Blog posts of '2025' 'March'

The Lady Bug Quilt uses a quilt-as-you-go technique that I’ve used in quite a few quilts. Feature blocks are appliquéd onto white fabric and the batting and backing are added for a round of echo quilting. Green blocks are quilting straight through all the layers with a butterfly motif.

A comprehensive guide to making QAYG quilts is included separately. This document provides extra notes for this particular quilt. Because I made this as a gift, I didn’t write up detailed guidelines.

Project Notes

This quilt was designed and made for the birth of my grandniece in 2012 and was based on her color scheme. All the blocks are used as they are set up in the set.

The set also includes additional coordinating designs that weren’t used and can be used for other purposes.

For batting, I used a June Tailor fusible batting.

Threads are Hemingworth polyester and the bobbin is a standard white pre-wound polyester embroidery bobbin. Stabilizer is Sulky Soft n Sheer for the appliqué blocks and Washaway for the quilted blocks.

Fabric Requirements

I like to draw sketches of my quilts in graphics software to help determine the layout, color and design placement, and fabric requirements. I’ll also use a spreadsheet to keep track of fabric needs.

If you don’t have suitable fabrics in your stash for the appliqués pick up some fat quarters:

• Ladybug: black (body), red (outer wings), light gray (inner wings)
• Flower: pink (petals), black (flower center)

Appliques in this set are designed for precutting and templates are included for hand and machine cutting. (See the included Applique Basics if you’re unfamiliar with my technique.

About the Designs

Basic embroidery designs have been customized by rotating and combining to streamline the process of stitching the blocks. Extra stops are included to permit interacting as required to place appliqué pieces and backing fabrics. Refer to the color sequences for what actions to take.

Designs are also included individually for those with smaller hoops or for use with coordinating accessories.

Quick Notes on Stitching & Assembly

For fully illustrated step-by-steps, see Quilt As You Go Basics. Here’s a quick recap for this quilt.

Embroidering the Appliqué Blocks

Important: The two appliqué blocks have multiple stops. Pay attention to the color sequences to know what to do.

1. Hoop stabilizer. Sew first color directly onto stabilizer as guideline.
2. Position background fabric and sew next color (basting stitching) to fix fabric to stabilizer
3. Stitch appliqué design, stopping before the outline quilting.
4. Fuse the batting to the wrong side of the backing fabric. Slide this under the hooping design, batting side up and match alignment to top block. Use tape to secure the block.
5. Sew the last color change to echo quilt the two pieces together.
6. Remove from hoop. Trim away excess stabilizer.

Embroidering Quilted blocks

Note: I used regular white embroidery bobbin thread. You may choose to use a matching color embroidery thread if desired.

1. Make a quilt sandwich of backing, batting, and top fabric. Fuse together.
2. Hoop stabilizer. Sew first color directly onto the stabilizer as a guideline.
3. Lightly mist the back of the quilt sandwich with TESA and position on the stabilizer
4. Sew the rest of the design.
5. Remove from hoop. Trim away excess stabilizer.

When all blocks are stitched, trim to size.

Make a Dedication Label

I like Adine Script for my quilt labels. It’s not heavy or bulky and the script is elegant and readable

Assembling

Quilt is assembled using a piece-as-you-go technique placing the rows on the diagonal with the blocks on point.

Want to Learn More About Machine Embroidery?

If you’d like to learn more about machine embroidery, check out my current classes on Craftsy. Use the links below to get 50% off on these classes:

• Thread Savvy: Stitch Flawlessly with Any Thread
• 20 Things Every Embroiderer Should Know

Craftsy has a huge and ever-growing list of classes on a wide range of topics led by premier instructors. I’ve enrolled in classes on embroidery, quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, painting, cake decorating, cooking, and photography.

I’ve watched them on my iPhone while riding in the car and on my iPad snuggled up in bed. I love that I can bookmark places to review again, hit the 30 second repeat when I get distracted or need to see a technique again, and my favorite part is I can speed it up or slow it down. You can even ask questions of the instructor.

There are some free ones, so please do try it out. One more tip—if you have a slow network where you live, visit a fast network and download the course to a mobile device for later viewing. Or, new for 2017, course can be purchased on DVD!

This little treat keeper is perfect for a quick Easter gift. Stuff it with candy or jewelry or other small items. This project is fast to sew, works in a 100mm square (“4x4”) hoop, can be completed in just one hooping, and requires only minimal finishing after removing from the hoop. (All designs in this set are made the same way. Refer to the worksheet for fabric requirements and use the appropriate backing patterns.

Watch the Video There is a full video on how to make this on YouTube: ITH Easter Treat Keeper. (https://youtu.be/1pROyNEJGDU

Skill Level

Simple. Just follow the steps!

Please read through all instructions before starting your project! This project has multiple steps that must be done in a certain order

Resizing is not recommended

Getting Started

Print the worksheet. It has full instructions that will make more sense after you make just one.

Print the templates for the back panels for hand cutting or use them with your digital cutter.

What You’ll Need

• Suitable fabrics: I’ve sewn this in all felt with a clear vinyl window. Heavier felts will hold
up better than the thin “craft square” varity.
• Stabilizer: I used Sulky Tear-Easy
• Scissors used:
• Thread snips
• Heavy scissors for final trim
• Suitable embroidery threads
• Tape
• Optional: Snap for back flap (I used these)

Cutting Requirements

This project is designed for felt. Some of the filled areas may be too dense for a vinyl front. Refer to the individual worksheets for cutting requirements. Use the templates for cutting the back pieces.

Stitching:

Only the last color is visible on the back if you want a matching bobbin color. Please use colors that you like. Notice in my samples, I’ve chosen colors to work with the felt I chose. See next page for extra steps for the duck

Placement Tips:

The top guide is the top of the bottom piece, which is placed first.

The lower guide is the bottom of the top piece, which is placed second.

If you cut your pieces according to the cutting instructions and placed your front piece accurately, the perimeter of the back pieces should match the front.

Secure with tape and sew the last color

Variation For Duck

The duck uses felt appliques for the feet, which are placed after the front sews but before attaching the back:

Follow the previous steps up through #6, then insert the steps below before continuing with steps 7 and 8 as before.

• 6b. Place front duck fabric, centering in hoop. Sew rest of design up through color 8, feet placement line. Place squares over feet areas.
• 6c. Sew color 9 to attach feet. Trim around feet leaving a small margin of exposed fabric around the edge leaving the tho

Finishing

• 1. Remove from hoop and tear off stabilizer carefully right up to the design outline.
• 2. Carefully trim away the felt in the egg area to reveal the vinyl.
• 3. Trim around the outside of the design.
• 4. Optional: Add a snap to the back flaps to secured the goodies in the keeper. A tip here is to add a small piece of cutaway behind the snap to make the fabric more sturdy

Related Projects:

• In-the-Hoop Heart Candy Keeper
• Easy ITH Stuffie Bunnies
• In-the-Hoop Cuddle Bunnie

Baby Quilt

Quilted Baby Animals uses a quilt-as-you-go technique that I’ve used in quite a few quilts. If you have a need to whip up an adorably cute quilt in just one day, this is the one!

A comprehensive guide to making QAYG quilts is included separately. This document provides a list of the materials I used and a cutting guide layout as a reference to recreate this project in the fabrics of your choice.

Project Notes

I used the 150mm (6”) versions for this quilt and floated precut blocks in a large (240x240mm) hoop. Embroidered blocks are trimmed to 9” for a 7½” finished block. Finished sashing is 1½” wide and the border is 2¾” wide. Finished quilt size is 30½” x 39.”

For the front, I used a pale golden yellow for the blocks and a medium gray for the sashing and borders. Both have a random dot pattern.

I used one fabric for the back, which is a busy, mini floral white on medium gray to camouflage the embroidery.

For batting, I used Quilter’s Select Soft Machine Batting (Floriani).

Thread is Hemingworth polyester #1076 Nautical Blue and the bobbin is a standard white prewound polyester embroidery bobbin. Stabilizer is Sulky Soft n Sheer.

Fabric Requirements

You’ll need to do some planning for yourself here because it will depend on what size blocks you’re using and how you hoop as well as how many different fabrics you use. (Planning and calculation tips are covered in QAYG Basics.)

Using 42-44” wide fabric, you can get 4 blocks out of 10” long WOF strip. Theoretically, you could get all 12 blocks out of 1 yard using precut 10” blocks BUT—there’s no extra if you mess up a block.

For the sashing and borders, I cut them on the length of the fabric rather than across. I planned my longest border and added a few inches and it was plenty for the front. You can just get that out of 1 yard of fabric if you don’t make any mistakes. (See layout guide following.)

I allocated 1/2 yard for the binding.

The back is all one fabric but due to the construction technique, you’ll need another set of blocks, borders, and sashing. So yes, you could get by with 2 yards for the back but…

I’m not worried about cutting my measurements as close as possible. I do a lot of applique and leftovers aren’t an issue for me. I’d rather have leftovers than run short

Want to Learn More About Machine Embroidery?

If you’d like to learn more about machine embroidery, check out my current classes on Craftsy. Use the links below to get 50% off on these classes:

• Thread Savvy: Stitch Flawlessly with Any Thread
• 20 Things Every Embroiderer Should Know

Craftsy has a huge and ever-growing list of classes on a wide range of topics led by premier instructors. I’ve enrolled in classes on embroidery, quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, painting, cake decorating, cooking, and photography.

I’ve watched them on my iPhone while riding in the car and on my iPad snuggled up in bed. I love that I can bookmark places to review again, hit the 30 second repeat when I get distracted or need to see a technique again, and my favorite part is I can speed it up or slow it down. You can even ask questions of the instructor.

There are some free ones, so please do try it out. One more tip—if you have a slow network where you live, visit a fast network and download the course to a mobile device for later viewing. Or, new for 2017, course can be purchased on DVD