quick gifts

I made a few gifts this week. Both projects were fast and easy!

First up…..some flax seed eye pillows….very relaxing when heated in the microwave.

Next I made some hand warmers filled with rice….also heated in the microwave!

Both of these projects are a great way to use some of your favorite scraps : )

piece,

elizabeth

charms on point process tutorial

 I bought my first Cotton and Steel fabric from my local quilt shop.

I have really enjoyed working with these colors.

I pulled 30 of the 10 inch squares and cut four 5 inch charms from each.
I sewed them together in rows of 10, keeping the placement of the squares
consistent each time.  I am calling this a "controlled scrappy" quilt : )

I decided to use the technique "turning charms on point" that I like to use so often.

Here are some process photos showing you how I go through the process of "turning charms on point."

Make the first cut from the corner and keep it straight!

Now the bottom will be sewn to the top.

Next cut the bottom as straight as you can : )

Now sew the diagonal together.

 And there you have it…you have turned the charms on point!

  I have the feeling there will be more controlled scrappy quilts in my future,
 I really like the look!

piece,
elizabeth

little quilt monday~~~doll quilt with faux binding

I made a fast and easy doll quilt this week with the cutest "little red riding hood" fabric.

I started with two fat quarters of fabric and cut ten 5 inch 

squares from each.

It went together really fast and then I decided to use the flip and turn method to finish.  But 

I still wanted the look of binding, so I made a faux binding by adding a one inch border before

I sewed the backing to the front and batting.

After I clipped the corners and turned the quilt out, I hand sewed the opening up.

Then to make the red checked border look like binding, I sewed along the edge...

and it looks pretty believable : )

Sometimes I just need a quick project to start and finish.

I machine quilted this little doll quilt with simple diagonal lines.

I will be making more of these….they are a great scrap buster project!

piece,

elizabeth

wool applique quilt

I finally finished my wool appliqué quilt that I started

several years ago!

It has been a fun project to pick up and stitch…. a few blocks at a time.

I used gold perle cotton to blanket stitch around the hearts and also to tie the

top to the flannel backing.  

Here's little tip to make threading your needles easier…thread lots of needles at once.

That way when you run out of thread on one needle, the next is ready to go!

I decided the pull my threads to the back of the quilt so that the front would look smooth.

I didn't use any batting with the wool and flannel because that would have

made it very heavy.

This is a very cozy little quilt that I know will come in handy this winter.

piece,

elizabeth

hexagon coasters

This week-end I made some hexagon coasters like the tutorial I first showed you here.

The weather was cold and I decided to pull out my bag of finished hexagons.

I sewed twelve hexagons into pairs.

Then I decided to use the blue essex linen that I had in my stash.

I sewed them to the linen using a variegated thread with a big stitch.

I am so happy with them…they will make a great gift!

Do you have any easy to make gifts to tell me about?

I would love to hear about them : )

piece,

elizabeth

no sew burlap table runner

I decided to make a table runner for my Thanksgiving table.  I bought 3 yards

of burlap at my local quilt shop.  I had purchased burlap once before at a place

that will remain nameless, and it smelled so bad that I threw it away!

Thankfully, this burlap was ready to use : )

All I had to do was pull a thread to divide the yardage in thirds and then I continued 

pulling threads until I had about 1/2 to 3/4 inch and I cut it lengthwise as straight as possible.

After I was happy with the sides, I straightened the ends and pulled these threads a 

little longer than the sides(my preference).

The burlap will look perfect on my Thanksgiving table.

I ended up with 3 table runners, so I will be able to give two away!

To help control the fray, it is a good idea to use the zigzag stitch around the table runner!

My guild friend, Jamie of Designs by Jamie, helped me get started on making this easy project.

These table runners were so much fun to make!  I know that I could embellish them

with paint or add fabric binding, however, I am happy with the

simplicity of the burlap and pulled threads : )

piece,

elizabeth

liberty circle mini quilt #2

I made a Liberty of London mini quilt for my recent LOL swap.

This was a pattern that I had already made, but this time I think

I had a better grasp of circle making : )

You will find my first liberty circle quilt here and here.

It has always been one of my favorites!

The circular appliqué pattern is found at The Purl Bee here.

This mini finishes at 20"X20" with 20 circle appliqués.

The Liberty of London tana lawn fabric is so beautiful

that it can make a simple mini turn into something gorgeous! 

I used osnaburg cotton for the background fabric and crochet thread

for the big stitches.

Darcy, my swap partner was very pleased with her mini quilt and that 

makes me very happy.  I also sent along the  hexagon pincushion, coasters, and

a few other goodies to make the swap a little sweeter : )

I should be receiving my LOL swap package soon….I am getting excited!

piece,

elizabeth

hexagon pincushion tutorial

I made a hexagon pincushion for my Liberty of London swap partner.

Here is the tutorial/process for making this pincushion!

Begin with a 2.5 inch hexagon and sew 1.5 inch strips of fabric around

the hexagon, log cabin style.   Repeat this one more time with your printed fabric.

The last round will be with a solid 2 inch strip.

Now cut a backing and batting piece the same size as your finished hexagon above.

(I added batting because the Liberty of London tana lawn fabric

is thinner than regular quilting cotton)

Then I added some big stitches for added interest and to secure the batting.

All that is left to do is place the backing fabric right sides together with the top, and 

sew around, leaving an opening.  I fill my pincushions with crushed walnut shells.

Finally, sew up the opening with a slip stitch.  TADA!

I hope you will make a few of these as gifts….it's that time of year, you know!

piece,

elizabeth