Sew What's Buzzing.....

Little Black Dress 2 by Basic Grey for Moda.     Moda has done it again with this elegant collection.  Just like your favorite little black dress!

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....