The Crafty Quilter - Quilting tips and inspiration
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • BlogLovin
  • Twitter
  • Flickr
  • Email
Menu
Skip to content
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Versatile Face Mask Pattern
  • Tutorials
    • Holiday / Seasonal
    • Quilts
    • Home Accessories & Decor
  • Tips & Techniques
  • My Patterns
  • Disappearing 9-patch QAL
  • Summer Fun Quilt Along
  • Christmas Once a Month
  • Recipes
  • Privacy Policy

Finished Disappearing nine patch and my winter garden

2 / 12 / 212 / 12 / 21

Friday are for finishes; kind of like Tuesdays are for tacos. It just makes sense. So for this fine Friday, I have a finished disappearing 9 patch quilt to show you (along with pictures of my winter vegetable garden).

Disappearing nine patch

I started this disappearing nine patch quilt in the summer of 2019. It was for my disappearing 9-patch quilt along. You can still find all of the instructions and tips there if you want to make one too. I love, love this easy quilt pattern!

Disappearing nine patch quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

They call this a disappearing nine patch because you start by sewing together squares into a 9-patch block and then cut them apart to create a new block. I used a charm pack but I also cut many of the 5″ squares from scraps of Minick & Simpson fabric. My layout is very random and “patchworky”. I’m calling it my summer picnic quilt. Cooper is calling it his winter siesta quilt.

Disappearing nine patch quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter and her helper Cooper

The quilting was done by my SIL who did a wonderful job (as usual). I love the simple geometric design and texture it provides.

Disappearing nine patch quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter, quilted by Audrey Crawford at Sew Katie Jean.

I used my machine binding technique for a fast finish. It took me about two hours to sew front and back. I love the walking foot on my Babylock Crescendo for this. It keeps everything straight and flat.

My machine binding technique is very fast and easy.

My original disappearing 9-patch that I made for the quilt along is below. You can see the difference in design by how you rotate the blocks. This version is very controlled and you get a distinct pattern. The fabric is Mama’s Cottage by April Rosenthal for Moda Fabrics. It’s such a bright and happy quilt!

Quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter for her Disappearing 9-patch quilt along.
Disappearing 9-patch quilt made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

Winter vegetable garden

We always have a summer vegetable garden, and this year we decided to keep it going with some winter veggies. Here, in Northern California, the winters are mild and perfect for lettuces, root veggies and cruciferous vegetables along with many herbs.

Mr. Crafty Quilter built three raised beds soon after we moved into this house. In the photo below you can see rows of lettuce, beets, green onions, carrots, spinach and swiss chard. The top bed has parsley and arugula that have both gotten a little out of control.

My favorite thing in the garden is the Romanesco broccoli. I wanted to plant regular broccoli, but the nursery only had Romanesco, so that’s what I used. It is so beautiful and the taste is very delicate. More like cauliflower with a nuttiness to it. We just harvested our first head and I’m now a huge fan!

Romanesco broccoli

We also planted cauliflower and kale in the lower bed. These beds are in our front yard because that’s where the sun is best. We love watching neighbors walk by and lean in for a closer look! Cooper keeps them honest though. 😉


Now that I’m “mostly” vegetarian {and by that I mean I’ll eat fish once in a while and maybe some chicken on a rare occasion}, I’m really enjoying the home grown vegetables. Four months ago, I found out I have high blood pressure (as does my mom and all my siblings) so I thought it was time for a healthy change in diet and lifestyle. After watching the documentary Game Changers on Netflix and Knives over Forks, I gave up meat the very next day. I still eat dairy products, but I’m easing into this thing. I feel better and I’m definitely eating more vegetables than I used to. And I lost five pounds. Not much, but I only want to lose five more. Consistent exercise is my next goal.

That’s more than I usually share about my personal habits. I’m not trying to convert anyone, I just know that health is always a hot topic and I’m always interested in what works for other people. Maybe I’m secretly hoping that I’m not alone with these health challenges. I also think the planet would benefit, as well, if we focused on a more plant-based diet. Okay, enough said (for now).

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a wonderful Friday and a heart-filled weekend!

19 Comments
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Sew Thankful Sunday, February 2021

2 / 7 / 212 / 7 / 21

{I love the idea of “paying it forward”. I think the world would be a better place if we could spread some joy and acknowledgement of good deeds done by others. I try to do that once a month for my Sew Thankful Sunday posts. I highlight some great content that I’ve found on other people’s blogs that I hope will inspire you and reward the originator by bringing traffic to their site. If your blog has been mentioned without your consent, please let me know and I will take you off the current list of featured bloggers.}

Sew Thankful Sunday February 2021 is full of projects to fill your heart and tips to make your sewing and quilting life easier.

Blink. There goes January and here we are in February already! I’m truly not ready for this year to progress forward; although in some ways I’m more than ready to have parts of it done and gone. Sew Thankful February brings us lots of heartfelt projects and some sweet things too!

Note:  If you use Pinterest, please pin from the original source and not this blog post. Remember, you can click on any of the images in this post and it will open up a new tab to the associated link.

  1. I’m excited to kick off February with this sweet Lovestruck Heart Block Pattern from Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew! She never fails to make some kind of heart project in February and this one is adorable.
Lovestruck Heart Block (free) Pattern @ Cluck Cluck Sew!
  1. Time to decorate with this cute XOXO Bunting for Valentine’s Day by Cherry at Cherry Blossoms Quilting for We All Sew. This is a quick project with excellent instructions for a happy splash of hugs and kisses!
XOXO Bunting @ We All Sew
  1. Give your Valentine something to satisfy his or her sweet tooth with this Giant Chocolate Sugar Cookie from Our Best Bites. Included with the recipe are some cute printable labels, too. I might have to make one for myself just because!
Giant Chocolate Sugar Cookie @ Our Best Bites
  1. Check out this fun Stitches From The Heart Quilt & Cross Stitch Pattern at The Jolly Jabber. They have a video tutorial that walks you through the steps and you can choose a mini or wall hanging size quilt or maybe you want to try cross stitching. Very sweet to have all those choices!
Stitches From The Heart Quilt Pattern @ The Jolly Jabber
  1. You may know Wendy Sheppard at Ivory Spring as an incredible free motion quilter and pattern designer, but she also offers lots of tips for her 2-Cent Tuesday blog posts. Recently she shared the importance of keeping half-square triangle units perfectly square and how she accomplishes that.
2-Cent Tuesday Tip for HST’s @ Ivory Spring
  1. Quilters are always trying to get their seam allowance just right. Amy at Diary of A Quilter shows you What a scant 1/4″ seam allowance is and why it’s important. Such a simple thing that can make a big difference!
  1. I love learning how quilters organize their sewing spaces, so I was delighted to see the January Aurifil Artisan Sew Organized Showcase. It features 17 designers and how they organize their threads and sewing tools. Below is one idea from Lauren at Molly and Mama on storing her Aurifil threads and floss.
Aurifil thread & floss organization from Molly and Mama for the Aurifil Artisan Showcase
  1. If you like piecing quilt blocks as much as I do, you’ll love the 2021 RBD Block Challenge at Riley Blake Designs. Follow along now through June 22nd as 16 designers share their 10″ quilt block patterns. The final quilt design is still a mystery but I’m sure it will be fabulous!
  1. I love seasonal table runners and this Heart Table Runner and Quilt Tutorial from Connie at Free Motion By The River is perfect for February. This is perfect for a winter day of sewing!
Heart Table Runner & Quilt Tutorial @ Free Motion by the River

I don’t know about you, but my heart is full with all of these amazing projects and tips! Enjoy the rest of your day, and thanks for visiting Sew Thankful Sunday February!

PS. You might enjoy visiting last year’s Sew Thankful Sunday February here!

2 Comments
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Hearts sachets & other news

2 / 5 / 212 / 5 / 21

I love making little things in between the bigger projects. I recently saw these 25 DIY Heart Sachets to Make from Carrie at Ideas for the Home.

Heart Sachets, a round up of 25 to sew crochet, knit and no-sew @ Ideas for the Home.

This roundup of ideas included my Quilted Heart Tutorial from a few years ago. A basket of these little hearts is still one of my favorite ways to decorate for February!

Quilted Heart tutorial could be used for heart sachets!

I just saw that The Quilt Show has a special “Stay at Home” price on membership that ends this Sunday, February 7. For $39, you get a full year of fabulous shows that debut every other week, a top-notch Block Of the Month, streaming guest DVDs with great teachers, and wonderful LIVE classrooms from famous quilters. There is SO much great content and I love the quality of their shows. I am NOT getting compensated for this review/recommendation, I’m just a big fan (and one of their classroom teachers).

That’s all for now. Just a quick hello until Sew Thankful Sunday (and Super Bowl Sunday) in two days!

2 Comments
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Quilt projects and grandkids have been keeping me busy

1 / 28 / 211 / 28 / 21

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I last blogged! Quilt projects have been keeping me busy along with “all the things”, and time has just run amuck. The last time I posted here, I was getting ready to launch a new Zoom class, Possibilities, through my local quilt shop, The Granary. We had our first of five classes on Tuesday. I designed the pattern as a skill-builder type of project, and I’m still getting the final pieces of the pattern finished. I’ll have it available in my Etsy Shop eventually.

My recent quilt projects include my Possibilities Quilt, designed by me, Julie Cefalu.
Possibilities Quilt, Option 3

As I teach this class, I’ll be making Option 2 of this quilt. It’s set on-pointe and measures 59″ square. I’m using fabric from the Charleston Collection and Les Petits, both by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics. These have been living in my stash for a few years and they’re just perfect for this project.

Fabric for a new quilt project is from the Charleston and Les Petits collections by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics.

My EQ software is so handy to visualize the quilt in my fabric choices. Below you can see what it will look like, even though the scale and brightness is off a bit.

Possibilities Quilt Option 3 in Art Gallery Fabrics.  Pattern by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter.

The first block we made is the Crossroads block. We’re starting off very easy; I love a simple, traditional block.

First quilt block in the Possibilities Quilt, designed and made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

My other reason for being absent here is a trip to Austin to visit the grandkids. We couldn’t stand to be away any longer, so we braved the (quiet) airports, tested for Covid before we left and when we returned home, and made sure to follow all of the safety protocols. It was worth the effort because these kids are growing up fast! Amelia is five, Clara will be three in March and Ben just turned one. I love this stage of grandparenthood when they run into your arms the minute you walk in the door and want to be with you all the time! I think it’s called the celebrity phase. 🙂

  • Amelia
  • Rainy Day Ben
  • Ben
  • Grandpa, Grandma, Clara & Amelia

I made a doll tent for Clara, so now the girls each have one of their own. They loved playing with it. Even Ben tried to get in on the action.

The pattern for the tent came from WonderfulWellies Etsy shop and it fits a 14″ doll (Wellie Wisher doll size) perfectly. I used fabric for the outside of both tents from the Shine Bright Collection by Katie Webb Designs for Clothworks. It’s hard to find now, but Etsy will probably come up with something.


Now it’s time for us crafters to start thinking of the next holiday. If you want to make something quick for Valentine’s Day, you might enjoy my Ombre Heart Tutorial from several years ago. It just brings me joy to sew something seasonal even though I have no plan to use it for a bigger project.

Ombre Heart Tutorial from The Crafty Quilter is perfect for Valentine's Day

I can’t believe the first month of the year is almost gone already. I don’t want to let go of that “fresh start feeling.” I still have lists to make and quilt projects to plan! I’ll be sharing some ideas for upcoming projects for The Crafty Quilter. As you all know, sew many projects and sew little time!

Happy Quilting!

12 Comments
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Possibilities Quilt

1 / 14 / 211 / 14 / 21

I’ve been busy behind the scenes working on a new project that I can finally share: The Possibilities Quilt. The name says a lot for this project. It’s a quilt with possibilities and options!

I’ve wanted to teach a skill-building class that doesn’t last too long, but it’s long enough to give you a lap-size quilt in the end. I designed this quilt with four different quilt blocks (10″ finished) that range in complexity and skill level. But that wasn’t enough. I wanted you to have options as to how to set the blocks into a quilt. There are three options that also range in complexity and skill level. This gives you the ability to customize the quilt size and the time commitment involved.

Option one is the smallest and easiest. It has sashing and cornerstones and measures 45″ x 58″. Option two is a little more complex with the blocks set on point and requires one extra block. This quilt measures 59″ square. Option three is the most difficult with the blocks set inside another unit which makes a very cool secondary design. This is the largest option and measures 60″ x 76″.

Possibilities Quilt Pattern designed and made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter for The Granary Quilt Shop

The pattern for this quilt is not finished yet. (That’s my current project.) Once it is, I’ll have it available in my Etsy shop for purchase.

I’ll be teaching the Possibilities Quilt Along at The Granary Quilt Shop via Zoom classes. There are a total of five weekly classes, starting Tuesday, January 26, at 7:00 pm (pacific time). Each class will last approximately 45 minutes and will be recorded. If you’re interested, you can sign up online here. The cost is $30 for the class plus $10 for the pattern. Fabric kits are also available.

I try to pack as much information into my classes as possible. I share my favorite techniques for fast and efficient piecing along with the mechanics of each block. If there’s a way to make something easier, I’ll find it and pass it along!


I made the quilt sample for this class out of batiks. I think this quilt will eventually go to Mr. Crafty Quilter. He was complaining that he didn’t have his own quilt yet. I know, how is that possible? I share all of my quilts with him!

Possibilities Quilt Pattern designed and made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter
Possibilities Quilt Pattern designed and made by Julie Cefalu @ The Crafty Quilter

Below is a close up of the fabrics I used. The tan with circles did not make it into the quilt but it’s representative of the tan I used. I started with the border fabric which is Desertscapes by Lunn Studios for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. I often choose a focus fabric to build my color palette around. It works every time!

Batiks used for my Possibilities Quilt @ The Crafty Quilter

The kits for this colorway have sold out, but I’ve come up with an alternative that is similar. It’s the same focus fabric, but in a slightly different color. This grouping has purple and green to complement the border fabric, and it will have the same or similar brown and tan fabric. It’s a beautiful, jewel tone collection!


Today, I played with another fabric collection that is not batik and very different in color range. Golden Aster from Riley Blake is a beautiful collection of navy, pink and gold that I love. With the magic of EQ, I was able to audition a few possibilities. The Granary will most likely offer this as a Possibilities Kit as well.


I’m excited to be teaching again, even though it’s virtually. How about you guys? Have you tried any Zoom classes yet? There are so many things I enjoy about this new platform. The best part is the fact that I don’t have to drive anywhere and I can keep my slippers on!

I hope you’re having a great week. Thanks for reading!

12 Comments
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

Posts navigation

Previous Page 1 2 3 4 5 … 161 162 Next Page

About me…

Hi there! Welcome to The Crafty Quilter. I'm Julie Cefalu, and this is where I get to express my creativity to a larger audience. I love to share quilting tips and tutorials along with the latest creative happenings in the blogging world. Thanks for visiting, and I hope you come back soon!

If you would like to subscribe via email, enter your email address below:

Join 8,249 other subscribers

Follow on Bloglovin


My Classroom on The Quilt Show!

Latest on Instagram

thecraftyquilter

I love using #diagonalseamtape tape by @cluckcluck I love using #diagonalseamtape tape by @cluckclucksew ❤️ but I’ve always had a problem lining up the starting edge of my half square triangle units.🤨 This may not be a problem if you have the right presser foot.
.
I solved this by adding a strip on each side, positioned at a 45 degree angle from the center line. ↘️ Now I line up the leading side with the left or right angled line and the bottom point with the left or right straight line. 😄Scroll through to see how I set it up!
.
.
#quiltingtips #thecraftyquilter #diagonalseamtape #cluckclucksew #quiltingismytherapy #quilt #piecingtips #halfsquaretriangles #sewingmachinetips #quilttips #hst
Finally a fitting picture of my #modastitchpink qu Finally a fitting picture of my #modastitchpink quilt.  This is one of my favorite makes ever - I just love it!  Thanks to my son @j_cef for the beautiful photo and to Sarah of @luckypennyquilting for the amazing quilting. ➡️ Sarah, you do great work!
.
And a big fat thank you to the crew at @modafabrics for this awesome quilt along! I can’t wait until October to do your next one. 💖
.
#modastitchpink2020 #modafabrics #samplerquilt #stitchpink2020 #stitchpink #blueandwhitequilt #quiltsofinstagram #quilting #clamshellquilting #thecraftyquilter #quiltalong #sewalongwithmoda #finishedquilt #lovetoquilt #quilt #buildaquilt #modacuttingtable #modabakeshop
I’m sharing a free tutorial on my blog today for I’m sharing a free tutorial on my blog today for this Spring Bunny Table Runner! 💚 Link is in my profile. It’s perfect for Spring and Easter decorating!
.
That adorable gingham fabric is #kitchenwindowwovens (color espresso) by @elizabethagh for @robertkaufman and available at your local quilt shop. For me that’s @thegranaryquilts and they have it in stock!
.
#springbunnytablerunner #tablerunner #quiltedtablerunner #freetutorial #quilttutorial #freequiltpattern #thecraftyquilter #eastertablerunner #easterquilt #easterdecor #springdecor #springtablerunner #springquilt #appliquetablerunner #appliquequilt #freemotionquilting #bunnyapplique #bunnyquilt #ginghamfabric #ginghamquilt #tablerunnertutorials
Happy Spring! Im ready to decorate! I just put the Happy Spring! Im ready to decorate! I just put the last stitch in the binding this morning.  I’m working on a tutorial for this sweet Spring bunny table runner. It should be ready next week! 💚🐇☘️
.
#springbunnyquilt #tablerunner #springtablerunner #quiltedtablerunner #springquilt #bunnyapplique #bunnyquilt #easterquilt #eastertablerunner #easterbunnyquilt #nationalquiltingday #quilting #freemitionquilting #appliquetablerunner #appliquequilt #applique #freezerpaperandstarchmethod #springquilt
Quilting is not my favorite part of the process, b Quilting is not my favorite part of the process, but it can be the most satisfying.😊
.
The only marking I did was the center feather in each corner. That gave me a consistent reference point for the rest of the feathers in the triangle. One hour down and about four to go!
.
I’m using #aurifilthread 50 wt. in cream, a 75/11 quilting needle, and my Babylock Soprano sewing machine (with a Supreme Slider on the extension table).
.
#freemotionquilting #springquilt #greenandblackquilt #fmq #fmquilting #fmqondomesticmachine #quilting #thecraftyquilter #babylocksoprano #supremeslider
A little sneak peek of something new for spring! ☘️🖤💚
.
#springquilt #quiltblock #orangepeelapplique #appliqueandpiecedquilt #thecraftyquilter #onpointquilt #springtablerunner #quilting #freezerpaperandstarchmethod #handapplique #appliquedesign
Load More... Follow on Instagram


I’ve Been Featured!

Sew Can She

Archives

Categories

Tags

Amelia applique baby quilt blog hop blog hops BOM bom's christmas Christmas in July Blog Hop christmas once a month Craftsy fabric family fat quarter shop flowers free motion quilting free patterns garden giveaway giveaway winner holiday tutorials I Love Home BOM national quilting day quilt alongs quilt blocks quilting quilting tips quilts recipes sew thankful sunday splendid sampler spring spring petals qal summer fun qal table runner Table Topper The Quilt Show tips tutorial Tutorials UFO's Valentine's Day WIP wip's WIP Wednesday

Blogs I Follow:

  • A Quilting Life
  • Amy Made That!
  • Blossom Heart Quilts
  • Celebrate Creativity
  • Free Motion by the River
  • http://summercrafter.com/
  • Meadow Mist Designs
  • Moda Bakeshop
  • Quilt Story
  • Sew Fresh Quilts
  • The Inbox Jaunt
  • The Patchsmith


Disclaimer:

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission when you make a purchase by clicking on those links. I only promote products and services that I use and love myself. Your support enables me to maintain the content of this blog and I am truly grateful!

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
Site made with ♥ by Angie Makes
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes