Monday, April 16, 2012

A first tutorial and giveaway!

So I have decided to write my very first tutorial... I love tutorials on other blogs, and why not let someone else love mine? :)



This is for a baby quilt called The Snuggs. So named because it is the maiden name of my friend I am making it for, and I have always been in love with her name LOL.

Now, if any of you are lucky enough to be members of Pink Chalk Fabrics' Charming Solids Club, then this is tailor made for you as I designed it with that in mind. For anyone who doesn't know about the club, you receive 2 charm packs and 6 fat eighths of co-ordinating solids every month (actually a 10x22 cut). Sadly, I also have to tell you that the club is at full membership at the moment.

List of ingredients for the quilt top:

1 charm pack
6 fat-eighths of co-ordinating solids
1 yard of a neutral
sewing thread
sewing machine (or needles if by hand)

This will result in a quilt 37"x43"

(You will use less than these amounts, but I always appreicate having more)

My ingredients (I only am using the one charm pack)


Choose 15 charms to be the focus and 15 to cut in half to frame the focus ones.



At this point I like to go to my design wall (a yard of flannel) to decide on the arrangement I like best.


Then proceed to sew each half square on its' side of the main one with a 1/4" seam


Iron your seams. I prefer to do open, but I leave you to choose what way works best for you.


Now cut your solids into three (3) strips of 3"x9" per colour. Arrange them as you see best with your charm rectangles.


Take a random, but cute picture of your cat. (Hi Opie!)
Then cut six (6) strips from your neutral fabric 3.5"x37". (You may want to measure your length to make sure it is the same as mine)


Attach four of the neutral strips one at a time to the charm strips.


Attach one neutral strip to the top and one to the bottom. Voila! You are now done your quilt top!

Now in PDF format!

I haven't shown you how to quilt or bind as I am assuming you know how to do that, and if you don't, I am probably not good enough yet to show you :) I am planning to bind mine in white with bits of the leftover solids thrown in.

Now for the giveaway!!!

As I said earlier, my charm club membership includes two charm packs... I am giving away my extra charm pack of Domestic Bliss!

All you have to do is leave a comment telling me how to improve my tutorials. I am writing for you so I need and want all the feedback I can get!

The giveaway is open until April 25th. I will pick a winner and contact them on April 26th. No-reply blogger = no winner, so please leave your e-mail in the comment if you think you are one.

95 comments:

  1. Thanks for a fun, new quilt design. I have a couple of suggestions....for those new to quilting you may want to talk about "chain piecing" when you discuss stitching the 1/2 pieces to each side of the main piece. It's always fun to learn a new technique and chain piecing really makes the sewing process go faster! The other addition I'd suggest would be to talk about how to line up the strips when adding the sashing. I know that I had a hard time with this when I was making my first quilt using sashing. Thanks for taking the time to write a tutorial on your quilt - I especially love the way you've incorporated the solids! And since I love the colors in the Domestic Bliss line, I hope I'm the lucky winner!

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  2. That is so cute and the only thing you need to do to improve it is to put it in a PDF file :)
    I'll be coming back to this when I need a baby quilt! thank you!

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  3. I like your layout, it's simple but not boring. I like your tutorial, it's clear and easy to follow. I'd just add another picture of the cat ;-)

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  4. ok...i think your tutorial is great as is..but ummmm...let's see...oh, maybe you could put in the beginning {with the materials} the seam allowance for the quilt and also I know you put the measurements for the quilt but maybe you could also say if it's a twin, queen, lap, or whatever as well? I dunno, I'm graspin' here. :)

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  5. No improvement needed! Love the simple design & bright colors!

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  6. This looks great! Nice tutorial especially for your first! :)

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  7. Great Tutorial! So fun... Can't wait to try it :-)
    nydia @ nydiakehnlephotography . com

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  8. super easy to understand! This would make a great baby quilt! A cute design that would come together quickly... great job! :)

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  9. Great job and congrats on being brave enough to even do a tut AND to ask for suggestions!:)
    I agree with Paula about the chain stitching. When I first heard of that it was like a miracle!:)

    I know the above top is what you are teaching but you could also show how the blocks could be arranged in different ways like alternating the directions of the blocks or even leaving out the sashing for another look....always fun to see the different ways to use a block!:)

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!:)

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  10. Cute design. I'm sure baby Snuggs will adore it. Thanks for the giveaway. Love Domestic Bliss.

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  11. Great tut! Only one suggestion- maybe list out all the steps with no pics as well in case someone wants to print it?

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  12. Great tutorial! I understood it perfectly. I couldn't find any other suggestions to make. What a great quilt to make out of a charm pack! Love the fabrics!

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  13. Great tutorial! I understood it perfectly. I couldn't find any other suggestions to make. What a great quilt to make out of a charm pack! Love the fabrics!

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  14. I think the tutorial was great! I honestly didn't have any problem understanding! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  15. I thought your tutorial was great! Maybe insert another cat picture and you're golden :)

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  16. Your tutorial is great! Simple, clear and with plenty of pics to illustration. Can't really think of any improvements!

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  17. Great tutorial! I have just the fabric to try this! I think that your tutorial is really good and understandable. I'm enjoying seeing more!

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  18. Cute quilt, and loved the humor of the pic of the cat...sweet cat, btw. :) I agree with the pdf idea :) That way I can print and have on my lap while I try to make this quilt!

    :)
    Mary Anne

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  19. Such a cute quilt!! Your tutorial is wonderful! I'm all for the pdf or print option, too! I always tend to forget what size strips I'm cutting, maybe a cutting list under "ingredients"?
    This is a great quilt for a first time quilter, too! I can see many new quilters making this their first!! Not too much fabric, lots of straight lines, the design effect is fabulous!
    Thank you for a chance at your giveaway!

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  20. Great tutorial! I don't have anything critical to say, other than MAKE MORE! This one is lovely and clear.

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  21. What a pretty baby quilt, Katy!! I love the versatile design...I think your tutorial is clear and to the point--nice work!!
    Thanks for a chance to win your giveaway;-)

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  22. I didn't see any problems with your tut. It was clearly written and fabulous pictures. I've copied this into a word document so I have it for when I need a quick quilt to make. I'm assuming the ending size is baby quilt, but it could easily be enlarged with more charms and solids! Thanks for such a great tutorial and giveaway of yummy fabrics!

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  23. I haven't completed the quilt in the tutorial, but I have had no trouble starting! Well done!

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  24. Nice quilt design! I don't see anything wrong with your tutorial at first reading. I prefer it when the photos are sized larger, but that's just minor. Nice work!

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  25. Very cute! The only thing that I was stumbling over was this part "Then proceed to sew each half square on its' side of the main one with a 1/4" seam." I understand what to do since I'm an avid quilter, but I think it might sound confusing for a beginner, and this is the PERFECT beginner pattern!

    AND! I love the "take a random picture of your cute cat" part! Totally made me laugh, I love it when you can relate to the person writing the tutorial!

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  26. baby you've come a long way - love your tutorial - i think it only needs a part 2 - to do the layering, quilting binding label and washing and drying to get all snuggly - I am only suggesting this because I want to see the finished quilt LOL

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  27. Great tutorial! And such a pretty quilt too! Congratulations, I didn't have a problem with it at all, but the comments already made on chain piecing may help the newer quilters. Such a fab name too :)

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  28. I honestly didn't have any trouble with your tutorial, I understand it fine. I actually need to make another baby quilt and may use this pattern for it, thanks!

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  29. I thought the tutorial was very clear and simple! I prefer tutorials like this as if something seems too long winded it would put me off! I think you did great, and I love the random cat picture :) I would definitely have a link or something explaining the chain piecing as a beginner will probably not know what this is.

    Well done!

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  30. Great tutorial - no problem understanding it at all! Love the quilt too!

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  31. I think this a perfect tutorial for people that know how to quilt! Sometimes I stop reading tutorials because there is so much "extra" information that people need to learn from a basic quilting class. To me, it is perfect!! And I would love to make it as my next baby quilt. And while Opie is adorable, you need to balance with a dog picture. Mack is available as a loaner:)

    lee@leecreates dot com

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  32. sometimes I have to read tutorials twice, three times to figure them out, honestly, yours is very easy to follow....and I like that you included going to the design wall and pre picking your layout, because that's not something a lot of people include

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  33. I think you did a great job! Nothing to add. Your kitty is a cutie.

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  34. I think for anyone who has made at least one quilt the directions are very clear. And I agree with many of the others, a few more cute animal pictures always lightens the mood.
    Fun quilt!

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  35. I think for anyone who has made at least one quilt the directions are very clear. And I agree with many of the others, a few more cute animal pictures always lightens the mood.
    Fun quilt!

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  36. Excellent first tutorial!! Congratulations for taking the plunge!!

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  37. Love this! I am a member of Pink Chalk's club so this is perfect. Thank you!!!

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  38. Katy! What an awesome tutorial!! I love love love the design and your tutorial was so easy to understand. I will definitely be making this one. My only suggestion would be to have a pdf or printable option. Thats it though. Everything else was great!!

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  39. When it comes to tutorials I think a picture speak a thousand words. Take pictures at every step so for those that are visual they can understand it better. I love Domestic Bliss and would love to win some :)

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  40. I think for your first tut this is very good..... every tut needs a kitty pic!! I like to see all the pertinent info at the beginning.... supplies... seam allowance etc.... pics to document what you are doing and what the kitty is doing and a PDF! PDF's make tut's perfect!!

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    1. supplies!! That was the darn word! I could not think of it, hence "ingredients" LOL

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  41. I think for your first tut this is very good..... every tut needs a kitty pic!! I like to see all the pertinent info at the beginning.... supplies... seam allowance etc.... pics to document what you are doing and what the kitty is doing and a PDF! PDF's make tut's perfect!!

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  42. I love your easy to follow tute . I love that it's not too long and that it has the right amount of pictures when needed . Love the cat joke thrown in there . So true that so many quilting blogs have cats in them . Made me laugh . Very cute as well. I thought it was easy to understand. Great little quilt too . PDF would be good . Thank you !
    gina.coetzer@bigpond.com

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  43. This is perfect!! Maybe take a picture each time you cut. Like of your solids. Cutting is always important and I'm very visual!!

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  44. I don't think it can get better! It was great and I think I'm going to try it as soon as I get some extra time!! Thanks for the giveaway! I LOVE that line!!!

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  45. Cute quilt, and I thought the tutorial was great. Very well written with clear steps. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. What a cute pattern! I've got a few orphan charm packs that I needed a pattern for - this just might be it! Thanks for the chance to win! :)

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  47. what a great tutorial! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  48. I just found out about your giveaway on Flickr...yay me! I have been really drawn to Domestic Bliss lately, would love to win a charm pack! The only thing that I thought when reading through (that wasn't included) was the chain stitching bit I noticed some other people mentioned. While it is common practice to some, beginners can always use the reminder..it is a selling feature of the pattern when I see (or am told) that I can chain stitch!

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  49. Thank you for the super tutorial! I have lots of charm packs I don't know what to do with, so this is great:-)Most charm pack patterns call for more than one pack, and I usually have just one of a kind.
    And the giveaway is fantastic! I always love a chance to win something (I don't win very often, but it's still very exciting).
    Love your blogposts:-)

    Hugs,
    Synnoeve.

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  50. Great job!! Your tut is super! And you are very generous giving this wonderful package! Love this fabrics!
    Hugs from Brazil!
    Silvana (silort)

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  51. Such beautiful colors! This quilt is simple and allows the nice fabric to shine. I think your tutorial is easy to follow and gets right to the point. I get annoyed when I have to swim through wordy instructions. Great job!

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  52. I'm not sure it needs improvement! Love the picture of Opie!! Maybe add a pic or two more of him! lol

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  53. I thought you did a great job... as far as improvements to the tutorial, you might mention directions for the ironing the seams for newbies. Other than that, lovely!
    slhightower5(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  54. I've been debating about the charming solids club. You may have just convinced me. I loved your tutorial...I don't have any suggestions.
    yellowsmoke1010@hotmail.com

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  55. great job, very easy to understand..love the fabrics, and hope I win some!!

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  56. That's a great tutorial! I don't think you need to change anything. Liked the kitty interruption :)
    I really like that you included the finished size. Some don't :(
    I'm a Pink Chalk customer too, great website, so easy to navigate.

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  57. I love, love, love your quilt!!!!! and the fabrics too, very colorful n__n would be great to win hehe. Thanks for the tutorial!!
    la.lavinia@gmail.com

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  58. i agree with another poster, state your seam allowances at the beginning. you could also maybe show a picture when you cut your solids

    thanks for the give away, i loved domestic bliss. I signed up for charming solids too, this month is my first month

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  59. Okay I'll jump in! This is awesome!

    The only addition I would suggest is to write on the photos w/ dimensions and #'s. I usually have tutes on my phone so i glance at them to verify before i make that cut.

    I would love to see if anyone makes this w/ different fabrics.

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  60. This is such a great little quilt and tutorial. I've re-read twice and elements I often wish other people would include (like size of finished quilt) are all there. Nice clear simple instructions.

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  61. I think that you did a fantastic job, it is very easy to understand I would not change a thing.

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  62. Congrats on your tut - its great! The only thing I could suggest is to also have it as a pdf...so that folks can print it out & save it for the future (which is what I would love to do as I will have a baby quilt to do for a friend in a couple of months)
    Great job again:)

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  63. That's an awesome pattern and tute! Simple & effective, just my fav kind. Thanks for the heads up on this. I'm sorry I'd forgetten to stop by but have remedied that now. You've made some gorgeous things recently! Love the headless giraffes LOL

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  64. I think it is a great tutorial, especially for your first! You made this seem very easy, even for a quilt newbie like me.
    My only suggestion would be to perhaps include a link to YOUR favorite online tutorial for binding, etc. so those who do not know how can easily find a good one, and to give a shout out to those who have helped you learn.

    big hugs!
    Heidi

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  65. Love your blog! Looking forward to lots more :)

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  66. Very nice tutorial - I like that you added a pdf option too! I think everything is very clear. It seams obvious but when sewing the pieces together you may say right sides together. Also, I know you purposely did not get into quilting and binding - but I think it would be great to add a finished project photo at the end. Great job!

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  67. I love The Snuggs! Such a cute quilt! Your tutorial is great...very easy to follow. I like that you added the pdf option. Also, thanks for the chance to enter such a fabulous giveaway...my fingers are crossed!

    Hi to Opie (love that name)! =)

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  68. So cute! The tute was great and easy to follow although I would have to take a cute random photo of my dog!

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  69. It's a very cute quilt!! Thanks for the giveaway - and doubly thanks if I win! :P I really like how you can download it as a pdf. I think you did a great job on the tutorial!

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  70. Good job on the tute! The kitty is cute too. :)

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  71. Super tutorial - I'm off to print the PDF now :) Love the fabric choice - delicious!

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  72. The pic of Opie made your tutorial extra special! I hope you continue to insert a random pic in all of your future tutorials - how fun!

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  73. I love the solids incorporated into the design! Great, clear pictures. I work at a quilting store and may be "borrowing" your cute design!

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  74. Cute design! You picked a great one for your first tutorial, not too difficult but still unique looking. I would love to see a suggestion for a priced backing using your leftovers from the front. I love using up my leftovers on the back as do others. Lovely job. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  75. Cute quilt, great tutorial,,especially for your first! I'm thinking of fabrics right now for a boy quilt with your tute! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  76. I think this is a fantastic tutorial and I am going to give this one a shot!! I have not seen your site before, but now i have it bookmarked so I will be back!

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  77. Honestly I don't see much that I would add and I'm a teacher. I have trouble to follow patterns when there are no visuals. It was all good for me.
    Thanks!

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  78. Great quilt and thank you so much for a great tutorial. Just love it and as soon as my sewing machine, either new or old, arrives back home it shall be my next project for my darling 5 month old granddaughter. She is just the sweetest thing ever that deserves a quilt from grandma just like her brother got when he was born. Now I will have to make quilts for my other two grandchildren as well because I wasn't quilting when they were born. Thanks so much for the chance to win as well.
    Patti xxx

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  79. Great tutorial and lovely giveaway

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  80. LOVE the Quilt! & Fabric! Your Tutorial was great.....I'm new to quiltin', and I can understand very well.....don't think you need any improvin"! :)

    Oh yeah.....LOVE Kitty pic too! ( Howdy there Opie!)

    Thanks for chance to win! :)
    bearpaws9@copper.net

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  81. I honestly thought your tutorial was very well done. I have been quilting/sewing for a long time so I might naturally understand more than a new sewer. My only comment is it ok if I take a picture of my yellow lab instead of cat? haha. I have many new nieces and nephews being born....so this would be a great baby quilt. Thanks for the chance to win such pretty fabric and keep up all your good work. I

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  82. Great tutorial, especially the PDF. I am new to sewing and I've somehow motivated myself to sew the nursery bedding for my daughter's nursery (due August) and Domestic Bliss is the fabric I chose! It would be great to have a "charm pack" on hand and attempt this quilt. Yours is absolutely perfect!
    LOVE IT!
    kaylahentschel@gmail.com

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  83. Really great tutorial for using charm packs. I like that the tutorial is in PDF format too.
    I like "headings" when I'm working on a quilt, or numbered steps, just so I know where I'm up to (but that might just be me! lol). Thanks for the great giveaway :)

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  84. As a person who loves to read quilting/sewing blogs, I also appreciate a well written, and pictured tutorial. I'm inspired to try my hand with your project. And again, great first tutorial.

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  85. Your tutorial was good, liked that it was in PDF format as well! Need to make a quick quilt (baby) for a baby shower in a few weeks....this will be fabulous!
    bahubabes@gmail.com

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  86. Hi There,

    Such a cute quilt and thank you for the tutorial. I do have a few suggestions, but only because you asked. :)

    1. I like the name of the quilt, but it may be nice to put a sub-title underneath, indicating it to be a baby quilt. i.e. The Snuggs - A Baby Quilt. (or something of that nature.) It will help with search engines finding you under multiple searches.

    2. When you created the PDF file, it created columns. It is a little confusing to know if you should read down or across. Perhaps by numbering your steps, it would make it more clear. This is most noticeable on page 2. :)

    3. Perhaps when creating the PDF file and using columns, you could indicate some spacing between the two columns. In a few cases, the words overlapped the pictures and the pictures ran into each other. :)

    4. The picture on page 2, lower left, has been taken at an angle, which makes the lower blocks look out of proportion to the other blocks. Try a straight on shot??

    5. I like that you showed another color way for the neutral background (brown sashing), but perhaps by keeping it the same throughout the main tutorial, then at the end, reveal to the reader "another option" with alternate pictures. It gives consistency to your tutorial, and the added "gift" to the reader that you have provided them other ideas. :) After I wrote this suggestion, I went back to look at the pictures and it's not clear if the brown sashing is your design wall or another color option? This is unclear? One doesn't think of "brown" design walls, but maybe that is the color of your flannel? So this part is confusing. :)

    6. It would be nice to have the yardage requirements for the backing and binding, even though you aren't going through an explanation of the process. Later, when you develop more tutorials (to include a binding tutorial), you could add a reference to how to complete a binding. For example, ""For binding instructions, please see "binding.pdf" on my blog"". But having the yardage requirements would be nice.

    7. When you finish your quilt, revise the tutorial to add a finished picture with the binding and quilting.

    8. When you write about adding the solid strips, add a picture of the solid strip laying on the pieced block. Showing it all finished, doesn't show the step that you are explaining.

    9. The same concept goes for the neutral vertical strip. Have a picture with the strip laying on top of the column of pieced blocks. Having a picture of it all completed doesn't show the step you are explaining.

    10. Last but not least, take a deep breath, and know that you should be very proud of yourself for sharing a cute quilt with all of us. It is ONLY because you are asking that I made these suggestions..and I really had to study and look for them. Of course, I would not have picked it apart otherwise. Thank you very very much and good luck with your completion of the quilt. The child who receives this quilt will be blanketed with LOVE.

    I hope this was helpful. *smile*

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    1. I would like to share with you what I LIKED about your tutorial too. There are many things I LIKED about it. But summarizing, I love the pattern - very cute! I liked that you kept the pages to a minimum so that those who print it, don't have to print so many pages. I liked the fact that you shared ideas about how you will do the binding with using multiple fabrics. I loved your fabric choices! So often we would like to make a baby quilt with good design, but it needs to be quick. This quilt accomplishes both. Thank you again for sharing this with us. I look forward to making this sweet little quilt. Great Job! :)

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  87. HI sweetie--I think your quilt is darling and your tutorial does a great job walking someone through the process of making it. The only reason I would offer any suggestions is because you asked--if you hadn't, it would never have occurred to me to do so.

    You might want to double-check the things that spell-check misses--when you tell us to cut the solids and arrange them as we see best, I'm sure you meant to say, "with your solids" instead of "with you solids". That's so easy to overlook, and spell-check won't catch it.

    Hooray for the pdf version, and an extra cheer for an extra cute cat!

    Thanks for the giveaway. I have a new niece and this charm pack would make our Lizzy a great quilt (as you've shown).

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

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  88. you did a kickbutt job on your first tutorial! i honestly can't think of anything to add. i do like Heidi's suggestion of adding a link to tutorials for the details that you don't get into, or even just a suggestion of google search phrases!

    the quilt itself is supercute! i tend to buy charm packs of new lines and then yardage of my favourite prints, leaving me with single charm packs when all the patterns ask for at least two, so this is perfect!

    oh! i thought of a suggestion! i don't see the actual measurements of a charm square anywhere, and lots of folks might not know that. none of my local stores carry them, they're an internet phenomena! and on that note, how many actual charms do you use? it looks like 30? that would be good to know if someone was making the quilt out of their stash. it would be a great stashbusting pattern as well.

    thanks for the giveaway! i picked up a fq of Domestic Bliss the other day, but i haven't seen the full line anywhere. it's exactly my favourite colours, jewel tones!!

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  89. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  90. I think the tutorial was very clear and complete. The only thing I would add is more kitty pictures.
    Thanks for the lovely tutorial and the generous giveaway.

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  91. So cute... getting a new grandbaby in September - will have to give it a try.

    Kalynn

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Thanks for your two cents!