Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Scrappy Fabric Wreath

It's the month full of love, which reminded me to pull out the Valentines Scrappy Fabric Wreath I made a few years ago.   I just love how happy and scrappy these wreaths are :)   And talk about a great scrap buster!!!  


I actually wrote a full step by step tutorial for making these Scrappy Fabric Wreaths right over here.  Later it was shared on the AccuQuilt site, because using the  1 1/2" Strip Cutter Die makes cutting up all those scraps so much quicker ;)  


And AccuQuilt actually just added 2 Printable Options!!!   You can Print the Full Step by Step tutorial with all the pictures by surfing down to the end of the tutorial post and entering your email and clicking download, like shown below.   But you have to follow the link to do it, it won't work on this picture ;)  
Or, if you want less of a tutorial, and more of just a Pattern, (very few pictures) you can go here and download it for free.  Just click the Download Button ;)  



I am so excited that AccuQuilt made this more convenient with printable options!!  Thanks my friends.   And of course, these aren't just for Valantine's day :)   The possibilities are endless for Scrappy Fabric Wreath creations.   They make wonderful projects for kids and teens and you can find the wreath frames at your local dollar store so they are super affordable to make.   We have had so much fun making these and have given a lot of them away for special friends and family!!   I hope you enjoy your own happy Scrappy Fabric Wreath making!!!



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


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Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!

 It's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!! Let's have some fun :)

First, we need to announce the winner from last Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!  
The winner of the Sweet Moda Mix Fat Quarter Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop . . .   Number #832  . . . Congrats Cindy Shelley!  I have messaged you :)  

          
               
And on to today's

Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Olie and Evie.  Rhonda's shop is so fun and full of so much amazing quilting goodness!!!!  Of course, there is the amazing fabric shop we all know and love along with longarm quiltinggift certificatespreorders, and an awesome Clearance Sale, and Rhonda has just added lots of items to the Clearance Sale so be sure to check it out.   Oh, and save big with Free Shipping on all orders over $80.  Just use code "FreeShipping80" at checkout!!   So fun shopping!!!


And Rhonda's has a fantastic Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!!     Olie and Evie  is giving one lucky winner a $25.00 Gift Certificate!!!    So awesome, someone is going to get a wonderful shopping spree and get just what they want :)  


You have two entry chances here on the blog, and please leave a separate comment for each.  All Entries are welcome, including International Entries.   Please just be sure to leave an email address if you are a no-reply blogger ;)  

ENTRY 1 - Simply leave a comment that tells me What is your Favorite Thing to do When you are All Alone??? :)

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Olie and Evie love.   You can follow them on  FacebookInstagram  or Pinterest or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Olie and Evie Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, February 15th, when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

You can also pop over to my Instagram and/or Facebook to enter there as well :)  

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Monday, February 7, 2022

Coming in Spring!!

 It's one of those secret share day!!!   Last Spring I was asked by the fabulous folks at Martingale Publishing to create a quilt for their newest compilation book, Rollin' Along!!!  And can you tell from the title it is all about Jelly Roll Quilts :)  The book will be released on March 31st and it is full of so many wonderful quilts ;)





Isn't this cover just so much fun, just makes me long for Spring!!!  I can't wait to be able to share more!!!  And I will give you a little hint . . . my quilt is featured on the back cover.   Can you guess which one it is???  Ohh, so exciting!!!!



I'll be back tomorrow with Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day :)

Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!

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Friday, February 4, 2022

Heartfelt Quilt Along - Beloved Blocks

 I am so excited for the start of the Heartfelt Quilt Along!!!  This is Fat Quarter Shop's 9th Annual Charity Quilt Along and they are always my favorite :)        The 1st Friday of each month will be a new release for blocks and today are the Beloved Blocks.   And aren't these just so adorable!!!



I am loving the Graphite Cross Weave background with my Flirt fabrics by Sweetwater.  I really think it is going to just make all of those prints pop!!!   This is going to make a quilt just full of love!!! 




So are you joining in with the Heart Felt fun???   You can download the block pattern right here and it is requested for each pattern you download to donate $5.00  to the Make a Wish Foundation :)  And I am super excited to say that even though it has just started,  Fat Quarter Shop's annual charity QAL has already raised over $39,000!!!  The goal is $1000,000 which will allow for 16 wishes to be granted.  How awesome is that!!!  And Moda Fabrics and Fat Quarter Shop have joined to match up to $30,000 :)  So many amazing wishes :)



Be sure to share all of your Heartfelt progress on social media with #heartfeltqal and check out Fat Quarter Shops post for the Beloved Blocks for lots more Heart Felt Inspiration!!!  And you can see the Beloved Blocks You Tube Tutorial right here ;)  

And that's it for the First Release in the Heart Felt Quilt Along!!!!      

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!



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Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Simple Lattice Quilt and Tutorial

Today I am thrilled to be bringing you a new quilt and a tutorial to go along with it! I just love simple patchwork and so I wanted to share my favorite way to make Simple Lattice Blocks. No stitch and flip with lots of drawing lines today. These are made with very little waste and go together so quick and come out perfect every time with a quick trim!! And the best thing is, once you learn the technique for making the Simple Lattice Block, you can use it for any size block you like.

For our tutorial today, we are using a 10"Stacker of Red Hot! I make a lot of red, white, and black quilts to be donated to my Alma Mater, Southern Utah University, and this collection was just the perfect fit for another fun Alumni quilt. And I love that this fabric line has a print from 21 different Riley Blake Designers making it super scrappy and happy in all it's designed goodness. This quilt is pre-cut friendly, so just grab a Stacker and some Sashing fabric (I used Blossom Black) and you are ready to make up your quilt!

The quilt finishes at 60" x 70" so it makes for a perfect lap size quilt. It is a wonderful go-to gift when you need to whip up something quick and looks amazing in any prints!! So, let's get to making your own!!!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

To make your own Simple Lattice Quilt you will need

One 10" Stacker or Layer Cake

2 Yards of Sashing/Binding Fabric

4 Yards of Backing Fabric

STEP 1 - CUTTING

Cut each of the (42) 10" x 10" squares in your 10" Stacker in half once diagonally to make 84 triangles. Set these aside.

From your Sashing/Binding Fabric cut the following:

(7) 2 1/2" x WOF Strips for Binding

(3) 15 1/2" x WOF Strips and from each strip sub-cut

(14) 2 1/2" x 15 1/2" sashing strips for a total of (42) 2 1/2" x 15 1/2" sashing strips

STEP 2 - MAKING THE LATTICE BLOCK

And with the cutting done, we are ready to do some stitching. To make a block you will need 2 triangles of different fabrics, and 1 2 1/2" x 15 1/2" sashing strip. Lay them out as as shown below.

Place the sashing strip onto the left hand side triangle with right sides together. Align the edge, and center the sashing strip on the triangle. You don't have to measure that perfectly, just eyeball it.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the side.

Lay the stitched pieces back out again, and place the right hand side triangle onto the sashing strip with right sides together. Align the edge, and again, eyeball to center the sashing strip on the triangle. Stitch a 1/4" seam along the side. Making the block is as simple as that. You need to make 42 Simple Lattice Blocks for this quilt.

So, to save time and thread, we will chain stitch! If you have never chain stitched before, it is just simply not cutting threads between each unit, but sewing a long string of each unit one after the other. So, even though that means you will be stitching along the edge of your strip set where there is no triangle on the top and bottom of each unit, it is still faster than stopping and starting each unit, and uses about the same amount of thread.  

Stitch a 1/4" seam on the right hand side of each sashing strip . When you are finished, clip the threads between each Strip Set Unit.

Then, Stitch a 1/4" seam on the left hand side of each sashing strip . When you are finished, clip the threads between each Strip Set Unit.

And just like that, you have 42 Simple Lattice blocks all ready for pressing and trimming!

STEP 3 - TRIMMING THE LATTICE BLOCK

So let's get to pressing. You want to press both of your seams in the same direction so as to allow you to nest your blocks when sewing the quilt top together. I find the easiest way to do that is to place a triangle on my ironing board face up, and then press the first seam towards the sashing strip from the front. I use my finger in front of the iron to flatten the seam and ensure it is pressing upwards.

Then, I continue pressing upwards, pressing the second seam towards the triangle. Now both seams are pressed in the same direction.

And now we need to add one more press for a trimming reference. Fold the Simple Lattice Block in half exactly, you know it will be exact if the seams of the sashing nest together. Press a fold into the exact middle of the sashing strip.

And now you are ready to trim. We will be trimming our Simple Lattice Blocks to 10 1/2" square. So to do this, place a large square ruler over your block. Ensure that the fabric on the left hand side and bottom is over the 10 1/2" markings on your ruler and that the diagonal center line on your square ruler is matched up with the pressed line in the center of the sashing strip. That is the most important! Once you are lined up, trim the left hand side and top along the edge of the ruler.

Now, simply rotate the block 180 degrees and line up the trimmed edges with the 10 1/2" marks on your ruler. The diagonal center line on your ruler will once again align with the pressed center line. Once you are lined up, trim the side and top along the edge of the ruler.

And last but not least, you no longer need that pressed line in your sashing for reference, so I like to spray it with a little water and steam it out.    Trim all 42 of your Simple Lattice Blocks.


STEP 4 - SEWING THE QUILT TOP

And with your trimmed Simple Lattice Blocks, you are ready to sew your quilt top. There are endless layout options with a Simple Lattice Block, and you are welcome to try them all out, or just follow this simple layout I used. The most important thing though, when laying out your blocks is to ensure that your pressed seams go in opposite directions as shown. That will allow you to nest them when sewing the blocks together and ensure nice perfect points. Once you get a layout you like, I find it helpful to mark my rows or take a picture of the layout so you can refer back to it once you have sewn and pressed.

Now, it's time to sew the rows together. Place the second block onto the first block in each row with right sides together. Align and pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. (shown in the first row, chain stitch all 5 rows). Then, place the third block onto the now sewn together first and second blocks with right sides together. (shown in the second row). Align and pin the seams and then stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. Continue in this fashion until all 6 blocks have been stitched together in a row in all 7 rows.  

Once all of the blocks are sewn into rows press the seams in each row open. Then layout your rows again.

Now, stitching the rows together is the same, just in a longer fashion. Place the second row onto the first row with right sides together. Align and Pin all of your seams. Sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.  

Then, place the third row onto the now sewn together first and second row, with right sides together. Align and pin all of the seams. Sew a 1/4" seam along the edge. Continue in this fashion until all of your rows are sewn together. Press the seams open.

And just like that, you have a beautiful 60 1/2" x 80 1/2" finished Simple Lattice Quilt Top!!!!  So fun!!!!

And again, the great thing is the technique is the same regardless of what size square you start with or what width of sashing you add. Just ensure your sashing is longer than the long triangle length and when you trim up your block, just trim it to a slightly smaller size than the untrimmed block. And the sky is the limit!!!


STEP 5 - FINISHING THE QUILT

Before you start making all of the size Simple Lattice Blocks, let's finish up this 10" Stacker Simple Lattice Quilt first!! All that is left is to just Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind it!!!! Yup, three big things in one little sentence. If you are new to quilting and need some tips on how to Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It, you can check out my Finishing Your Quilt Video Series. It will walk you through it all in step by step detail.  

I quilted mine with an all over loose feather design that I just love to stitch. It is so relaxing and fun, and also very fast, perfect for this fast, go-to, quilt!!!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and if you make your own Simple Lattice Quilt I would love to see it!! You can email me a picture at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com, or post it to social media with #happyquiltingwithmc :)  I can't wait to see your Simple Lattice Quilts!!!

Thanks so much for sharing this new quilt finish and tutorial with me.

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

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