What is a fat quarter?

1. A fat quarter is a quarter of a yard (just under 1m) of fabric which measures 46cm x 53cm, in other words, 1/2 yard of fabric which is then cut in half parallel with the selvedge.

2. Fat quarters are very useful as you can cut a larger variety of pieces from them given the ‘extra’ height and allows for more pieces to be cut on the vertical grain of the fabric.

Stitch a Sausage Dog

1. Locate the dog template on this website and use it to cut two shapes from brushed cotton, ensuring the print is the correct orientation, and pin right sides together. Cut four ears and two tails from spotted fabric, pair up right side together and sew around each piece, leaving a small gap. Turn out and press.

2. Position the ears and tail pieces inside the brushed cotton shapes, lining up the raw edges of them to the edges of the dog. Sew around the shape, fixing the features in place and leaving a gap along the back. Turn out and stuff firmly before closing the edges with ladder stitch.

3. Check the position of the features and if necessary adjust with a few small stitches. Use two strands of black embroidery thread to hand sew eyes, nose and mouth.

Sew a Pot Holder

1. Cut two squares of quilted fabric, each approximately 16cm square. Place wrong sides together with the desired print on the outside and pin.

2. Cut 4cm wide strips of contrasting fabric (or bias binding) and join to make a continuous piece, around 70cm long. Fold in half lengthways and press. Fold under 5mm on each raw edge and press.

3. Pin the strip over the edges of the quilted fabric, mitring the corners and leaving the excess length at one corner. Oversew the strip in place on both sides of the pot holder. Neaten the corner by folding and sewing the excess into a hanging loop and slip stitching the edges together.

Create a Pin Cushion

1. Choose an oval motif from the fabric and cut out, leaving a 1cm seam allowance around the design. Cut a second piece of fabric to the same size. Use two strands of embroidery thread to highlight the flower design in the centre with back stitch.

2. Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew around the shape leaving a gap in one side. Turn out and stuff very firmly before closing up the gap with slip stitch.

3. Loosely gather a length of crochet lace to the circumference of the pincushion. Sew the gathers along the seam of the cushion, folding under the ends of the lace at the join.

Make a Tote Bag

1. Cut two 8cm x 50cm strips of fleece and set aside to make straps. Place the remaining fleece over the geometric fat quarter, right sides together, so the pattern of the fabric falls centrally over the fleece.

2. Trim away the excess material and stitch around three edges, leaving the bottom seam open. Turn out, pin the two pieces together all over the surface and use a sewing machine to stitch over the lines of the design in contrasting thread.

3. Fold in half, right sides together and sew down the back seam. Turn out and fold the tote so the seam falls in the middle. Pin along the bottom edge and sew a French seam to neaten. Stitch the two strips of fleece into a tube and turn out, tuck in the raw ends and stitch the straps to the bag, using the buttons to neaten the join.

Finish With a Purse

1. Log on to http://www.sewmag.co.uk and refer to our online instructions to make a quilted clutch purse insert to match your chosen frame – this can be found in the ‘Projects’ section of the website. Fit the fabric into the slot on the inside of the frame with strong fabric glue and allow to dry.

2. Tear a strip of scrap fabric to make a straight, frayed edge. Gather up the strip and stitch into a small rosette, adding more strips to make the flower bigger or using die-cut petals for more definition. Stitch the flower to one side of the purse.