Can you believe there is less than a month till Christmas...

REALLY...

Where has the time gone?

Well, let's get a “jump” on the upcoming holidays by making a Super Cute Apron that's just PERFECT for all those fun Christmas Cookie baking traditions...

Whether you make those yummy slice and bake cookies or spend hours in the kitchen replicating your Grandmothers famous Sugar Cookies...

a FUN Holiday Apron using this Super adorable Gingerbread Man Applique will be sure to make your Baking traditions EXTRA Special!

Let's get started...

I found this really nice Lime Green and White striped adult sized full body apron, that has an adjustable strap around the neck...it even has a couple pockets below the waistline.  Believe it or not...it was at my local Home Goods Store!  Be sure to check out this fabulous place!

For this special Holiday Apron I used the Gingerbread Man Applique Design in combination with the Smiley Monster Font and the Sunny Beach Font.  Be sure to check out the Tools of the Trade at the bottom of the blog post to view all the details of what was used, including the sizes of the designs, for this cute project!

Here she goes...

As you can see, I used my 8X12 Full Fast Frame that was prepped with sticky stabilizer.  I also fused a piece of No Show Mesh to the backside of the apron for permanent hold during those repeated washing's...YEP, I'm a MESSY baker!

And...you guessed it...

I threw a piece of WSS on top!

My sweet little Red Wonder Clips give my apron that EXTRA hold in place...so nothing is moving that isn't suppose to!  LOL! 

Be sure to check out the extra outline stitch that Teresa used around the eyes and the buttons on the Gingerbread Man...this little detail makes them POP off your garment!

My finished design size is approximately 6.75” Tall X 8.75” wide and has 17,062 stitches in it...

All this cuteness with only ONE Fabric Panel for the Applique...how sweet is that?

Now...

Who's ready for some Holiday Baking?

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Gingerbread Man Applique Design (I used the 5 x 7 size) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Smiley Monster Font (1 inch size for the words...its cookie time) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Sunny Beach Font (1.5 inch size for the exclamation point) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Sunny Beach Font (2 inch size for the coma) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the Full 8x12 inch size)

-Fusible No Show Mesh Cutaway Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-WSS (off Brand)

-Heat and Bond Lite Fusible (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Walmart and On Line)

-Clover Wonder Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Amazon and Quilt Shops)

-Adult sized Apron (Home Goods Store)

-Fabric...Tan for Gingerbread Man (Moda Marbles in Tan)

-Thread-Exquisite Brand...Tan #621- Red #3015 and White #010)

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design

Are you at the point in your Christmas Shopping where you need the PERFECT gift for that ONE person who has...

E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G? 

Maybe you just want to bring a little something for the Hostess at the next Christmas Party you are attending.

Today, we'll take a simple roll of Toilet Paper and slap a little bling on it...

Christmas Holiday Style!

Let's get started...

I am using the ever Fabulous Vine Monogram in the 4 inch size (the MIDDLE letter only)...

you simple cannot go wrong with this Beautiful Monogram Font.

Simple and Classic!

I am gonna shake it up a bit and stray from my usual Fast Frames for hooping today...simply because using the 5x7 hoop that came with my PR655 is the BEST way to go for this particular project!

In the above picture I have loaded a piece of Heavy Weight Cut Away in my 5x7 hoop...making sure it is tight.  I went ahead and sent the Middle Letter M in the 4 inch size to my machine via the USB Stick. 

Design Stats...

3 5/8” wide X 4” tall

5,274 stitches

Let's load the Toilet Paper! 

LOL! 

That sounded FUNNY!

***Insert laughing uncontrollably!

Who says Monogramming isn't a HOOT!

I used the Costco Brand Toilet Paper...

however, any Toilet Paper will work...just pay attention to the HEIGHT of the roll...

because some are taller than others and that will determine which size Letter you will use. 

Now because my roll of Toilet Paper is what they call a “double” roll...

it is bigger in diameter too...so I used the #5 squares rule of thumb...

Let me explain...

Unroll the Toilet Paper...five squares wide, overlapping it to make it 3 layers deep...(basically back and forth on top of each other).

Lay the 3 layers of Toilet Paper on top of the stabilizer...centering it, the best you can. 

Try marking a line on your stabilizer that you will use to line up the bottom edge of the Toilet Paper to keep it straight if need be. 

I just eyeballed it!  I did make sure the center of my design would be “centered” in the MIDDLE of the actual Toilet Paper square. 

I used flat head flower pins to hold it to the stabilizer...but making sure it will CLEAR my needles!

****TIP...as you can see here...you will LEAVE the excess of the Toilet Paper hooked onto the main roll....do not break it off.  Just set it on a table near by so it doesn't get tangled up during the stitching process!

Here is a close up of my work area...

Believe it or not...she embroiders this fabulous Vine Monogram Font with PERFECTION...

And with NO WSS on top either!

Can you believe it?

Now...how's that for Super Fabulous?

When your embroidery work is done...

be very careful when you take it off the machine and out of the frame and remove the pins...so you DON'T tear the Toilet Paper!

Ask me how I know!

I trim the Stabilizer EVEN with the height of the Toilet Paper...

as that will stay in place as a backer when you roll the Toilet Paper back in place. 

I used a couple pieces of clear tape to hold it in place (overlapped) in the back.

Throw it in a clear plastic bag (the plain clear food storage bags that have twisty ties

with them are PERFECT for this!)

and then add some pretty curly ribbon to the top for some added sparkly BLING...

OMG...

Reese Witherspoon would be so PROUD!

“If it's not MOVING...

MONOGRAM it”!

Happy Holidays!

 Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Vine Monogram Font...MIDDLE letter ONLY (I used the 4” size) (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Regular Hoop that came with my Machine (I used the 5x7 inch size)

-Heavy Weight Cut Away Stabilizer (I used and Off Brand)

-Thread (Exquisite Brand) RED#3015

-Toilet Paper Roll (Mine is Costco Brand)

-Flower Head Pins (Hobby Lobby, Joann's and Quilt Shops)

-Clear Storage Bag  (Grocery Stores)

-Curly Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

Christmas is just around the corner and that means Holiday parties and family gatherings too! And since my Momma taught me NEVER to show up to someone's home “empty handed”...we're gonna make something super nice for the Host and Hostess!

Today, I am making a pretty gift bag for a nice bottle of wine, spirits or even sparkling water...it's the PERFECT hostess gift!

Before I begin...I want to warn you...this Blog Post has what I call “picture overload”! I am hoping with more detailed step by step pictures...more of you faithful Quilted Story followers will try out this super fun project! Let me know what you all think!

Let's get started...

Cut out your pieces parts...

-2 pieces of cotton fabric (7” wide X 14.5” tall)...choose something that will allow your wording to show up nicely on.

-2 pieces of thin cotton batting (7” wide X 14.5” tall...I like Warm and Natural 100% Cotton Batting)

Now let's PREP the panels BEFORE we load them onto the frame...

Layer the WRONG side of the fabric to the piece of cotton batting first...for both panels (one is for the front of the bag and one is for the back).  Pin well!

As shown in the picture below...cut a 1.25” square out of the bottom of both corners on BOTH front and back panels.

Sew a basting line on each of the long sides of the panels (to hold the two layers of the fabric and the batting together and in place)...be sure to do this for both the front and back panel..you will be GLAD you did!

My white "Digit Saver” is pointing directly where the baste stitching goes...

NOW...let's find the center for the design!

I am using the Aaron Font in the 3” size for the word “Cheers” and I am going to place it on the ONE panel (which will be my FRONT panel) for my wine bag...going up the middle of it, starting from the bottom. For this particular wine bag, using all the same dimensions mentioned above...I have placed my center reference dot at 5.5 inches from the top of the notch that I cut out earlier.   I marked it with a water soluble pen.

I have loaded my Full 8x12 Fast Frame with a piece of sticky stabilizer and then used my frame edge to line up the side panel edge evenly so that I am sure to be straight!  As you can see in the picture above...I have the notched out bottom of the front bag panel on the LEFT side...as I will be stitching the word “Cheers” from the bottom notched area up the front of the bag.  I used a few Flat Head Flower pins to help keep it secure along the top and bottom where I am unable to  use my little red clippies.  I added a few red clippies to the sides where the front panel hangs over a bit.  It is secure for SURE now! 

Design Stats...

3” tall X 9 5/8” wide

9,571 stitches

Here she goes...

YES...YES...YES...

to a piece of WSS! (on top)

LOL!

TIP...The cotton batting is used in this project to serve TWO purposes...to stabilize the embroidery work permanently and also to give the bag some body and padding for your bottle of wine or spirits.  It's a WIN WIN situation!

When she is all done stitching her Beautiful Aaron Font from Baby Kay's...remove it from the frame...it is here that you will be glad that you basted the side edges FIRST! 

Let's put the bag together...

Right sides together...the front and back panels, as shown in the picture above.  I have pinned the long sides and across the bottom well!

Now...using a ¼ inch seam allowance...stitch the two long sides first...be sure to back tack too!

Then stitch across the bottom...using a 1/4” seam allowance once again.

DO NOT...

I REPEAT...

DO NOT STITCH IN THE NOTCHED AREAS...

ONLY stitch along the sides and across the bottom!

You will thank me later!

Let's Box Pleat the bottom...

With your bag still right sides together pinch the two seams together...from the bottom of the bag and the side of the bag and match those seams.  Pin in place.

You will be doing this to BOTH sides...

As you can see in the above picture...I have already sewn across (using a 1/4” seam allowance...be sure to back tack at the beginning and at the end) on one side and have the other side pinned and ready to stitch!

The above stitching of the notched out bottom will give you a “Box Pleated” bottom to your wine bag and it will be flat on the bottom!

Turn your bag right sides out...

Now...simply turn down the top edge to form a hem...about a 1/2” and pin it in place.

Using your FREE arm on your sewing machine...top stitch close to the edge...

Then...just for “pretty” sake...

Top stitch again about ¼” from the first stitching!

Simply add a nice bottle of wine or spirits (this bag fits a 750ml sized bottle) and add a cute ribbon to tie it closed. 

So simple...

But...OHH so FABULOUS!

Merry Christmas...

Happy Holidays...

and all that JAZZ!

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Aaron Font (I used the 3” size) for the word “Cheers” (www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the FULL 8x12 inch size)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-Thread (Exquisite Brand) RED#3015

-Fabric (Light Gray and White Stripe from Hobby Lobby...no name on it)

-Warm and Natural 100% cotton batting (Hobby Lobby, Joann's and Quilt Shops)

-Santa Ribbon (Hobby Lobby)

-Clover Red Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's and Quilt Shops)

-Flower Head Pins (Hobby Lobby, Joann's and Quilt Shops)

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design

 Here we are...just two weeks before Thanksgiving Day and all I can think of is Christmas...Christmas...CHRISTMAS!

The simple truth about working in the world of Embroidery and Applique is that no matter what time of the year it is...it's totally acceptable to be working ahead of the actual Holiday!  We do this because all the FUN ideas we see in this platform are pulling us to squeeze in just ONE more fabulous project before that Holiday officially gets here!

This is WHY, at The Quilted Story, I plan to get these ideas out to you a little head of schedule...so you can do just that...

GET THEM DONE!

Today, I wanted to take a simple covered pillow and dress her up with a special Christmas Wrap...

You can make a pillow wrap for just about any size covered pillow.  Mine is an 18” square pillow cover I found at my local Hobby Lobby...be sure to check them out...they are located in the curtain supplies section, near the fabric and they have a lot of different colors to choose from! 

PS...I also like the fact that these particular pillow covers have zipper closures in them...and that makes it so EASY to add your pillow form and remove it later for washing.

I used a 20” square pillow form...so it would fill it just PERFECT!  I tend to use the rule of thumb of using pillow forms that are roughly 2” LARGER than the pillow cover itself.  I really like the presentation it makes!

PS...don't forget that at the bottom of all my tutorial type blog posts there will be a "Tools of the Trade" which will include the details of what I used to make the project!

Let's get started...

I am using the Aaron Font from Baby Kay's Appliques in the 3” size for the word “Believe” and added the Christmas Bells with Bow Applique (in the 4x4 inch size)...slightly tilted to the right.

I cut a piece of cotton linen blend fabric 8” wide (selvage to selvage) and a piece of 100% cotton batting 7” wide (and as long as the fabric is).  The batting will not only be used as a stabilizer...but it will also give the wrap “body” when you put it around the pillow.

                           I prepped my 8x12 Full Fast Frame with sticky stabilizer and then put the

batting onto the sticky first, and then layered the fabric on top of the batting...centering it, so that there would be “excess” fabric (top and bottom) to make a hem out of over the batting...when you finish your embroidery work.  

 I also added a few of my flat head pins around the edge to secure the top fabric layer and the batting to the frame.  You will notice that I used the straight edge of the bottom of my fabric to match up with the straight edge of the frame itself...and this assures me that I am loading it evenly across the frame.  I also have my center marked with a water soluble pen for a reference point.

Here she goes, stitching away...

 The red clips are only being used to hold the WSS to the frame, my flat head pins are the actual anchor to the frame. 

I just LOVE the way this Aaron Font stitches out...it is so pretty and just perfect for this project!

The Letter “B”...makes my Heart Sing!

Once I removed the finished work from the frame...I press the top edge over the top and the bottom and hemmed it...as you see in this picture below...

 After I hemmed both the top and bottom with a nice top stitch, I put it on the pillow I planned to use and trimmed the length of it to fit with a slight overlap.  I secured it onto the pillow using velcro at the overlap. 

I just LOVE it when a plan comes together...

How about YOU?

Kathleen

TOOLS OF THE TRADE...

-Aaron Font (I used the 3” size...www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Christmas Bells with Bow Applique (I used the 4x4 inch size...www.babykaysappliques.com)

-Fast Frame (I used the Full 8x12 inch size)

-Perfect Stick Stabilizer (I used Floriani Brand)

-WSS (off Brand)

-Cotton Linen Blend Fabric in Stone color (Fabric.com)

-100% Cotton Warm and White Batting

-Flat Head Pins (Hobby Lobby)

-Clover Wonder Clips (Hobby Lobby, Joann's, Amazon and Quilt Shops)

-Red and White Geometric Pillow Cover (18”square-Hobby Lobby)

-20” square Pillow Form (Joann's)

-Velcro (to hold the wrap closed on the pillow)

-Fabric...Red and Silver Glitter Mirror Canvas (Mikriworld.com)

-Thread-Exquisite Brand...Red #3015-Light Gray #1707

-Water Soluble Pen for Marking Center of design