Amanda

Apple Applique Composition Book Cover Tutorial

August 14, 2015 by Amanda 6 Comments

Back to School, Apples, Reading & Writing, School Supplies, the smell of pink erasers, lunchboxes, and alarm clocks….

Today I am sharing my tutorial for this applique apple composition book cover. I have written several composition book cover tutorials, they are my favorite and I can always be found carrying one around. This one would make the perfect gift to give to a teacher on the first day of school 🙂

I used the apple die from Sizzix and the fabric is from one of my favorite Riley Blake Designs fabric lines called Apple of my Eye by the quilted fish. I used Therm o Web Heat n Bond Featherweight and a medium weight stabilizer. Hop on over to the Therm o Web blog for the full instructions!!

Filed Under: appliqué, FEATURED, gift, Heat n Bond, Riley Blake, Therm O Web, Uncategorized

My Favorite Beach Quilt {Blend Sun-sational}

August 12, 2015 by Amanda 10 Comments

It’s still August and I am going to enjoy every last minute of summer! I love the Sun-sational fabric line from Blend Fabrics. Just looking at them makes me feel like I’m enjoying summer at the beach. I am a California girl who was raised loving the beach. Through the years my family has come to love many beaches. I thought it would be great to include the names of these beaches in the quilt.

It makes it so personal! I used SoSoft Fabric Paint by DecoArt. I purchased at my local Beverly’s Fabric and Craft store. I’ve painted on T-shirts and fabric before with acrylic paint. It kind of leaves a rough texture after it dries. I wanted something soft that would blend nice with the fabric. This totally did the trick! After it dried I could hardly feel it was paint – it just felt like the fabric!

Here is how you can make this quilt:

51″ x 64″ Finished quilt

Supplies:

Fat quarters of assorted beach prints

1.5 yards white cotton fabric

1/2 yard for binding

3 yards backing

So Soft fabric paint

Vinyl stencils

This quilt is made of up 4 “blocks”. Two are rectangles and two are squares. Below is the cutting instructions for each block. You can make this quilt larger or smaller, or mix up the blocks to create a totally different pattern!

You will need:

(11) Beach Name Blocks

(15) Squared Blocks

(9) 8″ square theme print blocks

(8) 8″ x 15.5″ theme print rectangles

Once everything is cut prepare the stencil for the beach names. I cut vinyl on my Cricut and peeled out the inside of the letters to leave a vinyl stencil. Each beach name is a different font. I put the vinyl on the 3″ x 15.5″ white strip and stenciled using the SoSoft paint. I let dry completely then removed the vinyl. I made sure to heat set the paint while I was pressing the block.

Once the paint is dry, sew the beach name block together. 1/4″ seams throughout.

I love how they turned out! Do you have any of the same favorite beaches as we do?

Sew the squared blocks together by sewing a white square to both sides of the center blue square. Press. Add the top and bottom rectangles, press.

Cut the remaining theme print blocks, you can use as many theme prints as you want!

Next comes the fun part – laying it out. I played with several different patterns until I decided on this one. There is not really a pattern to it, kind of random 🙂

It’s always a good idea to photograph your quilt layout, especially if you have a #kittyquilter in your home! Mufasa!!!!!Sew the blocks together in rows and the rows together, matching seams that intersect. Make sure #kittyquilter inspects all finished work!! Quilt as desired.I put minky on the back and had my friend use her long arm quilting machine to quilt it. I love the pattern she did!!

The binding is cut on the bias, my favorite way to make binding!!

I’m so ready for a beach vacation now!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!! Surfs up!!!

Filed Under: #kittyquilter, beach, Blend Fabrics, nautical, paint, quilt

Sizzix Natural Wonder Bunny Mini Quilt

August 1, 2015 by Amanda 1 Comment

I love to give handmade gifts, especially quilts. My friend recently lost her bunny to a hawk. I know how much it hurts to loose a beloved pet. I wanted to make her something to show her I really cared so I created this bunny mini quilt. She totally LOVED it!!

This little quilt features sawtooth blocks and appliqué. The fabrics are from Blend Fabrics Natural Wonder fabric line. I love that there are bunnies in the theme fabric. The colors are soft and natural. The bunny and hearts are cut with Sizzix dies. Do you want to make one? Here’s how!!

1/4″ seams used throughout

Begin by making (6) Sawtooth Star blocks.

For each block cut the following measurements:
Draw a diagonal line on the back of each of the 2″ x 2″ star points squares. Position the 2″ x 2″ square a 2″ x 3.5″ background rectangle right sides together. Sew along the diagonal line as pictured below:

Trim leaving 1/4″ seam allowance and press toward the dark. Repeat the process on the other side of the background rectangle including trimming and pressing.

Lay the star block out like this:

Sew the pieces together in rows, and then the rows together. Press seams open. The finished sawtooth block is 6.5″

Sew the sashing strips creating (2) Star Sets. Press the seams toward the sashing.

Cut the strips for the quilt following the cutting guide:

Bunny Applique

Iron Heat n Bond Lite to the back of the floral print fabric (Deco Park Gray). Using the Sizzix Fabi and the Bunny Die, cut out two bunnies that face each other. Using the hearts die, cut the larger heart out of coordinating fabric.

Peel off the backing paper and press the bunnies and heart onto the white fabric, centering. Outline stitch two times in dark gray or taupe thread. Sew the strips together as shown in the picture. Press seams and quilt as desired.

I quilted loop de loos and 4-petal clover flowers in an all-over design.

Make sure your #kittyquilter #kittyhelper approves of the finished quilt before you wrap it up!

Supplies:

Sizzix Fabi

Sizzix Bunny Die

Sizzix Heart Die

Heat n Bond Lite or Featherweight fusible applique

1/4 yard each of the patterned fabrics from Blend Natural Wonder line

1/3 yard white solid fabric

1 yard backing

1/3 yard binding

cotton batting

Filed Under: appliqué, Blend Fabrics, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, sizzix, Therm O Web

Fun With Sizzix Dresses

July 28, 2015 by Amanda 28 Comments

Today we are playing with the Sizzix Fabi and having lots of summer fun! I used this dress die to create a nautical inspired quilt block.

To create this block, I used the pennant die to cut the banner.

I trimmed it down slightly to make them smaller. The dress is cut from navy dots and the sash from red and white stripe. I used Heat n Bond Lite on the back of the dress and the pennants to adhere to the white 8.5″ square. I drew an anchor on the Heat n Bond Lite and appliquéd it to the dress, adding small ric rac accents. I stitched around all the pieces. Seriously, can I get this dress in my size!!!!!

I am sending the dress block to Sizzix and they are sewing an entire quilt with dress blocks that designers create! I can’t wait to see everyone’s block!!

Sizzix also makes a little girl dress die. I let Sally, my 7 year old, have at it with a box of paper, this Dress Die, and the Fabi. She had hours and hours of fun designing her own fashions.

We used miniature clothespins to display all of her creations!

I love that the Sizzix machines are simple to use. My children and I love creating together 🙂

Filed Under: Heat n Bond, sizzix, Therm O Web

Scripture Cover Tutorial Featuring Vintage Market from Riley Blake Designs

July 27, 2015 by Amanda 22 Comments

My daughter and I recently received new scriptures and with new scriptures comes a need for new covers! I love these little quilted covers, I think of them as blankets for your bibles….heehee 🙂 The Riley Blake Designs fabric I am using is called Vintage Market Fabric by Tasha Noel. Absolutly everything Tasha designs is too cute for words. I can’t decide which little scene is my favorite! I love jam, bicycles, quilts, sewing machines, and all vintage goods. I guess I love it all!!!

This pattern will walk you through the steps of determining the measurements for your bible or book and how to create a quilted cover. The two examples shown are a set of regular “quad” scriptures and then the larger “quad” scriptures.

The first step is to take the measurements of the book. Hold the tape measure from cover to cover with the book closed as pictured below. Write down that length measurement. Then do the same thing width wise and record that number.

MEASUREMENTS

To determine the measurements for the width (top to bottom), add 1″ to the width measurement and then subtract 1/8″.

To determine the measurements for the length (side to side), measure the length and add 6″.

For the regular quad, the book measures: 7 3/8″ x 13″ so the number we are after is 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad, the book measures: 9 3/8″ x 15″ so the number we are after is 10 1/4″ x 21″

Overview

Here is a photo of what the finished cover looks like. The inside consists of 2 flaps to insert the book cover. The cover also extends beyond the book so it wraps around and buttons to close.

Construct the Quilted Cover

Following the instructions for the “quilt” will give you a quilt that is slightly larger than the measurements required. Not to worry, I have put a little “extra” in as the quilt tends to shrink after being quilted. Once it is pieced and quilted you will square it up to the measurements you determined at the beginning.

The quilt consists of 3.5″ cut blocks that finish 3″ square. The Vintage Market motifs are fussy cut. They are alternated with hourglass blocks.

How to Fussy Cut

There are many ways to fussy cut an image, this is my method. Cut a 3.5″ square out of a piece of card stock. Use this as a little window to center the motif. Draw a pencil line around the 3.5″ square. Keep in mind you will have 1/4″ seam allowances.

Using scissors do a rough cut around the pencil line. Then place the image on a cutting mat and use the pencil lines as a guide to line up the ruler. Make sure to match the ruler to the grid as the pencil marks might be off slightly. Any pencil marks shown will be caught in the seam allowance.

Next, wrangle your cat away from the fabric so you can continue with this project 🙂

Hour Glass Block

To make the hourglass block, cut a light 5″ charm square and a dark 5″ charm square. Draw a diagonal line on the back of the light square.

Place the light and dark squares right sides together. Sew 1/4″ seam along both sides of the pencil line. Cut apart and press toward the dark.

Take the two half square triangle (HST) units and draw a diagonal line on one of the wrong sides. Place the HST units together so the lights and darks are opposite, match the center seam. Sew 1/4″ along both sides of the drawn line. Cut apart along the pencil line and press the seams open.
This will give you 2 hour glass blocks. Next, place the hourglass block on the cutting mat and “square up” to measure 3.5″. Make sure to align each diagonal seam with the 45 degree lines on the cutting grid.

It will look nice and perfect when you are done!

For the regular quad, you need (5) fussy cut squares and (5) hourglass blocks

For the large quad, you need (9) fussy cut squares and (9) hourglass blocks

If you are creating your own book cover with different measurements, you need enough squares to get closest to your measurement, but not to exceed the measurement. There will be accent strips to make up the difference.

Piece the quilt together using 1/4″ seams, block by block, pressing toward the fussy cut blocks. Then join the rows together, pressing seams open. The regular size of scriptures has 2 rows and the large size of scriptures has 3 rows.

For both sizes of scriptures, sew a 2″ strip along the top and bottom of the “quilt”. No need to measure, it can hang off, it will all get squared up soon. Press seams toward the strips.

Square up the sides and sew a 2.5″ strip to the right side and a 2.5″ strip to the left side. Press seams toward the strips. It is best if these are different colors as they will be overlapping once the cover is finished.

Again, do this no matter what size scriptures you are using.

Baste the quilt to the batting. I love to use Spray n Bond because I can baste this little quilt in about 30 seconds!!! Quilt as desired.

Once it is quilted it is time to square up the finished quilt cover. Here are the measurements again:

For the regular quad: 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad: 10 1/4″ x 21″

It is best to determine the center and than count each side out so the top and bottom strips look even.

Next cut an angle off the LEFT side of the quilt. NOT THE RIGHT SIDE LIKE I DID.

Cut the angle on the LEFT side. For the 2-row quilt, measure in 2″ and angle down 2.5″. Do this on both corners. For the 3-row quilt, change the measurements to 2″ in and 3″ down.

You can add lace or other decorative trim at this point.

Our quilt is finished! WhoooHoooo!!!

Flaps

Prepare the flaps by cutting (2) squares the size of the width measurement. For the regular quad it is 8 1/4″ square and for the large quad it is 10 1/4″ square.

Press both flaps in half. Set aside one flap. On the second flap, press the edges opposite the half crease under 1/4″ inches like this:

Cut the lining piece (pink) the measurements of the quilt:

For the regular quad: 8 1/4″ x 19″

For the large quad: 10 1/4″ x 21″

Position the flap without the pressed seams on the left, aligning the raw edges and the folded part toward the center.

Place the flap with the pressed under edges at the 14″ mark for the regular quad scriptures and the 16″ mark for the large quad scriptures. If you are determining your own measurements you would subtract the length of the quilt by 5″. Pin the right flap in place and top stitch along the folded edges. The left flap will be caught in the final seam.

Place the quilted cover on the lining/flap piece, right sides together. Match all edges and pin in place. Don’t worry about the angles, we will cut them later.

Leave an opening for turning where the colored pins are:

Sew all the way around the cover using 1/4″ seams. If your seams are larger the cover won’t fit. Trim off the excess lining where the angles are. Clip the corner and turn right side out. Press all edges and press opening edges under. Top stitch the opening closed.

The inside should look like this (below). You can add a little top stitching around the angle flap. Don’t top stitch around the entire cover or the book won’t fit inside.

Insert the scriptures and mark where you want the button holes. If your measurements only call for 2 rows of quilt blocks, you only need 1 button. For the larger version with 3 rows of quilt blocks, it is helpful to have 2 buttons. Sew the button holes and then hand sew the buttons, making sure not to catch the thread in the flap.

You’re done!!!!

You can use regular buttons or make covered buttons like these ones:

True fact: If you have cute scriptures you are more likely to read them 🙂

I hope you enjoy this tutorial! Let me know how yours comes out 🙂

Filed Under: FEATURED, patterns, projects, Riley Blake, sewing, Therm O Web

Riley Blake Designs Lobster Pillows

July 9, 2015 by Amanda 10 Comments

I am so happy to be a part of the Riley Blake Designs Home Dec Love Blog Tour! If you are new to my blog WELCOME!!!! I love all things nautical and when I saw this RBD Lobster fabric it was love at first sight! These lobster pillows are the perfect addition to your indoor or outdoor summer decorating. I like to pretend I have a sailboat and these are the perfect pillows for a relaxing cruise around the bay 🙂 You can find the Lobster fabrics on RBD website. Let’s get started!

Supplies:

3/4 yard each blue, cream, and red lobster print

1/2 yard natural canvas or denim

2.5 yards trim per pillow

20″ pillow form

22″ zipper

Craft paint

stencil patterns, Click HERE and HERE for Lobster. Click HERE and HERE for BEACH letters

Begin by creating a stencil. There are 2 methods I like to use. The first is to upload the graphic to my cutting program for my vinyl cutter and cut the image in vinyl and peel out the inside leaving a single-use stencil. The second way is to trace the image on plastic binder dividers and cut it out with and craft knife. This way you can use the stencil over and over. For this project I cut the images on my cutting machine.

Cut the fabrics according to the cutting guide below:

Proceed to stencil the letters and the lobster on the corresponding cuts of fabric.

Once the paint has dried, heat set the image with a hot iron. Piece the strips together as shown in the picture. Press seams and top stitch along seams.

Now prepare the back. Make sure to have your cat inspect and sit on all fabrics!!

Cut the back pieces 20″ x 20″

Make a cut at the 4″ mark. This is where the zipper will go.

Sew the zipper in and press the zipper open. Trim off excess zipper. Baste the trim all the way around the pillow, beginning and ending at the bottom center of the pillow. I rounded the corners as I basted the trim in place. Place the pillow front to the pillow back right sides together. MAKE SURE ZIPPER IS OPEN PARTIALLY. Pin, matching edges all the way around the pillow. Sew using a generous 1/4″ seam allowance. Clip excess corners and turn right side out. Insert pillow form

Check out all these amazing projects featuring Riley Blake Designs Home Decorating Fabric!

6/15 – Riley Blake Designs

6/16 – Jina Barney Designz

6/18 – Rae Gun Ramblings

6/19 – The Happy Housie

6/22 – Choo Choo Skadoo

6/23 – A Bright Corner

6/24 – Tea Rose Home

6/26 – Life After Laundry

6/29 – Sew Like My Mom

6/30 – Simple Simon

7/1 – Smashed Peas and Carrots

7/2 – The Stitching Scientist

7/3 – Heart Zipper

7/6 – Quiltscapes

7/7 – Fearlessly Creative Mamas

7/8 – Diary of a Quilter

7/9 – Jedi Craft Girl
7/10 – Riley Blake Designs

Filed Under: FEATURED, nautical, pillow, Riley Blake

Birthday Cat-Cake Towel Tutorial

July 3, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

It’s my birthday today! To celebrate I made this fun appliqué towel with cat cupcakes – or Cat Cakes as I call them! I bought this toweling by the yard. It comes in lots of colors and styles.

To make this towel you need:

1 towel or 1 yard toweling

6 charm squares for cats and cakes, I used Day Sail by Moda

3 scraps for candles

Heat n Bond Lite cut into 5″ squares

I used the Sizzix cat head and the Sizzix cupcake bottom to create the Cat-Cakes.Iron the Heat n Bond Lite to the wrong side of the charm squares and run it through the Sizzix Fabi. Make sure to position the fabric over the desired shape. I cut out all 3 at once!

Peel off the backing paper and position the Cat Cakes on the bottom of the towel. Press to set in place. Sew around each shape 2 times with navy thread.

Make sure your cat approves 🙂

If you don’t have a July birthday, make this to celebrate our Nation’s Birthday!!!

Or make one for your cat’s birthday 🙂

Mufasa loves the Sizzix Fabi. He hears me getting it out and comes running!!!

Filed Under: appliqué, birthday, cupcake, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, moda, sizzix, Therm O Web

Sizzix Crazy Cat Lady Coasters

July 2, 2015 by Amanda Leave a Comment

I am sharing this fun tutorial for “Cat Coasters” over on the Sizzix blog today. This is a fun project to use up charm squares or other scraps of fabric you have laying around. Of course you can always change the appliqué to something that reflects you if you are not a crazy cat lady like I am 🙂

I used the cat head from the “cat die”. I also used some of my Heat n Bond Lite scraps I had laying around. I love scrap buster projects!

Filed Under: appliqué, cat, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, sizzix, Therm O Web

Fast and Easy Sizzix Projects

June 30, 2015 by Amanda 3 Comments

Much of my life is not magazine -cover picture perfect. Life is real, my house is messy and I run behind. I have tried to keep my blog posts authentic to who I am and what I’m doing. I don’t create for the sake of posting on IG or blogging about it. Every product or fabric I share is something I truly love. This summer I have been involved in several major youth activities: a Pioneer Trek Reenactment and a Young Women Camp for girls age 12-18. Both these experiences were amazing. I want to share a few projects I made for these activities using my Sizzix Fabi. It’s my go to creative device, especially when I am in a hurry!

The night before I left for the Pioneer Trek I decided I need to add a little something to this plain muslin cross-body satchel. I used the Sizzix Large Dresden plate and the 4″ circle. I put Heat n Bond Ultra on the back of each fabric before die-cutting since I wouldn’t be able to sew the appliqué pieces.

Here we are in our authentic Pioneer attire. I took this bag everywhere!!!

For our Young Women Camp I like to have the leaders wear matching shirts – it really makes it easy to find us! Our theme Anchored in Christ and everything we did had a nautical reference to it. This fish die is one of my favorites! I used some fun Riley Blake Designs Prints and Heat n Bond Feather Lite.

I decided to only use 3 fish instead of 4. You have to be careful on placement 🙂

I appliquéd around each of the fish in navy thread.

Aren’t we just adorable at camp in our neon pink fish shirts!!!

Filed Under: appliqué, FEATURED, girls camp, Heat n Bond, sizzix

#kittyquilter Mini Quilt Tutorial

May 28, 2015 by Amanda 6 Comments

Hey there all you crazy cat quilter friends! I have a fun mini quilt for you!! I love using the hashtag #kittyquilter on Instagram. There is something about felines and quilting that just go so well together! Baby Mufasa is involved in every step of the quilting process: choosing fabric, cutting, basting, and binding – he’s right there!

This fun little quilt sews up fast. The fabrics are from Blend Fabrics’ Best in Show fabric line. I am sew in love with the kitty faces fabric – I ordered more yardage to make a skirt!!! You could easily make this with your favorite cat theme print fabric.

This quilt has 2 different traditional quilt blocks: Kitty in the Corner and King’s Crown. I choose kitty in the corner for obvious reasons and I choose King’s Crown because Mufasa means King! Isn’t that the cutest!! Let’s get started! (1/4″ seams throughout)

Supplies:

1/4 yard of a variety of coordinating fabrics including cat theme print

Heat n Bond Lite EZ print Sheets

#kittyquilter letters

batting

1/2 yard backing

1/4 yard binding

Fussy Cut (4) Cats

Choose the cats you want in the center of the blocks and cut them 3.5″ square.

Kitty in the Corner Block 6.5″ finished

Make (2) of these

Cut the fabric according to the diagram pictured below. I don’t know about you, but I love when measurements are shown in pictures and not in a long list of cutting instructions.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (4) white squares. Match a white square and a patterned square right sides together and sew on the pencil line. Cut 1/4″ away from the seam. Press to the dark. Do this with each of the (4) white blocks and (4) patterned blocks. This makes (4) half square triangle (HST) units. Arrange them as pictured below and sew as you would a traditional 9-patch.

Kings Crown Block 6.5″ finished

Cut the fabrics according to the picture below. Make sure to cut (8) white 2″x2″ squares, I only have 4 in the picture.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of the (8) white squares. Next make (4) flying geese units by laying the white square right sides together with a patterned rectangle, matching up the 3 edges. Sew on the line as pictured below:

Trim 1/4″ next to the seam and press toward the dark. Place another white square on top of that unit and sew on the line, as pictured below:

Cut 1/4″ away from the seam and press again. The block should look like this:

If you turn the flying geese blocks around it makes a Sawtooth Star pattern. I love that each of these blocks has the same center measurement and only a variation on the 2″ sides!

Sew the block together and press seams open.

Happy Cat blocks!!

Prepare the applique

Print the letters on the EZ print sheets and iron them to the back of the desired fabric. Cut around each letter and peel off the backing paper.

Cut the remaining strips according to this cutting diagram:

Position the letters on the white strip and press in place. Top stitch around each letter.

Sew the (4) blocks together and press seams open. Sew each of the rows together according to the layout diagram. Quilt, bind, and let the cat have a nap on it:)

Mufasa loves it! and I hope you do too!!!

Filed Under: #kittyquilter, appliqué, Blend Fabrics, cat, FEATURED, Heat n Bond, Therm O Web, tutorial

Apple Applique Composition Book Cover Tutorial

My Favorite Beach Quilt {Blend Sun-sational}

Sizzix Natural Wonder Bunny Mini Quilt

Fun With Sizzix Dresses

Scripture Cover Tutorial Featuring Vintage Market from Riley Blake Designs

Riley Blake Designs Lobster Pillows

Birthday Cat-Cake Towel Tutorial

Sizzix Crazy Cat Lady Coasters

Fast and Easy Sizzix Projects

#kittyquilter Mini Quilt Tutorial

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