Hello Summer

This morning I sewed my first project in ages, a zipper pouch made of canvas from Rifle Paper Co.'s Bon Voyage collection that will be a gift for a friend. It felt so good to sew again. I never realize how much I miss it until I come back to my fabric and thread after some time away.

My sewing room is in a state of total chaos at the moment which is why there has been neither sewing nor posting around here for some time. In the fall, my sister and I will be teaching enrichment classes to our girls every other week, so I'm trying to reconfigure my setup ahead of time to have classroom space as well as work space for my own projects. I'll be teaching music and sewing, my sister will be doing cooking and art, and my brother in law will be giving the girls pointers in martial arts and self-defense. It's going to be so great, and I'm excited to get into the planning stages over the next month. Once I have everything looking somewhat put together again, I'll show you pictures of the finished space. 

After months of work, my husband's garden is in full swing. With all the craziness at the supermarket this year, we decided to go big here at home, so the garden is about four times larger. The photo above was actually taken a few weeks ago, and at this point we've got a lot more growth happening, especially in the watermelon patch in the lower right hand corner of the picture which is now wreathed in vines.. Keeping it alive during this Texas heat streak has been a challenge, but so far it's working. My husband has already harvested all the sweet onions and some of the herbs for my cooking, and they taste amazing. My youngest loves to go out every morning and snag a few raspberries from the berry bushes after breakfast along with a mint leaf or two. It's her favorite morning treat. 

Now that we've wrapped up the school year, I'm thinking about projects for the summer. Most of them involve cleaning and organization, but I'm also hoping to finish the quilt I've been slowly working on as well as the EPP pillow I started years ago. After that, I'm going to open up some favorite books and see what looks like fun.

But summers are mostly for family, and I'm happily storing up the memories from every minute of time I get to spend with my favorite people in the world.

Having More Fun

It's another 5 A.M. morning at my house. Having a puppy has put me back on newborn baby hours, and I'm feeling ever so grateful that I finished having children in my early 30's because I am definitely too old for this now. Still, despite the exhaustion that starts hitting me around 8:00 every night, there's something I'm coming to love about these quiet mornings with my Bible, journal, laptop, and coffee. There's a peace here before the whirlwind of the day begins, and getting to watch the sun rise outside my dining room window every morning is a nice bonus. My oldest daughter turns 15 tomorrow -- how is that even possible?? -- so today's to-do list is a bit longer than usual. I have dozens of balloons to blow up for her That Thing You Do! 1960's themed party, chocolate chip Heath bar cookies to bake for her ice cream sundae bar, and a whole lot of decorating to do. But this is the sort of thing I enjoy. Our family loves to celebrate everything, every chance we get, and we've made a lot of great memories over the years doing it. 

My sewing output has gone way down in the last 2 years, but I can honestly say that I'm having more fun with what I make. One of my favorite finished projects was actually for a sewing swap I did with my friend Angela almost a year ago. We each made a large version of the Booklet Pouch by Aneela Hoey for each other after we exchanged information about favorite fabric, colors, styles, etc. I decided to go with a retro theme in a rainbow of colors.

The outer panels are made with linen and canvas for more stability. Instead of using just one fabric, I used rows of squares in a fun mix of prints. It would be embarrassing to tell you how long I spent rearranging these squares until I got them exactly the way I wanted them. There's something in me that just can't leave well enough alone until I'm satisfied that I love it. 

I added a thin strip of fabric along either side of the zipper, and it wound up looking just like piping. Such a happy accident! I need to do this kind of thing more often. That zipper pull might just be my favorite thing about this project, aside from the patchwork exterior. 

A vintage text print for the inside cover was a great contrast with the bright, candy colored prints I used for almost everything else. The small pocket on the front inside cover holds a needle book and pair of snips, and I tucked some goodies inside the zipper pockets too.

It was unbelievably hard to send this one off in the mail, but I knew it was going to a good home where it would be well used and loved. And that's what we want for our creations, right? 

Happy weekend, friends!

Cross Stitch Quilt Block & Pillow Tutorials

I have a million memories from my childhood of watching my mother with a piece of cross stitch in her hands. Her handmade pictures were all over our house, and I remember sitting at the breakfast table when I was a little girl, studying them thoughtfully while I ate my cereal in the mornings. Those same pictures are now hanging in our breakfast nook where my daughters start the day, such a wonderful way to carry on that legacy.

For a long time now, I've been wanting to do a cross stitch quilt block, and when I was working on my book proposal last year, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it. The quilt blocks in this pillow look like a row of patchwork cross stitches to me, and I love that they remind me of my mother every time I see them. 

Incidentally, I've decided that all the projects and information that I share with you here on the blog that would have gone into that next book are going to be tagged under the label "Carnival of Patchwork." Hopefully that will help you find it in the search box on the left if you're looking for anything from this series!

This little block is so much fun to sew, and I love that it looks great in every project where I've used it. My first pattern was the patchwork pillow at the top of this post which I hand quilted. I love this one so much that it sits in a place of honor on my bed where I can look at it every day.

My next attempt was a zipper pouch that I made in shades of pink, yellow, aqua, and white. It's interesting to me how the look of the block changes without the sashing strips in between. I honestly can't decide which style I like better at this point.

And just to show that I could make something using only one block, I turned this one into a little pincushion. I didn't actually plan for the H to land at the top, but I think it was meant to be!

Those numbers running along the lower edge are so much fun. I added 1" borders to the block and then finished it using the directions for my Tagalong Pincushion pattern in Patchwork USA. Feel free to do the same!

I wanted to share the tutorial with you so that you can play with this block in any number of projects that you can dream up. Here's how you make one...

Cross-Stitch Quilt Block

Finished size: 2" x 2"

From a 5" square of a colored print, cut:

(1) rectangle, 1 1/4" x 3 3/4" (A)

(2) rectangles, 1 1/4" x 1 3/4" (B)

From a 5" square of low volume print, cut:

(4) squares, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (C)

1. Arrange the pieces for a single block as shown. Sew the C squares to either side of the B rectangles (the B rectangle will extend slightly beyond the C squares). Press seams open.

2. Center a B/C unit on one long side of the A rectangle and sew in place (the A rectangle will extend slightly beyond the B/C unit). Repeat on the other side of the A rectangle with the other B/C unit. Press seams open.

3. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, rotate the block so that it forms an X shape. Centering the block, carefully trim to a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square.

I know that some of you can take those directions and run with them all over the place, but if you're looking for set of directions for a finished project, here are the instructions for the Cross Stitch Patchwork Pillow.

Cross-Stitch Patchwork Pillow

Finished size: 12" x 16"

From (24) 5’’ squares of colored prints, cut from each print:

- (1) rectangle, 1 1/4” x 3 3/4’’ (A) 

- (2) rectangles, 1 1/4” x 1 3/4’’ (B)

From (24) 5’’ squares of low volume prints, cut from each print:

- (4) squares, 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ (C)

From 1/3 yard white solid, cut…

- (16) rectangles, 1’’ x 2 1/2’’ (D)

- (3) rectangles, 12 1/2’’ x 1’’ (E)

- (2) rectangles, 2 1/2’’ x 10’’ (F)

- (2) rectangles, 16 1/2’’ x 1 3/4’’ (G)

From 1/2 yard batting, cut:

- (1) rectangle, 18’’ x 15’’ (H)

From 1/2 yard muslin, cut:

- (1) rectangle, 18’’ x 15’’ (I)

From 1/2 yard red gingham, cut 2 rectangles, 13’’ x 12 1/2’’ (J)

Additional Supplies: matching thread, binding clips, chopstick/turning tool

1. Sort the pieces for each block into 24 stacks. Each stack should include 1 A rectangle and 2 B rectangles from a single colored print and 4 C squares from a single low volume print.

2. Arrange the pieces for a single block as shown in the quilt block diagram above. Sew the C squares to either side of the B rectangles (the B rectangle will extend slightly beyond the C squares). Press seams open.

3. Center a B/C unit on one long side of the A rectangle and sew in place (the A rectangle will extend slightly beyond the B/C unit). Repeat on the other side of the A rectangle with the other B/C unit. Press seams open.

4. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, rotate the block so that it forms an X shape. Centering the block, carefully trim to a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square.

5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the pieces for the remaining 23 blocks. 

6. Arrange the quilt blocks, D rectangles, and E rectangles as shown above. Sew the blocks and D pieces together in rows. Then sew the rows and E pieces together to form the pillow top.

7. Sew the F rectangles to the right and left edges of the pillow top. Sew the G rectangles to the upper and lower edges. 

8. Stack in this order from bottom to top: I rectangle, H rectangle, pillow top (right side up). Use adhesive basting spray to fuse them together and quilt as desired.

9. Fold a 12 1/2’’ end of an J piece under (toward the wrong side) approximately 3/8’’ twice. Topstitch 1/4’’ from the fold. Repeat with the other J piece.

10. Finish the pillow by placing the each of the backing pieces from step 9 right sides together with the pillow top. The hemmed edges should point toward the center, overlapping each other, and the opposite raw edges should line up with the shorter right and left sides of the pillow top. (See the directions for the Road Trip Pillow on page 44 in my book Patchwork USA if you need to see diagrams that explain this more thoroughly.) Hold them together with binding clips, and then sew all around the outside edge. Trim the corners, turn the pillow cover right side out, gently push out the corners with a chopstick, and press.

If you make one of these, be sure to tag it #fabricmuttcrossstitchblock or #crossstitchpatchworkpillow and tag me @fabricmutt. I'm hoping at some point to start on a quilt with this pattern -- maybe making the blocks twice as big so it won't take me quite as long to finish. We'll see...

Have fun!

Sew Cute Fruit Pouch

I've been influenced by zakka -- the Japanese concept of making pretty, practical items to beautify your everyday life -- since I first started sewing back in 2011. This has led me to spend a lot of time finding books and fabric by Japanese designers, which are full of wonderful inspiration in this area. My latest purchase is Sew Cute Quilts and Gifts by Atsuko Matsuyama. I had already bought a copy of the book from my favorite online shop Sunny Day Supply when I got an email from Lindsay at Zakka Workshop asking if I would be interested in joining the book tour, so the timing was perfect. I'm eternally grateful to Zakka Workshop, which has taken so many wonderful Japanese craft books and translated them into English so that even more people can enjoy them.

For my project, I chose the round fruit pouch, because I had never made a pouch like this before. This is one of the things I love about Japanese sewing books: they always seem to be full of interesting techniques that I haven't tried yet. I was pleased with how easily the pouch came together, including the applique on the front, which is something I don't get the chance to do very often. Thankfully my dear friends Mary and Shawn at Sunny Day Supply had the zipper I needed in stock, and they were kind enough to send me the leaves and flower for applique as well. Be sure to check out their shop this month, because they're going to have all kinds of wonderful supplies for the projects in this book on hand if you need them!

The back of the pouch was supposed to be a four square block, but I fell so completely in love with this new print by my friend Elea Lutz (of which I'll be sharing more with you next month during her fabric tour!), that I just couldn't resist using it all in one piece. I used the tiny floral print from my Date Night collection for the lining and binding on the pouch which gave a nice continuity from the outside to the inside of the project. I love the color and small scale of this print, and I'm going to be so sad when I run out of it!

The hardest part of this project by far was sewing in the zipper by hand. The directions were perfectly clear and helpful, mind you. I'm just not used to putting a zipper in this way, and it took me a few tries to get my stitches right. Once I got in the swing of it, though, it came together nicely.

I'm so pleased with this sweet little pouch, and it feels great to tuck a few more skills under my crafty belt. The book is chock full of adorable projects featuring more techniques that I haven't tried, so I'm probably going to be pulling this title off the shelf now and then in the next year whenever I want to learn something new. If you're on Instagram, be sure to stop by my post to leave a comment so that you can be entered to win a copy of this book for yourself. I really think you'll like this one.

Lily Pouches

We are so ready for spring at my house. With deer frolicking in the front yard and wildflowers blooming everywhere, it seems like it's finally here to stay. I love it when my sewing is a perfect match for the season, and these pouches made with the Lily collection by Sue Penn for Penny Rose Fabrics feel exactly right for this time of year.

Over spring break, I had the chance to fly back to California to visit my sister and her family. It was a lovely trip, full of sweet visits with family and friends. I brought these pouches along as gifts for a few special people. Whenever I need a quick gift, I almost always go with a pouch. They're simple, fast, and useful for just about everyone.

These came together in just two afternoons of sewing. I sewed small strips together and quilted on either side of each seam. I usually like to mix up my prints, but this time I decided to stick with a separate colorway for each pouch. Going with a more cohesive color scheme for each piece was a nice change, and I will definitely do it again in the future.

At about 4 x 6", these are just the right size to tuck into a bag. As always, I added leather ties as zipper pulls and twill tape loops to the sides of each pouch.

Happy sewing, friends -- and happy spring!

Pretty Playtime QAL: Butterfly Block

It's such a pleasure to be today's stop on the Pretty Playtime QAL. One of the things I love most about this sampler quilt is that so many of these blocks will stand alone beautifully on other projects like pillows and bags. I've been collecting Elea's fabric since her first release of Milk, Sugar & Flower, so I wanted to use a bit of all her collections for this block (except the Christmas one, of course). I was even able to sneak in a few Apple Farm prints since I'm on the collection blog tour this week (check back on Thursday to see my project for that -- I can't wait to share!). Since I only had charm squares of some prints, I decided to shrink the pattern down to half size and turn it into a sweet little pouch.

I am SO in love with this project! The rainbow of colors, the black and white Swiss dots in the background by Riley Blake Designs (probably my all-time favorite neutral print), that tiny butterfly on the side loop -- it's all just patchwork happiness. The finished pouch is only 6" square, small enough to fit inside my purse if needed. It would make a darling little case for basting hexagons on the go. 

The backing is a red floral print from Strawberry Biscuit. As always, I added a leather pull to the navy blue zipper. It's a great finishing touch, and it really does make it easier to use the zipper.

I lined the pouch with Elea's floral stripe print from Milk, Sugar & Flower. I almost always like to use low volume prints for my linings since a light background makes it simple to find what you're looking for inside the bag -- definitely a helpful feature for me.

Be sure to visit all the stops on the Pretty Playtime QAL tour, sponsored by my lovely friends at Fat Quarter Shop. I can't wait to see everyone's finished quilts!

Week 2 - Erin from Why Not Sew?
Week 3 - Wynn from Zakka Art
Week 4 - Anorian from Samelia's Mum
Week 5 - Amy from Diary of a Quilter
Week 6 - Renee from Sewn with Grace
Week 7 - Jemima from Tied with a Ribbon
Week 8 - Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl
Week 9 - Debbie from Happy Little Cottage
Week 10 - Tina from Emily Ann's Kloset
Week 11 - Erica from Kitchen Table Quilting
Week 12 - Kristyne from Pretty by Hand
Week 13 - Heidi from Fabric Mutt
Week 14 - Brigitte from The Family Hearth
Week 15 - Lorrie from Sew Mod Designs
Week 16 - Kristin from They Grow Up Too Fast

Happy sewing!

Spectrum Clutch Tutorial

I designed today's tutorial as a sample project for my sweet friend Sharon Holland's new fabric collection Tapestry which is making its debut this weekend at Quilt Market in Salt Lake City (look for the rest of my sample sewing in an upcoming post). If you need a quick gift or just a little something fun to make while everyone else is off in Utah without us, this project is a great choice.

Be sure to post your pictures of any finished clutches on Instagram with the hashtag #spectrumclutch and tag me too @fabricmutt. I always love to see what you guys make with my tutorials!

Materials & Cutting Instructions

Finished project dimensions: 8 1/2 x 11 1/4"
All seams 1/4" unless otherwise noted.

Fabric:	For:	Cutting:
12 strips in a spectrum of colors, each one at least 1 1/4 x 6 1/2"	patchwork panel on the front	1 strip 1 1/4 x 6 1/4'' from each print
1/3 yard denim	front clutch exterior back clutch exterior	2 strips 1 3/4 x 6 1/4'' 2 strips 1 3/4 x 11 3/4" 1 rectangle 9 x 11 3/4''
1/3 yard low volume print	clutch lining	2 rectangles 9 x 11 3/4"
1/3 yard batting	front exterior interfacing back exterior interfacing	1 rectangle 10 x 13" 1 rectangle 9 x 11 3/4"
Light fusible interfacing (optional)	Lining interfacing	2 rectangles 9 x 11 3/4”
Findings: 14" zipper, 6" leather thong for zipper pull, adhesive basting spray, binding clips, knitting needle or chopstick

Sewing Instructions

1. Sew all twelve strips together along the long sides to form the patchwork panel for the front of the clutch. Press all seams open.

2. Sew a 1 3/4 x 6 1/4" denim strip to each 6 1/4" end of the patchwork panel. Use adhesive basting spray to fuse the wrong side of the piece to the center of the 10 x 13" batting rectangle. Quilt the patchwork as desired.

3. Sew the 1 3/4 x 11 3/4" strips of denim to the top and bottom edges of the patchwork panel, folding those strips over so that the wrong side of the fabric lies flat against the batting. Press and then trim the exterior front piece to 8 3/4 x 11 3/4".

4. Fuse the wrong side of the denim exterior backing to the other piece of batting using the adhesive basting spray. Fuse the wrong side of the two lining pieces to the two pieces of lightweight fusible interfacing (follow the manufacturer's instructions).

5. Stack in this order from bottom to top along the upper long edge of each piece: exterior front (right side up), zipper (right side down), lining piece (right side down). Clip them in place and then sew them together along the 11 3/4" side. 

If you like, fold the lining piece back from the zipper and stitch it down 1/8" from the seam so that it will hold in place against the zipper. Repeat step 5 on the other side of the zipper with the other exterior and lining pieces.

6. Unzip the zipper at least halfway (don't forget that step!). Use binding clips to hold the exterior pieces with right sides together on one side of the zipper and the lining pieces with right sides together on the other side of the zipper. Make sure the zipper teeth are pointed toward the exterior pieces. Sew all the way around the outside of the rectangle, leaving a 5-6" gap open at the bottom of the lining. 

7. Trim the corners and extra pieces of zipper. Reach in through the gap in the lining to pull the bag right side out and push out the corners gently with a chopstick or knitting needle. Tuck the raw edges of the lining into the gap and stitch it closed about 1/8" from the fold. Push the lining into the bag and press. 

8. Thread the leather strip through the hole in the zipper and knot it to make a zipper pull. Fill with goodies and enjoy!