Puff Quilt tutorial

       I am Currently Working on a Puff quilts for the kids. They take a lot of time, but they will last a long time.  My kids both have full size beds so this is quite the undertaking (393 blocks per quilt).
      Should you decide to do these you will need to find out the finished dimensions of the spread (example: full size is 86"x86"). You will then choose what size blocks you want 5x5,  6x6, 7x7  etc. of if you are really good at patterns you can mix it up. This is my first one so I am keeping it simple. I chose to make 5"x5" blocks. At this point you should decide on a pattern. You will take the length and width and divide your block size into it. So 86"divided by 5" equals 17 and a little extra. I added extra to the length because the current bed spread on my daughters bed seemed slightly small. A full size quilt cost me about 60$ in materials to make.

My quilt is 17 blocks by 19 blocks

  To make the blocks you will need your top color, and a liner color. If you buy broadcloth for the liner you can save a lot of money. The top color will be cut 1" larger then the liner color and the liner color determines the block size. once you cut out all the blocks and liners you begin to sew
 As you sew you will put one pleat in the center of each side. Only sew 3 sides completely and partial on the fourth leaving a hole for the stuffing. Sew all the blocks this way.

You will then begin stuffing each block with fiberfil. Do not over stuff the blocks it makes it hard to sew together and the quilt is very heavy when complete. I bought this huge box on sale at Hancocks for $9.99. I will have plenty for both quilts and still have some left over. You only need a pinch for each puff. Sew all the blocks closed. You will give your self a headache if you skip this step. It saves no time in the long run.

   

    When you finish this lay out your pattern and pin rows together. This step helps when you have animals that like what your doing and lay on your perfect pattern only to mess it up. Yes I layed out this pattern several times only to walk away and have my precious little puppy use it as his pillow.
       If you have no pattern just skip this step and sew the rows the way you want.

Stitch the pinned rows together.

Here are all the rows sewn and layed out in order 

purchased a full sheet for the backing and matching cotton fabric for the trim my trim is 4 in wide so you will need 8.25 wide strips as you will fold them in half. You could also use a typical quilt binding as well.

Thanks for checking it out.

This quilt would not be a great idea for the southern USA, the amount of time you put into it does not weigh out with the weather you would be able to use it in.

Kitchen Cabinets

To start out with old fashioned typical oak cabinet. I didn't like the profile and wanted a modern update. So I went on the hunt for a solution.

 



Here is the solution. Bead board and moulding.
1) Frame the cabinets with chosen trim. Nail in place
2) cut to size and Liquid nail the bead board
3) use paintable caulk and caulk any gaps at corners of trim and bead board.
4) let dry overnight and check to see that all gaps were filled. If not do it again.

5) paint desired color and use good paint with primer. I used Clark and Kensington from Ace Hardware. Midnight Stroll in satin (its my favorite color and finish). If you want a country look do no use anything above a satin.

6) I then distressed them with sandpaper only on the sharp edges
and used the restore a finish in mahogany to add the aged look.
7) Last step add a top coat. This was the hardest because I didn't want to change the finish. I tried several polyurethanes to no avail, so I decided on paste wax and it worked great. only side note I have is to make sure you do not leave any clumps or excess or when it dry's it will turn white.
Happy Painting
 

Christmas crafts 2014

Gourds

Wire angels