Tutorial: Lap Size Chevron Quilt

My amazing sister gave me this pattern/idea for this CUTE chevron quilt! Chevron is all the rage these days and with the colors I wanted to use the quilt came out as great as I imagined it to be. My husband even tried to claim it for himself but it was too late! I made this for a wedding present and got inspiration for the colors from the wedding announcement. This looks like white and black but really it's a very light teal with black. (If you click on the pictures you might be able to tell better.)

I made this quilt in a time crunch with two kids on my hands...it can be done!! Just tell yourself to do one step each day and it will be done in 10 days! 

Ok let's get down to it! 

Fabric needed:

- 2 colors of fabric = 60" cut of each (1 yard & 24")

- border fabric if you desire = 30" cut 

- fabric for the back = 4 yards 

- batting = twin size (you'll have to cut it down)

The pattern for this is fairly straight-forward so I didn't take pictures. 

1. Cut your two colors of fabric in to 10" strips, then 10" blocks

2. Take one color and draw a straight line from one corner to the other diagonally. Do this on every square you have for that color

3. Put one of each color square face to face on top of the other and sew 1/4" ON EACH SIDE of the line you just drew from step 2

4. Cut on the line you drew in step 2

5. Open what you have sewn together and iron the seams down

6. Place your blocks to make the chevron pattern and sew them together row by row (make sure to line up the tips of the triangles to make sure your points look spot on after sewing!) You also might have some left over blocks so don't be frightened :)

7. After sewing together the whole chevron print top I added a 5" border. I cut 5" strips, sewed them all together end to end, then sewed on the top and bottom, then sides. 

8. For the back I sewed together the fabric side by side

9. Lay out the back fabric, the batting on top, then the quilt top, & pin it. To sew through the quilt I measured 2.125" (it's half of 1/4") from the chevron print and marked it with chalk. Do little bits at a time so the chalk doesn't disappear and you have to mark it again!

10. For the binding I folded to the front the back fabric...so much faster! However I wouldn't say the quality is as great as putting on normal binding.

This is the best picture I got...guess I better try harder next time!!

Buttons

This is a cute project my mother did. It's a wall hanging but is unique because all of the buttons are from my great-grandma's collection. It's special projects like this that make quilting fun and a great way to use for gifts. The strips in between the buttons are skinny strips of fabric sewn down in the middle. 

For Loved Ones Lost

Upon hearing about friends and family losing loved ones, I tried to think of something I could do for them that would last longer than flowers. The thought came to me of making a small quilt with any type of star pattern on it to remind them of heaven. 

Here are a few of the quilts I've made (from the same pattern actually):

Crazy 8 Christmas Quilt

I know, I know, it's not December anymore, but I worked really hard to get this done and had just the binding to do when I felt too pregnant to do anything at all! Now that my baby is here and I can bend at the waist, the quilt is finished! 

The panel in the middle is called the Crazy Eight Reindeer Panel. I made the star blocks, added a "twist" to the picture blocks that also came with the panel, and added a border. 

Anyway, I love it and can't wait to display it next Christmas! 

Sunshine Quilt

I made this quilt for my sister-in-law who lives in California. I thought these colors fit the California lifestyle perfectly. Hopefully I am right! This pattern is called "Sunshine Makes Me Happy" by Donna Kinsey in her book, Strip Happy: Quilting on a Roll. I LOVE every single pattern this book has and have made most all of them! I highly recommend it; especially for beginner sewers. 

Pros of this Pattern:
I've done this pattern multiple times which means I really like it! It's quick and simple (of which I am ALL about).

You can make this with a jelly roll.


Cons of this Pattern:
For a lap quilt size, the backing takes a lot of fabric if you want it to be all the same. I decided to piece mine together so I wouldn't have to spend too much money.

I wish this made a bigger quilt!

Multi-Colored Quilt

The pattern for this quilt came from "A Gentleman's Haven Quilt" by Pearl Krush in her quilting book, Quilting for the Men in Your Life. I do want to note, however, that the colors I used are nothing like what Pearl Krush used and therefore I wouldn't say this is a man's quilt! I made it for a girl in her teens actually. She wanted rainbow colors. 

The main idea of this quilt is that you have strips of three fabrics and one on the outside is always the same color so you can make a stair-step running through your quilt. I chose the color green for my "stair-step" fabric but did different variations of it so it's not as obvious as the pattern intends. 

Pros of the Pattern:

This makes a good quilt out of scraps of fabric.

It was quick and easy to put together; all of the blocks matched up nicely. 

As you can see, you can put your own colors into the pattern and it will turn out just as great. I loved how vibrant this turned out and I'm not the biggest fan of rainbow colored quilts :) . 

Cons of the Pattern:

The only con I can think of was that cutting took awhile, but that was my fault in the long run because I made this mostly out of scraps! 

"Sweetwater" Quilt

I have been very busy making quilts for a customer of mine! (This quilt is one of two just this month!) Hence the reason for so many quilt posts. This pattern is called "Sweetwater" by Debbie Outlaw, provided to me through Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts. Had I not been making this for someone else, my husband said he really wanted to claim it! (Thanks hub). The colors I used are black, green, ivory, white, and a touch of light yellow. 

Pros of the pattern: 

Easy, simple, and quick assembly. 

The pattern is easy to understand and can be made with primarily fat quarters. 

The pattern also gave size options which told me how much of each color of fabric/fat quarters I would need to make a twin, full, or queen size quilt. I was VERY impressed with that!

Cons of the pattern:

Assembly could take longer if you follow the pattern instructions and assemble the quilt first by doing blocks, and then sewing rows together. I simply sewed together rows after laying out my fabrics and the quilt came together just as nicely but faster. 

Although this pattern told me how many fat quarters I would need to make the rectangular pieces, it was off. I needed double the amount the pattern told me! So if you decide to make this; you'll want double the amount of fat quarters it says to make for the cream and beige fabrics. Luckily I had some scrap fabric that provided me with enough to make do. 

Dinosaur Baby Quilt

Here's a quilt I finished a while ago for my sister-in-law's baby boy! I got the dinosaur fabric at Wal Mart, and this pattern is GREAT for showing off larger print fabrics. The quilt is the same pattern as my previously shown "You Go Cowgirl" quilt. You can go there to see where I got the pattern from. It's been one of the best quilts I've put together lately!

Click on the photo to get a bigger picture. 

Quick-Tip: Point Turner

This, my friends, is a point turner. It looks like this particular one is set as a button gauge as well. However, my main focus is on what the point turner does. It is so helpful when you are sewing a project that needs to be turned inside out and of course has corners.
  This will make your life much easier! For instance, I used it on the pockets of my purse that I just made and put on here.
  Anyway, it's pretty simple to use: push the pointy side into the corners and watch them come inside out with ease!

Enjoy!

Sling Purse Tutorial

This is a "make-your-own" sling purse pattern! It's not hard to make though, so don't worry. I'll guide you through each step. This is the only picture I got of the finished purse - I was paid to make it and delivered it without taking more photos! Sorry for that. 

Supplies:

2 yards fabric (makes outer and inner lining of purse, plus a cell pocket on the strap if desired)

1 yard interfacing 

1/2 yard fabric for inside pockets if desired

To make your pattern: the sling or strap part of the purse is 3 1/2" x however long you want the strap to be. To find this out, have someone help you measure from your hip to around your shoulder and at the same hip again. Cut that measurement in half and that's how long you'll make your strap when cutting. 

For the body of the purse, I did 17"x16" but again you can decide how big or small you want this to be. From the strap to the edge of the purse my measurement is 4.5". Just make sure the strap is in the middle and build your measurements around that. I made my pattern out of rolled up paper and yes you need to make sure the strap is connected to the purse when cutting your fabric! Okay, not to bad right?

 1. Fold your fabric length wise and place the pattern down farthest from the fold. 

(A second example of laying out your pattern)

2. Right here on your pattern make a diagonal line connecting the strap to the purse if you'd like the curved look in your purse. (That's what I did) The next picture shows my diagonal lines better. Now cut out your pattern and you'll end up with two of the same cut-outs. Do this again to make your cuts for your lining. (I flipped the pattern around and cut it that way)

3. Let's start on the pockets! Cut on the fold a 12 1/2" x 11"  pocket & a 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" pocket. For each pocket, place the right sides together and sew leaving about 3" open to pull it inside out. Then iron the pockets down and fold in the open seam so it is hidden. 

4. On the fold of the pocket, sew across the top only. This is the top of the pocket and WON'T be sewn down. Now take a break from the pockets.

5. Cut out your interfacing and iron it onto the wrong side of the inner lining pieces. You don't have to cut the strap and purse in the same cut on this one. 

6. Sew the right and left sides of the outer fabric top to bottom. Right sides together.

7. Now put the side seams in the middle like this and sew the bottom of the purse. 

Here is the bottom sewn:

8. Take the corners of what you have just sewn and put the bottom seam in the middle to make a triangle. Now sew a straight line down about 1 1/2" in on each side. Trim the seam. 

 9. Repeat steps 6-8 to make your inner lining. However, when you sew the bottom on step 7, leave a 3" opening which you'll need later.

10. Now, pin your pockets where you want them onto the lining of the purse. You'll pin them so the middle is over the seam and the straps are on the sides (to give you a point of reference).  Put the side where you have already sewn a line across at the top. Sew in your pocket...only on 3 sides though! :) If you want to make pockets within your pocket - sew from the top to the bottom of the pocket and remember to backstitch.

 11. If you'd like a cell phone pocket, I cut on the fold a 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" pocket, put right sides together, sewed together the 3 1/2" side that isn't the fold, sewed a line across the fold, and pinned it on the strap of the outer fabric about 6" up from the curve from the purse. (The 6 1/2" sides are NOT sewn at this point) Go ahead and sew on to the strap the bottom of the pocket. 

12. I put a magnetic tab on this purse and I'll post "how to" directions tomorrow on this. Otherwise my tutorial might scare people away! :) The tab isn't hard, but I don't want too many steps at once! 

13. Place the inner purse inside the outer purse, right sides together. Pin the seams to match up. This is where you will pin in your tab, with the magnet facing down, in between the two seams. 

14. You'll place the other magnet on the outer fabric about an inch and a half from the top of the purse. Now you can pin the two seams on that side of the purse together. 

 15. Now sew all around the edges up to and around the top of the straps. Remember the opening you left in the lining? This is where you'll pull the purse inside-out. 

 16. Once your purse is turned inside-out, sew shut your opening in the lining. I did this by folding the raw edges in and sewing across. 

17. To put the straps together, I overlapped them about a half inch and sewed a straight line one way, and then another right back. Then I did the same thing again on the other side to make sure the straps were securely down. 

(sewing the straps together):

18. Last step: sew around the whole top of the purse and the straps to make a nice polished purse! 

Again, the finished product!

Water's Edge Quilt

This is Water's Edge, designed by Marion Patterson in the quilting book, Simple Stitches Quilting. I did add the borders around it though. This quilt is black, white, grey, and purple. I totally changed the color scheme so that would be why this quilt doesn't really look like the "Water's Edge"! 

The front:

The back:

I only have one complaint for this pattern: if you don't use a layer cake  (40 10" squares of fabric pre-cut) it is best to lay out the pattern as you cut your fabric and the pieces that lay horizontally you'll want to cut a 1/4" shorter. 

You can purchase this quilting book which has "18 projects for the new quilter"! I just received it as a gift and have found many patterns I am anxious to make. 

Below is a picture of the book as well as a link to it on Amazon:

Quick-Tip: Batting

I have been purchasing the cheapest batting at JoAnn's - you know, the one they have rolled up and it is normally $12.99, but with your 40% off coupon it is a steal of a deal? I'm sorry I don't have details, apparently I need to pay more attention to the batting I am buying! Anyway, this particular batting was part cotton and polyester as well as about a half inch thick. It worked well enough for me until one day I decided to buy a thinner batting for a baby blanket. (Quick-tip within a quick-tip: thinner batting is nicer for baby blankets because it is easier for the mom to wrap the baby up in the blanket. Something I determined after having my first child.) 

So I bought something like this:

This batting is more like 1/4" thick and made of cotton. When I went to do the stippling on the quilt it was 10 times easier, my fabric (top and bottom) didn't bunch and create folds, and it was easier to trim up the edges for binding. When it came time to bind the quilt, I couldn't believe how much easier that was to do! I had no problems at all! Plus my binding didn't have any folds in it and my corners turned out perfect. 

I've been seriously quilting for 3 years now and I have always had some type of issue when it came to binding. I couldn't believe the difference a change it batting made. So now I will be changing my batting purchasing habits! 

Quick-Tip: Thread

Here are a few quick-tips when it comes to thread! 

1. Use the same type of thread in the bobbin as well as on top for an optimal sewing experience.

2. Use cotton thread when working with cotton fabric

3. Black thread can have more issues when sewing because it contains more dye on it (to make it black).

4. A good neutral thread is grey. Grey works with any color of the spectrum!

5 Step Zipper Tutorial

Zipper packages actually have directions inside but sometimes I find other ways are easier or hearing directions from someone who has done it before can be helpful. 

 First off, here's a foot you would use to sew on your zipper. Don't put it on the machine just yet though. 

Steps:

1. Do not lay down your zipper yet. Machine bast the length of your zipper onto your garment with a 5.5" stitch or whatever the highest stitch is that your machine will allow. Keep your foot down on your garment, move to step 2.

2. Sew the rest of the garment opening (where the zipper will not be) at a 2.5" stitch.

3. Pin zipper face down with the middle of the zipper directly in your garment seam. See below:

4. Put your zipper foot on the right side (you can choose; right or left) and sew (regular 2.5" stitch) down the left side of the zipper as close as you can to the actual zipper part. Then switch the zipper foot to the left side and sew in the same way down the right side of the zipper. 

5. Turn your garment inside-out and slowly rip out (with a seam ripper) the section of garment you have sewn together in step 1. You'll only rip out the length of the zipper... any further and you'll have a hole! 

Quick-Tip: Transparent Thread

Quick-Tip:   When sewing, do not put transparent thread in both the top and bottom of your sewing machine. It's bad for your sewing machine as well as for whatever you are sewing on.

Why This Is Important:   Before I knew this rule I quilted with transparent thread on top and through the bobbin. I thought the reason my thread was always bunching up or "catching" on things was because of me. Then I learned what I should have been doing!

Solution:   If quilting, use your transparent thread on the top and a cotton thread on the bottom/in the bobbin. Also, make sure your cotton thread matches your quilt on the underside because it will show.