Captain America Throw Pillow Tutorial

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What does your daughter give her Captain America loving friend for her birthday?  After realizing the friend owns everything Captain America we created this fun pillow with the Captain America shield appliqued on it.  I used Crossroads Denim so it’s super soft, Heat n Bond Lite and some fabric scraps.  Do you want to make one too?  Here’s how!!

 

Supplies:

(2) 20″ pieces of Crossroads Denim

2 fat quarters red prints

2 fat quarters white prints

1 fat quarter blue print

1 yard Heat n Bond Lite or Feather Lite

20″ pillow (I like down pillows)

22″ zipper

4″ x 20″ strip for zipper flap

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Begin by tracing the circles onto the Heat n Bond Lite.  We ran around the house measuring everything to find a 12″ circle and a 10″ circle because they are too large to print.  We found a cake plate and a dinner plate did the trick.

captain american pillow 3For the 8″, 6″, and star shape you can click HERE to download.  Cut around each circle about 1/4″ away from the pencil line.

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A little trick for layerd applique to prevent too much bulk:  Cut the inside of the circle about 1″ away.  It will look like this:

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You really only need the Heat n Bond to hold down the edges.  The circles will be layered on top of each other and it will keep everything secure.  Continue doing this with each of the circles.

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Position the circles as shown above.  Straight stitch around each circle and star 2 times.  I used red thread.  captain american pillow 4

Make sure your cat approves 🙂   To finish the pillow you can follow this tutorial for inserting a zipper and zipper flap to a pillow back.

captain american pillow 10Insert the pillow form and you’re done!  Ready to wrap and head to the party!!  captain american pillow 9

Pretty Playtime Quilts Teapot Block Pillow

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Today is my turn on the Pretty Playtime Quilt Blog Tour!  I love this sweet pattern book by Elea Lutz!  (Juicy tidbit…..Elea and I once spent a wild night together at an 80’s dance club!!!)  The patterns for this entire quilt are in the spiral bound book available from Fat Quarter Shop.  You can make the sampler quilt or you can get creative with the blocks!Screen Shot 2016-07-03 at 10.00.13 PMThe fabrics used in the pattern book are from Elea’s fabric line Strawberry Biscuit.Screen Shot 2016-07-03 at 9.59.54 PM

I choose to make a throw pillow out of the teapot block.IMG_9424

I sewed the block exactly like the pattern instructed.  I love how the instructions are super easy to read and the diagrams make sewing the block a snap.  I added a 1.5″ border around the teapot followed by a 3.5″ floral border.  IMG_9416

I quilted the entire block like you would a mini quilt.  I trimmed it down to measure 20″ square.  Before adding the binding I sewed a 20″ x 20″ back with a zipper.  IMG_9412

I basted the quilted front to the pillow back wrong sides together with a 1/8″ seam all the way around.  Then I added the binding just like you would a quilt.IMG_9409

I inserted a 20″ down pillow form.  It’s super soft and perfect for propping your head while reading or watching a movie 🙂IMG_9414

Be sure to check out a new block from a new designer each week!  You will love all the inspiration!

Week 2 – Erin from Why Not Sew?
Week 3 – Wynn from Zakka Art
Week 4 – Anorian from Samelia’s Mum
Week 5 – Amy from Diary of a Quilter
Week 6 – Renee from Sewn with Grace
Week 7 – Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon
Week 8 – Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Week 9 – Debbie from Happy Little Cottage
Week 10 – Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset
Week 11 – Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting
Week 12 – Kristyne from Pretty by Hand
Week 13 – Heidi from Fabric Mutt
Week 14 – Brigitte from The Family Hearth
Week 15 – Lorrie from Sew Mod Designs
Week 16 – Kristin from They Grow Up Too Fast

Christmas Kitsch Blog Hop {Christmas Quilt Tutorial}

 

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I’m kicking off the Christmas Kitsch Blog Hop today!  For the next 6 weeks, each of the Blend Fabrics Design Team Members will be sewing up a fantastic holiday project with this retro-inspired fabric line!  Christmas in July here we come!
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Immediately I fell in love with these fabrics!  My kids call the santas “the scary Santas!”  I love them because they remind me of all the Christmas decorations my mom had when I was a little girl.  This fabric is available at Fat Quarter Shop.
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For my project I made a table size quilt.  I love this size quilt because it’s perfect to whip up in a day, give as a gift, throw over a chair, or hang on the wall.  This quilt consists of only 2 sizes of squares: 2.5″ and 8.5″.
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I also love this pattern because you can show off the larger prints on the border, and then do a little half square triangle (HST) piecing on the center.  Lets get started!
Press all seams open
1/4″ seams throughout
Finished block 8″, finished quilt 40″ square
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Fabric Requirements
Assortment of at least 10 fat quarters
1 yard of low volume background.
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The star block is made up of 2.5″ squares.
For each block you need:
4 low volume 2.5″ squares
4 blue tone 2.5″ squares
8 half square triangle blocks: red and low volume.
I choose to make my HSTs with my Sizzix Fabi.  I love this extra long die that cuts perfect triangles that when sewn together measure 2.5″ square.
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If you don’t have this die you can make the HSTs using your favorite method.  Just make sure they finish 2.5″ square.
Piece the star block together in rows, pressing seams open.
Make 9 star blocks
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For the border, cut (18) 8.5″ squares from an assortment of the darker prints.
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Lay out the quilt and sew together in rows, pressing seams open.
Quilt as desired.
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This is such a fun quilt to sew!  You could easily make it larger or make it rectangle.
Be sure to check out the other designers during the next 6 weeks!  I can’t wait to see what they have.
Amanda – Jedi Craft Girl – July 1
Tina – Emily Ann’s Kloset – July 8
Jen – Tie Dye Diva – July 15
Caroline – Sew Can She – July 22
Bev – Flamingo Toes – July 29
Andy – A Bright Corner – August 5
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Sizzix Anchor Baby Quilt

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I’m super exited to be sharing my latest pattern for this adorable nautical baby quilt on the Sizzix blog !  I love giving quilts as gifts and this is the perfect pattern that you can sew up in a day.  The fabrics are from Dear Stella and I love that they are not traditional baby girl fabrics.  I know my ocean-loving Sister-In-Law will just love this!IMG_8957

Mufasa was very helpful on this project!

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You can read the full tutorial here. It can totally be made start to finish in a day!  The best kind of project!!

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This is such a great size baby quilt and you could easily change up the center die for a heart, flower, animal, or holiday die!!

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Beginner Charm Pack Placemat

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I love placemats, table cloths, dishes, and table settings.  I won’t even confess to how many sets of dishes I own.  I love coordinating my table linens with my dishes for the seasons and holidays.  I was thrilled to find this wonderful tutorial from Fat Quarter Shop.  It’s a video showing how to make a set of placemats using a charm pack and some additional yardage.

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Click below to watch the video:

I choose Vintage Picnic fabric because it’s perfect for summer!

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The pattern is has (4) 4-patch units and 5 solid squares with added strips on the sides.  Then just quilt and bind!

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Mufasa loved helping with this project!  He thinks they are little table quilts for napping 🙂IMG_8871   They are so fast and easy you can sew up an entire set for your family in a few hours!

Doll Days Blog Tour

DSC_0273   My friend Erin Hentzel has just released her latest book called Doll Days!

Doll Days! is a fabulous doll clothes pattern book, inspired by vintage styles and designed with modern flair for 18″ dolls, such as the American Girl Doll.

I love this book!  It has fabulous pictures, instructions, and patterns.  To be honest, I’ve never sewn a doll dress before (gasp).  My mom always sews the dresses for the dolls.  The instructions were easy to follow and the dress came out perfect!  I can’t wait to make more of these little dresses – how perfect for birthday or Christmas gifts!  There are also suggestions of how to change up the patterns or add embellishments.  You can follow the basic patterns and then add your own creativity.

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I made the Vintage Party Dress with elastic sleeve.  This is my favorite style of dress and I think it would be so fun to make Sally and dolly matching dresses sometime!  The dress I made for the Mary Ellen doll is from Vintage Picnic by Moda.

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I added a little lace trim to the hem and a ribbon sash.  I love that the shoes match!

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Check out these fabulous designers to see even more Doll Days! inspiration 🙂

Here’s the complete schedule:

June 13 Kickoff! Erin on the  C&T blog

June 14 Amanda on  Jedi Craft Girl

June 15 Erin on  Dear Stella

June 16 Karen on  Karen Mom of Three

June 17 Erin on  Sew Mama Sew

June 20 Lindsay on  Lindsay Sews

June 21 Jane on  Janie Carroll Designs

June 22 Bonnie on  Fishsticks Designs Blog

June 23 Tracy on  Generation Q Magazine

June 24 Rachael on  RJR Blog

June 27 Cherry on  Cherry Blossoms Studio

June 28 Final stop! Erin (me!) on  Avery Lane Sewing

Pretty Pincushion Sew Along {and catnip toy}

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Pin Cushions are so much fun to sew because they are fast and a perfect stash buster!  I was so excited to try this new little pattern from Fat Quarter Shop.  You can watch this little video and whip one up in a snap!  I added dried lavender to the inside of mine 🙂

 

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I had to include Mufasa in my little project so I sewed on into a catnip pillow!IMG_8728

For the pin cushion I used Backyard Roses by Riley Blake Designs.  I followed the instructions for the piecing and used a piece of lace instead of twill tape.  I used Heat n Bond Fusible Fleece and I used Crossroads denim on the back.  I purchased the walnut shells at my local pet store – boy I will be making more of these to try an use up that big bag!  I thought it might be nice to add some dried lavender into the mix.  That way you put the pins in, it smells nice 🙂

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Wouldn’t these be super cute for little hostess gifts, birthday gifts or swap extras?

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For Mufasa’s catnip pillow I filled it with poly fill and dried catnip.  I also used cotton on the back so it would be light – I knew he would want to carry it around in his mouth!

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If you choose to make the catnip pillow, make sure you don’t use it as a pincushion.  You don’t want those pins anywhere near your kitty!cat lady catnip pillow 5

I love Cotton+Steel selvage – especially when it involves cats!  It’s the purrrrrrfect accent to this little pillow!  cat lady catnip pillow 6

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You can read more about this little project on the Fat Quarter Shop Blog!  Be sure to check out these talented designers to see their renditions of “The Pretty Pincushion”.  Thanks for stopping by!

Kitty from Night Quilter

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl

Nicole from Modern Handcraft

Jessica from Quilty Habit

Jessee from Art School Dropout

Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset

Michele from Island Life Quilts

Angie from Gnome Angel

Sinta from Pink Pin Cushion

Melissa from Happy Quilting

Simple Zipper Bag {Fat Quarter Shop}

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Today I’m sharing my version of the Simple Zipper Bag pattern from Fat Quarter Shop.  They just released this fun and instructional video with all the measurements and instructions so you can make your own!!

I selected a charm pack of Cotton + Steel and I sub-cut the pieces into 2.5″ squares.

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I used a super soft Crossroads denim for the back and the binding.

I followed the instructions almost exactly – only making a few changes.  I didn’t have the Soft n Stable so I used my trusty stabilizer trick:  Heat n Bond medium weight fusible stabilizer and then Spray n Bond basting spray to adhere it to quilt batting.  It gives such a nice feel!

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I used a chunky metal zipper which I love!  You just have to be careful when sewing over the metal teeth.  I used the hand wheel and not the foot control to gently sew over the metal teeth.  Then I used the junkiest scissors I could find to trim it down.

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This size pouch is perfect to hold a journal or small sketch book and writing or drawing supplies.  It would also be perfect for embroidery projects!IMG_8528

Mufasa loves the pouch too!!  I can hide cat toys in it!IMG_8541Hop over to these wonderful blogs to see more versions of the Simple Zipper Bag!!!

Tina from Emily Ann’s Kloset

Jessee from An Art School Dropout’s Life

Erin from Why Not Sew?

Kitty from Night Quilter

Leanne from She Can Quilt

Vanessa from Lella Boutique

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl

Sherri from A Quilting Life

Cristy from Love You Sew

Leslie from Seasoned Homemaker

Tiffany from Tiny Seamstress

Little Ruby Quilt Along {Fat Quarter Shop}

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You’re invited to join in the Little Ruby Quilt Along by the Fat Quarter Shop!   Mufasa and I are excited to put together this fun quilt with you!LittleRuby-Quilt

This week we are choosing our fabrics, gathering supplies and getting familiar with the pattern.  Watch this video to learn more 🙂

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Mufasa and I have chosen to use Vintage Picnic by Moda.

Here is the schedule:

Part 1: today! Choose your fabric, gather supplies, and read the pattern

Part 2: Monday, June 13th– star blocks:

Part 3: Monday, June 27th – quilt assembly:

Part 4: Monday, July 11th – Your finished quilt:

moda kitty vingate picnic    You can check out the amazing bloggers who are participating in this Sew Along!

Melissa from Happy Quilting

Angie from Gnome Angel

Erin Cox from Why Not Sew

Andy from A Bright Corner

Heidi from Buttons & Butterflies

Pat from Pat Sloan

Peta from She Quilts a Lot

Heather from Quilt Story

Megan from Quilt Story

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl

Gerri from Planted Seed Designs

Sherri from A Quilting Life

Rebecca from Bryan House Quilts

Sherri from This & That Patterns

Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon

Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts

Stephanie from Modern Sewciety

Brooke from Silly Mama Quilts

Carrie from Moda’s United Notions

Market Tote Pattern

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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.

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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.

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You can make this optional Doughnut Money Pouch.  Download the instructions HEREdoughnut moneydoughnut bag3

I also made a True Blue version of this bag.  doughnut bag