Sew Sweet Simplicity Block #3 and Bonus Block #1

What fun I've had with this months block. I made two version and tweaked the bonus block to give you all something to think about and maybe try for yourselves!! ;)

BOM Info:

There is going to be a "Catch Up" Sew Along Day on January 10th 2015. This event will run on FaceBook and Instagram and is a great way to get started on your blocks, or get caught up, or maybe just to make some extra blocks...more information to come.

But first....the give away, excuse me, the give aways for this month!! Yes there are multiply giveaways this month!! (I'm going to show you up front and not make you scroll to the bottom. Lol, an early Christmas gift to all.)
If you are here first because you are following my blog (thanks) you will want to go over to Jacquelynne's blog for the chance to win one of the 3 Mini-Kits she is giving away. You can enter here for the PDF pattern bundle. You can also enter at each of the other BOM hosts sites as well to increase your odds of winning the PDF prize bundle. (Links provided below)



a Rafflecopter giveaway

UpstairsHobbyRoom (you are here)

LilyPad Quilting
Quiltscapes
Crazy 'Bout Quilts
A Quilt and a Prayer
Bejeweled Quilts
Wedding Dress Blue
Mountain Quiltworks
Garden Path Quilts

 What I've Been Up To:

Block #3

My table runner version of the block...(sorry the lighting was really bad)

and the back of the runner...

Version 2 of Block 3

Using a font from Word or check out dafont.com for lots of free fonts to download. I printed this at 450 I think , but had to trim to make it fit, so double check your sizing.

I could say I decided to put the block on point to add to the tweaking....but I like to keep it real, I'm not perfect... lol, I misjudge the block layout and appliqued the W side ways!!! So it was on point or redo.... ;)

Silver Lining.....I love it!!!

My Version of Bonus Block #1

I took the bonus block 1 pattern and upsized it to 32" square to put on my coffee table for Christmas

I love how it turned out!!

No tutorial, but here is a quick list of the dimensions I used:

• 5-5.25" for half square triangles (then trim down)
• 4.5" for squares
• 4.5 x 8.5" rectangles
• 16.5" centre

The last thing I wanted to share with you today is Jacquelynne's free Emagazine. If you haven't signed up you should check it out. The Emagazine is full of lovely crafts to do, yummy recipes, and graphics by the talented Jacquelynne, and if you need another reason...besides free and full of great projects to try...sign up this month and you will receive the Red and White Quilt pattern for free too. (it would look great as a blue and white or green and white or yellow and grey or.....I think you get where I'm going with this....lol)

#74 Tic Tac Toe Game Board Tutorial

Merry Christmas early!! My last tutorial post was my gift to all of you. I want to say thanks for taking time to come over and see "What I've Been Up To". I hope that you will enjoy the pattern and maybe even make a few. I would sure like to see pictures if you do!!

So last Christmas I was part of a blog hop and designed a Travel Blackboard Mat which features a straight blackboard area and side chalk holder. I have tweaked this pattern to incorporate the Tic Tac Toe board and voila, another pattern is born!!

Tic Tac Toe 

Title is the link to the PDF file with the written instructions and measurements. The pictures are just for clarity sake. I didn't take time to re-write the whole tutorial again. Hope you enjoy it!!

Assembling the Tic Tac Toe Board:

 

Quilting the backing:

Adding the pockets to side pieces:

 Left side is chalk pocket in sewing position, and right is after it is pressed up:

 Measure for the next chalk holder:

 Second set of Chalk pockets in sewing position:

 Sewing lines to divide pockets for chalk:

 Measure for last pocket:

 Adding the top flap with an 1/8" seam:

Attach the left and right sides to the game board middle section. (Totally forgot to get a picture of this.)

Make your quilt sandwich (backing right side down, batting up, game board section right side up) and stitch the top and backing together with an 1/8" seam.

I also stitched in the ditch around the game area.

 add your label and your 2 elastic loops :

finish sewing the binding down:

A mini with

 (a little disclaimer if you will....these are patterns I have come up with and am sharing for free with all of you, please do not copy and redistribute. Link people to my blog, if you want to share. If you do make any of the patterns, and share via social media, I would love it if you give me credit for the pattern and again link to my blog . I am sure this one goes without saying, please don't take these patterns and  try to sell them, even if you tweak them a bit....that's just not right) Thanks everyone

Winner of November PDF Prize Package

Congratulations,


a Rafflecopter giveaway

I haven't forgot about the Tic Tac Toe Game Tutorial, it will be posted this weekend!

Sew Sweet Simplicity Give Away Extended to Wednesday!!!

Here's the link back to the original post. Jump back there to enter the give away through RaffleCopter!!

#73 Coaster Tray Formula

I know I'm way behind on the tutorials I have promised! Here's the Coaster Holder I promised last week, and I haven't forgotten about the Tic Tac Toe board either, it's coming. Hopefully by next week.

I 'm sure if you Google you will find lots of patterns for coaster holders or trays out there, this is just how I have done mine. Hopefully once you see the formula, you can customize it to what works for you!

Step 1: Measure the coasters width and the coaster stacks height. (this formula is for square coasters)

Step 2: Take those measurements and make the formula.

            width of coaster + height of coaster stack x 2 + 1" = the size you cut the outer fabric and  lining                                                                                                
            So for this example my coasters are approximately  6.5" and 1.5" high
                6.5"+ (1.5")2 + 1 = 10.5"

Step 3: Cut (1) 10.5" sq from lining fabric
                   (1) 10.5" sq from backing fabric
                   (1) 10" square of batting or the full 10.5" if you aren't worried about the extra bulk (you could add whatever batting or interfacing you wish for the desired firmness of the tray. )

Step 4: I used Pellon fusible fleece, and fused it to the backing fabric.

Place the lining fabric and the backing fabric right sides together and the batting if not already fused in place on the wrong side of the backing fabric. Sew all around the square leaving an opening for turning. (backstitch at the beginning and ending for stitch strength when turning)

Step 5: Trim corners and turn right side out, carefully pushing out the corners.

Press the opening edges under 1/4" as you press the block flat. Pin to hold if desired.

Step 6: Top Stitch close to the edge all the way around, making sure to secure the open area. Adding quilting would probably be a good idea for this size of tray. I didn't but will next time.

 


Step 7: For each corner fold your block in half on the diagonal, and mark the 1.5" in and down spot with a line for sewing. Stitch on that line, again backstitching for strength.

And that's it, your holder is done, that simple!! Enjoy!!