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Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Rag Quilt Tutorial



I have photos for most of the steps and will verbally walk you through the other steps.
Time investment: approximately 8 to 12 hours.
Step one: Cut 42 squares of lightweight batting into 6 inch squares.
Step 2: Cut 84 squares of high quality flannel into 7 inch squares.

Step 3: Sandwich the batting between two squares of the flannel so that it leaves a 1/2 inch gap all the way around the batting, and the pretty sides show when your "sandwich" is closed.
Step 4: Sew an X in the middle of the flannel square so that the sandwich is "quilted together." Repeat on all 42 squares.  

Hint: The first rag quilt I did, I mixed the front and back pieces so that they were not the same, so when I laid out my quilt, I had to think of what the front and back side would look like.  This created quite a conundrum. I had to do a lot of flipping of fabric and flipping in my brain.  So I got smart and decided the next on that I did (like this pink one) that I would do the front and back side of the quilt with the same fabric so that I wouldn't have to worry about both sides as I lay out my squares.  It would also be cute to do solid on one side and patchwork on the other side.  
Step 5: lay two of your X quilted squares on top of each other. 

Step 6: sew them together on one side, leaving a 1/2 inch seam. 


Step 7: Now add a third square and sew so that the seam appears on the same side. 
Continue this process until you have a row of 7 squares.  

Step: 8 Now make 5 more rows of 7 squares for a total of 6 rows. 

Step 9: Now seam together the rows so that the seam appears on the same side as each square seam. You should now have your basic blanket with 6 rows of 7 squares.


Step 10: The Binding...you can do this several ways. You can simply leave 1/2 inch raw seam around the quilt and sew the seam twice for good measure. Or you can choose a fancy edge like the triangle edge I did for this quilt. (I know there is an official name for this...but I am not a quilter {yet} so I don't know the specific term.)   

Triangle edge: cut 52 6-inch squares of flannel. Fold each square in half diagonally.
Now fold each triangle in half again creating a smaller triangle.  
 Your triangle will have an open end.  Use that open end to insert the neighboring triangle. 
 Evenly space a row of 12 triangles so that they expand the same space as the top of the quilt, and secure with pins.  Make a second set of 12 pinned triangles to expand the bottom of the quilt. Now make two more rows of 14 pinned triangles to expand the same length as the sides.  
Sew through the triangles with a 1/2 inch seam on the edge.

Attach your triangles to the quilt...now I opted to reverse the side where my raw seam would appear...so that there was a fluffy edge on the opposite side of the quilt.  You can opt to keep all of your raw seams on the same side though.  To attach, lay flat on the quilt and line up your straight edges. Make a 1/2 inch seam to attach the triangles to the quilt. When you have attached all 4 sides, go around on that 1/2 inch seam one more time with your sewing machine for good measure.  

Clipping your seams:  Now that your quilt is all attached and sewn together, you are left with an ugly bunch of half inch raw seams. We are going to make them look fantastic by cutting into the seams with 1/4 inch snips that go nearly all the way to the thread of your seam. Do this step carefully through all the seams, just continue to snip in 1/4 inch increments. Be very careful not to snip through the thread on your seams...just cut up to that point. If you do happen to catch a thread with your scissors...just bring the quilt to your sewing machine, and seam that edge again. 

Washing the Quilt to "rag" it: When the entire quilt has the raw edges snipped (including your binding seam edge) then you will put the whole quilt into your washing machine.  Do not wash this with anything else in the machine at the same time, unless you want the other items to be lint and thread ridden.  After you wash the quilt, empty the lint trap in your dry. That step is very important, as you will fill your lint trap when you put your quilt in the dryer until completely dry. Remove from dryer and enjoy your fun fuzzy rag edges.  

I tried a different binding than I did last time I did one of these rag quilts.  I really like the way it turned out.  I'm still not sure if I should have just left all the rag edges on the same side, but I opted to do a reverse rag edge with the binding so that the ragged edge showed on the "clean" side.  I may try it the other way around next time.  I still like how this turned out, though.


90 comments:

  1. Wow Samantha! Great tutorial. I don't currently have your fabric designs, but am going to have to find some! I do have some of your stamps and just purchased a silhouette just so I can use your die cuts! Your products are so beautiful! I can't wait for more Unity stamps that you design!

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  2. hey samantha !
    dis is such a fun hop
    like i have just started it ..
    n i hope i will love it
    i love hops
    dre r better chances for winning + its fun !!
    hugs
    mallika

    http://missnotsogoodwithwords.blogspot.com/

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  3. Your quilt is fabulous, love those pink boots!!

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  4. i just completed de hop !
    all de projects were so bful!
    happy hopping
    may u prosper always !
    hugs
    mallika

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  5. Thank you for the tutorial on the rag quilt! I just picked up some Samantha Walker Creative Imaginations treat tags last night at my lss and they are amazing!

    I can't wait to see what your team hs come up with!!!

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  6. I love love love your quilt. I have just gotten into quilt making and I'm always looking for fun new patterns

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  7. Cute quilt! I'm just starting out on this hop! Can't wait to see what the other team members have created!

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  8. I found a link to start your blog hop on Julie Bonner's blog.
    Your products are AMAZING. Wish I had a Silhouette or knew how to sew lol. But, fabrics can be used for other things, and yours are gorgeous.
    Thanks for the inspiration and opportunity to win some of your fabulous prizes!
    Shelly Scott

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  9. Anonymous6:56 AM MST

    Samantha, this quilt is gorgeous! Thanks for letting me be a part of this....and has been so much fun! Love you sweet lady!

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  10. What a PRECIOUS GIFT!! I am hopping along and think that your blog and your scrappin' goodies are just AWESOME Thanks for inspiring and sharing your talent! Have a GREAT Day,
    Me-Ma Kim

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  11. That quilt looks amazing! So cute!!! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your Creative Team! It's like I just got a new mini-family! :-)

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  12. Beautiful quilt. This will be my first blog hop, I hope I do it right, what great prizes.

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  13. What an amazing quilt! And the blog hop looks so exciting, I can't wait to go on the tour of such inspiring creativity! Thanks dearly for the chance of winning such cool giveaways!

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  14. Wow, Samantha! I absolutely love the cowboy blanket! How creative is that. I'm now sitting here trying to think how I can make it work with my oldest niece whose middle name is Starr and loves all sorts of stars. I'm so new to the scrapbooking world I have never used any of your products, but I will be sure to get some the next time I'm in need of anything.

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  15. Awesome tutorial Samantha. I love your stamp line at Unity. I have a few, but the rest are on my Christmas list. LOVE THEM! I've been wanting to try the luminarte paints. Your blog is fabulous!!! Excited for the hop. Have a fabulous week!!!

    Erika.Seever@klrd.ks.gov

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  16. I am so excited for this hop to showcase your wonderful line and products. I was a quilter long before a papercrafter. I love how the two cross over and come together so well. Can't wait to get my hand on your fabric line! Great idea to do the prairie points on a rag quilt.

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  17. I am just getting into fabric and sewing...not very good at it yet. But, I LOVE the rag quilt you made and thank you for taking the time to share the tutorial! And that fabric you used is gorgeous too! I am soooooooo going to try to make one of those quilts. I've been drooling over your Silhouette designs for some time now. Eva does amazing things with them. Thanks for the hop...I can't wait to see what everyone else created!

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  18. OMG I love your baby blanket, I am going to create one!!! thanks for sharing. what a great giveaway package.

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  19. Hi Samantha,
    I just put a link to your blog hop on my blog, I hope this is ok. I just finished the blog hop and I loved it. thanks for making it so easy.

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  20. Beautiful Blanket.. a treasure for many years to come. I love your fabrics.. and I am a big FAN of all your stamp designs. I am off to hop.. thanks for a chance and thanks for visiting my blog. HUGSXX

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  21. From scrap booking paper to shoes and bags, eh. You are one designing diva, Samantha. My 18 year old daughter said she would wear those shoes. Booyah!

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  22. Great tutorial, love the quilt, will link your blog with mine, great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win! http://pjbear-determinedscrapper.blogspot.com/

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  23. LOVE rag quilts. I made one for my son when he went away to college. LOVE your Unity stamps and your designs. Thanks for a chance to win some goodies.

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  24. Holy Smokes!!!! Where have I been I LOVE LOVE LOVE you stuff Iam definately a Fan The cowboy fabric Is so perfect for me!!!! I to make rag quilts & would love to use your fabric for these. thanks for the chance to win.

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  25. Beautiful quilt, i'm sure it will be a treaure! Thanks for the tutorial. I can't believe all the wonderful products you are giving away! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  26. WOW, WOW.....I so love this quilt!!! It's FABULOUS! I bet your friend will cherish it!!! And now that you have shared this tutorial, I might be able to make one, thank you soooo much for everything you do!

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  27. Wow, I don't even know how to quilt, and you made this look easy! It's beautiful. :)

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  28. Amazing tutorial Samantha and what a gorgeous rag quilt gift to give for your sweet friends first baby!!

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  29. Wow Samantha! That baby quilt is absolutely stunning! I am sure your friend will absolutely love it. Thanks also for the tutorial! I was not aware that you designed fabric also! How do you find time to sew along with paper crafting? Thanks for the opportunity to win these great prizes! I am off to the hop!

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  30. Wow what an awesome tutorial. I want to try one of these quilts!! thanks for sharing!! Love your products!!

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  31. Anonymous10:38 AM MST

    That is a beautiful quilt.My e mail address is joanshanks@eastlink.ca
    Joan

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  32. Love this!!!!! I love making rag quilts and that border rocks!

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  33. Fab tutorial - I've just got back into my sewing again ... can't believe you've combined talents with Unity - the perfect combination - whoop whoop !!!!

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  34. Anonymous11:01 AM MST

    awesome quilt design. thanks for the step by step!

    gina s
    ginaboyce@yahoo.com

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  35. What a great tutorial! I've been really wanting to try my hand at some quilting, but I always get a little nervous when it comes down to it. Maybe if quilts were made of paper I'd be less apprehensive to try. LOL.
    Great Prizes, thanks for the chance to win! On to the next blog!!

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  36. What a wonderful quilt!!! I am sure it will become a treasured keepsake!!! Looking forward to the rest of the hop...I am sure that your designers have gone all out with those amazing products you supplied to them...what a dream to get a box of goodies like that!!! Happy holidays!

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  37. The blog is amazing ~ love crafty stuff and the material is beautiful!!!

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  38. wow, what a great way to start a hop, how fun, now off to go comment :)

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  39. I so love the rag quilt.. I am working on a football one for a Christmas gift. I think I might even try the edging. I have so far only left them raw on the edges and I think a baby blanket one looks great. Also the cowgirl fabric is awesome =)

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  40. Love the quilt and thank you for the tute on it! Haven't seen any of your products in my lss (as I'm new to your products) but I'm going to search!!

    Thank you!

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  41. Anonymous11:27 AM MST

    Your quilt is adorable. I never tried to make one, but I definitely want to try now!

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  42. FABULOUS Quilt Samantha. I love it!!

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  43. Such a fab tutorial. Love the different patterns and the colors. Love your designs. :)

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  44. what a wonderful quilt! love the edges, love the colors.

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  45. I'm loving quilting at the moment, and seeing a different way of binding is brilliant.
    The pear stamps look amazing also!Very exciting!

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  46. What a cute quilt! and a fabulous giveaway - I have long been a fan of your Unity co-branded stamps!

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  47. I love this it's gorgeous I don't own a machine but would just love it.. I hope my mom quilts one day like she says she will.
    Thanks for the fun
    I'm new to hopping

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  48. Anonymous2:24 PM MST

    I love that QUILT!! I love the blog too and the supplies that your team get to work with...HOW LUCKY ARE THEY?? I especially love the Riley Blake Fabrics and the Unity Stamps. Everything is FABULOUS!!

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  49. Anonymous2:30 PM MST

    The quilt is very beautiful. I love the prizes. You are very generous.

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  50. Wow- great blog and great tutorial and I love the idea of the blog hop!!

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  51. I really wish I knew more about sewing, I always wanted to make my boys a blanket. Thanks so much for sharing and you did a great job on the step by step instructions :D


    perfectlyunperfectcards at gmail dot com

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  52. Wow I love your quilt. I had started to make one for my nieces last year as presents and never finished. You inspired me to get them out and get to quilting. Thanks for the opportunity to win some amazing prizes and I am so looking forward to seeing what you and your craft team have in store for us. ;0)

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  53. Love the quilt and that for the tutorial. Can't wait to go hoppin to see all the inspiring and creative MOJO! I just love your stamps.

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  54. Such a beautiful quilt! I've wanted to make one of these for years and this is the one I want to do...with that triangle border..fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Joni

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  55. Very nice quilt Samantha. I'm looking forward to seeing all the different projects on this and future hops!

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  56. I love it!!! I am going to have to make me one! It's so cute! Looking forward to all you ladies work!

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  57. wow - great quilt, great giveaway

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  58. Gorgeous quilt Samantha & fab tutorial!!!! Can't wait to get my Silhouette so I can start playing with your digital designs :)

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  59. Such a fabulous quilt, Samantha! One of these days I'm going to have to try making one.

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  60. wow, i was introduced to you via unity and i just LOVE your designs. i wish i could sew so i could play with your fabulous fabric as well!!! i am so excited to start the hop - can't wait to be inspired by your creative team. :)

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  61. Ohmy good gravy ... what fabulous products. I can't wait to see what the design team comes up with in the coming year and am just starting on the hop! That quilt will be SUCH an heirloom for her little tike - it's so beautiful! Your blog is always so much fun to come to for current and cutting edge inspiration. Thanks so much for sharing your talents with all of us! Happy Holidays to you and yours, Samantha!

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  62. I love your rag quilt, I made a couple of them years ago but had forgotten how much fun they are. Thank you for reminding me and thanks too for the chance to win! (I love your Decadent Pear stamp set, BTW)

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  63. Great tutorial. I have yet to play with fabric. I'm definitely loving your new products, esp the stamps!! Finally just got here for the blog hop.

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  64. Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. Now I want to make a quilt too.

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  65. Karen Linarez12:43 AM MST

    I have only just now discovered your products and am floored. I absolutely love your stamp designs and so many other products that I will surely be on the lookout for them now!

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  66. Very cute design for the Unity stamps Samantha. Great tutorials!

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  67. You go GIRL....that rag quilt is AWESOME...and ohh what a diversity of products you create!!! thank you so much for sharing!!

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  68. amazing quilt (something I've always wanted to try) so I'm gonna bookmark it to come back after things settle down after the holidays!

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  69. what a awesome quilt,so bright & festive ! shame i failed the sewing part in home ec back in school, but this makes me wanna do night classes to figure what i'm doing wrong. great job !! yay for wkly blog hops !!

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  70. I love the quilt! This is quite the giveaway, thanks!

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  71. Samantha, that is an awesome tutorial. I have always wanted to try one of those quilts. Now I just have too!! Some awesome prizes to be had too.

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  72. Wow what an awesome quilt. Just beautiful. Your blog was also wonderful. I enjoyed seeing all the wonderful projects and getting great ideas. Thanks so much for the chance to win these great prizes.
    annadowdy at gmail dot com

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  73. Great hop! Lots of inspiring and beautiful projects - definitely a creative team you have there!

    Your fabric makes me wish I have more sewing experience than the one introductory class I took. And a sewing machine. Someday I can make an adorable quilt like that, I hope!

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  74. This is really fun! Thank you!

    I've never tried a quilt before, but this one is so cute, I might just have to give it a go.

    BTW, I love your Silhouette designs. Every time I see something I love pop up in "New Releases" it's always, always, always yours!

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  75. That is an amazing project! I love that quilt (and your Unity stamps:-)

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  76. Great site!! I am looking forward to blog hopping this evening. I have had a trying day and I need to get inspired.

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  77. Love your colors and the stamps are wonderful also I am new to blog hops so far I think I am going to like them

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  78. totally jealous of your team. What an awesome selection of items to work with!! LOVE the blog and everything onit!

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  79. oh wow... your products look amazing! Congrats! I tried the quilt, but with paper and did a great little poster for my DD bathroom for christmas- great inspiration!

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  80. Your products are gorgeous and I love love love this blanket!!!

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  81. The quilt was awesome! Love your designs-and I'm hopping.....

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  82. What a beautiful quilt Samantha!
    I'm enjoying your blog and I'll be following for sure!

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  83. What a great gift that quilt is. I loved the tutorial. You made it so easy to follow. I would love to try one of these sometime. Off to hop!!

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  84. I love your rag quilt. I don't do much sewing but with your great tutorial I just might be able to make one for myself. I was recently introduced to your products and am awaiting my Swirly Snow stamps from Unity. Thanks for the wonderful blog hop.

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  85. I love those digital dies! They are gorgeous and I'd love to try them out. My mom would love the fabric. She is a quilter and a seamstress and great with a needle and thread!

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  86. Oh wow, those stamps are amazing! Love the pears especially!

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  87. hello samantha... the quilt is heavenly... the colors are divine...

    regards,
    www.maggieuy.blogspot.com

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  88. Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that you inspired a project of mine that will be going up tomorrow on the Simply Renee Blog.

    Thank You!!!

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