Gift #1: Finished: Sotak Purse Organizer

I bought this Purse Organizer pattern from Sotak Handmade sometime in December 2020 when she was having a sale. It was an impulse buy. I thought that the bag would be useful in my work laptop bag for carrying my wallet and some items I would normally put in my purse. When you don’t have a desk, everything has to be portable and carrying a purse in addition to a laptop bag and a lunch bag makes me feel like a small pack animal.

I cut out this pouch on New Year’s Eve eve 2020 and sewed it together on New Year’s Day 2021. Once cut out, it was an easy project.

The excellent thing is that I was reminded how easy Zipper slip pockets are to add! Tim and I have talked about these types of pockets, but I was reluctant despite the cool zipper ruler I bought. This pattern got me back into the swing of those zipper slip pockets and I feel more confident that I can put them into any bag. I did have trouble keeping the zipper straight as I sewed it, so that is something to work on.

I also should have clipped the corners of the bag before turning it as I couldn’t poke the corners out and make them look sharp.

I decided to make this as a gift for my mom for Mother’s Day, but ended up giving her something else, so it was a Christmas gift.

Quilt Class: Preparing for Quilting

If you, mostly, do not quilt your quilts yourself, then part of your quiltmaking process should be preparing your quilt for your longarm professional. You can read my longarm rant which implies things to think about when choosing a longarm quilter, but regardless of who you choose, you will still have to prepare your quilt.

To be honest, when I get to the “YAY! I have finished my top” stage, I am done with the quilt. However, I also don’t want a bunch of tops laying around, so I am working on finding the Zen or meditative qualities of finishing my quilts.

Top

My tops are what they are. I press as I need to press, which is usually towards the side. Sometimes my tops have points where a lot of seams meet. I don’t try and change that piecing, but I make a note and point those areas out to Colleen and usually tell her to avoid them.

If there are no borders, I sew around the entire edge about 1/8 inch from the edge. This stabilizes the seams that intersect on the perpendicular with the edge.

Back

However, when I get to the back, I do try to be nice. Part of the process or creating the meditative space in my head of finishing my quilts deals with the back. I no longer piece tiny squares together to create a coordinated back. I try to use very large pieces of fabric, which not only enables me to finish the back quickly, but also lessens the number of seams on the back for the longarmer.

My personal, fabulous longarmer has never complained about seams, but I also don’t want her to become frustrated with me. I make pieced backs. That is just what I do. I see no good reason to buy additional fabric for the back when I have perfectly good fabric in my fabric closet that is not being used.

Lately, I have started to try to remember to press the seams open on the back. It doesn’t really matter in terms of back construction, IMO, but it lessens the number of layers that the longarm needle has to punch through. My personal, fabulous longarmer has never said one way or the other, but I figure that it can’t hurt.

If I know that the end of the seam will be on the outside of the quilt or NOT crossed by another seam I will also backstitch. I do this on the front also, so that the threads don’t pull apart as the quilt is being stretched on the longarm machine. Of course, I don’t always know, but I do my best.

I try to make the back at least 8″ larger (4″ on each side and 4″ on top and bottom) all the way around than the size of the top. To do this, I lay the top on my design floor and build the back on top of it.

Post-it Notes are your Friend

I measure the top and the back and pin a post-it note to the quilt saying what the sizes are. I use hot pink post-it notes. My quilts are generally square, but usually not perfectly square. They are often off by an 1/8″, but not much more. If I put the post-it note on, the longarmer clearly knows what s/he is dealing with and can’t blame me later for lousy piecing (Well, s/he can, but I can just look at him or her sarcastically and not feel bad).

Top and Bottom

You might think that any idiot could tell which is the top and bottom of your quilt, but that is not always the case. I had a quilt where the back was really large – much larger than the 4″ all around that I normally make it – and my personal, fabulous longarmer put it on sideways, because I didn’t mark the top and the bottom. She is not in my head, though she is in my fantasy life head , so now I put a post-it note with the word ‘top’ on both the top and the back. Top on the post-it note means “dude, this is the top of the quilt.”

Pins

I take them out as I piece. There is no later. If my personal, fabulous longarmer runs over a pin I left on the quilt, I pay to have her machine repaired. My fault, my problem. That is why I take pins out of the seams, rather than running over them.

Embellishments

I embellish with anything 3D AFTER the quilting is done. If there is some reason that I put a button or beads in a section of the quilt, then I pin a very bright post-it note to that area. I also point it out to her when I bring the quilt to her. If my personal, fabulous longarmer runs over an embellishment on the quilt, because I didn’t warn her, I pay to have her machine repaired. My fault, my problem.

Press, Press, Press

As much as I despise pressing the top and the back I do it just before I take the quilt to the longarmer. Then I hang the top and the back on a pants hanger. The pants hangers have to be tough and have really strong clips, because those quilts are heavy. If I don’t press the wrinkles will not ‘quilt’ out.

Binding

My longarmer attaches my binding on side with the machine for me, so I include a binding with my top and back. Generally, I put it in a plastic bag and attach it to the hanger so it doesn’t get lost.

This is the last step. Once the quilt is on the hanger, it is ready to be taken to the longarmer.

Keep in mind that your personal longarmer might have different requirements for how you prepare your quilts. Make sure that you know what those are before you take your quilt to be quilted.

X Quilt

I have rummaged through my dots drawers numerous times since I bought Pop Parade by Metro for P&B Textiles. Recently, the collection caught my eye and that is what I am using for my latest quilt.

This quilt is from the book Quilt Big** by Jemima Flendt. I tried to borrow it, but nobody had it, so I ended up getting a deal on it in Kindle format.

This quilt had a rocky start. The Kindle format didn’t make for easy reference to the pattern. I finally figure that out and started cutting, but got confused by the directions, so I pulled all the fabrics I planned to use, then started cutting again. That made more sense, but not a lot. My confusion continue. Finally, I printed out a copy of the layout, looked up the sizes of squares I needed and cut using those two aids. After figuring out the folded corners ruler, I sped along.

X Quilt- Saturday work
X Quilt- Saturday work

I made good progress on Saturday. I thought I might finish cutting and sewing the blocks together. HAHAHAHA!!! There was a lot more cutting than I anticipated. I guess I got oriented to the pattern on Saturday.

Simple Folded Corners Ruler

I bought Doug Leko’s Folded Corners Ruler** awhile ago but didn’t have a reason to use it until Saturday. I started working on the X Quilt last week. I was really struggling with the way the pattern was written. After reading a Bonnie Hunter post about Valentine’s Day where she mentioned this ruler**, I dug it out. I watched a video, started using it which resulted in the X quilt process moving along. I also felt happier.

Folded corners are often referred to as “flippy corners”. This ruler makes them easy. I was amazed to find that they sew up perfectly. I watched the Fat Quarter Shop video demo to get me started.

Two squares to join
Two squares to join

First you need the two squares indicated in your pattern. I used a 6.5 inch square and a 3.5 inch square. These sizes came straight from the pattern. These sizes were one of three pairs of sizes I needed to make the quilt. I used the same process on all the sizes and it worked perfectly regardless of size.

My smallest sizes were 3.5 inch square and 1.5 inch square (for the corner). I was concerned that the 1.5 incher would be too small, but it worked just as well as the others. N.B. I did have to make sure that the small pieces did not get caught in my machine, but it was made easier because there were no dog ears. Doug Leko does have a mini version of the ruler** I mentioned, but I don’t have it and didn’t’ investigate the differences. I also noticed that Creative Grids has a ruler that purports to do the same thing**.

Line up two squares
Line up two squares

Make sure right sides are together. Line up your squares so the corners are straight. You do not want to see the bottom square on the top or right when the pieces are lined up.

The above step requires fairly accurate cutting. By that I mean your square should be square.

Line up ruler
Line up ruler

Place the ruler** on the two squares. Line up the solid line on the left and the XX line on the bottom with your top square.

Lines to use
Lines to use

When you line up the ruler, there is a solid line on the left. It is the first solid line on the left and connects with the diagonal line. This is the line you place on the left side of the smaller square. The diagonal line should be corner to corner.

 

Cut on the diagonal
Cut on the diagonal

Cut on the diagonal. The ruler includes the diagonal seam allowance. This is a great feature of the ruler so you don’t have to guess where to sew like you do when drawing a diagonal line. Also! No drawing of diagonal lines. I have a lot of corners to add for the X quilt so this is a bonus. It saves me a little time.

 

 

Pin then sew
Pin then sew

I like to pin, then I sewed along the diagonal.

Press.

 

 

 

 

Perfect corner!
Perfect corner!

Perfect! You might think that I picked the most perfect one, but I didn’t. First, I didn’t know what was going to happen when I started taking photos for the tutorial. With very few exceptions all the corners came out lined up perfectly. Where they didn’t (1 or 2 only), I think it was because I didn’t press the fabric properly or didn’t cut accurately.

 

Whole Lozenge Block
Whole Lozenge Block

The whole block came out really well, too.

I love the idea of specialty rulers. I often buy them with hope and don’t take the time to learn to use them. Or they turn out to be not as promised- not as helpful, hard to use, etc. This ruler works really well. I am super pleased not to have to draw 2 zillion diagonal lines!

 

 

 

 

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Sheffield Tool Tote Begins

I started cutting out the Sheffield Tool Tote last week during Sew Happy Hour. I really got busy on it Friday, which is when I finished the cutting and, then, yesterday I started the sewing. Cutting out projects really makes me feel like I am getting nowhere so making pockets and the exterior made me feel like I was making progress.

This is a pretty structured bag by Sew Sweetness. It is similar to the Quilts Illustrated Tool Tote I made a few years ago (?). I bought it as part of the His, Hers and Furs bundle when that bundle was on sale (no affiliation). This is the first project I have made from that bundle.

Spectrum of Colors

Spectrum of Colors Arranged by Chance is a 1951-53 painting (oil on wood) by Ellsworth Kelly. I saw it at the SFMoMA when Julie, DH and I visited a few years ago. I have been wanting to use the idea in a quilt for awhile.

FOTY 2018 Begins
FOTY 2018 Begins

Last week, I started on FOTY 2018, which will be my piece inspired by Kelly’s work.

I have to say that putting the pieces on the wall has been a joy. I feel much closer to it with my new design wall. I also really like the white interspersed with the color. It is making me think of doing one with white squares as well as the slate grey I have planned for 2019.

I am also apprehensive about adding the black. We will see, though.

I am also really excited that I am working on a true UFO!!

Warm Windmill n.2

Warm Windmill n.2 test
Warm Windmill n.2 test

I am starting the Windmill. for my mom.

The photo shows a test to see what I think of that square dot as a background. I was afraid it would overwhelm the blade fabrics. I think it looks ok.

Warm Windmill n.2 -layout
Warm Windmill n.2 -layout

I have done some piecing and am pleased with the look. The image below shows the quilt laid out on my design wall before I started to piece. I can’t believe how many batiks there are! That is all Friend Julie. She has an amazing collection of batiks!

Starting Another Windmill

Windmill blades + background
Windmill blades + background

As you know from a previous post, I had about a million leftover Windmill blades. I put them back in the box after finishing both Windmill quilts, not sure what I would do with them. Apparently. Mom was broadly hinting that she wanted Warm Windmill. Unfortunately, she was too subtle and I had already promised it to someone else. Finally, she just asked me straight out to make her one. I agreed, but couldn’t start it until I finished Frolic! As I said before, I have known she wanted one for awhile and it was in my plan to make it for her. I am pleased to make something for her as she is such a good Mom.

Testing the Windmill Background
Testing the Windmill Background

After finishing Frolic!, I needed an easy project. There are other quilts I need to make but these Windmills are  quick and easy and relatively mindless, but not boring. Since Mom wants a Windmill quilt, this is the one to go under the needle next. It will be my palate cleanser before I start on something else. I am already thinking about what is next. I need to reel those thoughts in and focus on making this quilt fabulous.

Frolic! First Border

Frolic! with side borders
Frolic! with side borders

I spent part of my lunch hour working on the Frolic! borders yesterday. I also worked on it for awhile after work and after dinner.

I can’t tell you how fabulous it was! I got the side borders on the quilt, which meant taking the HST borders and sewing them together. They fit really well. I didn’t have to ease barely at all. I am thrilled. On to the top and bottom borders. The end is near!!!

More Mette Rings

Three Mette Rings
Three Mette Rings

Yes, I have Mette Rings on the mind.

I don’t know whether I like this wreath better than the other Paper Wreath style I have made. They are different. The spiky paper wreath is kind of like high heels while the Mette Ring feels solid to me.

The photo (left) shows the ones I have made. The one I used for the tutorial isn’t finished and I am not sure what happened to the legs I did finish.

I haven’t tried this pattern with large (12×12) pieces of paper yet. I did start one using the leftover 8.5 inch x 8.5 inch pieces from the last paper wreath. I only have 14 sheets left so I have to figure something out for the last four sheets I need. I am sure I have some coordinating paper, but finding and cutting it to the right size are the barrier.

You can see more of these rings in different configurations on IG. People do amazing things with multiples.

Christmas Mette Ring

Christmas Mette Ring
Christmas Mette Ring

After I worked on the pink and purple Mette Ring, I realized that I had some others I hadn’t showed you.

This shows a Mette Ring I made several weeks ago. I was thinking of DH’s cousin who doesn’t want us to make her fudge as a gift anymore. Who doesn’t like fudge? She is concerned about her weight and her SO’s diabetes, so I suppose I can understand. Still, why not just give it away rather than go on and on about it.

This pack of paper I have has a weird assortment of colors and the Mette Ring takes 18 sheets, so there is a wide variety of ‘reds’ and greens.I think it looks nice, though that fuchsia does stick out a bit.

If I remember, I will give this to the cousin instead of fudge. If I am very diligent, I will make 10 of these then I won’t have to make fudge.  😉

Pink and Purple Mette Ring

Pink & Purple Mette Ring
Pink & Purple Mette Ring

Monday was a really long day. Mondays have turned out to be kind of crazy days at work. I try not to schedule meetings or anything extra so I can just plow through what comes in. Do you think people think about work all weekend? I never think about work – at least not in a concrete way unless something is really bothering me.

Anyway, I wasn’t up for finding some great project for Virtual Craft Night or even working on one of the handwork projects I have going. I pulled out paper, found the tutorial for the Mette Ring and folded some paper. I was thinking about my childhood bedroom, which was pink and lavender, when I chose the paper. I didn’t have enough pink and purple, so I threw in some blue. This is the fourth Mette Ring/Mette Wreath I have made.

 

Pandemic Pet Bed

Pandemic Pet Bed
Pandemic Pet Bed

As you know from other pet beds, I have made, they take awhile to fill. Since I can’t bring a partially filled piece to the meeting to have someone use their scraps to fill the rest, I had to wait until I had enough scraps. I filled it up at Virtual Craft Night the other night and also sewed it closed. Now i is piled up with the other things i need to take to guild the next time we have a meeting.

I am concerned I filled it too full, but it will be nice and plump for some small pet.