English Paper Piecing and Hexie Resources {or where I got started}

This year, I'm hoping to push myself to learn new techniques. I want to try new things rather than just sewing the same dress in different fabric. I also want to explore ways that I can create without being chained to my sewing machine. My machine is in the study, out of the way of the hustle and bustle of the house. It's great for getting stuff done. It can also be a wonderful break. But sometimes its really isolating.

First up on the new technique list was English Paper Piecing. Really, I just wanted to learn EPP to make hexies. They're so stinking cute! And all over the creative web I see people doing amazing things with them.

I figure I'm not the only one setting out on this hexie making journey. So, I wanted to share the resources I've found helpful.

When I started asking around about how to EPP, everyone said Bee in My Bonnet was the way to go. She has a very detailed set of tutorials that are a great place to start.

Christina at Sometimes Crafter has an amazing look at a whole bunch of different hexie techniques. It seems like everyone does something different. She compares a bunch of different options and reports back.

Ashley at Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night is what brought about all this hexie love on my part. I mean that flower garden quilt. Swoon! She shares 6 Must Have Tools for EPP. It's a great place to start figuring out what needs to be on your shopping list.

I've been playing with different stitches for joining my hexies. Anjeanette has a double whip stitch that looks great {but I'm super slow at}.

I love the idea of saving time. Heidi at Buttons and Butterflies shows how to baste the hexies all on the back side, without sewing into the paper. This makes it so you don't have to cut out stitches later.

I do love the idea of fussy cutting. What a fun way to show off beautiful pieces of fabric! Flossie Teacakes has a great tutorial, including the supplies you need.

Next up? Embroidery! Let me know if you have any great resources as to where to start!

Drawstring Bag Swap {more fun with swaps}

Remember how I said I had a swap addiction? Well this is the one that started it! Jeni Baker from In Color Order hosted a swap this summer for drawstring bags. It was such a fun, quick sew. I busted out my third grade sewing lessons for this guy.

An easy drawstring bag, some fun goodies, and off this darling went! These are all from the Target Dollar Spot. I wish I had picked up more of those giant paper clips!

The cute little bag I got has been holding my smaller sewing supplies as I truck them back and forth to sewing group!

Banner Adventure Swap Mini Quilt {or swap addict}

I've become a little too hooked on Instagram Swaps. I mean, they're just sooooo cool. You get to see a whole group of creative people running with a theme. You get to stretch your limits in making something for another person. Plus, a complete stranger stalks you and then makes something for you. Ok, that last part sounds a bit creepy. But it's awesome!

Last fall, I participated in a super cool swap hosted by @the_tattooed_quilter and @kidgiddy. It was a banner swap using April Rhodes fabrics. You had to use April Rhodes fabrics and include yarn, leather, beading, wood, or other dimensional items into your banner. Plus, you had to include a way to hang it.

This was my first time making a mini quilt. I was a much bigger fan of the mini than the full sized thing. Except for the small piecing thing. That sucked.

I went with a herringbone block. I wanted to feature a bunch of different fabrics. My {original} partner requested that I used fabrics from the Bound line. I read Stitched in Color's Herringbone Block tutorial and then just kind of winged it. I'm impressed how well my hoping for the best plan turned out.

I quilted using a similar wing it approach. I just did random wavy lines. Part way through I decided I wanted some contrast. So navy wavy lines happened.

I used braided yard and some fabric tabs to make the banner wall ready.

My original partner dropped out. So at the last hour I ended up sending this banner off to another participant. I sure hope she's enjoying it!

I may have gotten a little too hooked on IG Swaps. I'm signed up for way too many swaps: aprons, tote bags, Parks and Rec, Fancy Forrest, Music Lyric, probably another one I'm forgetting....oh dear! I need to get organized! Want to see my crazy swapping on IG? You can follow me @michaelamcbrown.

Photos of a Family of Four {or the beauty that is TEXgiving}

The week before Thanksgiving we revived one of my favorite traditions...TEXgiving. TEXgiving started the first thanksgiving we lived out here. My best friend and her little brother came and joined us for a weekend full of football, food, and watching a very, very tall 17 year old guy scare the living daylights out of Emma.

It's been a few years since TEXgiving had worked out. This time, that 17 year old boy came down from the University of Kansas where he's a senior. Ikes! I swear he's still 8! Oh, and Emma loves him! Wesley was even lukewarm.

The best part of this trip? A girls day! With kiddos at school or daycare, we ran errands, had an uninterrupted lunch, and day drank while we got manicures! Seriously...so amazing!

Plus, the ever talented Auntie was generous enough to take a break from vacation and put on her photographer hat. She got the first real family photos of our family of four. And I cried when I saw them. She caught these little moments that I am going to be forever grateful to have. She found silly faces from Wesley, a look that Emma always gives, and the sweetest interaction between a daddy and his little girl. My heart just bursts!

Ok, prepare for a picture overload from Elizabeth Cavagnaro Photography.

We also got a rocking Christmas Card out of the photo shoot!

Christmas Tree Pillow Tutorial

This tutorial was originally shared at The Ribbon Retreat. I recieved the materials in exchange for this tutorial. All ideas and opinions are my own.

I feel like I am never quite done decorating for Christmas. We don’t tend to gussy up every inch of our home. But there’s always some small touch I want to add. These Christmas Tree Pillows are great because I can easily move them around to add a Christmasy touch to whatever room needs it. I’ve had them on my faux mantel. Right now, they’re giving my TV stand a much needed dose of Christmas Spirit. They may have also been involved in a toddler pillow fight!

What I really love about these pillows is how your fabric choice can let you match any Christmas décor. You can easily adjust for traditional, modern, vintage, whatever! Also, they don’t require a lot of fabric, and they are a quick sew.

Want to make your own set of three adorable Christmas Tree Pillows? You’ll need:

Little Fattie Pack {Aspen Forest by Basic Grey for Moda}

1 yard of coordinating fabric for backing {Shades by Riley Blake in Snow}

Thread

Poly-Fill {From local craft store}

Rotary cutter/ self-healing mat

Disappearing ink pen

To start, press all your little fatties. Then, cut up each little fattie into three inch strips {there will be leftovers}. You’ll want to cut selvedge to selvedge.

Now, determine which fabrics you want to have on each of your trees. I used three fabrics for each tree.

For your smallest {10 inch} tree, you’ll need 5 strips. The medium {12 inch} tree needs 6 strips. Finally, your largest tree {14 inch} needs 7 strips.

Once you arrange your fabrics in an order you like, you’ll sew your strips together. Make sure you are mindful of fabric pattern directions. Sew selvedge to selvedge, using a presser foot seam allowance. Keep adding strips until you have enough for your tree.

You’ll cut all your trees the same way. I’ll give you the description using the small tree’s measurements. I’ll give you the measurements for the other two after the description.

For the small tree, you need to cut an 11 by 9 triangle. Make sure you measure on the wrong side of the fabric. Starting on the bottom right {past the selvedge}, make a mark at 0, 4.5, and 9.

Draw a dashed line vertically at your 4.5 {center} mark.

Now, measure up 11 inches on a diagonal from your 0 mark to meet your center mark. Draw a line. Do the same from you 11 mark to you center mark.

Use your rotary cutter and quilting ruler to cut out your triangles along your line.

For the medium tree, you’ll need to cut a 13 by 10.5 triangle.

For the large tree, you’ll need to cut a 15 by 12 triangle.

I decide to be lazy with the backing. I put the triangle down on the backing and just cut a quick, general shape. You could always cut the backing out the same way as the front.

Now lay the front on top of the back, right sides together. Pin, marking a three inch gap. Sew your tree using a presser foot seam allowance. Make sure you leave the turning gap.

Trim your tree down to the seam allowances. Clip all three corners.

Turn your tree right side out, carefully poking out the corners with a chopstick {or other such tool}.

Repeat this process for your medium and large trees. Then, go to town stuffing them with Poly-Fill. Make sure you really get some stuffing wedged into each corner. This will make sure your trees have a nice shape.

Once stuffed, you’ll want to hand sew your gap closed. This should be done using a blind stitch. I am terrible at hand sewing. But Amy over at Positively Splendid has a great tutorial to use!

Now you can make yourself a forest of Christmas Tree Pillows. I want to try making a 6 inch tree and turning into a Christmas ornament next!

 I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a joyful New Year!