Friday, December 6, 2019

Using Border Fabric Creatively


Border fabric provides compatible colors and fabric that can be used for small sewing projects.  In this case a holiday border fabric provides the greens and reds that can be used to create a holiday table topper.
The finished table topper will be 15 inches by 18 inches.  The center focus square/rectangle will be 9 x 12 inches.



A holiday themed border fabric provides several options for colors and designs and along with  a 1/2 yard of coordinating red fabric which together provides the fabric necessary for two 15 x 18 inch table toppers.  Eight steps.


  1. Choose fabrics that include the colors that you want for your project.  Then create the center square/rectangle.

2. Once you have decided on the design that you wish to make; be prepared to fussy cut the parts of the border fabric that you want to use.

3. Cut two of the same size squares (a square of the border fabric and a square of the red) - decide how large you want the center square/rectangle and create a square as large as the largest dimension, plus 1 1/2 inches.  Sew the square closed on all four sides.

4. Cut the sewn square diagonally from corner to corner (X).  Press open and you will have FOUR 1/2 triangle squares. 

5. Arrange the 1/2 triangle squares into the pattern that you want.  Trim the square into the dimensions that you want.  in this case we wanted a finished piece 9 x 12 inch - so trimmed pieces was cut at 9 1/2 inches x 12 1/2 inches.

6.  Cut the green part of the border fabric into 1 1/2 inch strips and use as sashing on all four sides.

7.  Cut the red fabric into 1 1/2 inch strips and use as sashing on all four sides.

8.  Add a floral sashing for the amount of width that is needed to bring the size of the topper to 15 inches x 18 inches.  Cut a solid piece of the red fabric as the backing.  Put the pieced top on top of the batting and quilt the material as desired.  When the quilting was completed, place the backing fabric (red) face down on top of the right side of the pieced item.  Sew around all four sides leaving just a 2 1/2 inches opening to turn the sides so both right sides are out.  Press and sew the open closed, and finish with stitched edge.
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Green Frog Gifts -- unique gifts -- sewing and cooking

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Strawberries - Recipes and Books

Three of our favorite classic book titles featuring strawberries - bring memories of two of our favorite recipes for enjoying strawberries - with fruit dip and other fruit, and along side of chocolate (in this case fudgy fudge), and add a favorite gingerbread cookie recipe (delicious with strawberries and ice cream).

Strawberry etc. Fruit Dip (click on images for full sized copies)


Fudgy Fudge (click on images for full sized copies)


Honey Gingerbread Cookies (click on images for full sized copies)


Strawberry Books - Classics too good to miss





Green Frog Gifts -- unique gifts -- sewing and cooking
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