The Nutcracker Book Blog Tour:Snowflake Table Runner

Greetings, friends—I'm so happy you stopped by for a visit. As the holiday season approaches, I find myself reaching for festive fabrics, seasonal projects, and all things merry and bright. There's something magical about combining favorite holiday traditions with quilting and sewing, creating projects that bring warmth and joy to our homes year after year. Today, I'm excited to share a special project inspired by The Nutcracker Book by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story, published by David & Charles, and invite you over to the Therm O Web Blog for all the details. 

One of my favorite holiday stories has always been The Nutcracker, making Jennifer's new book especially fun to explore. Filled with beautiful projects, detailed patterns, helpful tips, and inspiration throughout, the book offers something for quilters and sewists of all skill levels. Inspired by the beloved Christmas tale, each project captures the wonder and charm of the season while encouraging makers to add their own creative touch.

I was delighted to be invited to participate in the Nutcracker Book Blog Tour. As part of the tour, participants were given the opportunity to preview The Nutcracker Book and create either a project from the book or a creative adaptation inspired by one of Jennifer's designs. Since I love putting my own twist on projects and exploring new possibilities, this tour was a perfect fit for me!

Just a note: I received a complimentary copy of The Nutcracker Book for this blog tour and the fabric was generously provided to me by Sew A Story & Riley Blake Designs.

As I turned the pages, the Waltz of the Snowflakes Quilt immediately caught my eye. Rather than creating the full quilt, I decided to take Jennifer's beautiful design and reimagine it as a festive table runner. The result is a project that showcases the stunning snowflake blocks while creating a centerpiece perfect for holiday gatherings, seasonal decorating, and winter entertaining.

For my project, I chose to work with Nutcracker Tradition by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs. While we were free to select any fabric collection, obviously, this collection was the perfect fit. I was immediately drawn to the collection because it is filled with delightful details inspired by the classic story, from graceful dancers and snowflakes to festive florals and holiday motifs that capture the spirit of the season. The rich reds, festive greens, beautiful blues, and playful pinks work beautifully together, creating a color palette that truly shines in holiday projects. From a distance, the collection feels wonderfully coordinated, but up close you'll discover charming details that make each fabric special. The combination of color, pattern, and storytelling made it easy to envision how the finished project would come together and helped inspire my design process.

For my version of the Waltz of the Snowflakes Quilt, I created three large snowflake blocks in red, green, and blue, adding sashing between the blocks and finishing the design with a border showcasing fabrics from throughout the collection. I also incorporated a few NEW Therm O Web products, including Bliss Batting and HeatnBond Lite Quilter's Edge, to help achieve beautiful results and a professional finish.

To see process photos and take a look at how I used Therm O Web products to bring this project to life, be sure to visit the Therm O Web blog:
https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/the-nutcracker-book-blog-tour-snowflake-magic

Another quick note: some of the links you’ll find in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

Supply Information

• The Nutcracker Book by Jennifer Long
• A Selection of Fabrics from Nutcracker Tradition by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs
• Bliss 100% Cotton Batting, Crib Size
• HeatnBond Lite Quilter's Edge Iron-On Adhesive Tape, ¼”
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• Optional Supplies for Adding Sparkle
• HeatnBond Sew A Story Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long: Nutcracker Tradition
• HeatnBond Sew A Story Sparkle Stencil by Jennifer Long: Nutcracker Tradition
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• Paint Brush or Palette Knife
• iCraft Removable Pixie Tape (I use this magical tape all the time!)
• Basic Tools (sewing machine, coordinating sewing thread, iron, wonder clips or pins, cutting tools and rulers, etc.)
• Oliso M3Pro Project Iron

You'll find the complete project story, additional photos, and all the details about my holiday-inspired table runner now on the Therm O Web Blog. Be sure to click over and see how this project came together, along with a closer look at the fabrics, book, and Therm O Web products I used throughout the process.

https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/the-nutcracker-book-blog-tour-snowflake-magic

The holidays are such a wonderful time to create handmade pieces that become part of family traditions and seasonal celebrations. Whether you're decorating your table, stitching gifts for loved ones, or simply taking some time to enjoy creating, projects inspired by The Nutcracker Book are a wonderful way to celebrate the season.

Jennifer has done a beautiful job bringing the magic and traditions of this beloved story into a collection of inspiring projects. Paired with the charming Nutcracker Tradition fabric collection, the possibilities for holiday sewing are endless. I know I'll be revisiting this book often as I plan future seasonal projects.

Additional Inspiration

To see more projects I created with the Nutcracker Tradition fabric collection, visit the following blog posts:

Nutcracker Magic: Focal and Four Tote Bag

Nutcracker Tree Skirt Blog Tour: Creative Spin

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you'll hop over to the Therm O Web Blog to see my finished table runner and learn more about this wonderful project. If you create something inspired by The Nutcracker Book, I'd love to see it. Be sure to share your creations and tag me on social media.

Until next time, wishing you plenty of inspiration, festive fabrics, and many happy hours of holiday sewing!

Measure in Style: A Fabric-Covered Measuring Tape

Greetings, friends—welcome back to my blog! 

It's Therm O Web tutorial day and today I'm sharing a project that's equal parts practical and pretty. If you're anything like me, you probably have a collection of fabric scraps that are too beautiful to toss but too small for many projects. This fabric-covered measuring tape is the perfect way to put those treasured bits and pieces to good use while adding a little personality to your sewing tools.

Not long ago, I shared a fabric-covered retractable tape measure made with some adorable Poppie Cotton fabrics (Bluebells & Buttercups by Elea Lutz for Poppie Cotton), and I received so many questions about how it was created. I'm excited to say that I've teamed up with Therm O Web to bring you a complete tutorial that walks you through the process of transforming an ordinary retractable tape measure into a custom sewing-room accessory.

One of the things I love most about this project is how quickly it comes together. Using a standard 60-inch retractable measuring tape as the foundation, you can create a completely customized design with fabrics that suit your style. Use a single print for a cohesive look, combine coordinating fabrics for extra interest, or create several in different color themes to match project bags, sewing baskets, or gift sets.

With cooler weather on the horizon, this is also the perfect afternoon hand-stitching project. It requires only small pieces of fabric, making it ideal for scrap busting, and the finished measuring tapes make thoughtful gifts for quilters, sewists, embroiderers, knitters, and creative friends. They're useful, affordable, and filled with handmade charm.

📏Supplies

This tutorial uses some incredible new products from Therm O Web to make the construction process simple and stress-free while giving your finished product a polished, professional look!

A quick note: some of the links you’ll find in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

For the complete instructions, supply list, and downloadable templates, be sure to visit the Therm O Web blog:
https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/measure-in-style-a-fabric-covered-measuring-tape

Here's what you'll need to get started:

• Bliss 100% Cotton Batting
• HeatnBond VersaCraft Firm Non-Woven Single-Sided Fusible Interfacing
• PeelnStick Basting Tape Double-Sided Adhesive ⅛”
• HeatnBond Lightweight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• 2” Round Retractable Tape Measure (standard size)
• Cotton Fabric — Scraps/Small Pieces (Model uses Bluebells & Buttercups by Elea Lutz for Poppie Cotton)
• Comic Book Board or Lightweight Cardboard (cereal box)
• Strong Sewing Thread for Lacing (Nymo Thread or unwaxed dental floss works well)
• Invisible Thread (clear sewing thread)
• DMC Embroidery Hand Sewing Needle Size 5
• Oliso M3Pro Project Iron
• Basic Tools (cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter, small sharp scissors, pencil)

The free tutorial includes full construction details, helpful tips, and printable templates to make creating your own fabric-covered tape measure easy and enjoyable.

💮Ready to give one a try?

I've shared the complete step-by-step tutorial, along with the free templates, over on the Therm O Web blog. Whether you're looking for a quick afternoon project, a clever way to use fabric remnants, or a unique handmade gift idea, this project checks all the boxes.

https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/measure-in-style-a-fabric-covered-measuring-tape

I especially love how these little measuring tapes brighten up a sewing basket or project bag. There's something so satisfying about turning an everyday tool into a one-of-a-kind accessory that reflects your creativity. Plus, once you've made one, it's hard to stop. They make wonderful gifts, and they're a great way to showcase favorite fabrics that deserve to be seen and enjoyed.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope this project inspires you to gather up your favorite scraps and create something both beautiful and useful. Be sure to hop over to the Therm O Web blog for the complete tutorial and free templates, then come back and let me know which fabrics you choose for your own measuring tape makeover.

Until next time, wishing you happy stitching, creative inspiration, and plenty of time to enjoy the projects you love!

Homegrown Preserves Fabric Tour

Greetings, friends!

Welcome back to my little corner of the stitching and sewing world. Today I'm delighted to share projects created with the lovely Homegrown Preserves collection designed by Sheri McCulley for Poppie Cotton.

From the moment I unfolded these fabrics, I found myself thinking of country kitchens, baskets of freshly picked fruit, shelves lined with jars of homemade goodness, and the simple pleasures of preserving the harvest. The collection is filled with beautiful florals, fruit-filled prints, charming labels, and coordinating basics that work together effortlessly.

As many of you know, I rarely use patterns and prefer to create organically. Rather than starting with a detailed plan, I let the fabrics guide my creativity and allow each print to suggest its own possibilities. For this collection, the fabrics led me in several different directions, resulting in three unique projects inspired by the sweet harvest theme woven throughout the collection. No patterns were used for any of these projects, just a little playtime in my studio and a willingness to see where the fabrics would take me.

A quick note: some of the links you’ll find in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

🍓Jar Covers and Gift Bag

My first project was a coordinating gift set featuring a pair of ruffled jar covers and a fabric gift tote.

When I spotted the labels in the Farmer's Market Blue print, I immediately envisioned jars of homemade jam being tucked into a handmade gift bag for a friend or neighbor. The gift bag measures 6" wide by 6.75" high by 3" deep and was designed specifically to complement the jar covers.

I fussy cut the Homemade Preserves label from the Farmer's Market Blue print and machine appliquéd it to the front of the bag using HeatnBond Lite from Therm O Web. Cotton webbing handles provide durability while keeping the design simple and functional. The coordinating wide-mouth Ball canning jar covers (I had so much fun making a pattern and creating these) complete the set and add a charming handmade touch to any gift of homemade preserves.

Did you notice the wool felt fruit shapes that fill my jars? these are fun Wool Felt Shapes from Benzie Design!  I used strawberries, berries, plums, clementines, peaches, and apples. Aren't they perfect?!

🍐Sweet Preserves Mini Quilt

My second project became my favorite piece from the collection, a mini quilt that I call Sweet Preserves.

Measuring 15" wide by 24" high, this quilt combines foundation-pieced Eight-Pointed Star blocks with appliqué jar blocks. The stars add a traditional touch while the jars bring the playful harvest theme to life.

For the appliqué blocks, I used Bellwether 100% Wool Felt and Wool Blend Felt (both from Benzie Design) to create the fruit and jar lids. To give the jars a realistic appearance, I incorporated clear vinyl, creating the illusion of glass jars filled with colorful preserves. This added dimension makes the jars especially fun and interactive.

The background and binding fabrics come from the Country Confetti collection, which provided the perfect complement to the more detailed prints in Homegrown Preserves. Twill tape tabs were added along the top edge so the quilt can easily be displayed.

Like all of my projects, this quilt was not created from a pattern. It evolved one block at a time as I explored ideas inspired by the fabrics themselves.

🍒Zippered Pouches

My final projects were a pair of quilted zippered pouches.

These pouches combine several prints from the Homegrown Preserves collection with Essex Linen (from Benzie Design), creating a wonderful blend of color, texture, and practicality. Each pouch features a fussy-cut label from the Farmer's Market Blue print that has been appliquéd into the design (again, using HeatnBond Lite).

Both pouches were constructed using the new VersaFoam from Therm O Web, which gives them a soft but sturdy structure. The foam also helps accentuate the quilting, creating beautiful texture throughout each piece.

To finish them off, I used colorful baker's twine as zipper pulls, a small detail that perfectly complements the farm-to-table feeling of the collection. These pouches are ideal for sewing notions, embroidery supplies, cosmetics, or any of the little treasures that seem to need a home.

🫐Freshly Picked Inspiration

Homegrown Preserves was such a delightful collection to create with. The variety of prints offered endless opportunities for fussy cutting, appliqué, and combining colors and motifs in creative ways. I especially enjoyed incorporating the market labels throughout my projects, as they helped tie the entire group together.

Whether you're planning quilts, bags, home décor projects, or seasonal accessories, I think you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection. The fabrics beautifully capture the warmth and comfort of harvest season while providing versatility for a wide range of sewing projects.

Thank you for stopping by today and joining me for another Poppie Cotton Fabric Tour. Homegrown Preserves is shipping to quilt shops this month, so be sure to watch for this delightful collection at your favorite quilt shop!

Until next time, happy creating...🍓🍐🍒🍑💗

Nutcracker Magic: Focal and Four Tote Bag

Greetings, friends! 

I’m so happy you’re here for a visit— it's Therm O Web Blog project day! Today is my stop on the Nutcracker Tradition Blog Tour!

Christmas may still be a few months away, but it's never too early to start planning holiday sewing projects! Today I'm excited to share a festive new post that's now live on the Therm O Web Blog as part of the Nutcracker Tradition Blog Tour. This project combines my Focal and Four Tote Bag pattern, innovative products from Therm O Web, and the enchanting Nutcracker Tradition Collection by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs to create a bag that's filled with holiday charm and a touch of sparkle.

Sewing Up Some Nutcracker Magic

The Nutcracker Tradition collection captures all the magic of the beloved Christmas story with elegant nutcrackers, graceful ballerinas, adorable Christmas mice, beautifully wrapped packages, ornaments, stars, and coordinating seasonal prints. Rich holiday colors and storybook-inspired illustrations make every fabric in the collection a delight to sew with. Whether you're a longtime fan of The Nutcracker or simply love festive fabrics, this collection offers endless inspiration for holiday projects.

The beautiful focal prints in the collection were a perfect match for my Focal and Four Tote Bag pattern. Designed to showcase larger-scale prints while combining coordinating fabrics in a fresh and eye-catching way, the tote highlights all the wonderful details Jennifer included throughout the collection. The finished bag is both practical and beautiful, making it ideal for holiday shopping, carrying sewing projects, gift giving, or simply adding a little Christmas cheer to your everyday routine.

A Little Holiday Sparkle

Of course, no Nutcracker-inspired project would be complete without a touch of magic! For this tote, I added glittery accents to the outside pockets using the Nutcracker Tradition Sparkle Stencil and Sparkle Paste by Jennifer Long for Therm O Web. The sparkling details add just the right amount of glimmer and beautifully complement the festive fabrics. It's a simple technique that creates a big impact and makes the tote feel extra special.

To help make construction easier, I also incorporated several of my favorite Therm O Web products throughout the project. From accurate cutting with SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray to adding structure and professional finishing touches, these products help create a polished tote that you'll enjoy using for years to come.

Supplies to Make Your Tote Bag Sparkle

A quick note: some of the links you’ll find here are affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you). That support helps keep this blog running and ad-free for everyone—thank you for being here!

• HeatnBond Fusible Fleece
• SpraynBond Pattern & Stencil Spray
• HeatnBond Sparkle Stencil–Nutcracker Tradition by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story
• Nutcracker Tradition Sparkle Paste Bundle by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story (or your favorite coordinating color)
• Pressing Paper Fabric and Craft Sheets
• A Selection of Fabrics from Nutcracker Tradition by Jennifer Long of Sew a Story for Riley Blake Designs (model used fat quarters, but the pattern is 10” precut friendly)
• Coordinating fabric yardage for linings, handles, and outside bag base (model used Dapple Dot from Riley Blake Designs C640-SUGARPINK)
• Focal and Four Tote Bag Pattern by Blue Ribbon Designs (available in my Etsy Shop) Digital or Paper Pattern
• Palette Knife or Craft Brush
• Basic Tools (sewing machine, coordinating sewing thread, iron, wonder clips or pins, cutting tools and rulers, etc.)
  
  

Focal and Four Tote Bag Pattern
Paper Pattern — Digital Patten

See the Blog Post

If you'd like to make your own Nutcracker-inspired tote utilizing dependable products from Therm O Web, be sure to visit the Therm O Web Blog for my helpful hints, supply list, and plenty of project photos. You'll find all the details needed to create your own version, along with tips for adding sparkle and showcasing your favorite prints from the collection.

https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/nutcracker-tradition-blog-tour-focal-and-four-tote

I had so much fun combining these beautiful fabrics with a little Sugar Plum Fairy-inspired shimmer, and I hope this project inspires some holiday sewing of your own. After all, the best time to start Christmas stitching is before the holiday rush begins!

Thank you for stopping by today! If you make your own Focal and Four Tote Bag, I'd love to see it. Until next time, wishing you inspiration, creativity, and plenty of happy sewing!

Nutcracker Tree Skirt Blog Tour: Creative Spin

Greetings, friends! I’m so happy you have stopped by for a visit today. I am excited to share that I am over on the Therm O Web blog with a brand-new Christmas in July tutorial as part of the Nutcracker Tree Skirt Panel Blog Tour. This project features the beautiful Nutcracker Tradition fabric collection by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story for Riley Blake Designs, and I had so much fun giving this tree skirt panel a creative twist!

The Nutcracker Tradition collection is filled with the charm, color, and storybook magic we all love during the holiday season. From classic Christmas colors to whimsical characters and festive details, this collection brings the Nutcracker story to life in such a sweet and nostalgic way. It has that perfect mix of playful and traditional, making it ideal for handmade holiday décor, keepsakes, and gifts.

Nutcracker Traditions Fabric Collection 

Nutcracker Traditions Tree Skirt Panel

For my project, I started with the Nutcracker Tree Skirt Panel, but since I do not have a Christmas tree, I decided to think outside the box. Instead of creating a tree skirt, I transformed the panel into a festive table topper and a collection of coordinating ornaments. The panel artwork is so beautifully detailed that it does much of the design work for you, making these projects look much more involved than they actually are.

For supplies, I used the Nutcracker Tree Skirt Panel, HeatnBond Fusible Fleece and SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray from Therm O Web, wool blend felt, baker’s twine, and a few basic sewing tools. I also used scallop pinking shears to create a decorative edge that complements the scalloped details in the panel. These are simple, approachable supplies that come together beautifully for a polished handmade finish.

The HeatnBond Fusible Fleece stabilizes the fabric and keeps the cut edge from excessive fraying, while keeping the table topper padded and soft. The basting spray holds the layers in place for sewing without shifting or gumming up your needle.

The table topper is the star of the project and is a wonderful way to showcase the center portion of the panel. By adding fusible fleece and stitching the panel to wool blend felt with a blanket stitch, the topper has a soft, finished look with just the right amount of structure. The scalloped edge adds a decorative touch and gives the piece a charming vintage-inspired feel.

I love that this table topper can be used in so many ways throughout the holiday season. It would be beautiful on a dining table, entry table, coffee table, sideboard, or even as part of a Christmas dessert display. It is quick enough to finish in an afternoon, but the decorative panel makes it look like a project that took much longer to create.

To see my step-by-step tutorial with color photos, visit:
https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/nutcracker-tree-skirt-blog-tour-beyond-the-tree

Of course, I could not let all of those adorable Nutcracker character motifs go to waste! The remaining designs around the panel are perfect for ornaments. Each one is created with the same process as the table topper with fusible fleece and wool blend felt, stitched around the edge, and finished with a baker’s twine hanger. They are simple to make, but they have so much personality.

The ornaments are a great way to use every bit of the panel and add extra Nutcracker charm to your holiday decorating. Hang them on a tree, attach them to garlands, tie them onto packages, or display them in a bowl or basket for a festive handmade accent. They also make wonderful little gifts or keepsakes for friends and family.

Step-by-step instructions with color photos are available in the same post as the table topper:
https://www.thermoweb.com/blogs/blog/nutcracker-tree-skirt-blog-tour-beyond-the-tree

I hope this project inspires you to look at fabric panels in a fresh new way. Whether you make the table topper, the ornaments, or both, this tutorial is a fun and easy introduction to machine appliqué and a great way to create something special for the holidays without a long supply list or complicated piecing.

Be sure to visit the Therm O Web blog for the full step-by-step tutorial, supply list, and project photos. I will walk you through the entire process so you can create your own Nutcracker-inspired table topper and coordinating ornaments.

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoy this Christmas in July project and feel inspired to start stitching a little holiday magic of your own. Until next time, happy sewing!