Focus Quilt - Idyllic

It's time for me to share my Focus Quilt with the gorgeous Idyllic Fabrics designed by Minki Kim for Riley Blake Designs. When I saw the bold floral prints, I knew I wanted the "focus" to be on these beautiful prints. This is why I chose the pattern name - Focus Quilt! Sometimes you have lovely fabric prints that must be left large so you can fully enjoy them and FOCUS.  

The variety of florals, small prints, stripes, and text with fall colors in the Idyllic Collection is absolutely stunning. Seriously gorgeous!!!

I was so excited to make my Focus Quilt with this lovely bundle of Idyllic Fabric. I love making the Focus Quilt because the pattern uses my favorite (and more affordable) pre-cut 10" squares! I love being able to have a bit of an entire collection without spending my full fabric budget at once!

The Focus Quilt uses large blocks so it is quick to sew plus you are able to FOCUS on the gorgeous fabric prints! I also love the secondary pattern that is created when the blocks are sewn together!

Another awesome feature of the Focus Quilt is that it is a block based quilt pattern. This means you can easily enlarge or shrink the quilt by making more or less blocks OR you could even add a border! So many possibilities!

Focus Quilt 53.5" x 70.5"

Supplies:

• Focus Quilt PDF Pattern designed by me (HERE)
• (24) 10” squares - Idyllic designed by Minki Kim for Riley Blake Designs
• 1.5 yards background - Idyllic Sprinkles Cream
• 0.5 yard corner - Idyllic Love Buds Blue
• 1.5 yards sashing - Idyllic Pavement Cream
• 0.25 yard sashing squares - Idyllic Stripes Navy
• 0.625 yard binding - Idyllic Strips Navy
• 3.5 yards backing - Blossom Gray for Riley Blake Designs

*All fabric for Focus Quilt top and binding is Idyllic designed by Minki Kim for Riley Blake Designs.

Of course I really love the Idyllic Navy Stripe fabric for binding and the sashing corners...stripes are my favorite for quilt binding!

I'm totally a fan of using my AccuQuilt fabric cutting system for cutting my half-square triangles  because it saves me time plus I have perfect blocks! The Focus Quilt pattern gives traditional rotary cutting and piecing directions AND shares which AccuQuilt die to use if you would rather use your AccuQuilt to cut out your half-square triangles. 

The Focus Quilt Pattern is also awesome for quilt panels too...here is my Focus Quilt with Blessed Beyond Measure Fabric designed by Buttermilk Basin for Riley Blake Designs. I love how the Focus Quilt can look different based on fabric selection! Check out my blog post for Focus Quilt - Blessed Beyond Measure HERE.

The gorgeous Idyllic fabric collection will be shipping to store this month - yay! Fat Quarter Shop will be carrying the full Idyllic Collection HERE.

Focus Quilt PDF Pattern available HERE

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

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff. My family appreciates it!

Sewers Club: Polite Patchwork (August)

Hello friends! Today I'm sharing my Sewers Club (August Box) Polite Patchwork Pillow!!! I absolutely LOVE the Midsommar Fabric collection by Figo Fabrics plus there is purple!!! I did change the project a bit because I love patchwork pillows plus kids and placemats = lots and lots of washing :).  Yes - you have the supplies in your Sewers Club August box to make either the included (2) Polite Patchwork Placemats or a Polite Patchwork Pillow!

Click HERE to join Sewers Club and SAVE $5 on your Sewers Club Box. 
FREE shipping in USA and Canada

Let's take a look at the Sewers Club August Box

 

Sewers Club includes EVERYTHING you need to make (2) Polite Patchwork Placements including a full instructional video!

• (6) 6" x 22" Midsommar Fabrics - Figo Fabrics Prints 
• 15" x 44" Northcott Colorworks Premium Sold Fabric
• 15" x 44" HeatnBond Fusible Interfacing
• Gutermann Sew All-Thread
• Polite Placemat Pattern INCLUDING full video instructions (link in pattern)
• Bonus - Quiltsmart Pre-Printed Wine Glass Shade Interfacing with 12" x 18" fabric to make the bonus project!
• ADD-ON: Best Press Spray Starch scent free
• ADD-ON: Allary Ultrafine Gold Plated Stork Scissors

Click HERE to join Sewers Club and SAVE $5 on your Sewers Club Box. 
FREE shipping in USA and Canada

Mini-tutorial:  Polite Patchwork Pillow (18" x 18")

• Cut (6) 3.5" x 3.5" squares and (1) 2.5" x 22" strip from each 6" x 22" piece of fabric. Please cut carefully as there is no room for an oops.  

• Arrange (36) 3.5" x 3.5" squares in desired 6 x 6 layout.
• Sew together with 1/4" seam allowance.
• Polite Patchwork Pillow Top measures 18.5" x 18.5"
• Fuse included fusible interfacing/batting to wrong side of Polite Patchwork Pillow Top
• Quilt as desired. I chose to use the included Gutermann thread and stitched 1/4" away from seams.

• Use included Northcott Colorworks Premium Solid to create pillow backing with your favorite method, such as zipper or envelope style.
• Choose (4) 2.5" x 22" binding strips. Sew together. Attach binding to pillow edge.
• Your Polite Patchwork Pillow fits a 18" pillow form perfectly!

I loved creating this month's Sewers Club project! The fabric selection and patchwork just makes me so happy! I absolutely LOVE that all the supplies are included in each Sewers Club Box!  Don't forget to watch the included video tutorial included with your box! I love learning new sewing tips! 

PS - I just received my September Box and it is AMAZING! I can't wait to make it!

Click HERE to join Sewers Club and SAVE $5 on your Sewers Club Box. FREE shipping in USA and Canada

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

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie

Click HERE to join Sewers Club and SAVE $5 on your Sewers Club Box. FREE shipping in USA and Canada

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff. My family appreciates it!

Hello Deer Christmas Stitch-a-long

I can't wait for the Hello Deer Stitch-a-Long to begin on September 28th! I really love stitching the mystery stitch-a-longs designed by Sally at Caterpillar Cross Stitch - her patterns are fabulous and so easy to read! This is my FOURTH one! 

Hello Deer Stitch-a-Long PDF pattern or KIT available HERE. Use coupon code SCRAPSTUFF10 to save 10% off your PDF pattern or kit.

I chose to order the full Hello Deer Kit along with the adorable robin needle minder because it's so cute! I love how Caterpillar Cross Stitch kits come with pre-cut DMC threads already on a floss card - so convenient and easy! I much prefer using a floss card compared to "bombinating" my DMC threads. The fabric is also by Zweigart - high quality!

Hello Deer Kit Contents:

• Full, easy-to-follow instructions 
• Color PDF digital chart (to download)
• DMC stranded cotton in 14 shades 
• White Zweigart fabric - 14 or  16ct Aida or 28ct even weave (my choice).
• 1 DMC branded needle 
• 1 pre-sorted caterpillar thread holder

OPTIONAL ADD-ON - Robin Needle Minder. I love having a matching a needle minder - it makes me happy! I own quite a few of Caterpillar Cross Stitch needle minders and the quality is awesome! Plus my family likes knowing that I won't leave stitching needles for them to stand or sit on.

Hello Deer Stitch-a-Long PDF pattern or KIT available HERE. Use coupon code SCRAPSTUFF10 to save 10% off your PDF pattern or kit.

I would recommend ordering your Hello Deer Kit soon as Caterpillar Cross Stitch is located in the UK, but don't worry - I received my kit quite quickly! 

Every 2 weeks, Caterpillar Cross Stitch releases 1 section of the mystery Hello Deer SAL. This breaks down a larger pattern into smaller pieces so that you can finish in time for this Winter!

Release schedule:

Part 1 - 28th September
Part 2 - 12th October 
Part 3 - 26th October
Part 4 - 9th November
Part 5 - 23rd November

I can't wait until September 28th for the first part of Hello Deer! Who else is joining in??????

Be sure to sign up for the Caterpillar Cross Stitch email newsletter for 5 FREE patterns -HERE. Plus you can share all of your Caterpillar Cross Stitch projects on the Caterpillar Cross Stitch Facebook group HERE.

Hello Deer Stitch-a-Long PDF pattern or KIT available HERE. Use coupon code SCRAPSTUFF10 to save 10% off your PDF pattern or kit.

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

Have a great day and happy stitching! 

Melanie

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff. My family appreciates it!

Gingham Plaid Quilt - Stargazer Glowy Edition

My Gingham Plaid Quilt- Stargazer looks like a typical quilt.... BUT... I used Sulky Glowy Thread for the machine quilting so it glows in the dark! It is so awesome!!!! PS - Photographing glow-in-the-dark is super tricky ;)

Sulky Glowy Thread is just sooooo much fun!!! I chose to use Art Gallery Stargazer Fabric Collection for the Gingham Plaid Quilt, which matches perfectly for Glowy Thread! I love the constellations, bear astronauts, plus the moon prints in the Stargazer Collection! 

Guess what ... I also wrote a free pattern for the Gingham Plaid Quilt! I can't stop making Gingham Plaid Quilts so I thought a free pattern would be helpful. Sewing patchwork squares just makes me so happy!

Gingham Plaid Quilt - Stargazer Glowy Edition 50" x 59"

Supplies:

• Gingham Plaid Quilt Pattern - FREE
• 1.5 yards Gray Fabric - Stargazer: To Bearfinity and Beyond 
• 1.25 yards Black Fabric - Stargazer: Connect the Stars
• 1 yard White Fabric - Stargazer: Lunar Stamps
• 0.625 yard binding - Stargazer: Connect the Stars
• 3.5 yards backing (or 3.75 yards if directional fabric) - Stargazer: Spatial Friends
• Thread: 2-4 spools of Sulky Glowy – White (quilting), 1 spool 50 wt. Cotton+Steel™ Thread by Sulky (piecing), and 1 spool Sulky 60 wt. Bobbin Thread (bobbin for free motion quilting)
• Needles: Organ® size 90/14 Top Stitch needle (quilting), 80/12 Top Stitch needle (piecing)
• Warm 80/20 batting from Warm Company

Tips for using Glowy Thread for Free Motion Quilting

• I recommend using an Organ Topstitch needle 90/14. The larger needle eye allows the thicker 40wt thread to glide easily when machine quilting on fast speeds! I had ZERO thread breakage and I machine quilt at maximum speed on my Janome M7 sewing machine. 
• I chose to use Sulky 60wt Bobbin thread for the bobbin. My Janome M7 sewing machine had no difficulty at all with 40wt GLOWY top thread and 60wt BOBBIN thread. The tension was perfect. I didn’t need to do any adjustments at all from my usual free motion setting.
• As you are stitching with only 1 thread, I recommend dense quilting for more “glow” factor. Imagine the “glow” factor with dense machine embroidery - definitely trying this soon!
• Do not iron the Glowy Thread - but you can machine wash your quilt. Sulky Tests have shown NO loss of luminosity after 50 washings.
• Choose the color of Glowy Thread that you want to show on your quilt top as all seven colors will glow the same greenish glow. Example: I used white Glowy thread and the glow was green. 

Tip for cutting squares:

For quick and accurate cutting, I recommend using an AccuQuilt GO! 5” unfinished (4.5” finished) square die OR the Creative Grids Stripology ruler.

I mentioned above that I used Sulky Glowy Thread 40wt with Sulky Bobbin Thread 60wt and the tension was perfect....plus this backing fabric is AMAZING!

I can't wait to see your Gingham Plaid Quilts and I hope you give Sulky Glowy Thread a try! Glowy Thread would be perfect for Halloween projects, Outdoor Themed projects, Kid Friendly projects, or just for fun!!!

Gingham Plaid Quilt Pattern - here

Sulky Glowy Thread - here

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

Have a great day and happy quilting! 

Melanie

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff. My family appreciates it!