Monday, May 25, 2020

Need A Hug In A Zipper Bag?

I have such fun using Crafter's Edge Crossover II and fabric cutting dies.
There are so many fabric dies to choose from...love it!

My "Need A Hug?" zipper and lined bag went together quickly using the
newly released Cactus die and Equilateral Triangle die for the applique.

Need A Hug?
Lined zipper bag measures approximately 15" x 18"


Dropping a "Need A Hug?" zipper bag filled with treats and necessities on someone's
doorstep would definitely brighten someone's day. The possibilities are endless for filling it!


The Crafter's Edge dies don't take up much room when storing and can cut up to six layers.
They just released a cactus die that was perfect for my "Need A Hug?" zippered bag.


I used the Equilateral Triangle die, the smallest one, for two of the rows.
The corners are notched to make it easy when sewing them together.


The cactus, snake, and lettering were backed with Heat n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive . 
You'll love how easy it is to peel off the protective backing paper. 



I used a video by Nicole at Sprout Patterns to make "Need A Hug?" because I felt it had great 
instructions for a lined zipper bag. Her instructions made it so easy to sew the bag together
using the front bag section I made with the cactus and equilateral triangles.


What You'll need for "Need A Hug?" 

18” Polyester Zipper
Thread/Embroidery Thread
Crafter’s Edge Crossover II
Crafter’s Edge Cactus and 3.1" x 2.5" Equilateral Die

Fabric Needed:

10-11 fat quarters

Cutting instructions:

Cut 1 – 6 ½” x 18” beige, front of bag
Cut 16 - 3.1” x 2.5” black, equilateral triangles
Cut 18 - 3.1” x 2.5” turquoise, equilateral triangles
Cut 4 - applique cactus shapes
Cut 2 – 3” x 18” brown, strips
Cut 2 – 15” x 18” beige, lining
Cut 1 – 15” x 18” brown, back of bag

*Tip: Ironing Heat n Bond Fusible Interfacing to the back of an applique block can help keep the
 threads from showing through fabric and stabilize the fabric to make stitching small pieces easier.


Sewing/Applique Instructions: Seams are sewn 1/4” wide

Prepare the cactus design using iron-on adhesive. 
Iron adhesive to wrong side of applique fabrics following package directions.
 Cut out four cactus shapes using Crafter’s Edge cactus fabric die.


Snake and lettering:

Right click on picture to save. Print on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Pattern has been reversed.
Trace designs on iron-on adhesive.


Iron adhesive pieces to wrong side of fabrics following package directions. Cut out applique pieces. 
Peel off paper liner from the backs of applique pieces. Place applique, adhesive side down, on 
right side of fabric. Press according to package directions until entire piece is bonded. Let cool. 
Sew around edges of applique using a straight, zig-zag, or blanket stitch.


Using the Crafter's Edge Crossover II and 3.1" x 2.5" Equilateral Die, cut out
16 - 3.1” x 2.5” black, equilateral triangles
18 - 3.1” x 2.5” turquoise, equilateral triangles


With right sides together, sew equilateral triangles together alternating colors and directions.
Press seams to sides. Trim ends as shown below. Strips should be 18" long. 


With right sides together, sew equilateral triangle strips to top and bottom of center applique strip.


With right sides together, sew 3” x 18” brown strips to top and bottom of equilateral triangles.
Press seams towards brown strips.


Follow the video link above to sew the zipper bag together. 

*Instead of pinning the zipper in place before sewing, I used Fabric Fuse to hold it and the fabric 
layers in place. Just apply the Fabric Fuse to the fabric, lay the zipper on the fabric, let dry, and sew.
You'll love how it keeps the zipper right where it should be with no slipping out of place.


Fill your bag and share the hugs!


Visit ThermOWeb's blog where I'm hanging out today and see all the other
amazing Show Thanks ideas happening there.

Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, May 23, 2020

Crafter's Edge Mask With A Pocket For Filter

With the Crafter's Edge Crossover II and Crafter's Edge Mask Die, making face masks are so easy.
You can also add a pocket to the back of the mask for a filter, too. I'll show you how!

I love using HeatnBond Sew-In interfacing as a filter, but there are lots of other choices.
Pick the filter that makes you feel the most comfortable and meets your standards of safety.


Directions come with the Face Mask Die and they are really easy to follow.
Run your fabrics/interfacing through the Crossover II Edge using the mask die.


I used three different fabrics for the mask to show the different layers.
You can use the same fabrics if you want to.

Sew the rounded edge of fabric mask pieces together following the directions.
Clip or use pink shears on curved edge. Press seams flat. 


Fold over 1/4" twice on short end of pocket edges. Press. Top stitch close to edge.


Pin elastic to right side of mask lining, a quarter inch from edges.


Stitch a couple times over the elastic to secure them a little better.


Layer mask front, pocket, and lining as shown below.


Pin layers together making sure to catch all layers of fabric.
The pocket will be about a half inch from the shorter edges of mask.


Stitch around all edges with 1/4" seam making sure to catch all layers of fabric;
leave 1 1/2" to 2" opening for turning inside out.


Turn inside out, having pocket at the back and lining in the middle.
Fold edges of opening inside the mask. Press.


Top stitch close to edge around entire mask. Be sure to catch opening in stitches. If adding a
wire, tuck it up in top of mask now. Stitch 1/4" from top stitching to hold wire in place.


I used the second from the smallest mask die to create a filter from
HeatnBond Sew-In interfacing. Filters can be cut in other shapes if desired.


Tuck the filter between the pocket and lining. It can be removed and replaced as needed.


Having to wear a mask may not be fun, but wearing a mask made with Riley Blake Designs
"Tranquility" by Gerri Robinson of Planted Seed Designs can be a pleasure!



I think you'll love the Crafter's Edge mask die as much as I do!


Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, May 22, 2020

The Last Day Of "It's Cool To Be Square" Blog Hop

The last day of a blog hop is the best and the worst. The best because it's been a week of
inspiring projects and the worst because it's sad to see it end. Seeing so many square creations
has been amazing. Thank you to all who participated and to those of you who've visited!


Today is my day to share a project along with some other very cool quilters.

I've been moving (twice) over the last three months so sewing has been a bit of a challenge.
The house is full of boxes and since the majority of them say "sewing room" on them,
there's been a lot of digging and searching to find what I need. Hopefully, this next week
will improve the situation and there will be fewer boxes to climb over and dig through.

My "It's Cool To Be Square" project didn't get quilted, but it is flimsy that's ready to show. I 
used several of my applique designs to create a Halloween quilt that's full of squares in squares 
and it's square shaped. It finishes at 52" x 52" so that should meet the "cool square" criteria.


My new backyard has pine trees, palm trees, and even a wagon wheel that was left by
the previous owner. Not something I would have bought, but it's kind of fun.


There's lots of the usual Halloween boos in the quilt


A little potion, green worm, ghost, and black widows!


It felt really "cool to be square" making this Halloween quilt!


I hope you've been having a good time checking out all the square projects...I know I have!

Here's who's been hopping all week. They'd love a visit and a comment from you, I'm sure.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

A Quilt Of Tranquility By Riley Blake Designs

I think we all need a break from "the virus" and some "Tranquility" by Riley Blake Designs 
is a perfect way to find some peace. Their new fabric collection by Gerri Robinson of 
Planted Seed Designs fills the need for sure. The fabrics are gorgeous!


The fabrics are 100 percent cotton and are perfect for clothing, home decor, or other projects.


"Tranquility Garden" measures 50" x 50"


The wagon wheel left by the previous owner of our new house makes a fun prop for quilts!




Quilting was by Ginger Turner of Sew Sassy Longarm


Riley Blake Designs basic Confetti Cotton Solid Steel was the perfect gray.



You can find "Tranquilty Garden" HERE.

Making the Dresden in the center was so easy because I used Crafter's Edge fabric die, 
Rounded Dresden. It easily cuts up to six petals at a time and comes in two sizes. Love it!




The oldest Monkey Boy was "The Crew" this time. Silly boy is barefoot standing on rocks. Ouch!



 For more "Tranquility" projects in this blog tour, check out these blogs:

5/19 - Carol - Just Let Me Quilt (this is me)
5/26 - Sarah - Piccolo Studio

Be sure to visit the "It's Cool To Be Square" blog hoppers today.
So much inspiration!



Thank you for stopping by!

Bona Lisa BOM April Block Release

The first of the month means a new block for Bona Lisa's Sweater Emporium. It's just Joan sharing her spooktacular talent this month...