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!

A Snuggly Quilt for my Dad

My dad, like a lot of dads out there, is really hard to shop for.  So this year for Christmas, I wanted to do something for him besides just buying another gift card.

When we got our “Generation Gap” panel in featuring the Pickles comic by Brian Crane, I just knew it would be perfect for my dad.  So, I got out some of my Moda Jelly Roll strips and other coordinating fabrics and got to creating.

The smaller comic strip blocks weren’t completely square so I decided to do a reverse applique technique.  Hope this inspires you to make something for that special dad/grandpa in your life!

~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!

Bragging Rights – Peggy

At our recent show for the Plano Quilt Guild, we got to see and visit with one of our good customers, Peggy.  She had told us that the fabric she bought from us at another one of our shows had turned into a beautiful Saw Tooth Log Cabin Quilt.

And she was right.  Check out this GORGEOUS quilt she made using Moda Fabrics.  Along with the quilting done by Richard Larson, she now has a treasured keepsake to last for generations to come.

Remember, send us your pictures of what you have made and we will brag on you too.  Email them to me at jsmisek@homealamode.com or just post them to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/homealamode.

~Happy Sewing!

Flag Day is Near!

 

Flag Day is near!  June 14th!  I love this time of year…celebrating our country…the pride that we have in our troops…remembering the men and women who have fought and are fighting for our rights. 

 

I wanted to show you some really cute items that we have at Home a la mode.  I thought that all of these items together would make the cutest vintage patriotic party.

Nana’s Sliced Bread Patchwork Towels
These would be so adorable just hanging in the kitchen all the way through July!

Very Berry Tablecloth

I can see this beauty stretched out on the table with some Red, White, and Blue drinks, desserts, and plates and napkins on it.

Celebrate Banner

Your party would not be complete without this super cute banner hanging overhead.

Crochet Pot Holders

Nothing says vintage to me like crochet pot holders. Wouldn’t they be cute sitting on the Very Berry Tablecloth

54″ Sliced Bread Hokey Pokey

We also have this cute cute cute fabric that could be made into any size table cloth you would like.  Let us know what size you need and we’ll get it made.  We carry lots of tablecloths ready to ship out today! 

 

We have lots more red, white and blue items… head on over to Homealamode.com and check them out!  You still have time to have a great patriotic party!!

 

Super Cute Burp Rag Tutorial

I am always looking for a cute gift ideas to make for babies.  The thing I love most about this one is that whether it is the first baby or the fifth, Burp Rags are ALWAYS needed 🙂  This is my first attempt at a tutorial, so please let me know what you think.

Supplies:

• Cloth Diapers
• Fabric – I used fat quarters, but this can be done with large scraps you have lying around
• Tape Measure
• Ruler
• Rotary Mat
• Rotary Blade
• Thread
• Pins
• Sewing Machine

Steps:

•  Iron your diaper so that it is nice and flat.
• You will need to measure the length and width of the inner padded area of the diaper.

• Take your measurements and add 1″.
• Cut your piece of fabric to your measurements.  My diaper measured 5″ x 19-1/2″ so I cut my fabric 6″ x 21-1/2″.  TIP: Don’t assume all diapers are created equal.  My experience has shown that they can be off by at least 1/2″ from each other.
• Press a 1/2″ seam all around the edges of your fabric.  I like to turn the corners in to make prettier edges.

• Pin the fabric onto the diaper as shown in the picture.

• Now comes the time for sewing!  Choose any stitch that you would like – I prefer to use my zig zag stitch.  You will want to stitch as close to the edge of the fabric as possible.  TIP:  I like to use white thread in my bobbin so it doesn’t show on the under side of the diaper.
• Once you stitch around all 3 sides, you are done!!!  Repeat as many times as your heart desires 🙂

Stay tuned for an upcoming tutorial on a coordinating Diaper Pouch – a must-have for the on-the-go Mom.  It carries a few diapers and wipes in a cute little case.

Don’t forget to check our website for the perfect fabric to use on these adorable burp cloths!

~Jill