So, I have this project that I really, really need to finish, so what do I do? I start another project instead. Does anyone else procrastinate like this? Procrastination or not, at least I finished up something that has been sitting on my cutting table for a couple of months.
This cross stitch was made by my hubby's aunt and gifted to my mother- & father-in-law around 1980. It was mounted in a gold and brown fabric frame. After my mother-in-law passed away in May, it ended up in the things that I brought home. It was one of those things that you couldn't throw away but didn't fit in with the décor of my house. So I took it out of the frame and set it aside while thinking about what to do with it. (Wish I would have taken a before photo of it!)
I ended up making it into a pillow as you can see. By adding the scrappy 30's fabrics and old buttons that my mother-in-law had given me years ago, it now fits into my décor better. It now has a place on a chair that my mother-in-law gave me a few years ago. I think she would have liked the updated version.
Now, back to the project that I really need to finish......
~Sharla
I'm rolling in a little late this month with my installment of "A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along". My deadline for my secret sewing project was Friday and so this weekend was the first chance I had to work on finishing my blocks. This month we're decking out our quilt with a few ornaments because the holidays wouldn't be complete without a few (or a lot) of "Baubles".
This "Baubles" block isn't difficult but may be (but just a teeny tiny bit) tedious working with the smaller and skinnier pieces. But I think it is so worth the effort! As an alternative, you could sew black ribbon or rick rack down the center of a 3 1/2" strip of background and then cut into the lengths indicated in the pattern.
I'm still loving my scrappy white on white backgrounds in this scrappy colorway.
The smaller pieces are a little more difficult to press into submission in the flannel version and my long arm may not like some of the thick seams when I quilt it but I just love this fabric!!!
My tip this month is really a reminder to be sure to trim up the sides of your black string sections to 3 1/2" wide. I placed the 1 3/4" mark of my ruler down the middle of my black strip and then trimmed both sides to help keep that string running down the center.
As always, I hope you enjoy this block (yay, there's only one to make) and be sure to tag me if you post it on Facebook or Instagram.
Have a Scrappy Happy Day!
~Sharla
I was thrilled to be one of the designers for Moda Bake Shop's summer quilt along called "At The Seashore" again this year. And today is my turn on the MBS blog showing you how to make my "Seaside Dreams" block!
This summer I opted not to make the entire quilt because of some other top secret designing and sewing I've been doing, so I had a random quilt block that I wanted to use in some way. So I decided to make a nautical-themed pillow and today I'm sharing a short tutorial on how I made it. It was so simple that it took me less than two hours to transform my "Seaside Dreams" beach umbrella block into a pillow.
Cutting Instructions:
18" x 18" square of muslin for foundation
4 - 1" X 12 1/2" rectangles for flange
2 - 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangles for border
2 - 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" rectangles for border
8 - 3" x 6 1/2" rectangles for tabs
2 - 16 1/2" x 21 1/2" rectangles for pillow back
1 - 16" x 16" pillow form
1 - 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" MBS At The Seashore pieced block
4 - 45" lengths of 1/2" cord or rope
Sewing Instructions:
1. Fold the four 1" x 12 1/2" rectangles in half with wrong sides together along the length of the rectangle. Press.
2. Pin the 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" pieced block in the center of the 18" x 18" muslin square. With raw edges aligned, pin one of the folded 1" x 12 1/2" strips on each side of the pieced block. Baste 1/8" around all four sides of the pieced block and through the foundation square.
3. Sew a 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" border rectangle on the right and left side of the pieced block. Press strips open. Sew a 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" border rectangle to the top and bottom sides of the pieced block. Press strips open. Trim and square block to 16 1/2" x 16 1/2".
4. Fold a 3" x 6 1/2" rectangle tab in half right sides together. Sew along the 3" wide ends to create a tube. Turn and press with seam in the center of the tube. Fold tube in half bringing raw edges together and seam on the inside. Repeat for a total of 8 tabs.
5. Pin two tabs on each side of the pillow front approximately 2 1/4" from the corners. Baste tabs in place.
6. Fold the two 16 1/2" x 21 1/2" rectangles in half with wrong sides together along the 16 1/2" width. Press. Layer and pin the two rectangles on top of the pillow front with raw edges together. The rectangle backs will overlap in the middle approximately 5". Sew a generous 1/4" seam through all layers around the perimeter of the pillow. Turn pillow and press. (Whoops! I forgot to take a photo.)
7. Thread a rope piece through two tabs on either side of a corner of the pillow. Repeat for all four corners. Tie rope ends in square knots at the center of each side of the pillow. Trim excess rope ends. Insert pillow form.
I just love how my nautical-themed pillow turned out. It will look great on our land-locked patio where we sit, relax and dream about being at the beach. This is a great way to use the extra blocks you make for the At The Seashore quilt along!
If you make my "Seaside Dreams" block or turn one of your At The Seashore blocks into a pillow, please share on Facebook or Instagram and tag me @thistlethicketstudio.
Hope to see you at the beach soon!
~Sharla
