Helpful Hints for Love Notes Mystery

Find a great embroidery tutorial for the STEM STITCH HERE and BACK STITCH HERE.

Find a tutorial for doing RAW EDGE APPLIQUE HERE.

Follow the directions in the first step to cut the fabric pieces for your quilt.  There are 4 rows, one for each week, so put the correct pieces in a pile for each row.  You can further organize by putting the pieces for each section of each row into smaller piles as shown on page one of the directions.  

Tutorial for each week from Shabby Fabrics:

Week 1 click HERE

Week 2  click HERE

Week 3 click HERE

Week 4 click HERE

Week 5. click HERE

Blueberry Buckle Table Runner

This easy and quick table runner is made with Jenny Beyer's Blueberry Buckle fabric.  I love the soft blue's and browns in this collection.  And of course every Alaskan loves a good blueberry buckle.  You can make this fun little table topper with only 3 fat quarters and a yard and a half of fabric for backing and binding.  You can make this table runner as long and as wide as you want or turn it into a quilt by making more blocks.  The table runner with 3 fat quarters is 3 blocks wide by 7 blocks long.  The one I made for this post is 3 X 6 because that was the size I needed for the table it will go on.  This block is traditionally called the Rail Fence.  It is perfect for beginners.

Step 1.  Cut your fat quarter into 7 strips that measure 2.5" X 22".  

Step 2.  Sew two of the strips together as pictured. 

Step 3.  Sew the third strip to all of the pairs.  You will have (7) strips that measure 6.5" by 22"

Step 4. Press to the dark side.

Step 5.  Cut each of the strips into (3) 6.5" X 6.5" blocks.  You will have 21 blocks.

Step 6.  Arrange your blocks so that you sew three together that look like one of these rows and 4 that look like the other row.    Press toward the vertical row so your seams nest nicely when you sew the rows together like they are laid out in the image below. When your rows are sewn together you will have 7 rows with three blocks in each row.

Step 7.  Make a little sandwich out of your top, batting and backing.  Do a little stipple-or whatever you want, to hold your sandwich together. 

Step 8.  Add a binding and your topper is ready to use.

Linking to: Em's Scrap Bag,  Monday Making , Design Wall Monday, Midweek Makers, NTT

Reversible Tote Bag Pattern

                               Two Tote Bags in One

                                                  Reversible tote bag Pattern

a kid friendly pattern-may need adult help

Materials

Two fat quarters

Thread

Sewing Machine

Pins

Iron

Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler or scissors

Note:

If you use scissors you will need to mark the cutting lines with a pencil or pen.  You will also need a measuring tape.

This works best with a rotary cutter, mat and ruler if possible.

Preparing the Fabric

Step 1

-Fold your fat quarter in half so the selvage edge is on the side of the fabric.  Repeat with second fat quarter.  Trim off the selvage edge.

-Square up both of your fat quarters as shown.  Make sure the fold is lined up with a straight mark on the ruler.

Making the Straps

-Cut (2) 2 inch strips from the top or bottom of each fabric.  

-You will have 4 strips.

Step 3

-Pin and sew strips right sides together with one fabric on one side and the other on the other side.  Only sew the long sides together, leave the ends un-sewn as shown.  Use a 1/4 inch seam.  Remember to backstitch at each end of each seam.

-Turn the straps right side out and press.  

Making the bag.

-Step 1

Fold and trim your two fat quarters so they are the exact same size.  They will be around 13 inches by 9 inches folded or 18 inches unfolded.

Step 2

-With right sides together pin each of your fat quarters together around the bottom and open side as shown. 

Using a 3/8 inch seam, sew the pinned side and bottom remember to backstitch on both ends.

-Turn the bags right side out. I use a pin to pull the corners out on the bottom of the bags.  Press the bags.

Step 2

-Pick one of the bag sections.  Measure from the edge to the center and mark 1 inch using a pin. Turn the bag over and measure one inch from the edge, just like you did for the other side.

-Place your finished strap, with right sides together, matching raw edges pin the straps to the bag as shown.  Repeat with the other side of the bag. 

Stitch the straps in place.  You will have one bag with straps and one bag without straps.

Sew Bag Together.

Step 1

-Turn the bag with the straps inside out.  Do not turn the other bag inside out! Put the other bag (with no straps) inside the bag with the straps with right sides together.  

-Using 2 pins, mark your starting and stopping places.  Give yourself a 3 inch opening. This will be the hole for you to turn the bag right side out.

-Match the right edges together and pin and then sew  around the top. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of this seam.

-Pull the bag right side out through the hole in the top.  Push one bag into the other bag.

-Press the entire top so you have an even edge.  Sew around the top.  This will close the opening.  Be sure to top stitch close to the edge.

-You will have an adorable bag that looks just like this,

and this.  

Happy Sewing!