Kennel quilts

As an Island Batik Ambassador, I am given fun project ideas to work on every month.  It was fun creating this little Kennel quilt for an animal in need.  Bella thinks she needs one as well!  TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team is a volunteer organization sponsored by The Quilt Pattern Magazine (TQPM) that is available when disasters strike. It is a way to join a larger effort to help our animal friends in times of need by doing what we love. TQPM Small Kennel Quilt Team supplies kennel quilts to shelters.  To learn more you can go here and read all about it.

Kitty Love

Here is a quick little tutorial for you to make your own little kennel quilt for your fur baby or if you wish to donate one.  Finished size will be 12" x 18"

Fabric needed:
Blue     1/4 yard
Green   1/4 yard
yellow  1/8 yard
pink      1/8 yard
3/8 yard for backing (12 1/2" x 18 1/2") piece of fabric.
Batting  12 1/2" x 18 1/2" or larger

And of course scraps will work very well!

CUTTING
Hearts:
Pink   cut (4) 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles
Blue Background  cut (4) 3 1/2" squares
                              cut (8) 1 1/4" squares
Cats:
Yellow  cut (4) 2" squares
             cut (2)  5"x 4" rectangles
Green Background cut (4) 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" rectangles
                                cut (2) 1 1/4" x 5" rectangles
                                cut (4) 1 3/4" squares
                                cut (2) 2" x 5" rectangles

Borders:
cut (2) strips 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" for the inner border
cut (2) strip 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" for the outer border

Sewing it together

Make 2 Cat Blocks and 2 Heart blocks.
Cat block

Mark a diagonal line on the yellow 2" squares.  This is your sewing line.  Sew a yellow square to each end of the 2" x 5" background rectangles, sewing on the diagonal lines.  Press and trim the excess fabric.

Draw a diagonal line on the blue background 3 1/2" squares.  Sew a background squared to each side of the bottom of the yellow 5" x 4" rectangle.  Sew on the diagonal line and press.  Trim excess fabric.

Sew the first unit and the second unit together as shown in the diagram.  Then sew a 1 1/4" x 5" background rectangle to the bottom.
Sew the background 1 1/4" x 6 1/2" rectangle to each side.  Your block should measure 6 1/2" square.








Heart block

 Draw a diagonal line on the 3 1/2" background square and sew to the lower left of the 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" pink rectangle, sewing on the diagonal line.  Press and trim,

Draw a diagonal line on the 1 1/2" squares and sew to each side of the pink rectangle. Press and trim.

Repeat the instructions for the left half of the heart, but be sure to sew the 3 1/2" background square to the lower RIGHT of the pink rectangle.  Now sew the two units together to make your heart.  I pressed my center seam open.


Construct the Mat

Using the diagram, set the blocks together in a 4 patch.  Add the 1 1/2" inner border to each side, then add the 2 1/2" outer border to each side.  Press

Layer the batting, mat and backing together with the mat and the backing RIGHT sides together.  Sew all around with 1/4" seam, leaving an opening on one side to turn the quilt right side out.  Stitch the opening closed. I top stitched all around then quilted my mat.

And here is one more...an improv kennel quilt!

I plan to make more when I get home as I have a nice bag of scraps waiting for me.  This is a great way to practice your free motion quilting too! 

Have a great weekend...it's looking like a beach weekend here in south Texas!  Almost time to head for home...one more week!  Wow...it has gone so fast!  But I really miss my grandkids and my sewing room.  

grace and peace....Sharon

Linking to:  Fabric Frenzy Friday  Whoop! Whoop!
                    

Island Batik Ambassador

I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted as an Island Batik Ambassador for 2017!  It all begins with an amazing box of gorgeous fabrics and thread from Aurifil and Superior.  Now how much fun is that?  Opening that box yesterday was more fun than Christmas!

The beautiful, 100% cotton from Island Batik is hand dyed by fabric artists in the garden valley of Sanur, Bali.  The batik technique, an art from that has been passed down from generation to generation, is thousands of years old, and culminates into stunning fabric.  At times there may be slight variations or small imperfections in the hand dyed fabric, which I feel only adds to the beauty and uniqueness.  I am looking forward to sewing up some special projects with this fabulous fabric!

 

This month we have been given a great charity project....small kennel quilts for our adorable furry friends.  We are making these in conjunction with  The Quilt Pattern Magazine and the Petfinder Foundation, These Small Kennel Quilts have been made for use at shelters for pets in need. The quilts are made from 100% cotton. They can be used by cats or small dogs.

Just so Bella won't feel left out, I am making one for her as well!  This is a sketch for the little kennel quilt I am working on.  In the next few days I will provide a pattern for it.  I think these blocks would also make an adorable baby quilt...what do you think?

Have a wonderful week!  
grace and peace.....Sharon

T

It's a Groundhog Day Sale!

Today and tomorrow only...all patterns in my Craftsy shop are $2.00!  Yes...$2.00 for a pattern!

Here are some of the patterns you will find available....

I hope you will find something you want to make and will take advantage of this one day sale!

Thanks for stopping  by!  Happy Ground Hog Day...and I hope none of us have 6 more weeks of winter.

Linking to:  Needle and Thread Thursday