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Thursday 22 November 2012

Sizzix Quilting Blog Hop!

I am really excited that it's my turn to extol the virtues of my Sizzix cutter especially in relation to Christmas!  I know it is Thanksgiving elsewhere in the world today, but we'll gloss over that for now.


Did you see all the ideas earlier this week?  And there's more to come...

Monday 19th November - Angela Southey
Tuesday 20th November - Tacha Bruecher/Fat Quarterly
Wednesday 21st November - Katy Jones
Thursday 22nd November - Hadley Gordon
Friday 23rd November - Lynne Goldsworthy
Saturday 24th November - Lory Bucaria

Now, I am all for quick finishes and anything that makes my sewing life simpler and cheaper, and although I love stitching from scratch, as Brit quilters know, fabric is so expensive compared to our US friends, sometimes it is way more economic to buy ready-made items.  Using my Sizzix and beloved hexie dies, my first project combines the best of both worlds.

Thrifty Hexie Christmas Pillow Case
You will need:

Sizzix Big Shot Machine
Sizzix 1" Hexagon 658317 Die
Sizzix 1 1/4" Hexagon 658318 Die
Brushed cotton pillow case (I got a pair from TK Maxx for £5, flannel fabric would cost at least twice that)
Fabric pieces - I used mostly Cherry Christmas, with a few scraps of pink and yellow.
Bondaweb, or similar
Copy paper
Greaseproof paper
Sharp scissors
Thread, sewing machine & iron

  • Measure the width of your pillow case, and calculate how many hexagons you will require, multiplying by the number of strips you wish to use; my pillow case required 10 hexies x 4 columns.
  • Cut the number of hexie papers you require using the 1" hexagon die; folding a sheet of A4 into quarters and running through the Sizzix cutter will yield 16 perfect hexies.
  • Prepare your fabric, giving it a quick press and layer 3 or 4 pieces onto the 1 1/4" hexagon die.  I used a combo of small scraps that covered a single hexagon up to 5" x 10" pieces folded in half to cut 8 hexies in one pass.  You can be as efficient with your cutting as you want.
  • Baste and join your hexies using your preferred method.
  • Once your panel is complete, press, remove all papers, press again, taking care to make sure the edges are all pressed under.
  • Cut a piece of bondaweb slightly larger than the panel.
  • Affix Bondaweb as per manufacturers instructions - I place the paper side up, on top of the back of the panel and place the whole lot on a piece of greaseproof paper to stop any ironing board catastrophes.
  • Trim the Bondaweb as close as you can to the edge of the panel.
  • Remove the backing paper and place in your desired position on the pillow case.
  • Press with a hot iron to fix.  I also stitched round the edges of the panel at about 1/8" to make sure it wasn't going to come off.  If you apply to the side of the pillow case without the extra flap bit, it will be easier to manoeuvre.
  • Fill with a pillow and admire your lovely new bedding.
As I had a pair of pillow cases, I made matching ones for the girls to have at Christmas already.


My second project was so quick and simple, I whipped these up within a couple of hours from when inspiration struck... emergency last minute gift anyone?!

Drunkard's Coasters x 6

You will need:
Sizzix Big Shot Machine
Sizzix Drunkard's Path Quarter Circle 657169 Die
Sizzix Drunkard's Path Arch & Fan Background 657168 Die
Sizzix 4.5" (4" finished) Square 657609 Die
Selection of fabrics at least 5" square - again, lovely Cherry Christmas
Heat resistant wadding
Thread, sewing machine & iron

  • Cut 6 x 4.5" fabric squares for the backs.
  • Cut 6 x 4.5" squares of wadding.
  • Cut 3 pairs of Drunkard's Path pieces using the dies to create 6 DP pairs.
  • Pair up the cut fabric pieces to make a pleasing arrangement.  
  • Sew you Drunkard's Path blocks using your preferred method, lots of pins, no pins, flip and stitch, they all work!
  • Quilt your DP blocks to the wadding squares as desired.
  • Place the backing and DP block right sides together, stitch round using a 1/4" seam, leaving a 2"-3" gap for turning on one edge.
  • Turn through, poke out those corners and press; stitch round the edges with a 1/8" closing the gap.
  • Pour yourself a drink, sit back and enjoy, whilst making sure not to slop your beverage of choice on your pretty fabric!

I hope these have given you some ideas for Christmas, with or without a Sizzix cutter, and if you are making do without, read on...

To be in with a chance of winning a Big Shot machine and a selection of quilting dies worth over £130, click here! Closing date: Wednesday 28th November 2012 at 10am GMT.


Sadly this is open to EU residents only.   
For more information about the Sizzix patchwork and quilting range, please click here.

I am looking forward to seeing what Lynne comes up with tomorrow.

31 comments:

  1. What great projects Hadley,and quick.

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  2. Gorgeous pillow! I need to give it a try sitting in front of the tv during cold winter time!

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  3. fab!!! I especially love the pillowcases

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  4. loveeeeeeeeeeee the pillow cases, I'm off shopping tomorrow so might get a couple new cases :)

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  5. Coasters are perfect *hic* for the DP die. Sweet projects Hadley!

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  6. The pillowcases are too cute! And I love the sneaky peek of your quilt with them. Well done, Sizzix Queen!

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  7. Great way to tart up a plain pillowcase! Lovely coasters too! Jxo

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  8. Those pillow cases are fantastic, what a great idea!

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  9. Great projects! I definitely would not slop on Cherry Christmas!!

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  10. Lovely projects! I will be cutting in the old fashioned way, however.

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  11. Oooh pretty pretty projects. Love the quilting on those coasters

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  12. These are lovely, I am definitely going to move that Big Shot higher up the wish list!

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  13. Two absolutely brilliant projects. Love them both and the Cherry Christmas works so well in both.

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  14. love the pillow covers!!! Am totally going to be making those!

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  15. Very very cool Hadley - love those coasters!

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  16. I love those pillows! Wonder if I can get to TK Maxx over the weekend?!

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  17. Love the hexies pillow cases Hadley. Well done!

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  18. Great combo of bought and handmade, I totally love my big shot, but haven't bought any quilting dies yet - doh!

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  19. Love those hexie pillows!! Great job!

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  20. Love the hexies, they look so bright and fresh on white pillow cases.

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  21. Brilliant projects! I am most looking forward to Christmas morning photos of your girls with hexy lines imprinted on their cheeks!

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  22. The hexies are really cute and I love the coaster idea too!

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  23. You did a great job designing these projects. I need to get a few more dies.

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  24. Fab projects, don't know why they didnt sort you out with one years ago! I've signed up for the newsletter so fingers crossed!

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  25. flipping heck Hadders - now I want to go and add hexies to all my pillowcases, which I don't have time for! LOVE those pillowcases!

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  26. Such lovely scrummy projects. May need to make some of those coasters for Christmas pressies :-)

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  27. hi!! nice and cool projects!! i will love to leard and do good like you!! the pillpwcases is just perfect!!!

    by paLLina

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  28. Love those coasters! I'm a sucker for anything with those Drunkard's Path quarter circles and never would have thought to make simple coasters.

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