Sew Sampler Quilting Box - May

Hello! I'm sew excited to share the May Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop! I have been a Sew Sampler Member since the very beginning and look forward to my aqua box full of goodies each month! May's theme is "Bobbin' 4 Apples" and it is so sweet - plus the brand new Orchard fabric is just fabulous!



Let's start chatting about the Sew Sampler May Box  
click on links to below to purchase products at Fat Quarter Shop

• Orchard by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics - Fat Eighth bundle (10 fabrics) - I absolutely love this bright and cheery fabric!
• Triangles on a Roll 7" Finished Half-Square Triangles - accurate half-square triangles!
• Clover Fork Pins - perfect for matching up points!
• Bohin (40) assorted needles - love the quality!
• Goodness Grows Pattern - Month Two - Branch Out
• Apple Crisp Quilt Pattern - exclusive to Sew Sampler Members
• Two bonus coupons for Sew Sampler Members

The Sew Sampler Box Membership is full, but don't worry - you can sign up for the waitlist AND most of the items in this month's box are available at Fat Quarter Shop (links above). 

Orchard Fabric by April Rosenthal

I just love the newest fabric collection by April Rosenthal - Orchard. The colors are so bright and cheerful! Plus the prints include the cutest fruits, florals, and gingham - all my favorites!!! 

I can't wait to sew the Apple Crisp Quilt! The quilt finishes at 42.5" x 56.5".  I like my quilts a bit bigger so I'm going to make it square and most likely add a border - that should make a nice lap size quilt! This project is going to the top of my list as I think it will be the perfect picnic quilt! Plus it looks quick to sew!

Bohin Needles and Clover Pins

I love Bohin needles! They seem to just glide through the fabric! I've restarted cross stitching and love the Bohin Tapestry needles are perfect! I really like how each needle is labeled as it makes it so easy to choose the correct one!

I'm excited to try the Clover Fork Pins as I love it when my seams match!!!!

Goodness Grows Quilt Along

 

We are on Month 2 of the Goodness Grows Quilt Along! This month's block - Branch Out is all appliqué so be sure to grab your fusible Therm-o-web Lite to make your block. If you purchased the Goodness Grows Kit - your shapes are already fused and cut so it will be quick and easy for you!!!

I'm using Lollipop Garden by Lella Boutique to sew my Goodness Grows Quilt - I just LOVE this fabric!

Don't forget to sign up for the Sew Sampler Box wait list - each box is wonderful plus an awesome value! I can't wait for the June Sew Sampler Box! Plus I'm totally stumped with the sneak peek clue Fat Quarter Shop shared.

Have a great day and happy sewing! 

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

Melanie

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

Quick Baby Quilt Tutorial with Joey Fabric

Today I want to share a super simple and sweet baby quilt that you can make in just a few hours! I love being able to give a handmade gift to the new parents of a sweet baby! Plus babies on quilts is just the cutest!




My nephew and his wife are expecting their first baby this month - a little boy! I was fortunate to receive the soon to be released collection: Joey by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake Designs. The sweet koalas, sloths, text, and prints are perfect for a baby boy- plus I love the colors! 

The most difficult part of this Striped Baby Quilt is choosing which fabrics to pick! 
This quilt is perfect for large prints too- so choose your favorite!

Let's make The Striped Baby Quilt  - finished size 40" x 51"

Supplies:
(6) 1/4 yard cuts (9" x WOF). I used Joey by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake Designs
1/2 yard binding fabric
1.75 yard backing

OPTIONAL - but totally cute
AccuQuilt GO! Care Free Alphabet 
I'll share how I personalized my quilt in a bit.



Cutting:

• Measure your 1/4 yard cuts and cut to a consistent size by WOF. Example 9" x WOF or 8.5" x WOF - it may vary based on how straight the fabric store cut your fabric or if you have straighten the fabric to match a pattern.
• Cut (5) 2.5" x WOF strips for binding

Sewing:

• Using a 1/4" seam, sew each strip of fabric together in the desired layout.  5 seams and you are done sewing the quilt top - yay! Quilt Top measures WOF x 51.5"

Personalization: 

I love being able to personalize my baby quilts and it is so easy now with my AccuQuilt GO! I used the Carefree Alphabet dies (uppercase and lowercase) to cut my great nephew's name. 

• Fuse Heat N' Bond Lite to wrong side of fabric per manufacturer's directions
• Cut fused fabric with AccuQuilt GO!
• Adhere to Quilt

Quilting:

• Time to trim up the quilt top. You will trim the quilt sides based on the size of your backing fabric. Measure the width of your backing fabric. Trim quilt top sides based on how much extra backing fabric you need to finish your quilt. Example: I quilt on a domestic machine - so I only need 1-2" buffer/border on all four sides for my backing fabric. The width of my backing fabric was 44". So I trimmed the sides of my quilt to 40". If you are having your quilt finished on a long arm machine - you will probably have to trim more off (your quilt will be more narrow).
• Quilt as desired. I chose to stipple my quilt
• Look at those sweet koalas on my backing fabric - love!

Binding:

Use your favorite binding method. I love to machine bind all of my quilts.

I loved sewing this sweet and simple Striped Baby Quilt with the Joey fabric! It really is so adorable and has such sweet prints and colors. I really wanted to use them all, but then it wouldn't really have been a simple quilt ;)

I can't wait to gift this quilt to my nephew and his wife! But I'm most excited for the baby snuggles - I miss my babies as newborns. Well - maybe just a bit as I really like sleeping all night now ;). 

If you make a Striped Baby Quilt - be sure to tag me as I would love to see it!!!

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

Happy Quilting!

Melanie

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog! I appreciate it!

Cool Tools with Maxie Mail

Hello. I'm excited to share my Cool Tools Maxie Mail Box today! I always look forward to the May Box as Maxie always finds the best tools that I will use over and over in my quilting and sewing!

Let's chat more about the May Maxie Mail Box-

What's included:

• Maxie Makes Fussy Cut and Square-up Ruler Set (exclusive)
• The Strip Stick
• Carol’s Box Corners Marking Tool 
• A "how to" video on each of the tools. Be sure to watch the video so you can understand all the benefits of each tool!

Maxie Makes - Fussy cut and Square-Up Ruler Set

I am soooooo excited for this awesome ruler set! I absolutely love fussy cutting my fabrics and now it will be so easy. Plus Maxie included (6) different sizes- yay!!!! Not only do these ruler fussy cut, but you can trim flying geese and square up your blocks - hooray for perfect points and blocks!

Each ruler has a punch in the upper corner so you can add a binder ring to store them all together!

The Strip Stick

The 8.75" Mini Strip Stick is a pressing tool that I am so excited to try! I love a flat seam!!!! Don't worry Maxie has included full directions inside your box ;)

Carol's Box Corners Marking Template

I enjoy making bags, but always find trimming the corners to "box" my bag a bit challenging with the bulky seams. I think the Carol's Box Corners Template is going to make it easy peasy! I can't wait to try it for my next tote!

I absolutely loooove my Maxie Mail Cool Tools Box. I will definitely be using these tools over and over in my sewing! I love tools that are reusable and can be used for multiple projects! Plus Maxie hinted that we will be using her exclusive Maxie Makes Fussy Cutting and Square Up Templates for next month -yay!

Unboxing Video:

Don't worry - you can still order the May Box and receive all these cool tool. You will LOVE it! 

Subscribe here. Be sure to add -- Melanie -- as the referral code to save 10% off your first box! 

I enjoy receiving my Maxie Mail Subscription Sewing Box each month! I love how Maxie always teaches us a new technique and includes the supplies to make the project! It is truly a "class in a box". The Maxie Mail Subscription Sewing Box is great for anyone who loves sewing and quilting! I love how I can take a class right in my home! Plus the projects are always useful and beautiful!

Previous Maxie Mail Subscription Blog Posts 

April 2019 - Drunkard's Wheel

March 2019 - Twiggy Tumblers Pillow 

February 2019 - Honeypot Celebration Table Runner

January 2019 - Island Log Cabins Mini Quilt

December 2018 -  So Much More Needlebook

November 2018 - Mobius Scarves 

October 2018 - Hexie Zippered Pouch

September 2018 - Punched Out Star Pillow

August 2018 - Tony Danza Mini Quilt/Pillows

July 2018 - Orange Blossom Table Runner

June 2018 - Hold it Bins

May 2018 - Cool Tools
April 2018 - Peppermint Rose Pillowcases
March 2018 - Strippy Aunt Josie Mini Quilt/Pillow

Have a great day and happy sewing! 

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

Melanie

Referral code -- Melanie -- to save 10% off your first box!

Threadology Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop

It's time to assemble your Threadology Quilt Top!!!! Yay!!! I absolutely love my Threadology Quilt so I have been so excited for the assembly instructions!!!

I have absolutely loved each of the blocks - the multi-size block layout is my favorite. PLUS it is a giant spool of thread - so fabulous! I just looooove the adorable fabric:  Little Snippets by Bonnie & Camille - which is available here! Okay - I love ALL Bonnie & Camille fabric ;). 

Time for Threadology Quilt Top Assembly - hooray!

Sewing Tips:

• Take the time to make sure the Measure Twice Fabric (spool top and bottom) is cut straight and the numbers are upright. Fat Quarter Shop provided an extra long piece of fabric so you can cut  it one long strip - thanks Fat Quarter Shop!
• Use pins so all those points match up! My favorite pins are Little House Glass pins - I've had them forever. 
• I sewed my Threadology Quilt top to exactly match the provided pattern - BUT made my outer borders larger. Mine are cut at 7.5" x WOF.  So my Threadology Quilt Measures: 58.5" x 74.5". Just make sure you cut carefully so you have enough fabric. I often wait to cut the outer border fabric - measure how much fabric is left - divide how many border strips I need - then cut the largest size I can. I like to use ALL my fabric.  Note: I machine quilt on my domestic machine so I only need 1-2" larger on all sides IF you are sending yours to a long arm quilter- I would recommend cutting the border fabric as suggested in the pattern so your backing is large enough. 
• PS - The pieced pattern releasing on June 15th is awesome!!!

A Bit About the 2019 Threadology Patterns - 

The Threadology patterns are FREE to download! We ask for a donation of $5 to our Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas campaign each time you download our patterns. So far over $20,000 has been raised!!! Quilters are so generous!!!!

Fat Quarter Shop 2019 Threadology Blog Post (patterns and videos) - here.

Schedule: A new block pattern releases each month on the 1st and 15th - February through June.

I'm so excited for the 2019 Threadology Quilt Along! I'll be back on June 15th with the finished Threadology Quilt Back!!!

Have a great day and happy sewing! 

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

Melanie

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog! I appreciate it!