Quick and Easy Mitered Binding - Tutorial Tuesday

For today's Tutorial Tuesday we'll be learning a simple technique for mitering corners when sewing and quilting. Sure, you can purchase a mitering tool like this one, but if you prefer the DIY method, here's the way I've been doing it when doing the fold-over binding method.

Note: For this example, 1" of my backing is showing so I'm marking 1" from the corner. If the backing is 2" I would measure 2", if 3" of the backing was showing I would measure 3" from the corner, etc.

•Measure 1” away from each corner and mark. Draw a straight line to connect the marks. Cut on the line.

•Fold the raw edge corner over the corner of the batting and front fabric. Press. 

•Fold one of the sides so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press. 

•Fold the backing over one more time so it becomes the binding on the front. Press.

•Fold the other side in so the raw edge of the fabric meets the raw edge of the batting and press. 

•Fold the backing fabric over one more time on one side and press. Adjust your corner as needed.

That's it. Easy peasy!

Make Your Own Fabric Christmas Light Bulb Bunting - A Quick and Easy DIY Garland Project

Today we're making another garland, a Christmas light bulb one! It's another quick and easy handmade sewing project to get your home ready for the Christmas holiday. This bunting is great way to decorate your tree, mantel, wall, or anywhere else in your home you'd like to add a pop of color. You could even use the Christmas lights as handmade Christmas tree ornaments! This DIY holiday sewing project is a great one for beginners, too. 

For this project you will need:

• fabric for the light bulbs

• fabric for the light bulb tops

• cotton batting

• jute or twine

• fabric clips or pins

• iron 

• printable light bulb template from pattern

• pinking shears or pinking blade

• sewing machine and matching thread

• always helpful for sewing: scissors, rotary cutter, cutting ruler, cutting mat 

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, light bulb template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 8’-9’ long bunting with 20-24 fabric Christmas light bulbs each measuring approximately 2½" x 4".  It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Looking for a different holiday bunting? Check out some of my others!

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of the other patterns and tutorials in my Etsy shop, DebsDaysDesigns!

Or just hang with us as we make the Christmas light bulb bunting:

Make a Cute Snowman Potholder for Christmas - An Appliquéd and Quilted Kitchen Sewing Project

Make your holiday and winter baking feel more festive by making your very own cute snowman potholder, hot pad, or trivet with today's step-by-step tutorial. It's a fun project for your Christmas kitchen decor, and since it's a snowman you can continue to use him for your baking and cooking throughout the winter. We're both appliquéing and quilting with this sewing project.

For this project you will need:

• fabric scraps for the applique
• fabric for the front and back
• cotton batting or Insul-Bright
• paper-backed fusible web like HeatnBond light
• pencil
• fabric clips or pins
• iron
• sewing machine and matching thread
• basting spray or powder
• scissors, rotary cutter, cutting mat, cutting ruler
• optional: walking foot or free motion foot, tear away stabilizer
• snowman templates from pattern

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, link to the video tutorial, and the printable snowman template to make a potholder, trivet, or hot pad measuring approximately 9" x 9". Instructions for an optional hanging loop included.

Looking for more potholders, hot pads, and trivets? Check out some of my other project patterns available

Otherwise, watch as we make the snowman potholder:

Make a Fabric Pinwheel Christmas Tree Ornament - A No-Sew DIY Holiday Project

If you're looking for unique handmade Christmas tree ornament sewing or crafting project ideas, check out this fabric pinwheel Christmas tree ornament project and tutorial. Learn how to make your own homemade pinwheel fabric tree decoration with fusible fleece and hot glue. It's an easy (and cute) DIY no-sew Christmas tree ornament holiday project you can make in minutes!

For this project you will need:

• fabric 
• fusible fleece
• button
• ribbon
• hot glue
• marking pencil
• iron and ironing surface
• scissors or rotary cutter, cutting ruler, and cutting mat
• printable pinwheel template from the pattern
• optional pinking shears or pinking blade

Disclosure: Deb's Days is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Your purchase helps support my work in bringing you new sewing and crafting content.

Click to get your copy of the pattern today!

The written pattern contains step-by-step how-to directions, photos, pinwheel cutting template, and link to the video tutorial to make a 6" fabric pinwheel Christmas tree ornament. It's an instant digital download pattern so you can start on your project right away.

Looking for more fun Christmas projects?

Check out some of my other patterns and tutorials!

Or just hang out with us as we make the pinwheel tree decoration:

Foster Kitten Friday - The Holiday Dilemma

It was exactly three years ago on this date when we were boarding the Grand Princess cruise ship to finish off our very long year of travel. Knowing we'd be arriving back home on Christmas Eve we decided to skip putting up a Christmas tree.

Two years ago there was no tree because we were finishing up yet another big trip in December. Then last Christmas? We had the Wild West Gang, and with Mama Kate and four little kitties who would have too much fun with a tree, we skipped it yet again.

So this was going to be the year of the Christmas tree.

Until my three teeny tiny sick foster kitties showed up. Unfortunately two didn't make it, but one did. And this week I almost got a number two! A potential mama cat to adopt an in-need-of-a-mama baby. She was beautiful and sweet and loving. To me, at least.

Such a beauty!

But to little Hans Solo? She hissed. And hissed. And swatted at him. And hissed again. Even with the gradual introduction techniques we found nothing but hissing and swatting. So our household went back to just the solo Hans Solo. And we had a holiday dilemma. 

Christmas tree or no Christmas tree?

Well, the space where a tree should be right now has a little baby kitten who is exploring his own two room tent. (It's really two pop up pens I've connected together.) 

Let a kitten go camping or put up a Christmas tree? 
It was an easy decision this year.

After struggling to get healthy, little Hans Solo is on his way to being a big strong boy. He's already trying to find a way to make a prison break.

So if I chew through these clips I can 
get out, right?

He runs from pen to pen, back and forth and back and forth. It's so exciting to see him get those little legs moving. When he can't run anymore, he picks a place to curl up - or spread out - and sleep.

Yes, I can sleep anywhere. No need to be jealous.

Not surprisingly he even seems to think a lap is a good place to plant himself for a little nap, too. 

Yawwnn...

It's not all sleeping and running for him, either. Playing with toys? He's working on it.

Learning to balance on my back legs is hard!

Even without a cat mama and just a human mama, he's learning to clean himself.

Remind me what I'm supposed to do with my tongue?

Clean the blanket? No?

I remember now. I'm supposed to clean myself!

From where he started to where he is now, this foster parent couldn't be more proud of him. 

I, Hans Solo, designate today as Show-Off-My-Belly Day.

I'm happy to say he's the only Christmas decoration I need.

I definitely deserve to be someone's present this year.
Tree or no tree.