tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48760564787896129692024-03-16T02:37:49.977-05:00Fabric MuttHeidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.comBlogger650125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-86998192954760951332024-01-05T11:42:00.000-06:002024-01-05T11:42:38.986-06:00Life As I Know It<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Qut9FS_gGdgkyDizjY17Szc0KAYKmw_PW-5atJw8j9Ul-ytS-EOD6rHTvdGz93XOFfCp8oACdtM5uM_lWjYQrJim9UkyDSaZrR7ScVdT-aMkzJpH5VCUDw_xgKmAPToNNJNL19Fa0DlyQk-NjWUe7-uYyY42WLDcn37wk9Vi_p0oyVNqmfefHdCu8dO/s4000/20231007_175733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heather Ross baby quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5Qut9FS_gGdgkyDizjY17Szc0KAYKmw_PW-5atJw8j9Ul-ytS-EOD6rHTvdGz93XOFfCp8oACdtM5uM_lWjYQrJim9UkyDSaZrR7ScVdT-aMkzJpH5VCUDw_xgKmAPToNNJNL19Fa0DlyQk-NjWUe7-uYyY42WLDcn37wk9Vi_p0oyVNqmfefHdCu8dO/w480-h640/20231007_175733.jpg" title="Heather Ross baby quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Now that we're a few days into the new year, I feel like I can finally sit down and write about the old one. 2023 was rough for our family, and while I'm thankful for the good things, I'm not terribly sorry to see it go. My father had three surgeries on his heart over several months, one being particularly delicate and serious. And then three weeks after his last surgery, I had a hysterectomy in an attempt to heal the anemia that I've been dealing with for years, the original health problem that forced me to take a break from professional sewing work back in 2020. It was, to say the least, a lot to deal with all at once. We spent months in recovery with some very difficult days, but the Lord brought us through it. Both Dad and I are doing very well at this point, in so much better shape than I would have expected, and we couldn't be more grateful for the dear friends from our church family who carried us through that time with prayer, encouragement, and lots of home cooked meals. </p><p></p><p></p><p>In light of all that, there wasn't quite as much sewing as I'd hoped there would be in the second half of the year, but I did manage to fit in a few projects during the last few months.</p><p>A zipper pouch for a dear friend of mine...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpbBdl-Epc2j7Y_aDBxlf1G4m_4l7oeg3L2Vp5rH9a5O9U88b1zdKBcmWjOKC3GXtjAOCrN8fVy1aCz6KXcRSjZ8Fl-uzO9pCDWIUKb75NEoTwRF9sturkDOYEf6JVS6eGmP_uSnapH1K5jEAS388mHGfB8-7gDqXQUt7HQcbArdQ_B_oKw7Y2vrNiwsk/s2781/20231126_172420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="2781" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpbBdl-Epc2j7Y_aDBxlf1G4m_4l7oeg3L2Vp5rH9a5O9U88b1zdKBcmWjOKC3GXtjAOCrN8fVy1aCz6KXcRSjZ8Fl-uzO9pCDWIUKb75NEoTwRF9sturkDOYEf6JVS6eGmP_uSnapH1K5jEAS388mHGfB8-7gDqXQUt7HQcbArdQ_B_oKw7Y2vrNiwsk/w640-h590/20231126_172420.jpg" title="Patchwork Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A little quilt for a sweet mama who just had her second baby girl...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEQHbPqQ6gxZ9RBAomNYNerFDqmskOzYakJT2i23dgzukJ_nhiD4Xh2RMAgIqPHx_uJvqDxeRWiYyK6mT3iL4lHKvM4muiYLCOYqidNsBK498NFTwJmwW8fAiuTUbskdnKcKHd0Q7cxEviFK-AdMh_GVFJuEso_RG6CsKL5l10CGAWrjynvKoNbf2PBU/s2868/20231007_175400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Heather Ross baby quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2868" data-original-width="2825" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEQHbPqQ6gxZ9RBAomNYNerFDqmskOzYakJT2i23dgzukJ_nhiD4Xh2RMAgIqPHx_uJvqDxeRWiYyK6mT3iL4lHKvM4muiYLCOYqidNsBK498NFTwJmwW8fAiuTUbskdnKcKHd0Q7cxEviFK-AdMh_GVFJuEso_RG6CsKL5l10CGAWrjynvKoNbf2PBU/w630-h640/20231007_175400.jpg" title="Heather Ross baby quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="630" /></a></div><br />And the beginnings of a clamshell project using paper templates from the Etsy shop of one of my longest and dearest quilting friends, Erin of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/whynotsew?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1523516440&from_page=listing" target="_blank">Why Not Sew</a>. I have yet to sew these together, but they've been waiting for me on a wooden tray in my sewing room. I went with a breakfast theme in my fabric choices, an ode to my youngest daughter who loves the first meal of the day, and my plan is to eventually turn these into a pillow for our breakfast nook.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4LnQPIoCQ1-kBMcQ8FCwoZ5OuxJIX7BUOUDTKW0mnM7QB5wfSD2ef6-lNXHlVxQkljFll-V87F-Y6IyrdY4_4hzWdSLU5cmrsh51WMGUSNNMHnX9mso9LfWN_gJY9XoeGqZpBkkG3Cn9ISTAZNs9l21Xjx5GHiWsdwxYuz_1QOP9Rfbfb9EAaRZ1cvoN/s4000/20230902_090608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Paper pieced clamshells by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4LnQPIoCQ1-kBMcQ8FCwoZ5OuxJIX7BUOUDTKW0mnM7QB5wfSD2ef6-lNXHlVxQkljFll-V87F-Y6IyrdY4_4hzWdSLU5cmrsh51WMGUSNNMHnX9mso9LfWN_gJY9XoeGqZpBkkG3Cn9ISTAZNs9l21Xjx5GHiWsdwxYuz_1QOP9Rfbfb9EAaRZ1cvoN/w640-h480/20230902_090608.jpg" title="Paper pieced clamshells by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>I have fabric for two more quilts on my sewing table right now. One will be a baby quilt for another friend who's due in early summer, and the other will be a graduation quilt for my eldest daughter who finishes high school in late May. It's such an interesting pairing, those two quilts-to-be -- the beginning and end of childhood in two stacks of fabric. I was sorting out the prints for my daughter's quilt the other day and was reminded again that life as I know it will be changing forever at the end of spring. This is the way it is, I tell myself. Every mother comes to this moment. It's good and right that our children grow up and become the independent adults we wanted them to be, and I wouldn't have it any other way, really. But there are moments when my heart cries...just a little.</div>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-66553712345620231722023-06-26T11:43:00.002-05:002023-06-26T11:45:30.394-05:00Giddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q821ZhulMyQFJSF5VLTzze4tPYMnvr2Rq1pKWqm-DhzSWFFJKb-AQfMQihmemLp6rcyC-z4yBibWmjuKY_eG2XWZXPtjd1FW6_c_Day4RRBBZ2A45oyKqElcQop-ZXVv2mHe3TpnIr8eLphIeSAPy4lZ39FPmZvZD5NRfNJjzkC_s76a32zt4ZI8dYHI/s2731/20230625_155621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="2557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q821ZhulMyQFJSF5VLTzze4tPYMnvr2Rq1pKWqm-DhzSWFFJKb-AQfMQihmemLp6rcyC-z4yBibWmjuKY_eG2XWZXPtjd1FW6_c_Day4RRBBZ2A45oyKqElcQop-ZXVv2mHe3TpnIr8eLphIeSAPy4lZ39FPmZvZD5NRfNJjzkC_s76a32zt4ZI8dYHI/w600-h640/20230625_155621.jpg" title="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="600" /></a></div><p>My girls came home on Saturday, giddy and exhausted after almost a week of having all kinds of fun at church camp. It was the first time all three of them had been away from me at once, and I honestly wasn't sure how I was going to deal with it. After more than sixteen years of motherhood, I'm a little out of practice at living life without kids around. But having enjoyed a quiet week of dinner dates, shopping trips, swimming, sewing, and long conversations with James and my parents, I feel like I've been given such a gift. I can appreciate all the joys of motherhood right now, enjoy watching my girls grow in confidence and independence, and know that there will still be a wonderful life waiting for me when they leave the nest someday. It's like getting a small glimpse of the future while still being so thankful for today. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b7z0au9tctdXD9LvRu06VC-5j0K6mafoNMrTDyXz9bl_mDvAt5FatSlIK9jEk29gS7RibpfFoMMV1pHMmMoWQ3SdCiYbRUtPmhe35IIqKvbtFvippnbGtTKvhT_x5j1q-5GnVxYU60ne4LeZWkJcH3W0noYEciZdeQNcOW6dx-b1-qJSx40qcJNFhSWU/s3000/20230625_144737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7b7z0au9tctdXD9LvRu06VC-5j0K6mafoNMrTDyXz9bl_mDvAt5FatSlIK9jEk29gS7RibpfFoMMV1pHMmMoWQ3SdCiYbRUtPmhe35IIqKvbtFvippnbGtTKvhT_x5j1q-5GnVxYU60ne4LeZWkJcH3W0noYEciZdeQNcOW6dx-b1-qJSx40qcJNFhSWU/w640-h640/20230625_144737.jpg" title="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>But truly, the sewing was fantastic this week -- hours all by myself in the loft finishing my Greek Cross quilt top while simultaneously starting another quilt that I designed years ago for my unrealized <i><a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-book-that-might-have-been.html" target="_blank">Carnival of Patchwork</a></i> book. I sewed more in the last six days than I have in the last six months. Small projects have always been my specialty because that's usually all I have time for, and to some extent, I didn't have the patience or attention span for large quilts. But now I can really see the pleasure of working on extended projects. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYv6pBytjSR295MNVfL6gu__IdpptCz3D1uZrmzihlg5Vb5T2WVJ76BhorY-IYOcrM5FW_T96mDavPOkhnUtHV14a2Ot5Ba7nw00g2kF1J-mg_zTtMzTqHMuNu1Gmq-IKm-50z6Ft3tgVnCl9jBVCwgYQNpX4li6feNf0wr5Ju9lNSCw4RRoIsUCZfzLC/s3682/20230622_174841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3682" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYv6pBytjSR295MNVfL6gu__IdpptCz3D1uZrmzihlg5Vb5T2WVJ76BhorY-IYOcrM5FW_T96mDavPOkhnUtHV14a2Ot5Ba7nw00g2kF1J-mg_zTtMzTqHMuNu1Gmq-IKm-50z6Ft3tgVnCl9jBVCwgYQNpX4li6feNf0wr5Ju9lNSCw4RRoIsUCZfzLC/w522-h640/20230622_174841.jpg" title="Greek Cross Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="522" /></a></div><p>I'd like to think it's because I'm growing up a little bit in my forties, or maybe I'm just finally settling down. Either way, this seems like a good development, and I'm feeling rather giddy about it myself.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-22978351602447400622023-06-19T16:10:00.003-05:002023-06-19T16:11:55.075-05:00Summer Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY_FZHy7INvaXXnZ9oemsFM8DiH6QZuwQmZLHdpfkdN0jG3GKNVlSRPRKvJ72MPKQfr9XgC99mL68Bc57Epc550JKkRaYIWNwZVVicbI5vG5YHIRlvt--iujzgm3Qny850xnP5Fu-5Z-Iv_OZtKWhBVA3cDf6ZneUl8ua0bViBFzmx5pMLa_neD4bNGza/s3750/20230217_090445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY_FZHy7INvaXXnZ9oemsFM8DiH6QZuwQmZLHdpfkdN0jG3GKNVlSRPRKvJ72MPKQfr9XgC99mL68Bc57Epc550JKkRaYIWNwZVVicbI5vG5YHIRlvt--iujzgm3Qny850xnP5Fu-5Z-Iv_OZtKWhBVA3cDf6ZneUl8ua0bViBFzmx5pMLa_neD4bNGza/w512-h640/20230217_090445.jpg" title="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="512" /></a></div><p>My husband remarked just the other day that our summer is already a third over which seems incredible to me. Didn't we just start this vacation train? Granted, the last month has been packed with events of all kinds, but more on that in a minute. First...pillows!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpKopAdVBgx5IfCbLvJkipNQaevQDoJ1DVIImxjJAdxkhgQjLEOdopuaeL-DG_kDGgIlDf1GNYOOxxqInmLccO-F68mo5JnkSX07thBsPIG4Fn3dGA4ErEm9g7dRyMCUDqWeJeK1FsyGKwVEnFOP-p4_TH8uLJtfKf5wV49hufmPhWVBCKcMb4QRklWJK/s2175/20230217_090450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2175" data-original-width="2175" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpKopAdVBgx5IfCbLvJkipNQaevQDoJ1DVIImxjJAdxkhgQjLEOdopuaeL-DG_kDGgIlDf1GNYOOxxqInmLccO-F68mo5JnkSX07thBsPIG4Fn3dGA4ErEm9g7dRyMCUDqWeJeK1FsyGKwVEnFOP-p4_TH8uLJtfKf5wV49hufmPhWVBCKcMb4QRklWJK/w640-h640/20230217_090450.jpg" title="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>When I have the chance, I try to sew a pillow or two for the local pregnancy care center. They put together the most beautiful supply baskets for new moms, and they like to have something handmade on top. Since I'm currently pathetically slow when it comes to churning out even a baby quilt, I've taken to sewing up pillows instead, and so far it's working out quite nicely. Both of these are actually from a few months ago, so I'm a little late in sharing them. But I'm hoping to have more finished by the end of vacation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh752AjxQ2O4lXkBc4njeR8VdRDJv66hbDpE8j9TACL2dJdekNAWymgdsloOJio6NqjM-tEvP21JW37C6YQVn74vxm4pbCJEh9LjG74L0wIe95MHs97baR1CNu-hdxfNruYNfZxXC97gNokrBMgZHk8FSjjVuQqnH_we6iIl7cHuOay7qq0lgDq7Tg4j9kq/s3277/20230225_172320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3277" data-original-width="2299" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh752AjxQ2O4lXkBc4njeR8VdRDJv66hbDpE8j9TACL2dJdekNAWymgdsloOJio6NqjM-tEvP21JW37C6YQVn74vxm4pbCJEh9LjG74L0wIe95MHs97baR1CNu-hdxfNruYNfZxXC97gNokrBMgZHk8FSjjVuQqnH_we6iIl7cHuOay7qq0lgDq7Tg4j9kq/w448-h640/20230225_172320.jpg" title="Patchwork Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="448" /></a></div><p>I love having the chance to use up some of the children's fabric leftover from sewing samples for Riley Blake several years back. Jill Howarth is still one of my favorite designers, and even though my daughters have outgrown these sorts of prints, I still like to keep this type of fabric around for baby gifts and that sort of thing. Making these pillows is also a fun way to play with different blocks, which keeps it interesting for me as I sew.</p><p>I pulled out a stack of quilt blocks last night that I started working on over a year ago. It was so great to see them with fresh eyes and remember how much I loved putting these fabric combinations together over time. I'm hoping to finally sew them into a quilt top this week if all goes as I plan.</p><p>The hardest thing this summer has been that my dad's heart started to fail 4 weeks ago, and he wound up in the hospital getting a pacemaker put in, which is thankfully working so far. Unfortunately, it looks like he'll be going back in for open heart surgery soon to fix a few other serious issues that need attention. There have been lots of tests and appointments this month, but we're glad he's getting the help he needs and praying that all goes well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vBN67nd1TArDujzcBaEaUHRdjRq1MxWyGIV_avkRkPRwwKiGeDIQPgcssLMO89lb5i8JIBSbb4-oDUT1k0ZzPeeXhKU_ifLBR28-qp5TVnuQ57B0z97ylmoYtgGxaeob4XuGjVfgrszSZGjkpEPKtRyNRNAd2TImrwU6TbFsK1xqi0aUKG6Vgi4Jj53e/s4000/20230610_172320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vBN67nd1TArDujzcBaEaUHRdjRq1MxWyGIV_avkRkPRwwKiGeDIQPgcssLMO89lb5i8JIBSbb4-oDUT1k0ZzPeeXhKU_ifLBR28-qp5TVnuQ57B0z97ylmoYtgGxaeob4XuGjVfgrszSZGjkpEPKtRyNRNAd2TImrwU6TbFsK1xqi0aUKG6Vgi4Jj53e/w480-h640/20230610_172320.jpg" title="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Last weekend my parents' celebrated 47 years of marriage, and I threw them a small dinner party themed around their honeymoon which was spent on a road trip up through California and then back down the Pacific Coast. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazv0tufReBQC4p5lYgAEtE5WFhzQYiLmajphPnBf9d_1C16tbJ_848kevJmTM9MQWLr_A6vV_e6uKVydFDBy5O_Yvlhca1jFoQqBRU_LlF9oNbs7fCUu8G989Zfs4RJeyVf0_n_2vpczn61RFb9Mh7YAMJr1fSza6w5emeGRh0HFUk_U2whY8DI0KZZUd/s4000/20230610_172108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazv0tufReBQC4p5lYgAEtE5WFhzQYiLmajphPnBf9d_1C16tbJ_848kevJmTM9MQWLr_A6vV_e6uKVydFDBy5O_Yvlhca1jFoQqBRU_LlF9oNbs7fCUu8G989Zfs4RJeyVf0_n_2vpczn61RFb9Mh7YAMJr1fSza6w5emeGRh0HFUk_U2whY8DI0KZZUd/w480-h640/20230610_172108.jpg" title="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>They drove to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, and even got to see the Righteous Brothers and the Carpenters in concert during their trip. I've heard many times how beautiful it was and how much they loved it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq2rl3RImDBDylLH3epV7DLj-HdYWRqqQQYgC_SVljOyqd3ZSZ1l2fAVxVRd1-ZjloUppYez8_ICUmte1DqpkNtcvgNeya_wC4DTxTXvJXq-X6qDluQs64rKFYggGLFiPippWubBefI6LTdcNG1-1bNJQipaluKO6r3O_3XY7_Wq2IGPyckZMF2IB0t4n/s4000/20230610_171938.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSq2rl3RImDBDylLH3epV7DLj-HdYWRqqQQYgC_SVljOyqd3ZSZ1l2fAVxVRd1-ZjloUppYez8_ICUmte1DqpkNtcvgNeya_wC4DTxTXvJXq-X6qDluQs64rKFYggGLFiPippWubBefI6LTdcNG1-1bNJQipaluKO6r3O_3XY7_Wq2IGPyckZMF2IB0t4n/w640-h480/20230610_171938.jpg" title="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>I used some leftover wool felt to sew up bunting to hang overhead and little camp flags for each place setting. Bunny brought down her record player and vintage vinyl to listen to (she was extremely proud that she scored an inexpensive Righteous Brothers record at the local antiques mall just a few days before the party) while we enjoyed our picnic lunches and cake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEcuwAeMp4SCLqOni_MkzCzLRJ4UjMOT8QzXB5LKPGf1Do7HlEtTnE7-3y0OFHUKxgj17Rs7SwOhI-tkKPCkYgyWEBfmlaRQoHiDNyafVZNHgTOduQR9Ir5emE1rGzoCkJMPc-bmdzJIB_ERJvphCjnDCvBOXBKR6QAX84lOilXPlhbI7vvbghCxCyNGZ/s3520/20230610_172053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="2529" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEcuwAeMp4SCLqOni_MkzCzLRJ4UjMOT8QzXB5LKPGf1Do7HlEtTnE7-3y0OFHUKxgj17Rs7SwOhI-tkKPCkYgyWEBfmlaRQoHiDNyafVZNHgTOduQR9Ir5emE1rGzoCkJMPc-bmdzJIB_ERJvphCjnDCvBOXBKR6QAX84lOilXPlhbI7vvbghCxCyNGZ/w460-h640/20230610_172053.jpg" title="Lake Tahoe Anniversary Party by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="460" /></a></div><p>It was such a sweet time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVse-P7TB4r3dwsRVkvvh1Hh8MSrJWBaWFZa0XZyy4UkZmm-RPZ6Xy_DjkYRPKpAt1SrnYG88ff9CFptqe-T48O1qEikl-hyK7QqqrmFXEUl1zBWZDFTl9fZQU6la5-QJCUD1VuA3Im3H8b7Xp4O58Hln41ytAIPdgMCGxsMSQxWj3LBTgZKiiagdw9f40/s4000/20230609_083707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Texas Flowers by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVse-P7TB4r3dwsRVkvvh1Hh8MSrJWBaWFZa0XZyy4UkZmm-RPZ6Xy_DjkYRPKpAt1SrnYG88ff9CFptqe-T48O1qEikl-hyK7QqqrmFXEUl1zBWZDFTl9fZQU6la5-QJCUD1VuA3Im3H8b7Xp4O58Hln41ytAIPdgMCGxsMSQxWj3LBTgZKiiagdw9f40/w480-h640/20230609_083707.jpg" title="Texas Flowers by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>My husband's best friend came out from Southern California to stay with us during the week of their anniversary, and it was such a joy to have him here. He got to see the Texas Hill Country at its absolute best, with blue skies full of puffy clouds, wildflowers blooming everywhere, and lazy evenings on the back patio watching the fireflies play. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlednF--BBNNiTNgTTY0wlV6pWolqYpQl3PtV1zQ_NYfZr-V8_O3m66b_v4X4jziAfyYBv3WDDaqYp-x5jhJsBNeSlGLMj3zLVFqv49_J3bHeql6yFnU0D-KNNCPr4KlZGisk4ILdOK1J7zYEtqp6PM6OicT6AfN717MX1sjCck6NzyHTlEPLfHWceNBB/s4000/20230614_194515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Texas Flowers by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlednF--BBNNiTNgTTY0wlV6pWolqYpQl3PtV1zQ_NYfZr-V8_O3m66b_v4X4jziAfyYBv3WDDaqYp-x5jhJsBNeSlGLMj3zLVFqv49_J3bHeql6yFnU0D-KNNCPr4KlZGisk4ILdOK1J7zYEtqp6PM6OicT6AfN717MX1sjCck6NzyHTlEPLfHWceNBB/w480-h640/20230614_194515.jpg" title="Texas Flowers by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>My own flower garden was all decked out in vibrant colors, and I was so thankful to get one last beautiful week of spring before the switch flipped to summer and the whole outdoors morphed overnight into a giant sauna. But that just gives me a good excuse to stay inside and sew, which I'm trying to do for at least fifteen minutes every day this summer. It's been doing me a world of good to get daily creative time, and I'm absolutely loving it.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-24327094284174642392023-01-04T21:06:00.002-06:002023-01-04T21:06:41.186-06:00Drum Stick Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcDl29wFhgevrtHg5XnEAwXAS7vMeTkP8238IWbd3O6kcqmtoxlAceh_6rh0Wfxmg6isuW2-xC3gDGgNKxH943QNluZ5BufDEWHuoTPSsWRGZ2cSIhTd1YtpnWAbGxuse_BS8QUEoyhwtHLm2R9LhLRu81Nzo8PqjMTsY3RMEkQR3YW2Ue9DtkypK1A/s3486/20230104_121113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3486" data-original-width="2965" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcDl29wFhgevrtHg5XnEAwXAS7vMeTkP8238IWbd3O6kcqmtoxlAceh_6rh0Wfxmg6isuW2-xC3gDGgNKxH943QNluZ5BufDEWHuoTPSsWRGZ2cSIhTd1YtpnWAbGxuse_BS8QUEoyhwtHLm2R9LhLRu81Nzo8PqjMTsY3RMEkQR3YW2Ue9DtkypK1A/w544-h640/20230104_121113.jpg" title="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="544" /></a></div><p>There have been so many signs this year that my daughters aren't little girls anymore, and one of the biggest is our loft. The toys that cluttered the floor in that room for years are gone, packed away over the summer except for a few small bins of toddler playthings that my girls use when they're babysitting. Except for the occasional Lego project or jigsaw puzzle on the breakfast nook table, that part of our life seems to be over. My feelings on the subject are decidedly mixed. Nostalgia gets the better of me now and then, but honestly, it's wonderful to see the girls growing up. There's so much to love about this new chapter in our lives, and the loft has become part of that story. What used to be the play area has now become the music studio, and it's definitely one of the most popular hangouts in our house.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu4TILPdlvt6v6ju9st0Coakbry0BVWBx5Pv6kPdbXbIlC11_4yIEEPQ6lAFoWbuR9Y5fjuGOei0kfGm9svnby-ejQ5tIydPF2XykeTgLsJu3O6yN6LtR0D45gAlzftfunqmWQcSwSBtsfIJVvfTvJJEt0uEzYLj-jriAgbHbRd5csNBlXDrEsw8KIw/s2866/20230104_120950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2866" data-original-width="2257" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqu4TILPdlvt6v6ju9st0Coakbry0BVWBx5Pv6kPdbXbIlC11_4yIEEPQ6lAFoWbuR9Y5fjuGOei0kfGm9svnby-ejQ5tIydPF2XykeTgLsJu3O6yN6LtR0D45gAlzftfunqmWQcSwSBtsfIJVvfTvJJEt0uEzYLj-jriAgbHbRd5csNBlXDrEsw8KIw/w504-h640/20230104_120950.jpg" title="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="504" /></a></div><p>We've always been a musical family. James and I both spent time learning music when we were growing up, and I've been singing for school, church, and other events since I was a child. Any number of instruments have found a place in our home over the years and each of us can play at least a little bit on one or more of them: piano, guitar (acoustic and electric), ukulele, banjo, and mandolin. We took things to a whole new level this year when my youngest daughter was given an electric drum set by a family friend who was heading off to college and didn't need it anymore. Mouse had already started taking drum lessons from one of the drummers at our church, and this allowed her skills to really take off. Bunny and Bear have both been singing on youth worship teams at church and putting in more time on piano and guitar this year, so it just seemed natural for the three of them to form their own band. While I'm always here to advise them when they need help, it's been fantastic to watch them work together to choose music, practice for hours on end, and then perform for the family every few months on special holidays. Right now they're working on a Valentine's Day program, and it already sounds pretty great. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjLslCP3td9PE3FasZChv6yb6Z2_XaFlq16CgafAxjnuIEkUttqtTZUfM9TGCQNhxO4eahnhRrD2mpN6rJaym4V_5k8TElNZAzLafsL_fNMfOQjxM8eJMDQIJNqoFmB5XdtAv2AAZmUEQLTskUgx6bbvuRlNEZNuClQUoqNtKE6ID77839uuitJC1XA/s3950/20230104_120928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3950" data-original-width="2903" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjLslCP3td9PE3FasZChv6yb6Z2_XaFlq16CgafAxjnuIEkUttqtTZUfM9TGCQNhxO4eahnhRrD2mpN6rJaym4V_5k8TElNZAzLafsL_fNMfOQjxM8eJMDQIJNqoFmB5XdtAv2AAZmUEQLTskUgx6bbvuRlNEZNuClQUoqNtKE6ID77839uuitJC1XA/w470-h640/20230104_120928.jpg" title="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="470" /></a></div><p>Anyway, Mouse has been asking me to sew a special bag for carrying her drum sticks to her weekly lessons, and I decided that today was the day to get it done. She's obsessed with cats, so I pulled out a favorite Japanese print that I've been saving for ages to fussy cut a few scraps for the project. I featured one on the flap and the other on a tiny pocket on the back. The blue ticking stripe canvas print makes a soft but sturdy exterior, and I paired it with a matching cream and blue dot print for the lining. A wrist strap on top will hopefully make it a little easier to hold. The hardest thing about this whole project was sewing a bag with such an incredibly narrow opening - just 2 1/2" in diameter - but by going slowly, I was able to do it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf5JfbME_PFstZ4rbJdnqq6PMVYybeE7YCGtcg6Aznq_Wjvh7iueJfLAqrGwwfTI5RO6G-SP0qcjW8_LUUY-hWNADzmc6VrOM78i9ivs-BZaLrTflGZinphF4I1WPTZnZlSpFY_KoBMiVgKZSn7TOBYGiU8hciMIkcXIyeAj7k1LBz7nhkeHGL_RFIA/s4000/20230104_121215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDf5JfbME_PFstZ4rbJdnqq6PMVYybeE7YCGtcg6Aznq_Wjvh7iueJfLAqrGwwfTI5RO6G-SP0qcjW8_LUUY-hWNADzmc6VrOM78i9ivs-BZaLrTflGZinphF4I1WPTZnZlSpFY_KoBMiVgKZSn7TOBYGiU8hciMIkcXIyeAj7k1LBz7nhkeHGL_RFIA/w380-h640/20230104_121215.jpg" title="Drum Stick Kit Bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="380" /></a></div><p>I can't tell you how delightful it was to start and finish a project in one morning. Usually I save my sewing as an incentive for getting my daily work done, but the truth is that there's always more to do than I can finish before bedtime. My days fly by, and I get to the end of them without ever getting around to the reward. I think I'm going to start taking my sewing time in the morning for a while and see what happens. It feels a little naughty, like I'm sneaking dessert right before dinner, but this was just too much fun not to try it again.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-68973216863927376492022-12-23T13:41:00.003-06:002023-01-26T09:30:44.114-06:00Almost Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nbfrr1OmuK09da0sQoBokiD4MzmgWnGAOy-2ixLHdIDXWGmrqdLYUz4jqICxJAc8TguZdX7j6UKpZq8aAojomWEFbfi7v5hVJkR1p-ngHMlAN4jAigfr_llff7OH9CSmLmBxn_xRCiC0VrKFwVFT9nWHkMry6WF-mDnXFKAgw8_ZdYywwGh6hI2RcA/s3341/20221223_090239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Almost Christmas by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3341" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Nbfrr1OmuK09da0sQoBokiD4MzmgWnGAOy-2ixLHdIDXWGmrqdLYUz4jqICxJAc8TguZdX7j6UKpZq8aAojomWEFbfi7v5hVJkR1p-ngHMlAN4jAigfr_llff7OH9CSmLmBxn_xRCiC0VrKFwVFT9nWHkMry6WF-mDnXFKAgw8_ZdYywwGh6hI2RcA/w574-h640/20221223_090239.jpg" title="Almost Christmas by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="574" /></a></div><p>Confession: I really wasn't in the mood for Christmas this year.</p><p>When the end of November rolled around and it was time to start putting up decorations, I just didn't have the heart for it. Everything seemed so pointless. All that work, and it was coming down in a month anyway. The very thought of digging those boxes out again made me exhausted...</p><p>I went shopping for the small gifts I use for the girls' Advent calendar each year, and instead of getting excited as I walked through the aisles of the Christmas section at Target, I felt tired and overstimulated. It was all too noisy, too expensive, too much. What did any of this have to do with anything? I came home empty handed and flopped down on the couch, wondering aloud to my husband if he had any idea what the heck was wrong with me. I couldn't ever remember feeling this unexcited about my favorite season. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPF35e2Nr_NU_ZiSl8ZE5w_dG7UHXti71-iVteXgmnP_XFEOtOwlhtG5jGK6ttCvXPIGvcn88kGE-q7cg9cYB8Y45JSbubpDp_Eg18GsPhEzerB9xzOnoqmsIRhE_U8EEPKE5gzoDOfUYZzv8HPCx8Ulqq1NcfO34bZMZaSW4jG9GAZzS5YzftBq-3A/s3654/20221223_095810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Decor by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3654" data-original-width="2344" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPF35e2Nr_NU_ZiSl8ZE5w_dG7UHXti71-iVteXgmnP_XFEOtOwlhtG5jGK6ttCvXPIGvcn88kGE-q7cg9cYB8Y45JSbubpDp_Eg18GsPhEzerB9xzOnoqmsIRhE_U8EEPKE5gzoDOfUYZzv8HPCx8Ulqq1NcfO34bZMZaSW4jG9GAZzS5YzftBq-3A/w410-h640/20221223_095810.jpg" title="Christmas Decor by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="410" /></a></div><p></p><p>I spent a weekend in the doldrums over my unexpected lack of Christmas spirit, and then I decided that it was time to get over it, whether I felt like it or not. Decorations were set out, presents were wrapped, parties of all kinds were attended. Day by day, we've been ticking the usual December activities off our list: enjoying cookies and cocoa, watching favorite Christmas movies, and heading out to see the lights after dark. And while I haven't had any grand revelations like Ebenezer Scrooge, I've found that sometimes you just have to get started doing the right thing before the feelings come along after you. As a Christian, December 25th is a reminder each year that there's a God Who loves me and went to a whole lot of trouble to show it. His love is always there even when I'm not at my best, and that hope is what keeps me going every day of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4IKz-44zKzL6fKeEV-bwIOAcKcKDQ69Z4jOjUhk2eabkC0Thu89PRZ6aSRuPTF_nuGYAQTIH1QGvjyt7Bj5andW_FzhtmGLanMwvvUM_4XxoAjikDL0XHa8qPhl5oZK2SI-ztXU21qcUi_HsTu85k2e_PHNH-23_VWJZXfr3KkF1XSzpouJUqOn7LA/s3851/20221223_121524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas Advent Calendar by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3851" data-original-width="2703" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4IKz-44zKzL6fKeEV-bwIOAcKcKDQ69Z4jOjUhk2eabkC0Thu89PRZ6aSRuPTF_nuGYAQTIH1QGvjyt7Bj5andW_FzhtmGLanMwvvUM_4XxoAjikDL0XHa8qPhl5oZK2SI-ztXU21qcUi_HsTu85k2e_PHNH-23_VWJZXfr3KkF1XSzpouJUqOn7LA/w450-h640/20221223_121524.jpg" title="Christmas Advent Calendar by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="450" /></a></div><p>Of course, once I settled down and finally started enjoying myself, I immediately came down with a case of strep throat that looked ready to derail the whole thing. But isn't it funny how things work out sometimes? This may have been the most relaxed I've ever been in the days leading up to the holiday. Instead of running around trying to make everything perfect at the last minute, I've suddenly been forced to sit back and take it all in. Sick or not, I've thoroughly enjoyed watching my dear girls take over the Christmas cooking (with delicious results!), laughing together with my family around the fireplace in the evenings, and sitting on the couch enjoying the twinkle lights that Mom and I spread all over the house this year. I'm hoping to even pick up a little hand quilting project later today if I feel up to it. </p><p>So it's almost Christmas, and I'm going to enjoy it while it's here. I hope you do too, friends.</p><p>Merry Christmas.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-39575801866777045952022-10-29T14:24:00.001-05:002022-10-29T14:27:46.959-05:00Where They Love You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5OVC-RCB1eITqWkMuVaXDrHeO_5ylLsbr7qRTrMDZUY7KT5mRqm9aXius_EawiemcpyFZh8mMSAGH5bMI-ScAuqaRHfnPGs-CyK096icFs9a4gIwaeGjx6n5X61A2le3PSJW9E0TULZiHeAP3z8TDpvDVzGbNUDSdR88yynF2Yxnasyhk3TRqBpaPA/s4000/20221029_111715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5OVC-RCB1eITqWkMuVaXDrHeO_5ylLsbr7qRTrMDZUY7KT5mRqm9aXius_EawiemcpyFZh8mMSAGH5bMI-ScAuqaRHfnPGs-CyK096icFs9a4gIwaeGjx6n5X61A2le3PSJW9E0TULZiHeAP3z8TDpvDVzGbNUDSdR88yynF2Yxnasyhk3TRqBpaPA/w480-h640/20221029_111715.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover" width="480" /></a></div><p>Time, as always, gets away from me, but I'm still a little stunned to see that it's been the better part of five months since I last visited this space. I've been busily adding projects to my "want to sew" list, with precious little sewing time actually happening. There are reasons for this, of course. Now that I have three teenage daughters, a lot more time is being devoted to my new official job title of "chauffeur." It's been wonderful to see them getting involved in so many different activities as they grow up, and I couldn't be prouder, but I'm definitely racking up the miles on my dear old minivan. I've also gotten to start teaching sewing classes to my girls and their cousins, which has been all kinds of fun and the main focus of my creative time for the moment.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUsd6b-vlorWJUXYkCkiOPoEOyrpXvqNrDFlI_e-OHe6brJW2YIO4y99ns9qKi9-f4A2W200N9bl4QQAvBs51fvO0VwyH6CLijxiBOIDkPhAn8x0M1bEZ0assa0UoutIJS9s8RPXik8Mqc7l5lp-To7sRHk47D-2cZT2dIg2XTpO5bGqNW72E7vQ2FQ/s4000/20221029_123330.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt Fabric Swatch Pack" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUsd6b-vlorWJUXYkCkiOPoEOyrpXvqNrDFlI_e-OHe6brJW2YIO4y99ns9qKi9-f4A2W200N9bl4QQAvBs51fvO0VwyH6CLijxiBOIDkPhAn8x0M1bEZ0assa0UoutIJS9s8RPXik8Mqc7l5lp-To7sRHk47D-2cZT2dIg2XTpO5bGqNW72E7vQ2FQ/w480-h640/20221029_123330.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt Fabric Swatch Pack" width="480" /></a></div><p>The first thing we did was assemble these swatch packs so that the girls could see the difference between different types of fabric and interfacing. I had almost no grasp on this when I first started sewing, and I think it's important for them to understand which textiles are best suited to which types of projects. I like that they can feel the fabric for themselves on these little cards and that we can add more as we go along if we need to. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM4Z0C7ysdzOHCt6p8eeg72s4u4nzy15oqVIvRjAtgaqhr328xW6YcQ2H9dJcqFeSsec0r-v5ZW43VdNw2MeFMzLHIH6KXvPZcyDuJFbefem7E9947_dHo3dxT_3ES2fGCypgMzUzhjc0UF5rsFL70izWg4AVeiHZWArc1IYobXNTwNYbb5BAE3y42A/s3000/20221029_123126.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt Linen Pincushions" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjM4Z0C7ysdzOHCt6p8eeg72s4u4nzy15oqVIvRjAtgaqhr328xW6YcQ2H9dJcqFeSsec0r-v5ZW43VdNw2MeFMzLHIH6KXvPZcyDuJFbefem7E9947_dHo3dxT_3ES2fGCypgMzUzhjc0UF5rsFL70izWg4AVeiHZWArc1IYobXNTwNYbb5BAE3y42A/w640-h640/20221029_123126.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt Linen Pincushions" width="640" /></a></div><p>Next we practiced our hand stitching with some simple pincushions. I fussy cut squares from one of my favorite linen prints, and the girls practiced sewing a button on the tag and using a ladder stitch to close up the side seam. I'm trying to show them how to make pretty things but also teach them skills that will be useful for typical quick fix emergencies that arise in everyday life. The top three mending projects I do each year are 1) sewing buttons back onto clothing, 2) hemming pants or dresses, and 3) using a ladder stitch to sew the ripped seams on stuffed animals closed. We'll hit hemming next month when we make pillow cases out of leftover yardage from my old fabric collections. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVMKZTk9nyOk0FYCwBbkv5NjI0Ftf4KNaMKu4QudW7Znzglm9_Y0kfO1EKhoxtFxh4h1lq77amf3phKEXZzn2482ea13aR5zSW2cVV4L89S2v06LQa5wEEnhpvohvY1BiupfzhsaWllETbBO_KyJ8RDfBCRlUOS979KNV4GkLnVaREFH9hPI29UHkQQ/s3421/20221029_111648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover" border="0" data-original-height="3421" data-original-width="2566" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVMKZTk9nyOk0FYCwBbkv5NjI0Ftf4KNaMKu4QudW7Znzglm9_Y0kfO1EKhoxtFxh4h1lq77amf3phKEXZzn2482ea13aR5zSW2cVV4L89S2v06LQa5wEEnhpvohvY1BiupfzhsaWllETbBO_KyJ8RDfBCRlUOS979KNV4GkLnVaREFH9hPI29UHkQQ/w480-h640/20221029_111648.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover" width="480" /></a></div><p>So they can have a record of what we're learning, I'm putting together mini binders for the girls filled with project instructions and basic sewing tips. We'll make binder covers for their notebooks later this year, but I made my own first. It was such a treat to play with my favorite kind of scrappy patchwork again. I've been saving that large piece of text print for a long time, and it was great to finally use it on something I'm going to be seeing a lot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLqw14FuzJ4R3GpLIjO20yoX5672Y7Kh0z1Gldf3pCAYO2Bb3iZbIZQLFj-HJxHrkeQXW5a-TOQeDPonrY4k-o4dizSaBVAX_1t5u7Grg5QsqS3FmFOXt4OknBKvEFPBTdBcw-N4BabWyiJ49WzuhI_3C_YQNXtS7Ofbm1ujHjrHUBmtyzNXBLHcKtQ/s3701/20221029_111745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover Pocket" border="0" data-original-height="3701" data-original-width="2582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLqw14FuzJ4R3GpLIjO20yoX5672Y7Kh0z1Gldf3pCAYO2Bb3iZbIZQLFj-HJxHrkeQXW5a-TOQeDPonrY4k-o4dizSaBVAX_1t5u7Grg5QsqS3FmFOXt4OknBKvEFPBTdBcw-N4BabWyiJ49WzuhI_3C_YQNXtS7Ofbm1ujHjrHUBmtyzNXBLHcKtQ/w446-h640/20221029_111745.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt Patchwork Binder Cover Pocket" width="446" /></a></div><p>I used this small piece from a favorite Cathe Holden print for the pen pocket on the inner back flap. I absolutely adore her collage prints, and this collection of vintage fabric labels was just too perfect to pass up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0DI-upQ-9x4K8jxW9H9s2WaOqas-sW_UrSW6nnKFLMcX5POw4vqTPiSMO5L2V5pVlVdRj_oF8MaPk-G0jeDKY3UkdCqIB3w0fuBb8YAEX9NojW1Jx8dPSEQNlrbd8Z3WEh40RvXM0gfq7IyVEoirXco9hb82X1R9Ps687iDRBU6RxgL5_NBub4M7pA/s3799/20221029_130514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fat Quarter Shop Goodies for Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2820" data-original-width="3799" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0DI-upQ-9x4K8jxW9H9s2WaOqas-sW_UrSW6nnKFLMcX5POw4vqTPiSMO5L2V5pVlVdRj_oF8MaPk-G0jeDKY3UkdCqIB3w0fuBb8YAEX9NojW1Jx8dPSEQNlrbd8Z3WEh40RvXM0gfq7IyVEoirXco9hb82X1R9Ps687iDRBU6RxgL5_NBub4M7pA/w640-h476/20221029_130514.jpg" title="Fat Quarter Shop Goodies for Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>You could have knocked me over with a feather when I opened my mailbox to find these beautiful gifts from Fat Quarter Shop inside. Considering how little time I've been able to devote to sewing lately, I feel completely undeserving of them, but I'm so grateful. Looking through these patterns and booklets has gotten me excited about trying to sew for fun more often. I've really missed it. Hopefully I'll have some work to show from this stack of inspiration in the months ahead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBCRZWSPvviS4vKFbvMaGeVsLlK4iQo5gZZ0qmYPjjZ8nM7n6xNDXREaCFEr1ttOtVTXd7KjuRcvaKlKO_5p6046I7kB5ZlmwPzhlioxFW6wFQZM9yJ8V6Wgz72P_HVuKDs0f82fAbX1_A3gnTNDqQr72wUzHA2tvFGGKL5a8bf5_Euwk4rVLFgvxYQ/s2895/20221018_130108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2410" data-original-width="2895" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBCRZWSPvviS4vKFbvMaGeVsLlK4iQo5gZZ0qmYPjjZ8nM7n6xNDXREaCFEr1ttOtVTXd7KjuRcvaKlKO_5p6046I7kB5ZlmwPzhlioxFW6wFQZM9yJ8V6Wgz72P_HVuKDs0f82fAbX1_A3gnTNDqQr72wUzHA2tvFGGKL5a8bf5_Euwk4rVLFgvxYQ/w640-h532/20221018_130108.jpg" title="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>We added two more pets to the family zoo over the last few months so that everyone would have a buddy. Gus is a sweet little orange tabby who has a constant purr and a hilariously squeaky meow. (His official name is Burton Guster, after my favorite character from the old USA tv show <i>Psych</i>.) He's extremely affectionate and loves to cuddle with us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5X6RlUef0CaCoFyeRXI2K_vnVDgYafRIIivkWOINOJ6BLtBNlSWB2d4kibh6gkY9gTxUhBs6-PCqf1brXRxfZIiFHXVFyFzX2GwEvi2VgiPFsAkgPKUvM4MZ8ni19Iaz1T4GamkEfUhVoqIzb-dMz-Tkc_oHADse0rMI_0Xb3eyNv_xBxMYOtTAI3g/s4000/20221008_174739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5X6RlUef0CaCoFyeRXI2K_vnVDgYafRIIivkWOINOJ6BLtBNlSWB2d4kibh6gkY9gTxUhBs6-PCqf1brXRxfZIiFHXVFyFzX2GwEvi2VgiPFsAkgPKUvM4MZ8ni19Iaz1T4GamkEfUhVoqIzb-dMz-Tkc_oHADse0rMI_0Xb3eyNv_xBxMYOtTAI3g/w480-h640/20221008_174739.jpg" title="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Gus and Joey are slowly getting to know each other, and I'm thankful to say that we've passed the hissing stage and are now hovering on the threshold of irritable tolerance. I'm calling that progress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKk4RLpzd9oF4qTz9CXN34-_JaCAZmY_9G1Xgvd6q78beMe2mgFckBLDI7c29K3WZyAoBGo-23rHlG12ekHLkiR1AeadbrMSUq11gmZYPO55AeJ68T3X7KEQKpZgmpYygq6shCe9t2aaOv7PHE5VCf8--LXwCr4GpjUORenn7Tpv5fGPr-TFQWhH0YA/s3264/20221009_130550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKk4RLpzd9oF4qTz9CXN34-_JaCAZmY_9G1Xgvd6q78beMe2mgFckBLDI7c29K3WZyAoBGo-23rHlG12ekHLkiR1AeadbrMSUq11gmZYPO55AeJ68T3X7KEQKpZgmpYygq6shCe9t2aaOv7PHE5VCf8--LXwCr4GpjUORenn7Tpv5fGPr-TFQWhH0YA/w480-h640/20221009_130550.jpg" title="Gus the Cat at Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Joey was not amused to have his space invaded, but I had seen the signs of loneliness over the last year. I think that as much as he resents the presence of an intruder, he likes having another cat around. I'm definitely enjoying the extra kitty snuggles myself.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck1l5rIDPNNUdMupNOw2vOosm0GBvSoogFMAN4KRW_4dRXhqnmIOpsHBwzQydua4yL6t8Kuib31xQWX0jOWZukd7Loesmsd9PRhnlctyQpKxLw0A0nRtxf_gHks7UJRADutNDaLjtZ2MFL68jZDpEExV4C9FcngAEeOOih-2NAfvpIsEMi5uAwOEPzg/s3000/20220826_192516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sam and Rosie at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2249" data-original-width="3000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck1l5rIDPNNUdMupNOw2vOosm0GBvSoogFMAN4KRW_4dRXhqnmIOpsHBwzQydua4yL6t8Kuib31xQWX0jOWZukd7Loesmsd9PRhnlctyQpKxLw0A0nRtxf_gHks7UJRADutNDaLjtZ2MFL68jZDpEExV4C9FcngAEeOOih-2NAfvpIsEMi5uAwOEPzg/w640-h480/20220826_192516.jpg" title="Sam and Rosie at Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>Our sweet Sam has had a rough time of it lately. We brought Rosie home for him back in June (their names are actually Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton, for you <i>Lord of the Rings</i>' fans out there), and I've never seen two dogs bond at first sight like they did. Just about every photo I have of the two of them together is a blur since they seem to think their full time work is auditioning for careers in professional wrestling...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxzuEg_-dWmQb7Ye42kRs96DSgj9eRvhpte6DR4jCV2Q9CLouuRoDO0JKgE2B-qIAAl2-KrbYy5bxQJQTQA2UEbYN7lxla5X6Ybs3EccL-nK6WTnWCa_rza-ocNudIdIo6tJ99mGnQkrKEAf2XkiSirql7vhIywmMh3R0h1apnfrxXmr_2cJc7xQJeg/s2409/20221029_133537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rosie at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2409" data-original-width="1806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxzuEg_-dWmQb7Ye42kRs96DSgj9eRvhpte6DR4jCV2Q9CLouuRoDO0JKgE2B-qIAAl2-KrbYy5bxQJQTQA2UEbYN7lxla5X6Ybs3EccL-nK6WTnWCa_rza-ocNudIdIo6tJ99mGnQkrKEAf2XkiSirql7vhIywmMh3R0h1apnfrxXmr_2cJc7xQJeg/w480-h640/20221029_133537.jpg" title="Rosie at Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Rosie is an incredibly loving dog who adores her "big brother." They had a glorious summer together, tearing around our backyard like a pair of happy maniacs. Then Sam started limping occasionally about two months back. Two weeks ago, the limp went from occasional to constant, and after consulting with our vet over the x-rays she took last week, it appears that Sam not only has a torn ligament, but also a genetic condition which has resulted in the bones in both of his back legs being crooked and his knees being constantly out of joint. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-YBV_wbmtLVI2jCzZDhSe9EcFNiLBTfYK14sk89U_A04Db6SejBO8gyG3dEn6PzDMebCffnFU3WV_CWv6HeZakKpTDwCkFTUbYyCoW40BPnfhi4nnI0U-S7XxrtHJt8M40DultBjVpKrUapmAWNB9XuG0dGmAi3bUbfZT07NOvfUTSqAR7KI2O44Q/s4000/20221018_103130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sam at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W-YBV_wbmtLVI2jCzZDhSe9EcFNiLBTfYK14sk89U_A04Db6SejBO8gyG3dEn6PzDMebCffnFU3WV_CWv6HeZakKpTDwCkFTUbYyCoW40BPnfhi4nnI0U-S7XxrtHJt8M40DultBjVpKrUapmAWNB9XuG0dGmAi3bUbfZT07NOvfUTSqAR7KI2O44Q/w480-h640/20221018_103130.jpg" title="Sam at Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>It's hard to know what this is going to mean for our sweet boy, who has always been a handful (picture an energetic Jack Russell terrier in an 80 pound lab's body -- this guy <i>literally</i> bounces off the walls), and I've been overwhelmed by the various possible outcomes, none of which are great. We're taking him to a specialist next week to see if anything can be done to make things easier on him. Whatever happens, we're going to love him through it. </p><p>There's a little wooden sign that's hung in our house for years that reads "home is where they love you," and every year I believe it more. This is what home is meant to be. As I was talking with my family earlier this week about all the issues we've had with the pets we've taken in over the years, I laughed through my tears, remarking that we seem to be a home for misfits. But isn't that what we all are to some extent? Being part of a family isn't always easy, and loving people (and pets) isn't always terribly convenient or comfortable, but that's the calling. It's what we've chosen to do with our lives. I don't have a single doubt that we're going to be glad we did. </p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-52453315366422474722022-06-08T14:22:00.003-05:002022-06-08T14:22:49.033-05:00Hello Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx4_gh-Mu-M0VzmxS-Jtis5ZoFXDwGxCrvc82XNcHk_NW5EB27AbE9k8oRBWFkBIPQY_RjP7Vyaj4o4JJTLEVPuPK6lqy3vpZ4BIbk-wpj_zqhCopF4YtYKqAiZqgo0yU852uJgXEHv4WOikOp5RR68TNGir9HX0BMVO68t0ywdjoJ4jqWYrK35_a1A/s3252/20220608_103302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rifle Paper Co Bon Voyage Zipper Pouch by Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="3252" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx4_gh-Mu-M0VzmxS-Jtis5ZoFXDwGxCrvc82XNcHk_NW5EB27AbE9k8oRBWFkBIPQY_RjP7Vyaj4o4JJTLEVPuPK6lqy3vpZ4BIbk-wpj_zqhCopF4YtYKqAiZqgo0yU852uJgXEHv4WOikOp5RR68TNGir9HX0BMVO68t0ywdjoJ4jqWYrK35_a1A/w640-h480/20220608_103302.jpg" title="Rifle Paper Co Bon Voyage Zipper Pouch by Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>This morning I sewed my first project in ages, a zipper pouch made of canvas from Rifle Paper Co.'s <i>Bon Voyage</i> collection that will be a gift for a friend. It felt so good to sew again. I never realize how much I miss it until I come back to my fabric and thread after some time away.</p><p>My sewing room is in a state of total chaos at the moment which is why there has been neither sewing nor posting around here for some time. In the fall, my sister and I will be teaching enrichment classes to our girls every other week, so I'm trying to reconfigure my setup ahead of time to have classroom space as well as work space for my own projects. I'll be teaching music and sewing, my sister will be doing cooking and art, and my brother in law will be giving the girls pointers in martial arts and self-defense. It's going to be so great, and I'm excited to get into the planning stages over the next month. Once I have everything looking somewhat put together again, I'll show you pictures of the finished space. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAe8KfWGf8OmvbTxWAGTjhqIlsydjHgnSOhF2MYZMpSUQfljgZHEwLr1zGwlXil6k4l0Db-mcRpnCUdJMk04Cbc8F_ELxy3FBcRbCas6ymEtxeeZLkJMmbxpMFuGvZQvmLD4ckE6YWtVhsnXCL7b_j3yr310Wm0PLuMcSJVP1GUv6aEeeyodsFdUSLA/s4000/20220518_082442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAe8KfWGf8OmvbTxWAGTjhqIlsydjHgnSOhF2MYZMpSUQfljgZHEwLr1zGwlXil6k4l0Db-mcRpnCUdJMk04Cbc8F_ELxy3FBcRbCas6ymEtxeeZLkJMmbxpMFuGvZQvmLD4ckE6YWtVhsnXCL7b_j3yr310Wm0PLuMcSJVP1GUv6aEeeyodsFdUSLA/w640-h480/20220518_082442.jpg" title="Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>After months of work, my husband's garden is in full swing. With all the craziness at the supermarket this year, we decided to go big here at home, so the garden is about four times larger. The photo above was actually taken a few weeks ago, and at this point we've got a lot more growth happening, especially in the watermelon patch in the lower right hand corner of the picture which is now wreathed in vines.. Keeping it alive during this Texas heat streak has been a challenge, but so far it's working. My husband has already harvested all the sweet onions and some of the herbs for my cooking, and they taste amazing. My youngest loves to go out every morning and snag a few raspberries from the berry bushes after breakfast along with a mint leaf or two. It's her favorite morning treat. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4UpiBosaGNFniCKKLxynvnAHbqQHC1hvE1whsK15mtFH1WdHcwr5KAFyLXprZvOof3UH5zIvldyBaM8RWiJxzrLs7udzSmbKHwQbvzRm6gP5tFpa6Iodj8KhmGOIYmrbIdV7Iwj6khV4sdpwmCTqh1K4MmbVyHc8JZOG1wvEuMzMKDuGpvwWl-tO5A/s4000/20220518_081901~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tagalong Pincushion from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4UpiBosaGNFniCKKLxynvnAHbqQHC1hvE1whsK15mtFH1WdHcwr5KAFyLXprZvOof3UH5zIvldyBaM8RWiJxzrLs7udzSmbKHwQbvzRm6gP5tFpa6Iodj8KhmGOIYmrbIdV7Iwj6khV4sdpwmCTqh1K4MmbVyHc8JZOG1wvEuMzMKDuGpvwWl-tO5A/w640-h480/20220518_081901~2.jpg" title="Tagalong Pincushion from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>Now that we've wrapped up the school year, I'm thinking about projects for the summer. Most of them involve cleaning and organization, but I'm also hoping to finish the quilt I've been slowly working on as well as the EPP pillow I started years ago. After that, I'm going to open up some favorite books and see what looks like fun.</p><p>But summers are mostly for family, and I'm happily storing up the memories from every minute of time I get to spend with my favorite people in the world.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-35687075521097398572022-03-30T16:15:00.000-05:002022-03-30T16:15:27.541-05:00The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90uLANwcFaxgzBl3k75hMPwaZwom3bPC9rH2eCPo17lk90Blc9seN1RPyxoaLjk8KitSfUM3yGpMs-cFDPSl1bkh8OuWczOV4F9vbm5xblty5aNL9fKti6ac3K6N2HWfWsEX2U79cwArtRCmr6k63he9EJcLbMjCbcaMIkC6NPFBUVwpJNxQVAv7zhQ/s6400/20220330_145736_2%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="6400" data-original-width="4798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90uLANwcFaxgzBl3k75hMPwaZwom3bPC9rH2eCPo17lk90Blc9seN1RPyxoaLjk8KitSfUM3yGpMs-cFDPSl1bkh8OuWczOV4F9vbm5xblty5aNL9fKti6ac3K6N2HWfWsEX2U79cwArtRCmr6k63he9EJcLbMjCbcaMIkC6NPFBUVwpJNxQVAv7zhQ/w480-h640/20220330_145736_2%20(1).jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>I love putting together themed gift bags and care packages for friends and family whenever I get the chance, and this tiny patchwork bag is perfect for that sort of thing. Pick a theme -- stationery supplies, beauty items, sewing notions, sweet treats -- and fill this mini tote to the top with small treasures. I find that aside from the winter holidays, late spring is usually the time when I most need gifts for Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, and the inevitable celebrations as we head into summer. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl3KTZnWnKy4aRIBb25pu3Jh1EhKQb6nDwK9wawTPUbC1jW3-4va2T0QzunvzY6ZqUnq1x5B3CXjMy3Zjb6TUFoWlGwp0edPknXKp7XYHbbs9jk9kEll6jJKwjFwku5niOn0NTuv1vRjAgxPBCVdL_ZWMyszKTLbVcBC_6HmGDfPfZ6xOnO7tDGpPfA/s8000/20220330_150112~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="8000" data-original-width="6000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl3KTZnWnKy4aRIBb25pu3Jh1EhKQb6nDwK9wawTPUbC1jW3-4va2T0QzunvzY6ZqUnq1x5B3CXjMy3Zjb6TUFoWlGwp0edPknXKp7XYHbbs9jk9kEll6jJKwjFwku5niOn0NTuv1vRjAgxPBCVdL_ZWMyszKTLbVcBC_6HmGDfPfZ6xOnO7tDGpPfA/w480-h640/20220330_150112~2.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>It's always fun to make the bag itself part of the present, and you can customize the fabric you use for your patchwork squares to fit the recipient. If you need a whole lot of bags in a hurry, try replacing the patchwork panel on each side with a single fabric rectangle for faster sewing. I hope this hardworking little pattern will be incredibly useful to you in the months ahead!</p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial</span></b></p><p>Finished Size: 6 1/2" x 7" x 3" (including handle)</p><p>All seam allowances are 1/4".</p><p><i><b>Materials</b></i></p><p>From assorted scraps, cut...</p><p>- (12) red squares, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (A)</p><p>- (12) low volume squares with red accents, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (B)</p><p><i>*Note: for a faster project, replace all the 1 1/2" squares with 2 rectangles, 4 1/2" x 3 1/2", cut from the same feature print.</i></p><p>From 10" square of vintage floral red print, cut...</p><p>- (2) squares, 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" (C)</p><p>From fat eighth of low volume music print, cut...</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 4 1/2" x 2 1/2" (D)</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (E)</p><p>- (1) rectangle, 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (F)</p><p>From long scrap of red scallop stripe print, cut...</p><p>- (1) rectangle, 12 1/2" x 2" (G)</p><p>From fat quarter of batting, cut...</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" (H)</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" (I)</p><p>- (1) rectangle, 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (J)</p><p>From low volume floral print, cut...</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 4 1/2" x 5 1/2" (K)</p><p>- (2) rectangles, 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" (L)</p><p>- (1) rectangle, 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (M)</p><p>Additional supplies: button, 5 1/2" piece of thin white elastic cord, matching thread, adhesive basting spray, binding clips.</p><p><b><i>Directions</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uifz5XzD2l52BE_dcx4CctJdMXPyGwjR3cr-tzcKXT7Ju_6USmw2MirHPgHYj9jU53XL1nncVczt8IxT_bCjfRdUL6xbvGjlyetuEqLbO1hYZh9ocNXGjAxlaUxFb-6OnXa_MBUbpp5JlZClZTyEox0LlwCWtUXr-p1yO1Dm3Png9qPVdmicmvbbTA/s7380/20220328_135835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="7380" data-original-width="5122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uifz5XzD2l52BE_dcx4CctJdMXPyGwjR3cr-tzcKXT7Ju_6USmw2MirHPgHYj9jU53XL1nncVczt8IxT_bCjfRdUL6xbvGjlyetuEqLbO1hYZh9ocNXGjAxlaUxFb-6OnXa_MBUbpp5JlZClZTyEox0LlwCWtUXr-p1yO1Dm3Png9qPVdmicmvbbTA/w444-h640/20220328_135835.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="444" /></a></div><p>1. Split the A and B squares in half into 2 groups of 12, 4 squares across and 3 squares down, alternating the A and B squares as shown. Sew each group of 12 together. Note: If you are using 2 rectangles, 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" instead, you may skip this step.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMPNrb3TdWjhZICLvwyHQha9mSY39Ml_dIvkvDDbiM_92i0dqdYnefM7Lp1UbCfqRvLjn2dKnin8NlOhskzZiMxvGx7D27-yOp9DQo6QN8v7out9zQdFWA9JoR2W7ZSqRJ2tq_pO24-_U0wnKXCjKwFanXDKoDVM5Ax6KWfnifFGKvdudhQY5JM2Cg/s7558/20220328_144324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4619" data-original-width="7558" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMPNrb3TdWjhZICLvwyHQha9mSY39Ml_dIvkvDDbiM_92i0dqdYnefM7Lp1UbCfqRvLjn2dKnin8NlOhskzZiMxvGx7D27-yOp9DQo6QN8v7out9zQdFWA9JoR2W7ZSqRJ2tq_pO24-_U0wnKXCjKwFanXDKoDVM5Ax6KWfnifFGKvdudhQY5JM2Cg/w640-h392/20220328_144324.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>2. Spray the back of each patchwork piece with adhesive basting spray and attach to the lower edge of an H batting rectangle. Quilt as desired. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV3cPPbrdnO9aRxWiujAIQHDNbshzL-U-Yf6XbIj3zVqjl-b72Vq77E0j7Mb7P9D2YLcAwT74Obm8J9DB2vKn-IkuEk9pKtLiEYnACC1IDbIZU6OguSY17K3AYDw5RLnrOR0BUA3khxYCzPK51BgBdP6dM5xCoN2Rf1rCbnn0x2jkc4TAX9KM4QMv6Q/s7870/20220328_144639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="5567" data-original-width="7870" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZV3cPPbrdnO9aRxWiujAIQHDNbshzL-U-Yf6XbIj3zVqjl-b72Vq77E0j7Mb7P9D2YLcAwT74Obm8J9DB2vKn-IkuEk9pKtLiEYnACC1IDbIZU6OguSY17K3AYDw5RLnrOR0BUA3khxYCzPK51BgBdP6dM5xCoN2Rf1rCbnn0x2jkc4TAX9KM4QMv6Q/w640-h452/20220328_144639.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>3. Line the lower long edge of a D rectangle up with the top of the patchwork piece from step 2 with right sides together (the D rectangle should be upside down) and stitch them together along the edge (see photo). Flip the D rectangle up and away from the patchwork so that the wrong side of the piece is against the upper half of the batting. Press. Topstitch 1/8" from either side of the seam. Repeat with the other patchwork piece and D rectangle to give you 2 finished main panels.</p><p>4. Spray the back of each C square with adhesive basting spray and attach to the lower edge of an I batting rectangle. Repeat step 3 directions, using E rectangles to finish the 2 side panels.</p><p>5. Spray the back of the F rectangle and attach it to the J batting rectangle to finish the bottom panel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3R3-5zY14qj_IcLW11_ywQW18WJ7u_9X-XEc7KsawpSZoMl7GSMOpUz4FnJseUt1lkJEg4mMOkHzXQ1lHSnAD874TySBWGhXfiax8zWng1wfm_XUqfc0O3O4dyZK9BK2YNg8yLQFN4NOEgErQJVoZ6a57Vcye-6gn8B4sp6MR75oaidf3BV1X-kEMA/s6955/20220328_154646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="6955" data-original-width="5809" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3R3-5zY14qj_IcLW11_ywQW18WJ7u_9X-XEc7KsawpSZoMl7GSMOpUz4FnJseUt1lkJEg4mMOkHzXQ1lHSnAD874TySBWGhXfiax8zWng1wfm_XUqfc0O3O4dyZK9BK2YNg8yLQFN4NOEgErQJVoZ6a57Vcye-6gn8B4sp6MR75oaidf3BV1X-kEMA/w534-h640/20220328_154646.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="534" /></a></div><p>6. Fold the elastic piece in half to make a loop, placing the raw edges centered on the top edge of the back main panel. Stitch back and forth over this 1/8" from the edge to hold it in place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVPLhDuWHF3jtOZ7q3jnKzFOiindIK4EfwA4Q31dkdlxZY3OBTvf1hIUsYHvPfsMrH0yzca1wg91x18B1I8RQwYXcAAL300TBKHSOMcLyan_5TuyESX-lIXKlsAXJL3h--AIgjHuXtL0Cn0d_BRZJuKsc9bNUhzrGzxvX7KbLaKem0gUDrWRxw5zPAw/s5358/20220328_154820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4500" data-original-width="5358" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzVPLhDuWHF3jtOZ7q3jnKzFOiindIK4EfwA4Q31dkdlxZY3OBTvf1hIUsYHvPfsMrH0yzca1wg91x18B1I8RQwYXcAAL300TBKHSOMcLyan_5TuyESX-lIXKlsAXJL3h--AIgjHuXtL0Cn0d_BRZJuKsc9bNUhzrGzxvX7KbLaKem0gUDrWRxw5zPAw/w640-h538/20220328_154820.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>7. Make the handle by folding the G strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press. Unfold and then fold each long edge in to meet in the center and press again. Without unfolding, refold along the first line so that the raw edges are trapped in the middle. (You are actually making double fold quilt binding.) Topstitch along each long edge to hold the sides together and create a strap. Cut the strap in half so that each piece is 6 1/4" long.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXjP1Iyp8_mm_DOOAdogjtQFrcHt7sLBjsB0rKFbKjOzxNFBVWHot5O5pxw1XdTmQ7LoNHowZOIBThFeLOT9WZBjJlbBiRc07MJNCjfARGQersqiFSxRwxRbp0fEo9wlfOtytN0LgUvbujlAgQmy_0_m1bFBr3dIRig7_-8gnDpnmwfBK3mQaPwCHMg/s7879/20220328_155505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="5909" data-original-width="7879" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXjP1Iyp8_mm_DOOAdogjtQFrcHt7sLBjsB0rKFbKjOzxNFBVWHot5O5pxw1XdTmQ7LoNHowZOIBThFeLOT9WZBjJlbBiRc07MJNCjfARGQersqiFSxRwxRbp0fEo9wlfOtytN0LgUvbujlAgQmy_0_m1bFBr3dIRig7_-8gnDpnmwfBK3mQaPwCHMg/w640-h480/20220328_155505.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>8. Use binding clips to hold the raw edges of a strap in place along the top edge of a main panel piece so that the outer edge of the strap is 3/4" from the side edge of the panel. Stitch in place 1/8" from the edge. Repeat with the other strap on the other main panel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa7z6zxHDMDmxehqExHJSON34CUrYTuJZDcAjP176MKARrtUVmv4-4Nj9DhQjv3a9dNJ872bY2FILU2Ufb9tfvoTs32lF20Aiko4n0zHwbnQzIPirxSte1elYntfscqygBcylejdah6_umZwneYfSStofVlXzzTOth9ZspdW9d0zKggZiYPzDES0IPg/s8000/20220328_190216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4164" data-original-width="8000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa7z6zxHDMDmxehqExHJSON34CUrYTuJZDcAjP176MKARrtUVmv4-4Nj9DhQjv3a9dNJ872bY2FILU2Ufb9tfvoTs32lF20Aiko4n0zHwbnQzIPirxSte1elYntfscqygBcylejdah6_umZwneYfSStofVlXzzTOth9ZspdW9d0zKggZiYPzDES0IPg/w640-h334/20220328_190216.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>9. Line up the lower edge of a main panel with a long edge of the bottom panel, right sides together, and sew together. Press the seam towards the main panel. Repeat with the other main panel on the other long edge of the bottom panel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71xaZWlfZ41xwmeCYqszPh3G5sDXKBY2f-tv0GE-6XMJJ8GykUJnXEyzReYwa1Jt1zFAoTKZN1kZEJUsWSvhWvPOeNobxmkaXXwcdwUZKi7qHBcb-0ks27geRLAlEy8YDhEGH5vq_JR-avx_p8Iyk1tLjZp6uD4Hko8lcSWKoeQ-8Vr8l1-1jWYR6rQ/s5765/20220328_190452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="5573" data-original-width="5765" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71xaZWlfZ41xwmeCYqszPh3G5sDXKBY2f-tv0GE-6XMJJ8GykUJnXEyzReYwa1Jt1zFAoTKZN1kZEJUsWSvhWvPOeNobxmkaXXwcdwUZKi7qHBcb-0ks27geRLAlEy8YDhEGH5vq_JR-avx_p8Iyk1tLjZp6uD4Hko8lcSWKoeQ-8Vr8l1-1jWYR6rQ/w640-h618/20220328_190452.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>10. Line up the lower edge of a side panel with a short edge of the bottom panel, right sides together. Sew along the lower edge of the side panel first, stopping 1/4" from each corner and backstitching. Do the same on the other side with the other side panel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY1PFLEh9Uh6Ne5xMTHKIVaM4ykXLJxJpjPJ7nGxaBieIavsRHqMuoekEgs3w37pT5wq8zLD6z6KJSWPdk8Om1CFLD8P6b2nWT8v0mFyc7y1enexCCQrijVzejMW9QYWCa4gJrv0YoIsztn0IB-QqzUTnI0MqBHLdPoWxprvlyYhb2_at8_YDXVAWSA/s4922/20220328_190908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4482" data-original-width="4922" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwY1PFLEh9Uh6Ne5xMTHKIVaM4ykXLJxJpjPJ7nGxaBieIavsRHqMuoekEgs3w37pT5wq8zLD6z6KJSWPdk8Om1CFLD8P6b2nWT8v0mFyc7y1enexCCQrijVzejMW9QYWCa4gJrv0YoIsztn0IB-QqzUTnI0MqBHLdPoWxprvlyYhb2_at8_YDXVAWSA/w640-h582/20220328_190908.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>11. Line up the side edges of a side panel with the side edges of the main panels and hold them together with binding clips as well (see photo), carefully matching up the seam that goes down the middle of each panel first. Sew along the side edges, starting at the top of the panel and going just past the 1/4" mark before the lower edge before backstitching. Repeat with the other side panel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdnsWKDEy7xh76M9oYakSNKI_se0MXR6B443d81kn6YfSn3K3h6hBn3kjyuFyXq3XxEeJkDfXfCypwHu2creeD2uaiBVXDcsd0uk0hJFWeXcLnepBpe3TOz2d7rvNQm7ECiGMcUSNLeRki2BlsSYJQI728Ff2_9igR9-Mgy51dlRCkf1iqA8xAitnUw/s6269/20220328_191344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="5611" data-original-width="6269" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdnsWKDEy7xh76M9oYakSNKI_se0MXR6B443d81kn6YfSn3K3h6hBn3kjyuFyXq3XxEeJkDfXfCypwHu2creeD2uaiBVXDcsd0uk0hJFWeXcLnepBpe3TOz2d7rvNQm7ECiGMcUSNLeRki2BlsSYJQI728Ff2_9igR9-Mgy51dlRCkf1iqA8xAitnUw/w640-h572/20220328_191344.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>You should now have a finished bag exterior. Turn the exterior right side out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SGlBUMlvxfnTmimOE-uoTVtPzt54BWowB6pv3IlQqJcbPx-zG3aL28xjuq65b1JvbXRuUraYzKGBPFGTgJgP5fhgCTtc90nTYzudDIp4ngzJLaBv40ZRf4hXZly15A28FdCAdlnR1qgRXjqTDMiX4jjULaZRMXJwjUJ-cSilX1bkXEzl8ZUINyMP8w/s7256/20220328_191648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="5263" data-original-width="7256" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SGlBUMlvxfnTmimOE-uoTVtPzt54BWowB6pv3IlQqJcbPx-zG3aL28xjuq65b1JvbXRuUraYzKGBPFGTgJgP5fhgCTtc90nTYzudDIp4ngzJLaBv40ZRf4hXZly15A28FdCAdlnR1qgRXjqTDMiX4jjULaZRMXJwjUJ-cSilX1bkXEzl8ZUINyMP8w/w640-h464/20220328_191648.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>12. Now repeat steps 9-11 with the K, L, and M rectangles to create the bag lining with ONE EXCEPTION: when repeating step 9, leave a 3" gap in the middle on one side as you stitch the main panel to the bottom panel so that you'll be able to turn the bag right side out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDIDZs7R9WRKA6IhRlYETW2k14PKqHXwvx7_Ko2cAImAXULjE1Ue3S9daZ3X8GKZ3qDGn9kgN0FSoybuG0ubLZUrX3SQjeI2HfLVOWyi3247QIFzAi368yvEljoCudBDGfc9W58XwSzqUDkb8tSdEwzLVjH8CQlxSAz5pei0drMYML5WU1rgvnxogjg/s6070/20220330_134935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="6070" data-original-width="5103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDIDZs7R9WRKA6IhRlYETW2k14PKqHXwvx7_Ko2cAImAXULjE1Ue3S9daZ3X8GKZ3qDGn9kgN0FSoybuG0ubLZUrX3SQjeI2HfLVOWyi3247QIFzAi368yvEljoCudBDGfc9W58XwSzqUDkb8tSdEwzLVjH8CQlxSAz5pei0drMYML5WU1rgvnxogjg/w538-h640/20220330_134935.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="538" /></a></div><p>Do NOT turn the bag lining right side out when you finish this step.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfBrfIlrmBOB77h6TcYAx9dlK7iI2MwhJIgQkkqbLDMvSbvgDL4lcT7RZNu-J0pV8QF1vq8MHE9E2EQCG27ig5YDoxyZsHkwzdFFz0Yj0916v8m55VXJhn3EE2onQIBxkqVM_GbKIwSNAZjfMI7VV09T-Zo97Pz7EQLv93Y_ilgWaHdBJivLKS1JT5A/s4772/20220330_135353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4772" data-original-width="4625" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkfBrfIlrmBOB77h6TcYAx9dlK7iI2MwhJIgQkkqbLDMvSbvgDL4lcT7RZNu-J0pV8QF1vq8MHE9E2EQCG27ig5YDoxyZsHkwzdFFz0Yj0916v8m55VXJhn3EE2onQIBxkqVM_GbKIwSNAZjfMI7VV09T-Zo97Pz7EQLv93Y_ilgWaHdBJivLKS1JT5A/w620-h640/20220330_135353.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="620" /></a></div><p>14. Place the bag exterior inside the bag lining so that the right sides are together. Carefully line up the side seams and top edges, making sure that the straps and elastic loop are sandwiched between the exterior and lining.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O67PhA2wGT9jUOyU6VEvYGd-RBkc3XoW4S_U6H0Y7UmeYe3Sfyxa3iauvFZoKr4W0sVZnW5D5lQX36Nra31a5plqHHgneCMDz2jOU59P_kH7rv-5COp1tT5RT9tIGgxBUAQNbu8UfE6UckY7KlMJheh135K3Ar-XBeFrNqCDXvrviSJCQ0E9hJpq2Q/s8000/20220330_135706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4960" data-original-width="8000" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O67PhA2wGT9jUOyU6VEvYGd-RBkc3XoW4S_U6H0Y7UmeYe3Sfyxa3iauvFZoKr4W0sVZnW5D5lQX36Nra31a5plqHHgneCMDz2jOU59P_kH7rv-5COp1tT5RT9tIGgxBUAQNbu8UfE6UckY7KlMJheh135K3Ar-XBeFrNqCDXvrviSJCQ0E9hJpq2Q/w640-h396/20220330_135706.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>15. Stitch all the way around the top edge of the bag. Gently pull the bag right side out through the gap in the lining. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8mAF8Xk30KdIGIe3DAsEv54k3RnfhVJVdTnuZNoX3V5oQbMPYhJBplIPZs7kAF7uHuyRU0rQnynCnD_Pb_zsTPkCprqXE6CVMiP9O71oFjgmdXD4fp-76vNwzyCtvRTMX1AFtJqu1bYm_6O93TG-uPI4TA7SZL5jVsYJhnrk-WBWDqQb5ztTaDHKqw/s8000/20220330_135940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="8000" data-original-width="6000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8mAF8Xk30KdIGIe3DAsEv54k3RnfhVJVdTnuZNoX3V5oQbMPYhJBplIPZs7kAF7uHuyRU0rQnynCnD_Pb_zsTPkCprqXE6CVMiP9O71oFjgmdXD4fp-76vNwzyCtvRTMX1AFtJqu1bYm_6O93TG-uPI4TA7SZL5jVsYJhnrk-WBWDqQb5ztTaDHKqw/w480-h640/20220330_135940.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>16. Tuck the raw edges inside the gap in the lining and stitch it closed, backstitching at both ends.</p><p>17. Push the lining inside the bag, press carefully as needed, and then topstitch 1/8" from the top edge of the bag. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCquki4zS23P2PXgY0ckV-BtS4uoP1lrgrqBcL2GHPLZqm3rP__JUb0dPsE2yud9xn8vIPXoyt5YIk6FPdOPU2CRhPZV2nM89oKhWu8igb0wEBuLCFlTUsp4ThmjbQOLV4i2hSZznjTCVp1aeN4fZZGtFn2qGJYaGqWRjz18xJd2IHf2dR2T203r5ZA/s8000/20220330_140906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="8000" data-original-width="6000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCquki4zS23P2PXgY0ckV-BtS4uoP1lrgrqBcL2GHPLZqm3rP__JUb0dPsE2yud9xn8vIPXoyt5YIk6FPdOPU2CRhPZV2nM89oKhWu8igb0wEBuLCFlTUsp4ThmjbQOLV4i2hSZznjTCVp1aeN4fZZGtFn2qGJYaGqWRjz18xJd2IHf2dR2T203r5ZA/w480-h640/20220330_140906.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>18. Center a button on the D rectangle of the front main panel (adjusting the position depending on how tightly you want the bag to close when fastened) and stitch in place by hand. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVah_Tx_tO7FZUs9qdvdk3JFE_NbAg6rAMsL--KE7qta-R8tkPWcwEaXu3kJa0-V1doVV7GlxpnPDnPVocO02NiSdzD5jRHaEjBZgPWbjU0yD0eZXc-jufK0aDYiAUSqNqOTo-EQ6fvZ-ksV_Q_IuLyTZy8PDzlbA50EVwmGh9YvK5dYuXrZafRzoe4A/s8000/20220330_150303~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="8000" data-original-width="6000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVah_Tx_tO7FZUs9qdvdk3JFE_NbAg6rAMsL--KE7qta-R8tkPWcwEaXu3kJa0-V1doVV7GlxpnPDnPVocO02NiSdzD5jRHaEjBZgPWbjU0yD0eZXc-jufK0aDYiAUSqNqOTo-EQ6fvZ-ksV_Q_IuLyTZy8PDzlbA50EVwmGh9YvK5dYuXrZafRzoe4A/w480-h640/20220330_150303~2.jpg" title="The Darling Gift Bag Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Now just fill the bag with goodies and share it with someone you love. Enjoy, friends!</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-84159810020399506452022-03-20T20:03:00.001-05:002022-03-20T20:03:18.980-05:00Mostly Practical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge6hUty4ZWo01uY-GqeQa_Ihg44CuesmELI14IOHElf0-mDNgA3gzX3gTYbzGUpC4dRAn5MCFMGnVPFAr37EK80UFyEoe4oPspNPwCw8xBL9mOr5iR_q0CDsAHS4jO37F10LTWezvMbR6BwkwzORFButdMwz9-m4zMHr4Iav6QkUmPDLk_9VT0NMli0w=s3904" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork quilt as you go pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2456" data-original-width="3904" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEge6hUty4ZWo01uY-GqeQa_Ihg44CuesmELI14IOHElf0-mDNgA3gzX3gTYbzGUpC4dRAn5MCFMGnVPFAr37EK80UFyEoe4oPspNPwCw8xBL9mOr5iR_q0CDsAHS4jO37F10LTWezvMbR6BwkwzORFButdMwz9-m4zMHr4Iav6QkUmPDLk_9VT0NMli0w=w640-h402" title="Patchwork quilt as you go pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>Exactly one week ago I went to bed feeling a little off, not realizing that I had acquired an extremely nasty case of strep throat which is still raging as I type this evening. I'm on antibiotics, but it's going to be a slow recovery. Speaking and sleeping without coughing are a real challenge, and I've been utterly dependent on my husband who was off all this week on spring break. I'm both sad to have lost the week of activities we had planned and thankful that he was here to run the house and take care of me while I've spent the week in bed reading books and binge watching <a href="https://www.amazon.com/On-the-Air/dp/B09QFHPG5C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G8ROA2QN66LK&keywords=remember+wenn+season+1&qid=1647818421&sprefix=remember+wenn+season%2Caps%2C428&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Remember WENN</a>, an old favorite show that came out when I was in college. I like to think that I'm pretty good about going with the flow, but this week has definitely stretched my limits on that front.</p><p>I was thrilled to hear how many of you would like a tutorial for the little bag I shared in <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-bit-of-sewing.html" target="_blank">my last post</a>! I have all the pieces cut out and waiting on my sewing table, and as soon as I'm well enough, I'll be putting it together and writing up the pattern for you. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRjv6RDzwx_Lb2kmDf3yzP3My41Z8FQRQl2pqkMs5t4Dzdprdds0gtM4OvdjCFzJBEEQy_RVl_u3_bgfsw1tmJpYMDxuOXhkUNUtfcVhOCr86k-pb3QQLI0JvOpBxAPla5yL-w2jqbWGJXy5loEv7tdCwao63GJWwo9FtSSytTiFlGWIvVughRa26Bog=s6913" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork quilt as you go pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="6913" data-original-width="5185" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRjv6RDzwx_Lb2kmDf3yzP3My41Z8FQRQl2pqkMs5t4Dzdprdds0gtM4OvdjCFzJBEEQy_RVl_u3_bgfsw1tmJpYMDxuOXhkUNUtfcVhOCr86k-pb3QQLI0JvOpBxAPla5yL-w2jqbWGJXy5loEv7tdCwao63GJWwo9FtSSytTiFlGWIvVughRa26Bog=w480-h640" title="Patchwork quilt as you go pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div><p>Since I don't have anything brand new to share, I thought I would show a few pictures of sewing projects I finished during my absence from the blog this past year or so. I'm afraid these photos aren't the best quality since they were originally just meant for family viewing. (I would retake the pictures, but at this point, these pieces are not quite in the same condition they were originally. Let's just call them "well loved.") The pillow at the top of the post was a quilt-as-you-go project I did for fun using some fabric I printed on Spoonflower using digital art I purchased from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/KBandFriends?ref=usf_2020" target="_blank">one of my favorite shops</a> on Etsy after getting permission from the artist. Her retro designs are absolutely adorable, and I knew they would be perfect for fussy cutting. I had originally intended to keep this pillow upstairs in my bedroom, but it's become my husband's favorite back pillow when he's sitting in the family room at night.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0VG_VtTVx8SLPWpXh0gh_LsprNPKrWUslZIsyGSVgCVspRnh3yYELHGjtOoIpVYt-FAbkN5kM8nT8SWbxNuSzd78YGg8OOAvRpR14o_tTH3O9e8SXWjYpKv0fOfNxvspLopo479QdjCIAOhbTLHGogVyVjLF8EECgDCe0ZSjhtPrdTEzDc7D_uzP4yA=s3922" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Heather Ross Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2189" data-original-width="3922" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0VG_VtTVx8SLPWpXh0gh_LsprNPKrWUslZIsyGSVgCVspRnh3yYELHGjtOoIpVYt-FAbkN5kM8nT8SWbxNuSzd78YGg8OOAvRpR14o_tTH3O9e8SXWjYpKv0fOfNxvspLopo479QdjCIAOhbTLHGogVyVjLF8EECgDCe0ZSjhtPrdTEzDc7D_uzP4yA=w640-h358" title="Patchwork Heather Ross Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>The next pillow is made up of patchwork squares from my Heather Ross collection which I made for the girls. Every evening our family reads a chapter of a book together (right now we're doing <i>Little Women</i>) and then we watch a show or movie before bed. During our movie time, my youngest daughter Mouse loves to curl up in front of the fireplace on her <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2017/08/test-tubes-quilt-tutorial.html">Test Tubes Quilt</a> using this pillow as a headrest. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg5HQrjJRohfl3Fw6itJmjE0Dh2aFdevD1duQP_2Y_dPrn_6kNtm7wum-I-HTZKH5HldikgRQvTbX7-aH2k7rrjzVnto7M-ed-TNhT98WjbvmPqQ3-ChFn27cQ0-b60N7NrsJ1NbzDTcmg1eW0VUSdEeDXvBEYRp5r1tFXynE3OO1LAB1WvdojMxEy4Q=s3774" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork quilt as you go Bible cover by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2822" data-original-width="3774" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgg5HQrjJRohfl3Fw6itJmjE0Dh2aFdevD1duQP_2Y_dPrn_6kNtm7wum-I-HTZKH5HldikgRQvTbX7-aH2k7rrjzVnto7M-ed-TNhT98WjbvmPqQ3-ChFn27cQ0-b60N7NrsJ1NbzDTcmg1eW0VUSdEeDXvBEYRp5r1tFXynE3OO1LAB1WvdojMxEy4Q=w640-h478" title="Patchwork quilt as you go Bible cover by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>A few months back my sister came to me asking if I could make a cover for her Bible since the paperback cover was coming apart. She gave me total creative freedom, but I tried to insert little details that fit my sister well. This was another quilt-as-you-go piece, and I absolutely loved making it.</p><p>I've found that my sewing of the last few years has been mostly practical -- making things for which there is an actual need rather than just for fun -- but I love that the practical can also be beautiful. I have a few more useful sewing projects in mind for the months ahead. We'll see how many I can actually accomplish, but it's fun to think about them. The planning stage is still my favorite after all these years.</p><p>Hoping that you're all healthy and happy today, my friends.</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-2639202110678914232022-03-07T13:27:00.000-06:002022-03-07T13:27:01.454-06:00A Bit of Sewing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKlqZ6QEnm9m9VwjxJ3qSGmkEsbRpyrlBSdR5E5vxo0dOY_R2gxCHsQxhw14ij0zT9dvg0b5uEPVj78TkifTdKgyABy1ygvwGhliZubPCt1QsBrc2f5iwlIw7I5T_94l92sbRGpR0sYb8MlMAe-N8iXmwX_FkpttWXMFuljymRCEjm_hnqPbM7Wutq8A=s2464" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="2464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKlqZ6QEnm9m9VwjxJ3qSGmkEsbRpyrlBSdR5E5vxo0dOY_R2gxCHsQxhw14ij0zT9dvg0b5uEPVj78TkifTdKgyABy1ygvwGhliZubPCt1QsBrc2f5iwlIw7I5T_94l92sbRGpR0sYb8MlMAe-N8iXmwX_FkpttWXMFuljymRCEjm_hnqPbM7Wutq8A=w640-h640" title="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's been a busy week, but I managed to fit in a bit of sewing each day. I've been wanting to play around with a new pattern that I had sketched out on graph paper between grading papers and working in the kitchen. This cute little bag is the result. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbacSnmMZMXWxBLtUoxT4kpudhYty-CMBRfuVo_1KBJxqHHuUEcNIuh9YBdgL4nsl46VyNJVyuZXqk6bbLc3XlvHzIQsLF0Q7Nduz1IBLWu0VkNzF-64sXJUNC6Lx01E8lM6MNhG5ZyWj96I_lrT4rVuwfH519a-vjk7jTQFoolCfklfHXATQzgOwS3A=s2627" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2627" data-original-width="2627" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbacSnmMZMXWxBLtUoxT4kpudhYty-CMBRfuVo_1KBJxqHHuUEcNIuh9YBdgL4nsl46VyNJVyuZXqk6bbLc3XlvHzIQsLF0Q7Nduz1IBLWu0VkNzF-64sXJUNC6Lx01E8lM6MNhG5ZyWj96I_lrT4rVuwfH519a-vjk7jTQFoolCfklfHXATQzgOwS3A=w640-h640" title="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's small -- those patchwork squares finish at 1" -- but it holds more than you would think. Wouldn't these be fun for little Easter baskets or party favor bags or sewing retreat gifts? You could even swap out the patchwork panel for a single print on the front and back to make a faster finish if you're in a hurry.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRwka6gBeSmH9IwggszxnOKOz4vrDfJw5Y1Sosu1Lfg07-pVsgYcwnt4xQBIvLPTco8Krf2oMNm0utyJqay6c3FIDnH3JWRS_sLBr5mlkWZ1bsWGOcAFnCB-UIDOur9Z2c3m5wRQHy8WYruhme56ckG65G09PcpjZSqZPp5OUj4Zgd5EU-VaUSGcOWPw=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1730" data-original-width="1800" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRwka6gBeSmH9IwggszxnOKOz4vrDfJw5Y1Sosu1Lfg07-pVsgYcwnt4xQBIvLPTco8Krf2oMNm0utyJqay6c3FIDnH3JWRS_sLBr5mlkWZ1bsWGOcAFnCB-UIDOur9Z2c3m5wRQHy8WYruhme56ckG65G09PcpjZSqZPp5OUj4Zgd5EU-VaUSGcOWPw=w640-h616" title="Tiny patchwork gift bag by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>So you tell me, friends...would you like a tutorial? I'm happy to just sew these up for my girls, but if you'd like to make some for yourselves, I can pull out my notes and write something up for the blog. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.</p><p>Happy Monday!</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-72637345696143459852022-02-18T06:31:00.001-06:002022-02-18T06:31:07.395-06:00Having More Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKvUaIR64Qh2hQw2AYR9SYkIWy1pVbGMTiirtq6Jq8kMF-9oLvunbtZK8z5aa-H9VHgvNNTtQcHB5gApg9fFwMiArjtg2oPuTPn78mSTEY5iWw4H97hROE4LYzh8FX3diTQSAHW0h197DpRWo4VTo2VBl4aQGeXcSiBHuG5HmrxdlLS7PifyZzzugXwg=s3201" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3201" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKvUaIR64Qh2hQw2AYR9SYkIWy1pVbGMTiirtq6Jq8kMF-9oLvunbtZK8z5aa-H9VHgvNNTtQcHB5gApg9fFwMiArjtg2oPuTPn78mSTEY5iWw4H97hROE4LYzh8FX3diTQSAHW0h197DpRWo4VTo2VBl4aQGeXcSiBHuG5HmrxdlLS7PifyZzzugXwg=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>It's another 5 A.M. morning at my house. Having a puppy has put me back on newborn baby hours, and I'm feeling ever so grateful that I finished having children in my early 30's because I am definitely too old for this now. Still, despite the exhaustion that starts hitting me around 8:00 every night, there's something I'm coming to love about these quiet mornings with my Bible, journal, laptop, and coffee. There's a peace here before the whirlwind of the day begins, and getting to watch the sun rise outside my dining room window every morning is a nice bonus. My oldest daughter turns 15 tomorrow -- how is that even <i>possible</i>?? -- so today's to-do list is a bit longer than usual. I have dozens of balloons to blow up for her <i>That Thing You Do!</i> 1960's themed party, chocolate chip Heath bar cookies to bake for her ice cream sundae bar, and a whole lot of decorating to do. But this is the sort of thing I enjoy. Our family loves to celebrate everything, every chance we get, and we've made a lot of great memories over the years doing it. </p><p>My sewing output has gone way down in the last 2 years, but I can honestly say that I'm having more fun with what I make. One of my favorite finished projects was actually for a sewing swap I did with my friend Angela almost a year ago. We each made a large version of the <a href="https://www.fatquartershop.com/booklet-pouch-quilt-pattern-aneela-hoey" target="_blank">Booklet Pouch by Aneela Hoey</a> for each other after we exchanged information about favorite fabric, colors, styles, etc. I decided to go with a retro theme in a rainbow of colors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEged1QipvmTkeRLrY7KCcyAXETqW_3A_tYUGCMLmYeP0Ad6M7uzB-RoHzKXio3AVEFmAJLFtQ3q5_GgE7zI59WmDcDynnqf1Nj0lCXGorFxkwmjtldgSJipEYoy7Ng6z552G3GcG12vDrD57qcyggDvEB85oG5Jos8ganyYKsrkCtBlWgiyLINvn6ui1A=s3439" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2579" data-original-width="3439" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEged1QipvmTkeRLrY7KCcyAXETqW_3A_tYUGCMLmYeP0Ad6M7uzB-RoHzKXio3AVEFmAJLFtQ3q5_GgE7zI59WmDcDynnqf1Nj0lCXGorFxkwmjtldgSJipEYoy7Ng6z552G3GcG12vDrD57qcyggDvEB85oG5Jos8ganyYKsrkCtBlWgiyLINvn6ui1A=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>The outer panels are made with linen and canvas for more stability. Instead of using just one fabric, I used rows of squares in a fun mix of prints. It would be embarrassing to tell you how long I spent rearranging these squares until I got them exactly the way I wanted them. There's something in me that just can't leave well enough alone until I'm satisfied that I love it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4TDXscptitiwPjWehv32OFoFqbMmEgOoCygFNlOH-QA4iBVQvMr887iU73XsjBaw_Rb0V3Ge1EBiWT3ofQJtzVHoil34OH_9yUMBNm3Juvfhpr3Td-Q8ErrZOZBlTHNZGzNB2CtAiKjKjr6YjO02dDZ03kGysruisOQ2iQiJfHT7jw83_q2r3ZEgAWQ=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4TDXscptitiwPjWehv32OFoFqbMmEgOoCygFNlOH-QA4iBVQvMr887iU73XsjBaw_Rb0V3Ge1EBiWT3ofQJtzVHoil34OH_9yUMBNm3Juvfhpr3Td-Q8ErrZOZBlTHNZGzNB2CtAiKjKjr6YjO02dDZ03kGysruisOQ2iQiJfHT7jw83_q2r3ZEgAWQ=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>I added a thin strip of fabric along either side of the zipper, and it wound up looking just like piping. Such a happy accident! I need to do this kind of thing more often. That <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/847952148/glass-bubble-zipper-charm-pair-glass?click_key=000d4763e6caa9c95abb37a0d34f1290019f2fe2%3A847952148&click_sum=9adbd068&ref=shop_home_active_35&sts=1" target="_blank">zipper pull</a> might just be my favorite thing about this project, aside from the patchwork exterior. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnyYA3z4e0cF4IAl1ZzWBVOvz-vovjb4A7YO8BUogTkepavWRbL6NBzIE5FBaDYD2t7RYVBdk6-sEsgo9soIJYufVqhQ7oIvJm7qR5Hn4bvTG8dNHUv1VxXy3srEUjjrcLpTJYw-d8kLYsOp5JqQ7EpabxQGcHAU1JxKJ385FW_jkutEvtD05avEvbXA=s3645" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="3645" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnyYA3z4e0cF4IAl1ZzWBVOvz-vovjb4A7YO8BUogTkepavWRbL6NBzIE5FBaDYD2t7RYVBdk6-sEsgo9soIJYufVqhQ7oIvJm7qR5Hn4bvTG8dNHUv1VxXy3srEUjjrcLpTJYw-d8kLYsOp5JqQ7EpabxQGcHAU1JxKJ385FW_jkutEvtD05avEvbXA=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A vintage text print for the inside cover was a great contrast with the bright, candy colored prints I used for almost everything else. The small pocket on the front inside cover holds a needle book and pair of snips, and I tucked some goodies inside the zipper pockets too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-VgDLuexgxDMSOcupgeoAqqE3nY4Z2vvJqnqCZNJYWc8i96kozoVrJUEZCyd_mArf6qMn5WMANdDstjstsUAO38OT6-EBmy2NehgQjxt5n5N5YjNjvvmSyAQ4J9pX-jmmhWp_tAPUp9tRqQgDVjF_ZqXc0xiV6BkDCd2gLAicR53fWCu2nGiUuf-urA=s2949" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2212" data-original-width="2949" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-VgDLuexgxDMSOcupgeoAqqE3nY4Z2vvJqnqCZNJYWc8i96kozoVrJUEZCyd_mArf6qMn5WMANdDstjstsUAO38OT6-EBmy2NehgQjxt5n5N5YjNjvvmSyAQ4J9pX-jmmhWp_tAPUp9tRqQgDVjF_ZqXc0xiV6BkDCd2gLAicR53fWCu2nGiUuf-urA=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was unbelievably hard to send this one off in the mail, but I knew it was going to a good home where it would be well used and loved. And that's what we want for our creations, right? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQqIg-lK3zvULx7rU7ZkbZyRVuRnxBTjQfYxyeqgVfnVAFu71z56RTN-Y51U9OAqHMQO-_VG4NsbTx84GAS1smVu-gu5lyBeHWT_YzSQuwP6pbVnhcffNImzeU3pEsvkEDKYPW-Mg407Eijof_hI-3camGpDkBgB_jGenJx2w8pSPhDx-ljh6M1DZ08Q=s3201" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2402" data-original-width="3201" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQqIg-lK3zvULx7rU7ZkbZyRVuRnxBTjQfYxyeqgVfnVAFu71z56RTN-Y51U9OAqHMQO-_VG4NsbTx84GAS1smVu-gu5lyBeHWT_YzSQuwP6pbVnhcffNImzeU3pEsvkEDKYPW-Mg407Eijof_hI-3camGpDkBgB_jGenJx2w8pSPhDx-ljh6M1DZ08Q=w640-h480" title="vintage retro patchwork Aneela Hoey Booklet Pouch pattern sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div><p>Happy weekend, friends!</p>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-60848466669385541392022-02-08T17:21:00.002-06:002022-02-08T17:21:42.565-06:00Old Fashioned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRs_zB3n9R859ih1o62wIwErMBi8bMMwViGoEM9EI2Xq18zsJAxbFI_TkI0PXJP-xYvmi_riD8viBZX7lEtUL78Y-KeuS-OKPl3i7vzohQkgg8GeXtFiQFcLH5V4F7XarhwIKWg6WamzUTgqzffDzhFfDuXkAHhN_6PuPVsQMZSxI3B6MJOCb-AEllQw=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRs_zB3n9R859ih1o62wIwErMBi8bMMwViGoEM9EI2Xq18zsJAxbFI_TkI0PXJP-xYvmi_riD8viBZX7lEtUL78Y-KeuS-OKPl3i7vzohQkgg8GeXtFiQFcLH5V4F7XarhwIKWg6WamzUTgqzffDzhFfDuXkAHhN_6PuPVsQMZSxI3B6MJOCb-AEllQw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, dear friends! I can't tell you how happy it makes me to be back in this space again after such a long time. I almost don't know where to begin, so I'm going to just list a few things on my mind this afternoon... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmbsg-TFLI2ZgT1OADD5idtFUDy3Dtf-6DFuTcD_1L5OxOvrEICanoF64j4aAhczq8mVcMEa2_IvGJ5JihvESrqC7j6vVDkIefawzTELl5FEl0hVSF1OQfdvm5gYitbEfW-BWXP9jKJ9mGzq9gOApeYJs613nF3z-_Ptcw9RAWRBtLyA5IOeCDleWXGA=s3300" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3300" data-original-width="2787" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmbsg-TFLI2ZgT1OADD5idtFUDy3Dtf-6DFuTcD_1L5OxOvrEICanoF64j4aAhczq8mVcMEa2_IvGJ5JihvESrqC7j6vVDkIefawzTELl5FEl0hVSF1OQfdvm5gYitbEfW-BWXP9jKJ9mGzq9gOApeYJs613nF3z-_Ptcw9RAWRBtLyA5IOeCDleWXGA=w541-h640" width="541" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>1. I'm going to start blogging again.<i></i></b> I've been missing the creative side of things for a while now -- writing, sewing, etc. -- but I wasn't exactly sure what to do about it. I have zero desire to jump back into marketing and social media which brought so much stress to my former life, but I've been feeling a real yearning for the old days over a decade ago when everyone was sewing and blogging for the fun of it. Spending a little time each day with my favorite blogs was like dropping in on a few friends for coffee and a long, friendly chat. Things have never been quite the same since everyone moved over to social media. So I've decided to be old fashioned and return to my blogging roots because that's what I really love. I'm looking forward to being on here more often in the days ahead.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQULld8c5bezO3wnmpXOK9bAh-_OzFzyPOD8qJFuAzn2klLvwgStq89NQlHBhnz5NOZttArxadUHVWig3JEfUSKVSWh87SN0Ia1vUfWmAWvr6eCHp-tAKg6c2wONGrLmotVF6vWioElraADu8-mFPG14fEJp2f2ZweJSZyBMqg523swA3cAK4G2ROXEg=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQULld8c5bezO3wnmpXOK9bAh-_OzFzyPOD8qJFuAzn2klLvwgStq89NQlHBhnz5NOZttArxadUHVWig3JEfUSKVSWh87SN0Ia1vUfWmAWvr6eCHp-tAKg6c2wONGrLmotVF6vWioElraADu8-mFPG14fEJp2f2ZweJSZyBMqg523swA3cAK4G2ROXEg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>2. I have a new puppy.</b> Last fall we lost our two precious dogs, Fritz and Emma, to cancer over the space of only a few months. It was absolutely devastating, and I can't tell you what an empty hole it left in our hearts. Thankfully, we were able to bring a new puppy into our home at the start of the Christmas season to help all of us start to heal again. Sam's official name is actually Samwise Gamgee (my husband just finished reading all of Tolkien's <i>Lord of the Rings</i> books to us in the evenings), and the name is a perfect fit for this guy. He's a 5 1/2 month old bundle of energy and a ton of work -- like having a baby in the house again, honestly -- but we just couldn't love him more. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzjMBO5zNaBgJDBr-bs-8jAao9APUE9x0qVeNc5KyiXIg88uYa1oL56vFZSJgRXk4EWM944Qj-Sge04sf7p8PbrYLwZ0CUZz4uABUh8djgExmQr93_8BL7lgk-H0Ym39XxtU5MW3vEnIG2xsFlKRgq376rW3GzzIpFbQTsz9mENvJ61rKvp8fWRQC7A=s3393" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3393" data-original-width="2545" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAzjMBO5zNaBgJDBr-bs-8jAao9APUE9x0qVeNc5KyiXIg88uYa1oL56vFZSJgRXk4EWM944Qj-Sge04sf7p8PbrYLwZ0CUZz4uABUh8djgExmQr93_8BL7lgk-H0Ym39XxtU5MW3vEnIG2xsFlKRgq376rW3GzzIpFbQTsz9mENvJ61rKvp8fWRQC7A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>3. Little Joe is all grown up. </b>My rescue kitten is a cat full of attitude nowadays. He especially loves the girls who stop by his room to play with him at all hours of the day. I don't know that he'll ever forgive me for all those baths I gave him when he was little and we were trying to keep the dander allergies at bay, but I love him just the same. He's perfectly content to spend his days perched on the ledge where he can survey the world outside the second floor windows. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>4. The girls are all teenagers now. </b>Still trying to wrap my brain around this one. For all the challenges that come with helping your kids grow up, there's nothing so wonderful as raising kids that are a delight to be with each day. These girls and their daddy can make me laugh like no one else, and our family time in the evenings -- eating dinner, reading books aloud, watching old movies or shows, and ending with prayer -- is absolutely the best part of my day.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>5. My sister's family moved to Texas.</b> I can't even begin to tell you what a total game changer this has been for us. Having my sister, her husband, and her two girls living only 20 minutes away is AMAZING, and my parents are over the moon to have all of their children and grandchildren together again. Sunday dinners after church, the girls' new "cousin clubhouse" in my sister's backyard, using every holiday on the calendar as an excuse to throw another party at one of our houses -- it's been a year of joy having them close by, and I couldn't be more grateful.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoas7kU3J5q1MbFbyAZhXPg9MaLAVr_ObU3XvlXkseHQPQK0RZ8Cz5Be07rnaVZvcLMaffcwV6gtRSPOxiLhX-tPP19VdCGP2nOQ2PlAvxmdGXWrAKbfG-EHU8IbrlvOjBREcHSJZDcGpf_qTVY16KkZpUoBjRcH7UTGpwPWLSD7DzkKQ7YJpoqWkLZg=s3604" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2703" data-original-width="3604" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgoas7kU3J5q1MbFbyAZhXPg9MaLAVr_ObU3XvlXkseHQPQK0RZ8Cz5Be07rnaVZvcLMaffcwV6gtRSPOxiLhX-tPP19VdCGP2nOQ2PlAvxmdGXWrAKbfG-EHU8IbrlvOjBREcHSJZDcGpf_qTVY16KkZpUoBjRcH7UTGpwPWLSD7DzkKQ7YJpoqWkLZg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>6. Sewing is slow these days, but it still makes me so happy.</b> I've been working on a stack of Greek Cross quilt blocks for the last few months from this book by Suzuko Koseki, hoping to finally make the king size quilt that's been on my bucket list all these years. I don't have nearly so much time in my sewing room as I used to, but I still enjoy every chance I get to play in there. Though I still love my small projects, I've been trying to spend more time on quilts this year, and I have a list of projects I hope to start in the months ahead.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for listening, friends. It's so good to be back.</div>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-3913382944216517532020-07-23T18:18:00.000-05:002020-07-23T18:18:21.960-05:00All the Buttons Quilt Tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oebC7cxivZk/Xxn7E01TivI/AAAAAAAA9Gk/kyFY-nLvcO4TEFKKjTusWHlkuK-1UMK0QCPcBGAsYHg/s3025/IMG_20200609_194050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3025" data-original-width="3024" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oebC7cxivZk/Xxn7E01TivI/AAAAAAAA9Gk/kyFY-nLvcO4TEFKKjTusWHlkuK-1UMK0QCPcBGAsYHg/w626-h625/IMG_20200609_194050.jpg" width="626" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's been ages, friends, I know...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in the middle of June I shared on Instagram that I was taking a break from social media for the summer, and it has been the BEST THING EVER. Don't get me wrong -- I love chatting with so many lovely people on Instagram and getting to see all the beautiful projects they're working on. But I've been trying to focus my attention on what's right in front of me these days, the family and friends I love who need me the most right now. After running through my days at breakneck speed for so long, becoming numb to everything except the demands of my to-do list, I almost thought it wasn't possible to live life any other way. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm so happy to tell you that I was wrong about that. Life has become a hundred times simpler, slower, quieter, and more peaceful than it's been for years. Suddenly I have time again to read, to talk with my husband, to sew with my girls, to play, to think, to dream. It's been a balm to my soul and a treasure that I can't imagine giving up lightly. So for now, I'm continuing my break from social media, though I did want to drop by this space to say hello, catch up with a little news, and share a quilt tutorial that I promised myself I would give you before the summer was over. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu-3g7jBLX4/XxnybxiKklI/AAAAAAAA9DM/Trv-_IUbuFQ4fbBlsBsfaQ7_sE8sxKfowCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_20200504_094016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu-3g7jBLX4/XxnybxiKklI/AAAAAAAA9DM/Trv-_IUbuFQ4fbBlsBsfaQ7_sE8sxKfowCPcBGAsYHg/w598-h800/IMG_20200504_094016.jpg" title="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="598" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Joe at 2 weeks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">If you follow me on Instagram, you'll remember Little Joe, the tiny tabby kitten I found abandoned in the middle of the parking lot at my local Target. He was about two weeks old, lame in his back paw, and very near death when I rescued him that day and took him home. </font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7gKEMlRSto/Xxny5OCz7DI/AAAAAAAA9DU/RLCQw2ftxDI5ABISWWrw3H4K98LAjNliwCPcBGAsYHg/s3547/IMG_20200507_152503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3547" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7gKEMlRSto/Xxny5OCz7DI/AAAAAAAA9DU/RLCQw2ftxDI5ABISWWrw3H4K98LAjNliwCPcBGAsYHg/w542-h640/IMG_20200507_152503.jpg" title="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="542" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teeny tiny Joey</td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">At the time, I had no clue how much care and commitment is involved with raising young orphaned kittens. It's truly like taking in a newborn baby. I spent weeks bottle feeding him through the days and nights, keeping him warm, massaging his back legs, relying heavily on videos by The Kitten Lady and on help from my vet to face each new challenge. </font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lqVf7NAKiY/XxnzVyrWGPI/AAAAAAAA9Dg/wnaoYneUmbQz__D5WPO6eT9LcBYNFAyhwCPcBGAsYHg/s3459/IMG_20200708_132250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3459" data-original-width="2594" height="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lqVf7NAKiY/XxnzVyrWGPI/AAAAAAAA9Dg/wnaoYneUmbQz__D5WPO6eT9LcBYNFAyhwCPcBGAsYHg/w600-h800/IMG_20200708_132250.jpg" title="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="600" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joey at 3 months<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I promised Joey's many fans that I would give an update on his progress during the summer so that you could see how much he's grown. He'<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">s now 3 months old, and not only are his legs perfectly healed, but thankfully we've also been able to set up a room for him inside our house despite my parents' and husband's cat allergies. A special air filter in the room and weekly baths have kept the dander at bay. My husband loves to have coffee with Joe every morning while he feeds him his breakfast, and Dad pops in to cuddle with Joey every afternoon. Watching my men together with this cat just melts my heart. I'll always be his mama, but I think he saves his loudest purrs for the guys. </font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMeiWMh_46Q/Xxn3Yvmrh6I/AAAAAAAA9FY/cUqN8TXwueA_2eXSu0bKfrTky9MBI76LwCPcBGAsYHg/s3595/IMG_20200723_154517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3595" data-original-width="2327" height="1000" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lMeiWMh_46Q/Xxn3Yvmrh6I/AAAAAAAA9FY/cUqN8TXwueA_2eXSu0bKfrTky9MBI76LwCPcBGAsYHg/w645-h1000/IMG_20200723_154517.jpg" title="Little Joe the kitten by Heidi Staples at Fabric Mutt" width="645" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">Joey is still a rambunctious little goofball who loves to climb and play with his toys and my girls every day. But my favorite moments are when he climbs up into my lap and touches his wee nose to mine just to say "I love you." We are so incredibly grateful to have him in our family, and seeing him happy and playful in his special room just brings me all kinds of joy.</font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBH4rRbqV-M/Xxn9gKvATKI/AAAAAAAA9HE/lDEDYpYPIEkLF7L7pfeubZjDAMzujD6_QCPcBGAsYHg/s3683/IMG_20200713_143011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Double-Zip Clutch Travel Sewing Kit from Sew Organized for the Busy Girl by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="3683" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FBH4rRbqV-M/Xxn9gKvATKI/AAAAAAAA9HE/lDEDYpYPIEkLF7L7pfeubZjDAMzujD6_QCPcBGAsYHg/w625-h414/IMG_20200713_143011.jpg" title="Double-Zip Clutch Travel Sewing Kit from Sew Organized for the Busy Girl by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="625" /></a></div><font face="inherit"><br /></font><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">I also wanted to share with you these sewing kits I made for my girls, who all wanted to practice sewing hexagons this summer. I let them each choose their main fabric from my stash, and then I picked coordinating prints to go along with that. </font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gWef02NnuE/Xxn-CiR9RwI/AAAAAAAA9HY/t5T4-B0CL5ML3MEOjuCqJ9PXJVyk50fkQCPcBGAsYHg/s3559/IMG_20200713_143129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Double-Zip Clutch Travel Sewing Kit from Sew Organized for the Busy Girl by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2622" data-original-width="3559" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gWef02NnuE/Xxn-CiR9RwI/AAAAAAAA9HY/t5T4-B0CL5ML3MEOjuCqJ9PXJVyk50fkQCPcBGAsYHg/w625-h458/IMG_20200713_143129.jpg" title="Double-Zip Clutch Travel Sewing Kit from Sew Organized for the Busy Girl by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="625" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><font face="inherit">The pattern is the Double-Zip Clutch from my first book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sew-Organized-Busy-Girl-Projects/dp/1607059797/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M2GNDMZV1SBR&dchild=1&keywords=sew+organized+for+the+busy+girl&qid=1595538726&sprefix=sew+orga%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Sew Organized for the Busy Girl</a></i> which I shrank down to about half size. It makes an absolutely perfect travel sewing kit. I made one for myself years ago which I've taken on plane trips for easy-to-pack sewing on the go. I love that it has a spot for all the supplies and every tool I need to bring along. Right now the girls are sewing Laundromat Coin Pouches from my book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Patchwork-USA-Projects-Daytrips-Vacations/dp/1940655404/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=patchwork+usa&qid=1595545352&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Patchwork USA</a></i>, and they're having so much fun.</font></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">And now on to the pattern! This quilt was originally going to be published in my abandoned <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-book-that-might-have-been.html" target="_blank">Carnival of Patchwork book</a>. I had dreamed for ages of making a quilt with a ton of little button blocks on it, and it was so much fun to see that dream become reality in this project. It took me three long months to sew this one together, but I'm absolutely crazy about it. My friend Jennifer at <a href="https://www.farmfreshstitches.com/">Farm Fresh Stitches</a> did the gorgeous quilting in a classic baptist fans motif. This block would look darling on so many other projects too: a tote bag, a zipper pouch, a pillow. Even if you don't feel like making a whole quilt, try it out on something small and have fun with it!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><font size="5">All the Buttons Quilt Tutorial</font></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finished Size: 53’’ x 60’’</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finished Block Size: 3 1/2" x 3 1/2"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="inherit"><b><i>Materials</i></b></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-74d5b82a-7fff-1417-c61f-3021a560460f"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From 97 5’’ squares of various colored prints, cut from each:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (2) rectangles, 1’’ x 2’’ for button blocks (A)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (2) rectangles, 1 1/2’’ x 2’’ for button blocks (B)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (2) rectangles, 4’’ x 1 1/2’’ for button blocks (C)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From 2 yards of white solid, cut:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (2) rectangles, 1’’ x 2’’ for button blocks (D)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (4) squares, 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ for button blocks (E)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (98) squares, 4’’ x 4’’ for alternating squares (F)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (4) rectangles, 4’’ x 53’’ for borders (G)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From 2 yards of wide batting, cut:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (1) square, 70’’ x 70’’ for interfacing (H)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From 2 yards of 108’’ wideback fabric, cut:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (1) square, 70’’ x 70’’ for quilt backing (I)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From 1/2 yard of pale blue floral fabric, cut:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (6) rectangles, WOF x 2 1/2’’ for quilt binding (J)</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="inherit"><b><i>Make the Blocks</i></b></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Sort the pieces for each button block into 100 stacks. Each stack should include 2 A rectangles, 2 B rectangles, and 2 C rectangles from a single Colored Print. It should also include 2 D rectangles and 4 E squares from the White Solid</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQzanUV7an0/Xxn5B6J3GII/AAAAAAAA9Fs/ZUJlJFHQq0QjyFUu9ciC95rK_hh7ydz_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/Button%2BQuilt%2BBlock-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1800" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQzanUV7an0/Xxn5B6J3GII/AAAAAAAA9Fs/ZUJlJFHQq0QjyFUu9ciC95rK_hh7ydz_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w625-h625/Button%2BQuilt%2BBlock-01.jpg" title="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="625" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Sew a D rectangle to either long edge of an A rectangle. Cut the resulting piece in half through all 3 rectangles as shown in the illustration above.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Sew the pieces from step 2 to the upper and lower edges of the remaining A rectangle. Sew the B rectangles to the right and left edges of the block.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Sew the C rectangles to the upper and lower edges of the block. Use the E squares to snowball the 4 corners of the block, to yield a finished block as shown above.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the pieces for the remaining blocks, giving you a total of 97 blocks. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tU8GuOXve3s/Xxn5MU1uwJI/AAAAAAAA9Fw/EBP2f_BL-jU3PYWmxRfdFx-HsIBofKnRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Button%2BQuilt%2BAssembly-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1755" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tU8GuOXve3s/Xxn5MU1uwJI/AAAAAAAA9Fw/EBP2f_BL-jU3PYWmxRfdFx-HsIBofKnRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w665-h781/Button%2BQuilt%2BAssembly-01.jpg" title="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="665" /></a></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><b><i>Make the Quilt</i></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Arrange the button blocks and F squares as shown above, organizing the colors in whatever order you like best. Sew the blocks and alternating squares together in rows. Then sew the rows together.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Sew a G rectangle to the right and left edges of the quilt top. Then sew a G rectangle to the upper and lower edges. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Quilt and bind as desired.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX3LQVnqXHo/Xxn5_Swog3I/AAAAAAAA9F8/8wo1EKWvIGE8L-bd7aksGT4Fn9B3dh1KACPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_20200723_143049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="469" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LX3LQVnqXHo/Xxn5_Swog3I/AAAAAAAA9F8/8wo1EKWvIGE8L-bd7aksGT4Fn9B3dh1KACPcBGAsYHg/w625-h469/IMG_20200723_143049.jpg" title="All the Buttons Quilt Free Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All warm and crinkly after coming out of the wash...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you make anything with this tutorial, please share your photos! You can use the tags #fabricmutt and #allthebuttonsquilt. I'll be back on Instagram sometime in the fall to check in, so be sure to tag me @fabricmutt so I can see it then.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJzcfP3p2R4/Xxn6QrB3K-I/AAAAAAAA9GE/o66I_XvJddArN7RH5W-cEXYy7FvZf-3dgCPcBGAsYHg/s4032/IMG_20200609_194249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJzcfP3p2R4/Xxn6QrB3K-I/AAAAAAAA9GE/o66I_XvJddArN7RH5W-cEXYy7FvZf-3dgCPcBGAsYHg/w585-h781/IMG_20200609_194249.jpg" width="585" /></a></div><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin: 0pt 0px;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope you're all having a beautiful summer and doing the things you enjoy best. Most of all, I hope you're getting time with the people you love. Enjoy every minute of it!</span></p></div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-69300770409418262502020-04-23T10:59:00.000-05:002020-04-23T10:59:11.271-05:00Parenting, Perfection, and Perseverance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ71RuOrhc0/XqG1S-XNMsI/AAAAAAAA6G4/YNccAOe4vj8mGverimHI4FJx7hMeQspdACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_125731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pencil Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZ71RuOrhc0/XqG1S-XNMsI/AAAAAAAA6G4/YNccAOe4vj8mGverimHI4FJx7hMeQspdACPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_125731.jpg" title="Patchwork Pencil Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></a></div>
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A pair of cardinals has set up housekeeping in the small sago palm tree beside our backyard swimming pool. James spotted three speckled eggs in a tiny nest almost a week ago, and several days later they were replaced by a trio of fluffy chicks that look so much like miniature plucked turkeys to me that I grin every time I see them. Since we've had a sudden run of summer weather, we've been taking a dip in the pool every evening before dinner, careful not to bother the new family while we do it. I was worried that maybe our presence would scare the parents away, but a few nights ago as the girls were taking turns doing handstands in the shallow end, we suddenly saw the father swoop down to check on the babies. He lingered for a few seconds, flew back up into the nearby oak tree, and was immediately replaced by the mama bird who did the same thing. For the next ten minutes or so, I couldn't take my eyes away from watching those two birds take turns looking after their little ones. It reminded me so much of James and I as we shepherd our girls through this strange time together at home. There are moments when he picks up the burdens because I'm feeling weak, and then I turn around a few hours later and do the same for him. Sometimes we tackle frustrations at the same time with grit-your-teeth determination, and other times it's all so ridiculous that we can't stop laughing. But we're facing it together, and I love that. Teamwork: it's a good idea whether you're parenting cardinals or strong young women, and we're getting a little better at it each day.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s8n_mjXTxQ/XqG1icnKG5I/AAAAAAAA6HA/J8mdq9ksKCAYorp4z6liAUUSKAMvtzW7QCPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200420_183731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nest of Baby Cardinals by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5s8n_mjXTxQ/XqG1icnKG5I/AAAAAAAA6HA/J8mdq9ksKCAYorp4z6liAUUSKAMvtzW7QCPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200420_183731.jpg" title="Nest of Baby Cardinals by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="478" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I spent almost two hours working on a new pattern I've been wanting to write, and it ended in failure. I walked away from it until later in the evening, started from scratch, and promptly failed again. Sigh . . . it's all part of the creative process, of course, and you can't let it get you down. So I put that new pattern away for another day, and this afternoon I'll be working on something that I know I'll enjoy. Because that's part of the creative process too. You have to know when you're up to a challenge and when you need something pleasantly simple, and today is a day for comfort sewing, I think.<br />
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For the past few days, I've been working on cleaning out my guest room/office which has been in desperate need of some purging for some time now. Going through the stuffed drawers of the dresser in there feels something like conducting an archaeological dig of my life, and the various piles that I've been sorting read the same way: here lies Heidi the fabric designer, the artist, the antique collector, the writer, the interior designer, the teacher, the quilter. I look at all the pieces of myself spread out across the guest room bed, and I'm reminded again of one of the character traits that I constantly struggle with in myself: that dreaded perfectionism. I want to try absolutely everything, but I want to do it all really well. And this stubborn streak often paralyzes me so that I can't get past the excitement of the planning and into the actual doing, turning me into a first class procrastinator. Hence the gouache paints that have never been opened and the journals that have only a few pages of writing and the stack of sewing patterns that I've never started. So I'm choosing to see this time at home as a chance to grow, to play with some things that I normally wouldn't have had the guts to try. Step one: some day in the next week I'm going to break out those paints and see what happens.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALQmjMTvg94/XqG1c0SEvEI/AAAAAAAA6G8/v-X-jaGcuBUDOjxwgJPl-6tvCD7PdLKOACPcBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_125838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Pencil Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ALQmjMTvg94/XqG1c0SEvEI/AAAAAAAA6G8/v-X-jaGcuBUDOjxwgJPl-6tvCD7PdLKOACPcBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_125838.jpg" title="Patchwork Pencil Pouch by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></a></div>
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Part of my cleaning in the office has been going through the book samples and props that have been stored in containers for so long. I always like to spread the quilts and pillows around the house, but a lot of the small things wind up in storage for future trunk shows. Well, no more of that. I'm saving a few items for future gifting, but it's nice to pull more of these happy little pieces out into the open where I can enjoy them. For instance, the pencil cases in the photos above were designed for Carnival of Patchwork, and I love seeing them out on my desk. I wanted a mix of fabrics that was both cheerful and a little bit vintage, and it turned out just the way I hoped it would. Incidentally, that red print is from the Lola Dutch collection by <a href="https://shop.sarahjanestudios.com/">Sarah Jane</a> for Michael Miller Fabrics, which my girls adore. My mother bought them all the picture books in that series for Easter this year, and they've been taking online drawing classes with Sarah Jane ever since the quarantine started. I love watching my daughters not only develop their artistic talents but also start to gain a creative fearlessness that I want more of myself. It's so easy to encourage them to just have fun and enjoy it without getting hung up on perfection, (funny how it's always easier to speak those words to others than it is to say them to ourselves), and seeing them do that makes me want to do it too. We may be stuck at home for now, but it doesn't mean we can't still find ways to spread our wings and fly.Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-16554359307398751652020-04-13T15:37:00.000-05:002020-04-13T15:47:29.403-05:00Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h30zewYF-lQ/XpSbgG_6-5I/AAAAAAAA53o/EsmlEX_vUHIhZ78bxuh8SXiRKPlpn4ZgwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200412_151700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h30zewYF-lQ/XpSbgG_6-5I/AAAAAAAA53o/EsmlEX_vUHIhZ78bxuh8SXiRKPlpn4ZgwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200412_151700.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the big projects I wanted to tackle during this time at home has been reorganizing my sewing area. After months of going full speed on one project after the next, my work space was a complete disaster area, and it's taken me weeks to get things back into shape. I'm not finished yet, but the changes I've been able to make so far have already made me ten times happier every time I walk in the room. It's always amazing to me how a pretty space makes me feel so much more excited about sewing. I know that some of you are working on organizing your creative space too, so today I'm sharing some of my favorite tips with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yDpqjiqQx4/XpSY5KeGkFI/AAAAAAAA52w/ejT-6__Y55EfYo0rifyuDEjvpnenznvPwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_100515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yDpqjiqQx4/XpSY5KeGkFI/AAAAAAAA52w/ejT-6__Y55EfYo0rifyuDEjvpnenznvPwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_100515.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your sewing space and how you organize it are completely dependent on who you are, how you sew, and what you love to make. If you want a detailed plan on how to give your room a total overhaul, check out my book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sew-Organized-Busy-Girl-Projects/dp/1607059797/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1586792471&sr=8-1">Sew Organized for the Busy Girl</a></i>, but if you just need a quick refresh, making one or two changes can be enough to make a real difference. When it comes to any of the organizational ideas you pick up from me or anyone else, I can’t stress enough how important it is to:</span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be honest about what your organizational needs are and what you can actually maintain given your time and situation.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find a solution that looks like a good fit.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Give that system a test run of at least a week or two.</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be willing to adjust or start from scratch if it isn’t working.</span></span></li>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s tempting to give up when something you try doesn’t work the way you thought it would, but you probably just haven’t hit on the right answer yet. Don’t stop looking for it. The time you take to find the best solution for your situation is more than worth the satisfaction you’ll have when sewing becomes a pleasure instead of a chore.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1PMTX_nVRU/Wk5Yie-T6yI/AAAAAAAAflo/T4veOPkOs88Cj47kmAmTf8AuLfDLmvQQQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_20180102_095143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O1PMTX_nVRU/Wk5Yie-T6yI/AAAAAAAAflo/T4veOPkOs88Cj47kmAmTf8AuLfDLmvQQQCPcBGAYYCw/s640/IMG_20180102_095143.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sewing space is usually divided into four main stations: storage, cutting, sewing, and pressing. The more room you have, the more clearly separate these stations probably are. If you’re working with a small area, however -- maybe in the corner of your family room or on a desk in your bedroom -- things get tricky. It’s even more difficult if you have no real space to call your own. I remember my early days of sewing on the dining room table, timing myself so that everything could be cleared away in time for dinner and scrubbing the table after each meal so that my fabric wouldn’t end up with spaghetti sauce all over it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Challenging situations are always a great opportunity to see how creative you can be. I’ve learned that it’s helpful to have some portable options for organizing your sewing materials whether you have a lot of room to work with or not. Listed below are some ideas for making your work space more organized and, yes, more fun. A lot of these can be done using things you already have around the house, so there's no need to buy something new unless you really want to. I personally like to use family antiques and vintage finds in my sewing room because I love them so much Wherever I can, though, I've included links to special items that I've bought myself and found useful. Ideas are classified according to the four stations above, but there’s definitely overlap, so adjust these as needed to make them work for you in any part of your creative space.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Storage</b> </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Picnic baskets and small suitcases can hold a surprising amount of fabric, and some even come with special pockets where you can store your notions. Best of all, they have a handle for carrying and a lid that shuts everything away from view. These can be really helpful if you're working in a smaller space.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIh2HcCVK_8/XpSaB41N8pI/AAAAAAAA53E/3GLZfOIEAZMiIyk1Kpr8t5cPSq6uxI9kgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_101012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIh2HcCVK_8/XpSaB41N8pI/AAAAAAAA53E/3GLZfOIEAZMiIyk1Kpr8t5cPSq6uxI9kgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_101012.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spice jars are the perfect size for storing buttons and small pieces of hardware like magnetic clasps, rings, snaps, and zipper pulls. (Bonus points if you store them in a cute spice rack!) I also like to repurpose our jam jars for this job too, because who can resist a red and white gingham lid?</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Old photo drawers or card catalogs are a great fit for fabric scraps, notions, and small precuts. I use one for my charm squares, and it's the perfect size. You can easily label the drawers too, giving you the chance to sort materials by style, color, designer, or manufacturer.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mason jars and clear candy or cookie jars will store anything from scissors to thread, and they will always look beautiful while doing it. Best of all, you can see at a glance what supplies you have on hand.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPotUBgfJXA/XpSbZtNQnvI/AAAAAAAA53k/3WBeukSS3Y4NzbQ-3QE7wji1JBHBW1I-wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200412_151713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gPotUBgfJXA/XpSbZtNQnvI/AAAAAAAA53k/3WBeukSS3Y4NzbQ-3QE7wji1JBHBW1I-wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200412_151713.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">It took me years to find the best system for storing and organizing my quilting fabric, but I couldn’t be happier with the results. I prefer to organize my quilting cotton prints by color in identical tall woven plastic <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sterilite-12736P06-Basket-Espresso-6-Pack/dp/B00V87C19C/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=sterilite+espresso+weave+tall+basket&qid=1586792908&sr=8-2">baskets</a> measuring approximately 15” x 12” x 9”. Every print (usually half a yard or less) is folded to a width of about 5” and placed in the basket with other prints of the same color (red, orange, yellow, etc.). I can fit 2 layers of 2 long rows in each container, and I can always start a new basket if one fills up. The containers are stored on a pair of long, double shelf carts in my sewing room right beside my cutting table. It’s like having my own personal fabric shop right there whenever I need it! I also keep a reproduction soda crate for storing my solid fabrics, a metal cart with drawers for my linen and canvas prints, and a larger drawer unit for quilt backings and other special substrates like rayon and lawn. Almost all of my fabrics are arranged by color because that’s how I like to choose fabrics for my projects. This system makes finding what I need easy and fun, and that’s exactly how I like it.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cutting</b> </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A desktop office supply organizer makes a fabulous tool center for your cutting station. Rulers can be sorted by size in the larger sections, and there’s usually a small compartment that’s just right for your rotary cutter and extra blades.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i16B18PtNtQ/XpTERlmXerI/AAAAAAAA55s/pSg4GabrORwGDTxiuFuyz0yqGAw4KcWpACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_100351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i16B18PtNtQ/XpTERlmXerI/AAAAAAAA55s/pSg4GabrORwGDTxiuFuyz0yqGAw4KcWpACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_100351.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have a return basket for your cutting table. Once you finish cutting what you need from a larger piece of fabric, fold it and place it in the basket. Take five minutes each week -- or every other day, depending on how often the basket gets full -- to return all the folded fabrics to their proper spots in your fabric stash.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Keep a scrap basket on your cutting table for all the little pieces that are too small to stash but too big to throw away. Whenever the basket gets full, find a home for the contents. Share them with a friend who loves scraps, hold a giveaway on social media or at your sewing guild, or celebrate a full basket by using them to make a scrappy project of your own.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Sewing</b> </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wire baskets are a wonderful way to showcase bundles of fabric that you don’t want to separate. I also love using them to hold sets of fabric that I want to keep together for upcoming projects, including ones that are labeled by number so I can easily organize them in the order that I need to finish them. Just recently I ordered a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RYB9K6V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">rolling cart</a> with removable wire trays that I can slide out and set on my sewing table while I'm working, and I absolutely love it. When it’s time to start working on a project, I just grab the tray and get to work. If I need to take a break, everything goes back in the tray so I don’t lose anything while the work is in progress, and it slides easily back into the cart, leaving my sewing table clean. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ceramic containers for kitchen utensils are the perfect place to store packaged zippers. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I keep a small cutting mat just to the left of my sewing machine so that I can do quick seam trimming without having to get up and walk over to my main cutting table. This really comes in handy when I’m working on blocks like half square triangles.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ7L_qsdWU8/XpS4wXOV17I/AAAAAAAA54E/8ittChLxcF8sJMgOna2q3sZnOzAE8PW4gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_110226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1600" height="564" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ7L_qsdWU8/XpS4wXOV17I/AAAAAAAA54E/8ittChLxcF8sJMgOna2q3sZnOzAE8PW4gCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_110226.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tins and lunch boxes make fantastic travel sewing kits. The hard sides of the box keep everything inside from being crushed, and there’s plenty of room for all your supplies. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I keep a small ceramic basket filled with stuffing next to my machine for projects like pincushions and stuffed animals. It takes up less room than a full bag of stuffing (which I store elsewhere), but is nice to have at hand when I need it.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A pretty soap dish makes a quick landing spot for embroidery scissors and binding clips next to your machine.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I0F5T2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">lap desk</a> with a lid is the perfect organizational accessory for English paper piecing or hand quilting. I keep one in my bedroom so that in the evenings I can pull out my latest project, have a nice flat surface in my lap for sewing while I watch a movie with my husband, and then slip everything back inside when it’s time for bed. A small serving tray will work just as well in a pinch when balanced on a pillow in my lap.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Di9UXbOLSs/XpSZ4IznTJI/AAAAAAAA53A/moauGEvjjVY7f-MUfAozJ-x67FQ15XOjACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_101041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Di9UXbOLSs/XpSZ4IznTJI/AAAAAAAA53A/moauGEvjjVY7f-MUfAozJ-x67FQ15XOjACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_101041.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trays of all kinds are wonderful for organizing block pieces or small notions. My daughters gave me a retro cafeteria lunch tray for Christmas, and I keep it stocked with all the little things that I want to be able to find in a hurry when I'm at my machine. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Vintage glass measuring cups are wonderful places to corral binding clips or basting pins, and I love that they come with a handle that's easy to grab when I'm working.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love using a tin picnic utensil caddy to store larger tools like scissors, chopsticks, pencils, notepads, and my <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2016/11/sewing-machine-accessory-case-tutorial.html">sewing machine accessory kit</a>.</span></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Pressing</b> </span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Use a small homemade ironing board for most of your pressing needs. There are great tutorials online for making both tabletop and TV tray versions of this little gem, and it allows you to keep your full size ironing board stored away unless you need it for a larger project. All you need is a board, batting, fabric, and a staple gun.</span></li>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like to keep a small tray or basket next to my pressing board filled with spray starch, the small flask I use to pour water into my iron, a seam ripper, a hera marker, and fabric pens. It’s amazing how much time you can save when you get in the habit of grouping items together that you use at each station so that you can find them when you need them.</span></li>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3GgMCMQAEc/XpS6gyl5X8I/AAAAAAAA54s/CREzkxog5cshCuNhztrdGSKHcLNjnRXsQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200413_141232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="1600" height="604" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W3GgMCMQAEc/XpS6gyl5X8I/AAAAAAAA54s/CREzkxog5cshCuNhztrdGSKHcLNjnRXsQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200413_141232.jpg" title="Over 20 Fun Ideas for Organizing Your Sewing Space by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After I finish pressing my strips of fabric for quilt binding and sewing them together, I wind the long strip into a small circle and place it into a heavy, clear glass cookie jar, pulling one end out of the jar to start sewing. The jar keeps the binding from unrolling and spilling all over the floor under my feet as I slowly feed it out and sew it onto the quilt. When I’m done, I put the leftover binding back in the jar. It’s not only a great storage spot for these extra pieces (which make fantastic scrappy binding), but it also makes a colorful display on my shelf. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, always remember that spotless and organized are <i>not</i> the same thing. We often think that our space isn't organized unless everything in it is perfectly clean, but a workspace is actually organized if it's arranged so that you can find everything you need quickly and easily. Discovering new creative ways to do it is just part of the fun!</span></div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-25969279901179512182020-04-06T09:12:00.000-05:002020-04-06T09:12:33.946-05:00Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEE9X7lpogk/XopLVjmhs2I/AAAAAAAA5oU/ChePmUH9BGcyOsFpPmKxcv7C8CnqCTjtwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_124935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rEE9X7lpogk/XopLVjmhs2I/AAAAAAAA5oU/ChePmUH9BGcyOsFpPmKxcv7C8CnqCTjtwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_124935.jpg" title="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="634" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s nothing so happy as a little string of bunting. It’s my favorite sort of party decoration, and it makes a sweet addition to any space -- especially a sewing room. With Easter coming in a week and all of us stuck inside, I thought it was just the right time for this Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial to give us something pretty to decorate our indoor spaces. The pattern will give you a short length of bunting as written (a little less than a yard), but double or triple the materials to make your string of patchwork happiness as long as you like!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDqv5gVA2QE/XopLckT-qFI/AAAAAAAA5oc/1zdldBwWtqMYEyXGRYyzwu3zSe06tVEqwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_125047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1349" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fDqv5gVA2QE/XopLckT-qFI/AAAAAAAA5oc/1zdldBwWtqMYEyXGRYyzwu3zSe06tVEqwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_125047.jpg" title="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="534" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a wonderful project for fussy cutting, especially for the tiny little details in a print that can be overlooked. I chose to pair light and dark shades of the same color in my 5 nine patch blocks, but you could also match up low volume and colored prints. Linen makes a sturdy backing and string, but you can also substitute different prints for the backing squares to make your bunting reversible. If you want to make the project even simpler, just use 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares for both sides of each flag on the bunting strips. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a great pattern to make with kids if you're looking for something to add to your homeschool activities this week. It also makes a sweet party or holiday decoration. Try making a different string for each month of the year to hang somewhere special in your house. It's a fun way to celebrate a new month and bring a little extra handmade love to your home.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finished Size: 29 1/2" x 3 3/8"</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From a 5’’ square each of 10 Prints in 5 color pairings (light blue/dark blue, pink/red, light green/dark green, pale yellow/gold, lavender/purple), cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(5) 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ squares from the dark prints for nine patch blocks (A)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(4) 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ squares from the light prints for nine patch blocks (B)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/4 yard Natural Linen, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(5) 3 1/2’’ x 3 1/2’’ squares for block backings (C)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(1) 30’’ x 1 1/2’’ strip for hanging string (D)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additional Supplies: matching thread, embroidery floss (optional), binding clips, chopstick</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcbgJaVtClw/XopLH5tViMI/AAAAAAAA5oQ/TSb-aqFpkVsVsJ70Igc2rIuWWD-r2VHMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Nine%2BPatch%2BBunting%2BInstructions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1300" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcbgJaVtClw/XopLH5tViMI/AAAAAAAA5oQ/TSb-aqFpkVsVsJ70Igc2rIuWWD-r2VHMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Nine%2BPatch%2BBunting%2BInstructions.jpg" title="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="520" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Sort the A and B squares into five groups, one for each block. Arrange the squares as shown. Sew the squares into rows, pressing toward the darker fabric, and then sew the rows together, pressing the seams open.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. If desired, use embroidery floss to sew a cross stitch at the 4 corners of the center square on each block.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Place a nine patch block right sides together with a C square. Sew around the sides and lower edge, leaving the top open. Turn the piece right side out, gently pushing out the corners with a chopstick, and press. Topstitch 1/8’’ from the edge around the sides and lower edge. Repeat with the remaining 4 blocks.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Fold the short edges of the D strip toward the wrong side of the fabric about 1/4" and press. Next, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Unfold and then fold the long edges to meet at the centerfold line, press, and then fold along the center fold again with the long raw edges sandwiched in the middle. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Slip the upper edges of the 5 nine patch blocks inside the folded D strip as shown, starting with the center block in the middle of the D strip, and then spacing the remaining blocks 1’’ apart from the others as you go. Hold the blocks in place with binding clips.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Sew just inside the edge of the fold closest to the blocks on the D strip, stitching the blocks in place and sealing the folded edges together. Backstitch at the start and finish to secure everything in place.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgWwTwnnGXU/XopLjHWkhlI/AAAAAAAA5og/bdmpp4FQ04UIVsN1O3-l-k615xowtOAiwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_125007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1504" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NgWwTwnnGXU/XopLjHWkhlI/AAAAAAAA5og/bdmpp4FQ04UIVsN1O3-l-k615xowtOAiwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_125007.jpg" title="Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="600" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you make one of these, be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #ninepatchbunting and tag me @fabricmutt. I hope this will bring some happiness to your homes this week!</span></span></div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-90623455046833854282020-04-02T14:52:00.000-05:002020-04-06T19:39:43.513-05:00Staying with Grace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been trying to write a blog post for over a week now, but the words keep escaping me. What can I say to you, friends, that you're not already experiencing yourselves? Yes, it's hard to stay home all the time. No, nothing much has changed in the past few weeks. Yes, some days are harder than others. No, I'm not handling everything well either.<br />
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Sometimes I think we're doing great. We already homeschool, so that was something stable in our little world. I'm grateful that we can stay in touch with friends and family through technology, and I'm so thankful that we can still get together with our church family on Sunday mornings online. Having James here with us, teaching from home, has been an absolute joy. He brings encouragement to all of us every day -- playing board games with the girls, giving my parents a hand when they need it, and always there to listen to me and make me laugh.<br />
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Other days I can feel myself coming apart a little bit. I give in to tears or make frequent visits to the bowl of cookie dough in the refrigerator when I'm frustrated or discouraged. I stay up too late at night and struggle to get out of bed in the morning. I had a near panic attack sitting in my car at the Walgreen's drive-thru last Monday as I watched the clerk bag up my dad's medication and place my change into an envelope, suddenly wondering if both were covered with the virus. James and I are the only ones who run errands right now so that my parents can stay safe, both of them being in the high risk group due to their age and health issues. I've had nights when I couldn't sleep for worrying over whether we're doing enough.<br />
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And then this passage from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Present-Over-Perfect-Leaving-Frantic/dp/0310342996/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2F4KAWPYWBCNJ&dchild=1&keywords=present+over+perfect+book&qid=1585791265&sprefix=present+over+perfect%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-2">Present Over Perfect</a></i> by Shauna Niequist spoke to me last weekend:<br />
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"It's easy to be liked by strangers. It's very hard to be loved and connected to the people in your home when you're always bringing them your most exhausted self and resenting the fact that the scraps you're giving them aren't cutting it....It seems to me that one of the great hazards is quick love, which is actually charm. We get used to smiling, hugging, bantering, practicing good eye contact. And it's easier than true, slow, awkward, painful connection with someone who sees all the worst parts of you. Your act is easy. Being with you, deeply with, is difficult. It is better to be loved than admired. It is better to be truly known and seen and taken care of by a small tribe than adored by strangers who think they know you in a meaningful way. We know that's true. But many of us, functionally, have gotten that math wrong in one season or another....Quick charm will always be easier for me than deep connection. People out there are easier than the ones in here. But quick charm is like sugar -- it rots us. It winds us up and leaves us jonesing, but it doesn't feed us. Only love feeds us. And love happens over years, repetitive motions, staying, staying, staying. Showing up again. Coming clean again, being seen again. That's how love is built....It's all in here, not out there."<br />
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I've wondered if one reason why this temporary life change is so difficult is because all the coping mechanisms that we've used for so long are being stripped away. When you're confined to your house with your family for days on end, there's no room for quick charm. Even worse, your quirks and irritations and insecurities have nowhere to hide. You have to deal with them and so do the people you love. And though right now we have no choice except to stay where we are, there's a big difference between staying resentfully and staying with grace. I can be a very generous, patient person on social media . . . over the phone . . . when I'm all by myself. It's harder to be any of that when the dogs are barking incessantly and the sink is full of dirty dishes and the girls are fighting with me and each other. My family needs my love, and the truth is that sometimes I feel so worn out that it seems like I can't even muster the will to try. But I have to keep trying, even when the best I can say is, "I'm cranky and tired and not happy with you right now, but I'm going to love you anyway because you're mine." I've told my girls so many times that love isn't a feeling; it's what we choose to do. I'm learning that lesson over and over again these days.<br />
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But like I said, there <i>are </i>good things happening at our house too. So let's talk about some of them...<br />
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<i>1. Quarantine is delicious. </i>I've been cooking so much more and making a greater variety of food. We've also been eating more meals together as a family which is wonderful. Preparing food for seven people each day can quickly become an endless job, so I've started making a large meal at lunch which can then be stretched for leftovers at dinner. Mom makes a loaf of her famous oatmeal bread in our bread machine almost every day, and we use any stale slices that don't get eaten to make croutons for salad. A big pot of soup or stew can last us for two days or more, and every now and then I'll make extra pans of pasta bake or enchiladas that can go in the freezer to be pulled out on a day when I'm too tired or busy to cook. All in all, I think we're wasting less food and making better use of our groceries than we have in ages, and that feels pretty great.<br />
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<i>2. Time stuck at home is the perfect chance to tackle all the jobs that we've been putting off because we didn't have the time.</i> James has been working on replacing old sink drains in the upstairs bathrooms. I'm deep cleaning our closet for the first time since we moved in five years ago and slowly getting my sewing space reorganized. It feels fantastic to get some of these jobs finished after they've been on my to-do list for so long. On the other hand, though, I'm not freaking out over dog hair on the floor and a cluttered pantry stuffed full of food and paper products right now because nobody's going to see it but us. So it's good to walk that balance between taking on some long overdue organizational projects while not going crazy over the day-to-day stuff.<br />
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<i>3. Being together as a family is the best. </i>For a few days the pool was (just barely) warm enough to go swimming, so we made the most of it. James has been taking the girls outside after lunch or in the afternoon to play basketball, soccer, foursquare, or just walk laps around the front circle. Sometimes we go for walks as a family, and sometimes my husband and I go out for a "date walk" while my parents stay home with the girls. Almost every night we watch a show or movie together. Since my eighth grader is studying World War II, we've been introducing the girls to some old movies from the time period that are favorites of ours. The girls have enjoyed <i>To Be or Not to Be</i> and <i>Casablanca, </i>and we had some great discussions about both films. I've also been reading <i>The Long Winter</i> by Laura Ingalls Wilder aloud to the family while the girls take turns practicing hairstyles on me in the evenings before bed. It's been interesting to talk about the Ingalls family's isolation brought on by blizzards versus our quarantine due to the virus. We all agree that we definitely have it better than they did.<br />
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<i>4. Quiet time is good for the soul.</i> I find that I make it through the day much better when I start and end with some simple encouragement. So before I face the news on my laptop in the morning, I read my Bible for a few minutes as I drink my coffee. And each night before I head to bed, I spend some time at my desk writing my thoughts down in a journal and reading a short devotion from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Each-New-Day-Reflections-Strengthen/dp/0800722523/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3H0NVKUURW9VC&dchild=1&keywords=each+new+day+by+corrie+ten+boom&qid=1585776774&sprefix=each+new+day+%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-2">Each New Day</a> by Corrie ten Boom, a woman of deep faith whose writings have meant so much to me over the years (read her book <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hiding-Place-Corrie-ten-Boom/dp/0800796276/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=the+hiding+place&qid=1585777276&sr=8-3">The Hiding Place</a></i> if you haven't already -- it's unforgettable). These small, quiet moments have been anchors for my soul. Some days they're the only thing keeping me from flying all to pieces, and they're habits I want to keep even after this crazy time is over.<br />
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<i>5. Sewing still makes me happy.</i> The days are busier than I would have expected, but I still try to sneak off to my sewing machine when I can. Making pretty little things just because I want to is such a wonderful way to spend an hour, and it always lifts my spirits.<br />
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I'm thinking of you often, friends. You're always in my prayers. Be safe and well, and know that you're loved.Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-83543384050215633262020-03-21T18:18:00.003-05:002020-03-21T18:18:46.689-05:00Button Card Needlebook Tutorial<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The only bright side to being stuck indoors during these crazy days of social distancing is that there's a lot more time for everyone to sew. That's why I've decided to take some of the patterns I've written over the last year for Carnival of Patchwork and publish about one a week on the blog as free tutorials over the next month or so. Hopefully this will give you something to look forward to and enjoy! </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">These Button Card Needlebooks are first on my list of quick, fun projects to share with you. I adore vintage button cards -- not just for the artwork on the cards but for the buttons themselves. They’re like miniature works of art, and I love looking at them. What better way to remember these gorgeous sewing notions from the past than with a cute little patchwork needlebook. Forgive my poorly lit photos today. It's been pouring rain all day, and I probably should have waited for the sun that's coming next week, but I wanted to get this tutorial out to you all as soon as possible!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because you’re working with such small pieces for the cover art, this is a great place to let your fussy cutting skills shine. Try doing an online search for vintage button cards to get ideas for how you want to design your own. Illustrations are perfect for the feature print at the top, and I like to use narrow stripes on either side of the text scrap at the bottom to draw the eye to the words. You can use any number of buttons you like in any formation as long as they fit inside the solid square. Linen and canvas prints will work just as well as quilting cotton. The cover of the middle book above is made with pieces from my linen and canvas stash, and I love the added texture those substrates bring to the piece.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I used wool for the pages inside my books, but felt will work just as well if that's what you have on hand. These strawberry pins, by the way, are from my friend Vickie who sells the cutest notions in her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DecorativeSewingPins?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=630365939" style="font-weight: 400;">Etsy shop</a>. It's funny to me how these are called <b>needle</b>books, but I always want to fill them full of cute pins instead... </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alright, let's get to sewing!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Button Card Needlebook Tutorial</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finished Size: 3" x 5 1/4"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From scrap of feature print, cut: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 3’’ x 2’’ for front cover (A)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From scrap of coordinating solid, cut: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 3’’ x 3’’ for front cover (B)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From scrap of text print, cut: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 2’’ x 1’’ for front cover (C)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From scrap of striped print, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) squares, 1’’ x 1’’ for front cover (D)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 5’’ square of white solid, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 2 rectangles, 3/4’’ x 5’’ for front cover border (E)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- 2 rectangles, 3 1/2’’ x 3/4’’ for front cover border (F)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 10’’ square of geometric print, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 3 1/2’’ x 6’’ for back cover (G)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/4 yard of batting, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 4 1/2’’ x 12’’ for interfacing (H)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 10’’ square of floral print, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) rectangles, 3 1/2’’ x 5 3/4’’ for lining (I)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 5’’ square of wool, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) rectangles, 2 1/2’’ x 5’’ for pages (J)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additional Supplies: matching thread, binding clips, chopstick or turning tool, adhesive basting spray, buttons</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-qiHHpeMJA/XnUzuEeg8XI/AAAAAAAA4_c/fL9s_SZAFnUv0-YQT78l6wtAFwOm1ob2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Button%2BCard%2BNeedlebook%2BDirections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1600" height="534" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-qiHHpeMJA/XnUzuEeg8XI/AAAAAAAA4_c/fL9s_SZAFnUv0-YQT78l6wtAFwOm1ob2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Button%2BCard%2BNeedlebook%2BDirections.jpg" title="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Arrange pieces A-F as shown. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Sew a D square to the right and left edges of the C rectangle. Sew this unit to the lower edge of the B square and then sew that unit to the lower edge of the A rectangle. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Sew the E rectangles to the right and left edges of the unit from step 2, and then sew the F rectangles to the upper and lower edges. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Sew a short end of the G rectangle to the upper edge of the unit from step 3. Use adhesive basting spray to fuse the wrong side of the cover to the center of the H rectangle. Quilt as desired and trim off excess batting to make a 3 1/2’’ x 11’’ rectangle.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zw7xgdvvcx8/XnadsEkc5NI/AAAAAAAA5CA/F1f7AncJR3sBjxgLVCN17Ea5qSRqUc2oACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200321_172850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1230" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zw7xgdvvcx8/XnadsEkc5NI/AAAAAAAA5CA/F1f7AncJR3sBjxgLVCN17Ea5qSRqUc2oACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200321_172850.jpg" title="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="490" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Arrange buttons as desired on the solid square on the cover. Use needle and thread to sew the buttons on by hand or wait until after step 10. (</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The timing of when to sew the buttons onto the front is up to you. If you don’t want your stitches to show on the inside of the book, then add them as your last step when you finish sewing the cover. If you’re more concerned about having an easier time turning the book right side out and pressing it, then save the buttons to the very end. You can always cover the stitches over with something fun like this iron-on fabric stamp that my friend <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/tinkinstitches?ref=ss_profile">Cheri</a> made for me!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Stack the two J rectangles on top of each other and baste them together at one short end.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Stack in this order from bottom to top: I rectangle (right side up), J rectangles, I rectangle (right side down). Align all pieces at the upper edge where the J rectangles are basted together and sew them together along that edge. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Open up the lining so that it lies flat and place it RST with the cover, holding them together with binding clips. Sew all the way around the outside edge, leaving a 3’’ gap in the side on what will be the back cover. Backstitch at the start and finish. Trim the corners.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Carefully turn the needlebook right side out through the gap, gently pushing out the corners with a chopstick. Tuck the raw edges of the gap into the opening and press the book while open and flat. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Topstitch around the outside of the book 1/16’’ from the edge. Close the book and press one more time. If you waited to add the buttons, sew them on now to finish.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf-7Fz41uik/Xnad2vMW6BI/AAAAAAAA5CE/omMaUk27wjoD_RheyZ1q3qGUjke7iT1cQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200321_173600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1255" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hf-7Fz41uik/Xnad2vMW6BI/AAAAAAAA5CE/omMaUk27wjoD_RheyZ1q3qGUjke7iT1cQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200321_173600.jpg" title="Button Card Needlebook Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you sew one of these, be sure to share photos with the hashtag #buttoncardneedlebook and tag me @fabricmutt. These look so adorable in a sewing space, and I think they make a pretty sweet gift for a friend too!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Incidentally, I posted a video on Instagram giving a few tips on surviving the quarantine with your kids at home. If you're not on IG, you can see it <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B97wYHQl9Fb/">here</a>. You'll get a tour of our homeschool setup, a few ideas for maintaining your sanity in a packed house, and a peek at my overflowing bookshelves in the upstairs hall. Let me know if you have any questions about anything I talked about. I'm always here and happy to help!</span></span></div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-57236156203199234102020-03-13T17:50:00.003-05:002020-03-20T16:34:06.204-05:00Cross Stitch Quilt Block & Pillow Tutorials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo6crwq4p-M/XmwIU06Q2xI/AAAAAAAA4yI/vQscpb0Ohy0B89qt6BLeiHVchvMfCZVFACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1600" height="594" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo6crwq4p-M/XmwIU06Q2xI/AAAAAAAA4yI/vQscpb0Ohy0B89qt6BLeiHVchvMfCZVFACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102627.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-0457bcee-7fff-1f0d-446d-3be4b10b6cd3"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a million memories from my childhood of watching my mother with a piece of cross stitch in her hands. Her handmade pictures were all over our house, and I remember sitting at the breakfast table when I was a little girl, studying them thoughtfully while I ate my cereal in the mornings. Those same pictures are now hanging in our breakfast nook where my daughters start the day, such a wonderful way to carry on that legacy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a long time now, I've been wanting to do a cross stitch quilt block, and when I was working on my book proposal last year, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it. The quilt blocks in this pillow look like a row of patchwork cross stitches to me, and I love that they remind me of my mother every time I see them.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Incidentally, I've decided that all the projects and information that I share with you here on the blog that would have gone into that next book are going to be tagged under the label "Carnival of Patchwork." Hopefully that will help you find it in the search box on the left if you're looking for anything from this series!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPrjG3mYLGU/XmwIOrBYoCI/AAAAAAAA4yE/J8p9j9J91bEevjjjtjlYnuzPFvQLebq-wCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPrjG3mYLGU/XmwIOrBYoCI/AAAAAAAA4yE/J8p9j9J91bEevjjjtjlYnuzPFvQLebq-wCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102644.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This little block is so much fun to sew, and I love that it looks great in every project where I've used it. My first pattern was the patchwork pillow at the top of this post which I hand quilted. I love this one so much that it sits in a place of honor on my bed where I can look at it every day. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IXcx9c18tY/XmwJIhE5e_I/AAAAAAAA4yk/ImvszOUyqn0mKxZp0VG53sn7JOuKbZvbwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IXcx9c18tY/XmwJIhE5e_I/AAAAAAAA4yk/ImvszOUyqn0mKxZp0VG53sn7JOuKbZvbwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102352.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="634" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My next attempt was a zipper pouch that I made in shades of pink, yellow, aqua, and white. It's interesting to me how the look of the block changes without the sashing strips in between. I honestly can't decide which style I like better at this point.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYqw8GkRh1I/Xmv9OuNxCYI/AAAAAAAA4xI/pjwRID1V-LIetHxg5mOjqNfcd4HX-TjwwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RYqw8GkRh1I/Xmv9OuNxCYI/AAAAAAAA4xI/pjwRID1V-LIetHxg5mOjqNfcd4HX-TjwwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102437.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And just to show that I could make something using only one block, I turned this one into a little pincushion. I didn't actually plan for the H to land at the top, but I think it was meant to be!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljx9Gkgl7ps/Xmv9WMDEgVI/AAAAAAAA4xM/dPDLuFhKaK005OlO_xENXDsrGVrKZmp6ACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ljx9Gkgl7ps/Xmv9WMDEgVI/AAAAAAAA4xM/dPDLuFhKaK005OlO_xENXDsrGVrKZmp6ACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102518.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those numbers running along the lower edge are so much fun. I added 1" borders to the block and then finished it using the directions for my Tagalong Pincushion pattern in <i>Patchwork USA</i>. Feel free to do the same!</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to share the tutorial with you so that you can play with this block in any number of projects that you can dream up. Here's how you make one...</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cross-Stitch Quilt Block</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finished size: 2" x 2"</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From a 5" square of a colored print, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(1) rectangle, 1 1/4" x 3 3/4" (A)</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(2) rectangles, 1 1/4" x 1 3/4" (B)</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From a 5" square of low volume print, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(4) squares, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" (C)</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-indao7Pbs2s/XmvnMQZdKiI/AAAAAAAA4vs/uMhiZVLKB2McoYo0aJ8KbrqV4vlxHGuMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cross%2BStitch%2BBlock%2BDirections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1398" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-indao7Pbs2s/XmvnMQZdKiI/AAAAAAAA4vs/uMhiZVLKB2McoYo0aJ8KbrqV4vlxHGuMACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Cross%2BStitch%2BBlock%2BDirections.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="554" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Arrange the pieces for a single block as shown. Sew the C squares to either side of the B rectangles (the B rectangle will extend slightly beyond the C squares). Press seams open.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Center a B/C unit on one long side of the A rectangle and sew in place (the A rectangle will extend slightly beyond the B/C unit). Repeat on the other side of the A rectangle with the other B/C unit. Press seams open.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, rotate the block so that it forms an X shape. Centering the block, carefully trim to a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know that some of you can take those directions and run with them all over the place, but if you're looking for set of directions for a finished project, here are the instructions for the Cross Stitch Patchwork Pillow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cross-Stitch Patchwork Pillow</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finished size: 12" x 16"</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4962baf2-7fff-e41e-d294-f29fef99d54d" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From (24) 5’’ squares of colored prints, cut from each print:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 1 1/4” x 3 3/4’’ (A) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) rectangles, 1 1/4” x 1 3/4’’ (B)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From (24) 5’’ squares of low volume prints, cut from each print:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (4) squares, 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ (C)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/3 yard white solid, cut…</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (16) rectangles, 1’’ x 2 1/2’’ (D)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (3) rectangles, 12 1/2’’ x 1’’ (E)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) rectangles, 2 1/2’’ x 10’’ (F)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (2) rectangles, 16 1/2’’ x 1 3/4’’ (G)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/2 yard batting, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 18’’ x 15’’ (H)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/2 yard muslin, cut:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- (1) rectangle, 18’’ x 15’’ (I)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">From 1/2 yard red gingham, cut 2 rectangles, 13’’ x 12 1/2’’ (J)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additional Supplies: matching thread, binding clips, chopstick/turning tool</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Sort the pieces for each block into 24 stacks. Each stack should include 1 A rectangle and 2 B rectangles from a single colored print and 4 C squares from a single low volume print.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Arrange the pieces for a single block as shown in the quilt block diagram above. Sew the C squares to either side of the B rectangles (the B rectangle will extend slightly beyond the C squares). Press seams open.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Center a B/C unit on one long side of the A rectangle and sew in place (the A rectangle will extend slightly beyond the B/C unit). Repeat on the other side of the A rectangle with the other B/C unit. Press seams open.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, rotate the block so that it forms an X shape. Centering the block, carefully trim to a 2 1/2” x 2 1/2” square.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the pieces for the remaining 23 blocks. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ruegBWn1zII/Xmvnd8z9K_I/AAAAAAAA4v0/xVR2gyf0bKY5nXD1vrgasRl6c8X8hcIkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Cross-Stitch%2BPillow%2BDiagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ruegBWn1zII/Xmvnd8z9K_I/AAAAAAAA4v0/xVR2gyf0bKY5nXD1vrgasRl6c8X8hcIkQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Cross-Stitch%2BPillow%2BDiagram.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Arrange the quilt blocks, D rectangles, and E rectangles as shown above. Sew the blocks and D pieces together in rows. Then sew the rows and E pieces together to form the pillow top.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Sew the F rectangles to the right and left edges of the pillow top. Sew the G rectangles to the upper and lower edges. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Stack in this order from bottom to top: I rectangle, H rectangle, pillow top (right side up). Use adhesive basting spray to fuse them together and quilt as desired.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9. Fold a 12 1/2’’ end of an J piece under (toward the wrong side) approximately 3/8’’ twice. Topstitch 1/4’’ from the fold. Repeat with the other J piece.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-Wd_B3f5U/XmwIIv1U5lI/AAAAAAAA4yA/3-hD9rLudS4WjiLmYRd6yTr9yDY81682gCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lK-Wd_B3f5U/XmwIIv1U5lI/AAAAAAAA4yA/3-hD9rLudS4WjiLmYRd6yTr9yDY81682gCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102703.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Pillow Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10. Finish the pillow by placing the each of the backing pieces from step 9 right sides together with the pillow top. The hemmed edges should point toward the center, overlapping each other, and the opposite raw edges should line up with the shorter right and left sides of the pillow top. (See the directions for the Road Trip Pillow on page 44 in my book </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Patchwork USA </i>if you need to see diagrams that explain this more thoroughly</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.) Hold them together with binding clips, and then sew all around the outside edge. Trim the corners, turn the pillow cover right side out, gently push out the corners with a chopstick, and press. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK5d2sOIlTs/XmwHGki8RlI/AAAAAAAA4xY/QghtmIPSXEMPePVqBZCLSnwH4ExuC2sAwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200313_102400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK5d2sOIlTs/XmwHGki8RlI/AAAAAAAA4xY/QghtmIPSXEMPePVqBZCLSnwH4ExuC2sAwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200313_102400.jpg" title="Cross-Stitch Quilt Block Tutorial by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="634" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you make one of these, be sure to tag it #fabricmuttcrossstitchblock or #crossstitchpatchworkpillow and tag me @fabricmutt. I'm hoping at some point to start on a quilt with this pattern -- maybe making the blocks twice as big so it won't take me quite as long to finish. We'll see...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have fun!</span></span></span></div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-81973688226743120332020-02-27T14:23:00.002-06:002020-02-27T16:59:59.771-06:00Being Real<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dvrmaiXIhQ/XlgijMHR6fI/AAAAAAAA4cI/-GFjmIzlTWsJQEP8G4DmQuCpAwng8NAWwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200214_150005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="1600" height="614" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8dvrmaiXIhQ/XlgijMHR6fI/AAAAAAAA4cI/-GFjmIzlTWsJQEP8G4DmQuCpAwng8NAWwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200214_150005.jpg" title="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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Last week I talked by phone with my friend Stephanie who asked me to do an episode of her popular <a href="http://modernsewciety.com/ms-218-heidi-staples-from-fabric-mutt-walking-away-for-a-season-or-five-the-joy-of-a-craft-and-so-much-more.html">Modern Sewciety podcast</a> about what brought me to the decision to retire from professional sewing. As someone who had struggled with these issues herself, she felt that it was an important conversation to have, and I'm so glad she did. We spent over an hour sharing our hearts about the joys and challenges of this work. Being real . . . it seems to be the theme that's guiding this new season. Real conversations about real things with real people in real life. It's messy and difficult sometimes, but it's what we've got. It's who we are. And it's so much better to look at that reality than to try to be something we're not. So pour yourself a cup of tea, pick up your favorite slow sewing project, and settle in with the link right <a href="http://modernsewciety.com/ms-218-heidi-staples-from-fabric-mutt-walking-away-for-a-season-or-five-the-joy-of-a-craft-and-so-much-more.html">here</a> for some good, honest conversation with friends.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPOZu13WBY/XlgksO2EwEI/AAAAAAAA4c0/MrzvZstApB4PjDviuHva5ed6adyDWmGzwCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_154613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1270" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvPOZu13WBY/XlgksO2EwEI/AAAAAAAA4c0/MrzvZstApB4PjDviuHva5ed6adyDWmGzwCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_154613.jpg" title="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="506" /></a></div>
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On another note, it's been almost a year since I started working on my scrappy linen log cabin quilt (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/sunnydaysupply/?hl=en">Sunny Day Supply</a> is actually getting ready to host another round of their annual log cabin sew along that got me started on this one!), but I finally finished it last week just in time to gift it to my niece for her first birthday today. I absolutely love this quilt, and as hard as it is to let it go, I'm so happy that it's going to her.<br />
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For months, I was stumped on the quilting. I tried both machine and hand quilting several times, but I always wound up pulling the stitches out when they didn't look quite right. After getting so much wonderful encouragement from friends on Instagram to finish it up, I decided to do the simplest quilting possible on my machine, and it finally worked. The linen had to be handled carefully at times, as it does like to stretch a bit, but it came together in the end.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix81gnfoutM/XlgjJeEBbEI/AAAAAAAA4cg/qo0VFRpEIDkew8ksS8E5Ou9T_UPxO00ogCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200214150106777_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ix81gnfoutM/XlgjJeEBbEI/AAAAAAAA4cg/qo0VFRpEIDkew8ksS8E5Ou9T_UPxO00ogCKgBGAsYHg/s640/00000IMG_00000_BURST20200214150106777_COVER.jpg" title="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></a></div>
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The back of the quilt is a Melody Miller print, back from her solo Ruby Star days, which I've always loved. I added a tag on the back with my niece's name and mine, which I embroidered by hand. It takes a little extra time, but for something special and personal like this, it's so worth it. The quilt is bound in a rainbow striped canvas print from IKEA that I've been saving for years. I like the touch of whimsy that it adds to the border, and it makes a wonderful frame for the whole project.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrwJG4KXhOg/XlgjPSFR2YI/AAAAAAAA4ck/BBwMBPd5YpQ-TBo6oHz1hLFtW7299YJfACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_154447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1327" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrwJG4KXhOg/XlgjPSFR2YI/AAAAAAAA4ck/BBwMBPd5YpQ-TBo6oHz1hLFtW7299YJfACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_154447.jpg" title="Scrappy Linen Log Cabin Quilt by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="530" /></a></div>
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This quilt is absolutely packed full of favorite prints that I've been collecting since my very first year of sewing. It almost feels like a time capsule of the past eight years. I love it so much. I hope that every time my niece wraps herself up in it, she'll remember -- as I've always told my girls since they were little -- that she's all wrapped up in our love too.Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-45892207256957862772020-02-22T12:44:00.001-06:002020-02-22T16:14:57.513-06:00Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiUPhS6uxMU/XlF2QcBfpvI/AAAAAAAA4Yk/1nQDEZs7oQAodDmaKbPE43cC0ylzZOmmACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200219_145032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lecien Retro 30's Child Smile Cheater Panel Hand Quilted by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PiUPhS6uxMU/XlF2QcBfpvI/AAAAAAAA4Yk/1nQDEZs7oQAodDmaKbPE43cC0ylzZOmmACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200219_145032.jpg" title="Lecien Retro 30's Child Smile Cheater Panel Hand Quilted by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="532" /></a></div>
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I'm propped up in bed with a quilt and my favorite patchwork pillow today, enjoying the warm sunshine that's streaming through the windows. My youngest and I were hit hard by a flu bug yesterday, and while she's young enough that her energy is already coming back in droves this morning, I'm feeling weak and wobbly and perfectly content to curl up in bed with my laptop and books when I'm not sleeping. My favorite mix of jazz/swing/blues/big band music is playing beside me on my phone. Click <a href="https://play.google.com/music/playlist/AMaBXykngprFQB-cn28Hpq-uPnvWEZhpqktHKhkdZGZukG2elqbg4G8b7CRJXFKdTGIibzAEbZzW63IjwAScRLlyFUyjWRKFXQ%3D%3D">here</a> if you'd like to listen to my playlist too on Google Play Music -- I'm happy to share it with you. While I'm too tired to dance, it's awfully hard to keep still when Ray Charles is singing "Hallelujah, I Love Her So." There are so many memories on this playlist. I used to listen to "Moonlight Serenade" on my favorite Glenn Miller album while working in the office at my part time children's director job at my church during college, and I remember singing along with Frank Sinatra's "Sweet Lorraine" in the mornings on the way to my fifth grade classroom when I got my first teaching job. James and I took swing dancing lessons just for fun back when we were engaged, where we usually found ourselves dancing to "More" by Bobby Darin, which seemed to be a favorite tune for the instructors. And "At Last" by Etta James has always been our special song. So there's a lot more in this music than just melodies for me.<br />
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I'm finally making some progress on one of my longstanding reading goals: to make it all the way through the 3-volume <i>The Civil War: a Narrative</i> by Shelby Foote. That's almost 3,000 pages worth of history, and I'm only on page 323, but for a girl like me who loves American history, it's fascinating. Foote has a remarkable way of including little details that really make these people and events come alive, and it's nice to spend an afternoon getting lost in the past for a while.<br />
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Last October at Quilt Market, my friend Joanna Burgarino, the editor of <i>Quilts & More</i> magazine, interviewed me for the American Patchwork & Quilting podcast. Joanna was the technical editor on my first book, and she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. It was so much fun to get to spend this time with her, and I hope you'll enjoy it. You can listen to Episode #459 right <a href="https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast/episode-459-5-things-zapping-your-creative-energy">here</a> (our chat begins around 22:31) online.<br />
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The photo above is a project I started earlier this week, a cheater panel that I purchased from my favorite shop, <a href="https://sunny-day-supply.myshopify.com/">Sunny Day Supply</a>, which I'm quilting by hand. It's just the sort of slow, simple project I've been wanting to work on for so long, and I love picking it up whenever I get the urge.<br />
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Well, I think another nap may be calling my name, so I'd better close up the laptop for now. Hope you're all having a beautiful weekend, friends!Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-35551048349439517562020-02-18T10:38:00.000-06:002020-02-18T10:38:02.800-06:00Milk & Honey Beachcomber Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE1BIP4eteQ/XkwM-ENUUlI/AAAAAAAA4PM/L2hBbSfKmzsXdTRqalMTi_jeHFJudRyfQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_153455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1547" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cE1BIP4eteQ/XkwM-ENUUlI/AAAAAAAA4PM/L2hBbSfKmzsXdTRqalMTi_jeHFJudRyfQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_153455.jpg" title="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" width="618" /></a></div>
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My friend Elea and I have never actually met in person, but it feels like we have. We've talked back and forth so many times through online messages that it seems like we've been friends forever. I've been sewing with every one of her collections all the way back to her Milk, Sugar, and Flower fabric, the last scraps of which I'm still hoarding in a drawer. The cuteness of Elea's designs is perfectly matched by the sweetness of her spirit which comes through in everything she does. I've been so blessed to get to know her from a distance, and it feels like <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2020/02/why-im-retiring-from-professional-sewing_3.html">a fitting end to my professional sewing career</a> to finish with a post about her beautiful new fabric line: <a href="https://www.elealutzdesign.com/milk-honey-is-here/">Milk & Honey</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2t2JKJInBU/XkwNVvZnKEI/AAAAAAAA4PY/AbcTSiBdGg8BBlAc5yWg2diFhvpjY0jpgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_153313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2t2JKJInBU/XkwNVvZnKEI/AAAAAAAA4PY/AbcTSiBdGg8BBlAc5yWg2diFhvpjY0jpgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_153313.jpg" title="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" width="480" /></a></div>
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Everything about this collection says "spring" to me, so I thought it would be the perfect choice for sewing up my own version of an Easter basket. After a lot of thought, I decided to use the pattern for the Beachcomber Bag from my book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Patchwork-USA-Projects-Daytrips-Vacations/dp/1940655404/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=patchwork+usa&qid=1582040391&sr=8-1">Patchwork USA</a>, which I enlarged by doubling all my measurements. This, by the way, is something I do by subtracting the half inch seam allowance from each measurement, doubling the leftover number, and then adding the half inch back on. So a piece that was originally 4 1/2'' x 2 1/2'' would, when doubled in size, be 8 1/2'' x 4 1/2". You can do the same thing to shrink a project, just by halving the numbers instead of doubling them. It's a very handy thing when you want to size a pattern up or down, and I do it a lot!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AwXusVdx5k/XkwNQpOj3lI/AAAAAAAA4PU/8uQohZb0K5wxbrrKDvyacPNpsXAeMT2OgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_153251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AwXusVdx5k/XkwNQpOj3lI/AAAAAAAA4PU/8uQohZb0K5wxbrrKDvyacPNpsXAeMT2OgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_153251.jpg" title="Milk & Honey fabric by Elea Lutz for Riley Blake Designs in Beachcomber Bag from Patchwork USA by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt for Lucky Spool" width="392" /></a></div>
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I used Elea's prints for the patchwork portion of the bag, alternating colored fabrics with low volume ones. A few Riley Blake basics found their way in there too, as I'm a huge fan of their tiny dot prints which look adorable with just about anything. Black and white RBD gingham is such a lovely contrast to the pastel colors in the center, and the light gray floral print from the collection made a beautiful lining. A bunny twill tape tag on one side and soft, cream colored cord for the drawstrings were the finishing touches.<br />
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Now that my girls are all in their tween years, with Bunny plunging headlong into the teens when she turns 13 tomorrow (sob!), I try to think a bit outside the typical Easter basket contents of candy, plastic eggs, and stuffed animals. I'm a big fan of gifts with a theme to them. In fact, if you've seen my book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Patchwork-USA-Projects-Daytrips-Vacations/dp/1940655404/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=patchwork+usa&qid=1582040391&sr=8-1">Patchwork USA</a>, you know that I added a chapter at the end called Share the Journey which lists dozens of ideas for gifting the projects in my book, including themed ideas for sharing handmade presents with everyone from a new mom to a new neighbor. So if you're looking for goodies that would work well in an Easter bag or basket for an older child, here are a just a handful of ideas:<br />
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<li>Art pack: sketchpad, colored pencils, watercolor set, sharpener, eraser, ruler, drawing books</li>
<li>Fun & games: travel games, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, Rubik's cube, deck of cards</li>
<li>Spa set: lip balm, lotion, hair accessories, brush, spa goodies, nail polish</li>
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We actually celebrated Bunny's birthday with a party on Saturday so that the whole family could enjoy it together. She wanted a retro Palm Springs Spa themed birthday party this year, so that last gift idea came in handy for me this week. I have no doubt, though, that my girls would be perfectly happy to get a repeat of their spa favor bags for Easter once April rolls around.</div>
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So congratulations to my sweet friend Elea on another adorable fabric collection. And all of my thanks to the wonderful people at Riley Blake Designs who have been so incredibly lovely to work with over the years. There's no doubt that I love beautiful fabric, but it's really the people that I love the most. </div>
Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-25608222296679421622020-02-17T10:03:00.000-06:002020-02-17T15:50:00.377-06:00Patchwork Snack Bag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LteAy1-F88s/Xkq0lMVtjJI/AAAAAAAA4Lg/LcSBGUQgOfQaYQi6X8BYy-mXWVzsOwypgCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_153829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Gifts Eco Friendly Snack Bag sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LteAy1-F88s/Xkq0lMVtjJI/AAAAAAAA4Lg/LcSBGUQgOfQaYQi6X8BYy-mXWVzsOwypgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_153829.jpg" title="Patchwork Gifts Eco Friendly Snack Bag sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="638" /></a></div>
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This week I'll be doing my last two blog tour posts before officially starting my <a href="http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2020/02/why-im-retiring-from-professional-sewing_3.html">retirement</a>, and I'm so happy to get to do them for two of the sweetest, most talented people I know! Today, I'm happy to share <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seedlings-Quilts-English-Appliqu%C3%A9d-Inspired/dp/6059192602/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=patchwork&qid=1581951281&s=books&sr=1-12">Patchwork Gifts: 20 Charming Patchwork Projects to Give and Keep</a></i> by my friend Elise Baek. It's a gorgeous book, full of beautiful photography, and the projects are absolutely darling. Elise has a great line-up of amazing people on her tour which you can see <a href="https://www.eliseandemelie.com/blog/patchworkgiftsbooktour">here</a>. She's even put together a clever Bingo game so you can play along during the tour to earn prizes. So much fun!<br />
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For my project, I chose the Eco-Friendly Snack Bag. As Elise says in the book, you can use food grade vinyl on the inside if you want to fill the bag with snacks, but it will work just as well for carrying trinkets and toys. I decided to go with a compromise and use mine for storing wrapped truffles, since I like to keep a small goody bag hidden away in my desk for chocolate emergencies.<br />
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The nice thing about this pattern is that the construction is so simple that you can really focus your time on adding lots of cute embellishments. For my label, I used a favorite chocolate print that I've been saving for something special, and it was my guide for all the color choices for the other fabric and notions. After some thought, I decided to give my label finished edges (rather than the raw edges recommended in the pattern) just so that it would hold up a little longer with all the wear and tear that everything gets in my house. As always, I had to add a little tag to the side of my main label made from twill tape. The top of my bag seemed to need a little something more, so I also sewed a tiny text label there along with a few buttons. The sides of the bag are bound in my favorite plaid print from Perfect Party by the Cottage Mama which I just restocked in my fabric stash last week. The only other change that I made to the pattern was deciding not to add a gusset at the bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdzlwUwJ4d8/Xkq1VwEsHZI/AAAAAAAA4L4/zRLbcljOmzY59IGcVvNvtqNsLHwJXl9DACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200216_151457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Patchwork Gifts Eco Friendly Snack Bag sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="1600" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IdzlwUwJ4d8/Xkq1VwEsHZI/AAAAAAAA4L4/zRLbcljOmzY59IGcVvNvtqNsLHwJXl9DACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200216_151457.jpg" title="Patchwork Gifts Eco Friendly Snack Bag sewn by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the simplicity of this piece -- it doesn't even need a snap or a button for closure! -- and it was so much fun to sew. Now the trick will be keeping my girls from seeing what's inside...Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-51860583306039323302020-02-10T19:09:00.000-06:002020-02-10T19:25:13.338-06:00The Book That Might Have Been<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsLQJdzAFLs/XkHxIBgTz1I/AAAAAAAA36o/dWLyQlqky_AH9uFxh-LBr64yUkuK2f-nACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200210_124918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bed of Roses EPP Blocks by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1456" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsLQJdzAFLs/XkHxIBgTz1I/AAAAAAAA36o/dWLyQlqky_AH9uFxh-LBr64yUkuK2f-nACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200210_124918.jpg" title="Bed of Roses EPP Blocks by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="582" /></a></div>
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First, let me say . . . thank you.<br />
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I wish I could put more into those two words. They don't even begin to convey how full my heart is after reading all the beautiful comments you left on my blog and Instagram account over the past week. I had no idea -- truly, none -- that I would receive so much love and encouragement from so many people. It was really helpful to listen to you talk about your own struggles with finding balance (Isn't it always such a relief to know that we're not alone?), and hearing how much my stories and patterns and books have touched your lives just meant the world to me. I wish I could take each one of you out for a nice long chat with coffee and cupcakes and all the hugs. You are such a blessing to me!<br />
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I took my last dose of antibiotics this morning, and it looks like my body is slowly returning to normal after getting pummeled so badly for the last two weeks. Scaling back on all my commitments will, I hope, keep it that way. I've been dealing with massive fatigue, partly due to the medicine, but my energy is starting to come back again. This means, of course, that my typical instincts are kicking in to go-go-go, and I have to keep reminding myself that that's not the way we do things around here anymore. I feel utterly ridiculous trying to explain to people that resting is hard for me, but it really is. The guilt, the restlessness, the crazy way my mind can't seem to get off the hamster wheel when I'm lying in bed at night -- it's hard to break those habits when I've been doing life this way for so many years. A friend of mine was telling me yesterday how excited he was for me to have this chance to slow down. And I said that I'm happy about it too, only I feel like I don't quite remember how to do it. It's like trying to get on a bicycle again when you haven't been riding for twenty years. You're pretty sure you remember how this works, but you feel pretty foolish when you first get started. For so long I've felt like a slacker if I'm not being productive every single second of the day. So learning that it's okay to, say, enjoy a movie with my kids without feeling compelled to keep my hands busy with another sewing sample while we watch it is kind of a big deal for me.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psMvWRNdius/XkHxPVOnXQI/AAAAAAAA36s/7oXqHZwlVkIW98gA44-5pJTWDEOojrWgACKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200210_125255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bed of Roses EPP Blocks by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psMvWRNdius/XkHxPVOnXQI/AAAAAAAA36s/7oXqHZwlVkIW98gA44-5pJTWDEOojrWgACKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200210_125255.jpg" title="Bed of Roses EPP Blocks by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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I promised that I'd tell you more about the book that might have been, the one that I've been working on for most of the last year. It was going to be called <i>Carnival of Patchwork</i>, and I've been living with it for such a long time that it's still hard to believe that it isn't going to happen. But if you all don't mind, I'd love to share a good bit of the finished content here on my blog over the next few months. It won't be as pretty as it would have been in print, but it will be something fun for you and me to enjoy together. The book was going to be all about playing with patchwork. I wanted to give you tips for playing with patterns, fabric, and thread along with some organizational ideas for your sewing room. And then there were the projects. I probably have at least a third of them done and several in process like the EPP blocks you see in the photos above which are destined to become a pillow. I'll be sharing these with you here and there and maybe giving you the gift of a tutorial once in a while. I would love to see some of these patterns come to life, even if it isn't in the way I'd originally planned.<br />
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One of my favorite parts of the design process is pulling inspiration from Pinterest to explain the style and feel that I want for a book. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/fabricmutt/carnival-of-patchwork/">Here</a> and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/fabricmutt/patchwork-show-print/">here</a> are the boards I had put together for <i>Carnival of Patchwork</i>. I'm just crazy about these colors and design elements, and they make me so happy every time I scroll through them. When I was on there today, I actually found a whole slew of secret boards leftover from when I was mulling over potential themes for fabric collections several years back. I've now made them all public, so be sure to drop by <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/fabricmutt/">my Pinterest page</a> to see all the new stuff if that's something you enjoy.<br />
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Well, I've got a small stack of papers to grade on my desk, so I'd better get to it before we have our evening TV hour with the kids. Right now we're going through episodes of <i>The Phil Silvers Show</i> (also known as Sgt. Bilko), and it's so much fun to hear my girls giggling like crazy over an old black-and-white show like this one. I hope your week is off to a lovely start, friends!Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4876056478789612969.post-63060138472490689352020-02-03T08:51:00.000-06:002020-02-03T08:51:35.928-06:00Why I'm Retiring from Professional Sewing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZR_R157VAk/Xjc8pZAokaI/AAAAAAAA3wI/oi8sa8xTyBQY2arzj0RS2bYluzZvun5WQCKgBGAsYHg/s1600/IMG_20200202_151635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Criss Cross Applesauce Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eZR_R157VAk/Xjc8pZAokaI/AAAAAAAA3wI/oi8sa8xTyBQY2arzj0RS2bYluzZvun5WQCKgBGAsYHg/s640/IMG_20200202_151635.jpg" title="Criss Cross Applesauce Pillow by Heidi Staples of Fabric Mutt" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh, my friends, this is a hard one . . . a long one. And I'll need you to be patient with me, because even as I'm typing this sentence, I'm struggling to find the words and to keep the tears from falling. But there's a happy ending to this story, I promise. So let's begin at the beginning . . .</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the fall of 2011, I was an exhausted stay-at-home mother of three little girls under the age of five. My days were long, full of dishes and laundry and mindless cartoons, swinging wildly between frantic activity and tedious boredom. I loved the time I was investing in my daughters, but it was a challenge that left me burned out and stale by the end of each week. It quickly became obvious that I needed some time to play.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so I tried quilting. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It wasn’t until I started sewing that I realized how desperate I had been for creative playtime. It energized me, gave me a break from the craziness to breathe and think and make again. I look back on those early days now and smile. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My new hobby started a chain reaction that I honestly never expected when I first picked it up. It would be easy to say that everything just happened all at once, that it was completely beyond my control, but I know that's not really true. A combination of factors caused things to take off in a big way over that first year -- my love for sewing, my need for community and acceptance, my sometimes compulsive personality that leads me to chase new pursuits with a passion that borders on obsession, and just being in the right place at the right time. And like so many things in life, it was both wonderful and difficult together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My quilting led me to blogging which then led me to social media. Over time, I sewed samples for fabric companies and publishers, hosted blog tours and sew alongs, and eventually wrote my first book, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sew Organized for the Busy Girl</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for C&T Publishing</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This led to more sample sewing, more blog tours, pattern writing for magazines, and invitations to teach and share my projects. I got the opportunity of a lifetime when Riley Blake Designs gave me a contract to design fabric for them, and I threw myself into the work with a fervor, spending countless hours at my computer sketching ideas for fabric collections. When Lucky Spool gave me the chance to write a second book, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Patchwork USA</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, I was overjoyed, pulling together years of patterns and stories to create what was definitely my favorite project yet. I couldn't have been more thrilled when it was finally published last July.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the flip side, balancing my creative pursuits along with homeschooling my daughters, keeping house, and staying involved in family and church activities was getting more difficult by the day. "I don't know how you do it all!" people would say, and I felt desperate to maintain that image of being both capable and creative, a busy person with important things to do. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But there was no denying that the hobby I adored had become all consuming work, and </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was struggling to hold it all together. My own perfectionism and the constant pressure to keep producing as much as I could had sent my to-do list spinning out of control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">My family was getting the short end of the stick in so many ways. I shudder now to think of how many times my girls asked me to play with them, only to hear, “Not now . . . Mommy has to finish this first.” And of course, whenever I finished that thing, there was the next thing. So many afternoons and evenings my wonderfully supportive husband took the girls outside to ride bicycles or swim or play in the front yard so that I could meet upcoming deadlines on time. And I would sit upstairs glued to my computer screen or my sewing machine, every now and then glancing outside the window to see them all having fun together down below, feeling an ache in my heart because I was missing out on moments that I knew I could never get back. Even when I was with them, I wasn't always really there emotionally. I remember taking the girls out for a mommy-daughter lunch one day. We placed our order, sat down in a booth, and I automatically pulled my cell phone out of my pocket to check emails. My oldest daughter reached out her hand and gently placed it over the screen. "Stay in the moment, Mommy," she said quietly, with a meaningful look that cut me to the heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was almost two years ago that I started having unexplained health problems leading to doctor visits, with every one ending in the same diagnosis: “It’s stress. You’re doing too much. You’ve got to slow down.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With each warning, I promised the doctors and my worried family that I would handle it this time, really. Yet every time I tried to scale back my commitments, they slowly crept back in . . . and so did the ongoing stress and fatigue. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I wanted to have it all, but I didn't know how to manage it all. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eight years ago, the solution to my stress was sewing. Now sewing seemed to </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">be</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the problem.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I didn’t want to stop sewing. I just wanted to find a way to make it fun again. How could I return to the place where I began, those early days spent happily stitching away at my dining room table while my toddlers played nearby? Could I rediscover the hobby that I loved so much? Was there a way to balance creativity and everything else in my life? I knew that something had to change, but I didn't know how.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then last week I was hit hard by a sudden serious infection with which my burned out immune system seemed completely unable to cope. The fact that it wasn't life threatening didn't make it any less frightening, but it was, at last, the wake-up call I had been needing. There's something about lying on your bed in a state of pain, helplessness, and total exhaustion that has a way of clearing the mind. I finally came to grips with the fact that my health and my family had to come first -- truly first -- and that the only way to do it was to make a clean break with the work that was throwing my priorities out of order. There were still tears and discussions with family and plenty of emails to write, but for the first time in ages, I felt a peace that had been lacking in my heart for too long. I had the power to make a choice, and this was the one I wanted to make.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what does this mean going forward? It means that at the end of February, after I finish two more blog tour commitments which I want to honor, I will be retiring from professional sewing. It means that I will no longer be doing blog tours for sewing books or fabric collections, and that all my teaching will be at home with my three precious girls. It means that I won't be writing any more patterns for magazines or subscription boxes. And it means letting go of a third book which I've been working on for the last nine months. I can't even begin to express to you how hard it is for me to walk away from these things, but I know without a doubt that it's what I need to do. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet the truth is that, in spite of my sadness and regret, I feel so incredibly blessed! I've gotten to have a fantastic side career for all these years, work with all kinds of unbelievably talented people, learn a host of new skills, and meet so many dear friends from all over the world in the process. It's been one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life, and I'm deeply grateful for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">And just because I won't be working professionally anymore does NOT mean that I won't be sewing and blogging and dropping in on social media. Things will be a little different, of course. There will be more works in progress, I think, and more slow sewing, and sometimes just me talking about what's going on in this new life experiment I'm beginning. In the weeks ahead, I'll show you some of the projects I've been working on in secret over the past year for that third book I'd been planning (like the sneaky peek at the top of this post!), and it will be so much fun to finally share them with you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Honestly, I'm still coming to terms with this change in my life, still figuring out what it's going to look like. It reminds me of when we moved to Texas five years ago and let our dogs Emma and Fritz out into our huge backyard for the first time. After growing up playing on the small patch of grass in our suburban California backyard surrounded by a cinder block wall, they had no idea how to handle the massive stretch of lawn behind our new home on almost two acres of land. That first evening, they stepped cautiously through the gate, sniffing as they went, and slowly they started to walk and then run between the trees with their tongues hanging out their mouths as if they were laughing. It was all good until Emma suddenly spotted the neighbor's dog through the metal fence posts. Having no experience with a see-through fence, she thought she could run through it, headed straight for the unfamiliar dog at breakneck speed, and slammed right into the metal bars. I thought she had killed herself for a minute, but she got up and shook her head in a daze while James went to go bend the bars back into place. I have a feeling that this new life may be something like that for me. At times I'm going to be unsure of myself and go slowly, some days I'm going to be giddy with freedom, and once in a while I'm going to crash and have to shake it off while I figure out what my new boundaries are going to be. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But for now I'm going to rest and heal, read more books, sit outside with my girls while they show me how well they can ride their bikes, have coffee with James without talking endlessly about my to-do list, and enjoy the fun of starting a new sewing project without having to write down any measurements while I do it. I suppose that sewing, </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">like anything else in life, can pull you to pieces if you turn it into something it was never meant to be: a compulsive assembly line, a popularity contest, the measure of your worth. It's time for me to slow down and appreciate this hobby for what it is, to remember why I loved it in the first place, this chance to make something beautiful with my own two hands. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm finding my way back to joy, friends, and it feels a lot like going home.</span>Heidi Stapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06797935137918208939noreply@blogger.com73