Friday, January 31, 2014

Big Yardage Sale - 3 Days Only!

It's the Big Game Weekend!  And in football more yardage is always better!


Save 15% when you buy a yard or more of any print or solid in the shop.  Applies to in stock merchandise and the discount will be taken automatically when you add a quantity of "2" or more of any print/solid to your cart.  Does not apply to precuts, kits, bundles, patterns, notions, last chance pieces, or previous orders.

Shop early for best selection.  Sale ends Sunday, 2/2/14.

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Tutorial : Hugs & Kisses Mini Quilt

Hello!  I am so thrilled to share my latest mini quilt tutorial with you.  I was so excited as this was coming together - I think it turned out super cute! 


Materials Needed: 
1 Mini Charm Pack 
1 FQ low volume print for background
1 FQ print for backing
1 1/4 yard (9' X WOF) for binding
Batting - approx 18 x 24 inches
Basic sewing supplies (machine, thread, rotary cutter, ruler, etc)


Sort the Mini Charms: 
Select and stack the following: 
- X Block: 8 reds
- O Block: 8 pinks + 1 white/low volume
- Charm Border: remaining squares + one 2.5" square from background fabric

Cut the Following: 
From the Background Fabric (light grey & white print):
- ONE 2.5" x 21/22" strip - subcut into FOUR 2" squares and FIVE 2.5" squares
- TWO 1.5" x 21/22" strips (for border #1)
- FOUR 2" x 21/22" strips (for border #2)
* Be sure you are cutting strips so that you can getting the longest strips possible (perpendicular to the selvage edge, not parallel to the selvage edge) - this should yield a 21" or 22" long strip depending on the cut of your fat quarter.

From the Binding Fabric: 
- TWO 2.5" x WOF strips

Use a 1/4" seam throughout unless noted.

Make the "O" block. 
Grab your selected 8 pinks + 1 low volume/white square.  Arrange into a 9-patch.  Keep in mind some prints are directional. 
Sew the squares together in a 9-patch.  To do this, sew three rows of three squares.  Press each row in opposite directions and then sew the rows together. 


Place the FOUR 2" squares of background fabric on the 9-patch right sides together as shown - one in each corner.  Sew along the diagonal from corner to corner as shown in the photo.


Next, trim the outer corners off, leaving a 1/4 inch allowance from the seam.  Press background triangles open away from the center of the block.


Make the "X" block. 
Grab your selected 8 red squares.  Sew them into FOUR 2-patches, keeping directional prints as shown (they should be 1 column of 2 blocks as opposed to 1 row of 2 blocks).  IMPORTANT:  Use a SCANT seam when sewing these units.  A scant seam means to sew just shy of a 1/4" seam.  Press seams open. 

Grab the FOUR 2.5" background squares and cut them in half diagonally.


Position the triangles on each unit so that the point matches up to the center seam.  This is very important when we go to trim these blocks later!


Sew 1/4" seam along each side to secure one half of the 2.5" square on both sides of the red 2-patch units.


Press the triangles out and then trim your block to 3.5" square.

IMPORTANT:  These blocks are a tight squeeze.  You'll notice that the two red corners are lopped off.  By using the scant seam to make the red unit and pressing open, you should still have enough room to secure these blocks in your 1/4 seams when we join the four 3.5" squares.  
Under normal circumstances, I would not suggest you sew with short seam allowances.  However, since this is a mini and not likely to be heavily used like a kiddo quilt requiring lots of laundering, I feel its ok.  With that said, use your ruler to see where the 1/4" seam allowances would cross in the corner to be sure your trimming will still allow you some seam allowance.
You may wish to make a test block with scraps - I did!  :-)  If you do, use scraps - we will use every square in the mini charm pack for this project.


Repeat the trimming process until you have four 3.5" squares. Arrange them as shown.  And sew them together in a 4-patch unit.


Assemble the Mini:
Sew the X block and the O block together.  Careful of directional prints! 


Next, use the 1.5" background strips to add borders.  Sew the top and bottom first and then use the excess part of the background strip to add the border on to the sides. 


Arrange the remaining mini charm squares (plus the one extra 2.5" background square) around the mini's center.  You will need 7 each for the top and bottom, 4 each for the right and left sides and then 1 for each of the four corners. (I used the two matching grey chevrons and background print squares for my corners.)


Sew the top and bottom row squares together - two strips of seven squares.  Press each in one direction (doesn't matter which way).  And attach to the top and bottom of the mini center.  Press towards the background border. 

Then sew the sides strips together (four + two corners) for two strips of six squares. Press strips in one direction, but press the seam at the corner block TOWARD the corner square.  (This way they will nest with the top and bottom borders when you attach the sides.)  

Sew the side strips on and press away from the center.


Add the final border be sewing the 2" background strips to the top and bottom first.  And then to the sides.
Press away from the center.


Finish the Mini
Press the top well and layer the quilt top and batting on the backing.  (This is a tight squeeze on the FQ, but can be done.  Add a strip of remaining background fabric if you'd like a little more wiggle room.) 


Quilt as desired.  I used some small stipples, infinities, hearts, and some straight line quilting.  This is a great time to play around with free motion quilting designs.


Sew the two 2.5" binding strips together at the short ends to make one continuous piece. Attach to the front and finish by hand or machine on the back.
(More details on binding can be found in this tutorial here.)


You can see my quilting a little better in this photo: 


Enjoy your super sweet mini! :-)  Finished size is approximately 15.5" x 21.5". 


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  If you have any questions, please leave a comment or email me.  Also, link up your project if you make one - I'd love to see it. :-)

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Lazy Sunday QAL : Supplies

Its time for our first Lazy Sunday QAL update!   This week is all about the supplies and getting ready to piece this baby! 

You can make this quilt using either a layer cake or a stack of fat quarters.  I am choosing to use a layer cake because it provides variety and also makes it super easy to just get started!

I chose to use Scrumptious for this one.  I love Bonnie & Camille's collections and this one is no exception!  The flowers, dots, pinks, minty aquas ... all of it!


I will be slicing my layer cake up this evening and plan to sew the blocks using chain piecing over the course of this week - this will make quick work of the forty blocks.  In fact, there are seven seams so I may just go for one set a day.  :-)  I will update my progress on Instagram this week.

And speaking of Instagram, I randomly pulled a winner for this week's IG participant prize ... drum roll ...


And the winner is Sewruthie14!  I will tag you on IG to let you know how to claim your prize of any May Chappell pattern of your choice. :-)

There's still time to join us - grab a layer cake and a pattern (and on sale, but the sale ends today) and join the fun!  See more about our schedule here.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Friday, January 24, 2014

Design Challenge : Tara at Mommy Head Adventures

I'm excited to introduce you to Tara of Mommy Head Adventures today as our newest Design Challenge blogger. I feel like I "know" Tara since she sews along with our Hop, Skip & Jump BOM and we chat alot on Instagram, so I am thrilled for you to get to know here a little too.  :)

Tara's Bio:
My name is Tara Cherry and I am from Carbondale, IL.  That is Southern Illinois, for those of you who just thought Chicago.  That is about 6 hours north of me.  I have been quilting for just over a year now.  I received my first inspiration from Hubby's great grandmother, who was one amazing woman.  The quilts we have around our home from her are exquisite, and I can only hope to be half as good as her some day.  I spend my time every day taking care of my 3 lovely children, Lilibeth (4), Ryan (3) and Benjamin (21 months) and making sure that my Hubby, Nathan, has all that he needs as well.  My blog, Mommy Head Adventures, is where I do my bidding when I have time.  You will find product reviews, my fitness journey on Wednesdays, and my quilting fun on Fridays.  When I get the time, I share about my adventures with my littles, but most of the time I am too busy doing the adventures with them to write about them.

What is on your "quilt bucket list?" 
Right now I am working on a Swoon quilt which I have always wanted to do.  After that, I am hoping to do all of the Farmer's Wife blocks in the Happy Go Lucky fabric I have been hoarding since it was released last spring.

What is your favorite sewing tool or notion?
My Bloc Loc ruler is my favorite!  I would not be able to do my half square triangles without it.  Thanks Chrissy for getting me hooked...

Where do you find inspiration for your sewing/quilting projects and what is your favorite color combination? 
I have to laugh a little at these questions.  My latest inspiration came from a pair of underwear I got my daughter for Christmas.  It is the most beautiful shade of light bluish teal with orange elastic.  It is what officially made me start my Swoon quilt since the colors were very similar to the Bluebird Park fabric I bought to make it.

Tara selected this fun bundle for her challenge.  They are available here while supplies last.


Stop by Tara's blog and to see her project tutorial.

Happy Sewing!  :-)


Thursday, January 23, 2014

Rose Cottage Quilt Kit

Hey y'all!

I am really excited to share a new quilt kit that we have in the shop.  When we first ordered the Rosey collection by Tanya Whelan, I thought of my friend, Tessa at The Sewing Chick.  I sent her and email and asked if she'd be willing to design a project with the prints we were getting and I was thrilled she said yes!

Check out this beautiful quilt!


You can see more about this quilt here on her blog. And we have kits available and we are offering a FREE copy of the pattern (an $8 value) with purchase of the kit.

Happy Sewing!  :-)


Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Botanique is here!


One more update for tonight ... These pretties from Joel Dewberry just arrived!  Yippee!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Shop Updates - New Fabric & Sales!

Stopping in to share some shop news with you this week!  

Linen Mochi Dots are here.  And they.are.awesome.  
The colors are saturated and they are going to make the best bags & pouches!  

We were also able to put together a few kits for our Candy Stars Moda Bake Shop Project.  
Snag one before they are gone. 


A few new bundles this week ... 



Did you know the 2014 Pantone Color of the Year is Orchid?  
We put together a six-piece bundle to help you build your orchid stash. 


And then we have some super sweet Valentines prints in bundles ...


... and they are on sale through 1/31/14.  See them all here

Happy Sewing!  :-) 

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Lazy Sunday Quilt Along

Hey there friends!

I am really excited to announce a brand new Quilt Along today.  My friend Lee of May Chappell has a great layer cake pattern called Lazy Sunday.  I know this to be easy and fast to piece as I watched her piece two in one weekend at a sewing retreat!  I've been planning to make one for a few months now and thought it would be fun to make one with other stitchy peeps ... so here we go with a quilt along!  :-)

And since you can't have a quilt along without prizes, let's get right down to the details:

STITCH IT UP:
Piece a Lazy Sunday quilt - you'll need the pattern, a layer cake, and coordinating backing & binding
(This pattern can also be made with FQs.)

SHOW IT OFF:
I'll be sharing my progress here on the blog AND on Instagram.  Here's my plan:
1/26/14 - Prepping all my supplies & getting ready to piece by blocks
2/2/14 - Piece the top
2/9/14 - Quilt it up
2/16/14 - Finish & bind

PRIZES: 
We'll have a linky available 2/16/14 - 3/9/14 for you to link up your finished Lazy Sunday quilt.   We'll choose a random winner for a $30 gift certificate to our shop.  Winner will be announced 3/12/14.

Are you on Instagram?  Tag your progress photos with #lazysundayqal and #isewwithsewlux and you could win!  We'll choose a weekly winner to win a PDF of their choice from May Chappell patterns - a winner will be chosen and announced here on the blog and on Instagram on 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, and 2/16.

Need a layer cake or pattern?  We've got you covered!  Save 10% on both layer cakes and the Lazy Sunday pattern now through 1/26/14.


Are you in?  I hope so!

Happy Sewing!  :-)


Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Collections!

Just a quick post to share what's new in the shop ...


Rosey - These florals had me at hello!  The pink and aqua color way was my favorite and we know you'll love these sweet prints too.  The bouquets are amazing for quilt backs, fussy cutting, etc!


Sweetwater has delivered another great collection in Wishes.  We love the great tonals and super fun "cake topper" flag prints.


Chantilly is really pretty!  Bright colors, pretty prints, and this collection was printed on a great base cloth - it feels so nice!  I think some infinity scarves in this collection are in my future!


Aneela has drawn up some cuties in this Hello Petal collection!  We couldn't resist the cats either!

Happy Sewing!  :-)


Saturday, January 4, 2014

Ladies Night Challenge Winners!


It's time to wrap up the Ladies Night Challenge and announce the winners!  

First, let's share what Lee & Sarah made ...

Lee, made this awesome quilt top...


And Sarah also made a pretty awesome quilt top (which I know is currently undergoing some match stick quilting).  :)

Our winners were chosen randomly under the supervision of Mack the Chihuahua (Lee's cute pup).  Well, maybe while he slept (still super cute)!


Karie won a gift certificate to our shop, Sew Lux Fabric. 
Julie won a selection of May Chappell patterns. 
And Twelve34Handmade won an awesome Stitching & Bacon pouch.

Congrats to the winners we've contacted you by email!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Friday, January 3, 2014

Moda Bake Shop : Candy Stars Mini

Happy Friday!

So in the midst of the holiday craziness, I totally missed linking up to my most recent Moda Bake Shop project!


This mini is super fun to make and comes together easily (and fast).  With printed charm squares, you only need 2 mini charm packs and a yard of background to make a scrappy version!

Check it out!

Happy Sewing!  :-)