Love & Sweetness Quilt Pattern

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I am super excited to share my latest pattern with you!  I am super in LOVE with it and it is so fun to make!  It’s available in my Etsy shop as a downloadable PDF, which means instant quilt pattern!!!

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The quilt is made of up 25 blocks that are 12″ finished.  The quilt is a great throw size of 72″ x 72″.

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The pattern is Fat Quarter friendly!  So you can dive into your stash and create something beautiful!

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The fabrics I used are from Riley Blake Designs’ A Little Sweetness by Tasha Noel – soooooo darn cute!!!
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I love a chain quilt – it always looks more complicated than it really is!!

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I love this fabric line!  It’s really versatile and so sweet!!IMG_6509

It was super fun making 25 little heart blocks!

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The blocks are divided up into 3 parts so the process seems to move along!

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Mufasa the cat model seems to also approve of the quilt!  He sat like this for .01 seconds!

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Thanks for stopping by!  I really hope you love this quilt 🙂 Make sure to tag me in your sewing posts and use the hashtag #loveandsweetnessquilt.

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How to Applique Words {LOVE YOU Pillow}

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I am a word-a-holic and I LOVE anything with words: signs, mugs, pillows, t-shirts, you name it!  I love adding words to my sewing projects and today I am going to show you how to do this start to finish! Today I’m sharing this pillow tutorial over at Diary of a Quilter!  Hop over to Amy’s blog to for the full instructions!

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Once the appliqué is finished you can turn it into a pillow using your favorite method; mine is a zipper closure on the back. For more information on inserting a zipper into a pillow, click HERE.

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Here is another example of a fun word appliqué project! Click HERE for the turorial.

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Rustic Pines {A 5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilt}

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It’s Christmas in July!  I love making a Christmas quilt in the summer – I never have time when it gets closer to Christmas!!  You are going to love this Rustic Pines Quilt!  Choose your 5 favorite Christmas Fat Quarters and let’s get sewing!!

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I choose the Comfort and Joy line from Riley Blake.  It has such a wonderful cabin-like Christmas feel!
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The trees are strip pieced and cut at 60 degree angles and then appliquéd on!!  Super fast – who has time for hand work in the summer!!
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A little tip for appliquéing:  Use Spray n Bond and put the trees wrong side up on old wrapping paper.  Spray the backs and set them in place.  Just unroll more paper for a clean basting surface!!
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I love that the pattern calls for a scrappy low volume background – it gives it such character!!  I added an accent border instead of a low volume border – you can choose!

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Hop over to Amber’s blog to read all about her version and to download the free pattern!
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Amber’s version is even more cozy with all kinds of homespun plaids from Moda!!!

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Be sure to tag us on Instagram so we can see your creations! @jedicraftgirl and @gigis_thimble
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Sharktown Scripture Cover

 

DSC_0944Since my daughter’s favorite animal is a shark, I knew I had to make her a new scripture for her Seminary graduation out of Sharktown by Riley Blake Designs.  She was so surprised!!!  You can follow this tutorial for the full instructions.  Please note that the below diagram shows the measurements for this style.  All other measurements are the same as the tutorial.scripture cover layout

This is the size for the standard quad, the tutorial also includes instructions for determining the measurements for a different size book 🙂

I used Heat n Bond Fusible Fleece for the stabilizer.  I love that is is soft yet sturdy and won’t shrink when washed.  You also don’t have to quilt the project.  I added some accent stitching along the center strip.

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It’s so totally Sharkalicious!!!!!

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Sharkey Quilt {Free Pattern}

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When I saw this new fabric from Riley Blake Designs called Sharktown I completely FREAKED OUT!!!  And then I showed my daughter (whose favorite animals are sharks) and she TOTALLY FREAKED OUT!  So I promised her a Sharkey Quilt for one of her many graduation presents.  I Love Love Love theme prints, especially animal theme prints.  However, they sometimes pose a design challenge: showing off the fabric + quilt design.  I put on my thinking cap…..I wanted something that looked sharkey……and the Sharkey Block was born!  I love the idea of using half square triangles to resemble shark fins (or shark teeth!). The center block lets you show off the super amazing fabric designs!
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I designed this fun pattern using the Sharkey Blocks which measure 10″ and some blue water sashing!  I choose the all the blue fabrics from the Sharktown fabric line and added in the solid gray accent.  You can download the PDF pattern by clicking HERE.

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70’s Inspired Zipper Pouch

Retor HeatnBond Zipper Pouch

gingham girls zipper pouch 4I am loving Amy Smart’s latest fabric line Gingham Girls by Penny Rose Fabrics!  This 1970’s inspired fabric has my name written all over it and so does this project!  And my name is a total 70’s name so it totally works!!  Here’s how you can make one!

70’s inspired Zipper Pouch with HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece

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Why I use HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece for my Zipper Pouch projects

It doesn’t shrink and holds it’s shape

It fuses to the fabric so quilting is not required

It is soft, yet sturdy

It holds up great in the wash

Zipper Pouch Supplies:

Scraps of fabric yielding (30) 2.5″ squares
Dark chambray 4.5″ x 10.5″
(2) rectangles 8.5″ x 10.5″ lining fabric
(2) rectangles 8.5″ x 10.5″ fusible fleece
HeatnBond® Lite Fusible Adhesive
Scraps for applique
14″ or longer zipper
Scrap for zipper end
All seams 1/4″

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Zipper Pouch Instructions:

Begin by sewing (20) 2.5″ squares in 4 rows of 5 squares (above) press seams alternately.

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Sew the back unit by sewing (2) rows of 5 squares together.  Before sewing the chambray piece on, appliqué the name first.  Fuse HeatnBond Lite to the wrong side of the name fabric and the daisy fabric.

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Die cut the letters (or cut by hand). Peel off the backing paper and position letters on chambray.

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Heat set in place.

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Outline stitch around each letter and the flower in navy thread.  Sew the appliqué piece to the 2-row patchwork unit.  Press toward chambray.

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Cut the HeatnBond Fusible Fleece.

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Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of both the patchwork units.  Add some decorative stitching if desired.

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I added a seam along the chambray to give it an accent and I quilted diagonal lines in the patchwork.

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Now that the zipper pouch front and back are ready, you can finish the pouch by following this tutorial for inserting the full access zipper and finishing the bag.

I am so in love and so happy to have a new zipper pouch just for me!!!
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Perfect to brighten up the inside of my purse and to hold all my cosmetic items.

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The back is so scrappy and cute!gingham girls zipper pouch 7I dug out a few of my dresses from when I was little (in the 70’s) – doesn’t this fabric just blend right in!!  So fun!!!

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Lemonade Stand Quilt

Living in California it’s all about the citrus and we love our lemons!  One of the fabrics in Happy Day has little jars of lemonade and that is where I got my inspiration for this wall quilt!

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The finished quilt is 33″ square, has pieced pinwheels and appliqué.
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DSC_0979There is nothing better!  I thought this would be a fun little quilt to add to your summer decor 🙂
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The inspiration for this project came from Lori Whitlock’s latest fabric line Happy Day.  It’s so summery and fun!!

Here’s how you can make one!!

(All seams 1/4″,   finished quilt 33″ square, finished block 4″)

Supplies:

1 yard solid white
1 red fat quarter – Letters & hearts
12 fat quarters – pinwheels
1 red fat quarter – strip block
Scraps for jars and straws
1/3 yard red floral – outer border
1/3 yard stripe – binding
1 yard backing
Therm o Web HeatnBond® Lite
SpraynBond® Basting Spray

Pattern download, click HERE


For center applique portion:

Cut a 20.5″ x 20.5″ square from the solid white fabric.

Trace or print the letters and images (in reverse) on to HeatnBond® Lite Fusible Adhesive Sheets.

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Heat set them according to manufacturers instructions to the wrong side of the desired appliqué fabrics.

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Cut out each letter and image.

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Peel off the backing paper and position according to the completed project photo.  Outline stitch each piece two times (ugh) in black tread.  The two times really makes it stand out.

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Pinwheel Blocks:

There are 12 total pinwheel blocks in this quilt. Choose a different fabric for each pinwheel.  I used my Sizzix Fabi to cut the triangles.  Use your favorite method of constructing half square triangles (HSTs).  They need to measure 2.5″ when completed.  Make 4 HSTs of each fabric.IMG_1260

Press seams open. IMG_1263Lay out 4 HSTs like this and sew together as a 4-Patch.  Press all seams open.
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For the Strip Blocks:

Cut 3 strips from red fat quarter 1.5″ x the length of the fat quarter.

Cut 3 strips from white fabric 2″ x WOF.  Cut the strips in half so they equal the length of the red strips.

Sew together in strip sets as pictured below.  Press toward dark.
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Cut in increments of 4.5″.  You need 12 total.IMG_1270
Row Diagram

Once the top, bottom, and side rows are complete, sew the side rows to the sides of the “Lemonade” appliqué portion.  Press toward the appliqué piece.  Then sew the top and bottom rows, pressing ward the appliqué piece.

Border:

Cut (4) 3″ x WOF strips of the red floral.  Sew one to each side, pressing toward the red floral border.  Square up the edges and cut off excess.  No need to measure the length first.

Then sew a strip to the top and bottom, pressing toward the border and squaring up when finished.lemonade quilt layout

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Once the top is complete, use SpraynBond® Basting Spray to baste the quilt for quick pin-free basting.  

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I quilted meanders over the entire quilt.

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Now gather some lemons and have yourself a lemonicious afternoon!!  We made strawberry and blueberry lemonade too!!

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Sally and I had fun making strawberry lemonade and blueberry lemonade!!  Bring on summer!!!

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Isn’t fresh lemonade just the best!!!

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Thanks for stopping by!!

Snuggle Bunny Quilt {Wonderland 2 Blog Tour}

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I’m super excited to be participating in the Riley Blake Designs Wonderland Two Blog Tour today.  Melissa Mortenson from the Polka Dot Chair is as sweet as her adorable bunny fabric!!  I can’t even begin to say how much I love this fabric line!!
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I wanted to make a little something that used most of the fabrics and showed off the bunnies!!

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My sister unintentionally raises bunnies and this sweet little baby bunny volunteered to be the quilt model 🙂

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I came up with this fun little wall/table quilt that is perfect to add to your spring decor.  Now I wish I had a big giant quilt of this!!!DSC_0472

The quilt measures 32″ square and the blocks are 9″ finished.IMG_0528

Let’s get started!

All seams 1/4″

Press Seams Open on all seams

Fabric Requirements:

1 yard white background fabric

9 fat quarters or quarter yards of assorted Wonderland 2 prints for blocks

1 fat quarter white bunny fabric

1 fat quarter or quarter yard corner squares

1/3 yard gingham for binding

1 yard backing

Fussy Cutting

Cut a 3 1/2″ window out of a piece of ugly gold card stock…….heeeeheee.

I label my windows with the size and save them so I don’t have to repeat this process.

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Lay the window over the rabbit and center.  With a pencil, draw a line following the window edge.  Cut roughly around it with scissors.

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Lay the rough cut square on the rotary mat and align the pencil lines with the grid lines.  Use the ruler and cutter to cut a nice even 3 1/2″ square.  Cut 9 of these.

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They are so cute!

Half Square Triangles

I use my Sizzix machine for making half square triangles (HSTs).  You can also use your preferred method to make the HSTs.  They need to measure 3 1/2″ . (If you are using traditional HST method, cut the squares 3 7/8″ square, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the white fabric, pair with a color fabric, sew 1/4″ on both sides of the diagonal line and cut apart on the line.)

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Press seams open.

For each block make (8) HSTs and one center rabbit.  You will need to make 9 blocks.IMG_0400

Sew together in rows and press seams open.  Pin rows together matching intersections.  Sew and press open.

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For easier open seam pressing, press seams to one side and then press open.  It saves you from burning your fingers.  Quilt block should measure 9 1/2″ at this point.IMG_0401

Ta Da!  Continue until you have made 9 blocks.  I made 4 pink and 5 teal.

Quilt Sashing

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Each of the 9 blocks are sashed.

Cut (24) 2″ x 9 1/2″ background rectangles

Cut (16) 2″ x 2″ floral setting squares

Lay the quilt out as pictured above.  Sew the sashing strips and setting squares together and press toward the sashing.

Sew the blocks with the white sashing strips and press toward the sashing.

Pin the rows together, matching seams and sew.
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Time to quilt!  I quilted loops and small 5 petal flowers in an all-over pattern. Mufasa supervised.IMG_0418

Once it’s quilted, add the gingham binding.  I love that the gingham is printed on the bias because it makes for easy cutting!IMG_0429

I love how this little quilt turned out!  It is so precious!  I can’t wait to sew something else with this fabric!!
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And now for all the baby bunny photos!!!!

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Sweetie Pie Sew Along {Strawberry Pie}

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It’s my turn on Lori Holt’s Sweetie Pie Sew Along!  It’s been so much fun to see everyone’s take on these adorable blocks.

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Of course I choose to make the strawberry block because I live in Southern California where we have strawberries all year round!

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Lori’s templates are super easy to use and I love her appliqué method of using sew-in light weight stabilizer.

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I normally machine appliqué everything, but for Lori, I did the whole thing by hand….which is saying a lot for me.  I loved every minute of it!

IMG_9969For my fabrics I grabbed a selection of Riley Blake Designs fabrics from all my favorite designers – I tried to get them all in there 🙂

IMG_9917If you haven’t joined in it’s not too late.  The free pattern is on  Lori’s blog and you can hop on over to read more!!

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I made my block into a little wallhanging.  I made 20 hourglass blocks with my Sizzix 4 1/2″ hourglass die (they finish 4″).  You can always make them the traditional way.

Cut the inside pie block 16 1/2″ square.

The hourglass blocks, unfinished are 4 1/2″, finished they are 4″.

The outer border is cut 2 1/2″.  I quilted it and added some red binding.  I LOVE it!!!!!

And since I was making a Quilty Pie, I also needed a real pie to eat!!!!  You can find the recipe of my favorite Fresh Strawberry Pie over at my food blog, The Rounded Teaspoon.

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There is a graham cracker crust with a cream cheese/whip cream filling…..yummmmm!

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DSC_0245 And of course, Mufasa helped 🙂

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Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Chains of Love {5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilt}

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Amber and I are SUPER EXCITED to bring you our 3rd 5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilt – and this one is our Valentine’s edition!!!!  We can’t get enough of red and pink and hearts so we pushed the limits on our 5 fat quarters and came up with this!!!!  It’s a 50″ square quilt with an Irish Chain style and pieced hearts in the center.  And of course we were listening to Erasure the whole time we were sewing!!! hahahah 🙂

Here is Amber’s version, you can read all about it on her blog.  I love her Moda fabric choice!!!

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I am so thrilled to have a new quilt to hang in the family room!  And it fits perfectly!!!

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Fabric Requirements

2 red fat quarters (non directional)

3 pink fat quarters (non directional)

2 yards background fabric

3 ½ yards backing fabric

½ yard binding fabric

(4) Additional red 2 ½” squares for sashing – can cut from your binding fabric if it matches

NOTE:  Make sure your fat quarter measure 21″ in length.  You need every inch possible out of the fat quarters and they have to be cut a certain way.  

So be sure to read all instructions first.  Don’t square up the fat quarters and only cut one at a time.  

You can download the pattern HERE.

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We hope you join in the fun!  We would love to connect with you on Instagram!  Post photos of your fabric selections, progress, and finished quilt!  Don’t forget to tag @jedicraftgirl and @gigis_thimble and #fivefatquarterfun #chainsoflovequilt

IMG_9144The fabrics I used are a selection of fat quarters from Riley Blake Designs and background fabric ‘Lil Red by Moda.
DSC_0317And Happy Valentine’s Day from me and Mufasa!!!
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