Therm O Web – Page 4

Mini Mini Quilt {Sizzix Jar Applique}

July 30, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

Sometimes something small is better than something big 🙂 I designed this mini mini quilt for a sweet friend. It can be hung from a clothespin, tacked to a wall or bulletin board, or placed in a hutch; where ever you need a little happy! I love this jar die by Lori Whitlock.

I was thrilled to meet up with Lori at Quilt Market! She is a super talented designer of fabric, paper, Sizzix dies, and crafts.

Let’s get started!!

Supplies:

Sizzix Jar #2 Die

(8) 2 1/2″ squares of white dot

(8) 2 1/2″ squares pink print

Fabric for jar, lid, and hearts

Heat n Bond Lite

2 1/2″ x WOF binding

batting

backing

Bakers Twine

Heart Charm

All seams 1/4″. Begin by sewing the 2 1/2″ squares together in an alternating pattern with 4 rows of 4. Press.

Fuse the Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong side of the jar fabric, lid fabric, and heart fabric.

As you can see this is a great scrap buster!!!

Die cut the jar, the lid and the hearts. I die cut 11 hearts. Peel off the backing paper.

Position the hearts on the jar and the jar on the quilt block. Mufasa and I are working very late tonight!!

Press the applique pieces in place.

Baste the backing fabric, batting, and quilt block. Quilt. I quilted loop de loos around the jar, then quilted with dark gray thread outlining the jar and lid. I also quilted inside each heart. Square up the quilt block and add the binding.

Tie a bow out of bakers twine and tack it to the side of the jar. I added a little silver heart charm – yes I’m cute 🙂

I hope you love making this project! I can’t wait to make more and give for gifts. You might want to tuck this little idea away for Valentines Day!!

Filed Under: Heat n Bond, Penny Rose Fabrics, quilt, Riley Blake, sizzix, Therm O Web

Composition Book Zipper Pouch

July 28, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

I had this great idea for my kids to keep a summer vacation journal. I got each of them a composition book and covered it with patterned paper. I thought it would be fun for them to have a zipper pouch to keep the journal in along with glue sticks, pens, pencils, scissors, washi tape, etc. That way when we are traveling they can write down their experiences and also include post cards, maps, brochures, ticket stubs, and other memorabilia of our trip. They were super excited to pick their own fabrics! Here’s how you can make one!!

Supplies:

Front: (6) 2.5″ x 10″ strips

Back: 12″x 10″ piece of denim

Lining: (2) 12″ x 10″ coordinating fabric

12″ or longer zipper

All seams 1/4″

Begin by cutting the 2.5″ x 10″ strips for the front. You will need 6.

Sew together and press.

Ryan choose Off Shore by Riley Blake Designs.

Sally choose these fun prints from Dear Stella.

Once the strips are sewn it’s time to quilt.

Baste the pieced front to the batting. For a little extra stability I add an additional piece of fabric to the back of the batting – one that will not be seen. So I use fabric I don’t like. Quilt. Square up. Depending on how much you quilted, your measurements might have changed a touch. The piece before quilting should measure 12″ x 10″. If it has changed, make a note and use this measurement to cut the denim back and the lining pieces.

Now it’s time to install the zipper. If you need more assistance on the zipper, I have a whole section of zipper pouch tutorials that will have more detail.

Lay the front piece face up. Align the zipper face down. Add one of the lining pieces also face down. Make sure all the top edges match. Pin. I buy my zippers extra long so there is zipper hanging off on both sides – not to worry 🙂

Using a zipper foot, sew 1/4″ along the raw edges.

Now repeat with the other side. Lay the denim face up. Position the bag front and zipper face down. Lay the second piece of lining face down as well. Align all top edges, pin, sew.

Press the fabric along the zipper. I usually top stitch 1/8″ away from both sides of the zipper. In my haste to get these done super fast I forgot this step. Position the zipper in the center of the bag and trim off the excess zipper.

Match the lining pieces right sides together. Match up the denim and front pieces right sides together. Pin all the way around. Here is what it looks like where the zipper ends meet.

Sew 1/4″ all the way around the bag leaving a 3″ opening on one of the lining sides. Turn right side out and top stitch the lining closed. Press.

I love how they turned out! My kids are thrilled as well!!

Now we are ready for a fun adventure!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Riley Blake, Therm O Web, zipper pouch

Captain America Throw Pillow Tutorial

July 4, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

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

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.

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

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:

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.

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

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.

Insert the pillow form and you’re done! Ready to wrap and head to the party!!

Filed Under: captain america, FEATURED, pillow, Therm O Web

Sizzix Anchor Baby Quilt

June 17, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

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!

Mufasa was very helpful on this project!

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

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!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, quilt, sizzix, Therm O Web

Pretty Pincushion Sew Along {and catnip toy}

June 8, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

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 🙂

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

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 🙂

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

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!

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!

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

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

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED, Riley Blake, Therm O Web

Captain America Inspired Quilt {a patriotic quilt}

May 6, 2016 by Amanda 3 Comments

I couldn’t resist putting this quilt together. My family is totally obsessed with the Avengers, especially Captain America and Iron Man. We were so excited for the movie to come out!!! We went to the first showing at 9:30 pm last night! I was so much fun. I love going to movies when the theater is packed with fans who cheer and clap together!

To celebrate this milestone in Marvel history, I created this quilt inspired by Captain America. My 8 year old daughter is totally in love with him. I guess we will be fighting over the quilt!

I curated this selection of Fat Quarters from Fat Quarter Shop just for this project. You can view it here. I wanted a fun mix of red, white, and blue fabrics. This quilt totally works for a summer patriotic quilt if you’re not into #teamCap.

Lets Get Started

Finished block 9″, Finished Quilt 54″x72″

All Seams 1/4″

Supplies:

18 Fat Quarters (I used each one pictured above)

1.5 yards solid white

3 yards Heat n Bond Feather Lite Fusible Applique

Pattern, click HERE

Make the Stripe Block

Cut the red prints and white prints into 3.5″ strips. (Since we are using Fat Quarters, they will be half the WOF long)

Sew in strip sets of red, white red. Press toward the dark.

Cut each strip set in increments of 9.5″. Each block should measure 9.5″ square.

For the applique block…

Cut 24 blue squares 9.5″

Draw the pattern onto the Heat n Bond Feather Lite. You will need 24. I like to used the Feather Lite because it doesn’t add any weight or stiffness to your quilt. It holds it in place just long enough to cut and sew it.

Press the heat n bond to the wrong side of the white solid fabric.

Put on Captain America I and II and cut out all the circles and stars following the pattern line.

Position the circle and star in the center of each blue block and heat set in place.

Top stitch around each piece with white thread.

***Optional ** “Winter Solider” Block. My teenage daughter is in love with Bucky the Winter Solider so she insisted we represent him in the quilt. We switched out one of the blue blocks for a gray block with red star applique.

Now it’s time to have some fun with all the blocks! I hand them all to my daughter and she lays out the quilt for me.

Sew the quilt together in rows, pressing after each and matching each seam intersection.

This quilt is totally Mufassa approved!

And approved by The Captain himself! (Yes we have a giant cardboard cut out of Captain Rodgers!!!)

OK, I am seriously in love with it! It screams summer picnic!!!!

Filed Under: 4th of July, appliqué, fat quarter shop, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, quilt, Therm O Web

AT-AT Star Wars Mini Quilt

May 4, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

I recently participated in a May The 4th Mini Quilt Swap on Instagram. This is the quilt I made for my swap partner. I really wanted to bring out the feel of this scene in The Empire Strikes back. I am totally in love with it!

To make this quilt you need to gather every shade of gray fabric you own, beginning with white and ending with black. This quilt is made up of 4 rows, 3 are pieced and one is machine appliqued. Each row from the bottom moving up gets darker.

Since there were so many half square triangles (HST) in this quilt I pulled out my HST Sizzix Die. This extra long die has 14 HST on the die AND you can cut up to 6 layers – that’s 84 at once! And they all are totally perfect and it makes 2 1/2″ square when constructed.

This die is a little bit trickier when using it around cats. I had to have one hand on the wheel and the other hand blocking his paw so it wouldn’t get hurt 🙂

It’s best to cut out more triangles than you need for this project so you have plenty to choose from. For each row you need 16 light and 16 dark HST.

See how each triangle is perfect! No measuring! For each row, match up 16 pairs of light and dark triangles. Sew using 1/4″ seam. Press toward the dark side…..heehee!

Tip: To get a nice ombre effect, begin with white and light gray. For the next row, use the light gray from the first row as the background and add in a darker gray. For the next row use that same darker gray for the background and add in black.

If you want to make this quilt but don’t have a Sizzix machine, you will just need to sew HSTs that measure 2.5″.

Cut out 16 background squares 2.5″ each. Cut a(4) center 2.5″ squares the same color as the points on the star. Lay out the block as pictured above. Sew together like you would a 9-patch. Make 4 for each row. I pressed the seams open.

Continue this process so you have (4) star blocks for each of the 3 rows.

They are coming together! I love how it looks – very subtle. Just like the Hoth System!

For the applique strip, cut a light colored fabric 6 1/2″ x 24 1/2″. Download the images by clicking HERE. You can print them directly on to Heat n Bond Lite EZ Print sheets, or trace them onto Heat n Bond Lite. Press the Heat n Bond to the wrong side of the black fabric. Let cool. Cut out along the pattern line. Peel off the backing paper and position it on the applique strip. Heat set into place. Top stitch with matching thread.

Sew the strips together, pinning at each intersection and watching out for each of the points. Press seams open. Baste, Quilt, Bind.

May the Force Be With You!

Filed Under: FEATURED, quilt, sizzix, star wars, Therm O Web

Baby Clothes Memory Quilt

April 28, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

My friend and her daughter recently came to visit all the way from Washington, DC. She brought with her a huge bag of baby clothes that she had saved from her 5 babies and I helped her make this keepsake quilt. This is such a great idea! How many of us have boxes of baby clothes we can’t stand to part with but lets face it no one will ever where again. This quilt keeps the memory of those sweet clothes alive but is now functional and way more attractive then a pile of wrinkled and stained clothes 🙂

We used my Sizzix Bog Shot machine and even the kids could help on this project.

It was helpful to cut off snaps, arms and legs of the fabric. We used the Sizzix 4 1/2″ square die. This project would have been difficult to cut on the rotary mat. To cut with the Sizzix simply lay the piece on the die, double or single layer, wrap the rest of the clothing around the back of the die and then crank it through! Again, I love getting kids involved in the process and this is such a great tool to do so.

We used every type of clothing and it all worked great: knit, cotton, sweater, valuer, waffle, denim, polyester. Just make sure that all fabrics can be ironed.

Since each fabric has a different degree of stretch, it is necessary to back each square that stretches with Heat n Bond fusible stabilizer, light or medium weight is fine.

I cut the staibilizer in 4 1/2″ squares. Fuse each stabilizer square to the wrong side of the fabric squares.

Lay out the quilt as desired and then sew the squares together in rows and the rows together. Make sure to press the top of the fabric and NOT the side where the stabilizer is. I was still able to use 1/4″ seams because the stabilizer kept everything from shifting.

I basted and quilted this just like a regular quilt. I quilted a little slower just to account for the varying degrees of thickness. I was able to put a sweatshirt piece next to a thin polyester pj fabric and it totally worked!

We cut a few pieces of trim and top stitched them onto the blocks.

My favorite is the ACDC t-shirt!

Best of all my friend loved how it turned out because each piece has such a special meaning!

Filed Under: quilt, sizzix, Therm O Web, Uncategorized

Ric Rac Zipper Pouch Tutorial

April 27, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I love coming up with different versions of my favorite zipper pouch. I made this one for a friend and thought I would share the details with you! They really make the perfect gift! I hope to make one for myself to keep some day!!

Begin by cutting

(2) 2.5″ x 11″ accent strips

(2) 6″ x 11″ main strips

(2) 8″x11″ pieces for the lining

Sew the accent strip to the main strip as pictured above. Use 1/4″ seams and make 2 of these. Press.

I tried something new on this one which I really like. Grab some old fabric and base the top, batting and the old fabric (backing) just like you would a quilt. I ALWAYS use Spray n Bond. It’s super fast! I normally just quilt the outer bag piece and the batting. By adding this extra piece of backing fabric (that won’t be seen) it makes the bag stiffer but still soft. I will always do this from now on!!

Once it is basted quilt the 2 pieces just like you would a quilt.

Sew the ric rac on with matching thread.

Square up each side. Measure the pieces again, they will shrink slightly with the quilting. Make sure to adjust the lining measurements so they are the same.

Follow THIS tutorial to insert the zipper and to complete the bag.

I love the big black and white gingham for the lining!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Therm O Web, zipper pouch

Strawberry Festival Pillow Tutorial

April 26, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

It feels like summer here in Southern California and that means fresh strawberries! We always pick up a flat of juicy ripe berries on the way home from the beach. This new fabric from Jennifer Jangles called Strawberry Festival totally reminds me of summer days eating strawberries and making strawberry jam! This cheerful pillow is sure easy to make. I used Heat n Bond® Feather Lite to applique the pennant shapes. I love the Lite version of Heat n Bond® especially in quilting because it makes the fabric easy to cut and applique yet is super soft and you almost can’t tell it’s there. The pennants are cut with the Sizzix Fabi which makes perfect cuts every time. I’m sharing all the details and measurements over on the Therm O Web Blog!