Browsing "Older Posts"

how to make fabric yo-yos: an easy tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Friday, November 30, 2018

Today I'd like to share how I make fabric yo-yos. These yo-yos are perfect to be used with anything from wearable accessories, bags, hommade decoration and for quilts of course. They are perfect to embellish anything. Making the yo-yos is so simple and just takes a little time to finish. Then you can use them anywhere you like.
Here I provide an easy tutorial to make fabric yo-yos.

To begin, prepare your own yo-yo size template. Draw a circle in a white cardstock and cut it out. Keep in mind that the finished size of the yo-yo is almost half size of the paper template. So the template needs to be over double the finished size.While drawing the circle, I used a glass which provides a perfect circle.


Place the template on the wrong side of the fabric, using a washable ink marker. Cut the circle out using your scissors.

Fold under the outer edge to 1/4", using a running stitch to stitch along the outer edge.


Continue stitching with a runnning stitch until you have gone all around the circle.


Pull the thread tight cinching up the center.


Cinch the center tight and take the thread to the back, stitch a few times. These stitches won't be seen.

The hole will be centered and all the edges will be pushed out.
When you have a bunch of them sewn up, they are ready to be used up. Enjoy it!

10+ free christmas quilt patterns

By Hatun Comak → Monday, November 19, 2018

If you are looking for inspiration, or haven't decided your Christmas quilt project, check out the following 10+ free christmas quilt patterns that I have found and checked the link ıf it works.  These patterns range from simple patchwork to more advanced, with a variety of quick projects and others with time requirements. I mostly chose simple designs, which are quick to make since there is not much time left for christmas. I haven't started my christmas quilt project yet, but one of these awesome quilt patterns will absolutely be made.

Sooo here we go:
  1. Modern christmas tree quilt block by Amy Smart


The first reminder of christmas is pine trees of course. So this christmas tree quilt block comes first in the list.



This Christmas tree skirt is adorable and there is a tutorial in the link above.

3. Triangle star quilt block tutorial by Amy Smart


If you would like to make something for Christmas but the time is limited, these pillows are perfect for you.

4. Holiday applique coasters by We all sew


These coasters are not only decorational but also functional and perfect as gifts also. Free tutorial and pattern to download in full size.

5. Treelicuous Christmas Pillow by Jedi Craft Girl


A colorful pillow with three different Christmas trees.

6.Christmas tree mug rug


A great gift for a friend or family member.

7.Advent calendar quilt by Ahhh quilting


This quilt is adorable. Definitely on my to do list.

8. Sweet Sue tops the tree by Sew hooked


 This is a 12" paper piecing pattern with free template. Isn't is cute?

9. Trees and Stars by Bomquilts


This is a paper pieced lap quilt finishes at 50" square.

10. Coming Home free Christmas quilt pattern by Jacquellyne Steves


The finished size of this quilt is 36x44"

I hope you can find an appropriate pattern for you. I'd love to see yours as well.Whatever you do, enjoy it!

clamshell quilt pattern tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Clamshell quilts have long been in my quilts-to-do list. They all look gorgeous with many variations. Finally I had the time to start mine with a traditional one. When I searched through internet, I encountered various ways, methods of doing clamshell quilts. Seeing various methods, I chose the one way that I found easiest and then prepared my tutorial which seemed the most practical to me.   If you are also planning to give a try, why don't you start from here then? And I'd like to know if you've found it useful or not?

How to make a clamshell quilt

  1. For clamshell quilt templates, you can prepare your own or use a ready made free clamshell quilt template. I printed out the template reducing its size 50% so it becomes 2". You can reduce or enlarge it according to your desire.                                                                                    
                                  
  2. Cut the fabric 1/4 inch larger than the paper template.                                                                             
  3. Place the template on the wrong side of th e fabric. 
  4. Baste the top curved edge, using long basting stitch. Or you can just use fabric glue instead of basting. Here I preferred basting.                                                                                                     
  5. Press the edge over with iron. Make sure that there are no points on the curve. After ironing and giving the round shape,  remove the template.                                                                          
  6. When you have prepared the clamshells, it is time to put them together.

  7.  There are various methods you can use, here I preferred applique method to put the clamshells together. Applique the top curve into place on the foundation fabric. With the applique method, stitch a row at a time.
  8. The next row will lay on top of the bottom curve of the row above.
I haven't finished assembling the pieces, it is stil work in progress. I am planning to make it a cushion. As soon as I have finished it, I will be sharing it. I like making clamshell quilt pattern and next planning a baby quilt with clamshells. Yay it is exciting!

folded star potholder tutorial

By Hatun Comak → Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Folded patchwork star is made by folding and layering fabrics together, which makes it look like fabric origami. It looks great but complicated to make , however it has a simple technique. The star design looks perfect for place mats, mug rags, pot holders or any kind of decoration. It is also great to use your fabric stash.
If you are one of those that see this folded star pattern and admire it but think that it is hard to do, this tutorial is for you. Why don't you give a try to this technique which is quite simple?

The finished size of the pattern is 7"x 7"

Requirements

  • Cut 2 of 8"x 8" squares; one for background and one for backing.
  • Cut 5 of 3"x 3" squares (Row 1)
  • Cut 8 of 3.5"x 3.5" squares (Row 2)
  • Cut 8 of 4"x 4" squares (Row3)
  • Cut 4 of 4.5"x 4.5" squares (Row 4)
  • Cut 4 of 5"x 5" squares (Row 4)

Instructions

Step 1. Take your  one of 8" square fabric. This is going to be your foundation piece. Fold it in half diagonally, finger press or press with iron, fold again diagonally and press. So you will get the lines on fabric as in the image below.


Use a ruler and pencil or a marking pen to highlight the fold lines.


Again mark along the center lines, 11/2 "2 1/4"3", 3 3/4". These will be the placement lines.



Step 2. Take one of the 3" squares and fold in half, fold in half again and press. Then take the two centers and fold towards the pressed center line. You need to have a small gap down the center line for your folded tiangle. Repeat the process for the three more squares, leaving one square. Below you can see the steps of folding through a triangle.


Place the 3" square over the center of the background fabric matching the first marks. So you do not see the base fabric.


Place your four folded and ironed triangles and match the raw edges with the first marks. Make sure that your guidelines line up with the folds in your triangles. Pin in place.


Stitch the four triangles to the background fabric as shown below.


Step 3. Take your 3.5" squares(here green). Fold your squares again to make triangles, using the same method in Step 2. Place the four folded triangles with the center fold matching the secong marks. Place the other four folded triangles with the center fold along the diagonal line, half inch away from the center point.



Pin in place and edge stitch around the raw edges. It will look like the image below.


Step 4. Take your 4" squares, which are red in my pattern. Fold your squares to make triangles, using the same method as mentioned above. Place the first four folded triangles with the center fold matching the third mark on the background fabric. Then place the other four folded triangles with the center fold along the diagonal line. They should be 1" away from the center point. Pin in place and edge stitch around the raw edges.

Step 5. Take your four  4.5" squares (mine are green). Fold squares to make triangles as mentioned in Step 2. Place these four folded triangles with the center fold matching the next line on the background fabric.

Step 6. Take a 5" square and fold it in half diagonally and press with iron, fold in half again and iron. Then take the two corners and fold them through the center line. You will get a square shape. The same as the folded triangles, you need to have a small gap down the center line for the folded square. Repeat the same process for the other three 5" squares. Have a look at the image below.

Place the folded squares with the center fold along the diagonal line, 1.5" away from center point. Pin in place and edge stitch around raw edges.

Step 7. Trim the square to 7" and cut also the backing to7". Place the backing square underneath your folded star, wrong sides together. You can also add batting at this point but the mat is quite thick. Stitch across the math through the folded points.

Step 8. Add the binding.
Your folded star has been completed.


BONUS: Below you can find more quilt blocks with tutorials. We always need inspiration. Hope you get it here.