Quilter’s Tote Bag – Tutorial

Ask and you shall receive.  Many of you feel in love with our “Quilter’s Think” tote bag.  Here is the tutorial so you can make one for yourself.

Supplies:

• “Quilter’s Think” panel – we have a few different ones to pick from on our website
• 2 yards of Pink Polka dot fabric
• 2 yards of Blue Polka dot fabric
• 1 yard of Sewing Tools fabric
• Fat Quarter yard of accent trim fabric
• 1/2 yard of Quilter’s Grid
• 36″ x 58″ Soft & Stable – 1 package
• Basting Spray
• Rotary Cutter and Ruler
• Wonder Clips

Steps:

1. Iron panel flat and cut out according to the lines.  You will end up with (12) 3.5″ squares.
2. Cut (12) 3/5″ squares of each of the polka dot fabrics.
3. Iron onto piece of grid in the pattern shown in the picture.  (I ironed both sides of the bag at the same time and will trim it after sewing.)
4. Flip and sew each row, leaving the middle seam unsewn for trimming.  (Check out our video HERE to see how to use the Quilter’s Grid).
5. Cut down the middle, unsewn seam to separate into 2 equal pieces.
6. Measure across the middle of each piece to determine the size of top and bottom borders.
7. Cut (4) 4″ wide strips by the width of the main piece.  If you are going to add the accent strip, you will want to cut (4) 1.5″ strips the width of the main piece as well.
8. Fold accent piece in half and iron.
9. You will now sandwich the accent piece, the 4″ border strip, and the main piece together, with right sides together and raw edges towards the seam.  The Wonder Clips are great for this step – NO PINS NEEDED 🙂
10. Sew and iron with the accent piece facing the desired direction.
11. Repeat for 3 other seams.
12. Measure you main body pieces and cut (2) squares of Soft & Stable to match.  I used Basting Spray to attach the stabilizer to the main body piece.  You can now quilt these pieces or just leave the way they are.  I just ran a straight stitch across the seam of the border pieces.
13. Cut out (2) 4″ x the height of the main body piece & stabilizer.  Spray bast these pieces.
14. Cut out (1) 4″ x the width of the main body piece & stabilizer for the bottom of the bag.  Spray bast this piece.
15. Sew the 2 side pieces to the main body pieces to create the body of the bag.  Then carefully sew the bottom piece, making sure you get the corners attached.
16. Cut out (2) pieces of the Pink Polka Dot fabric to the same size of the main body pieces.
17. Cut out (2) 4″ x the height of the main body piece.
18. Cut out (1) 4″ x the width of the main body piece.
19. Cut out  (1) 10″ x 12″ piece.  Fold, right sides together, to create a 6″ x 10″ rectangle – press flat.  Sew 3 open sides, leaving a small gap for turning.
20. Turn right side out and press.
21. Line up the pocket about 4″ from the top of the bag liner piece and centered, making sure the gap for turning is at the bottom.
22. Sew on the pocket on 3 sides, leaving the top open.  You can also add an additional seam in the middle of the pocket from top to bottom to create a double pocket.
23. Sew all liner pieces together to create the bag lining.
24. Insert liner into main body, matching seams.  Sew a small hem to keep the liner in place.
25. Create a “binding” for the top of the bag by cutting a 2″ strip and ironing it to create a double folded strip.
26. Using the Wonder Clips, attach. the binding to the top of the bag.  Machine stitch this on, covering all raw edges.
27. Once done, you will hand stitch the leather handles on.
28. The last step is to show off your beautiful new bag to your friends 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  I’m still new to writing directions, so please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future tutorials.

~Happy Sewing!

Kaylin the Amazing!

I have an awesome in-law family (as you might know, Karen is my mother-in-law and partner in crime).  I’m married to the oldest of her 4 children, and 3 of them all decided to get married in a 5 month time frame.  Because of that, naturally we all had children together – there are 14 of them ranging from almost 13 down to 3-1/2.  Christmas time with all these kiddos are super fun and crazy.  Because of the number, we all draw names so each kid buys for one of their cousins.

Long story short, this year my oldest picked Kaylin, one of my adorable 4 year old nieces.  She has always been a kid who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to tell you.  So I decided to ask her what she would like me to make her.  She very specifically told me she wanted a pink and purple cape with a heart on with a “K”.

So, I found a great (and easy) tutorial on Pinterest and got to work.  I dug through my stash of Moda fabric and found the perfect pink and purple combo, along with a cute printed fabric.

Her nickname is “Bird” so we decided to use a decorative bird stitch to finish off the edge.

This project also allowed me to play with my new embroidery machine, so it was a double win for me!

~Happy Sewing!

Quilting is as Easy as… 1, 2, 3!

Are you an admirer of quilts?  Do you long to wrap yourself up in a beautiful, warm creation that we made by you?  Can you sew a straight line?  Than with our 1, 2, 3 method, ANYONE (even you) can be a quilter!

Supplies need:

• (3) 1-yard pieces of coordinating fabric
• Rotary Mat
• Rotary Cutter
• Ruler
• 3 Yard piece of Quilter’s Grid
• Iron & Ironing board
• Sewing Machine
• Thread

Steps:

• Cut each of your 1 yard pieces of fabric into 6″ strips.  Each 1 yard piece will give you (6) 6″ strips
  
• Then cut all the 6″ strips into 6″ x 6″ squares.  You will get (7) 6″x6″ squares per strip for a total of (42) squares per 1 yard piece of fabric.  You will end up with (126) squares when all your 3 yards have been cut.
   
• You will need to cut off 6-8″ of the bottom of your piece of grid.  Lay vertically on end to add to the overall width.  You will then lay out your squares on the Quilter’s Grid using the 1, 2, 3 pattern.  Your quilt will be 9 squares across by 14 squares down.
  
• Continue laying out all the rows and iron into place.
  
• Once all your squares are ironed into place, you will fold over each row and sew a 1/4″ seam (or just use the edge of your foot).  Either is fine as long as you are consistent.
• Sew one direction, iron all seams one direction, and then sew the seams going the other direction until all seams are sewn.  The press to lay all seams flat.
  
• Now you are ready to baste, quilt, and bind in your favorite way.  Finished quilt top measures approximately 48″ x 74″, depending on your seam size.

Check out our YouTube video to see how to use the Quilter’s Grid.  And visit our website for all your quilting (and vintage-inspired home) goods.

~Happy Sewing!

What Cancer CANNOT Do – Quilt Tutorial

Hello Friends!  I have come up with a quick, easy, and fun quilt tutorial for all those wonderful quilters out there!  Even if you aren’t an expert, this is a quilt that anyone who can sew a straight line can make 🙂

Supplies:

• “What Cancer Cannot Do” fabric panel
• Approx. 1/2 yard of Dinky Dots – Pink
• Approx. 1/2 yard of Dinky Dots – Lime Green
• Approx 1 yard of Sew Many Ladies – White
• Approx 1+ yard of fusible Quilter’s Grid
• Approx. 1 yard of backing fabric – I used the Dinky Dots – Lime Green
• Luna Loft 80/20 Blend Batting
• Thread
• Basting Spray
  

Steps:

1. Iron “What Cancer Cannot Do” fabric panel flat and cut out sayings to the same size (approx 3.5″ x 6.5″)
2. Cut (6) 2.5″ wide strips of both the Dinky Dots – Pink and the Dinky Dots – Lime Green fabric.
3. Line up the strips together and cut the same height of the sayings (approx 3.5″).  You will need 2 of 3.5″ pieces for each saying – there are 12.  You will do 12 pieces of the pink and 12 pieces of the green fabric.
4. Sew 1 piece onto each side of the saying.  Press open.
   

5. Measure across the middle of the finished piece.  Cut 12 2.5″ wide pieces of the pink and 12 pieces of the green fabric.
6. Sew 1 piece onto each side of the saying.  Press open.
   
7. Measure your finished blocks and cut 12 blocks of the Sew Many Ladies – White to the same dimensions.
8. Layout quilt blocks per the pattern and iron onto the Quilter’s Grid.  If you would like to see how to use the grid, watch our YouTube video.
   
9. Flip and sew each row to complete the quilt top.
10. Press top nice and flat.
    
11. Bast your quilt top to the Luna Loft 80/20 Blend Batting and backing fabric using Basting Spray.  If you have never used this AH-MAZING product – order yours today!!!!  It will save you SOOO much time, energy, and knees (if you are one to climb around the floor pins your quilt for hours).
12. Quilt and bind as you desire.

And you are done!  This quilt makes a fabulous gift for those in the middle of their treatment and those amazing survivors among us!

~Happy Sewing!

Christmas Manger Wall Hanging

Are you looking for a fun and easy Christmas project or gift?  Look no further!  We have created a beautiful wall hanging using our “Christmas Manger” panel and the Winterlude fabric line by Moda.  We have this kit for purchase on our website for $49.99 – it includes everything but the batting!

Kit Includes:

•  (1) Christmas Manger Panel (approx 17”x20”)
•  (1) 1-1/2” x 108” strip of Red Fabric
•  (3) 4-1/2” x 44” Strips of Green Fabric
•  (1) 4-1/2” x 22” Strip of Tan Fabric (for squares)
•  (1) 36” x 54” Piece of Red Fabric for Back/Binding
  

STEPS:

1.  Iron panel flat and cut per lines.
2.  Measure the width of the panel down the CENTER section.
   
3.  Cut (2) strips of 1-1/2” wide Red fabric the width of the panel.
4.  Pin in place and sew to the top and bottom of panel with 1/4” seams.
5.  Press towards darker fabric
6.  Measure the length of the finished piece down the CENTER section.
   
7.  Cut (2) strips of the remaining 1-1/2” strip of red fabric the length of the finished piece.
8.  Pin in place and sew to both sides of finished piece with 1/4” seam.
9.  Press towards darker fabric.
10.  Measure the width of finished piece down the CENTER section.
    
11.  Cut (2) strips of the green fabric the width of the finished piece.
12.  Measure the length of finished piece down the CENTER section.
13.  Cut (2) strips of the green fabric to the length of finished piece.
14.  Pin in place and sew the strips to the top and bottom of the finished piece with 1/4” seam.
    
15.  Press towards darker fabric.
16.  Cut (4) 4-1/2” squares of tan fabric.
17.  Sew the squares to the top and bottom of the strips for the length with a 1/4” seam.
    
18.  Press towards darker fabric.
19.  Pin in place and sew strips to the sides of the finished piece.
20. Quilt and bind to your preference.

If you would like to purchase the quilt kit, click HERE

~Happy Sewing!

A quick, little 4th of July Bunting

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across this adorable idea on Pinterest and decided to re-create for the upcoming Independence Day celebration!  It was tucked away in the back of my mind, but when I ran across the flags in the Dollar Section at Target, the idea was born.

Supplies:

• Small fabric flags – I found these at Target and they were 3/$1 🙂
• Burlap
• Jumbo Ric Rac
• Wonder Under
• Thread
• Sewing Machine

1. Cut the flags off the sticks to a uniform size – mine ended up being 4″ x 6″.
   
2. Apply Wonder Under to the flags.
3. Cut burlap to desired size – mine are 7″ x 7″ square.  If you need tips on how to cut burlap straight, check out our tutorial.
4. Iron the flags onto your burlap squares and stitch around the edges to secure.  Make sure you leave enough room at the top of the square to add the ric rac.
   
5. Stitch the ric rac to the top of the squares.  I left about 12 inches of “tail” on both ends so that I can hang however and wherever I want.
   

And voila, you are done and ready to hang!  Here’s wishing you and yours a blessed holiday – and prayers to all the wonderful servicemen and women who help provide the independence and freedom we live under.

 ~Blessings!

Tutorial: Toweling into Towels

Have you ever seen our collection of toweling and thought “so cute, but what would I do with it?”  Well, here’s one thing… you can make your own kitchen towels.

SUPPLIES:

• 2 yards of the toweling of your choice.  Check out our selection here.
• Coordinating thread
• Twill tape or trim of your choice
• Iron and ironing board
• Rotary cutter
• Rotary mat
• Ruler
• Sewing machine

STEPS:

1. Take your 2 yards of toweling and fold into equal thirds.  Press the folds.
2. Using your rotary cutter, cut just to the edge of the fold, creating 3 equal pieces of toweling.
3. Fold over the edge the same distance as the side seams and press.
   
4. Fold over again to enclose the raw edge.
   
5. Repeat on the other end.
6. Cut approximately 5-1/2″ of trim (you can alter depending on the size of the hook you want) and fold in half.
7. Slide the raw edges of the trim under the folded seam and pin into place.
   
8. Sew the seams down, staying close to the edge.  

And voila, you now have 3 new kitchen towels!

 

Happy Sewing!  ~Jill

The Perfect Little Summer Dress (and it’s super easy)

Recently, one of my adorable nieces celebrated her 4th birthday.  She truly believes she is a princess and insists on wearing dresses every day.  So, what is a better gift than a new dress.  I didn’t really follow a pattern, but by using tips and tricks that I learned using Angela Yosten’s Rags to Ruffles pattern.

My girls thought is would be fun to make her a matching dress for her doll as well. 

I found a tutorial for this pillowcase-style dress on the “Creating Kidstuff” blog.  Click here for the tutorial.

Happy Sewing!  ~Jill

Table Runner Tutorial

Our “Say It With Words” panels are great for quilts – but here is another fabulous way to sew up some inspiration.  This table runner can be used on special occasions or even everyday.

Supplies:

• “Table Grace” Say It With Words panel
• Jelly Roll of your choice – I used the “Flats” by Angela Yosten for Moda
• 1 yard of backing fabric
• 1 yard of Fusible Fleece
• Coordinating thread
• Rotary cutter, rotary mat, and rotary ruler
• Basting Spray or pins
• Iron and ironing board
• Sewing machine

*Use a 1/4″ seam allowance, unless otherwise noted
Steps:

1.  Layout your Jelly Roll Strips and design your pattern.  Here is how I do my designing, with grid paper and colored pencils. 
   
2. Iron panel to remove all creases. 
3. Cut out the 6 large squares from the Say It With Words Panel, using the tick marks on the panel.  Each square should measure 6-1/2″ squares.
4. Cut (2) 6-1/2″ strips from your desired fabric for each block.
5. Sew the Jelly Roll strips to the top and bottom of word block.  Repeat for all 6 blocks.
   
6. Press all seams away from word block. 
7. Measure your blocks to determine the overall size for the sides – mine measured 10-3/4″. 
8. Cut the Jelly Roll strips to that measurement and sew to the sides of each block, creating a frame around the words.  Repeat for all 6 blocks. 
   
9. Cut the coordinating vertical Jelly Roll strips and sew.
   
   
10. Measure the top & bottom of the completed block and cut to fit.  Repeat for all strips.  Sew to the bottom of the first block.  Join the remaining blocks in the same way.
    
11. Measure the overall size of the runner and cut fusible fleece to fit.  Iron on.
12. Cut backing fabric to desired size.  Layout and attach top with basting spray (If you have never heard or used basting spray, I highly suggest you try it.  You will NEVER pin a quilt or project together again)
13. Quilt as desired.
14. Trim and attach binding as desired – I used the leftover scraps of the jelly roll strips to make the binding.  I found this tutorial on Pinterest and it helped me. (Just note, I only machine stitch the first side of the binding – I always hand stitch the backside complete)
15. Hand-stitch the binding and you are done!!!
    

If you liked this project, stay tuned for the tutorial using the small word squares to create matching coasters.

I’m new to writing tutorials, so any constructive criticism or complements are greatly appreciated.

Blessings,
Jill

Snug up with a "Flannel Tonight" Quilt

For those of you who knew Karen back in her quilt shop days will remember the “Flannel Tonight” quilts that everyone HAD to make!  We finally got her to sit still long enough to write up a tutorial so we can share this great quilt pattern with all our friends.

“Flannel Tonight” Quilt

Supplies:

• Sewing Machine with Walking Foot
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Square ruler 12-1/2″ (or a 8″ & 9″ square ruler)
• Cotton Batting
• All Purpose thread to match or coordinate
• Quilting pins

1. After figuring out size and how much fabric is needed, I suggest you draw a grid and color code where you want to put your fabrics. That way you know how many squares of each to cut.
2. Then cut your fabric into 9”x9” squares.
3. Cut your batting into 8”x8” squares
4. Layer a piece of batting inside (like a sandwich) between 2 pieces of same color fabric.  Right sides out on fabrics.  Keep the batting ½” from all 4 sides and pin into place.
5. Repeat for all square sets and make piles.  If using 3 colors, keep 3 piles separated.
6. Sew ½” in all around the outside.  Keep raw edges of fabric together, and keep batting in middle, trying NOT to sew on batting.  Sew around square starting at left hand top corner.
7. Sew around like the blue line shows here… then continue without lifting your sewing foot and go into sewing the elementary star.  Better than an X… it is continual and leaves a nice quilted look.  Sew straight off edge and make a new pile.  Keep on repeating this until all squares are sewn. 
   
8. Now that all squares are done, it is time to layout your design.  Once you have your design laid out, start sewing your first row together.
   

9. Sew each row together with a DOUBLE stitch (I sew down, and then turn and sew back up.  You want this to stay without ripping with kids tugging, etc.  I DEFINITELY recommend you to double stitch EVERY row.  Up and down and then when you sew the rows together you won’t have to worry about anything coming loose or cutting a thread when you trim.) 
10. Continue to sew blocks and then rows together.  You will now have a lot of weight to your quilt, but you are almost done.Now you need to bind your quilt with your favorite technique.  Stay tuned for a video tutorial on our favorite way.
11. Now it’s time to get a good sharp pair of scissors and give your quilt the CHENILLE look!!!  Just snip in about ¼” almost to seam where you just sewed 2X… This is why it is so important to sew twice.    Please be very careful NOT to snip the seams.  Snip every ¼” starting at top row and moving up or down.. Try to stay consistent where you are going, so you don’t miss any seam.
12. 

13. You are ready to wash your quilt!  Find a FRONT loader to wash your quilt into.  Now throw your quilt into a dryer and watch the magic happen.  Your quilt will fray and chenille on all the edged you trimmed as above.  Wash after wash your quilt will keep the great look!    Take care and call if you have any questions!!! 

    Happy Sewing!  Stay warm with a quilt made with love and strength!