Superstar {Quilted Pillow}

 "Don't listen to them, you're a superstar!"

In January, a package arrived from Riley Blake Designs.  I was surprised to see the fabric bundle, until I remembered I had signed up for the Modern Quilt Guild 2017 Fabric Challenge with Riley Blake. 

The fabric line is called Creative Rockstar.  I really do love the two colors of Orange and Aqua/Teal, but  I felt like I needed another color to balance them.  However, I really didn't want to use more fabric than they sent.  I had presented a secondary challenge for myself. 

I knew I wanted to play with the words of the fabric line and the word star kept nagging at me. 
Then, I remembered that I had designed a star pattern a few years ago for my boys' bean bag cushion in their room that might work.

 I didn't want to make a mini because I'm really into making small quilts that are functional in my life, so settled on making a quilted pillow cover.  I set aside two of the fat quarters they had sent for the back of the pillow and then started with my star center...crossing my fingers I would have enough. 

 

I started adding colors strips around it.

At first, I tried to be very specific in my color choices and strip widths.

But then it became very improv and fun because I only had a bit left.  I even miscalculated the amount of fabric I had set aside for the binding and had to make it scrappy also.

The quilting was simple, I outlined the stars as best as I could, since the outer widths started to vary greatly.

Then I added my hidden zipper backing and scrappy binding.

Quilt Stats:
Measures: 18" square
Pattern: Superstar (still writing up the pattern)
Fabrics: Creative Rockstar by Riley Blake Designs
Quilted: Straight line outlines on Babylock Symphony

The pillow now lives in my chair at my desk in my studio.  It didn't win the challenge, which made me very happy that I didn't spend more money on fabric AND I have a functional project for myself!

New Old Glory {Quilted Pillows}

"....with liberty and justice for all."

I am so delighted with these pillow covers!

And better yet?  I love this time of the year because I can put my patriotic decorations up from Memorial Day through the Fourth of the July...and there is Flag Day in between!

I did not use a pattern for these, but will admit I was inspired by the many flag blocks I've seen from Thimbleblossoms Stars and Stripes pattern.  Mine is based on the size of my pillow inserts.  I used the dimensions to be able to fit four red stripes, 3 white, a rectangle of aqua, and a border for them to stand out. 

I know, I know...the "star" rectangle is supposed to be blue.  But sometimes I feel like a quilter can take a little artistic license and bend the rules. 

I had fun doing the crosshatch quilting.  

And I'm so happy with my plan to use linen for both the background and the binding.

For the pillow backs, I made hidden zippers again.  There are some dark chocolate zippers under that flap, and no one needs to know!  And in accordance with my Sew My Stash goal, I used some duck canvas in a coordinating color I had hanging around.

Quilt Pillow Stats:

Measure: 13" x 20"

Pattern: Inspired by Thimbleblossoms Stars and Stripes pattern

Fabric: Scraps of red and aqua, Kona Snow, Robert Kaufman Linen in Natural, and Joann's Duck Canvas

Quilted: Crosshatch quilting on Babylock Symphony

There are some more patriotic pillow covers in the works....stay tuned!!

Valentine's Day {Quilted Projects}

"Love does not make the world go round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

 About two weeks ago, I pulled out these leftovers.

They were leftover layer cakes and cut triangles from my Layers of Charm quilt I made two years ago!

 

I didn't finish all of my Valentine's Day projects until the end of that day.  My husband and I went on vacation to Maui and I just didn't get all the quilting and binding done to take it with me on the vacation.  But I was excited to come home to these "minis".

 I'm actually super excited that I got these done so they are ready for next year!   

I don't mind being late or really early.  I just like being done!  

I used the leftover backing from the Layers of Charm quilt to make hidden zipper backings.

 

I was worried about using solid black binding, but I'm glad I did.  I feel like the eye is drawn only to the triangles of prints and stands out against the quilt on the chair.  The second pillow pops out against the second red chair (and more to come for a coordinating quilt in the works!).

I still had two leftover layer cakes to make two Hugs and Kisses potholders.

I intentionally set aside the lip layer cake for the X potholder.

And a red dot layer cake for the O potholder.

I used insulbrite and batting and then echo quilted both of the potholders. 

I used a fun Teal with white dot leftovers on the backings of all the potholders and trimmed them with black binding and a loop to hang them.

I almost ignored the four HSTs I had sitting around.  But before I put them in my scrap bins, I decided to play around with them and chose to make a trivet.

I didn't love it until I decided to add a coral pink embroidered stitch.

Then to round things out, I decided to make some quilted coasters for the family room again.

I raided my stash and made six of them and it makes my hubby happy because he loves my quilted coasters.

I was also inspired to make a Hugs and Kisses bunting for the fireplace.  I tried to use scrapbook paper I had in my stash that matched the colors in the Moda Kiss Kiss Fabric.

I'm sooo excited about decorating for next year and also making a few more valentine's quilts. 

 Stay Tuned!

Moda Love Charm {Quilted Throw Pillow}

This year is what I call the Year of the Leftovers.

After finishing Peanut's Quilt, I still had some charm squares left because the pattern doesn't use the entire pack.  My first instinct was to just cut them into 2.5" squares for my hexie stash, but then I recalled that there was a "mini" version of the original Moda Love Pattern.

And then sticking with my "use all my stash" comimttment, I found this Essex Linen in blue to use with it. I still haven't mastered working with linens and small blocks, but hey, its a process and I used up the fabric that was just going to collect dust!

I decided I would just make another fun pillow cover.  Either for my studio or Button's room.  With that in mind, I used an off white linen scrap I had and made a blue gingham binding.

I did my hidden zipper back and quilted the front with straight line quilting in the four quadrants.  

Lessons learned?  No linen backing.  And stick to matchstick quilting to hide all my small piecing sins.

Button declined it for his bedroom, even though it matches his quilt and pillows, and it is now in my studio.  Sometimes its good to have your lesson learned quilted works out and and about!

Daysail Palatina {Quilted Throw Pillow Cover}

 After making the Cotton & Steel Palatina mini for my swap partner,
I still could not shake it and wanted to do it again.

I had a certain person on my radar that had sent me a gorgeous mini out of the blue when I complimented her on it.  She wouldn't even let me pay for the international postage from Australia.


I had some leftover scraps from my Daysail quilt and thought it would make a great pillow cover for her!

I'm in LOOOOVE with matchstick quilting for throw pillows and minis.

 A zipper is hiding in this white dotted mint fabric.

 This red and white houndstooth from my stash....so...yummy!

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 18' Square

Pattern: Palatina Pillow by There's A Thread

Fabric: Bonnie & Camille's Daysail by Moda Fabrics, Houndstooth,  Joann's White dotted mint

Thread: Gutterman White

Quilted: Matchstick quilting on Babylock Symphony

I love how it turned out and am contemplating making making a larger lap quilt version for myself.

Rip 'n' Sew Throw Pillows {Tutorial}

Our family room is very red, gold and green. I have been wanting to introduce some BLUE to it.  Seems crazy to have blue with all these boys? However, the "fall" colors drive me a bit crazy lately!

I have had this project in mind ever since I saw it in my magazine.

So I cannot take full credit.  

Photo of my scraps and magazine (BHG Fast and Fabulous Quilting Ideas)

I can say it is not as cute as the one in the magazine with it's ball trim, but I like it!

It seemed that last Wednesday when I was guest host at Freshly Pieced, there was some interest. So I thought I would share you the general run down!

I started off with a denim scrap panel from one of the boys' long ago denim duvet covers I made them 10 years ago.  I cut it the width and then the entire length (front and back side) of the pillow and added about an inch seam allowance.  However, I suggest you add more to the length to accomodate a button closure or what I call pillow sham flaps if you desire.

This is the easy part.  Grab all of your scrap bins and started finding pieces that are mostly the length of the panel I had and the colors you want.
 My first priority was to make sure I used up some of the scrap home decor fabrics that are just taking space up in my scrap bins. 

RIP

You simply rip the fabric.  You find a spot about 1-2 inches wide and start ripping it.

 If a fabric won't give? Snip a starter cut and rip away. 

 Some pieces ended up being cut like that interfaced red woven fabric below. 

They remained strong against my onslaught!

SEW

Grab your scraps and sit in front of the machine and add the strips.
A straight stitch down the middle.  That is all.

Trial Run

I debuted it on my pillow form by just wrapping it around and I was really happy with the finished panel!  I think it would be really fun as the front of a pillow sham in a boys bedroom!

CLOSURE

Now this is the easy part if you are making it permanent.  Stitch the short ends right sides together with an inch seam allowance.  Fold in half.  Stitch one end together by machine. Turn. Stitch open end close.

Problem?

I wanted a throw pillow cover.   I had a conundrum.  Button closure or zipper? A quilter remarked on my guest post that the frayed bits might get caught in a zipper.  So I started scrummaging through my button collection.  However, a new challenge presented itself.  My panel was too short on the back for a good overlap flap to accomodate buttonholes.  So zipper it was.

After a little brainstorming, I decided to bind the ends like a quilt and then add a zipper.

Trim the edges and add a folded 2.5 inch strip to both short ends with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

I then ironed my binding and started doing my handsewing to the back...and then had an idea.  Why not attach the zipper to the binding before I handstitched it down?

You already have a crease where the binding would fold over, so pin the zipper to the edge (like the photo above) so that just the teeth (or coils if we are getting technical) are exposed against the binding.

I left the zipper open so I could eye the crease.  Stitch down using a zipper foot and a straight stitch.

This is preference thing, but I don't like having problems with the loose edge of the zipper.  To tame the floppy zipper tape, stitch the zipper to the outer edge of the binding also.

Handstitch the binding down with a ladder stitch, just as you would with a quilt.

Fold the panel so that zipper is in the center back.  Trim the ends because they might be a bit uneven.

Stitch an overlock stitch to keep the end strongs.  Pillows in my house take a lot of beating.  Since I didn't have my serger out,  I used what I thought resembled some sort of over-lock stitch!  It was late and I was too tired to look it up in the manual.

CAUTION!!!

If you decide to attach a zipper, make sure you leave the zipper OPEN a bit so you can turn it once you sew the ends. You can actually unzip something from behind, but it is quite a bear. 

 And I speak from experience!

When you flip it right side out?  A nice clean edge against the zipper!

I am really happy with my two pillows!  

I think they bring the perfect punch of blue!

Now it is time to take on the couch....