Thursday, July 31, 2014

Moving Sale!

Hey everyone!

We're moving in a few weeks, which means the shop is moving too!  Help lighten our load and save an EXTRA 15% on all items in the Sale category.  Just use coupon code MOVE15 at checkout!


Hope y'all have a great Friday and weekend!  :-)

Monday, July 28, 2014

Bliss Sew Together Bag

Hey y'all!

Recently, I shared a special Sew Together Bag I made for my friend Sarah.  (You can see the post here.)

I finished my third bag several days ago and have a few more in the works.  It's a problem.

I think one of the things I like about making them is all the combinations that are possible to make each one unique and different.  The zippers, the pockets, the lining, the exterior ... making the exterior is kind of like making a small mini quilt and I've had a blast playing around with these!


This particular one I made for my Moda rep, Kim of Summit Quilt Retreat.  A bunch of my sewing friends recently went to her Ponderosa retreat (which is AWESOME, just sayin' - read more about it from my first trip last year) and while there I told her I'd make her a bag.


She pulled out a bunch of untouched Bliss fat quarters and I am sure my jaw dropped.  I didn't turn her down either when she said I could keep the scraps!


Kim loves red, so all the pockets have a different red print on the inside.


I heard she loved it.  (Have I mentioned that I really love making these?!)

That's all for now ... happy sewing!  :-)

Project Details: 
Fabric & Thread: Bliss by Bonnie & Camille (out of print), Crossweave Natural, Aurifil 50wt
Pattern: Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Shop Updates - Social Club, Short Stacks, & Strawberry Social

A few quick shop updates tonight!  :-)


New short stacks are in the shop ... get 'em while they last!  Many great bundles by color - a super quick way to build your stash!


Social Club by Eric & Julie Comstock is here!  Yardage and precuts available here.  I love the color palette in this collection.


And, I've seen this cute Strawberry Social quilt popping up on Instagram and HAD to make a kit.  I am trying so hard not to stop everything and make some berries with this!  Our kit features bright pinks, reds and greens and includes everything for the top and binding as well as the pattern for this sweet lap quilt!

Stop by tomorrow to see another Sew Together bag I finished recently!

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Friday, July 25, 2014

Miss Kate Precuts Now Available

Happy Friday!  Just a quick post to let you know that Miss Kate precuts by Bonnie & Camille are headed to our doorstep!

You can now order them here.  (Orders with Miss Kate precuts will ship on Wednesday, 7/30).
The full collection of yardage as well as layer cakes will be available in mid-August. :-)

Happy Sewing!  :-)

Christmas in July - Solstice

Happy Friday!

We're wrapping up our Christmas in July tutorial series today with one of our favorite holiday collection designers - Kate Spain!

Kate's newest collection, Solstice, doesn't disappoint with her signature graphic designs and bright colors.  And our friends did an amazing job creating with two different beautiful bundles from this collection.


Stephanie from Quarter Incher worked with Solstice - Holiday Lights. This bundle has a little more of a low volume feel and incorporates some cream and blue prints.


And check out this gorgeous wreath project that Stephanie made.  See the full tutorial here.


And our friend Christen worked with Solstice - Holiday Brights. Check out these super cute flying geese placemats!


Stop over and see the tutorial and say hello to Christen here.

Thank you so much for following along with us this week!  Don't forget to sew and link up!

Happy sewing! :-)

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Christmas in July - 25th & Pine

Hello again!

I hope you've been enjoying our Christmas in July tutorials so far!

Today, we have two more tutorials to share with you, both featuring 25th & Pine by Eric & Julie Comstock.  I really love this collection and I bet you will too!

We have bundles, precuts and yardage of select prints available in this one - all at 10% off this week with coupon code XMAS10.


Our first tutorial comes from Tracey at traceyjay quilts.  Check out this So Pretty Christmas Star block pattern!


Tracey has a free pattern sheet download for you - go check it out and download it today!

Next, is a beautiful table runner from Tessa at The Sewing Chick. I have the pleasure of knowing Tessa personally and have sewn with her at many a weekend retreat!


I love that she used the Bloc Loc rulers - they make trimming and piecing so easy (and perfect)!

Stop by and visit these awesome quilters and say hello!  And we'll see you tomorrow with two more projects using Solstice by Kate Spain!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Christmas in July - Folk Art Holiday

 Hello again!  We're half way through the week and I am so excited to share some tutorials with you featuring the Folk Art Holiday collection by Gina Martin. 

This collection is modern and different from most holiday ones we've seen in recent years.  And what I love about it is that so many prints can be used for any project any time of year - woodgrains, birds, and more!

Here's the bundle we mailed off to Sarah and Megan ...


You can see the full collection here.  (Don't forget you can save 10% off all Christmas yardage, bundles, precuts & kits this week with coupon code XMAS10.)

I showed this collection to my friend Sarah of Stitching and Bacon back when I first saw that it was coming out.  She immediately loved it (as I expected) and offered to make a project ... she was planning long before the bolts arrived!  Check out this great quilt top she made.


I love that she incorporated big block!  See the tutorial here and say hello!.

And Megan of Quilt Story pretty much nailed it with this awesome take on a dresden for this pretty pillow.


I have serious plans to play around with this concept using some pieced wedges and the cogwheel Bloc Loc. Run, don't walk, over to see Megan's tutorial here.

I'll be back tomorrow featuring two more great tutorials featuring 25th & Pine by Basic Grey. See you then!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Tutorial : Snowy Stars Table Runner


This tutorial is part of our Christmas in July series of tutorials.

I'm working with this fun bundle from Be Jolly by Deb Strain for Moda.  I actually have two different projects from this bundle to share.  In this tutorial, I am sharing a quick and easy table runner using the Bloc Loc HRT ruler and the blues from our Be Jolly bundle.  (Check out my other tutorial with the red and greens.)


Project Requirements: 

Finished runner measures approximately 11.5 x 31.5.

Cut the Blocks:

From each of three blue fat quarters, cut one 2.5 x 20" strip, cut two 2.25 x 20" strips, and one 3.5" square.  From the 2.5" strip, subcut into four 2.5 x 5" rectangles.  Reserve the two 2.25" strips for binding later.


Cut two of each rectangle in opposite directions as shown. You will need 4 triangles in each direction for each of the three prints.


From the background (red & white dot), two 2.5" x WOF strips.  Subcut into twelve 2.5 x 5" rectangles. 
Then cut two 4.5" x WOF strips.  From these, subcut to get FOUR 4.5" squares, FOUR 4.5" x 7.5" rectangles and TEN 1.5 x 4.5" rectangles.



Make the Star Points: 

Sew each blue triangle to a background triangle right sides together.  Off set the triangles a little bit. Carefully press toward the blue print.  (See more photos of this step in this tutorial here.) 

Trim each HRT using your Bloc Loc.  Be sure to use the correct ruler for each of the two types of triangles.


Place your ruler on top of the pieced unit and slide it toward the seam until it locks on. Be sure that your completed size (2" x 3.5") is included in the trim lines.  Trim the top and side.


Then slide the ruler up along the seam until the trimmed edges are lined up with the lines for the correct size (2" x 3.5").  Trim the left and bottom sides. Repeat to trim all 24 units.


Next, join an "A" HRT unit and a "B" HRT unit together.  Press seams open.  Sew four pairs of each print.

Assemble the Top:



Start by sewing a 1.5 x 4.5" rectangle to two star point units from each of the three fabrics.  Press toward the background sashing strip. These units will be used in Rows 1 and 3 below.


(click to enlarge photo)

Using the diagram above, sew the pieced star points, center squares and background pieces into three rows as shown.  Press toward the background when possible.

Once you've pieced the rows, join them together to complete the top.

Finish the Runner:


Prepare a backing using the 4th fat quarter and strips from the remaining fabric from the 3 prints used in the stars.  Baste and quilt as desired.


 I did some meandering and loops as well as some free hand swirls and snowflakes.  These smaller peieces are a great time to practice your free motion quilting!


Join the 2.25" strips from the 3 fat quarters to make a scrappy binding.  Attach to the front and finish by hand or machine.  (See more on binding here.)


Enjoy! :-)  If you make one, please share the link!  I'd love to see it!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Tutorial : Twisted Ribbons Pillow


This tutorial is part of our Christmas in July series of tutorials.

I'm working with this fun bundle from Be Jolly by Deb Strain for Moda.  I actually have two different projects from this bundle to share.  First, I have a fun pillow for you today using the Bloc Loc HRT ruler and the reds and greens from our Be Jolly bundle.  (Check out my other tutorial with the blues here.)


Project Requirements: 

  • You'll need four fat quarters and a half yard of background.  I'm using prints from Be Jolly and a half yard of the Tiny Dottie White Red.  
  • You'll also need the "B" ruler from the Bloc Loc Half Rectangle Triangle (HRT) ruler.
  • 20" square of batting and pillow front backing fabric
  • Sewing machine and basic supplies


From two fat quarters (red and green), cut four strips 2.5" wide x 20" long.  Subcut each strip into four 2.5" x 5" rectangles.  You need 13 rectangles of each color.

From the background fabric, cut four strips 2.5" x WOF.  Subcut each into eight 2.5" x 5" rectangles.  You need 25 rectangles.


Cut each of the 2.5" x 5" rectangles in half along the diagonal. Cut them all the same and be sure its the same direction as your ruler!


You need 25 triangles of each color and 50 triangles of background.


Place two triangles right sides together and off set the points a little as shown in the photo.  Sew a 1/4" seam. Chain stitch and get all those triangles sewn together!

Press each triangle carefully to the main print (away from the background). Since we got some bias going on, I like to finger press then use the iron.


Place your ruler on top of the pieced unit and slide it toward the seam until it locks on. Be sure that your completed size (2" x 3.5") is included in the trim lines.  Trim the top and right sides.


Then slide the ruler up along the seam until the trimmed edges are lined up with the lines for the correct size (2" x 3.5").  Trim the left and bottom sides. Repeat to trim all 50 units.


Piece 10 columns of five blocks sewn end-to-end.  Five with green on the ends and five with red on the ends.  Press columns toward the bottom of the red & green triangles.


Piece the rows together. I ended up pressing seams open between the columns to reduce some of the bulk at the seams.


Cut two strips 3" x WOF from the background and use to add borders to the top. Baste and quilt as desired.  Then trim to 18.5" square.

Use the remaining two fat quarters to piece the backing.  (See more on how I piece backings for pillows in this tutorial here.)


Enjoy your new pillow!  :-)

If you make Twisted Ribbons pillow, I'd love to see it!  Tag me on Istagram (@sewlux) or link in the comments below!

Happy Sewing! :-)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Christmas in July - Winter Wonderland

Welcome to our first day of our Christmas in July tutorial series!  I am so excited for you to see all the projects this week ... I've seen some sneak peeks and you're going to love them.  I hope you'll stop by and say hello to all of our Christmas in July friends throughout the week!

Each day this week, we'll feature projects from one of five different Christmas lines.  And ... we have all of our Christmas yardage, bundles and precuts 10% off this week with coupon XMAS10.

Are you ready for our first collection?


Winter Wonderland is a sweet little collection.  We picked our favorite red and whites for the shop ... including the sweetest little snowmen!  I love that the low volume prints in this collection can be used for any project, not just your holiday projects!

I'm thrilled to say that our first Christmas in July tutorial comes from a good friend of our's, Lee of May Chappell.  She is one talented quilter and knows all things Bernina!  She does a great Tuesday Tips series, teaches so many classes around central NC and is so fun to be around.


Go check out her ornament tutorial here.

Happy Sewing! :-)