Accuquilt Orange Peel Die...Love it!!

Hi everyone! I'm back to share another Accuquilt Die and it's a great one! It's called the Orange Peel. It is now my favorite die from Accuquilt. Actually the hexagon dies are my favorite, but this new one is tied for first place!!

The Orange Peel die is an appliqué die, so the quilts or projects go together very quickly. Today, I am showing a couple ideas and placements, but I also have a few "unconventional" ideas using the die up my sleeve. I was trying to complete the unconventional project for this post, but you know how life gets in the way! I'll definitely share that one soon.

Here's what I made for today's post...a table runner. I also need your help at the end with how to finish the edges.

Come on in to see a few tips using the die and making projects of your own...

How To Make Prairie Points For Your Next Quilt Top...

Hi everyone! I've been in my sewing room, fabric flying, making quilt tops to hopefully sell online soon!! Quilt tops that are already made are great for those of you who love to "quilt" and not piece. One of the little quilt tops or wall hangings I made has prairie points on it.  I thought I would share a tutorial on how to make them for those of you who love to piece like me!!

Here is one of the scrappy quilt tops I made with 1930's reproduction fabric...

The prairie points really add dimension to the quilt!

Come on in to see the steps to add the points to your next quilt top!!

Magnetic Pin Picker Upper Pole...

We've all been there. You're sewing and you drop a needle, a pin or worse yet...the whole dish of pins. Dropping them on the carpet is the absolute worst, but even if you have tile or wood floors you can still leave a pin or needle behind. My biggest fear is someone stepping on one.

I was roaming the aisles of the hardware store and found this beauty that might help!!

A Telescoping Magnetic Pole...

The handle telescopes so you can reach all the pins on the floor without bending over. It's also great when the dish of pins drops behind your sewing table or desk.

The whole strip is magnetic and it's a great size too. It's 12 inches long by 2 inches wide.

The bottom of the magnet shows all the things it can pick up. I'll forgive the manufacturer for not putting a picture of pins and needles on there, but it's ok. If they knew we were buying this for our sewing rooms, they would raise the price!! Shhhh...don't tell them.

Just an FYI...the bottom has a warning label on it for anyone wearing a pacemaker. Do not have a magnet in close proximity with a pacemaker. May cause interference or failure of pacemaker.

One way to help eliminate the pins spilling is to have a magnetic pin bowl. Over the years, I've done posts on magnetic pin bowls like the ones pictured below.

This one is a magnetic automotive parts dish. Great to keep the pins in place. Click HERE to see that post.

You can also make your own with a post I did a while back. Click HERE to see how. You just glue magnets to the bottom of any dish to make it magnetic.

Like this cute little heart dish!! The post shows a ton of options for dishes.

The magnetic pole can be found in most all big box hardware stores, but you can also order them online! I have no affiliation with this product, just wanted to share.

Happy sewing,
~Karen~

English Paper Piecing...Cutting Paper and Fabric

Hi everyone! I'm back from yesterday's English Paper Piecing post about how to sew the hexagons together. You can click HERE if you missed the post. I had lots of questions and emails about how to cut the paper and the fabric, so here is another post I put together today. I hope this helps!!!

As with any project, there are many ways of doing something. The ideas I'm posting here are just a few of the different methods I've used over the years for cutting the freezer paper and the fabric. Technology has made things a little easier with hand held paper punches and electric die cutters, but I'll also show you a simple way to cut the hexies with a cardboard template.

Cutting the Paper Hexagons...

Types of paper

• freezer paper (my favorite)
• card stock
• recycled envelopes
• and those annoying magazine inserts finally have a purpose

Types of cutters

• accuquilt die cutter
• Fiskars hand held paper punches (found in the scrapbooking section of any craft store or online)
• store bought plastic template for rotary cutter
• print template from free online source and make one from cardboard to plastic template

Here are the types that I have used.

Come inside for lots of pictures and steps for each method.

English Paper Piecing, Freezer Paper, Hexie Sewing Tip...

I know that title is a little long, but I needed to get it all in! I've been sewing hexagons for over 15 years. I use the English Paper Piecing method of hand sewing. With EPP, you use some kind of paper as the foundation to shape the hexagon. I started with freezer paper and haven't changed since.

I wanted to share this little tip with you for ironing on the freezer paper...

A Mini Iron!!

Come in to see more tips and tricks and an EPP tutorial...

Attention All Quilters...I Have a Few Questions For You

Hi everyone!! I've been away from quilting for a long time. Well, I haven't been away completely. I love to buy the fabric, I'm always looking for inspiration and I cut the fabric for future projects, but actually finishing something from start to finish...that's where I'm back, full steam ahead!!

I've finished two baby gifts these past few days. Nothing big, just little I Spy quilts. I love baby or throw size quilts, because I can actually "finish" the project. The smaller size gives me the satisfaction of piecing it, putting the quilt sandwich together, quilting it and then binding it in a short amount of time.

I have to admit, I'm not a fan of every step in the quilting process. I actually did a post, when I first started blogging over 6 years ago, that making the quilt top was my most favorite part. I realized again this week... that fact is still true. Piecing the top is still #1!! What's #2?...washing the quilt and having it come out of the dryer all crinkly!!! I love that look and feel of a quilt.

Sitting at my sewing machine this week got me thinking. What is your favorite part of quilting? I have other questions too, so let's get started!!!

Post your favorites from 1-7 (#1 being your favorite and #7 your not so favorite) in the comment section. My comment section is open to everyone, just scroll down to the very end of the comments and pick anonymous if you don't have an account.

The Quilting Process...

• Looking for quilt inspirations online, in books and magazines
• Shopping for the fabric
• Cutting the fabric
• Piecing the quilt top
• Making the quilt sandwich
• Quilting the quilt
• Binding the quilt

Random Quilting Questions...

• Do you love to hand quilt or machine quilt?
• Do you hand sew or machine sew the last step of putting the binding on?
• Do you pre-wash your fabric?
• What do you use most...pre-cut fabrics or fabric by the yard?
• What do you do more...quilt your own quilts or send them out to be quilted?

I'll start the ball rolling with my answers...

The quilting process

1. piecing the quilt top
2. shopping for fabric
3. looking for inspiration
4. cutting the fabric
5. binding
6. quilting
7. making the sandwich

Random questions...

• I machine quilt
• I hand sew most all of my bindings on, but for these baby quilts, I did machine sew them do to time restraints. I love hand sewing them on because it looks so pretty on the back.
• I ALWAYS pre-wash my fabric
• I mostly use yardage. However, I do buy pre-cuts because they're so cute. The problem is they're so cute I hate to use them. I think I'm crazy!!
• I always quilt my own quilts, but my next larger quilt is definitely being sent out!!

I hope all of you can join in too. If you want to share this post on your blog, that would be fantastic...the more the merrier. It's so fun to hear from all of you and get a glimpse into your quilting world!

I can't wait to see what everyone writes for their answers!!

Thanks of stopping by,

~Karen~

How to Assemble the Double Wedding Ring Block...

How to assemble the block...the first timer way! I've been quilting for years, but I've never sewn the double wedding block. It was a learning experience, but with some researching online and some trial and error, I came up with this.

Double Wedding Ring Block...

You can cut your pieces from a template, but I used the AccuQuilt Go Big cutter from this post. The cutting was so fast and easy with their new die!

Lay out all the pieces in a specific color order or in a scrappy look. I picked scrappy.

The post is filled with lots of pictures, so come in and see the steps.

Children's Quilt...Matching and Memory Game

Hi everyone! I know you've seen this I Spy Quilt recently in the apple core assembly post and the binding tutorial, but I'm here today to show you how to make a matching game to go along with your I Spy Quilt.

An I Spy Quilt is made of novelty print fabrics which have recognizable objects on them. This particular quilt is a baby gift for a new born. In the beginning, the quilt is great for on the floor play time, napping and playing. When the child is a little older, they can play the I Spy game…"I spy a fish. I spy an apple" etc.

I was thinking, why not make another educational game for the quilt...a matching game.

 The steps are easy to make the little squares to match your quilt. Come in and see…

How to Bind an Apple Core or Scalloped Edge Quilt...

I've been sewing for most of my life and quilting for over 16 years. This past weekend while finishing up a baby quilt, I had 3 "firsts"…I sewed binding on my first scalloped edged quilt, I used store bought binding for the first time and I machine sewed it on! I've always made my own binding, but I knew with a scalloped edge it had to be on the bias for the curves and to be honest, I didn't feel like making it. I machine sewed it on, because it's a baby gift and I knew it would be washed a lot and I was pressed for time too.

I wanted to share the tutorial with you, but I always clarify first that I am a self taught quilter and learn as I go. I know there are other ways of doing this, but this is what works for me!

Here is the finished I Spy Apple Core baby quilt...

Come on in for the instructions…lots of pictures too.

Machine Sewing Apple Core Quilt…With I Spy Fabric

Hi everyone! I sewed this I Spy quilt last month and wanted to share the tutorial on how to machine sew the apple core block. First, if you are new to quilting, I Spy fabric is novelty fabric that has cute little things on it that kids love to look for or spy for…"I spy a kitty", "I spy a raspberry".

The apple core block is an old pattern (I think from the 1930's) that was traced, cut out by hand, then hand sewn! However, with the invention of rotary cutting and the plastic templates or the Accuquilt Die Cutter, it is very easy to cut them out and machine sew them together! The apple core is a one-patch quilt, meaning one shape used throughout the whole quilt. A charm quilt is a one patch quilt, but sewn with many different fabrics without using the same fabric twice.

Here is the baby or children's nap time quilt I started…it's just a quilt top right now, because I will add to it as I buy more fabrics.

Easy to put together and makes a great baby gift…

New Accuquilt Go Dies…Hexagon English Paper Piecing Tutorial

Hi everyone! Over 4 years ago, I received an Accuquilt Go Fabric Cutter and die sets from the wonderful people at the Accuquilt Company to try and see how I liked it. Well, I just didn't like it…I LOVED it and still do. It's fast, accurate and so easy to use. It is a permanent fixture in my sewing room and I have bought several new dies for it my self over the years.

If you are not familiar with the Accuquilt Go! Fabric Cutting system, it is a portable unit with rollers and manual handle. The dies are shapes set in foam with the blades or cutters hidden in the foam. You place the fabric on top of the die, cover with a cutting mat and send it throughout the rollers. In a matter of seconds, your fabric shapes, strips or patterns are cut for you. Fast and easy.

Well, a few months ago Ellen, from Accuquilt, contacted me again to try their new set of dies. They are amazing...so many new shapes and sets that every quilter will love. They are familiar, traditional shapes and patterns that would normally take so much time to cut, even with a rotary cutter. At the time I received all the dies, my schedule was crazy and then the holidays came in full force, so I haven't had the time until now to play with them. I'd love to share them with you today!

Here are all fabulous new dies…

• Half Hexagon- 4 1/2 inch sides
• English Paper Piecing- 1 inch finished sides
• Bowties- 4 inches finished
• English Paper Piecing- 1/2 inch finished sides
• Clamshell- 8 inches finished
• Snowball- 6 inches finished
• Clamshell- 4 inches finished
• Hexagon- 4 1/2 inch sides
• Equilateral Triangle- 4 1/2 inch sides
• Hunter Star- 6 inches finished
• Wedge- 9 inches finished

The half hexagon, hexagon and the equilateral triangle all have 4 1/2 inch on the sides, so they will all coordinated and go together to form more patterns and quilt designs!

Come on in to see all the dies and today's tutorial for the English Paper Piecing...

Block of the Month Club #7...Whirlwind

Hi everyone!! Here's block #7 in the block of the month club...Whirlwind quilt block. You can see all the other quilt blocks listed on the top of my blog under the tab "Quilt Blocks" or you can see all the posts for the Block of the Month Club by clicking HERE.

As with all the blocks, they will be 12 1/2 inches unfinished size and all sewn with a 1/4 inch seam.

Whirlwind...

This is a quick an easy block!

Block of the Month Club #6...Kitchen Woodbox

Hi everyone! Here is block number 6 in the block of the month club...Kitchen Woodbox. I'm the worst BOM host. This is block 6 in month 10, but I've sewn some more and will share them this month to catch up.

The steps to making this block are my own. I used a rotary cutter to cut all the pieces...no templates.

The blocks in the Block of the Month Club are all 12 1/2 inches unfinished. I use a 1/4 inch seam allowance on everything. If you want to see all the other blocks and tips and tricks for sewing the blocks...Click HERE.

Here's today's block...Kitchen Woodbox

Tool Time Tuesday...Swing Set Quilt Ladder

Hi everyone! Some Tool Time ideas are from stores and others are recycled items. Today's project is recycled, but it's also a piece of the past.

Using an old ladder to display quilts isn't anything new, but it's new to me and this ladder is extra special too!!

It's from the swing set our daughters played on since they were little.

Today's Tool Time idea is to use things you already have or that are sentimental to display things around your home.

Ladders are great for towels in the bathroom, magazines in the living room, shoes, plants, books etc. Just search for "ladder display ideas" on-line under images or on Pinterest!

Tool Time Tuesday...Drying Rack for Sewing

Today's Tool Time is about using a laundry drying rack for sewing and quilting! We have a few folding drying racks in our house, because most of my husband's pant and shirts have to be lined dried.

I use the large racks for clothing, but wanted to share an idea for the smaller racks on the table or hanging on the door to organize fabric storage when sewing a project.

Here's the small drying rack on the end of my cutting table...

Small in size, but big in function...come on in and see more!

Tool Time Tuesday...Storing Quilt Rulers

Hi everyone! Today's Tool Time uses a few different "tools" to organize your quilt rulers...some things you might even have around the house.

The first idea is a peg board.

Size Chart For Beds, Quilts and Batting...

Hi everyone!! I wanted to share a little chart with measurements for mattresses, quilts and batting. It will be great to print, laminate and keep in your purse for a quick reference while out shopping at your local fabric store or quilt shop.

Before I share the chart with you, I want to give BIG hugs and kisses to my daughter Courtney for helping me with, not only this chart, but my new blog header too!! Isn't the hexagon flower just the cutest!! I took a picture of a piece of canvas I had and she used the image to make the flower. She graduated this May with a double major in graphic design and web design, so this is right up her alley. Thanks Courtney...I love you and my new blog design!!

Now on to the chart...

The mattress sizes are industry standards and the quilt batting measurements are the general sizes sold in packages. The quilt sizes however, are an approximation. Your quilt might be smaller or larger due to the drop measurement on each side of the quilt.

The "drop" is the length that hangs down to cover the sides of the mattress. Adjust your measurements according to the thickness of your mattress.  If your quilt is bigger, you will need to increase your batting measurement. Allow at least 4 inches of extra batting all the way around your quilt.

To print this chart, hover the mouse over the chart and right click. Select "save image as". Save it to your computer then open it up to print.

Some computers will allow you to highlight the picture, right click and print from there.

Happy Quilting,
~Karen~

Block of the Month Club #5...Jacob's Ladder

Hi everyone! Welcome to another block for the Block of the Month Club. I was a little behind, so I'm catching up with a few tutorials in a row this month.

If you're new to my BOM Club, you can join us at anytime. This is a "no pressure" club. I will be sharing a block pattern each month for you to make. When you  feel like you have made enough and want to make a quilt with your blocks, then you can do it whenever you'd like.

All the blocks in the club are 12-1/2 inches (unfinished measurement), so you can make anything from a king size quilt, to a throw blanket, baby quilt, wall hanging, candle mat or table runner.

The blocks I share are older patterns that are not copyrighted, but if you change up the fabrics and you'll be amazed at how different your blocks will look. You can make these blocks with modern fabrics, brights, solids, vintage, baby prints, novelty fabrics, all florals...the list is endless. Just have fun with it!!

Today's block is Jacob's Ladder...

Strip Piecing 4 Patch Quilt Blocks...

Hi everyone. Thought I would share a quick tutorial for strip piecing quilt blocks...four patches in particular. If you are new to quilting, any little tip or trick is helpful.

I'll be sharing another block this week for the Block of the Month Club and four patches are one of the elements.

Here is a simple four patch...

There are 2 ways to sew a four patch, so come on in and see...

Half Square Triangle Tutorial...

The last block pattern I shared for the Block of the Month Club had several half square triangles (HST) in them.  I used the HSTs that were bonus squares from the Flying Geese block.

I thought I would share a quick tutorial on how to make HSTs if you didn't have the bonus squares or if you would just like to know how to make them on your own.

In this Half Square Triangle tutorial, you will use 2 squares of fabric which will give you 2 half square triangle blocks.