Sorry folks, I have been away for a few days because of recent trunk shows in New Market (Region of York Quilters Guild) and Cambridge- Busy Hands. I was also teaching in Barrie, completing some custom quilts and  some wedding prep for our family (my daughters) wedding June 24 (Yikes).

 Also, I  just recently I found out I have a pinched nerve in my neck.  

The good news is I will survive, albeit I have been told to take it easy !!

​ I am finding that this is not an easy thing to do! Just not in my nature!!

Remember these pens I spoke about in the previous post and the Maple Leaf satin stitch block I did with them?  



As you can see above I made them into a simple tote.  I thought I would share how I made it ....

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and a great technique for making ultra simple and strong handles for all bags!

What you will need:

Front of bag:
10 3/4" square, orphan block or make the Maple Leaf Block shown above from blog post 05/02/2017
2 Strips 3  1/2" x width of fabric for sashings around block
Back of Bag:
16 3/8 x 16 3/8" square of fabric  for back of bag
Batting:
34 x 18" piece of batting 
Lining:
32 3/8" x 16 3/8" rectangle of fabric
Handles:
2- 3 1/2 x 20" rectangles of fabric
2 Pieces of webbing (nylon or cotton) 1" x 20"

How to make this simple tote:
Cut your 2- 3 1/2" strips for block sashing as follows:
Cut 2 strips 16 1/2 x 3 1/2", cut 2- 10 3/4" x 3 1/2" 

Sew the 2- 10 3/4" strips to the vertical sides of the block, see below:

Sew the 16 1/2" strips to the top and bottom of your block, see below:

Your front of bag is completed, square it up to 16 3/8" x 16 3/8"
Sew your back square fabric to the bottom of the front square right sides together.  See below:

Quilt your top only to the batting with any pattern you desire, I just meandered mine.  You could also just use fusible interfacing if your do not want to quilt it.  Interfacing will give it body as well. See below:

Fold your quilted/interfaced bag front in 1/2, right sides together and sew up the side seams. See below:

To box the bottom of your bag, mark a line 1" Up from the bottom corners of your bag on both sides.  Sew on these lines and clip corners. See below:

Fold your lining piece right sides together and sew up one side. On the other side sew, leaving a 3" gap for turning.  Box the bottom corners as you did for the outside of the bag. See below:

To make your handles, pin your webbing piece in the centre of your  3 1/2" x 20" handle fabric (wrong side) and sew it down the centre.  See below:

Press one side down 1/4", see above photo:
Press the raw edge over the webbing, See below:

Press the 1/4" folded edge on top of the raw edge as below:

Top stitch to catch folded edge and alternate side (about 1/8" from edge). See below:

I was able to machine stitch through all layers like butter. If you have any issues with the thickness, change your needle to a top stitch or jeans needle as they will  be stronger than quilting needles.  Make 2 handles this way.  You now have 2 very strong handles and it's a simple method for all bags.  These handles are also very flexible.

Pin and sew your bag handles onto the right side of your bag front and back 5" in from the corner on the right and left side & 1/8" from the top of the bag. Make sure your handles do not get twisted. See below:

Insert the outside of your bag (right side facing out) inside the lining with right sides together.  This will seem weird but trust me it works. See below:

Make sure the handles are facing down and pin all side seams to match, pin around the top edge of the bag and sew.  See below:

Using the gap you left in the lining pull your outside of the bag through the opening. See below:

Once you have the entire bag out, tuck the lining back inside the bag, it's permanent home!  Sew the gap closed on the lining inside by hand or by machine, your choice.
Press the lining down towards the inside and top stitch all around the top edge of the bag to finish your bag.
Admire your efforts!

🍁You now have a sturdy bag to go to the beach, holiday or celebrate Canada Day!

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this simple tote tutorial and that you will try my handle method!

Happy Friday!  Enjoy some lovely weather this holiday weekend!

Want/need to know what to do with Fat Quarters?  Read all about it and feast your eyes on 5 great,easy and inspiring projects here.

Quilters are crazy about fat quarters! That is a fact!!  There should be a National Fat Quarter Day!  Yes, I am getting carried away!

If  you are reading this and don't know what a "FQ" is, they are 18 x 22" cuts of fabric- a wide 1/4 yard. As apposed to buying a 1/4 yard 9 x 45" piece of fabric. Now when you go to a quilt shop, you will shop "informed".
​
Essentially, if you are piecing, fat quarters provide the perfect size for a variety of quilting and sewing patterns because you are getting a wider piece of gorgeous fabric!
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Quilters sometimes build their stash on fat quarters so that they can have a small and relatively inexpensive sampling of pretty awesome fabrics. 
If you are a FQ collector, you know they multiply like rabbits!

This is the time to put them to good use and bust your stash!!
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 So what to do with FQ's?  Hmmmmm .........

1. Make tote bags, 18 x 22" is a great size for one side of a tote bag, use another FQ for the other side and some yardage for handles and lining and you have used up some great fabric! Who doesn't need more bags?

 or ....Check out this "Strip Happy Fat Quarter Tote" from Connecting Threads

2. Make Aprons, they are useful, great gifts for young and old and you can personalize them with fabric that suits your cook! Craftsy.com has a whole bunch of cute and free pattern links here.

3. Make large quilts, yes many FQ's make light work of a large quilt! So if you purchased a variety of Fat Quarters from the same designer or similar colour way, they make beautiful quilts.  See the pretty floral quilt below from www.allpeoplequilt.com and get the free pattern for "Flower Show" here

4. Make place mats, place mats are a great way to dress up your table, make it seasonally beautiful, create a warm atmosphere and use up those FQ's! You can make them reversible like the ones below, The FQ fabric is on the back and featured in the hexies on the front.

The below place mats I  made as  class samples for a free motion quilting class that I taught at Simcoe Sew and Quilt in Barrie, Ontario (2015).  There is a free download for the "Easy Piped Binding" that I sewed on them here or check out my shop page under free PDF patterns :)

5. Make baby quilts, they require smaller pieces of fabric and can "feature" your fat quarters.  I don't know about you but I love cute baby prints, farm animals, zoo animals, baby elephants, dump trucks, cute girly flowers etc.

Drumroll please....... Introducing my Newest Pattern to feature baby FQ's...... It is called "Featuring Baby"

My "Featuring Baby" Quilt Pattern features the use of just one FQ and shows you how to incorporate that one pretty baby FQ you have in your stash  into a cute, modern and easy baby quilt!

The pattern shows you how to make easy 4 patches, pinwheels and square in a square blocks and the measurements to use up all of one FQ!

 I have made the quilt samples up into 2 colour ways to inspire you.  Look at your FQ stash of baby prints, pick out one FQ you love and download my "Featuring Baby" Quilt Pattern here 

I'm thinking you know what to do with FQ's, let your imagination do it's work and use up that fabric in 2017.  Make room for more, there are so many great designers of fabric out there, creating and producing more of that luscious fabric.  Almost as good as a box of chocolate covered caramels!  Less calories that's for sure!

FYI, more great news!
​I am now accepting payments through the below payment options for my customers at check out in the shop at the top on the menu above.

This super easy "ornament" shaped hot pad makes an affordable gift for all the cooks on your list this Christmas!

At this time of the year we all have the Christmas parties to go to, last minute gifts to give to hostesses, teachers, neighbours, hair stylest etc. 

This project is perfect because: 1) It takes very little time to make 2) It takes very little fabric 3) It provides immediate gratification 4) It is reversible 5) It is very practical and ..... 6) It is a holiday oriented project by virtue of the fact that it looks like a Christmas ornament.  
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If you are an experienced sewist, this is a half hour project.  If you are a beginner and have an hour to spare, that's all the time it will take to finish one!  The more you make, the faster you get it done!!

How to Make a Christmas Ornament Hot Pad:

You will need:

1. Scraps of fabric- Strips (various widths 10" in length and/or whole pieces to make 2- 10 x 11" rectangles
2. Scrap of sparkly grey or gold fabric for the ornament top (you can also use matte fabric) - a piece 3 1/2 " x 5" 
3.  2 1/4" wide cut bias double fold binding (bias very important because bias stretches better to go around curves neatly)  (approximately 45") for the finished binding
4. 1 piece of batting 10 x 11"
5. 1 piece of insulbright 10 x 11" (necessary or it will not resist heat and you will burn yourself or your table)
6. Thread to match your project front, back, binding and for quilting.
7. Scissors, rotary cutter, pins & a sewing machine, you may also want to use a walking foot or free motion foot
8. A Frixion Pen or erasible fabric marking pen
9. Free pattern PDF pattern download found here
10. 505 Basting spray (optional)

What to do:
1) Sandwich your backing wrong side up with the batting and insulbright on top facing towards you (you can baste this sandwich with pins or 505 basting spray if you wish)
2) Press layers together with an iron
3) If adding strips audition your layout

4) Lay #1 strip 2" down from the top edge of  your quilt sandwich right side facing up, lay #2 strip on top of #1 right sides together with top edge matching, quilt through all layers 1/4" . (For experienced sewists- you are strip quilting as you go the entire 10 x 11" piece leaving a 2" space at one end)

5) Press # 2 strip up and away from #1, continue with the rest of the strips until the rest of the 11" length is filled with strips of fabric

*** You can also use just an entire piece of Christmas fabric that is 10 x 11" if you do not want a striped ornament***

6) Add the silver or gold ornament hanger fabric by first ironing one 3 1/2" edge under towards the wrong side 1/4".  Lay the raw edge of the ​non ironed side flush with the top strip right sides together and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance through all layers as you did all the other coloured strips.

10) It is time to bind your project now.  Bind as you would a quilt starting with the bias binding sewn to the right side of your bulb and sew slowly to allow for the curve and a 1/4" seam allowance, sewing and stopping at the top of your silver fabric. Tack a few stitches back and forth.

11) You now need to make a 6" loop for the top of your ornament (also useful to hang on a nob or hook in your kitchen)
To make this loop with your right side of your project facing you and the binding folded edge tucked towards the back of your fabric, you will fold the raw edge of the binding toward the center of the binding for 6" beyond the top of the grey fabric and press.  See photo below.

12. Fold again to create a finished edge that looks like the photo below, fold and press for 6" 

13)  Pin and top stitch the loop close to the edge with matching thread, stopping at the 6" mark

14) Resume the sewing of your binding onto the other side of your silver section making sure the fabric is not twisted and laying the raw edge of the binding against the right side edge of your project. Finish of your binding as you would on a quilt.
15) Wrap the folded edge of your binding to the back and sew by hand or machine as you wish to complete your binding and......TA DA!

​Admire your efforts!

Happy Tuesday, Happy Christmas Sewing!🌲🌲🌲

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you projects which are oriented to gift giving, getting ready for the holiday season and utilizing ric rac as a trim.

You are probably thinking, ric rac is a bit  too retro?
 
I think it's fun to incorporate this trim on projects!  That's my story and I am sticking to it!!  It is a trim that can appear modern and fun or vintage... you choose.








The story of ric rac (also spelled rickrack & ricrac) goes back to the 1800's.
Ric rac has been described as a flat narrow zig zag shaped braided trim used for clothing and curtains. Before the popularity and availability of sewing machines and sergers it was used to conveniently finish the edges of fabric.  

This trim became popular and peaked in use in the 1970's, at the time of "Little House in the Prairie" and likely as I surmise, along with the increased use of the  home sewing machine.

Any way I cut it, ha ha pardon the pun!  I like it for the following reasons:

1. It is colourful
2. It has a non conforming shape- it's not straight!
3. It's cheerful and is a great embellishment on kids clothing and much more....
4. It is available in many colours and sizes
5. It is a readily available trim at most sewing (and some quilt) stores
6. It is relatively inexpensive when compared to other trims
7. It is easy to sew on
8. It's classic, it has stood the test of time and timeless (depending on how you decide to use it)
9. On the other hand, it is simple, fun, retro and even a bit kitchy if that's the way you want it to look.
10. It is versatile as a trim with home decor, wearables and quilting.

Double Ended Oven Mitts, so handy to hang conveniently on your oven. No need to hide these beauties away! 

​A great gift for the chef/baker in your family or keep to use for your kitchen!

​ I am keeping mine, I need it for upcoming Christmas decor and baking.

     6.  Attach the trim piece (3 x7") right side down to the ric rac and sew
​          with a 1/8" seam allowance

    7.  Repeat for the other pocket as in 6 above.
    8. Sew the back of the front pocket to the other side of the trim (green) as
​        shown below (right sides together). Make 2 of these

     9.  Applique or embellish if you wish now on the ric rac side of the front
        pocket. See below:
​        I  cut out some owls, fused them with fusible web
​        and used invisible thread to appliqué them.

     10.  Fold your mitten fronts over the 7 x 8 1/4" pieces of batting. (Batting
            sandwiched on the inside of the mitten) Trim if necessary.
           Stitch in the seam ditch between the trim and the ric rac and sew all
           around the outside edge of the pocket to hold together- 1/8" in from
           the edge. Repeat for the second pocket.

     

     12.  Bind with pre-prepared bias, 2 1/2 double fold binding using a 1/4" seam allowance. Bind as you would a quilt! See below:

You are now ready to put your double sided oven mitts to great use or save them for someone special this Christmas.

​Doesn't that ric rac look adorable!!

​ Happy Baking and Happy Tuesday!

FYI everyone, Connecting Threads has been sending out emails with the slogan  "52 weeks of Free Exclusive Patterns".

So...... I went to their website to see what it is all about and there are absolutely free wonderful patterns to download including the ones below.
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Click here to look at the free patterns and simply download them to your computer and use at a later date.

Each week this year they will be introducing a new free pattern, you cannot get better than free and be inspired weekly. So mark your calendar to remember to check back often.

They also currently have a vast array of quilting colouring books at 20 to 35% off! Check them out if you are interested.

Have a great week everyone and Happy Monday!😊