How to Make a Quilt

My latest book, How to Make a Quilt is now in print! What a treat to find a box of 12 copies in my mail when I arrived home from our three-week vacation in the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound!

Published by Storey Publishing, How to Make a Quilt is one of several books in their Storey Basics series. This 5 x 7" paperback book is 120 pages of step-by-step directions that will help a beginner learn to quilt, as well as serve as a helpful reminder for those who have made quilts but want helpful reminders. 

What's Inside

The book includes simple-to-follow illustrations and easy-to-follow directions for each of the basic steps, including pattern and color selection, block assembly, quilt-top assembly, simple quilting, and finishing steps. It's handy to keep by your sewing machine or tuck into your tote to take to quilting class. This is my third book for Storey, and as always, the experience working with them has been a stellar one.

The book includes directions for Log Cabin piecing with suggestions for a few Log Cabin projects. The chapter on learning how to make patchwork blocks includes directions for making 12 different sampler blocks using different techniques. You'll also find directions for turning the blocks into a small wall hanging (or table topper). You will use these techniques over and over when making other quilts and quilted projects.

At a price of only $9.95, this little book makes a great gift for crafty friend. I hope you will check it out at www.storey.com and enjoy using it or giving it as a gift. Until next time, 
Keep on Sewing and Smiling,
Barbara

PS If you are looking for a special tote pattern to make for carrying supplies to sewing or quilting classes, be sure to visit my pattern store at http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

Check out The Quilted Carryall--my best-selling tote pattern--for a roomy 8-pocket bag!

Travel On...With Quilted Tote Bags and More

It's that time again to plan your summer travels and if you are thinking of stitching up a travel bag or two, you'll find several perfect patterns in my pattern store at www.crafsty.com. One of my travel bag patterns is selling up a storm right now. My Quilted Travel Tote is a wonderful bag tote with lots of room and plenty of pockets and is a wonderful carry-on bag and it's my topseller right now. It's designed so you can use it as an open-top tote, too. When you unzip, the zipper panel drops down inside. One of the outside pockets also has hidden zipper for security and there's an inside zipped pocket too! Directions are included for quilting your own fabric so you can make this bag reflect your own taste rather than settling for what's available in quilted double-sided fabric.

The Terrific Travel Tote

For a similarly styled travel tote made from unquilted fabric, check out The Terrific Travel Tote. It's really lightweight when sewn in outdoor fabric, or super stylish in tapestry or a decorator print like the one shown on the pattern cover. It has the same pockets and zip-top as the Quilted Travel Tote, making it a lighter version of the quilted one. Great to fold flat and pack in your baggage and then to tote all your goodies home from your trip.

It's Beach Time!

Travel to the beach in style and comfort with my Sew 'n' Go BeachMat Tote & Pillow. Unzip it at the sides and out it folds to a quilted mat. There's a matching pillow that fits inside the zipped tote for your comfort, whether you're lounging in the sand or poolside at your hotel. And there's plenty of room for other beachside accouterments. An outside pocket is perfect for small items!

Get Organized!

Use the three small bags in my latest pattern to pack and organize small items in your carry-on or your sewing tools for sewing and quilting classes. The Iron Caddy opens to reveal an insulated pressing mat that's the perfect size to keep by your sewing machine for quick pressing jobs with your mini iron or tacking iron.

Carry Me Tote with Handles

Ditty Bag

Iron Caddy /Pressing Mat

Pressing Mat with Mini-Iron

 

Happy Summer Sewing...

And remember that almost any tote bag you make can double as a travel companion. Check out my other tote bag designs and my quilt and other patterns in my Craftsy pattern store at:http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

Have fun sewing for your travel time and keep on sewing and smiling!

Until next time,

Barbara

Sew Pretty Sew Easy Tote Bag--Great for Gifting

Sew Pretty Sew Easy Quilted Tote Bag

I wanted to design something pretty and practical and this little tote bag was the result. It's a great "scrap buster" project--each of the four fabrics required for the piecing and the lining require 1/2 yard or less. Add a bit of lace--three yards will be more than enough--and some polyester fleece and you have a finished bag in no time. It has simple square corners and two side seams that are bound for a neat finish inside and out. A hanging pocket inside is the perfect place for your phone, a pencil or other small items to keep close at hand.

The sewing is fast and easy. Polyester fleece between the two fabric layers adds just the right amount of body and requires only minimal quilting. I did a simple grid of squares in the center panel only, plus the stitching that holds the trim bands in place adds straight lines to anchor the pieced panel to the fleece and the lining. All pieces are cut across the width of the fabric so there is no bottom seam. It really couldn't get any easier to make it.

Sized at 15" tall and 13-1/2" wide, the tote is the perfect bag for book club meetings, quick errands--or even to hold a small knitting project. With Christmas coming, this is the perfect for anyone on your list who loves bags. You can make several in one sitting--and you might just have the makings for all of them in your fabric stash. I made mine in just a few hours, once I had the design finalized. While I love floral prints and lace, other fabrics will work too. Go bold with a bright modern print and eliminate the lace for an entirely different look.

Like all of my patterns, you'll find this one in my Craftsy pattern store at: http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

I'm headed back to the machine to whip up some Christmas-themed mug rugs. I had such fun making the ones for Halloween, that I just had to get back to designing them. I'm getting pretty good at designing appliques in Electric Quilt--I don't do well with pen and paper, but EQ has made an "artist" out of me! Read my previous posts to see my "ghoulishly easy" Halloween mug rugs.

Hope you're having fun getting ready for Christmas--my favorite Holiday. I'm ready to start sewing gifts--after I finish a set of mug rugs!

Have fun sewing, quilting, and crafting.
Until next time,
Keep on sewing and smiling!
Barbara

Bet You Can't Make Just One Halloween Mug Rug

For awhile now, I've been noticing mug rugs everywhere. They continue to be in the Top Twenty Best Sellers at www.craftsy.com. Finally, I took some time to design one and before I knew it, I had designed eight or so. Believe me, the designing took longer than it does to make one! They are super quick to make. Since it's the bewitching month, my first designs are all for Halloween--and since they are so fast to stitch up, you can certainly make up a batch or two to use for the remainder of the month.
So here are the first four of my ghoulishly easy Mug Rugs!

The background for each face is foundation-paper-pieced--a full-size pattern is included in each pattern. All of the features are fused in place, and then zigzagged as part of the quilting. Since each one measures only 5-1/2" x 9-1/2", fabric requirements are minimal. They are great stash busters! In addition to fabrics, you'll need batting and your favorite fusible web. A set of four different mug rugs, or a set of four of your favorite design, would make a great gift!

You'll find all four of these quick-and-easy PDF downloadable patterns at my Craftsy store--http://www.craftsy.com/user/153303/pattern-store

Each pattern is just $2.50. Even if you don't make them right away, once purchased, the patterns will always be in your pattern library at Craftsy to download when you are ready to have a little stitching therapy! 

Until next time,
Keep smiling, sewing, and quilting!
Barbara