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Easy Peasy Baby Blanket

This Blanket is so easy to make…really… probably the easiest blanket I’ve ever put together. 

Supplies:   Fabric, 2 layers, your choice.   In the pictures below, I uses 100% cotton flannel and velvet fleece. You will also need coordinating thread, pins, scissors, sewing machine.

Size:   Is all up to you. I cut my fabric 35.5 inches x 42.5 inches.  This size is great for the car seat or stroller.  It’s also a great size to fold and put in the diaper bag. 

Here’s what you do:

  1. Place fabric right sides together and pin
  2. Sew at least ½ inch seam all the way around leaving a 5-6 inch opening.  The opening needs to be big enough to turn the blanket inside out.
  3. Trim the corners w/o cutting the seams.  This will reduce bulk when you turn the blanket inside out. 
  4. Turn fabric inside out.   Make sure you pull out all 4 corners. 
  5. Ensure the seams are flat and lined up all around the edges of the blanket
  6. At the opening, fold the seams inward to match the rest of the blanket and pin.
  7. Do a top stitch all around the blanket on all 4 sides. 
  8. You’re done!

In the pictures below, I got a little fancy and sewed a patchwork top for the blanket that I made.  You can go as fancy or go as simple as you prefer.  It’s all up to you!

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Turning the Old into the New

So…I  have been working on purging my closet. I have two closets that are packed full of clothes… clothes that I noticed I hardly ever wear. Some are too big, some are too small and some I have no idea what I was thinking! Lol! Anyway, I came across two pair of old jeans.  As I was folding them to put in the give away stack, I had an epiphany! I should repurpose them!  I mean, has anyone priced denim fabric?! OMG!  It’s a little pricey!

I have a couple of quilts patterns that I would like to try and the only reason I haven’t tackled them is because I want to use denim in some of the pattern. I mean, I don’t know about you but I have to sew on a budget. (Sometimes I think I have a fabric addiction but that’s a whole other story!)

After assessing the situation, I grabbed my fabric scissors and started dismantling the jeans. I cut out the back pockets leaving about ½ inch fabric allowance around the pocket….you never know what the next project might need. I simply cut along the seams on the legs, getting as much denim real estate as I could. I even trimmed the hem and the little front coin pockets. 

I’m leaving the denim in the full size “leg panels” for now. I thought about cutting them into charm squares but again… you never know where the next project will take you. The possibilities are endless!

So, the next time you’re purging and cleaning, think outside the box and ask yourself, “Is this pair of jeans my next project?”  “What can I create with….(fill in the blank)”   You may be surprised at where you will find inspiration.

Check out the pictures below.   I repurposed one of the denim pockets on this cute little prayer pillow.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGeorgiaPineapple?ref=search_shop_redirect

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Seamingly Simple

Seamingly Simple!

My sewing machine = My happy place.

So many people think that sewing is only for those who have been blessed with an incredible talent.   NOT TRUE!

If you can sew a straight line, you can create anything!

When I realized that all I had to do was sew a simple seam or hem, the possibilities became endless on what I could create! Think about it…. place 2 pieces of fabric together and sew.  The only other special talent you need is to follow instructions on a pattern… and that’s only if you’re using a pattern!   I have made window curtains, shower curtains, placemats, napkins, quilts and tote bags… just to name a few things.

Hop over to my menu page “Sewing Projects” and check out some pictures of a few projects that require nothing more than for you to know how to sew a straight line!

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A Simple Patch Quilt Started It All!

OK…so quilting my not sound like the most exciting past time. As a matter of fact, you’re probably thinking “quilting? Only grandmas do that!” Well…that’s only partly true. I quilt…and I’m a grandmother….hmmmm. Well….I haven’t always been interested in sewing, much less quilting. Actually, up until recently, my job and career have taken the front seat in my daily journey.

What changed? Everything! I became a Nana! So far I have one little grandson who has become the center of my world! He is the sweetest and funniest little guy. So how does this pertain to quilting? When my daughter and son-in-law announced that we were having a little boy, I began thinking about what I wanted to do for the little guy. What could I do for him that would be solely from his Nana. I sat up in bed one morning (literally) and said, “I’m making him a quilt!” Keep in mind that I have never made a quilt before…I could barely sew!

Do your Research!

I started researching quilting tutorials and researching patterns, the whole 9 yards. And then it dawned on me….I called my mother, a.k.a. The Quilt Whisperer! lol!

She gave me a piece of good advice. She told me to go with what I know. Keep it simple. So….the simple patch quilt was born. I didn’t do anything fancy. I talked to my daughter and she told me the color scheme for the nursery….I bought a quilt block ruler (6 1/2 inch), 5 different coordinating fabrics and got started.

Let’s get started!

If you’re a beginner, and have never sewn a quilt, I’ll give you the tips my mom gave me:

  • cut out your blocks….whatever size you decide on.
  • sew them together in whatever pattern you want.
  • Sew with a 1/4 inch seam…(the only hard core quilting rule)
  • Make it as big as you want. (my daughter measure the baby bed mattress)

**One important tip**

When picking out fabric, the smaller prints look great on smaller blocks. The larger the print…the larger your block should be.

That’s it! You have a quilt top! No stress! No anxiety! Just a pretty quilt!

Here are some pictures of one of my simple block quilts. Hope you enjoy!