Kite blocks

 Yesterday I took a break from the pineapple blocks and started something new. These kite blocks are made using the 12" cube from Accuquilt.  Each kite makes a six inch block and when you put four together it makes a twelve inch block. This makes a fast quilt. 

The die has the dog ears cut off which makes for very accurate sewing.

After picking the background of navy(which photographed as black) with multi colored dots I chose the kite colors.  Shape 14 and 15 from the Companion Angles twelve inch cube make up these blocks.

Accuquilt sale of the day... Use the code below on 12/20/24 only!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (12/20) -- $50 Off GO! Qube Mix & Match Blocks, Specialty Sets & Companion Sets (Use Code: 50QUBE)  (Affiliate link)

I'll be working on the kite blocks today in between checking out the other links at these parties!   Linking with Finished or Not Friday, TGIFF, Beauties Pageant and Off The Wall

Towel Topper-Christmas in July with Accuquilt

 Accuquilt sent me a new die to try out, it's the Towel Topper die. How fun and quick is this...really quick and fun! This die debuted on the Accuquilt live video yesterday and is for Pre-Order now on their website.

They also sent me the June Tailor Towel Topper kit which includes the towel, batting and instructions. I will be using my gingerbread cookie die for the applique along with my scallop die for the towel trim. I am all set for a little tutorial for you to see how easy this is! 

In addition to the dies/mats you will need your fabrics (I used three different ones). Cut two main fabrics 12” x 8” and two 7” x 3” of accent fabric. 

Let's take a look at the Towel Topper die... it's a little different than other Accuquilt dies as this one has a fold line on it.

 Fold the 12”x 8” fabrics in half to 12”x 4”, press. If you are using the June Tailor kit the batting is preprinted, I folded it in half lining up the preprinted lines. Lay the fold of your fabrics on the fold line of the die, add the 6"x10" mat and run through your cutter.

 Fold the 7”x 3” accent fabrics in half to 7”x 1 ½ ”, press. Lay the 7”x 1 ½ ” accent fabrics on top of the towel topper right sides together with raw edges together and stitch ¼" seam. Press one to the accent fabric and one to the towel topper fabric.

Lay the above pieces right side together and batting on top. Use pins or clips to hold it together while you sew. Sew around with ¼" seam leaving the accent fabric open. Clip the corners and turn right side out, press. Set aside.

Preparing the towel: After washing, it’s time to add a trim to the bottom. You can use ric-rac, ribbon or such in place of fabric. I chose to use my scallop Accuquilt die and appliqued it on the bottom of the towel. Trim and hem towel to desired length, I trimmed to 20”x 14”. 

Applique the gingerbread cookie onto the towel. Did you know that Accuquilt has free embroidery designs to go with the applique dies? Or you can just applique with your sewing machine like I did.

It’s time to pleat your towel to 7” wide and insert into the topper at the accent fabric opening. Topstitch in place.

Add a button closure. And you are ready to hang your towel. What about making several for gifts or selling at a craft show! Think of all the different fabrics and appliques you could use for it!

And here is my finished towel! Wasn't that easy?

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you make one please tag me @vickiscraftsandquilting and @AccuQuilt on Instagram. And use #AccuQuiltBuilt so we get to see your creation!

If you are interested in pre-ordering this die I would love it if you used my affiliate links. There is no extra charge for you but I will receive a small commission. 

Thank you Accuquilt for this die!

Linking with Wednesday Wait Loss, Midweek Makers, NTT, Finished or Not Friday, TGIFF, Off The Wall Friday and Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd

Sweet on you

The Sew it-Show it Challenge is hosted by Joan at MooseStash Quilting this month.  And the theme is 'Sweet on You'.  Right away I thought of Valentine's Day so that is what I went with. Plus I needed a little mini Valentine quilt for a little quilt hanger. This style of hanger pinches the quilt in between the boards making it so easy to change out seasonal quilts.

Now aren't these hearts just so sweet;)  This little wall hanging is 14x14 and packed full of Love!  After sandwiching my backing, batting and top I quilted it on my Funquilter in a diagonal cross hatch. Before binding it I appliqued the hearts on with a zig zag. The hearts and letters I made using Accuquilt dies. Three little red prairie points were added to the top before binding also. And topped off with three little white pearl buttons.

The pink little hearts on the background fabric just adds to the sweetness of my project.  We only got to enjoy it for a few days this Valentines season, but it will be all ready and waiting for next year. 

I hope you are enjoying the hop and are getting lots of inspiration!

Please check out my fellow bloggers who are participating in this hop today. But you can find the whole list for the week at MooseStashQuilting. Thank you Joan for hosting another fun hop!

Vicki's Crafts and Quilting (you are here)

Creatin' in the Sticks

Quilt Schmilt

Ms P Designs USA

The Crafty Grammie

Vroomans Quilts 

Words and Stitches

As an affiliate for Accuquilt I wanted to let you know...

Accuquilt has EXTENDED! - PRESIDENTS DAY SALE -- Extra 20% off Your Order (use code: PRESIDENTS) Thru Feb. 22nd.

February 23rd is a FLASH SALE! -- $20 Sale on select GO! Die Storage (use code: TIDYUP)

Linking with these parties: Wednesday Wait Loss, Midweek Makers

New Accuquilt Comfort Grip Handle

 Accuquilt has come out with a new Comfort Grip handle for their cutter.  I was provided one to make a  video.  Here I am installing it. 

I want to point out this is only for the Go! Fabric cutter, not the Go! Me or Go! Baby. To figure out which handle your Go! Fabric cutter needs look under the green cap to see if you have a nut or a screw. Accuquilt encourages you to contact their customer service if you are in doubt as to which you have. 

Just having received my handle I have not had time to really experience it, but it does feel better in my hand in just the few tries I have done.  It is supposed to be better for our arthritic hands. 

Accuquilt has free shipping today and tomorrow Jan 10-11, 2023.  On January 12-16, 2023 you get an Extra 23% off Your Entire Order (use code: JAN23).  I am an affiliate so if you click on this link, Accuquilt,  I will receive a small commission when you purchase something. 

A squirrel in the form of a Penguin!

It's always fun to play with something new, so enter the squirrel (you know when the bug hits that you have to drop everything and make something new).  Last week AccuQuilt sent me one of their new dies, Mr. Penguin, along with a heart die.  

                                                     So I had to play with the penguin this weekend. 

A penguin has to have a skating pond doesn't he.  And perhaps there is an evergreen tree since it is winter.  After cutting the background fabric, I appliqued the pond to it and then quilted the mini quilt.  Next I appliqued the penguin and tree onto the quilt.  Now remember if you have the penguin die and you have an embroidery machine you can download the embroidery for it for free from the Accuquilt site. I don't have the ability to do that so I use my sewing machine zig zag to do my applique.

It's progressing right along with prairie point accents with buttons and of course the binding. But it still needs something hmmm....

That's it, it needs SNOW using the accuquilt 2" alphabet die.  As I was getting the die out I thought what are the chances I have felt or wool to make my letters out of, I didn't think the chance was good.  So imagine my surprise when I opened the cupboard that holds my small supply of wool and found the perfect blue!!!!  I appliqued the letters on with a light blue thread and straight stitching on the sewing machine. I think it turned out darling!  Oh and for the feet I used gold felt and they flip around as I only sewed the top of the feet in as I zig zagged the penguin himself. Thank you Accuquilt for allowing me to have some fun with this die!  I'll be using it again for a Valentine wall hanging later on.

I must have been really tired when I wrote this last night as I had it titled 'A squirrel in the form of a snowman'.  Imagine my surprise this morning when I went to check that it posted.  I since corrected the title, however it still says snowman in bloglovin and the link addy when I link to linky parties. My apologies to Accuquilt and my followers.  

Linking with Design Wall Monday and Sew and Tell.  Thank you ladies for hosting these linky parties.