Trinket Case Tutorial

So many of you asked me to write a tutorial for the Trinket Case that I made earlier this year. Well, today's the day, friends! I'm sharing the tutorial over on the Fat Quarter Shop blog right here. This is actually the first in a series of tutorial posts I'll be doing for them over the next few months called Sew Illustrated. You all know how much I love a fun patchwork project, and with the holidays approaching quickly, it's always good to have a few extra handmade gifts ready to go. 

If you make one of these, please share pictures on Instagram. You can tag us @fabricmutt and @fatquartershop -- and be sure to add the hashtag #trinketcase. I can't wait to see what you make!

First Blush Dresden Pillow

***GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED & ALL WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. THANK YOU!***

I'm so happy to be on the First Blush tour today! Ever since I made that sweet pincushion last month, I've been wanting to try another Dresden. Since I knew this tour stop was coming up on my calendar, it seemed like a great chance to make a larger version of the iconic block, this time as a colorful pillow cover.

I have to say, I love making Dresden blocks. There is something so relaxing about it for me. No worries about matching perfect seams, no intricate construction...just sewing up those petals and stitching them down to the background fabric. It's been fun to try something new, and I really should be doing that sort of thing more often.

I backed the pillow in a mix of gingham and floral prints, both of which I love. The entire collection has a distinctly vintage vibe, like something you would find on an old picnic quilt tucked away in the attic. The colors are bright and happy, just perfect for spring and summer projects.

It feels like Christmas is coming early on my blog, because I get to give away 2 First Blush Block of the Month books and 2 Posy Quilt patterns, both from my sweet friends at Fat Quarter Shop. Just leave a comment on this post to get in on the fun, and I'll randomly pick 4 winners on Tuesday. You can also follow along with the rest of the tour stops below:

Monday, October 10 – Chris Dodsley, Made by Chrissie D

http://madebychrissied.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, October 11 – Sinta at Pincushion

http://pinkpincushion.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 12 -  Fat Quarter Shop

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 13- Windham/Two Blondes and a Sewing Machine

https://windhamfabrics.wordpress.com/

Friday, October 14- Jennie at Clover and Violet

http://www.cloverandviolet.com/

Saturday, October 15- Aurifil- Hillary Jordan

https://auribuzz.wordpress.com/

Sunday, October 16- Tina Egner

http://www.onelittlepooh.net

Monday, October 17 – Kristyne Czepuryk

http://prettybyhand.com

Tuesday, October 18 – Allison Harris

http://cluckclucksew.com

Wednesday, October 19 – Erin Cox

http://whynotsew.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 20 – Angie Wilson Gnome Angel

http://www.gnomeangel.com/blog-4/

Friday, October 21 – Debbie at happy little cottage

http://happylittlecottage.blogspot.com

Saturday, October 22 – Heidi Staples

http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com

Sunday, October 23 – Leanne Elliott

http://www.daisyandjackhandmade.com

Monday, October 24- Greg Jones Grey Dogwood Studio

http://greydogwoodstudio.com

Tuesday, October 25- Wendy Sheppard Ivory Spring

https://ivoryspring.wordpress.com

Wednesday, October 26 – Stephanie Lynn Denton

http://creativereveries.blogspot.com

Thursday, October 27 – Lisa Ruble

http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com

Happy sewing, friends!

Apple Farm Makeover

I've known Amanda from Westwood Acres for years now. In fact one of the first full collection bundles I ever bought was from her shop, a fat eighth stack of Madrona Road by Violet Craft that I could not resist late one night. Amanda asked recently if she could send me some fabric to use in an upcoming blog post, and she surprised me with a lovely bundle of Apple Farm by Elea Lutz (one of my favorite designers, as you know) and a gorgeous stack of Lecien's Modern Basics text prints which I'm dying to use in my next patchwork project. Seeing those darling Apple Farm prints, though, made me decide that it was time to make a few fun accents for our breakfast nook. 

If I had to pick my favorite furniture in our home, it would definitely be the Amish breakfast nook that my parents purchased when we moved to Texas. It's perfect in every way (the seats even lift up to reveal storage for all my table linens) and it's been a sweet spot for the girls and me to share breakfast together every morning before we start school. I use green plastic cafeteria trays for the girls to eat on so that we keep the mess contained -- another one of my favorite things -- but the table has been needing a small, narrow runner to brighten things up. 

I pulled out my copy of Quilty Fun by talented Lori Holt and opened to her adorable Apple-licious Quilt. I used her two apple blocks to create a small runner that's just the perfect size for our table. The background fabric tends a bit toward the busy side, but I've learned that, when it comes to table runners, that's probably for the best if I want to hide any spills and splatters! Lori is such a genius when it comes to making cute blocks that sew up easily and quickly. These were such fun to make.

It took me less than an hour to whip up a quick patchwork pillow to add to our bench that would go with the runner. Simple squares are always a favorite with me, and I love being able to make another fun addition to our pillow collection for the breakfast nook. 

My girls were absolutely delighted to see the new decorations for their special spot, and I'm pretty delighted to have friends as nice as Amanda who made it possible. To me this is everything that makes fall cozy. All that's missing is a pot of tea and some cookies. Speaking of which, I'd better get to work on that...

Playtime

Sometimes you just need a bit of playtime.

I've been working my way through deadlines and secret sewing lately, and after finishing another project last night, I suddenly decided that I needed a break -- it was time to do something just for fun. I pulled out a pile of scraps from a recent project and went back to one of my favorite blocks of all time: the scrappy log cabin. Rainbow colors, simple straight line quilting, text prints...it checks all my happy boxes and makes such a beautiful pillow.

The back is a strawberry print by Emily Isabella for Birch Fabrics. I can never say no to strawberries.

So now this pillow is sitting on my favorite chair in the living room, waiting for me the next time I want to curl up with a good book. And I'm feeling refreshed and ready to go on again.

Playtime...always a good idea.