Today I talked about making the drunkard’s path block using a circular attachment – I cheated!

Jackie shared this great picture with us.  I love black and white quilts.  She says that the podcast has inspired her to quilt more, but her B&W inspired me to do my dunkard’s path.  She machine embroidered the notes and piano.  I love the use of directional fabric.

Check out www.simplynoise.com

Knitting help – When you are using dpn’s to knit a sock in the round, should the sock knit out inside out?

Winner of the Frolic Pattern – Amy Peterson from Quilter’s Notebook!

Topic this week – Playing around on the Drunkard’s Path

This is a circular attachment.  I know they are available on Janome, Bernina, and Babyloc machines; not sure about other brands.  The little black knob just protects the pointy tack thingy.

Cut out material for your background fabric and the circle fabric.  I laid all my out so it was organized and easy to grab.  This was my drawing I used to guide me on colors and cutting out.

Finger press an “X” to mark the center of the block.

Put the fabric right side up on the circular attachment.  Layer the fabric for the circle on top.

Sew a straight stitch, using your hands to smooth out the fabric as it goes around.

Trim away the excess fabric from the circle.  I found that my machine applique scissors worked best.  You want to trim very close to the stitching.

Put it back on the circular attachment and sew a satin stitch.  I used a 3.5 stitch width and .2 stitch length.  I am using a machine embroidery rayon thread, but you could use anything.  I also used a satin stitch foot.

At this point you should press and square up your blocks. Then cut them into quarters.

Flip the pieces over and trim the excess fabric.

Piece together.  I laid everything out and stiched one block at a time, so that I did not confuse myself – I was using so many colors.

Here is the pieced quilt top.  I got the pattern idea here.  I plan on adding a drunkard’s path pieced border too.  Right now it is 36″ square.  With the border it should be big enough for a baby quilt.

Today we talked about some ergonomic principles as they apply to sewing.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the website these past two weeks and left comments, emails, or sent pictures.

Daphne sent these great pictures of her attempt as fusing plastic.  She agrees with me that the fusing part is very frustrating.  But her work came out much better than mine.

I finished putting borders on my Frolic quilt and the disappearing nine patch.

Congratulations to our recent giveaway winners; please send me your address so I can get your prize in the mail.

• Denise in PA
• Tami

This week I am giving away my Frolic Pattern.  It is a like-new pattern.  Earn an entry by one of the following ways:

• leave a comment on this post
• leave a voice mail comment
• donate $2 towards the podcast

Drawing will be held the next time I record which may be July 4th or 11th.

Don’t forget to answer this week’s poll and help me decide what swap we will do next.

Today we talked about Water Soluble Thread.

Thank you to everyone who left comments, sent emails, called me or left iTunes reviews. I really appreciate it.

Check out this quilt top from Kathleen. She calls it Starry Night. By now she probably has this finished. These picture are on her design wall and she is showing us three different ways she was contemplating putting it together. The colors are her son’s college colors. I REALLY like the blocks, they are similar to a log cabin.
Leave a comment and let Kathleen know what you think. My favorite is the first one.

Recipe for Clams DiZuppa

New book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer – “The Short Life of Bree Tanner”

New Podcasts

• Stiching n’ Junk
• Off Kilter Quilt
• Quilter’s Notebook
• Sewing 101

Topic – Water Soluble Thread

• Anchor quilt with the thread
• Used in machine embroidery
• Trupunto
• Simply Quilts – Trupunto
• Great Product Review

Keep checking back.  I will post pictures of my latest projects and the tote bag swap.  I also need to pick giveaway winners and put out a new one.

Thanks for your patience.

Today we talked about basting your quilt and making a quilt sandwich.

Thank you to Patricia for sharing her completed quilt top with us.  This was a block of the month she did.  I love the colors and the variety of basket blocks.  My favorite is the one with appliqued handles.  Beautiful work Patricia.

Here is what I have gotten done on my miniature quilt.  The finished size will be 8×8.  All of this is hand pieced.

Here is my tote bag for the tote bag swap.

The Gator quilt is finally all pieced.

The down-side of paper piecing – look at this mess!

I need your help deciding on the border for this quilt.  Tell me which one you like best.

#1 - Small white border with wide Gator print border

#2 - small blue, small white, wide gator print border

#3 - small orange, small blue, wide Gator print

#4 - small orange, small white, wide Gator print

#5 - Wide Gator print only

Today we talked about locking in seams.  This is a few days late being posted.  I recorded it on time, but got real busy and couldn’t find time to post it.

Check out this get miniature that Celia made.  You know how I love miniatures.  This is also a great idea for hanging your quilts.  Leave a comment and let Celia know what you think.

Topic of the Week: Locking in Seams

Most of the time, we don’t need to lock our seams because we will sew across it with another seam and lock it in that way.  But when you are going to be handling the block a lot, if it is for a swap, or if it is the ends of the quilt top you may want to lock them in.

See how the seam can come apart easily when not locked in place

You can backstitch to lock in place, but it makes a bulky spot

You can stitch in place to lock in – this works very well; the bulky spot is smaller and will stay within the seam allowance.

Tip on pinning – pin in the opposite direction with the point toward your seam allowance.  You don’t have to remove the pins while sewing.

Poke the pins through twice to secure them more and keep the fabric from shifting.

Today, you are going to think I am nuts!  I tried to make a reusable shopping bag with plastic bags.

Thanks to Gidget for sharing her first block in her Civil War Tribute quilt.  The pattern is from Homestead Hearth’s BOM that started in January.  I love the design and the colors.

I got my coffee this week from www.coffeecow.com 

I bought these stitch markers from LewZilla on etsy.

This week’s topic – Making a reusable shopping bag with plastic grocery bags.

Crazy idea, I know.  But my thought was – if I forget my shopping bag at home and get stuck using a plastic bag, I should recycle that plastic bag.  I am not the only one who thought this.  Check out this great tutorial I found.

1.  Use clean bags.  Cut the handles off.

2.  Cut the bottom seam off.

3. Slit the bag up the side so that it lays out in one layer.  A really big rectangle.

4.  Layer 5 to 8 bags on top of each other and sandwich inbetween two pieces of parchment paper.

5.  I did find that laying it this was was easier to handle.

6.  Press using a hot setting on your iron.  This is where it gets tricky.  You will have to play around and test with your iron.  Every iron is different.  I had to put mine on Wool setting.  If your iron is too hot, it will shrink the plastic like this.

7.  When done correctly, tis is what it will look like.  Wrinkly, but still about the same size.

8.  Keep the iron moving.  If you stop for any period of time, you risk melting a hole in it.

9.  I used handle pieces to mend the hole.

10.  Cut just like fabric.  14 1/2″ x 13″ for the front and back; 6 1/2″ x 14 1/2″ or the sides; 6 1/2″ x 13″ for the bottom.  3″ x 27″ for the handles.

11.  Stitch together using an overlock stitch.  Stitch all edges and reinforce the handles with extra stitches.

12.  Ta-Da!!!!  this is what it looks like.

It looks better from far away. 

Today we talking about sashing for quiltblocks.

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week.

• Almosaquilter suggested Aurifil thread to help stay within a quarter inch
• Denise reminded me that thread position can help with thread troubles.

Beach Town from Jaye at www.artquiltmaker.com.  The colors are wonderful!  get a closer look to see her beading and hand work.  Thank you so much for sharing Jaye!

Congratulations to Pat!  Our winner of the Quilty Sayings Fat Quarter.

The Frolic quilt top is DONE!!!  All applique and embroider is completed and the quilt top is pieced.  Next is adding borders.

This is the yarn I bought for Rick’s socks.  You can’t see it in the picture, but there are flecks of dark grey and black.  Check out my messy desk – see the iPod to the side.  lol

Giveaway!

Win this Vintage Ornament kit.  Leave a comment on this post to be entered to win.  Drawing will be held May 8th!

This week we talked about how to make sure you are sewing an accurate 1/4″ seam.

Sally sent us pictures of this wonderful table runner.  Her dining room table is square and she has a toddler; no little fingers are going to pull this one down.  One side is hand stitched Grandmother’s Flower Garden done with English Paper Piecing.  The reverse side is machine pieced.  She machine quilted it by printing out the design on paper and stitching through the paper.  I LOVE the Butterflies!  Leave an comment and let Sally know what you think.

I spent most of my week re-designing the blog site.  I wanted to make it look more like a sewing site.  I scanned most of the images myself and edited them with Microsoft Paint and Powerpoint – I am not lucky enough to have PowerPoint.  I also wanted to streamline the site.  I wanted to get rid of the advertising and make it more about the blog and podcast.  Don’t get me wrong, I will still accept advertisers and podcast sponsors; but I now limit the visual to one spot.  Because of this I lowered the cost as well.

I plan on adding more graphics down the sides soon (a rotary cutter and ruler, for sure).  But doing this was a bit trickier.  I also need to edit some pages to make them more consistant with the theme.  I wanted to get the new site launched and I felt these few things can wait.  I hope you enjoy the new look.  All the same content is there ~ but now you know you are on a sewer site.

Topic this week  – Staying within a Quarter Inch.

Picture of my 1/4″ presser foot.

Picture of my Janome guide.

Picture of my machine when I am using the guide.  I have to put my machine at the top level so the carriage can go out.  This is the same carriage system used when the machine is doing machine embroidery.

Don’t forget about the Big Tent Giveaway or the Tote Bag Swap.

• BT Giveaway ends April 24th
• Tote Bag Swap ends May 24th

Today we talked about my visit to the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Quilting Natural Florida exhibit. 

Check out this great picture that Vanessa sent us.  Vanessa had 8 dresden plate blocks completed and had to come up with a way to put them all together.  Don’t you LOVE what she came up with!

New Podcasts

• Stash Resolution
• Quilting for the Rest of Us
• Created by CJ

Join us in the Big Tent.  Big Tent is a site for groups to get together.  Many of your favorite quilting podcasters have joined together under one group – Quiltcast Supergroup.  There are forums, polls, news, pictures, events, and much more.  It is a big quilting community!

Big Tent Giveaway!  A drawing will be held April 24th for this wonderful Fat Quarter of Quilting phrases.  To be entered in the drawing you must join the Quiltcast Supergroup and the Sew ~ Stitch ~ Create! subgroup.  All subgroup members names will be put in a hat and one winner drawn – Good Luck!

Florida Museum of Natural History – Quilting Natural Florida

Laura Quinn’s Pelicans by Susan Walen

Happy Together by the Lovin’ Spoonbills – Susan Slaton

Check out how she did the leaves.

Riot of Color by Kathleen Faraone

Sunshine in the Piney Woods by Sandra Pozzetta

Heart of My Community – by Valerie Rosenkrantz

Loved this one – thought it would be a great idea for a quilt-along

Check out the quilting:

Blue Springs by Sandra Pozzetta (I guess I like her work!)

She hide pictures in her quilting

Rosie and Bill by Rebecca Douglas (check out the reflection in the water!)

Cute ones I liked but did not get names or artists.

Celebrating Volunteers by Linda Benton

See the faces of the volunteers in the quilt.

Florida Burning by Pamela T. Zeck

If Jean Claude Quilted by David Strom

Wildflowers of Florida by Alice Greenspan

See all the different techniques she used – needle punch, Hardanger, and quilting!

Ghosts of Autumn in the Hammock by Gloria Craft Comstock

My Florida Oak by Deborah D’Amelio

Tranquility III by Judy Momenzadeh

Florida Swamp by Lynne Capehart

I loved the hand quilting on this with the swirl pattern.

Wakulla Mist by Bunny Hand

Split Oak at the Land Bridge Trail Head by Nancy “Kay” Smith – inspired by a picture she took.

I loved this border and check out the tiny pieces she machine appliqued on

Road 9, Crandall Pasture by Julie Mainor (My favorite!)

Mysterious, Magnificent and Majestic Manatee by Tamara Schultz

Dancers of the Deep by Marilyn Wagner

Path to the Beach by Joan New

Undersea Fantasy by Darby, Tara and Doogan Townsend

This week we talked about squaring up your quilt blocks and quilts.

Thank you everyone who stopped by this week. 

Be sure to check out Jaye’s blog at www.artquiltmaker.com

Check out the hand painted yarn that Lisa picked up at Tuesday Morning  www.astitchoffaith.blogspot.com

Check out the tote bag that Gloria made. The “seed packets” on the fabric are actually the names of the quilt shops in her area.  Great idea!  and great coordinating fabric’s Gloria.  I love tote bags.

Here is my new knitting project from Vogue Knitting

I am doing in all stockenette; doing away with the lace pattern.  I am using a sock weight yarn, so I had to alter the pattern a bit. My guage is 8 stitchs/inch and 9 rows/inch.  I had to cast on 272 stitches!  So far it is knitting up beautifully.

Here are the links I spoke about during the topic this week.

• Using freezer paper to quare up blocks.
• Making a quilt squaring frame.

Today we talked about English Paper Piecing.  This is way different than foundation paper piecing.

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week or sent in donation.  You truely keep me going.

This week Lori sent us a picture of her first paper piecing project.  The pattern is from www.quiltbynumber.net .  Lori used mainly batik fabrics.  I love the black background and how her fabric choices were so different than the pattern.  This wall hanging is 18 x 23.  Check out her blog at http://www.sewcreativespot.blogspot.com/ .

Contest this podcast

With “That Purple Thang”!!!  Call me at (352) 505-BRYE (2793) before March 22nd.  Leave me a message and I will enter you into a drawing to win.

Topic this Week – English Paper Piecing

Cut out  your piece out of a stiff paper.  www.paperpieces.com has some wonderful die cut shapes at a very reasonable price. Pin the cut out shape on the wrong side of the fabric and trim the edges leaving 1/4″ seam allowance.  Can be generous with the seam allowance.

Fold the fabric over the paper and baste to the paper. 

Some directions say that you don’t need to trim exactly and to just use a square.  You decide what you like best.  At first I did not like the sloppy one, but by the end of making this sample, I wished I had done all of them that way.

Put the two pieces together and whip stitch them.  I used a contrasting thread because this was a sample.  I would definately suggest using a matching thread.  Also, do right sides together.  This picture shows wrong sides together.  The whip stitch will always show a little bit, but it is much less noticable when you do right sides together.

Continue stitching them together – Note – the marks in the center are from the baste-it glue I used to hold my paper in place instead of pins.  I do not recommend this.  Pin them or use freezer paper pieces.

This is what the back looks like.

Remove the basting stitches and paper; press.  The paper pieces can be reused.  This gives you a much flatter look than a running stitch.

Try it out.  It is fun and addictive.  I liked it because it was mindless.  You didn’t need to concentrate too much on what you were doing.  the basting can be done while watching TV.

This week marks the 1 year anniversary of the Sew Stitch Create Podcast.  Today I discussed the origins of the podcast, where I plan to go with it, as well as the projects I completed over this past year.  In the next few days I will create a page showing you how to start your own podcast.

There are currently two contests going on.

1. Send me a picture of you making continuous bias tape to be entered to win a bias tape maker.  The deadline is 6pm EST March 1st.
2. Leave a comment, leave a voicemail, or send me a picture to highlight to be entered to win a tool holder.  The deadline is March 8th.

I thought this quilt was appropriate to share this week, since so many of you are knee deep in snow.  Emily made this quilt as a gift for her daughter.  It is the only quilt she has ever sent out to be quilted and she did it to surprise her daughter.  I think it is adorable.  It is machine appliqued.  Thank you for sharing Emily.

Lots of eye candy this week! We talked about the Quilt Show held by a local guild.

Thank you to everyone visited the website and left comments.  I heard from Vanessa, Toni, Lisa, Gidget, Patricia, Samanta, nancy, and Jandi.

Melanie sent us a great picture of a wall hanging she gave as a secret santa gift this past Christmas.  I love the color choices.  The pattern came fro www.freepatterns.com.  I love the 3D flowers and her machine quilting.  Leave a comment and let Melanie know what you think.

Belleview Busy Bee Quilter’s Guild Show

I picked up some fat quarters and a wool applique project.

Affairs of the Heart by Lee Ward; hand appliqued and hand quilted

Mary’s Basket by Ruth Sibley; hand appliqued and hand quilted; pattern from Mary Sorenson’s basket class.

Nuetral Petunia Yellow Brick Road by Peggy Erlich.  See the couching she did as a border. 

Vintage Memories by Othie Lingle; machine pieced and hand appliques; pattern from Bed & Breakfast quilts

Four Patch Stacked Posies by Norma Walters.  Check out the squares she made from the border motif.

Cathy’s Quilt, Flowers & Butterflies by Rachel Fink; love this house.

Scraps Reorganized by Martha Adsit

Bits & Pieces by Laura Etzler.

Cabin in the Woods and More Cabin in the Woods by Othie Lingle

Quiet Village/Tuscany by Mildred Grey; hand appliqued and quilted.  Check out the folded fabric technique and the french knot flowers.

Mark’s Armadillo by Charlotte Undercoffer.  All hand painted.

Tinker Memory Quilt by Lea Marty

Contest this week

Drawing will be held March 8th.  Earn an entry for leaving a comment on any post between now and March 7th.  Multiple comments will earn you multiple entries.  Earn an entry for sending me a picture to feature in the podcast. Lastly, earn an entry for leaving me a voice mail!

Good luck!

This week we talked about how to make Bias Tape. I ent over how to cut out the strips and sew thrm together. How to use a bias tape maker and how to make continuous bias strips. I have too much info to put all the pictures and notes on one post, so check back over the next two days for the other related post.

Thank you so much to Patricia for sending me a sample of English Paper Piecing. I will difinately try it soon.

Specail thanks to everyone who donated towards the podcast and left comments this week. Donations allow me to offer giveaways.

Gloria, Kathleen, Diane, Tiffany, Ellen, Vanessa, Kelly Grace, Pat, Emily. . . . . . Sorry if I missed anyone.

Toni’s new podcast is up and running.  Check it out  SillyChickDesigns

You can now call me and leave your comments:  (352) 505-BRYE  2793

Finished embroidering the blog logo – much better huh?

This is the fabric I bought at the Heartfelt Quilting Shop

How to make your own Bias Tape

Step 1 – Cut the Bias Stips

Lay out your fabric flat.  I recommend ironing it before hand.  You need to fold it on the bias.  Take the top corner and fold it down so the selvages are even.  This is too big to cut, so you need to fold it some more to make it more managable.

Fold the bottom corner up, matching the folded edges together.  Still to big to cut, so onto more folding.

Fold the top corner down, matching the fold lines. 

Fold the little extra flap under if you have one.

Square the piece up.  Adjust your folds if necessary.  Make sure the entire piece is flat with no wrinkles.  Trim off the folded edge; just a tiny bit.

Cut your bias stips to your desired width.  I used 2 1/4″; this made a sigle fold bias of 1 1/8″ or a double fold of 1/2″.

You are left with large triangles as strap.

Each cut makes two strips with angled edges.

Trim off the edges to square.

Step two – Sew your strips together

 Lay one piece down, right side up, horizontal position.  Lay your second piece on top vertically.  Square up the top and side edges.

 If you need to, you can pin it in place and mark the corners.

 Stitch from corner to corner.

 Trim the seam to 1/4″.  Continue sewing all your seams until one long strip.

 Press the seams open.

Step 3 – Press into Single Fold or Double Fold Bias Tape

 Fold the strip in half lengthwise and press.

 Unfold strip.

 Using the fold line as a guide.  Fold in one edge to the center fold line and press.  Do one side fo the strip at a time.

 Fold the other side into the center.  You now have SINGLE fold Bias tape.

 To make DOUBLE fold Bias Tape, fold it in half again, along the first fold line, and press again.  Be sure to match up your edges.

Step 4 – Storing Your Bias Tape

 Instead of throwing it in a bag or crumpling it up, try wrapping it around a toilet paper tube.  Wrapping it up correctly will maintain the ironing and creasing.  You could also wrap it around a stiff piece of cardboard (like you would get it in a store).

CONTEST!!

Make your own continuous bias strip (see tomorrow’s post for directions) to be entered into a drawing to win a Clover Bias Tape Maker!  Email me your picture before March 1st to be entered.

This week we talked about my adventures using the Shiva paintsticks.

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week and visited the site.  I really liked the thread comments from Shelly Beth and Ingrid.

Debby sent us pictures of her sewing space.  Isn’t this an AWESOME idea!  She transformed her son’s bedroom set into a sewing/cutting table.  She took the mattress out and put in a board for a cutting space.  She uses the pull out desk as a sewing table.  The chest of drawers is her fabric stash!

I worked on digitizing my blog logo.  This is the first draft.  Not Bad – huh?  I need to work on the black and the word “Create”.

Two new podcasts

• Quilt Cabana Corner
• Creative Talk Radio

Topic of the Week – Paintsticks!

First, organize your space, yourself, and your fabric.  These paints are permanent.  Make sure you are working on a washable surface or protect he surface you are working on.  Wear clothing that you don’t mind getting paint on (I did this, plus an apron).  The paints will adhere to just about any fabric, but it works better when the sizing is washed out of the fabric.

You have to get the film off of the paint stick – this is what the film looks like.

Tape your rubbing plate to the fabric and gently rub the paintstick onto the fabric.

Use multiple colors.

Use the negative side of the plate.

Layer different designs

You can also use a stencil.  I used a stencil material that was sticky on one side. I cut out a shape out of paper and taped it to the stencil material.  Using a razor knife, I cut it out.

Rub the paintstick onto the shiney side of freezer paper.  Using a stencil brush (I didn’t have one, so I use a stiff bristle paint brush), dip into the paint and stencil it on.  I love the layering you can do with this and the shading you get.

You can sharpen the paintstick to draw somewhat thin lines.

My practice piece.

No topic this week, just a bunch of crafting tidbits I picked up this week.

Tiffany not only shared her paper pieced quilt with us but a site to get gourmet coffee. Check out Quilter’s Coffee.

On the podcast, I said that Tiffany did not say the pattern but I was wrong.  It was from Nancy Mahony’s book “Quilt Block Bonanza”.

Didn’t she do an awesome job.  I love the colors and the perfect points.  This is a great pattern for paper piecing.  I think it is so perfect, it almost looks like an illistration.

Jaye told us about a book (wrong again, she didn’t write it, she has it – sorry, maybe I should write the post before record.  lol).  The book is “Point Well Taken: The Guide to Success with needles and Threads”.

Point Well Taken: The Guide to Success with Needles & Threads

New Podcast!  Welcome aboard Toni.  Check it out  SillyChickDesigns

Here is the $10 balloon from Disney.

This is Mary’s alternative to a thread stand; it works great and will do until I invest in a thread stand.  Mary’s idea is to put the thread in a cup and hand a hanger above and behind the machine.  Thread throught the hanger before the machine and it works great.  I didn’t have a place to hang a hanger, so I stuck it in a vase and threaded it throught the hook on the hanger.

Here are the three different widths of the threads.  My Coats n’ Clark, the sewing machine guys Robinson-Anton and Mettler’s. Make sure your thread fits in your machine and pulls out smoothly; if not use a thread stand or change to a smaller spool of thread.

Fabric and thread I purchased for my United States block.

“Toys” I bought at the Quilt Shop.  I am going to play with the Shiva sticks this week.  Maybe I will podcast next week about it.

New iPod Application Fabric Journal.

Quilting Natural Florida II exhibit will be opening at the Florida Museum of Natural History from Feb. 6th to April 25.

Donate to the site.  If everyone donated $2 a year that would give me over $1,200 to spend on giveaways!  There are two quilt shows coming up and I would love to buy things to give away.

Today we talked about How to Use a Rotary Cutter.

Thank you to everyone who visited the website this week.

Special thanks to Mindy for sharing this great picture of her paper pieced quilt. She made this for her “Tiera Babe” that was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and was undergoing Chemo Therapy. She had her group of friends sign the signature blocks and sewed them into the quilt. Don’t you love her label! What a great idea.

Topic of the Week – Rotary Cutting

These are the tools I generally use.  Nothing too fancy.  A cutting mat, 22″ ruler, 15 1/2″ square ruler and rotary cutter.  My mat is small – it fits perfectly on my table.  My rotary cutter is from Martelli; it is an ergonomic rotary cutter.

Fold the fabric in half.  Let it hang naturally.  If you have pre-washed it the fibers relax and never fold perfectly.  This is ok – we will trim it.

Line up the fold line on one of the bottom lines of the cutting mat.  The bulk of the fabric is to your right.  You will cut off the left side.

Using your ruler, trim the edge.  Make sure your ruler is straight, lining it up with the same marks on the bottom and the top.  Make sure the fabric fold stays lined up on the line.

Slide the ruler down the fabric, towards the right, line up the width you want on your ruler.  In this example, I am cutting 3″ strips.

Cut and push it to the side, line up for the next cut.

This is my backwards way of cutting. My “VooDoo” way as my husband would say.  This is the way I was taught and it has stuck with me, I can’t seem to change my way.

Lay the fabric down with the fold towards the bottom.  The bulk of the fabric is to the left, you will be cutting from the right side.  Don’t worry about lining up the fold with the cutting mat; the lines on the cutting mat are ignored.  Using a large square ruler, lay it on top and line up the bottom with the fold line.  I line to use the thinner marks on the ruler; see how it is lined up with the fold?

Once lined up on the bottom, trim the edge before cutting your strips.

Slide the ruler to the Left, approx. to the width of the strip.  Keep the fold lined up with the line on the ruler.

Using a second ruler, butt it up to the square ruler.  Use this second ruler to measure the width.  In this example, I am cutting 3″ strips.  You can move the square ruler if necessary.  Always keep the fold of the fabric lined up with the line on the ruler.

Move the measuring ruler, the long one to the right, just slightly to the right.  Giving you a small area for the rotary cutter to fit in.  Make your cut.

Continue sliding the rulers over and making your cuts. 

I like this method for a few reasons:

1. I feel like I am holding the fabric in place more securely.
2. It is easier to slide the cut piece off to the side with my right hand

Try it – tell me what you think!

Today we talked about doing mitered corners on borders – like this!

Thank you to everyone who commented or emailed this week.  Special thanks to Mindy and Debby for sharing their paper piecing pictures.

Lisa posted a video tutorial on her site on how to do a mitered binding.  Check it out here.

Lori shared her original Speed Racer Quilt with us.  Love the concept, workmanship, EVERYTHING!  Leave a comment and let Lori know what you think.

I finished another block on Frolic.  Only one more to go!!

How to make a Mitered Corner

Cut your border piece longer then the quilt/piece.  A good gauge is double the border width plus 1/2″ for each corner.  This may be a bit longer than you need, but better safe then sorry.  Pin the border to the quilt top leaving an overhang of double the border plus seam allowance; for a 2″ border, that would be 4 1/2″.

When sewing on this piece you start 1/4″ in from the edge and stop 1/4″ from the edge.  So measure and mark this.  You can leave a gap bigger than 1/4″, but never smaller.

Fold the piece you just sewed back and pin the next side on.  Mark 1/4″ from the edge for the starting and stopping points.

When you stitch the second piece, the stitches shoule be close, but not touching.  I found that this was about 1 stitch too close.

Fold the side up and line the top edges.  Be sure the stitch lines are matching too.

Line up the top edge with the 45 degree mark on your ruler.  The side of the ruler lines up with the fold line.

Mark the line.

I found that it was easier with the seam allowance pressed down instead of up.

Stitch on your marked line from the quilt to the edge.

Trim, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance.  I use a “add a quarter” ruler for a guide.

Fold it out, press and you are done.

This is what happens when you don’t leave a 1/4″ from the edge when stitching on your borders or when you don’t match up your stitching lines when folding it in half and lining up the top edges.

Try it out and let me know how it goes.  If you have any tips, leave it in the comments section to share with everyone.

Today we talked about Paper Piecing and I caught you up on my going ons for the last three weeks.

Congratulations, Patricia!!!  She got a new Long Arm machine.  Check out her first completed quilt using the machine.  I love the fabric choices.  Patricia, your stitches are wonderful.

My knitted dishclothes. One stitched with a size 6 and one witha  size 8 needles.

My niece was knitting on a loom on Christmas.  She used sparkly crochet thread and was making a cool looking scarf.  Sorry no pics but I found this YouTube video on how it was done

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pPIT9Us7ZE]

Paper Piecing!

I got the pattern for my project here.  I did enlarge mine to full paper size.  Loved the pattern, but a miniture wouldn’t work for what I wanted to make.

Print out your pieces – I used Carol Doak’s paper (wonderful) and printer paper when I ran out (works, but harder).  I number/letter mine for future placement.  Plus, I used colored pencil to indicate what fabric to put where.

Get organized.  Cut out rough pieces approximately the size you need.  You don’t have to be exact.  My largest piece on the block was about 6 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ so I cut my pieces 7 1/2″ x 3″.  I only cut strips of the novelty fabric so I can fussy cut what I needed.  I laid everything up in front of me with discard piles to use for smaller sections.

Paper piecing does create a lot of waste.  It is hard for me – but you need to learn to get over it.  The technique is fun, so a little extra waste is worth the joy of the project.

Turn the pattern upside down.  You want to place the fabric on the back of the pattern so that you are not covering the sewing lines.  You must be able to see where you need to sew.  Place the first piece of fabric in place, right side facing up.  I always pin this first piece.

Place your next piece in place, 1/4″ or more above the sewing line, right sides together.

Hold it in place and flip it over. Sew on the line.

If you used a large piece – longer than the sewing line, you can use your scissors to trim.  This pieces can be set aside for future use in a smaller area.

Keep the fabric where you originally laid it.  Fold the paper back on the line you just sewed.

Use a “Add a Quarter Inch” ruler and trim.  This will reduce bulk.

Finger press the piece in place. You can press – most professional would recommend pressing with an iron.

As you move on, it may become difficult to know where to place your pieces.  I fold over the pattern on the sewing line and finger press.  This leaves a visible guide line.  Then I place the fabric about 1/4″ above this line.

Looks very messy when it is done.  Don’t worry.  Flip it over and trim on the dotted line.  Notice that this line is 1/4″ from the edge.  The solid line it the sewing line for sewing the blocks together.  Once trimmed – it looks great!

Sew your blocks together using the stitching line.

Today we talked about how to spread the word of Quilting and how to involve the younger generation.

I also talked about the fellow quilting podcast community.

My latest Frolic block

I am moved in to my new house – here are more pictures

Today we talked about how to make your own chenille.

Thank you to everyone who has left reviews on iTunes!  The Sew ~ Stitch ~ Create! podcast is now listed in the featured section on the Arts/Design page and is ranked in the top 100 podcasts in this section!  Wow!!

Log Cabin Dreams is Finished!!!!  Yeah! This is my fourth completed quilt and it took me less than a year to do it.  I owe most of this to you.  Doing his blog and podcast has kept me inspired and motivated all year.  Thanks.

I finished the border with scraps from the log cabin pieces.  I think it really ties it all in together.

Can you see the little flowers and butterflies I free-motioned into the border?

How to make Chenille

1. Use all cotton fabric and layer three pieces on top of each other.
2. Draw a line, corner to corner and every 3/8″ from there.
3. Sew a straight stitch on these lines.
4. Cut the fabric apart between the sewing lines
5. Stitch onto block
6. When the quilt is done, wash it several times
7. Use a chenille brush to brush out and fluff the fibers

This is the pieces of cotton sewn together

This is the chenille pieces cut apart

This is a chenille brush

This is what it looks like after it has been washed a few times.  Notice how the green already started to fluff and the pink didn’t.  Some fabrics are better for chenille then others.  Test this out beforehand.

This is what it looks like after brushing.

I recorded this days ago, but could not find the time to upload it until now.

This week we talked about Thangles!

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week.

Check out the quilt that Gidget help make for Quilts of Valor

Here is a picture of the new house!  More pics to come once we actually own it.

Here is a my latest block in Frolic.

Learn more about Thangles at their website.  www.thangles.com

I didn’t talk about too much this week, just caught you up on what has been going on the last two weeks.

Thank you to everyone who sent emails and left comments. Now that things are somewhat back to normal (at least until the house buying gets moving), I will have more time to post and more time to be on Facebook and Twitter; maybe I will even get my Ravelry and Flickr going.

Janie shared more pictures with us this week. Thank you so much, Janie. This is her latest quilt that was entered into a quilt show. As usual, Janie’s applique work is esquisite (did I spell that right?).

I had dinner at Christini’s - Great restaurant!

This is the tote bag I purchased at the Gift Market.  It was from Crazy Creations (sorry, no phone number)

I couldn’t take pictures at the Fine Arts Festival of Ocala, but I found two great booths.  Check out their websites.

• The Silk Needle
• Voila! Fiberlicious

Morgan’s art work featured at FAFO – I made her sit next to it so you could judge the size.  Go ahead, laugh: you know I did!

New iPod application:  Fabric Stash

My latest finished block for Frolic

HALLOWEEN!!!

This week we talked about fabric dyeing basics

Thank you to everyone who left comments or sent messages this week

Melanie sent PICTURES!  Check out Melanie’s first applique project.  It is a wall hanging – don’t the fabrics look hand dyed?!  Look at the detail.  Each piece is machine appliequed with a different decorative stitch.  Leave a comment and let Melanie know what you think.

Melanie also shared a new website she found   www.quiltgroup.com/community

Curio shelf that Dustin made

Dorothy costume done!  Now I am working on the scarecrow costume for the dog.

 
This is the book I was talking about:

Today we talked about how to  make a Quillow.  Detailed instructions will be posted later this week.  Listen to the podcast for more information now.

Thank you to everyone who donated and left comments this week.

Shelly Beth shared her wall hanging that we accepted in a juried  art gallery show.  I love the detail in the quilting and the embellishments.  Be sure to leave a comment and let Shelly beth what you think.

My latest finished block from the Frolic quilt.

Here are the pictures of my purchases from QuiltFest Jax.  Sorry it took so long to post.

The Supreme Slider and YO Yo patterns/tools from the Quilt Shop of Deland

Miniature pattern from the Schoolhouse Quilt shop

Free motion quilting quacker glides from the Fabric Art Shop

Step by Step patter from the Crazy Quilter

Miniature Patterns from The Village Mercantile

Rotary Cutter from Martelli

Silk Thread from Thimbles Thread

Topic of the week – Quillow!

A quillow is a quilt that folds up into a pillow.  I made one out of 5 different white fabrics as a gift for my mother recently. 

Quillows are a great way to finish all those quilt tops you have lying around.

Come back later this week for detailed instructions on how to make a quillow.

Congratulations to Plynne!  She won the free seat in Annie Smith’s online class – Quilting 101.

Thank you to Lisa who shared her latest project – a Bargello quilt – Lightening Strikes!  Don’t you love this Fabric.  Check out how Lisa keeps everything organized.  Great job – it is going to be a beautiful quilt.

Here are my latest blocks in my Frolic Quilt.

Question of the Week

• Do you have a dedicated sewing,crafting, quilting space?
• 97 responses
• 72% said “Yes”!

Lots going on in the Discussion Board; be sure to visit and use the login and register button at the top of the website.

QuiltFest Jacksonville!

I took a lot of pictures of quilting

I loved this quilting too!

Space Crystal from the "Big Book of Building Blocks" by Adeline Atkinson, quilted by Lori Freed; First place for medium size pieced.

Back to Square One by Marie Karickhoff; second place for miniatures

Panier Aux Fluers by Heather Harteneck; First place for Miniatures

A Tribute to Hannah by Marilyn Wagner; 3rd place for miniatures

Best of Show; Aunt Mimi's Flower Garden by Elise Campbell; 1st place for large applique

Home is Where the Heart Is by Linda Martin; check out the detailed quilting below

See the butterfly in the quilting?

Just a quick podcast today to announce the contest for a FREE seat in Annie Smith’s next online class.

Check out this new podcast – Mirkwooddesigns – Adventures in Creativity

Check out this “New to me” podcast – Creative Mom

My new coffee pot

This is the cutting board my son made me.

I canned my Jalapenos.

Here is my harvest

What they looked like while they were soaking

What they looked like before processing

After processing – see how much the water reduced.

Today we talked about how to quilt by hand.

Thank you to everyone who has been visiting the site and leaving comments.  I especally want to thank everyone who took the time to register and use the new Discussion Board.

Check out Darla’s latest project.  She recently took an applique class.  Can you believe she did all of this in 4 WEEKS!!!  It would have taken me more than twice as long.  Plus the work is so beautiful.  Look at her prep work as well.  I guess taking the extra time to prep really does pay off.  Please leave a comment about Darla’s quilt – I am sure she would like you opinion.

I finished my first knitting project – a scarf.  This is Morgan modeling it for me.

The idea of this project was to learn to knit and get more confidence with my knit and purl stitches.  I think I accomplished that – check out the beginning and end of the scarf; I really improved by the end.

I have been listening to the Quilt Study podcasts at work – here is the link

I am planning on going to Quilt Fest Jacksonville on September 26th.  Anyone else going?

Topic of the Week – How to Quilt by Hand

Listen to the podcast for all the details.  Here are the basic step-by-step instructions.

How to Start

1.  Knot in thread
2. Start away from your starting point
3. Go in through the top, but not through the bottom.  Travel needle through batting
4. Come up at starting point
5. Pull until the knot “pops” through the top layer and into the bottom layer
6. Don’t pull so hard it comes through your starting point.

The Running Stitch, using the Rocking Motion

1. Needle vertical down into the quilt, using the middle finger
2. Lay needle flat with the pointing in the direction of the stitch.
3. Push up, from underneath with the middle finger of the opposing hand
4. At the same time, pinch the fabric with your top hand with your middle finger and thumb.
5. Thumb should be to the inside of the stitch so you don’t poke your self
6. Return the needle to a vertical position and repeat

How to end

1. Make another knot in the thread, with it still attached and the needle still in place, similar to making a French knot in embroidery
2. Don’t go back into fabric, pull the needle through so the knot is a little ways off the quilt top.
3. Put the needle back through the same hole you just came through and travel it through the batting
4. Come up a little ways away
5. Pull on the tread until the knot “pops” through the top layer of fabric.
6. Cut the thread close to the top of the quilt

Today we discussed a little bit about my machine embroidery and embellishments for your quilts

Check out Cherry’s latest quilt. Isn’t it spectacular! She did this during Annie Smith’s online quilting class. Can you believe that you can learn these skills from an online class?!?! Check out Annie’s classes at www.simplearts.com. Please leave a comment and tell Cherry what you think about her work.

These are the new scissors my mom bought me.  What would I do without her?

My latest block from my Frolic quilt

The shirt I machine embroidered.  Please listen to the podcast to learn more.

Check out the new addition to the website – the Discussion Board!  It is still new and I am working out the bugs, but it will be a great place for use to posts questions and get answers right away.  You must register to use the discussion board, so click on the link at the top of the page “Register” or “Login”.

In the coming weeks I will also add a Craft Swap – listen to the podcast to hear the details.

This week’s topic was embellishments.   Check out QuiltingPassion for more tips.  This is what we touched on in the podcast.

• Charms
• Sequins
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Deocrative Stitches
• Applique
• Paints
• Hot fix crystals
• Yo-yos
• Lace Netting
• Buttons
• Fiber

Today we talked about marking tools

Thank you to everyone who left comments on iTunes, on the website, or through email this week.

• Cindy, ruthann, Debby, Lisa
• Melanie – thanks for the knitting tips

Emily sent us PICTIRES!!!  She just finished this baby quilt – it came out better than she thought it would while making it.  Don’t you love the wonky squares and how the binding ties into the colors!  Leave a comment and let Emily know what you think.

My husband’s new Tattoo

First Day of School Picture

Shopping at JoAnn’s

Cleaning up my sewing space.  How I used everyday items.

Old spice rack as a thread holder

Picture easel for my rulers and a vase for my stablizers

Plastic cups from around the house for marking tools

Picked up these cubbys from Wal-Mart for $3.50 to organize my scraps by color.

Topic of the week – Marking tools

Listen to the podcast, we reviewed these tools.  Which one is your favorite.

• Chalk pencil
• Wax pencil
• Washable blue marker
• Washable pencils
• Disapearing ink markers
• loose chalk
• regular pencils
• painters tape

Today we talked about sewing machine needles.

Thank you to all my commenters this week

• Material Mama – Nutmeg
• Prudence
• Claire
• Snowquilter & Pat for the great iTunes reviews

Patricia sent us PICTURES!!!!  This is a basket block of the month she joined.  Don’t you LOVE the colors.  My favorite is that each block is different.

Janie also sent us these great tutorial pictures on how she did her applique sun flowers.

What did I do this week?!

Picture of Emmett Smith at the Workers’ Compensation Conference

My latest Frolic Block

Blocks for the Facebook Quilt Block Swap – the fabric is Northcott

JALAPENOS!!!!!!  I love jalapenos and my little bush is growing so well.  I will preserve them soon.

Topic of the week – Sewing Machine Needles!

Using the right needle can make all the difference in your sewing.

Listen to the podcast to learn about the varies needles and what make them differnt

• Universal
• Denium
• Stretch
• Quilting
• Twin
• and many more

P.S. – sorry for the delay this week, my computer would not upload the podcast.  I finally had to do it from work.

Today we talked about the different styles of fabric…eventually.  We did finally get to it after we went over me busy week.

Comments this week

• Thank you to Allison Rosen from Within a Quarter Inch for the shout out on her podcast.
• Denise shared what it was like to sit in on a Quilt Out Loud taping.
• Another listeners is starting a podcast – more to come….
• Jennifer gave us a tip to save your scraps and cut them into standard sizes for scrap quilts.
• Tiffany sent Pictures!!!!!

Tiffany is a garment sewer, but about once a year she makes a quilt.  This design cambe from Quilterscache.com and is called “Independance Quilt”.  It was machine pieced and machine quilted using the stitch-in-the-ditch method.  This picture is a real Pick Me Up!

Tip for Scraps - save them for fabric postcards!  As you are saving them, sort them by color using a kids bucket storage system.

I bought a 48″ x 96″ piece of template material for $22 at Grainger.com.

Puppy in his baby onesie!  Got to keep those stitched covered.  I put Reecee in one too so Nacho didn’t feel like an outcast.

Machine Quilting – here is a pic of the meandering I have finished.  Maybe by next week I will be able to bind it.

I broke my ruler!!! 

Finished another Frolic block (only 100 left to go,  lol)

My Knitter’s Tote Bag

This is an original design by me.  I am typing it up and will have the pattern available for sale on Etsy for $4; pdf download.  The bag features two compartments; one on the bottom to hold the yarn; you can fit about 3 small skeins in it.  Access to the yarn area is through a hole in the side, so as you knit the yarn comes out easily.  The top compartment is big enough to hold a small project and 12″ needles; there are even eyelets in the bottoms for empty needles to go into so they won’t fall out.  The handles are long for knitting with it hanging on your shoulder.

Quilting/Knitting Apps for iPod/iPhone

• Stitchminder
• Quilt Ref
• Quilt Envi

Different Styles of Fabric

• Tone on Tone – same color but different values. Dark red fabric with a light print
• Batiks – dyed with a wax resist
• Marbled – different colors swirled together. Don’t know how it is done commercially – think of marbled cake
• Cheater Fabric – all over print, little to no repeats
• Novelty Fabric – pictorials; baseball themed, princess themed. Holiday, Disney…Good for fussy cutting or themed quilts.
• Calico – small printed fabric, all over pattern; originally, Calico meant Cotton Fabric.
• Contemporary – Modern design; considered more stylish
• Directional prints – designs with a clear right way and wrong way.
• Muslin – undyed cotton. Bleached or not, available in different quality
• PFD – means prepared for dying – not sizing, surface finish or treatment
• Pima Cotton – developed in the SW. Combination of Egyption and upland cotton. Longer fiber length, more shiny
• Repro – Fabric printed today using designs from before about 1950’s.
• Vintage – not printed today, the original fabric printed before the 1960’s
• Retro – old style designs, like from the 70’s and 80’s.

Today we discussed the all important technique of Pressing (no, not ironing).  Pressing can make the difference between a good block and a bad block.

Thank you for everyone’s comments this week.

• Ann – recommends QNNTV.com
• Ginger – says Project Runway starts this week

Jannie sent us PICTURES!  Check out Jannie’s work!  Isn’t it perfect!  I love her fabric choices, plus applique and piecing is one of my favorite looks.  Jannie traveled with her project as well, see how she prepped it before her vacation.

Question of the Week

• What notion do you use the most
• Thread scissors – 56%
• Rotary Cutter – 27%

Thank you to listener Shelly Beth for the poll suggestion

Here is a pic of my knitting – it is coming along ok.  I did have to tear it out once and start over.  And the zig zag is not suppose to be there – but, hey, it is my first knitting project!  Check out the website that helped me out.  www.knittinghelp.com

Here is my Apron.  LOVE IT!

Topic this week – Ironing

Links for more info

• DoItYourself.com
• Article on Helium.com
• Scrapquilts.com

Here is picture of my ironing board with the freezer paper grid.

I had a very busy, crafty week.  I didn’t have time to organize a planned topic, so, instead of skipping a week I thought I would share everything that went on.

Thank you to Nicole for sharing her pictures.  Nicole took one of her husband’s old shirts and made this dress for her daughter.  LOVE IT!!!  She got the idea from Crafster.org.  Leave a comment and let Nicole know what you think.  I love the idea and I may be running to the thrift store to pick up an old shirt to try it!

Tiffany shared with us how she trys to break the stereotype of only older people craft.  She always brings her crafts with her – knits in public as much as she can.  Join her – help spread the word and change this stereo type.

Picture from the baseball game – here is my WONDERFUL husband; he’s a cutie, isn’t he?

Picture of the card catalog I swiped from the junk mail pile at work.  Great place to get fabric postcard ideas.

This is my sewing table ready and waiting for my new machine.  One more day!!!  This picture does not give this table justice.  I love this table so much.  It is the perfect size not to be too overwhelming in a room.  The “L” shape is perfect and very comfortable to work at.  It doesn’t have much storage, but everything can’t be perfect.  the fact that It doesn’t have storage allows me to sit where my cutting mat is, if needed.

Everything I bought at JoAnn’s. 

My first knitting attempt.  I knitted a little, I purled a little, then I stockinette stiched a little.  See Friday’s post for a picture of the supplies I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

Today we talked about how to make a fabric postcard – Can you REALLY send them through the mail?!

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week.  Shout out to Shelbe, Cherry, and Darla!  Loved hearing from you.

Debby shared her latest project with us.  A CRAZY quilt block.  Don’t you love the texture?!  I like how she used decorative stitches and the ribbon embroidered boquet.  Please leave a comment and let Debby know what you think.

I saw a demo of the Janome Memory Craft 11000 Special Edition.  This machine does everything you could imagine.  I want one.  My first choice would be a Bernina, but the Janome is thousands cheaper and more than meets my needs.  Check out the sample they made for Morgan – the machine did everything, I just put it in the hoop, made my choices and hit “start”.

I practiced my free motion quilting this weekend.  Here is my practice cloth.  By the end I was getting it, but my tension was off – I need the Janome with the automatice tension.  lol

I picked up this book at the Flea Market for $3 (original price was $20).  It is in new condition with all the pieces.  Morgan and I will be working on these projects over the next few weeks.

Question of the Week Results

• What type of binding do you use?
• 28 votes
• 68% said double fold non-bias

Topic of the Week – Fabric Postcards

Items needed:

• Fabric for front and back
• I like the idea of white muslin for the back
• Fusable webbing
• Stablizer – Timtex, peltex, Fast2Fuse
• Thread
• PIGMA Pen

Design

• Can be pieces
• Can be fused pieces on top of background
• Can be embelished
• Can be a combination of all and any

Basics

1. Create your design on the fabric front
2. Fuse to the stablizier
3. Quilt as desired
4. Embellish as desired.
5. Fuse to the backing muslin
6. Finish the edges – I like a nice satin stich in a varigated thread.

Use a PIGMA Pen to write your message, address and return address

Adhere a self-adhesive stamp and mail!

Links to more info

• SewFunPatterns
• DollMakersJourney
• DebRichardson
• QuilterbyDesign

Today we talked about how to start a quilt guild.

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week. I really appreciate it. I had an email mishap this week with my new phone and accidently deleted a bunch of emails. Sorry, if I didn’t reply to yours.

I picked up two magazines this week – I would recommend them. They are not solely about quilting, but sewing in general. I am really enjoying them.

We got a new puppy! Meet “Reesee”. She looks just like a peanut butter cup. She is a 10 week only Chihuahua. She is miniature and probably won’t grow much bigger than 5lbs.

Question of the Week results:

• What do you consider yourself?
• 56% – Quilter
• 19% – Crafter

I finished another block in my Frolic quilt – only 11 more to go!!!

Here are some great links on how to start a quilt guild.

• CanadianQuilter.com
• QuiltGuilds.com

This week I just caught you up on what I have been doing and how my projects are going.  No topic, but plenty of craftiness.

My traveling with my stitching went very well.  Here are some pictures of how I organized everything.

I wound my thread onto bobbins and they all fit into a pin case. I left the ends hanging out so that I could get thread without opening up the case.

I used a small piece of material to organize some pins and needles.

I kept my scissors on lanyards.

Everything fit into a gallon size zip-lock bag.

Here is my lastest block finished or the Frolic Quilt.  I did this while on the road to DC.

Here are the blocks I received from the Facebook Quilt Block Swap.

Check out my daughter’s “Flower Party”!

Don’t forget to answer our question of the week.

Email me pictures of your projects and your ideas of what you would like to see in an iPhone App.

Today we talked about how to take your projects with you when you go on vacation, work, in the car, doctor’s office. . . whereever!!

First – Thank you to everyone who left comments this week.

Special thanks to Emily for sharing her wonderful project with us.  Leave a comment and let Emily know what you think.  I love the colors and the diamond design.  Emily got the pattern from a ‘07 edition of American Patchwork.

I would like to learn how to dye fabrics – please pass on any good books you know about the subject.

I finished the blocks for the Facebook quilt block swap.  I did pick up the wrong kind of sweaters for the flowers, but I made them work.  I think they came out pretty good.

I will be on vacation, in the DC area, for the next week – returning on the 7th.  The next podcast will not be posted until then. 

In the meantime – keep sending your comments and emails.  Work is giving me a new phone where I will be able to access email, internet, etc…. everything at all times! 

Please send me your ideas for the Question fo the week – This week’s question comes from Patricia.

Stay inspired!  We will talk again soon!

First, thank you to everyone who has been leaving comments and sending pictures!!!  This week, I shared Corrine’s recent project.  Check it out – don’t you love the fabric?!?!  Until I posted this picture, I did not realize she embroidered a “K” in the center.  Leave a comment for Corrine – let her know what you think.

Question of the Week – Bernina won out! – I still want one.  I am trying to come up with creative ways to save up the money for one.

On to the Applique! – Please listen to the podcast while browsing these pictures.  Hopefully, I posted them all in the same order I talked about them.

Freezer Paper - find it in your grocery store near the foil

Trace your pattern onto the freezer paper - separate the pieces and account for the overlap of the design

Trace the design onto the background fabric using a water soluble marker

Close up picture of the design on the background

Cut out the freezer paper pieces and place them on the corresponding fabrics

Make sure all the pieces are numbered

Iron them onto the fabric, leaving a 1/2" space in between each. Don't cut them out until you are ready to sew

Cut out the piece with a scant 1/4 seam allowance, pin into place on background. I use small applique pins.

When pinning in place, line the freezer paper up with the outline on the background.

Fold under the edge of the fabric so it is even with the freezer paper. Slide your needle, with a knot on the end, under the fold and begin stitching.

Only grab a few threads of background fabric and a few threads of applique fabric for each stitch.

About 1/2" before the corner, fold the top of the corner under bluntly.

Use your needle the fold the fabric under, even with the freezer paper. For curves, sweep the needle in both directions until the curve is smooth.

Stitch to the point of the corner, adding an extra stitch on the point.Use your needle to fold the fabric under on the left side of the corner. Push tightly to the stitches on the point.Fold down the rest of the side past the corner and continue to stitch.Leave the freezer paper on until all the stitching is done.

The finished piece - front view

The back after stitching around the applique piece.

Pinch the backing fabric away from the applique fabric.Use small scissors to snip away the backing fabric, leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance.Backing fabric cut away from applique piece.

Back after several pieces are sewn on and backing is cut away.

Today we talked about how to draw out a pattern.

Check out how many pieces are in the next applique block I am starting – it is going to take forever!!  There must be 500 points!  This is it drawn out on freezer paper.  I still have to cut it out and iron to fabric.

Here is the lastes block I finished on my Frolic quilt.

Goodies picked up at the last Quilt shop visit – Do you think an apron will make me a better cook?

Blocks finsihed for my basket block swap.  I just have to add the felted flowers.  The handle was the most difficult to come up with.  I kept cutting the strips too skinny to fold into a handle.

Today we talked about whether or not you should pre-wash your fabric.

I haven’t posted for the last three weeks because I had a terrible cold that had me in bed for five days.  Ever since then, I just hadn’t felt well.  Plus, I was overloaded with work that was keeping me very busy.

I did manage to finish two blocks of my frolic applique quilt and one more hardanger coaster.  I have two coasters left to go!

The weekly poll results

• Do you crochet
• 39 responses
• 67% say Yes

Listen to this week’s podcast to decide if pre-washing your fabric is right for you.

Send me pictures of what you are working on or have finished and I will highlight it in the next podcast!

This week I did not have a planned topic, so we discussed a variety of things.

Thank you to everyone who left comments this week.  Be sure to read the comments from last week’s episode on fabric stashes.  Very interesting to see how everyone else is handling thier stash.

Special thanks to everyone who left reviews on iTunes – we are up to 7 reviews.

Tami sent us a great email with PICTURES!!!  Tami used Moda’s American Jane fabric to make “paperdolls” with fabric.  She suggests quiltshoppe.net or keepsakequilting.com to purchase paperdoll fabric.  (#9304 & #9306 from keepsakequilting is the doll and clothes fabrics).

Tami fused the dolls to Timtex using heavy duty fusable.  She used a lightweight fusable on the clothes and toys- they stick right to the doll.

She also made a matching quilt with pockets in the back to hold the cutout dolls and clothes.  Great Idea.  Leave a comment and let Tami know what you think.

What did I do this week?

Finished two sets of booties – they were a hit at the baby shower.

Started another applique block for my Frolic quilt.  Found a paper piecing pattern from Carol Doak for my Florida Gator quilt.

Purchased a couple “magic wallets” from the daughter of a co-worker.  Easy to make and she sold them for $5 each.  Great way to make extra money with your craft.

Question of the week?

• What color thread do you piece with
• 25 votes
• 36% Grey
• 32% Tan
• 20% matches the blocks

Topic this week – Fabric Cuts and Book Review

• We discussed what the different cuts were; Fat Quarters, Jelly Rolls, Layer Cakes, and Charm Squares.
• Book Review of “Quilts for Men: From Crib to Dorm to Den”

Links from last post are now fixed and working – thank you to everyone who sent me a message.

Today we talking about keeping and organizing a Fabric Stash.

Thank you to everyone who left reviews on iTunes and comments this week.  Kelley from Pioneer Quilter, Corrine, Claire, and Shelly Beth from Fibermoon.com

What did I do this week:

Completed my first paperpieced block.

Picked up stuff to make baby booties for an upcoming baby shower.

Completed one bootie

Joined a quilt block swap on Facebook

Joined Ravelry, but I am still waiting on my invitation – Come on, Ravelry, it has been three days!

Care package from Kelley at the Pioneer Quilter.

Question of the Week Results

• When buying for your stash, how much do you buy
• 25 votes
• 48% buy one yard
• 28% buy 1/2 yard
• 12% buy 2-5 yards
• Corrine says “if you like it, buy a yard; if you REALLY like it buy 2 yards; if you can’t live without it, buy as much as your budget will allow”

Topic this week:  Fabric Stash

• Benefits of a stash
• Tips for taking care of your stash
• Ways to organize your stash
• Folding the fabric in your stash
• How to know what you have
• Is it possible to have too much stash? 

Check out these links for more tips:

• The Domestic Diva
• Feathered Fibers
• The Happy Zombie
• Cut Out and Keep

Buy Comic Book Boards here.

Call to Action

• Answer this week’s poll
• Leave a comment and share how you manage your stash

I will post an article this week on all my research – no lunch breaks this week to get to it.

This week we talked about Whitework Quilting.  This topic was a suggestion from one of my listeners.

Sorry I missed posting a podcast last week.  I forgot my headset microphone at work.  I plan on pre recording a few episodes so that if it happens again, I am more prepareded.

Thank your for all the comments and suggestions.

• Allison Rosen, Lisa, Debby, Tammy, Betsy, Grammie2Maddie
• Jan, Rhonda and Village tunes for leaving comments on iTunes

Special thanks to Emily for sharing her work and suggestion for an online quilt class.  Check out the website www.AllPeopleQuilt.com.  They have online video classes; some for under $10 a month. 

This is the project that Emily shared.  The pattern was from the Quilt Sampler Magazine.  It is machine pieced, hand appliqued and hand quilted.  I think this is absolutely beautiful.  Please leave comments and share your thoughts on Emily’s work.

Facebook - if you send a friend request, please send me a message telling me you know me through my website.

New Quilting App for the iPod touch and iPhone – seach for it “QuiltFab”.  It tells you how much fabric you need for binding, backing,a nd borders.

If you want to make money freelancing administrative work – send me an email and I will pass on what I know. 

I found Fons & Porter’s and Quilting Arts TV shows on my local cable.  Plus some great sewing shows.  Search your PBS and set up your recorder.

I need to crochet some baby booties for an upcoming shower.  If you have any easy patterns, send me an email and point me in the right direction.

Quilt shop visit – look what I got!!!!!

Question of the week results:

• 30 votes
• over 75% do not belong to a guil
• Will do a show on how to start a guild – we need to promote our craft!

Topic this week was whitework quilting, we reviewed what I covered in the articles posted this week as well as I preferred techniques

Check out Terri’s Whitework Tutorial

Here are some links to whitework patterns:

• Colonial Quilts
• Forest Quilting
• Jo’s Place
• Red Leaf Sales
• Victoriana Quilt Designs

Create your own Motif:

[
drafting motifs from Adam Chenevert on Vimeo.]

Book about Whitework Quilting and the authors video:

Fast Tube by Casper

Today we talked about practicing and the patterns all beginners should learn – plus the order they should learn them.

Thank you for all the great comments:

• Regular Contributors – Corrine, Colleen, Terri and Kelley
• Rona – another mother, career women, and quilter
• Kaye – my first follower on Twitter
• Michelle in Australia

Reviewed my busy week at work, house hunting and meeting my goals of completing one Hardanger coaster, one Applique block and visiting one quilt shop.

Question of the week results:

• 14 votes
• 64% only have one BOM

Beginner Patterns:

1. Use big pieces
2. All squares
3. 4-patch
4. 9-patch
5. 9 & 4-patch variations, rectangles
6. Irish Chain
7. Rail Fence
8. Log Cabin
9. Triangles, Diamonds & Curves

Tips for Success:

• Practice! – smaller projects may make it more fun.
• Experiment with fabrics, threads, needles, stitch length, batting. binding
• Rip it out!! – if the seams don’t match, fix it
• Learn one skill and build on it.
• Challenge yourself

Call to Action: (leave comments!)

• Would you be interested in a members only site with training materials and videos?
• Do you belong to an online quilt guild?
• Do you know any easy appliques patterns?
• Answer the question of the week.

Book where I got my info from:

The Ultimate Quilting Book by Maggi McCormick Gordon – sorry, couldn’t find it on Amazon

Music:

PodShow PodSafe Music Network

All Jazzed Up – By Brandon Sollins

Today we are reviewing some websites and my latest book purchase.

Thank you for all the great comments:

• Denise – shared her paper piecing project, inspiring me to try it on my Gator quilt.
• Terri sent me a Keativ Blogger award – WOW!!!  Check out her blog
• Terri also want to know more about whitework.
• Colleen shared her expierence with Quilt U.
• New Quilting Podcast!!  Quilted Cupcake

Question of the week results ~ Do you remove your pins or sew over them?

• 21 votes
• 62% remove their pins
• 14% don’t
• 24% say it depends on their mood.

Listen to Podcast for these Website Reviews:

Quilt Block of the Month Club

How To Quilt

Wholesale Sewing Suppies

Fabric.com

Listen to the Podcast for a Book Review:

Quiltmaking by Hand ~ by Jinny Beyer

Pick it up in the Sew ~ Stitch ~ Create!  Book store

Call to Action

• Send me emails or comments on what you know about whitewaork.
• Send me emails or comments show topics you want to hear about
• Answer the question of the week – How many BOMs do you belong to?

Today we are talking about the types of pins and needles that we use all the time.  What type is best for what job/fabic and how to care for them.

Review the posted for the last week for details of the topic.

This is a great place for pictures of different kinds of needles.  Click Here

Take the weekly poll.

• No spam
• No email required

Call out to listeners to start their own podcast.  See me my show notes for Episode 1 to see how I got started.  I would really like more of them to listen to.

I ranted a lot – thanks for listening.

Leave a comment and let me know what you would like me to talk about.

Today we discussed how to fit your crafting into your schedule and did a book review of “Fabricate“.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you do to fit your crafting into your schedule.

This is my Log Cabin Dreams quilt all laid out and ready to assemble – my Chihuahua, Nacho, refused to stay off of it and had fun mixing up the pieces every few minutes.

Key words to remember:

Fabricate by Susan Wasinger is an excellent book.  I reccommend everyone to get it.  It is not a quilting book, but she has some innovative ideas that could be used in quilts.

Today we are talking about Fabric Quality.

Thank you to Pioneer Quilter, Patchwork and Pacifiers, Within a Quarter Inch, and Denise for all your words of encouragement.

My daughter’s first soccer game!  She is number 2.

Morgan's first Soccer Game. They all look so little. She is the one kicking the ball!!

Pictures of Frolic.  Let me know what you think.  Am I doing this right?

Great place to learn about fabric ~ Fabric-manufacturers.net

Great book to learn about fabric ~ Harriot Hargrave’s From Fiber to Fabric; The Essential Guide to Quiltmaking Textiles.

Buy a thread count measuring tool ~ Roxanne International

Listen to Patchwork and Pacifiers interview with Mark Lipinske.

I think the sound quality issue is fixed ~ YEAH!!

Leave a comment ~ let me know what you want to talk about next week.

Welcome to my little piece of the internet. 

This first post is going to focus on why I am starting the blog and a little bit about myself.  First off, I am not a crafting, quilting or sewing expert.  I am just a beginner who loves the craft and wants to learn as much as I can and create better projects.

I started sewing when I was three years old and it has become a lifetime passion of mine.  I sewed or stitched all through my school years.  I was always working on something and never had a project too far away.  Unfortunately, during my adult years, work took up much of my time and I drifted away from the craft.  This blog is my journey back into it.  As I learn new things, I will share them hear.

My website is a catalog of my projects.  I always heard that you should take pictures of your projects because you never know where they will end up.  Let’s face it ~ most crafters are creating something they will eventually give away.  There is no better place then a website to record these creations.  All the data is kept on someone else’s server, so I don’t have to worry about losing it in mine.  Plus, the website displays the information beautifully.  At the start, this website has the following pages/links:

• About – tells you a little bit about me and how to get a hold of me.
• Book Store – this is an Amazon book store that will list any books I refer to in the site.
• Completed Projects – All my completed projects, broken down by category.  Have Fun ~ Explore!
• My Boutique – Not open yet, but I plan on opening an online quilting and crafting store.
• UFOs – All my unfinished objects.  Maybe one day this page will not exist.
• WIPs – All my projects I am currently working on.
• Blogs to follow – I am relatively new to blogging, but as I find really good blogs or podcasts, I will list them here.
• Must Visit Websites – I am still exploring great websites, but as I find them, I will list them here.
• RSS Feed – subscribe and automatically receive notification when something new is posted.

Each week I am going to focus on a different topic.  As I am researching it, I will share what I have learned here.  Please leave your comments.  My goal is to learn more and to help others learn more.  At the end of the week, I will produce a podcast of the week’s events.

Thank you for stopping by.  Give me a few days and I promise to have some crafty goodness for you to enjoy.

Interested in starting your own Blog/Podcast?  This is how I got started:

1. Bought a domain name at Name Cheap for under $10 a year.
2. Signed up for hosting service at Host Gator for under $10 a month.
3. Downloaded Word Press Software – Free
4. Downloaded Audacity software to record podcasts – Free
5. Used a microphone I had on hand to record; plan on upgrading mic and getting a pop-filter.
6. Signed up with Pod Bean to host podcasts – Free
7. Signed up with Feedburner to create a RSS Feed – Free