profile

Polka Dot Chair; Sewing, Quilting & Crafts

Hi, I'm Melissa Mortenson, a blogger, fabric designer, and content creator. I am the Founder of the Polka Dot Chair website, where I'd love to invite you to "pull up a chair" and create something you will love with me! I have been sharing fresh and creative sewing, quilting, and craft ideas with readers since 2008, and I would love to have you join me on this creative journey.

Featured Post

✂️ Sunday Stitch: Summer Block Party Info & Bluegrass Charm Fabric

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! The Summer Block Party is back for a second year, and this year we’re headed to the beach! Join us in creating a breezy mystery Summer quilt with quilt blocks designed by some of your favorite pattern designers! 2025 Summer Block Party The Bluegrass Charm Fabric collection, designed by Melissa Mortenson for Riley Blake Designs, is a cottage floral-inspired...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! New Last Week... Make a Hocus Pocus Halloween shirt with a few favorite quilt fabric scraps and simple raw-edge appliqué. Mix up your favorite Halloween prints for a scrappy sweatshirt! It’s a great way to use leftover fabric scraps from one of your Halloween quilt projects! DIY Applique Sweatshirt Updated this Week... Are you looking for fun, cute, and free...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! A little paint, a little glue, and a few ideas for goofy faces are all you need to turn simple craft supplies into a collection of Halloween monsters! These DIY papier-mâché monster candy bowls add personality and color to your Halloween decorations! DIY Monster Candy Bowls Sewing your own travel accessories allows you to create pieces that fit your needs...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! Today, I’m sharing a pattern for a 12″ Triangle of Squares quilt block. It’s a geometric design that gives you plenty of opportunities to play with color and contrast. Triangle of Squares Block Tutorial NEW IN THE SHOP We've created a set of woven labels just for your Halloween sewing projects! Stitch them into quilt binding or add them to your Quilted Witch...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! I’m excited to share my latest quilt finish: a pink Halloween quilt featuring both ghost and pumpkin quilt blocks. My Newest Finished Quilt NEW IN THE SHOP We've created a set of woven labels just for your Halloween sewing projects! Stitch them into quilt binding or add them to your Quilted Witch Hats! Shop Labels FROM THE ARCHIVES SEWING Create a stack of...

Hello Reader, The newest Halloween quilt kit pairs Pink Sparkler fabric with playful Halloween fabrics and the pumpkins and ghosts you know from the original quilt for a fresh take on a fall favorite! The kit includes fabric for the quilt top, a project bag to keep everything together, and custom “Made by Magic” woven labels! KIT CONTENTS Project bag (Zipper color will vary by kit) 2 EXCLUSIVE “Made by Magic” woven labels - one Black No Fold Label and one White Fold Over Label. Pumpkin Patch...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! See how three fabric pulls can give the same quilt pattern three different looks, plus get practical tips for choosing colors, prints, and contrast so you love every quilt you create! 3 Fabric Choices for One Pattern NEW QUILT KITS Our Pumpkin Patch Ghosts Quilt Pattern got a Pink-o-Ween makeover! Shop Kits PATTERN OF THE MONTH The Tic Tac Cat Quilt pattern is a...

Hello Reader, Our Pumpkin Patch Ghosts quilt got a Pink-o-Ween makeover! This September kit pairs Pink Sparkler fabric with playful Halloween fabrics and the pumpkins and ghosts you know from the original quilt, for a fresh take on a fall favorite. The kit includes fabric for the quilt top, a project bag to keep everything together, and custom “Made by Magic” woven labels for a finishing detail. KIT CONTENTS Fabric for the quilt top Project bag (Zipper color will vary by kit) 2 EXCLUSIVE...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! I’m always looking for Halloween Patterns for all the cute Halloween fabric I love to hoard. I’ve spent a lot of time scouring the web and Pinterest for cute things to sew for Halloween, so I thought I’d share 25 of my favorites with you today. Things to Sew for Halloween NEW ON YOUTUBE Sew the Busy Day Tablet Case with Me! Watch the Video Tutorial PATTERN OF...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! With so many quilting tools, notions, and sewing machines available, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth the investment. After years of designing quilt patterns and sewing projects, I’ve found that certain products truly make quilting easier, more accurate, or simply more enjoyable. This list includes ten quilting tools and supplies I use regularly...

blog / Instagram / shop / youtube Hello Reader, Thank you for subscribing and reading the Sunday Stitch; we appreciate your support! Due to the holiday weekend (and lack of wifi), I'm sending this week's newsletter on Tuesday. Learn how to make a double-sided appliquéd bag tag using machine embroidery and fun foam with this free tutorial. Appliqued Embroidered Bag Tag Tutorial NEW PROJECT KITS! Make your own tablet case with our Busy Day Tablet Case Kit! This kit includes everything you need...