JANOME: Bitsy Pillow - free pattern

 

Hi Janome Friends! I'm Melanie Call, Janome Maker, from A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog and Instagram @ABitofScrapStuff.  I create all of my projects with my Janome M17. This amazing machine creates perfect stitches every time! Perfect stitches for sewing, quilting, and embroidery! 

Today I'm sharing the perfect project for your scraps. The Bitsy Pillow is a free pattern that uses 1.5" strips.  This pattern was inspired after I had tiny Jubilee fabric scraps after making the Dazzle Quilt. 

Bitsy Pillow : FREE Bitsy Pillow PDF Pattern (here)

18" x 18" finished

Fabric Requirements

• (36) 1.5” x 3.5” rectangles. Label A
• (108) 1.5” x 2.5” rectangles. Label B
• 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
• 20” Nylon Zipper  *Trim to size
• 18” x 18” Pillow Form
• FREE Bitsy Pillow PDF Pattern (here)

*Fabric used in cover pillow: Jubilee by Tilda Fabrics

To make the Bitsy Pillow, you will sew (36) Bitsy Blocks. These tiny blocks are 3.5" x 3.5" unfinished. I just couldn't toss the tiny Jubilee scraps plus I love how they look all sewn together!

I chose to free motion a stipple quilting design. I use the free motion quilting setting on the Janome M17. The preset setting on the Janome M17 is fabulous ... I just start quilting and no adjustments are needed for perfect stitches!

When I create pillows, I add a zippered backing. This allows me to wash the pillow cover easily. I love an exposed zipper for the pop of color! My Janome Exposed Zipper Tutorial (here). Plus this Jubilee fabric soooo gorgeous!

Are you going to save your 1.5" scrappy strips or use a Honey Bun or cut your own 1.5" strips to create your Bitsy Pillow?

Download the FREE Bitsy 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

Missouri Star Quilt Company EXCLUSIVE with Woobles

Hello Wooblers or Soon-to-be Wooblers! Have you seen that Missouri Star Quilt Company now carries Woobles and there is an EXCLUSIVE Chuck the Duck  with a special crochet hook- yay!  Available only at Missouri Star Quilt Co - here.

PS - The cute Missouri Star Quilt Co tool box that Chuck is leaning on is Jenny's Signature Tools and Toolbox (available at Missouri Star Quilt Co).

I'm a huge fan of Woobles Kits as everything you need to complete your project is included plus there are video tutorials if you are new to crochet. The instructional videos are sooooo good!

Check out my Instagram Video for a closer look at kit contents - here.

 

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A post shared by Melanie Call (@abitofscrapstuff)

 

Depending on your crochet skill level, Chuck can be made in about 3-5 hours. It's the perfect project for "on the go" crafting as it can travel anywhere with you! I've made quite a few Woobles and love them! My 10 year old daughter has even learned to crochet with the help of Woobles!

Start Woobling today with the Wooble Kits at Missouri Star Quilt Company: Chuck the Duck, Lion, Dinosaur, Fox, Bunny, OR Penguin - so many options!

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 crocheting! 

Melanie Call

Halloween Quaker Cross Stitch: Halloween Memories

 

I finished stitching Halloween Quaker from the Halloween Memories book ... I love it! This is the first quaker style pattern that I have finished and I enjoyed each stitch!

Halloween Quaker is a monochromatic stitch so it was a perfect piece for choosing a variegated thread - Classic Colorworks: Argyle Socks (a lovely blend of gray to purple).

A bit about the Halloween Memories Book: 

Check out the flip-through on my Instagram Reel (here)

Halloween Memories is fabulous book by Susan Ache and published by It's Sew Emma. Included are 9 cross stitch patterns PLUS 6 quilt patterns that can be used for any holiday by choosing different fabric.  Each of the cross stitch designs are smaller designs so you still have time to finish at least one before Halloween!

Halloween Memories Book available HERE

Supplies:

• Halloween Memories Book
• 32 Count Vintage Stormy Night Lugana
• (2) Classic Colorworks Floss:  Argyle Socks 
• 6"x6" Black Frame - purchased at Amazon

Frame details: I purchased a solid black 6" x 6" frame from at Amazon and let my 10 year old "distress" the frame with sand paper - she LOVED it!

Are you making a project from the Halloween Memories Book? 

Halloween Memories Book available 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

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JANOME: Ruler Work Kit

 

Hi Janome Friends!  It's Melanie Call from A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog and Instagram.  Have you tried machine quilting with rulers? I was wanting to expand my quilting skills and was excited to try the Janome Ruler Work Kit: 6 piece set (plus bonus).  This set is perfect to begin ruler work quilting! 

Janome Ruler Work Kit: 6 Piece Set  (High Shank or Low Shank: choose appropriate set that will work with your machine)

Includes:

• Spin E Fex 11 - 4" x 5.5"
• Simple Pointed Oval - 4" x 4"
• Oval Clam Shell - 3.25" x 4.25"
• Hearts of Plenty - 5" x 6"
• 6" Arc - 5.5" x 3.25"
• Straight Ruler - 8" x 3"
• Bonus: 8.5" Cross Hair Square Block Marking Tool
• Plus printed Template Folder Project Guide and Video instructions

Supplies for Machine Ruler Quilting

• Janome Sewing Machine with Ruler Foot.  For my examples I am using the A.S.R Ruler Foot which is available on the Janome 9480, M8, and CM17. 
• Janome Purple Tip needle
• Thread 
• Air or water soluble or chalk marker
• Optional: Free motion glider
• Optional: Janome Ruler Work Accessories Set (1/4" gauge)

Tips:

• To prevent ruler slipping - I like to apply (to wrong side of the ruler) -  Quilt in a Day: Thread Wrap & Ruler Stick or Omnigrid InvisiGrip.
• Ruler foot height adjustment - your fabric should glide just under the foot. If your ruler foot is too high - you may experience thread breakage when quilting.
• Select the Ruler Quilting Application/Setting on your Janome Sewing Machine
• Take time to watch the included video with the kit.
• Just give it a try! Make a mini-quilt sandwich and start quilting! 

Simple Pointed Oval Ruler

I was able to create an eight-petal flower by using the included Cross Hair Square Block Marking Tool and quilting an oval along each line by rotating the Simple Pointed Oval Ruler. 

Use the centering lines on the Simple Pointed Oval ruler to align the ruler with the marked lines from the Cross Hair Marking Tool. You may notice that the stitched line is 1/4" inside of the ruler - this is because the distance from your needle to the edge of the ruler foot is 1/4".  To created an arced border, use the 6" Arc Ruler.

You may also decide to draw a horizontal line and align the centering line from the Simple Pointed Oval Ruler to create a fun border design.

I've been having so much fun trying all the included rulers in the Janome Ruler Work Kit. I'm planning on making the Template Folder Project Guide next.   

Will you try quilting with rulers too? 

Let me know if you would like more posts or videos that show detailed instructions on ruler designs. 

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 embroidering /sewing / quilting! 

Melanie Call.