The Guide You Need To Get

Before I get into why you really need to buy this book, I wanted to give you  my personal history in relation to die cutting fabric and my friendship with Ebony.

Two years ago I really wanted a die cutting machine. I searched, I read, I analyzed. I worried about investing too much into a tool that I wouldn't use a lot and I also worried that if I bought too small a machine, that I would be upgrading within the year. The information I had to go on was supplied by the different manufactures and blog reviews. I finally purchased the AccuQuilt Studio; a couple months later I also purchased the Sizzix Big Shot.

It would seem that die cutting is intuitive, right? You place the fabric on your machine, roll it through and end up with perfectly cut shapes for quilting. However fabric is not like paper. You can have issues with the grain, with the bias, and with how you place it on the die. To be honest, die cutting can be fast and effective, but you need much more instruction than what comes with any of the machines.

After a few bouts of frustration and ruined fabric, I joined the AccuQuilt Yahoo group to learn more tips. At that time I met Ebony Love. Oh my goodness, what a wealth of knowledge! I learned so much from her experiences. Then I learned about her YouTube videos and was awe struck! Honestly, whenever I use a new die, I first go to Ebony to see if she has already created a video about it.

This past year I learned that Ebony was creating a book with all that amazing knowledge on die cutting. Her book, "The Big Little Book of Fabric Die Cutting Tips", is the book I wish I had a little over two years ago. It will help you determine which machine is best for you, how to use the machine and more. I'm eagerly awaiting my copy later this month and I'm planning on keeping it with my dies for quick access.

Why should you buy this book?
1.) It will help you determine which machine will rock your world.
2.) It will help you to understand how to use different dies in different machines.
3.) You will learn tips on how to correctly cut fabric without costly mishaps.
4.) Lots of amazing quilting tips and tricks.
5.) Tips on all the consumables used with die cutting machines.

I want you to have this book so much that I'm giving one away! The book is scheduled to ship in early November.

How to enter?
Leave a comment about the first project you would like to make with a die cutting machine.
You have until midnight (MST) on October 31st. Please be sure to leave your email so that I can contact you.

Cottage Chisel

Do you have an AccuQuilt?

Today I'm presenting how to create an adorable baby quilt from the chisel die-cut.

Come on over to Riley Blake!

Feature & Giveaway

I'm so excited that this Friday I've been featured by the amazing Where Women Create.

I'm sharing a tutorial on how to use the Accuquilt system to create this fun

diamond quilt using Riley Blake fabric.

Be sure to stop by because...

they are giving ANOTHER Accuquilt GO! Baby away with 3 dies.

Good luck!

Accuquilt GO! Baby Winner

Congratulations!

The Van Leeuwen Family said...

I fb'd about the giveaway - tried tagging you but my phone wouldn't let me :(

OCTOBER 17, 2011 5:53 AM

Please email me in the next 48 hours to claim your prize!

GO! Baby Fabric Cutter Giveaway

Would YOU love to place this badge on your blog in a few weeks?? I would love it if you could!

Sooo excited to announce that Accuquilt has given me a GO! Baby Fabric Cutter & your choice of 3 dies to giveaway!!

Woot Woot! This is *just* in time to help you with all your holiday sewing and quilting projects! You will be able to make quilts in a flash and appliques to sew on adorable tops! The sky is the limit!!!

Sooo.. how do you win this awesome prize package??

1st Option - Visit the Accuquilt site and let me know a die you would pick to craft with this holiday season! Just leave me a comment on this post. (1 entry)

2nd Option - Twitter or Facebook about this giveaway. Just leave me a comment with the link. Please include @allbelle if you post on Twitter - thanks! (1 entry)

3rd Option - Be my friend! Join my blog. Just leave me a comment that you joined (1 entry)

That's it! You have 3 options. You can do one, you can do all, but the maximum entries per person is 3.

This contest runs from now until October 30th (midnight, mountain time). What a sweet Halloween morning you could have!

Accuquilt & I would love it, if you added us on your Facebook as well. These don't count as entries, but you'll get the latest news from us.

Did you know Accuquilt has *22* FREE patterns just waiting you you?? Just click the icon below.

I wish I had one for everyone - I adore my Accuquilt cutter. Fingers crossed for all of you!!

Rag Time Fun!

I love my toys.

And I really love my sewing toys!

When I learned about the AccuQuilt Studio last year,

I knew I had to have it!

I love quilting, but cutting the fabric is not my favorite thing..

I'm always sooo eager to sew!

I had been enjoying my Studio for several months before I

became an official blogger for AccuQuilt.

And I'm super excited that now I have the chance to do tutorials for you.

I just know that after you see how much it can help you can do,

you're going to want a machine too!

And well.. there just might be a GO! giveaway very soon...

For my first AccuQuilt tutorial, I'm going to go over how to make a fun and easy toddler rag quilt. Want to learn how to make this super snuggly quilt? Of course you do!

What do you need?

* AccuQuilt Studio or GO!

* 5 1/4" die combo

* Cotton fabric for the top (it is impossible to find Halloween flannel!)

* Flannel fabric for the back

Where oh where is the batting? I didn't use it in this blanket. It makes it very light weight and perfect for car rides. I tend to blast hot air in the car during the winter months here in Utah, and I wanted a blanket that would be comfy but not too heavy. You of course can use batting if you wish. And have no fear, that batting die is not going to waste. I have another raggy quilt tutorial in the works that uses only the batting die....

OK, so this quilt took a total of 49 (5 1/4") squares. After it is completed, the final size was close to 25". Why the 15" + loss of material? You will be sewing a 1" seam allowance to accommodate the ample fringe that the die cuts for you.

When I cut my fabric with the Studio, I rotary cut my fabric into 6" long strips. I then layer 8 -10 of strips on top of the Studio die and run it through. Super quick!!! No more itty bitty fringe cutting! **Now it does make a ton of lint, so have a lint roller handy..

After all your squares are cut, you will want to match a cotton top with a flannel back, pin them wrong sides together. Then you will sew a X through each square - you want to sew from corner to corner. And remember to backstitch at the start and end of each X. You can absolutely chain stitch these, it will make this quilt go by even quicker!

Once the squares are sewn, clip the threads and start to play with your quilt placement. Honestly I worked on this scheme all day. I even enlisted the help of my parents, eldest daughter, and hubby. I wanted to do a chevron theme, but it just didn't play well with this style of quilt. I ended up with a traditional pattern, but I do love it. The skull fabric helps modernize the look of it!
After you find a quilt motif that you are happy with, you can finish up your quilt. Carefully match up the seams, flannel sides together, and sew 1" seam. When you have completed sewing the rows together, you will then topstitch a 1" seam allowance around the quilt.

Now I read that it would be best to wash it at a commercial laundry mat, but I'm WAY too impatient for that and did it at home. It was totally fine and came out beautiful. I washed it with a baby detergent and used 3-4 dryer sheets to really soften it up.
Here is the final, raggy, soft blankey! Now the only problem is I have 1 snuggly quilt and 2 little girls that want to snuggle up in it! Time to make another one...

Want even more *FREE* patterns?

Click on the icon below to sign up!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I will be bringing you more very soon!