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.

Artist Spotlight: Laura Piland

Meet Laura Piland of Slice of Pi quilts and the your host for Creating for Kids: Nursery from Missouri Star!
Meet Laura Piland of Slice of Pi quilts and the your host for Creating for Kids: Nursery from Missouri Star!

Meet Laura Piland. Laura is a quilt pattern designer and homeschooling mom of three young boys. She’s also an ex-math teacher – and with a last name like Piland – there’s a strong love of pi in her house! She has been designing and publishing patterns since 2016. Her work has been included in magazines, newspapers, and quilting industry publications. Laura loves to travel to guilds and quilt shops and share her love of quilting with others!

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

I absolutely love the thrill of starting a new project! From coming up with a design idea to figuring out how to stitch it to picking out the perfect fabric! (Don’t ask me about finishing all the things I start though! Ha!)

Who are your favorite fabric designers?

Allison Harris of Cluck Cluck Sew is at the top of that list! She’s such a wonderful human in real life, and I love seeing what she designs next! I also have quite a collection of fabric by Karen Lewis. I can not resist her tiny white screen printed shapes on solid fabrics! But if we’re talking what fabrics I *use* the most (instead of collect), then that would definitely be Island Batik fabrics! I love the saturation of color in their fabrics, and they’re a dream to work with!

What notion or sewing tool are you most dependent on?

My Juki TL-2010Q sewing machine!! It sews FAST! If I’m sewing on another machine, I’m thinking about my Juki the whole time!

How were you introduced to sewing and quilting?

I first learned to sew when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I made a couple garments for a 4-H project, but really didn’t like the process at all. My mom and both grandmothers quilted, but I had no interest whatsoever. It wasn’t until my 20s that I was inspired to try making a quilt after a friend had a baby. Then I couldn’t stop!

What was the most frustrating sewing project you ever worked on?

I often have projects that go to time-out for a bit! I get the most frustrated when using basting spray on a quilt (I always use pins now!) or if sewing something 3-D (like a bag or garment). I have to read the directions ten times before doing each step!

What fabric have you been hoarding the longest?

The Honeymoon collection from Sarah Watts is at the top of my hoarding list. (I do have several other fabrics that are older, but they don’t get the same “hoarding” title!) I’ve made a *few* hexies from the collection that will one day be a quilt just for me, and I have yardage of a couple of the prints that I save for super special projects.

What do you do to find inspiration/encourage your creativity?

I love searching Pinterest for new quilty ideas and inspiration! I have many more ideas than time! But spending a day with quilty friends always motivates me to get sewing!

What occupation would you like to try if sewing/making wasn’t an option?

I seriously can not imagine not being able to quilt! This is my dream job! That said, I used to be a middle school math teacher, and I do still love to teach. I suppose that would still be my second choice!

Who is your favorite fictional character?

Ooh! I think that would have to be Ms. Frizzle! Her field trip shenanigans are great, and her themed dresses are exactly something I would make too! I’ve even dressed up as her for a few Halloweens!

Describe your perfect day. 

It would have to start with donuts! (A maple longjohn and a bear claw to be exact!) Add in some quilty friends and a sunny 75 degree day at a lake house. A bit of stitching and lots of laughter would really make it a day to remember!

Want to learn more about Laura? Head over to her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram!

Handmade Holiday | Easy Gift Ideas

Nothing says holidays like handmade. Instead of spending all of your time this year trying to figure out what to buy for that special someone in your life, harness all of that creative energy into a unique crafty gift! Handcrafted gifts come from the heart, each stitch placed carefully with love.

Remember that when it comes to handmade gifts, Jenny always says “finished is better than perfect.” Wrap up any fears you have about creating a homemade gift and show off your craftsmanship with an easy gift idea that will be adored this holiday season! Get your holiday inspiration started by checking out some of these easy gift ideas below, or head over to our Handmade Holidays homepage for all of our great holiday fabric lines, ideas and project

Fabric Checkerboard

Give Love with the Fabric Checkerboard from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

It’s never too early to share your love of quilting with the children in your life. Playing a game of checkers on top of a festive Fabric Checkerboard is not only fun, it’s a fantastic holiday memory just waiting to be created. Add in a few Christmas decorations as checker pieces and you’ll be celebrating the holidays in no time!

Watch the Live Replay >

Browse Christmas Yardage >

Quilted Christmas Stocking

Give Love with a Quilted Christmas Stocking from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Hang up this cute stocking with care! Whether or not you have a chimney, a Quilted Christmas Stocking is the perfect gift this year. Fill this fabulous piece of home decor with a few notions, some thread, and a charm pack and you’ll be the sewing Santa this holiday season! If you’re gift giving for someone who doesn’t sew, this versatile project will deliver any gift in style!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Browse Christmas Yardage >

Blipper

Give Love with the Blipper from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Home is where we are most comfortable, where we can relax and unwind from the day and find our own peace on earth. Give the gift of comfort while home for the holidays with the Blipper! A Blipper is a quilt with a pocket for your feet—part-blanket, part-slipper, entirely adorable and cozy! For a little added Christmas cheer, select a fuzzy cuddle fabric or some Christmas themed yardage and make this gift extra special!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Download the Free Pattern >

Mug Rug

Give Love with a Mug Rug from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Keep your Christmas cocoa cozy with a nice new mug rug! This simple to make, great stash-busting project is the perfect stocking stuffer for office parties, Secret Santa, or White Elephant gift exchanges! Even if you don’t have extra scrap fabric on hand, pick up your favorite pack of 5” squares and get stitching!

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get a Missouri Star Wacky Web Template >

Home For Christmas Pillows

Give Love with the Home for Christmas Pillow Pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Simple and versatile, the Home for Christmas Pillows pattern comes together with ease by using your favorite 10” squares of precut fabric to create a terrific piece of holiday home decor! Imagine the excitement of unwrapping one of these fabulous Christmas pillows and a newly-made quilt, it’s everything you need to enjoy a cozy holiday at home!

Pick up the Home for Christmas Pillows Pattern >

Browse 10″ Squares of Precut Fabric >

Memory Quilt

Give Love with the Memory Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

From ties to old t-shirts, found fabric is a fabulous addition to a homemade gift! This quilt will help keep the memories of the past alive and can be an incredibly sentimental present that is perfect for giving the gift of love for the holidays. There’s no limit to your creativity with this project as every family is different, but this gift will certainly be a treasured memory for years to come.

Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial >

Get the Sewing Supplies >

Reusable Gift Bag

Give Love with a Reusable Gift Bag from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Sometimes the wrapping is half the fun, but many of us could do without! Fill this Reusable Gift Bag with any holiday creation this year and you’ve got a wonderful 2-in-1 gift! This reusable gift bag is a quick and easy way to add your creative flair to a store bought gift while giving the gift of a fabulous bag that can be used for years to come.

Watch the Live Replay >

Download the Free Printable Pattern >

Vinyl Zipper Pouch

Give Love with a Vinyl Zipper Pouch from Missouri Star Quilt Company!

Give the gift of quilting with this handy homemade vinyl zipper pouch! Fill this wonderful project with a pattern and a fat quarter for an incredible present for the quilter in your life. This bag comes together in a flash with a Zippity-Do Done! zipper that’s so easy to place we promise you can do it!

Watch the Live Replay >

Get the Zippity-Do Done! Zipper >

When we make with our hands, we give with our hearts. Explore what it means to create a Handmade Holiday and discover all you need to feel inspired this holiday season!


Watch this Fast & Fabulous Projects for Easy Presents playlist for more fun ideas!


Tell us, what handmade gifts are you giving this holiday season?

Making Waves Table Runner

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

You probably know John Adams as a Founding Father of the United States. But did you know he was also a fantastic party planner? It’s true! (Well, kinda…)

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

When independence was officially declared, John Adams wrote: “[This day] will be the most memorable in the history of America. It ought to be [celebrated] with pomp and parade, games, sports, and [fireworks] forever more.” His 4th of July plans were so much fun, we’ve celebrated John Adams-style for 245 years! 

But there’s just one thing Mr. Adams forgot: Quilts! Every good holiday needs quilts!

The Making Waves Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the Free Quilting Tutorial now!

This week, Jenny is working on a festive quilt-as-you-go table runner in patriotic shades of red, white, and blue. And the best part? One charm pack makes TWO table runners!

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

How to Self-Bind Any Quilt Top

How to self-bind any quilt top - a tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Learn how to self-bind any quilt top in the latest tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co.

The first time Jenny Doan made a self-binding baby quilt, her husband was skeptical. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to work, dear…”

Undaunted, Jenny replied, “Just you watch!” And guess what? It did work, and it was fab-u-lous!

How to self-bind any quilt top - a tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Jenny Doan demonstrates how to self-bind a quilt in the latest tutorial from Missouri Star.

Over the years, Jenny’s Self-Binding Baby Blanket tutorial has been watched millions of times. (Imagine all the babies who have been wrapped in those sweet little quilts!) 

But, after dozens and dozens of easy-peasy baby quilts, Jenny started to wonder…would the self-binding technique work on larger quilts, too? (Spoiler alert: It does!) 

In this week’s new tutorial, Jenny demonstrates how to stitch a self-binding backing to any size quilt.

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!