sewing

Fabric Postcard Tutorial Featuring Hello Sweetheart by Riley Blake Designs

December 7, 2018 by Amanda 3 Comments

I love this adorable valentine inspired fabric called Hello Sweetheart by Riley Blake Designs! Seriously the cutest valentine fabric ever!!!

I was so inspired by the clever little valentines that I wanted to turn them into actual valentines you can mail! These are super easy and would be fun for your kids to help make!

Supplies:

Hello Sweetheart valentine panel by Riley Blake Designs

4″ x 6″ pieces coordinating fabric

Heat n Bond heavy weight fusible stabilizer

Spray n Bond basing spray

Paper postcard (see download link)

Thread

Using scissors, cut out the valentines you want to use. There are so many cute ones!!!

Cut each background fabric 4″ x 6″

I had fun mixing and matching the valentines with the background fabric. This is what I choose.

Using Spray n Bond basting spray, spray the wrong side of the valentine and position it on the 4″x 6″ fabric. Sew around the valentine.

Cut (2) 4″ x 6″ pieces of Heat n Bond heavy weight fusible stabilizer. You will use 2 pieces per postcard.

Fuse the first stabilizer to the wrong side of the fabric postcard. Let cool. Then fuse a second piece. Let cool.

Download the postcard template by clicking here. Cut on the gray line – it should measure 4″ x 6″.

They are so cute!

Once they are all stabilized, spray a little basting spray on the wrong side of the stabilizer and position the paper postcard. This is to hold it in place while sewing.

Now that the postcard is assembled, you may need to trim up the edges if the stabilizer of paper are showing. Using a zigzag stitch, sew around the postcard 2 times, sewing near or off the edge.

Now start writing notes to the people you love!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Riley Blake, sewing, Therm O Web, tutorial, Valentine's Day

Cat Head Quilt Block Mini Quilt

October 22, 2018 by Amanda 7 Comments

I recently went off social media for 10 days as a challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Instagram! However I completely enjoyed having no outside influences coming into my brain throughout the day! I was able to let my own mind decide what I wanted or needed to do. I found myself spending time finishing little projects and catching up on family photo albums. Several years ago I made a Halloween Cat Head Block quilt and I recently found 6 stray cat blocks! I put them together in a little quilt to hang in my sewing room.

I love the retro feeling the pop of aqua gives! It’s by Camelot and is perfect for the little 1″ setting squares!

I’m so not a plant person but we are trying to grow these cute little succulents! So darling!

Do you think I am turning into a crazy cat lady? Maybe I’ve passed up crazy!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, mini quilt, quilt, sewing

Sew Happy Sewing Machine Cover Tutorial

September 26, 2018 by Amanda 2 Comments

I’m super excited to be part of Riley Blake Designs’ Paperdoll blog tour! When I saw the delightful prints in the Paperdoll fabric line I knew I wanted to make something for my sewing studio! I love the vintage dress patterns, pin cushions and buttons in the fabric!

I have been wanting a quilt for my sewing machine! Normally it’s in use everyday, but this new school year has been a rough one and I don’t find myself sewing as much. So my trusty Bernina needs a quilt!

Essentially this is a shorter table runner with ties. You can really choose any design! You can turn it so it says “SEW” or “Happy”. I used a fat quarter bundle, 1/4 yard solid white, and 3/4 yard for binding and ties.

The finished quilt measures 21″ x 31″.

Cut the fabrics according to the measurements on the diagram above.

Sew the 2″ squares in 4-patch units, pressing toward the dark. Make (25) 4-patch units.

Download the letters by clicking HERE. Trace the letters onto Heat n Bond Lite. Cut out 1/4″ around each letter and place them on the wrong side of a black fat quarter. Heat set in place. Cut out the letters. Peel off the backing paper. Arrange them on the solid white rectangle and heat set in place. Top stitch around each letter in black thread.

Mufasa loves to sleep while I sew!

Once the letters are finished, lay out the quilt according to the diagram. Sew together in rows, pressing toward the 3 1/2″ squares.

Sew the rows together, pressing in one direction.

Baste and quilt as you would a normal quilt. I quilted loops.

Cut (3) 2 1/2″ strips on the bias for the binding. Piece end to end diagonally. Press in half. Sew the binding on as you would a quilt.

Prepare the ties by cutting (4) 4″x 24″ strips. With right sides together, fold in half lengthwise and sew 1/4″ along the long edge, ending with a point (pictured below). Turn the ties right side out and press. Baste each tie in the seam of the binding. (Place the quilt over your machine and mark where you want the ties, machines will vary).

Hand bind as you would a normal quilt, continue stitching right over the ties (below).

Once the binding is complete so is the sewing machine cover! My sewing machine looks SEW HAPPY!!!!

It also makes a cute sewing table runner if you don’t add the ties!

And for the rest of the afternoon it served as a kitty nap time blanket!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, quilt, Riley Blake, sewing, Therm O Web

Four-Patch Heart Mini Quilt

February 10, 2017 by Amanda 2 Comments

I can’t get enough valentine sewing! I think its just the pick-me-up I need during wintertime! I created this fun mini quilt that is perfect to hang on a wall, put on a table or give to someone you love.

The finished quilt measures 26″ square and is made up of 4 quilt blocks that measure 10″.

These fabrics from Moda are sure to brighten your day! The line is called Just Another Walk in the Woods – and it’s ADORABLE!!! Don’t you just love cracking open a Jelly Roll! It’s a little bit magical!

4-Patch Heart Mini Quilt Featuring Heat n Bond Lite

Here’s what you need to get started:

1/2 a Jelly Roll (or equivalent)
1/3 yard background fabric
Aurifil Threads – 2530 &
Heat n Bond® Lite EZ print sheets
1/2 yard for backing
1/3 yard binding – or you can use left over Jelly Roll Strips

Click Here to download the heart Pattern

All seams 1/4″

Begin by cutting 15-18 of the jelly roll strips into 2 1/2″ squares.

Cut the background fabric:

(4) 6 1/2″ squares
(16) 2 1/2″ squares for block corners
(32) 2 1/2″ squares for Half Square Triangles (HST)

4-Patch Applique Hearts

Select (4) groups of (4) fabrics for the hearts. I selected like colors for each heart but you can make it scrappy if you want! Sew the group of 4 fabrics together in a 4-patch, pressing seams.

Print (or trace) 4 hearts onto Heat n Bond Lite.

Cut out 1/8″ around each heart.

Center the heart on the wrong side of each 4-patch. Heat set.

Cut out each heart and peel off the backing paper. Fuse hearts to the center of the (4) white 6 1/2″ squares. Sew 2 times around each heart with a straight stitch. Set aside.

HSTs – Half Square Triangles

You can make the HSTs however you prefer. I used my Sizzix machine for quick cutting. They need to measure 2 1/2″ when they are finished. You will need a total of 32 HST to make the 4 blocks.

(Quick HST instructions: Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (32) 2 1/2″ back ground squares. Pair right sides together with a 2 1/2″ square cut from the jelly roll fabric. Sew along the diagonal line. Trim 1/4″ along the seam and press toward the dark.)

Follow the chart below to construct the block:

Use the (16) background 2 1/2″ squares for the block corners and (16) low volume 2 1/2″ squares from the Jelly Roll for the center squares.

Make 4 blocks. I chose a color for each block, but you could totally mix up the colors and make them all scrappy!!

Once the blocks are finished, take the remaining 2 1/2″ squares from the Jelly Roll and piece the sashing and borders. Press all seams open.

Sew (2) strips of 5 squares for the short sashing. Press

Sew (3) strips of 11 squares for the top, middle, and bottom sashing. Press

Sew (2) strips of 13 squares for the side sashing. Press

Make sure to match each seam and pin.

Use Spray n Bond® for quick basting! I can’t live without it!!!

Quilt as desired. Bind.

I hope you love making this!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, moda, quilt, sewing, sizzix, Therm O Web, tutorial, Valentine's Day

Market Tote Pattern

May 26, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I created this fun and versitile tote bag for Blend Fabrics. It’s such a great tote because it folds up super flat but then you can fill it with tons of stuff! It’s perfect for beach towels and swimming stuff, goodies from the farmers market, or a fun day in the fabric district in LA! You can download the pattern by clicking HERE.

No really, it’s huge! Sally was thrilled to finally have a photo shoot that involved food!!! This fabric is called Lolly by Blend Fabrics.

You can make this optional Doughnut Money Pouch. Download the instructions HERE.

I also made a True Blue version of this bag.

Filed Under: bags, Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, patterns, sewing

Scripture Cover Tutorial Featuring Vintage Market from Riley Blake Designs

July 27, 2015 by Amanda 2 Comments

My daughter and I recently received new scriptures and with new scriptures comes a need for new covers! I love these little quilted covers, I think of them as blankets for your bibles….heehee 🙂 The Riley Blake Designs fabric I am using is called Vintage Market Fabric by Tasha Noel. Absolutly everything Tasha designs is too cute for words. I can’t decide which little scene is my favorite! I love jam, bicycles, quilts, sewing machines, and all vintage goods. I guess I love it all!!!

This pattern will walk you through the steps of determining the measurements for your bible or book and how to create a quilted cover. The two examples shown are a set of regular “quad” scriptures and then the larger “quad” scriptures.

The first step is to take the measurements of the book. Hold the tape measure from cover to cover with the book closed as pictured below. Write down that length measurement. Then do the same thing width wise and record that number.

MEASUREMENTS

To determine the measurements for the width (top to bottom), add 1″ to the width measurement and then subtract 1/8″.

To determine the measurements for the length (side to side), measure the length and add 6″.

For the regular quad, the book measures: 7 3/8″ x 13″ so the number we are after is 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad, the book measures: 9 3/8″ x 15″ so the number we are after is 10 1/4″ x 21″

Overview

Here is a photo of what the finished cover looks like. The inside consists of 2 flaps to insert the book cover. The cover also extends beyond the book so it wraps around and buttons to close.

Construct the Quilted Cover

Following the instructions for the “quilt” will give you a quilt that is slightly larger than the measurements required. Not to worry, I have put a little “extra” in as the quilt tends to shrink after being quilted. Once it is pieced and quilted you will square it up to the measurements you determined at the beginning.

The quilt consists of 3.5″ cut blocks that finish 3″ square. The Vintage Market motifs are fussy cut. They are alternated with hourglass blocks.

How to Fussy Cut

There are many ways to fussy cut an image, this is my method. Cut a 3.5″ square out of a piece of card stock. Use this as a little window to center the motif. Draw a pencil line around the 3.5″ square. Keep in mind you will have 1/4″ seam allowances.

Using scissors do a rough cut around the pencil line. Then place the image on a cutting mat and use the pencil lines as a guide to line up the ruler. Make sure to match the ruler to the grid as the pencil marks might be off slightly. Any pencil marks shown will be caught in the seam allowance.

Next, wrangle your cat away from the fabric so you can continue with this project 🙂

Hour Glass Block

To make the hourglass block, cut a light 5″ charm square and a dark 5″ charm square. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light square.

Place the light and dark squares right sides together. Sew 1/4″ seam along both sides of the pencil line. Cut apart and press toward the dark.

Take the two half square triangle (HST) units and draw a diagonal line on one of the wrong sides. Place the HST units together so the lights and darks are opposite, match the center seam. Sew 1/4″ along both sides of the drawn line. Cut apart along the pencil line and press the seams open.
This will give you 2 hour glass blocks. Next, place the hourglass block on the cutting mat and “square up” to measure 3.5″. Make sure to align each diagonal seam with the 45 degree lines on the cutting grid.

It will look nice and perfect when you are done!

For the regular quad, you need (5) fussy cut squares and (5) hourglass blocks

For the large quad, you need (9) fussy cut squares and (9) hourglass blocks

If you are creating your own book cover with different measurements, you need enough squares to get closest to your measurement, but not to exceed the measurement. There will be accent strips to make up the difference.

Piece the quilt together using 1/4″ seams, block by block, pressing toward the fussy cut blocks. Then join the rows together, pressing seams open. The regular size of scriptures has 2 rows and the large size of scriptures has 3 rows.

For both sizes of scriptures, sew a 2″ strip along the top and bottom of the “quilt”. No need to measure, it can hang off, it will all get squared up soon. Press seams toward the strips.

Square up the sides and sew a 2.5″ strip to the right side and a 2.5″ strip to the left side. Press seams toward the strips. It is best if these are different colors as they will be overlapping once the cover is finished.

Again, do this no matter what size scriptures you are using.

Baste the quilt to the batting. I love to use Spray n Bond because I can baste this little quilt in about 30 seconds!!! Quilt as desired.

Once it is quilted it is time to square up the finished quilt cover. Here are the measurements again:

For the regular quad: 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad: 10 1/4″ x 21″

It is best to determine the center and than count each side out so the top and bottom strips look even.

Next cut an angle off the LEFT side of the quilt. NOT THE RIGHT SIDE LIKE I DID.

Cut the angle on the LEFT side. For the 2-row quilt, measure in 2″ and angle down 2.5″. Do this on both corners. For the 3-row quilt, change the measurements to 2″ in and 3″ down.

You can add lace or other decorative trim at this point.

Our quilt is finished! WhoooHoooo!!!

Flaps

Prepare the flaps by cutting (2) squares the size of the width measurement. For the regular quad it is 8 1/4″ square and for the large quad it is 10 1/4″ square.

Press both flaps in half. Set aside one flap. On the second flap, press the edges opposite the half crease under 1/4″ inches like this:

Cut the lining piece (pink) the measurements of the quilt:

For the regular quad: 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad: 10 1/4″ x 21″

Position the flap without the pressed seams on the left, aligning the raw edges and the folded part toward the center.

Place the flap with the pressed under edges at the 14″ mark for the regular quad scriptures and the 16″ mark for the large quad scriptures. If you are determining your own measurements you would subtract the length of the quilt by 5″. Pin the right flap in place and top stitch along the folded edges. The left flap will be caught in the final seam.

Place the quilted cover on the lining/flap piece, right sides together. Match all edges and pin in place. Don’t worry about the angles, we will cut them later.

Leave an opening for turning where the colored pins are:

Sew all the way around the cover using 1/4″ seams. If your seams are larger the cover won’t fit. Trim off the excess lining where the angles are. Clip the corner and turn right side out. Press all edges and press opening edges under. Top stitch the opening closed.

The inside should look like this (below). You can add a little top stitching around the angle flap. Don’t top stitch around the entire cover or the book won’t fit inside.

Insert the scriptures and mark where you want the button holes. If your measurements only call for 2 rows of quilt blocks, you only need 1 button. For the larger version with 3 rows of quilt blocks, it is helpful to have 2 buttons. Sew the button holes and then hand sew the buttons, making sure not to catch the thread in the flap.

You’re done!!!!

You can use regular buttons or make covered buttons like these ones:

True fact: If you have cute scriptures you are more likely to read them 🙂

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! Let me know how yours comes out 🙂

Filed Under: FEATURED, patterns, projects, Riley Blake, sewing, Therm O Web

Nautical Purse Scarf Tutorial

March 16, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

I think Nautical Week turned into Nautical Life! I guess there are many more Nautical-inspired projects to come! I love wearing scarves on my purses, I should first say I love buying purses!! Sometimes the scarves you buy are too bulky for a purse handle. I wanted to add a little “home sewn” feel to my handbag so I came up with these scarves. They can easily be sewn in under 30 minutes which means you can make as many as you want to coordinate with your look or the season, or in my case, obsession 🙂 I love these basics from Riley Blake Designs.

Supplies:

(13) 5″ squares for patchwork scarf

5″ x 60″ light weight fabric such as gauze, raised swiss dot, etc

(2) 5″ x WOF for solid scarf

4 yards trim, I used small pom pom and ric rac

Begin by cutting (13) 5″ squares

Sew them end to end with 1/4″ seams and press seams to one side. Consider placement. If you are making the solid scarf, sew the (2) 5″ strips together and cut to make 60″ in length. Center the seam in the center so it does not show up on the bow. Bast the trim around the edge. Place right sides together and sew along the basting stitch. Leave an opening in the center of the scarf about 3″ for turning. I curved the corners slightly. Turn right side out and press.

Top stitch all the way around. This will close the opening.

Tie on your favorite bag!!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, nautical, Riley Blake, sewing, tutorial

Sailboat Skirts

March 12, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This sailboat fabric makes me want to sing…..Sailing, sailing over the bounding main! Do you think I’m going overboard with too many nautical projects? 🙂 hehe

I found this fabric at my local Beverly’s store and I new I wanted to sew skirts. I love how they turned out. For Sally’s skirt I used Tie Dye Diva’s Potato Chip Skirt pattern. I wrote a review of this skirt here. After making it again, It’s still my favorite girls skirt pattern! The women’s skirt is from Amy Barickman’s The Magic Pattern Book. I also wrote a review of this pattern here. It’s such a great A-line skirt with a center pleat and it can be sewn in about an hour! If you check my Instagram this week, you can enter to win both these patterns!!! The winner will be announced Saturday, March 14th.

Here you can see the cute center pleat in the women’s size skirt. For Sally’s skirt, I choose a different fabric for the waistband and for the pocket backing.
Sally’s very serious modeling pose 🙂
I actually made this skirt for me, but I made my teenage daughter wear it for the photos 🙂 I think I will wear it tomorrow!

Having a sailboat skirt looks like so much fun, doesn’t it? (OK, it’s really late and I just ate a lot of chocolate cake)

My cute girls!!

Filed Under: clothes, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, pattern review, sewing

Tea Garden Dress

February 25, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am crazy about tea parties, china dishes, tea pots, tea cups, and silver spoons!! When I saw this amazing fabric from Blend called Tea Garden I could not contain myself. I new immediately I wanted to make Sally a Tea Party Dress. I love the blue and white – it just looks like fine china!

It’s not quite an English Garden, but I do have a few flowers growing!!

I absolutely love how this dress turned out – and I pretty much made it up as I went along. It’s a girls size 8 and it is perfect for Sally!

If you would like to make a Tea Garden dress, follow these steps:

Supplies:

Fabric – I only had generous half yard cuts of each of the 4 fabrics. Make sure you have 20″ or more of each fabric.

2 types of lace trim, 3 yards of each

Heat n Bond fusible stabilizer for the sash

Fabric Fuse

velcro

scrap of felt

Create the peasant bodice. I am not a pattern designer. There are so many peasant dress patterns out there. Find one you like and cut out the size you want. Cut the bodice out of the Tea Garden Devonshire fabric and the sleeves out of the check. Follow the instructions until you have a completed bodice.

Assemble the skirt.

Cut (2) 10″ x WOF from the spoon fabric

Cut (2) x 10″ x WOF from the floral fabric.

Sew the long ends of the spoon fabric together (1/4″ seam) joining the two pieces to form one long rectangle. Do the same with the floral fabric. Press the seam open. Next take the spoon fabric and the floral fabric and sew them together long ways using 1/4″ seam. Press toward the spoons.

Top stitch the lace, centering over the seam.

For the hem…. Lay the lace on the bottom edge of the floral fabric right sides together. Stitch along the lace. Ziz zag the seam. Press the lace under so it looks like this:

Top stitch all the way around 1/8″ away from the edge:

Now join the two ends of the skirt with a generous 1/4″ seam. Zig zag to finish seams, press to one side. The skirt is finished! Sew a gathering stitch along the top of the skirt, stopping and starting at each side seam. Sew one gather 1/2″ and another 1/4″ away from the top of the skirt. Pull up the threads and evenly distribute the ruffle to match the bodice, matching the side seams. Sew the skirt to the bodice and remove any gathering threads. Zig zag to finish the edge. Press the edge toward the bodice.

For the sash… Cut a piece of fabric 6.25″ x 30″. Measure your child’s waist to see if this needs to be adjusted. It will need to overlap a few inches for the velcro closure and for seam allowances.

Fuse the stabilizer to the wrong side of the sash fabric. I had a piece already cut and was slightly narrower, it will be fine 🙂

Fold the sash in half, right sides together. Sew using 1/4″ seams along the edge. Leave a 3″ opening in the center of the sash for turning. Clip the corners. Turn right side out. Press and top stitch.

To make the rosette, cut about 2 yards of lace. Sew a gathering stitch along the edge. Pull up the gathers to form a ruffle.

Start twirling the gathers around to form a rosette. Tuck the raw ends under. I used Fabric Fuse because I was too lazy to hand sew the ruffles. Hot glue would work, I just didn’t feel like getting burned 🙂 The fabric fuse is great because it is a super strong adhesive designed for fabric. Cut a piece of felt in a circle. Add dots of Fabric Fuse to hold the gathers in place and finally to anchor it to the felt circle. Let dry for a few hours.

I added a little pleat in both ends of the sash. This is totally optional. Measure the sash to the waist one more time to determine the velcro placement. Sew the Velcro strips. Hand sew the rosette in place.

I think the sash and the flower give it just the right touch!

Whats also is great about this dress? Sally likes it!!! It’s super comfortable and she can move around in it. She didn’t want to take it off!!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, clothes, FEATURED, sewing, Therm O Web

Baby Swaddler and Burper Shower Gift

February 23, 2015 by Amanda 15 Comments

I was invited to a baby shower this weekend and I had a hard time figuring out what to give as a gift. I love giving handmade items, especially quilts. Sometimes it isn’t possible to make a quilt in time for a shower. I came across this free pattern for a “Baby Snuggler or Baby Swaddler” by Lotta Jansdotter and I thought I would give it a whirl. You can print the pattern HERE. I read a few reviews and they all mentioned it was hard to print the pattern. I agree. I tried a few different browsers and printed in each. Then I pieced them together the best I could. This was the hardest part of the project. I thought a picture of the pattern pieces all put together would be helpful:

The pattern calls for 1 yard of outer fabric and 1 yard of minky fabric. I choose this cute print from Riley Blake Designs Apple of my Eye. Instead of working with Minky (it’s a love-hate thing) I choose this sweet flannel check also from Riley Blake Designs. I pre-washed my fabrics. The pattern sewed up really quick. It consists of a main body and the pouch part and Velcro closures. I choose to top stitch my snuggler which I don’t think it said in the pattern.

One thing I found confusing was the placement of the Velcro. I had seen this pattern sewn up in person it would have made more sense. I made this little Velcro guide to make it clear which side of the Velcro to put where. The pattern has the placement for the Velcro.

There is enough fabric left over to sew 2 matching Burpers. They are still my favorite! You can download my “Old School Baby Burper” pattern HERE. Cut 2 from the flannel and 2 from the floral. All you need is some ric rac. Baste the ric rac to the yellow floral piece starting and stopping on a straight side. Then put right sides together, sew around, following the basting stitch, leaving a 3″ opening on the side. Turn, press, and top-stitch all the way around making sure to catch the opening.

I think it makes a darling set! I wish I had made these swaddlers when I had babies!!

While I was at the shower, I borrowed my friends baby and tried out the swaddler. It fits perfectly!

I am for sure going to make more of these!!!

Filed Under: baby shower, FEATURED, gift, Riley Blake, sewing