Quilting Tutorials/Ideas Archives • Page 6 of 8 • Stitches Quilting

Posted on September 19, 2016September 19, 2016 by Deanna

Cozy Christmas Stocking Block Sew Along

I loved making this Cozy Christmas Stocking Block Sew Along – this is block 6 of 12 and we are half way through the Sew Along! I actually started it in Utah, worked on it in Chicago and then made the finishing touches back in Utah. This Stocking Block got to travel this last week.

You might notice thar I changed my inner border to be a White on White Riley Blake Basic Fabric instead of the Red and White Swiss Dot. What do you think? I was originally thinking the red and white swiss dot was so strong and distracting from the block itself. I need your advice do you like the white washing or the red and white swiss dot as the sashing? Please comment below…. Here is a picture of the Cozy Christmas Wreath Block to compare.

Okay let’s dive into making the Cozy Christmas Stocking Block. This block went fast for me. You will need to pull your Cozy Christmas Templates B-4, B-7, B-10 and B-17 to create the Cozy Stocking Block. I had an idea of what fabrics I was using so I put the Happy Color Thread colors in my Blue Cute Lori Tin. Of course you can’t forget the white Aurifil Thread or the Clover Point to Point Turner. I’m also using the 10 and 18 inch design boards for the laying out my block pieces. You might as well attach now your open toed sewing machine foot. I got out my appliqué pins to hold the pieces in place while I appliqué my blocks together.

In a handy location, I have my Omnigrid 6 x 24 inch ruler, Omnigrid 6.5 x 6.5 square ruler, Olfa locking Rotary Cutter and my large Cute Cuts Rotary Mat by Lori Holt.

Get your Pellon Interfacing ready to trace your simple shapes. I also pulled the fabrics that I am going to use for this block. Everyone else is using Lori Holt Cozy Christmas Fabrics, but I am using Tasha Noel’s Pixie Noel fabrics. I decided to pull colors that are similar to the colors Lori Holt has in her sample block.

Do you think a pencil or pen is better for tracing your Cozy Christmas Sew Simple Shapes to the Pellon Sew-In Interfacing? I just lightly use the pencil. Any thoughts, I would love your input? Now I’m carefully laying out the B-3 Cozy Christmas Simple Shape on the Navy Gingham positioned on point with the pattern. I thought this might make my gingham a little more interesting than just the straight up and down gingham pattern.

Let’s lay the small piece of mini white ric rac exactly where we want it on the fabric before we stitch this together. Here is a video to demonstrate how to do this with Appli-Glue by Jillily Studio to help keep things into place. After stitching together, I then used the Clover Point to Point Turner Tool.

The rest of the pieces are easier since you do not have any ric rac embellishments to add before stitching. I was sewing this block together in Chicago while attending SewPro Covention. I carried my sewing machine all the way to Chicago as a carry on lifting it into the airplane overhead compartments. There was two small items that I didn’t bring with me and had to improvise. You can see what I forgot in the next short video and how I made it work. If you watch the video to the end you will get to see me load my sewing machine in the airplane overhead bins! So glad I didn’t hit anyone in the head with the sewing machine – it was heavy!

Stitch the four stocking pieces are in place on the background block. In this tutorial, I am using the Aqua Snow Fabric from the Pixie Noel fabric collection by Tasha Noel. Pin or glue your pieces in place making sure you have a 3/4 of an inch around the circumference of the block. Work on stitching your pieces in place whether you are hand or machine appliquing your block. After completing the stitching, it is time to trim your block to become a 6.5 inch finished block.

I use an Omigrid 6.5 inch square ruler to trim my Cozy Christmas Stocking Block. Lori Holt was smart to tell us all to make our background squares a bit bigger because cotton certainly stretches as we sew on it. I love using the 6.5 inch square ruler to see through the grid lines to see exactly how I want my block to look. I like to use my ergonomic Olfa locking cutter to trim. Today I actually had to replace my blade because it got taken going through security… my bad. I talked them into letting me keep the Olfa Rotary Cutter but they did unscrew it to take the blade off. Phew… Has this happened to anyone else other than me?

Here is my block all trimmed to the perfect 6.5 inch square size; you can see the tiny amounts trimmed off from the Aqua Blue Snow Background. Now it’s time to add the sashing blocks. Remember I’m experiementing with a white on white Riley Blake Basic Fabric instead of using the Red and White Swiss Dot Riley Blake Basic for the sashing. You have to let me know what you think. We sew on the left and right sashing first then press and sew on the top and bottom sashing.

It’s important to always press and square up your block after each stage of piecing. You can see here I am trimming with the Omnigrid 6 x 24 inch ruler the edges of the white sashing strips added. It’s tempting to skip this step but it makes your block perfectly flat and great to put together with all the other blocks when constructing your quilt.

I added the pieced border after laying out the pieces on the 18 inch design board. I got everything positioned right and then squared up the block using once again the 12.5 inch square ruler that Lori Holt recommends. It is amazing how having the right tools makes life sometimes easier. Sometimes not but sometimes yes. What do you think? Having a lot of excess tools can be a lot of clutter too. Here is my finished block.

If you are interested we have three final Cozy Christmas Fat Quarter Bundles in stock. I have not been using the Cozy Christmas Fabric in my Cozy Christmas Quilt. I have been using the Tasha Noel Pixie Noel Fabric Collection combined with Riley Blake Basic Fabrics.

I can’t wait to see all your Cozy Christmas blocks on social media. Be sure to follow me and I will follow you back to see your great blocks. Always you the hashtag #cozychristmas #cozychristmassewalong and for this block #cozystockingblock . I can wait to adore your blocks too! It’s fun to search the blocks on Instagram because some people are using Cozy Christmas fabric, some people are using their scraps and some people are using different collections.

Let me know what you think about my travels, new sashing color, tools or too many tools, tips and tricks.

Happy Stitches,

Deanna

Posted on September 16, 2016September 18, 2016 by Deanna

Tula Pink Interview with Deanna Wall

Tula Pink Interview with Deanna Wall From Stitches Quilting

Stitches Quilting is carrying the complete collection of Tula Pink’s Slow & Steady 20th Anniversary Fabric Collection!

Are you just mesmerized by Tula Pink like the rest of US!!!! Oh she is just so incredible and talented.

Below is a video of Tula and I talking about her fabrics, threads, scissors and all her wonderful things! Want to see her personal sewing bag? Want to see some things from her home? Want to hear what inspires Tula then this video is for YOU!

Let’s look at some things made with Tula’s new Slow and Steady Fabric Collection!!!! What more Slow and Steady Inspiration? Look no further click here to see a blog post with lots of Slow and Steady eye candy inspiration!

Take a look at the collection!

Posted on September 14, 2016September 14, 2016 by Deanna — 20 Comments

Four Square in a Nine Patch Modern Quilt Block

Four Square in a Nine Path Modern Block Cloud9 Cirrus Solids

Four Square in a Nine Patch Modern Block

Doesn’t Four Square bring back playground memories from elementary school? The very first quilt I made 20 plus years ago was a nine patch. I thought it would be fun to call this Four Square in a Nine Patch Modern Block for the 2016 Cloud9 Cirrus Solids New Block Blog Hop. I received these fabrics from Cloud9 and they sat in my inbox as I

Daydreamed what I would create with these beautiful solids. Every so often during my day, I loved reaching over and feeling the softness of these 100% Organic Cotton Solids. YUM! The colors of the Cloud9 Cirrus Solids are Amazon, Sky, Iris, Lilac and Shadow.

I’ve enjoyed the 100 days 100 blocks on social media from Tula Pink’s Book of Modern Blocks. I thought to myself, how I appreciate simple but yet modern those blocks are. So I decided to go simple and modern with these gorgeous fabrics for a modern block design. I hope that a beginning quilter won’t feel overwhelmed by the 4 square in a Nine Patch Modern Quilt block and a seasoned quilter may want to quickly bust this block out for a fast project. The repeat is a stunning quilt but that is for a later post.

Let’s get started! I’m using the Shadow gray in this block almost as if it is a background solid. Then I selected the two blue Amazon and Sky to offset each other diagonally with the Iris and Lilac to offset each other diagonally.

To create the 12.5 inch finished block, use the following instructions:

Cut one 2.5 inch square block from each of the 4 colored fabrics – Amazon, Sky, Iris and Lilac

Now it’s time to cut one 5 inch square block from each of the 4 colored fabrics. Don’t let these pictures fool you the upper picture is the 2.5 inch size blocks cut and then the lower picture is the 5 inch square blocks cut from each colored fabric.

Cut 1 – 2.5 inch strip by 42 inches long of the Grey Shadow. Then cut the 2.5 inch strip into 8 – 2.5 x 5 inch strips.

This image is the 8 Grey Shadow strips laid out like a flower with all the scraps of the fabric as a center. I’m sorry… even the scraps were so pretty that I was too tempted to play and make a pretty flower to display the grey strips.

Let’s start stitching!

We are going to construct this block into 2 different sets of sections – “inner” and “outer”. This is a layout of the inner section using the 4 – 2.5 inch square block in the inside and the 2.5 by 5 inch Grey Shadow Rectangle Blocks.

Stitch the blocks together in two separate strips and then press them flat.

Press your inner block strips after stitching together. Use the fork pins to match your seams and stitch the two inner block strips together. Have you used fork pins before? They are a lot of fun and get great matching seams. If you want to purchase them from Stitches Quilting you can here. They are also a great gift for your Quilty Sewing Friends for Christmas as an affordably priced item.

After stitching the two inner block strips together, remove the fork pins and press. This is what everything should look like now.

Here is the layout of the outer section blocks and how they will be stitched together. Now we are laying 2 of the 2.5 x 5 inch rectangles horizontally to each other with the 5 inch squares placed on either side of the rectangles. Be sure to arrange your blue hues diagonally and the purple hues diagonally consistent with the inner block strip that you just stitched.

After stitching the outer block rows together, press the outer block strips and then lay them out by the joined two inner block strips. When laying out the outer blocks take note of the color pattern and confirm that you have the rows lined up to the color pattern that you desire.

Use fork pins to match your seams carefully and attch the two outer sections to the inner section as laid out above. Press your block carefully to prepare the squaring up of your block to a 12.5 inch size. For convenience I am using a 12.5 inch square ruler to precisely square up my block.

Here is what your finished block will look like. There will be a post later this week to show you how to arrange this block into a full quilt with quilt size deminsions, cutting instructions and yardage needed. Be sure to subscribe to Stitches Quilting to get an email with the FREE Four Square in a Nine Block Modern Quilt Pattern.

I truly enjoyed working with these gorgeous Cloud9 Cirrus Solids. I would recommend purchasing them. I will place an order with Cloud9 to carry them in the store to purchase as yardage. Use the yardage to make any of the blocks that you have seen on the Cloud9 Cirrus Solids New Block Blog Hop.

I want to thank our hosts and the 62 other bloggers that joined this blog hop and each created an unique modern block for you with a free pattern. To visit the other quilt blogger pages you can click the links to follow them organized by the three separate days that we posted our blog posts. You will be impressed with these brilliant women, quilt blocks and Cloud9 fabrics.

Monday, September 12th

Host: Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

Abigail @Cut & Alter
Janice @Color, Creating, and Quilting!
Lorinda @Laurel, Poppy, and Pine
Melva @Melva Loves Scraps
Renee @Quilts of a Feather
Kathryn @Upitis Quilts
Kim @Leland Ave Studios
Amanda @this mom quilts
Holly @Lighthouse Lane Designs
Irene @Patchwork and Pastry
Jennifer @Dizzy Quilter
Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
Anne @Said With Love
Suzy @Adventurous Applique and Quilting
Sharla @Thistle Thicket Studio
Kathleen @Smiles From Kate
Amanda @Gypsy Moon Quilt Co.
Sarah @Sarah Goer Quilts
Chelsea @Patch the Giraffe
Jinger @Trials of a Newbie Quilter
Anja @Anja Quilts
Daisy @Ants to Sugar

Tuesday, September 13th

Host: Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Miranda @I Have Purple Hair
Jennifer @The Inquiring Quilter
Sarah @123 Quilt
Leanne @Devoted Quilter
Jen @Patterns By Jen
Jennifer @RV Quilting
Amanda @Quiltologie
Sharon @Yellow Cat Quilt Designs
Jen @A Dream and A Stitch
Jen @Faith and Fabric
Carole @Carole Lyles Shaw
Stephanie @Quilt’n Party
Susan @Sevenoaks Street Quilts
Katrin @Now What Puppilalla
Amista @Hilltop Custom Designs
Nicole @Handwrought Quilts
Marla @Penny Lane Quilts
Silvia @A Stranger View
Sarah @Smiles Too Loudly
Carrie @the zen quilter
Mary @Quilting is in My Blood
Velda @GRANNYcanQUILT

Wednesday, September 14th

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Geraldine @Living Water Quilter
Kathy @Kathys Kwilts and More
Allison @Woodberry Way
Paige @Quilted Blooms
Kitty @Night Quilter
Mary @Strip Quilts Pass it On
Seven @The Concerned Craft
Olusola @Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.
Ann @Brown Paws Quilting
Jodie @Persimmon + Pear
Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts
Francine @Mochawildchild
Shelley @The Carpenter’s Daughter who Quilts
Jayne @Twiggy and Opal
Shannon @Shannon Fraser Designs
Lisa @Sunlight In Winter Quilts
Jessica @Quilty Habit
Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life
Deanna @Stitches Quilting
Denise @Craft Traditions

Now that’s a phenomenal line up of bloggers! Be sure to enter the giveaway to win prizes in celebration of this Cloud9 Cirrus Solds 100% Organic Cotton New Block Blog Hop.

Let me know if you have any questions about this pattern or suggestions to improve the pattern. I can’t wait to hear what you think about the Blog Hop!

Happy Stitches,

Now while you are gone I’ll be here Happily Stitching Away and coming up with brilliant quilting and sewing projects to share with all of you. Be sure to subscribe to Stitches Quilting and follow me on Instagram and Facebook. I have the most fun there engaging with all of you inspried by the beautiful things you are doing. XOXO

Posted on September 11, 2016 by Deanna

Americana Quilt Sewing Home Decor

Americana Home Decor American Flag Quilt

How do you use Americana Quilts in your home decor? I love to use my Patriotic Quilts to hang on the wall and to display United States Flag outside to wave. This year I decided to decorate our patio for lots of family and friends for BBQ celebrations. I laid my Toile American Flag quilt on the table to set a tone with red and blue accent pillows. You will notice the rod iron shelf that I arranged lots of patriotic items I have created through the years.

Our patio is covered and we have lights lining the roof along with Moda Americana Red White and Cream draping fabric in scallops with the lights. This fabric is absolutely beautiful and a great way to drape along a stair banister too! The ideas are endless with this fabric on sale now at Stitches Quilting. This fabric is out of print with 20 yards left in stock. Pick up your bunting fabric now here.

You can see a close up of this fabric and how it is not printed striped fabric but rather the navy blue, red and cream fabrics are stitched together in 10 yard long lengths. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with quality fabrics to adorn your home.

Here is another table that I place the Bargello Waving American Flag Quilt to set the tone for what we are celebrating. I used a large basket with a Patriotic Wreath in it. I love the touches of metal and wood with the fabric. Family and friends have enjoyed time on our covered patio talking about the state of affairs and how we need to be responsible citizens in whatever country we live. You can see embroidered on this quilt, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” To get the very last Bargello Glory Waving American Flag Quilt Kit click here.

You can see a close up of this wreath with a metal frame purchased from a craft store. Just use mesh wide ribbon that is so easy to find nowadays and weave it through the metal wreath. I love the touch of wooden vintage patriotic signs to add to the wreath along with rod iron stars.

I don’t know about you but I find Needle Punch Embroidery relaxing to do. I love these two patriotic needle punch framed embroideries of a flag flying above a home and Good Ole Sam. Isn’t the wooden star with the flag coming out of it great. I love this simple small American Flag quilt on this outdoor coffe table that has the Star Spangled Banner hand embroidered into the cream strips of the flag. What have you made with fabric and thread to celebrate your nation?

Even our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves the patio and the comforts it brings. Who do you use your quilting and sewing items to celebrate your nation? Today is September 11th and a day that brings reverence for our country and the people that have sacrificed so much.

I love this picnic blanket that has fabric to celebrate 9/11 in it. I roll this blanket up and keep it in my car when we need a quilt on the go.

At Stitches Quilting we have the Americana Quilt Kits available with fabric designed by Carrie Quinn with Penny Rose Fabrics. These quilt kits are limited in quantity and listed at a great sale price.

The Americana Quilt Kit comes with all these fabrics and the pattern. Isn’t is beautiful! Are you making Quilts of Valor or just need a quilt in your home to celebrate the holidays?

There are so many great books to read to your children or grandchildren to teach them history. I love reading to my kids snuggled up in a great patriotic quilt. Not only are there great books to read to your grandchildren but there are great book for us or snuggle up in a quilt to watch a movie. To learn more about reading to child wrapped in a quilt of love and increase literacy with additional quilt ideas and great books to read click here.

To learn more about these patriotic quilts click here.

May our flags wave tall and bright on days like today to honor those that make our nation strong.

How do you decorate to celebrate your patriotism? Do you enjoy snuggling in patriotic quilts or happen to hang them on your walls?

All My Best!

Posted on September 8, 2016September 8, 2016 by Deanna — 2 Comments

Carina Gardner Grows a Posy Garden in her Glamper Camper

Carina Gardner Glamper Camper Polka Dots

Carina Gardner growing a Posy Garden in her Glamper Camper

Carina Gardner growing a Posy Garden in her Glamper Camper!!!! Yes she is and it is beyond gorgeous featuring her newest fabric collection Posy Garden with Riley Blake Designs! Check this out! Have you seen Carina Gardner’s Glamper Camper that 17 feet long aqua blue with white polka dots? The camper sleeps 5 people! As she welcomes you into the camper there hangs a mini little flower quilt on the door made from Pozy Garden Fabrics for Riley Blake Designs made by Amanda of @JediCraftGirl.

Look at the retro kitchen, Carina’s designed Posy Garden Wallpaper and the aqua blue oven! Her cute family actually camps in this and everything works! The mini quilts framing the kitchen cabinets are all made in her Posy Garden Fabric Collection that is available at Stitches Quilting and in stock!

Doesn’t this just look so cozy to slide into this Glamper Camper kitchenette for a warm breakfast! There is a bunk bed actually over the top of this kitchen dinette that folds down into a bed. I love the quilt and arrow table runner that Carina will be teaching at Pinner’s Conference in Salt Lake City in November 2016. I will be teaching two classes there too – A Holiday Cookie Sheet Oven Mitt and Holiday Apron! Come join us and lots of other creatives at Pinner’s Conference.

Can you image Carina cooking in this sweet kitchen for her family! That mini quilt is darling featuring Carina Garner Posy Garden Fabrics!

Look at how Carina used her Posy Garden Designs to cover the refrigerator and the wallpaper as backsplash around the kitchen. Can you see a peak of the Posy Garden Quilt on the couch that folds out to a bed in the mirror?

Carina has such an eye for design, I love how she offsets the gorgeous colors of Posy Garden with a Basic White Fabric by Riley Blake Designs. It really makes the patterns pop! Carina is using a polka dot Riley Blake laminate fabric to cover the couch that converts into a bed. Don’t you just love the simplicity of the white curtains?

Here are more of the mini quilts that are covering the overhead cabinets! They are all made in Posy Garden fabrics and really give such an unique charm to the Glamper Camper. Let’s look at some of these mini quilts close up…..

Posy Garden Carina Gardner Fabric for Riley Blake Designs bright cheery Mini Bicycle Quilt made by Cherilyn of @FarmWifeJournal.

Posy Garden Flower Mini Quilt Carina Gardner with Riley Blake Designs

Posy Garden Flying Geese Mini Quilt Carina Gardner with Riley Blake Designs

Posy Garden Block Mini Quilt Carina Gardner with Riley Blake Designs

Posy Garden Fabric by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake Designs Little Twinkling Stars Mini Quilt made by Amy of @AmyLouWhoSews. Can you imagine the stars Carina’s family studies at night when roasting marshmallows over the campfire enjoying s’mores?

Posy Garden Dresden Plate Fan Mini Quilt Carina Gardner with Riley Blake Designs

Posy Garden Fabrics by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake Designs Flower Block Mini Quilt by Christine of @StitchingRevival.

Isn’t this just the most delight Glamper Camper that you have seen? Carina has a PhD in graphic design and knows what she is doing. To see all the fabrics that Stitches Quilting carries of Carina Gardner click here! You will love her things!

I can’t wait to show you what I am making with Carina’s Posy Garden Fabric Collection! I just adore her as a person and fabric designer! She knows what she is doing! Each of her collections are brilliant with designs, motifs, colors, and patterns. Let me know what you think about her Posy Garden planted in her darling Glamper Camper!

Best Wishes for lots of Happy Stitches!

Posted on September 5, 2016September 5, 2016 by Deanna

Cozy Christmas Wreath Block Sew Along

What do you think of the Cozy Christmas Wreath Block hanging in front of my ironing boards? It’s just vintage Christmas beauty for the holidays!

You can see I am using my Corningware Pyrex dishes to help me sort out the different sized blocks to use. Have you used your Corningware dishes in your sewing studio?

The Cozy Christmas Wreath Block is fun to make and not difficult at all! Let’s break it down… From the Sew Simple Shapes Cozy Christmas Templates you will need B-20, B-6, B-9 and B-13.

I’ve pulled the template pieces with my background aqua snow from the Pixie Noel Fabric Collection by Tasha Noel. For the wreath I am using one of Riley Blake Design basic gingham green fabrics! The bow pieces are made from the vintage roses and red snow once again from the Pixie Noel Fabric Collection.

Trace the template pieces directly onto the Pellon stabilizer.

Stitch the desired fabric using the Pellon Stabilizer as a guide with right sides of fabric facing together.

Cut a small hole in the stabilizer and then turn your wreath inside out. Follow each of these steps for each piece that you need to create the Cozy Christmas wreath.

Here are the pieces of my Cozy Christmas Wreath Block with my Aurifil Happy Color Thread now ready to be stitched together laid out on the 10 inch Lori Holt Design Board. You can also see an upclose photograph of the NEW Lori Holt Cute Cutting Mats.

You can see that I have laid out all the pieces and pinned them together to get ready for the machine applique. Remember you can always hand applique this block together but I am choosing to machine piece it so that I can get this done quick and then allow the family to use it lots during the short holiday season. Maybe I’ll even spill some hot cocoa on it while I’m using it as a lap quilt and can quickly spot clean it and wash it in the washing machine. 😉

Stitch the pieces of the Wreath Block together. I started with the green Aurifil Happy Colors thread and the green gingham fabric.

Continue through appliqueing either by hand or machine each of the pieces of your block together.

Here I am using the 18 inch Lori Holt Design Board to layout the sashing strips and pieces blocks that frame the Wreath Block. This helps me balance out the colors of the fabric. Remember that I am using the red and white swiss polka dot fabric by Riley Blake as my background in the block. I use recipe book holders in my quilting studio to hold design boards or instructions to quilts. I find them very handy. I also find having lots of the Riley Blake Basic red, navy blue and green gingham around are handy for holiday seasonal sewing to add to project like I added into this block. Now notice that I don’t have the layout quite right on the design board with the outer blocks. This is something to notice hopefully prior to stitching!!!!

Finally here is the final block with buttons taped to the block to get an idea of how it will look embellished with the Cute Little Lori Holt Buttons! Don’t you just LOVE the block displayed on white ric rac infront of my newly painted ironing boards! I have a tutorial that will post tomorrow of how to find old ironing boards and then paint them to decorate your sewing studio with lots of vintage love. I painted by ironing boards red, navy blue, light blue, pink and yellow! I am just in love with them and every time I look at them they make me SMILE!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the block or quilting in general. Stitches Quilting right now has the ABSOLUTE best prices to purchase the supplies needs for Cozy Christmas and other items that you need for the holiday season. All items that are needed in the tutorial are linked so you can purchase the items from clicking the link.

Don’t miss our Labor Day Week long sale at Stitches Quilting too! All prices on inventory are marked on sale and a coupon code is not needed. Free Shipping for orders over $100 in the United States.

BUT…… most importantly don’t forget to enter the Stitches Quilting Cozy Christmas Giveaway that you can enter on the website, Stitches Quilting Instagram and Stitches Quilting Facebook Pages. Here’s a hint since you are ready the blog go to all three places for multiple entries for chances to win big!

Best Wishes for Lots of Happy Stitches,

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Deanna — 6 Comments

Cozy Christmas Sew Along Giveaway

It’s time for a Cozy Christmas Sew Along Giveaway!

Do you just love Lori Holt at Bee In My Bonnet? She has a great following and has developed just incredible products to help with the creative process.

I thought it would be a terrible about of fun to add a giveaway to the Cozy Christmas Sew Along! If you haven’t started it yet but want, or a little behind, may this motivate you to get back into your creative groove!

There are so many great products that Lori Holt has made AND…. soooo let’s have a giveaway with some of these irresistible items!

What included in the giveaway and how does it work?

Cute Little Buttons…. ohhhh they are sooo cute!

1/2 yard each of 1/8 inch Mini Ric Rac that are Lori Holt four different colors of White, Mint, Red and Sugar Pink

Sew In Interfacing to make her applique blocks

Cozy Christmas Sew Simple Shapes Template Pack (If you already have these you can trade it out for her Bloom Templates or Fruit Salad Templates)

Seams So Easy Guide for your sewing machine

Fiskars 6.5 inch square ruler – 12.5 inch ruler not included. (One of Lori’s recommended notions)

Hand Quilting Aurifil Thread – The Embroidery Floss is sold out but if you use two strands of the Hand Quilting Aurifil Thread that is the same thickness of the Embroidery Floss. Then the Aurifil Thread has a double value for you. If you would rather not have the Hand Quilting Aurifil Thread we can send you the Happy Colors 50 weight Bee In My Bonnet Thread!

Stick-its 1 inch dots (Another one of Lori’s recommended notions to keep your ruler from not shifting on your fabric)

NOW!!!! For me a giveaway is never fun if you don’t share it with a friend. So whatever friend you recommend to participate in the giveaway will win some things too! I can’t just give all these great items to one person! We have to share don’t we? So your friend won’t win the grand prize but I will have her select three items that she would like too! Isn’t this just a lot of fun?

How does the giveaway work?

You can enter the giveaway below by commenting and then sharing this post on social media or email to a friend use the hashtag #stitchesquiltinggiveaway so I can find it! Just let me know how you shared it below.
You can enter the giveaway on Stitches Quilting Instagram Account by following Stitches Quilting, liking the giveaway post and commenting on the post recommending it to a friend. You can also repost the giveaway image to your Instagram account for extra entries. Be sure to use the hashtag #stitchesquiltinggiveaway so I can find it!
You can comment on the Stitches Quilting Facebook Giveaway Post.
You can repin the Giveaway to Pinterest once again with the hashtag #stitchesquiltinggiveaway so I can find it!
You can subscribe to Stitches Quilting this week for extra entries too because then you will learn about the winner, future giveaways, sales, etc…

Now you can buy all these more Lori Holt products at Stitches Quilting and learn more about Lori Holt’s products and recommended notions here. I try to make sure that Stitches Quilting has the lowest prices on the internet. There is free shipping in the United States for orders over $100.00. One thing that Stitches Quilting is very popular for are the Happy Color Fat Quarter Bundles that are the perfect bright happy fabrics in gingham, polka dots, plaids, etc… to use in Lori Holt’s projects.

Remember if you still have time to join us for the Lori Holt Christmas Sew Along. The blocks are easy to put together and very fulfilling. I can’t wait to snuggle with my Cozy Christmas Quilt by the fireplace and lighted tree with family around and a warm hot cocoa in my hand. Are you making your quilt for yourself or another? Are you making your quilt from unique fabric? What is your favorite block that you can’t wait to make? Or what is your favorite Lori Holt Notion to use? I’m loving her new double sided Cute Cuts Cutting Mats.

You will notice on my block that I am not using Lori Holt’s Cozy Christmas Fabric with the Cozy Christmas pattern – I’ll actually using Tasha Noel’s Pixie Noel Fabric Collection along with Riley Blake basics. So if you didn’t buy the quilt kit don’t worry because I have seen gorgeous blocks being made using lots of different fabrics. Search Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #Cozy ChristmasSewAlong to find other people making the blocks.

Well have fun with the Giveaway and Inspiring each other to stitch away!

Lots of Love,

Posted on August 29, 2016August 29, 2016 by Deanna

Cozy Christmas Tree Block Lori Holt

Crushing over this Cozy Christmas Tree Block with Pixie Noel Fabrics

Like many of you out there, I’m participating in the Cozy Christmas Sew Along with Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet. If you haven’t started, it’s never too late, you can download the Cozy Christmas Sew Along Free Quilt Pattern just click here or on the image below. The blocks are actually very simple to make and certainly does not take a week to create each block. If you haven’t appliqued below and want to learn this is an excellent project to start out with all the help available you can learn it and have your quilt looking just like this in no time.

Riley Blake Fabrics and Lori Holt asked that I use a different Riley Blake Fabric other than Lori Holt’s Cozy Christmas Fabric Collection! I choose Pixie Noel by Tasha Noel Christmas Fabric Collection and I have to say I am just crushing over this combination! I love the artwork by Tasha Noel with the Whimsical Boy and Girl Christmas Pixies. There are bunnies and deer, vintage Christmas trees, birds, stockings, roses and more!

Isn’t this Cozy Christmas Tree Block DARLING? When sewing with Lori Holt’s Cozy Christmas free pattern it has been a challenge to switch up the fabrics and use something different. So far I am just in love with the first three blocks! I will make all 12 Cozy Christmas blocks for a whole quilt with Tasha Noel’s Pixie Noel Fabrics and Riley Blake Basics.

Planning out my tree, I decided to use Tasha Noel’s darling green kissing bunny fabric on the tree. I used the Cozy Christmas Templates B-1, B-14 and B-15. The templates are so easy to use just tracing them out on the Pellon and then stitching along the line with your desired fabric. I also used Lori Holt’s Happy Colors Thread to applique the Tree to the block. Tasha Noel’s light blue snow print from Pixie Noel is the background of my 12 blocks. With the Cozy Christmas Quilt Pattern being free the only thing you need to purchase is a set of Cozy Christmas Templates AND they are on sale at Stitches Quilting for $26.95 instead of $32.95.

I also loved using Lori’s 10 Inch Design Boards for the inner part of the block and then the 18 inch Design Boards for building the outer boarder of the block. It makes stitching faster with not getting confused about which fabric you want to sew together all laid out and not shifting around! I used Riley Blake’s Swiss Dot Red and White Fabric as my background Block Sashing and Border Fabric instead of the White Background Bell and Sparkle Fabric Prints from Cozy Christmas. Some Red Riley Blake Gingham and Navy Blue Riley Blake Gingham was fun to add and true to the style of both Tasha Noel and Lori Holt.

One of the best parts of making the Cozy Christmas Quilt is using all of the adorable Lori Holt Recomended notions! Ohhhh they are happy and bright and just fun to use! The Mini 1/8 inch White Ric Rac is just so darling! Lori Holt’s jar of Cute Little Buttons have many bright colors to choose from to embellish your blocks. The Happy Colors Aurifil Thread is 50 weight and just sews like butter through your sewing machine.

Can’t wait for you to see my Cozy Christmas Bell and Cozy Christmas Gingerbread House. Next Monday I will post my Cozy Christmas Wreath Block.

Be sure to watch Lori Holt’s video that she made with Riley Blake as she explains just how to create your owns blocks for success!

Don’t forget to visit Lori Holt’s Cozy Christmas Sew Along Blog at Bee In My Bonnet to get more tips on this particular Cozy Christmas Tree Block.

I can’t wait to see all the Cozy Christmas Blocks that you are making. Please comment below and let me know what you think about Pixie Noel in the Cozy Christmas Quilt and let me know how your blocks are coming! If you have any questions about constructing the blocks or need a video tutorial, just let me know and I will make it for you!

All the Best Wishes for Lots of Happy Stitches,

Posted on July 12, 2016July 14, 2016 by Deanna

Let’s Jump Start Christmas Quilting in July

Let’s Jump Start Christmas Quilting in July

Let’s Jump start Christmas Quilting in July!!!

Here is over $170 worth of Christmas Quilting & Sewing patterns for only $25.00

These patterns include items that would make the perfect Christmas gifts for family and friends.

Don’t miss this Christmas Bundle Sale for the low price of $25.00. I’m certain you recognize the names of these designers and quality patterns.

Click here to purchase and download your Christmas Bundle Pattern Sale!!!!

By purchasing this bundle it also includes:

All of this for just $25! Are you kidding? No!!! We have more… You will be entered to win a free crafty class and/or a 6 month subscription to Make Modern Magazine!!!

Then all you have to do is download your Christmas Pattern Bundle and all Patterns are available to start making!!! No waiting for mail!!!

Now remember this sale ends and will be forever closed on this Thursday, June 14, 2016 at 12 pm PST!!!!! Don’t hesitate and treat yourself to these Christmas in July Bundle now…

If you can’t believe the value of this sale then take your sunglasses off in July!!!

Can’t wait to stitch these patterns together with you!!!! Tutorials coming soon!

Posted on July 4, 2016July 4, 2016 by Deanna

Quilt to Celebrate American Flag

Quilt to Celebrate American Flag?

As Quilters we love to make patriotic quilts to cherish the things we value most! One of my most favorite things to celebrate is my love for nation and home.

In Philadelphia, Betty Ross stitched the flag during the 1700’s and we are still celebrating it today. She stitched it together at great risk but did so to unite the people of the colonies. I loved visiting Betsy Ross’ home in Philadelphia!

Today our American flag has changed with the adding of 50 states. As quilters, we get to follow that tradition by Betsy Ross. I love to study the way sewing celebrates our American heritage.

Bargello Flag Quilt made with a simple strip quilting method.

On this Bargello Flag Quilt is embroidered the Star Spangled Banner in a wave movement.

Bargello Flag Quilt embellished with buttons. It took me a long time to collect enough different star buttons for this quilt. It looks like I lost a couple star buttons. I like the random nature of the star button. The quilting helps the envision the movement of the waving flag. One of my most favorite patriotic memorials in is Baltimore at Fort McHenry, as it really helps you appreciate the flag and the Star Spangled Banner.

I love how the Americana Flag stands out with the toile historic fabric around it.

This is a quick quilt that I put together to use a special collection of 911 fabric printed in 2002.

I opened my Stitches Quilting in 2002, so this was one of the first deliveries of fabric I received at my store.

I used a beautiful home dec fabric from Moda as the backing of the quilt. I quickly sold out of both the 911 fabric and Moda Home Dec Fabric. Our sweet little family was entering a new phase of life and I enjoyed embroidering our family’s names on this sweet picnic quilt.

Well these were some fun photographs for today’s patriotic post. Tomorrow will be a post about more patriotic decor, history and celebration.

How do you celebrate your patriotism? I haven’t had to make personal sacrifices for this country but I revere and love all that do. Do you quilt to celebrate the American Flag? What things have you made? What have been your most cherished items to make? What are some of your favorite historical American places to visit?

Happy 4th of July!