I thought I’d share with you how to make my fabric scrap “basket”. It’s VERY simple. I whipped out another two baskets in no time at all. Now I have all of my smaller scraps organized into small, medium and large groupings. Did I even mention I’m a Capricorn and like to be organized to a fault? No? Well if this doesn’t prove it, I don’t know what will. Go ahead, make yourself a few of these today. You’ll love it so much better than your Ziploc bags. I know I do! Directions 1. You will need to gather your…
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Drunkard’s Path Block
Read more**I have since ‘misplaced’ the original template file for this block, but the directions still apply for any drunkards path piecing you do!** First things first: you need to decide how many fabrics you want to use. You’ll want at least two fabrics, but no more than 8 for a block like this. (You’ll see why I say a “block like this” at the end.) Directions 1. Choose your fabrics and cut to 7 1/2” square. 2. Stack all your fabrics, lining up all edges. 3. Lay your template on top of your fabric. 4. Cut around the curve. We…
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Zigzag Block Tutorial
Read moreWell, here we go! For you experienced quilters, there will be a little more info than needed. For those of you somewhat new to the game, I hope to provide ample information. Never hesitate to email should you have a question. I’m always here to help. 1. Pick out 5 complimentary fabrics and cut the following: 2. Cut your squares in half on their diagonal as shown. 3. Lay out triangles in order they will appear in block to help with the following step. 4. Match up your fabrics as follows: 5. Sew your all of your blocks together. Press…
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Coasters Tutorial
Read moreI made some of these for my friend for her birthday. They are so quick and easy! Directions 1. Cut out your fabric for the top and bottom, and a piece of batting to sandwich between, 4” square. Gather scraps, at least as big as the area you want to show through on top. I cut my scraps to 4” square, also. 2. Draw your design, to be cut out after sewing, on the backside of the scrap fabric. 3. Place the right side of your scrap fabric to the wrong side of the top fabric. Sew around your design 3…
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Hot Pads Tutorial
Read moreSo my mom has some ugly as sin, macramé “hot pads” that my step-cousin did for my stepdad when we were young. Really young. We never really used them (okay, not at all) until recently. It’s great for when she’s heated tea on the gas range. The tea pot handle is too hot to touch alone, so we always use that ugly thing. Well, time to make some new ones. Unfortunately, I still haven’t made her one. These went to my friend for her birthday this weekend. Directions 1. Cut your fabric/batting (or Insul-bright) 2 – 5 1/2” squares of…
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Hourglass Blocks Tutorial
Read moreMy last hourglass quilt I thought to myself: There has to be a better way! Last time I cut my square into quarters on the diagonal and sewed all those tiny triangles together. Tedious! So this time I went to my scrap basket and figured out a better way to piece hourglass blocks. I hope you’ll find the following helpful. 1. Cut out your print and solid blocks. Mine are 6 1/2” square. 2. Layer one print and one solid, right sides together. 3. You can do one of two things: a) Using a ruler, mark a line on either…
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Crochet Hook Case
Read moreWell, i’m stuck at my moms tonight. We had some snow here today – finally – and the roads are icy tonight. But, that isn’t going to stop me from posting the tutorial. Let me know if you have any questions. Rachel’s Crochet Hook Case – Enjoy! *Update* This could also be used for other items, too! Make the “pockets” a little bigger and you can hold a few pairs of knitting needles. You could make a small art case out of this to hold colored pencils, artist pencils, pens… I’m sure there are more ideas. *Embroidery pattern for acorn originally…
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Quick Burp Cloth Tutorial
Read moreI thought i’d do a quick “how to” on the burp cloths I made the other day. I didn’t take pictures as I went along, but really…it’s so VERY easy! I got a 1/2 yard of two different fabrics for each set of burp cloths. This allows for a contrasting fabric on the back. 1 yard of fabric makes 4 burp cloths. 1. Iron your 1/2 yard of fabric (to get out all the creases) and fold it into fourths. 2. Cut through all four layers a 10″ x 14″ rectangle. 3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for the second…
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Disappearing 9-Patch
Read moreIt’s coming right along! I got all of my 9-patches sewn…and then I began to cut the “disappearing” part. First down the center one directions… Then across the center the other direction… And I had all of those “disappearing” block pieces (36 to be exact) Then I had to square them all up (tedious!)… And finally, I started sewing them together! The fabrics are really cute, but part of me is not totally thrilled with it. They are too mtachy-matchy…not enough contrast. So i’m thinking i’ll have to do this quilt again. I’m going to go on the hunt for…