easy sewing project | Missouri Star Blog

December 8, 2021December 7, 2021

Sew Fast & Fun: Christmas Tree Skirt

The Christmas Tree Skirt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

The holidays are here and it’s time to deck the halls and welcome in the festive season! A Christmas Tree Skirt is the perfect holiday project to stitch up on those cold December nights because not only does it make an excellent gift, but it can be kept and displayed almost immediately! Grab your favorite holiday charm packs (or some from your stash that you’ve been looking for a reason to use) and get stitching!

Supplies Needed

2 Packages of 5″ Print Squares (Charm Packs)

3/4 Yard Border Fabric

1 Yard Binding Fabric

3 Yards Backing Fabric

Freezer Paper (Optional)

This project comes together as simple as any quilt you’ve ever seen (that’s the best part, it’s basically a small quilt in itself) and with some careful cutting, wraps delicately around any Christmas Tree. Not only is this project just gorgeous, but its functional and meant to be used with love every single year! Find your holiday style and start creating today!

Needing a little extra inspiration? Check out the replay of Missouri Star LIVE below where Misty demonstrates how simple this festive tree skirt is to create. If you’re needing a little more guidance, be sure to pick up the Christmas Tree Skirt quilt pattern to follow along with easy instructions at home to make you holiday seasons a little extra quilty for years to come!

October 6, 2021

Sew Fast & Fun: Candy Bag Zipper Pouch

The Candy Bag Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

Halloween is just around the corner and this year when you’re doing your shopping, keep more than just the Trick-or-Treaters in mind! Thanks to Jenny’s creativity, you can take all of those old candy wrappers and bags and create a one-of-a-kind gift (or fun little project for yourself!) using no more than the wrappers, a little scrap fabric and batting, a zipper and some Heat N Bond Iron-on Vinyl!

Supplies Needed

One Empty Candy Wrapper (A Fat Quarter also works great!)

One Package of Fusible Fleece 45″x60″ (or scrap batting)

One Missouri Star Fancy Zips Zipper

One Roll Heat N Bond Iron-on Vinyl

This project is truly Sew Fast & Fun! We love making use of leftover materials from our fabric stash and there truly is no limit to what you can create with this method (potato chip purse, anyone?). With the addition of a Missouri Star Fancy Zips Zipper, which comes in a variety of colors to match your project, you can create sweet new memories from candy season!

Needing a little more inspiration? Pick up the pattern for this project today for full instructions on how to create this creative keepsake and check out the full video tutorial below from Jenny herself as she demonstrates how this quick and easy project comes together!

Click to watch the FREE project tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

December 24, 2020December 25, 2020

Cuddle Throw Blanket

Merry Christmas, my friends!

After months of planning, sewing, and wrapping, you’ve created real magic this holiday season. I’m so proud of you!

Now it’s time to kick up your feet and rest. Treat yourself to a cup of peppermint cocoa and a warm soak in the tub.

You know, quilters love to give and serve. But sometimes we forget to take time for ourselves. So every Christmas, Jenny plans a special project meant just for YOU.

This year, she is using Shannon’s Cuddle® Cuts Minky 2-Yard Cuts to make a quick and easy throw blanket that is so luxuriously soft, you can wrap it around your shoulders and relax like the quilting royalty you truly are!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

December 9, 2020

Thimble Container Cactus Shaped Pincushion

The Missouri Star Thimble Container Cactus Pincushion from Missouri Star LIVE! — The Cactus Pincushion from Missouri Star Live displayed in a terracotta pot.

Long gone are the days of your grandmother’s red tomato pincushion! In the latest installment of Missouri Star LIVE, Courtenay demonstrates how to make a unique cactus shaped pincushion that will not only add a modern elegance to your sewing room, but will keep all of your pins safely tucked away for future use. Whether you’re “planting” your cactus pincushion in a traditional terracotta pot, or celebrating your love for Missouri Star by using a Thimble Container, this handy project is a must-have addition to your sewing studio.

PROJECT SUPPLIES

• (1) 9″ x 12″ green felt square
• Felt scrap for blossom—approximately 1½” x 3″
• Fiberfill
• Missouri Star Thimble Container or terracotta pot
• 3½” – 4″ styrofoam cube
• Gorilla Glue or similar glue for styrofoam
• Wonder clips or binder clips—optional
• Aquarium rock—optional

CUTTING

Use the petal template to trace and cut 6 petal shapes from the green felt.
Cut out the paper cactus blossom template. Use the template to trace and cut 2 cactus blossoms from the accent felt scrap. Set these aside for the moment.
- Hint: Because you are sewing through layers of felt, you may need to change your needle to a larger size and sew slowly to ensure even stitching.
Lay 1 petal shape atop another, right sides out. Using a medium zigzag stitch, sew around the curved edges, leaving the bottom edge open. Repeat with pairs of the remaining petal shapes to make 3 units.
On only 1 of the sewn units, measure 1¾” from the widest point of the curved edges and mark a vertical center line.
Stack the 3 sewn units, aligning the edges, with the marked unit on top. Use Wonder Clips, binder clips, or pin as needed to hold the stack together. Sew the 3 units together along the marked center line, backstitching at the beginning and end.

FINISHING

Stuff each of the 6 tubes you just created with fiberfill.
- Hint: The eraser end of a pencil or small dowel comes in handy to stuff the skinny tubes (Don’t forget you may find a wooden rod in your Poly-fil bag!).
Lay 1 cactus blossom atop the other at a 45° angle so that the ends of all 8 petals are visible.
Sew the blossoms together by hand, slightly gathering the top petals so they have 3 dimensions.
Sew the cactus blossom to the top of the cactus.
Cut the styrofoam cube as needed to fit inside the thimble container. Use the glue to adhere the sytrofoam to the inside of the pot. Use additional glue to adhere the cactus to the top of the styrofoam. You can fill the pot around the styrofoam with aquarium rock or even glue some rocks around the base of the cactus to finish “planting” your cactus.
Stick in some of your favorite pins and your cactus pincushion is sure to prickle your fancy!

Needing some more help? Download our Free Printable Pattern or Join Missouri Star’s very own Courtenay Hughes as she demonstrates how to create this adorable, quick and easy project on the replay of Missouri Star LIVE!

August 6, 2020August 6, 2020

Framed Pinwheels Quilt

The Framed Pinwheels quilt is a master of disguise.

It looks like a tricky maze of itty bitty pieces, but don’t be deceived! This block is simply a disappearing nine patch!

Here’s how it works: Whip up a nine patch of charms and lil’ pinwheels. Slice up that block. Shuffle the pieces. Stitch ‘em back together. That’s it!

This pattern was inspired by the creative genius of V and Co, and we’re so excited to share it with you!