Amanda

Anchor Pillow Tutorial

April 21, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

It’s feeling like summer here in Southern California with temperatures reaching up to 90 degrees! Let the fun begin! I’m such a summer girl – I hate to be cold! In celebration of the wonderful warm weather we’re having I thought I would share this fun nautical pillow with you. The fabrics are from Blend’s True Blue line which is in reproduction since it was so popular! Which is great news because it’s one of my favorites!!

Let’s get started!

Supplies:

Fat Quarters or quarter yard cuts of a variety of the True Blue Fabrics

fat quarter or 1/2 yard white fabric for center

2/3 yard backing

2 yards ric rac

Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print Sheets

20″ pillow insert

2.5 yards pillow trim

Anchor Pattern, Click HERE

Cut the center white fabric 12.5″ x 12.5″. Print out the anchor on the Heat n Bond Lite EZ print sheets or trace the anchor onto Heat n Bond Lite. Press the Heat n Bond to the wrong side of the anchor fabric. Cut the anchor out and peel off the backing paper. Press the anchor in the center of the white fabric. Top stitch around the anchor.

Position the ric rac as picture:

I used Spray n Bond to hold it in place while I sewed. You can also use pins. Sew the ric rac on with matching thread.

Refer to the above diagram for sewing the patchy boarder. All squares are 2.5″ and all seams are 1/4″.

Once the pillow top is complete, spray baste it to the batting and then to a backing. The backing fabric won’t be seen, it just gives the pillow added stability. Quilt as desired.

I quilted mine with wavy lines and then “pebbles” in the center. After quilting square up each side. The final measurement should be pretty close to 20″. You loose a little with the quilting.

Baste the pillow trim onto the pillow top. Finish the quilt as desired. I always put a zipper in the back of my pillow and you can follow the instructions in this tutorial.

I love how this pillow turned out and it goes great with all my other nautical sewing projects! For more nautical projects, click HERE.

Mufasa was especially impressed with this project 🙂

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, nautical, pillow, Therm O Web, whale week

Patchwork Tote Bag Tutorial

April 7, 2016 by Amanda 4 Comments

I love sewing for Sally! And I love that she loves everything I make for her! I was thrilled to receive this bundle of fat quarters from Ft. Worth Fabric Studio. Every Friday they feature a fun Friday bundle! This is the perfect project to make with a handful of fat quarters and a few cuts of yardage. This is such a versatile size of bag! And the fabrics are so perfect for a little girl 🙂

Let’s get started!

Supplies:

7 Fat Quarters assorted prints

1/2 yard lining

1/4 yard handles

quilt batting

Press all your fat quarters so they are nice and smooth.

And by “press” I don’t mean let your cat lay on the fabrics!

The bag is made up of 2 outer pieces and 2 lining pieces. For the outer bag, cut 3.5″ blocks. You will need 25 for the front and 25 for the back. I added in 1 solid white square to applique a heart on.

For the applique, draw a heart onto Heat n Bond Lite. Cut the heart out 1/4″ larger than the drawn heart. Iron it to the wrong side of the flaming fabric. Press. Then cut out on the heart line. Peel off backing paper and press the heart onto the white fabric.

Top stitch around the heart a few times in an accent color.

Once you have all the blocks cut and arranged, sew them together using 1/4″ seams, just like you would a quilt. Press each row in opposite direction so the seams match up nicely. Make 2 of these. This should measure 15 1/2″ square.

Next we will be making a quilt. Baste each patchwork outer bag piece onto the quilt batting. Then baste onto plain fabric for the backing. This backing will NOT be seen. I used some fabric I didn’t like very much 🙂 This extra layer will give the bag a bit more weight and stability.

Basting spray is the greatest invention ever!!!

Here you can see my “junky” fabric on the back.

Quilt as desired. I quilted 1/4″ away from each of the seams. The quilting will shrink the up the quilt a little bit. Measure the size of the patchwork piece, mine measured about 15.25″

Once each of the 2 pieces is quilted, trim off any excess batting. Pin right sides together, matching at all side seams, leaving the top open. Sew around the sides and the bottom using 1/4″ seam allowance.

Cut (2) lining pieces 15.25″. This should be the exact measurement as the patchwork outer bag. Place the two lining pieces right sides together, and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. I like to take a slightly larger seam on the lining, so a generous 1/4″ seam allowance.

Cut a 1 3/4″ notch out of the bottom of each corner.

Open each notch, and match the seams, pinning. Sew a 1/4″ seams across. The picture below is slightly confusing because I used 2 different fabrics on my quilt back.

Once each of the corners are sewn, it’s time to make the handles.

Cut (2) 4″ x 23″ strips. Press in half lengthwise. Then fold each side up to the center. Then fold again, giving you a 1″ wide handle.

Top stitch each handle 1/8″ from the edge. Position the handle 4″ from the side seam. Pin in place. Baste in place.

Place the outer bag and the lining right sides together, matching side seams, and pinning all the way around. Sew all the way around the top of the bag using a 1/4″ seam.

Unstitch a little section on the side of the lining and turn the bag right side out.

Top stitch the opening closed. Tuck the lining down inside and press the top edge of the bag. Pin along the edge so the lining stays down. Top stitch all the way around the bag using a 1/4″ seams allowance.

It’s all done!!! And it’s oh so sweet!!

Filed Under: bags, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Therm O Web

Classic Heirloom Quilts – Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along

April 7, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I love the classic style of Heirloom quilts, don’t you! I have inherited several quilts from my Great-Great Grandmother, Veda. These quilts are such treasures to me. When I look at these quilts with their hand cutting, hand piecing and hand quilting, I marvel at the the time and love that went into their construction. Veda was a poor farmer’s wife with 3 daughters living in Kansas. I hope my attempts at quilting make her proud.

This is one of Veda’s red and white quilts – all those triangles!! I love this book, Classic & Heirloom Quilts inspired from the 1800’s. There is even a video you can watch!! I choose to make a small quilt with Riley Blake Designs Strawberry Biscuit fabric. I love this pattern because it uses 2.5″ cuts and it’s a perfect scrap-buster as well. This book shows how to make each of the 8 patterns in a mini, throw, or queen size quilt.

Mufasa was very helpful in messing up all my rows I had lined up!

Then he redeemed himself by taking a very smart photo next to the finished quilt 🙂

In piecing this quilt I used my favorite method of “grab and go” which means I didn’t lay any blocks out – it’s totally random. Some “like” prints ended up next to each other and I’m totally ok with that, it makes it unique!

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, quilt, Riley Blake

Jewelry Pouch Travel Set

April 4, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

I am so excited to share this project with you!! I LOVE jewelry! (Especially Twisted Silver Jewelry) This is the perfect way to store your jewelry when you travel so it doesn’t get tangled or damaged. You can sew as many of these little pouches as you want and they all fit in this zipper bag. This would make such a great gift for Mother’s Day, Birthday, or Graduation. The full tutorial is over on the Therm O Web Blog.

All the fabrics are from Riley Blake Designs Vintage Market Fabric Line by Tasha Noel. I used Heat n Bond Fusible Fleece in the zipper bag and then a medium weight fusible stabilizer in the little pouches.

Each little pouch has a button closure.

Filed Under: bags, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Riley Blake, Therm O Web, tutorial, zipper pouch

Full Access Zipper Pouch Tutorial

April 1, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

I love making zipper pouches – any shape and any size! They are perfect for every situation and every occasion!! This is a tutorial for how to make a “full access” or “open wide” zipper pouch. This method will work for any measurements of zipper pouch. Before we get started, prepare the outer bag, lining, and stabilizer or quilt batting.

My favorite zipper pouch dimensions:

6.5″ x 9″

8″ x 11″

and this one is 7.5″ x 9″

Cut (2) outer bag pieces the same size. The one above is pieced. You can piece the outer bag in any design, as long as the measurements are the same as the back and the lining.

Cut (2) lining fabrics the same size

Cut (2) stabilizer pieces or batting pieces also the same size

Fuse the stabilizer to the outer bag pieces, or quilt the outer bag pieces.

And now for the zipper…..

I always use a zipper that is larger than I need.

Mark a straight line on the wrong side of the zipper, as pictured below. This will provide a way to make sure the zipper matches up.

Place the 2 outer bag pieces as pictured below, as thought the zipper was in the center. Place a mark 1/2″ from the left edge and 1 1/2″ from the right edge, as shown below.

Place the zipper face down on the front piece of the bag:

Match up the mark on the zipper and the 1/2″ mark on the bag with the end of the zipper trailing off as pictured below:

Continue to pin the zipper along the raw edge of the bag front.

Now place one of the lining pieces face down on the bag front/zipper portion. Align the raw edges along the top and pin in place.

Using a zipper foot, sew along the pinned edge. The front end of the zipper should be trailing out of the seam, and the marked lines should match up. Kind of curve the zipper in to make sure the marks meet exactly.

Continue sewing and stop the needle in the down position at the 1 1/2″ mark. Move the zipper tail to the right and continue sewing right off the zipper and all the way along the raw edge. You should not be sewing the zipper once you hit the 1 1/2″ mark.

Once you turn the outer bag piece facing out, this is what it should look like:

Position the outer bag back piece next to the zipper as pictured above. Repeat the same process of sewing the zipper, only on the opposite side. Match the marks at the 1/2″ point. Then put the second bag lining piece on top, right side down. Pin along the top and sew with the zipper foot.

You will need to sew this portion “opposite” with the needle moved all the way over to the opposite side and the bulk of the zipper pouch next to the throat of the sewing machine.

Stop sewing at the 1 1/2″ mark and pull the zipper end to the right and continue sewing (below)

This is how the bag should look now:

Trim off the excess zipper of the front only, leave the tail.

WITH THE ZIPPER PARTIALLY OPEN, match right sides together of the lining pieces and right sides together of the outer bag pieces, tuck the zipper tail way inside this unit so it doesn’t get caught in the seam. Pin all the way around, matching the seams.

Sew all the way around the bag using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave a 3″ opening on one of the bag lining sides for turning.

This part will differ depending on the bag you are making. I like to use a 1 1/4″ or a 1 1/2″ notch. Cut a pattern square the desired size of the notch. Cut this notch out of each corner.

After the notches have been cut, open the corner of the bag so the bottom seams match up and pin:

Sew a 1/4″ seam along each of the 4 corners, back-stitching at the start and stop of the seam.This is how the bag should look now (above). Turn the bag right side out and top stitch the opening closed.

Press the lining down inside the bag and top stitch all the way around the top of the bag 1/4″ away from the top.

To finish the zipper, make a zipper tab. Cut an accent piece 3 1/2″ x 2″.

Press the short ends under 1/4″ and the sides in enough to match the width of the zipper. Then press in half.

Cut the zipper tail to the desired length and then place the zipper tab over the end of the zipper. Pin. Top stitch all the way around the zipper tab.

And it’s finished!!!

These are some of my favorite zipper pouch tutorials:

Filed Under: FEATURED, Riley Blake, Therm O Web, zipper pouch

“Flower Patchy” a Half Square Triangle Mini Quilt Pattern

March 25, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

Sometimes you just need some cute fabrics and a fun little project to brighten your day! I received my Cotton Crate shipment in the mail and it was filled with Riley Blake Designs’ Calico Days! I was super excited to make a little quilt using just what came in the box!

Every month Cotton Crates will deliver a box of 12 high quality fat quarters right to your door! I loved having everything coordinated so I could jump right into sewing, instead of auditioning fabrics all afternoon! This is the perfect little quilt to put on a table, fold over a chair, or add to your mini quilt wall! It could also change with the seasons, I’m thinking Halloween with pumpkins or Christmas with trees, or nautical with anchors! This is also the perfect go-to pattern when you need a hand made gift. I did not lay out my fabrics ahead of time, I wanted it to look scrappy.

Let’s get started on this fun little project!

12 fat quarters, these cuties are from Calico Days by Riley Blake Designs

Sizzix 4 1/2″ half square triangle die

Sizzix Flower & Leaves Bigz die

Heat n Bond Lite

1/2 yard binding

1 yard backing

All seams 1/4″, Finished Quilt 28″ square

I am so in love with the Sizzix Half Square Triangle (HST) dies! I can’t believe it took me this long to finally try it. I always thought I didn’t need this die because there are so many fast ways to make HSTs! WRONG! This die is amazing! It is notched right at the 1/4″ so there are no little dog ears to cut off. Which means the triangles line up and match up PERFECTLY! NO SQUARING UP AFTER! This is such a fast way to cut these. And you can cut 6 layers at one time! Follow the diagram below for step by step instructions:

I have heard people say that die cutting triangles wastes fabric. Not here! Cut the fabric in strips 5″ wide. Once cut there is only a tiny amount of fabric left.

The HST is 4 1/2″ square which means it finishes at 4″ once in a quilt.

Once all your HSTs are put together, cut 9 low volume squares 4 1/2″. This is the background for the applique.

Using the left over pieces of the fat quarters, cut small pieces and fuse Heat n Bond Lite to the back.

You can use any flower shape, I choose to use this one:

Make sure you have your cat do all your die cutting so it will be purrrrrrrfect 🙂

Once you have cut the flowers, peel off the baking paper and fuse them to the 4 1/2″ squares. Top stitch around each piece.

Mufasa really can’t get enough of the Sizzix machine! I am super careful so we don’t get our paws pinched.

Lay the quilt out in 7 rows of 7, placing the flower applique blocks as shown below.

Sew each block together and press in rows. Press the seams of the rows in alternate directions. You can press seams open, I lost patience in doing this 🙂

Match each intersection and pin. Make sure to watch the points when you are sewing. I scant my seams on this part.

Baste, quilt, and bind! I love how charming this little quilt turned out. And I sewed it in a few hours!!

Filed Under: cotton crate, Riley Blake, sizzix, Therm O Web

Kimberly’s Sac Pattern from Fat Quarter Shop

March 23, 2016 by Amanda 3 Comments

cat lady bag 12

Today I am participating in a blog hop with the Fat Quarter Shop! We are showing off this super cute, super easy cross-body bag called Kimberly’s Sac. This bag is so much fun to make that I had to make two of them! One is for me and one is for my daughter. There is even a video you can watch to help you as you sew along! Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 6.38.40 PM

This bag is great because it’s comfy and slouchy! I used quilt batting inside so it feels like a soft quilt.

cat lady 18

I made 2 versions: one is with Cat Lady Fabric by Cotton and Steel and the other, for my daughter, is sewn with the latest Star Wars fabric.

For Star Wars bag, I used only squares for the outer bag. This was easier for Ella to cut out and design by herself.

She LOVES it! This would make the perfect gift for the Star Wars Nerd in your life 🙂

And this Cat Lady version would be the perfect gift for that Crazy Cat Lady in your life (or yourself)…..hahahaha!

cat lady tote bag

I used parts of the selvage in the Cat Lady bag – I love Cotton and Steel’s creative use of fabric selvage!

cat lady bag

cat lady bag 2

Since this bag is soft and cuddly just like a quilt, of course Mufasa sought it out as the perfect place for an afternoon nap 🙂

cat lady bag 6

I suppose it’s fitting that my Cat Lady bag has cat fur on it!!

cat lady bag 5

cat lady bag 3

This is such a fun bag to use! I can’t wait to make another one!

cat lady bag 14 FatQuarterShop-250x250(1)

Filed Under: bags, cat, FEATURED

Vintage Kitchen Blog Hop and Quilt Tutorial

March 23, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am so thrilled to be part of the Vintage Kitchen Blog Tour! Andrea from Jolijou has designed this amazing vintage inspired kitchen theme fabric!! You can see all the wonderful prints here on the Riley Blake Designs Website.

It is the perfect colors of vintage Pyrex dishes.

I created this quilt called “Cat in the Kitchen”. It is made up of hourglass blocks and 9-patch blocks. What could be more fun!! Each of the 9-patch blocks has a kitty in the center – just like in my kitchen….with Mufasa constantly in the center of it all.

I have created a few little instruction guides to help you put this quilt together.

Supplies:

Assortment of Vintage Kitchen fabrics 1/3 yard each (4 blues, 2 pinks, 3 low volume, 2 yellow, cats, and others to mix in)

Solid White 1 1/3 yard

3 yards backing

1/2 yard binding

Begin by creating the hourglass blocks and 9-patch blocks. All seams are 1/4″.

9 Patch Block – pinks & yellows with cats in the center.

The edges of the quilt are finished with flying geese blocks and rectangles. Lay out the quilt as suggested below:

Assemble the quilt together in rows, pinning at each intersection and pressing. Make sure your cat walks all over it for inspection before you quilt it!!!

I am so happy with how this quilt came together! The fabrics were so much fun to sew with! My mind is just racing with more ideas of fun things to sew with this fabric!!!

Check out all the other amazing projects that my friends are making as part of this blog hop!!

3/7/2016	Julia – Riley Blake Designs	www.rileyblakedesigns.com/blog
3/7/2016	Andrea – Jolijou	www.jolijou.com
3/8/2016	Nina – Hedi	www.hedinaeht.blogspot.de
3/8/2016	Anja – Nähkitz	www.naehkitz.de
3/9/2016	Swafing Fabrics	www.blog.swafing.de
3/9/2016	Carrie Beri Bee Designs	www.beribeedesigns.com
3/10/2016	Herzenssachen	www.linababedierste.blogspot.de
3/10/2016	Andrea – anlukaa	www.anlukaa.blogspot.com
3/11/2016	Emma – Frühstück bei Emma	www.fruehstueckbeiemma.blogspot.com
3/11/2016	einchen – doppelnaht	doppelnaht.blogspot.com
3/14/2016	Anorina – Samelias Mum	www.sameliasmum.com
3/14/2016	Bev – Flamingo Toes	www.flamingotoes.com
3/15/2016	Amy – Diary of a Quilter	www.diaryofaquilter.com
3/15/2016	Julia – lillesol & pelle	www.lillesolundpelle.com
3/16/2016	Andy – A Bright Corner	www.abrightcorner.com
3/16/2016	Sabine – farbenmix	www.farbenmix.de/inspiration
3/17/2016	Simone – KaeptnStupsnase	www.kaeptnstupsnase.com
3/17/2016	Sarah – Mädchenkram	www.mein-maedchenkram.de
3/18/2016	Melissa Corry	www.happyquiltingmelissa.com
3/21/2016	Jessica Stewart	www.snickerdoodlestew.com
3/21/2016	Bine Guellich	www.waseigenes.com
3/22/2016	Lindsay Wilkes	www.thecottagemama.com
3/22/2016	Sandra – Flaupa	www.flaupa.blogspot.com
3/23/2016	Amanda Niederhauser	www.jedicraftgirl.com
3/23/2016	Ina – pattydoo	www.pattydoo.de
3/24/2016	Ruth Sodl-Warter	www.rogeruethsgarden.com
3/24/2016	Marissa – Rae Gun Ramblings	www.raegunramblings.com

Filed Under: #kittyquilter, FEATURED, patterns, quilt, Riley Blake

Bunny Mini Quilt and Pillow Featuring EZ Print Sheets

March 17, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

I am so in love with bunnies and springtime! My whole house is starting to look like a rabbit hutch! (hahaha!!) I am sharing this pattern over on the Therm O Web blog today! You can choose to make a mini quilt or a pillow! The fabrics are from Penny Rose Fabrics designed by Elea Lutz called Milk, Sugar, Flower.

The pillow is made just like you would a quilt, only you add a zippered pillow back before you sew the binding!

See the zipper? It’s hiding under an accent strip of cute fabric!

I’m keeping the pillow for myself and giving this mini quilt to a sweet friend!

Both the quilt and the pillow are 20″ square.

Hop over to the Therm o Web blog and you can download the applique pieces and print them directly onto Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print sheets!

Filed Under: appliqué, FEATURED, Penny Rose Fabrics, pillow, quilt, Therm O Web

Wonderland {by Riley Blake Designs } Easter Dress

March 15, 2016 by Amanda 4 Comments

Thanks for hopping over here as part of the Riley Blake Designs Wonderland Blog Hop….or should I say Bunny Hop Hoppity Hop! I am so in love with this fabric line “Wonderland” by my friend, Melissa Mortenson.

Melissa is the cutest ever! She writes amazing patterns and books, designs fabric, and writes a sewing & craft blog called The Polka Dot Chair. I am grateful to be a part of this blog hop!

When I saw this fabric I knew I wanted to sew Sally an Easter dress. I am so happy that Sally is still thrilled at clothes I make for her. Please don’t grow up!!! This is my favorite girl dress style: little puffy sleeve, collar, sash, pleats and a long skirt. I was actually surprised at this Simplicity Pattern #1211 . It followed traditional dress construction and was fairly simple to put together. I am hoping to make 5 more!!! Look at all the fun variations you can make!

It’s always a little scary cutting into yards of fabric!!

But with a little help from my friend Jennifer and her cute bunnies, it was a snap!

I think this is the definition of sweet 🙂

Sally was thrilled to hear she would get to model the dress with real bunnies!

The bunnies look all soft and cuddly, but you can’t see all the scratch marks on Sally’s arms!!

I love the pleats in the skirt portion of the dress rather than gathers, it gives it such a classic, clean look. And of course who doesn’t love a but accent strip on the bottom of the skirt!

Did I mention I love bunnies?

This fabric is so amazing and soft. I would totally wear a skirt out of the bunny print. Too bad I don’t have any left over 🙁

I think this poor bunny is saying “I’ve had enough, put me down!” Thanks for stopping by! I can’t wait to see all the other fabulous projects on this blog hop!!

Filed Under: bunny, clothes, FEATURED, Riley Blake

Anchor Pillow Tutorial

Patchwork Tote Bag Tutorial

Classic Heirloom Quilts – Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along

Jewelry Pouch Travel Set

Full Access Zipper Pouch Tutorial

“Flower Patchy” a Half Square Triangle Mini Quilt Pattern

Kimberly’s Sac Pattern from Fat Quarter Shop

Vintage Kitchen Blog Hop and Quilt Tutorial

Bunny Mini Quilt and Pillow Featuring EZ Print Sheets

Wonderland {by Riley Blake Designs } Easter Dress

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