QUILTING IDEAS

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Here are a number of Quilting ideas that you can try yourself.

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Idea#1: Road Trip Bag

This multipurpose bag is a stylish way to carry all your essentials. Perfect for day trips around the city, but big enough to pack a few more things for your trips out of town. It's reversible too, giving you two bags in one!

Instructions

  1. For outside of tote, cut 2 peices 25" x 20". Cut 2 peices the same size for the lining
  2. Cut 2 strips, 4 ฝ” x 20" of the paisley fabric for the top band. Cut 2 strips, 2” x 20 for the solid brown band.
  3. Stitch solid brown band to each end of main body fabric. Stitch paisley band to solid brown stripe. Press. This is the outside of the tote. Fuse interfacing to wrong side of the fabric. 
  4. For the front pocket, cut 1 piece, 20” x 20”.  Fold 1” down from top. Press and topstitch in place. Place pocket on bag front, right side up, aligning raw edges. Baste in place.  Stitch horizontally across the bottom of the bag for the bottom of the pockets.
  5. For straps, cut 4 strips, 4 ฝ” x the width of the fabric. Stitch 4 strips together to make one continuous strip. Fuse interfacing to wrong side. Fold and press ฝ” in on long side.  Fold strip in half and press. You may use a fusible web to keep the strap folded in place if you wish. Topstitch strap ผ” from both outside edges. 
  6. For pocket segments and strap placement, fold the side section of the bag in thirds, and mark creases with chalk. Center strap over chalk mark and pin in place, creating a continuous loop over the right side of the bag. Overextend the strap approximately 24” off the top and bottom of bag for handles. You may make handles shorter or longer to your taste. Pin and topstitch in place. 
  7. Stitch bag front to back, right sides together, using a 3/8” seam allowance.
  8. To box the lower corners, fold and crease the bottom between the side seams. With the bag wrong side out, arrange each lower corner to form a point. Stitch across the point, approximately 1 ฝ” above the point, stitch perpendicular to the seam. 
  9. Stitch lining front to back. Box corners. Add a small inner pocket if desired. Cut a piece 7” x 5”.  Turn ฝ” down from top edge and topstitch in place. Press 3/8” around other 3 sides of pocket. Pin and topstitch in place on inside of lining approximately 4” below handle. 
  10. Place the lining, wrong side out, into the finished bag. Align top edges and handles and pin in place. Topstitch lining to finished bag.

Material and Tools needed

Designer: Debra Green

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Idea#2: Reversible Table Cloth

A cheerful table cover is just the thing for the winter months ahead. Because it is reversible, this one is double the fun! A great way to showcase your beautiful fabrics.

Instructions

  1. From large print fabrics, cut a 40" square, and 4-61/2" squares
  2. From border stripe fabrics, cut 4-40" strips
  3. Sew a border stripe to either side of green tablecloth
  4. Attach a cornerstone to both ends of the remaining border strips and attach to top and bottom of tablecloth
  5. Repeat for the blue tablecloth
  6. With right sides together, sew the green and blue tablecloths together, leaving a 6" opening for turning.
  7. Turn right sides out, press, and slip stitch opening closed.
  8. Top stitch around the outside edges of the tablecloth to secure.

Materials and Tools needed

  • 1-1/2 yards green large print fabric for tablecloth center
  • 1/2 yard green stripe fabric for borders
  • 1-1/2 yards blue large print fabric for reverse side of tablecloth
  • 1/2 yard blue stripe fabric for reverse side borders
  • Olfa 24" x 36" Self-Healing Rotary Mat (RM-MG)
  • Olfa Rotary Deluxe 45mm Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/DX)
  • 6" x 24" Non-slip, Frost Advantage™  Acrylic Ruler
  • "The Essential" (QR 6 x 24)

Designer: Debra Green

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Idea#3: Sheer Patchwork Window Shade

Use this unbacked patchwork shade to let a little light into any room in your home. The lovely sheer framed “windows” are cut away to allow the natural light to come through, creating a soft glow sure to warm your home.

Instructions

  1. Wash and press fabrics before use.
  2. Use the OLFA 6 1/2" ruler to cut 17 – 3 1/2" squares from each of the home-spun fabrics. You will end up with a total of 102 – 136 squares depending on how many different cottons you begin with and the desired finished size.
  3. Cut the sheer organza into 2" and 1 1/2" strips. Cut strips into squares.
  4. Stitch sheer square in the center of each homespun square on the right side using a 1/4" seam allowance from the raw edge of the sheer square. Do not turn under raw edges but simply sew in place.
  5. Using your OLFA scissors, cut away the fabric from behind the sheer square on each block, leaving approximately 1/8" seam allowance on the wrong side. This creates your little “window”.
  6. Arrange blocks randomly to your taste and sew together into rows. Sew rows together, pressing seams open.
  7. Sew a 1/4" hem around the entire perimeter of the shade.
  8. For hanging tabs, cut 5 – 2" x 6" rectangles. Turn and stitch a 1/4" hem on each of the long sides. Fold tab in half and stitch evenly spaced along the top of shade. Press entire shade carefully. Hang in your favorite window and let the sunshine in!

Materials and Tools needed

  • OLFAฎ Scissors – you will want a pair that is sharp all the way to the tip.

  • Quarter yard each of 6 – 8 different coordinating homespun cottons in soft colors.
  • Quarter yard of coordinating sheer organza or similar type of fabric.
  • 1/2 yard blue stripe fabric for reverse side borders
  • Olfa 24" x 36" Self-Healing Rotary Mat (RM-MG)
  • Olfa Rotary Deluxe 45mm Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/DX)
  • 6" x 24" Non-slip, Frost Advantage™  Acrylic Ruler
  • "The Essential" (QR 6 x 24)

Designer: Debra Green

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