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Tips, Tutorials & Freebies

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In Completed Projects

2 in 1 Holiday Table Runner & Bench Pillow

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seasonal quilt pattern christmas table runner bench pillow

Holiday table runner or pillow can easily spruce up a space in your home and get it ready for the season. And they’re among my favorite quick projects to make! 

This time I was aiming for the upcoming Holiday Season as this table runner / bench pillow is one of the FREE PATTERN that I am sharing for this year!

 

 

Mix and Matching fabrics

It all started with this bundle! I pulled from various fat quarters in my stash. I knew I wanted some bright orange and teal in the bundle. A slight change to the traditional green and red for the traditional holiday season. 

I ended up not using all of it in my project, but the colours still remain.

You can read more about the general process I use to mix and match fabric HERE with lots of tips too. 

quilted bench pillow pattern

Pattern writing

I planned out the pattern on my computer and went ahead to sew it while noting down all the measurements. The pattern is a fully illustrated pattern step-by-step to making each of the blocks and putting it all together. 

It takes longer on the computer than it takes to make the project, but it was well worth it!

I hope you’ll enjoy the pattern!

Free Motion Quilting

Small projects like this is also a great opportunity to practice free motion quilting!

I did spiral quilting on this one. I love the texture of the spirals against the stars and the presents.

quilted bench pillow pattern

Making it into a convertible Table Runner and bench Pillow

Any quilted piece can easily be turned into a pillow by adding in another layer of fabric behind the quilt.

I’ll show you how you can easily do this below.

You can apply the same technique for any small quilted table toppers and table runners.

seasonal quilt pattern christmas table runner bench pillow

Christmas table runner free pattern

If you decide to make a convertible runner / pillow, you can quilt the top without the backing fabric. Simply quilt the quilt top with the batting without the backing fabric.

Then, piece the backing by adding in the zipper and trimming it to size of the quilt top. 

For this particular pattern, you’ll need two pieces measuring 28″ x 15″ and 26″ x 15″ for the pillow backing.

 

Then it is time to bind it all together just as you would a quilted table runner, except now, you have a zipper opening to squeeze in the pillow insert!

You may need to DIY your own pillow insert since it is highly likely that the table runner is not a common pillow insert that you can find. Use some muslin fabrics or any cheaper fabrics to make the pillow insert.

I ended up loving it as a bench pillow more and it fits perfectly on my mum’s bench over at her house. So there it will live. 

quilted bench pillow pattern   quilted bench pillow pattern

Holiday Table Runner

If you want to use for the table, simple pull the pillow insert, and put it on the table! An option to use the same piece of quilted item. 

holiday table runner free christmas pattern

I have joined in with 24+ amazing quilters and quilt designers to contribute a pattern for a special Holiday Bundle that is FREE for all of our amazing readers and followers this coming 10th-14th November!

This is a thank-you gift from us to YOU! Cause you’ve been an amazing supporter all these years.. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. 

You’ll be added to our list of newsletters, but feel free to unsubscribe at any time, you might just find new quilters you’ll love to follow!

This pattern was a part of the EVENT PASSPORT to Quilting on November 10th-14th 2022. However, you can still grab my pattern for this convertible table runner through the form below. 

 

 

 

 

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In Quilt

Tips for Quilt As You Go

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A little more on the progress update of my quilt as you go Sewcial Bee Sampler Quilt. I have some tips for the Quilt As You Go method as well in this post, so if you are into trying this method, it is worth reading through the lessons I have learned from making this quilt. 

Quilt As You Go (QAYG) Sampler quilt

For those who have not seen the progress of this quilt before, here is a little summary of the quilt.

  • This was a Sew Along I joined in 2019 hosted by two of my favorite Art Gallery Fabric Designers, Sharon and Maureen. 
  • I decided to make mine using the quilt as you go method as I wanted to practice more free motion quilting and try different quilting designs. 
  • I made two quilts. One is done and quilted. And has a totally different look to this one. You can see that finished quilt HERE>
  • The two are made differently in terms of the free motion quilting design and the use of fabrics. One is made with yardage of background fabrics (I use Kona Snow) and the other (the one I will talk about today) with scraps. 
  • I quilted each block with a feather design motif. Mainly because I wanted to practice the feathers. You can check out the archive for each quilted blocks HERE>

Today, I’ll be talking specifically about the second one, the scrappy version.

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In Quilt

How to Blind Stitch

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A little tutorial today on how to blind stitch by hand.

I am in the process of piecing together the quilt-as-you-go blocks for the second version of my Sewcial Bee Sampler quilt as mentioned earlier and now I am at the stage of hand stitching the tiny sashing on the back of the quilt. 

Before I piece the sashing together, I took a photo of the layout so I can refer to the blocks as I sew them in rows.

join quilt as you go blocks how to blind stitch tutorial video

After piecing them in rows. The front is ready, the back still needs to be finished. And this is where I need to sit down and hand stitch the blind stitch.

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In Quilt

Quilt As You Go update: Sewcial Bee Sampler V2

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Another quilt-as-you-go finished. It’s the same quilt pattern with the version 1 I posted in 2019. But with totally a different look. 

Here is the first version which I blogged about HERE>:

There are affiliate links within this post in which I may earn commission which helps me run the blog.

This one was put off for much longer than the first one. Quilt blocks were all readily quilted at the same time with the first version, but it was so hard to pick the right sashing. 

This version is made from my scraps including the frames of the blocks. Hence the wide range of greys.

And because it was so scrappy, it was hard to pick a fabric for the sashing.

I was also resistant to buying any new fabrics to complete it. But I didn’t have much stash of large yardage. Either I was going for scrappy sashing too or I will eventually need to buy enough yardage for it. 

Hence the progress was stalled. For quite a while. I finally decided to buy enough yardage for the sashing. But it was difficult to choose which kind of fabrics to get. 

Picking the right fabric for the sashing

I finally made the purchase late last year (2020), and picked the fabric that has most of the colours from the blocks. It is also one of Art Gallery Fabrics, and since the blocks were made from all Art Gallery Fabrics, the colours were a good match. 

The fabric is from the same designer I have from my stash – Katarina Roccella which is why most of the colours were similar. 

Here is the link to the fabric if you are interested to get some too. 

I love the fact that the fabric is stripy. Similar to the first version, I think stripy fabrics are great choices for sashing, borders or binding. 

Now, at this stage, I do feel like it is a little busy. 

Quilt as you go blocks

But I think it will be fine with the thin sashing made using the same method I use for joining together quilt as you go blocks. Click here for the tutorial for piecing quilt as you go blocks with tiny sashing.

Otherwise, it will surely be a great experiment right?

I am definitely just going with it this time. Wish me luck!!! I’ll update again soon.

You can find the archive for each of the block quilting HERE>. Each of the blocks were custom quilted with feather design quilting.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

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

 

Here is one of my favourite block.

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In 52weekshotpads

Patchwork Sailboat Quilt Block Hot Pad | Week 23 of 52 Weeks of Hot Pads

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Welcome to the 23rd week post of the 52 weeks of hot pads / quilted pot holders. This week we’re making sailboat quilt block.

Here is the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling way behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor, don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

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In 52weekshotpads

Scrappy Leaf Quilted Hot Pad

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 This week we’re making Another Leaf, this time from scrappy strips. You’re going to love this one, we’re making two at a time too!

Here is the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling way behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor, don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

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Silent Bear Paw Quilt Block | Week 21 of 52 Weeks of Hot Pads

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Welcome to the 21st week post of the 52 weeks of hot pads / quilted pot holders. This week we’re making Bear Paw Quilt Block Hot pad

Here are the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling way behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be a 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

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In 52weekshotpads

Flying Dutchman Quilt Block | Week 20 of 52 Weeks of Hot Pads

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Welcome to the 20th week post of the 52 weeks of hot pads / quilted pot holders. This week we’re making Flying Dutchman Quilt Block Hotpad

Here are the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling way behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be a 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

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In 52weekshotpads

Week 19 of 52 Weeks of Hot Pads | Maple Leaf Quilt Block

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Welcome to the 19th week post of the 52 weeks of hot pads / quilted pot holders. This week we’re making Maple Leaf Quilt Block Hotpad

Here are the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling way behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be a 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

Keep Reading
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In 52weekshotpads

Week 18 of 52 Weeks of Hot Pads | Irish Chain Quilt Block

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Welcome to the 18th week post of the 52 weeks of hot pads / quilted pot holders. This week we’re making Irish Chain Quilt Block Hotpad

Here are the list of past week’s posts in this 52 Weeks of Hot Pads Challenge:

 

I thought it would be a great challenge for me to do a pot holder a.k.a hot pads every single week of 2019. (but I am currently falling behind, maybe I’ll catch up but if not, it will just be a 52 weeks but not in a single year)

I am planning on having it displayed in my kitchen. They make great decor don’t they?

While I am at it, I am going to be sharing with you a simple tutorial on the process.

You can join in the challenge and make the same hot pads I make every week with the same design or any of your own choice.

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