Charmed Prints QAL: Schedule and Fabric Requirements

So here we are!  Week 1 of the Charmed Prints Quilt Along....  the really fun part, picking out fabric.

First, let's get the serious business out of the way.  

THE SCHEDULE:

               10/26    Quilt Along Announcement

Week 1  11/1      Schedule and Fabric Requirements

Week 2  11/8      Cutting and Layout Planning

Week 3  11/15    Star Block Instructions AND  11/16  Greek Cross Block 

Week 4  11/22    Diamond in the Square Block Instructions AND  11/23 Pinwheel Block 

Week 5  11/29    Assemble the Quilt Top

Week 6  12/6      Quilting and Finishing

Week 7  12/13    Completed Quilt

There are 4 feature blocks in this quilt.  As I mentioned, most of the charms will remain full 5" squares.  In Weeks 3 and 4, I will give 2 block tutorials each week.  I decided to separate them into Tuesday and Wednesday posts so the instructions for each block are separated.  I intentionally put the more difficult blocks in Week 3 and the easier blocks in Week 4.  Week 4 is Thanksgiving week and I assume a lot of us will have turkey hangovers and be spending time with family.  So that is why the simpler blocks are in Week 4.  I hope that helps everyone keep on pace if you're trying to finish by Christmas.

Baby/Child Size Quilt 47” x 47” (6 x 6 charms)

Lap Size Quilt 66.5” x 66.5” (9 x 9 charms)

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:

Fabric	Child Size Yardage Requirements	Lap Size Yardage Requirements
Charm Pack	1 (36 charms)	2 (81 charms)
Sashing	1 yard	2 1/4 yards
Border	½ yard	3/4 yard
Flange Binding	¼ yard	¼ yard
Backing	3 yards (2 ¼ for pieced, scrappy back)	4 yards
Batting	52” x 52”	72” x72”
Binding	3/8 yard	5/8   yard
Assorted scraps	Leftover charms or coordinating scraps for feature blocks	Leftover charms or coordinating scraps for feature blocks

Note:  Most charm packs include 42 – 5” squares, but pay attention to the quantity when ordering.

Selecting your fabric:  Pick out fabric that you love!  Since most of you will be buying precuts of charm packs, the hard part is mostly done for you.  The charm pack already contains a full line of coordinating prints.  This can be an I-Spy quilt, so if you're inclined, choose a line that has some novelty prints to fussy cut in your feature blocks.

You will need to select a neutral sashing to really show off the charms and a border print that picks up one of the main colors of the charm pack.

To make the feature blocks, you will need either leftover charms or small scraps that coordinate with the fabric line you have chosen.  *Note:  The Lap size quilt uses all of the charms if you buy 2 charm packs.  This quilt is meant to be customized, both with the number of feature blocks you use and your fabric selection, so don't feel restricted to only working with the fabric line you've chosen for the charms.  I think you'll be surprised at how you can find other prints in your stash that coordinate and highlight the prints from different lines.  Everything doesn't have to be perfectly matchy-matchy unless you like it that way.


Here are my choices:  I've decided to make a "boy" quilt with blue and orange accents.

charms:  assorted charms from GXQ's Japanese Imports and Spoonflower swaps.  Plus a few other Japanese fabrics from my stash.
sashing:  Essex Linen in Natural
border/binding:  orange gingham from Riley Blake
flange:  Kona Amber (not pictured)
assorted coordinates for feature blocks:  all from my stash, picking up the oranges or blues in the charms.  Some Katie Jump Rope, some more gingham, etc....

To add a little pizzazz to finishing the quilt, I will be including a flange before adding the binding.  I plan on using a solid to give the quilt just a little punch.  This is also optional - but fun I hope!

Join in the Charmed Prints Quilt-Along!

WHAT:  Make a fun and simple quilt based on charm squares (5" squares).  Child's quilt or Lap quilt size instructions are given.

WHEN:  The new quilt along kicks off with fabric requirements on Tuesday, 11/01/11.  We'll be making an I-Spy sort of quilt using charm packs (5" squares) and a few "feature" quilt blocks to showcase some fussy cut charms.

All you need is a cute charm pack (child) or two (lap) to get you started!

PREVIEW:  Here's a small preview of the quilt layout (including what the feature blocks look like):

WHO:  This quilt-along is perfect for quilters of all levels.   If you've never done a quilt-along before, now's a great time to try it!  It's a lot of fun to work on the same pattern with many other quilters and to see how each quilter interprets it.  And since this quilt is designed to be customized, it will be fun to see the unique results.

CUSTOMIZE:  We will keep most of the charms full 5" squares.  There are 4 feature blocks that I will be giving instructions for.  You may add as many feature blocks to your quilt as you desire!  Love this block, but not that one?  Customize this quilt-along pattern to make a quilt that is you.

HOW TO JOIN:  The quilt-along is now over, but you may sew along at your own pace at any time.

SCHEDULE:  Each segment of the Quilt Along will be posted on Tuesdays, for 7 weeks, starting 11/1/11 and ending 12/13/11.

UP NEXT:  I'll be announcing the fabric requirements and the quilt-along schedule on Tuesday, 11/1 and telling you more about this quilt, to help you with your fabric selections. 

In the meantime, if you'd like to join in, start thinking about some charm packs you might like to use.  Any charms with a few cute little novelty squares that can be fussy cut would be adorable for this quilt!

Baby Changing Mat Tutorial using the Accuquilt GO! Baby

I've made a little tutorial for a Baby Changing Pad using the Accuquilt GO! Baby Ric Rac die.  Hope you like it!

Accuquilt GO! Baby Tutorial – Baby Changing Pad using Ric Rac die

Here is a simple, yet sophisticated changing pad I made.  After all, moms want to look stylish even in the middle of messy diapers!  Remember you can always add cute embellishments, like monogramming or birthdates, on the solid to make this an extra special gift.

MATERIALS

Fabric	Yardage Requirements
Print for front	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Print for backing	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Coordinating solid (appliqué and binding)	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Fusible web	6” x 18”
Batting	1 fat quarter (18” x 22”)
Coordinating Thread	1 spool
Elastic hair band	1
Cover Button Kit (1.5”)	1
Fabric scrap to cover button	3” diameter circle
GO! Baby dye	Ric Rac

CUTTING REQUIREMENTS

Fabric	Quantity	Dimensions (w x L)
Front	1	17” x 21”
Back	1	18” x 22”
Solid	1	6” x 17”
Solid (binding)	5	2 ¼” x 18”
Fusible web	1	6” x 17”

MAKING RIC RAC

1.    1. Place the 6” x 17” fusible web rectangle, bumpy side down, on top of the wrong side of the solid 6” x 17” fabric.  Fuse the fusible web to the fabric.  Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions prior to beginning for appropriate heat settings and length of time to press.

2.     2.  Leaving the paper on the fused fabrics, run the 6” x 17” piece through the ric rac dye.  The piece will fit perfectly on top of the die.  This will yield one wide ric rac strip and one thin ric rac strip.  Remove the paper backing from the strips.

ADDING APPLIQUE TO FRONT

1.     Fuse the ric rac strips (sticky or wrong side down) to the right side of the front fabric.  Place the wide ric rac strip approximately 3” up from the bottom edge of the front.  The thin ric rac strip is placed 2” above the wide strip.

2.     2. Zigzag or blanket stitch around the shapes to secure the appliqué. If you would like to add any embroidered embellishments to the front (such as a name, initials or date), do so now.

PREPARE THE QUILT SANDWICH and QUILT

1.     Baste all 3 layers together.  First lay the backing wrong side up.  Next layer the batting.  Then place the quilt top in the center of the batting and backing.  The backing fabric and batting should be slightly larger than the quilt top.  I used pin basting, but for such small projects like this, spray basting may work as well.

2.     2.  Quilt as desired.  I used a simple all-over stipple in coordinating plum thread.

3. Trim the excess backing and batting from the quilt.

BINDING

1.  1.    Use the 5 binding 2 ¼” strips to make continuous double-fold binding.  

2.   2.  I recommend using machine binding with mitered corners for this project to make it quick and easy.  Sew the binding to the back of the quilt first. 

3.     3. Turn the quilt over and sew the binding to the front.

MAKE ELASTIC BUTTON

1.   1.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the covered button kit to press the button layers together.  Push the elastic band through the loop in the back of the button.  Make a knot with the elastic band around the button loop to secure the band to the button.

There you have it…  Fold the mat in half and roll it up for travel.  Secure the roll by stretching the elastic button band around it.  All done!  Hope you like it!