Summer of Sewing: Sew Many Strips Quilt Back

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

Last week we shared how to make Log Cabin-style triangle blocks for a modern quilt front; this week we're showing how to make a pieced back, 1600-style, using yardage plus the remaining strips from the Dryad Snack Pack. Of course, this design could be used for a quilt front, too! 

A Snack Pack of the Dryad collection by Shannon Brinkley

If you're unfamiliar with the concept of a 1600 quilt, the name comes from the fact that you use (roughly) 1600" of fabric--a full Snack Pack. It's easy sewing, and the quilt will look different every time based on how the strips are joined. In the basic 1600 quilt, you sew all the 2-1/2" strips short ends together into a long strip. Then you fold the strip in half, align the short ends, and sew the two strip halves together to make a strip half as long and twice as wide. You continue doing that until it's quilt shaped. Variations include cutting strips into shorter pieces to make it scrappier, adding squares of an alternate fabric between strips, and using diagonal seams (like for piecing a binding, for example). We're borrowing from that concept today to add some excitement to a quilt back as well as use up our Snack Pack strips. 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

The remaining strips from your Dryad Snack Pack (shorter pieces plus full-length strips)

3-3/4 yards of white text print

Make the Quilt Back:
1. Begin by sewing partial strips to other partial strips or two full strips using a diagonal seam.  Trim and press open each join. Vary the fabrics and the strip lengths to create the most interest. 

2. Here's a look at some of our partial strips (leftover from the triangle blocks last week) sewn together. 

3. Sew all partial strips, pieced strips, and full strips together to make one long strip. Our strip is about 26 yards long, which is plenty to create the quilt as you see it here.
4. Align the short ends of the long strip, right sides together. Begin sewing down the long edges of the strip to make a pieced strip that is two strips wide (2x-wide) and half as long. Tip: If you're comfortable with the speed, now is the perfect time to adjust your sewing machine to the highest speed--lots of long, straight sewing stitches! When you get near the end, you'll need to cut the strip into two pieces to finish sewing. Here's what a portion of the 2x-wide strip will look like: 

5. Fold the 2x-wide strip over on itself, right sides together, so the short ends meet. Sew down the length again. You'll need to cut the strip near the end.  

6. Your pieced strip is now 4x-wide:

7. Fold the pieced strip over again and repeat to make a unit that is 8x wide. 

8. Follow the diagram below to cut the pieces for the background. Note that this fabric is directional, and the cutting takes that into account. Cut one 88" long piece for the right side of the quilt. Cut the remaining section into two 21"-wide pieces. These will become the left side. 

9. Sew the 21" pieces short ends together. You'll need to trim this strip to measure 88" as well. Here are the background pieces of your quilt back. Stitch the pieced section between them. 

Here's a look at the entire quilt back. because it is a backing, it is sized larger than the quilt front from last week. The extra will be trimmed off after you quilt it. 

A close-up of the quilt back. Love that text fabric with the splash of color in the middle, plus the interest created from the strips running vertically contrasting with the horizontal text! 

If you missed the tutorial for making the quilt front from Dryad Snack Pack strips, find it here!

 See the entire Dryad collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

For a chance to win a Snack Pack of Dryad, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us if you've ever made a quilt with a pieced back. Giveaway is open through Sunday, 31st at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of last week's Dryad snack pack: PK Sews
We'll contact you for your mailing information! 

All Sports, All the Time!

Summer is sports time, and our Sports! collection has the fabric for the sports lover in your life! Baseball, basketball, soccer, football, biking, golf, and skateboarding...combine these fun, bright prints with coordinating solids from our Painter's Palette Solids collection to make a themed quilt!

See the entire Sports! collection here.

Summer of Sewing: Triangle Block Quilt

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

This week and next, we'll be sharing tutorials to make a lap-sized quilt top using a Dryad strip set plus additional yardage. This week we'll demonstrate how to make these triangle strip blocks (a variation on a Log Cabin block) for the quilt front, and next week we'll show you how to make a pieced back using additional strips.  This is definitely a quilt with modern appeal--we think you'll like it! 

A Snack Pack of the Dryad collection by Shannon Brinkley

Let's get started!

You'll Need (to make the quilt top only):

1 Dryad snack pack (we'll use the leftovers next week)

3-5/8 yards blue branch print

Ruler with a 60-degree angle line on it

Cutting:

From the blue branch print:

Cut one 5" x 42" strip

(See diagram for quilt background cutting in step 8)

Make the Triangle Blocks:

1. Align your ruler as shown in the photo with the 60-degree line parallel to the strip edge. Cut to create one side of the triangle. 

2. Flip over the strip and the ruler and align the 60-degree line along the left triangle edge. Cut to create the triangle. Cut a total of eight triangles. 

3. Select a 2-1/2" wide strip from the Snack Pack. Sew to one side of the triangle, making sure to leave at least 2" of strip on both sides of the triangle. 

4. Use your ruler to trim the strip edges even with the triangle. This is why you need the extra 2" on either side!

5. Choose another strip and sew to an adjoining side, again making sure you have 2" of extra strip on both sides of the triangle. 

6. Trim the second strip and work your way around the triangle, adding and trimming strips until all sides have two strips on them. This is your block. It should measure approximately 20" from point to point and 17" tall. Make a total of eight triangle blocks. 

7. Lay out the eight triangle blocks in row, alternating triangles pointing up with triangles pointing down, and join them together. Trim both ends of the triangle row 1/4" past the last triangle's point, as shown. Your row should measure approximately 50-1/2". Trim long edges if needed to ensure your row is straight, but try not to cut off triangle points. 

8. Referring to the Cutting Diagram below, cut the three pieces needed from the blue branch yardage to create the background. Note that cutting like this will only work with a non-directional fabric. 

9. Referring to the diagram below, sew the two 50-1/2" pieces together to make the quilt background top. The remaining piece is for the quilt background bottom.

10. Sew the triangle row between the quilt background top and bottom pieces. You may need to trim the sides slightly after all three pieces are added together. Your quilt top is done! 

Love these triangle blocks! You could make a whole quilt of them!

Be sure to come back next week for the tutorial on making the pieced backing using additional Dryad Snack Pack strips!

 See the entire Dryad collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

For a chance to win a Snack Pack of Dryad, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us if you've ever made a project using pre-cut 2-1/2" strips. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 24th at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of the Fun in the Sun bundle: Amanda Best
We'll contact you for your mailing information! 

Sweetness!

Our new Sweetness collection is just that--sweet! Whimsical florals in three sizes and then plenty of coordinates, both soft and vibrant, for a collection full of variety. Sweetness comes in two colorways--a green, coral, and gold, and then a turquoise and pink--but you can mix and match! Choose these prints for a summery lap quilt or for redecorating a girl's room. Sew sweet! 

We're also offering two versions of pre-quilted fabric--perfect for making a quick tote bag! 

See the entire collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop.

Summer of Sewing: Create Your Own Coffee Sleeve

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time!

Our solids are so silky and soft, and the colors so vibrant, that we can't resist showing them off again! This week we've created a jewel-tone palette from the Painter's Palette Solids collection that we're calling Fun in the Sun and used them to create a one-of-a-kind coffee sleeve. What makes it one of a kind? The quilting, of course! 

Our "Fun in the Sun" palette: Five brights plus a dark gray. 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

1/8 yard each of five brights (Purple, Pencil Yellow, Lapis, Sangria and Turquoise)

1/4 yard of Grey

6" x 13" piece of batting

1 button

3" of narrow elastic

Fabric marking pen

Cutting:

From each of the brights:

Cut one 1-3/4" x 42" strip

From the grey:

Cut one 5" x 12" piece for backing

Cut one 1" x 42" strip

Make the Coffee Sleeve:

Note: Download the sleeve template here and print out. 

1. Trace the sleeve shape onto batting. Note that the template is for half the sleeve--you'll need to trace it onto a folded piece of paper to create the entire sleeve shape. 

2. Press the 1" x 42" grey strip in half lengthwise to create a flange. 

3. Mark a diagonal line on the batting for aligning your first strips. This line shouldn't be parallel to the sleeve edge. 

4. Lay your first strip along the marked line, making sure it covers the left edge of the sleeve. Lay the grey flange strip on top, matching raw edges. Trim excess from both strips, ensuring you've left enough to cover the sleeve shape. 

5. Pin the second colored strip on top, matching raw edges, and trim excess. The flange will be sandwiched between the two colored strips. 

6. Sew using a 1/4" seam allowance and press the colored strip open. The flange will rest along the first strip. 

7. In the same way, add another flange strip and another colored strip, making sure to completely cover the sleeve shape from top to bottom. 

8. Continue adding strips and flanges until the entire sleeve is covered.

9. Lay the paper template on top and adjust as needed. Trace around the template shape again. 

10. Quilt the coffee sleeve as desired. We quilted different designs in each colored section to add texture and interest. Note: You'll only need to quilt to the edge of the marked sleeve. The rest will be trimmed in the next step. 

11. Trim approximately 1/4" past the template edge. 

12. Trace this shape onto the remaining dark gray fabric and cut out. Layer the grey backing right sides together with the sleeve front. 

13. Fold the elastic piece in half and pin the raw edges to one short edge of the sleeve, so the loop faces inward. The elastic should be sandwiched between the right sides of the sleeve and backing. Stitch across the elastic several times to secure. 

14. Stitch around the edge of the sleeve using a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave an opening along the short end opposite the elastic for turning. 

15. Trim corners, turn right side out, and press. Topstitch 1/4" from the outer edge, which will also close the opening. 

16. Handstitch the button in place opposite the elastic. 

Enjoy your coffee and your beautiful new sleeve!

Click here to see all 84 of the Painter's Palette Solids colors.

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of our Fun in the Sun palette, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us what quilting design you'd use on your coffee sleeve. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 17th at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of the red, white and blue bundle: Denny1600
We'll contact you for your mailing information! 

The beauty of Samsara

The gorgeous prints in our Samsara collection range from detailed flowers in multi-color and a tonal version, as well as smaller buds and a neat diamond print. The color palette is appealingly fresh--navy, red, teal, and green--perfect for your next bed quilt! 

 Here's a closer look at a few of our favorites:

Find the entire Samsara collection here and ask for it at your local quilt shop. 

Summer of Sewing: Striped Mini Quilt

Welcome back to our Summer of Sewing tutorials here at Inspired by Fabric! 

We'll be featuring regular tutorials as part of our Summer of Sewing series, all using our newest fabric lines that you can find at your local quilt shop! Our tutorials will include a chance to win a bundle of the fabric line being used, so make sure to enter each time! 

The 4th of July may have passed, but that doesn't mean we can't still love a great red, white and blue combo! It's such a summery palette! This week we've matched up three blues and three reds from our Painter's Palette Solids collection to create a fun mini quilt. This design concept offers plenty of options--while ours is just a 10-1/2" square mini, use this tutorial to create a table runner, a throw pillow, or even a quilt! Scroll down to the bottom of this post to find out how you can win this red, white and blue bundle.

Let's get started!

You'll Need:

1 fat quarter each of three red solids (Crimson, Real Red and Claret) 

1 fat quarter each of three blue solids (Midnight, Royal, and River)

1 fat quarter white solid

Lightweight interfacing or muslin

13" batting

13" square of backing

Cutting:

From each red and blue solid: 

Cut two strips ranging in width from 1" - 2"

From the white solid:

Cut four strips ranging in width from 1" - 2"

From the remaining Midnight:

Three 2-1/4" x 21" strips for binding

From the interfacing or muslin:

Cut four 6" squares

Make the Blocks:

1. Lay a wider white strip diagonally across the muslin square. 

2. Choose another strip to layer on top and stitch along the long edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

3. Press open. 

4. Continue sewing various red and white strips to the square until it is completely covered. 

5. Trim the unit to measure 6" square. Make two red stripe units.

6. In the same way, make two blue stripe units. 

7. Cut each unit in half diagonally. Cut one blue unit perpendicular to the stripes and one parallel to the stripes. Do the same with the red units. 

8. Match up each red unit with a blue unit that has the stripes running in the opposite direction. Make four blocks. 

9. Play around with the lay out of these blocks. You can try them like this: 

Or like this: 

10. Sew the blocks into rows and join the rows. Press seams open to decrease bulk. 

11. Layer the backing right side down, batting, and mini quilt top right side up. Quilt as desired. Trim backing and batting even with the quilt top and use the three 2-1/4" x 21" navy strips to bind. 

Click here to see all 84 of the Painter's Palette Solids colors.

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of our red, white and blue solids, make sure you follow us on the blog (options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you do, as well as telling us what two colors you'd like to see paired together (like we paired red and blue here) . Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 10th at 11:59 pm CST. We'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on the blog next week. Make sure we have a way to get in touch with you if you are selected as the winner!  

Congratulations to the winner of the American Pride bundle: Lee
We'll contact you for your mailing information!