Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Top Spin Quilt & Tutorial

First off, I want to say a huge Thank You for all the sweet birthday wishes from yesterday ;)  It was a lovely day spent with family and you just can't ask for more than that!!

And Now, Today I am super excited to be sharing a new Moda Bake Shop Tutorial today!!!!  It's called Top Spin and I just love it!!!!


This is a whole lot of Half Square Triangle goodness in a fun diagonal layout that just gives it a wonderful geometric feel!!!  I just love the rotating sizes of HST's that really adds to the movement and dimension of the quilt.  And the scrappy low volume background is just so fun!!!!


The fabrics in Top Spin are Zen Chic's new Hey Dot line.    I just love the bright bold colors that just pop out from the fun white/light grey background prints.   I mean, how can you not see this and smile at all of that bright polka dot goodness!!!


And now that this Moda Bake Shop Tutorial has been published for a while, I can now post it here on my blog for your convenience ;)   So just follow along below for the full step-by-step tutorial.  And if you love it, you can get the printerfriendly version here :)  

Top Spin Finishes at 96" x 96".
So . . . Let's get to how to make your own Top Spin Quilt!!!!  Here is what you will need :

1 Fat Quarter Bundle of Hey Dot by Zen Chic
6 1/2  yards of assorted background fabrics
9 yards backing fabric
1 yard binding fabric

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STEP 1 - CUTTING

Start by pressing 32 Fat Quarters from your Fat Quarter Bundle (I used all of the bright colors and left out those that had a white background.)
Cut (2) 6" x 6" squares, (2) 5" x 5" squares, and (2) 4" x 4" squares from each of the 32 Fat Quarters.
You will have a total of (64) 6" x 6" squares, (64) 5" x 5" squares, and (64)  4" x 4" squares
From your assorted low volume background yardage cut the following:
(64) 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" rectangles
(64) 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"  rectangles
(64) 3 1/2" x 9 1/2"  rectangles
(64) 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles

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STEP 2 - HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

And with all of the cutting done, we are ready to start sewing.  We will start with Half Square Triangle Units.  Gather 32 squares (that is 1 of each print) from each of your 3 sizes of squares.  (So you should have 96 squares at the moment.)  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each squares.  I like to use a Frixon pen so my lines will erase with heat.

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Now, place a marked square with an unmarked square of the same size with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along either side of the drawn line.  You will be doing this for all 32 sets of each of the 3 sizes  (96 sets total).

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The easiest and quickest way to do this is to chain stitch.  So go ahead and pair up all 96 sets.  You can pin along either side of the drawn line if you like.  Then stitch a 1/4" seam along the left hand side of the line.  When you reach the end of one square, don't stop, just feed the next sew of squares into the machine.   Continue in this fashion until you have stitched along the left hand side of all 96 sets in the 3 sizes.

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Then clip the threads in between your squares and get ready to do it all over again.  Only this time, you are stitching on the right hand side of the drawn line.  Again, feed all 96 sets through your machine and then clip the threads between the sets.

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Now, align your ruler along the drawn line and cut directly on the line.  This creates 2 triangles.  Go ahead and cut all 96 sets.   And then you can move over to your ironing board.  Press your seam allowances on all 192 Half Square Triangle units to one side.  I like to press to the darker fabric.

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And go ahead and and put your squares into piles of 64 Large squares, 64 Medium squares, and 64 Small squares.  And you are all set for some serious trimming.  I recommend turning on a favorite movie at this point ;)

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Trim your 64 Large Half Square Triangles to 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.   Trim your 64 Medium Half Square Triangles to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" square.  And finally, trim your 64 Small Half Square Triangles to 3 1/2" x  3 1/2" square.  If you are new to trimming Half Square Triangles you can see this little Half Square Triangle Tutorial to help you along.  And as you can see, I am a big fan of the Bloc Loc Rulers for trimming ;)

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I know, it takes a little while to do all of that trimming, but trust me, it is totally worth it as it allows you to get super pretty points!!!  So now you should have 3 piles of 64 Half Square Triangle each trimmed perfectly to the following sizes.

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STEP 3 - MAKING THE BLOCK

And now we can move on to making the block.  There are 3 Rows in this block and we will start with the bottom row. Layout a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" HST and a 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" background rectangle as shown below.  Be Careful to make sure the HST is pointing in the same direction as shown (they are easy to get flipped around).  Place the HST onto the rectangle with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam allowance towards the background rectangle.  Repeat to make 64 Bottom Rows.

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And onto the Top Row.  Layout a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" HST and a 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" background rectangle as shown below.  Again, double check the HST placement.  Place the HST onto the rectangle with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Press the seam allowance towards the background rectangle.  Repeat to make 64 Top Rows.

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And finally, the Center Row.  Layout a 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" background rectangle, a 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"  HST and a 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" background rectangle as shown below.  Double check that HST.  Place the 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" background rectangle onto the HST  with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.   Then place the 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" rectangle onto the now sewn together HST with right sides together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  Press the seam allowances outwards toward the background rectangles.  Repeat to make 64 Center Rows.

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And while you are making the 3 Rows, once again Chain Stitching will save you a whole lot of time.  I like to stack up all 64 of my rows and place them next to my machine.  Then just keep stitching away until you are done all 64.  Then move onto the other 2 rows.  You will be done in no time ;)

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And now, you are ready to sew your rows into a block.  Layout your 3 rows as shown below.  (Once again, I like to stack all 64 of mine up so I can just chain stitch as I go ;)

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Start by sewing the Top and Center Row together.   Place the Top Row onto the Center Row with right sides together.  Nest (and Pin if you like) the seam together and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

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Then place the Bottom Row onto the now sewn together Top and Center Row with right sides together.  Nest (and pin if you like) the Rows together and sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.    Then press the seam allowances open.

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Repeat or Chain Stitch for all 64 Blocks.  They should measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished.

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STEP 4 - MAKING THE QUILT TOP

And now, the blocks are ready to be sewing into a quilt top.  There are 2 different row layouts in this quilt and 4 rows of each layout.   Layout your blocks in the following two layouts, stacking 4 rows on top of each layout.

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Now you can sew the rows together.  To do this, place the second block onto the first with right sides together and pin if you like.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge. (shown in row 2)  Now place the Third block onto the now sewn together Blocks 1 and 2 with right sides together and pin if you like.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.  (shown in row 3).

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Continue in this fashion until you have sewn all the blocks in the row together.  Then repeat to sew all 8 rows together, 4 rows each of the 2 different layouts.   Press the 4 rows in the first layout to the left and Press the 4 roes in the second layout to the right.  This will allow you to nest them later.

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And now, all that is left is sewing the rows into a quilt top.  (Sorry, my room is a little small for this large quilt, it didn't quite all fit in the picture ;)   Layout your rows alternating the two row layouts as shown below.

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And now it is just like sewing the blocks into rows, only on a much larger scale.  Place the first row onto the second row with right sides together.  Nest and Pin the seams together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

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Now, place the third row onto the now sewn together first and second row with right sides together.  Nest and Pin the seams together.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge.

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Continue in this fashion sewing the rows together.  I like to sew the first 4 rows together and then start over sewing the last 4 rows together.  This just means I have less bulk at the machine to deal with ;)   And then all that is left is to place the two halves together with right sides together, nest and pin the seams, and then sew a 1/4" seam along the edge.

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And your quilt top is all sewn together!!!  Now just press the seams to one side or open, whichever your prefer, and you quilt top is done!!!  Wasn't that so fast and fun!!!

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STEP 5 - FINISH THE QUILT

So . . . Let's finish it up ;)  Time to  Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)

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I had a lot of fun quilting up this quilt ;)  I quilted my favorite small Swirl and Curl in the Background and double arches in the HST's.  You can really see how it stands out on the awesome backing fabric, so fun!!!

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Then just cut your Binding Yardage into (10) 2 1/2" x 42" strips to make a binding and bind your quilt.   And all that is left is to sit back and snuggle in that wonderful quilty goodness :)

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STEP 6 - ENJOY

Top Spin finishes at 96" x 96" making it the perfect fit for your queen size bed.  And with all of that wonderful movement and happy prints, it is sure to make you smile each time you see it ;)

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


This quilt is so fun in a matching line, but it would also be a great scrap buster quilt!!!   Think of all the low volume scraps you could burn through and how fun it would be to selectively pick out fabrics for all of those wonderful HST's.   And you could also piece all those HST's as Leaders And Enders so it could be one of those awesome bonus quilts too ;)  So fun!!!  


And one last note on Top Spin that really makes me smile :)  I made this quilt specifically for a family member that is having some health struggles at the moment.   And I got the nicest picture from her the other day of it on her bed and a note of how happy it makes her.   And that is why I love making quilts, they really are warm hugs that can be shared each day!!!!

Thanks for popping in today and each and every day!!!   I truly feel blessed each day to be part of such an amazing industry and to get to share it with so many wonderful quilty friends!!

 I hope you all have a very Happy Quilting Day!!!!
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Day!!!

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

First,  we need to announce the winner from last weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!   The winner of the $25.00 Gift Certificate to Lou Lou's Fabric Shop  is . . .   Number #216 . . . Congrats  Dawn!!! I have emailed you :)    

  


    
And on to today's



Today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway is being sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.   Fat Quarter Shop is amazing and they never cease to amaze me with everything they have going on at their shop!!!     And did you know they have a Pre-cut Special every week!!!  I love me some pre-cuts!!!!

Fabric Precuts of the Week


And for today's Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Fat Quarter Shop is giving one luck reader a $50.00 Fat Quarter Shop Gift Certificate!!!! Someone is going to have a whole lot of fun shopping!!!



You have two entry chances, the second being optional, 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 has the number 37 in it!!   (So ya, it's my 37th Birthday today and I am excited to celebrate 37 amazing years ;)  

 ENTRY 2 - Show your Fat Quarter Shop love.   You can follow them on   FacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestYou Tube or at their Blog.  You can Sign up for their Newsletter which will ensure you catch all of their amazing sales, or you can visit The Shop and then share a favorite item ;)   Just be sure to leave a comment of how you showed your Fat Quarter Shop Love!!!

And that's it ;)  The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday, August 23rd , when I will announce a winner at the beginning of next weeks Terrific Tuesday Giveaway Post :)

Good Luck and Have a Happy Quilting Day!!!
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Monday, August 15, 2016

Crossroads Quilt Along - Quilt Top

Yippee, it's the 15th and that means it is time for another Crossroads Quilt Along post !!!    And today is so very exciting because we are finishing up the Quilt Top!!!!  EEEkkk, I just love seeing a quilt top come together and I am just over the moon with how the  Crossroads Quilt Along quilt has come together!!!.


And you will probably have noticed, I still have to add a few borders, but I was so excited about all the blocks together I just couldn't not share ;)     I am happy to say that I did manage to get all my HST's on a roll pieced and cut last weekend, now I just need to tear out the papers and press them.  (And yes, I got bogged down on the tear the papers out part, le sigh.)    But no worries, I will get those borders on soon ;)


But back to the rest of the quilt top because it is just to cute not to see a few more times.   I just love the fun scrappy chain that ties all of those adorable little 8" blocks together.   I really am just thrilled with how adorable it is not that it is all together ;)     It totally keeps making me think of Little House on the Prairie and I just love that about it,


If you sewing along or want to join in on the fun,  you can download the finishing pattern right here and then don't forget to donate the $5.00 for the pattern to the March of Dimes  ;)  This QAL is is coming to a close soon but there is still time to raise funds for premature babies.  It is just incredible to see how much has already been done to help!!



And like always,  Kimberly and Joanna , have made a fabulous You Tube video that walks you through putting the quilt top together step by step.  So if you have never played with HST's on a roll, you are going to learn something new ;)  




Be sure to  share all of your Crossroads progress on social media with #crossroadsquiltalong and check out these fabulous bloggers who are quilting along for some Chain Block inspiration :)  

Joanna of Fig Tree Quilts (@figtreequilts)
Pat Sloan (@quilterpatsloan)
April of Prairie Grass Patterns (@amrosenthal)
Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)
Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)
Angie of Gnome Angel (@gnomeangel)
Vanessa of Lella Boutique (@lellaboutique)
Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)
Erin of Why Not Sew (@whynotsewquilts)
Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)
Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)
Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)
Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

 See you on the 15th of September when we will be making the Backing, almost all done!!!!  So exciting!!!

Thanks for popping in today ;)  Have a Happy Quilting Day!!
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Friday, August 12, 2016

Summer Sleepover Set - A Tutorial!!!

I am so super excited to share with you this new Tutorial today!!!   When I was asked by the lovely folks at Quilting Treasures if I wanted to play with some of their new fabrics, my children just about flipped!!!!  Let's just say they are pretty big fans of  The Secret Life of Pets Fabric as well as the Minion Fabric so I knew right away that my tutorial needed to be something for them.  And what could be cuter than a Summer Sleepover Set of Quilt, Pillow, and Bag!!!


Aren't those sets just so much fun!!!!!   Yes, I think we are going to be having a few quick sleepovers before school starts so the kids can try these out :)

  

So . . . Let's get to how we make them!!!!

I will be showing the Tutorial using The Secret Life of Pets Fabric paired with some Sorbet Basics.   But no worries if you are a Bob, Kevin and Stuart Fan, I will share the fabrics for the Minion version at the end of the tutorial ;)


THE QUILT

We will start with the Quilt.  For the Quilt you will need:
1 Panel - This measures 24" x 42"
1 1/3 Yards of Backing Fabric
2/3 Yard of Side Border Fbric
3/8 Yard of Binding Fabric
1/3 Yard of Border  Fabric
   I aligned the tags below with the fabrics so you can see exactly which fabrics I used for what :)

From your Side Border fabric cut (4) 6 1/2" x 21" rectangles.  From this fabric, you want to cut them horizontally or long-wise, this way the cats won't be facing side wards along the quilt ;)  So just cut your folded fabric 21" wide, and then cut the 6 1/2" strips across ;)


Then from your Binding Fabric cut (5) 2 1/2" x WOF Strips.  I like to trim the selvages from them at this time so they are ready to be put in a binding strip.  Go ahead sent set them aside ;)
And finally, from your Border Fabric cut (4) 2 1/2" x WOF Strips.  You can trim these selvages now or later when you attach them to the quilt ;)


And now, all that is left is to trim your Panel ;)  Along the two sides of your Panel, trim the excess fabric right along the edge of the white border, where it meets the "cutting" section.


Then to create the same border along the top and bottom of the panel, trim 1/2" over from the edge of the white and purple, so that you have the same size border ;)


And now the cutting is done and it is time to start sewing ;)   Grab your Side Border rectangles and place 2 with right sides together end to end and stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge to make a 6 1/2" x 42" strip.  Then repeat to make a second strip.


Press the seams in one direction.  Now place them along the sides of your panel.  This is going to help "square up" that skinny panel so we have a big enough quilt ;)


Place the Side borders along the sides of the panel with right sides together aligning the edges.  Pin if you like.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the edge of either border and then trim off the excess fabric.


Press the seam allowances outwards towards the side border.  And now you can add your skinny border.  Place your 4 Border 2 1/2" x WOF strips along the 4 sides of your quilt.


Place your two side skinny borders onto your pieced panel with right sides together aligning raw edges.   Pin if you like.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along either side and then trim the excess fabric hanging over.


Press the seam allowances outwards towards the skinny border.  And now it is just repeat on the top and bottom.


Place the top and bottom skinny border onto the pieced panel with right sides together and aligning raw edges.  Pin if you like.  Stitch a 1/4" seam along the top and bottom and then trim the excess fabric.

Now just Press the seam allowances outwards towards the skinny borders.  And your quilt top is done!!!!

So now all that is left to do is Baste It, Quilt It, and Bind It!!!  Which is a whole lot in one little sentence.  If you are new to quilting, you can see my Finishing Your Quilt Series of video tutorials that will walk you through Basting, Quilting, and Binding step by step ;)


And just like that, you have an adorable 38" x 42" quilt perfect for a little summer sleepover!!!


THE PILLOW

And now, Let's move onto the Pillowcase.  For the Pillowcase you will need:
3/4 Yard of Main Pillow Fabric
1/3 Yard of Cuff Fabric
   Again, the tags show you exactly which fabrics I used for what :)

         From your Main Pillow Fabric cut a 26 1/2" x 41" rectangle.  (so 20 1/2" up on your mat with the fold aligned along the 0 horizontal line and then 26 1/2" wide ;)
           From your Cuff Fabric, cut a 11" x 41" rectangle.   (So 20 1/2" up on your mat and 11" wide ;)

Fold your Main Pillow Rectangle in half along the original fold line but with right sides together now.  This creates a 20 1/2" x 26 1/2" rectangle.  Align and Pin the 2 raw edges.  Sew a 1/2" seam along the two pinned edges.


 Now go ahead and finish those two sewn edges.   You can do this with a Serger if you have one, or use a tight Zig-Zag stitch on your domestic machine along the two sewn edges.  This will keep the edges on the inside of your pillowcase from fraying in the wash.


Now turn your pillowcase right side out and gently roll the seams outwards and press them flat.   Be sure that none of the seam is left tucked in the case.  Then go ahead and set this aside for the moment.


And now, we can move onto the cuff of the pillowcase.  Grab the 11" x 41" Cuff Rectangle and place it with right sides together.  Stitch a 1/2" seam along the short side of the fabric.


Press the seam open.  I know not everyone likes pressing seams open, but this helps to avoid bulk.


Now flip the cuff right sides out and fold it in half and press.   It helps if you match the two sides of the Original Fold and the Seam and pin them in place.  This just makes it easier to get the cuff aligned in the next step.


Now, grab your pillowcase again and slide your cuff onto the opening of the pillowcase with the raw edges of the cuff aligning with the raw edges of the pillow opening.  Align the raw edges along the sides first where the folds are and the seams.   Pin those in place first.  Then align the rest of the edges of the cuff and pillowcase and pin them in place.


Now sew a 1/2" seam along the pinned edge all the way around the pillowcase opening.  Backstitch a few stitches at the beginning and end of your stitching.


And once again, Finish the edge with a Serger or with a tight Zig-Zag stitch to keep the raw edge from fraying.


Now, press the seam allowance down towards the main part of the pillow case.  I found the easiest way to do this was to drape the pillow around the small end of my ironing board.


Finally, Do a topstitch 1/4" from the edge of the cuff and main part of the pillow case.  This will secure down the seam you just finished and keep it in place and just gives it a nice finish.


And all that is left is to stuff a pillow inside the Pillowcase and then maybe take a nice nap ;)


THE CINCH BAG

But don't drift off quite yet, because we have to make the Cinch Bag!!  For the Bag you will need:
3/8 Yard of Main Bag Fabric
3/8 Yard of Lining Fabric
1/6 Yard of Cuff & Tabs Fabric
   And once again, the tags show you exactly which fabrics I used for what :)



From each of the Main Bag Fabric and the Lining Fabric cut a 13" x 30" rectangle.   (so 15" up on your mat with the fold aligned along the 0 horizontal line and then 13" wide ;)
From the Cuff and Tab Fabric Cut a 5" x WOF Strip and then subcut it into (1) 5" x 25" strip for the Cuff and (1) 5" x 17" Strip for the Tabs


We will start with the Cuff and Tabs  Strips.  Fold them each in half and then set aside the longer strip that we will be using for the cuff.   (Well get back to that later ;)


Open the 5" x 17" strip and then fold the two sides back to the center fold line and press.


Now fold the two halves together to make your strip.  Stitch a seam 1/8" along both sides of the strip to secure the open end together and to make nice top-stitching.


Now from the Strip, cut (2) 3" long tabs.  The rest of the strip you won't need (but it could make a really cute key-fob to match your set ;)


Now, place your Bag fabric rectangle with right sides up opening it at the fold.  Fold your Tabs in half and pin them in place with raw edges aligned 1" up from the fold line of your bag.


Now place the bottom half of your Main Fabric back up onto the top half with right sides together aligning raw edges and pin it in place along the two sides.  Stitch a 1/2" seam along the pinned sides.  Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and ending of each seam.  I also back-stitched over the tabs to help secure them in place and so they will hold up with use.


Now, turn your bag right side out and roll the seam out so that there is no part of the bag left inside.  Press the seams flat.  Now set this aside so we can move onto the lining.


 Place your Lining rectangle with right sides together Aligning the raw edges along the sides and pin them in place.  The fold should be along the bottom of your rectangle.  Stitch 1/2" seam along the two pinned sides, again, backstitching along the beginning and ending of your seam.


Now, keeping the lining with right sides together, slip the Lining into the Bag, aligning the Seams and folds on the sides and the Raw Edges along the top of the bag.  And once again, you can set this aside for the moment while we work on the cuff of the Cinch Bag.


And this Cuff is a lot like the Pillow Cuff with just a few changes.  So, Grab that folded 5: x 25" strip of Cuff fabric we set aside earlier.  Open the fold and fold it in half the other way (long way) with right sides together aligning the raw edges.  Sew a 1/2" seam along the short edge.


Once again, Press this seam open.


Now, Flip your tube right side out and then Center the seam you just pressed in the middle of the tube.  Press the two sides once the seam is center.  These will match up with the two sides of your bag and be where you will add your button holes.


So now, let's mark those mentioned button holes.  Directly along either fold line you just made, Mark a button home 1 1/4" up from the bottom of the cuff and make the marking 1" long.  Remember to mark this along both fold lines, one on each side of the cuff.


Now, using your machines directions, stitch a Button Hole over the marking.


And now, we can add the cuff onto the bag.   Once again, fold your cuff in half longwise with wrong sides together and make sure the button holes are on the inside of the cuff tube.  Slide the cuff onto the Bag and Lining that you set aside with the raw edges of the cuff aligning with the raw edges of the Bag and Lining.  Be sure that you can't see those button holes once you slide your cuff on as they should be on the inside.


Now align the seams along the sides of the bag first, matching the folds of the Cuff with the Fold or Seam of the Bag/Lining and pin them in place.  Then continue to align the raw edges of the Cuff and  Bag/Lining and pin all of the layers together.


Now stitch a 1/2" seam along the pinned edge all the way around your bag opening.  Backstich at the beginning end end of your seam.


And you guessed it, Finish the raw edge around the bag opening with either a serger or a very tight Zig-Zag stitch to avoid fraying.


And now, just like the pillow, press the seam allowance down towards the main part of the bag using the end of your iron to  drape around the opening of the bag.

Finally, Do a topstitch 1/4" from the edge of the cuff and main part of the bag.  This will secure down the seam you just finished and keep it in place and just gives it a nice finish.


And all that is left is to make the Cinch Bag Cinchy ;)   To do this you will need some Parachute Cord.  I found this at JoAnn's and they have it in all different colors.


Start by cutting your Parachute Cord in half to make 2 cords.   Put a safety pin through the not cut end (ie manufacture sealed end) of one of your cords.


Holding on to the safety pin, feed the cord through a button hole on the cuff, around the entire cuff, and back out the same button hole.


Now Pull on the short end to even out the two ends of the cord and then feed them through the tab at the bottom of your bag.


Now, using the second cord, repeat the above two steps only on the other side of the bag and going through the other button hole.  They to keep the cords from crossing inside the cuff.  I found it helpful to just push the previous cord all the way to the top of the cuff and then feed this one through the bottom.


Now just simply tie the ends in a knot.  I left a generous amount of hang as shown below.  Clip the excess cording and then use a lighter to melt the edges together so they don't fray.


And all that is left is to toss a change of clothes, a toothbrush, and hair brush in and then Cinch up your Cinch Bag so you are all set to go  ;)



And there you have it!!!!   One Secret Life of Pets  Summer Sleepover Set that comes together in no time and really is so much fun to put together!!!!


And like I mentioned at the beginning, There is also a  Minion Fan version!!!! It is all the same process (except one step listed below) and I have listed all of the Fabric's I used for each part of the project following this picture :)   Have fun!!!


For the Quilt . . . .


And you will notice there are not Side Border Fabric's in the above fabrics.  That is because the Minion Panel is larger, so you can just skip that step ;)  And when you go to trim the Minion Panel, simply trim right along the edge of the Navy Border.


For the Pillowcase . . .  

And for the Cinch Bag . . .  


And there you have One Minion Summer Sleepover Set that is just as cute as the first set.


So ya, you might find you need more than one Summer Sleepover Set as well.  I think I need to make 3 more so that every little one in my house has a set and a huge smile!!!!  Whether they like The Secret Life of Pets (Cats or Dogs) or Minions, it all just ends up with total cuteness!!!!


I hope you have enjoyed these tutorials and if you make your own Summer Sleepover Set I would love it 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 Summer Sleepover Sets!!!!


Thank you so much for stopping in today to share this tutorial.
I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!!

Linking up to Quilt Story ;) 

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