Fabric Tape ~ Who Knew How Easy

Any season is a season for gifts and tape is usually needed to wrap it up - personalizing each gift for that someone special with a final touch of fabric tape.  Tape made by you!  Oh, how fun to use up a few fabric scraps.....a tutorial found at We Are Scout...Lisa Tilse.  I expect the original tutorial was first posted on The Red Thread Studio but I couldn't find the original. 

Go forth and gift wrap in the style of your fabric scraps.  And thank you We are Scout and The Red Thread Studio for the pleasure of your blogging company this morning and for filling my mind's eye with so many ideas.

Life and Sewing Machine Dust Covers.....neither have to be hard ~

Sewing machine dust cover(s)  made so easily ~ Just gather materials and sew along following these instructions from We All Sew.

and as for life.....for starters, just cut loose and have fun.

Aren't you glad it's Fall?

The autumnal equinox is followed by cool weather, falling leaves and Halloween.....

To help celebrate and to keep the season hot with new ideas for fun, Stitchin' Post is sharing.  Here's your free download....a Halloween Trick or Treat bag.

Do you remember from day school that the earth spins on a tilted axis and that the autumnal equinox is the point in time when the sun is directly in line with the equator?   I thought you might.....

Ready, Set.....Get Ready for a Christmas gift-giving idea ~

I can see these little envelopes stuffed with a gift card for the hard-to-please teen, a fun selvedge collection for quilting friends who collect, an easy quilt pattern and fabric for a grandchild's first doll quilt,  or yes, even $$$$$.  So easy to make in any size to fit your gifting pleasure. 

Ready, set, get making those snap- to Christmas (or any gift-giving time of the year)  envelopes.  The Riley Blake tutorial is here.

Fabric Trays! You Don't Say ~

Fun is in the house  - fun to make and fun to share - and can be made for that special person regardless of age.....from a coin catcher for Dad to a pencil holder for the 6 year old or a quilt magazine holding tray for moi.    Fabric trays can be made in many sizes....you choose.  And how fun to sew up a couple with the children.   

Thanks Anna Graham (aka Noodlehead)  for this fabric tray tutorial. 

Fabric Trays by Noodlehead

Just in time for Mother's Day ~

How Fun!  Need an idea for a quick gift?  One special, one hand-made.....

Found on We All Sew November, 2017 blog post:   A charming pocket apron tutorial by Minki Kim featuring her hand applique apron pocket and yarndyed Lecien gray cotton fabric.  The embroidery and applique pattern was found in Simply Stitched with Applique, a book by Yumiko Higuchi published by Zakka Workshop. 

 

Come On ~ Let's Get Happy!

Quilters' Guild Acadienne doesn't derive any income from any manufacturer, designer, retailer or wholesale distributor....but we do get happy when we find free patterns and tutorials given to us by those previously listed! 

Case in point:  From Bernina - We All Sew - Let's Get Happy! quilt and pillow tutorial by Laura McDowell Hopper. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a cushy job have I  ~

 

 

 

 Sigh!

 

Do you Moda Bake Shop?

Well, well, well....a baby quilt on point made so easily by Karin Vail.  Yes, Karin rated this one "Easy" and I must agree with her after reading the instructions.  It was one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments. 

Moda Bake Shop:  Now, that's a good thing.  Every day is a new day at The Shop. 

 

Little Quilted Buckets

A sweet treat ~

Photo Credit Christina Cameli
A Few Scraps

Little quilted buckets, just in time to fill for gift-giving now and all year round.   Be sure to thank Christina for this free pattern.....A Few Scraps is where she's found and where I found this perfectly sized little quilted bucket video and Christina's free pattern offered on her Craftsy page.

'Tis the season for joy. Go make buckets full to pass out to those you love.   

 

In The Holiday Spirit ~

I'm a stalker.....a blog stalker that is.  And a favorite creative spot to land is on Alisa Burke. Alisa is an artist, author, teacher, wife and mom who stretches herself to find ways to redefine creativity.  Today she gives to us holiday gift tags......just in the St. Nick of time.



Image Credit from
Alisa Burke who Redefines Creativity
 

Download, print on cardstock,  trim and tag each gift with an artfully created holiday gift tag.  Thank you, Alisa Burke for your generosity.  My gifts are tagged.

2018 Quilting Calendars ~

Okay, here's the scoop:  I'm still a little bit old...urrrah, I mean old-fashioned!  and continue to use a calendar and even write on it to keep track of activities, important events, birthdays, and yes, even guild meeting date and time.

Thinking you might need a refrigerator calendar also, here's a (not) complete list of quilt related calendars to be found out there.

Quilts Wall Calendar by Wyman Publishing  featuring images of thread painted quilts by fibre artist,  Bridget O'Flaherty.

Images of thread painted quilts
by Bridget O'Flaherty

The Art of The Quilt  a  12" x 12" wall calendar by Willow Creek Press:  Quilts by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr of Modern Quilt Studio....Includes patterns and instructions.

Quilts by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr

365 Day Desk Calendar  by Andrews McMeel Publishing.  A 365 day quilting desk calendar featuring quilting blocks and patterns by Debby Kratovil for your every day pleasure. 

Debby Kratovil's 2018
Block & Pattern-A-Day Calendar

 

Prayer Quilts by Cafe  Press.  Images of quilts made by Quilters at First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, California. 


 A delightful alternative and a fond reminder that every quilt doesn't have to be completed before pictured and put on a calendar.........Prayer Quilts in Process:

 

Missouri Star Quilt Company  where there's  a link to blocks and patterns.



That Patchwork Place found on Amazon.  A cheerful wall calendar with a variety of quilt designs to tempt each of us....includes complete instructions and patterns. 

That Patchwork Place
 

Quilt Art 2018 wall calendar by Klaudeen Hansen.  A spiral bound hand held calendar with 54  week-to-week images and plenty of room for note-taking. 

 

American Quilters' Society:   2018 wall calendar spotlights winning quilts from the 2017 Spring Paducah Quilt Show.

Go ahead now and get on with your day.  It's on the 2017 calendar which is just about to be obsolete
and ready to recycle.  Just sayin' .

 

Mini Stocking Socks and Tasty Lagniappe

I've been hankering to take a road trip all the way up to Sisters, Oregon, where I'm told has an outdoor quilt show!! and a beautiful quilt shop with loads and loads of workshops and retreats.    But, in the meantime, there's always the Stitchin' Post newsletter to enjoy. 

Need more Christmas tree ornaments?  How fun are these mini gift socks by Jean Wells - a PDF Pattern.

 What a delight to have several ready when holiday guests arrive....each mini sock stuffed with Jean's recipe for her chocolate crunch brownies or even better....a brownie or two.   These little cuties would also be a great surprise for every child to find their special stocking and little gift tucked inside.   Yes, 'Tis The Season for all things merry and bright with a bundle of fun tucked in. 

And a tasty Lagniappe - Jean's Chocolate Crunch Brownie recipe. 

 Jean Well's Chocolate Crunch Brownie recipe

 

Happy Accident Love ~

I set out this morning in search of Noodleheads' free cargo duffle pattern and wound up here.......The Robert Kaufman free pattern page.  I'll get back in just a minute to the cargo duffle bag but in the meantime, you're gonna love this:

How quick and easy and wonderful  this 2 X 4 child's quilt for all those plaid shirts we've been collecting since Quilters' Guild Acadienne had the pleasure of having Sue Welton stop in for her beautiful program and workshop.  Just click on the free download and get sorting, cutting and sewing.   Loving that this pattern is for "the enthusiastic novice."  Now that's my kind of quick and easy for a Christmas gift needing to be made.   

But now, back to the original plan.... Noodleheads'  free Cargo Duffle pattern ~

Don't be intimidated...it's a great one....it's just a step one, two, three (and more).  Here are pics of two of the three I've made and gifted.  How fun for that special someone. 

 

 

. 



 

Fat Quarter Friendly ~

Yes, quilters, today let's work off the fat.....fat quarters, that is!

This little project was found at Art Gallery Fabrics Studio under the tab "Fat Quarter Gang."  Being the nose that I am, I clicked and voila....there was a host of free projects, all fat quarter friendly.  It appears to be an older page and some of the projects no longer accessible; however, still some very available fat quarter friendly projects to be had, especially this one by Jeni Baker whose blog, In Color Order is chock full of ideas for quilting and gifting.  Her fabric envelopes caught my eye.  Jeni gives us instructions for two sizes and shares a few ideas on different tab closures.  How fun are these fabric envelopes that are perfectly sized to stick those hard to find "I need to find that note immediately" note to self, grocery list, store coupons, credit cards and more. 

And, then there is Jeni's HST zipper pouch and key fob - a must-make-today scrap or fat quarter fabric  friendly project!

Art Gallery Fabrics

the creative blog

 with  quilting patterns, sewing patterns, tips and tutorials

 

 


 

It's A Wrap ~

Aren't we always looking for clever ways to wrap those little "nothing" gifts for the kids young and old.  And, aren't we always looking for new ways to wrap fat quarters for the birthday gift basket for the next quilt guild meeting.    No peaking here, just grab.

What a delight that this idea was found at Paper & Stitch.....DIY Paper Present Pouches, just in time for the holiday gift giving but an idea that can be used year round, and into the next.



Photo credit to Paper & Stitch DIYs and Design for a Modern Life


 

Yes, it's a wrap using those wonderful big store bags we bring home with every shopping trip or Christmas wrap or I'll bet even those colorful party plates could be stitched together to surround just the right surprise.  Get your thinking cap on and create a fun way to celebrate gift wrapping.

Okay, folks ~ It's a wrap! 

Make It.....Give It......Auction It ~

What with the QGA auction on the horizon.....many might be wondering what to contribute.  Here's a gentle idea to make.  At the same time, your limits are tested as to how to use those tiniest bits of fabric.....even the selvedge! while making this pouch to give or sell. 

Sharing the tutorial from Sew Delicious ~ how to sew a selvedge panel:  a quilt as you go technique.

Have a great meeting today, Quilters' Guild Acadienne, and have fun making those auction donations.
 


 

Do You Purl Soho?

If not, then do... Purl Soho is a wonderful site filled with inspiration for the knitters and purlers and quilters and more. With their offerings of so many free tutorials and patterns - well, it's just a  no-brainer. 


Here's todays find....and what with winter coming our way, who couldn't use a knit shawl.  On those mildly cool days that we so often have here in the deep south, a shawl is all that is needed to ward off a chill. 




Purl Soho Elementary Wrap

Finished with that knit project....then, let's get back to quilt-making.  Here's an easy start:

The Prism Quilt in Liberty of London fabrics:

Purl Soho.....where you can shop and create.  Now,  that's a good thing!













 

Refresh those paper piecing skills.....

Yes, the perfect way to refresh those paper piecing skills -  Folkwood Rabbit Pillow.....a free paper pieced pattern by Danica Willig Designs using Folkwood fabric designed by Rae Ritchie.  And, in case you need to know, Hawthorne Threads has a little bit of Folkwood rabbit fabric in pink and also a beautiful chocolate brown. 



 

Picture credit to
Danica Willig Designs

 

Ready

Set

Hop

right into this paper pieced design.

I'll be right behind you so don't stop now!

 

 

 

 

 

Jolly Braid Totebag

It's a Jolly Braid Totebag

Kimberly put a smile on my face this morning.  No, it's not just another tote tutorial!  There are lessons to be learned. 

• How to make braids easily using braids triangle on a roll sheets.
• How effectively Kimberly uses Wonder Clips rather than pins in heavy fabric areas.
• How to make a tote strap more dense with Annie Strapping....love this. Side note with a smile for those going to Houston, Annie Bags will be there!
• How to easily box the bag.  I've struggled with this for years.....how easy life is! Beginning on minute 9 in the video. 

And enjoy, as I did, the intensity on Kimberly's face as she does the big reveal pulling the bag out of the lining. 

Looking for a way to quickly sew gifts for the holiday season?

Looking for a project to make as a group?  For a guild program? 

 Now you have it.
Go to the big screen and

Enjoy.

 

Well, Bless Pat~

Did you know?  Missouri Star Quilt Company does machine quilting by mail!

Learn more at Missouri Star Quilt Company....photo compliments of Missouri Star

I subscribe to the Missouri Star Quilt Company newsletter.  Do you?  In this mornings mailbox was a blurb that we'll have Christmas again this year and they want to help us get those quilts ready to be gifted on time.....but they need our quilts by October 1.  In their words, "We are so excited to sprinkle that last touch of magic onto your beautiful handmade gift."

Click on the link

to get that early holiday spirit





 

Missouri Star Quilt Company.....now that's  a holiday good thing!