Heart & Soul: Infinity Scarf Two Ways Tutorial

I really liked the patchwork on this infinity cowl on the Art Gallery Fabrics blog. It's gorgeous on the model, but I wanted something a little more wearable for me. Something thinner, and a lot longer so I could get that pretty, layered look by looping it twice. In the end, I made two different versions, a simple scarf from large fabric pieces, and a more complex one to use up those last tiny bits from my favorite fabrics (I almost called this the quilter's variation). 

To make the simpler Heart scarf (named because of the Love fabrics I have had stashed for over a year now), you will need 7 fat quarters. Cut two 9.5 X 12 inch rectangles from each fabric. Using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew the rectangles into two rows along the 12 inch side (scroll down to see a diagram of suggested fabric placement). 

To make the Soul version, we're going to utilize scraps (mine are scraps from my Soul Blossoms basket quilt I have got to finish). 

Cut: 

8- 9.5 X 12 rectangles (block A)
4- 5 X 12 rectangles (block B)

4- 4 X 9.5 rectangles (block C)
2- 5 X 9.5 rectangles (block C)

2- 4 X 7 rectangles (block D)
2- 3 X 4 rectangles (block D)
2- 7 X 8.5 rectangles (block D)
2- 3 X 8.5 rectangles (block D)

Assemble two of block C by sewing two 4 X 9.5 and one 5 X 9.5 inch strips together along the 9.5 inch sides (the order doesn't matter). 

Assemble two of block D by sewing the 4 X 7 inch rectangle to the 3 X 4 rectangle along the 4 inch side. Sew the 3 X 8.5 inch rectangle to the 7 X 8.5 inch rectangle along the 8.5 inch side to create the second half of the four patch unit. Sew these two sections together so that the top seams intersect. 

Now you're ready to sew your rows. Each row will have 4 of block A, 2 of block B, one of block C and one of block D. Make 2.

Diagram for suggested fabric and block placement

Finishing instructions:

Place your two rows face down on top of each other (right sides together). Sew along both of the long sides with a 1/4 inch seam. Now, comes the weird part, but trust me, it works out in the end! Open up your scarf on one short end, reach inside, and grab the opposite end with your hand. Pull it up through the inside so that it's flush (1) with the end you started at. At this point, it should look like a windsock (2), not a scarf. Be careful not to twist it, or you will end up with a weird seam! 

Take the front off of your sewing machine and place your scarf around it (3). Sew almost completely around the outside edge, leaving about a six inch gap. Pull your scarf right side out through the gap and hand sew closed. That's it! 

You're now ready for the putting it on and looking instantly pulled together part, at least if you're not like me and in desperate need of a haircut. 

Let me know if you make one or both of these, I'd love to see them! I'm thinking I have to put more together for a few spring birthdays I know. 

Um...HELP!

I was all excited for today, as it is the day Riley Blake revealed the second block in their Mystery Block of the Month series. If you remember, my first block looked like this. 

Fairly masculine, or unisex at the very least. My plan for this quilt was to use the owl fabric in every block and keep it in the bolder, boyish colors. And even though it's a Mystery Block of the Month, I didn't quite see how they could throw anything at me where I might not be able to keep on my theme. 

Source: rileyblakedesigns.com via Riley on Pinterest

And then this showed up on Pinterest, block two. Can hearts be masculine? My first instinct was to go brown or orange for these scraps, but then I have no owls. I think all blues may be overkill though, as I was planning on a bit of blue in every block and don't really want a blue quilt. So, where am I to go? What would you do? 

Monday Moments: Scrapbook Edition

It's Monday! Okay, I'm really not excited about it being Monday. It is the first Monday in February, though which means Riley Blake will be releasing the second block in their Mystery Block of the Month in one week. You can still join and be completely caught up! If you need inspiration check out the board on Pinterest, mine is the owl one. 

Monday also means that last night was a Speed Scrap (yes, even with the Superbowl on...and I was thankful for it during the half hour of "Let's report what's going on with the lights"). I made a page for my 2013 book that I had been wanting to scrap for awhile. 

Kit is All the Pretty Ponies with added princess from here.

This is a photo from our granddaughter's visit with us. She loved playing with that Little People castle, and even though her mom says she doesn't want princess stuff, I am seriously tempted to buy one for her first birthday just to see that little grin again! So cute! 

All the Pretty Ponies again. Sketch inspiration found here. 

I used the same kit to scrap Caroline's first birthday, which was one of the few pages I needed to finish for 2012! I'm happy to say that book is now done and you won't see quite as many layout posts from me now! 

Kit is On the Road with extra papers & embellishments from Flakes and Fun

I had a hole in my book in the tail end. I wasn't going to scrap any more Christmas pictures, but I absolutely needed an extra in order to keep a two page layout together, so now each of the kids have their own page about driving through the tree farm (the other is here). 

I made this page for a layout contest on Persnickety Prints Facebook page. You had to use a free kit that was provided for 90% of your page. I didn't win, but the woman who did deserved it so much more than I did! You can see the winners and download the kit (still free) for a limited time on their website! 

You can see a little more of the kit here in the back cover I made for my book. The front cover was just a mirror image of this with a title instead of a photo. I figured the back is probably more interesting to view on its own..ha!