Chain Market Quilt Tutorial

**I received the fabric used in this project in order to do an honest review and tutorial.  No other compensation or products were received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

I LOVE Riley Blake fabrics!! I always get so excited to make a project for them using their products. I especially love making quilts.  It is one of my favorite things to sew even though they can be really time consuming.  I really enjoyed making this quilt.  I was having a major quilters block on design so my AMAZING sister in law Katie from over at choochooskadoo helped in designing this quilt.  She has some great talent in quilting and we have really enjoyed bouncing ideas off of each other and being quilting buddies over the years.

I really hope you enjoy this quilt project as much as I do!!

Finished quilt approximately 72" X 96" (Twin size)

For this project you will need

 96 scrappy quilt square 6 1/2" X 6 1/2" 

2 yards of solid fabric for chain blocks (I used 1 yard Navy Blue and 1 yard Mint Green)

2 yards background fabric 

5/8 yard binding fabric (non-bias binding)

Batting

Backing

For this quilt I chose to use Vintage Market by Riley Blake Designs

 Now on to the tutorial.....

First you will need to cut your 2 yards of solid fabric for the chain blocks and 2 yards of background fabric.  You will start by cutting them into strips 3 1/2" by the width of fabric.  

Take your fabric scraps, fat quarters, or whatever yardage you will use for your scrappy squares and cut 96 squares that are 6 1/2" X 6 1/2"

Take a strip of your background fabric and a strip of your solid fabric for your chain squares and place them right sides together.  Sew the two strips together using a 1/4" seam allowance. (You will use a 1/4" seam allowance on the entire quilt)

Press open your strips pressing towards the darker side

  

Next you will cut the strips so you can make your chain blocks.  Line up your ruler on the seam of the strip and cut it at 3 1/2" wide.

Cut all your strips so you will have all the pieces needed to make your chain blocks.

Take 2 of the same color strips you sewed together and place them right sides together and place a pin at the seam.  Sew a 1/4" seam on each set until you have sewn all your chain blocks together.

 

After you have sewn all the blocks together press all the blocks open. 

You will end up with 96 blocks that look like the block below.

 You will then start laying out all your squares so you can sew your complete blocks together.  See photos below to start laying out your quilt. (See finished quilt below for layout of quilt)

After you get the layout of your quilt going then you can start sewing all your blocks together.  You will sew 4 squares together to make a complete block.  Sew two blocks together with right sides together.  Then you will take the other two squares for that block and sew them right sides together.  So first you can sew the top two squares and then second sew the bottom two squares.  Then you will press them each open going the opposite way so that your seams will nest well together.  Then you will pin the 4 blocks together at the seam like below and then sew them together.

 

 Once you have sewn the blocks together then press them all open like the photo shown below.

Once you have sewn all your blocks together you will then start sewing your rows together like shown below.  Pin two blocks together with right sides together and at all the seams to make sure that the seams are all lined up.  Repeat this step until you have added all the blocks on the row.

Once you have all the rows together you will then sew columns together.  Pin 2 rows together (right sides together) putting pins at all the seams to make sure they are all lined up when you finish the rolls. See the photo below for an example of 2 rows pinned together.  Repeat sewing all the columns together to have the front of your quilt completed.

Your quilt should look similar to the layout below after you are finished sewing all the rows and columns together. 

I decided to just do a simple stipple machine quilting on this quilt.  I didn't want it to look too modern although stipple is a more modern stitch.  I used variegated thread on this quilt which I think turned out great.

I am SO excited with how this quilt turned out!! I am looking forward to using this quilt in my home. 

Thank you for reading my quilt tutorial.  Leave me a comment below telling me what you think. I hope you come visit me again!! 

**I received the fabric used in this project in order to do an honest review and tutorial.  No other compensation or products were received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

RBD Home Dec Love Blog Tour: Pleated Curtain Panel Tutorial

**I received fabric in exchange for this tutorial and review.  No other product or compensation was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

I recently bought a house and have no window coverings for it.  I thought it was about time to make some window coverings.  These curtains are going to be for my son's room and he is so excited about it.  I haven't made curtains for him since he was a toddler and he is now 11.  This fabric was so much fun I was so excited to use it.  This fabric is from Riley Blake Designs and it is their home decor fabric.  I LOVE the home decor fabric.  It is perfect for making anything decor item in your home and it is very durable.  I also love how easy it is to sew with compared to other home decor fabric.

This fabric is from the All Star line of Riley Blake's Home Decor Fabric.

I decided to make lined pleated curtains to help them hold a little more light out and just to add an extra layer.

First I cut the fabric to the length I needed for the windows I was doing.  In this case I cut them 40" long by the width of fabric.  At this time you will also want to cut the selvage off of your fabric.

Next I took a layer of  muslin for the lining.  I cut the muslin just slightly smaller on the top and bottom of the outer fabric of the curtain and then on the sides I left it quite a bit smaller for the next step.  Lay right sides of fabric together.  You will be sewing the two sides together.  The sides will have more excess fabric than the top and bottom and that is the look you are going for.  (I used the width of fabric on the muslin which was like 40" wide and it was perfect to have the excess of the outer fabric of the 55" wide home decor fabric)

Line up one of the sides (right sides together) with the top end all the way to the corner.  You will want the top edge to be flush and line up with top of the fabric and have the excess main fabric to be on the bottom side.  You will then sew down the other side lining up the edges.  Your curtain will now look like the picture below.

At this point you will want to turn right sides out and press the edges of your curtains.  You want the excess to be on the back side so it will look like the lining fabric is pulling the main fabric to the back.  See picture below.

Once your curtain is all pressed you will want to start the top hem.  Fold the fabric over twice to hide the raw edge then sew a seam to have a finished top edge.

Next you will make the pleats in your curtains. Fold the curtain in half and mark the middle.  You will want to make the middle pleat first and then work your way out.  You can make as many pleats as you wish.  Since this was a boy curtain I decided to only do a few pleats.  For a more girly look I would do many more pleats in the curtains. 

Make a crease and then fold a small fan type fold so you have 3 little layers together.

Pin at the top of the pleat and then down to where you want to stop the pleat.  I pinned and made my seam go about 3" down from the top.  So my pleat looks like this

I ended up with 5 pleats on each of my panels because of the size of panel I was doing.  You may need to adjust the distance of your pleats or the amount of pleats depending on how much fabric you are using. 

 

Last I did the hem of the bottom of the curtains.  I folded it in about a half an inch then an half an inch again to hide the raw edges.  Then I hand sewed a whip stitch into just the lining of the curtain so that you could not see it from the outside.  

 Here are my finished pleated curtains.  I really enjoyed making these curtains.  I LOVE Riley Blake fabric and was so excited to be able to use their fabric decor line.  I look forward to many more projects. 

 Make sure to check out all these other talented bloggers and their amazing Home Decor Projects!

6/15 – Riley Blake Designs

6/16 – Jina Barney Designz

6/17 – The Girl Inspired

6/18 – Rae Gun Ramblings

6/19 – The Happy Housie

6/22 – Choo Choo Skadoo

6/23 – A Bright Corner

6/24 – Tea Rose Home

6/25 – Pie Plate Patterns

6/26 – Life After Laundry

6/29 – Sew Like My Mom

6/30 – Simple Simon & Co

7/1 – Smashed Peas & Carrots

7/2 – The Stitching Scientist

7/3 – Heart Zipper

7/6 – Quiltscapes

7/7 – Fearlessly Creative Mamas

7/8 – Diary of a Quilter

7/9 – Jedi Craft Girl

7/10 – Freetime Frolics

7/13 – Modkid Boutique

7/14 – Riley Blake Designs – Giveaway

 I wish you luck with making your own pleated curtains.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  They are quick and easy to make and different than your traditional curtain.  If you have any questions feel free to email me or leave me a comment below.  Leave me a comment telling me what you like about these curtains.

**I received fabric in exchange for this tutorial and review.  No other product or compensation was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

Riley Blake Designs Heartbeats in Time Quilt TUTORIAL - by me :)

**I received the fabric to make the tutorial for this quilt for the Riley Blake Cutting Corners Blog.  No other compensation or product was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

 

I have something very exciting to share with you today.  I hope you are as excited about this as I am!!

I am now a contributor Riley Blake's Cutting Corners blog!!!

My name is Britney and I am the author of the blog Heart Zipper.  I love many things including sewing and quilting.  I also really enjoy blogging and I am very excited to share my newest creation with you.

I just finished my tutorial over on Cutting Corners blog for my "Heartbeats in Time" quilt.

You can now visit the tutorial and make one of these quilts for yourself.

Click here for the link to this amazing quilt tutorial.

Click here for the link to this amazing quilt tutorial.

Thanks for taking the time to let me share my creation with you and for reading my blog and tutorial.  Best wishes with your next quilt or project!!! :)  You can also find me here on my blog Heart Zipper with great reviews, giveaways, and tutorials.

**I received the fabric to make the tutorial for this quilt for the Riley Blake Cutting Corners Blog.  No other compensation or product was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.** 

Jelly Roll Jam Quilt Pattern Tutorial by Fat Quarter Shop (Review)

**I received one jelly roll in order to be able to complete this review.  No other compensation was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

 

A little about Fat Quarter Shop

The Fat Quarter Shop was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Jolly. An avid quilter, Kimberly began her shop as a side business while still working a corporate position, cutting, packing and shipping right out of her house during evenings and weekends. From the very beginning, she was committed to delivering top-notch service for every single order and customer. As the Fat Quarter Shop's reputation grew, Kimberly decided to make it a full-time operation. Her husband Kevin joined her not long after, and with his help, lots of hard work, and a tireless commitment, the store began to grow. Over the past few years a few more people have joined the staff!

As a team, they continue to branch out with the best fabrics, exclusive kits, quilt clubs, BOMs, and more. And they will always be driven by the passion that Kimberly founded the store upon, which is always giving you the best products and service! 

 

Fat Quarter Shop has a new FREE quilt tutorial!!  The Jelly Jam Quilt Pattern Tutorial by Fat Quarter Shop has just recently been released.  I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to do a review on this tutorial.  

For this quilt you don't need a lot of fabric.  I really love quilts that don't take a lot of fabric and are also a quick project.  The Jelly Roll Jam Quilt simply uses a single jelly roll.  No extra fabric is needed for the piecing of this quilt top.  The only other fabric needed for this quilt is the back and binding.  I really like the concept of being able to use a jelly roll to make an entire quilt top.  I especially love this concept when I am making a quilt as a gift because that is a huge money and time saver. This quilt pattern uses just less than 1/2 a jelly roll so you could make 2 quilt tops out of just one jelly roll.  This quilt finished is a baby size quilt approx 36"X36".  Jelly Roll Jam would make a perfect quilt to make as a baby gift for a baby shower, relative, or even your own child.  Jelly Rolls come in many different color varieties and there is something to fit any personality.  Fat Quarter Shop has the best selection of jelly rolls I have seen!

For this quilt pattern I chose to use a Road 15 jelly roll by Sweetwater for Moda.  It looks very different from the varieties that they used in the tutorial.  It shows that just by choosing a different color variety you can have a completely different look to your quilt.   It is more subtle than many of the varieties of very bright colors.

I think this is a GREAT tutorial!!  The video tutorial was done very well.  In this video tutorial the quilt steps are explained very clearly.  I really like that it is so clear because you can understand everything after only watching it once compared to some others I have seen that you have to keep watching it over and over to be able to understand.  This quilt is an easy quilt, and would be great for a beginner or even just a quick quilt for anyone who is more advanced.  This quilt only took me a couple of hours to make, so it is really a quick quilt to whip up.

Fat Quarter Shop has many great products.  You can find fabric to fit any personality.  The selection offered at Fat Quarter Shop is phenomenal.  Check out Fat Quater Shop today and find something for your next project!!

 **I received one jelly roll in order to be able to complete this review.  No other compensation was received.  My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and others may have a different opinion.**

Capris from Jeans Tutorial

  Recently I bought a pair of jeans with a big hole in hole in the knee with the plan of turning them into capris.  I didn't pay very much for the jeans so if it didn't work out how I wanted I wasn't too worried about it. 

I have included a step by step instruction at the bottom of this post.

 

  

I find when I do any altering on pants that the best way to get the best and even cut  is if you fold them in half with the back on the outside.  After I fold them in half I take my ruler and line it up even with the outside leg of the jeans to get the right kind of cut. (seen below) **You will want to add 1" to your desired length to be able to have your hem. When you are cutting off jeans you don't want it cut straight across because then when you wear them they won't be the right shape at the bottom of the leg.  When you open the pants they will have a slanted cut and that is exactly what you want, to end up with the right result.

I used a rotary cutter and cutting mat with my ruler to get the best possible cut.  It works amazing.  I recommend this method for a straight and quick cut. Shown below is my finished cut.

After cutting the jeans off all I did was fold it under about 1/2" and iron, then I folded it another 1/2" inch (rolled on top of the first fold), pinned the hem down and sewed my hem into the pants. I used yellow thread on the top of the hem because the thread on the rest of the jeans was yellow and I wanted it to match and look like they were made as capris.

I have repeated the instructions again for you here just in case there was any confusion.

Step 1:
Figure out your desired length

Step 2:
Fold your pants with the back facing the outside.

Step 3:
Using your ruler line up the line on your ruler with the outside edge of the leg on the pants.

Step 4:
Use a rotary cutter and mat and cut the legs off from your desired line on the ruler

Step 5:
Open the jeans.  They will be slanted but that is what you want.

Step 6:
Fold the bottom hem 1/2" and iron

Step 7:
Fold the bottom hem another 1/2" (so rolled on top of the first fold) and iron.

Step 8:
Pin your hem in place and sew at desired hem height.  I did mine about 3/8" seam allowance.

This was a very easy project. This project only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.  If you decide to make your own shorts, I hope you enjoy your finished shorts as much as I do.