Quilting is as Easy as... 1, 2, 3!

Are you an admirer of quilts?  Do you long to wrap yourself up in a beautiful, warm creation that we made by you?  Can you sew a straight line?  Than with our 1, 2, 3 method, ANYONE (even you) can be a quilter!

Supplies need:

• (3) 1-yard pieces of coordinating fabric
• Rotary Mat
• Rotary Cutter
• Ruler
• 3 Yard piece of Quilter's Grid
• Iron & Ironing board
• Sewing Machine
• Thread

Steps:

• Cut each of your 1 yard pieces of fabric into 6" strips.  Each 1 yard piece will give you (6) 6" strips
  
• Then cut all the 6" strips into 6" x 6" squares.  You will get (7) 6"x6" squares per strip for a total of (42) squares per 1 yard piece of fabric.  You will end up with (126) squares when all your 3 yards have been cut.
   
• You will need to cut off 6-8" of the bottom of your piece of grid.  Lay vertically on end to add to the overall width.  You will then lay out your squares on the Quilter's Grid using the 1, 2, 3 pattern.  Your quilt will be 9 squares across by 14 squares down.
  
• Continue laying out all the rows and iron into place.
  
• Once all your squares are ironed into place, you will fold over each row and sew a 1/4" seam (or just use the edge of your foot).  Either is fine as long as you are consistent.
• Sew one direction, iron all seams one direction, and then sew the seams going the other direction until all seams are sewn.  The press to lay all seams flat.
  
• Now you are ready to baste, quilt, and bind in your favorite way.  Finished quilt top measures approximately 48" x 74", depending on your seam size.

Check out our YouTube video to see how to use the Quilter's Grid.  And visit our website for all your quilting (and vintage-inspired home) goods.

~Happy Sewing!

Bragging Rights - Peggy

At our recent show for the Plano Quilt Guild, we got to see and visit with one of our good customers, Peggy.  She had told us that the fabric she bought from us at another one of our shows had turned into a beautiful Saw Tooth Log Cabin Quilt.

And she was right.  Check out this GORGEOUS quilt she made using Moda Fabrics.  Along with the quilting done by Richard Larson, she now has a treasured keepsake to last for generations to come.

Remember, send us your pictures of what you have made and we will brag on you too.  Email them to me at jsmisek@homealamode.com or just post them to our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/homealamode.

~Happy Sewing!

Charm Pack Quilt for a New Prince Charming

A dear friend of mine was expecting her first baby.  So of course, I HAD to make her a quilt!!!  Her and her husband decided to go "old school" (which I love!!!) and not find out the gender of their little miracle.  While I decided to do the same with both of my children, you probably know just how hard it is do find the perfect fabric for a great gender-neutral quilt.  Well, of course I turned to Moda, the greatest fabric manufacturer in my opinion.  And anytime I can use precuts, I am a happy girl.  Even though I have been sewing for awhile, I am still one of the worst cutters of square fabric in the world!!!

Armed with 2 charm packs (which I didn't use completely) and some jelly roll strips, I came up with the simple quilt design.  It is just 6 vertical rows of 9 squares with strips in between.  And my favorite backing for a baby quilt is our 100% Cotton Chenille - it get softer every time you wash it.

Here is the mama-to-be with the classic "tummy shot"... doesn't she look adorable!!!

And just the other day, this adorable little man made his entrance into the world.  I can't wait to get my hands on this little guy and cuddle him up :)  But knowing how life goes after bringing home the baby, I'll give mama a few weeks before I show up :)

A State of Mind...

Hello to you all!  Can you believe that Thanksgiving is on Thursday?  I can't.  This year has absolutely flown by.  One thing I am super excited about...our daughter is going to be home from college tomorrow!  Woohoo!  I can't wait to see her.  We have a couple of projects lined up for when she gets home.  One of the ones I can't get out of my mind is making some things out of our State Towels and Tablecloths.  I have said previously that I want to make a set of pillows for our couch that have meaning to our family.  Here are the ones that I want to use...

Oklahoma Cowboy Flour Sack Towel

We live in Oklahoma.  

Colorado Towel

We took the kids to Colorado for Christmas one year for a 3 day vacation.  Those 3 days turned in to a whole week due to 2 blizzards coming in at the same time we were there.

Texas Flour Sack Towel

I am from TEXAS...enough said!...LOL

I also want to try whipping up some quilts using some of the State Tablecloths.  When we were in Houston for the Quilt Festival, I heard the idea of making quilts out of tablecloths.  Well, I don't know about you, but I thought this was brilliant.  Here are the ones that I have in mind for whipping up as quilts...

*Mom and Dad, stop reading this post right now...what follows is a Christmas spoiler!

Florida Tablecloth

My Dad is from Florida.  I can see a lot of quilting to make this little beauty pop as a quilt top.

Washington Tablecloth

My Mom is from Washington.  Again, the quilting you choose to do with this would just enhance this.

I am not sure how you may view all of our State tablecloths and towels.  Each one I see brings up memories for me.  What I would like to know is how would you use them?  Do they conger up memories for you or do you see really cool towels to represent your states?  How would you use these in your home?  I would love to hear your ideas or maybe suggestions for tutorials you might like to see.

Head over to our website and check out all of our State items.  Let me know which would be the first one you would purchase.  Remember, when you check out use my Discount Code.  

Have a FANTASTIC day, and a BLESSED Thanksgiving!

Our Say It With Words Winner!

Good Morning!!!!  Ok, you guys always amaze me!  Thank you so much for all of the kind comments on the What Cancer Cannot Do Tutorial.  I sat reading them all to my husband last night.  I really do enjoy hearing from everyone!

Now on to some pictures of my finished quilt.

Here is a pic of the quilting I did on the header...

One More....

Now our Winner!!!!

Congrats, Shannon! 

Contact Karen at ksmisek@homealamode.com and give her your choice and shipping information.  

Say it with words--Prayer Shawl

I have a new Say It With Words Project today.  Before I show you, I wanted you to see some awesome storm clouds that rolled by our house.

In my next life, I really want to be a storm chaser.

Now,to the quilt.  For this quilt I used the Say It With Words--Prayer Shawl Fabric Panel, Moda Candy Bar, and used Dottie Tangerine fabric for the backing.

I really like how the quilt top looks with natural light shining through.  Kind of gives it a stained glass look.

A close up of the quilting.

The final product!

As I make more and more of these I can't think of how great these would be given to loved ones in my life.  There are so many panels to choose from.  They also come together very quickly. Remember to use our DISCOUNT CODE when you check out. 

I would love to see any projects that you make from these.  I would like to send out a challenge to everyone to make at least one of these for a special loved on in your life.  They really mean a lot to the recipient and it makes it more special that you have created a unique item just for them.  Don't you LOVE handmade items?

It's all in the bag...

I spent a couple of days using up some scraps and making up some fun zippy bags.  Just wanted to show y'all what I have been doing this week. These bags are great for traveling.  Hope you enjoy the pics.  If you click on the link after the pic, it will take you to our store site.  Don't forget about using my DISCOUNT CODE!

Sideways chevron zippy bag

Dottie quilted zippy bag--blue

Dottie Strip Zippy bag

Dottie Ruffle Zippy Bag--Pink

Dottie Ruffle Zippy Bag--Red

Simple 1-2-3 Patchwork Quilt Tutorial

I want to share a very simple quilt that actually packs a wallop presentation wise.  This is the 1-2-3 patchwork quilt.  Very easy! Very Simple!  If you are just starting in quilting...you will love making this quilt.


Supplies


3/4 yd. of 3 coordinating fabrics  I used Airborne, Faded Blue Dottie, and cream chenille
2 yds batting 
2 yds backing fabric (I backed this quilt with the cream chenille)
fabric for binding.  I just used scraps left over from my squares.

Cut your fabrics into 6" squares.  Figure ahead of time how many you need for how big of a quilt you want.  We wanted a baby quilt so we went with 7 x 9 grid.  This means I would need 63 squares.  Divide that by the number of fabrics you have (3) and that will give you how many squares of each fabric you will need...in this case (21).

Next lay your squares out in a 7 x 9 grid.  Put them out in a 1-2-3 pattern.  Follow that simple pattern and it will lay out very quickly.

Now you want to sew each row together.  I start by doing the vertical seam first.  Once I have done that, then i sew each row together horizontally.

I love how the chenille adds some texture to the quilt top!

Layer your quilt top, batting and backing fabric together and pin.  Now you are ready to quilt your pieces together.

I went with a basic diamond pattern.  This is the first round of quilting.  It  didn't quite look right, so I decided to add more lines...

I like this MUCH better...don't you?

Make your binding.  You want to cut strips of fabric that are 2.25" wide.  Make one long strip that will go all the way around the perimeter of your quilt.  Remember to allow for corners.  Once you have your strip, fold it in half and press.  

  
You are now ready to attach your binding.  Always, Always, Always finish your binding by hand stitching it down.  You will get a much more professional finish in the end.

My quilt finished off at 39'"x 49".  The perfect size for a little one to crawl around on.  You can make this any size your want.  My hubs is actually trying to talk me into making one for our king size bed.  I told him it would take a lot of bribery on his part.  Let's see if he comes through.  


If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.  Stop by Home a la mode and check out our great fabrics for your next patchwork quilt.  Remember, if you use my DISCOUNT CODE, you can get an additional 5% off your purchase.  Thanks for shopping!

Say it With Words--Peace Prayer of St. Francis

I have another fabric panel sample for you.  Today I am showing off the Peace Prayer of St. Francis.  I paired the panel with the Origins Jelly Roll.

Here is the panel trimmed and ready for the jelly roll fabric.

I wanted to show you what the project looked like before I quilted it.

Here it is is quilted and ready to be hung on a wall.

Thanks for taking the time to look!  Y'all let me know if there is anything you would like to see in particular.  We all love hearing from all of you.

***We are linking to the Sew Many Ways Find a Friend Friday Link party!!!  Go check it out!

Let's Go Sew!

Kristin