Spring Blooms

Don't you just love this time of year? Blue skies, bright green budding trees, birds chirping and flowers popping up all over. To paraphrase Eliza Doolittle, isn't it loverly?

I am always looking for a little craft that whips up quick but looks like it took forever. Pinterest is often my go to place for inspiration. How many hours have I been lost down that rabbit hole? Anyway, I happened upon a Russian (I think it's Russian) video tutorial showing how to make tulips from fabric. Score! 

Here is the video so you can see just how easy they are to make:

This is what you will need:
1/2 yard green fabric for stems and leaves (makes a dozen)
Plastic or paper straws
Assorted  medium scraps for tulips, in tulip colors
Double stick tape
Needle and thread
Cardstock for leaf template
Polyester stuffing

And here are the fabric measurements in inches:

Leaf- 3 1/2 x 6 inches
Stem- 1 1/2 x 8 inches
Tulip- 3 x 5 inches

Follow the steps outlined in the video. Here's a few photos to help:

Lay the tape on the fabric, attach the straw and roll it up. Hand stitch seam closed.
So easy even Em can do it! No hot glue here. I kind of like my fingers.

The leaves are just a simple shape. Trace your pattern and stitch with a 1/4 inch seam.
Fold the leaf around the stem and stitch together.

Gather the bottom of the tulip and stitch to the stem in the back. Stuff and close the top.
Place your finished tulips in something cute, like your mom's antique syrup pitcher,  and enjoy your handiwork! 

You can make masses of them in just a few hours! If you do make your own bouquet of tulips, be sure to share them with us on the Facebook page. We love seeing what you make!

-Mins (aka Karin Smith)

Using A Thread Director for Metallic Threads

Sometimes you don't know how great a product is until you use it. I have to admit I am sometimes guilty of forming opinions before I give a product a chance... So, I decided to put the Thread Director to the test with metallic thread. If you have ever used metallic threads you know what a challenge they create. I've used them in my embroidery but they kink and break easily and are NOT a joy to use. 

The Thread Director can and will change all of that. It keeps the thread smooth and kink free. I put the metallic thread on the Baby Lock Aria machine and set it up for a satin stitch. I sewed as fast as the machine would go and no thread breaks whatsoever. 

I also put the Thread Director on the Baby Lock Molly machine and got the same great results. You can use the thread director with almost any sewing or embroidery machine!

Come into the sewing center at A Scarlet Thread and pick up a Thread Director today!

-Jill

Easter Egg Placemat Tutorial

Easter is one of the best holidays in my opinion. Fun, bright colors, candy, sweets, time with family, and most importantly the true reason we celebrate Easter, our savior is risen! One thing I can remember growing up, we always went to my best friend's house after church for an incredible Easter egg hunt. All the kids would run around looking for as many eggs as their basket would hold, but the best part was each kid had their own GIANT EGG! These placemats were inspired by those giant eggs and bring back some of my childhood memories every time I look at them.

The best part about these placemats is you can use your scraps! As quilters, we all have that embarrassing stash of scraps that you just can't bear to throw away but you also never use them... I'm just as guilty as you are. So I wrote this tutorial just for those all the scrappy strips hanging out in my sewing room. Hope you enjoy!

Overcome Your Fear of Sewing a Bag!

Maker Kaitlin Downs

For any of you quilters out there who want to venture into bag making, but don't know where to start.. this post is just for you! 

If you're anything like I used to be, the idea of making a bag or purse probably scares the heck out of you! When you think of sewing something three dimensional you may begin to break out in a cold sweat, feel flushed in the face, or even lose all mental function.

However, don't fear! I am here today to change everything you've ever thought you knew about basic bag making. It is not scary. It doesn't require a whole new skill set from quilting. And most importantly, you don't need to be afraid to give it a try! 

Spring Cleaning = Scrap Happy!

As many of you may know, I (Kaitlin) will be relocating to Roanoke, Virginia at the end of the week to answer God's calling on my life. Thanks to the amazing staff here at AST, especially Ken & Karen, I will still be working virtually from Virginia! I will still be sending out weekly newsletters, updating social media, and working on our new website. 

You might be wondering why I'm telling you all this, but there is a reason! While packing my sewing room up, I decided to use the opportunity to do some spring cleaning. Since it's in the 70's outside, you can spring clean in February, right? Anyway, I am not ashamed to admit, I am a hoarder of scraps. Especially Bonnie & Camille scraps! I just can't stand to throw away those little cuties! 

So since I've had so much spare time on my hands lately (NOT!!!), I have been scouring Pinterest for the best scrappy quilts I can find! Lucky you, I have decided to share my favorites with you today. (:

Scrappy Quilted Tote Bag from A Bright Corner

Scrappy Log Cabin Blocks from KatyQuilts

Film at Five Quilt from Wedding Dress Blues

Herringbone Block by Stitched in Color

Kawaii Scrappy Trip Along from Mochi Studios

Scrappy Bookshelf Quilt from The Last Piece

Postage Stamp 2 from My Purple Patch

Scrappy Fence Rail from KatyQuilts

String Quilt by Crazy Mom Quilts

Plus the top ten tips from Crazy Mom Quilts for Successful Scrappy Quilting!

Tips, Tricks, & Tutorials to Keep You Quilting Your Best!

Whether you're a seasoned quilter or you're just starting out, you can never get enough tips, tricks, and tutorials to help you out. We've put together a list of resources to help you become the best quilter you can be!

Basic Quilting Supplies for All Quilters:

• Sewing Machine
• Fabric
• Sewing Machine Needles
• Sewing Thread
• Pins and Quilting Pins
• Batting
• Rotary Cutting Set
• Large Self Healing Mat
• Fabric Scissors
• Quarter-Inch Presser Foot
• Plus check out this video where you can see some of these tools in action

Steps to Make a Quilt from Start to Finish:

1. Choosing Your Fabrics & Fabric Shopping Advice from Diary of a Quilter
2. Rotary Cutting 101 by April Rosenthal
3. Piecing with a Quarter Inch Seam from Quilter's Diary
4. How to Piece Quilt Blocks
5. Squaring Up Quilt Blocks from The Craft Mummy
6. Piecing Your Quilt Top from Diary of a Quilter
7. Choosing Batting & Thread for Quilting
8. Basting Your Quilt from We All Sew
9. Quilting with Straight Lines or Quilting Free Motion
10. Trimming & Squaring Up Your Quilt from Dining Room Empire
11. Binding and Finishing from Canoe Ridge Creations

Tips & Tricks to Bring Your Quilts to the Next Level:

• Adding Extra Flair to Your Binding
• Spray Basting Your Quilt with Adhesive Spray
• Adding a Pop of Color to Your Binding
• Make Personalized Labels for Your Quilt
• 15 Quilting Hacks You Can't Live Without