Sunday, February 1, 2026

Kimberbell Notebook Cover and Pen Pal : Hoop Studio


This is one of my most favorite machine embroidery projects! I love creating beautiful and useful projects like this journal cover.  The floral bouquet stitching is so lovely. Plus the inside cover has a pocket to hold  notes. 



This project has sold out, but be sure to subscribe to Hoop Studio at Kimberbell for the next amazing project. 


Hoop Studio is a monthly subscription available at Kimberbell. Each month you will receive all the supplies (excluding stabilizer and thread) to create a new project! The projects are absolutely amazing and vary each month.


Below is a peek of the current and next Hoop Studio projects:



Do you love machine embroidery too???? I'm quite hooked :)



Subscribe to Hoop Studio- here

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!

Have a great day and enjoy your next machine embroidery project! 


Melanie CallI




















Friday, January 30, 2026

Kimberbell: Hearts in Bloom Table Runner - Appliqué of the Month

 

Hearts in Bloom is the Kimberbell Appliqué of the Month project for January. This sweet table runner is perfect for display in February.  I had so much fun stitching out this design twice so it would be on the both edges of the table runner.


 


Kimberbell Appliqué of the Month is a new monthly subscription to create a 12"x 36" table runner each month OR use the design for any project! There are 2 subscription options available: Doorstep (I subscribe to this one) or Digital. 

The doorstep option ($24/month+shipping) comes with an applique design (in two sizes), an embroiderable blank, full-color instructions, and the fabric and embellishments you need to make a 12 x 36" table runner every month. (There are limited quantities, so sign up now while you can!)

The digital option ($10/month) comes with the digital files and PDF instructions, which you can use on a blank of your choice! 

Subscribe to Appliqué of the Month - here


I absolutely love the crochet lace trim on this month's table runner! Each month the table runner will have a different trim and/or be a different color! 



Subscribe to Appliqué of the Month - here

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!

Have a great day and happy quilting and stitching! 


Melanie CallI










Monday, December 22, 2025

Janome Tutorial: Snowflake Sparkle Pillow

 

Hi Janome friends! I'm Melanie from Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog.  Winter is the perfect time to stay inside and sew.  Today  I'm sharing my Snowflake Sparkle Pillow Project on the Janome Project Page (here).

The Snowflake Sparkle Pillow is a beginner project that is perfect for Winter!  Sewing together squares to create pixel patchwork is one of my most favorite projects. It's relaxing to sew all the tiny squares together and the final project is so festive! The Snowflake Sparkle Pillow is also perfect for your stash of 2.5"squares.  I created the Snowflake Sparkle Pillow with my Janome M17, which I LOVE! 


Snowflake Sparkle Pillow 18" x18"

Please read all instructions prior to beginning. Seam allowances are ¼”.

--- Fabric Requirements ---

·      (40) 2.5” x 2.5” WHITE squares

·      (24) 2.5” x 2.5” AQUA squares

·      (17) 2” x 2” DARK BLUE squares

·      OPTIONAL Binding: 0.25 yards

·      22” x 22” Batting 

·      24” x 24” Pillow front backing *Optional. This fabric will be hidden in pillow interior.

·      Backing fabric: Size will depend on preferred method for Pillow Backing Closure (or use left over fabric for a patchwork backing for a reversible pillow)

·      20” Nylon Zipper  *Trim to size

·      18” x 18” Pillow Form

*Fabric used in cover pillow: Variety of Collections designed by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs





My Quilting Method: I chose to free motion a free-hand meander design with my Janome M17. 
  • My Preferred Foot: Janome Darning Foot (open- toe) PD-H.  Other feet options for free motion quilting: Free motion quilting closed-toe foot QC, Free motion quilting open-toe foot (QO), A.S.R closed-toe foot ASR-QC, or A.S.R open-toe foot ASR-QO)
  • My Preferred Free motion setting: Sewing Application -> Quilt -> Free motion -> Straight Stitch
    • I prefer to use the Janome Darning Foot (open-toe) PD-H with the default Free Motion Quilting setting on the Janome M17. The settings are perfect and I don't need to make any adjustments for perfect stitches!  If you are beginner, I would recommend using the A.S.R foot and setting. 


Pillow Backing Method. I love an exposed zipper backing for pillows! The exposed zipper provides a pop of color and makes removing the pillow cover super easy to changes for seasons or washing. 


I hope you make a Snowflake Sparkle Pillow for yourself or as a gift! It’s a fun project that can be made in a day.




Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie Call

Shop Fabric at Fat Quarter Shop











Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Janome Tutorial: Noel Wreath Pillow

 

Hi Janome friends! I'm Melanie from Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog.  Summer is the perfect time to start your Christmas projects.  To celebrate Christmas in July I'm sharing my Noel Wreath Pillow Project on the Janome Project Page (here).

The Noel Wreath Pillow is a beginner project that is perfect for Christmas!  Sewing together squares to create pixel patchwork is one of my most favorite projects. It's relaxing to sew all the tiny squares together and the final project is so festive! The Noel Wreath Pillow is also perfect for your stash of 2"squares.  I created the Noel Wreath Pillow with my Janome M17, which I LOVE! 


Noel Wreath Pillow 18" x 18"

Please read all instructions prior to beginning. Seam allowances are ¼”.

 

--- Fabric Requirements ---

·      (80) 2” x 2” WHITE squares

·      (45) 2” x 2” GREEN squares

·      (10) 2” x 2” RED squares

·      (3) 2” x 2” BLUE squares

·      (3) 2” x 2” PINK squares

·      (3) 2” x 2” YELLOW squares

·      OPTIONAL Binding: 0.25 yards

·      22” x 22” Batting 

·      24” x 24” Pillow front backing *Optional. This fabric will be hidden in pillow interior.

·      Backing fabric: Size will depend on preferred method for Pillow Backing Closure (or use left over fabric for a patchwork backing for a reversible pillow)

·      20” Nylon Zipper  *Trim to size

·      18” x 18” Pillow Form

*Fabric used in cover pillow: Variety of Collections designed by Lori Holt for Riley Blake Designs

 


Quilt and finish Noel Wreath Pillow as desired.



My Quilting Method: I chose to free motion a free-hand meander design with my Janome M17. 
  • My Preferred Foot: Janome Darning Foot (open- toe) PD-H.  Other feet options for free motion quilting: Free motion quilting closed-toe foot QC, Free motion quilting open-toe foot (QO), A.S.R closed-toe foot ASR-QC, or A.S.R open-toe foot ASR-QO)
  • My Preferred Free motion setting: Sewing Application -> Quilt -> Free motion -> Straight Stitch
    • I prefer to use the Janome Darning Foot (open-toe) PD-H with the default Free Motion Quilting setting on the Janome M17. The settings are perfect and I don't need to make any adjustments for perfect stitches!  If you are beginner, I would recommend using the A.S.R foot and setting. 


Pillow Backing Method. I love an exposed zipper backing for pillows! The exposed zipper provides a pop of color and makes removing the pillow cover super easy to changes for seasons or washing. 



I hope you make a Noel Wreath Pillow for yourself or as a gift! It’s a fun project that can be made in a day.  #NoelWreathPillow #ABitofScrapStuffPattern

Noel Wreath Pillow PDF Pattern (here)


Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff and on my A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog for more fabric fun!

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie Call


Shop Fabric at Fat Quarter Shop