Heart Garden Quilt

Hello everyone! It’s Ellie from CraftSewCreate! To celebrate Valentine’s Day I thought I’d bring you a tutorial on my Heart Garden Quilt. This quilt actually has a story. If you’d like to know more on why I created it, click here. It was made with the idea that love will always grow and our hearts are bound forever. I hope that you can make it for someone special in your life or as a fun way to celebrate the holiday.

One Layer Cake (I used Giddy by Sandy Gervais)
1/2 yard red fabric for inner border
1 1/4 yards pink fabric for outer border
3/4 yards blue fabric for binding
4 yards backing fabric (I used 60″ minky)
82″ x 68″ batting
2 pkgs. Wright’s medium rick rack in Mediterranean
2 pkgs. Wright’s jumbo rick rack in Mediterranean
Fusible web (like Heat ‘n Bond Light or Steam – a – Seam 2 Lite)

Seam allowances are 1/4″.

Step 1: Divide your Layer Cake into 8 sets of 5. Each set should be of similar color. With the Giddy set I was able to get two pink sets, one aqua set, one red set, one brown set and 3 cream sets. Set aside the red set for your heart appliques. The brown set I used for the “dirt”.

Step 2: Take each set of five and piece them together in a row until you have 7 rows of 5 sewn together.

Step 3: Using your rotary cutter, cut each of the rows in half so you have two 5″ rows for each set. Next you will cut some of those halves in half again.

I used one aqua row, one pink row and one cream row and made two, 2 1/2″ rows from each 5″ row. So you should have:

2 – 5″ brown rows
2 – 2 1/2″ aqua rows
1 – 5″ aqua row
3 – 5″ pink rows
2 – 21/2″ pink rows
4 – 5″ cream rows
2 – 2 1/2″ cream rows

Are you with me? Whew!

Now, line up the rows for stitching together. Flip some of the rows the other direction to break up the fabric and colors. And break up the 5″ and 2 1/2″ rows for visual interest. I placed the brown rows on the bottom for the “dirt”.

Actually for one bottom “dirt” row ended up ripping out the middle seam and flipping the blocks and then restitching so the would be more diverse.

Step 4: Stitch the rows together. Make sure you are matching the seams and pin, pin, pin! Did I mention pin?

Step 5: Press your seams. I like to press mine open. You may be tempted to skip this step, don’t! You’ll be far happier with your quilt if you do.

Step 6: Take the red Layer Cake squares that you set aside. Using the heart patterns found in the Printer Friendly Version at the bottom of the post, cut out the hearts according to the directions on the pattern. You should be able to cut one large and one small heart from each of the 5 squares. Place your hearts on the quilt to your liking.

Step 7: Add your rick rack “stems”. Use the jumbo rick rack on your large hearts the the medium rick rack on your smaller hearts. Place some of them straight, some curvy, whatever looks best to you. Pin them onto the quilt. Where the stems reach the dirt you will have to pick out the stitching, pull the rick rack through and then restitch the seam.

Step 8: When you have everything where you want it, Use your fabric applique medium (I like Lite Steam-a-Seam 2) and iron the hearts onto the quilt. Make sure end your “stems” are under the hearts.

Step 9: Stitch a seam down the middle of each stem to adhere to the quilt. Then using a blanket stitch or straight stitch, applique around each heart.

Step 10: Add your borders! Cut your red inner border fabric into 2 1/2″ strips. You will need to make two 62″ x 2 1/2″ strips and two 52 1/2″ x 2 1/2″strips. Add the 62″ side borders first, then add the 52 1/2″ borders to the top and bottom.

Cut your pink outer border fabric into 6″ strips. You will need to make two 66 1/2″ x 6″ strips and two 64″ x 6″ strips. Attach your side 66 1/2″ strips first, then add the 64″ strips to the top and bottom.
You did it!

Now you just need to baste:

Quilt:

I did a loopy loop stipple.

 For the border I used a double heart pattern.

And bind!

The cozy minky back. I used one of the heart patterns and the pink border fabric to make a quilt tag.

One beautiful Heart Garden that measures approx. 77 1/2″x 64″.

 

Ellie Roberts
{craftsewcreate.blogspot.com}

Christmas Tree Card Holder

Happy Holidays Moda Bake Shop-ers! It’s Ellie from Craft Sew Create. Don’t know where to put all the lovely holiday cards you are receiving this year? I have just the place! A tree shaped bulletin board that’s just right to display cards from family and friends. There is a bit more than sewing with this project, but if you’re up to it, you’ll be rewarded with something beautiful and functional!

One Christmas Charm Pack ( I chose Fruitcake by Basic Grey)

1/2 yard or one Fat Quarter solid fabric for tree trunk (I used Fruitcake – Grunge in Hot Cocoa)

One piece of 1/4″ plywood or hardwood that is at least 32″ x 48″ (Home Depot & Lowes sell pre-cut plywood that is 4 ft x 4 ft. You can get two trees out of it.)

Thin craft Batting

7 yards 5/8″ coordinating ribbon

20 Upholstery Tacks (sold at most home improvement and craft stores)

Sawtooth picture hanger

Tools you will need:

Staple Gun

Electric Saw

 First:

Using your quilter’s ruler, you need to draw the outline to cut out your tree with the dimensions as shown. Use an electric saw to cut out the tree. If you don’t have one, it’s time to call in that favor from your neighbor who does :). Some home improvement centers will even do it for you! Sand the edges as necessary.

Next…Time to Sew (yay!)

Layout your charm pack in a tree shape as shown. Start with 8 squares on the bottom and use one less for each row until there is only one.

Piece together by rows then sew the strips together. Because they need to be staggered, fold the center square of each row in half and finger press the middle. Use that center point to match the seam on the next row and pin in place.

Be sure to press your seams! I like to press my seams open. 

You will end up with a beautiful patch worked fabric tree!

Next steps:

I am showing the picture of this after the tree is complete, but you need to do it first! Hammer in the sawtooth hanger about 4″ from the top of the tree. *The nails will go through to the front! They need to be bent and hammered down before your fabric goes on.* 🙂

Now, layout your batting, place your wood tree on top, and cut out along the edges leaving about an inch extra batting all the way around. Clip the batting in the corners of the tree and trunk.

Then lay your fabric tree on top of the batting and wood. Make sure you center the fabric on the top and the bottom.

When you have the fabric centered on the board, place 3 stabilizing staples at the very bottom of the fabric into the trunk of the tree (They will be covered by the trunk fabric later). It’s time to staple baby!

Carefully flip the board over. Start at the top, pull the fabric over and fold the fabric under so it’s taut but not too tight. Staple in place. 

After a few staples just check to make sure it’s not pulling too much on either side, keep it even and centered.

When you get to the pointed edges, pull the fabric back together and fold over as best and least bunchy as possible.

When you come to the trunk you need to cut a notch in the side of the fabric.

Continue to staple until the whole tree is done.

Next: The Tree Trunk

Cut your trunk fabric to 14″ x 18″. You need to fold over the top of the fabric about 2″. Place at the top of the base of the tree.

Then you fold over the fabric two more times making each fold 2″. Wrap the fabric under on the bottom to make sure it is even with the other folds.

Pin in place so the folds don’t come undone when you staple.

 

Staple the trunk. You can reduce some of the bulk at the corners by cutting off batting. Fold in like you are wrapping a present.

Next up: Attach the Ribbon

It’s important to start your first ribbon in the lower corner, right next to the trunk. Angle the ribbon up to about 17″ on the opposite side. Carefully staple in place. This ribbon will be the measuring point for the rest of the ribbons going that direction.

Next, take your quilter’s ruler and measure 5″ between each ribbon. Staple in place. Finish for all the ribbons going that direction. Then repeat on the opposite side.

It should look like this when you are finished.

Last Step: Nail the Tacks

 

At each point where the ribbon intersects you need to hammer in a tack.  Be careful! It will go through to the back of the board. Make sure you are hammering off the table or on the carpet so you won’t harm any furniture.

 Because it does go through to the back, you need to hammer it down as shown.

One cute and functional Christmas Card Tree! Hope you will enjoy making it, it really is a fun project. Come visit me at Craft Sew Create for more fun sewing and crafting together!

Ellie Roberts
{Craft Sew Create}

Quilted Halloween Banner

Hi everyone, it’s  Ellie from Craft Sew Create! I realize Halloween is over, but I really wanted to share this quilted Halloween banner with you. Maybe you can just get a nice jump start on next year’s decorations :).

I just love the vintage “smiling” Halloween decorations. I have collected a few items over the years so I wanted to add a smiling pumpkin and cat to my quilted Halloween banner! Minick and Simpson’s Halloween Night fabric was the perfect medium to give this banner a vintage feel.

One Halloween Night by Minick and Simpson Charm Pack

5 yards black ric rac or other ribbon

10″ black felt or other batting

1/4 yard solid black fabric

4 tiny buttons for eyes

LAYOUT

First, lay out your fabrics and decide which fabrics you want to use for your banner. You need to save out the following: One solid orange for the pumpkin, one solid black for the cat, one solid green for the pumpkin stem, and one solid cream for the face pieces. After that you can use the fabrics any way you want. I tried to use fewer of the larger patterned pieces so the letters can show up better. I put those on the back. You will need one charm square for the front and one for the back with a felt or batting piece in between.

CUTTING

I used black felt as my batting for the quilt squares as it will show on the edges. You can use regular batting or any color felt you’d like. With a rotary, cut the felt into 16, 5″ squares.

LETTERING

For the lettering you can use any font you choose! The lettering I used was Berlin Sans FB Demi from MS Word. I used all caps and the font size was 400. Print out your letters spelling HAPPY HALLOWEEN (you only need to print one of each letter). I printed in a lt.grey so I wouldn’t use too much ink.

Cut the letters out from the black fabric. You will also need to cut the letters from a fusible applique medium. I used Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite. You can use your favorite.

Next you cut out your pumpkin and cat. Use the template included in this PDF for those. Cut one set from fabric and one from your fusible applique medium.

QUILT

This is fun part! Take each of your little charm “sandwiches” and quilt them. I tried basting with pins and with a basting stitch, but I found that a basting spray worked the best for me. I used four different quilting patterns. 

The first I just did a 1/4″ straight stitch using my pressure foot as a guide.

 Next I did a spider web! Straight Stitch diagonally from each side and down the center vertically and horizontally.

Then put your embroidery foot on (don’t forget to lower your feed dogs) and let the fun begin!

Starting from the center stitch around and around leaving about a 1/2″ space. Just keep going until you go off the edge.

Next I kept the embroidery foot on did simple stippling.

And last I did a grid pattern. The lines are 5/8″ apart both horizontally and diagonally.

IRON

Now you can iron-on your letters to your quilt squares. Peel the backing off of each letter and iron them onto each quilt square sandwich.

Iron the pumpkin and cat face pieces onto the heads. Be sure to leave the backing on the top part of the stem so it doesn’t iron onto your ironing board.

Before you iron the heads onto the squares, do the embroidery work on the faces.

EMBROIDER
Now you can embroider the faces on your pumpkin and cat. 

I used a simple blanket stitch around the eyes. 

Use a straight stitch around the nose, mouth and for the teeth. (I did the stem after I applied him to the quilt block.)

Sew the tiny buttons onto the eyes. 

I used light colored quilt squares for the pumpkin & cat. I stipple quilted them.

Iron the pumpkin and cat onto the squares.

Use a straight stitch and embroider the pumpkin stem. I used a machine blanket stitch around the cat and the pumpkin.

FINISH

The last step is to attach ric rac or ribbon to the back for hanging. Cut two, 2 1/2 yd. lengths. Leave about a 1/2 inch space between each square and pin to back. You can use a simple tacking stitch to attach, or any kind of iron-on hemming fusible web to attach the ric rac to the back.

 

One delightful Halloween banner. It would look so cute hanging on a mantle, an empty wall space, or a doorway! Maybe next year, right?

{Craft Sew Create}

Meandering Path Quilt

Hello Everyone! My name is Ellie from Craft Sew Create. I am so excited to be sharing my first Moda Bake Shop project!  I have been crafting and sewing since I got my first sewing machine in middle school. But I am currently obsessed with quilts! I absolutely fell in love with Lauren + Jessi Jung’s BOTANY fabric and knew I wanted to make a simple, modern quilt out of it.

 

One Botany by Lauren + Jessi Jung Layer Cake
One Botany by Lauren + Jessi Jung Charm Pack
1/2 yard Botany fabric for binding
3 yards Botany fabric for backing
Batting

 

Step 1:

{Cutting}

Take the entire Layer Cake and cut each square in half.

 

You will have two 5″ x 10″ rectangles.

Cut 1/2″ off of each 5″ side of the rectangle. Your rectangles will now be 5″ x 9 1/2″. {You can cut the 1/2″ off before you cut the squares in half, it will save time…I just didn’t get that picture, lol!}

That’s it! Now the fun begins.

Step 2: 

{Layout}

I like to lay my quilt squares first so I can get the colors right where I want them. This is layout I liked the best, feel free to move yours around a bit. There are seven rows where the 5″ x 91/2″ rectangles are laid out vertically, and two groupings where the rectangles are laid out horizontally with an alternating Charm Square. Some of the vertical rows have Charm Squares at the top and bottom so that the rows can be variegated.

Here is an illustration so you could see the layout. From left to right the quilt has two vertical rows, a horizontal grouping row, three vertical rows, a horizontal grouping row, and then two vertical rows.  

Step 3:

{Sew the Rows}

 Use a 1/4″ seam for the whole project. The first row has a Charm Square, 7 vertical rectangles and then a Charm Square. 

The second row has 8 vertical rectangles.

 

Next is the horizontal grouping row. Each row has one Charm Square and one 5″ x 91/2″ rectangle. Alternate between having the Charm Square on the left and on the right. There are 16 rows.

Don’t forget to press your seams along the way! I like to press mine open.

Step 4: 

{Sew the Rows Together}

                    

When you sew the rows together be sure to match the corners. 

On the outside rows and center row you can match the corners when you pin the row on like this.

Voila! Your quilt top is complete! 

 Now it’s time to Baste….

Quilt…
(I quilted the vertical rows with a vertical stripe and quilted the horizontal grouping rows in a stipple. I love the contrast and how it allows the different rows to stand out.)

…and Bind!

 

You’re done, yay! Let me know if you make it, I’d love to see pictures! If you have any questions or to show me some pics, email me at craftsewcreate@gmail.com.

One beautiful 60″ x 72″ Meandering Path Quilt!

Craft Sew Create