Friday, November 18, 2011

Sweet Girlie Charm Square Quilt Tutorial

I love quilts that are easy to put together.  This is one of those quilts!  Not only that, but it hardly takes any fabric to whip up a sweet little quilt like this one.  This tutorial will take you through creating the two different blocks this quilt uses and putting together the quilt top.  The open window blocks that utilize the neutral solid in the center of the block are great for trying out new free-motion quilting stitches. This quilt finishes at approximately 32" square.

Super easy baby quilt

Sweet Girlie Charm Square Quilt
You'll need:
1 charm pack
1 yd neutral solid
36" square piece of batting
1 yd backing fabric
1/3 yd binding fabric

Cutting Instructions:
From your charm pack:
    Set aside 8 charms to stay whole
    Cut the 24 of the remaining charms in half, yielding two 2.5" x 5" pieces from each charm

DSCN8024

From your neutral solid, cut 
     8 - 5" squares
    16 - 2.5" x 5"
    16 - 2.5" x 9"

Block Assembly:
Note: There are two different blocks in this quilt: Block A and Block B.
To assemble block A:
1. Select one of your neutral charm squares, and begin to place a total of 6 halved charm squares around the neutral, like so: 

DSCN8036

2. Starting with two sides of your square that will require two charm square halves, pair one set, right sides together, and seam together using a 1/4" seam. Press your seam open. Repeat for the opposite side.

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3. Next, seam one charm square half to the top and the bottom of your neutral charm square as shown below. Press seams open and repeat for the opposite side of the charm square.

DSCN8041

4. Pair up your seamed set of halved charm squares with your block so far, right sides together, doing your best to center this piece with your block.  The seamed set of halved charm squares will be longer than your block, but we'll trim it down, no worries :)  Use a 1/4" seam to join, press seams open, then repeat for the opposite side of the block.

DSCN8056

 5. Take your block over to your cutting mat and trim off the little tails on the long sides of the block.  This block finishes at 8.5", so square up as necessary here.

Ta da! You've finished your first Block A. Now, you'll repeat steps 1-6 to create 7 more Block As, for a total of 8.

DSCN8073

To assemble block B:
1. Lay our your printed charm square with two of the 2.5" x 5" strips as well as two 2.5" x 9" strips.  

DSCN8029

2. First, seam the short strips to the top and bottom of your charm square, using a 1/4" seam, and pressing your seams open as you go.

DSCN8046

3. Next, add the long strips to the block, using a 1/4" seam and pressing seams open.  Ta da!  A finished Block B!  You'll make 7 more of these, for a total of 8 Block Bs.  

DSCN8064

To finish the quilt top, lay out your blocks, alternating your As with your Bs, like so:

Um...so I started another quilt today

Sandwich your finished quilt top with batting and backing fabric, then quilt and bind as desired.  As always, if you make a quilt using this tutorial or any of my other tutorials or patterns, please add it to the Stitching with Don't Call Me Betsy Flickr group!  

Super easy baby quilt

I've got a great giveaway for you all this weekend, too.  We've been housebound all week, between me getting over my cold and the munchkin coming down with bronchitis, and my sewing mojo has run out on me.  Instead of sewing, I've been trying to clean up my sewing room a bit, which is extra nice for you because I completely found the swag from the Sewing Summit I had planned to to give away!!  The lucky winner of this giveaway will win:

a Kona color card, with swatches of every Kona color available

and

two beautiful patterns, one from Izzy and Ivy and one from Brassy Apple

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

To enter, simply leave me a comment on this post, telling me what you are hoping to finish sewing for the holidays this year.  This giveaway will be open until Sunday, November 20th at midnight EST I will draw a winner on Monday, November 21st.  Have a wonderful, stitchy weekend!

82 comments:

  1. I love your little quilt! I have a few charm packs I could use. I have one little quilt done for a gift and I am hoping to finish a few more for my sisters.

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  2. Love the quilt...thank you for the tutorial too...I have some charm packs that I could definitely use this way!

    I want to make a couple stockings for my family and some runners...we'll see how it goes. =) Have a great weekend and thanks!

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  3. Thanks for sharing the tutorial! Can't wait to make one. I actually finished the quilt I wanted to yesterday. And I sure feels good too!

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  4. I have a charm pack just waiting to be used. My other half thinks he is a pirate, so I am hoping to finish him a quilt from Emily Taylor pirate fabric.

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  5. Very nice tutorial! And a great way to use a charm pack. Love it.

    (Pass along the prizes if I happen to win, though. I already have the awesome Kona card and no girls to sew for!)

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  6. Such a cute quilt, thanks for the tutorial!
    I am hoping to finish stockings for our family by the holidays - to match the tree skirt that I have almost completed. :-)

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  7. Thank you so much for the tutorial!! That is such a cute little quilt!

    And I can't wait for the giveaway!!!

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  8. Beautiful quilt, I love the fact that it can be made with only one charm pack - amazing :D
    I was hoping to sew some dresses for my nieces' but I am not sure whether I'll be able to :(

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  9. Thanks for the tutorial, I love the look of that arrangement of the blocks.

    As for my Christmas list, I'm hoping to get a bird mobile, set of 4 cushions and a redwork embroidered wall hanging done... I'm not worried about the mobile or the cushions, the embroidery I'm starting to panic about a bit!

    Thanks for the chance to win :o)

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  10. thanks for the tutorial! it looks so easy to do!

    i'd love to finish off some pillow covers i'm working on before the holidays get here. they've got an iron-on picture of my little girl in the center surrounded by borders of a variation on the cathedral window style. i've got 2 down and 2 to go! (one for each set of my daughter's great-grandparents!)

    thanks for the give-away!

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  11. Great tutorial! Thank you! I have two lap quilts that need to be finished before Christmas, for gifts.

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  12. great tutorial thanks! I have a scrap quilt i'd like to finish and give away for the holidays - also maybe the top for my swoon quilt!

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  13. I am new to quilting and take inspiration from simple tutorials like yours. It's such a great community.

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  14. Cute quilt! WOW, you are so productive! I'm trying to finish 17 Christmas stocking, a quilt and a few other small gifts. I would love to win the Kona card, how cool!

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  15. I love quilts that come together quickly too! This sure is a cute one. I plan to get my Celtic Cross Quilt (that I have been blogging about over at habibtiathome.blogspot.com) for my father-in-law and maybe some purses for my Mom and Mother-in-Law but time is ticking!

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  16. Cute charm quilt! :) I'm sewing two simple panel quilts for my niece and son, an Advent Calendar, and a wall hanging for Christmas.

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  17. Beautiful quilt! Thanks for the tutorial! I think I am setting my aim a little high this Christmas. I have a swap to finish up by the end of the month, then a handmade ornament swap, and then gifts for Christmas. I hope to make a quiet book and art book for my boys (4 books total) and a fabric doll dress up kit for my husband's niece. Then if I have time, maybe some quick clutches for my pen pal group... Or rug mugs. LOL

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  18. that's a great little quilt - a good way to stretch a charm pack...

    i am (planning on) finishing up two lap quilts for my parents before christmas... but i am way behind schedule!

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  19. Great little quilt Elizabeth! Thanks for the giveaway, awesome! My list is about a mile long, but among other things, I'd love to put together a tree skirt!

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  20. Nice tutorial. I may have to try this one. I plan on (fingers crossed) finishing another Christmas table runner, 2 pot scrappy holders and a Christmas quilt. We'll see....

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  21. I love this tutorial! So simple and economical. I finished Luke's quilt last night. Next, I'm going to finish up my Christmas quilt. I have a few other smallish things (zippy pouches for teachers, etc), but I think I'm in pretty good shape!

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  22. So cute! I need to finish up a Christmas stocking for my daughter's first Christmas and a quilt for hubby!

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  23. I definitely want to make that quilt! As for my long list of gifts that I want to make, there's a stocking for my nephew, some pouches for friends and family, kindle case for my husband, tablet case for my dad, a lap quilt for our family room....oh boy, I'd better get to it!

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  24. yeah! love the quilt, the kona cotton card and the patterns. i'm desperately trying to finish up the new stockings, tree skirt and garland for my home. i decided last year to make new stockings because i didn't love the old ones and we've added two kids since i made the last set. trying to finish this weekend before the thanksgiving craziness sets in! thanks.

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  25. Ooooh, a Kona card! Am I the only person who would love the color name or number printed on the selvage?

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  26. I really like your pattern and appreciate your tutorial - thanks much!

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  27. Great giveaway...and I love your quilt. I might have to bust out one of my charm packs (I'm a sucker for charm packs) and make one ASAP! I'm not really making much for Xmas this year. I have a couple of swap items I need to finish up and I really want to finish the binding on my "big quilt"...otherwise I might try to make a tree skirt if there's time. We'll see!

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  28. ooh I'd love the Kona card. I'm always so impressed when people can name the color of the solid they used in a quilt! I'm in a mug rug swap and need to finish those before Christmas, plus some small gifts for a group of quilty friends.

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  29. Lol, I'm still putting finishing touches on a Halloween wall hanging, not up to Christmas yet! (or isThanksgiving that we should be sewing for now?!). I am hoping to sew a miniature, maybe even two for my quilty friends. Lori

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  30. Great tutorial! I'm hoping to finish my aunt's king size beastly quilt- It's taking for.ev.er. to finish!

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  31. I REALLY need to finish a quilt for my boyfriend! I want to get it done in time for Christmas. :)

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  32. Well I'm making runners for my sisters but now I'm wondering if I've got time to make your lovely pattern???

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  33. That does looks easy--and totally doable! I just acquired a few new charm packs :)

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  34. This season I'm NEEDING to finish 2 quilts for my nieces.

    Thanks for the giveaway! Love me some kona solids, this would be so helpful!

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  35. At this point anything I finish would be great!

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  36. I need to finish up the Christmas tree skirt that has sat incomplete for the past 2 years! I'm kind'a embarrassed to have admitted that aloud!

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  37. I am hoping to finish a quilt for my niece for a Christmas gift. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. I really want to sew up a tree skirt for my Christmas tree. The animals managed to totally fur up the cheapie one that my fiancé had brought home. Thank you for such a generous giveaway!

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  39. Thanks for the great tutorial. I'm working on some doll clothes for Xmas prezzies.
    I would love to have that kona card. I would I would. Thanks for the opportunity!

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  40. Hope everyone is feeling better soon. We're too busy to get sick huh? I'm hoping (have to!!) to finish my grandson's quilt, binding on a nephew's quilt and maybe I can even squeeze in finishing a Christmas tablerunner I didn't get done last year.

    Thanks so much for the giveaway and a chance to win.

    usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

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  41. Great tutorial! I have four more quilts to make before Christmas (it should have been 6 but I think that's pushing it!!)

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  42. I'm always on the lookout for cute projects from charm packs. Definitely need to try this one! Love it!

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  43. I have so many baby quilts to make in 2012 and this is PERFECT! Thanks so much for sharing your tutorial.
    Christmas sewing? - fleece pants,knit dress,padded camera lens sleeves,tablet cover,aprons, purses. oh yeah and a quilt. ACK!! I should get off of the computer!

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  44. Hi Elisabeth! That quilt is really beautiful - simple and lightful!
    Thank you for a great giveaway!
    xxx Teje

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  45. What a cute quilt. Thanks for the tutorial.

    I'm working away on gifts for a 12 days of Christmas exchange in my guild. I'm also working on a road quilt. Right now that's the Christmas plan but it could change tomorrow...

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  46. Great tutorial! I'm not sure about sewing I need to finish for Christmas (could be in denial!!) but I'd really like to start sewing my Christmas quilt!! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  47. I love that quilt. So pretty.

    I want to finish a couple of Christmas wall hangings.

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  48. Thank you for posting your tutorial! I'm hoping to finish a quilt for a dear friend who recently was asked to foster two children (11 months and 1.5 years old).

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  49. Love the quilt! I have all of those charms from the color charms swaps and some Kona black. I think I have enough for two to three quilts! I hope to finish a quilt for my future brother-in-law before he goes on deployment for Christmas.

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  50. I just finished a Thanksgiving wall hanging and plan on doing a table topper for my daughter for Christmas.
    I would love that romper pattern to make a spring outfit for my granddaughter.

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  51. I have 2 Family Tree panels that I need to embroider and quilt! I hope to get it done before Christmas.

    Thanks for the chance.

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  52. I was just saying on my blog today that I needed charm pack quilt ideas! Yea!
    I have 3 bags to make out of a friend's Sunbonnet Sue remnants (a quilt her grandmother made that I took apart for her and made pillows; these were the 3 leftovers). I also need to come up with an idea for my 9th grade niece. Maybe a cell phone pouch.

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  53. I have a laptop bag and smaller phone holder to complete for my nephew. 2 small camera bags for my husband. I am currently hand stitching a pincushion while I sit at his beside (he is in hospital at the moment) I hope both you and your daughter get lots of rest and take care and my prayers are for your return to full health very soon.

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  54. I am hoping to do some pouches for Christmas. I really need to get started. I hope everyone gets better at your house. Thanks for sharing your swag.

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  55. I have a baby quilt at the top of the list and then my advent calendar.
    LOVE the quilt tute!

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  56. I have a tree skirt in mind, but I don't think it will be on the radar this year. Other than that I don't have any holiday sewing planned. I would like to get a charity quilt done for our local quilt guild by the end of the year though. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  57. I have a small table runner to finish and a matching fabric tray calling my name - I need to get my a*se in gear soon eh!

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  58. I hope to finish a lap quilt for my mom for Christmas. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  59. I'd like to finish a few zip bags, a tutu, and a twin size quilt. The quilt is ready to be machine quilted, so there is still hope! Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

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  60. I am planning on sewing up a couple of Christmas pillows and 5 loops scarves for gifts. Best be on my way to the machine...

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  61. Thanks for the tutorial! I'm working on some bags, iPad cases and coffee cozies for holiday gifts. Might get around to that Christmas quilt I never finished last year too.

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  62. I have one quilt that I am trying to finsih up and am hoping I will have time to do a baby quilt for some of my friends also. But that may not happen...

    Thanks for the tutorial!

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  63. I would love to finish this queen sized Storm at Sea quilt that I'm working on, and wouldn't you know it's made out of three Kona solids: Copen, Navy, and White!

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  64. this is the best tutorial for a charm pack! I love it! I'm hoping to make a few mug rugs for a toy drive we have at work. And the usual stuff for the fam. Oh the sewing I need to do.

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  65. I have oodles of coffee sleeves to make, some makeup bags, a couple of figure 8 scarves and a few other things as well, I'm sure. But first I have six little octopi to sew for my friend's sons 5th birthday :)

    gustafson dot jenna at gmail dot com

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  66. the placemats that i'm making for my mom!

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  67. I've been looking for a pattern to use my Central Park charm pack for! This looks perfect.

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  68. I love this quilt! I have so many things to finish up for the holidays - lots of little gifts like zipper pouches, wallets, totes, etc and my daughter's Christmas dress.

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  69. This quilt is adorable! I've made one that was similar but this is even cuter!

    For the holidays I'm looking to make about a dozen potholders, one bag, one quilt and hopefully finish another.

    Hahahahahaha! I'm hilarious! O_o

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  70. Patterns look perfect, I have 3 little girlies! Thanks!

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  71. i have a couple charm packs of kate spain's new line that i was all set on becoming part of my very first hst quilt, but it'd look so good in your pattern here! thanks for the tutorial. the hst quilt (which i haven't started yet) was my big goal for the end of the year, i'll have to think about this a little bit more now...

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  72. I want to finish a quilt for my mother for christmas as a gift but if I don't, I will give it to her as a birthday present in January :-)

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  73. Glad to hear you're feeling better - hope that little munchkin of yours is much better, too! I recently bought a layer cake of wild designs called Terrain by Kate Spain. Don't have a pattern in mind yet, but want to whip something up as a Christmas gift for my 25-year old daughter who moved out of state this year. To Seattle. Which is wet and rainy and dreary, and maybe this will help brighten her days! At least it will be fun working with all those patterns and colors!

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  74. I am looking to finish a table runner for my MIL. I am getting close, just need some sewing time. Thanks for the chance at your giveaway.

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  75. I'm hoping to finish some handmade Christmas gifts I've been promising :-)

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  76. I'm making pillows & bags for my first ever handmade gifts Christmas & if things go well I might even get to finish a quilt. Thanks for a lovely giveaway.

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  77. I've got s Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt that SHOULD be finished or this year

    haven't made a new Christmas quilt in a while....

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  78. Thanks for the tutorial, I'm always looking for ways to use charm squares.

    I'm trying to finish up a quilt I'm making for my Aunt for Christmas. She is a huge I Love Lucy fan, and I was able to find some Lucy themed fabric, so I'm really excited to see her reaction when I give her the quilt. I also need to finish the stocking I'm making for my daughter.

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  79. I'm hoping to finish all my monthly bee blocks, and a few quilting projects before my family comes to visit.... But nothing is due. I made too many homemade gifts last year and got burnt out. All store bought this year.

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  80. Thanks SO much for the tutorial! I pinned it as soon as I saw the quilt because I knew it would be perfect for some of my charm packs.

    I would LOVE to win a Kona card, thanks!

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  81. I want to finish a Brown Bear quilt for my little guy for Christmas.

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  82. I am not the best quitler, its been years and i had done more "Crafty projects" with my sewing. A friend of mine had a baby and i wanted an easy quilt cause i kinda suck at it..lol.. THANKS SO MUCH not only easy but so beautiful! im going to post tonight my fished quilt. Finding your blog has given me new inspiration!!!

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Thank you for leaving a comment for me! I appreciate each and every one of them and try to respond when time allows. Your comments totally brighten my day :)


Welcome! I'm Elizabeth, mom to a mood teen boy and a chatty six-year-old girl and I sew for my sanity. Let's get to quilting, shall we?
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