Saving the universe one project at a time!
The Summer Block Party Beach edition kicks off today! We had so much fun last summer that we are doing a beach edition this summer!
Sign up for my newsletter – on the main page of my blog on the right hand side.
The Blocks will be emailed to you as they are released. You won’t know the final quilt setting until the very end! We have partnered with Riley Blake Designs and using this super summery color palate:
I hope you join in the fun and sew along with us!
Hey everyone! Happy summer! I’m joining with my quilty designer friends to bring you a fun Sumer sewing series! Every day we will be releasing a new block pattern – totally free! All you have to do is enter your email address in the “Newsletter Sign Up” box on the right of my blog. Then you will be emailed links to all the patterns. You can download, save and print! It’s only for a limited time.
I hope you have fun sewing with us!
I am so thrilled that Jessica Dayon asked me to be part of her blog tour for her brand new book Season to Taste! Jessica is a talented quilt designer – make sure to follow her on Instagram @jessicadayon.
Her book is so lovely! The quilts are made according to each season which I love!
I chose to make some blocks from the Backyard quilt and turn them into a table runner.
I used fabrics from my new fabric line Mod Meow which will be in stores the beginning of February!
I made 3 blocks from the Backyard quilt pattern. All the patterns in the book are easy to follow and well illustrated. The blocks came together super easy!
I wanted to add a little Mod Meow flair to the table runner so I added in a kitty block. Mod Meow has a fun cat panel with 10 cats that you can appliqué onto anything!
I used some simple sashing to put the 4 blocks together – easy peasy!
It’s 100% Mufasa approved 🙂
Be sure to grab a copy of Season to Taste! You will love all the patterns!!! It will keep you sewing all year long!
Hey all! I thought I would check in to see how everyone is doing! Life got real crazy real fast. Most mornings I wake up and ask myself is it all a dream! To be honest we’ve enjoyed a slower pace and focusing on life in the home. I’ve enjoyed all the whitty comments and memes on social media – laughter is a big help. But in all seriousness this time is scary and we don’t know what the future holds.
The other day I played one of my favorite songs “Christ Alone” and I turned up the volume real loud so it filled the whole house. As the music was filling each room the lyrics were filling me. I could feel Jesus near and I could feel my faith and trust strengthened through Him.
I had the thought to create some lyric art out of the words and share them with you in hopes they will bring you peace. You can access all the files by clicking on this LINK. Feel free to share!
Also, here is the link to the music video of the song – It’s so good!!!
My darling friend Andy Knowlton from A Bright Corner has just released a Quilt Book with Martingale Publishing. The book is called Fresh Fat-Quarter Quilts. I love this book because it starts out with quilts with 3 fat quarters, then moves up in increments. It’s so great having a book that works so well with my quilt stash!! Each of these quilts is so easy to customize with your favorite bundle of fat quarters. I made this 3 block table runner from one of her patterns.
These blocks sew up in a snap and are 18″ each. I selected green, pink and red fat quarters. It was fun shopping from my stash!
I am so excited to put this on my coffee table! Just in time for Christmas!
You could easily turn any one of Andy’s patterns into a Christmas quilt by choosing Christmas fat quarters. I love flexible quilt patterns!
Be sure to visit all these talented bloggers to see what they’ve sewed up from Andy’s book!!
I can’t believe how fast the time is flying and that we are already well into November! I thought making a fun little Christmas quilt would get me excited for the holidays even though it’s been 80+ degrees outside!
My friend, Jodi, from Pleasant Home, just released this new fabric line called May Belle for Penny Rose Fabrics! I am so totally excited! It is such a versatile fabric line! I love the vintage feel of the prints, I need to get some more just to have in my stash!
There are the reds,
the greens,
and the blues!!
For this little project I choose to use the reds and greens for a very vintage feeling Christmas quilt!
I designed this fun little quilt pattern”Vintage December” that measures 34″ square and is made using 5″ charm squares! It’s such a fun pattern and you can make it in an afternoon (or late at night while watching Netflix!)
You can purchase the PDF pattern by going to my Etsy shop. This would make a darling gift for a friend or sister!
I can’t wait to make this quilt using different colors! I think a red and blue version would be amazing!
Mufasa is back at work as the quilt model – doing a fabulous job I might add!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Summer is my favorite season of all! I could live in perpetual June-August!!
I think the reason I love summer the most is because we get to spend so much time at the beach! We love whale watching, boogie boarding, diving through the waves, watching for dolphins and seals, getting Balboa Bars, going to Surf Shops, and relaxing!!! As soon as I saw Tasha Noel’s Seaside fabrics I knew they were for me!! I designed this little quilt to show off all the adorable prints!!
The quilt measures 35″ x 41″ with each block measuring 6″ square. It’s perfect to hang on the wall of your beach house (I’m dreaming…..haha!). You can purchase it in my Etsy shop for instant PDF download!
The letters are machine appliquéd using Heat n Bond Lite. Don’t worry, they don’t take too long to cut out by hand!!
You will love that this quilt is written to accommodate layer cake (10″) squares. In fact you only NEED 13 squares – but a few extra wouldn’t hurt to add a little variety!!
I love that there is no sashing the blocks because it’s built into the pinwheel block!
It was hard to choose a border print because they are all so amazing! I went with the lobsters!
You can see the quilting detail in this photos. I quilted it myself and it always stresses me out!! From far away it doesn’t look too bad!
I love the surfer in the background of this photo! We love to go to Newport Beach and watch them surf!!
I hope you have a great rest of your summer!!!
I am super in love with Tasha Noel’s new fabric line Seaside!!! It just totally captured my little nautical heart!! I knew a beach bag was in order. I love the theme print in the fabric line!! The outer bag only has 3 fabric strips! So it sews up totally fast!
This is my favorite size tote bag. It’s not too big that it’s hard to use and it’s big enough to hold a towel, sunscreen, lunch, and some beach toys! There is even a pocket and a key fob to hook your keys on so they don’t fall out and get lost in the sand!
You can totally switch up the fabrics and choose your favorites.
All seams 1/4″ unless otherwise stated
Supplies and Fabric Requirements
1 fat quarter Navy Flags – outer bag
40″ Seaside Main Print – outer bag
1 fat quarter Navy Gingham – outer bag
2/3 yard lining fabric
1/3 yard Navy Gingham for handles
1 fat quarter pocket fabric
Key Clasp
2/3 yard muslin or inside lining fabric
cotton batting
lightweight stabilizer
Cutting Instructions
Cut the outer bag pieces according to the above photo.
Cut lining pieces (2) 19 1/2″ x 19 1/2″
Cut handles (2) 5″ x 28″
Cut Pocket 14″ x 19 1/2″
Cut Key Strap (1) 2″ x 10″
Sewing Instructions
Sew the three pieces of the out bag together and press seams in one direction. Make a bag front and a bag back.
Baste each outer bag piece to batting and to a piece of muslin or light colored fabric. This gives the bag a little extra weight.
Quilt each outer bag piece. I quilted straight lines 1″ apart on the diagonal. It took some time but it was worth it!
Square up each outer bag piece and measure. Mine shrunk 1/2″ so each piece measured 19 1/2″ square.
Cut (2) lining pieces the measurements of your outer bag (19 1/2″ x 19 1/2″).
Pocket
Cut the pocket 14″ x 19 1/2″
Fold the pocket in half lengthwise, right sides together.
Top stitch the top edge.
Position the pocket 6″ from the top of one of the lining pieces. Pin in place.
Sew along the bottom 1/8″ away from the fold. Sew seams going down where you want the pockets – you can decide what size you want!
Fold the 2″ x 10″ key strap in fourths lengthwise.
Top stitch both edges 1/8″.
Thread through the key clasp, fold under raw edge and sew pin place.
Baste the raw edge of the key strap in place as pictured above.
Place the outer bag pieces right sides together and sew the sides and bottom using a 1/4″ seam
Place the lining pieces right sides together and sew the sides and bottom using a slightly larger 1/4″ seam. This makes the lining fit nicely inside the bag.
Cut a 3″ square and use as a pattern. Cut a 3″ notch out of the bottom corners of the outer bag and the lining.
Match the seams of each corner, pin and sew 1/4″, backstitching to start and stop.
If you would like to add stability to the handles, fuse a piece of light weight stabilizer the same size as the handle strips to the wrong side of the two handle strips.
Press the handle strips in half lengthwise, then press the edges meeting in the center. Fold in half again and press. (The handles will be folded in 4ths)
Top stitch 1/8″ along both sides of the handles.
Measure 4 1/2″ in from each side seam and pin the handles into place.
Baste handles in place.
With the outer bag inside out and the lining right side out, place the lining inside the outer bag (so right sides are together). Match and pin side seams and pin all the way around the bag.
Sew 1/4″ around the top of the bag.
Using a seam ripper, unstitch about 3″ on one of the side seams and turn the bag right side out. Top stitch the opening closed.
Press lining down inside the bag and top stitch 1/8″ around the top of the bag.
You’re all done! Time to hit the beach! Or set sail on your boat!
I recently got to spend time with my friend and her darling children!! I made them each a library tote bag using this tutorial and these new fabrics from Riley Blake Designs! I love that there is a Lancelot and a Guinevere fabric line! You can’t go wrong! This tote bag is the perfect size for library books, music books, ballet clothes, a car ride to grandmas, or a trip to the pool! It’s so versatile!!!
These fun little bags take about an hour to sew (that is if you are focused and not watching Netflix!). They make cute little birthday gifts!
OK let’s get started!!
(In the photos I switch back and forth between the Guinevere and the Lancelot, just focus on the measurements and the process)
Fabric Requirements
1/3 yard outer bag main fabric
5 prints for accent piecing – 10 squares 3 1/2″ each
1/8 yard top band fabric
1/4 yard handle fabric
1/2 yard lining fabric
2/3 yard fusible medium weight stabilizer
Cutting Instructions
Follow the above instructions for cutting the outer bag pieces.
Cut (1) 5″ x width of fabric strip for handles
Cut (2) 15 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ squares of lining fabric
Cut (2) 15 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ squares of staibilizer
Begin by sewing (5) 3 1/2″ squares together in a horizontal row. Press seams in one direction. Make two of these units.
Sew the 2 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ rectangle to the top of the square strip.
Sew the 10 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ bottom piece to the bottom of the square strip. Press away from the square unit.
Repeat this step so you have two identical units for the front and the back of the bag.
These are the lining fabrics I choose! So cute!!!
Fuse the stabilizer to the wrong side of the two outer bag pieces.
Add a little top stitching accent along the square strip.
For the handles, press the 5″ strip in half lengthwise. Open and press the edges in to meet the center crease. Press.
I fused a 1″ piece of stabilizer inside the handle along the entire length. This is totally optional.
Fold the handle in half again (now it is folded in 4ths) and press.
Top stitch 1/8″ along both sides of the handle. I like to use my walking foot so nothing shifts.
I love top stitching! Cut the long handle strip exactly in half so you now have two handles!
Pin the handles to each outer bag piece. Measure in 4″ from the edge and pin in place. Notice I overlap the edge of the handles about 1/4″. This is to ensure that they fully get caught in the seam. Baste the handles 1/8″ away from the top of the bag.
Pin the outer bag pieces right sides together, leaving the top open.
Pin the lining pieces right sides together leaving the top open.
Sew the sides and bottom of the bag using 1/4″ seam allowance.
*Tip – I use a slightly larger seam allowance on my lining – it makes all the difference in making sure it fits inside the bag!
Cut a 2″ square out of paper and use it as your guide to cut a 2″ notch out of the bottom two corners of the outer bag and the lining.
Open the 2″ square and match the seams together. Pin. Sew 1/4″ along this edge, backstitching to start and stop.
Do this to each corner of the outer bag and the lining.
Leave the outer bag inside out and turn the lining right side out. Put the lining inside the outer bag so right sides are together. Match the side seams. Pin all the way around the bag.
Sew using 1/4″ seam allowance all the way around the bag.
Using a seam ripper, unstitch 3″ of the side seam and turn the bag right side out. Sew the opening closed by topstitching on the machine in matching thread.
Press the lining inside the bag and top stitch 1/8″ all the way around the top of the bag.
So fast and easy! The children were so excited to get to keep the bags!! Happy sewing!!
