120-Minute Gift: Charmed Message Board

Hello! I am excited to share my first Moda Bake Shop recipe with you as part of the 'Just in Time Gifts' series.  My name is Pauline Francis and I have been quilting for about 10 years. I blog at Quiltnqueen and I'd love for you to come for a  visit. I hope you love the message board as much as I do.

• 1 mama said SEW charm pack (SKU 5490PP)
• 1/4 yard mama said SEW (SKU 5495-11) for binding
• 1/2 yard Moda Bella Off White(SKU9900-200) for header background and backing
• 1 FQ chalk cloth (SKU OC48)
• Piece of batting, measuring 15" x 18"

• DMC floss, colors #498 and #420
• Mini clothes pins (optional)

All seams are 1/4" unless otherwise noted.

Cutting
From the Moda Bella Off White, cut:

• 1 rectangle, 10" wide x 8" length for the header
• 1 rectangle, 15" x 18" for backing
• 1 rectangle, 3" x 3 1/4" for the back of the mini quilt

From the chalk cloth, cut:

• 1 rectangle, 12 1/2" wide x 9 1/2" long

From the binding fabric, cut:

• 2 strips, 2 1/4" x WOF

From the charm squares:

Choose 11 different charm squares.

• Cut 8 of the charm squares into 2 - 2 1/2" squares and 1 - 2 1/2" x 5" rectangle.
• Choose 6 different 2 1/2" squares for the header, 3 for the right side and 3 for the left side of the embroidered block.
• Choose 2 of the 2 1/2" x 5" rectangles and 2 of the 5" charms for the bottom pocket.

Embroidery

I have included 2 options for the header. See the Printer Friendly file at the bottom of the post for the template.

Option A is all redwork embroidery. Trace the entire PDF file. Stitch with DMC #498.

Option B is redwork embroidery with a mini quilt attached to the laundry line with mini clothes pins.  Trace the words and laundry line only, do not trace the quilt.  Stitch the words with DMC #498 and the laundry line with DMC #420.  When stitching the laundry line use the back stitch 1 inch at each end of the laundry line.  Leave 3 inches of the line unstitched to attach the mini quilt to the line.

Whether you choose Option A or B, trim the embroidered piece to 8 1/2" wide x 6 1/2" long, centering the embroidery.

Option B: Mini Quilt

To make the mini quilt, take the last 5" charm squares and a piece of batting 3 1/4" wide x 3 1/2 " length. Wrap charm square around the batting, mitering the corners. Hand stitch close to the edge and hand quilt the body of the quilt. Press edges under 1/4" around the rectangle you cut for the mini quilt backing and hand stitch to the back of the mini quilt, wrong sides together.

Assembly
I used my walking foot to assemble the entire message board. 
Sew 2 sets with 3 of the 2 1/2" squares. Press seams open. The length should measure 6 1/2".

Sew the 2 sets of squares to the embroidery block, press seams towards the squares.

To make the pocket, trim 1/2" off the side of the middle charm square. Sew the pocket pieces together, press seams open.   Trim to 12 1/2 " cutting from the charm on the left...the pocket piece should measure 12 1/2" x 5". Fold the pocket piece in half lengthwise, press, it should now measure 12 1/2" x 2 1/2". Sew the sides of the pocket and the bottom of the pocket to the chalk cloth, raw edges even, using 1/8" seam allowance.

Sew the bottom of the header to the top of the chalk cloth (option A).
 

Sandwich the top, batting and backing, stitch 1/8" around the outer edge.Make one small pocket and one large pocket by stitching in the ditch...first seam on the left.  The larger pocket will hold your chalk pencil.Stitch in the ditch down the inside seams of the embroidered block or quilt squares as desired.

Trim and bind using your favorite method.
  
{TIP:  Use a binder clip to pleat the message board when sewing your binding ends together.  With every quilt I make, big or small, I always make a big pleat with the quilt, it makes sewing the binding ends together a lot easier....the quilt and the binding are not fighting each other.}

Attach a hanging sleeve using your favorite method.

The message board finishes at approximately 12.5" x 15.5".  If your local quilt shop does not carry the chalk cloth, ask them to order it from United Notions.

I would love for you to visit my blog,where you will find more message board ideas. I hope you have fun making a message board for a gift and don't forget to make one for yourself. It has been a lot of fun baking with Moda.

Happy stitching,

Pauline Francis
{quiltnqueen.blogspot.com}