Nov
 13

Block 1 – All My Heart Quilt Along

November 13, 2012 in All My Heart 4 Comments »

Block 1 – 3D Heart

Here is block one of the All My Heart Quilt Along.  For more information about the QA see the main page under the Quilt Along tab.

Step 1:  Cutting instructions

  • Light – 2 – 2 3/4″ squares
  • Light – 4 – 3 1/8″ squares
  • Dark –  4 – 2 3/4″ squares
  • Dark – 4 – 3 1/8″ squares
  • Medium – 2 – 3 1/8″ squares

Step 2: Make half-square triangles

I use the drawing technique to make my half square triangles.  Match the following 3 1/8″ pieces with right sides together
  • Medium —>Light
  • Dark —> Light (3 of them)
  • Dark —> Medium
Using a marking tool (I used the frixion pen), draw a line from corner to corner

Stitch 1/4″ on each side of the line and cut along the line.  Press open.

 Step 3: Lay out your pieces according to the diagram.

Step 4: Stitch

I recommend that you press the seams open.  I didn’t and there was a lot of bulk

I thought I would start the quilt along with a relatively easy block.  There will be other techniques and a variety of difficulty levels along the way.

Don’t forget to share your progress in one or both of the groups; Flickr or Threadbias.

Stop by next Tuesday for block #2!

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Nov
 12

Recycling Challenge – Update 2

November 12, 2012 in Challenge No Comments »

You could win a Fiskars Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat.

This is a reminder of the ongoing Recycling Challenge.  The post with all the information can be found at http://www.sewstitchcreate.com/2012/10/15/recycling-re-purpose-challenge-contest/

 

There are 21 days left in the Challenge, what are you working on?  What ideas do you have?  What materials will you be working on?

I am working on recycling an old boat cover and turning it into re-usable shopping bags.  The boat cover was replaced because my father-in-law decided to try to pressure wash it to remove the mold.  Not only did it not work, it removed all the water resistance from the cover.  Making the cover useless.  So we bought a new one.

The old one was in REALLY bad shape.  It was pretty big too with elastic around the edges.  So to get started I cut it up into manageable pieces.  I then zig-zagged the edges so it didn’t fray during washing.

Here is the before picture:

I first tried washing the pieces in the washing machine.  Then, I tried washing it with bleach – not once – not twice – but three times.  This was as good as it was getting; still not presentable for a bag – even a junky bag:

Next, I soaked it in a plastic tub with bleach and water.  I did 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.  I let it soak for 2-3 hours.

Now that is a piece I can do something with!  It still has markings of the mold, but it smells fresh and the marks look more like a design.  And, it is super soft.

I did a close up comparison photo below.  I hope this helps you come up with different ideas for materials that can be re-purposed.

 

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Nov
 10

5500 Quilt Block Designs

November 10, 2012 in Book Review No Comments »

by: Maggie Malone

Published by: Sterling

Year Released: 2005

Construction: hard cover

Pages: 448

Rating: 8 out of 10

 

I am a huge fan of sampler quilts and traditional blocks.  When we were creating SeamedUP, we dreamed of a database of quilt blocks with videos and tutorials on how to make each one.  So, since that isn’t in our future, I got this book.  When I Googled quilt block books there were several with hundreds of designs – this one had the most!

The book is laid out perfectly.  There is a key in the front that tells you what all the acronyms mean.  If Maggie could find out where the block originated, she tells you by denoting one of these acronyms.  Next, all the blocks are sorts by grid pattern (9-patch, 4-patch, 12-patch, etc..).  There are even sections for alphabet blocks, circles, stars, and more.  Plus the international signal flags patch patterns.

Now, there are no directions or instructions – but I wasn’t expecting any.  How could you fit 5,500 blocks in 448 pages with directions. But, the blocks can be drafted onto graph paper easily; from there you could make templates or figure out the cutting and piecing.  Because of this, I would say this book is for the intermediate to advanced quilter – a beginner would enjoy the inspirations, but would have trouble knowing what to do with it.

So when you get past the key and table of contents you have the rest of the book that is nothing but blocks.  Every quilt block imaginable.  With so many, I don’t know how designers ever come up with new ones.  There are 15 blocks per page, in a little 1 1/2″ thumbnail image.  Each block is numbered, has a name and tells you the origin (via the key).  It sucks you in and is hard to close.  I would say, it is total eye candy for the quilting enthusiast.

Know where to start and what to do with the book is a bit difficult.  How do you even choose which one to make?  How do you know which ones compliment each other?  Do you make a quilt with just one patter repeated or do a sampler?  As much as I like this book, I could easily see it not being useful.  I could see it ending up on shelf without a single pattern made.  Sometimes to many choices is just too much.  It is for this reason that I gave this book an 8 out of 10.

Maggie Malone did an incredible job on this book.  I can’t even imagine how difficult it was gathering all this information.  It is mind boggling.  And then to think she had to create the graphics of each one too?!  Wow.

 

 

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Nov
 10

Dear Jane

November 10, 2012 in Book Review No Comments »

The Two Hundred Twenty-Five Patterns from the 1863 Jane A. Stickle Quilt

by: Brenda Manges Papadakis

Published by: Wrights

Year Released: 1996

Construction: soft cover

Pages: 160

Rating: 7 out of 10

 

This is a well known book that I only recently picked up.  So this review my be late in the game, but I am trying to put all the books I have into the Book Review section.

Prior to purchasing it, I already knew a lot about this pattern.  I have been on the Dear Jane website and I even joined some of the groups.  I absolutely love the quilt.  I am not scared away by the small size blocks (4″) or the sheer number of blocks.  In fact the number of different blocks is what attacks me to it.

What surprised me when I opened the book what that there are no directions.  Or, shall I say, very few.  A total of four pages; four very vague pages.  I was expecting cutting and piecing instructions.  So, the book says that the blocks are made with templates and you copy the pattern from the pages of the book.  I know how to use templates, but it is not my favorite technique.

Luckily, there are plenty of groups out there to help.  There are also CDs and such to help with the templates.  More than likely, I will piece what I can (like half-square triangles) and use a template for the rest.

The book does have a few unique features, though.  There are several “Letters to Jane”.  These are letters that the author wrote while researching and recreating the quilt patterns.  These are like experiencing the process with Brenda.  Another thing I like is that she included several different ways to use the patterns.  Not everyone can make all the blocks, it is a huge undertaking; but maybe you want to use what you have accomplished and turn it into a quilt.    There are 10-12 examples of quilts made with these blocks, including an interesting safari one.

 So, if you are up for a challenge, pick up this book.  And make the Dear Jane quilt with me.

 

 

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Nov
 9

Tips – I learn something new all the time

November 9, 2012 in This n' That No Comments »

Over the past few months (since I stopped spending 150% of my time on SeamedUP), I have picked up a few tips that are new to me that I thought I would share.

  1. Stitching in the ditch is not just for a quilt design – I read a great article on how to ‘stitch in the ditch’ but it also elaborated on why.  Doing this before you do your filler or decorative quilting stabilizes the quilt and gives you better results in your decorative quilting.  Wish I knew this before my feathers on the hot ribbon quilt.
  2. Pressing seams open is more than a fad – I also thought this came about because more garment sewists were moving in on quilting.  But I found that a lot of the modern quilters do this so their quilt has a flatter look.
  3. Card stock paper works well as a template material - I didn’t want to bother with cutting out the plastic, paper is so much easier.  And it worked pretty good.
  4. Put the curves of your applique pieces on the bias, it makes your curves and points easier to do.
  5. Batiks work well for raw-edge applique.  They are tightly woven and don’t fray as significantly.
  6. A Spiral Eye Needle is not just good for easy threading, but it helps when you need to bury the end of the thread into the quilt.
  7. When cutting your fabric and if you have scraps – immediately cut them into the scrap size you are saving.  Mine is 1 1/2″ for a postage stamp quilt.  Going back and spending hours cutting these is a pain – doing it along the way is much easier.
  8. When piecing, use different color threads in the top and bobbin – if the tension messes up, you can easily see what is caused the problem; the top or the bobbin.
  9. When cutting multiple layers of fabric at once – press the layers together one at a time with steam.  They will kind of ‘cling’ together making cutting more precise.

I couldn’t come up with a #10, so can you help?  Leave a comment and share you tips.

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Nov
 8

November’s Saturday Morning Sew-In

November 8, 2012 in This n' That 10 Comments »

Mark the date:

November 17, 2012

7:00 am to 11:00 am EDT

This month’s Sew-In will be next Saturday.  I learned a lot from last months, so let me clear a few things up.

A Sew-In is a dedicated time for you to Sew!  Use it as an excuse to your family “hey, I can’t do laundry right now, I signed up for a Sew-In”.  Sewing when you know others are sewing is just more fun and it is exciting to see what everyone worked on.  Although, the time above is Eastern Daylight Time – you sew whenever Saturday morning is for you wherever you happen to be.  If the morning doesn’t work for you, then sew in the afternoon or whatever works for you.  The important thing is to share, by Sunday evening, what you worked on.  This sharing is a way to hold you accountable; it is our way of helping you in finding time to sew.

There will be a Twitter chat during the hours listed.  This is the dedicated time that I will be on Twitter.  But you can chat anytime after that time – Hey, I am not the quilt police!  The Twitter chat is a lot of fun – I hope you can make it.

I will schedule one every month and give you a few reminders before hand.  Please join us and share it with everyone you know.  The more the merrier!

 

How it Works:

  1. Add your name and a link to your blog to the list below.
  2. Spread the word about the sew-in, either on your blog or through your social network channels
  3. Add the Sew-In badge to your blog
  4. On the morning of the sew-in – SEW!  And have a great time; use the event as an excuse to your family to leave you alone – you are participating in a sew-in!
  5. Join the conversation on Twitter during the sew-in – follow it with #SMSI.  TweetChat is an easy was to follow the party and join in the conversation.
  6. After the sew-in and before Sunday evening, post a picture or two on the Flickr group – showing us what you worked on; do a blog post, too.

Sew Stitch Create

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Nov
 7

Pretty by Hand

November 7, 2012 in This n' That No Comments »

Have you visited Pretty by Hand, yet?  I found this blog while blog hopping around one night.  What really attracted me to it was the pretty colors.  I admit it, next to earth tones, pastels are my favorite; of the pastels out there, I love pink.  I guess I am a girly-girl after all.

The author is Kristyne Czepuryk.  Don’t ask me how to pronounce it; but she does help out with a post about it.  Kristyne is a mom, quilter, and crafter.  After making a diaper bag when her second daughter was born, she started making handbags and such and selling them.  Her success led her to teaching at her local quilt shop.  Soon she will be a published author with her book “S is for Stitch” releasing soon.

S is for Stitch is a book about embroidery.   It includes alphabet-themed patterns for boys and girls.  The designs look so cute that if you are not into the alphabet style (which I am), you will still have plenty of designs to try, just leave out the letter.  Plus it comes with patterns for quilts, pillows, wall art and more.  The description says it is good for beginners – good thing, because those stitches always confuse me.  Personally, I can’t wait until it comes out.  I don’t buy too many craft books, but I am seriously considering putting this on my Christmas list – it would be a nice gift for Dustin to buy me.

 

Back to Pretty by Hand. . . . On the blog there are a few sections that I love.  1) there is a huge list of sites Kristyne would rather be visiting instead of doing laundry 2) there are links to a few tutorials – my favorite is the one about her needles  3) the photos are fantastic   Kristyne was as the recent Quilt Market and she shared some fabulous photos.

Since I have gotten back into blogging, I am regularly reading my blog reader and hopping around from blog to blog.  I also do a lot of web searches for various things – depending on what I am writing about.  Very rarely do I end up on the same blog – Except Pretty by Hand.  I see a picture of something that is super pretty, I click and here I am.  Over and over again.  You know what that tells me?  Great content, great information, and eye popping pictures.  Plus, Kristyne has a wonderful sense of humor that makes me want to read her blog (look for the post about what polka dots smell like – I still chuckle over that one).

So please check out Pretty by Hand.  It is well worth your time.

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Nov
 6

Thanksgiving Craft Round-up

November 6, 2012 in This n' That No Comments »

No-Quilt Thanksgiving quilt decoration by Vintage Image Craft

Fabric Leaf Placemarkers by Beliefnet

Be Thankful Banner by Tatortots & Jello

Turkey Table Runner by Those Alaskan Girls

Scrap Buster Fall Pillow by Cluck Cluck Sew

Give Thanks Placemat by Quiltmaker

Fabric Cornucopia by Craft Staci

Thanksgiving Wreath by Sugar Bee Crafts

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Nov
 5

LBB Update

November 5, 2012 in Quilting No Comments »

I have been steadily working on Little Brown Bird.  Instead of working on the next block, I decided to move to the side triangles.

There are eight of them, all in the same pattern.  I thought if I worked on them assembly line style it would go quicker.  I thought wrong.  It is going just as slow all the other blocks.  On top of it, each one has 22 stuffed berries.  These little berries take some time to make – of course, by the 22nd it was going a bit quicker.  I am at the stage of stitching them on.  Not the easiest task either.  But boy, do they make the blocks stand out.  Here is what I have done so far – still about 13 more berries to stitch on.

Now, it can’t be all applique and nothing else.  But, those who know me, knows that I do not like to have too many projects started at once.  I really wanted something to piece.  So I purchased one of the border fabrics for LBB.  Now I can get started on the sawtooth star borders.

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Nov
 4

Come back Quilt Shop Owners – I miss you

November 4, 2012 in This n' That No Comments »

This past week has been the Quilt Market and Quilt Festival in Houston.  I don’t know about you, but for me (a person who is not able to attend), I can’t stand this week each year.

I am not a avid quilt shop attendee, but if I need supplies they are the first place I go.  I never fails that during the week of the spring and fall markets, I always end up at my local shops picking up fabric or supplies.

It always seems to me that the old adage is true, even at a quilt shop – ‘When the cat’s away, the mice will play’.  This past week, I went to two quilt shops.  One by my work and one in my home town.  In both cases, not only was the owner at the show, but so were their key employees.  The service wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t the same.  I had to track down people to cut my fabric or tell them where the fabric came from in the store.

Yesterday, I asked where they keep their ‘Best Press’ (because Morgan used mine up on a school project).  They didn’t even know what I was talking about!  After a few minutes of explaining it and several minutes of searching the store, they gave up and said they didn’t have any.  Peggy or Sue would have known immediately and got it out of storage.  So I grabbed my 3 yards of fabric and went to check out – I was a bit nervous because I was paying with a gift certificate.  But after staring at it for a bit and a little freak out when I wrote the check for the remaining balance before they could pull out the calculator and figure it out for me (Yes, ladies – I do know that 31 – 25 =$6 AND I can do that math in my head!)  I was on my way with the thought that I will NEVER go back during Market week.

It really makes no sense to go during Market week anyway.  Next week I would have gotten to talk to the owners about what they saw.  Possibly new notions or products would be in.  It would have been much more fun.

For now, I just say “Hurry Back, quilt shop owners – WE MISS YOU!”

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