Quilted Up: My Stylish Storage Box Tutorial

Since I'm celebrating National Quilting Month I thought I'd share one more quilted project tutorial: My Stylish Storage Boxes.  Firm walled, padded, quilted boxes that are just perfect for storing anything - wine glasses, plates, magazines, clothes, etc.  Pretty enough to keep out, but also ideal on a shelf or in a closet.  Using two coordinated prints means they make a perfect pair:

I used these fabulous Script prints from the Library collection by Timeless Treasures.  They make things look classy, but still understated:

The quilting adds some nice texture and the lettering on the black print is a shimmery gold so it's a really lovely effect.  Now here's how to make them!


You'll Need:
- 2 1/4yds Outer Fabric
- 2 1/4yds Inner Fabric
- 3 yds Fusible Fleece
- 1/2 yd 96in wide Batting
- 3 yds Ultra firm, heavy weight stabilizer
- 2 packages of Quilter's Tape
- Sewing Machine & Notions (iron, pins, ruler, marking pen/chalk, heavy duty needles, thread, scissors)

Note: I made these boxes really big to hold lots (the large is 17in x 13 in x 11in), but you could scale them down to just about any dimensions.  

First cut out the bottom and side pieces from outer, inner, batting and stabilizer using the following measurements:  

For big box

Front & Back Sides: 18in wide x 12in high

Sides: 14in wide x 12in high

Bottom: 18in wide 14in high

For small box

Front & Back Sides: 16in wide x 10in high

Sides: 12in wide x 10in high

Bottom: 16in wide 12in high

Cut a double set of fusible fleece (one to attach to outer, one for the inner):

With wrong sides together, iron the fusible fleece onto the outer & inner fabrics.  Take outer fabric sides and starting from a corner, draw diagonal lines spaced 1.25in apart, then starting at the opposite corner draw lines in the other direction so you have a lattice design. Don't you love that this ruler pays compliments?  Someone running for mayor gave these out years ago.  He totally gets my vote!

Lay the batting underneath the fleece side.  Topstitch along the lines to make the quilting.  It will look like this on the back when finished:

With right sides facing, match up and pin together the raw edges of front side and bottom, width-wise and stitch together with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Leave 1/2 inch un-sewn at beginning and end of seam.

Repeat on opposite end with back side, so it looks like this opened up:

Do the same with the smaller sides:

Now pull sides together and pin and stitch together with a 1/2in seam allowance to form the corners.  This makes the quilted, outer box layer.  Repeat the above step of stitching together the box with the ultra firm stabilizer as the sole backing to make the box lining (which will give it the structure and support).  The inner doesn't need any fleece or batting or to get quilted.

Trim all seams and corners from both layers and then insert inner fabric into outer, matching corner seams, and pinning along the top edges:

Join the layers by encasing the raw edges with the quilter's tape and stitch into place:

Now the Stylish Storage Boxes are ready to keep things organized AND look good at the same time!

Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too - click HERE to check them out!

FREE Project Patterns: Mod Kitchen Set

How about we get this week going with some FREE patterns?  Today I'm sharing my Mod Kitchen Set.   I'd really love to renovate my kitchen, but new cabinets, counters, etc. cost big bucks.  Using a little fabric, you can give your kitchen a stylish, custom look for a small fraction of the price with this FREE 5 piece pattern & tutorial set!

It starts with my Hot Pocket Apron, a tie-back half apron with circular pockets that are built-in hot pads. No more searching for oven mitts in front of the oven or having to use towels transferring things to the dining table.  Perfect for a busy cook or hostess!

This Insulated Casserole Carrier makes it easy to transport piping hot dishes. Keeps the "fresh-from-the oven" heat in, and simple to carry, with snap up side and looped handles.  And look cute at the same time!

Turn plain tea towels from “blah” to “ah!” with some simple applique to add the perfect matching touch to the kitchen with my Mod Dot Applique Towels:

And round out the look with my Mod Circle Trivets.  Simple & stylish, round hot pads to protect and decorate the table or countertop:

I designed this set for PellonProjects.com.  You can download all the patterns and a complete tutorial, with step-by-step photos, over HERE.  And it's ALL FREE!

Craftastic Monday Link Party & Think Spring At Sugar Pink Boutique!

Happy Craftastic Monday Everyone!  Can you believe Easter is just two weeks away!  I'm in full spring crafting mode right now trying to get things ready, so time feels like it's flying by.   I'm using some of the new spring goodies I bought from Sugar Pink Boutique to help me make it extra special.

Sugar Pink Boutique is a fantastic source for crafting and decorating goodies that are perfect for Easter & spring.  Like:

Gorgeous millinery flower bouquets (great for centerpieces or spring hats!) and colorful ribbons for accenting those Easter baskets:

   

Pink Tulip puffed ribbon and fat quarters of lovely, sunny prints decorating or making spring wearables:

And of course, my favorite, the sweet-looking Candylights, in all the pastels of spring:

Sugar Pink Boutique also has sweet prices and low shipping rates (including International!), so start spring right with some crafty goods from this lovely shop!

Now let's see some of the sweet, spring projects from last week's Craftastic Link Party.  


I was really impressed with all the great ideas that were shared, including:

These free Peeps-themed party printables from Printabelle are so sweet - love them for Easter.  She's got everything you need too!

I loved these edible daffodils from The Seven Year Cottage.  So nice for spring!

I was absolutely wowed by these hot air balloons made from old light bulbs by Rook. No. 17.  Seriously cool:

And While Wearing Heels shared this adorable tutorial for a bunny basket (there's still enough time to make one!):

I also feature these projects and many more favorites on the Sew Can Do's Craftastic Picks board on Pinterest.  Follow me there to see more great projects and if yours is one of them!

Ready to link up your crafty creations?

Party rules are simple:

• As long as it's crafty and made by you it's Craftastic (no links giveaways, shops, link parties or other people's work).  Add the link to your specific post (not the main page of your blog).
• Grab my party button & put it on your post or blog somewhere.  The code's on the sidebar -> 
• Check out some of the other great links and share some crafty comment love.  We all love getting comments!!

Have a great week!

FREE Project Pattern: The Rainbow Showers Quilt

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm celebrating National Quilt Month during the rest of March & sharing all sorts of quilting projects.  I thought it would be fitting to include one of my newest creations: The Rainbow Showers Quilt.

I designed this quilt for PellonProjects.com, where I'm a Featured Artist:)  You can download the FREE pattern and full photo tutorial for it HERE.  It's great for spring décor or brightening a child's room. With rainy spring days ahead, why not add in some sunny colors whenever possible?  

The quilt has three-dimensional, satin-stitched appliques of a fluffy rain cloud, umbrella and colorful raindrops:

A coordinated rainbow-hued border block border:

 Variegated rainbow thread streams from the cloud down around the rainbow raindrops: 

and fabric painted Lutradur accents add translucent detailing.  Lutradur is a spun, non-woven material that can be painted, sewn or printed on.   This was my first time using it, but it was really fun to try and I'm definitely going to use it for more things. It's hard to capture in photos, but the iridescent glitter paint adds some nice shimmer:

This was the second quilt I've EVER made, so I'm by no means a quilting expert, but I was so happy with how it turned out.  Proof that anyone can pick up quilting!

I used some great Pellon products to put this quilt together like Wonder-Under®, Tru-Grid™, Legacy Batting & several others.  They definitely made things easier for a newbie like me:)

Sharing this with my FAVE LINK PARTIES too - click HERE to check them out!

Stock Your Stash: The Quilting Goodies Giveaway!

Did you know March is National Quilting Month?  So what better way to celebrate than with some free patterns, new tutorials and a big Quilting Goodies Giveaway!!

I'm kicking off my celebration of all things quilted with a giveaway for some great quilting products from Pellon.  Who couldn't use some extra supplies to stock their stash??  Here are a few ways you can use them:

A colorful appliqued quilt like my new Rainbow Showers Quilt design - I'll be sharing the FREE pattern & tutorial for it this week:

Make some fun quilted potholders to add some extra style to your cooking & baking, using my tutorial HERE.

Give the kitchen a stylish makeover with a complete fabric kitchen accessories set.  I'll be sharing the patterns and details on how to make my Mod Kitchen Set this week too.

And I have a few more quilting themed projects heading this way too.  I'm not a traditional quilter so I'm sharing all sorts of ways you can rock these cool products, even if you don't consider making quilts your thing.  Appliqués, clothing, décor - there's loads of ways to use them!

The giveaway winner will receive the following products:

• Queen size package Nature's Touch 100% Cotton Batting (90” x 108”)
• 2 yd package of Wonder-Under® fusible (great for appliqués & fusing fabrics!)
• 1 yd of Legacy Natural Blend Batting (a giant 96" wide!)
• 1 yd of Insul-Fleece™ (insulates for hot & cold)
• 1 yd of Tru-Grid™ (use to create, alter & enlarge craft designs)
• 1 yd package of Fusible Fleece (adds softness to decor, craft & apparel projects)
• 10yd package of Easy Knit Tape (stabilize seams or use to join scrap batting)

This is over $60 in fantastic quilting supplies!

To Enter:

Say what you'd make with these goodies if you won.  Be sure to include an email address if it's not on your profile.

For Additional Entries (leave a separate comment for each one):

- Stop by PellonProjects.com, then come back and leave a comment saying your favorite quilted project

- Become a fan of Pellon on Facebook

- Follow Sew Can Do

- Like Sew Can Do on Facebook

- Follow Sew Can Do on Twitter

- Follow Sew Can Do on Pinterest

- Link to this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter

Giveaway IS CLOSED will be open until 11:59PM EST March 30, 2012. Giveaway is open to residents of U.S. and Canada only.  Void where prohibited.  The winner will be chosen at random and announced later that week.  Good Luck Everyone!