love to personalize gifts...make them unique but quilting is also therapeutic as well. If you don't have a sewing machine or limited with space, try "hand embroidery." It's also a great way to teach the kiddos to sew then advance them to a sewing machine. They can personalize garments and lets their creativity shine! Missouri Star Quilt Co. has so many "tutorials" to enhance all your sewing and quilting skills. My pic below shows items I'll be featuring this month. The discount is applied with my MSQC link (upper right on home page) I'm so glad y'all are following a long to celebrate our love of quilting 2gether! 

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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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

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

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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

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest (links upper right on home page)

* 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!