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

A gift for Mom-Accuquilt tutorial

 As a Go! Getter for Accuquilt I recently had the opportunity to create a tutorial for the Accuquilt blog.  They have a new die for a tea/coffee cup, which they provided for me.  The tutorial is for a mug rug, a gift for mom.  It was so fun to whip up something so small and quick.  You can check out the tutorial HERE.  It requires just a few scraps. 

There is a little pocket to hold a tea bag or two.  Put it in a matching cup and you have a quick gift.  If you leave off the words you have a fun gift for a teacher or friend.

Linking up at Put Your Foot Down, Finished Or Not Friday, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop, Off The Wall Friday, and Peacock Party

Starstruck tutorial

Several of you asked for the tutorial for my Island Batik Starstruck table runner.  This is a simple tutorial for those of you already knowing how to piece a runner, which I assume that everyone that follows my blog does.

This is for one 13" finished block:  Using your favorite method of making HST's(half sq. triangles) make eight that will measure 3.5" unfinished (3" finished in your block) of a background and a main color.   Also cut four 3.5" sq. of background color.

This one is a little trickier but you can do it!  Cut four 1.5" x 5.5" strips of background.  Cut four 3.5" squares of main color and cut in half on the diagonal.  And sew as in the photo below centering your triangles on the background strip.  These will be over sized so you can trim to a perfect 3.5" sq.

Here is how I trimmed the first two sides. Notice how I have one of the diagonal lines of the ruler laying down the center of the background strip.  Trim the top and right side. Turn the block and ruler and trim the last 2 sides to measure 3.5" square.

 Cut four 1.5" x 6.5" strips of background and one 1.5" sq of main color.  Lay out as below and sew together.

My runner is made with 3 blocks with spacers in between.  I cut the spacer strips from background 1.5" x 13.5".  I also added on outside borders which I cut at 1.5" x the width of the runner and also 1.5" x the length of the runner.

If you have any questions feel free to ask!  And I hope you enjoy making your own runner.

Linking with Beth, Beth and Connie

Hooks and swirls

I made these three runners up, after I got back from Paducah, using some of the fabrics I bought while there.  The pattern is a GE Design from one of her books.  No affliation, I just liked the pattern.

I quilted the two on the left with an easy, fast allover hook swirl.  Sometimes it was one hook, sometimes two or three hooks. 

As I was quilting them I thought perhaps someone out there would be interested in seeing how I do them.  The person I learned the single hook swirl from was Angela Walters.   Then I went on to add my own thing.   Number 1. shows the single hook swirl.

Number 2 has two hooks and number 3 has three hooks.  Easy peasy right!  Do you use a white board to practice your designs?  If not run out and get one and practice, practice, practice (ppp).   It really does make a difference to train your brain on the white board, your quilting will become easier and smoother.  Really practice making nice smooth swirls.  Smooth lines for the swirl is the key, not necessarily the shape so much.

Here you can follow my path a bit to help you on your way.  Remember to change direction of your swirls from time to time.  It's OK to make big and small designs to fit in.  And one big thing is if you get yourself into a tight spot echo your way out OR throw in a swooping curve like indicated by the arrow in the photo above.   If you decide to add something, just do it more than once throughout the quilt and it looks like you planned it all along;)   If you have questions feel free to ask me.  Now go quilt something, have fun with it!!

Linking with MCM, Monday Making and Linky Tuesday

Hoping everyone has a great week

Squiggles and Wiggles

Yesterday there were a few people interested in my squiggle and wiggle quilting on the Spiderman quilt. Here is a drawing from my white board to help you better understand how to execute it.

  

When doing this on a quilt I try to keep my lines 3/4" apart, but, that will vary depending where you are at. Don't stress over it as it will all blend in at the end anyway.  If you visualize a topographical map it may also help you stitch this out.  So just start stitching making some squiggles and wiggles and through in a swirl with a rounded end and work your way back out echoing as you go.  You may echo as much as you want before starting a new path. I love stitching this out as it is very forgiving and free flowing and the texture it leaves is amazing!

Hope this helps, if you have any questions just leave me a comment and make sure you are not a no reply blogger so I can get back to you.

Our visitor on Friday night, strutting his stuff right in the front yard-there was a lady nearby that he was trying to impress.

Isn't he beautiful!  The blue on his head was just stunning in person.

Today I am getting ready for a little quilt retreat with a blog friend at my house this week! See ya soon Wendy!!  I'll share more with all of you later this week :)

Linking with a few of the early in the week linky parties.