Quilting with Circles (Tutorial)

Isn't this just about the cutest quilt ever?  I think every baby and mommy would love to receive this as a blankie.  I choose this size specifically for a baby quilt (34 x 45) but you can make it as big as you want.

Here is the square detailing.  Which the next few steps will show you how easy it really is to do.

Here is the back detailing...I love the different colors of jeans.  I saved up all of the old jeans from my hubby and cut them up.

First thing you will need to cut your circles.  Mine were 8 inch circles.  I just used a manilla folder.  measured 8 inches on the fold  and from center I measured 4 inches in.  Cut out and got an 8 inch circle.

This is now my template to cut all my circles.  My quilt is 6 blocks across and 8 blocks down.  I needed 48 circles.

Next I cut my fabric.  I used six different kinds of fabric.  ***The fabric in these photos is purely for the tutorial photos.  Not used in quilt.***  The reason I used six fabrics was to make it easy to make sure no two fabrics were next to each other.  Since I had 6 blocks across...6 fabrics.  You will need to cut 48 squares at 5 1/2 inches.  You will also need to cut your batting at 5 1/2 inches.  I used warm and natural batting.  It is warm not bulky.

Now that you have to work all done the fun begins.  You will first lay out your quilt.  I layed all my circles with the fabric inside the circle (you will see your fabric will lay corner to circle edge) out and placed them where I wanted to them to go.  I then joined the circles and and squares by making sure the circles lined up and the corners of the squares lined up.

 Sew them along the edge of the square about a 1/4 inch in to catch the fabric and batting.  Continue to join all the circles in each row until you reach the end (mine was six).

Imagine that my photo above has more circles.  Now stack your rows on top of each other in the pattern you like.  If you laid them out before hand just lay them back in the rows.  Now you will join the rows where they are not together.  Just pin them the same way.  Edge to edge and corner to corner.

Once the quilt is attached to each other, you will need to iron down your flaps.  Yes...it is important.

Next you will sew in an "S" pattern along the edges of the flaps.  Start on one side and sew along the edges all the way down the length.  Once at the edge, leaving your needle in the quilt re-direct your sewing to go up the other side of the same flaps.  Continue until you get all the flaps sewn.  First up and down.  Then side to side.

Next you will sew the crosses in the squares.  You will start at one corner and sew at a diagonal until you get to an edge.  Then leave your needle in and re-direct your sewing across another area.  Continue until you have all your crosses in the squares.

Last put a side seam on the edges.  You are almost done...you now need to wash and dty it to get the edges to fray.  If hope you understand these directions if not leave a comment and I will try to help out.

CuTeSt PiN CuShiOn EvEr {tutorial)!

This is such a cute pin cushion. I think I am going to make several of these and put them away for when I might need a go to present. I think any crafty girl would love one of these pin cushions.

Pin Cushion Supplies:

6 different wool scraps

*2 - 7 1/2 inch circles (top and bottom)

*3 - 1 x 8 1/4 inch strips (sides)

*3 - 3 inch circles (flowers)

*3 - 1 inch circles (flower centers)

Crushed walnut shell (you can find this at a pet store for the bottom of cages)

ric rac scraps

sewing machine

To get started cut out all of you pieces. **I am writing the tutorial to make the flowers but you can do all kind of things on top.**

Pin the flower center circle onto the flower circle. Stitch a blanket stitch around the smaller circles edge. Do this to all three flowers. Pin the flowers onto the top wool piece. Blanket stitch around the flower. Sew on the ric rac for the stem.

Leaving a 1/4 hangover start sewing along the edge. (What I mean be hangover is leave a 1/4 inch piece of the piece side before you start stitching). Stitch all the way around leaving a 1/4 inch at the end. (This is where you will fill it).

Start at the same start point except for now you are sewing on the bottom piece. Sew all the way around.

Now turn the cushion inside out. Fill with the crushed walnut shell (using crushed walnut will keep your pins sharp). Tuck the 1/4 inch hangovers into the opening.

Top stitch the opening. You are done. Oh so cute! Doesn't that make you want to start sewing something!

Flat Iron Case

If you have a flat iron (which most of us do now-a-days) this a fantastic item to make. It not only holds your flat iron when not in use but also allows you the have a placemat to set it on when you are using it.

What you need:

2 of the same fabric cut to 7" x 15"

1 contrasting fabric cut to 7" x 15"

Insul-Bright cut to 7" x 15"

54" double fold bias tape (made my own to match contrasting fabric)

24" Ribbon that match

To make wide double bias tape. Cut strips of 2" fabric. Iron in half. Then iron the halves in half. Press center once again. Done. Take one of the #1 fabric pieces and fold one of them down 1" twice. Stitch across. This will eventually serve as the pocket.

Lay the fabric as follows: #1 fabric face down (will be the outside), the Insul-bright, then the #2 fabric face up(inside liner), then other strip of #1 fabric that was sewn face up (pocket). Mark two inches in from either side. Sew down the two markings. This will give you two sides of 2" and a center pocket of 3". Sew on your bias tape. All along the edges. Place ribbon on one side. Sew ribbon at 14" and then the rest is for tying the bow. **You do not want to sew it on both sides because you want to be able to move it out of the way to place your flat iron down. To use when flat iron is hot turn to the outside (non pocket side).

Super Easy Tee Shirt to Tank

You will need:

One old Tee shirt

Scissors

Cute model

Find an old tee shirt that you want to cut up. Tee shirts that are too small are perfect for this project. When you cut it up it will make it fit looser.

Carefully cut off the collar. Do not cut through both layers. Cut around the neckline if you cut through both layers the back will come down too far. Bring the front down about an inch lower than the neckline. Then cut off the sleeves (you can do both layers on this one). Cut the shoulder area in towards the neckline. Cut the back neck line about an inch thick all the way across. Do not cut both layers. Cut the strap in the middle to tie behind the neck.
Cut across the back from armpit to armpit.
This is how the back will look. Super Cute!

Spring Chicks

I sewed these super easy chicks to use on my spring tablescape. I used the drawers as there nests.

Dog-Gone cute kennel pillow

Isn't my puppy dog cute? Ever since we got our dog he loves to sleep in his kennel however, I always put a towel in it for him. I thought it sure would be nice for him to have a pillow to lay on. I think it turned out cute and it seems as though he likes it.

What you need:

Fabric (enough to accomodate the size of your kennel)

Batting ( I used the thicker stiffer type and I double it)

Thread to match fabric

Sewing machine

Patience!!!

Measure the floor of your kennel. Add two inches to both length and width. Cut 2 lengths of fabric to the size you need. Cut the batting a 1/4 inch less than the measurement you need. You can either use one layer of thickness (I used two but it was hard to sew through).

Starting from the bottom-layer the batting, then one piece of fabric right side up. Then lay the next fabric piece wrong side up. Pin the fabric and batting together at the edges. Sew these together batting side up (catching the batting). LEAVE YOURSELF A WIDE ENOUGH OPENING TO FLIP INSIDE OUT (the opening size will depend on the length and width--mine was small but I left a six inch opening to get all of the batting through).

Flip inside out (or is it outside in??) Then pin the opening closed and sew (you can whip stitch if you want but I am lazy and just used my sewing machine). Then stitch a edge around the pillow.

Draw a faint line from opposite corner to opposite corner (both sides making a X). Then find center on the top and bottom and sides (making a +). Stitch on these lines to create the design. This is so the batting does not shift around.

Done! You have yourself a cute kennel pillow!

Converting jeans into a skirt

I was looking at a cute skirt that looked liked a pair of jeans sewn together and got to thinking. I bet I can make those out of a pair of jeans.

First, find a pair of jeans to cut up. Cut off the legs a little longer than you want the skirt.

Rip out the inner seam and the zipper seam and butt seam.

Cut a section of the leg to fit into the front section that is left open when you overlap the two sides. Sew along the seam, following the seam.

Sew the two sides of the insert. Do the under seam first. Then sew the top seam starting at the zipper.

Turn the skirt around to the back. Overlap one side of the inner thigh over the other one. Draw a two seam lines straight down the back connecting with the original seam near the top. Sew the two lines to match the original back seam.

Turn inside out. Cut the extra jean away. Either serge or zig zag stitch the edges.

Cut the skirt to the length you want. Sew the bottom hem.