Lawn Chair Quilts

Lawn Chair Quilts
Yield TWO 48″ x 75″ finished quilts
by Monica Solorio-Snow of Happy Zombie

Great quilt for the beginner quilter, and fun for the experienced quilter. No triangles or biased edges… no points to be perky, and no seams to meet up. Perfect for a retreat project – fun and fast. Especially fun if you’re enjoying a quilt retreat with a picnic on the lawn.

Instructions are based on 42″ – 44″ width of fabric
All seams ¼”
Picnic not included

• 1 Jelly Roll of It’s a Hoot by MoMo (or 32 – 2½” strips)
• 2 Jelly Rolls of Moda Bella Solid (or 4⅝ yard of yardage, cut into 64 – 2½” strips)

For each quilt:

• 54″ x 81″ batting
• ½ yard binding
• 2¼ yard backing

1. Divide It’s a Hoot strips into color groups:
16 strips of pinks, reds & yellows with 32 strips of solid
16 strips of blues & greens with 32 strips of solid

2. Working in one color group at a time, set aside one color group to be assembled after completion of first color group.

3. Join a solid strip to each side of the It’s a Hoot print to make a 3-piece unit. Press to the print. Make 16.

4. From each of the sixteen 3-piece units, cut:
2) 12½” x 6½” units
2) 6½” x 6½” units
1) 3½” x 6½” units (from eight 3-piece units only)

5. With assorted print units, assemble row as per diagram. Press. Make 8 rows.

6. Join rows to complete the quilt top, alternating each row in an opposite direction. Press. Layer, baste, quilt and bind.

7. Repeat steps 3 – 6 for second color group quilt.

Please note:

The photographs show an extra row because I had leftover fabric and had enough to make an additional row.  I had added the row on after I wrote the instructions, and my apologies for not noting that.   

The pattern, illustrations and measurements do not include the additional row.  Of course free free to add the row if you have left over and extra batting/backing/binding. 

Yield TWO quilts – or one if using one of the tops as your backing.
Happy summering!

Monica

Choc-O-Cherry Turnover Treat

Finished table runner 16″ x 40″

Ten 8″ finished blocks

1 Turnover package of Aster Manor by 3 Sisters (80 triangles)

⅞ yard fabric for backing and binding

20″ x 44″ piece of batting.

1. For each block gather one pair each of matching triangles, and four single triangles – for a total of 8 triangles.

2. Slice down the middle of each one of the four single triangles (as shown in photo), for a total of eight small triangles.

3. Assemble center of the block with cut triangles.

4. Square up block to 4½”.

5. Assemble middle sides of the block with cut triangles. Optional: Trim first pair of triangle ends before sewing.

6. Square up block ¼” past the corner of the center block. Use your ruler’s 45° lines as a guide for the first cut.

7. Assemble the outer sides of the block with triangle pairs. Optional: Trim first pair of triangle ends before sewing.

8. Square up block ¼” past the corner of the middle block. Trim all your blocks to be squared up as the same size. Use your ruler’s 45° lines as a guide for the first cut. Your block may be +/- of 8½” after squaring up. What’s important is uniformity of all ten blocks – not the size number.

9. Pair up blocks and join to make rows. Press in alternating directions.

10. Join rows to complete the table runner. Baste, quilt and bind.

11. Eat chocolate. Eat cherries. Tell someone you love them.

Make every day Valentine’s Day,
xo,
Monica

Itty Bitty Poochie Bag

Trick-or-Treat, smell my sheets (sheets of Moda Layer cakes!). Itty bitty little versions of my Poochie Bag pattern. Fast and fun little bags to hold Halloween treats, sweets and goodies. Or maybe office goodies, thread, sewing notions, embroidery floss, seed packets, stickie note packages, etc.

Using fabric ribbon for the handles, these little puppies sew up speedy fast. Well, faster then the regular sized Poochie Bags. Faster then knitting a bag this size. Way faster then cooking dinner.


– 3) Layer Cake slices (10″ x 10″) – Happy Campers by American Jane featured.
– Assorted ⅜” wide fabric ribbon

CUTTING:
1. From green print Layer Cake slice; Cut in half for 2) 5″ x 10″ pieces for bag/liner.
2. From brown print Layer Cake; Cut 2) 2½” x 8″ for pockets. Save and set aside remainder – use for pocket on second bag.
3. From fabric ribbon; Cut 2) 15″ strips for handles.

ASSEMBLY:
4. Fold all pieces length to length. Press. Unfold green print and lay flat.
5. Position folded brown print on center of green print so raw edges meet.

6. Center a 15″ piece of fabric ribbon at 1⅛” from each side on top of pocket. Pin.

7. Edge-stitch ribbon down by starting at the raw edge, edge-stitching up to the fold on the green print fabric, across the ribbon’s width, then back down to the raw edge. Repeat on ribbon’s other end/side of pocket. Make two units.

8. Place units right sides together. Pin. Starting at green pin on the non-pocket end (this end will become the bag’s liner), sew around unit with a ¼” seam, stopping at the red pin – leaving a 3″ opening for turning. Use a back-stitch to lock ends.

9. Snip off the corners just above the seam to reduce bulk. Repeat on all corners.

10. Turn bag inside out. Pin open edges closed.

11. Close turning opening by top-stitching it’s edge closed.

12. Tuck liner portion of green print inside bag, and voila… Itty Bitty Poochie Bag is ready to be filled.


Three sheets of a layer cake yield two Itty Bitty Poochie Bags.
Sew and tell… Join and add your Itty Bitty Poochie Bag photo to the Moda Bakeshop flickr pool and the Poochie Bag flickr pool.

Happy H’ween!

Monica

9-Patchtastic Quilt

A fun and easy 9-patch making method to make this 9-Patchtastic quilt. Use a 40 count package of Moda Charms and a background fabric to make a little 24″ x 30″ quilt… or go big and use a package of Moda Layer Cakes and a background fabric to make a large 66″ x 82½” quilt.

This easy 9-patch method makes for a perfect retreat or group project. Less thinkie – more talkie, more snackie, more laughie. Remembering to always press to the print, or to the side that has the most print… will make for nicely nested seams when joining your blocks and rows.

All seams are ¼” and are sewn with fabrics right sides together. Please note:

“[ ]” denotes Charm quilt instructions and “{ }” denotes Layer Cake quilt instructions.

[CHARM QUILT 24″ x 30″ Finished]
1 package Moda Snippets Charms (or forty 5″ squares)
¾ yd. Moda Bella Solids – Snow (9900-11) for background
¼ yd. for binding
1 yd. for backing
30″ x 36″ batting

CUTTING:
From 5″ SNIPPET charms, cut:
40) charms into 4½” squares

From MODA BELLA SNOW, cut:
5) 4½” strips
–> sub-cut into 40) 4½” squares

——– OR ——–

{LAYER CAKE QUILT 66″ x 82½” Finished}
1 package of Moda Snippets Layer Cake slices (or forty 10″ squares)
2⅞ yds. Moda Bella Solids – Snow (9900-11) for background
⅝ yd. for binding
5 yds. for backing
72″ x 89″ batting

LAYER CAKE QUILT CUTTING:
From 10″ SNIPPET Layer Cake slices, cut:
40) slices into 9¾” squares

From MODA BELLA SNOW, cut:
10) 9¾” strips
–> sub-cut into 40) 9¾” squares

1. Layer a print square and a background square. Right sides together.

2. Join fabrics with a seam on each side.

3. Cut joined unit into three equal slices in the same direction as your seams.

[1½” slices for Charm quilt]

{3¼” slices for Layer Cake quilt}

4. Press each seamed end slice unit toward the print. Layer a center slice unit to each end slice unit.

5. Join, right sides together with a ¼” seam.

6. Press to the print on both units.

7. The back will look like this:

8. Layer each unit (right sides together) with the seams horizontal.

9. Join units with a ¼” seam on each side.

10. Cut joined unit into three equal slices in the same direction as your just made seams.

[1½” slices for Charm quilt]

{3¼” slices for Layer Cake quilt}

11. Press end slices toward the side that has the most print.

12. Layer a center slice unit to each end slice unit.

13. Join units with a ¼” seam.

14. Press end slices toward the side that has the most print. You will yield two 9-patch blocks:
— One block will have 5 print squares – a “5 print block”
— One block will have 4 prints squares – a “4 print block”

15. Lay out your blocks on a design wall or favorite design laying area in rows of 8 blocks, each block alternating with a “5 print block” and a “4 print block”. Start your first row with a “4 print block”, the second row starting with a “5 print block” – alternating with each new row. Make 10 rows.

Join blocks in each row, always pressing to the “5 print block”.

Join rows to finish quilt. Layer, baste, quilt as desired. Bind. Fin.

Along with background fabric… a 40 count charm pack will yield a 24″ x 30″ quilt top… and a 40 count Moda Layer Cake pack will yield a 66″ x 82½” quilt top.

This fun 9-patch method can be used on any size square of fabric, as long as you trim up your square so that it can be divided equally into thirds.
Have a happy patchtastic day!
Monica/Happy Zombie

Swanky Turnover Quilt

A sweet little quilt to use as a baby quilt, car quilt, table topper or adorn on a wall.
25 block finished quilt is 45″ x 45″
All seams ¼”

1 pkg. Chez Moi Swanky Turnovers (80 – 6″ triangles)
1¼ yd. Chez Moi Swanky – Highland Park PEACOCK (16034-13)
¼ yd. Moda Bella Solids – LEMON (9900-131)
1 yd. Flag Day Farm solid – IVORY (14620-11)
2¾ yds. backing fabric
51″ x 51″ batting

CUTTING:
From LEMON, cut:
4) 1½” strips for inner boarder

From IVORY, cut:
25) 6″ squares for waffle blocks
–> sub-cut each square diagonally to yield 50 triangles

From PEACOCK, cut:
5) 4½” strips for outer border
5) 2¼” strips for binding

ORGANIZE TURNOVERS
Each Turnover has a matching twin, and are conveniently paired together in the Turnover pack.
Gather 25 twins (50 total) of the small/medium scale prints for waffle blocks.
Gather 14 twins (28 total) of the large scale prints for setting triangles and corners.

WAFFLE (block) ASSEMBLY
1) Making one block at a time, gather one twin SWANKY triangle set and one IVORY triangle set.

2) Cut out a 3″ square from each triangle. You will yield two small triangles and one square.

3) Trim each 3″ square of the SWANKY and the IVORY to 2¾”.

4) To the IVORY squares, join the small triangle of SWANKY to each side. To the SWANKY square, join a triangle to IVORY to each side. Press to the Swanky for all four units.

5) Join one of each unit to make a secondary unit, and press in opposite directions.

6) Join secondary units to complete the block. Press. Trim off dog-ears. Make 24 more blocks. Mmmm, pass the strawberries and whipped cream… it smells like waffles!

7) From the 28 large scale SWANKY Turnover triangles, join 24 of them (chop suey style… do not match them with their twin) – to make 12 setting triangles. Note: The remaining 4 triangles of the 28 – you will use for your setting corners.

8) From setting triangle unit’s tip, measure 5″ on center and trim off end. Use your seam as your guide.

9) Lay out your blocks. Be sure to place blocks in alternating directions.

10) Place your setting triangle units and corner triangles.

11) Make quilt center by joining blocks, setting triangles and corners into rows. Press each row in alternating direction. Join rows to complete quilt center. Press.

12) Trim quilt center’s sides ¼” past the block’s tip.

13) Because you are working with bias edges, everyone’s touch is a little different – and finished center quilt my vary a tad in size. Your finished quilt center will determine what size to cut your borders. From the center of your quilt center, measure horizontally. Cut your top and bottom LEMON inner border strips to this measurement. Pin to top and bottom. Join. Press.

14) On the quilt’s center, measure vertically from top to bottom. This will be your measurement for your side’s inner and outer borders. Join LEMON inner border to side PEACOCK outer border. Make two. Pin in place to quilt center. Join. Press.

15) From the center of your quilt center, measure horizontally. Take 3 PEACOCK outer border strips and join end to end to make one long strip. Sub-cut long PEACOCK strip into two border strips to this measurement. Pin to top and bottom. Join. Press. Done!
Layer with batting and backing, baste and quilt as desired. Bind. Snuggle.

The finished Belgian Waffle quilt measures approximately 45″ x 45″.
Strawberries and whipped cream optional – but highly recommended!
Monica/Happy Zombie

Valentine Pennie Pockets

Four little nosegay Pennie Pockets of Valentine happiness. Fill with treats and love… hang on a front door handle… ring the doorbell… and RUN!

• 6 slices of a Moda Layer Cake (6 – 10″ x 10″ squares). Sweet by Urban chicks featured.
• 2 strips (2 – 1½” strips) from a roll of Sweet Honey Buns.
• Optional: Clover “Large” (orange) Yo-Yo maker.

• Pearl beads in assorted sizes.

1. Select 4 slices of Layer Cake (4 – 10″x10″ pieces) and cut each piece diagonally once for your outer pocket and liner pocket pieces.

2. Arrange your outer pocket and liner triangles into four units.

3. Select 2 slices of Layer Cake (2- 10″x10″ pieces) and cut in half horizontally and then in half vertically to yield eight 5″ squares for prairie points and yo-yo’s. Arrange 2 groups – four pieces for prairie points, and 4 pieces for yo-yo’s. Make four yo-yo’s according to the directions from your Clover yo-yo maker (or use your favorite yo-yo making method if no Clover tool is used).

4. Make 4 prairie points total by diagonally folding the wrong sides together of each 5″ square. Press. Fold over again diagonally. Press.

5. Cut four 1½” x 16″ pieces from two Honey Bun strips. (two from each strip)

6. Fold and press handle strip in half lengthwise with wrong side inside. Open and press long edges to center. Refold in half and press. Repeat for all handle strips. Top-stitch on outer edges to finish handles.

7. Pin a prairie point on center on it’s raw edge to the edge of the outer pocket piece. Pin raw edges of handle on each side of the prairie point.

8. Tuck the handle ends half way under the prairie point.

9. Pin liner pocket piece to outer pocket piece. Sew a 1/4″ seam to join pieces. Back-stitch beginning and end of seam.

10. Press unit towards the liner piece. Flip one pressed side about an inch in the opposite pressing direction and press (see photo in step 13). This will help your unit nest nicely in the step 12.

11. Tuck handle under prairie point. This will help keep your handle from migrating into the seam in the next step.

12. Fold over diagonally, right sides together. Stitch a ¼” seam around edge, stopping about an inch past the turn (right blue pin). Leave about a 3″ opening for turning, and continue stitching the edge (after left blue pin). Back-stitch all beginning and ending stitches.

13. Trim all corner points about ⅛” from seam to reduce bulk after turning.

14. Turn unit inside out. A chop-stick makes for a great turning/pointy poking tool, especially if it’s cute like my little strawberry one. Pin turn-opening closed, and top-stitch or whip-stitch edges closed.

15. Sew a pearl bead to a yo-yo center. Secure with knot. Sew yo-yo to the bottom point of the prairie point. Secure with a knot and hide thread tail between prairie point layers.

16. To attache dangle beads, take your chop-stick or turning tool and make sure liner point is as far down into the pocket as possible. With needle and thread, exit needle at the pennie’s point. Thread 3 beads, from large to medium to small. Make a “u-turn” and thread back into medium and then large bead. Pull taught (but not too taught). Enter the needle back into the pennie’s point and knot-off and hide thread tail in between layers of fabric.

17. Fill with candy, fabric, love coupons, sewing tools/notions, flowers, Cheeze-It’s, etc.

One package each of Layer Cakes and Honey Buns will yield 24 Pennie Pockets.

Ding-dong-ditchin’ good clean fun!
Monica/Happy Zombie

Reversible Pocket Calendar Cover

Little inexpensive clear vinyl covered pocket calendars can go from ho-humm functional – to oh-so-cute in a matter of minutes. The pocket calendars with the clear removable covers can be found in almost any store that sells office supplies, and can occasionally be found at “dollar stores”.

• 2 slices of a Moda Layer Cake (2 – 10″ x 10″ squares). Snippets by American Jane featured.
• 1 pocket calendar with clear vinyl removable cover
• Iron-on Adhesive for fabric (example, Heat n Bond Lite)

1. Select two Layer Cakes (2 – 10″ x 10″ squares), and remove vinyl cover from calendar.

2. Cut a piece of iron-on adhesive larger then your calendar. A good half inch extra on all four sides is plenty.

3. Iron on the adhesive (according to manufacture’s instructions) – bumpy side down, paper side up – to the WRONG side of your fabric. Leave yourself a 1/4” clearance near the edge of your fabric and the adhesive so you don’t fuse your project to your ironing board.

4. Remove the adhesive’s paper after ironing.

5. Place second fabric, WRONG side down – so adhesive is sandwiched between your fabrics. Iron to fuse the pieces together.

6. Place your calendar over your fused fabric unit, at least a 1/2″ in from the side and bottom. This will insure your sandwiched unit will be fused on all four sides (this will help prevent fraying). Mark the four corners of the calendar with a pencil as a cutting guide.

7. Trim unit using your pencil marks as your guide. TIP: It is better to cut larger, and then trim as needed to fit unit inside your clear vinyl cover.

8. Slide fused unit in cover. You may need to do a little trimming to get it to fit accurately and neatly.

9. Insert calendar and you’re done! Done of course, unless you can’t decide which side of the fused unit to use. Alternating the sides of the fused unit takes only seconds to change.

One package of Moda Layer Cakes will yield 20 reversible calendar covers. Make 20 to give to your friends, family, co-workers and the appointmently challenged … or keep them for yourself to alternate with your mood, fashion/desk accessories or season.
You can take your personalized cover a step further – and embellish your cover with fused/ironed on applique pieces. Your iron is your oyster. Something like that.

Happy Days! And months. And year…
Monica