Little Joys Quilt Tutorial

little-joys-quiltI wrote this pattern a few years ago for Penny Rose Fabrics.  I updated it and have the full tutorial available here!  I have always loved the Penny Rose “Little Joys” Christmas fabrics!  These sweet vintage prints make me think of a simpler time.  I love collecting vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations; this quilt is sure to fit into the mix!

little joys quilt pattern christmas 35This quilt measures 42″ square and is a perfect size to hang on a wall, put at the end of a bed, or center on a table.  The quilt is made up of 6″ solid blocks with bell applique and  6″ nine-patch blocks that form a chain.

Screen Shot 2015-11-30 at 8.08.25 AMI used this Bell from Sizzix.  It is such a versatile die!

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Mufasa was all over this project because it involved the Sizzix Fabi – his FAVORITE toy!little joys quilt pattern christmas 20

Fabric Requirements:

 

9 fat quarters (green, red, and pink) – this is a scrappy little quilt so there are different amounts of each color – the colors don’t form a pattern in this version, but if you would like a pattern it would be easy to do!

1 1/2 yards solid white fabric

Heat n Bond Lite for appliqué

1/2 yard binding

1 1/4 yard backing (the fabric needs to measure at least 43″ wide or you may need to piece it)

Cutting Instructions

Fat Quarters:

Cut (2) 2 1/2″ x WOFQ strips from each fat quarter. You will have a few extra.

Use remaining fabric for bell appliqué and letters

Solid White:

Cut (6) 2 1/2″ x WOF strips, cut them in half to give you (12) 2 1/2″ x 21″ strips.

Cut (5) 6 1/2″ x WOF strips, subcut into (22) 6 1/2″ squares and (1) 6 1/2″ x 18 1/2″ rectangle

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2 1/2″ strips are cut from each of the 9 fat quarters.

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6 white 2 1/2″ x WOF strips are cut and then cut in half to equal the width of the fat quarter strips.

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Sew white, dark, white strip sets together, making 3 strip set units.  Press toward the dark.

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Sew 6 strip units of the dark, white, dark pattern (above).  Press toward the dark.

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Sub cute each strip set in 2 1/2″ increments.  You should have 8 per strip set.

little joys quilt pattern christmas

Lay out blocks making a checkerboard pattern.  Sew together, matching seams.  Press seams in one direction.  Continue this process making 24 total checkerboard blocks.

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Cut the remaining fat quarters into 5″ squares and fuse Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong sides of the fabric (above).  Using the Sizzix Bell die, die cut 22 bell shapes.  Peel off backing paper and heat set to the centers of the 6 1/2″ white squares. Sew around each bell with a straight stitch.

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little joys quilt pattern christmas 12For the Little Joys word block I cut the letters by hand.  Download the Little Joys pattern HERE.  I printed the letters on Heat n Bond EZ print sheets.

little joys quilt pattern christmas 17You can also trace onto iron-on transfer paper.  The letters are in reverse.  Iron the heat n bond to the wrong side of the letter fabric.  Cut out by hand around each letter.  Peel off the backing and position on the white rectangle.  Heat set in place.  Sew around each letter.

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Now you’re ready to lay out the whole quilt!  Use the above photo as your guide.  Again, my colors are random but you can make a color pattern!

Sew each block together creating rows, pressing toward the applique blocks.  Then sew the rows together, pinning at intersections so seams match up.  Press all seams in one direction.

Baste, Quilt, Bind!

 

IMG_2019Mufasa also loves the sewing machine!  No animals were harmed in the quilting of this project!

 

little joys quilt pattern christmas 9Make sure your cat approves 🙂

little joys quilt pattern christmas 2I free motion quilted this with loop de loos and retro style stars.  I love how it turned out!  Add the binding and you’re finished!

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Vintage Kitty Valentine


valentine kitty

I’m excited to be sharing my tutorial for these darling Vintage Valentines over on the Therm O Web Blog today!  They are super fun to make and sew up quick!  In fact, my 6 year old daughter even made one all by herself!  All the wonderful fabrics are from Blend’s fabric lines: Equniox, Modern Lace, and Turkish Delight.

I choose some vintage cat images off the internet and printed them onto the EZ Print Transfer Sheets.  You could print any image you want.  The image is then ironed on to white fabric.vintage valentine cat 5

Of course I had to include my kitty in this kitty project!  Mufasa had fun playing in the lace, then he had a nap in the lace!
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Sally loves to sew!!

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I made this one for Ella to match her room with blues and greens.

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This one is Sally’s – she choose the fabrics and the buttons and sewed the buttons on herself.

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I like this one too – it has diagonal rows of lace for the background.  They are so much fun to make and they make great gifts because you can really personalize them!  Now, get sewing 🙂

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valentine kitty

Rustic Farm Table Reveal

It’s finally here – the day I have been waiting for!  My rustic farm table is finally finished!!  This project all started when I got the crazy idea to sell my dining room set to my friend and use the money to purchase reclaimed lumber and have my husband build me a table!  It all started in February…..

Living in California, reclaimed lumber is hard to find and it is expensive!  I called and researched places that sold reclaimed wood.  There wasn’t too many to pick from in the LA metro area.  We ended up driving out to the valley where this guy had a huge garage/yard full of lumber.  We choose Michigan Oak that was used in a subfloor of a barn.  I am guessing its 60 to 80 years old.  For the price of my dining room table & 8 chairs – I got a truck load of lumber.  Seems reasonable!!

Oh the projects we could make!!!!

The wood sat in our back yard for about 6 months while we gathered the right tools, additional lumbar, etc….and while my husband came up with a plan for the construction.  Then, one day in September, it happened, the table started coming together.

We constructed it in 2 sections.

I am not going to write too much detail on the construction.   If you want to build one, leave me a comment, and I can send more detailed instructions 🙂

These are the pedestals for the table.
Here it is all finished.  It took 3 men to get it into the house!  It is super heavy!  I wasn’t sure what type of protective finish to put on the top.  I didn’t want a shiny or thick polyurethane.  I looked into linseed oil, but didn’t feel good about that choice.  I went with Minwax finishing wax.  I have used it before and it turned out to be the perfect finish for the table.  It still feels like the original wood and will repel moisture.
The chairs are mismatched: some are chairs I had and others are from my adventures garage sailing!  They are white, antique white, heirloom white, and ivory. 

 I love that the table seats 14 people!  5 on each side and 2 on each end.

This photo really shows all the different tones in the wood – I love that darker piece.

I bought a new chandelier to go over the table – that was a project in itself.  I ordered it from Amazon.  I really like it – it just took a long time to rewire everything because the wire it came with was way to short.  It is really bright and sparkly!  This is me adding each crystal one at a time!

Marbles also loves the table!!
 

Amanda

VIntage Ball Mason Jars

I was at Target and look what I found in the canning section!!  I have wondered how long it would take the mason jar people to make some reproduction vintage blue jars.  Ball is offering these as a limited edition in celebration of their 100th Anniversary!

I have always loved vintage blue jars and I have a little collection of them.  But these are fun because you can give them away, or really can something in them….so many ideas!  How cute would they be for the 4th of July as centerpieces!!!  I might have to go and get another case of them.  They were $10.99 which I thought was not bad.  What do you think would be cute to use them for?

Amanda