Sailboat Mini Quilt, Part 1

Hello Sizzix friends! I'm dropping by today to share with you part 1 (of 2) to make this fun little Sailboat quilt. Last year I came across a boat quilt block like this and immediately set out to make one, (you can see my finished version here) I shared my progress on my blog and Instagram using the hashtag #NaturallyNauticalQuiltAlong and soon people joined in and started making one too! It was quite popular! So this time I decided to shrink the block down and use my Sizzix Plus machine to whiz out a few mini blocks to turn into a wall hanging using a traditional red and white colour theme.

Finished Size:
21" x 18"

Materials:
1m Kona Snow (off-white fabric)
1/2m Kona Rich Red (red fabric)
23" x 20" Cotton Batting

Sizzix Products:
#660020 Big Shot Plus Machine
#659983 Half Square Triangles, 1-1/2in Finished Square
#658327 Strips, 1-1/2in Wide
#655267 Cutting Pads, Extended

1. To make up the 6 blocks, cut the following:
(36) red HST's
(36) white HST's
(1) red 1-1/2" strips. Sub-cut into (6) 2-1/2" rectangles
(3) white 1-1/2" strips. Sub-cut into (12) 2-1/2" rectangles and (6) 4-1/2"rectangles.

2. Sew all the HST's together, (red and white triangles). Chain piece and press seam to dark side.
3. To make up the blocks; sew two HST units side by side. Repeat with two additional HST units and press seams open. Using the image above, sew the two rows together, following the placement of the triangles carefully. Press seams flat.
4. Lay out your pieces as above. Sew the white rectangles to the HST unit. Sew two HST pieces to the red rectangle (follow placement of triangles). Sew the rows together and add the bottom white rectangle to finish the block.

Your block should measure 4-1/2" square.

5. Make 6 blocks total.

Next week we'll make our alternate blocks and add the borders and binding to finish! Enjoy!

English Paper Piecing Hexagons: Using the Sizzix

Hi Sizzix friends. If you read my blog or follow my work or even shop with me at Sew and Quilt you know I am crazy about English Paper Piecing! I can't get enough of it. So it will be no surprise to you that my first die-cut I bought for my Sizzix machine many moons ago, was the 1-1/4" Hexagon to use with my 1" Hexagons for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. At the moment I'm knee-deep in preparations for this years Festival of Quilts so I have been making and organising lots of samples and kits to display and sell at my booth. So my Sizzix machine has been coming in very handy when I've been working on hexagon projects lately!

Products used:
1-1/4" Hexagon #658138
Strips, 2-1/2" wide #658328

Here's how I like to cut my hexagons using the Sizzix Plus machine.

First off I like to use the 2-1/2" strip dies to cut lengths of fabric. I know for each flower block I need two WOF strips of solid (for the outer ring), and one WOF strip in print (for the inner ring).

I then place my fabric strips on the 1-1/4" hexagon die cut and create folds to cut multiple layers.

I then roll it through the Sizzix machine twice, as I like a nice clean cut and with so many layers it's sometimes useful to do this. And voila, you have more than a dozen hexagons ready to be basted for your EPP project. There's absolutely no waste this way too, always a bonus.

If you wanted to know how to make a Grandmother's Flower garden block I have step by step information on how to make one as well as tons of other helpful tips and information on English Paper Piecing, on my blog. As well if you're heading to Festival Of Quilts next month, be sure to stop by and see me at my Sew and Quilt booth on stand F5. Sizzix will be demonstrating at the show too, so you won't want to miss out. 

Spinning Wheel Liberty Coasters

Hi Sizzix friends! Phew, that month went quick, right? It's June now, so this is usually the time I start to think about my backyard and sprucing it up for Summer, part of which includes purchasing a nice table and chairs for future BBQ's and alfresco dining! I jumped ahead with today's project and immediately got to work on some coasters for my imaginary outside eating space ;-)

Of course they are just as useful for indoor dining too! And Liberty fabrics makes everything prettier, am I right!? 

For this project you will need the following Sizzix Die Cuts:

- Square, 2" Finished #657607

- Circles 2", 3" & 4" #659845

As well, some small fabric scraps, (approx 1/4m total) and batting.

1. Cut (4) squares, arrange them with alternating prints and sew them together in sets of two with 1/4" seam allowance, then join the two rows together to form your four-patch block. Press seams open.

2. Using the largest size of the circle die-cutter, place the four-patch block centred down on the die cut, run it through the Sizzix to cut a circle shape.

3. Cut additional circles of the same size in; batting, interfacing and backing fabric (for the bottom of the coaster).

4. Fuse the interfacing circle to the bottom section circle. 

5. Place the batting, the bottom of the coaster (right sides up) and the coaster top section (right sides down) together. Sew around the edge, leaving a small gap for turning.

6. Clip around the edge of the circle to reduce bulk and ease edges. 

7. Turn right sides out and press flat.

8. Slip-stitch the gap closed, and top-stitch around the edge of the coaster.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, I'll be back next month for more Sizzix sewing - see you then! Jessie

'Flying Geese' Zippy Sewing Pouch

Hello Sizzix friends! I'm SO excited to receive the new Sizzix machine this month! I've been having a blast playing around with it. I really love the new simplistic design, don't you? And it's such a great size! It sits nicely in the window of my sewing room now. I love having it out in easy reach so I can use it regularly.

I've just come back from 'Pour L'Amour du Fil' quilting show in Nantes, France last week, I viewed some incredible work on show and took a couple of workshops, which has got me all fired up to create! One thing I noticed in my classes was the array of adorable sewing bags and organisers that everyone was pulling their supplies from. I had my little handmade zippy organiser with me and my trusty vintage tin to carry supplies. Though I thought my new Sizzix machine could come to the rescue here and help me step up my handmade game ;-)

Today I'm showing you how to make this cute Flying Geese Sewing Pouch. It has a zip - but do not be afraid of zippers - with my method they are easy peasy. It's ideal for holding your scissors and mini rotary cutters for on-the-go sewing.

Finished size: 11" x 5" 

Dies Used: 
Half-Square Triangles, 1 1/2" Finished Square #659983

Strips, 1 1/2" Wide #658327

Squares, 1" Finished (1 1/2" Unfinished) #659987

Materials:
Fabric in two colours / roughly Fat Eighth of each
6" Zip / or larger trimmed to size
Interfacing / scraps
Batting / scraps
Binding clips

Cutting:
Lining fabric // 
(x1) 6" x 5.5" square - main panel
(x1) 2" x 5.5" rectangle - top panel
(x1) 11.5" x 5.5" rectangle - back panel

Outer fabric //
(x1) 11.5 x 5.5" rectangle - back panel
Using Sizzix: (x20) 1-1/2" HST's / (x1) 1-1/2" strip. Subcut (using rotary cutter) into; 
(x4) 2.5" rectangles
(x2) 5.5" rectangles - zip binding
(x2) 2" rectangles - zip ends
(x1) 1.5" square

Contrast outer fabric (yellow) //
Using Sizzix: (x20) 1-1/2" HST's / (x1) 1-1/2" square

1. Sew your HST's together and layout your block as follows. 

2. Sew your HST units together, and then join together to form rows and then sew the rows together to complete your block. 






























3. For the top of the pouch, assemble your HST's and 1-1/2" square as above. 



























4. Sew your zip end pieces and fold in half and place on either end of your zip. You will have a 4-1/4" zip opening. Topstitch the zip ends in place. 

5. Take your zip bindings and press in half and then press the edges to the centre to create the bindings.

6. Place the zip bindings so they are wrapped around the zip. It's really helpful to use clips to hold in place here. Use your zipper foot on your sewing machine and sew a topstitch very close to the edge of the binding. 

7. Repeat for opposite side. Your zip is ready for sewing!

8. (Optional) Fuse interfacing to your font panel lining, top panel lining, back panel lining. 

9. Take your front panel lining fabric piece and press the longer edge over by 1/4", place your scrap batting inside the folded edge - then place your front panel block sandwiched on top. Pin in place to secure and quilt as desired. 

10. Repeat steps as above for the top panel section, ensuring the lining fabric is folded over with batting inside - to not expose raw edges. 

11. Place your two front sections right sides up and sew the sections either side of the zip. You will have no exposed raw edges on show, inside and outside. 

12. Sandwich the outer backing fabric right sides down with the batting and then the lining fabric right sides up. Quilt as desired. 

13. Place your front and back sections right sides together (trim to size if required) and sew around the edge with a small seam allowance, but enough to catch all the layers. 

14. Clip the corners of the pouch and turn right sides out. Pouch is complete! 

See you next month for more fun Sizzix sewing! Jessie

Shoefly Quilt Block

Hello Sizzix friends! 
I've not made much progress on the Vintage Dresden Quilt this month as I need to add some borders and figure out the best way to do the scalloped border - but I'm on the case ;-) Instead I thought I would share a simple Shoefly block I put together recently. 

Dies Used:
Square, 2" Finished (2.5" Unfinished) #657607
Half Square Triangle, 2.5" Finished Square # 659831

For each block cut the following;
x1 square, dark fabric 
x4 HST's, dark fabric
x4 square, light fabric
x4 HST's, light fabric

Arrange as follows. If you are using directional fabrics ensure they are placed the correct way. 

Starting with the HST units sew these together, then join so you have completed rows. Join the rows together to form your block. 

Now the fun part is to decide what I'll be turning these blocks into! Sometimes I have an urge and just have to sew a few random blocks, with no plan - though I do have a sneaky idea for these… something along the lines of this. I've had that bag pinned on my Pinterest board for-ev-er with the intention of making one similar, so maybe now is the ideal time to make it as I'm off on a trip to France next month visiting a quilt show! A quilty bag for the quilt show! Perfect.

Vintage Dresden Quilt Top

Hello Sizzix friends! I'm back this month sharing my completed Dresden quilt top, yippee! This was so fun seeing it all come together finally.

I finished hand appliquéing the final blocks over the weekend, which I've been beavering away on for quite a while now and thoroughly enjoying it. I pieced the quilt top together on Sunday, joining the blocks together to form rows, then joining the rows together. Now I had planned on doing a 4 x 4 layout with 16 blocks in total, however after laying them out I decided it was big enough this size.

I used a real scrap-happy collection of fabrics which I'm completely in love with!

It needs a good press now, and I must decide on how I plan to finish it. Do I add a border? Scrappy/one colour? Binding choices? Scalloped border edge finish? Yep. I think the scalloped edge sounds good. I'll have a think if there's a Sizzix die I can use to make that job a little easier ;-) See you next month, and be sure to follow along on Instagram using the hashtag #SizzixDresdenQuilt / you can find me @messyjesse1

Sizzix Die-Cuts:
Dresden Plate, Large // SKU: 659847
Bigz Circle 4inch // SKU: A10211

Vintage Dresden Quilt

Image: www.blackandwhiteandlovedallover.com

A Dresden quilt has been on my quilting bucket list forever! I've long admired those beautiful, vintage quilts from the 1930's - around the time the classic pattern became so popular. It's the perfect pattern to showcase the vintage reproduction small scale florals I love most, and when I discovered Sizzix had a rounded edge Dresden die-cut I knew I had no excuse not to start one! No more cutting out those fiddly curved shapes, hooray! So let's get started;

Sizzix Die-Cuts:
Dresden Plate, Large // SKU: 659847
Bigz Circle 4inch // SKU: A10211

With the Sizzix machine, these Dresden blocks are a piece of cake to put together. Here are some brief instructions to help you along the way.

1. For each completed Dresden block - you will need to cut (12) plate's. Join the plate's together in pair's, chain piecing as you go. Be sure to use a very accurate 1/4" seam allowance to ensure your blocks lay flat. Once you've joined all the sections together give it a good press.

2. Using some interfacing or some other lightweight fabric, place the block right sides down and sew 1/4" all the way around the edge. Sew a gradual curve between the points to your block will sit nicely when it's turned right sides out. 

3. Cut all the interfacing to the seam line and clip the the corners to reduce bulk. 

4. Turn right sides out, paying careful attention to the edges. Press well. 

5. Cut a piece of backing fabric 18" square. Fold in half and half again - press the centre point and position the Dresden plate to the centre. Needle-turn the Dresden to the backing fabric with a neutral thread. 

6. For each Dresden block, cut (2) 4inch circles from your chosen fabric (there is a centre circle included with the Dresden die-cut, however I wanted a larger centre so I'm using a different die-cut). 

7. Place the two circles right sides together and sew 1/4" around the edge. Clip into the curve's to reduce the bulk. 

8. Snip into the centre of one circle and turn right sides out. Press flat.

9. Centre the circle onto the block and pin in place. Take small needle-turn stitches to secure in place.

That's our first block finished! I'm planning on making it 4 x 4 blocks so we will need 16 blocks in total for our quilt top. I'll be back at the end of this month with my progress (since I was late posting this month, sorry about that!) you can also follow along with me on Instagram @messyjesse1, I hope you can join in the sewing fun too! We'll have a little impromptu sew-a-long using the hashtag #SizzixDresdenQuilt ;-)

Christmas Gingerbread Man

I have fond memories of my childhood Christmas's making these felt gingerbread men with my mum. We used to literally have dozens of them and pull them out every year and dot them around the house, it was always fun to spot them hiding in amongst the Christmas decor! This year however, will be a BIG difference as I now have a Big Shot machine with the Gingerbread Man die cut !!! Ahhhh! No more tediously drawing and cutting out the felt ...

1. For each gingerbread man decoration, cut 2 Gingerbread Man shapes. Using Sizzix Bigz L Die - Gingerbread Man / Item: 660176

2. The Bigz Die comes with facial features too, however I chose to embroider his eyes and mouth for a handmade feel. Sew on 3 buttons to his chest. 

3. With the two shapes together, use a co-ordinating thread and blanket stitch around the edge. If you wanted to turn the gingerbread man into a tree decoration - cut a small length of ribbon, and place the two ends inside the top of the head. Continue to sew over the blanket stitch to secure. 

4. Leave a gap for stuffing. Stuff arms and legs first and poke out to the edges. Stuff the main body lightly. 

5. Continue blanket stitch to close the gap. 

Enjoy! I hope you have fun making these as much as I did! I'll share a picture of my family of gingerbread men once I've decorated ;-)

Hovering Birds Mini Quilt

If you follow my blog you'll know I go crazy for mini quilts! So I knew my first project for Sizzix had to be a mini ;-) They are so much fun to make, and you get instant gratification ... aaaand if you're anything like me, you get huge pleasure from having a collection of them slowly taking over the walls in your house! 

Finished Size: 15.5"
Block Size: 8"

Sizzix Dies Required;
Square 2" Finished
Half-Square Triangle 2.5" Finished Square
Half-Square Triangles 4.5" Finished Square

Cutting:
For each of the four 'Hovering Birds' blocks cut the following;

Background Fabric
(2) 4.5" HSTs
(6) 2.5" HSTs
(4) 2.5" Squares

Main Fabric
(10) 2.5" HSTs

Arrange pieces as follows:

Sew HST units together.

Sew the remaining units in rows.

Sew the rows together, and press seams open. Sew the two corner HST's to complete the block.

Repeat steps to complete the remaining 3 blocks. Sew the blocks together in rows, pressing seams out. Join the bottom row to finish quilt top. 

Cut a piece of batting and backing fabric 17" square, sandwich together and quilt as desired. I chose diagonal lines with 1/2" spacing. Cut (2) 2" strips from width of fabric, join together to form one long continuous strip and sew binding to quilt top. Fold over the opposite side and hand sew to the backing fabric. 

Voila! Now gaze at your beautiful new mini quilt. (apologies for the not so pretty pictures, the light was very dark and gloomy!). See you next month Sizzix friends!