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

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!

Happy Birthday!

A few weeks ago, my amazing god-daughter turned the big 18!!!  I can still remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.  She has grown into an beautiful young lady, both inside and out.

She was my flower girl when she was 2-1/2 years old 🙂

Since I wasn’t a quilter when she was born, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to make a special quilt for her.  And what a better thing to use than our “Say it With Words” panels.  I chose to use the Prayer Shawl panel because of the great sayings it has.  But I’ll admit that is was also because it was charm pack friendly.  I chose the new LOL charm pack because of the great selection of colors, and her favorite is purple.  That, along with our quilter’s grid and basting spray, made this a wonderful handmade, but quick project (I did the entire thing on a Sunday afternoon).

 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

Great gift ideas for Springtime Celebrations

Just recently, our beautiful goddaughter made her Confirmation and my husband had the honor of being her sponsor. 

After scouring the Internet for the perfect gift idea, I decided to look no further than the amazing Home a la mode website (I’m not biased or anything :))  I decided to make her a quilt – I loved the idea of a keepsake that she could take with her wherever life takes her.  Naturally, I turned to our line of “Say It With Words” panels – especially the scriptural ones.  I felt drawn to the “Beatitudes” panel – I felt this is a great outline for how we should live our lives.

Whenever you are looking for the perfect gift for someone, look no further that our “Say It With Words” panels – there is something for everyone.  We are adding more and more as they become available so don’t hesitate to let us know what you are looking for.

I would love to see your projects that you have made with our awesome panels – feel free to email them to me at jsmisek@homealamode.com

Happy Sewing!

Tutorial Thursday – Table Grace Coasters

A few weeks ago, I posted a tutorial for the Table Grace Table Runner.  Here is the follow-up that I promised.

Supplies:

• (6) small remaining squares leftover from the Table Grace panel
• Fusible Fleece
• Backing fabric
• Sewing Machine
• Thread
• Rotary cutter
• Rotary ruler
• Rotary mat

I used the 6 small remaining squares from the Table Grace “Say it With Words” panel.  Each square measures approximately 3.5″.  You will just cut (2) pieces from your jelly roll (or scraps) 3.5″ long.  Sew the strips to the top and bottom of the square.  Press seams.  Measure overall height of block.  Mine measured approximately 5.75″.  Cut (2) 5.75″ strips from your jelly roll (or scraps) 5.75″ long.  Sew the strips to the sides of the block.  Press seams.  I then took the finished block and trim it to 5.5″ square.

Now, cut (6) square of fusible fleece and (6) squares of backing fabric to match the size of your complete blocks.  Iron the fusible fleece to the completed block.  Then take the front and back of the blocks and put them together, right sides facing each other.  Stitch all the way around, except for about 1.5″ section.  Trim your corners for easier turning.  Now, turn the entire piece right side out through the small section you left open.  I like to us my Pointer Turner by Lee for precise corners.  Press smooth.  Top stitch all the way around, making sure that the stitch closes the space you left open.  And, you are done!  Just repeat for the remaining squares.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Happy Sewing,
Jill

Our First Video tutorial & a Giveaway!

Have you been to one of our shows lately?  If so, you have been witness to Karen demonstrating our FAVORITE quilt product, Quilter’s Grid.

Well, we decided to share this fun, educational experience with the entire world.  We are starting a series of video tutorials that will help in your learning and knowledge of quilting and sewing.

Also, to get you started on the path to faster quilting, we are giving away 1 yard of grid, the Le Bouquet Charm Pack (featured on video), and the Prayer Shawl panel from our “Say it With Words” line of fabric panels.  All you have to do is comment below your favorite quilting notion.  You can get additional entries into the drawing by:

• “Like” us Facebook
• Follow us on Pinterest
• Follow our blog
• Follow us on Twitter

Happy Sewing!