Happy Holidays!

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays! Decorations are spars this year from having the flu for a week and still not 100% back to normal. But I had to have my Christmas monkeys and Swedish gnome out cause they make me happy!

 

I have lots of quilting projects started and planned for 2015 so stay tuned!

Biscornu Pin Cushion

I recently saw how to make a biscornu out of 2 small squares of fabric. I had never heard of these before so had to look it up. A biscornu is a French term for a small 8-sided pincushion, usually made with cross-stitch or embroidery.

I thought I would try making one with some fabrics from charm packs which are 5" x 5". Now I'm hooked! They are fast and fun to make.

Start with two contrasting fabrics. Fold each square in half and cut 1/4" in. Repeat folding in half in the other direction and cut 1/4" in. Do this on both your top and bottom fabrics.These are your pivot points. 

Line up  the top piece at the middle of the bottom piece and start sewing to the edge.

Keep your needle down at each corner and pivot and repeat. Be sure to keep an opening on one side with back-stitching.

Push the corners out with a pointed tool.

Stuff with polyfill batting and push it into each corner. Then hand stitch the opening closed. I then added button in the middle with a button kit to make fabric covered buttons to match or contrast.

Instructions:

• Pick two contrasting fabrics. 
• Fold each square in half, finger press at the edge and cut 1/4" in. 
• Repeat folding in half in the other direction and cut 1/4" in. 
• Do this on both your top and bottom fabrics.These are your pivot points.
• Line up  the top piece at the middle of the bottom piece and start sewing to within 1/4" from the edge.
• Keep your needle down at each corner and pivot and repeat. Be sure to keep an opening on one side with back-stitching.
• Push the corners out with a pointed tool.  
• Stuff with polyfill batting and push it into each corner.
• Then hand stitch the opening closed.
• Optional: Add a button in the middle - one on top and bottom.

  

Fat Quarters Gift Idea for a Quilter Friend

Not sure what to get for a quilter friend? How about cutting your own fat quarters and make your own bundle! Buy 1/2 yard cuts and then cut them in half along the fold line which will measure 18" x 22". You can keep one of the fat quarters for your stash too!

These are all muted light colors I found which are always good to fill in a stash especially since its natural for the eye to pick mid toned colors.

Tie a ribbon around then and share. Happy quilting!