Author name: Melissa Dunworth

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Valentine’s Day Showcase – Kris from Fabric Problem

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Welcome to Day 4 of the Valentine’s Day Showcase – if this is the first time you have visited this month, head over to the Valentine’s Day Showcase page to learn more about what’s going on. I am hosting 10 days of tutorials from some of my favorite bloggers and crafty friends and then starting February 15th a linky party for you to show off what you made for Valentine’s Day – there will be some fun prizes too!

Today I have Kris from I don’t have a problem, I have a well-rounded fabric stash! – if you are on Facebook and you sew – this is one group you need to join! It is so much fun and so supportive!

Before Kris’s fun tutorial – I thought we should get to know her a bit:

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice?
I’ve been fascinated with designing clothing, toys, etc. ever since I was a kid.  I used to spend hours drawing designs that I wanted to create someday.  The only problem was, I had NO sewing experience other than a truly disastrous skirt that I made in 8th grade Home Ec!  Of course, my lack of know-how didn’t keep me from haunting fabric stores and thinking up things I’d like to create, so my fabric stash started growing before I even had a sewing machine in the house.  I recently worked up the nerve to cut into my stash and start creating, and I’ve been slowly but surely picking up new techniques (and making up my own weird ways of doing things) ever since.  I still have a LONG way to go, but it’s really nice to finally be able to take my ideas from paper to reality! 

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)?
In some ways, I’m an impulse crafter- an idea pops into my head and I HAVE to get it done.  Fabric shopping is dangerous for me, because I go in looking for one thing and come out with supplies for eight other projects that were too good to pass up!  When I’m in a slump, challenges and bees help me get back on track, and I get a lot of inspiration from seeing the cool things that others have created. 

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food?
That’s a tough one!  Anything chocolate, of course, but I really love the Lifesavers strawberry and cream lollipops I used to get as a kid.  They’re not easy to find these days, though!

Take it away Kris!
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Today’s tutorial is something sweet and squishy for your favorite sweetheart: a Valentine’s Owl Stuffie! This is a fun little gift for kids, teachers, and friends, and it’s fun to make, too! You can download a printable PDF version of the tutorial below, click the images or visit http://tinyurl.com/ValentinesOwlStuffieTutorial ; . Happy Valentine’s Day, and happy sewing!

PLEASE NOTE- THE PATTERN PIECES BELOW AREN’T TO SCALE! YOU’LL NEED TO PRINT THE PDF TUTORIAL TO GET THE FULL-SIZED PIECES!

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Isn’t that the most precious owl you have ever seen!!! You know you want to make one for yourself…and maybe for the little girl in your life too 🙂  Tomorrow we will have Lisa – future food and craft blogger. I have known Lisa for almost 20 years and she is an AMAZING baker – she has a sweet treat in store for all of us.

Have you started working on your entry for The Showcase yet?

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

 

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Vicki from Sassy Blog

16 Comments / Guest Post, Sassy Packs, tutorial, Valentine's Day Showcase / By

Welcome to day 3 of the Valentine’s Day Showcase – today I have Vicki from Sassy Blog for you! Vicki and her daughter Jennifer own and operate Sassy Packs – one of the sponsors for the Valentine’s Day Showcase. They are very talented have a lot to offer both new and experienced quilters alike! Please take a few moments to check out their blog and shop.

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? I was looking for a winter hobby a few years ago after I quit working. Most of my time was focused on golf, but there were a few months when it was just too cold. So I took a beginning quilting class. I didn’t expect it to hook me as much as it did, but I just loved it! First I joined a small quilting group and then a guild, which helped expand my knowledge – not my skill so much (haha!), just my knowledge! The groups really showed me how big the world of quilting is and much there is to learn!

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? The idea that my quilting interests are always changing. I’ve learned to never say I don’t like this style or that block, because as soon as I do I see it done in new fabrics or a layout that makes me fall in love with it. And then I want to make one! I guess in a way, it’s like golf – you never really master it; you just keep learning and improving.

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? Cinnamon candy!! Red hots, cinnamon hearts, cinnamon Jolly Ranchers and hot tamales (but those are a year round fav!).

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Hi Melissa and friends! Thanks for having me be a part of your Valentine's Day Showcase. I have a super quick placemat and napkin tutorial. (It'll probably take longer to read the tutorial than it will to actually make the placemats!)

 

 

 

I'm using a striped border print for the body and red Kona for the binding. I also used the same red Kona for the napkins with a light-weight white batiste on the back. I'm sure you could use white Kona also - I just wanted to make them a little lighter in weight.

I used a yard of the border print and had plenty left over - I could easily make 2 more.

The napkins and binding will use about 5/8 yard of red Kona.

The white on the back of the napkins will take less than 1/2 yard.

You'll also need 1/2 yard of backing for the placemats.

Cut a strip of border print 7-1/2" wide by the length of the fabric (I used scissors to follow the lines).

You can cut the wedges with either a 60 degree ruler, or your regular quilting ruler with marked angle lines. I'll do the 60 degree ruler first. Place the ruler near the left edge, making sure you're all the way on the fabric:

Be sure the top line is straight with the fabric's cut edge:

Cut the left side with your rotary cutter (you may have to go to the other side of your table). Don't move the ruler. Cut along the right side of the ruler:

Now lift the ruler, turn it upside down and place it for the next cut:

Cut along the right edge, flip the ruler and cut again. Continue until you have 8 wedges - you may have to cut another strip of fabric.

Note: if your lines are perfectly symmetrical, you can just pile these up. If the stripes are different (like mine), you have to keep the "up" and "down" triangles separate. Otherwise, the lines won't match up when you sew them together.

Finally, we need to cut the long wedges. Mark a spot 2" over from the top of your last cut and lay the ruler's left edge on that spot. Cut 2 long wedges from each direction (total of 4):

Lay out 4 triangle and 2 long wedges (from the same matching piles) as shown below:

Sew the top three together and then the bottom three together, matching the lines along the seams:

 

You should have two pieces that look like this:

Notice that the center is notched out - lay a ruler along that edge and trim both side even:

Sew these two pieces together!

Add batting and backing; quilt and bind!

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BINDING TIP: If you sometimes get those nasty little "peaks" when turning 60 degree corners with binding, click here to see how I solved that problem!

Now, if you don't have a 60 degree ruler:

Most quilting rulers have angle lines marked on them. Find the 60 degree line and lay it even with the bottom edge of your fabric, as shown below. The edge along the left is now a 60 degree line - cut there:

 

To cut the other side, first mark a point 1/2" from the top cut (see pin in photo below) and then turn your ruler and lay the other 60 degree line along the bottom of the fabric (there are two lines forming an X across the "60" on the ruler):

Continue cutting pieces as outlined above. When you are ready to cut the long wedge, mark a spot 2-1/2" from the previous cut and line the right side up with that mark.

To make coordinating napkins, cut (2) 13-1/2"  squares from the red and 2 from the white. Place them right sides together and stitch 1/4" from the edge all the way around, leaving a couple inches open on one side to turn.

Trim the corners:

Turn and topstitch close to the edge:

 

Ugh! That last picture was taken at a different time than the others! It really is red, not pink!

And we're all finished!!:

 

Oh - I need a white tablecloth on that table (and some wine in that glass!)!

Thanks everyone! We blog at http://www.sassypacks.blogspot.com/. We'd love to have you come over for a visit and follow us! :)  Happy Valentine's Day!
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Thank you Vicki for showing us not only how to use a 60 degree ruler - but also how to do this project with our standard quilting rulers! Come back on Monday for a project from Kris over at I don’t have a problem, I have a well-rounded fabric stash!

Will you be spending your weekend whipping up a Valentine's Day Project to enter into the showcase? Get cracking!

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Connie from Quilting by the River

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Welcome to day 2 of the Valentine’s Day Showcase!

Today Connie, from Quilting by the River, has an amazing tutorial for a Valentine’s Day table runner – change the fabrics and this will work for any time of year! Before the tutorial, let’s get to know Connie a little:

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? When I was about 16 I had a girlfriend whose mother was always cutting small squares of fabric and making quilts. Every time I went over there I was fascinated by what she was doing and I soon started cutting up scraps and making 9 patch blocks. My first quilt was hand tied with a blanket inside and flannel on the back. Over the years I have switched to painting, digital scrap-booking, counted cross-stitch but I always come back to quilting!

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? I love working with fabrics and the challenge of putting the right colors and prints together to make something special. Quilting the piece can also give it an entirely different look. I also love looking and adding to my beautiful stash!

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? My favorite Valentines’ treat is Hershey Kisses, they melt in your mouth!

And now – Connie – Take it Away
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Hi, I’m Connie from Quilting by the River and I’m going to show you how to make a string pieced runner that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. Thanks so much Melissa for inviting me to be part of the Valentine’s Day Showcase!
The first thing you want to do is find a helper…..who will help you pick the string pieces to use in your blocks. Simon loves to help out!
The blocks in the runner are made from 4 inch squares of strings. I like to start with a 8 inch piece of paper from a telephone book and make a 8 inch block. I used strips varying in size from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

Start in the middle and put one strip right side up with another right side down on top of it and stitch. I have a couple used needles that I save for using on paper; use a small stitch so it will be easy to tear off the paper when you are done.

Continue adding strips until you cover the entire piece.
I like to starch the block, then flip over and trim it to the edges of the paper.
Finished 8 inch block.
Now I cut the block as shown into 4 pieces.
You could just make 4 inch blocks but I prefer to do it this way.
  • Make 4 – 8 inch blocks
  • Cut into 16 – 4 inch blocks (you will have 2 blocks left over)
  • Take 2 of the blocks and cut them diagonally for your ends
Sew your blocks together as shown.
When I took a picture of the blocks pieced together I noticed how the white in this block was distracting.
I removed it and added a different block…..much better.
Next add a 1.5 inch border.
Then add a 3 inch border.
I used Warm & Natural batting, did some stipple quilting in the center and a free motion leaf on the border. The binding is 2.5 inch strips that I sewed to the right side of the runner, then machine stitched it down from the front. The runner finishes at 14 x 36 inches.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and make a table runner!

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Thanks so much Connie for this wonderful tutorial! I love how versatile it is – change the fabrics and it can work for virtually any time of year! Tomorrow we will have Vicki from Sassy Blog – make sure you stop by to see her creation.

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Sharon from Craizee Corners

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Welcome to the Valentine’s Day Showcase! For the next 10 days (week days) I will be bringing you 10 fabulous tutorials from some very talented bloggers! Today I have Sharon from Craizee Corners kicking us off.

For fun I asked each of the bloggers 3 questions so you could get to know them a little bit better, here are Sharon’s answers:

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? Hmmm… This is a hard one. I saw a wall hanging that my sister did and that made me want to try quilting. I was at a point in my life that I was looking for a hobby so it all fit together. Like I was destined to be a quilter. I learned to sew with my Mom when I was younger, this just took it one step further. I want to be able to leave my family quilts to have as heirlooms for generations.

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? I would have to say that I need creativity in my life, it’s who I am. I am so happy when I can be creative. It’s that drive to show who I am thru what I make that keeps me going. Being able to take an idea and turn it into a quilt is very rewarding to me.

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? I’m not sure if this is junk food, but I love strawberries and champagne.

Now I’ll let Sharon take it away!

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Hi everyone! I’m so happy to be here at Sew BitterSweet Designs to kick off The Valentines Day Showcase! My name is Sharon and I blog over at Craizee Corners. As a matter of fact I just finished a Valentines themed week on my blog. If you missed any of the V-Week series here’s the projects and links:

Valentine Basket, Valentine Goody Bag, Snake Charmer Quilt, Love Braids Tablerunner and Love Braids Mug rug.
Today I am going to share with you the Love Braids table runner pattern.

The fabric I used is Always and Forever by Deb Strain. A jelly roll works great for this project.
You will need:
1 – 8.5″ square white print for the center block
8 – 2.5″ squares red print
4 – 8.5″ x 2.5″ strips of each of 4 different prints (light pink, dark pink, white and red)
2 – 2.5″ x 28″ strips red for the border
1 – 40″ x 20″ red for backing
1 – 40″ x 20″ piece of batting
3 – 2.25″ x WOF strips for binding
1 – heart applique
Steam-a-seam
1. Along the short side sew a red 2.5″ square to a dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip. repeat with another dark pink strip. Do the same with 2 of each of the other colors (light pink, white and red). Press the dark pink pieces towards the dark pink and the rest towards the 2.5″ red square.

2. Sew a dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip to one side of the 8.5″ center square.


Note – All seams are pressed away from the 8  1/2″ square from now on. I finger pressed everything until the end.
3. Sew a dark pink and red piece that you made in step 1 to an adjoining side of the square.

4. Sew the white 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip to the same side as the dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip, starting at the red square point.

5. Add the white and red strip to the dark pink and red piece starting at the top point of the white strip you just added.

6. Repeat for the other 2 colors.

7. Repeat on the other side.

8. Press the entire table runner top now.
9. Now its time to trim the table runner.  Line up the ruler 1/4″ away from where the 2 pieces meet, which should be where the inside point is (where the seam ripper is pointing. cut along that line. Do this on both sides.

10. Sew on the 2.5″ x 28″ red strips to the long side of the table runner. star sewing with the strip at least 1″ away from the edge. do this on both sides.
11. Trim the borders even with the diagonal red strips.

12. Make a quilt sandwich and baste using your preferred method.
13. Following the directions affix the steam-a-seam (or other interfacing) to a 6″ square of red. Cut out a heart shape from the red fabric with interfacing. I used my Accuquilt die, but a hand drawn heart is good too.
14. Affix the heart to the center of the table runner, following the directions.
15. This can be machine or hand appliqued. I machine appliqued it using a blanket stitch.
16. With a blue fabric pen (disappearing ink) draw the arrow parts. I used a triple running stitch on my machine for the arrow.
17. Quilt the rest of the table runner as you would like.
18. Bind and enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you like this tutorial why not hop on over to Craizee Corners and let me know you saw me here?
Also if you would like a heart cutout with my accuquilt die, just let me know and I will send you one out.
Thanks Melissa for inviting me to be part of your Valentines Showcase! I can’t wait to see the rest of the Showcase projects!
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Wow Sharon – what a gorgeous table runner and I love the technique you used! Thank you so much for sharing. Tomorrow we will have Connie from Quilting by the River

Have you started working your on Valentine’s Projects? Make sure you grab a button from my sidebar and get creating so you can enter to win some fabulous prizes on the 15th!

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

Sew.Happy.Quilt Block 6 – Fireflies Tutorial

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This was originally posted over on Jenna’s blog SewHappyGeek as part of the Sew.Happy.Quilt QAL. I had so much fun making this block and I am loving this quilt! Let me know if you have any questions!

So here we go!

Let’s start with the cutting instructions:

Usually when I make HSTs I cut my squares larger, but for this block, I find my results are more accurate if I cut to these measurements and starch like crazy.

All seams: 1/4 inch

Start by Assembling your 6 blue & white HSTs – I like to chain piece. Sew section after section without cutting your threads until you are done.Then cut them all apart – for newer quilters – this will save you lots of time.

Next – take 2 of your HSTs and assemble your large triangle sections (make 2):

Next – take your large red triangles and assemble two 6.5″ blocks:

(Hint) – place the pieces right sides together – line up the points and sew – then trim down to 6.5″

Next assemble two 4-patch blocks:

Layout your block and sew together – voila – you’re done!

If you have any questions – don’t hesitate to ask! melissa (at) sewbittersweetdesigns (dot) com.

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.  You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you!  Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

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