Scrap Fabric Project 1: Potholder

I decided to work on the scrap fabric I collected over the past few years. Aside from small pieces, I have some that are already pieced together. I set aside the excess pieces and thought it would be useful eventually. Found some of the pieced together denim-like fabric I used for the cat quilts. 

Decided to make a potholder since I need new ones. I finished the project in one sitting since it was practically ready to be quilted. I also used scrap wadding and scrap insulating wadding for the project. I also had leftover bias tape. I would have finished faster if I didn't need to film, lol. 

Here's the tutorial:

The steps:

1. Measure and cut the fabric.

2. Sandwich with wadding, insulating wadding and backing fabric. (I doubled it just to make it a bit thicker, but the insulating wadding would have been enough to keep heat out). 

3. Stitch in the ditch.

4. Prepare the backside of the potholder. Split into two pieces and fold in one side of both pieces. 

5. Align the front side with the backside, then bind with bias tape.

Materials:

scrap fabric

wadding

insulating wadding

backing fabric

fabric for backside of potholder

thread

Size:

8" x 6"

Quilted Pouch with Sleeve

I felt I needed to add a small item with the laptop sleeve I made for my friend. I really want to learn how to install a zipper on my projects, so I thought a small pouch would be nice. She could use it as a pencil case or other knick-knacks. It would fit the pocket of the sleeve too. 

I decided to match it with the laptop sleeve, so I didn't change the design anymore. I had the fabric on my sewing basket, so I finished everything in one evening. It was a small piece, but nonetheless challenging when it came to adding the lining. I had to re-watch my quilted tote bag video to figure it out. I did it wrong the first time, so ended up doing it again, haha. Just remember to slip in the right side of the pouch with the lining facing the wrong side out (note for myself!). 

Here's the tutorial:

The steps:

1. Plan, design and cut the fabric.

2. Piece together. Start with the middle part, then add the outer sides.

3. Iron both sides. 

4. Sandwich with wadding and backing fabric. 

5. Pin to stabilize and stitch in the ditch.

6. Clean the sides.

7. Add the zipper.

8. Sew the edges together from the wrong side. 

9. Add the lining. Pull out the pouch from the open side of the lining. 

10. Close the open side of the lining.

Materials:

Little twin stars fabric

4 pastel solid color fabric

backing fabric

wadding

thread

zipper

Size:

9" x 5"

Little Twin Stars Quilted Laptop Sleeve

I have a friend who loves Little Twin Stars. I knew about this Sanrio character because my sister had it on her dresser (jewelry boxes). I'm glad I found Little Twin Stars fabric online. I only got a meter because it's expensive! There's probably a lot more options available in Japan. 

After storing the fabric for a few months, I finally decided to make a laptop sleeve for my friend. I asked her what kind of laptop she was using. Then I worked out the measurements and design. I asked help from my son to help me choose the colors of the fabric. I wanted to make sure the colors would complement the Little Twin Stars fabric. 

I made the design simple, to make sure the Little Twin Stars fabric is noticeable. The challenging part in assembling this quilted laptop sleeve is figuring out how to properly add the pocket. I wanted the wadding to be continuous to add strength to the sleeve. 

I'm glad I didn't rush to finish the project because I was able to make the sleeve stable. I was also able to add velcro discreetly. I didn't want stitches for the velcro to show on the flap. I'm happy how it turned out, I just hope my friend's laptop fits!

Here's the tutorial:

The steps:

1. Plan and design.

2. Create the inner panel and pocket. Sandwich the pocket with wadding and bind the top. Join the inner panel and pocket at the bottom.

3. Piece together the flap.

4. Piece together the back panel. 

5. Join the back panel and flap. Then join the inner panel with pocket. 

6. Sandwich with wadding. Stabilize with pins and then quilt. Don't quilt the flap yet. 

7. Add velcro to the flap and pocket, then quilt.

8. Finish with binding. 

Materials:

Little twin stars fabric

4 pastel solid color fabric

backing fabric

wadding

thread

velcro

Size: 

13.5" x 10" 

Pattern: 

DIY Blender Quilt Cover (Cat with Tail)

Decided to use the "cat with tail" pinterest inspired design to make a cover for my blender. The challenge in making this project was figuring out how to attach the tail to the cover, so I procrastinated for awhile before I continued the project. 

Finally finished the quilt cover early this week. I added a back pocket for the cover for added storage. I just used the same denim strips to combine the two ends of the cover. It worked out pretty much like the KitchenAid quilt cover and the food processor cover. Now I have three cute cat quilt covers in my kitchen! 

A friend suggested I should make cat potholders to match the quilt covers. I think I'll do that too! 

Here's the tutorial:

The steps how I combined the different sides:

1. Create the following parts of the cover: front cover with design, the back cover with pocket, and the main cover (this is the one that combines the front and the back).

*I've included in the tutorial video above how to make the bowtie.

2. Attach the tail to the cat. 

3. To make it easier to bind the whole cover. Sew the three parts together. 

4. Bind :)

Materials:

fabric (various blue denim patchwork fabric)

buttons for eyes

white fabric for the bowtie

fabric for binding

wadding (I used a comforter we retired)

backing fabric

thread

Size:

6" x 9.5" x 16.5"

Pattern:

Food Processor Quilt Cover Assembly

I worked on the front cover first of this project. I was inspired by a pinterest pin to create two cute cats. See previous posts on how I created the base and put on the cat face. I took my time to finish it since I had to figure out how to create it from scratch. 

The trick to making quilt covers for your appliances/gadgets is to create it in panels. That way it's easier to bind them together. Binding the panels just took one afternoon. It helps to prepare your bias tape ahead of time.

Here's a short tutorial -

Steps

1. Finish the front panel. 

2. Create the back panel with pocket. 

3. Make the main panel that will combine the front and back panel. 

4. Clip and sew the front panel. Do the same for the back panel.

5. Clip wrong side of binding. Sew.

6. Finish the binding. 

See also part 1 and part two of this project:

Part 1: https://www.needleadventures.com/2023/05/another-pinterest-inspired-cat-quilt.html

Part 2: https://www.needleadventures.com/2023/06/making-cat-face-and-quilt-cover-pocket.html

Making a Cat Face and a Quilt Cover Pocket

It was quite a challenge to add the face of the cat on my Pinterest inspired cat quilt. I want to use the design for a kitchen appliance cover. The design though is more intricate than other cat quilts. For other cat quilts you just need a button for the eyes. The design for this quilt requires eyes with a background, plus eyelashes. 

Decided to make it easy for me and used felt fabric and a button for the eyes. Also just added a tiny embroidered eyelash. For the nose and mouth, I just embroidered a small nose and mouth. I skipped the whiskers since that's the interesting feature of my KitchenAid cat quilt cover.

One thing I had fun with was the placement of the button for the eyes. I moved it around to find which ones were cute. It was hard to select, so I just made it all different. It turned out well. After completing the face I realized the cat is stouter than the Pinterest inspiration. Our feral kitties do have wider faces, so I guess I took inspiration from that, hehe. 

Here's a tutorial 

Steps on Adding the Cat Face

1. Find an appropriately sized coin. Use this to measure the outer eye on felt fabric.

2. Embroider the outer eye on the face using blanket stitch.

3. Add black button for the eye. 

4. Draw the nose the lips. 

5. Embroider nose and lips with back stitch.

6. Add whiskers (optional).

Materials

Felt fabric (white)

white DMC thread

black buttons

black DMC thread

A Cat with a Tail Quilt

I'm on a roll trying out cute Pinterest inspired cat quilts. It's a good way to learn new skills since you're forced to learn how to make templates and figure out how best to piece a design. I'm also a lot iffy when it comes to curved designs and I certainly struggled a bit when I made the tail. 

Figuring out the template for the cat was fairly easy. I still ended up piecing the back area upside down, so I ended up re-doing it. The tail though was harder to put together and it took me awhile to turn it inside out. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw I correctly cut the fabric (front side down when you cut the fabric!). The secret to my success? Making templates!

Here's the tutorial:

Here are the steps on how I made the cat quilt:

1. To get the right measurements, I drew the design on graphing paper.

2. Rendered the design and it's actual measurements on manila paper to make sure I got it right. 

3. Created a template on a board. 

4. Used the board to cut fabric. Make sure to add 1/4" around the edges. 

5. Pieced together the cut fabric. 

6. Ironed both sides and sandwiched with wadding. 

7. Quilt the cat! I decided to use white thread to highlight the shape of the cat. 

How to make the tail:

1. Asked my son help draw me a right sized tail using manila paper. 

2. Used the drawing to make a template. 

3. Drew the tail right side facing down and added 1/4" around the edges. 

4. Sandwiched the tail with thick interfacing (I reused from a bag leftover). Sandwich should follow this order: tail wrong side up, backing fabric and interfacing at the bottom. 

5. Sew together and leave the base of the tail open. 

6. Once done, pull inside out.

7. Quilt the tail with the same white thread. 

Materials:

1 print fabric

1 solid color fabric

thread and needle

pins

graphing paper

manila paper

ruler

scissors

interfacing (the thick one for bags is a good one)

Size:

6" x 9.5" x 16.5"

Pattern:

Will assemble and turn the cat quilt into a kitchen gadget cover next week!

Another Pinterest Inspired Cat Quilt

I wanted to explore more cat designs on Pinterest. I knew it would help me hone my skills more on making templates and figuring out how to re-create a design I see online or on a book. Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas and inspiration for quilting. I have pinned many ideas which I hope to try making. Follow me on Pinterest if you have one: https://www.pinterest.com/aileenapolo/. 

Here's the tutorial -

Here are the steps on how I made this cute cat quilt -

1. Drew the design on graphing paper based on the size for my end project. 

2. Rendered the design on manila paper to get an idea of the size. I adjusted a couple of times.

3. Draw the design on a chip board. Cut based on how you will piece together the design. 

4. Cut the fabric. Make sure to add 1/4" around the template. 

5. Piece together. Best to start with the ear area and complete the face and chin. 

6. Add the "background" around the cat face. 

7. Add sides as needed.

8. Iron both sides. 

Materials

4 print or solid fabric

thread and needle

pins

graphing paper

manila paper

ruler

colored pencils (optional)

Size

9" x 9" x 16"

Pattern

Turned the Cat Quilt into a KitchenAid Cover

I turned the Pinterest-inspired cat quilt into a KitchenAid cover. It now sits proudly on our kitchen counter. I've been making rainbow colored quilts using standard shapes. I made the cat quilt to gain more skills and to have fun. 

I made the KitchenAid cover by part. I started with the front cover, then the main cover and the back cover. I thought it would be easier just to make the main cover like a tent. I just used strips of denim-like fabric since I wanted to stick to one color. I used the same fabric for the back cover pocket. I made it that way so I could switch the front and back whenever I felt like it. For now, the cats are watching over my kitchen. 

Here's a tutorial -

Here are the steps how I made the cover -

1. Create the front cover (follow the process here).

2. Make the main cover

• Cut 7 strips of 3" x 39" 
• Sew the strips together
• Iron both sides
• Sandwich with wadding and back fabric (I used an old bed protector)
• Pin and quilt
• Clean up the sides

3. Make the back cover with pocket

• Cut the base, same size as your front cover 10.5" x 14.5"
• Sandwich base with wadding 
• Pin and quilt lines from top to bottom
• Cut 7 strips of 2" x 6.5" 
• Combine and iron both sides
• Sandwich with wadding and quilt
• Add binding to the top of the pocket
• Attach the pocket to the base

4. Make binding (how-to here)

5. Assemble the three sides and combine with bias tape

Materials

base fabric for front and back cover

scraps for the back cover pocket

8 strips of fabric for main cover (or use jelly roll)

fabric for binding/bias tape

wadding

back fabric for sandwich (optional if you re-use a bed protector)

thread

*see cat quilt post for materials needed for front cover

Size

Total: 10.5" x 14.5" x 14.5"

Main cover: 14.5" x 38"

Front cover: 10.5" x 14.5" 

Back cover: 10.5" x 14.5"

Pocket: 10.5" x 6.5"

Pinterest Inspired Cat Quilt

I wanted to learn how to do non-block quilting, so I turned to Pinterest for inspiration. I saw a lot of designs I want to try making, but I had to learn how to quilt odd shaped fabric. I started by making mug rugs. I made a cupcake and butterfly mug rug, so I could practice sewing curves. Eventually found several cat designed quilts which I thought should be challenging to make. 

I chose from the different cat designs I pin and decided to start with this pin. I couldn't access the website where it came from, so I just made it from scratch. I made a bag the first time I tried this pin and thought I'd use the design again for a kitchen project I'm making. In time I plan to combine this cat design with other cat designs to make a lap quilt.

Here's a tutorial:

Here are the steps on how I made the quilt:

1. Draw the design based on the measurements of your project. 

2. Trace the design with tracing paper and cut it by piece.

3. Use the cut piece to make a template using a board (I just used an old box). 

4. Select your fabric. 

5. Use the template wrong side up to draw the piece. 

6. Cut with 1/4 inch allowance. 

7. Piece together the cut fabric. 

8. Iron both sides and fold in the head and ears. 

9. Put the design on your base fabric. 

10. Sandwich with batting and pin. 

11. Quilt :)

12. Add the buttons.

13. Embroider the whiskers and nose.

14. Embroider a message, I added "meow" at the bottom (optional)

Materials:

1 white printed fabric

7 blue printed fabric in different hues

4 blue thread in different hues

black embroidery thread

6 buttons

base fabric

wadding

backing fabric

pins/needle

Size:

10" x 14"

Pattern:

How to Make Binding (Bias Tape)

Most quilts require edges to be binded. I used to make it by hand. It was hard to make it even. I eventually discovered a bias tape maker and ordered one online. It came as a set which meant I could make different sizes. I know there are fancier tools, but this one works for me. Buying ready-made binding is also expensive! You can make a lot for the price of one. 

Here's how I make binding:

Materials and Tools:

Fabric

Ruler

Bias tape maker

Iron

Scissors

A napkin roll

Pins

Measurement:

1.5 inch of fabric*

*You can make it smaller or bigger, just check the size at the back of the bias tape tool

Hand Quilted Essential Oil Case

I love using essential oils and through the years I've been using a case a friend gave me. I set it aside a few weeks ago since I wanted to measure it to make a new one. Finally decided to make a new one for an upcoming trip and my trusty EO case went missing! I just then made my own measurements so I could proceed with the project. 

Found some leftover pieced fabric from my KitchenAid quilt cover project and decided to use it. I originally wanted to use a cute design, but decided to use strips since I'm just learning to do this. You can also use a jelly roll to make this. 

Measurements:

Finished size: 10.5" x 4"

Unfolded size: 10.5" x 6.5"

Materials:

5 strips, cut each at 1/2 meter x 2.5"

wadding

backing fabric

binding 

8" garter

How to Video:

I love how it turned out. I made a few more for friends who use EOs :)

 

How to Make Kitchen Curtains

Summer rolled in so fast! Needed to make new curtains for our kitchen window. I shied away from having our curtains custom made because it's so expensive! Found out I could make my own for a small fraction of the cost. Making my own curtains also allows me to experiment on the fabric. 

Found some Swissdot fabric on Lazada. I thought it was cute. The shop had 26 different colors. Settled for "oatmeal" since it would go with anything. Here's how I made the kitchen curtains. It only took me two nights to finish it. 

Materials:

5 yards Swissdot fabric

Beige thread

Measurements:

Base (height of window) - 115 cm

add for fold (top) - 3 cm

add for fold (bottom) - 3 cm

add for rod fold - 10 cm