American Patchwork and Quilting

American Patchwork and Quilting has put us up to the challenge once again but this time with an amazing Blog Hop. In support of the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge effort, we were asked to make the Train Pillowcase – Pattern 32 for the Challenge… and to be CREATIVE with it. Get the full instructions and templates for the pillowcase here.

The team behind this charitable effort is so amazing and stories/photos that have been shared are so inspiring. If you have not heard about the Million Pillowcase Challenge, you can learn more about how you can help here.

So with the blog hop challenge, I thought… why not go BIG or go home… right? So, I first blew the template Patterns A-E up to 200%, traced templates A-D onto my fusible web and ironed them onto the wrong side of my fabrics.

I selected 5 Fat Quarters from Flats fabric collection by Angela Yosten for Moda Fabrics for all my template pieces. Please note: for a complete supplies list for your pillowcase, visit http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/freepatterns/index.html

From template Pattern E, I cut 2 pieces right sides together.

I then stitched along the sides and top curve, leaving the bottom open for turning.

Before turning the train car right side out, I clipped along the curved edge just to the seam so the seam would lay flat when turned right side out.

I then pinned and stitched the car behind the train engine leaving the top curved edge open. Finally, I machine stitched and hand stitched all the applique pieces using Flats Thread collection from Aurifil Threads. Make a set of Flats dolls and pets from the panels and insert them in the car for loads of fun!