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Friday, January 29, 2021

Mouse Wrist Rest - Give your wrist a rest!

 In my 2020 Gift making class we made several projects that make great gifts for family and friends. I do this class in November and December each year and it is one of my most popular classes.  I prepare 6-7 projects for the students to sew.  There are only two rules: 1. You can only make one gift for yourself - all the others have to be for someone else.  2. You must wrap the gift before moving on to the next project.  I use brown paper sacks for the wrapping so this only takes a few minutes.

With so many people working on computers and from home these days I thought it would be great to have my students do something relating to technology.  So we made a Mouse Wrist Rest.  It helps your wrist be in a more ergonomically position.  These were quick and easy to make and were a great gift for almost everyone on their list.

Check out my YouTube for the directions.  Also be sure to Subscribe to my channel - Sew Learn Create for more sewing tutorials.

Happy sewing!

Danna



Monday, January 25, 2021

Cactus Baby Quilt & Table Runner

 Last Summer at one of my quilt retreats I decided to try a new pattern.  I had seen the pattern on Pinterest and thought it was really cute.  It is a cactus pattern.  The original pattern was done in green for the cactus and pink for the background.

I wanted mine to be a little more subtle so I used a muslin background.  


The baby quilt has 4 of the cactus blocks in an offset pattern.  I used a fun mix of scrappy green fabrics from my stash.  Since the squares are only 2 1/2" it is a great scrap buster project.  I actually made two baby quilts.  One was donated to our church quilt group auction to raise money for the ministry. The other one is on my Etsy shop Cactus Baby Quilt.


The quilt back is a soft green fabric


The binding is a scrappy binding to incorporate all of the fabrics once again on the edge.  Scrappy bindings are a great way to use up those last bits of fabric and can add a playful edge.  The finished baby quilt is 35" x 45".

I thought since the cactus is popular I would make a table runner also.


The table runner uses two of the cactus blocks and I put them facing each other with a wide muslin band in between.  That way you can see the full cactus shape from either end of the runner.  


On the back of the runner I placed a band of pieced scraps.  This gives the runner a completely different look when reversed.  I always like a table linen that has options with two looks in one. The table runner is 17" x 49". It is also on my Etsy shop. Cactus Table Runner



This pattern is easier than it looks and goes together fairly quickly.  I made two baby quilt tops and one table runner top in about a day and a half.  The here is the link to the original pattern by Kairle Oaks .  Her quilt is beautiful and very big!

So break out your green scrap bucket and make one for yourself or that new baby in the family.

Keep sewing & quilting,
Danna