Scrap cushion cover - tutorial

I have received enormous quantity of precut pieces 2 x 4 inches and began thinking of proper usage.
Here are few of them.

I began sewing them in strips, then gather by rows till have one yard square. Being not satisfied look at my favorite magazines for inspiration.
I really like Patchwork Professional and have a look from time to time for some ideas.
This time I like too much the technique, present by Margit Amann von Glembotzki.
I wanted to test it making a smal project and decided to sew a cushion cover. It is only 16 inches square, so the fun began.

The brilliant idea is to use striped fabric as a foundation - drawing lines on a solid sounds not a good idea that day.

Making the front

Cut a 17 inches square, sort the pieces (2 x 4 inches) and start sewing.
My pieces are zig zag edges, but it is not a must.
Use your rotary cuter with straight blade if you haven't wavy or pinking ones.

The technique is similar to ruffle quilt, but not absolutely the same.
Each row consists of 4 strips from two alternate colors pattern. Place them on the line and sew.

Next row is in chess-board order with two others fabrics. Cut in half one piece and place at the raw's beginning.

So you can see the columns which the pieces form.
It is a kind of illusion.

Making the back
Cut 2 rectangles 13 x 16.5 inches for the back. Make a half inch hem on the longer side of any of them.

Overlap to have a square 16.5 inches and pin.
Place them as shown right side up.

.
Place on them the prepared front piece wrong side up and stitch round perimeter.
Turn over the pillow case.
DO NOT IRON!
Wash and ruffle by hand when wet and let dry.
Enjoy!

P.S. Now finished pillow case is at my cousin shop for sale.

My favorite quilt

 I have visited Sew, mama, sew this morning I had seen interesting offer - tell a story about my favorite quilt.

 Jessica Skultety from Quilty Habit started this great and funny project

 Here is my favorite.

Tell us about your favorite quilt. When did you make it? What pattern did you use? What fabrics?

My favorite quilt is a baby quilt Kids' drawing I have made by order for a  friend of mine who is Godmother of the baby. She had seen my works and let me designed something unique.
I have created this quilt by my idea. The quilt shows pictures of a childhood. It was made in October 2013. No pattern were used. Read more about the beginning here . I collect different pieces of cotton fabrics I have and made it as a sampler.

Have your shown it at any quilt shows or entered it in any contests?
I haven't shown it at any shows and contests.

What memories or people does the quilt make you think of? 
 I was very proud when the mother of the baby said this quilt would be used for all their kids from now on.

What do you like best about the quilt?
I like all the idea and small pieced blocks with kids' drawing, but the best of all I like quilting.
You can read more about it here.

How did you grow as a quilter while making it?
Learning new possibilities for quilting. Look at the back - it is the second picture, indeed.

If you could make this quilt again, what (if anything) would you do differently?
I couldn't add anything to this quilt. It is complete idea and implementation.

Where is the quilt now?
The happy young family use this quilt by raising its first child.

Spring mug rug swap

How far is Australia from Europe?
When my patience is wearing thin they arrived!
Finally!
I am so happy!

Look at the details and small metal butterfly.

 Thank you, Jill!

The mug rug swap began two months ago and I had too much fun making mug rugs for my partner from Australia.
Here they are.

 
Waiting for next swap and new friends!

Memory bag for graduation

In my country all students celebrate on 24 of May .
It is very special day for those who finish the school. Every year many young boys and girls celebrate their graduation.
A daughter of a friend of mine invited me to her graduation party. I wanted to make her day special and remarkable. Decided to sew a memory tote from her loved children clothes.
Her father gave me some blouses, jeans skirt and a top she loved too much.
I have wandered about the size, but finally I made it to fit a notebook - she is going to be a student and this size is more useful.

The back - I have collected some strips from the blouses and denim background.
The idea is that each family member - father, mother and daughter has a triangle shape which meet together.

Inside I set a zipper pocket.
The lining is a new fabric matching to the tote.

After finishing bag I have some pieces left so made this pouch for the mother - the same triangle as the back of the bag, the same lining, too.

This is a glass case for the father - the triangle and lining are the same colors, too.

The presents were finished on time and hope will keep sweet memories.

Closed give away Sew mama sew

The giveaway  I have offered at Sew mama sew  is closed

Thank you all for entering. 

I used a Random Number Generator to select the winners.

Dear Diane, you have not left any mail and at profile the place for mail is empty.
So write me back and I will send immediately the patterns. 

The Second one is Lisa Marie.
I have sent the patterns to her. Happy sewing!

 Congrats!

Don't forget to check for new patterns paper piecing blocks and mug rugs.

Giveaway Sew, mama, sew

 I am participating again in the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day.
Welcome to my world! I love to design paper pieced pattern and create different quilts.
Modern quilting is my passion.

Here is your chance to win two of my patterns - Ahoj summer.
Chose among 8 patterns given at the end of the post.

I will randomly choose 2 winners.

The giveaway is running till 16^th May 2014.

To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment which two of the patterns you would like to have.

The winners will be announced here on 18 of May and till 20 of May I will send the patterns by mail.

Good luck! 

Here are eight of my patterns. Click on the name if want to see more details about the pattern.

Sailboat

 Ship

 Shell

Fish

  Lighthouse

  

 Umbrella

  Origami boat

Lighthouse2

Tibetan magic bag

For my followers - new and old.

I have received some questions about Tibetan drawstring magic bag, so I have updated the post with more detailed explanation.

The tutorial is absolutely FREE.
Look how the bag works here.

I would like to see your finished bags soon.