Tutorial : Heart Mini Trio

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and it is so nice to have a little something to show your favorite people you care.  This Heart Mini Trio comes together quick and easy thanks to Moda's precut mini charms!

You'll Need (kits while they last): 

• 1 Mini Charm Pack (or thirty-five (35) 2.5" squares)
• 1/4 yard binding
• 1/4 yard backing
• 10 x 20 cotton batting 
• 3" x 4" cardstock 
• 4" x 8" WonderUnder

Step One: 
Sort your fabric into four groups.  Using the First Crush Fabric by Sweetwater, I sorted as follows:

• Eight red squares for the hearts 
• Three sets of nine squares for the mini backgrounds 

Step Two: 

Next, sew together three nine-patches with your background squares.  Press the seams of each row in opposite directions so they will nest when you join them.

Then, sew the red squares together in a rectangle (two rows of four).  Press seams open. 

Step Three:  

Fold the 3" x 4" piece of cardstock in half (1.5" x 4") and use paper scissors to cut the shape of a heart.

Trace the cardstock heart onto paper side of the WonderUnder.  Cut out the hearts leaving a little room around your lines.  Then, following the manufacturer's directions, fuse the WonderUnder to the wrong side of your pieced hearts rectangle.

Cut out all three hearts.  And carefully peel the paper off.  Fuse to the nine patch units. 

Step Four: 

Using a coordinating thread, applique one heart to each of the three nine patch units.  (I used a zig zag stitch.  But you can use a blanket stitch or another decorative stitch.)

Step Five: 

Layer the nine patch, batting and backing.  Baste and quilt as desired.  Repeat to make three mini quilts. I chose to outline quilt the hearts and then stitch 1/4" along the sides of each seam to make a grid of quilting in the background. 

Step Six: 

Cut three 2.25" x WOF strips from the binding fabric (one strip for each mini).  Press in half lenthwise to created the binding strips.  Attach binding and finish by hand or machine as desired.  

If you do this by assembly line, you can make all three super quick!  You could also join them together to create a small runner or pillow.  

Hope you enjoyed this sweet little tutorial.  Kits for this are available in our shop while they last! 

Happy Sewing! :-) 

April Showers Mini Charm Pillow Pattern

Hey there y'all!

If you're like me you love both quick and easy projects AND Bonnie & Camille fabrics!  ;-)  This project combines both of my favorites and works great for any collection or your scraps!

This pillow is so fast to make - quick piecing, add some borders, quilt it up and add a backing!

You'll need 1 mini charm pack and 3 fat quarters as well as batting for this 18" pillow project.

We also have some kits available in the shop while supplies last!  Free pattern download available here.
Links to more pillow projects with tips on making backing and finishing here and here.

Please send me a link or tag me on Instagram (@sewlux) if you make one - I'd love to see it!

Happy sewing! :-)

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

Kits are available while supplies last here.

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!  :-)

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!  :-)

Tutorial : Boo Crew Mini Quilt

Hey y'all!  I am really excited to share a fast, fun, & festive mini quilt tutorial with you today.

This little mini is about 14 x 17 inches and is perfect for the wall or a table topper.  The best part is you can whip it up really quickly with minimal supplies.  Ready!?

Supplies Needed: 
1 Mini Charm Pack (42 2.5" x 2.5" precut squares)
1 Quarter Yard (9 x WOF) black print (borders & binding)
1 FQ cream print (backing)

Pick up a kit here - available while supplies last.

Step 1: Sort Your Charms
Sort your charm squares by color.

Step 2: Make the Pumpkin
Select 9 of the orange squares and sew into a 9-patch.  (Start by stitching together three rows of three squares and then joining the rows.)

Step 3: Sew the Pumpkin Corners
From the cream fat quarter, cut one 2.5" square from a corner.  (This can be a rough cut - it doesn't have to be exactly 2.5", but close is good. :-)

Cut the cream square and one green square in half diagonally.

Then sew one triangle onto each corner as shown in the photo.  Just eyeball them!  Make sure that once sewn and flipped, the cream or green print will cover the entire corner.  Sew cream on the top corners and green on the bottom corners.

Trim the extra orange off each corner and press the triangles open.  Then trim your block to 6.5" x 6.5".

Step 4: Plan the Rest of the Layout
Lay your pumpkin block down and then arrange green, purple, and low volume printed squares in the arrangement as shown.  (Low volume at the top, purple in the middle, and green on the bottom.)

Step 5: Piece the Background

Starting with the sides, piece one cream, one purple, and one green together.  Make two sets. Attach these 3-block pieces to the left and right sides of the pumpkin block. 

Then piece the top and bottom rows together into two 5-block strips. And sew to the top and bottom of the pumpkin block.

Then select one more purple print and four black prints for each side.  (Hold one black square for the stem in the next step.)  Sew the strips together and attach to the left and right sides. 

Step 6: Add the Stem

Adhere a small piece of fusible interfacing to the back of a black square.  

Cut a stem shape from the square. (I just cut a wonky square.) Then use a zig zag or blanket stitch to applique the stem to the pumpkin.  (TIP: I like to shorten my zig zag stitch length and tighten the width between stitches on my machine settings when doing machine applique.  I have talked about this here.) 

Step 7: Add the Borders

Next, cut the 9" x WOF black fabric into four strips.  TWO strips 1-3/4" wide and TWO strips 2.5" wide x WOF. (Note: in photo below, these strips are folded up. They are 44" in length.) 

Add a 1-3/4" strip to the top and bottom of the quilt.

Then add a 1-3/4" strip to each side. 

Step 8: Finish the Mini Quilt

Start by layering your top, batting, and backing (the cream FQ).  Pin or baste as desired. 

Quilt as desired.  This is a great time to try out different free motion designs! :-) 

After quilting, press, and trim excess batting and backing from your quilt. 

Join the two 2.5" x WOF black strips together to create the binding.  Press in half lengthwise.  Attach binding to the front and finish on the back by hand or machine.  (Again, more details on binding can be found in this tutorial here.)

Enjoy your new mini quilt!

If you make one of these, I'd love to see it - please link it up in the comments. :)  If you have any questions please comment or send me an email.

Happy Sewing! :-)

Tutorial: Mini Charm Mini Quilt

Hi everyone!  I have a quick and easy tutorial to share with you today.  This project tutorial was made especially for a kit that our Moda FQ Club customers got for free this month.  (You can learn more about our Moda FQ Club program here - why we're different and the perks our customers receive.)  I don't always share their exclusive kits & patterns here, but thought I'd share this one with you all.  :-)

For this project, you'll need a mini charm pack, a FQ of a solid, and a 1/4 yard cut of a coordinating print.  I am using a Marmalade mini charm, Bella Porcelain, and Vintage Modern dots.

The first step is to choose 24 prints from the mini charm pack and sew together four 2x3 patch rectangles. Press seams open.

I used a method to the madness, including one square each of pink, red, orange, yellow, green, and aqua prints and kept the placement of the colors the same in all four blocks.

Next, let's cut up your solid.  Use the diagram below for the basic cuts (note - diagram not exactly to scale).

Now, let's start assembling!  Add a 1.5 x 4.5 strip to both ends of two blocks.  Arrange your blocks as shown, alternating the direction. (I chose to keep all my pink blocks in the center.)

Then add a 1.5 x 4.5 strip one side of the remaining two blocks as shown.

Then, add a 1.5 x 8.5 piece to each vertically-oriented block as shown in the photo below.

We'll keep adding strips ... moving on to the 2.5" wide strips.  Start with the 2.5 x 8.5 strips and add to the opposite sides of the vertically-oriented blocks as shown below.

Next, we'll add the 2.5 x 7.5 strips to the horizontally-oriented blocks as shown.

Then join the horizontal blocks to the vertical blocks to make two large rectangles.

Then join to make one large 14.5" square block.

From here, you can either finish as directed or make it into a pillow.  :-)

From the 1/4 yard piece of the dot print, cut two 2.5" x WOF strips.  You'll stitch these together end-to-end to make one long strip for the binding.  Press in half and set aside.

Next from the remaining piece of dot fabric (4" x WOF), cut in half at the fold to get two 4" x 22" pieces.  Take one of the pieces and add the larger pieces of the remaining Bella on either side to create a backing piece with a strip up the middle. Press toward the center strip.

Of course, you could use the leftover mini charm squares to piece the backing strip, but I chose to save them for something else (shown here).

Now, its time to baste.  Place the backing right side down, then batting, then the pieced top right side up.  Baste as desired - I used pins this time.

Then quilt as desired.  I used some straight stitching with a walking foot and a lengthened stitch length.

After you've quilted the piece, remove pins, press and trim.  Mine measured 14.5" square.

Time for the binding.  (I have a binding tutorial here, if you need help.)

I machined it to the front and handstitched it down to the back.

What do you think?!  If you haven't had a chance to play with Marmalade yet, you should.  The colors and prints are so lovely.  :-)  I am looking forward to getting the yardage for the collection next month.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed this quick little mini quilt tutorial.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Happy Sewing!  :-)