Amanda

Milk Sugar & Flower Girls Dress

February 2, 2016 by Amanda 2 Comments

I am so in love Milk Sugar & Flower from Penny Rose! I have been saving it until I found the perfect project. And I found it! A dress for Sally! Sally will be getting baptized this month and I wanted her to have a special dress to wear after her Baptism.

The style of the dress is classic little girl and fits Sally’s personality. She is a girl after my own vintage heart: lover of Elvis, old TV shows, and classic dress style. It’s just how little girls should be dressing.

I have to admit I did not like the pattern at all. Upon completion of the dress I wadded the whole pattern up and threw it in the garbage! Which, by the way, saved me a good 30 minutes of folding the dang thing up so it would fit in the envelope!

Despite the frustration with the pattern, I love the finished dress and so does Sally.

Filed Under: clothes, FEATURED, Penny Rose Fabrics

Surf Report Quilt Featuring Off Shore by Riley Blake Designs

January 29, 2016 by Amanda 5 Comments

I grew up in a family that listened to the Beach boys every day. I grew up in a family whose parents were from Southern California and surfed at beaches such as Doheny, San Onofre, and Rincon. I grew up with a dad who made surfboards in the garage and my favorite smell was the smell of hot surfboard resin. I grew up with a stack of surfer magazines in my room and pictures of cute surfer boys plastered all over my walls. I grew up spending weeks at Newport Beach with my cousins in the summer. I grew up admiring surfers like Kelly Slater, Mark Occhilupo, and Tom Carroll and watching The Endless Summer on the weekends. I grew up in California.

This fabric that Dena Rutter created for Riley Blake Designs called Off Shore, embodies all the classic iconic surf culture that I remember as a kid: The lazy days at the beach, riding your bike down the boardwalk, and just hanging out at the beach house. This quilt that I designed is called Surf Report because it has five blocks on the top and the bottom for the five-day surf report forecast. From looking at the fabric, it looks like sunny skies, offshore winds and chest high surf. FYI here is today’s surf report:

WNW swell will continue to show a little better through the day as the period comes down some and the peak energy trends a little more west. Improving conditions through the afternoon as the tide drops, before draining most spots on approach to a 0.6′ low at 5:49pm. Winds are light onshore.

I love the block in this quilt because it reminds me of a iconic tribal surf image and it’s very masculine. I am so excited to be giving this quilt to my dad for his birthday. In fact, the whole family is taking him to a Beach Boys concert to celebrate. I think he will love this quilt! You can download this pattern for FREE by clicking here. Tag me on Instagram when you make yours!!

Mufasa totally approves of this “guy” quilt.

This quilt is perfect for the boy or guy in your life. It’s totally masculine and totally cool!

If you give your quilts as gifts, make sure to hug them before you give them away!!

As always, bias plaid binding!!!!!

Surfing is the life, the rest is details 🙂

Filed Under: FEATURED, quilt, Riley Blake

Penny Rose Strawberry Jam Quilt

January 28, 2016 by Amanda 1 Comment

I’m happy to share this delicious little quilt called Strawberry Jam. Living in Southern California, it’s strawberry season all year round! This quilt reminds me of fun times spent in the kitchen making popovers, biscuits, rolls, and anything else we could bake to hold our fresh strawberry jam on! YUMMY!! The Shabby Strawberry fabric line is brand new from Penny Rose. Let’s get started!

First make sure you have some hot buttermilk biscuits and fresh strawberry jam to keep you going while you make the quilt 🙂 For the full instructions hop on over to the Penny Rose Blog!!

I used my Sizzix Fabi machine to die cut the jam jar. This die is called Jar #2 by Lori Whitlock. It’s the cutest!

Iron Heat n Bond Lite to the back of the strawberry fabric. Then run it through the Sizzix Fabi with the jar die. Peel off the backing and heat set it into place. I did the same thing with the jar lid, it’s part of the die.

Stitch around the jar and lid with gray thread.

I love how SWEET it turned out!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Penny Rose Fabrics, quilt, Therm O Web, tutorial

Fabric Covered Letters

January 20, 2016 by Amanda 5 Comments

How FUN are these fabric covered letters!!!

You can embellish them with glitter, trim, rosettes, buttons, flowers, pretty much anything! Get your glue gun and let’s get started!!

Supplies

Letters – mine are 1/4″ MDF letters purchased at Beverly’s Crafts. They measure 10″ tall

Fabric fat quarters

Decou page

foam brush

hot blue gun & glue

trim, glitter, buttons, or other embellishments

Begin by making sure your fabric will cover the letter.

Spread the Decou Page all over the front of the letter. Lay the fabric over the letter, smoothing it out with your fingers. Then apply a coat oa Decou Page over the fabric. Let dry completely.

Once it is completely dry. Lay the letter upside down on a cutting mat. Using an exacto knife or small utility knife, cut along the edge letter. I put a movie on and did this because it takes some time 🙂

Now comes the fun part – and the painful part! Using a hot glue gun, run a bead of glue along the edge of the letter and attach trim. I love these tiny pom poms!! You could also use white glue and glitter like in the FUN letters.

Once the trim is on you can make rosettes or flowers and hot glue them on if you want.

I’m going to hang the SEW HAPPY letters up in my sewing room!!

Filed Under: crafts, FEATURED, tutorial

Strawberry Zipper Pouch Tutorial

January 20, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

There is something about strawberries that makes it feel like summer! This fun zipper pouch is the perfect addition to your warm weather outings! Pack it with little snacks for the kids, keep sunscreen and chapstick in it, or keep emergency items like sewing kit and first aid kit handy in the car. If you know me, you know I love zipper pouches!

Supplies:

Scraps of fabric for front of bag – I used Briar Rose, one of my favorite fabric lines ever
1/4 yard natural cotton/linen blend for outer bag
1/4 yard lining
Heat n Bond® Fusible Fleece
Heat n Bond® Ultra
Heat n Bond® Lite
Pressing Sheet
iCraft® Deco Foil™ Pink Melon Transfer Sheets
11″ lace trim
14″ or longer zipper
Strawberry Pattern

Begin by cutting the fabrics according to this cutting guide: (you will also use this diagram for piecing guide)

Trace the strawberry and stem on the Heat n Bond® Ultra. (We also recommend using our NEW iCraft® Deco Foil™ Hot Melt Transfer Adhesive Sheets)

Cut out the strawberry and iron it to the white 5″ square according to the instructions. Let cool completely. Peel off the backing paper. Next take the Pink Melon Deco Foil and place it over the Heat n Bond® strawberry. Place a pressing sheet on top of the foil. WITH A MEDIUM HOT IRON (HOT ULTRA HOT) press for about 15-20 seconds. I wanted a slightly vintage look so I pressed for a shorter amount of time. (for a full Deco Foil™ look…press for 30 to 40 seconds and then allow to completely cool before removing the liner.)

This makes it so some of the foil peels off. Let it cool then gently peel off the remaining Deco Foil. The picture below is the same technique but with a different project:

Trace the stem on the Heat n Bond® Lite. Cut 1/4 ” around the stem. Iron it to the wrong side of the green fabric. Then cut around the stem pattern. Peel off the backing paper. Position the stem. Place the pressing paper over the strawberry to protect the Deco Foil. Heat set the stem in place. Top stitch around the stem.

Once the strawberry is complete, sew the fabric pieces together in the layout diagram. Press the seams – DO NOT press the Deco Foil strawberry. The bag front should measure 8″ x 11″. Iron the HeatnBond® Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the bag front and the bag back. Again, put a pressing paper over the strawberry to protect while fusing the fleece. You can quilt the bag pieces or leave them as is. Add the accent lace along the bottom seam.

To insert the zipper, follow THIS tutorial. It’s my friend’s and it’s the easiest to follow, and it comes out perfect every time!

Wouldn’t this made a super cute gift?

Filed Under: Heat n Bond, Therm O Web, tutorial, zipper pouch

Theme Print Zipper Pouch Tutorial

January 19, 2016 by Amanda 3 Comments

Today I am sharing something I LOVE!!! Zipper Pouches! I can’t have enough of them and I love to give them as gifts. In fact, the ones pictured in this tutorial is actually what I gave my nieces and nephew for Christmas.

I have created this pattern so you can use your favorite theme print fabric and tailor it to who you are giving it to. I even have Star Wars version!! Let’s get started!!

Supplies

1/4 yard outer bag fabric

1/4 yard lining fabric

1/8 yard accent strips

small scraps for theme print 5″ x 6 1/2″

Heat n Bond fusible fleece

Spray n bond

12″ or longer zipper

Cut the pieces according to the above cutting guide.

Fuse the heat n Bond Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the (2) outer bag pieces.

Cut the 1.25″ accent strip into (4) 6.5″ x 1.25″ strips.

Press the accent strips in half lengthwise.
Align the raw edges with the edge of the theme print fabric and sew a 1/4″ seam. Do this to all (4) sides of the (2) theme print pieces. Press the accent strips so the seam allowance is toward the theme print.

Using the Spray n Bond (temporary basting spray) spray the theme print piece and position it on the outer bag, centering. Topsitich along the seam to finish.

Inserting the Zipper

Note: This tutorial is for a zipper with zipper tabs. You can find more instructions HERE if you need a little extra help. You can also use the”Open Wide” zipper method by clicking HERE . I used both.

Using the extra from the 1.25″ strip, cut (2) pieces 1.25″ x 5″. Press them in half, and then press the raw edges under 1/4″.

Lay the zipper out positioning it on top of one of the outer bag pieces. Position the tabs so they overlap each side of the bag 1″. Cut the zipper to fit inside each tab. Pin in place.

Sew 2 times along the edge of the tabs as pictured above. http://www.jedicraftgirl.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpCut along the fold of the zipper tab and cut away the excess zipper, leaving about 1/8″ of zipper. This makes it so there is no bulky zipper in the side seam of the zipper pouch.

Position the zipper right sides together with the outer bag piece. Notice the zipper tabs are hanging over, not to worry, we will square up in a minute.

Next position one of the lining pieces right side down on top of the outer bag with zipper in between.

It should be layered together like the picture above. Pin and sew 1/4″ seam along the top edge using a zipper foot. Trim off the excess zipper tab so it is square with the outer bag.

Press the outer bag and lining piece so it looks like the above picture.

Topstitch along the edge (above). Then repeat with the other side of the zipper, aligning the pieces just like we did above.

This is how it should look once the zipper is inserted (above).

Finishing the Bag

Making sure the zipper is open, match the lining pieces together and the outer bag pieces together and pin all the way around.

Make sure to push the zipper tab toward the lining piece and pin, matching the zipper seams. Sew all the way around the zipper pouch using 1/4″ seam. Leave a 3″ opening at the bottom of the bag for turning.

Cut a 1″ square notch out each corner. Open

Open each notched corner and match seams. Sew a 1/4″ seam, backstitching to start and stop. Turn right side out and topstitch the opening closed.

Your done! You can see from the photo that I used a zipper tab on one and then the open wide zipper method on the others. It’s just preference.

For my nieces I am including a cute nail file, an EOS, and some yummy smelling hand sanitizer. You could also include a small perfume, lotion, gum, notebook and pen. One of my nieces is a ballerina and I know she’s going to love this darling fabric by Heather Ross!

My other niece loves the ocean and fish so this Saltwater fabric by Riley Blake will be just perfect!.

For the boys (which are always harder for me to buy for) you can include a small flashlight, deck of cards or other small game, PEZ dispenser or candy, small action figure or car. I also purchased a whoopee cushion to include, just to drive my sister crazy!!

Filed Under: FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Riley Blake, star wars, Therm O Web, tutorial, zipper pouch

Deco Foil Sizzix Snowflake Pillow

January 19, 2016 by Amanda 16 Comments

Merry Christmas! I can’t believe how fast December flew by! I still have a stack of projects I was hoping to get to! There is still time to whip up this quick snowflake pillow before Christmas. I used 3 different Sizzix snowflake dies and Deco Foil in Silver and Gold – just like the song!

Gather your supplies and let’s get started!

The Hot Melt Sheets are what allow the Deco Foil to adhere to the fabric. Cut the Hot Melt Sheets the size of the Siizix die.

Use only one layer of the Hot Melt Sheets at a time. I tried cutting multiple and it cuts great but the hot melt sheets end up sticking together.

Cut (2) squares the size of your pillow. I always use 20″ pillow so I can swap pillow covers out in a jiffy. I used a heavy natural muslin. Mine is cut 20″ square. Have your cat help you position the snowflakes randomly all over the pillow front. You can also position in three rows for a linear look. Once you have the snowflakes placed just so, press them into place using a medium-hot dry iron. Let cool completely.

Don’t peel the backing paper off all the snowflakes at once. Begin in the center and peel off as you add foil to protect the adhesive from the iron. Peel off the center snowflake’s paper and place a piece of Deco Foil over. Place the pressing sheet (it comes with the Hot Melt Sheets) over the foil. USING A MEDIUM HEAT DRY IRON press for about 20 seconds. I found that if my iron was set on the cotton/linen setting it would scorch the foil. If this is your first time, test this on a piece of scrap fabric to make sure it works. Once you’ve pressed the foil let it cool completely.

Once the foil has cooled, gently peel away the foil sheet. It will leave a perfect snowflake! Continue this process.

Be mindful not to touch the iron to the completed snowflakes.

They are so shiny and pretty!! Once all the snowflakes are finished you can turn it into a pillow! I always put a zipper in my pillow back. I also added some decorative fringe. For more instructions on how to finish the pillow, you can check out this tutorial.

I love how this pillow looks in my sparkly living room! Supplies:

2/3 yard heavy muslin for pillow

Sizzix Snowflake Dies

Therm O Web Hot Melt Sheets

Therm O Web Deco Foil in silver and gold

2.5 yards decorative fringe

22″ zipper, optional

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, pillow, sizzix, Therm O Web

Valentine Tote Bag

January 18, 2016 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am so in love with Milk Sugar Flower fabric from Penny Rose for Valentine’s Day! It just screams vintage valentine! I thought Sally needed a cute tote bag to carry her valentines in when she has her Valentine Party! This tote bag is the perfect size for so many things! Library books, piano books, car trips, stuffed animals, and dolls! Sally will be using it as her piano book bag when Valentine’s Day is over. The bag gets its stability from Therm o Web Fusible Medium Weight Stabilizer. You can totally sew it in an hour! Yippee!!

I have to pay her to model you know 🙂

Note: The seam allowances very as noted in the directions

Supplies for project:

1/3 yard main fabric

1/4 yard white accent

1/3 yard blue accent & handles

1/3 yard lining

HeatnBond® Lite Fusible Adhesive

2 yards HeatnBond® medium weight fusible stabilizer

Cut the following:

White (2) 4.5″ x 16″ accent strip main bag

Blue (2) 2″ x 16″ accent strip main bag

Pink (2) 10.5″ x 16″ main bag

Blue handles 6″ x WOF

Lining (2) 16″ squares

Sew the strips together in that order using 1/4″ seam allowances. You should have (2) 16″ squares for the outer bag.

Draw a heart on the Heat n Bond® Lite and iron it to the wrong side of the red fabric.

Cut around the heart and peel off the backing paper. Position the heart as pictured above. Make sure to leave plenty of room for the bag bottom. Press into place and top stitch around the heart.

Cut the HeatnBond® Interfacing/stabilizer into (4) 16″ squares.

Cut the lining pieces (2) 16″ squares.

Fuse the HeatnBond® interfacing onto the wrong side of both the outer bag pieces and both of the lining pieces.

Match both outer bag pieces right sides together and pin all the way around. Do the same for the lining pieces. Sew around the sides and the bottom using 1/2″ seam. Leave a 3″ opening (for turning) on one of the sides of the lining.

Cut a 2″ square notch out of the bottom corners of the outer bag and the lining.

Open the notch and match the side seam and the bottom seam. Pin. Do this to each of the notched corners.

Sew along this edge using 1/4″ seam.

It’s starting to look like a bag!

Press the 6″ handle strip in half lengthwise, then fold the edges into the center, the handle strip should be pressed into equal sections of four.

Press the handles and top stitch along both long sides. Trim off selvage. Cut the handle strip in half creating 2 handles.

Turn the outer bag right side out and pin the handles into place. Measure 3.5″ from the side of the bag to position the handle. Baste the edge of each handle 1/8″ from the edge.

Place the right side out outer bag inside the inside out lining (that wasn’t confusing at all!) The above picture is how it should look. Essentially the lining and the outer bag are right sides together. Match the side seams. Pin all the way around the bag. Sew 1/4″ along the edge all the way around the bag. Turn the bag right side out through the opening of the lining. Top stitch the opening closed. Press the lining of the bag so you can’t see any lining on the front of the bag. Top stitch 1/8″ seam all the way around the top of the bag.

I love how it turned out and so does Sally! It just screams Sweet Valentine!

Time to get working on our valentines!

Filed Under: bags, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Penny Rose Fabrics, Therm O Web, tutorial, Valentine's Day

Sizzix Heart Quilt

January 18, 2016 by Amanda 8 Comments

I think I love Valentine’s Day so much because it pulls me out of the “After Christmas Blues”. It’s bright, and happy! I love the simplicity of this quilt – a simple heart applique. What makes it feel special is that no two hearts are the same and the backgrounds are a variety of low volume prints. When ever I go to a quilt shop and I’m not sure what to buy, I end up purchasing charm packs. I had this “Scrumptious” charm pack by Moda tucked away and it was perfect for this project.

DIY Heart Quilt: A Cozy and Sweet Make for Valentine's Day

Heat n Bond Lite by Therm O Web is my go to for any Sizzix applique projects. I love it because it’s light weight, it fuses fast, and peels easy. Cut the Heat n Bond Lite into (25) 5″ squares.

Select 25 of your favorite squares from the charm pack.

Fuse the Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong side of each of the 25 charm squares. Let cool.

Make sure your cat helps with all the die cutting! Die cut each of the 25 squares using the Fabi heart. The squares are just big enough to cover the whole heart.

Cut a variety of low volume prints into 7″ squares. You will need 25 total. Peel off the backing paper and position the heart in the center of each of the 7″ squares. Heat set into place. Top stitch around each heart, I used light pink thread.

Lay out the blocks as desired. You could easily turn this into a table runner or add more blocks for a baby quilt or throw quilt. Sew each block together in rows using 1/4″ seams. Press each row alternately so it makes it easy to match seams. Sew the rows together and press in one direction. Quilt.

I quilted a scallop boarder around each heart to give it a “Valentine” feel. Then 1/4″ straight line seams. Add the binding and you’re done!

Filed Under: appliqué, FEATURED, quilt, sizzix, Therm O Web, tutorial, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day

Burlap Foil Snowflake Ornament

December 23, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

It’s only 1 day until Christmas! Are you ready? These little snowflake pillow ornaments are the perfect gift to whip up if you can find a few spare minutes!

Supplies:

Sizzix Fabi or Big Shot

Sizzix Snowflake Die

Therm O Web Hot Melt Sheets

Deco Foil Silver

1/4 yard burlap

scraps of lace

wire

First I had to clear a spot on my sewing/craft table. There are too many projects going on right now! Once you’ve cleared a little spot, die cut the Hot Melt Sheets with the Sizzix snowflake die. Cut only 1 at a time as the adhesive will stick to itself if you try multiple layers.Cut the burlap (2) 6″ x 8″. Position the snowflake and heat set with a medium hot iron, about 20 seconds. Let completely dry and peel off backing paper.

Cut the foil sheet to cover the snowflake.

Cover with the pressing paper that comes with Hot Melt Sheets. Heat set with an iron set to a MEDIUM DRY temperature. DO NOT OVER HEAT. Iron with firm pressure for 20 seconds. Let cool completely.Gently peel off the foil leaving a beautiful snowflake!

Cut 2 pieces of lace the 6″ and use Spray n Bond to position. Sew lace on using white thread.
Pin the front piece to the back piece wrong sides together. Top stitch all the way around the little pillow 1/4″ from the edge. Leave a 2″ opening at the bottom. Lightly stuff the pillow and sew the opening shut.

Add a piece of wire and tie a decorative bow. I like my burlap to look frayed, you can trim if you like a neater look 🙂

Take them to all your friends!!

Filed Under: Christmas, FEATURED, Therm O Web

Milk Sugar & Flower Girls Dress

Surf Report Quilt Featuring Off Shore by Riley Blake Designs

Penny Rose Strawberry Jam Quilt

Fabric Covered Letters

Strawberry Zipper Pouch Tutorial

Theme Print Zipper Pouch Tutorial

Deco Foil Sizzix Snowflake Pillow

Valentine Tote Bag

Sizzix Heart Quilt

Burlap Foil Snowflake Ornament

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