Don't Miss Out!

 If you have landed here looking for current blog posts, patterns, tutorials and freebies....Please head to my website  Laugh Yourself into Stitches    

Lots of new quilt patterns, and Cherry Pick'n is a summer cover girl! 

Plus...the launch of my very first fabric line for Riley Blake called Huckleberry Saltbox!

Look forward to seeing you at laughyourselfintostitches.com  

  

Free Zipper Pouch Tutorial

 These lined zipper pouches are so fun and easy to make!  Great way to use up scraps too.  I paper pieced 3 small hearts on this first pouch using an old paper pieced pattern by Cheri Payne.  

Have left over half square triangles?  Here's an easy way to use them!

Head over to my website Laughyourselfintostitches.com and click on tutorials.   

Here is one i gifted to my talented daughter-in-law, Erin.  She uses hers to keep all the important crochet tools together.  

Erin's a crochet pattern designer...you'll find her patterns on Etsy and follow her on Instagram @erinmaycrochet

Hope you can find the time to make some zipper pouches!  Be a great gift idea filled with Easter treats for your special peeps!

 

Never Miss Out on Future Posts!

Taking a moment to say THANK YOU to everyone who spends time visiting my new location LaughYourselfIntoStitches.com 

 I have to come clean with you all...  (sad face)

And thank you to all who have signed up for what i thought  would be a periodic newsletter, which ends up in everyone's spam folder AND has so many limitations, ie:  for the basic price i can only send out 3 a month which is all i wanted to do if that, but then, i read the fine print!  It's limited to a total of 500 recipients during the month.  That may sound like a lot....but within the first month of my new website, i had over 350 subscribers. (thank you thank you!!)  I sent out 1 newsletter to everyone, and the second one could only include 150 subscribers.  Ugh!  

And on top of all that nonsense and to be completely honest, i really did not want to send out newsletters...i just wanted followers to read my new website's blog posts.  But there wasn't an easy way to share them UNTIL...

Let me insert a picture so you might keep reading on.... LOL

some late night hook'n been happen'n!!!  SSsshhhh!

I'll try to wrap this up....i found a new site called 'follow.it'   I can add 'follow.it' to just my new blog posts.  It's free with unlimited followers and they promise not to spam!  So today i spent way too much time learning how to activate it and make it easy for everyone.   Gosh, i sure hope it is! 

insert a new photo...to trick you into more reading....

this is the Cotton Daisies flower and i'm creating a completely new pattern with this amazing fabric by Renee Nanneman called French Bees

Long story coming to an end... a newsletters will no longer be sent.  It just does not make sense to me.  But, if you go directly to my website and click on Blog (there, i made it easy for you) you will find a subscribe button at the bottom of the page, and that page only. 

I certainly hope this works out well for you and for me.  Let me know if it does...or doesn't. I'd appreciate the feedback.

 It just kills me... all i want to do is quilt, design, make, share and teach.  But oh no, i also have to be a web designer, photographer, computer guru and i have to THINK!   ugh... i think that's why i've been hook'n lately! LOL

Anyway...i hope you will try again, to follow me.  It's my passion to share with you fun projects, techniques and put a smile on your face. 

Hey...on another note...

Hope to see you there!  Or at the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival on June 17th-19th!

New Pattern...New Freebie...New Tutorial!

 Head over to Laugh Yourself into Stitches website and see what's New!

And while you are there, Don't forget to sign up for our Newsletter too!

Strawberry Patches! New Quilt Pattern

Encouraging everyone to head over to my new website!

New pattern release, new blog post and step by step Pictorial...you'll find it all at Laughyourselfintostitches.com

And, if you signed up on my new site to receive newsletters, I've sent out 2.  One today and one on March 22nd.  

If you did not see them, check your spam or junk mail.  Make sure you unmark it from your spam folder and hopefully you will start receiving them.  I'm only going to send out 2 or 3 every month,  Just updates on what's up!  

Like....These colorful and delicious strawberries!

Tutorial...How To Make a Single Fold Binding

Please join me at Laughyourselfintostitches.com 
to learn the Single fold binding method.  You'll love it!  

It works great for small project like this Vintage Lattice Heart wall hanging below....and saves on fabric!

Vintage Lattice Hearts quilt will be offered as a freebie on my new website later this month...please join me over there!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!

~karen

New Blog Post up on LaughYourselfIntoStitches.com!

 I'm still learning to navigate my new website, so I decided I should jump on here and let everyone know there is a new blog post over there....

It's about tackling vintage linens and creating beautiful heirlooms!

You'll find the new post at Laughyourselfintostitches.com 

Big Announcement!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!
From this day forward, i will be sending everyone over to my new website!  It can be found at Laughyourselfintostitches.com

Head over, sign up and receive newsletters informing you of the latest patterns, projects, freebies, tutorials, etc!   Scroll to the bottom of the site...look for Lucy!  She's managing all the signs ups for me!

If you are viewing my new site on your phone or tablet, find the drop down feature listing Shop, Blog, About and Contact.  Soon I'll be adding Freebies, Tutorials and toying with the idea of Workshops!  

So what will happen to my blogspot?  It will still be here...but I will not be adding new content.  That will all happen on the new site.  However, I imagine I will be linking back here from time to time capturing useful information! 

Head over to Laughyourselfintostitches.com to see my latest pattern! It's called 'Love Potion No. 9'...remember that 60's song?  Digital pdf patterns are available now for $11.  Mailed copies available next week for $13

Read about an awesome Give Away opportunity too!  Runs through 1/31/21

Thank you all for being such loyal followers!  I couldn't do what i do without you! 

~karen  

A sneak peak at what's to come!!

 

My Golden Rules for 'Piecing Tiny Pieces'

 If you know my patterns, you know many of them have small pieces.  

I say, 'Don't be Afraid!...You Can Do It!"

Quilt pattern above is called 'And So it Crows' can be found on Etsy

I've been teaching 'Piecing Tiny Pieces' for years and I'm here to share some thoughts with you.

1920's Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt block above...pdf classes available on Etsy

The document below was created in 2014 and if you have not seen it yet, I hope you find it helpful in strengthening your piecing skills. 

 

Print it out using the green print friendly button below.

If you would like to use the green 'print friendly' button, i recommend clicking on the Post Title first (so you only print the post you want...and not the entire blog).  
Once the print friendly option is open on your screen, the post can be printed in a number of pages.  You can select just the pages you wish to print.  Page numbers will be listed at the bottom of each page.  You'll want to select 'All' or 'Custom'.  
Only want to print one page?...click 'Custom' and select the desired page number... example:  only want to print page 3?  You'll want to enter 3-3.  Want to print pages 3-6?  The enter 3-6, etc..

'Sharing the Harvest' PDF Pattern Available Now.

This is such a fun Fall pattern!  

Quilt measures 62" x 80" which makes a wonderful cover up ~~ Or folded at the end of a bed for that warm homey touch. 

Don't miss the video of Sharing the Harvest at the end!

All Fabrics used in the pattern are from Andover Fabrics.

Designer, Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket 

Linen Textures Collection

Rust and Milk Chocolate for the Pumpkins and Honeycomb for the star centers.  Each of these fabric colors are also used in the checkerboard border.  

Olive Branch Collection

Olive for stem and leaf

Signature Style Collection 

Dandelion for Background

Designer, Kathy Hall 

Trinkets Collection

Star Points, Checkerboard and Binding

Looking for a quick November finish?  Here is a smaller version using the stars and pumpkins to create a table runner or welcome banner.

You will need the 'Sharing the Harvest' pattern and it is available on Etsy.  Using the Pumpkin and Star block instructions in the pattern, below are the fabric requirements, and instructions for the inner border and checkerboard to make a 3 star wall runner or 2 star welcome banner.  Of course you can position the pumpkins either way to make a larger banner or smaller runner.  

3 Star 'Sharing the Harvest' Runner 14" x 51"

Background: 5/8 yard

Medium Pumpkin for Pumpkins and Checkerboard: 1/3 yard

Green for Stem/Leaf:  1/8 yard

Black for Star Points and Checkerboard and Binding: 1/2 yard

Gold Star Center and Checkerboard: 1/4 yard

Note:  One pumpkin stem is reversed in both the banner and runner.  Simply follow the pattern instructions reversing the layout of one stem.

Once the pumpkin and star blocks are sewn together, 

Cut (2) 1-1/2" x 9-1/2" background rectangles and sew to the bottom of each pumpkin.  Press towards the rectangle.  

Cut (2) 1" x 47-1/2" background rectangles and sew to each side.  Press towards the rectangle.  

Referring to the purchased pattern measurements and instructions, Cut 1 strip of pumpkin and gold and 2 strips of black to create an alternating checkerboard border.

Lay out the checkerboard according to the diagram above.  Sew the shorter sides first (under each pumpkin). You will need to cut and add in one pumpkin square to one end, and a gold square to the other end.  

Sew the longer checkerboard sides, adding in one black square to each side.

Cut 3-1/2 strips x width of fabric of black for binding. 

****************************************************

2 Star 'Sharing the Harvest' Welcome Banner 14" x 42"

Background: 1/2 yard

Medium Pumpkin for Pumpkins and Checkerboard: 1/3 yard

Green for Stem/Leaf: 1/8 yard

Black for Star Points and Checkerboard and Binding: 1/2 yard

Gold Star Center and Checkerboard: 1/4 yard

Follow the instructions for 3 Star Runner with the exception of the Inner Border and Binding

Cut (2) 1" x 36-1/2" strips and sew to the long sides first.  Press towards the strips.

Cut (2) 1-1/2" x 10-1/2" rectangles and add one below each pumpkin.

Cut 3 black strips x width of fabric of black for binding

**********************************************************

I have a helpful Pictorial for creating the stem section...you'll find it in the recent Jack blog post

**********************************************************

Sharing The Harvest PDF patterns are now available.  Mailed copies coming later this week.

Here is a look at the pattern cover!

Fall in Love with Sharing the Harvest!  Get your pattern today!

 

If you would like to use the green 'print friendly' button, i recommend clicking on the Post Title first (so you only print the post you want...and not the entire blog).  
Once the print friendly option is open on your screen, the post can be printed in a number of pages.  You can select just the pages you wish to print.  Page numbers will be listed at the bottom of each page.  You'll want to select 'All' or 'Custom'.  
Only want to print one page?...click 'Custom' and select the desired page number... example:  only want to print page 3?  You'll want to enter 3-3.  Want to print pages 3-6?  The enter 3-6, etc..

How to sew a binding using a longarm

                   New amateur YouTube video up!  

Have you wondered how to sew a binding on a quilt, using a longarm?  If you don't have a longarm, you may want to ask your longarmer if they can do this for you.  

Yes, small quilts can easily be done on a domestic sewing machine, but oh those larger quilts!  Yikes!  Stuffing them through the machine throat is not fun...and keeping the quilt sandwich nice and flat is stressful!   

And...for those professional longarmers watching,  I charge .065 per linear inch.  A 62" x 80" size quilt would cost $18.46.  Add each side 62+62+80+80=284 linear inches.  Multiply that number (284) x .065= $18.46

Of course the binding comes all prepared by the quilter when the quilt is dropped off...all you have to do is sew it on.  

Here's how easy it is!

Love it if you'd subscribe to my YouTube Channel.  Homemade videos at their best.  LOL 

Thank you!

~karen

to watch the full screen version, go to my YouTube Channel 

Great Hack for Trimming Large Blocks!

Easy As Pie is an easy and quick pattern to make!  The big blocks lend themselves to showcase large print fabrics too!  

The Holidays are right around the corner!  Imagine Easy as Pie in Fall or Christmas fabrics.  Great gift idea!  Find Easy as Pie in my Etsy Shop

Below is a Print Friendly Hack for Trimming Large Blocks!  You'll love it!

How to use Print Friendly**  

  If you would like to use the green 'print friendly' button, i recommend clicking on the Post Title first (so you only print the post you want...and not the entire blog).  
Once the print friendly option is open on your screen, the post can be printed in a number of pages.  You can select just the pages you wish to print.  Page numbers will be listed at the bottom of each page.  You'll want to select 'All' or 'Custom'.  
Only want to print one page?...click 'Custom' and select the desired page number... example:  only want to print page 3?  You'll want to enter 3-3.  Want to print pages 3-6?  The enter 3-6, etc..

Tutorial for Jack! Learn some helpful tips!

This post shares how to make Corner Triangles and how to square them up.  AND...How to build the lower curled portion on Jack's stem unit which is the same stem used in Sharing the Harvest.

Corner Triangles are used in so many quilt patterns and they are so easy to make!  Jack has a number of Corner Triangles in the pattern and if you've never made one...here's a look at how to, and what to do if they turn out a bit wonky... 

Begin by placing a 45 degree line on the edge of a square or rectangle as shown below, and draw a line corner to corner using a 45 degree line.

Place the right sides together with the required fabric underneath

It'll look like this if using a rectangle to create a diagonal seam.

Stitch on the drawn line, flip to reveal the right side of the fabric and press. I use Aurifil 50wt thread.  It's a lighter weight and when the fabric is folded over the stitching line, most times everything lines up well.  I recommend stitching just a thread beyond the drawn line to allow for the thickness of the thread.

This is how it should look when adding a rectangle instead of a square.

But what if your edges don't match up perfectly? Mine can be wonky at times!  Sometimes the Corner Triangle fabric will show beyond the the edge of the bottom fabric.  This is a result of stitching too far from the drawn line towards the outer corner.  

Or the opposite can take place. The Corner Triangle fabric is shorter than the background.  This is caused when stitching too far from the other side of the drawn line.  

Both photos below are exaggerated examples.

So what can you do?

In the photo below, i do not trim the fabric underneath. 

(If i'm working with small Corner Triangle units, smaller than 1-1/2", i don't trim underneath at all.)

Instead, when sewing the above unit to another piece of fabric, i place them right sides together, using the black fabric edge in this case, as my guide.  Lining it up to the edge of the green fabric underneath and stitching a 1/4" seam.

In the photo below, you can see the orange Corner Triangle unit doesn't come all the way to the edge.  

However....If the orange Corner Tri is too short, i recommend just doing it over.  

In the example below, i would remake that Corner Triangle. Why?  

It appears there is too little of the orange fabric that will be caught in the seam allowance and eventually it would compromise the integrity of the seam.  Make sure you have enough of the Corner Triangle to truly capture a significant and strong seam.

The reverse of this is when there is too much orange Corner Triangle showing beyond the black fabric.

This is an easy fix!  Turn the unit over and trim the orange Corner Triangle even with the black fabric. 

 

Hold on...

Again, this is an exaggerated example and look how far away i am from the corner.  Eeeeks!!

I would redo this one too.  Trimming a couple thread overhang would be okay, this example not.  LOL 

I guess my best advice is to look carefully at your Corner Triangle.  If you can fudge it without compromising the seam allowance or creating more wonkiness, then this is how to straighten it up.  

And now for the lower curly portion of Jack's stem section

In the pattern instructions, you'll be creating a Corner Triangle using the background (e) rectangle and the green stem rectangle to the left of (e).  Once this unit is made, trim the background portion to the size indicated in the pattern.  There should be a 1/2" space between the green stem and the background as noted in the photo.  1/4th of that area will be taken up in a seam.

Once trimmed and with right sides together, stitch the stem unit above to the section directly above it, shown in the pattern diagram and below.  

Don't match the green diagonal seams, but they should be very close together when laying side by side as shown in the photo below.  

  

Depending on the accuracy of ones seams, the space between green Corner Triangle and the green stem portion (indicated by the arrow below) may be smaller or larger when sewn together. 

The rest of the stem unit is a breeze! Just take it one stitch and at time and try and be as accurate as possible.

The very first photo of Jack at the beginning of this post and the one below are made by Sharon who has a thriving online Etsy shop Daisy Cottage Quilting and can be found on Instagram @daisycottagequilting

 

Isn't he just the cutest??

There are a couple other Tutorials recommended in the pattern when finishing your Jack...Adding a Prairie Point Sleeve and a Single Binding.  

Find them both by clicking on the blue links.

And...Here is my new pattern cover for Jack!  Available now in PDF form for $8 in my Etsy Shop.  Mailed copies will be available as soon as i pick them up from the printer next week :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

If you do make a Jack or 2...

post a pic on your Instagram, tagging me

@laughyourselfintostitches with the #jackthequilt 

Or email me a photo! And i'll be more than happy to share! chezstitches@gmail.com

Happy Fall!