Color Me Happy

Hey yall.
😀

Let’s make table runners, shall we???
& not just any table runners… mix & match table runners.

Not only are they SUPER cute, they’re SUPER quick to make.
{thanks to using the quilt-as-you-go method.}

So let’s get this party started.

1 Frolic jelly roll
1 yard solid binding {sku #7521 376}
2 yards backing {sku #17515 11}

Cut your jelly roll strips in half.
Be a rebel & use scissors.

When you cut your strips, make 2 piles.
{1/2 your strip in one pile & the other 1/2 of your strip in another pile.}
Let’s refer to these as runner #1 pile and runner #2 pile.

From runner #1 pile:

Make 6 color piles.
{mine = cream, aqua, coral, yellow, black & green}

It’s totally okay to oooh & aaah for a minute or two.
😀

Take 3 colors {mine = green, black & yellow} and cut like so:
2 1/2″ x 3″
2 1/2″ x 6″
2 1/2″ x 9″

Now take the last 3 colors {mine = cream, aqua & coral} and cut like so:
2 1/2″ x 4″
2 1/2″ x 7″
2 1/2″ x 10″

You should now have 6 cutesy piles like this.

Pick a pile, any pile.
{I ran with aqua first…I’m totally on an aqua kick these days.}

Start piecing your aqua pieces together {end to end}, alternating your sizes.
Pattern example: 4″, 10″, 7″, 10″, 7″, 4″ etc.
Make your strips about 42″ long.

Do this for all 6 color piles.
Make 2 color strips for each color.
Easy peasy. Promise.

Lay out all 12 strips.
Ain’t it pretty?!?!

Feel free to play with color placement.
Oooh’ing & aaah’ing is optional.

Take 1 yard of your backing fabric and lay it out flat.
Cut & layer a 42-ish” x 26-ish” piece of batting on top of your backing.

Note: I highly suggest using basting spray between the 2 layers.

Remember when we were playing with color placement???
Well take your middle strip & lay it right side up in the middle of your batting.
{mine = black}

Take your next strip & lay in on top of your 1st strip.

Stitch down the right side of your strip.
{you’ll be stitching through the 2 strips, batting & backing.}

Note: I highly suggest ironing each strip open before adding the next one.

Cover the whole right side of your batting using this method.

Now turn your runner & cover the whole left side of your batting.

Your runner should now look something like this.

Trim off all those stragglers.

You’ll need to decide on what size you want your runner to be.
It will obviously be 24 1/2″ wide, so you basically need to figure out the length you want.

{mine = 38″}

You have 2 choices at this point as far as quilting is concerned:
Leave it as is OR quilt it some more.

{i enjoy the quilty look, so i added some modern straight line quilting.}

Now set this runner aside…it’s on to runner #2.

Ain’t she purdy?!?!
😀

Again…
Take 1 yard of your backing fabric and lay it out flat.
Cut & layer a 43-ish” x 20-ish” piece of batting on top of your backing.

Note: I highly suggest using basting spray between the 2 layers.

From runner #2 pile:

Note: I didn’t play with color placement for this runner. You can just wing it like I did OR audition your fabrics. Whatever strikes your fancy.

Take your middle strip & lay it right side up in the middle of your batting.
{mine = coral}

Take your next strip & lay in on top of your 1st strip.
Stitch down the right side of your strip.
{you’ll be stitching through the 2 strips, batting & backing.}

Note: I highly suggest ironing each strip open before adding the next one.

Cover the whole runner using this method.

Trim off all those stragglers.

You’ll need to decide on what size you want your runner to be.
It will depend on how many strips you have.
{mine = 21 strips for a 41″ long runner.}

You have 2 choices at this point as far as quilting is concerned: leave it as is OR quilt it some more.
{i enjoy the quilty look, so i added some modern straight line quilting.}

Now you just need to throw the binding on both runners and…

…Voila!!!

Ubber cute AND ubber simplistic mix & match table runners.
Yayyy!!!

Enjoy.

rachel of p.s. i quilt

Fabric Candy Dishes

1 jelly roll OR honey bun. {hunky dory featured.}
1/4 – 1/2 yard fabric.
cellophane or plastic wrap.
2″ foam brush.
mod podge or elmer’s glue all.
glass bowl.

pick out your favorite bowl.
{or a bowl you like the size & shape of.}

take some jelly roll strips and cut them in half.
{i cut right on the fold.}

flip your bowl so the bottom is up.
cover the outside of your bowl in cellophane.
{make sure you get all the air out.}

dump your mod podge or glue into a bowl.
{this will ensure a much easier work environment. trust me.}

paint a thin layer of glue all over the cellophane.

lay a jelly roll strip, right side down, across your bowl.
paint another thin layer of glue over your strip.

keep layering strips and gluing until the bottom is completely covered.

take your piece of fabric, right side up, and drape it over your bowl.

start pressing the fabric against the bowl.
remember: pleats are good. they add character.

trim your excess fabric off.

paint another coat of glue all over your fabric.

set your bowl out in the sun to dry.
make sure you check on it periodically.
{you’d hate to find debris dried on your fabric.}

note: i placed my bowl on aluminum foil.
it attracts the sun and helps it dry faster.

when your bowl is completely dry, take it out of it’s mold.
your fabric bowl should look something like mine.
bad hair day & all.

trim those stragglers.

and add the good stuff.
*drool*

now stand back and check out your easy, peasy homemade candy dishes.
yayyy!!!

note: to reverse the look of the bowl, like i did with the smaller one, let the jelly roll strips show on the outside with the whole cloth on the inside.
it’s fun to mix & match.

this is a great craft to do with kids.
my kiddos love making these.

& they’re perfect for every holiday.
gotta love all those holiday fabrics & candies.
yum.

hope yall enjoy!!!

rachel of p.s. i quilt

Fabric Wreath

1 honey bun {essence by sandy gervais is featured.}
12″ wire wreath frame {found at your local craft store}

yall will start by cutting your honey bun strips into 5 1/2″ long strips.

it’s at this point where you can choose to leave the selvages on or not.

{i left mine on this time.}

note: feel free to use scissors because it doesn’t have to be a real accurate 5 1/2″ strip. basically what i did was take the already folded honey bun strip,

fold it in half, then fold it in half again, and cut at the folds.

pick a color pattern that you like.
example: purple, red, cream, green, gold, aqua then cream again.

now here’s the fun part…

take your first strip, fold it in half lengthwise, and tie it onto your frame.

note: you are folding your strips in half for two reasons…

one: it’ll ensure that most of your fabric showing is the print side of the fabric.

two: it’s easier to tie your fabric onto the frame.

keep tying your strips on until you have covered your whole frame.

note: on my frame there were 4 wire circles, i just went around all four circles. feel free to make your wreath as full or as bare as you want, but i personally think that the fuller ones are the prettiest ones.

when all your strips are tied on, fluff your strips so that it gives your wreath a messy look.

and you’ve just made your very own fabric wreath!!!

ain’t it pretty???

you can hang it {or drape it} like i did here, or you can take another honey bun strip and tie it into a pretty hanging ribbon.

so go impress all of your friends with your awesome fabric wreath making skills.

and because these wreaths only take a few hours to make, you can whip them up for hostess gifts this holiday season. {they make great house warming gifts too.}

just don’t forget to treat yourself to one!!!

hope yall enjoy!!!

p.s. i quilt

Vintage Ribbons Table Runner.

to market, to market!!!
rumor has it that rouenneries is going to be quite the star around market booths this weekend.
to celebrate with us, whip up your very own vintage ribbons table runner!!!
{if you are joining us at market, stop by the moda booth to see my table runner in person!!!}

11 rouenneries by french general fat quarters
20 x 44 batting

pick out 11 of your favorite fat quarters.

keep in mind that you want contrast and some solid prints.

from fat quarter #1:

cut three 6 1/2″ squares.

from fat quarter #2:
cut six 2″ x 6 1/2″ strips & six 2″ x 9 1/2″ strips.

from fat quarter #3:

cut four 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles & twelve 2″ x 3 1/2″ rectangles.

from fat quarter #4:

cut six 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles.

from fat quarter #5:

cut eight 3 1/2″ squares.

from fat quarter #6:

cut eight 2″ x 9 1/2″ strips & four 2″ squares.

from fat quarter #7:

cut sixty-four 2″ squares.

from fat quarters #8-#11:

piece fat quarters #8, #9 & #10 together for your backing.

cut your binding from fat quarter #11. {seven 2 1/2″ x width of fat quarter strips.}

take one of your 6 1/2″ square and add two of your 2″ x 6 1/2″ strips to the top & bottom of it.

then add two of your 2″ x 9 1/2″ strips to the sides of it.

you will make a total of 3 of these.

{click pic to enlarge.}

take one of your 3 1/2″ x 9 1/2″ rectangles and layer one of your 2″ squares on top.

stitch from corner to corner.

note to add: feel free to draw a diagonal line across your 2″ square to have a stitching guide.
open up your triangle and press.

repeat for the other side.

you should now have ten completed star point units, like so.

now take your twelve 2″ x 3 1/2″ rectangles and make twelve flying geese units using the same method as the star point units.

now we can begin constructing your blocks.
follow my picture diagram to complete your first block.

then add your consecutive pieces by adding on to this unit.

we will now piece your borders.

for your top & bottom borders, follow this pattern:

flying geese unit, 2″ x 9 1/2″ strip, flying geese unit, 2″ x 9 1/2″ strip,
flying geese unit, 2″ x 9 1/2″ strip, flying geese unit.

add these to the top & bottom of your quilt top.

for your two side borders follow this pattern:
2″ block, flying geese unit, 2″ x 9 1/2″ strip, flying geese unit, & 2″ block.

add these to the sides of your quilt top.

your quilt top should now be completed and it should look like this.

layer, baste, quilt {as desired} & bind.

you are now the owner of one amazing 18 1/2″ x 42″ table runner.

{that’s before washing.}

this little table runner would be perfect in loads of fabric lines.

not to mention it’s reversible!!!

hope yall enjoy!!!

p.s. i quilt

Scruffily Quilt

1 hushabye charm pack
1 hushabye jelly roll
1 hushabye layer cake
4 yards of backing

cut a 2 1/2″ square from each jelly roll strip for a total of fourty 2 1/2″ squares.

lay out 36 layer cake pieces in a 6×6 setting.

make sure it’s in an order that you love.

{i did this on my livingroom floor.}

lay one charm square on top of each layer cake piece.

lay one 2 1/2″ square on top of each charm square so that all the squares are appealing to you.

note: you don’t have to do this step, if you don’t want.

i stacked all my rows and labeled them to take them to my machine.

{i didn’t want to run back & forth from my machine to my livingroom floor.}

feel free to do what works for you.

sew a charm square to your layer cake square, using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

{a walking foot comes in handy here.}

sew a 2 1/2″ square on top of your charm square, still using 1/4″ seam allowance.
rinse & repeat to make 35 more squares.

sew your rows together to make your quilt top.

layer, baste & quilt as desired.

{i outline quilted around the blocks.}

i used the rest of my jelly roll to make a pieced binding…and i ♥ it.

i highly recommend yall do it.

it’s SO worth it.

wash & dry your quilt for that straight from the dryer crinkly goodness.

be prepared to trim some strings.

now you have one amazing scruffily quilt!!!
oh how i ♥ it!!!

this quilt is the perfect movie watching quilt finishing at 55″ square.

not to mention it’s an easy peasy gift for all those peeps on your gift list.

and the possiblities are endless.

just think of all those color options.

i’m currently making another one in cotton blossoms.

{i know…be still my heart.}

get them while they’re hot!!!

scruffily quilt kits are available at the quilt shoppe!!!

p.s. my scruffily quilt won a gold medal at the ohio outdoor quilt festival!!!

rachel of p.s. i quilt

Christmas Table Topper

2 crazy eight charm packs {you’ll need 81 charms total.}
2 yards white bella solids
2 yards backing
1/2 yard binding

lay out 9 different charms that you like together.
{don’t forget to throw in some contrast!!!}

sew the 1st row. pressing seams to the right.
sew the 2nd row. pressing seams to the left.
and then sew the 3rd row. pressing seams to the right again.
{this will ensure perfect seams.}

join row 1 & row 2. press.
join rows 1 & 2 with row 3. press again.

congratulations…you have a completed 9-patch block!!!
moving on…

make sure that your block is nice and square.
{it should be if you used a TRUE 1/4″ seam allowance.}

spray your block with a light spray starch {like magic sizing} & press.
then cut your block in half longways. {horizontally}

cut in half tallways. {vertically.}
now you have 4 different sections.
simply turn the sections to create a new pattern, like so…
sew the top 2 sections together. press seam to the right.
sew the bottom 2 sections together. press seam to the left.
{this will ensure perfect seams.}

sew top and bottom together and press.

give yourself a pat on the back!!!
you’ve just made a disappearing 9-patch block the SUPER easy way!!!

now rinse and repeat to make 8 more of these bad boys.
{making a grand total of nine 13 1/2″ blocks.}

from the 2 yards of white bella solids cut:
twelve 13 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strips
& four 52 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strips

take your first block and add a 13 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip to both sides of the block.

add your second block to the right side of the previous strip.
add a 13 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip to the right side of that block as well.

then add your third block to the right side of the previous strip.
add a 13 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip to the right side of that block.

you will rinse and repeat to make 2 more of these rows.
{making a grand total of 3 rows.}

note: if you are confused, here is the pattern you are following for each row:
sashing, block, sashing, block, sashing, block, sashing.

now it’s time to complete the quilt top.
to the top row add one 52 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip.
join rows 1 & 2 with another 52 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip.
then join rows 1 & 2 with row 3 with another 52 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip.
and lastly, to the bottom row add the last 52 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ strip.
{be prepared to trim your edges down a bit.}

note: if you are confused, here is the pattern you are following for the top:
sashing, pieced row, sashing, pieced row, sashing, pieced row, sashing.

here is what your quilt top should resemble.

layer. baste. quilt. & bind.
{and of course don’t forget to wash & dry it for that straight from the dryer crinkly goodness.}

voila…
you have a SUPER cute christmas table topper!!!
measuring 48″ x 48″ it still makes the cut as a cozy christmas lap quilt too.

and don’t stop at christmas fabrics!!!
you can choose a number of lines to tailor this for a baby shower quilt, a dorm room quilt or even that perfect movie watching quilt.
endless possibilities.
{you can easily change the overall size by making your sashings wider. easy peasy.}

no matter what you make it, you’ll impress all the people on your gift list this christmas with this under the tree!!!
promise.
get them while they’re hot!!!
table topper kits are available at the quilt shoppe!!!

rachel of p.s. i quilt

Grocery Bag Dispenser

1 sweet charm pack
two 19″ x 3 1/2″ strips white bella solids
20″ x 20″ piece white bella solids
20″ x 20″ piece warm & natural batting
30″ of 1/2″ wide elastic

ribbon &/or rick rack

lay out 16 of your fav charms from your charm pack in a 4×4 layout.

sew the 1st row. pressing seam to the right.
sew the 2nd row. pressing seam to the left.
sew the 3rd row. pressing seam to the right again.
and then sew the 4th row. pressing seam to the left again.
{this will ensure perfect seams.}

join row 1 & row 2. press.
add row 3. press.
add row 4. press.

layer with the 20″ x 20″ piece of bella solids & 20″ x 20″ batting.
baste.
and quilt as desired. {i went with good ol’ stipple quilting.}
then trim off your edges just like you would if you were about to complete a quilt.

take your two 19″ x 3 1/2″ strips of white bella solids and fold them in half like you would binding. press.

with the opening facing outwards on, just like binding, sew your strip on.

you’ll want to do this to the top and the bottom of your little quilt.
yours should look just like mine.

cut 12″ from your elastic and place a safety pin at one end, like so.

feed the safety pin end of your elastic through the strip on the TOP of your quilt.

once you pull the pin through to the other side, you’ll need to remove the pin and secure the loose end of your elastic by sewing over it.

trim it nice & neat once it’s secure.

here’s what your top will look like once it’s done.
now cut 10″ from your elastic and do this process again for the bottom.

after you’ve sewn your elastic into place, you’re gonna have a funky looking quilt like this.

take the remaining 8″ of elastic and fold it in half.
this will be for you to hang your dispenser by.

{you can use ribbon, rick rack or even fabric here instead of elastic.}

take your little quilt, right sides together and start to sew down the long, open side.
the ends of your elastic are gonna be a little finicky, but you can do it!!!
promise.

before you go too far, take that folded elastic from the previous step and slide it in place with the opening facing outwards near the top of your quilt.
{i placed mine about 1/2″ from the bottom of the white fabric.}

after you have sewn down the side, this is what your little quilt will look like now.

now flip that bad boy right side out …

and you are done.
{unless you want to wash it & dry it for that straight from the dryer crinkly goodness like i did.}

now all you have to do is add your grocery bags and enjoy!!!

did i mention it takes less than an hour to whip up one of these???
so go whip up a few for you, your mom, your sister & your neighbor…they’re all gonna want one once they see yours!!!

rachel of p.s. i quilt

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