Amanda – Page 18

Bunny Hop Quilt Pattern {Free}

February 27, 2017 by Amanda 6 Comments

Today I’m sharing my latest pattern for this fun spring wallhanging. There is just something about hanging a new quilt that makes your house feel all happy!!

This quilt measures 40″ square and is perfect for hanging, placing on a table or couch. I used my Sizzix dies for all the triangles and the bunny appliqué! You can download the pattern by clicking HERE.

Here’s what you need to get started: (All fabrics from The Rose Collection by Anna Griffin).

Fabric Requirements

½ yard solid white

½ yard white floral

1 yard black floral for blocks and rabbits

¼ yard green floral

¼ yard pink print

½ yard floral stripe (border)

½ yard pink print (binding)

1 yard backing

45” square batting

Heat n Bond Lite fusible applique

Sizzix Bunny Die

Sizzix 6 ½” Hourglass die

Sizzix 3 ½” Half Square Triangle Die

I die cut all the triangles with the Sizzix dies. It saves on fabric and makes for fast and easy piecing!!

I love how it brightens up my living room! I’m all ready for spring now!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, bunny, easter, FEATURED, quilt, sizzix, Therm O Web

Spring Burlap Table Runner with Appliqué Bunnies

February 23, 2017 by Amanda 9 Comments

I love spring and I love bunnies and I love this Sizzix Rabbit Die! It is my most favorite Sizzix die of ALL TIME!! It is totally feels like spring here in Southern California! I love it! I’m ready to get all my spring home decor out and I needed a new table runner in my dining room so I came up with this “shabby” inspired bunny runner. I used a ready-made burlap runner that I purchased at the craft store, Heat n Bond Ultra, lace trim, and some yardage. The fabrics are from the line Flora & Fauna by Blend Fabrics.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Let’s get started!

Begin by cutting the Heat n Bond Ultra into rectangles the size of the Rabbit Die. I choose to use Heat n Bond Ultra because I didn’t want to sew around each rabbit. Burlap is a little stretchy and wiggly and I thought the sewing would cause some funky puckering. The Ultra doesn’t require any sewing!

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Iron it to the wrong size of the fabrics to be die cut. Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Run the fabrics through the Sizzix Fabi. Make sure to cut half the rabbits going one way and half the rabbits going the other way. I cut 12 rabbits. The number will vary depending on the length of the runner.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Aren’t they the cutest! I could have a million of these bunnies!!!!

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Measure the length of your table runner, mine is 116″. You will need the lace to be double the length of the table runner.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Sew the lace to each long edge of the table runner.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Choose three fabrics for the ruffles. Cut (2) 5″ x WOF of each of the ruffle fabrics.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Sew a rolled hem on the two short sides of each of the 6 ruffle pieces.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Then sew a rolled hem on one long edge of the ruffle pieces. Press.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Sew a gathering stitch along the length of the ruffle strip, 1/4″ along the raw edge. Gather each ruffle.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

The first ruffle we sew till be the end ruffle. Align the ruffle and the end of the runner right sides together. Adjust the ruffle to fit the width of the runner. Pin into place. Sew along the gathering stitches. Do this to both ends of the runner.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Press the ruffle back and top stitch along the top of the ruffle to keep it laying flat.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

For the second ruffle pin it wrong side to the runner (above).

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Align the ruffle so it overlaps about 1″ (pictured above).

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Sew along the gathering stitch. Then zig zag along the raw edge.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

For the third ruffle, aligh right sides together (like we did with the first ruffle). Pin it about 2.5″ apart. Make sure when the ruffle is folded back it covers the raw edge. Sew along the gathering seam.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Fold ruffle back, press, and top stitch.

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Peel off the backing paper of the rabbits and press with hot dry iron. Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Having your cat press is not the same thing 🙂

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Ta Da! It’s done! And I totally LOVE it!!!!

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

It’s the perfect addition to my reclaimed farm table that my husband built me!!!

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Mufasa loves it too!

Table Runner: A Cute Rabbit Burlap MIY

Thanks for joining me today!

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, bunny, decorating, FEATURED, sizzix

Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along #2

February 15, 2017 by Amanda Leave a Comment

It’s February 15th and that means Fat Quarter Shop Sew Along Time! I had so much fun making the second block of their sewing series. You can download the block by clicking HERE.

There is even a video!

I am thrilled with my red and white idea and I hope I can keep it going with out burning out. I even bought me some new Keds to match my quilt blocks!! I love red & white!!!

I am always looking for shortcuts when sewing and so I got out my Sizzix Fabi to make the half square triangles in a snap!

This is so much fun and I hope you join us in sewing along!!!

*Psst! The designers of the quilt’s fabrics – Bonnie & Camille – are sewing along, too! How fun!

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann’s Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED

Vintage Kitty Valentines

February 10, 2017 by Amanda 10 Comments

I’ve had a few questions about this project so I’m reposting it just for you!

I’m excited to be sharing my tutorial for these darling Vintage Valentines! 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.

Supplies:

Heat n Bond® EZ Print Transfer Sheets
Heat n Bond® Fusible Fleece
Spray n Bond® Basting Adhesive Spray
Small pieces of fabric. All the fabrics I used in my projects are from Blend fabric.
Scraps of lace
Buttons
Fiber Fill

I love using the HeatnBond® EZ PRint Transfer Sheets because you can turn any image on your computer into a piece of fabric. You can easily replace the image with a different one. I searched “Vintage or Victorian Cats”, resized the images, and then printed the images in reverse on the EZ Print Transfer Sheets.

There are so many cute images to choose from. I plan to make a lot of hearts!

Cut out the images and place them face down on solid white cotton fabric. Iron as directed:

Peel off the backing paper and then cut around the images:

I trimmed all the way around the image. Using Spray n Bond®, spray the back of the image and place it on your desired background fabric.

You can use a decorative stitch to stitch around the image:

Trim the background fabric with pinking shears to add a little texture.

Prepare the heart….

Print out the heart pattern here. Cut a piece of Heat n Bond® Fusible Fleece large enough to fit 2 hearts.

Iron it to the back of your heart fabric.

Cut out 2 hearts.

Cut an accent strip of fabric 2.5″ wide. Using Spray n Bond again, spray the back of the fabric and place it on the heart. Get out your lace and let your kitten play in it then nap in it. Choose a few pieces for decorative accents on the heart.

Spray the back of the lace and place it as desired. Of course you can change up the pattern and design and really get creative. Using the Spray n Bond®, you don’t have to worry about pieces shifting while sewing. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!Top stitch along the edges of the lace. Now we are ready to place the kitty image. I felt it needed another layer so I added a piece of lace to frame the image. Spray baste it in place and stitch along the edge to secure.

I inherited this wonderful cigar box of vintage white buttons. You can use any embellishments you like. Sew the buttons on by hand.

Use the Spray n Bond to spray the edges of the back of the heart. Place the top heart on the back heart wrong sides together. The spray keeps the heart from shifting while sewing and only spraying the edges allows you to add fiberfill easily. Cut a 10″ or so piece of lace for the hanger. Tuck in in the heart and pin to secure. Sew all the way around the heart close to the edge. Leave a little opening on a straight seam to allow for stuffing. Add a slight amount of fiberfill – overstuffing will look weird. Then finish sewing the seam.

Now, where to hang the cute little Valentine!

Here are some other color combinations I came up with:

This one is for my daughter, I love the blue & green combination. I added a little sparkly tulle for the background of the picture.
This one doesn’t have a fabric accent strip, but uses diagonally place lace as the background. Burlap acts as the frame for the kitty image.

Filed Under: FEATURED, Therm O Web, Valentine's Day

Four-Patch Heart Mini Quilt

February 10, 2017 by Amanda 48 Comments

I can’t get enough valentine sewing! I think its just the pick-me-up I need during wintertime! I created this fun mini quilt that is perfect to hang on a wall, put on a table or give to someone you love.

The finished quilt measures 26″ square and is made up of 4 quilt blocks that measure 10″.

These fabrics from Moda are sure to brighten your day! The line is called Just Another Walk in the Woods – and it’s ADORABLE!!! Don’t you just love cracking open a Jelly Roll! It’s a little bit magical!

4-Patch Heart Mini Quilt Featuring Heat n Bond Lite

Here’s what you need to get started:

1/2 a Jelly Roll (or equivalent)
1/3 yard background fabric
Aurifil Threads – 2530 &
Heat n Bond® Lite EZ print sheets
1/2 yard for backing
1/3 yard binding – or you can use left over Jelly Roll Strips

Click Here to download the heart Pattern

All seams 1/4″

Begin by cutting 15-18 of the jelly roll strips into 2 1/2″ squares.

Cut the background fabric:

(4) 6 1/2″ squares
(16) 2 1/2″ squares for block corners
(32) 2 1/2″ squares for Half Square Triangles (HST)

4-Patch Applique Hearts

Select (4) groups of (4) fabrics for the hearts. I selected like colors for each heart but you can make it scrappy if you want! Sew the group of 4 fabrics together in a 4-patch, pressing seams.

Print (or trace) 4 hearts onto Heat n Bond Lite.

Cut out 1/8″ around each heart.

Center the heart on the wrong side of each 4-patch. Heat set.

Cut out each heart and peel off the backing paper. Fuse hearts to the center of the (4) white 6 1/2″ squares. Sew 2 times around each heart with a straight stitch. Set aside.

HSTs – Half Square Triangles

You can make the HSTs however you prefer. I used my Sizzix machine for quick cutting. They need to measure 2 1/2″ when they are finished. You will need a total of 32 HST to make the 4 blocks.

(Quick HST instructions: Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (32) 2 1/2″ back ground squares. Pair right sides together with a 2 1/2″ square cut from the jelly roll fabric. Sew along the diagonal line. Trim 1/4″ along the seam and press toward the dark.)

Follow the chart below to construct the block:

Use the (16) background 2 1/2″ squares for the block corners and (16) low volume 2 1/2″ squares from the Jelly Roll for the center squares.

Make 4 blocks. I chose a color for each block, but you could totally mix up the colors and make them all scrappy!!

Once the blocks are finished, take the remaining 2 1/2″ squares from the Jelly Roll and piece the sashing and borders. Press all seams open.

Sew (2) strips of 5 squares for the short sashing. Press

Sew (3) strips of 11 squares for the top, middle, and bottom sashing. Press

Sew (2) strips of 13 squares for the side sashing. Press

Make sure to match each seam and pin.

Use Spray n Bond® for quick basting! I can’t live without it!!!

Quilt as desired. Bind.

I hope you love making this!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, moda, quilt, sewing, sizzix, Therm O Web, tutorial, Valentine's Day

My Favorite Baby Quilt Pattern

February 8, 2017 by Amanda 79 Comments

I love to give quilts for baby gifts! Sometime there isn’t enough time for an elaborate pattern. This is my Go-To pattern for a baby quilt. I put this Panda themed quilt top together in 1.5 hours this morning – which included choosing fabrics and cutting! I love this pattern with theme prints and these panda bears have stolen my heart! All the fabrics are from Panda-Rama by Blend Fabrics.

The panda quilt is an adaptation from my Windy Girls Quilt Tutorial.

I made 2 changes: First, I didn’t piece the centers, I omitted the first step and I cut the pandas 8 1/2″ square. This saves a step, saves time, and lets you use super large prints in the center.

Here you can see the difference in the blocks.

The Windy Girls pattern has 20 blocks – I made this Panda quilt with 16 blocks. This is plenty big for a baby quilt and it saves on fabric and time!

The second change I made was not to rotate the blocks, but keep them going all the same way. I didn’t want sideways pandas. It creates a fun little pattern. If you look close you can see a few gray strips I had to subside in because I ran out of the white. You could totally make this scrappy or keep it simple. I would love to hear how fast you can piece the top in! Can you beat me? 🙂

Filed Under: Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, quilt, Uncategorized

Chains of Love {5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilt}

February 1, 2017 by Amanda 18 Comments

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!!!

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

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.

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

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

Filed Under: 5 fat quarter fun, FEATURED, Riley Blake, Valentine's Day

Preppy Plaid Tote Bag & Quilt Tutorial

January 24, 2017 by Amanda 54 Comments

I am so totally excited to be a part of the Enchanted Blog Tour sponsored by Riley Blake Designs! You can see the entire collection designed by Dodi Poulsen of Two Sisters at Squirrel Hollow by clicking here 🙂

When I saw this new fabric line from Riley Blake Designs called Enchanted, my heart stopped. I took one look at this pink, navy and white plaid and immediately I was transported to a Cape Cod dream! Sailboats, lobsters, quaint homes and preppy boys on vacation from Harvard 🙂

Ok Ok, so I’ve never been to the Cape but a girl can dream right? I knew I wanted to design something that let this preppy plaid be the focus and something that would be perfect for my sailboat (hahaha).

I came up with a simple quilt pattern that uses plaid, navy and white. When only two prints arrived in the mail I began to panic wondering if I had made a terrible decision to make a quilt using only two prints! I decided to go with my instincts and make the quilt……and I am totally in LOVE!!!!

This quilt really lets the plaid shine in and it’s a great pattern to use if you fall in love with a single fabric print. The accent blocks are made of 4 half square triangle blocks.

…..and the quilt fits nicely inside this preppy plaid whale tote bag – made with denim, plaid, and Heat n Bond Fusible fleece. So, are you ready to set sail for the Cape? Grab your fabrics and lets get sewing!

Preppy Plaid Quilt

1/4″ seams

Supplies

2 yards plaid print

1 yard navy print

1 yard white

Begin by cutting the plaid into (40) 6.5″ squares.

Using the navy blue print and white print sew (160) half square triangles (HST) that measure 3.5″. You can use any method you like. I use my Sizzix half square triangle dies! It is super fast, super easy and no squaring up – just perfection!!

Die cut 160 navy HSTs and 160 white HSTs.

Sew the navy and white HSTs right sides together using 1/4″ seam.

Press seams open. Continue until you have 160 HSTs. It’s probably a good idea to put on a movie while doing this!

Lay out 4 HSTs to make the pattern above. Sew together as you would a 4-patch. Press seams open. Finished block will measure 6.5″. Make 40 of these blocks.

Cut 40 squares measuring 6.5″ out of the plaid.

Sew the blocks together (1/4″ seams) as you would a checkerboard, alternating each block. Make sure the pieced blocks are going the same direction. Press the seams toward the plaid. There are 8 blocks across and 10 rows down.

Baste (I always use Spray n Bond basting spray)

Quilt.

Bind.

Love.

Mufasa and I love sewing on rainy days!!

Tote Bag Instructions

I used my pattern, Quilted Tote Bag, for the measurements. I followed the pattern pretty closely with the following exceptions:

I added an appliqué to the main bag.
I used denim.
I did not quilt the bag; I stabilized it with fusible fleece.
I came up with a new way to sew the handles (continue reading)
I omitted the inside pocket
I simplified how to make the bag bottom

Supplies

Denim (2) 20″ x 10.5″

Plaid (2) 20″ x 9.5″

Lining (2) 20″ x 19.5″

Plaid for handles (2) 5″ x 28″

Heat n bond medium stabilizer (2) 5″ x 28″

Heat n Bond Fusible Fleece (2) 20″ x 19.5″

Piece of plaid for the whale

Heat n Bond Lite

Appliqué the whale Click HERE for the whale pattern.

You can print the whale directly on Heat n Bond Lite EZ print sheets, or trace the whale onto Heat n Bond Lite.

Heat set the whale to the wrong side of the plaid fabric.

Cut out the whale. Peel off the backing paper.

Press it onto one of the denim pieces, centering. Using 1/4″ seams, sew the denim piece to the plaid piece to make the bag front and back. Press seams.

Fuse the Heat n Bond Fusible fleece to the wrong side of the bag front and the bag back. Add some accent stitching along the seam.

Bag Handles

Fuse the stabilizer to the wrong side of each of the handle strips.

Press in half lengthwise. Open up and press the long ends in to meet the center. Press. Then press in half again. This makes a super sturdy handle!

Topstitch along both of the long edges of each handle.

Continue following the bag instructions from this tutorial to complete the bag. To make the bag bottom, cut a 3″ notch out of the bottom corners of the bag and the lining.

I am so in love with this tote bag! It is such a great size, and if feels sturdy and it is super preppy plaid cute!!
I’m ready for an Eastern Seaboard Vacation!!!
Together they make the Perfect Preppy Plaid Pair!!!!!

Be sure to check out these amazing designers to see what they’ve created using Riley Blake’s Enchanted Fabric!!!

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, Jan 23rd – Little Londyn

Tuesday, Jan 24th – Jedi Craft Girl

Wednesday, Jan 25th – Loose Threads

Thursday, Jan 26th – Meags and Me

Friday, Jan 27th – Pretty by Hand

Monday, Jan 30th – Tie Dye Diva

Tuesday, Jan 31st – Two Sisters as Squirrel Hallow

Wednesday, Feb 1st – Striped Swallow Designs

Thursday, Feb 2nd – Izzy and Ivy

Friday, Feb 3rd – Ellis and Higgs

Monday, Feb 6th – Aurifil

Tuesday, Feb 7th – The Crafy Quilter

Wednesday, Feb 8th – Two Sisters at Squirrel Hallow

Thursday, Feb 9th – Jina Barney Designz

Friday, Feb 10th – Riley Blake

You could win a bundle of Enchanted fabric by visiting Dodi’s blog, Loose Threads (www.sashgals.com) and leaving a comment.

One entry per blog post, per day of the Blog Tour, there on Loose Threads.

Enter every day to increase your chance of winning!!!

Filed Under: bags, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, nautical, quilt, Riley Blake, sizzix, tutorial, Uncategorized, whale

Valentine’s Day Art

January 16, 2017 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I’m giving my daughter a little shout out today on my blog! She has just finished stocking her Etsy shop with these adorable vintage-inspired wood signs. I’m hoping she will make me a set if she’s not too busy! You can check out her art by visiting her Etsy shop, EllaSketchArt. All the items are hand painted by her and all the money she earns is going toward her first year of college next year!! Thanks for being supportive!!!!

Kiss me and Be Mine signs are 6″ x 3.5″ and stand on their own.

This gingham love sign is painted on a rustic cedar fence post and measures 10″ x 5″.

These three conversation heart pieces are cute by themselves or as a set. Each measures 5.5″ square. I love each different design!!

She also takes custom orders if you have something specific in mind 🙂

Filed Under: FEATURED, Valentine's Day

Fat Quarter Shop Quilt Along 2017 Block #1

January 16, 2017 by Amanda 23 Comments

I’m so excited to be sewing along with Fat Quarter Shop’s 2017 Charity Quilt Along!!! Today they are kicking off things with Block #1, Souvenir of Friendship. Download your free pattern today, and be sure to donate to Make-A-Wish!

Well actually Mufasa and I are both sewing along!!! I decided to go with a traditional red and white quilt theme. So all my blocks will be different prints of red and white. I hope I don’t get sick of this color palette half way through!!! But I totally love it so far!

Since all my blocks are the same, I choose to do a “cheater” method on the blocks to speed things up 🙂

I can’t wait for next month’s block!!!! I hope you join us and sew along! It’s super fun!!!

The designers of the original quilt’s fabrics – Bonnie & Camille – are sewing along, too! Fun!

And look who else is sewing along!!!!!

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann’s Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table

Filed Under: fat quarter shop, FEATURED