Category: Quilting

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June: Crooked Mile

Crooked Mile
Yellow Blue Road

I have made it half way to my goal of completing a project a month.  Dance if you wish. This quilt is from a pattern called “Crooked Mile” by A Quilter’s Dream.  I have seen this quilt in many color ways, but I must admit the more contrast you use in your  color choices, the better you can see the pattern. Using only blue and yellow in a quilt was on my list of things to make, so now I can check that one-off! This really is a fun quilt to make and I think you get a big bang for your buck.

Now a short lesson in fabric. I purchased the required amount of fat quarters at a popular chain store. Fat Quarters (18″x21″ or something close)  were on sale, plus a special coupon; who could resist? Not I.  Having already made one of these quilts in black, white, and red I knew it would be a great pattern for blue and yellow.  I justified my purchase by knowing I wouldn’t keep this quilt and that it would probably end up being donated. Well, you really do get what you pay for.  I won’t get into the details now.  Let’s just say that not all quilting fabric is equal.  You meed to ask yourself if the extra care involved is worth the lesser price.  Must put that on my to blog about list.

When it was time to quilt, I loaded it on my Bernina frame. I needed practice in pattern placement and that’s just what I got.  I am now ready to take those skills to another level.

It is already July and I’m busy on this month’s project.

Here is the “Crooked Mile” in Black/White and Red

Black and White and Red All Over
Black and White and Red All Over

 

 

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The Writing Process

She asked, I responded…..

I met Nancy a few months ago at a meeting of local bloggers. Being new to this world, I felt a wee bit intimidated, but she made me feel welcome from the moment we exchanged names. She invited me to join a group of women bloggers who meet monthly, a group she started and facilitates; one of her many adventures. (Learn more about the adventures of Nancy here.) She shared with us at the first meeting I attended that she was blogging about writing.  A friend of hers posed 4 questions and asked Nancy to not only write about writing, but to pass on the questions to other women.  I figured the exercise would be the perfect learning experience. I wasn’t wrong.  Lesson One: We are all different and that is exactly the way it should be. We all need to be OK with that.  Nancy’s response is eloquent; mine….not so much.

What am I working on?

“Too many things at once.” Is the first thing that pops into my mind and is what I started blogging about at the beginning of this year.  I have multiple sewing projects waiting to be finished. I am also working on a list of blogging topics. Both are ongoing.

How Does My Work Differ From Others in My Genre?

This is an interesting question.  What is my genre?  On the surface it is sewing and quilting.  Below that is a desire to chronicle and document the projects I make.  And yet further below is the desire to be a writer.  I didn’t really answer the question now did I?  There are numerous sewing/quilting bloggers on the web. I spend a lot of time analyzing the process in an attempt to come up with a way that is not only easy to do, but easy to learn. I also love sewing notions. My long-term plan is to review as many notions as possible as objectively as possible. Ideally, my blog will become a place for sewers to come to learn and be inspired.

 Why do I write/create what I do?

Let’s break this into two questions as they are mutually exclusive.

Why do I write?

I write to share my love of quilting.  I have been described as a natural teacher. I love to teach.  I love the look on someone’s face when they master a new technique.  I also see a lot of misguided instruction on the web. Anyone can blog (myself included) or post a video on the web for the entire world to consume. Just because it’s there, doesn’t mean it’s good. I know; shocker, right? So my goal is to provide a place of tried and useable techniques.  I’m honest about and share my mistakes; making mistakes is a huge part of learning. If you’re not willing to admit your errors, I think you are misleading your audience.   The thought that my errors could improve a fellow quilter’s work is most gratifying.

Why do I create what I do?

I love sewing. It is truly my happy time, even during the most frustrating of applications. I used to enjoy sewing clothes but lately have been working on quilts, small projects and home dec.  I didn’t start sewing until I was way into adulthood, so I have a lot of time to make up.

 

How does your writing/creating process work?

Again, a question in 2 parts.

 How does your writing process work?

Very very slowly. Literally, I use a laptop. I started writing research papers on the fly in highschool and college on a Corona Selectric typewriter. Editing was impossible, so I received a lot of comments from my instructors that the content was good, but lacked flow.  If only they knew!  Word Processing has allowed me the luxury of adding flow.  A list of future blog topics is an ongoing document that lives in the cloud. I do not consider myself a writer and if I had taken the time to realize that blogging is in fact writing, I might have never started.  Most of the writing I did in my previous life involved operational manuals, how to guides, and other mundane business documents. The actual writing is itself challenging. Sometimes you have to let it go.  My blog is not journalism, it is informational.  The more I can accept that, the more blogging I’ll be able to do.

 

How does your creating process work?

The first step is deciding what to make. This usually involves finding a pattern or coming up with one on my own.  Next is gathering the supplies needed and then heading to my sewing studio.  Depending on the project, many different sewing machine accessories and techniques may be used. Very often, well almost always, I will bring out scrap fabric and test sew out an idea.  Since I started blogging, I now take pictures throughout the process. When the project is completed, I begin the daunting task of cleaning up the chaos that has taken over my studio. Breathe and repeat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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May: Holiday Pot Holders

PotholdersBefore you start thinking that I really have it together because I’m making Christmas presents in May, know that these originally were supposed to be given out in 2012. Unfortunately, I sustained an injury with a sewing machine needle that required a trip to the ER while finishing a set of these and the project got put away until……..well now.

The pattern is called “Pot Handlers: Potholders & Oven Mitts with Personality” by Tiger Lily Press. Super simple to put together. The only change I made was to leave the hanging loop flat on the back. The holders themselves still hang nicely if one wants, but you can also use them as a mini trivet.

I came up with a nice little trick for the binding. I left just enough of a tail at the beginning to fold the binding at a 45⁰ angle. Then I put on a very light line of Liquid Stitch™ using a toothpick. I laid the ending strip of binding across and finger smushed it together. I let dry for 30+ minutes. At this time, I could trim the seam allowance and then sew the binding down. I think this is a great technique for joining the ends of binding on smaller items and will definitely keep this in my toolbox of tricks.

Place Liquid Stitch™ on the pink line.

binding one

Overlap the binding and smush down.

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When dry, trim and stitch down.

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Lesson Learned: I bought this holiday fabric thinking it would be great for this project.  Some of it was; like the little cups of cocoa. The Snowmen and Santas…not so much. You can’t tell what they are on most of my pot holders. The next time I make these, or anything this small, I will think differently when I purchase my material.

 

The rick rack was actually used to cover up a slit in the fabric.  I fixed the slit with Liquid Stitch™ and then covered it with the rick rack. No matter what the mistake, it can always be salvaged one way or another. I hope these pot holders inspire you to start thinking about your holiday sewing plans.

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Oh Sew Digital!

mobile device

I have embraced the digital world for a long time now. I am computer literate, internet savvy, and working on my social media skills.  I own a smartphone, a tablet, and a laptop. I had desktop computers back in the day: floppy drives, towers, etc. Whew…..I am connected.

The laptop is my only “traditional” computer now.  I do all activities on it that most people do on their computers including writing this blog. When it comes to sewing, I have a number of software programs. But what I want to focus on here are mobile devices and how you can include them in your creations.

I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, 2014 edition. I love love love this tablet.  I can doodle quilting designs, run all my android apps, write my blog, read other’s blogs, take photos and videos.  One way I use it in my sewing studio is as a PDF reader.  I have all my machine and software manuals on it.  I love that I can search for a subject and poof go right to that section.  The convenience of having a digital manual right beside my computer is priceless.  In the past, I would have to jump back and forth between the digital manual and the software windows when working on my computer. I also take pictures of my quilt layout and then if I have a question when piecing my blocks together, I have a photo to reference. Recently, I had to repurchase the pattern for a bag I really like.  Now it has been scanned and saved to my tablet. I might misplace the pattern again, but at least now I have a backup.

Then there’s my smartphone.  The camera is invaluable to me.  Again, it’s a Samsung Galaxy. (Yes, I’m an Android person, but those of you that are dedicated to IOS will find similar functions and apps.) In addition to taking pictures of my work in progress, I use it to take pictures of all sorts of things.  You know the cardboard that most sewing notions are attached to, with the directions on them?  Take a picture.  That way when you go to use it again, the directions are right there…on your phone or even your tablet. No more storing the instructions; let alone the time wasted looking for them.  I do, however, strongly suggest that you store that information in an additional location. I also take pics of the fabric requirements for patterns.  That way, when I’m out if I run across the perfect fabric, I can look at the pic and buy the right amount. I could devote an entire blog post how to use your camera.

And then we have all those mobile device apps.  Just put the words “sew” or “quilt” in the search area of your app store and explore what comes up.  My favorite is the Robert Kaufman Quilting Calculators. There are also inventory and bookshelf apps that let you store a listing of all the sewing books you own and even your patterns.  This is also a great way to keep track of all your threads.  Again, think about what you might have ever double purchased.  Another great one is  My Bernina App .  You can enter all the feet and accessories you own and or want.  Plus you can look at videos on how to use some of the most popular accessories. (Even if you don’t own a Bernina, the videos are useful)  I haven’t even begun to tap into everything that is available. Think about what would make your sewing world easier or more organized and look for an app that can help. Be sure to let me know what you find.

If you haven’t embraced these digital assistants yet, give them a try.

 

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April: Pam’s Yellow Roses

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I love yellow roses, so when I saw this pattern I knew the color scheme immediately. I am over the moon pleased with the outcome. I found this pattern in a 40% off basket on a trip to Chicago in 2008. Yes, I did the math and it only took 6 years to complete. I bought the fabric locally and started my adventure. Fortunately I was super organized about it and although it some times sat for years untouched, when I did bring it out I was able to pick up where I left off.  This is a picture of my organized mess.

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I first became fascinated with paper piecing when I saw a very intricate quilt of a humming-bird.  I was not a quilter back then, but I would go into the shop where it hung every few months or so just to look at it. Finally I asked how it was done and heard the term “paper piecing” for the first time.  I never did purchase  the pattern so when I saw this one for English Roses by Eileen Sullivan,  I was not about to pass it by.   The shop that displayed the humming-bird quilt is long gone. You can see this and other gorgeous paper pieced patterns here.

Coming up with the quilting took longer than normal for me.  Quilt tops talk to me. No, I am not the quilt whisperer.  Sometime during the process, the quilting style comes to me. When this didn’t happen, I was stumped.  I really wanted to keep the lines straight and not fight the angles of the piecing.  Finally, it came to me.  I was afraid to use some of the standby marking methods, so I went for painter’s tape.  Pinning the tape turned out to be the key.  It is difficult to see, but I put down the tape out in the opposite order of how it was quilted.  I would quilt a line, remove the tape and then quilt to the next line. I started on the far right.

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I really enjoyed the process and yes, I will definitely do this type of piecing again.  It requires staying somewhat organized, referring to a fabric chart constantly, and being focused.  I can do that.  Even in the midst of what most would call a mess, I could put my hands on everything I needed.

Wow, another month done.  This is actually the first UFO that I finished.  The feeling of satisfaction is inspiring.  So far I am 4 for 4.  Now, if I could just be that focused on blogging.

 

 

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Becoming An Artist

I was NOT one of those kids that loved Art Class in elementary school.  In fact, I dreaded it. I know, you’re thinking: who ddin’t love art class?  Me.  Honestly, I couldn’t draw.  Horses seemed to be a popular theme among my classmates in elementary school.  My drawings consisted of a house, on a hill, with a tree.  Sometimes I would add a fence.  It always looked like crap.  Then I would add the sun.  A boy showed me how to draw the rays of the sun: long ray, short ray, long ray, short ray.  That image is still fresh in my mind. His name was Peter.  I was very proud of my suns.  But, on a whole; still crap.

You may now be thinking; you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself, it couldn’t have been that bad.  It was that bad and I’m not being hard; just honest.

I was good in math.  This led me down the left-brain road.  It also fit in well with my family.  I liked this road; it made sense to me.  It still does.  My creativity was masked in logic. I was a thinker. Besides, I couldn’t draw so I couldn’t be an artist.  I held that thought for most of my life.

Then I became a sewer and eventually a quilter.  I still thought that I wasn’t artistic.  I was just following a pattern and tweaking it here and there for whatever reason.  I was still a thinker; a creative one. And then one day it dawned on me, I am an artist. I choose the fabrics and I create dimensional art. Whether it is a skirt, a wall hanging, a purse, or a quilt…..it IS a piece of art.  What an eye opener.

I think as an artist.  The room I create in is “My Sewing Studio.”   I push my talent and have taken my craft to new levels. I try different  techniques and experiment on a regular basis. I am beginning to design quilts. Most importantly, I look at things differently.  I pay attention to color and shapes.

I’m still good at math, which ironically is a great talent to have in the sewing world.  I am still a logical thinker.  Again, a talent I tap into frequently.  But I am also creative and use both sides of my brain. I still can’t draw a horse, or a cat, or a flower for that matter.  That’s just fine with me.

 

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March: Hunter’s Star

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A few years back I bought a Quiltsmart pattern for a Hunter’s Star and fabric to make it with.  Yes, this ended up in the closet.  So for March, I brought it out.  It is an interesting concept really.  Basically you use a printed fusible interfacing to make the blocks.  Super Duper Simple.

Cut up all the pieces you are going to use.  There are a lot of pieces here folks, so I broke them into stacks of ten to keep up.  This is all the fabric ready to go.

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OH and then you have to cut apart the printed blocks and that was a pain because they are not in straight columns/rows so no rotary cutting. I’m sure this decision was financially based, but it is not a good one.

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Fuse fabric to the foundation.  There are a few steps here so you need to be careful when fusing, because you are leaving the corners bare.  I have an inexpensive iron with a Teflon sole that I use just for fusibles.  If it gets gunky I can wipe if off with a damp paper towel when the iron is cool.

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And then sew along the lines!  How simple is that?

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Finally there is some trimming to do.  I got a little sassy here and paid for it later.  Cut on the lines.  Do not, I repeat, do not trim with the block right side up.  No matter how careful you are, it will haunt you like a like a ghost in October.

Then sew your blocks together and Voila…..another quilt top is done.  It is time to celebrate.  Well, almost time at least.

There were problems where the stars come together.  You have 8 points meeting, plus the added fusible so basically double the fabric; kind of.  I had a difficult time getting the points to lay flat. I swirled, I hammered, I cussed, and then finally I let it go, like a helium balloon.  Originally I was going to put this on the frame, but after I saw it put together I didn’t want to distract from the piecing. Then there was the bulky seam challenge. Finally there was the gorgeous fabric I found for the backing.  I decided to quilt it in the ditch with monofilament thread.

The quilt itself is a little stiff and will probably soften up when washed.  The yellow fabric was way too light for this method.  I know you can’t see it in the picture, but it is very see thru and in some areas I can see the lines of the fusible. All in all, I can’t say I would do it again or any fusible for that matter.  Yes, it is easy and yes, it looks nice. And yes, if I had never done it, I would try it. And finally yes it is a good method for those who do not have the experience or desire to piece the old fashion way.  And by old fashion, I mean with a good machine and a quarter inch foot.

 

I did however come up with a way to make the Hunter’s Star block in my head and if I ever really sit down and do it, I will share.

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The Life of a UFO

My UFOs

Anyone who has been quilting for a few years and doesn’t have a UFO is lying. (ok, that’s a little harsh)  Let’s face it, even that idea in your head is unfinished. For those of you who are not quilters, a UFO is an UnFinished Object.  I have a few myself; including 2 quilts that are year-long blocks of the month.  Each quilt has 11 finished blocks and both are safely tucked away in labeled project boxes.  In addition to started projects, I have a number of items waiting for take-off.

There are two questions here.

The first one: How does one create a UFO?  This is quite simple. You are working on a quilt for yourself in the colors of your bedroom.  You spent hours picking out the perfect fabric and the pattern is a little challenging, but not too far beyond your capabilities.  Then one day you’re out with friends and you find yourself in the local quilt shop.  There is a beautiful display of the cutest holiday wall hanging made out of the most delicious fabrics. YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT!  After all, they are selling kits.  Then you get a phone call announcing an expected baby.  You just HAVE to make them a quilt.

This scenario repeats itself over and over again.  Some of these join your unfinished bedroom quilt. The number of your UFOs is multiplying.

Continue reading The Life of a UFO

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International Quilt Day!

THE-WORLD-FLAG

Today, March 15, 2014 is International or World Quilt Day.  These types of events always take me to the internet. They really should take me to the sewing machine, but I love to learn, so off I went.  I first tried google and then remembered Wikipedia.  I found an article on quilts and it actually touches on the craft in different countries.  You can read it here.

The next time you sit at your sewing machine, just imagine that somewhere else in the world. far far away, someone else is doing the same thing.

I hope to bind a quilt today, what are your quilting plans?