Amanda

Sewvivor – Jedi Craft Girl

July 17, 2014 by Amanda 1 Comment

Welcome to the Jedi Craft Girl Blog! I’m Amanda and this is my submission for the Sew-Vivor Sewing Competition over at Family Ever After. Thanks Rach H for putting so much time and personality into this fun online sewing competition!! I have been quilting for 16 years and I love quilts in any shape and size . I couldn’t decide on a quilt to enter so I thought a quilted pillow would be fun and mix things up in the competition. Meet my Modern Pumpkin Throw Pillow. This is an original design. October is a super busy time of year, so to get my fall quilting fix I came up with this 18″ 18″ pillow. I love it because it has my 2 favorite colors, it involves half square triangle piecing, and uses machine appliqué.

I love the tightly quilted meanders in the background and the black “loop de loo” accents on the pumpkins…..loop de loo is a real word, right?

I had some fun with the back by adding an appliqué spider below the zipper.

I can’t believe fall is just around the corner – yikes!!! Thanks so much for stopping by – this is such a fun competition!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Whale Composition Book Cover

July 16, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I love composition books and I have written several tutorials for them. I use these cute covered books for everything: journals, notes, reminders, etc. Do you use a sewing journal? I am always writing patterns or changing existing patterns and I take notes as I go. This has totally saved me as I have all the notes in one place. Here is my current sewing journal – with only a few pages left in it:

This is an example of how fabulous my notes and sketches are 🙂 After I have all my notes and the project is finished, I type it up as a tutorial or pattern online. It’s time for a new composition and I’m feeling “whale-y!

This is the composition book I am using – make sure you measurements are 9 3/4″ x 7 1/2″

Supplies:

composition book

scraps of fabric

1/3 yard fabric for lining and flaps

batting

spray n bond basting spray

hair elastic

button

You can create any design as long as it measures 16/5″ x 11″ when you are finished

Anchor fabric 3″ x 16.5″

pink accent fabric (2) 1.25″ x 16.5″

whale fabric 4.5″ x 16.5″

flower fabric 3″ x 16.5″

Piece them together in this order using 1/4″ seams:

Press the seams in one direction. Using basting spray or pins, baste the top to the batting. Quilt as desired. I quilted 1/4″ lines on both sides of the seams. Square up the batting after quilting.

Take the hair elastic and baste it 1/8″ in the center on the left side of the book cover. Like this:

For the lining, cut a piece 16.5″ x 11″

For the flaps cut (2) 11″ x 10″ and press in half

Lay them out like this:

Lay right sides together and pin all the way around. Sew using 1/2″ seam allowance leaving a 3″ opening at the bottom to turn.

Turn right side out and press. Top-stitch the opening closed.

Insert the composition book and mark where you want the button. Remove the book and sew the button on with a needle and thread – inside the flap. It’s hard to see my button because it is blue.

And you’re done!! Perfect gift for just about anyone!!

Save

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, gift, sewing, Therm O Web, tutorial, whale, whale week

True Blue Whale Skirt & Top

July 15, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I can’t get enough of these whales from Blend Fabrics!! We are all sporting whale shirts! I think we will be wearing these to Sea World when we go 🙂

The fabric is cute enough that all you need to do is add some Heat n Bond to the back side of the whale, cut it out and then iron it to what ever you want!

After I ironed the whale to the T-shirt, I top-stitched around the whale twice. Sally needed a complete whale outfit (I am pretty sure if I had enough fabric I would have sewn myself a whale skirt!!)

I used skirt “A” from the pattern book Little Sassy Skirts.

I have made these skirts over and over. The patterns are easy to follow and everything is done with rotary cutter measurements (a quilters dream!). This skirt is fun because you don’t have to have a lot of yardage, I only had half yards of the True Blue prints and I love the 4 prints all pieced together!

We had such a fun day at the beach! It was beautiful! I love summer and I love whales 🙂

Filed Under: appliqué, Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, sewing, t-shirt, Therm O Web, tutorial, whale, whale week

I Heart Whales Throw Pillow

July 14, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Isn’t this the cutest fabric? It’s from the True Blue fabric line by Blend. Everyeday this week I will be featuring a project using fabrics from this fabric line – all with a whale theme!!

I totally LOVE whales and I have loved them since I was like 4 years old 🙂 I thought this pillow was super fun and I love the colors! My tutorial is over at the Therm O Web blog – so hop over there if you want the instructions to make your own!!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, pillow, sewing, Therm O Web, tutorial, Uncategorized, whale, whale week

Whale Week

July 13, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

whale week

I’m so excited to kick of Whale Week tomorrow! Everyday I will feature a new whale project: pillow, book cover, skirt, shirt, quilt, and more! I can’t get enough of summer and I can’t get enough of whales!!

Filed Under: whale week

I’m Back

July 13, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

When I came home from our Young Women’s Camp (which I was the director of) I literally hit a wall and wend into hiding. I was completely exhausted spiritually and physically. I turned 40 that next week. My children were all away at my parents. My good friend and her family moved away. I think I had some kind of break down or something. It was the hardest week of my life!!!! I am writing to say I am getting back to my usual self – but it’s been hard. Has anyone else freaked out when they turned 40? I really didn’t see it coming!!

Here is a little recap….

My friend invited my husband and I to the Kenny Loggins concert on my birthday. It was super fun and we got to meet Kenny afterwards. It was a good place to turn 40 – I was the youngest person there!!!

My friend and her family moving away from Southern California to Utah – not a good day at all.

I finally made it up to my parents house to for a family reunion. They surprised me with another birthday party. 40 – really?

We had fun at the beach:

Lots of swimming!

Peach Picking

and fun dinners!!

I hope everyone is having a great summer. Summer is my favorite for sure!! It’s good to be back 🙂

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Nautical Baby Quilt

June 11, 2014 by Amanda 8 Comments

I am happy to share with you my Nautical Quilt tutorial. One of my good friends is expecting a baby and her nursery has a nautical theme. I came up with this quilt to give her at her baby shower. I love how it turned out!

The quilt starts with a simple square in a square block. (1/4″ seams throughout)

Cut the center piece is 3.5″ square.

Cut the side pieces (2) 3.5″ x 2.5″

Cut the top and bottom pieces 7.5″ x 2.5″

Sew the side pieces on and press toward the dark. Sew the top and bottom pieces on and press toward the dark.

Now that you have the basic block down, make 9 like this with red or navy borders and a white center. Then make 9 the reverse, white sides and a red or navy center.

Assemble the blocks in rows like this:

For the large white pieces, cut”

15″ x WOF

4.5″ x WOF

Sew these to the sides of the block portion. Square up the edges.

For the appliqué, I just googled “anchor clip art” and found this anchor – there are hundreds to choose from. Trace the anchor onto Therm O Web Heat n Bond Lite. Iron the heat n bond to the wrong side of the navy fabric. Cut out the anchor, peel off the back and press into place. Top stitch in matching thread. I toyed with the idea of adding rope, ribbon, or ric arc along the length connecting to the anchor, but ultimately I decided to leave it as is.

I quilted it with straight lines. I measured the lines so they would cross the squares in equal portions. I love the navy & white polkadot binding. Now it’s time to throw a Nautical themed baby shower!

This is me and the mommy-to-be. The shower was super fun!!

Filed Under: baby shower, entertaining, FEATURED, gift, Heat n Bond, quilt, tutorial

“Manly” Zipper Pouch, aka I LOVE Bacon

June 5, 2014 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Do the men in your life LOVE bacon? The ones in my life do 🙂 Bacon themed items are super popular and what I love most about the bacon trend is Jim Gaffigan’s comedy bit about bacon – if you haven’t heard it -click HERE … you will laugh so hard!! This week at Jedi Craft Girl has been all about the fabric line Ribs & Bibs and Father’s Day
. I love this zipper pouch because it is “manly”. I used a light weight black denim on the outside, a chunky metal zipper, and the taupe utensil fabric on the inside. I used white house paint to stencil the word “Bacon” on the bag. Therm o Web fusible stabilizer gives the bag more stability. This zipper pouch is my new FAVORITE!!!

Here’s how you can make one:

Supplies

fat quarters of outer lightweight denim fabric

fat quarters of lining – I used taupe “grill master”

fat quarter “open pit” for pig motif

Therm O Web Fusible interfacing, medium weight

Heat n Bond Lite fusible applique

White paint

Zipper

Letter stencils or cutting machine

Cut (2) lining pieces (2) denim pieces and (4) interfacing pieces 8″ x 11″

Begin by preparing the stencil I used some extra vinyl I had laying around (that’s why it’s pink) and ran it through my Cricut. I used the font “Playbill”, weed the letters to leave the outline.

Using a masking strip to adhere the stencil, place the Bacon word on the center of the denim piece.

Using a stencil brush, stencil with white paint. I literally used the trim paint from my house.
Let it dry then peel off the stencil. I love how it turned out!

Here are the pieces you should have cut 8″ x 11″

Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of both the lining pieces and both the outer bag pieces – 4 total. Iron a piece of Heat n Bond to the wrong side of the pig fabric. I liked the red pig the best. Cut out around the pig leaving a little white boarder. Stitch around the pig in white thread. Press the front of the bag, heat setting the painted letters.

Now you are ready to construct the bag. Follow this tutorial here. A word of advice if you are using a chunky metal zipper…..It was my goal to not break my needle. I was super careful to hand move the needle when near the zipper – that way the needle can find it’s way around the zipper teeth. I thought I was in the clear and then resumed with the pedal and snap – the needle broke – darn! I bet you can do it without breaking the needle 🙂

I just love this project to pieces! I might need one for myself – my kids all want one too!!

Filed Under: appliqué, Blend Fabrics, Father's Day, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, projects, tutorial, Uncategorized, zipper pouch

The Perfect Potholder {Father’s Day Tutorial}

June 4, 2014 by Amanda 4 Comments

I know the claim “The Perfect Potholder” is pretty bold!! I am a bit of a potholder snob. I can’t stand silicone ones, I don’t like them if they are too stiff or puffy, I also don’t like them if they are too thin. I love the cute quilty ones, but I am always afraid to use them. So I resort to my trusty terrycloth potholders…..behold:

Aren’t they beautiful! haha!! They’ve been used and washed at least a million times and I can never give them up…..until TODAY when I came up with a homemade version that is just as functional yet much more stylish. The trick is that I cut up a hand towel (or bath towel), layered with batting and quilted it. Are you ready for the tutorial? Here we go:

Supplies:

1 bath or hand towel (not kitchen) the thicker the better!

Fat Quarter Bibs and Ribs fabric – still loving it!!

Scraps of cotton batting

fabric for the binding

Therm O Web Spray n Bond

Begin by cutting the towel 8.5″ square

also cut the batting and fabric the same size, 8.5″ square.

Use the basting spray to baste all the lawyer together with the batting in the middle.

Quilt as desired. I made 4 of these and did vertical lines, diagonal lines and then criss cross. Using a cup, draw a rounded corner on each of the corners and trim along the line.

Cut the binding on the bias 2.5″ x WOF, or enough to sew around the potholder. Sew the binding to the back of the potholder then pull the binding around and machine sew the top of the binding down.

Seriously, tears of joy were shed over this project. I cannot contain my excitement!! It actually feels just like my old trusty potholders – YIPPEE!!!

Now that I knew they were a success, I got a little creative. Try rounding all the corners but the top left corner like this:

Then sew the binding like this:

Take the little tail and give it a twirl to make a loop to hang or to just be decorative or to just finish the binding nicely.

They are the perfect addition to my collection of Father’s Day Gifts!!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, Father's Day, FEATURED, gift, Therm O Web, tutorial, Uncategorized

Riley Blake Blog Tour {Baby Play Mat Tutorial with Matching Zipper Pouch}

June 4, 2014 by Amanda 23 Comments

I am so excited to be participating in the Riley Blake Designs Quilted Cotton Blog Hop.

6/10 – Nancy Zieman

6/12 – The Sassy Quilter

6/17 – Just Let Me Quilt

6/19 – Simple Simon & Co.

6/24 – Haberdashery Fun

6/26 – Sew We Quilt

7/1 – Jina Barney Designz

7/3 – Leigh Laurel Studios

7/8 – Riley Blake Designs

Today is my day for the blog hop so WELCOME and thanks for stopping by! I can’t tell you how in love I am with Riley Blake’s new quilted cottons. They come in a variety of patterns and colors. I choose the black chevron which has polka dots on the reverse side. I love giving hand made baby gifts but sometimes it gets a little challenging to create a new quilt from scratch for every baby gift; as much as my heart wants to. The quilted cottons are perfect for sewing for baby: I appliquéd some flowers, added extra wide binding and it’s an adorable play mat or changing mat or quilt for baby.

I also used what was left of the quilted cotton to make a diaper change zipper pouch. It holds all the essentials: diapers, wipes, sanitizer, etc. Continue reading for the instructions….

Supplies:

1 yard Riley Blake Quilted Cotton

6 fat quarters flower appliqué fabric

3/4 yard fabric for wide binding

Therm O Web Spray n Bond basting spray.

Download the flower patterns HERE (for large flower, you will have to enlarge on your computer – it measures about 10.5″ across)

Cut the quilted cotton 35″ x WOF (Of course you can cut whatever size you want)

Cut the 3 sizes of flower and flower centers out to make the pattern.

Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut out.

Spray the Spray n Bond to the wrong side of the fabric appliqué pieces and place on the quilt. It is a bit of a challenge to appliqué on such a large piece of fabric – there was some pushing and pulling involved. I found it easier to spray baste the flowers after finishing sewing the one before.

Stitch around each flower and flower center 2 times using black thread.

To make the extra wide binding…. cut 4 strips 5″ x WOF. Sew together and press in half. Continue as you would with regular binding, only line up the raw edge of the binding 1″ from the edge of the quilt like this:

I machine sewed the binding so it would hold up nice in the wash. I am hoping this will be used more as a changing mat or crawling mat so it will be getting laundered often! I love how it turned out! This could easily be changed up for a boy – the navy and white chevron would be cute with anchors or fish!!

Of course I needed to sew a matching zipper pouch. I like the idea of having all the diaper change stuff in one handy pouch. I used one of my favorite tutorials from my good friend Jennifer. I changed the measurements from 9″x11″ to 8″x11″. The rest of the tutorial is exactly the same.

Cut (2) quilted cotton pieces 8″ x 11″

Cut (2) lining fabric pieces 8″ x 11″

Applique the smallest flower from the quilt pattern above to the side of one of the quilted cotton pieces. Then follow the rest of the tutorial.

I need one of these for myself!!

They make such a darling set! I can’t wait to give this to my friend who is expecting her very first baby!!

Thanks for stopping by! I can’t wait to see all the projects on this fun Blog Tour!!

Filed Under: appliqué, FEATURED, gift, Heat n Bond, patterns, quilt, Riley Blake, sewing, tutorial, zipper pouch

Sewvivor – Jedi Craft Girl

Whale Composition Book Cover

True Blue Whale Skirt & Top

I Heart Whales Throw Pillow

Whale Week

I’m Back

Nautical Baby Quilt

“Manly” Zipper Pouch, aka I LOVE Bacon

The Perfect Potholder {Father’s Day Tutorial}

Riley Blake Blog Tour {Baby Play Mat Tutorial with Matching Zipper Pouch}

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