Giant Pincushions

These are super simple to make and adorable! They come in handy around your sewing room and work as great gifts for sewing friends.

honeybun or jelly roll strips

hand sewing needle & matching thread

pincushion filler of your choice

Patisserie by Fig Tree – Neptune by Tula Pink

1. Pick 3 honeybun strips that look good together and have some contrast.

2. Sew them together into a strip set. Offset the start of your strips like this.

3. Press seams. This can be in any direction.

4. Measure your strip to make sure it is 3 ½” wide. If it is not it is ok if it is smaller (your ¼ is bigger) but not larger (you are sewing too scant) Correct if needed and write down what the width of your strip is.

5. Cut a 45 degree angle at the one end of your strip.

6. Turn your ruler so you can cut a diamond. Cut it to be 3 ½” or the width of your strip set.

Repeat for a total of 8 diamonds.

7. Place diamonds RST into 4 sets making sure that the top points are the same fabrics.

8. Pin & Sew along 2 sides from top to bottom pivoting in the center. (repeat 3 times for 4 sets)

9. Open and press towards solid strip. (not the part with 2 seams) (repeat 3 times.)

10. Similar to step # 7 place diamond sets RST and pin. The ironing from step #9 should help you interlock the seams at the top and bottom. Sew 2 sides from top to bottom, repeat for 2nd set, and iron again.

11. Now you have 2 halves of your pincushion.

12. Put one half inside the other RST. Pin all the way around and sew leaving a 1 ½” opening.

13. Turn right side out. Fill with stuffing or filling of choice.

14. Hand sew opening closed and you are done!

See how easy that was!

Red White & Bold by Sandy Gervais – Neptune by Tula Pink

1. Pick 2 jelly roll strips that look good together and have some contrast.

2. Sew them together into a strip set. Offset the start of your strips.

3. Press seams. This can be in any direction. (since i had a light color solid here i pressed toward the blue print)

4. Measure your strip to make sure it is 4 ½” wide. If it is not it is ok, just write down what the width of your strip is.

5. Cut a 60 degree angle at the one end of your strip.

6. Turn your ruler so you can cut a diamond. Cut it to be 4 ½” or the width of your strip set.

Repeat for a total of 6 diamonds.

7. Place diamonds RST into 2 sets making sure that the top points are the same fabrics. You will have 2 leftover at this point.

8. Pin & Sew along 2 sides from top to bottom pivoting in the center. (repeat 1 time.)

9. Open and press towards solid strip. (not the part with 1 seam) (repeat 1 time.)

10. Similar to step # 7 place a diamond set RST with a loose diamond and pin. Sew 2 sides from top to bottom, repeat for 2nd set, and iron again.

11. Now you have 2 halves of your pincushion.

12. Put one half inside the other RST. Pin all the way around and sew leaving a 1 ½” opening.

13. Turn right side out. Fill with stuffing or filling of choice.

14. Hand sew opening closed and you are done!

see just as easy!!

you probably noticed that one of my pincushions has a lot of fabrics… this is achieved by cutting your diamonds from different strip sets… it makes a nice scrappy look and can help you use up leftover strip sets so you can go buy more fabric!

another option is to flip every other diamond… instead of a star you’ll end up with more of a pinwheel…

the possibilities are endless!!

Super cute pincushions.. you won’t be able to make just one!

3 Honeybun strips = 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ x 3″

2 Jelly Roll strips = 8″ x 7″ x 3″

Enjoy!

by Julie of jaybirdquilts!

Fabric Lamp Shade

1 patisserie honey bun
lamp shade
big sheets of paper
quilt basting spray
perle cotton thread size 8 in ecru

decorative trims, rick rack &/or buttons

remove lamp shade from lamp stand.

tape a few big pieces of paper together.

{i used three 18×34 pieces of drawing paper and taped them together.}

you’ll want to make sure that you have a nice, big work area of paper.

place the lamp shade on it’s side, lining up the seam with the paper.

trace the bottom & top edge of the shade with your pencil,

slowly rolling the shade as you go, until you get back at the seam.

{as shown by my hubby.}

hint: this part is MUCH easier with 2 people.

your paper will look something like this.

{click the pic to enlarge.}

extend the lines by an inch, as shown.

draw a straight line between the outside lines.

cut out the pattern you’ve drawn.

just for good measure, fit your pattern around your lamp.
yours will overlap like mine, it’s supposed to.

pick out you fav honey bun strips.

i used 16.

cut those honey bun strips in half.

it’s audition time!!!

lay your strips out in a manor that’s pleasing to you.

fold your pattern in half.

take the middle strip from your layout audition,

spray a thin layer of quilt basting spray on it.

place that strip directly on the fold line of your pattern.
this will make a paper foundation for your strips.

lay your first strip right side down onto your foundation strip.

turn your stitch length down to about 1.5
{just trust me!!!}
and sew your first strip on.

after each strip, press with a dry iron.

it makes a difference to press after each strip, so don’t skip it.

keep adding strips until you cover the right side of the pattern.

now flip your pattern over.

go again until you cover this side of the pattern.

your covered pattern should look something like this.

trim off the stragglers using the pattern as your guide.

now here’s the fun part.

remember how i told yall to shorten your stitch length???

that was so the needle would perforate the paper for you.

just tear off the paper gently, like you would a check out of your checkbook.

you’ll be doing this in sections.

this is what the pattern will look it.

cute huh???

now this is important: spray this block with a lightweight starch.

{i prefer to use magic sizing.}

you wanna do this so that your seams lay flat.

{hint: make sure to change your needle before going back to fabric.
i use a completely separate needle for paper foundations.}

spray your lamp shade seam with your quilt basting spray.

start by placing the short side of the fabric on the lamp shade’s seam.

secure it with pins.

spray the inside of fabric generously with quilt basting spray.

slowly roll the fabric over the lamp shade, a little bit at a time, smoothing the fabric out towards the edges as you go.

i have found that it helps to pin as you go.

{just to make sure that it holds in place until your fabric dries.}

allow the end of your fabric to overlap the beginning seam at least 1/4″ in case the fabric shrinks as it dries.

feel free to spray it with extra quilt basting spray.

i wanted to secure my fabric in a cutesy way, like so.

all you have to do is thread a needle with your perle cotton thread {doubled} and stitch around the top, bottom & seam of your fabric.

when you are done with your cutesy stitching, trim the underneath fabric to about 1/4″ or so.

it doesn’t have to be exact, no one it going to see it.

when the adhesive has dried, return you lamp shade to the base, and let your light shine.

one SUPER awesome new lamp shade!!!

so the next time you pass up that ugly lamp at the flea market…envision it in your fav fabrics!!!

{mine coordinates with the quilt on our bed, and i am completely in LOVE with it.}

rachel of p.s. i quilt

Fabric Frame Tutorial

1 patisserie honey bun.
wooden 4×6 picture frame. {not plastic or metal.}
elmer’s glue-all multi purpose glue. {mod podge works just as well.}
foam craft brush.

decorative ribbons, selvages &/or buttons.

pick out 4 of your fav prints from your honey bun.
{this is a teacher’s gift, so i chose the 2 map-ish ones along with 2 that coordinated.}

cut your 4 honey bun strips in half.
{i cut mine right on the fold.}

now it’s time to prep your frame.
i cleaned mine with some lysol all purpose cleaner.
make sure you let it dry really well.

pour your glue {or mod podge} in a bowl.
trust me it’s much easier this way.
{and a wet wash cloth is very handy to have near by.}

start by brushing on some glue.
it’s okay to be liberal because you want the fabric to stick.
just don’t goop it like crazy and you’ll be fine.
promise.

place the end of your strip on the back side of the frame.

you’ll need to hold the end while you start to wrap the strip around.

and just keep wrapping.
make sure that you are wrapping the fabric tight up against the wood.
if you don’t the glass and frame backing won’t fit properly.

and don’t be intimidated by the corners.
just add some extra glue on the folds.

when you come to the end of your strip just overlap to the next one.
and make sure that the end of the 1st strip ends up on the back side.
{you might have to trim it like i did.}

at this point you might be thinking, “why am i doing this to my fabric???”
please trust me that once it’s dry you’ll ♥ it.
promise.

just continue wrapping until your whole frame is done.
take your wet wash cloth and rub it gently over the whole thing.
this is to make sure there isn’t a big dot of glue somewhere.

this is important:
before your glue/fabric dries, you need to fit the glass into the frame.
this will ensure that your glass & the frame backing will fit back in correctly.

set the frame aside for it to dry completely.
mine only took about 20 minutes because i set it out in the sun.

while your frame dries, go ahead and get your pic ready.
in this case i made up a little quote pic for jackson’s teacher.

and after your pic is ready if you’re still waiting for the frame to dry…
you can whip up one of these…

you can transform aluminum cans into cute holders by doing the same thing!!!
it’s SUPER quick to do. and easy peasy.

and don’t stop at those honey bun strips!!!
{i knew i was keeping all those moda decorative ribbons for a reason.}

and now…the moment you’ve been waiting for…
once your frame is completely dry, assemble it all together…

and voila…you have just made your very own fabric frame!!!
pure cuteness huh???

these little quote frames & pencil holders make the perfect gifts for teachers.
{and quilty pals.}

but don’t forget to make some for your family pics!!!
cute, cute, cute!!!

p.s. i quilt

Sugar Cube Pincushion

Moda charm pack – choose 6 charm squares, Moda jelly roll strips/scraps, or Moda scrapbag strips
2 inch square english paper pieces by paper pieces.com
upholstery thread
silk thread
Doll makers needle
polyfil

6 buttons that coordinate with fabric

Choose 6 fabrics and cut a 2.5 inch square. Your 2 inch paper piece will fit perfectly.
Baste the paper pieces to the wrong side of the fabric. The type or color of thread doesn’t matter as you will be removing them at the end of the piecing. I do not ‘knot’ the thread at the end…just overlap the basting stitch. This allows me to pull the thread more easily once the squares are sewn together.
After you have them all basted lay them out in a pleasing arrangement.
Taking 2 squares right sides together begin to whip stitch the edges. Here I do knot the thread and I use silk thread to help hide my stitches.
This is the how the piece should look….
Then you stitch the sides together…it is necessary to remove the center square paper to allow you to fold the piece to align the squares right sides together for stitching. As you stitch the sides and a ‘square’ is sewn completely you can remove that paper to give even more flexibility.

Leave one opening for turning and stuffing. This is before all the paper pieces are removed.

Here they are removed and the pincushion is turned for stuffing. Once you stuff it, whip stitch opening closed…again with silk thread if you have it. I use a doll makers needle for sewing the buttons since they are longer and studier but still go through the button holes.

I made 3 sugar cubes…they’re addicting!…the top one is Aviary fabric from a Moda Scrapbag! Bottom left is Fig and Plum from a Moda charm pack and the right cushion is Mary Englebreit’s Friends and Flowers jelly roll!!

Up to 6 pincushions from 1 charm pack!

Bunches from a jelly roll or scrap bag.

Vickie E

Sugar Cookies Table Runner

Featured Fabric Collection – Patisserie by Joanna Figueroa, Fig Tree Quilts for Moda

One Moda Charm Pack — forty 5″ charm squares

3/4 yard background and binding

1/4 yard inner border
3/4 yard outer border
Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates Set G – Small Hexagons Plus.

Using the large hexagon template #42 included in the Marti Michell template set and the 5″ charm squares, cut out a total of 39 hexagons.
Cut four strips 2 1/4″ by 42″ from the background fabric. Using the large triangle template #45 from the Marti Michell template set, cut a total of 76 triangles. Sew the hexagons and the triangles together as shown below. Make four of Block A, two of Block B and thirty-three of Block C. Sew the blocks into rows as illustrated below.Sew the five hexagon rows together to create the center of the Sugar Cookies table runner.From the inner border fabric cut two strips 1 1/2″ by 28″, two strips 1 1/2″ by 13″ and two strips 1 1/2″ by 14″.

Sew one of the 1 1/2″ by 28″ strips to each side of the table runner center. Following the shape of the table runner center, trim the inner border.Sew one 1 1/2″ by 13″ inner border strip to one end of the table runner center and trim, following the table runner shape. Repeat this step with the opposite end of the table runner.Sew one 1 1/2″ by 14″ inner border strip to one end of the table runner center and trim following the table runner shape. Repeat this step with the opposite end of the table runner. From the outer border fabric cut two strips 4″ by 31″, two strips 4″ by 19″ and two strips 4″ by 22″. Follow the steps above to sew on and trim the outer border.

Finishes 26″ by 46″

Quilt and bind!

Sugar Cookies designed by Margot, The Pattern Basket

Gypsy Scarf

Hello MODA friends-

Even here in California we are still deep in scarf weather so I thought I would share with you the favorite project around our house lately. These particular ones are made from our latest fabric collection, Gypsy Rose which is available in stores right now. You can see the whole collection here. But any style of group could be used for both boys and girls, adults and kids!

These little scarves can be whipped up in under an hour and make wonderful projects to make with your own kids or as easy, personal presents. If you like the idea, check here for our Scarfletts pattern in more varieties & styles. Or come by for a visit here to see what we are up to lately…

Happy Sewing,

Joanna

1 Gypsy Rose Jelly Roll™ by Fig Tree & Co.

1/8 to 3/8 yd. [depending on which size you are making] of fleece, velour, cotton velveteen, minky or any other soft fabric

piecing thread

Decorative button or brooch to tie off the scarf.

CHILD GYPSY SCARF

Take (5) Jelly Roll strips and cut them in half lengthwise to make (10) 1 1/4″ wide x 45″ strips. You will only need (5) of these skinny strips.

If you are making multiple scarves then perhaps you might want to cut up more strips to give yourself a variety of color combinations. That way each scarf can be different and unique!

Sew 5 of the strips together. Press to the same side after you add each strip. Trim off the uneven edges on each end.

Use 2-4 more Jelly Roll strips and cut them crosswise into 2 1/2″ x 4 1/4″ sections. You will need 4 of these pieces total. I used 4 different fabrics for variety but you can definitely use just 2 if you are saving strips for another project.

Sew 2 of those pieces to each end of your scarf. Press in one direction.

Cut a piece for the backing the same size as the scarf front. It should measure 4 1/4″ wide by the length of your scarf. Place the 2 pieces together, right sides together, and sew them together all the way around. Leave a 6″ opening on one of the long sides. Finish the edges by zigzagging or serging the seam allowance all the way around to prevent fraying later when you are washing your scarf.

Turn the scarf right sides out through the 6″ opening you left open on the side.

When you have turned the entire scarf, turn the edges of the opening down and trim the opening shut to finish the scarf. Press the scarf and topstitch 1/2″ all the way around or all the way down 2 of the strips just to stabilize it a tiny bit. No need to quilt more than that because you want the scarf to be soft and pliable around your neck and not stiff.

This is what the finished child scarf will look like.

MOM’S GYPSY SCARF

For the mom version, follow the same general directions except the following:

Cut (5) Jelly Roll strips into 2 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ sections crosswise. You will need a total of 30 pieces for the length shown here below.

[NOTE: I used 10 different jelly roll strips so that I would have the variety of fabrics that I wanted and only cut 3 from each fabric. You can use any amount of fabrics but 5 is the minimum you will need to get enough pieces.]

Keep sewing on pieces until the length of the scarf fits the person who will be wearing it. Some people like their scarves short and some long so the length is really your preference here.

This one used (30) sections and is approximately 60″ long.

Cut (2) 5 1/4″ x the width of your backing fabric. Sew them together to create one long piece and trim it down to the size you need to match your scarf front.

Follow the same instructions as for the child scarf.

Here are some fun directions for a unique way to wear your scarf that is apparently traditional in Korea and has become very popular in Japan [or so say my Japanese quilting friends]… Fold the scarf in half as shown above and place it around your neck like shown below- loop on one side and ends on the other side.

Take the ends and pull them through the looped side.

Pull all the way through and arrange around your neck as you like.

Hope these keep you warm!

1 Jelly Roll will make 14 child sized scarves

1 Jelly Roll will make 8 adult sized scarves