Q1 FAL Tutorial: Easter Bunny Zipper Pouch

For Valentine's Day, I made a Heart Shaped Zipper Pouch for the Valentine exchange at our quilt guild so for Easter I decided to up my game! I'm so excited to share my Easter Peeps Bunny Zipper Pouch Tutorial for the 2019 Finish-A-Long Tutorial Week. This pouch is the perfect package for a little Easter gift for your favorite little peeps.

Fabric & Notion Supplies:

• Cut from Outer Fabric:
• One 4" x 8" rectangle (bunny bottom)
• One 6" x 8" rectangle (bunny top)
• One 8" x 10" rectangle (bunny back)
• Two 6" X 7" rectangles (bunny ears)
• Cut from Lining Fabric:
• One 4" x 8" rectangle (bunny bottom)
• One 6" x 8" rectangle (bunny top)
• One 8" x 10" rectangle (bunny back)
• Cut from Thermore Batting:
• One 4" x 8" rectangle (bunny bottom)
• One 6" x 8" rectangle (bunny top)
• One 8" x 10" rectangle (bunny back)
• One 6" X 7" rectangles (bunny ears)
• 1 zipper at least 9" in length
• 3 small black buttons for eyes and nose
• 505 Basting Spray
• Zipper foot

Sewing Instructions: 

Note - All seams are 1/4" unless otherwise noted.

1. Print the 'Peep' template by clicking the link HERE.

2. Cut out outer and lining fabric pieces and batting pieces according to cutting instructions.

3. Spray baste each batting piece to the wrong side of the corresponding outer fabric pieces.

4. With 4"x8" outer fabric facing up, place zipper, right side down, along 8" side of fabric. Ends of zipper should extend past fabric on both ends.

5. Layer the 4"x8" lining fabric, right side down, on top of the zipper and pin.

6. Using a zipper foot, sew through all layers.

7. Turn lining over to the back and press outer and lining fabrics away from zipper. From the front side, top stitch 1/8" from seam.

8. Place the zipper section right side down on top of the 6"x8" outer fabric along 8" edge.

9. Layer the 6"x8" lining fabric, right side down, on top of the zipper and pin. Using a zipper foot again, sew through all the layers.

10. Turn lining over to the back and press outer and lining fabrics away from zipper. From the front side, top stitch 1/8" from seam.

11. Trace bunny ears onto the back of a 6"x7" outer fabric. 

12. Place right sides together with the other 6"x7" outer fabric with the glue basted batting. Pin layers together.

13. Stitch on the line through all layers. Leave the straight edge at the bottom of the ears unstitched for turning.

14. Trim batting as close to stitching as possible. Trim fabric 1/4" from seam. Clip curves up to the stitches without cutting into thread.

15.Turn ears right side out, pushing edges out and smoothing seam. Press. Top stitch 1/4" from edge.

16. Using ear pattern, trim bottom of ears along dotted line.

17. Trace bunny body onto the lining side of the zipper segment, aligning the line on the pattern with the zipper. Mark the two dots at the top of the head.

18. Place 8"x10" lining fabric face down. Layer the 8"x10" outer fabric on top face up. Layer the zipper piece face down on top. Pin layers together. Place pins on either side of the zipper on the opening side. Slide zipper pull down so that it is between the two lines and 2/3rds of the way open. Sew on line starting at one of the dots near the top of the bunny and sew all the way around to the other dot, leaving the top of the head open. Be careful when sewing over the zipper. Stitch back and forth over zipper several times to re-enforce seam.

19. Trim excess fabric 1/4" from seam. Slip bunny ears between the front and back layers and pin along the opening of the head. Ease ears around curve, pinning as you go. Sew on line to close opening.

20. Trim excess batting close to seam. Clip curves. Turn and press. Top stitch 1/4" around bunny body.

21. Sew buttons on face for eyes and nose.

22. Embellish as desired.

If you haven't had a chance to visit the other tutorials yet for the Finish-A-Long Tutorials Week, here is the schedule:

• April 2, 2019 (Tue) - Sandra of Sew of Course
• April 3, 2019 (Wed) - Sarah Z of Cedar Fork Stitches
• April 4, 2019 (Thurs) - Sharla (Me) at Thistle Thicket Studio
• April 5, 2019 (Fri) - Nicole of Handwrought Quilts

Happy Sewing
~Sharla

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Couched Burlap Table Runners

I just returned home from a couple of weeks of visiting my daughter and her family. It's always great to be able to kiss and hug and spoil my grandsons for a few days, and spend time with my daughter and her husband. While there, I realized that I never shared photos of the yarn couched burlap table runners that I made and gave for Christmas gifts. Pictured is the one that I gave her and she has it displayed on her rustic dining room table.

I found the table runners at Michaels last fall on sale and I loved the ruffles on the ends. Since I had just seen a video on Facebook of someone doing yarn couching on burlap table runners using their Statler longarm machine, I knew I had to give it a try. I used Bernat blanket yarn that I also purchased at Michaels. 

I made table runners in three different colors of yarn but used the same quilting pattern called Paisley Feathers by Anne Bright on all three. I chose this quilting design because is sews continuously from edge to edge and it does not stitch over itself. 

I pinned the table runner directly on my leaders and couched the yarn on top of the table runner. I think if I do more I will try basting the burlap table runner to a tear away stabilizer as the burlap runner waffled a little with the couching and doesn't lay completely flat after stitched.

I'd love to hear from others who have done yarn couching and any tips you may have to share!

~Sharla

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Finish-A-Long Q1 Finishes Link Up

We have reached the end of Quarter 1 of the 2019 Finish-A-Long already!!  Of course, that means it is now time to link up those finishes from the list you linked up in January. We had a record-breaking 233 lists linked up for Q1, and we hope that you have been able to complete a bunch of the UFOs on your list. If you haven't, we'll do it all over again for Quarter 2...

The 2019 FAL is hosted by a great community of bloggers. This year our hosts are:

• Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA Louisiana
• Sandra - Sew of Course - Ireland
• Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada
• Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA Georgia
• Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA California
• Lynne - Tinking Along - USA Maryland
• Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada
• Sarah G - Sarah Goer Quilts - USA California
• Sarah Z - Cedar Fork Stitches - USA Montana
• Julie - That’s Sew Julie - USA Iowa
• Sharla - Thistle Thicket Studio - USA Kansas
• Nicole - Handwrought Quilts - Canada

Each finish you link up will be in the draw for great prizes, so let's give a huge thank you to our fantastic sponsors:

Winner's Choice of 1 Large 12 Spool Collection

$80 Gift Certificate

$50 Gift Certificate

$50 Gift Certificate

$25 Gift Certificate

3 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

2 PDF Patterns

1 Six Month Subscription

2 PDF Patterns

$30 Fabric Voucher

The 2019 Quarter 1 link for your finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs - you only need to link on one blog for your finish to appear on all host blogs.

Link-up "Rules":

Add one link for each finish.  If you want to link a round up post of all your finishes, use that link to enter one of your finishes and then link the rest of your finishes separately.  Please, only one link per finish, as your link is an entry into the randomly drawn prize draws. 

Please ensure that the photo (Instagram or Flickr) or blog post you link up contains a link or reference back to your original list so that we can verify your entry (make sure it is from the appropriate quarter, too). On Instagram the best way to do that is to tag your photos with #2019FALQ1yourname (where yourname is unique to you), this makes it easier for us to match your finishes with your list, which also should have this tag.

Please become part of the FAL community.  Check out the links of others and leave a comment. We all need encouragement so let's applaud each other.  The 2019 FAL Facebook page is HERE and you can follow us on Instagram @finishalong.

Our hosts will also link up their finishes to share in the community but they are not eligible for any of the prizes.

The Q1 Finishes link will stay open from now thru 11 pm, EST, Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link. You can also see how much time is left below the linked up images on the right.  It is best to link up your finishes early and if you have a last minute one, add that one later so you don't miss out.  The prizes will be awarded as soon as we can verify all the entries and do the drawings.  We will post the winners on each host's blog.

Lastly, don't forget to start making your Q2 list as the next LIST link opens on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

2019 Q1 Finishes Link Up:

An InLinkz Link-up

~Sharla

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A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along - Block 3

The email just went out for the next month block pattern for 'A Scrappy Happy Holidays Mystery Sew Along'! That in itself seems like a miracle this week where the weather has reeked havoc on our internet service. But I'm so happy to share the next block for our mystery quilt - Gifts of Joy!

My mom thinks it's a 'gift of joy' that this month's block doesn't have 94 pieces like last month! LOL! In retrospect, I maybe should have saved that for a little later in the sew along but hopefully you've got it done and it's out of the way.

This month's block is really quite easy and fun to make.

I made all three of mine in one afternoon.

My quilt guild is sewing along with my online participants, so each month I make demo boards to show how to construct the block. As you can see, it's mostly straight sewing of pieces with a couple of flying geese thrown in.

The only different technique this month is sewing rectangles together at an angle to create one of the bows, but even this is a simple process.

Note: Sign up for this mystery sew along is closed. The pattern is not shared on this blog and is only shared with those who have signed up for this mystery sew along.

Enjoy my little 'gift of joy' this month!
~Sharla

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm digging through my vintage green button jar looking for the perfect buttons for my tutorial for the Finish-A-Long Tutorials Week. You know what that means.....only a couple of more weeks to get your Quarter 1 projects finished up before it's time to link them! I can't wait to see all your fantastic finishes and to share my fun little tutorial just in time the next big holiday - Easter!

I had to snap a photo of all this green goodness to share today on St. Patrick's Day. Hope you have a happy one!

~Sharla

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My First QOV

Brrrrr!!! I about froze my fat little piggies off in the snow taking these photos of my first Quilts of Valor quilt finish! But I needed to get this quilt washed and ready to send with our QOV leader tomorrow for the next round of quilt presentations. 

A few weeks ago I was digging in my bin of red scraps for a different project when I came across a baggie of red strip blocks I had put together several years ago and cut with the Lazy Angle ruler. I had long forgotten about them but when they appeared in my bin I decided they would make a perfect QOV. So I set about designing a layout in EQ7 and finding the perfect fabric to finish it off. Although this isn't the QOV quilt I have on my to-do list for Q1 of the Finish-A-Long, it is a UFO finish none the less.

I attended my first QOV quilt presentation in February and it was such a neat experience. There was a great crowd for the event (standing room only) and it was wonderful to hear about the stories of several people in my community that I know but didn't know their service story. I'm so happy to be able to share my quilting talents to honor those that have given so much for me and my country.

Quilt Stats:

• Fabric for Top: Miscellaneous scrap strips of red for star backgrounds, blender from Monster Truck Mania collection by Desiree Designs for Quilting Treasures for the stars, Bedrock by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics in 50087 11 blue and 50087 55 red for sashing and cornerstones.
• Backing Fabric: 108" Urban Legend by Tana Mueller of Western Denim and Dirt Pattern #9195
• Binding Fabric: Bedrock by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics in 50087 55 red
• Quilt Block Pattern: Pinwheel design using the Lazy Angle Ruler by Lazy Girl Designs
• Quilt Setting Pattern: Original design using Electric Quilt 7 (EQ7) software
• Thread, Piecing: Aurifil 2310
• Quilt Size: 66" x 82"
• Quilting Pattern: Stars and Stripes by Anne Bright Designs
• Thread, Quilting: Signature 100% Cotton thread in Mother Goose
• Batting: Hobbs 80/20
• Longarm: Gammill Statler Stitcher

~Sharla

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