Create experiences that leave you in awe, for these will be the highlights of your life. ~Ryan Blair

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Getting Ready for Halloween

Throughout the years, 
we share in this celebration in many different ways. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Some go all out and decorate
Make costumes
Buy candy
Go to parties
Love seeing those little people dressed up, 
And responding to the words: "Trick or Treat".

Or perhaps:
Quilting may be at the top of your list!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When it comes to quilting, we like to try all manner of projects; and Halloween projects are really fun to make with those delightfully bright and colorful orange fabrics, that reflect this season. And when does a quilter not LOVE collecting seasonal fabrics! These fall colors are so inspiring.


My first and only Halloween quilt is this wall-hanging:

Since seasonal quilting fabrics are so fun to work with, I really wanted to make a quilt with these oranges from my stash, even though I had not purchased any Halloween fabrics.




The quilt is from this book: "Easy Does It For Autumn" by Art To Heart.

To see more on this project, visit this link: Halloween Candy Quilt, made in 2010.







Two things that I did differently were: 
(1) Not adding the fancy buttons because I didn't want to spend the money; 
(2) Binding the quilt rather than sewing right sides together and turning it. 

I enjoy doing the binding stage; and liked this look much better. It was a fun and easy project!





Shown: Quilt in progress. 

Perhaps, one day I'll still add some fancy buttons. And get to hang it!

View the finished project here.


The other project for Halloween is a sewing project:

One year, I made my grandchildren these delightful bags for when they went trick-or-treating. They were really fun to make. This time I went out and purchased these Halloween fabrics to make them extra special.

TREAT BAGS

This FREE project I found online; and can be downloaded from: fishsticksdesigns/blog

Now, this reminds me... that I still haven't used those little boys patterns that I purchased from her site. Maybe it is time to start my 2015 Hope-to-Make list before I forget again.  ;)


Have a safe and happy day!!



Wednesday, October 22, 2014

How-to Chain Piece Odd-Numbered Block Sets

Is chain-piecing your favorite way to join blocks?
For me this is true.

CHAIN-PIECING STRIPS
PROS
  • It saves time
  • and the bobbin thread lasts longer when not having to cut thread at the end of each piece stitched. (And that's a good thing!)
CONS
  • If you are sewing up block sections with odd-numbered pieces, there seems to always be one block left. And when is it best to add it to the other pieced parts?
  • If you get confused and sew blocks together that aren't supposed to be joined, time is lost in ripping out those seams. 
  • It can be difficult to remember which blocks come next.... and your seam ripper is used more than you wish. (Can't have the seam ripper get too much time in!)


IN COMES A BETTER METHOD .... 
To Organize the Process With Less Frustration!

This tutorial uses a block section containing 81 squares; and will be sewn together in groups of three. No one block will be left orphaned in the chain-piecing process. Have fun!!


PREPARATION OF BLOCKS
STEP 1:
Set up a design wall or portable board, to allow you to arrange the blocks correctly; and use this method more effectively. (See How-to Make a Grid Layout for use on your design wall.)


STEP 2:
Place your fabric squares on the design wall (fabric grid is optional) in a pleasing arrangement. This can take some time; however, try to enjoy the process. After this is done, you are ready to label the appropriate rows. This will keep blocks correctly placed, as the columns come together.

NOTE: At the time the photos (those included in this post) were taken, I was using a flannelette fabric draped over a cardboard box. And realized that a grid would allow for even spacing as one planned out the design.


STEP 3:
For your labels, use either purchased stickers or pieces of masking tape. Use a marker or pen to write numbers on each piece. You will need 27 pieces: (3 sets of numbers = 1 to 9)


STEP 4:
Once labels are prepared, add them to the squares in ROWS 1, 4, and 7 as shown in diagram below. The numbered blocks will allow easy placement back on the design wall, throughout the process.




SEWING THE BLOCKS TOGETHER
STEP 5:
Now you are ready to begin with the chain-piecing process. Each group of three rows will be done the same. Pressing is very important; it begins in Step 5-C. The photos below show the completed process of each grouping.

Let's begin to construct these blocks to form the following groupings. 


(5A.)  
Chain-piecing squares from ROW 1 and ROW 2. Then adding squares from ROW 3.

Keep the stickers on the blocks as you sew. You will be stitching the blocks together to form nine columns of three blocks each.




(1.)
Take the top block in COLUMN 1 (labeled 1) and the block directly below it from ROW 2. Sew these two blocks together. Next take the top block in COLUMN 2 (labeled 2) and the block directly below it from ROW 2, and sew these together. Then continue chain-piecing blocks from COLUMNS 3-9 until all are done.

NOTE: You may separate the chain-pieced blocks at any point; once you have at least one or two pieced blocks done. Then pin them back on the design wall to keep them correctly positioned. With the numbered stickers on the top blocks, you'll always know which direction to place them back on the fabric grid. This allows you to see how the pieced blocks look as they are assembled.


(2.)
Once ROWS 1-2 are done; add blocks from ROW 3. Start by taking down COLUMN 1 (Pieced ROW 1-2 blocks) and add the ROW 3 block; continue as before by going across the columns until you have three blocks sewn together from ROWS 1-3.

NOTE: Pin finished columns back onto the fabric grid. To keep the chain-piecing going; separate previously stitched blocks and add them to the design wall before you get to the end of the row. Or take from the next section if you wish to completely finish a row. Then place them in the appropriate place as you continue.


(3.)
Now that the section for ROWS 1-2-3 is complete; repeat the same steps to complete ROWS 4-5-6; and then ROWS 7-8-9. Pin finished columns back onto the design wall.

You will now have three sections containing three completed rows as shown in the photo below.

ROWS 1-2-3; ROWS 4-5-6; ROWS 7-8-9
COLUMNS SEPARATED INTO THREE SECTIONS


(5B.)
Chain-piecing column groupings into completed COLUMNS. 

(1.)
Beginning with COLUMN 1; sew together blocks from ROWS 1-2-3 and ROWS 4-5-6. They are labeled with a (1). Then sew together ROWS 1-2-3 and ROWS 4-5-6 from COLUMN 2 which are labeled (2). Continue across the columns until all nine are completed. Pin these back onto the design wall as you separate them from the chain-piecing process.

NOTE: Now that the blocks are put into columns and hung on the design wall, you can see what your finished piece with look like. If you wish to make any changes in placement you should do it now, before the columns are sewn together. 




ROWS 1-2-3-4-5-6; ROWS 7-8-9
JOINING COLUMNS: ROWS 1-2-3 TO ROWS 4-5-6

(2.)
Now you should have ROWS 1-6 joined into columns. To complete this stage, repeat the process as before by adding ROWS 1-6 to ROWS 7-8-9. The columns are now ready to join together.


COLUMNS 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9
INDIVIDUAL COLUMNS MADE FROM ROWS 1 TO 9


(5C.)
Pressing seams; and chain-piecing column groupings into sets of three. 

(1.)
It is now; that we should press our seams before they are joined to other columns. You may press in an earlier stage if you wish; however, you really don't need to turn on the iron until this step. Also if you have a portable design wall you will not have needed to get up from the sewing machine, until now. (Good time for a stretch!)

Pressing the seams: press all even-numbered columns one direction; and press all odd-numbered columns in the opposite direction. This will ensure that the seams are going in opposite directions when nesting them before stitching, as you join the columns.


(2.)
To begin sewing together the columns; start with COLUMNS 1-2; then do COLUMNS 4-5; and lastly COLUMNS 7-8. Once these are stitched; separate them from each other. And add the missing column in each grouping. Joining C3 to C1-2; C6 to C4-5; and C9 to C7-8.

Match up seams; (seams should have been pressing in opposite directions) and then sew the two columns together. Separate the chain-pieced columns, so they are ready to add the third column to each of those columns already stitched. At any time, you can detach them from the chain-piecing process and pin them back on the design wall.

It will not matter in which direction you press these seams, at this stage. When pressing seams, it is usually easier when the section is smaller. So if you wish, sew together the three sections; then press. Or press once all nine columns are joined.




COLUMNS 1-2-3; 4-5-6; and 7-8-9
COLUMNS JOINED INTO THREE SECTIONS

(5D.)
Block Set is complete. How will you use it?    

(1.)
If you haven't pressed the seams as you assembled the columns, do that now. Your 81-block section is now complete; and can be used in a variety of projects, as desired.


(2.)
After making five of these block sets, my sixth ended up coming together the fastest and without placement error. Here's what I discovered:
  • Chain-piecing works great; but how many times does one still have to stop and start again when not having a sewing order in place?  (Labeling the rows really works!)
  • Once blocks are sewn; they are harder to match with blocks from unsewn blocks still on the design wall.
  • Thinking one can remember the correct order; and it actually happening that way, generally brings the seam ripper to the rescue to fix any errors. 
  • When similar colors are used on both top and bottom of a column, which way was up?
  • Putting the blocks together in stages, kept the chain-piecing process going smoothly.
  • The numbered squares were easy to keep in order; and placement back on the design wall was effortless.
  • An assembly method for joining blocks, always provides a good rhythm to the quilting process. 
  • Having a portable design wall, eliminated the need to get up while sewing the blocks, until pressing was needed. (Mine was a cardboard box and a folded sheet of flannelette.)

Turning those scraps into squares, provides new opportunities for creating fun blocks; resulting in more unique quilted projects.

Here is my sixth (final) color theme ready to be turned into something new. I will share more on these block sets, in a later post.


COMPLETED SCRAPPY BLOCK
81-BLOCK SECTION COMPLETED

If you found this tutorial useful, please share your comments below. I'd love to hear from you.

When square is beautiful... still works for quilters!!



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Signs of Autumn Project

Each season has its own personality and palette of color.... We all have our favorites; and sometimes, it's hard to choose which is best. 

A U T M N . . .



To compare the colors: yes, winter is mostly white, summer is mostly green, and spring is just waking up from a long slumber; but it's autumn that has the beautiful transition of the leaves from green to shades of golds, yellows, reds, oranges, purples, and browns.

Autumn is my favorite because the days are more like summer and the nights more like spring. And one does not have to toil at making color appear; simply sit back, and enjoy the universe's paintbrush do its work.

Of course, the only down side is.... this colorful season passes by so quickly before the next season is here to erase all that color. But then, again.... there's more time for indoor activities: like quilting, where we can imagine and play with fabrics of all shades and hues to add color and warmth where it is needed.


IN COMES QUILTING TO LIVEN UP OUR LIVING SPACES...


Continuing with my quest… to use more of my stash fabrics, I attempt new ways to create interesting strip-pieced applique. Being passionate about machine fused applique, I continue to incorporate this idea into my own designs. So here is my fourth design: SIGNS OF AUTUMN to show you how easy it can be to find suitable fabrics, in your stash.

Pattern available at my Craftsy store;
or you can click on the "I'm a Craftsy Designer" button on the sidebar. 

Make this lovely autumn wall hanging to remind you of those beautiful hues of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples that signal the signs of autumn; as the trees usher in a new season.

If the weather is good; a walk can bring a sense of peace as one enjoys the rustle of crunching leaves underfoot. I never tire of those beautiful hues that nature offers; however, the season soon fades and no leaves remain for quite some time.

SO... why not make a quilt that will not shed its colors wherever you wish to hang it!  And enjoy those beautiful colors of this truly remarkable season…as long as you like!


PATTERN DESIGN LAYOUT

SIGNS OF AUTUMN QUILT   (24-1/2”w x 23-1/2”h)



Take a walk and enjoy this season.... and then get ready to quilt!



Friday, October 10, 2014

How-to Piece Batting Scraps

What do you do with scraps of batting you cut off when trimming a quilt project? 
     1.) Toss them ALL in the trash.
     2.) Save them to use as stuffing in craft projects.
     3.) Or sew leftover pieces together to reuse as batting.

What type of projects do you like to make?
     1.) Only large bed sized quilts.
     2.) Only small wall hanging and art deco quilts.
     3.) A combination of sizes from small to large size quilts.

Will this method work for me?
     1.) If you make only large-sized quilts, in the traditional methods, then perhaps not.
     2.) If you make quilt-as-you-go blocks, this will work for you.
     3.) If you make only small-sized quilts, then this will be a great way to save on batting.
     4.) If you need practice blocks to learn new techniques, this is a good alternative.



HOW-TO PIECE BATTING SCRAPS

Here, I share with you what can be done with scraps of batting to actually make use of them again. These re-pieced batting pieces work well for individual blocks and small-sized quilt projects; or if you need to add a strip of batting to a piece that isn't quite large enough on a particular project.


STEP 1:
Gather up any odd-shaped pieces of batting to see what you have saved from previous projects. Then prepare them to create new batting sections to use on other projects.

BATTING SCRAPS


STEP 2:
Thread your machine with a light colored thread to sew these pieces together. (Thread color is not really critical here. If you have numerous bobbins that are only partially filled and would like to empty them for other colors, you may use these up in this step.)


STEP 3:
It is very important to straighten the edges that will be facing each other. This will allow for a better fit when stitching them together. Use your rotary cutter and ruler to cut these sides.

STRAIGHTEN ONE EDGE ON EACH PIECE TO BE JOINED


STEP 4:

Lay both pieces side by side so the straightened edges touch each other. Do not overlap the edges. Then sew them together using a zigzag stitch. Set the stitch to its widest width. (7.0)

JOINING PIECES OF BATTING


STITCHING TIP: You may use a regular zigzag stitch to join these pieces; however, I have found that a three-step zigzag stitch works much better.  This stitch uses three stitches instead of one for each side of the zigzag allowing more stability in the stitching process. It also makes the join feel smooth and flat to the touch. (Both will still work fine, just nice to have other options.)

See the difference below...

THREE-STEP ZIGZAG STITCH
REGULAR ZIGZAG STITCH


PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT they say...

Wouldn't we all like to be experts without the practice?  Keep dreaming; however, to perfect our skills we still need to PRACTICE. :(

All this takes time and materials, so what better way to start practicing then: by using scraps that may otherwise be tossed out.

In the process, we help ourselves and the environment, as well!!


PIECED BATTING STRIPS
STRING-PIECED BLOCKS READY TO EMBELLISH


No matter which way... 
you like to use your scraps (either batting or fabrics), here's a great start to creating unique one-of-a-kind quilt projects from remade pieces.



Piecing to Quilting to Snuggling under a cozy quilt!  Here we go....



PS....  
Anyone interested in participating in a 2015 BOM using pieced blocks as shown in the photo above and creating a unique scrappy quilt with the quilt-as-you-go method? Let me know.




Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Oh.. Lollipop!

The third and final FREE project for 2014 in this PIECED-STRING SERIES, is available now at my website. I am providing a few more details here; to add to the pattern instructions. You can also check out the other two projects previously posted, if desired.

"Sometimes life just needs candy!"

Sew up these delightful lollipops to sweeten the day... Or if you wish, they are easily adapted to become a bouquet of flowers.
************


As you can see from the photo, the complete quilt top is make from 1-1/4" wide strings. The lollipops are made using blues and purples. The candy jar uses whites; the background uses two alternating browns; and the border uses the same colors as the candy.

So have fun with this one; and select your favorite colors to stitch up this cute mini quilt!!


FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:
  Front : 11 fabric strips (1-1/4” wide x 9-1/2” long)
  Border: 4 strips (1-1/4” wide x length of side)
  Backing: 11” x 11” piece
  Binding: approx. 58" long x 2-1/4" wide

Applique Design – (made with pieced fabric)
  Lollipop: 3 strings x 2-1/2” wide (each)
  Candy Jar: 6 strings x 4” wide
  Candy sticks: 1 string x 4” long

OTHER SUPPLIES:
  Fusible web – 7” x 8” piece
  Batting – 11” x 11” piece
  Sewing thread – colors of your choice


PIECED FABRIC STRIPS FOR APPLIQUES



SOME TIPS WHEN MAKING THIS QUILT

APPLIQUE PROCESS

1.
Sometimes when adding applique to a single layer of fabric, it can distort the shape. One way to prevent this is to add another layer of material behind it when stitching on the appliques. However, to avoid adding more bulk, why not use the batting layer to give this support. On a small project, this works well.

To keep both pieces in place, add some stitching that will secure both pieces and also give some added dimension behind the applique design. In this mini quilt, all I added was a diagonal line from corner to corner, creating an X. Certainly, more can be added, if desired.


2.
When adding multiple pieces; it is sometimes very time consuming to stitch around all those edges, especially if you wish to match the thread to the fabrics used. So one way to make the process easier is to add only certain pieces; stitch around them; and then continue adding more appliques.

So for this design......
A. Lay out your appliques on the background piece to figure out placement of all the parts; then remove those not needed; fuse on the lower portion of the candy sticks to hold them in place.
B. Then fold back sticks so they are out of the way of the stitching. This provides easy access to the top of the white piece which will get stitched first.
C. Once done, unfold the sticks and fuse in place to continue. Stitch.
D.* At this point, either add the border and finish with the candy and candy jar. Or add all the remaining appliques first; and finish with the border.
E. Photo shows finished mini quilt. An outline stitch was added around the applique design.


A.)  POSITION PIECES ON BLOCK

B.)  STITCH ON JAR PIECE (white thread)

C.)  STITCH ON CANDY STICKS (green thread)

*D.)  ADD BORDER TO QUILT BLOCK

E.) FINISHED MINI QUILT


Originally, I was going to make these into flowers. In quilting, you make the final choices in fabric selection and any adaptations to the design. So....you can decide!


Have a cheery day!