Here I’ve been, quietly plotting a weeks-long series on Things To Do With A Fat Quarter, and Sew,Mama,Sew has beaten me to it! At times I fear I am much too much of a planner, and attempt to find perfection before going public, and then I miss the boat–you know, a visualizer when I should be an actualizer. I’m trying to get past that, except that I LIKE things being as close to perfect as I can get them… It’s a tough sell, let’s just put it that way.
As a part of this effort, though, I’ve decided to fast track my next series and get those started. That way, we’ll all have something to look forward to when we finish working on the projects Sew, Mama, Sew has inspired–I’ve only skimmed the titles of most of them, and I can already tell you there are one or two that made me think, “Oh, I wish I’d thought of that!”
After fat quarters, I’ve been working on patterns and projects for charm packs. I’ve become pretty obsessed lately with these puppies, really, these little 5″ x 5″ fabrics squares cut from complete fabric collections, one of each print. That yields 40ish squares, each of which is totally unique. Now, as a life-long non-quilter, that was pretty tough for me to wrap my brain around: what on earth, I wondered, could I do with 40 pieces of fabric that DON’T MATCH? As an apparel sewer, my first coherent thought was that they’d be great for applique, but in my heart I knew there was more.
I’m hoping to include some of my more complicated ideas as the series continues, but I wanted to start simply and build up as we go. Today’s project, and one I’ve been making dozens of needlessly, is a classic: Baby’s Soft Toy Blocks, each made from six charm squares.
Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy! Follow the steps below, and hope that I can figure out enough about PDF uploading to embed the pattern here. Otherwise, drop by the shop, where every charm pack comes with a FREE charm pack pattern from this series!
Soft Blocks for Baby
Requires: 6 charm squares (or 5″ x 5″ squares); poly fill
Step 1: Select 6 charm blocks of your preference. Since charm packs are all from the same fabric collection, odds are that any squares you select will work well together, but don’t limit yourself! Feel free to use some solids, some micro prints, or even (gasp!) combine prints from different collections.
Step 2: Think a little about layout. I like the reach-and-stitch method much of the time, but I also tend to think about not putting two large/loud/busy prints next to one another, preferring to have each on opposite sides of the block. But, y’know, whatever. Do what YOU like.
Step 3: Stitch 2 squares together. Stitch 2 other squares together. I like to do this one after another, without taking them off the machine, like this:
My mom uses this method, and so does Martha, so you know it’s kosher.
Step 4: Stitch those two pair to one another, so you now have a chain of 4 squares. Press open all seam allowances.
Step 5: Stitch the two ends of the chain together, making an open-ended box of four squares.
Step 6: Take the fifth square, and line up the edges right sides together with one open end of the box. Corners should match. Place one side under the needle and stitch along that edge. I like to start on a straightaway, never on a corner–makes it easier to get a clean finish.
When you get to a corner seam, stop right on the seam line.
Leaving the needle in the fabric at the seamline, lift the presser foot, pivot, and lower the presser foot so you can stitch down the next side. Repeat for all four sides.
Step 7: Repeat step 6 for the other open end of the box, leaving a small opening along one side (backtack on either side of this opening–you’ll be stuffing through here later, and it helps to prevent stitches from slipping as you shove the fiberfil through the hole). You’ll end up with a cube that looks more or less like this:
Step 8: Trim off the corners at a 45ish degree angle. Turn right side out. I use a wooden knitting needle to get a nice sharp point, but whatever.
Step 9: Stuff with polyester fiberfill, or your choice of filling–could be kapok, or split peas, or scrap fabric, your ex’s favorite sweater, whatever’s on hand.
Step 10: Hand stitch opening closed.
And voila!!
I like the idea of placing a small bell or an empty film canister filled with beans in themiddle of one of these, but I haven’t tried it yet. Lemme know if you do!
Today’s charm pack idea is a simple, sweet one: charm square skirts and jumpers for girls! This pattern, available in the Whipstitch Etsy shop (in the patterns section), is from Indygo Junction, and gives clear, concise directions to make these sweet outfits.
I like that the construction is so straightforward–this was a two-ish hour project for me, but could easily have been a one-hour skirt if the babies had been asleep (ahem–I think most of us know that if the kids “help” we can double the amount of time the task will take to complete…). It’s absolutely an ideal project for beginning sewers or those who want to start small when making clothing. I often hear folks say that to start making clothes, you should begin with pajama pants, but I think that’s a terrible suggestion! Pants are notoriously hard to fit properly and PJs are notoriously oversized–nothing discourages you like a project you can’t wear. This skirt is mostly straight, short seams, plus a hem, rick rack, and an elastic waistband, so you cover a bunch of essential skills in a short period of time.
I call that type of pattern a “movie pattern,” one where I like to pop in a DVD–an action film, say, or a romantic comedy, you know, Sandra Bullock maybe, something light–and watch while I sew. Neither takes my whole brain, and I feel like I’ve used my time well.
Our little model seems to like it. She said, “Makes me dance! In the wind!” This pattern, by the way, is a size 3/4/5 modeled on a 2.5 year old–lots of room to grow, lots more dancing to do!
