2012 in Review

Happy New Year quilters and sewers! 2012 was a busy year at the Moda Bake Shop. 199 posts published! Click through to see the top ten projects from 2012.

The Moda Bake Shop’s Top Ten Projects of 2012:

1. Sunbathing Companion by Stella Rutherford | {The Golden Adventures of a Very Dark Horse}

2. Sophie Car Seat Quilt by Jennie Pickett | {Clover & Violet}

3. Cathedral Window Pincushion by Kim Niedzwiecki | {gogokim.blogspot.com}

4. Patchwork Chevron Quilt by Jeni Baker | {In Color Order}

5. Renaissance Waves Quilt by Karin Vail | {cascadequilts.com}

6. Owl Tag Along Toddler Backpack by Angela Pingel |{cuttopieces.blogspot.com}

 

7. Lucky Layers Tiered Dress by Anshu Jain | {Blooms And Bugs}

8. So Soft Washcloths by AnneMarie Chany |{Gen X Quilters}

9. Isosceles Picnic Quilt by Penny Layman | {sewtakeahike}

10. Four Squared Quilt by Polly Monica | {auntpollysporch.blogspot.com}

Wishing you a happy, safe, and sew-ful New Year,

Happy Weekender Quilt

The Happy Weekender Quilt is a super easy quilt that can be completed in a weekend {or two}. It is a great beginner quilt and is the “oh my goodness I need a gift super fast” quilt.

This Happy Weekender is inspired by a mini I made for my grandmother last year using Dream On. When I saw Vintage Modern, I knew it was the perfect fabric for a larger sized quilt!

{this is a photo of the mini using Dream On}

I hope you enjoy making and using the Happy Weekender :o)

3 charm packs of Moda Vintage Modern
Moda Bella Solid White 1.5 yds
Moda Bella Solid Aqua {binding}
Coordinating thread {I used Aurifil 50wt 100% cotton}
Batting

Cut 1.5 yds solid in to 5″ strips {all length measurements are approximate}
{2} 5″ x 41″ strips
{2} 5″ x 41.5″ strips
{2} 5″ x 25″ strips
{2} 5″ x15.5″ strips

Use the excess from the other pieces to piece together the longer strips
{2} 5″ x 58.25″ strips
{2} 5″ x59″ strips

Take your charms and place them randomly to create seven rows across and nine rows down. You can either do this on a design wall or a floor in your house.

When you are happy with your placement, take your first two charms and sew the right sides facing using a 1/4 in seam.

Continue to connect the charms until you have your first row of seven.

Repeat the process until you have your nine rows.

Press all of your seams open.

When all the seams are pressed open, line up one row at a time, again, right sides facing, matching up the seams and pinning.

Using a 1/4in seam sew each of the rows together and then press the seams open.

Continue to add the rows until you have all nine sewn.

The quilt top center block is completed!!!!

Measure the sides center patchwork section and using the 5″ x41″ {approx} in solid strips, attach to the right and left sides of the center patchwork block, press open and trim any excess.  Then take your 5″ x 41.5″strips attach to the top and bottom of the quilt.  Press seams open and trim any excess.

When you have attached the strips your quilt will look like this:

Using two sets of seven charms with 20in”( approx measurement) solid strips we will be making the next step. Sew the charms in a row, press and attach to a strip of the solid fabric

Pin to the quilt in the left and right sides, right sides facing, trying to line up the seams of the blocks in the center to the outer row.

Sew the strip on, press and trim up the edges.

This is how the quilt will look at this point {it looks wonky but it was being super bunchy for some odd reason}.

You will repeat the previous step using five charms instead of seven. For the five charms will have a 25″ solid strip attached. These will be placed at the top and bottom.

This goes together so quickly!

For the final step, take your 5″ x 58.25″{sides} and your 5″ x 59″ {top and bottom} in sashing strips and attach them to each side of the quilt, the sides then the top and bottom.

The quilt top is now completed!

For the quilt back, I chose to take some of the remaining charms and made a half square triangle zig zag pattern. The quilting is a simple rectangle box.

One fast fun and functional quilt to love :o) The final quilt size is 66.5″ x 58.5″. It is the perfect picnic or lap blanket. This one will be going to my grandmother for her birthday :o)

Kim Niedzwiecki
{gogokim.blogspot.com}

Cathedral Window Pincushion

An incredibly easy and beautiful pincushion. Makes a fast gift for the sewer in your life or for yourself since one can never have too many pincushions. If you thought cathedral windows were hard, I can promise that your mind will be changed after making this simple cushion.

one 10.5 inch square of Moda Bella solids white
nine 5 in squares of fabric or charms like Domestic Bliss
one button
thread
craft/button thread
stuffable batting

I used the very bright and colorful Domestic Bliss for a spring pin cushion.

Cut your solid square (or a print) 10.5 inches

Cut your template, I used a folder I found in the filing drawer, to 9 inches

Cathedral windows are mostly folding and ironing. Fold the corner over the edge of the template and iron into place. Then repeat on the other three sides.

Next fold the edges down and press. Repeat on the other three sides.

When the sides are pressed it will look like this:

Take the template out at this point:

Fold your square in half and press:

This is what it looks like if you fold one side back:

Fold the opposite way and press again. When you open your square it will look like this:

Time for more folding. Fold the outer corners in and press:

It will look like this when all four have been pressed:

Now do it all again. Fold each of the corners in and press:

Done with the folding/ ironing part!!!!

Trim one of your 5 in squares to 4.25 inches and place in the center of the open square.

Close the flaps.

Stitch the center to secure the flaps closed. This will not show so it does not have to be pretty!

Take another of your 5 in squares and place in one of the triangles and trim.

Repeat with the rest of the charms.

Fold the edge of the flap over the triangle of fabric and pin into place.

Sew to secure the flap. I used the inside of my 1/4in foot as a guide.

Repeat until you have all the flaps sewn.

Put the top aside and grab your last four charms,

Right sides facing sew them together on one side.

Repeat so you have two sets.

 Press open.

Placing right sides together mark a 2in opening with two pins.

Using a 1/2 in seam  sew up to the pin and do a little back and forth to secure where the opening will be.

Press the seam open.

This is the opening.

Take the cushion top and place it right sides facing and centered on the opening of the cushion back.

Using  1/4 in seam, sew around all four sides.

Trim the excess fabric.

Turn the cushion right side out.

Stuff and stuff some more!

Stitch the back closed.

 The best part…choose a button, attach it and you are DONE!!!!! 

One really cute and adorable 3.5in square pincushion to keep or share!!!!

Kim Niedzwiecki
{gogokim.blogspot.com}

Funky Monkey Children’s Personal Journal

 


Monkey Business by Erin Michael, or any Moda jelly roll or honey bun  (this is a great stash buster!)
lightweight fusible interfacing
white or ivory Moda Bella solid
composition notebook
crayons in various colors
white thread, brown thread, grey thread
Invisible marker

Cut varied sizes of strips of fabric 1.5 to 2.5 inches x 7.5
1 print 11×2.5 ( binding)
2 print 11×5.25 ( inner flaps)
1 print 11x 7.5 ( back)
1 print 5.0×7.5  ( crayon pocket)
1 lightweight fusable interfacing 2.5×7.5
1 solid 2.0 x7.5  ( nameplate)
1 solid 11×25 ( inner )

optional fusible interfacing for nameplate 2.0×7.5

To make the nameplate, you can either just have the child write his or her name freestyle or you can make a  school paper look by drawing lines on the nameplate piece of fabric. I found this made it easier for my little guy.

To make the nameplate measure up from the bottom 1 inch up and draw a solid line, the freehanded dotted line is .5 up from the first solid line and the second solid line is .5 from the dotted line.

1 inch up from bottom

.5 inch from bottom line

.5 inch up from mid line

Find your resident cutie pie to add the best part of the whole journal!

Thanks Adam :o)

After the lines are drawn, you can sew over them.  I used a light gray so his name will really show up!

I recommend adding a little fusible interfacing; it makes the nameplate sturdier. This is an optional step but I think it makes for a more finished look.

Sew over the name. I used a heavier stitch with added bumps :o) If you use a straight stitch, make sure to go over it a few times so it will look bold and stay put.

To put the journal cover together, pick some of your patterned strips and line up how you would like them to look. The dimensions will be 11×7.5.

Using 1/4 inch seams, sew the strips together

Press the seams

Fold crayon pocket fabric in half over the fusible interfacing and press

Place the crayon pocket on the front and check for proper visibility. Pin the pocket in place. Do not measure for the crayons yet.

With the right sides of fabric together, sew the binding onto the front of the journal

From the binding edge, mark the crayon edge 1 inch in and continue marking every 1 inch with an invisible marker or a light pencil.

Sew over the drawn lines. I made sure to reverse back over the top since there will be heavy use where the crayons go in.

Right sides of fabric facing, sew the journal back on

This is how the cover will look at this stage

Topstitch along the inner binding edge

For the sleeve (inner), place rights sides facing and sew

With right sides facing, sew the two pieces together all the way around. Leave an opening to pull the fabric through.

The opening does not have to be huge.

Before turning, snip the corners.

After turning, topstitch the entire journal.

Lay the journal flat and fold inner flaps in.

Sew the inner flaps to make a pocket for the journal to slip into. I sewed the flaps on from the opposite side following the topstitched seam so it would not show.

The journal cover is completed and ready for action!!!!!

One really cute and personalized journal for a little or big person. You can always embroider the name for an older friend or loved one. This makes a great birthday, Christmas, or Hanukkah gift. Or a perfect little book for quiet time in church or a just because I love ya gift!

Kim Niedzwiecki
{gogokim.blogspot.com}

Retro Fun Book Cover

Hi I am Kim from My Go Go Life and I am thrilled to be here at the Bake Shop with a fun idea for boring book covers by just using some craft paper and some Moda Freebird charms. Easy peasy lemon squeezy :o) And your daughter will be happy too. 

Moda charm pack or Moda scrap pieces 
Brown paper grocery bag or craft paper
glue stick
White or off white thread
Hexagon template ( or if you want to do 1.5 inch circles I think that would work too)

Ric Rack

Start off with super cute fabrics. I have this charm pack that has the perfect colors.

All measurements are approximate in this project since not all books are the same size. 

For my book, it was about 18×31. That is one of the great things about paper, it is easily adjustable.

Fold down the top and fold up the bottom to where they are just covering the binding of the book.

Fold the ends over the front and back cover to make your pocket.

Now that the basic folding and size is decided, cut your fabrics. I used a hexagon template for mine but you can also use a circle and I think that would look just as lovely.

To cut the stem choose one charm and cut one side 1/2 inch.

From the other side of the same charm, cut out the leaf. It does not need to be perfect, just like in nature.

I tried both of these adhesives and the glue stick won hands down!

A little dab of glue on your fabric pieces to keep them in place…

Ta da!

Use a blanket stitch to connect the seams together in the middle first so that the petals will not shift when moving the paper around.

Then stitch around every other one with a wee bit of overlap but not much.

Starting around the petal to the right of the stem skipped, start at the corner and go around the petal then sew the stem. The leaf will be sewed after the stem.

Finish up the sewing around the other few petals you did not previously sew. When the applique is completed, slip the pockets over the front and back covers. I also added a bit of tape to the inside of the flaps where the paper met the paper to make it more secure. I may try sticky velcro next time.

The before…

The after…

One book cover.


I like this cover since it is personal, kinda old school  {where is my Holly Hobby doll?} and one of those instant gratification projects! It is also an inexpensive way to change the look for the different times of year. I am already planning one for the holidays. 

Kim Niedzwiecki
{gogokim.blogspot.com}