Tag Archives | Clover Tools

Learn To Quilt by Using Templates

Learn to Quilt

Have you been wanting to learn to quilt but were a little intimidated?  Using templates makes your Learn to Quilt adventure so much easier.  Today thanks to my friends at Nancy’s Notions  I will be sharing a tutorial for using their Dresden Template.  This kit comes with the Dresden template, seam alignment template, and a colorful and information Instruction Booklet.  There are 15 variations that can be made using this template and the booklet gives you full instructions.   Remember, quilt tops aren’t the only uses for these designs.  I chose to make a decorative pillow and also created a small Dresden Plate in order to embellish a small canvas bag I purchased at my local Joann Craft and Fabric Store.

I think the hardest part was choosing my fabric.  Going to the fabric store has been an activity I really enjoy.  I could get lost there for hours.  Walking down the aisles and see all those bolts of fabrics can be mesmerizing.  So many fabrics and so little time.  First, I used my Dresden template to make a pillow top.  I can bring this pillow out to decorate during the holidays.  Place on my front porch chair or take along for a picnic or parade for comfort.  I had previously purchased a small canvas bag from Joann’s when they were on sale.  I decided to make a small Dresden plate using the templates to embellish my plain tote bag.  Now the tote is so much more colorful and will make a perfect gift for carrying crochet or knitting supplies.  I can already see my colorful yarn balls and crochet hooks and knitting needles inside my little canvas tote bag.  It would make a great gift.

Learn to Quilt - Using templates

Dresden Plate quilting design used on a pillow and a canvas tote bad

You can purchase the Dresden Template kit and other supplies here:    Nancy’s Notions  Grab it now while it’s on sale for only $9.99 until July 31, 2017.  That’s a great bargain.

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Help! I need you to participate in our annual Hat & Scarf Drive

I am writing this post to ask for help.  That’s right, I can’t do it alone.  For over a decade now my husband and I have been supporting the Lily of the Valley orphanages in Mexico.  There are 3 total (so far).  1 is located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and 2 others are located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.   Each Christmas I like to coordinate a Hat and scarf drive for the children of the orphanages.   This is a chance for children to receive a new hat and scarf set made with love.   This year once again I am running the drive.   We are in need of hats and scarfs for both sexes and for ages Infant to 18 years of age.
You can make any style of hat.  It can be crochet, knit, loom, or sewn.  Our goal is to receive 800 sets.  This will ensure that each child will receive a set.  I would also like to request baby blankets (approximately 33 x 35 inches) or lap afghans for the younger children.  Many people seem surprised to learn that Mexico has some very cold regions.  Not every part is tropical.   I hope you will consider participating.

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Easy to make Yo-Yo’s with the Clover Yo-Yo Maker Tool

I love to make yo-yo’s but I hate how long it takes to make them.  I have made so many of them during my life.  Then a while back I wanted to make a quilt top using the yo-yo’s as little flowers.  My sister bought a Clover Yo-Yo maker.   Using this Clover yo-yo maker tool is a huge difference maker.  I was able to make about 50 yo-yo’s in no time at all.  There are lots of other shapes also, like hearts, butterflies, flowers, besides the round ones.

I just put up a YouTube Video tutorial showing you how easy it is to use this tool.   I hope you will enjoy it.

To purchase your own yo-yo makers here are  the link:

Round yo-yo

Butterfly Yo-Yo

Flower

Heart

 

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DIY – Clover Mini-Flower Loom

Easy DIY – Clover Mini-Flower Loom

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Clover Mini-Flower Loom Kit

One of the great things about attending the CHA Mega Show is being able to see products before they become available in stores.   As many of you know I love to make flowers.  I like using them as embellishments and to make other crafty things.  This year Clover has introduced Mini-Flower Looms.  These little looms are so cute and easy to use.  The package I got had the flower and the square loom.  The back of the looms are open so you can sew in the center to be able to ensure they won’t fall apart after removing them from the loom.   You can use yarn, metallic yarns and thin cords.  I also saw them using the thick metallic threads.  You are really only bound by your imagination.  I am using the new Bon Bon packages by Lion Brand Yarn.

It’s easy to do.  First choose a yarn, thick thread or cord of your choice.   There are 2 slits on the side of the loom.  These will help you secure your beginning and finishing rounds.    Then you will wind the yarn around the pegs.  You will be working directly across from each peg.  I work in a clockwise direction.   You can wind the yarn around the pegs 1, 2, of 3 times.  I did it 3 times.   Then when you have finished winding around all the pegs, you can put the tail  back into the remaining slit on the side of the loom.   Now, you will use your thread needle and thread with yarn of your choice.  I  used about a 20 inch strand.  Now, you will sew back and forth making sure to get all levels of the yarn.. now move onto the next set of pegs.  Repeat until you have worked all pegs.  Now weave in your tail and cut.   You are ready to slide the flower off the loom and cut the tails off the remaining two slits.

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It’s that easy.   Making flowers on your Clover Mini-Flower loom can become addicting.

Purchase your flower loom here (affiliate link)

Click here to purchase flower loom 

 

Here is then video link.    Video for Mini-Flower loom tutorial 

Please be sure to visit my Facebook page and become a fan.  Also, while you’re watching the video be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel.

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