New Etsy store

I just opened an Etsy store. I thought I would share it with you! I make handmade iPhone and iPod touch cases. Let me know what you think! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/casebotique?ref=si_shop 

Here are some of them 

iphone covers

So today I wanted to make a few things that wouldn't take too much time and give a little break from the quilt. So here are some pics of what I made! 

Baby Quilt / play mat Tutorial

So first You will need to pick out your materials. You can pick out as many as you like I usually make my baby quilts 6 blocks by 6 so you will need 36 squares Keep that in mind while picking. Now I always take out a scrap piece of paper and draw out my design so I get an idea then lay the blocks out to that pattern. My quilt blocks for this one are 6in squares. 

This is especially well when you like me in this instance have 5 green 6 blue 7 orange and 18 of my print. Following a previous drawing changing some blocks from it you can come up with many many patterns.

Here's my example Sorry its sloppy lol I have been referring to them for a long time. 

Cut all your squares and lay them out until you have a pattern you are happy with.  Then start sewing one row at a time. Then sew those rows together. This will go very fast! I don't really know if your supposed to or not in quilting but I find I have to back stitch at the beginning and end of the stitch or when I sew they will try to pull apart. Make sure to press your seems to your preference Open or to the sides. 

Then you will layer your backing on bottom with print touching the floor or table surface. Then kinda pull it at all corners so that there are no wrinkles. Then layer your batting on top of that and smooth it out also making sure no wrinkles in it or under it. Then put your quilt top on top with right side up also pulling taught. Then pin in place in spots where you are not going to sew. 

(Had to switch the backing I didn't like the plaid) 

Now for the quilting you can do it on machine or by hand. If you do it on the machine This is easily done in 1 day! Great last min gift. If you do it by hand it will depend on your sewing speed. 

I decided to sew in a contrasting color because I thought it would look good and bold while tying all the colors in. now my hand stitching isn't perfect so don't measure my stitches lol. 

Needless to say I am not done yet but I will have finished pics and binding tut soon! Thanks for reading! 

Crochet Rag Rug

So after posting my tutorial I decided to make another. I don't know why but I love making these! They are so fast! This one is smaller but it took me a half a day to make :) So here it is. 

Crochet Rag Rug

Today I thought I would show you how to crochet a rag rug. If there is anything I am not clear about just let me know. I would be happy to answer any questions or explain things in a different way I will.

Supplies
Crochet hook (not sure what the size is available at craft stores and Walmart.)
Sheets or other fabric (T-shirts work great too!)

Ok your first step will be to cut your fabric strips into approx 1.5in wide strips. They so not by any means have to be perfect, as a matter of fact mine are mostly curved. And way you will want to cut lots of them. I try and cut as many as I can before loosing interest then will cut more as I go.

So the next step is to make a slip stitch and put that on your hook. And for reference to join your stitches here is a great link to see how, or you can just tie a knot but this way is better http://tottietalkscrafts.com/2010/05/13/how-to-make-a-join-in-fabric-strip-yarn-or-tarn/

Then you need to chain stitch 5 stitches

Join onto first stitch with a slip stitch

Then chain stitch 1 

Next in each single crochet from the first round you will put 2 single crochet in each hole

Keep going, but you will only need to put 2 single crochet in every other one ish

You will keep doing that but will not need to keep increasing as much. Tip: if the rug starts to form a bowl increase more. (two crochets in each space, remember not to do one at the same point where you did another it will create a corner shape) If it begins to get wavy then start decreasing (skipping stitches) 

Keep going 

And going 

Keep going until you have reached your desired size. 

To end off crochet to the spot you want to stop.

Then do one more and on that loop that is left on your hook pull it through 

Should look something like this then cut your fabric strip about 8 in or so 

Weave it in 

pull it through to the back and tie a knot on one of the loops from a previous crochet

Cut off next to the knot you just made and you are done! 

Keep in mind it may seem daunting or tough at first but trust me once you get the hang of it its easy.

If you make one I would love to see pictures! 

Log quilt block

So a few posts ago I had shown you some pictures of a quilt I was starting. I got to thinking I would show you how to sew a log quilt block.

Supplies:
Rotary cutter
Cutting mat
Ruler
Fabric
Sewing machine

I like to get some cutting if not all out of the way ahead of time. So first you will cut 2in squares. Traditionally these all stay the same color throughout the quilt however if you would like you can make the different.

You will also need to decide how you want your quilt, all one color just different contrasts or different colors. I will be doing purple so one half will be light and the other will be dark. I gather all my fabrics that I will be using and you will cut 2in strips. It really doesn't matter the length the longer the better because it's less time consuming. It is a great stash busting project!

Take one of your squares and put it right sides together with a light fabric strip. 

Trim edges.

Next you sew on piece 3 as pictured at the bottom. 

Then piece 4 and so on.

If you get confused of what color is next or will look good you can always lay it out first

Here's what it will look like when it is done. 

Here is a numbered picture so you know what ones are what colors. You can click it to enlarge it.

I hope that this tutorial was helpful to you. If you have any questions or I wasn't clear enough feel free to ask!

Great Find!

So went to an auction yesterday, I found an awesome sewing machine! I figured it would sell for way too much since vintage things like that do. However I was able to get it for a great price! Anyway I don't know much about it but it came with the manual and shows the parts prices and they range from .01 to 5.00 WOW. If only lol. Well it does work however I'm not planning on using it I just plan on keeping it for display. I wouldn't even know where to begin to look for a new needle etc. So here it is! 

Fabric Coasters

I thought today I would post a tutorial on how to make some fabric coasters. So here is some step by step directions on how to make them. 

First you need your fabric, I used upholstery if you dont have a sturdy fabric you may need interfacing.  

Cut both front and back fabric into 4.5in or if you want bigger coasters adjust the size.

Sew one piece of front to a piece of the back and leave about a 2 in opening for turning. (Make sure to back stitch on open ends where you're turning through.)

Turn right side out 

Fold raw edges in and give it a good press. You want it to be as flat as possible.

Then top stitch around edges leaving about .25 in all around. The closer to the edge the better then you wont have to sew that opening closed if your top stitch gets it.  (I put my needle down and then turn to keep it this way)

Then I give a good press.

Done in a matter of minutes.