Moda Bakeshop: Fancy Folded Star - Pot Holder

I'm really happy to be sharing my third Moda Bakeshop tutorial with you all, it's so much fun to make them and get to share them with so many people. =) However, this tutorial is no longer available on Moda Bakeshop due to the wordpress crash, but it's  available for free download in the "files" section of my Facebook group.

Please take a look at the tutorial for this little project here: Tutorial at Moda Bakeshop

I'd be really happy if you do decide to check it out, if you'd leave a little comment over there to let me know what you think. And if you do decide to make one or three, I'd be so happy if you dropped me an email with a photo of the finished thing so I can feature it here on the blog =)

I hope you'll enjoy making folded stars as much as I do! They're so versatile and can be used as everything from tiny ornaments to big pillow covers. They're so much fun to make, initially the tutorial might look a bit intimidating, but it's really not difficult.

And this is also what my little preview was of a few weeks back ^^

My second Moda Bakeshop Project - Charming Rag Quilt Tutorial

2020 - EDIT: Unfortunately after heir wordpress crash this tutorial is no longer available on Moda Bakeshop, however, it is available for FREE in my Facebook group. 

I'm so happy to be sharing my second Moda Bakeshop project with you all, while honestly much less exciting then my first reveal, it's still quite fun I think and it does have some key differences in how it's made (no cutting and perfectly fitting in batting squares) from the number of other Rag projects that's been presented over there lately.  In my defense through, this quilt was finished in December and by then no other Rag Quilt projects at all had been presented there. ;)

It's finally "Christmas in July" over at the MBS and I get to show it too you! Can you imagine how hard it's been for me to not tell anyone about this quilt or show it off for over 7 months?

"Charming Rag Quilt"

It's made with Holly Taylor's Northern Cardinal fabric, while far away from my usual cheery color scale this quilt is absolutely perfect for our living room. The muted colors of brown, beige, and forest green made it a lovely addition to our couch during the winter. I'm also super excited with the pictures as it's so very "Malta" colored and matched perfectly with the sand stone everything is made from here. =)

It's a little weird photographing a Christmas quilt when the weather says full on summer. Got a lot of strange looks that day, dragging my quilt around, hanging it up in all kinds of places trying to get the perfect main picture for the tutorial.

Please take a look at the tutorial for this quilt here: Tutorial at Moda Bakeshop

I'd be so happy if you'd leave a comment over there, and if you decide to make one of these quilts based on the tutorial (or any of my other tutorials), I'd be even happier if you sent me an email with a photo so I can show it off here on the blog =)

This project originally came from my first full size rag quilt, that one you can see here.

I'm a Moda Bakeshop girl!! Or: Summer Squares - Tutorial

Can you believe it? Nope, me neither! =D

I can't stop smiling, I'm one of Moda Bakeshop's Chefs! I couldn't be happier or more honored to be a part of this fantastic group! I've been having such a difficult time not telling (read: cry it out from the rooftops) ever since I found out back in December. The very first project I get to share is what came out of this sketch, my Summer Squares Quilt (thank you mom for the great name!).

I'm super excited to share my very first pattern with the world! Presenting, the finished product:

Summer Squares made with Sunkissed by Sweetwater

EDIT: Unfortunately after their wordpress crash this tutorial is no longer available on Moda Bakeshop, however, it is available for FREE in my Facebook group. 

Please hop over to Moda Bakeshop to read my tutorial (no longer available there, it's however available for free download in my Facebook group) on how to make this quilt, including the simple trapunto technique I used for the appliques. I've been so nervous but in a good way, you know: What if people don't like it? What if I make a mistake in yardage calculations (I'm the queen of those) etc. But now it's all released and I'm just feeling so proud. I'd be so happy if you'd leave a comment over there, and if you decide to make one of these quilts based on the tutorial, I'd be even happier if you sent me an email with a photo so I can show it off here on the blog =)

It's such a quick, easy quilt to make but so much fun thanks to the applique details. You also get to show off whatever fabric you're using quite well with the fairly big squares. I didn't want to finish this quilt while I was making it, the fabrics where such a pleasure to work with, such pretty summery colors and beautiful but still cool prints!

Tutorial - Sunkissed Summer Squares Table Topper

I've been playing with the scraps from my Sunkissed project and I've been having so much fun! The result amongst other things is this adorable little table topper which I thought I'd create a quick tutorial for as it's a great way to use up a few jelly roll scraps.

Sunkissed Summer Squares - Table Topper

Materials
18 jelly roll scraps (or 2,5" strips)
2 2,5"x white width of fabric strips for borders
2 2,5"x width of fabric strips for binding (or leftover jellyroll pieces)

Step 1 - Cutting
Sort your jelly roll scraps, you'll preferably use 18 different ones - the longer pieces will be the borders, the shorter ones will be centers. Cut nine 2,5" squares for center pieces. From your longer scraps cut one 2,5" squares and one  4" strip from each.

Split the border pieces down the middle so you get two 1,25" wide pieces from each.

Step 2 - Assembling your blocks
Attach the short border pieces to the sides of the square and then add the longer 4" borders.

Make 9 blocks.

Step 3 - Assemble your top
Choose a pleasing layout for your blocks and sew them together.

Step 4 - Add borders
Add 10,5" of the white borders to the sides and then add 14,5" inches to the other sides.

Step 5 - Add applique and quilt
Add your applique using your preferred method, I used raw edge applique and Steam a Seam fusible web which I think is a great product, really easy to use. The flower applique I used will be available for download in a few days should you wish to use it. =)

 

I attached the applique with the batting and backing in place hence quilting it at the same time.
Quilt as desired. I quilted it with a loop the loop pattern with some flowers mixed in.

Attach binding and you're done. One super summery, really quick to make 14½" x14½" table topper!

If you decide to make your own table topper based on this tutorial, or any pattern of mine - I'd love if you add it to my flickr group and thereby share it with me and the world so we all can enjoy it and be inspired by it: Not Only Quilts - Share Your Creations 

Tutorial - Simple Katarina Bracelet

I'm making a tutorial to teach you all how to make your own, simple, unbacked Sami Bracelet, it's really not very difficult, mostly just requires a bit of patience ^^ 

This tutorial is perfect for use with my Macramé Braid Tutorial too. If you want to learn how to make a full sami bracelet with leather backing, my Sami Jewellery - All The Basics Tutorial is a great place to start!

This is what we'll be making, a Katarina Braid Bracelet without backing:

  
All materials you need can be bought from https://www.tnkreativt.com/. They also have lovely kits for you with everything you need to make your first bracelet. I'm not affiliated with them in any way, I just like their products.

Making the Braid

Material:
* 1 strand of 1/4 inch wide leather
* 8 strands of pewter threads
* A small strand of synthetic sinew (split up the full fat strand into 4 or so thinner strands)
* Safety pin


Step 1:
First tie your pewter and leather strands together with the sinew, and attach it all to a safety pin that you pin into a pillow/your jeans or whatever you feel comfortable braiding from. Separate your strands into pairs of two and place two pairs on each side of the leather. Fold the leather strip out of the way in the middle.

 Step 2:
Take the right most pair of threads and place it over the other.

Step 3:
Take the left most strand and place it under the other one.

Step 4:
Place the left strand you just moved and cross it over the right strand we moved in step 2. Pull it together tightly. The tighter your braid is, the better and more even it will look (until a point where you start breaking the pewter strands and making stuff all edgy and weird looking of course).

Step 5:
Let down the leather strand and repeat the same process but on top of the leather, see below:

Repeat until you run out of leather or pewter, tie off the end with sinew. 

Making the Bracelet

We now have a pretty braid! Measure your wrist and cut the braid to 1/2 inch shorter if you want a tight bracelet, or 1/4-1/2 inch longer if you want it loose, hanging down. This measurement is including the tied off ends and little leftover pieces at the end.

Materials:
* 2 leather squares, twice the width of your braid and about 3/4 inch long.
* 1 1/16 inch wide and 5 inches long cut leather piece
* Synthetic sinew in suitable color
* All purpose glue
* Leather cutting needle 
* Button of your choice, for example a beautiful reindeer antler button


Step 1:
Place one of the lather squares on top of your braid, make sure you place it on the right side of your braid, not the underside.  Using one of the sinew threads you used to tie off your braid (or if they're too short attach a new, longer one by tying it over the old knot), thread your needle and attach the leather piece to your braid with three stitches. These stitches should be in the same holes, and go around the leather and the braid on the backside. Make the stitch just slightly smaller than your braid, see below.

Step 2:
Tie it off carefully and tightly with a triple knot. Do this for the other side of the braid too.

Step 3:
Attach your button in the normal way (see the basics tutorial if you are uncertain), also with one of the sinew threads to one side. Before you tie it off, stick your needle through between your button and the skin on the topside like the picture shows, spin the thread at least three times to elevate the button from the skin, making it easier to put the bracelet on and off. 

Step 4:
End with a loop knot and bring the thread out on the underside.

Step 5:
Tie the thread with the other thread on the backside.

Step: 6
Now we're going to make the little loop for the button. Take your strand of leather, wet it thoroughly with water and ask a friend for help. Spin each end in different directions. 

  
Step 7:
Fold in half and when you let go of the folded end, it'll snap together nicely.

Step 8:
Tie it into a loop with a piece of sinew.

Step 9:
Tie it to the opposite end of the braid from the button, and make sure you tie it tightly because it'll take some strain.

  
Step 10:
Dab some glue on the whole thing and sew it closed. If you're uncertain about how to do this, see the basics tutorial.

  
Step 11:
When you come to the end, do a double stitch and stick it all the way through, this way it'll get glued in with everything and there's no risk of it coming undone.

Step 12:
Do the same thing to the button side. Press down on the ends of the braid to get the glue all the way down to the edges and get a neat end. Clamp your ends closed with a clothespin, wonder clip or your fingers until it's somewhat dry - to get your loop nice and centered. And voila! You have a sami bracelet!

If you make your own Sami Bracelet, or anything from a pattern or tutorial of mine - I'd love if you add it to my Facebook Group and thereby share it with me and the world so we all can enjoy it and be inspired by it!  And don't hesitate to tag me if you post on instagram @pink_pony_design.