Amanda

Later Alligator {Free Quilt Pattern}

July 26, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Sometimes you find a fabric and you just have to drop everything you’re doing and sew something with it! That’s how I felt about this new line of fabric from Blend Fabrics called See You Later.

Mufasa was even smitten with the fabric and appeared to be guarding it!!

The colors are bright and the patterns are whimsical. They would be perfect for a boy or a girl!

I created a pattern for you to download for FREE. This is one of my favorite ways to show off big prints. Click HERE to download the 3-page pattern.

The pattern looks like I used solid navy and solid green, but actually I used a navy and white dot and a green and white print. The quilt is made up of only 1 block made from 2 different color ways.

It sews up really fast and is the perfect project if you want to sew a quilt top in an afternoon. That’s usually all the time I’ve got!

Mufasa thinks the quilt is his and my 16 year old daughter also claimed it for her own!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, quilt

Pixie Noel Blog Tour – Snowflake Quilt Tutorial

July 25, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

snowflake quilt tutorial

It’s my turn on the Pixie Noel Blog Tour! Yay! I have been in love with this fabric as soon as I saw Tasha Noel post a few sneak peeks months and months ago! I love how whimsical her art is and I love her choice of colors!

Screen Shot 2016-07-24 at 1.33.33 PM It was a little bit challenging to sew with winter fabric when the temperatures here in Southern California have been in the 110’s and our town is literally ablaze! I decided to beat the heat by creating this whimsical snowflake quilt.

I don’t know about you, but cutting snowflakes and sewing snowflakes is not on my top 10 list of favorite things to do. Super time consuming! This quilt has 2 amazing shortcuts that will have you whipping one up in an afternoon.

First, all the snowflakes were die cut on my Sizzix Fabi – 3 at a time!

Second, the snowflakes are appliqued using Heat n Bond Ultra which means no tedious applique top stitching necessary! Heat n Bond Ultra is heavier than Heat n Bond Lite which I normally use for applique. The Ultra requires no sewing. Just cut, press, and go! The snowflakes get sewn over during the quilting process – which helps incorporate them into the quilt and makes it even more durable.

Here’s how you can make one:

Supplies:

55″ Heat n Bond Ultra

Sizzix snowflake die

1 yard white fabric

1 yard aqua main fabric (or additional if you want to fussy cut)

fat quarters for applique, red, navy, green

Instructions:

Cut (32) 6.5″ squares of white fabric

Cut (32) 6.5″ squares of the aqua Pixie Noel theme print

Cut the Heat n Bond Ultra into 5″ strips. Fuse to the wrong side of the snowflake fat quarters.

Make sure your cat helps you die cut the snowflakes.

We cut 3 at a time.

Peel off the backing.

Center the snowflakes on the white squares and heat set with hot dry iron.

Die cut 6 green snowflakes, 12 navy snowflakes, and 12 red snowflakes.

Lay out the quilt according to the diagram below:

Sew the squares together in rows using 1/4″ seams. Press each row alternately. Sew rows together pinning at each intersection.

I always use Spray n Bond to baste my quilts – its fast, secure, and no pinning! Seriously this quilt can be made in a matter of hours!!

I quilted loops and stars. I sewed right over the snowflakes. It helps to make them feel like part of the quilt and not puff out.

I love that there are 3 stripe colors to choose from in Pixie Noel. Even better, they are printed on the bias which makes cutting bias striped binding a snap!!!

Mufasa loves the quilt! Don’t tell him it’s not for him 🙂

pixie noel quilt 5

Thanks for stopping by!!!! Happy Christmas in July 🙂 pixie noel quilt

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, quilt, Riley Blake, sizzix

Pandalicious Quilt {Art Gallery + Fat Quarter Shop}

July 12, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

Isn’t this the cutest fabric from Art Gallery!! It’s called Pandalicious and it makes me want to go to the zoo and see some pandas! Cherry blossoms, bamboo teepees and cuddly pandas!

I had so much fun putting this quilt together. It looks complicated but its really rather simple. It consists of lots of these blocks:

and a center block:

Once all the blocks are sewn together the assembly of the quilt is as easy as sewing squares together!

Just make sure to follow the placement carefully as shown in the pattern. It is so cool when it comes together! I will totally make this again. I’m even thinking just the center portion of this quilt would make a fun table quilt or wall hanging!

The colors are amazing in person and the pandas are just the cutest! I hope you get a chance to make this quilt!!

Check out the other designers who have put together a Palisades Quilt!!!

Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset

Amy from Diary of a Quilter

Maureen from Maureen Cracknell Handmade

Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting

Melissa from Happy Quilting

Karin from Leigh Laurel Studios

Rachael from The Floral Suitcase

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl

Megan from Quilt Story

Heather from Quilt Story

Melanie from Mostly Crafty

Brooke from Silly Mama Quilts

Afton from Quilting Mod

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, quilt

Holiday Wishes Blog Tour

July 12, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am totally loving this new book by Sherri Falls called Holiday Wishes! The patterns are so inspiring and they make you want to sew! I choose the gingham star block from her book and made some much needed throw pillows for my family room.

I always write about only using 20″ pillows in my home. However, my family loves Euro pillows in the family room. The old ones were headed to the trash and I was so thrilled to make some new ones!

I bought these 24″ square Euro pillows. They were a little too full so I made a small opening in the pillow and took out some stuffing.

I had purchased this Fruta y Flor fabric by Free Spirit and have been waiting to use it in my family room!! I am so in love with it!

I followed the pattern exactly and then added a border so the pillow top would be 24″ square. I can’t wait to make an entire quilt with these blocks!! I’m so in love!!!!!

I used Spray n Bond to baste my pillow fronts – it makes quilting so easy!

I quilted all-over swirls on both of the pillow tops. If you want more info on how to finish the pillow read this tutorial and this tutorial.

I love how they turned out – and yes they are pretty big!!

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, pillow

From Porto With Love Pillows

July 12, 2016 by Amanda 3 Comments

I am thrilled to be part of The Summer Sewing Series by Melissa from PolkadotChair. For me summer sewing is about catching up on all the little projects I can’t get to during the school year. This last week I sewed 13 new pillow covers for throw pillows around my house. Today I am sharing my latest pillow covers with you 🙂

Meet From Porto With Love by Cotton + Steel. Only my NEW FAVORITE FABRIC!!! These large scale cats have my heart swooning! I knew I needed some pillows! I love the heavy weight of this canvas print – perfect for home decorating! I kept the design super simple because I wanted the cats to be the focal point. I used Crossroads denim for the accent strips and the pillow back. This is the softest denim in the whole world!!
Mufasa was very helpful in making the pillows. Follow the diagrams below for cutting instructions. All seams are 1/4″

Sew the side strips on, press. Then sew the top and bottom strips on, press.

Sew each strip together and press.

Each pillow top finishes 20″ square, the exact size of my down throw pillows. (I like to use all the same size pillows so I can switch them out easily….I learned this the hard way!)

To finish the pillows, cut a 20″ square for the pillow back and insert an invisible zipper along the bottom seam of the pillow. Click HERE to learn how to sew an invisible zipper in a pillow.

I am so in love with these!!!!! They are soft and slouchy!!

I love how they look with my gingham pillows!!! Freshening up your pillow decor is such a great summer activity – it doesn’t take very long but it makes you feel so happy to have something new in your home.

Filed Under: FEATURED, pillow

Little Ruby Quilt Along – Finished Quilt

July 11, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This has been such a fun quilt along from Fat Quarter Shop! You’re not too late if you want to make this quilt! I’ve attached each of the videos below if you would like to make one. If I’m being honest, this kind of quilt (one that requires special rulers and templates) is so NOT my style. BUT I have to say I have TOTALLY LOVED making this quilt!

It’s so good to jump out of your comfort zone and try something totally new! You will love how fun this quilt is – the templates make everything fit together perfectly.

Click for Fabric requirements 🙂

Here’s a little overview of the pattern.

The pattern calls for 2 1/2″ strips. You sew them together and use this cook ruler to cut the exact size triangle.

The triangles spin around to form a pinwheel type pattern – cool huh 🙂

I read all the instructions and watched the videos and still managed to sew my first 2 triangles together the wrong way – 3 times – YIKES! Once I got that out of my system it was smooth sailing!

I love having Ella around because I hand her a stack of blocks and she puts them together for me. We did a little experimenting with the pattern for fun.

The blocks sewed together like a dream. I just love this fabric!

I used my Spray n Bond basting spray to baste the quilt and then machine quilted myself using a loopy floral design.

I love bias gingham binding! The great thing about Vintage Picnic is that the gingham is printed on the bias so it saves fabric and is easy to cut!

I am thrilled with my Vintage Picnic fabric choice. I will be keeping this quilt out all summer long! I did modify my quilt slightly in that I made it a touch smaller.

Mufasa seems pretty comfy on the new quilt!

Be sure to check out the completed quilts from these amazing bloggers!

Melissa from Happy Quilting
Angie from Gnome Angel
Erin Cox from Why Not Sew
Andy from A Bright Corner
Heidi from Buttons & Butterflies
Pat from Pat Sloan
Peta from She Quilts a Lot
Heather from Quilt Story
Megan from Quilt Story
Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Gerri from Planted Seed Designs
Sherri from A Quilting Life
Rebecca from Bryan House Quilts
Sherri from This & That Patterns
Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon
Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts
Stephanie from Modern Sewciety
Brooke from Silly Mama Quilts
Carrie from Moda’s United Notions

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, moda, quilt

Captain America Throw Pillow Tutorial

July 4, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

What does your daughter give her Captain America loving friend for her birthday? After realizing the friend owns everything Captain America we created this fun pillow with the Captain America shield appliqued on it. I used Crossroads Denim so it’s super soft, Heat n Bond Lite and some fabric scraps. Do you want to make one too? Here’s how!!

Supplies:

(2) 20″ pieces of Crossroads Denim

2 fat quarters red prints

2 fat quarters white prints

1 fat quarter blue print

1 yard Heat n Bond Lite or Feather Lite

20″ pillow (I like down pillows)

22″ zipper

4″ x 20″ strip for zipper flap

Begin by tracing the circles onto the Heat n Bond Lite. We ran around the house measuring everything to find a 12″ circle and a 10″ circle because they are too large to print. We found a cake plate and a dinner plate did the trick.

For the 8″, 6″, and star shape you can click HERE to download. Cut around each circle about 1/4″ away from the pencil line.

A little trick for layerd applique to prevent too much bulk: Cut the inside of the circle about 1″ away. It will look like this:

You really only need the Heat n Bond to hold down the edges. The circles will be layered on top of each other and it will keep everything secure. Continue doing this with each of the circles.

Position the circles as shown above. Straight stitch around each circle and star 2 times. I used red thread.

Make sure your cat approves 🙂 To finish the pillow you can follow this tutorial for inserting a zipper and zipper flap to a pillow back.

Insert the pillow form and you’re done! Ready to wrap and head to the party!!

Filed Under: captain america, FEATURED, pillow, Therm O Web

Pretty Playtime Quilts Teapot Block Pillow

July 4, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Today is my turn on the Pretty Playtime Quilt Blog Tour! I love this sweet pattern book by Elea Lutz! (Juicy tidbit…..Elea and I once spent a wild night together at an 80’s dance club!!!) The patterns for this entire quilt are in the spiral bound book available from Fat Quarter Shop. You can make the sampler quilt or you can get creative with the blocks!The fabrics used in the pattern book are from Elea’s fabric line Strawberry Biscuit.

I choose to make a throw pillow out of the teapot block.

I sewed the block exactly like the pattern instructed. I love how the instructions are super easy to read and the diagrams make sewing the block a snap. I added a 1.5″ border around the teapot followed by a 3.5″ floral border.

I quilted the entire block like you would a mini quilt. I trimmed it down to measure 20″ square. Before adding the binding I sewed a 20″ x 20″ back with a zipper.

I basted the quilted front to the pillow back wrong sides together with a 1/8″ seam all the way around. Then I added the binding just like you would a quilt.

I inserted a 20″ down pillow form. It’s super soft and perfect for propping your head while reading or watching a movie 🙂

Be sure to check out a new block from a new designer each week! You will love all the inspiration!

Week 2 – Erin from Why Not Sew?
Week 3 – Wynn from Zakka Art
Week 4 – Anorian from Samelia’s Mum
Week 5 – Amy from Diary of a Quilter
Week 6 – Renee from Sewn with Grace
Week 7 – Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon
Week 8 – Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Week 9 – Debbie from Happy Little Cottage
Week 10 – Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset
Week 11 – Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting
Week 12 – Kristyne from Pretty by Hand
Week 13 – Heidi from Fabric Mutt
Week 14 – Brigitte from The Family Hearth
Week 15 – Lorrie from Sew Mod Designs
Week 16 – Kristin from They Grow Up Too Fast

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, Penny Rose Fabrics, pillow

Christmas Kitsch Blog Hop {Christmas Quilt Tutorial}

July 1, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I’m kicking off the Christmas Kitsch Blog Hop today! For the next 6 weeks, each of the Blend Fabrics Design Team Members will be sewing up a fantastic holiday project with this retro-inspired fabric line! Christmas in July here we come!

Immediately I fell in love with these fabrics! My kids call the santas “the scary Santas!” I love them because they remind me of all the Christmas decorations my mom had when I was a little girl. This fabric is available at Fat Quarter Shop.

For my project I made a table size quilt. I love this size quilt because it’s perfect to whip up in a day, give as a gift, throw over a chair, or hang on the wall. This quilt consists of only 2 sizes of squares: 2.5″ and 8.5″.

I also love this pattern because you can show off the larger prints on the border, and then do a little half square triangle (HST) piecing on the center. Lets get started!

Press all seams open

1/4″ seams throughout

Finished block 8″, finished quilt 40″ square

Fabric Requirements

Assortment of at least 10 fat quarters

1 yard of low volume background.

The star block is made up of 2.5″ squares.

For each block you need:

4 low volume 2.5″ squares

4 blue tone 2.5″ squares

8 half square triangle blocks: red and low volume.

I choose to make my HSTs with my Sizzix Fabi. I love this extra long die that cuts perfect triangles that when sewn together measure 2.5″ square.

If you don’t have this die you can make the HSTs using your favorite method. Just make sure they finish 2.5″ square.

Piece the star block together in rows, pressing seams open.

Make 9 star blocks

For the border, cut (18) 8.5″ squares from an assortment of the darker prints.

Lay out the quilt and sew together in rows, pressing seams open.

Quilt as desired.

This is such a fun quilt to sew! You could easily make it larger or make it rectangle.

Be sure to check out the other designers during the next 6 weeks! I can’t wait to see what they have.

Amanda – Jedi Craft Girl – July 1

Tina – Emily Ann’s Kloset – July 8

Jen – Tie Dye Diva – July 15

Caroline – Sew Can She – July 22

Bev – Flamingo Toes – July 29

Andy – A Bright Corner – August 5

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, Christmas, FEATURED

Sizzix Anchor Baby Quilt

June 17, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I’m super exited to be sharing my latest pattern for this adorable nautical baby quilt on the Sizzix blog ! I love giving quilts as gifts and this is the perfect pattern that you can sew up in a day. The fabrics are from Dear Stella and I love that they are not traditional baby girl fabrics. I know my ocean-loving Sister-In-Law will just love this!