Various Contributors - 50 Fat Quarter Makes: Fifty Sewing Projects Made Using Fat Quarters

www.stitchcraftcreate.co.uk

1 FAT QUARTER

2 FAT QUARTERS

3 FAT QUARTERS

4 FAT QUARTERS

56 FAT QUARTERS

79 FAT QUARTERS

10 FAT QUARTERS

Every crafter just loves to stash fabric especially fat quarters and is always on the lookout for new ideas to quilt, stitch and appliqu. 50 Fat Quarter Makes, brought to you by eleven talented designers, is overflowing with exciting and inspirational projects for all those lovely fabric bundles: the ones you already have stored away and those you are yet to buy!

So what exactly is a fat quarter? Taken from one yard of fabric, fat quarters are cut in half lengthways and then in half widthways to form a quarter cut, (usually) measuring 18 22in (46 56cm). Widely available pre-cut in an array of patterns and colours; their squarer shape makes them highly versatile for patchwork, appliqu, strip piecing and more, which is why crafters adore them so much.

This unique collection begins with single fat quarter patterns for everyday items, such as pincushions and purses, that can be completed in less than a day. You can then move onto more complex projects requiring a small handful of fat quarters: from a fun girly twirly skirt to a lovely sewing machine cover, and even a decorative family of fabric hedgehogs to brighten up your home. If you are feeling ambitious, why not savour the stunning projects that use up to ten fat quarters? They will bust your much-loved fabric stash and give you family heirlooms to treasure, including beautiful quilts, striking pillows and a delightful reversible table runner that will take you from winter through to summer. The handy side bar on every page will tell you at a glance how many fat quarters you will need for each project just look for the shaded diamonds.

So be inspired, release that fabric stash and get creative with these easy-to-follow patterns, complete with a handy stitch library to get you started. Everything you need in one beautiful package to make a wealth of useful and stylish projects for your home, garden, family and friends, and even your pets.

This cute and charming mouse is the perfect home for all your pins. Surprisingly simple to create using a fat quarter of your favourite fabric and the templates provided, it will certainly add character to your sewing supplies.

Using the templates provided (see ), cut one of the following from the fat quarter: sides A and B, head and base. Now cut another base from cardboard and two ears from white felt.

Fold the ears slightly to bunch in the middle and tack (baste) them in position between the marks on the head.

Sew the sides together along the long, unnotched edge. Then sew the short edge of the side section to the head (see ).

Using black embroidery cotton (floss), sew two French knots for the eyes. To make the tail, knot the end of the cotton and sew from the inside of the back of the mouse to the outside. Secure with a knot at the base of the fabric and trim. Repeat with a couple of lengths of embroidery cotton to form the whiskers.

Stitch the body to the fabric base, matching the notches and leaving an opening for the stuffing. Turn right side out.

Trim the cardboard template by 14in (6mm) and insert it through the opening. Fill the mouse tightly with toy stuffing and whipstitch the gap to close.

This vibrant coaster panel, formed from a single fat quarter, is guaranteed to brighten up your coffee table. Make the most of your print by fussy cutting the panels, quilting in contrasting thread and adding cute button details.