October 2014 – 3and3quarters

TUTORIAL: The Maple Leaf Block

Adding to my stash of quilt block tutorials is this one:

The Maple Leaf Block!

I thought it would be fit to dedicate this particular block to all of my friends (that’s you!) who live in the Northern Hemisphere who are welcoming the coming months of fall/autumn!

I hope you enjoy the cooler months!

#totesjealous

So this block, just like others I’ve demonstrated in the past, is super simple and is ideal for the beginner quilter who would like to stretch their legs a bit and give HSTs (that is, half square triangles) a go!

Learning how to make HSTs is an essential skill to learn if you’re serious about patchwork. It will become one of those knowing-how-to-write-without-thinking-about-it type skills that you’ll forever be falling back on again and again.

So if you feel unsure about making HSTs or just have no clue what a HST is, watch the tutorial and you’ll know!!

(PS. You can find all of the measurement and cutting instructions for this block at the end of this post!)

If I’ve inspired you to make this block, then here are just a few creative ways this block can be used to make a beautiful quilt!

Here are the links of where you can find the makers of these darling quilts!

The Quilt by Amy at Diary of a Quilter

The Quilt by Messy Jessy

The Quilt by Annabella at Kech Quilts

The Quilt by Sarah at sew&tellhandmade

#sharethelove

Happy Sewing Friends!!

Measurement & Cutting Instructions

From the x5 ORANGE fabrics cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the centre

– x1: 3&7/8″ square from each of the others for the HSTs

From the BROWN fabric cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the stalk

From the WHITE fabric cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the upper corner

– x2: 3&7/8″ squares for the HSTs

– x2: 2&1/2″ squares for the stalk

Don’t forget to send me a photo of your finished block!

I would love to see it!

4 Fun & Easy Halloween Crafts!

With Halloween just around the corner, I was inspired this week to make some fun little Halloween crafts to share with you!

First are these adorable little bats made using toilet paper rolls.

These little guys are super quick to make and are perfect for little hands to get involved in!

To make you will need…

– Toilet Roll – A4 Black Paper – Craft Glue – Two Google Eyes – Silver Metallic Pen – Lead Pencil – Paper Scissors

Next, is a really simple and very easy paper craft: Paper Pumpkins!

They remind me a lot of those paper lantern decorations you’d make in primary school for Christmas, but this time your using the more traditional colour of Halloween – orange!

To make you will need…

– One Large Sheet of Orange Card – A4 Green Paper – Craft Glue – Two Bulldog Clips – Twine/String – Paper Scissors – Stapler

This next one is my favourite. I think it’s a whole lot of fun and is simplistically effective!

The photo used in this Google Eye Photo Frame is of me as a little girl which I altered using PicMonkey, making me look like a scary Vampire girly thing.

To make you will need…

– Plain Photo Frame – Spooky Photo – Black Paint – Glitter Paint (Optional) – Paint Brush – Assorted Sizes of Google Eyes – Hot Glue Gun & Glue

And lastly, I made a Witch Hat Headband! Using simple materials such as felt, cardboard and a party hat, I’m really happy with how this turned out. The idea was in my head and the result is perfect! (Well, near enough!)

To make you will need…

– Party Hat (minus the elastic) – Two A4 Pieces of Black Felt – Pre-made Headband in Black – Black Cardboard – Ribbon and Decorations – Hot Glue Gun and Glue – Craft Glue – Craft and Fabric Scissors – Lead Pencil – A Plate (18cm or 7″ in circumference)

For instructions on how to make all of these crafts, check out the video at the beginning of this post!

Enjoy making…

Happy Halloween Friends!

PS: This is where I found my inspiration for these projects…

http://goo.gl/zQ1N9V

A New Note.

About this title: I had a plan today to sit down and dedicate some time to my blog (I know, it’s been a while…). But at the same time, my TV decided to air a Friends marathon… even though I’ve seen all of the episodes like a gazillion times!

So due to a not-to-be-missed marathon and the need to get some blog posts written, I’m currently sitting on my couch binge watching Friends and typing this post in the ‘notes’ app on my iPad. The title of my note reads ‘New Note’ and I liked it.

Hence the title: A New Note….

Yes.

Well, anyway…

As much as this blog has been neglected over the past couple weeks, my sewing and patchwork adventures haven’t!

There’s just so much to catch you up on it’s hard to know where to start…

Hmmm…. How about here…

My last post was all about my latest Quilt Block Video Tutorial – the Churn Dash Block!

Simple, quick and effective! Perfect for beginners!

I really think you should check it out! (But only if you want to, of course! No pressure!)

Next!

One afternoon, about a week ago, I was bitten by the ‘Cutting Bug’.

Da-Da-Daaaa!! *imagine sinister movie music*

You know the one I’m talking about; where you’re suddenly taken over with an urge to start cutting up some fabric and begin piecing together a quilt just for the heck of it.

I’ve always had a craving to do one of those simple Cross Quilts where they sort of all joined up together…

So in about an hour, I had cut 100 5inch squares from random fabrics that I thought looked good together and hey-presto, a new quilt top is currently (albeit slowly) being pieced together!

Once finished, I think it’ll become a really sweet lap quilt – suited for watching Friends marathons and writing blog posts on the couch! Te-He!

Another sewing adventure happened this past weekend when I helped host a Quilting Expo Day at my local Spotlight store. It was a fun day, as usual, where I got to teach, demonstrate, chat, sew, laugh, eat and be inspired by others.

I made simple blocks and projects that featured basic patchwork elements like cutting and piecing, making HSTs, pressing and chatting about all the different tools that can make the experience a whole lot easier (and fun!). I also had the opportunity to make and swoon over this Piccadilly DS Quilts Fabric range! Oh my!!

And lastly, over the past few days I’ve been dabbling in a spot of dressmaking!

#quilterturneddressmaker

I’ve been searching for a while for some basic t-shirt patterns and was able to find some perfect ones while I was at Spotlight on the weekend! Whoo!

So I bought some fun printed cotton knit fabrics and got going the next day!

I’m so happy with how they’ve turned out!

So happy that I’ve actually cut out my third pattern, but instead I’m using a lovely cotton weave spotty fabric that will make (I think) a really beautiful blouse.

So there we go! You’re all caught up!

What have you been making lately?

Can you relate to my ‘Cutting Bug’ itch?

Let’s digress together in the comments below!

Happy Sewing Friends!

{LINKS}

The Quilt By BlueElephantStitches

The Quilt By Kelly from Jeli Quilts

Tutorial: Churn Dash Block

In recent Pinterest binges, I’ve happily come across some beautifully designed and pieced quilts featuring the Churn Dash block.

Churn Dash Quilts — Links to these quilts are at the end of this post.

Then by crazy chance I came across a simple pattern on how to make it within all of my lose-leaf patterns that I’ve collected over the years.

So duh! I just had to share it with you in tutorial form!

It really is ridiculous just how easy this block is construct! Before you know it, it’s done!

The other thing I love about this block is how easy it is change up….

Simply replace the centre square with the opposite fabric and then turn all of the blocks’ units 180degrees and you have a totally different looking block! Love it!!

I’m also kinda in love with the floral fabrics I’ve used. The patterns remind me a lot of the old tablecloths, dresses and skirts my mum inherited from her aunties! Again, love it! So adorably kitsch and retro!

Let me know if you’re planning on giving this block a go! I would absolutely love to see how you interpret this block and see the types of fabrics you use.

Send me an email (3and3quarters@gmail.com) or tag me on through Instagram @3and3quarters.

Happy Sewing Friends!

LOVE word count: 5! (Note: must buy a Thesaurus!)

{LINKS}

Pepper Churn Dash Quilt by mybricole

Churn Dash Quilt by Amy Smart at WeAllSew

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