The Crafty Author™

Crafting & Quilting Made Fun and Easy!

The Crafty Author

EASY TUMBLER BABY QUILT

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EASY TUMBLER BABY QUILT

EASY TUMBLER BABY QUILT

 

Thank you for your support!  This is my first attempt at publicly sharing one of my design layouts.  Please note that the fabric was purchased from my local quilt shop and I used the AccuQuilt 3 1/2″ Tumbler die, which I will link to below in case you are interested in purchasing it.  Please note that if you purchase through any of my links, I will make a small commission as I am an affiliate.  I have also included a link via Amazon to purchase the Missouri Star Quilt Company Tumbler Set for those that do not have a cutting machine.

ACCUQUILT:

AccuQuilt Cutters, Dies and Mats

http://shrsl.com/23bmm

3 1/2” Tumbler (3” Finished)

http://shrsl.com/23bjq

Fabric Cutters I Use:

AccuQuilt GO ME : I use this for smaller projects and applique’

http://shrsl.com/23bm8

GO BIG Electric Cutter:  I use this when I am cutting a lot of pieces or larger dies.

http://shrsl.com/23bmf

Missouri Star Quilt CO Tumbler Quilting Ruler Bundle:

https://amzn.to/2tfRUvO

I have created this design pattern so that you will know where to place each tumbler piece in the quilt.  I have based this off of using 4 fabrics.  You may use whatever fabrics you like and how ever many you would like.  I have seen some beautiful scrap quilts made using this particular tumbler die.

VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Here is my video showing you how to assemble the blocks.

FREE PATTERN:

TUMBLER BABY QUILT PATTERN

#babyquilt #tumblerquilt #thecraftyauthor #accuquilt #freequiltpattern

FINISHED BABY QUILT – JUST IN TIME FOR MY GRANDSONS ARRIVAL 🙂

CRAFT ROOM OVERHAUL PART 2

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CRAFT ROOM OVERHAUL PART 2

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I’m about to spill the beans. I absolutely love organization and having a place for all of my crafting and quilting supplies in one place so that I have access to them when I need them.

However, this craft room overhaul has been a real pain in the butt. It has taken me far longer than I ever would have thought. I know, first world problems. I totally get that, but the struggle is real. Working full-time and coming home to work in my quilting room has been a challenge for me and it’s taken me about 2 weeks to get this far and I’m still not done.

I’m not complaining though. Just stating facts. So…if you decide to overhaul your space like I am, set some realistic expectations, because clearly, I thought I could have this all done in a weekend. Hahahahaha! I know, I’m laughing with you!

Moving along, here we have an old tv cart where I once stored notepads of paper, rubber bands and other miscellaneous items in my craft room. It was the perfect solution for what I had been wanting for a very long time. I just wasn’t sure how to achieve it until now.

And what I wanted was a mobile ironing and cutting station that I could have right next to my sewing machine. It sometimes takes longer to complete a quilt block when you have several seams to press and your ironing table or board is not near by. So, this was my solution to that problem.

We purchased 4 – 1″ Roller Ball Bearings at $1.99 each from Harbor Tool and Freight.

CLICK HERE FOR ROLLER BALL BEARING

Then my husband cut 4 wood blocks 2 1/4″ X 3″ so that we could accurately screw into the bottom of the tv cart without going all the way through the cart. The video will explain it better, I promise. Also, don’t be like me and split the wood. HA! I must admit, I was having way too much fun with the power tools.

So once the roller balls were on, then it was time for me to give the tv cart a little make over. So for this, I used Cricut Adhesive Foil. You will want to prep the wood before you do this, otherwise, it won’t stick to the surface and it will continually come up. That is a very important tip!

Anyway, back to the adhesive foil. I used Stainless Steel, Stainless Teal and Coral Pink in Matte, for the top of the cart.

FIND CRICUT ADHESIVE FOIL HERE!

That’s all there is too it! This was a really fun and easy project to do. Check out the video below.

CRAFT/QUILT ROOM OVERHAUL PART 1

And here is the final product! If you decide to make one of your own, please feel free to share your pictures with me at:

JOIN MY PRIVATE FACEBOOK GROUP

#craftroomideas #thecraftyauthor #diyironing #quilting #diyfurniture #sewing #crafting #howto #fabricstorage

CRAFT/QUILT ROOM OVERHAUL PART 1

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CRAFT & QUILT ROOM IDEAS

CRAFT / QUILT ROOM OVERHAUL PART 1

Have you always wanted a beautiful space to craft or quilt in but could never afford the price tag that came along with it?  In this tutorial, I show you how I am overhauling my quilting and crafting space on a budget.  Believe it or not, I purchased all 5 of these the bookshelves for under $200.  I have a very large space that I needed to fill so you could definitely get away with less if you were working in a smaller space.  For storage boxes, I recommend looking at Walmart, IKEA or Dollar Tree.  That is where I have purchased all of my storage items.  If you are interested in purchasing these bookshelves, you can find them at the link below.

Mainstay’s White Bookshelf

 

#quiltblock #quiltingpatterns #quiltpatterns #vlogger #youtuber #youtubetutorial #blockofthemonth #bom #4patch #patchwork #thecraftyauthor #socialmediainfluencer #quilt #quilting #craftroom #craftroomideas #quiltroom #craftroomonabudget #accuquilt #keeponcraftin

4 PATCH TABLE TOPPER

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4 PATCH TABLE TOPPER

4 PATCH TABLE TOPPER THE CRAFTY AUTHOR

Welcome to the 4 Patch Table Topper!  In this tutorial, I teach you how to make a beautiful bow tie/ hour glass design with a pinwheel in the middle, all using the 4 patch block that we made for the January Block of the Month.

It is important to note that this tutorial is different from the actual block that we made for the month.  I am just showing you other ways and designs that you can make with that particular block.

Supplies Needed:

8- 7″ Squares (2 different fabrics- Preferably one solid and one print)

Batting

1/2 Yard of Backing

Thread

Sewing Machine

Rotary Cutter

Cutting Mat

Quilting Ruler

Scissors

Pins or Quilting Clips

VIEW THE FULL TUTORIAL HERE:

#quiltblock #quiltingpatterns #quiltpatterns #vlogger #youtuber #youtubetutorial #blockofthemonth #bom #4patch #patchwork #thecraftyauthor #socialmediainfluencer #quilt #quilting #2020 #accuquilt

 

BLOCK OF THE MONTH- JANUARY

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Block of the Month- January

Welcome Quilter’s! I am so excited to be doing the Block of the Month this year. Each month we will be making a quilt block that will be put into a quilt sampler at the end of the year. There will be 12 blocks in total and some will be easy and some will be difficult. I will teach you how to make each one via video instruction. Make sure that you are following me on YouTube and Subscribed so that you can be notified each time I upload a new video.

The Crafty Author on YouTube

Fabric Needed:

I am using a fat quarter bundle that I have had laying around for a couple of years. You can use whatever you have in your stash. I recommend having a half yard of each fabric color so that you have enough fabric on hand and in case you make an error, you will still be able to make the block. It is always better to have more fabric on hand than to not. Also, I recommend having a variety of lights, darks and mediums.

About the Quilt Block:

This month we are making a 4 Patch. You can make several designs and variations with a 4 Patch. The 4 Patch is a simple block but can make some beautiful designs. Below is a photo of the 4 Patch Block that I made for our sampler quilt.

For this particular block, you will need to cut your squares 7″ X 7″. We are going to be making this into a 12″ X 12″ block at the end. We will not be squaring up any blocks until the very end of the project at the end of the year.

Block of the Month- January

Below is a picture of a design that you can make with a 4 Patch. I will be making a table topper with this design to demonstrate how beautiful it can be. Make sure you are following me on YouTube so that you can see the end result. I will be demonstrating how to make variations with most of the blocks that make.

Make sure to watch the full tutorial here:

Block of the Month- January

10,000 YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS GIVEAWAY!

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10,000 YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS GIVEAWAY!

The Crafty Author hit 10,000 YouTube Subscriber’s and as a way for thanking you for all of your support, I am having a giveaway to celebrate!  There will be one winner for each item, so 2 winners in total.  If you are located in the United States, please enter using the link that says US.  If you are located outside of the United States, please enter using the link that says INTERNATIONAL.  Thank you for your support and GOOD LUCK!!! AccuQuilt is not affiliated with or responsible for this giveaway.  Anisa at The Crafty Author is and will notify winners and distribute prizes to those winners.  Winners will be notified within 48 hours of contest ending.  Winner has 48 hours to claim prize after being notified via email.  If there is no response, a new winner will be chosen and the original winner will forfeit their win due to non response.

US RESIDENTS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTS:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The Hardest Part of Quilting

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The Hardest Part of Quilting

From Cutting Fabric to Choosing a Design

I often get asked, “What is the hardest part of quilting.” I think that differs for everyone. In the beginning, the hardest part for me was getting my fabric cut properly so that it wouldn’t go all wonky on me while sewing. I have learned over the years to take my time while cutting so that I can avoid having uneven pieces. It takes practice. Lots and lots of practice to perfect the skill of cutting.

I have been quilting for about 20 years now. I could go back and show you quilts that I have made that are a hot mess! However, I try not to look at them in that way. They were stepping stones to get me where I am today, and I will tell you, I am still learning new things each time I make a quilt. Now, those quilts that I made early on were given as gifts to family members and were made with love, so the little imperfections don’t matter to the person who received it.

I am very particular with whom I share my quilts with. There are a couple of reasons for this.

  1. Quilting is very time consuming.
  2. Not everyone appreciates a handmade item.
  3. I make all my quilts with love.

It hurts when you spend a lot of time putting something together for someone, only to not have them appreciate it. I know. It’s happened to me before too. The only thing you can do is make a note of it, move on and be a little more choosy about who you choose to share your talents with. I have been fortunate that my mother loves receiving them. I think she’s a bit quilted out though. HA! She probably has 15 to 20 of my quilts.

I’m rambling here. The hardest thing about quilting for me today is…choosing the quilt design to put on the quilt. You see, when I first started making quilts, I didn’t put any designs on them. I yarn tied them! I know! But it worked and it looked great! As I have evolved as a quilter though, I started falling in love with the actual quilt designs on a quilt. I started visiting my local quilt shop and that’s where I was introduced to a whole new level of quilting. I’m sure my husband is extra appreciative of that! HA!

So I started purchasing fabric from them and learning how to really quilt. I had a friend approach me and ask me to make her a King Sized quilt for her bed. I agreed. Boy oh boy was I in over my head on that one. No really. I had no clue what I was doing, and to be honest, I probably shouldn’t have agreed to do it, but I did. It was a big learning experience for me and you know what, I did it! I did have some help from the ladies at my local quilt store though. They were nice enough to help me figure out how much fabric I was going to need and also what the measurement of each block should be. In addition, they helped me decide on the quilt pattern. I choose to do a Bear Paw Quilt. My friend wanted rustic and that’s what she got. It took me about 6 months to complete the quilt and I seam ripped so many times that I lost count. I cursed, I cried and many times I just wanted to quit, but I couldn’t because I made a promise to my friend and she was paying me to make the quilt too!!! No pressure there, right?!

Well…long story short, I finished the quilt and it was beautiful. Next came the dreadful decision of how I was going to quilt it. Now mind you, I had pieced this quilt on a little machine that I had picked up from Walmart. It was a basic sewing machine and didn’t have any of the fancy bells and whistles and it certainly didn’t have the throat space to put a quilt of that size through it. So I did what any young quilter would do. I went back to the quilt store for some advice and that’s when I was introduced to the long arm. Oh yes! I was so excited when I found out that there was someone else out there that could quilt my quilt for me and she would even sandwich the quilt too! Yippie! I had hit the jackpot! And then I got the quote on how much it would cost to quilt it and all excitement left me. Nevertheless, I went ahead and had it quilted and I’m glad I did. It turned out amazing! My friend loved it and I was a better quilter for sticking it through and finishing it. It also happens to be one of my favorites as well.

That experience got me thinking that maybe I could quilt my own quilts in the future. I knew I had to do something because there was no way that my husband would be on board with me paying that kind of money for every quilt that I made. So I would need to learn how to do it myself. And I have. I think that’s why I have such a hard time deciding on quilt patterns now. I’m not a pro and I don’t pretend to be. There are still many designs that I am working on and trying to get better at. If you follow me on YouTube at The Crafty Author, then you have seen how I struggle with some designs. I am learning right along with you and I think that makes the experience even more fun to be honest.

Quilting is a journey between the quilter and his/her tools. It takes time, patience and whole lot of practice to get to the point of being comfortable with your designs. What I am trying to say here, is…don’t be too hard on yourself. We all start somewhere and every project is a learning experience. Embrace it, enjoy it, love it!

Happy Quilting!

Anisa (The Crafty Author)

THE HARDEST PART OF QUILTING