It's summer time! With the beautiful weather and school out, it's time for one of my favorite activities: camping. While I myself don't own a camper, my in-laws do. I decided to whip up this mini-quilt to spruce up their home away from home.
If you don't like the trendy "happy camper" saying, you can always alter the words. For my next one, I might try "Home is where you park it". For a more personal touch, add a family name to the bottom of the quilt.
Ready to make your own yet? Gather up your materials:
Two 11.5 x 14.5 inch fabric rectangles of your choice
11.5 x 14.5 inch piece of batting
4.5 x 6 inch scrap for camper
6 x 2 inch scrap for window/door
6 x 2 inch scrap for strip/hitch
Button for wheel
Black Iron-on Vinyl/Cricut
12 inch dowel rod
Heat 'n' bond
Needle and thread
Sewing Machine
Good fabric scissors
An iron
String or hemp
After preparing all of my materials, I laid my heat 'n' bond (paper side up) on top of my template and traced the different parts of the camper. If you would like a free PDF of my template, go to the contact page and send me a message!
Then, placing the paper on the wrong side of the fabric, I ironed the heat 'n' bond to my camper scraps BEFORE cutting them out. It only takes two or three seconds for the fabric to bond. Then, using my fabulous fabric scissors, I cut out the shapes.
With my camper ready to go, it was time to prep the actual quilt for receiving it. Before doing any sewing, iron the fabric. Place the right sides of the top and back fabric together. Then, lay on top of the batting. Use pins or quilting clips to keep it in place. I recently discovered quilting clips...love them! Keeps fabric in place without distorting or pinholes.
Next, sew almost the whole way around the edge of the fabric using a quarter inch seam allowance (usually the edge of your foot). Leave three inches or so open. I like to backstitch before and after the gap. Trim any excess batting away and clip the corners so that it lays flat. Turn your creation right side out using your fingers to push out the corners, then iron.
To close up the hole, fold the fabric in a quarter inch, press, and pin/clip. Sew a top stitch all the way around your project less than a quarter inch away from the edge (or else you won't close up the hole). Now you're ready to put on the fun stuff!
Using my nifty new cricut maker, I cut out "Happy Camper" from black iron-on vinyl. It's so easy to use and looks great when finished. Iron this onto the project making sure you have a scrap cloth in between the iron and the vinyl. Let cool before trying to peel off the transfer sheet.
Next, center and iron on the camper. Do this one piece at a time to make sure everything sits in the right place.
I did a really tiny zigzag stitch around every piece of my camper to hold down the applique. Before stitching, I recommend practicing on scraps to make sure the tension, stitch length, and stitch width are what you want.
Quilt as desired. I kept mine simple by just stitching around the border again. I sometimes find that simple is good but the options are really endless here.
Now it's time for the finishing touches:
Sew on the button. For a neat look, sink the knot and don't go through to the back.
There are several different methods you could use to attach the dowel rod. Again, I chose to keep it simple. Flip the project over, center the dowel rod at the top, and tack it down on both sides using a needle and thread. Then, take your string and tie to both sides of the dowel rod.
I was so happy with how this turned out: it was quick, easy, and cute. What more could you want? I would love to see or hear about how this turned out for you or if you've made something similar. Comment below!
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