December Sew Sampler Box!!!

So ya, I got a little behind :)  I meant to post this last week, but honestly.  That week between Christmas and New Years is pretty much a blur right.  Does anyone get anything done in that week or is that just me :)  So, here it is, a few day's late but still just as awesome,  my December Sew Sampler box !!!      The theme for the box is Winter with You and it is just all kinds of quilty goodness that has me wanting to stay inside from the the cold and quilt ;)

For starters, there is an entire kit for making this super cute Avondale Tote Bag!!!  Ya'll know I love making Charming Totes, and I think this one will have to squeak in the next time I need a tote.   The Woodland Rose fabrics are so pretty and will make such a soft tote ;)   And how sweet is it that I have everything I need to make it up!!!   I especially love the patchwork handles!!!

And I always love unpacking the notions :)  It's just so fun to see what fun little goodies Fat Quarter Shop sends.  This month has some super cute Cherry Gingham Heart Snips :)   How adorable are those!!!  And I am happy to say, that mine have already been used a ton.  My SIL was visiting this last week and she does amazing crochet, and was working on it while we chatted and I noticed the scissors she was using were super dull.   So I gave her these, and she just loves them, and that makes me smile :)   And I was totally geeking out over the Tula Pink Tweezers.  Ya, I am a Tula Fan, and I have loved the cool rainbow sheen of her hardware, so I am so excited to have my first piece.    And it was also a great reminder to clean my machine, tee hee hee ;)     And last but not least, you can never have enough Aurifil Thread, and this will make up the tote perfectly :)

And of course, with a new box, there is a new Barn Block!!!  And this month's block had a bit more piecing in it, and I actually redid a block from earlier in the eyar with similar piecing, so I was working on this for a bit.   But I love the look of it, so fun!!!  Only 2 more blocks to go in this Barn Raising ;) 

And that's my December Sew Sampler Box!!!    And I can't wait to see what the New Year brings in my next little Aqua Box ;)

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!

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3 New Charming Totes

So along with the quilt that was auctioned off for a church fundraiser that I shared back here, I decided to make a few new Charming Totes as well to help in the cause.  These are so much fun to make and are the perfect size tote for just about everything.  The only hard part was deciding on which Charm packs to use ;) 

The first tote I decided on a Flower Mill Charm Pack by Corey Yoder for Moda Fabrics.   I love these happy prints and beautiful colors and I opted for a little more free motion quilting on the totes this time around and did a lovely loose feather.  I love the little extra it adds to the tote ;)  I also decided to fold the lining over just slightly on the top to add a little "faux binding" on the top of the bag.  I like it, but it did make the handles a bit shorter as they had to be stitched down as well.  So if I did that again, I would add an inch to the handles ;)

For the second tote for auction, I used an Into the Garden Pack by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs.   I have been saving this one for a bit, and it was just perfect for this little tote.   And I added some more flower whimsy with a feathered swirl free motion quilting design.   Both totes were a big hit at the auction and I have already seen them being toted along with the ladies who won them.  Which, of course,  just makes me smile ;)

And while I was in the tote making assembly line process, I decided that I needed a new tote for Church as well.  And I was so excited to find that Deanna Rutter's Heart and Soul Charm Pack for Riley Blake Designs had a text print that listed the Young Women values.  Since I work with the Young Women each week, it couldn't have been more perfect!!!

And this tote got a little extra love, since I was so needing these little extra features in my old tote.   Padded Handles, Pockets, and most importantly, key rings!!!!  No more digging around in the bottom of my bag to find where my keys have gone ;)   So loving it!!!

And if you find yourself needing a Charming Tote, you can find the tutorial to make your own right over here.   They really are so much fun to make, and trust me, you won't be able to make just one.   But I am telling you, the hardest part is just picking which Charm Pack to use ;)

Happy Quilting!!!

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Giant Patchwork Quilt

Sometimes simple patchwork is just the best and oh so much fun!!!  And this quilt is extra special because I had a whole lot of help making it!!!    You might recall last year when I shared all of the Charming Totes that I taught the Young Women in my church to make.   Well, several of the girls wanted to try their hand at a larger scale patchwork. 

So we went to pick some layer cakes.    The fabrics chosen were Creekside and Desert Bloom by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda Fabrics.  I love all of  Sherri and Chelsi fabrics because they designs them to read one color.  This makes them perfect for patchwork, as every block stands out and none of them blend into the block next to them.  (or into the background when doing more piecing).  So fun!!!   And don't the two lines just play so nice together.  I love when designers do that!!!

And then the fun began.  We just used the Layer Cake squares as is, so no cutting was necessary to get started.  It was absolutely wonderful to watch them methodically think over where each square should be placed.   They worked on that placement until it was just perfect!!!    And then, time to piece it together.  Same exact way you make the Charming totes, only on a much larger scale :)  So fun!!!!

 This weekend those same girls are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and silent auction to raise funds for their camps and such.  And of course, the Giant Patchwork quilt that was their special project will be featured in that auction.   Isn't that just so awesome!!! 

So it was time to get it quilted up ;)  I decided to quilt it with an overall loose feathers design.    I have so much fun quilting these, I can't believe that the feathers used to scare me.   This way is so fun and relaxing and it quilts up real quick, which was important as it had to be done by Saturday :)  Sometimes I wonder if the only way to get my quilts out of the to be quilted pile is for them to have a deadline, tee hee hee ;)

And I also love the loose feathers because it creates the coolest texture!!!  Doesn't that just make you want to cuddle up with this queen size beauty!!!   It measures 95"x 95" so it will be perfect for someones new bedspread ;)

And that is the Giant Patchwork quilt!!!  I had so much fun working with the girls on this!!!   And seriously, I want to do some more simple patchwork in the very near future.   2 Layer Cakes and a  5" border and you can whip up a queen size quilt that really makes a bold statement in no time at all.   Oh so much fun and you all know, I have enough layer cakes stashed to make a whole lot of Giant Patchwork Quilts!!!

How about you???  Have you every made a Giant Patchwork Quilt???   If not, do you totally want to make one now???

Linking up this finish to Sarah's and Myra's :)

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February Sew Sampler Box!!

Wow, it's the last day of February!!  I know February is a shorter month, but still, that just flew by!!   The best thing though, about another month come and gone is that my February Sew Sampler box showed up in my mailbox ;)    This month's theme is Home Sweet Cottage and I am just thrilled with all of it's quilty goodies!!!

It's no secret that I absolutely love Charm Packs!!! And I totally squealed when I saw that this month's fabric included not one, but two of  April's new Mama's Cottage Charm Packs!!!  I just love the super happy and bright colors of this line and the prints are just so fun and whimsical.  Wouldn't these just make the cutest Charming Totes!!!  I think I might have to just earmark one of these Charm Packs for just that :)

And I just love this month's pattern by Lissa Alexander. I totally want to make this pattern a la super scrappy, which seems fitting as it is in conjunction with Lisa's new book Oh, Scrap!  (which I will be sharing more about soon, it's awesome!!! ;)   And I am excited to try out Doug Leko's new Simple Folded Corners Ruler.  It makes is so you don't have to draw the line on your stitch and flip corners.  I haven't drawn my lines for a while now as I use the Clearly Perfect Angles on my sewing table which I absolutely love!!!!  (and it works for HST's too)    So I will have to try out this ruler and see which option I like better for stitch and flip corners ;)  Or, maybe it will go with my traveling machine as I don't take my sewing table when I travel which makes it so I can't use the CPA cling.  There's an idea ;)

And the last few goodies out of the box included a Triangles on a Roll for 2" Finished HST's  and some Aurifil Thread, which we all know, you can never have to much of ;)     I am not much for Paper Piecing my HST's as I can make them super fast as I don't have to draw my lines and I love my Bloc-Loc's for trimming them, but this will be the perfect little gift for a Paper Piecing friend ;)  

And of course, I can't finish up a Sew Sampler box post without this month's Basket Block!!!   Block 11 and I have to say, I just love that background fabric,it's just so fun!!!  .Only one more month and this will be ready to be sewn up, my my how a year flies by!!!

And that is my February Sew Sampler Box  . . . and it just makes me want to stay Home Sweet Home all day and sew!!!  I know I say it every month, but Thanks again Fat Quarter Shop for always sending an amazing box of Quilty Goodness!!!

And now I am off to work on a project for an upcoming tutorial in a few months,  and hey, I just thought, it has stitch and flip corners, so looks like I will be trying out that new ruler today!!!

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!



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I Think She's Got the Quilting Bug!!!

So remember when I shared how I was helping the amazing Young Women in my church to make Charming Totes . . .Well one of those amazing Young Women is my daughter.  This is her with her Charming Tote (which there happens to be a tutorial for right over here ;)  Jessica (shes 12 yrs old)  has done some sewing and piecing before, but only when I have asked if she wanted to make something or with her grandma, and even then, we needed to kind of stay on her to finish her project.   But I think this experience of making this little Tote might have been just the right project for the Quilting Bug to bite her ;)

As soon as school ended for the Christmas Break she asked if she could finish up the quilt that she had been working on for a friend for the last 2 years.   She added the borders, pressed it all, made a backing and then promptly asked if she could quilt it on the long arm.  

And let me tell you, this girl is a natural on the long arm!!!  She wasn't scared one bit.   I helped her load the quilt and gave her a few suggestions on how she might light to quilt it, and she was off.   I was able to work on my own project as she quilted away and  only came and get me to help her change the bobbin or roll the quilt, which she had down by the end of the quilt ;)  Ya, totally a proud moment for this mama!!!

And the best thing was, she absolutely loved it.  Every time I checked on her she was grinning from ear to ear, excited with what she was doing ;)  Yippee!!!  And I was so glad she wasn't scared, because she picked yellow thread, which blended great in the border, but made a super fun pop in the squares.   And she just rocked it!!!

She quilted loops and stars in the border, and alternated between wavy criss cross lines on an angel and wavy criss cross lines perpendicular on the squares.  I helped her with the name at the bottom, but besides that, she did all the quilting on her own.  And just look at all that awesome texture!!!  I know I am a bit bias, but I think she did amazing :)  What a beautiful and fun finish!!!   And of course, her friend just loved the quilt and it made for a wonderful Christmas Present ;)

And then the day after Christmas, Jessica asked if she could start another project!!!!   The quilting mom in me was so excited, I dropped everything I was doing and ran her down to the quilt room to decide on a project before she could change her mind ;)   She opted for the Neverland fabric that I had and wanted to do another simple patchwork with a border, but she wanted a whole lot more squares.   So I helped her with some cutting and gave her a little bit of instruction  (mostly, it's just like piecing the tote but on a larger scale) and she was on her way.

She laid out the patchwork and played for a few days with the placement.  Then when she got it just the way she liked she collected it all back into rows and started sewing.  She has already sewn up the first 6 rows ;)   And she is doing it completely independently!!!   I am so impressed with how she has just taken off with this!!  She is keeping her project neat and organize (so glad I bought the Good Measure Clothespins Set at Black Friday,  they are perfect for her to keep her rows stacked and together :)   so there is room for us both to sew together and that is a dream come true!!! 

I can see sharing a lot of Jessi's finishes this year because that girl is totally "jump into the deep end of the pool" excited about quilting!!!!  Best Day Ever!!!!   

Charming Totes from Charming Young Women

I am so excited to share these finishes today and you'll see why in a minute ;)    I am so very blessed to get to work with the Young Women in our church. They are incredible girls and oh so much fun to hang out with.    One night a month, for a good portion of this year, I have been teaching them how to make Charming Totes.  I let each girl pick out a charm pack from my stash and it was super fun to see which fabrics each girl gravitated towards.   Then came the cutting, stitching, and quilting!!   This was a huge project for a lot of them who weren't really familiar with sewing machines, but they jumped in with both feet and even tried out the long arm for their quilting!!!

I wish I would have recorded some of the nights so you could all see the "organized chaos" that was each night at the quilt house.  Think 10 machines running, 15 or so girls sewing/laughing, "a bit" of unpicking and a whole lot of fun :)  So ya, there is a whole lot to smile about in these awesome finishes ;)  And I want to give each girl her moment in the spotlight, so here they are!!!!

Cooper used Ava Rose by Deanna Rutter for Riley Blake Designs

Nicole used Shimmer by  Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman

Bailee used You and Me for Adorn It

Jessica (that's my daughter :) used Eden by Tula Pink for Free Spirit Fabrics

Atlanta used Cotton + Steel Basics for Cotton + Steel

Emily used Mormor by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics

Katelyn used Spot on for Robert Kaufman

Ellyce used Ashton Road by Valori Wells for Robert Kaufman

Hannah E. used Desert Bloom by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs

Hannah B. used Offshore by Deanna Rutter for Riley Blake Designs 

Natalie used Sundrops by Corey Yoder for Moda

Lindsey also used Desert Bloom by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs

Chole used a line that I just can't remember.  I think it might be a Sandy Gervais??  Anyone??

Serenity used Varsity by Sweetwater for Moda

Zoe F. used Simply Colorful II by Vanessa Christenson for Moda

Breanna also used Ava Rose by Deanna Rutter for Riley Blake Designs

and Zoe A. used Curiosities by Amanda Herring for Riley Blake Designs

And aren't they all just great!!!  I am so very proud of each one of them, and am so glad they they just love their finished totes!!!!  I see them using them and it just makes me smile :)    Way to go girls!!!

And just FYI,  if you want to make your own Charming Tote, I have a free Step by Step tutorial right over here ;)  You just need a Charm Pack and 2/3 yard of fabric to start!!  They are so much fun to make and are wonderful Christmas presents.  But I am warning you, you can't stop at making just 1 :)  

Thanks for popping in today and sharing these amazing finishes from these amazing Young Women!!!   I can't even begin to express how much I loved working on these totes with them ;)  What a wonderful experience that I will treasure!!!

I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up these finishes to Amanda's, Sarah's, and Myra's ;) 

Charming Tote - A Tutorial

I am so super excited today to share with you a tutorial that I have been meaning to do for some time.   I have shared so many Charming Totes over the last few years.    And then a few weeks ago  I was asked by the wonderful folks at Riley Blake Designs if I wanted to play with their new Neverland Fabric by Jill Howarth and I knew it would be the perfect match!!!

These Charming Totes are so much fun to make!!!  They go together super fast, and are the perfect tote for beginners and experts alike.   My children use them as piano bags, but they work great for just about anything you need to tote around. 

And as you can see from previous posts, you really can't make just 1 charming tote ;)   You'll find so many uses for them.  And they really do make wonderful gifts, so it's a good thing this tutorial is just in time for Christmas, right!!!  So let's get to the tutorial!!!

To make a Charming Tote you will need:

1 Charm Pack or 5" Stacker - (Isn't that Neverland fabric just to cute for words!!!)
2/3 Yard of a favorite coordinating print
2 scraps of batting 20" square or larger

STEP 1 - MAKING THE PATCHWORK SIDES

Select 16 squares from your Charm Pack or 5" Stacker and lay them out in a 4 x 4 grid, playing with the placement until it is pleasing to the eye.  And it is helpful to either mark the first blocks in each row with a pin or row marker of some sort, or be sure to take a picture of your squares so you can refer to it to keep your layout just the way you like it ;)

Sew the squares into rows.  To do this, I like to place the second square onto the first with right sides together, and aligning as I go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  (I chain stitch all 4 rows at a time.) Then, place the third square onto the second square, with right sides together, and once again, aligning and chain stitching as I go, stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  And then repeat for the fourth square, sewing 4 rows of 4 squares.

Press the seams in opposite directions.  So press row 1 and 3 to the left, and row 2 and 4 the the right.  This will allow your seams to nest in the next step :)

Now, you can sew the rows together.  This is just like making the rows, only on a bigger scale.  Place row 2 onto row 1 with right sides together.  Align and pin each of the seams.  Sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge.

Now repeat this process adding row 3 to row 2 and then row 4 to row 3, moving down the tote ;)  When you are finished sewing all 4 rows together, I like to press the seams open so they lay nice and flat, but you can press them to one side if you prefer.

Now repeat the process to this point of Step 1 to make a second Patchwork Side so that you have a total of 2 Patchwork Sides :)  Each will measure 18 1/2" x 18 1/2".

And now, it is time to quilt the 2 Patchwork sides ;)   Place your patchwork side onto a 20" square of scrap batting.  You can baste it if you like, but I find it small enough to just start stitching on as the fabric tends to stick pretty well to my batting.  Sometimes I will stick a pin in each of the 4 corners just to hold it in place :)

Quilt the 2 Patchwork Sides any way you like.    You can then do Free Motion Quilting (see tutorials here if this is new to you) or some straight line quilting.  I decided on some simple straight lines 1/4" from the seams.  Once you are done stitching, align your long ruler along the side of your Patchwork and trim the excess batting away from all 4 sides of your Patchwork.   They should once again measure 18 1/2" square.  (If they are a little off that is okay, as long as both measure the same size )

STEP 2 - MAKING THE PATCHWORK SIDES INTO A TOTE

Take your two Patchwork Sides and place them with right sides together.  Take care to align each of the seam sets along the sides and bottom and pin them together.  Sew 1/4" seam along the three sides of the bag, taking care to backstitch at the beginning of your side seams.  You can pivot at the bottom corners, or simply sew off the end and start a new seam, whichever is easiest for you.

Now, using a small quilting ruler and marking tool, draw a 2 1/2" square in the bottom 2 corners of your tote.  Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the squares out of the bottom corners of your tote.

And now the fun part.  Open the holes you just created and pinch them together, aligning the center seams and creating a straight line.  Pin the edge closed with several pins.  I like to align and nest my center seam and pin it open to help reduce bulk.

Once it is pinned nice and flat, sew a 1/4" seam along the pinned edge, taking care to backstitch at the beginning and end  and over the center seam.    I don't take the pins out as I sew along this as I don't want my seams to slide with all that batting, so I just slow down and go gently.  And if you have a walking foot, it can help for this step ;)

Repeat the pinning and stitching on the other corner and then turn the tote right side out and push out your corners.  And you have a Tote starting to form, so fun!!!   You can now set this part of your tote aside for the moment and we can move onto the lining :)

STEP 3 - MAKING THE LINING

Press your selected 2/3 yardage to ensure it is nice and flat without any creases.  Then from the yardage, cut the following:
                   (2) strips 4 1/2" x 21" strips         and         (2) squares 18 1/2" x 18 1/2"

And now we are going to repeat the process with the Patchwork Sides, only with a slight change.  Place the 2 square lining pieces with right sides together, aligning and pinning the 2 sides and bottom.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the 2 sides taking care to backstitch at the beginning of each seam.   When you get to the bottom, do not stitch straight across.  Leave a 6" - 7" opening to turn the bag right side out later.   Be sure to backstitch at the opening on either side along the bottom.

And that little opening is the only difference and now, you can repeat the same process as making the Patchwork Sides.   Cut  a 2 1/2" square out of the two bottom corners of the lining.  Then pinch and align your holes into  straight lines, and pin them closed.   Then sew a 1/4" seam along the edge backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam.

Leave your lining right side in for the time, and just like that, you have the 2 parts for your tote all ready to go.  Now all you need are some handles ;)

STEP 4 - MAKING THE HANDLES

Grab the 2 lining stripes and head to your ironing board.  Fold and press the strips in half longways.  Now open them up, and fold the top half in to meet the center fold line your just created.   And then repeat for the bottom half pressing it to meet the center.  Press both handles this way. 

Now simply fold the rectangle in half again, hiding all the raw edges on the inside and press it flat.  Then go to your machine and stitch an 1/8" seam along the edge of either side your handle.  Stitch both handles this way.   This will close up the handle on one side, and make a fun matching decorative stitch on the other side.

STEP 5 - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

And now you have all the pieces made and are ready to put your tote together.   Place the handles 1" away from your patchwork seams as shown below.  Take care that your handle is not twisted as that is easy to do.  Pin them in place with the pin heads sticking out as shown below.   Repeat on the other side of the bag with the second handle.

Now, slide your lining over your pinned Patchwork tote with right sides together as shown below.  Keep sliding it down until the top edges are aligned.

Align and pin the Patchwork and Lining pieces together at the two side seams first.  Then pull the sides taught at the side seams and align and pin the two centers.  Then, proceed to align and pin the rest of the tote top with plenty of pins.  I like to put a pin through the handles as well so I know they won't shift anywhere.

Now stitch a 1/4" seam along the top, pinned edge of the tote.  This is easiest if you put the tote onto the arm of your sewing machine.  I like to start at a side seam, and be sure and backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.   And again, a walking foot will really help with all of those layers ;)

And with the top all stitched, you can now pull the Patchwork side of the tote out through hole in the bottom of the lining.  This part is like magic to me!!  I love how the patchwork, handles, and lining comes out of the hole perfectly sewn together, so fun!!!

And now with it's job done, we need to close up the hole.  So press the raw edges of the hole in the lining inward and pin it closed.  Then stitch the hole shut using a whipstitch if you are doing it by hand or machine stitch using a small 1/8" seam.   Then Push the lining back into the Patchwork of the tote with wrong sides together.

Move over to the rounded end of your ironing board and place the tote around the edge.  Press the top seam flat.  It will want to roll up a bit, but just use your fingers to roll it back down and press it in place.  You'll want a super hot heat on your iron for this ;)

Once it is pressed nice and flat, go back to your machine and stitch a 1/8" seam along the pressed edge.  Again, I like to start at the side seam and backstitch a few stitches at the beginning and end of my seam.  And take care while stitching to keep the handles out of the way :)   This topstitch  will keep the lining in the tote and the edges nice and crsip.

STEP 6  - ENJOY AND REPEAT

And before you know it, you are done!!!   Now just sit back and enjoy your Charming Tote!!!  It finishes at 18" x 16" x 4" so it really is the perfect size to tote around with you.  And don't stop there, grab another Charm Pack or 5" Stacker and get started on your next Charming Tote!!  They really are just so much fun to make, I have lost track of how many I have whipped up :)

 I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Charming Tote I would love to see it!!  You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com or add it to my flickr group here or post it to social media with the hashtag #happyquiltingwithmc ;)  I can't wait to see your Charming Totes!!!

  

Thank you so much to Riley Blake Designs for letting me play with these beautiful new Neverland Fabrics by Jill Howarth!!  They are absolutely adorable and made this Charming Tote into a treasure for a special girl :)   And thank you so much for stopping in today to share this tutorial.  It has been so fun to share it with all of you!!!

Have a very Happy Quilting ( and Charming ) Day!!!