{Happy Scrappy Halloween Hoop}

Hey there! We have a few more days to make cute Halloween stuff so lets raid the scraps and get crafty! Today I'm sharing a fun tutorial on how to make this fun little hoop art.

This project was made in partnership with JoAnn Fabrics, Creativity Made Simple and the #spookyspaces challenge. 

So cute right?! Let's talk about how I made it.

Materials:

8 or 9" Embroidery Hoop

Patchwork piece made about 2-3" bigger than your hoop

General sewing supplies

Applique supplies

ribbon

glue gun

any embellishments you'd like to add

Here is my patchwork piece. I raided my scrap bucket for all the cute black and orange pieces and sewed them together on my machine. You can piece the fabric together however you want. If you have a favorite quilt block pattern, that would be fun too! To get the pumpkin shape, I used a cookie cutter. For the lettering, I used a stamp set and ink pad and just pressed the inked stamp right onto the fabric then cut around it. It helps to use light colored fabric so the lettering shows well. I appliquéd everything to the patchwork with Heat N Bond. Then I just stitched everything down on my machine.

I stitched the appliqué down close to the edge of the design. I like the messy stitchy look. I achieve this by going around each shape twice and kind of free handing it. Almost like drawing. It's fun :) If you like a cleaner look, use the finish stitch on your machine. A zig zag is fun too. Alright, onto the hoop!

 Now you are going to cover your hoop in ribbon! Fire up that trusty glue gun.

 Glue, wrap. Glue, wrap.

 Now that you're done with the patchwork and the hoop, you can assemble your masterpiece. Make sure it's centered. Since your patchwork piece is a few inches bigger than your hoop, it's time to trim.

Trim the edge down to about a 1/2" and glue down the edge with your glue gun.

For a little finishing touch, I added a little crocheted bow.

That's it! Pretty easy peesy. Great fast project! I hope you enjoy making one and if you do, tag me on Instagram so I can see it!

All the materials for this project can be found at JoAnn's! And guess what? Since you're so awesome, I'm giving you a coupon to use!

Click HERE for your 50% off coupon! Have a happy scrappy crafty weekend!

{Conversation Heart Coasters}

*This tutorial was posted on See Kate Sew on Tuesday, but just in case you missed it...here it is!*

{Conversation Heart Coasters}

They are so fun to make and include a little of everything…embroidery, appliqué, quilting…fun fun fun! Alrighty friends lets get to it!

Materials:

Canvas/linen {for tops}

solid cotton {for hearts}

printed cotton {far backing}

batting

little embroidery hoop

red embroidery thread

embroidery needles

basic sewing supplies

Marking Pen (disappearing/water soluble ink)

Fabric Glue

Heart Shaped Cookie cutter

1. Gather all your supplies.

2. Cut your squares. You need 4 each of the canvas, cotton, and batting. A 5 1/4” square makes a nice sized coaster.

3. Pick your conversation heart phrases to write. I chose Love, Be Mine, XOXO, and Dream. Write it on the fabric. Place fabric in hoop.

4. Now you are going to embroider your handwriting. Confession…I have never embroidered in my life so I kind of learned as I went. I am sure I am doing this wrong, but you can read the words and that’s what matters, right? I just did a little running stitch over my writing. It’s not perfect, but I think that adds to the character a bit!

5. Take the hoop off. Turn your work over and trace your heart shape with your cookie cutter. Make sure your writing is centered in the heart shape. Freehand this if you want to…I am not an artist thus the cookie cutter :P

6. Cut out your heart! Awwww, so cute!

7. Repeat these steps for the next 3 hearts.

8. {You can skip this step and just use pins, but I like a little extra insurance. You can also use some Heat N Bond or Wonder Under, but I was feeling lazy and busted out my trusty Liquid Stitch.} Place a fine line of glue around your shape.

9. Stick it down on the canvas.

10. Stitch down. You can use whatever appliqué stitch you like. Zig Zag, finish stitch, etc…but I just did some raw edge appliqué about an 1/8 of an inch from the edge. I like how it frays over time. Oh and if you have one, a clear foot helps to keep everything nice and pretty.

11. Once all your hearts are stitched down, you are ready to layer up and sew your coasters together! Batting first, then the top with the heart, then the backing.

12. I pin to prevent shifting. You don’t HAVE to.

13. Sew your coasters! For the rest of the process, I like to use my walking foot. Again, you don’t have to have a special foot, but if you have one it helps. I use it every time I sew something with batting because my machine has attitude about too many layers. Make sure you use a 1/4 seam allowance and leave a 2-3 inch opening for turning.

14. Clip your corners. Turn inside out. Poke the corners out nice and sharp. Press well. Pin opening closed.

15. Topstitch making sure to catch the opening.

And that’s it! A fun and simple project to get you in the mood for Valentine’s Day!

They can be reversible too if you want to mix and match!

Blessings!