Happy go lucky

For me, baby showers = excuse to make cute baby things. 

Let be honest here... I don't need more excuses. 

Sew, sew, sew... a little Happy Go Lucky fabric and a few stitches later, voila! 

And for your sewing pleasure try the little dress found HERE and the moccasins found HERE. Also, grab a charm pack, a fat quarter (binding), and a yard of fabric (borders [2.5" x 36" strips] and backing) to make this quilt in a snap! And you can use the time savings to finish the dress and shoes. 

Fruitcake

Doesn't this just look like the perfect kind of presents?

Fabric ones that you don't have to wrap or clean up after... :o)

Definitely been in "Christmas mode" of late.

Fabric is Fruitcake by BasicGrey for Moda.

It's 22" x 25.5" and it is also in the shop.

Wonky Scrappy Coaster Tutorial and Giveaway!

So the promised coaster tutorial is ready for your creating!

**this means something got finished and I am a very happy me**

These make awesome gifts and let you use up all the delicious bits of your favorite fabrics.

These instructions are for 1 coaster (gotta simply for me, and you can multiply right?). So for each coaster you will need...

2 (5" x 5") squares of fabric for back and front (not the patches)

2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting

5 (1.5" x 1.5") square fabric scrap **mine are from Moda's Objects of Desire**

And the usual: scissors, sewing machine, coordinating thread, ruler, cutting mat, rotary cutter, and something to poke out corners.

Sew 5 (1.5" x 1.5") into a strip and press seams open.

Lay strip over one (5" x 5") block such that it overhangs both sides but is not horizontal - we're going for wonky here people. Line up your ruler so that the edge is in the middle of the block strip. Then, without moving the cream fabric, pull the block strip out and cut the (5" x 5") block on the diagonal.

Align the strip block (right sides together) with the edge that was just cut (making sure that when you open it you will be able to square the sides) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim off the excess from both sides of the strip block.

Align the other cream top piece with the strip block (notice the overlaps on each end match so when it is sewn and opened it will be square) and sew together. Open and press.

Trim to (5" x 5") square.

Place 2 (4.5" x 4.5") squares of cotton batting on the back of your coaster top.

Quilt as desired to hold the batting in place for turning.

Line up the (5"x 5") backing square with the quilted coaster top. Sew around leaving a 2.5-3" gap on one side for turning.

Clip corners. I do a 45 and two 30 degree clips on each one so that the corners are a little pointier. Of course, it's up to you.

Turn coasters right side out, tuck the opening in and top stitch around the edge, very closely! Sometimes I like to do this twice for decorative effect.

Admire the coasters you have made!! Please post links to pictures of your projects in the comments!

And... my blog's first giveaway.

This set of coasters can be yours if you just follow my blog and leave a comment telling me.

Drawing will be held Feb. 14th so you might just earn yourself a little Valentine's present! Thanks and good luck!

-F.N.

Update

Update: the coasters are done and have been added to the shop, the banner must wait another day. I just think these little fabric coasters make fabulous hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, etc. And they are a great little creative outlet for me to try something on a small scale. Make that a very small scale. The husband was watching me do the piecing on these coasters and kept asking, how are you going to do anything with those tiny little pieces? I just kept telling him to wait until I finished at least before asking questions. We all know that will never happen. :o)