diy, fabric project, tutorials, Uncategorized

Re-cover Your Portable Ironing Board

Deb Gehringer

A few years ago I upcycled a plywood board that was used for delivering an irrigation pump. Not only was it the perfect size for a portable ironing board, it only needed two small holes plugged to ready it for its next purpose.

A new re-cover was long over due, so I got supplies ready and chose some pretty fabric for the top. Since winter is on the way, I decided to use a stylish pink, orange and white fabric to help brighten my space on darker days. Of course, this lovely print will do all year around.

The next step was to sew an approximate half inch seam along each edge.

Next, I removed the staples and took off the old top. I expected to see stained batting, but since I’ve stopped using a leaky iron it was still like new; I didn’t have to replace it (I did add an extra layer though).

After pressing my cover, my husband stapled on the batting then the fabric cover. After several staples and about ten minutes, I had a finished ironing board.

It’s so cheery!

To date, I have re-covered this board four times and each time it gives my sewing room a refreshed look. And it’s functional too. 😉

For more information on my exact process, here’s the blog post tutorial.

Note: I am not endorsed by any product I have photographed in this post; they are items I like, use and wanted to share information on.

fabric project, home decor, sewing, Uncategorized

Autumnal Table Runner

Deb Gehringer

With the fall season approaching, I’d decided to create an autumnal tablescape for my sofa table. Since June I’d been thrifting, something I’d never done much of before, looking for pretty and elegant items to coordinate with things I already had.

What I didn’t have was a table runner. My first thought was ‘What could I make using what I have?’, then remembering I’d stashed a narrow piece of white Essex Linen leftover from making napkins. Perfect!

While the piece was WOF, it wasn’t long enough to drape over the table ends, so I trimmed the fabric to 9 1/2″ wide by 34 1/2″ long giving nice coverage for my table that measures 11 1/2″by 38 1/2″.

I planned to hem and top-stitch, but after pinning one side it was apparent that it’d be too bulky so I left the edges flat and ran a zigzag stitch all the way around, giving it a bit of a rustic look.

Since the linen was white and not fall-like, I decided to tea dye it. This wasn’t something I’d ever tried before but it was so easy and rather fun! I quickly found a YouTube video with all the info I needed.

Because the runner is a bigger piece of fabric, I doubled the recipe for dyeing: 5-6 tea bags to 2 cups of boiling water (this doubled, using black tea). If you’ve never tea dyed before, just boil the water, add the tea and let it set for 15 min. Remove the tea bags and place your item in the bowl, making sure it’s covered. Allow it set for at least 15 minutes, or until the desired color is achieved. I soaked mine for 2 hours, occasionally turning the fabric. NOTE: Tea dyeing works with natural fibers only.

Once it’s the color you want, remove and rinse with cold water. I gently rolled mine in a towel to remove the excess water. After unrolling and smoothing it flat, I placed it in the sun until dry.

On the first day of autumn I set up everything and am really pleased. 🙂 It’s a lovely display for fall and will do nicely through Thanksgiving.

This is a great way to give your space some seasonal vibes, and if you’re a thrifter, it’s fun to go on the hunt for just the right things.

modern quilts, monday morning designs quilt pattern, PDF download, quilts, Uncategorized

Stitches & Stars Quilt Pattern

Deb Gehringer

It’s nearly back to school and for a lot of quilters that means back to the sewing machine! Just in time to kick off sewing season, I have a fun and quick pattern for you – Stitches & Stars. It’s now available for purchase as a PDF download in my Etsy shop.

Everyone loves the sawtooth star, don’t they? In thinking so, I’d decided it was about time to design a pattern highlighting this famously loved block. To give it a new and innovative twist, I added stitches around the blocks to create a defining, unique look.

My quilt shown is throw size yet the pattern is also written for baby, twin and queen sizes. I made mine using beautiful Art Gallery Fabrics Nature Elements in jewel tones for the stars, and from the same collection in gray for the stitches. I used Bella Solids Bleached White PFD for the background.

It’s also designed for a quick-sew in mind…the stitches are larger pieces strip pieced and chained pieced then cut smaller. The stars are made with flying geese, using the 4 at a time method. It goes together fast!

Here’s a look at tester’s quilts…

There are so many color version opportunities with this one, why not give it a try?!?

Christmas, home decor, modern quilts, monday morning designs quilt pattern, PDF pattern, quilts, Uncategorized

Christmastime Quilt Pattern

Deb Gehringer

Just in time for Christmas in July, here’s my pattern for this upcoming holiday season, Christmastime! Now available for purchase as a PDF download in my Etsy shop.

Finishing at 31 ¼” x 30 ¼”, Christmastime sews up in no time. Just choose your favorite colors and create a festive quilt – great as either a wall hanging or a table topper. And here’s a fun fact, I designed the tree construction in a non-conventional way that’s oh-so-easy with fewer seams and a smoother finish!

For my version of the quilt, I went bold with Kona Cotton solids which kind of gives it a Dr. Seuss look. 😉

Here’s a look at two of my testers quilts…Barbara went full-on Christmas which is just beautiful!

Janine chose solids and created a delightfully fun color scheme! And her choice of quilting is spot-on.

This is my first pattern of wall hanging or table topper size giving even more choices in my Etsy shop. If you’re looking for something fun to whip up that’s also whimsical AND original, give Christmastime a try!

fall decor, home decor, mini quilts, monday morning designs quilt pattern, Uncategorized

Mini Mania Sale

Deb Gehringer

After relocating and settling in, I’ve decided it’s time to clear out some of my mini quilts. Now most people would have thought to do this before moving, but, well…you know… 😉 Anyway, these minis are great for hanging on your wall or door -or- they make excellent table toppers. I have five on sale for 20% off on my Etsy shop for this week only! (More details are available on Etsy listing).

Here’s a run down of what’s available. Let’s start with my retro Flower Heart mini. I made this for my Scrappy Heart Mini tutorial a few years ago. It’s made with a fun, flowery collection from Riley Blake fabrics.

Next up is my Pinwheels Galore mini quilt. This mini is the one featured on the cover of my PDF pattern. Also, a baby size quilt version of this pattern was published in Quilts & more fall edition 2021. It’s a Monday Morning Designs pattern.

Another Monday Morning Design is my Floriography mini quilt. I embellished the block by adding a square-in-a-square border to help frame the center. This colorful mini is made with the Bedrock collection from Windham fabrics and boy does it pop!

This bold black, white and pink Flower mini is from a pattern by the Family Hearth. I used delightful prints by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics for a striking aesthetic.

Full Bloom Mini Quilt

If you’re looking to bring autumnal colors indoors, this Maple leaf mini will do the trick! The pattern is by Cori Yoder. I used Moda fabrics throughout to give it a true-to-life fall vibe.

All five mini’s have corner pockets sewn onto the back to accommodate a dowel rod for easy hanging. All minis are handmade by me.

Choose a favorite for yourself, give one to a friend or loved one as they make great gifts!

fabric project, how to, Uncategorized

Fun Rag Wreath Projects

Deb Gehringer

When we quilters make a quilt we also create a lot scraps—it’s seems to be a never ending cycle. Other than making scrappy quilts, there’s always the question of what to do with scraps, especially if they’re not very wide. While scrolling Pinterest, I found the answer—a rag wreath.

Not only are they pretty, they’re easy and fun, and they use up a lot of scraps! What I especially like about this project is anything goes…from the wreath size to the color scheme. There are plenty of options, too. You can make it all one color, make one for a particular holiday or season or create a completely scrappy one using what’s on hand.

To get started, choose a wreath frame (one with 4 wires) and gather scraps.

Because I’d never made one before, I needed to know what else was involved so I watched a few YouTube videos. After that, I decided on the 12″ size because making an 18″ wreath would have required more strips than I had and I didn’t want to create even more scraps. 😉 Also, 12″ would be better suited for a 30″ interior door.

I purchased the frame at Michael’s for $3.99 + tax. Through videos I found others went to the dollar store and got theirs for a dollar!

YouTube makers offered different suggestions on strip size. I opted for 1 1/4″ wide by 8″ long.

They also showed various methods of tying on the strips. I decided to go with the most popular way that’ll give the fullest wreath. Here’s how: tie one strip into a knot over two pieces of metal, tying on one side, then the opposite, then tying one in the middle. This process continues within each frame section.

Here’s what the back looks like.

Mine has several different fabrics (from quilts made long ago) giving it plenty of color.

All in all, I’d say it took me the better part of a day to make this from start to finish. And how many strips did it take you ask? 190. That’s a lot of strips!

Since I enjoyed this project, I decided to make a larger one in red, white and blue for the summer holidays. This time I went to the Dollar Tree and purchased a 14″ frame for $1.25. 🙂

I cut my strips from left over fat quarters, 2 1/2″ strips and yardage. Because I was using only two colors that had prints, I opted for at least 6 different kinds from the red and blue fabrics. I used all solids for the white. I think it ended up with a nice variety without too much repeat. This wreath was a bit larger than the other; totaling 232 strips!

I enjoyed watching these wreaths come together, and it was a pretty relaxing project to do. It’d also be a good one to take on the go. If you’re ever in need of a fun, handmade gift, I think a recipient favorite-colored wreath would be an excellent choice.

baby quilts, monday morning designs quilt pattern, patterns, PDF pattern, quilting, quilts

Pinwheels Galore Quilt Pattern

Deb Gehringer

Pinwheels Galore quilt pattern is available for purchase in my Etsy shop. My last post introduced Pinwheels Galore Mini quilt but if you’d like to try it in a larger size you now have four choices – baby, throw, twin and queen.

My sample shown above is a baby quilt made with Blossom fabrics by Riley Blake.

Here’s some information about the pattern: the pinwheels use 10″ squares making it layer cake friendly and the cut-away waste is minimal. And of course, there’s always the option of going scrappy!

The pieced sashing requires small amounts of yardage. Like the mini, this also goes together quickly because it’s designed for strip piecing and chain piecing.

With so many size options available coupled with a quick finish and cuteness, there’s got to be a perfect size for everyone!

mini quilts, monday morning designs quilt pattern, patterns, PDF pattern, Uncategorized

Pinwheels Galore Mini Quilt Pattern

Deb Gehringer

I haven’t posted in quite a while as my husband and I moved from PA to NC in February. Now that things have settled down, I’m finally back. 🙂

That said, it’s time to release my latest pattern, Pinwheels Galore Mini Quilt.

If you’re up for a beginner mini pattern, you’ve got it! This is quick, easy, fun and a great choice for quilters of all levels. Love pinwheels? Look no further; it truly is pinwheels galore!

Quilters find that making minis is fun because they go together pretty fast, but this one goes together really fast. It’s designed for both strip piecing and chain piecing.

Here’s some additional information about the mini…it measures 19 1/2″ square so it’s an excellent size for hanging or for a table topper.

Also, soon I’ll be offering this design in 4 quilt sizes – baby, throw, twin and queen. Look for the pattern later this month!

Pinwheels Galore Mini Quilt is available for purchase in my Etsy shop. Just pick your favorite colors and enjoy some time sewing!

home decor, PDF download, PDF pattern, quilting

Lazy Lion Pillow Cover Pattern

Deb Gehringer

My great nephew was about to celebrate his 1st birthday and I automatically went into ‘What can I make him?’ mode, because, of course, handmade gifts are always best. 😉 He loves watching the Lion King so I decided my lion mini pattern would make the perfect gift, but as a pillow.

I easily made some revisions to the old pattern by adding a thin border to frame the lion’s face and then I added outer borders to get the block to the size needed for the pillow form.

Here it is…

I’ve entitled it Lazy Lion because basically all lions are! It’s now available for purchase in my Etsy shop as a PDF download. The finished cover fits a 16″ x 16″ pillow form.

While the lion block is traditionally pieced, the eyes are raw edge applique and I did some basic straight stitch embroidery for the mouth. If you enjoy adding a personal hand-crafted touch to your projects, this one’s for you! And it’s easy enough for a beginner.

As another option you could replace the appliqued eyes with buttons, but I wanted mine 100% baby-proof, plus I like handwork sometimes, so I opted for applique. You could always quilt the front, too.

This lion block is fun to make, and it’s so versatile—you could make it into a mini quilt, a table topper, a placemat or make a lot of lion blocks and create an adorable quilt. The choice is yours! 🙂

PDF download, sewing, tutorials, Uncategorized

Wine Bottle Bag Tutorial

Deb Gehringer

Last holiday season I was invited to a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner party where I wanted to bring a bottle of wine for the host and hostesses for each occasion. While it’s perfectly fine to bring wine itself, I wanted to dress it up a bit so I decided to make fabric bottle bags.

After finding several how-tos, I made the first one using a combination of what I’d found; taking notes and photos along the way so I could create an easy, downloadable PDF to share.

For my first project, I chose fall-like colored fabric and a shimmery orange ribbon and the duo made a lovely bottle bag, perfect for Thanksgiving!

For the second project, I used holiday inspired fabric and natural twill tape for a rustic look and together they were just right for a Christmas party.

These festive bags are not only for wine bottles, they’re also great for sparkling grape juice. And best of all, this project is SO EASY—it only takes about 25 minutes, from pressing the fabric to tying the bow! Choose one fat quarter, add some ribbon and a bit of time and you’ve got a classy gift to give. 🙂

Sound fun? Download this free PDF Wine Bottle Bag Tutorial and make something beautiful!