Quilts, Monster Blocks, and Birthdays-Oh My!

If you watched my Facebook LIVE session today, you know I discussed lots of things going on here at DIME including my promise of sharing the how-to for making the China Cabinet Quilt, Monster Block Maker, and birthday shout outs to our friends Scott Goodman and Marie Zinno! Marie will actually be joining us for our next Facebook LIVE event on June 12th.

Oh and great news! We did an entire broadcast without any sound issues or grainy images!

image via giphy.com

Watch Below:

Make sure to take advantage of our weekly special, the Monster Block Maker, here: https://www.shop.dzgns.com/collections/specials/products/monster-block-maker

China Cabinet

The China Cabinet was published in a very early issue (issue #5) of Designs in Machine Embroidery – dating back to 2000 – that’s 19 years ago!  Some of the information in the original article is not applicable today as the embroidery designs are not all of the embroidery designs are available.  Today, you can find most of the original designs at www.greatnotions.com. Many design companies have similar designs so be sure to search in your favorite source.  I searched at www.emblibrary.com and found great substitutes for the designs shown on the original quilt.

Stack of teacups: https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Products.aspx?Catalog=Emblibrary&ProductID=M10805

Collection of cups: https://www.emblibrary.com/EL/Products.aspx?Catalog=Emblibrary&ProductID=X10511

The original teacup with doily:

https://www.greatnotions.com/pr/embroidery/great-notions/floral-cup,-doily–spoon/1/58183.aspx

The original Teapot collection:

https://www.greatnotions.com/pr/packs/great-notions/tea-pot-1/1/74480.aspx

Mimic Real Life Furniture

Observe the direction of wood grain in real furniture to guide you in cutting your fabric sections. In the China Cabinet quilt, the wood grain runs vertically in the back of the shelves, door fronts and side moldings sections.  The grain runs horizontally on the shelves, valance and kickboard.

Cut the Fabrics

Wood Grain (purchase 2 yd. to allow ample fabric for directional cutting)

Vertical Direction

Cut three recessed shelf panels: 28” x 9”

Cut two cabinet doors:  10 ½” x 10”

Cut four cabinet door frames: 1 ¾” x 8 ½”

Cut two side moldings: 3” x 33”

Cut one recessed book area: 6” x 7”

Horizontal Direction

Cut three shelves: 26 ½” 1 ¾”

Cut one top valance: 30 ½” x 3 ½”

Cut one valance: 25 ¾” x 3 ½”

Cut one kickboard: 30 ½” x 4 ¼”

Cut two cabinet door frames: 8” x 4”

Cut two cabinet door frames: 8” x 1 ¾”

Cut two facings: 32” x 3”

Black Tulle (2 yd.)

Cut six recessed shelf panels: 28” x 9”

Cut four cabinet doors: 10 ½” x 10”

Cut two recessed book area: 6” x 7”

Backing and Batting

34” x 42”

Recessed Panels: The addition of black tulle over the wood grain fabric adds a realistic dimension to your project.

Place two layers of black tulle on a Teflon pressing surface.  Place fusible web (paper side up) on the tulle.  Press with a hot dry iron.  Let cool.  Carefully peel the protective paper away and reserve it.  Place the right side of the wood grain fabric onto the adhesive side of the tulle.  Cover with the protective paper and press.  Continue pressing to melt all the adhesive into the wood grain fabric.  I found flipping the fabric over and pressing on both sides helped speed the process along.  Do this for three recessed shelf panels and the cabinet doors.

Piece the shelf fabric to the bottom of each tulle/wood grain recessed section with ¼” seam allowance.

Embroidery: Print templates of each design to use for placement.  Evenly space the embroidery designs across the shelves, sitting the base of the teapots, stacked cups and plates on the shelf. The teacup design with the lace doily will stitch over the shelf.

Hoop tear away wash away stabilizer with the tulle/wood grain fabric for each embroidery design.

Add other elements from your design stash.  The bottom shelf on this sample has pies, fruit bowls, candle, Shaker baskets and canisters.  Have fun with this!

Once all embroidery is complete, piece the bottom row:  the two cabinet doors and books.  The book section is strips of fabric (varied widths and heights) pieced to strips of tulle/wood grain fabric.  The finished size of this unit is 6” x 10”.

Piece the bottom row to the shelves.

Valance: Place the 30 ½” x 3 ½” valance right sides together with a 30 ½” x 3 ½” piece of tulle. Sew with a gently curved seam on the lower edge to mimic the valance on a real china cabinet.  Then turn right side out and press.  Baste the valance to the top of the shelf unit.

Piece the side moldings to the quilt. Piece the bottom kickboard to the quilt.

Quilt: Make a quilt sandwich with the quilt top, batting and backing fabric.  Free motion quilt in the direction of the wood grain in the recessed areas.  Stitch in the ditch in all seams.

Trim the quilt.  Place a strip of facing fabric on the top and bottom. Sew a shaped curved edge on the top valance.  Add feet on the bottom.  Trim close to the stitching lines and turn the facing to the back of the quilt and press.  Bind the vertical sides of the quilt. Add a sleeve for hanging.

I hope you enjoy the pattern and I encourage you to add your own touches.  Change the width, add more shelves or give it a modern slant with sleek lines and edges.  Most of all – make it yours!