Quilt – Page 4 – The Little Mushroom Cap: A Quilting Blog

In In Progress

Sewcialites II Finish Flimsy

June 28, 2023 7 Comments

Finally, the giant flimsy is done! This is a free quilt along by Fat Quarter Shop. All the free patterns for the 24 blocks are out together with the layout instruction. There are several layout available, and I have chosen the largest layout – 99.5″ square

You can find all about Sewcialites 2, a free sampler quilt along 2023 HERE>.

There are free video tutorials, so if you are a beginner, be sure to pick up all the tips Kimberly has for you as she sews the blocks in the videos. I love picking up various tips from different quilters as they teach me to become a better quilter.

While there’s no hard and fast rule in quilting, there are definitely some time-saving tips and piecing tricks that just make things easier that we can pick up by watching other quilters sew.

I learned so much from sewing along the last round for Sewcialites I,

You can see my first Sewcialites quilt (also a free sampler quilt) HERE>

This round I’m sewing mine using a fat quarter bundle by Tasha Noel called the Quilt Fair!

and today, it is officially a finished flimsy.

You can read a little oopsy I had getting this giant together below…

In In Progress

Around the Sewing Room + Summer Picnic Basket Quilt Progress

June 23, 2023 1 Comment

I am still working along with the QAL using the Summer Memories Book by Susan Ache . Use Hashtag #summermemoriesqal to join along. The book is an eye-candy filled with great projects and is sure to inspire you to pick up some red and blue fabrics to get started. I knew I did! But what really caught my eye was the basket quilt.

I am a little behind, but that is okay, the point of the quilt along is to enjoy sewing along with others, and it’s always fun to see other people’s blocks popping in my feed on social media. Are you following along?

Summer memories quilt along is brought to you by Fat Quarter Shop and they are having a 20th Birthday Bash SALE, so come and check it out while it last.

In Completed Projects

Mini Charm Pack Skinny Table Runner

June 9, 2023 17 Comments

Another fun Finish this week is a table runner. I have been intentionally trying to make more small usable projects like table toppers and table runners for me to gift away. I do love small quick projects for quick gratification.

Making small quilted gifts

As much as I want to gift every friend and family member a full bed-size quilt, that seems like a big dream, and most likely some will never get anything made from me. So, I have been intentionally putting more time and thoughts to make these small items that I am making to gift away. As I make these gifts, I am always excited thinking about the person who will be receiving them, and I think that is part of the joy as well.

Some ideas that come to my mind when gifting quilted gifts are hot pads, table runners, table toppers, pouches or placemats. I have gifted these before and they’re always fun to see again when I come and visit my friends and family at their home.

So, I’m looking forward to making more and spreading more love to more people.

Mini Charm Pack

Mini Charm Packs typically contain 2.5-inch by 2.5-inch squares of fabric. These packs consist of an assortment of fabric prints and colors that are carefully curated to coordinate with each other, often following a specific theme or color palette. Moda Fabrics releases new fabric collections regularly, so their Mini Charm Packs provide quilters with the opportunity to explore and work with the latest fabric designs and patterns in a convenient and cost-effective way. I do love that you get all the variety from one single mini charm pack. Some people like to collect these for their favorite collection just to keep.

Mini charms packs are super fun to get, especially when you grab them at the counter in a brick-and-mortar shop or when you’re trying to fill up the cart to get free shipping when shopping online. You can even sign up for a monthly dose of Mini Charm Packs here>. This is a great way to get an idea of what fabric you might want to get in a larger precut size or even in yardage.

In Completed Projects

Spring Brook Starry Checker Quilted Table Topper

May 19, 2023 4 Comments

Another Quilted Table Topper got finished today. Small projects are fun to make, enough to get all the fun feeling of making it to the finish line, and also a great project to learn new skills. I usually use small quilted projects to top all kinds of furniture in my home.

At this point, I may have a little more than I needed, so this one is going to be gifted someday! It’ll go in my bucket of gifts to give away.

This one is a project from March 2021 Sew Sampler Box. I love the fabric. The pattern called for 2 charm packs as received in the Sew Sampler Box and I had to add some yardages for the background and the accent fabric.

Spinning the Seam Flat

This was such a fun project and I had fun making the little 9 patches. To make sure the seams are not too thick, I press the seam in a spin to ensure that there were less bulk which makes it easier to quilt.

You can see what I mean by that in the video below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amira – Quilting And Sewing (@amira_littlemushroomcap)

Free Motion Quilting Echoing Leaves Motif

If you are in Free Motion Quilting Bootcamp, there’s a practice template for this motif in the workbook.

I love how this motif adds textures to the quilt, and it is dense enough for my liking and easy to do under a domestic machine.

You can read more tips on free motion quilting with a domestic machine and all the essentials I used HERE>

The quilting process took about 2 hours but was surely a relaxed one. It was an easy design as it was very organic and flexible. I spread the 2 hours in 3 days, quilting here and there whenever I have a few minutes to spare. It took 3 full bobbins to complete the quilting as it is pretty dense.

Binding

Stripy fabric to the rescue. I love to stash on stripes, hence I usually go over the SALE section here and stock up for some whenever there’s a good stripe fabric. This time I purposely made the binding a little wider, just to frame the quilt a little more since there are no borders.

I love how you can easily brighten up a table with a quilted table topper. I wouldn’t eat on it, but it is nice to freshen the table when the table is not in use.

Would you eat on your quilted table topper?

Probably controversial. Some say use your quilt.. but really, I would use them when cuddling in but for eating on, maybe not. But I think having a plastic cover on them is an option.

Labeling the Quilted Table Topper

I was inspired to try out the method for labeling shared by Emily Dennis HERE. I didn’t do exactly as hers, but I tweaked it so that it is blending with the binding and I’d say it turned out pretty good! I’ll share a tutorial on how I put this as I put the binding soon.

I used one of the labels I custom made and this new template is coming to Quilt Label Wizard as a bonus soon! If you are already in Quilt Label Wizard, you’ll be notified of the new bonus, but if you are not yet in the course, come and join us and never miss labeling your quilt next time.

I love how subtle it is in the binding.

A finish is always worth celebrating!

One quilt flimsy is done, and several more are waiting. But a finish is worth celebrating!

In In Progress

Barn Star Sampler Quilt Progress

May 11, 2023 1 Comment

Barn Star Sampler Quilt Along

This Quilt Along runs from January 27 till December with Fat Quarter Shop.

You can pick up your book HERE on Amazon or

at Fat Quarter Shop.

They sold out so many times already! It is such a great book

Month 5: Block #5

As I mentioned in the previous blog post HERE, I am using a mix of Tula Pink and Anna Maria Horner I have in my stash. However, I did add in a bundle of Tula Pink Tiny Dots and Stripes recently to add in more varieties if the basics into the quilt.

I just love picking fabrics for this project. With so many fun features and artwork from both of these designers, it is such a joy to make these blocks!

In In Progress

Summer Memories Basket Quilt

May 4, 2023 3 Comments

This week kicks off the quilt along to celebrate the launch of Summer Memories Book by Susan Ache . Use Hashtag #summermemoriesqal to join along. The book is an eye-candy filled with great projects and is sure to inspire you to pick up some red and blue fabrics to get started. I knew I did! But what really caught my eye was the basket quilt.

I wasn’t sure at first whether I was going to join in, but I have longed to make a basket quilt and I thought this would just be a good time to get that started. Quilt Alongs are fun and I always love the motivation and inspiration I get when others are making the same quilt.

In In Progress

Sewcialites II : Almost finished but…

April 18, 2023 1 Comment

Another update on my version of this fun free sampler quilt along for 2023! We are close to the end. All the free pattern for the 24 blocks are out and we have just the final layout to do next week to finish off.

You can find all about Sewcialites 2, a free sampler quilt along 2023 HERE>.

There are free video tutorials, so if you are a beginner, be sure to pick up all the tips Kimberly has for you as she sews the blocks in the videos. I love picking up various tips from different quilters as they teach me to become a better quilter.

While there’s no hard and fast rule in quilting, there are definitely some time-saving tips and piecing tricks that just make things easier that we can pick up by watching other quilters sew.

I learned so much from sewing along the last round for Sewcialites I,

You can see my first Sewcialites quilt (also a free sampler quilt) HERE>

This round I’m sewing mine using a fat quarter bundle by Tasha Noel called the Quilt Fair!

Completed Blocks of Sewcialites 2 QAL

I am all caught up at the point of me writing this blogpost. The blocks are sweet and I am loving them all. I had a lot of fun with the quilt along which was surely most important for me when it comes to making sampler quilts.

In In Progress

Flosstube #5 : Fully Finish, Finishes, Market Haul & Sewcialites Quilt Along Update

April 12, 2023 No Comments

I am going to try and post an episode at least once a month, so here is this month’s flosstube.

Come and visit me, bring your drink and stitching and let’s chat.

Links and Mentions: First Coffee With Thy and Needle Pattern : https://hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/pro… 32 Count Evenweave Lugana Fabric Platinum: http://shrsl.com/3ynfo Free Do Everything in Love Pattern by Silver Creek Samplers: https://www.silvercreeksamplers.com/d… 25 Count Vintage Cloth Oatmeal: http://shrsl.com/3ynft Lila’s Studio Spring Quaker Pattern : http://shrsl.com/3razt 40count Vintage Country Mocha Linen : http://shrsl.com/3razu HashTag for Spring Quaker SAL : #springissuretofollowsal by @HyggeStitcher Kaleidoscope Book : http://shrsl.com/32tdb Kaleidoscope Bed Runner Finish Blog Post: https://www.thelittlemushroomcap.com/kale… Fabric Flair Pale Grey Gingham 14 count: http://shrsl.com/3oz09 DMC Threads. I Used (834, 600, 3812 for Kaleidoscope Project): http://shrsl.com/3oz0j A bee C Pattern: https://shrsl.com/3oioq White Winter Moth Pattern: http://shrsl.com/3razp 40 Ct Slate Newcastle Linen : http://shrsl.com/3razo HashTag for White Winter Moth SAL : #whitewintermothsal by @SeattleStitcher Duo Flosstubes I love: / @we.are.curiouscr… | – Carolyn and Anna / @stitchyfriends | Stitchy friends – sarah & jenn / @welcomestitchery… | Welcome stitchery – wips and stitch justin and shelly / @antiqueneedlewor… | Antique Needleworkers – Shelley and Liz

In Completed Projects

Friday Finish Party : But First Coffee Cross Stitch Finish!

April 7, 2023 4 Comments

We’re back with the Friday Finish Link-Up Party! and I have a “But First Coffee” Cross Stitch Finish to share this time.

Remember to link up a photo or your blog via In-Linkz below and let’s celebrate together!!

This week I thought of finishing up a quilt, but I ended up wrapped up with a sick kid for half of the week, so I didn’t have much time in my sewing room. But I did cross-stitch a bit more than usual. So that was nice too.

Last weekend I also spent time putting wallpaper in our little pantry at home where I spend time making coffee in the morning. So, I thought that it would be time for me to finish up a recent cross-stitch finish to put up too. I finished this piece earlier this year which I talked about in Flosstube #3 HERE. I wanted it to be put up in this pantry that I just recently revamped. The chart is by Brenda Gervais With Thy Needle & Thread, But Coffee First .

In Quilt

Is Accuquilt worth it? Does it WASTE FABRICS?

April 5, 2023 5 Comments

AccuQuilt is a company that produces die-cutting machines and fabric cutting dies for quilting and other fabric crafts. The AccuQuilt system is designed to make fabric cutting faster, easier, and more accurate. But is it worth it for quilting? and Does it waste more fabrics compared to the conventional method?

In this blog post, I’ll share my experience using my AccuQuilt and we’ll explore the pros and cons of the AccuQuilt system and help you decide whether it’s a good investment for your quilting needs.

I bought my Accuquilt Go! set a few years back where I posted an earlier unboxing video HERE. It costed as much to have it shipped all the way here to Malaysia. However, I decided that it was well worth the investment since I really would like to use it for managing scraps and to cut curves shape templates.

In general, here are some of the Pros and Cons of Accuquilt machines:

Pros:

Speed and Accuracy: AccuQuilt machines and dies are designed to cut fabric quickly and accurately, saving you time and reducing the risk of mistakes. The precision cutting ensures that all your pieces are the same size and shape, which is important for creating a quilt with even seams and a professional finish. I think this is the main reason that makes Accuquilt worth it. I just love that it saves so much time cutting and piecing! and it’s so much fun cutting with the machine too.
Versatility: AccuQuilt machines and dies are versatile and can be used to cut a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, denim, and even leather. The dies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to create intricate designs and patterns. There are so many dies to choose from! and they usually have SALE on overstock items which you can grab dies for up to 70% off.
Consistency: One of the biggest advantages of the AccuQuilt system is the consistency it provides. With traditional rotary cutting methods, it can be difficult to cut every piece of fabric exactly the same. With AccuQuilt, every piece is cut precisely the same, which can make piecing your quilt top together much easier.
Easy to Use: AccuQuilt machines are easy to use and require minimal setup. You simply place your fabric on the die, run it through the machine, and you’re done. This makes it an excellent choice for quilters of all skill levels, including beginners.
Light on the wrist and hand. If you struggle with wrist pain when using rotary cutter to cut lots of fabrics, You’ll love this. The electric Cutter is even better. The crank on the Accuquilt Go! is easy to turn and will not be hard on the wrist even after many cuts. But of course, take lots of break in any given tasks. If you have wrist pain, I recommend getting the Accuquilt Go! Big Electric Cutter instead.

Cons:

Cost: The biggest downside of the AccuQuilt system is the cost. Is Accuquilt worth it? The machines and dies can be expensive, which can be a significant investment for some quilters. However, many quilters believe that the time and frustration saved by using the AccuQuilt system is worth the investment. I surely feel like it was worth the time to use up my scraps easily, and have all the pieces cut in matters of minutes. And they are perfectly accurate! Plus, I think it is so much fun cutting with the Accuquilt than it is with a rotary cutter.
Limited Die Sizes: While AccuQuilt offers a wide range of dies, the sizes are limited. This can be frustrating if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create a quilt with larger blocks. But, they also take in custom orders! Yes they do and they’re adding new dies with time and request.
Storage: AccuQuilt machines will need some space in your sewing room. It does fold up close but they are pretty heavy. I do love that it is heavy though as it does feel like it is sturdy and very well built. It is best to have it somewhere where you can easily use it.

Does Accuquilt waste fabrics?

The short answer to that is No. You can waste as much fabrics with rotary cutter too.

I know when I first wanted to purchase the Accuquilt, I had the same question. I thought we had to put a square piece of fabrics in with a certain size, and whatever is cut away from that piece will end up as waste. Well, apparently it is not like that at all. The initial fabric does not have to be a certain size, for as long as it is larger than the shape we are going to cut, it would cut. How much fabric will be wasted or mistakenly cut will really depend on the user. Just as we have to plan when cutting with a rotary cutter, we can also plan how we can minimise fabric wastage when using Accuquilt.

How to cut with minimal fabric waste

In the video below, I’ll share with you how I cut half square triangles for my current work in progress, The Scrappy Ocean Wave Quilt and how I minimise fabric wastage. I love fabrics, and I want them to go a long way. Quilting fabric is surely not cheap. Not only that I wasted the same amount of fabrics when rotary cutting, I SAVE a LOT of time cutting pieces and trimming. No more trimming the units with these exact cut pieces. So, I definitely feel like the Accuquilt is worth the investment. I am yet to use more of the curvy dies.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the AccuQuilt system is a great investment for quilters who value speed, accuracy, and consistency. While the cost can be a barrier for some, many quilters including me believe that the time and frustration saved by using the system is worth it. If you’re looking to create intricate designs and patterns, the AccuQuilt system is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking to cut larger pieces of fabric or create larger blocks, the limited die sizes may be a drawback. Ultimately, the decision of whether to invest in the AccuQuilt system will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

So, is Accuquilt worth it?

If you do a lot of scrap quilt or make lots of quilts with repetitive units, Accuquilt will surely be a great investment.

Where to buy Accuquilt?

Accuquilt Website – they ship internationally using Fed-Ex and you can grab it at SALE price.
Amazon
or check with your local quilt store
quilt shows – they have road tour all the time, you can also get it there.