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!

Our Beatitudes Panel and a Great Friend

We recently got a chance to visit with one of our amazing customers at a quilt show.  She mentioned that she had bought one of our panels to make a quilt for a friend.  Here is the story:

When I saw it, I immediately thought of my friend Deb.  We’ve know each other since 9th grade – I say that’s since God invented dirt, but Deb claims it’s since the beginning of all time.  We are both blessed with brothers, so we also recognize one another as the sisters we should have had.  Yes, it’s that kind of friendship/kinship/sisterhood.  

A few years ago, Deb went with me to the Dallas Quilt Show, which is when I bought fat quarters that weren’t in my normal favorites range for colors or prints.  Don’t know why I bought them, but I figured there was reason, so I put them aside until the reason presented itself… scrap-logic all quilters understand.  And, lo and behold, the reason presented itself when I saw the Beatitudes panel last summer at the Plano Quilt Show.  

The fat quarters, the Beatitudes, the randomness/precision design… it all came together in a single weekend to make a Blessing cover for Deb.   And the name of the Quilt?  “Friendship is a Blessing”.  

Here’s hoping my story brightens your day, Sarah.

Take a look at this beautiful quilt – and may it inspire you to make something lovely for a friend or loved one this weekend.

Happy Sewing ~Jill

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!

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!

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!

Karen has been sewing!!!

Karen has been busy making quilts for 3 of her friends that have been in the hospital the past few months!  She went crazy designing new patterned quilts as she went.  Her first one she made was for Sue… her neighbor and friend.  Sue is fighting esophagus cancer.  Karen made her a quilt with lots of chenille and airplanes (since they live on a runway for airplanes) their husbands are both pilots… AND of course she added the “Survivors” panel from our Say it with Words…

Next quilt she made for her bestest friend’s (next to her husband, that is…)husband, Mark.  We all just this past month found out that Mark has lung cancer… It is a hard and long road to recovery… but he needed to have a quilt and a pillow that was for him!!! So… Karen made him a “Survivors” panel from our Say it with Words… but used the layer cake precuts from Timber Trail Flannel by Holly Taylor … of course by Moda.  Mark and Dianne live in a woodsy area out in the country and this line was PERFECT FOR THEM.

She combined a few older flannels to complete his quilt and then made Dianne a “Hers” quilt to compliment his… she used similar fabrics with the extras from that layer cake… added a few others and used “Friends Indeed” panel from our Say it with Words… It turned out great!  Still need to make her a pillow to complete the set… but this is how they look…  It’s a card in a quilt!!!  F-O-R-E-V-E-R! 

Check out our flannels and precuts!  Lots of new ones!!!

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!

Our newest quilter, Claire

Below is the story (short as it may be), written by my 11 year old about making her first quilt.

One day, I made the mistake of saying “I’m bored” at my Granny’s (Karen) house.  It was the 4th of July.  She gave me some grid and charm packs and told me I was going to make a quilt.  It took forever, but I was so happy to finish it.  I love how soft it is!  Sincerly, Claire – The 11 Year old Seamstress.

Here are some pictures along the way.

 Pressing it all down

 

Got it all laid out and pressed!

 Time to start sewing

And, here’s the completed picture!!!

Now, because summers get crazy and the school year is even crazier, she didn’t get much of a chance to work on it.  That’s why it took her until this summer to get it finished.  But I’m so proud of her.  She did the quilting and even the hand-sewn binding.  I guess it will soon be time for her to start another project… but I bet she never tells her Granny she is bored again 😉

~Happy Sewing!

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!