project // making fabric (hexagon!) stamps like nanaCompany

Did you know that in some countries you can buy stamps...postage stamps...that are hexagons? I can't even tell you how jealous that makes me. I don't use stamps that often, but I feel like I'd mail more things with stamps if they were in my favorite shape.

And yes, I'm a thirty-cough-cough year old who has a favorite shape.

But back to stamps. Amy Sinibaldi of nanaCompany often has little stamps, postmarks, and other mail-related things in her work, and her fabric stamps are simply adorable. I credit her for this project, and she credits another. This is how ideas travel. Via air mail.

My adaptation is to make them into the foreign hexagon stamps that I covet. I even added some embroidery!



First, trace a hexagon onto paper-backed fusible interfacing.



Iron the hexagon(s) to the back of the fabric. If you are using print fabrics, this is the perfect opportunity to fussy cut and get the part you like the most.



If you plan to embroider a stamp, make sure that you place the hexagon in from the edges a bit so you can hoop the fabric. Transfer the pattern, then remove the paper backing.

A thing to consider here...I don't know what would happen if you used a pattern transfer method that would require soaking. I used a fine-tip transfer pen this time. I'll give the soaking method a go soon.



Embroider the fabric, centering the design on the interfacing that's on the back. Also, avoid knots, as they'll give your stamp some lumpiness. Use the method described here to start and stop without knots.




Cut out the hexagon, and iron it onto some creamy white fabric. Add interfacing to the back of the white, then cut it out with pinking shears for a nice stamp edge.



How about these fussy cut racing cats? I do believe that they are worthy of their own project. Maybe I'll try making some stamped coasters...all with kitties? Thanks to Fabric Supply, I officially have a kitty fabric collection.




The tiny ones are equally cute, although harder to cut with the pinking shears. The corners don't always come out pretty, so I trimmed one down with straight edges. Still fun!



I may have just become a fabric philatelist.

Download the PNG Pattern

A little envelope was too perfect for today's stamps, right? This way you can stitch some happy mail...literally!

where the extra hexagons go

When I first started making hexagons, I didn't realize how important it was to use standard sizing. I would make hexagons that looked like a size I wanted, and make enough for a project, and it all fit together just fine.

Then I realized that if I kept them standard, every extra hexagon was more usable in the future. 1/2, 5/8, 1, 1-1/2 inch hexagons are much easier than who knows what. Right?

And yet, I still keep this jar that has a mix of sizes. Some of them are standard...I can spot those 1-inch hexagons easily! Others are a mystery. But they're still fun to look at, and you never know! A project may come along that will need random hexies!

Where do you keep your extra hexagons? Do you have them better organized than I do?

Download the PNG Pattern

pattern // hexagon tinies hot dog

True story: I once went to a baseball game and had fancy seats where all the food you wanted was included. There was an incredible buffet, and amazing desserts, but the part that I remember more than anything was that while you were in the seats, if you wanted a hot dog, they would just throw one to you. I mean, it was all wrapped and everything, but yeah. Flying hot dogs.

So here! Have a hot dog!

Download the PNG Pattern

pattern // hexagon tinies sailboat

How is your weekend treating you? I hope it has been a good one, and that you are able to get some rest among the crazy days.

Even though boats can come on stormy waters, there's also something peaceful about watching a boat sail along...perhaps even sailing on a boat! For me, the only thing more peaceful is stitching a sailboat. You won't even get your hair messed up!

Download the PNG Pattern

pattern // kawaii cute cacti for you and your little ones to stitch

Have you noticed a little trend of cactus everything? There are some trends that I let go, but this one is just too cute. Especially because I think that cacti are kinda classic. And I like saying cacti.

Recently I created some printable stitching cards for Handmade Charlotte, and each one has a different kind of cactus. You get to stitch the needles on with...a needle! And some embroidery floss! And I promise that they will come out super cute every time.

Head on over there to download your PDF and start stitching with your kids!




While your kids are stitching the cards, perhaps you'd like to stitch the kawaii cacti on some fabric? Or maybe after the littles have practiced, they'll want to move on to these patterns!

My dear friend Paula stitched these for me a while ago, and I've decided that it really is time to share them with all of you. I call the set Stuck on You.

Download the Stuck on You Pattern

You may have noticed a theme to this post, so I think it's only right that today's Hexagon Tinies is another little cactus!

Download the PNG Pattern

And I don't want to needle you, but don't forget to collect the rest of the Hexagon Tinies so far!

pattern // stitching a hexagon tinies dove to commemorate baptism

Today's pattern is a dove, or it could be another bird of your choosing. But let me tell you why I chose a dove.

I have fond memories of growing up in Sunday school and singing songs like "Jesus Loves Me". When I was five years old, I asked Jesus into my heart, and over the years I grew closer and closer to Him. Yes, there have been times when I felt like God was/is far, but I always come to see that He's still right there with me. Even when I'm the one far from Him.

In many church traditions, baptism happens when you are a baby, but that wasn't the norm in the churches I've attended. Instead, it's something that happens when you are older. Often when an adult decides to follow Jesus, they are baptized very soon after. So since I was so young when I chose Jesus, there wasn't a natural time for me to be baptized. So I never was.

This year, I have been given a fresh awareness of how much Jesus Loves Me. It seems funny that it has taken 30 years for me to grasp this, but it has. And it seems appropriate that in this year that I am learning this, that I'm finally going to be baptized (on Sunday!).




Doves are a symbol of baptism, so I've stitched this little dove to keep as a memory of this big day. Eventually, I think I'll be putting together a bunting like this one.

It's not quite the serious sort of dove that you often see with baptism items, but I wanted something that was still me. And if this cute little dove would be something you'd like to stitch on a baptism gift, I hope it is useful to you. I think it would be darling on a little blankie!

Or, simply use other colors and make it little sparrow or blue bird. It's really the white that makes this a dove.

Download the PNG Pattern

PS: If you ever have questions about my faith in Jesus, I'd love to talk with you more. Feel free to email me! molliejohanson at gmail.com

EPP Template // make a mini plus quilt with unique piecing

Sometimes I go online and just look at pretty pictures of quilts. Please don't tell me that I'm strange for that, because I know I'm not the only one. (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)

One quilt design that has been a favorite of mine is the plus quilt. (If you aren't familiar, do a quick Google image search for "plus quilt" and you'll see soooooo many great quilts!) There are different versions of the plus quilt, and all are equally appealing to me. The thing that is less appealing is the traditional piecing process.

I don't know why this is, but cutting and sewing a quilt with a cutting mat and sewing machine always feels more daunting to me. I do it, but it's not my first choice. And what is my first choice that is less daunting?

English paper piecing.




Yes, it's all by hand, but I'd much rather do that...especially on smaller items that I know will be really off if I'm off by just a little on the machine. Yes, I'm a little crazy. It's why people love me.

So I decided that I wanted a way to EPP a mini plus quilt. Or maybe it won't be a quilt. I'm not sure what I'll do with these yet, but I'm enjoying the process.




With a normal plus quilt, the plus is formed with a rectangle for the cross piece, and two squares for the top and bottom. Sometimes it's made with five squares. What's unique here is that my plus is made with four little house shapes.

I looked online to see if these templates exist already, but couldn't find this piece...at least, not for making pluses, which is what I looked for. They are sort of like an elongated hexagon, but with only one "point", and technically a pentagon.

So I made my own. Print it on card stock and cut them out. The layout on the PDF reminds me of a zipper, so I might try assembling something like that too!

Download the Plus templates

The pieces are small enough that you can tack each corner on the back (instead of stitching through the template). When assembling, you can either make two halves, or add them one at a time, working your way around.



Before you start joining the pluses, lay them out to make sure they fit. This is sort of like a puzzle!

And like so many EPP projects, I find these to be incredibly satisfying. I hope you try these, and if you share them on Twitter, Flickr, or Instagram, be sure to tag them #EPPplus



And let's not forget today's Hexagon Tinies pattern. It's an heirloom tomato, inspired by the pretty pics I've seen popping up on Instagram! Speaking of which, I've started a hashtag for these too: #hexagontinies

Download the PNG Pattern

pattern // hexagon tinies tree

A tree is nice. It really is. In the fall, they are so colorful. In winter, they look beautiful covered in snow and ice. In springtime, the fresh growth and blossoms are nearly magical. And in summer? Well, what could be more wonderful than sitting under the shade of an enormous tree?

This is the opposite of an enormous tree, since it's entirely stitchable at just over one inch tall. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, there's nothing stopping you from blowing this up and stitching it at one foot tall! (That's still a little little for a tree though...)

Download the PNG Pattern

project // how to construct a sun sparkling mobile

Sequins and hexagons. With those two words, I should not need to say anything else to sell you on making this sparkling mobile.

One of the things that I love about summer time is open windows with sunlight and breezes coming in. This projects takes advantage of both of those things, because as the breeze moves the mobile, the sequins catch the light and give a bit of sparkle. It's easy to make and a little bit magical!



You will need:

Fabric
Needle and thread
Embroidery floss
Craft or fabric glue
Sequins

Sun Sparkling Mobile Hexagon Templates




Make six EPP hexagons: Two each of three sizes. The PDF template has the sizes I used: 1", 1.5", and 2". For the larger hexagons, they'll be crisper if you stitch through the templates.

Note that it's best to have the knots be on the right side of the hexagons so that you can remove them after the mobile is assembled.



Cut a 22-inch piece of embroidery floss. I used metallic floss for more sparkle. Tie a knot about two inches from one end.



Layout the three sizes of hexagons with the largest at the top and the smallest at the bottom, and with wrong side up. Lay the embroidery floss over them with the knot at the bottom.



Apply glue around the remaining hexagons and stick them down on the corresponding hexies.



Before the glue has had a chance to set up too much, cut away the basting threads on the hexagons. Because the knots are on the outside, you should have an easier time removing all of the threads.



At the top of the mobile, make a loop with the floss and tie a knot. This will be the hanger.



This is my favorite part. Choose some sequins and arrange them on the hexagons. I used these super sweet flower sequins, but any sequin is a good sequin. Seriously, someone should embroider that on a pillow.

Glue the sequins down, let them dry, then arrange and glue more on the other side.




Now you can hang your mobile near a window and watch it spin, sparkle and shine!



I could watch this all day.



Friends, I just love sequins. I really do. And I hope you love 'em enough to make your own mobile to enjoy in the summer breeze!

Download the PNG Pattern

And don't forget today's free pattern...a starfish!