I’m so excited to share my version from a fun set of Craftsy quilt patterns; the class is taught by Wendi Gratz of Shiny Happy World! You get to watch videos walking you through the entire quilt process, which is so helpful if you’re new to quilting. The blocks are “quilt as you go, which makes it even easier to finish the entire thing. She sent me a free review copy of the class, but all opinions are my own and honest.
EDIT: Since Craftsy has closed, you can’t get the exact same thing right now but you can still access the pattern on Wendi’s website here.
Craftsy quilt patterns – quilt-as-you-go appliqué monster pattern
When Wendi emailed me back at the end of summer about her new class Cute Quilt-As-You-Go Appliqué Monsters, I was immediately on board because the monsters are adorable and it’s well documented that I love projects that use up scraps! I didn’t want to make an entire quilt, so I thought I’d make a floor pillow or maybe a soft baby book with their faces. Once I started, I couldn’t stop so I kept sewing along until I had a full “napping” size quilt top.
I made the squares with quilting cotton but all of the monsters are actually knit fabric scraps (more ideas on how to use up knit scraps in this post). I do a ton of upcycling for my kids’ clothes, leaving me with large chunks of tshirts that aren’t small enough to shred but not large enough for another shirt. It was so much fun, pawing through my bins of scraps and remembering the outfits they came from.
While you’re here, check out these other posts!
- 25+ fun quilts to sew for kids
- 40+ Ideas for using up knit fabric scraps
- 10+ small quilting projects to make in a weekend!
- Check out all the quilts I’ve made here!
Those polka dots are made with cotton velour, super soft to touch. If you aren’t familiar with the term “quilt as you go” it means literally just that – you quilt each square to the backing by itself, then applique, then attach all the squares to one another. I’d never tried QAYG before, but it was amazing to use up all my batting scraps on top of the knit fabric scraps! This method is also ideal for beginners or folks in a small sewing space.
I really love the “under/over bite” option that is shared in the class – there is something so delightfully impish about this monster’s expression! Cutting all out these faces is so easy when you trace the patterns on to Wonder Under or Heat’n Bond Lite.
Adding stripes in was a no-brainer, I love them.
Normally I am all about the brights, but decided to tone this down a little and use all neutrals for the background since I’ll be gifting the finished quilt. There are a ton of different options for making the faces, with teeth and ears and different size eyes/mouth; I tried to keep some sense of consistency, using the same shape of mouth on most of them.
That purple stripe is from a pair of pants that my son wore holes in, they’ve since been patched and my daughter is wearing them! I found that pink fur in a random Goodwill Outlet bin (they aren’t like normal Goodwills, see the difference here!) and also added some random pom-pom trim behind the orange monster’s face.
I love how it turned out! I tried a few of the 3D elements and mixed in different fabric choices for a really funky quilt that has lots to touch and feel. I’m going to pair this with a movie gift card and some popcorn as a family gift – so much better than some toys, right. My kids absolutely loved the monster faces, so I saved all the scraps in a bag in the hopes of making one for our family soon.
I love how it turned out! I bound the edges in a simple grey and used Nature-Fil batting, buying a big bolt off Amazon* made it less than $5 a yard! I backed it with cuddle fleece from Shiny Happy World (Wendi is also the designer of this quilt pattern) and it made it SO thick and cozy. I sat underneath it while I hand sewed the binding and couldn’t believe what a difference the fleece backing made in terms of weight and warmth.
I included one of my favorite labels, because it is true. This is my third quilt (first one here that I made for my husband, and second one here that I made for my mother-in-law) and I was still surprised at how long it took to finish!
You can see the “model” quilt above, from the class, it is so fun! Wendi was much more adventurous in her quilting patterns, as you can see, and I’d love to work up to some of the more free-motion-esque designs.
I’ve never reviewed a Craftsy course before; this is actually the first/only one that I’ve watched all the way through! I downloaded all the episodes so I could watch on our Ipad during a road trip (while my husband drove), which worked really well.
What’s included in Cute Quilt-As-You-Go Appliqué Monsters! :
Six separate segments: 1. Quilt As You Go Blocks – 2. Making Monsters – 3.Pieced QAYG – 4. 3D Effects – 5. Unique Fabrics – 6. Sashing & Finishing. There are printable templates for all the monster faces, a supply list, and then an easy interface to ask Wendi questions or other classmates. Scanning the project gallery* gives lots of visual inspiration, seeing what others have made.
Positives
- If I wasn’t writing this as a review, I admit I probably would’ve skimmed the videos and just used the patterns, since I knew how to applique. I would’ve missed out on a lot of valuable information that she covered, looking at color theory, contrast, and warmth in fabric choices – all things I have heard before but it was helpful to see them with examples and in the context of this project.
- There are a ton of examples for each step, which I love.
- She also uses the term “straightish” which is an apt description of almost all my sewing.
Negatives
- I wish the monster face shapes were organized differently, and labeled – while it doesn’t *matter* if something is an eye vs. a tooth, etc. I wanted to know. Different size pupils are squeezed in around other shapes, which is great for saving paper (something I really appreciate) but not as great for my style of applique assembly.
Pin this post for later with this link or collage image:
Wendi Gratz says
I LOVE HOW YOUR FINISHED QUILT TURNED OUT! I saw the blocks as you were posting them, of course, but I didn’t register that all the backgrounds were shades of grey. I love how the colors pop against the neutral background! And you did some really creative things with your mixing and matching that I haven’t seen before – like making eyes that don’t fit inside the face for an awesome cartoon effect. I never would have thought of that, but I’m totally going to steal it. 🙂
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks for designing such a fun pattern – the response has been so huge!
Tina Wemyss says
Mine is almost finished but trying to get the hang of my new Pfaff machine, so exciting
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Ohh I’d love to see it when you’re done! Congrats on the new machine 🙂
Jessica Pierce says
Oh my goodness, I love this so much! I think I’ll try and get my big girls to help me make one for the new baby.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Wait… what?! Did I miss something!! It would be so fun as a collaboration, I want to do the same for my next one (to keep!).
Reece says
Yours is so amazing!! It looks like you had so much fun making it.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Reece, I did!!
Sew Surprising says
I loved Wendi’s class it was like I was learning from a close friend. Its a great project for scrap busting and perfect for making donation quilts for little ones, its a win win for everyone in my view 🙂
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
She is wonderful, isn’t she! I had so much fun scrolling through your flickr feed – I am loving that paper pieced bird quilt!!
jennie says
I’m working right now to finish my monster quilt for my first grand baby due in December. I’ve loved both of Wendi’s classes. I also took the Critter Quilt class. The 2 classes are similar in that they each have a $14.99 quilt pattern that comes with them. Each has Wendi to ask questions to, and each has tips and steps a little different. So taking both classes is a must for me. Other things about Wendi, she has a fabulous web site, which has some of the best patterns on it for everything from stuffed animals, to more quilts, and on to embroidery projects. There are tons of tutorials, and you can purchase what you need to make your projects. Wendi also has a very active Facebook group. It has lots of support and inspiration.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Jennie, you are SO right, Wendi’s website is fantastic! I don’t think I’m in her facebook group, so I’ll go check that out, thanks 🙂 So glad you’ve loved her classes too!
Hélène Martin says
This is just the cutest! I love that you went with neutrals for the backgrounds and the faces you came up with are amazing. 👍
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks Helene!!
Pam @Threading My Way says
I adore your quilt, Stephanie!!! Love how you’ve used different textured fabrics for the monsters. You have to make one for your family now. Featured today…
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks for the feature Pam!
Roseann Hampton says
This quilt is so adorable!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
Thanks so much Roseann!
Dottie says
What a wonderful adventure your quilt is! It’s fun & fabulous! Such variety. Looking forward to making one.
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
I hope you like it! One of my favorite projects!
Jenny says
Hi, I Love your quilt!
Is there a way to contact the person who did the classes as the link for the videos is not working. Would love to watch the classes even if it cost me money to make this little quilt. I know a little boy who would love this quilt!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says says
emailed you and updated this post with a link to the pattern elsewhere!