Today we are switching things up, and instead of featuring projects using our paper collections, we are sharing projects created with our fabric collections!
Travel Sized Checkerboard and Tote Bag, by Christine Ousley.
Today I have a fun little project to show you that is not only fun to make but fun to play with too. Inside the tote bag is a travel sized fabric checkerboard that I made using the technique that I shared in my last post. But before we go on to that, let me tell you how to make the little tote bag. Just cut two rectangles, from fabric, 1/2” larger then the size that you want your bag to be. Place fabric right sides together and sew a 1/2” seam allowance around both sides and the bottom. Leave the top open. Clip corners and turn fabric inside out. Iron edges so that the bag is nice and flat. Use pinking shears to cut the top of the bag. This will prevent the fabric from fraying. I also create a long sash to tie the bag closed.
So here is the tote bag opened and the fabric checkerboard laid out. After putting the squares together I layered it onto a square of fusible fleece and then a square of backing material. I chose to keep the backing material the same as the binding. After stacking these three pieces, I basted them together about 1/8” from the outside edge. After that, I quilting the piece by sewing in the ditch. Basically you just sew in the seam made by the squares, both horizontally and vertically. Then I created the binding that finishes the edge of your board, and attached it to the outside of the stack.
Then I needed some checkers, so I used my Big Shot and 1” Circle die to cut 24 cardboard circles, 24 white felt circles and 12 circles each of the yellow floral material and white floral material. On hind sight, I probably should have substituted one of them for a different pattern of fabric, to make it easier to tell the difference between the two sets of checkers.
I glued the cardboard circles to the felt and then glued the fabric on the other side of the cardboard. The three layers gave the checkers more stability and the felt helps them stay on the board easily. Thanks for stopping by. I wonder what other kinds of board games you could make using fabric.
Supplies:
Bella Blvd Summer Breeze fabric for Riley Blake Designs; Big Shot; Multi Circle Bigz Die; Cardboard; Sewing Machine; Thread
Puppy Park Shirt and Shorts, by Christine Ousley.
When you are three, life is full of decisions and usually clothes are one of those things that can make or break the morning routine. So I’ve decided that I’m going to make my son some matching short outfits for the summer and started with this adorable set using Puppy Park fabric by Bella Blvd, which I thought that would be a big hit and want to wear, since he loves dogs. So when I asked him to do some pictures, I guess what he already had on was more to his liking at the moment and didn’t want to change. So a few chocolate kisses might have been needed to change his mind. So the funny faces you see in the pictures, are the result of a big chunk of chocolate in his mouth. Of course, when the photo shoot was over, he wouldn’t let me take the shirt or shorts off, and even wanted to sleep in them. Such is the life of a three year old.
The shirt was appliquéd using an embroidery machine. It is very much like paper piecing, but instead of using paper, you use fabric and thread. I used a few different Bella Blvd fabrics for the dog face and felt for the muzzle.
The shorts are made with Bella Blvd’s Puppy Park fabric for Riley Blake Fabrics. I just love these fabrics. The striped fabric is the cuff of the shorts and there are cute little tabs on the sides of the shorts. On the back of the shorts is a fun little pocket. The pattern I used for these shorts is the Tree Huggers Shorts by Brownie Goose. This is a great PDF sewing pattern if you are just starting out but still fun to design and make due to the fun tab, cuff and pocket details.
Supplies:
Bella Blvd Puppy Park fabric for Riley Blake; Embroidery Machine; Stabilizer and Embroidery Thread; Brownie Good Tree Hugger Shorts PDF Pattern; Dog Applique Embroidery Design by EmbDesignsWoot; White Shirt; 2 Buttons
Potato Chip Skirt, by Jen Chesnick.
Spring is NEAR! Hallelujah! Time to get to sewing up new spring clothes. The Potato Chip skirt is a new pattern by Tie Dye Diva. It comes in three options, lined, unlined and reversible. I chose to go with lined version since I used the Sunny Happy Skies white with polka dots fabric.
I used Snapshots Hearts in Orange for a fun pop of bright to line the pockets. The pattern teaches you how to add decorative piping even! I didn't go that far, but next time for sure.
With my leftover fabrics I made a matching applique shirt (pattern found HERE).
Supplies:
Bella Blvd Sunny Happy Skies fabric for Riley Blake Designs, Bella Blvd Snapshots fabric for Riley Blake Designs, Muslin, Heat N Bond Lite, Medium Cut Away Stabilizer, Wash-away Stabilizer, Embroidery Machine, notions
Breathe of Spring Quilt, by Kathy Frye.
Working on this quilt was like a breath of spring compared to our wintery temps here in Wisconsin! I am traditionally a very scrappy quilter, so it was fun to gather up several of the Bella Blvd fabric collections for this little baby quilt. I combined pieces from Snapshots, Sunny Happy Skies, Summer Breeze and added solid white and a touch of gray. There are a few extra blocks on the back of the quilt along with a piece of the cute little 'houses' from the newest line, Snapshots. Just a fun project!
Supplies:
Bella Blvd Snapshots fabrics for Riley Blake Designs, Bella Blvd Sunny Happy Skies fabrics for Riley Blake Designs, Bella Blvd Summer Breeze fabric for Riley Blake Designs, thread, quilt batting, stencils and fabric marker
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Riley Blake Designs markets our fabrics under Stephanie Hunt as the designer. When purchasing or searching the Riley Blake website it's actually easier & more efficient to find the Bella Blvd fabrics under "Stephanie Hunt" as the artist.
Love these! LOVING that checkerboard set from Christine!!!!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | March 24, 2015 at 08:24 AM
So fun!! I have a little spring dress I am just itching to get to making for my little gal! I have such a hard time choosing from all the adorable patterns, I do love the colors in the checkerboard set though ....Hmmmm.... :D
Posted by: Dolly | March 24, 2015 at 09:18 AM
That quilt is AMAZINGLY, where is Kathy from in WI? I am also in WI :)
Posted by: Cathy | March 24, 2015 at 11:25 AM
Just gorgeous and adorable items!! Love the patterns!!
Posted by: Leslie | March 24, 2015 at 01:23 PM
Love, love,love that skirt from Jen! Helps the model is freaking adorable too!
Posted by: Melissa | March 24, 2015 at 04:23 PM
Love the kids clothes! Great patterns :)
Posted by: Chris Loverseed | April 06, 2015 at 10:45 PM