Karin Jordan Studio

Tutorial: Standard Size Charm Box Pillow

The other day when I took photos of the new Charm Box quilt I felt as though the bed looked a little naked, or 'nay-nay' as we say in our house. As I was putting together the requirements for adapting the new free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop into a twin size, I realized a pillow was in order. I've created this tutorial for a standard size (20 x 26") pillow that matches the quilt and uses either scraps from the big quilt or two mini charm packs. 

I used 54 2.5" squares for the front. Mini charm squares are perfect as they are pre-cut, but as I was using scraps from the twin size quilt I used my Sizzix Bigz XL die - 2.5" squares (unfinished) with my Fabi and quickly die cut squares out of the scraps. Half of the 2.5" squares in the pillow are light and half are dark. Pick out 18 light squares and 36 dark. Leave the light-colored squares in tact and cut the dark ones into 2.5 x 1.5" rectangles (there will be a small piece of scrap). Arrange the pieces in three rows of six as shown above. I laid them out on a piece of fabric just because it was there. ;) Sew each of the 18 mini blocks together using 1/4" seam allowances. I pressed seams to the center. 

All the sashing was die cut with a Bigz XL 25" Die - 2.5" wide strips and then hand cut into appropriate lengths. 

Cut 15 pieces of sashing, 4.5 x 2.5" each. Arrange as above and sew each row together using 1/4" seam allowances. I pressed seams toward the sashing. 

I never precut all my sashing, choosing instead to cut it as I go. This way I avoid having to recut if and when I discover that it's slightly too short. (Isn't it awful when that happens?) Cut four pieces of sashing, 2.5 x 22.5" each, but measure your rows first to make sure. I pressed seams toward the sashing again. 

Sew the rows to the sashing in pairs and then sew the whole thing together. 

Next cut two pieces of 2.5 x 20.5" sashing for the sides, checking the measurements before you pick up the rotary cutter. Add the final two pieces of sashing. 

Fuse the completed top onto a piece of Pellon Fusible Fleece that is slightly larger. Quilt as desired!

I stuck with straight lines that echo the prints and are similar to the quilting on the quilt.

I had enough of the Ladder Lines in Sage left over from the back of the quilt to make a pillow back. I fused it to Fusible Fleece and quilted it with a straight line pattern. 

Now for the zipper (at least 22" in length is a good idea). Determine which long sides of the pillow pieces you want on the bottom. Right sides together, sew a basting stitch with a 1/2" seam allowance. Press seam open, being careful to avoid the sticky side of the Fusible Fleece with the iron. Place the zipper upside down on top of the seam, as shown above. Since I already had my walking foot on the sewing machine, I used it to install the zipper!  

I generally don't use pins for pillow zippers, but leave this end unfinished until I can unzip a bit to get the pull out of the way. I also add little scraps at the ends. 

Flip it over and use a seam ripper to tear out the basted seam. I love this part. Make sure the zipper is still partially unzipped, fold the pillow back together with right sides facing and sew around the remaining three sides with 1/2" seam allowance.

This double clipping technique helps achieve pointy corners. Turn the pillow right side out, press the seams and insert a pillow form. 

Much better, yes? Less 'nay nay.' :) For my original post about the quilt and the requirements to turn the original Fat Quarter Shop pattern into a twin, please go here. Thanks so much to everyone for your kind comments!

        

Tutorial: Spring Into Summer Table Runner

Yep, it's snowing out again here in New Hampshire. Indoors, however, I'm working with summery colors. I'm over on the Sizzix blog today with a tutorial for this table runner that relies on Kona in Breakers and Chartreuse to bring a splash of color indoors a few months before the pool officially opens.

It's backed in Irome Squares in Summer by Kokka, and the black and white triangles are from Pat Bravo's Rapture Collection. In spite of the fresh snow, the piles and drifts have melted enough that my favorite moss-covered rock is peeking through!

Matchstick quilting provides texture to the sea of blue. 

This is how my indoor photo shoots have been going lately. lol. Lulu is very interested in everything and loves to 'help', just like the kids.

Indoor blooming plants like this orange Clivia help me get through the last few months of cold. I miss the lush spring in the Pacific Northwest where I grew up, but at least there's no lawn to mow just yet. :)

        

Charm Box Quilt Pattern by FQS: Twin Size

There's a new finished quilt in the house and I have to say I'm in love. This is the latest free shortcut quilt pattern by Fat Quarter Shop. It's called the Charm Box Quilt, and I enlarged it to make a twin size for my three-year-old son's bed. I knew right away that it had to be made with Doe charm packs, so with the Architextures Crosshatch in Curry for the sashing, it's a bit of a Carolyn Friedlander fest. :)

Colton's favorite color is green, so it's backed in Doe Line Scales in Sage. The stripe down the back is what was trimmed off the front and would have been in the scrap drawer otherwise. 

Colton helped me with the initial layout on the design wall, but Ed the Cat is my late night helper.

It's bound with Doe Leaning Towers in Black — one of my favorite prints from the line. 

It was awesome to see his face when he walked into his room and saw it on his bed. He'd been asking for days when he could sleep under it, even sitting under it with me as I finished the binding.

 

 

Quilting was done by my friend Mary of See Mary Quilt, based here in New Hampshire. She recently started a long arm quilting business and if you're looking, I highly recommend her! She has great ideas and quilts like the wind. For this quilt she echoed many of the patterns in the fabric. 

Here's the lucky quilt owner in his new t-shirt from Austin. Hook 'em Horns! There are a bunch of other Charm Box Quilts as part of the Fat Quarter Shop blog hop today; check it out over on the Jolly Jabber. There's also a video tutorial and a quilt kit. As usual, this shortcut quilt goes together quickly so I'm saving the pattern in case I need to whip up a baby quilt.

UPDATE: I'm including the fabric requirements for the twin size quilt (67.5 x 81"). Replace the cutting instructions on the original pattern with what is below. I also created a tutorial for a matching pillow; it can be found here. 

180 5" squares (the Doe charm packs are 42 squares each so I used five packs and had leftovers). You will be arranging nine rows of 13 squares each. It's easier to visualize if you turn the photo of the full quilt sideways! 

Sashing - 3 yards (I bought a bit extra which enabled to make this matching pillow) 
12 - 3.5" x WOF strips, pieced and subcut to: 7 - 3.5 x 59" (Fabric B),
11 - 4" x WOF strips, pieced and subcut to: 6 - 4 x 59" (Fabric C), 
4 - 3.5" x WOF fabric strips, pieced and subcut to: 2 - 3.5 x 59"
Note: I always wait to cut each stage of sashing until I am ready to sew it on, which saves me cutting sashing that is too short. Having to recut it is the worst, and it can be difficult to achieve perfect 1/4" seams throughout when sewing with the pinked edges on the fabric from charm packs.

Binding - 3/4 yard
9 - 2.5" x WOF strips

Backing - 5 1/2 yards (again, I purchased extra, and used the cut off pieces for the stripe down the back).

If you make a twin size quilt (or a pillow), I'd love to see it!

        

 

February do. Good Stitches Bee Blocks

Having a bite-size project to do in between larger creations is always a welcome break, and these rainbow blocks were a cheery distraction. Harmony Circle has a new quilter, and this was her first request. I limited myself to the scrap drawer and was surprised to see that I had enough scraps to complete the rainbow.

The tutorial for these blocks can be found here, although the original plan was to have each block a different color. We simply consolidated the rainbow into each block. As usual with Harmony Circle, the finished quilt will go to Project Linus. 

My WIPs are fighting for space on my design wall and three quilt tops are hanging over the railing over the stairs. A fourth top just went out to be quilted. Then there are the piles of blocks that need assembly into quilt tops. There will be finishes. Soon, soon.

        

Liberty & Fuzzy Circle Scarf

What do you call this fuzzy material? It's not fleece and it makes your life miserable when you cut it. However, once it's sewn up into a project, it's dreamy. Combined with a flowery Liberty print, it still keeps your neck warm on 30 degree days here in New England when other parts of the country are experiencing spring with grass and flowers! I altered this tutorial — the same one I used to make a Nani Iro scarf.  Each of the two pieces is cut to 12 x 64". The Liberty is pieced to achieve that length and the fuzzy stuff comes extra wide. 

I have a ton of WIPs in my studio right now — I should be able to share some of them soon!

Have a lovely weekend,

        

January Bee Blocks: Bluebell's Cabin & Lightning Zigzag

Navy, grey, aqua, mustard, yellow and white. Who knew?! I love this color combination and was sad to see these Instabee blocks go out in the mail. 

These were probably the fastest Instabee blocks to date, and there is only one month to go. Next month: Baseball curves over wonky log cabin. Should be interesting!

The second one slightly more appealing to me, but I'm looking forward to seeing how they wind up all together in a quilt. 

The break I got at Quiltcon from the day-to-day grind enabled me to get my sewjo back! The past few months have been very busy with the kids' school and it was nice to come home and get going on projects, overdue and new alike. Based on this tutorial, these Lightning Zigzag blocks were for do. Good Stitches and Colton said, "WOW, Mom." I think that's a pretty good endorsement from a three-year-old boy. I'm hoping the child who receives this quilt will have the same reaction!