Happy 4th of July!

Here in the USA, we're having a celebration...

happy 4th of July!

I made a sweet new Stars and Stripes table runnner.

You can find the free tutorial with instructions here,

at A Bright Corner.

Photo and reference to free pattern used with permission from A Bright Corner blog

Here's how mine turned out.

I used a couple of different fabric collections

from my stash...the stars and the stripes came

from a fabric line called Simply Sweet from Henry Glass.

For the star background, the border and binding,

I used Smooth Sailing from Connecting Threads.

They gave my runner a nautical flair.

The border wasn't included in the tutorial,

but I liked the way it added a few more inches

of width and length to the runner.

I used wavy quilting lines, randomly spaced.

Don't you think wavy lines are perfect for flag designs?

I think the striped binding is my favorite detail.

This runner is even reversible!

The beachy print is fun for the back deck at our house,

near the swimming pool.

If you're looking for a fun and easy project,

with just the right mix of applique and patchwork,

you'll love making this project!

Enjoy your summer, friends!

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Summer Fun - Red White and Blue Zippered Pouch

Hello, Friends!

Who's ready for summertime?

I am!!!

Whenever I need a nice gift, I like to make a new version of

the Open Wide Zippered Pouch,

from this free tutorial by Noodlehead.

I've made so many of these...

and I've never been disappointed with the results.

This time I chose some red, white and blue fabrics

that I bought from Connecting Threads a few years ago.

The line was called Smooth Sailing.

{I love the anchors, all lined up!}

The addition of gray to the 

traditional patriotic palette looks so smart! 

That's why I chose a gray zipper to bring it out.

The lining fabric is a gray dot,

with a little red star popping up every so often.

The red and gray stripe provides a nice contrast 

for the bottom of the pouch.

I use Pellon ShapeFlex SF101 interfacing on my pouches,

for all of the exterior pieces, as well as the lining.

It adds soft shaping, and the pouch

is stable enough to stand, even while it's empty.

Once I've finished making one of these pouches,

I often add a ribbon for the zip pull.

I found this red gingham and could.not.resist.

I hope you'll have time for some summertime sewing, too!

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Simply Striped Pillow Blog Hop - It's My Turn!

It's really true how time flies when you're having fun!

It's my turn already to present

the pillow I've made for the 

Simply Striped Pillow Blog Hop!

Here's my pillow's front side.

Or is THIS the front???

Head over to Susie's Sunroom now,

to read all about it.

Should we have a giveaway, too???

Yes, let's!

Leave me a comment by midnight,

Friday, March 13, 2015,

telling me what fabrics you would choose

to make yourself a Simply Striped Pillow.

This giveaway has now ended.

I'll choose a random winner,

who will receive her choice of one of my patterns

for sale at Craftsy.

Good luck,

and thanks for visiting! 

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Nautical Pillows for the Deck

As summer draws to a close,

time spent on our back deck becomes more cherished.

That's why I jumped at the opportunity

to stitch up some fabulous nautical pillows,

using these awesome prints from Terry's Fabrics!

Terry's Fabrics

has a vast selection of fabrics,
so it wasn't easy to choose between them.

 I had THE BEACH on my mind, so

my search for a focus fabric ended as soon as I discovered

this awesome nautical beach hut print.

I mixed in some fun coordinates:

an ocean blue geometric floral,

some sandy gingham, and fun beach-ball dots.

When I saw the fabrics in person,

I was delighted with the way my choices coordinated!

The prints were actually much larger than I had pictured them...

especially the dots...but that was a GREAT thing!

The quality is superior, and the fabrics were

highly cooperative, with no stiffness or tendency to fray.

All of my prints were home dec weight, except the gingham,

which was a lighter weight, more like quilter's cotton,

but woven...not printed.

I chose to use the gingham for my pillow backings,

and it worked perfectly, since I like to add a layer of

Pellon ShapeFlex SF 101 fusible interfacing anyway.

{I used my own tutorial for the backings, found here.}

I kept the pillow top designs simple,

letting the fabrics play together in similar, 

but different strip sets, for the two pillows.

I stuffed my pillow forms inside,

and they were all set for picnics on the deck.

{I love the way the covers take up almost no space at all for winter storage,

and I can use the pillow forms for other covers.}

Beach huts, umbrellas, and bunting...

checks, stripes and dots...

just about all of my favorites are represented!

Terry's Fabrics is my favorite new find of the summer,

helping me to decorate my outdoor space.

Hmm...wouldn't the scraps make

the cutest beach tote???

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