Folded Fat Quarter Fabric Bouquet

 As someone who collects fabrics and sews, getting a batch of fat quarters as a gift is the best!
I also enjoy sharing ways of folding fat quarters, into pretty packages, to give as gifts.

[See below for the links to both the Fat Quarter Star and Fat Quarter Tree below, which I've had available on my site for a few years now.]

Today I'm including an easy how to, so you can fold the fabric fat quarter gift into a bouquet!

To Begin...
~Gather your fat quarters, pressing them flat.
~I used popsicle sticks, because I had them, but chop sticks or even cut up wood dowels would also work.
~I had hair elastics to hold the flowers rolled, but anything that will tie them, even ribbon would work.
~A pretty mug or container to put the bouquet in.
~I added a bunch of beads in the bottom of the mug and then covered them with a bunch of green rick rack. That gave me something to put the sticks into.
Buttons would also work.

Fold the fat quarter, as shown above, bringing the selvage & raw edge toward the center.

Then fold it in half.

Fold it one more time.

Place the stick as shown.
Fold the end of the fabric over the stick.

Begin rolling the fabric, so the fabric scrolls down slightly, with each roll.

To finish, fold the end in, to hide the raw edge.
Tie the bottom with the elastic or ribbon.

Finally put all of your 'flowers' into the container!

Fat Quarter Star

Folded Fat Quarter Star How To

You'll find the Fat Quarter Star directions available at the bottom of the web page here.

Fat Quarter Tree

Folded Fat Quarter Tree How To

You'll find the Fat Quarter Tree directions available on this web page here.

Have Fun!

Sharing a Fun Find

Such a Fun Find!
When going through a box where I have 'keepsakes' from my parent's, I found a few newspaper clippings my Mom saved.
This one (December, 1993) is about a special quilt my guild (Simcoe County Quilters' Guild) made to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Simcoe County.
We also gave it as a Thank You to the Simcoe County Museum, for letting us hold our meetings and quilt show there.
The large older building (original county administration centre) is the block I made, which is similar in style to my other pictorial quilts (see in the Gallery of my site), I was making/teaching at the time.

I loved reading the article and remembering the lovely ladies I spent time with then!!

I'm sure you'll be happy my daylight is getting longer each day, as that helps my progress in bringing you new quilt patterns, and posting more often again.
The newest If I Drive... Truck block was added early this week.

More recent progress ~> A pretty new Victoriana Dresdens pattern - is almost ready - plus I'm working on a design that is 'sew' fun - I'm sure you'll want to make yourself one!!

You can see all that's new with my Update Newsletter here.

I 'sew' enjoy creating with fabric!

This fabric is currently inspiring me...

The spring here has continued cool, with the nights dipping down to near freezing.
But there are some more signs that we are moving to the warmer season.

My favourite grand old Maple tree is now blooming with lovely red flowers.
The light green that covers all of those upper branches is lichen.

And the Forsythia bush near the house is smelling lovely, too!
I wish I could share this smell with you.

Storyland Quilt & Companion eBook

 The newest block from the Storyland quilt - Part #6 is now online here.

Some of my weekend plans include getting a post ready about fun ways to gift fabric for Moms or friends who quilt.

Happy Stitching!

My Week in Pictures

I enjoyed some hand stitching on my Stained Glass Strings Diamond quilt, while watching the first round of the hockey playoffs.
I got the first 4 rows completely together!
My team - The Toronto Maple Leafs - didn't win, so now I'm back to listening to the radio or audio books while I stitch.

Row 7 blocks ready to stitch together, and what I'm now stitching.
I love my night time stitching progress!

Blue & White Tiles Quilt Series

 The Blue & White Tiles Block #3 is now online here.

I still have some 4mm Silk Ribbon packages available - here.

I was going through my buckets, pulling out fabrics for several quilt blocks & projects the other day...and love how freshly spring these colours were.
Happily shopping my stash!

My current design wall!
That's the If I Drive... and Storyland blocks.
I put them together on the wall when I was choosing the fabrics for the next blocks - which was helpful.
If all goes as planned the next blocks & ebook pages are coming this week!
Applique Fun!

Happy Stitching & Good Progress Ahead!

Earth Day

It's Earth Day today!

I've a sewing project for you to make using some of your stash fabric.

The free pattern for the 'Loving Our Earth' Reusable Grocery Bag is here.

It even has side pockets for bottles.

One hour - no more plastic bags!

Happy Earth Day Everyone!

Remembering

It was an odd week here, with a bunch of unconnected incidents happening...and I, at one point, found myself staring at my inspiration wall for a while.
I then focused in on this picture of my Mom and I in August, 2000. 
I sometimes miss her so much!
I love the story of this picture.
My Mom was using a wheelchair by the time my parents had their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
I had made My Family Tree quilt as a present for my parents, and it was being displayed at their party - which is where they saw it for the first time.
Because she was being pushed around in the wheelchair and had many people to talk with, she didn't get a chance to see the quilt up close.
We were sitting together at the head table and when things settled down a little, Mom asked me to go get the quilt and bring it to her, so she could have a good look at it.
That's what you see in the picture.
She was so proud of my quilting and this keepsake quilt just added to that pride!

My Family Tree Quilt

My Family Tree Quilt Pattern

It's been one of my best selling quilt patterns, since I first published it as a pattern, because of how flexible it is for any size family!

That's my parent's wedding photo in the center and both of my grandparents 50th Anniversary Wedding photo in the roots.

Other things...

Evening Hand Stitching - 
I'm making progress on my Stained Glass Strings quilt - Rows 1 to 4 almost together! 
With my team in the playoffs (Toronto Maple Leafs), I should make good progress with my hand stitching!

One of the quilting rules I break: press seams together.
I 'sew' prefer to press my patchwork seams open, for a much flatter block.

Angels All Around Quilt Pattern

Angels Come in All Shapes & Sizes

This Angels All Around quilt is one of my earliest (of dozens) 'Sew Simple Sampler' quilt patterns.
Fun info - I won a 3rd place ribbon for this wall hanging.
I also offer this quilt as a printable note card, too!

See them all here.

This is the backside of my current applique.
Yes, my stitches are 1/16th" or less - for a much finer finish!

To prepare my applique patches, I almost always baste the seam allowance over first, and then baste the patch in place on the backing fabric.
It's especially helpful for little bits. 
I call this 'Basting Applique' and members can find a how to on the Member's Techniques page in the Library.

It's a very rainy weekend, here...

So I took the camera for a walk on Thursday and found some signs of spring - springing!

Enjoy Your Weekend!