by HEIDI WEISS EMMETT
Hand made quilts ALWAYS tell a story. I love older quilts and have purchased some from the 1930’s mostly. Those of us who quilt and collect these older quilts, long to know the stories behind the making of the quilts. Was it for someone special? Was it for a wedding gift perhaps? Unless, the quilt has been in a family and passed down from generation to generation, those stories are usually lost forever. We still appreciate all the time and effort that goes into the making of a quilt, whether old or new.

Start with my COZY sewing pattern. Buy it directly from me, as a “hard copy” or in a Pdf/digital format. Very important to note: Cozy is made up from 4 rectangles pieces that YOU create yourself using the measurements I give you. This process will take you 30-45 min. max. to complete. Contact me via my email: hmemmett@gmail.com $15.00 US plus $1.00 shipping anywhere in the world! orrr.. I can also send you the pdf/digital for $10. Pdf is the way to go to save money but some don’t have access to a printer. Hard copy is exactly what the pdf files are, BUT with the hard copy, it is printed up for you and encased in a plastic sleeve and whisked off to you via the post office.

Start with an old quilt that maybe you have and it has been put in a cabinet for perhaps years! Why was it in the cabinet to begin with? If the answers include: it’s really worn, thread bare in spots and there are some stains, and or yes, Grandma made it, but (all of the previous words), PULL IT OUT and let’s give it a NEW USE! You will need a quilt that is at least 50″ x 70″ in size, larger if there are stains and thread bare places. This quilt is called “Grandmother’s Fan (there are other names for it too I’m sure), and DON’T FORGET, this is a one direction quilt! So try to make sure that all the pattern pieces flow in the same direction. You’ll see that the pockets don’t line up on this COZY, but it had to be that way as I ran out of “perfect” pieces. I think it just adds to the quirkiness of the piece.

I use painters tape (bright blue is fine) to locate the stains.

I only mark the front. Stains on the back will not show.

It’s time to move your COZY pattern pieces all around to “miss” the tape markings.

I’m just showing working with the pockets and how the hem folds over. Yowzaa, do I ever need lotion for my hands. I truly, truly was working in the garden before I took these pictures, and I was even wearing gloves. Look in the upper left. Now, the next picture please.

Now THIS is a close up. I wanted to point out that I trim away some of the excess quilt to eliminate some bulk. It works well. I create my pockets the way I do I think to eliminate some of the bulk. But when I really think it through, you could just line the pockets. Leave an opening on one side, trim of a bit off of each corner and carefully turn inside out. Press flat and stitch across the top for a nice finished look. So either way, you pick.

Again, eliminating some bulk where the sleeve edge will be machine hemmed.

Here at the neck edge, I tell you in the pattern instructions to turn under the neck edge twice for a nice finished edge, BUT when using a quilt and some of the Kantha pieces, it’s too hard to turn it twice and is even more bulky. Just turn it under once as the cut edge was serged or zig-zagged first.

See the black slit toward the top (it’s the neckline opening)? That is where the collar piece will be attached. It’s a little bulky to shove it all in the sewing machine, but you can do it. Just take your time.

TaaDaa! I just LOVE this Cozy. I stitched the pockets down in the top front just a little to hold these 2 large pockets in place. Buttons could be added or not, for a decorative finish.

Would you like your own Cozy made out of a quilt? Try Etsy, Ebay, Quilt shows, or yard sales, and of course, your local thrift shops. And don’t forget to ask your relatives (it can’t hurt).

If there is a hole or worn spot some where in your finished COZY, cut up the scraps for a small piece to “patch” what needs it.


I was tending to our Virginia Creeper the other day and almost walloped this sweet bird with my arm. I’m thinking it was the same one that was stuck in the garage for a bit, and was there resting after its’ ordeal. The big door was open as was the side door, but, it took awhile to figure it out for this little one. Our God is so awesome to have created so MANY species of birds for us all to enjoy.

This is one of the many Rhododendrons on our property. I have never seen so many clusters of flowers on one bush. Maybe it was our super cold and wet winter season?

A close up.

And closer still. Beautiful.

One more shot of my COZY sewing pattern. See all of the patterns I have available at my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/market/designs_by_heidi_emmett
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you have a really great weekend and are able to carve out some BIG chunks of creative time! Hugs and Blessings, Heidi
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