Friday, July 31, 2020

Sew a Softie!

A while back, I heard about the Sew a Softie Kid Ambassador program (thank you, Trixi!) and signed up my middle son, Jojo. While all three of my boys like to sew, he's the one with the most interest (and the most patience). Basically, the program encourages kids to teach another kid (or kids) how to sew during the month of July, starting with something easy, like a small stuffed object. You can find out more here (including tons of tutorials!).



Well, July flew by, and suddenly it was July 30th and time to get rolling before August started. After much debate on what types of softies to make with our neighborhood friends, we I narrowed it down to a simple monster shape, with pre-sewed arms and legs. The kids had a great time! 

We started with trapezoid body pieces, little arms and legs that I sewed and my boys turned right side out, and white and black fabric with fusible web for eyeballs. 

Our sewing group (minus TJ, my 11-year-old, who had zoomed ahead and was already sewing!). Two seven year olds and two five year olds. Translated: lots of mom help! :) 
We decided to hold our sewing camp outside because - coronavirus.

Jojo walked them through the process of assembling a monster.

Pinning on the arms and legs.


Stuffing the monsters!

Adding eyeballs. As the morning went on, the kids got more creative: Smiles, teeth, yarn hair, swords (of course!), and berets for their monsters.

The moms helped a bit the newbies a bit with the actual sewing.

Jojo sharing some sewing tips.

And the finished monsters!






All the kids with their creatures. Don't mind the crazy amount of weeds in my garden.

Monsters in the hosta! A sure sign of success? Every kid asked to make a second monster after we took these photos. Round 2 was just as fun. 


Thursday, July 23, 2020

Twirled Squares Meets the Holidays!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... in July...!


I'm happy to be part of Benartex's Christmas in July Project Hop, and especially happy to be playing with these adorable Camp Joy fabrics from Kanvas.

Cute campers decorated for the holidays? Yes please!



I fussy-cut these campers to be the center squares in the blocks of my Twirled Squares pattern. Paired with a fun red and green stripe and white solid, it's all you need for a cheery holiday quilt!

Which camper would you want to stay in?





Here's the assembled Twirled Squares quilt top:

I love the way the the fabric frames in each block create an optical illusion. It's all about fabric placement! 


My Twirled Squares pattern is on sale as part of this hop - 15% off. Head over to my Etsy shop to purchase it today using the code CAMPJOY! Then ask your local quilt shop to order Camp Joy sew your own holiday camper quilt! 
Click here to purchase the pattern.

If you're new to my blog, I invite you to follow me through your favorite social media platform(s). And make sure to sign up for my newsletter - you'll receive a free pattern as a thank you!

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Make sure you check out each day of the Christmas in July Project Hop!
Here's the whole lineup!

Monday July 20th – Nancy Scott - Winterberry 

Tuesday July 21st – Heidi Pridemore - Rejoice
Wednesday July 22nd – Laura Piland - First Frost
Thursday July 23rd – Lisa Ruble - Camp Joy 
Friday July 24th – Debby Kratovil - Festive Chickadees
Saturday July 25th – Wendy Sheppard - Ode to Joy
Sunday July 26th – Debby Brown - River’s End
Monday July 27th – Charisma Horton - Deer Festival
Tuesday July 28th – Sandra Walker - Better Not Pout
Wednesday July 29th – Kate Colleran - Joy
Thursday July 30th – Tammy Silvers - Snow Village & Rustic Village Christmas

Monday, July 20, 2020

Christmas in July Project Hop

It is the middle of July … the sun is shining and flowers are blooming, so it is the perfect time to start thinking about Christmas! Join Benartex, Kanvas and Contempo fabrics and 11 talented pattern designers for a Christmas in July Project Hop from July 20th through the 31st. Each day will bring an amazing new project and fabric collection feature – all the fabrics are in stores now so you can get started on your projects right away and beat the holiday rush! Hang your stockings, play your favorite Christmas carols, make yourself a mug of frozen hot chocolate and enjoy!


I'll be sharing my project on Thursday, July 23rd, showing a quilt made using some of these fun Camp Joy fabrics:


 I'm especially smitten with these two festive camper prints, and you'll see them take center stage in my quilt!

Here's a sneak peek!


Get your holiday spirit on and follow along through the entire project hop! See you back here on Thursday!

Here's the whole lineup!
Monday July 20th Nancy Scott - Winterberry 
Tuesday July 21st – Heidi Pridemore - Rejoice
Wednesday July 22nd – Laura Piland - First Frost
Thursday July 23rd – Lisa Ruble - Camp Joy 
Friday July 24th – Debby Kratovil - Festive Chickadees
Saturday July 25th – Wendy Sheppard - Ode to Joy
Sunday July 26th – Debby Brown - River’s End
Monday July 27th – Charisma Horton - Deer Festival
Tuesday July 28th – Sandra Walker - Better Not Pout
Wednesday July 29th – Kate Colleran - Joy
Thursday July 30th – Tammy Silvers - Snow Village & Rustic Village Christmas 

Friday, July 3, 2020

Fireworks Table Runner Tute

I do love an excuse to create some fun red, white and blue projects, and 4th of July is great for that! 

I originally created this tutorial for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics using their Painter's Palette Solids. It's super quick and easy--thank you, fusible web! 
I hope you enjoy it! I kind of want to make a larger version now...

Let's get started!
You'll Need: 
1 fat quarter each Painter's Palette Solids: White, Patriot, French Blue, River, Claret, Crimson, and Tomato
Fusible web
1/2 yard backing fabric
12" x 27" piece of batting
How's this for a patriotic bundle?!
(from left: 121-000 White, 121-111 Patriot, 121-131 French Blue, 121-025 River, 121-051 Claret, 121-002 Crimson, and 121-134 Tomato)

Cutting:
From the white:
(3) 7" squares
(4) 2" x 6-1/2" pieces (reserve remaining piece of strip for piecing the long borders)
(2) 2" x 21" strips

From each of the 3 blues and 3 reds:
(1) 2-1/4" x 21" strip for binding
(1) 7" square

From the fusible web:
(6) 7" squares

Make the Quilt: 
Step 1: Adhere a 7" square of fusible web to a 7" Tomato square. Using a thread spool or other small round object, trace a circle slightly off center on the paper side of the fusible web.



Step 2: Using a ruler, draw lines radiating out from the center circle as shown. Note: I marked the rays that would be red with a pencil squiggle to help visualize the negative space the lines will create. Create as many or as few rays as you like, varying widths and angles. 


Step 3: Cut out the negative areas to create a fireworks shape that looks like this: 

(The squiggly lines also help to make sure you leave the correct parts while cutting!)


Step 4: Repeat with the 7" Patriot square--your center circle and rays will be slightly different from the Tomato shape, and that's good! 


Here's what both your fireworks shapes will look like:


Step 5: Position both fireworks shapes on a 7" white square. Try with both the Patriot and Tomato fireworks shape on top (see photos below), and experiment with rotating one of the shapes until you find the look you like. 




Step 6: When you are satisfied with your block, remove the paper and fuse the fireworks shapes onto the white square. 



Step 7: Trim block to measure 6-1/2" square.



Step 8: In the same way, make 2 additional blocks, pairing the River square with the Claret square and the Crimson square with the French Blue square.


Step 9: Lay out the 3 blocks alternating with (4) 2" x 6-1/2" white pieces. 


Step 10: Sew the blocks and white pieces together. Sew the (2) 2" x 21" white strips and remaining 2" x 14" white strip short ends together into a long strip. Cut (2) 24-1/2" lengths. Sew to the long sides of the quilt. 

Step 11: Layer the backing right side down, batting, and quilt top right side up. Baste layers together and quilt as desired. Use short sections of the (6) 2-1/4" x 21" red and blue strips to bind the quilt. 



Block close-ups: 


Thursday, July 2, 2020

Wonk Around the Block - Month 2!

It's July and time for Month 2 of the Wonk Around the Block quilt! 

To recap, Wonk Around the Block is my new Block of the Month quilt pattern combining traditional and wonky piecing. You can purchase the pattern on my Etsy shop and receive one section per month for 6 months. I hope you'll come sew with me! 

Month 2 is the breather month, which is good, because even in these strange pandemic times, July always seems like a busy month. We're making a row/column of three-color flying geese units and adding them to the quilt center. Plus one solid border row, and you're done! 




I've also introduced video demos for each month - I'm super excited about this! 
Months 1 and 2 are now available. In the videos, I'll walk you through each step of the process--almost like a class! I also include additional tips and tricks for putting the quilt together. If you're new to wonky piecing, these video demos will augment the detailed diagrams in the pattern to help you master this technique. 

The group of six videos (I'll be adding one each month) can be purchased in my Etsy shop for $10. You'll receive a link with access to the current videos, and that same link will work for future videos. Click here to purchase.

Here's a photo taken during filming!


 When you purchase the pattern, you'll receive the Introduction pages, which include yardage for the entire quilt, a page of tips, and a black-and-white line drawing so you can choose your own color placement. You'll also receive Month 1, which is the center wonky star and a few borders. Each month afterwards will include the specific yardage, cutting, and piecing instructions for the sections being added. We'll assemble as we go, so by the end of Month 6, your quilt will be complete!

Purchase the pattern here


Here's a quick look at the fabric requirements. These are generous to ensure that you have plenty of options for switching up colors as you piece. 


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