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! 

Happy 4th of July!

Wishing America a Happy Birthday and you and your family an enjoyable 4th of July!

American Flag quilt by Barbara J. Eikmeier
featuring the Vintage Shirting & Dress Prints collection

Summer of Sewing: Land that I Love Wall Banner

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! 

We're getting ready for the 4th of July this week with a folk art-style wall quilt featuring the American Pride collection. This collection features a panel of two blocks, one of which we used here, and then coordinating prints. Panel blocks are perfect for adding a variety of borders, and voila! Great wall quilt. (It measures 28" square.) Scroll down to the bottom of this post to find out how you can win a bundle of American Pride.

Here's a look at the two blocks on the panel. Each measures approximately 14-1/2" square. 

Let's get started!

You'll Need:
1 panel
1 fat quarter or 1/4 yard of blue text print
1/2 yard red text print
1/2 yard checkered stars
5/8 yard cream solid
1 yard backing fabric
30" square of batting

Cutting:
Note: Our cutting directions are very specific to ensure that the directional text prints are oriented correctly on all sides of the quilt. 

From the panel:
Fussy cut one 14-1/2" square

From the red text print: 
Three 2-1/2" x 18" strips with text running the short way (see photo below); cut two 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces from one strip and reserve the remainder for strip sets
Two 2-1/2" x 34" strips with text running the long way (see photo below); cut two 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces from one strip and reserve the remainder for strip sets

From the blue text print: 
Eight 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" pieces with text running the long way (see photo below)
Eight 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" pieces with text running the short way (see photo below)
Four 2-1/2" squares

From the checkered stars: 
Two 1-1/2" x 14-1/2" strips
Two 1-1/2" x 16-1/2" strips
Two 1-1/2" x 20-1/2" strips
Two 1-1/2" x 22-1/2" strips
Three 2-1/4" x 42" strips for binding

From the cream solid:
Thirty-two 2-1/2" squares
Four 2-1/2" x 42" strips
Four 3-1/2" squares

Make the Wall Quilt:
1. Sew 1-1/2" x 14-1/2" checkered star strips to the sides of the block and press open. Sew 1-1/2" x 16-1/2" checkered star strips to the to and bottom of the block and press open. 

2. To make the flying geese units, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all 2-1/2" cream solid squares. Lay a marked square right sides together on one end of a 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" blue text piece. Stitch on the drawn line, trim seam allowance to 1/4", and press open. Repeat on the opposite end. 

3. Noting orientation of the text in the flying geese below, make four of each kind.

4. Referring to the photo, sew four matching flying geese units together into a row. Make two for the side borders. Sew to the sides of the quilt center. 

5. Sew four matching flying geese units together into a row for the top border and one for the bottom row. Sew 2-1/2" blue text squares to both ends of each row. Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt center. 

6. Sew 1-1/2" x 20-1/2" checkered star strips to the sides of the quilt center. Sew 1-1/2" x 22-1/2" checkered star strips to the top and bottom. 

7. Sew each red text strip to a cream solid strip. (Sew two half red text strips to one cream solid strip.) Crosscut ten 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" segments with the text running the short way and ten 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" segments with the text running the long way. 

8. Referring to the photo, sew five matching segments together in a row. Sew a 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" red text piece to the cream end to make the side border. Make two. In the same way, sew five matching segments together in a row, sew a 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" red text piece to the cream end and 3-1/2" cream squares to both ends to make a top/bottom border. Make two. 

9. Sew the side borders to the sides of the quilt center. Sew the top and bottom borders (with the cream squares on the ends) to the top and bottom. 
10. Layer the backing fabric, batting, and quilt top right side up and baste. Quilt as desired. 
11. Use the three 2-1/4" x 42" checkered star strips to add the binding. 

Happy 4th of July! 

See the entire American Pride collection here. 

For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the American Pride collection, 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 your favorite print in the collection. Giveaway is open through Sunday, July 3rd 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 Melon bundle: Kathy E.
We'll contact you for your mailing information! 

Feeling Patriotic? We've got inspiration for you!

June has sped by, and the 4th of July is just around the corner! If you're looking to add a little extra red, white and blue into your life this coming weekend as we celebrate our country, look no further than our Feeling Patriotic Pinterest board! From snacks to decor to quilts, we're pretty sure you'll find several things to repin and try yourself! 

No-Bake Berry Trifle

Find the pin here

Patriotic Pennants

Find the pin here

Flag Cake

Find the pin here

Flag Quilt (by our very own Barbara J. Eikmeier!)

Find the pin here

Red, White and Blue DIY Votives

Find the pin here

Gorgeous Star Quilt

Find the pin here

Chevron Quilt

Find the pin here

See our entire Feeling Patriotic board here and make sure to follow us on Pinterest!