Sew What's Buzzing...

Here's a Free microwave neck warmer pattern that's sure to warm anyone up!  This neck warmer is quick and easy to sew.  They make great homemade gifts.  

Comfy Cozy Neck Wrap

Fabric Requirements
Main Fabric 1/4 yard
Lining           1/4 yard
Trim              1/8 yard
Long grain Rice (not minute rice) and a few drops of fragrant oil (optional)

Cut:
Main Fabric and Lining Cut one each    8 1/2" x 31"  
Accent Trim                                            2 1/2" x width of fabric


Assemble

Making the Triim
Fold the strip in half wrong sides together and press.  Open back out and fold each long side to the pressed line wrong sides together and press both sides.  Fold pressed strip in half so raw edges are encased and press.  your strip will be 5/8 to 3/4" wide.

Assemble the Warmer
Layer your main fabric and lining together to create one piece (505 spray works great for keeping these 2 layers together).

Fold layered fabric in half with right sides together.  Stitch 1/4 inch seam.  Stitch again right to the outside of first stitching.  Press seam open.

Take the trim strip and insert it into the tube.  Right sides will be together.  Line the top of the striip with the edge of the tube lining it up with the seam.  Stitch across the short side of the tube through all layers.  Turn tube right side out.  Strip  will now be on the outside.  Lay the accent strip down the tube on the side without the seam and create a loop aprox. 3 inches in length.  Topstitch through all layers across the same short edge that you just sewed.

Create a loop on the end and stitch 1/4 inch from the edge following arrow.

 Mark tube every 9 1/2 inches in length.  Fill the tube with 2 to 2 1/4 cups of rice.  Sew on your first marking.  Sew again to reinforce seam.  Add again 2 to 2 1/4 cups of rice and stitch on the next marking.  Addd the last 2 to 2 1/4 cups of rice.  Fold in the raw edges of the tube and insert the edge of the trim.  Trim will be long enough to form a handle.  Topstitch across all layers.  Stitch again to reinforce.

Heat in microwave 2 minutes and relax!

Find my quilt shop on the web at www.cottoncreationsfabric.com 

Sew What's Buzzing....

Easy Applique

Have you ever needed to add a little interest to a plain quilt block?  Here is a quick way to use applique to add a little excitement.  In this block we used a piece of fabric that had a medium floral print.  We fussy cut the flowers and backed them with steam a seam II (you can use  your favorite fusible ) so we could fuse them onto our block. We added a couple of leaves that are very easy draw and   cut out.
 I like to use the satin stitch applique method although blanket stitch is very popular for this type of applique as well.
  TIP:  Don't forget to use some type of stabilizer on the back of your block so that you can achieve a nice stitch without puckering.  Since I use the satin stitch I prefer freezer paper with the shinny side pressed onto the back of my block.  This is very economical and it rips off very easy when you are done stitching.

Sew What's Buzzing...

Try this quick and easy Holiday Home Dec project.  Layer  Fast to Fuse stabilizer onto the back of a small panel.  Quilt as desired and add crystals or paint to embellish.   The Fast to Fuse allows for quilting while not shrinking your quilted picture, easy to insert into a frame and the project is done!  

You can find these beautiful Christmas panels on our website, www.cottoncreationsfabric.com.

And as always, stay tuned for the next Buzz..

Sew What's Buzzing

Having Fun with Take Four Placemats

                          The ladies are taking a quick break while sewing on their 

"Take Four" Placemats.  The fabric combinations that they chose were all beautiful.  

Sew What's Buzzing...

Adding a Flange to your projects.

Adding a three dimensional flange  can add interest and dimension to your quilting projects.  This can be a good way to add a little "pop" of color. A flange can be added to your quilt before borders, between borders or between your border and binding.
Begin by measuring your quilt to get the length and width measurements.  Cut fabric strips 1" wide in the lengths accordingly.    Fold strips in half wrong side together and press.  You will have a fabric strip 1/2" wide.  You may adjust the width of your strips if you choose to have a wider or narrower flange.
Beginning with sides, place fabric strip on the right side of quilt matching raw edge of quilt with raw edge of the flange.  Fold will be toward the center of the quilt.  Sew a scant 1/4 inch.  Sew both sides and then top and bottom.
Lay your borders  on top of the flange matching raw edges.  Stitch again using 1/4 inch.
After pressing your border the flange will "peek out" and be loose on the folded edge.  Apply all borders or binding.

 

Stay tuned in for the next buzz...

Sew Whats Buzzing

                                                       Midwinter Reds
                                                                                     

 I'm  certainly not looking forward to the cold weather of a Western Pennsylvania  winter.  They seem to go on forever!  Although  I do look forward to those snowy days when I can spend my spare time in the sewing room with a cup of hot chocolate, a great pattern and some beautiful fabric .  Midwinter Reds by Minick and Simpson for Moda has started to arrive in our shop .  There's something about the warm shades of reds and tans that chase the winter chill away.  These selections are great for both quilting and home decorating projects.   My only problem is deciding what to make.  Visit our website to see the beautiful fabrics in this line.      www.cottoncreationsfabric.com


And as always stay tuned for the next Buzz....

Sew Whats Buzzing


Chautauqua Quilt Show
I just returned from a wonderful weekend at the Chautauqua Quilt Show in New York.  We were surrounded by beautiful scenery and beautiful quilts!  I feel blessed that I met some quilters  that I now can call friend. Here are a few of my favorite quilts that I saw. I wish I could have seen them all.
 This dimensional quilt was unbelievable!  It looked like you could just reach out and pick the blocks right off of the fabric!

I loved the quilting on this Log Cabin Star.

The applique was just beautiful on this quilt

And here is Pam, hard at work in our booth.

Stay tuned for the next Buzz

Sew What's Buzzing?   

The Batting Buzz

I just returned home from a wonderful weekend in Maryland.  My nephew got married and what fun we had!  While I was there I squeezed out a few minutes to visit an adorable little quilt shop.  The owner and I had a great time sharing quilting stories and product ideas.  She showed me a placemat sample that I was really excited about!  Remember, I'm a quilter.  It can be a large or small project,  they are all great!

Have you ever used Soft and Stable batting? If you haven't, it's time to give it a try.   Most of us know it as a great product to use in purse construction but there are many other uses for this that work  great!   Try it in your next placemat  project. I was amazed
 at how professional the finished product looked and felt!  It works great with a  simple "quilt as you go" technique or  try it with your favorite pattern.  My wheels are turning.  I can't wait to use it  in some of my other projects.  Thanks to my new quilting friend in Maryland for this great tip!

As always, stay tuned for the next buzz... 

Sew What's Buzzing....

One Mans Trash is Another Mans Treasure, 

 or Should I Say Women's Treasure.

My sister has quite a fetish for collecting chairs.  Her husband tells me she could "seat the world".  One day while browsing a local thrift shop she happened upon these solid oak chairs with "lovely" plastic covered seats. 

 Now remember,  beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. 

         

But one look at these chairs and  she  saw great potential. 

What these chairs needed was a face lift,  (don't we all), and a little pop of color.  So her quest for the perfect fabric choice began and Moda came to the rescue.  From their Wintergreen collection, this pretty little print was just what she needed. 

And here is the finished product.  With a little TLC, a staple gun and some really great fabric these chairs turned into quite a treasure.  And the best part was the price tag!

Chairs from a thrift store + great fabric = a home run score!

If you have tired kitchen or dining chairs give it a try!  Most seats are easy to remove with a simple screwdriver and the fabric is easy to apply with a carpenters staple gun. 

 Stay tuned for the next buzz.....

Sew What's Buzzing?  

Why a Quilt Shop?

Welcome to Cotton Creation's Sew What's Buzzing Blog.  I'm Joni, and I am the owner of Cotton Creations Quilt Shop. "Sew" why a quilt shop?  And my answer is, why not? In case you don't know me let me tell you a little about who I am. I live outside of Clarion, PA in the country with my husband Terry.  I have two children Megan and Chase, a son -in- law Deven  and a  beautiful little  granddaughter who is the light of my life, Madison.  I am the proud mother of a little toy poodle named Tucker who I have tried to teach to sew, unsuccessfully. 

  The sewing "bug" bit me when I was  twelve years old and taking home economics class.  One sewing class and I was hooked!  I  couldn't get enough of  fabric, needle and thread!  If you are into sewing or quilting, and I know you are, you know what I mean.  "Sew", I have been sewing most of my life.  Looking back, I have to laugh just a little, I made western shirts for my husband (we live in the east)  and brightly colored clothing for the children so I wouldn't lose them in a crowd. Many, many garments through the years were stitched.  As the years passed  my interest has expanded to home dec and quilting.

 

I have worked in the retail  jewelry industry for over 25 years specializing in window display which was a great way for me to exercise my creativity.  I then worked for a quilt shop for 10 years.  I  love every minute of "petting fabric",(I know you do it too),  and helping quilters choose colors for their  sewing and quilting projects. I get such delight in meeting and talking with people that have  the same love of sewing as I do.  

In 2011 the shop owner decided to close her doors and move out of state.  The opportunity  presented itself for me to open my own  quilt shop.   I felt it was a perfect fit.   Cotton Creations was born and my dream had come true! 

In my shop I carry quality quilting fabrics along with all the fun things like notions, books, patterns and thread.  As you will see on the website I also carry some great accessories like scarf sets and matching pendants and earrings.   I can't quite get away from my jewelry days, besides, we all deserve  a little "bling" in our lives. 

Thank you for visiting my blog.  I am new at this so please be patient with me as I start this new journey. ..

and stay tuned for the next buzz.