I saw a bag that looks like the UCAB, but seems to be a better design. I WILL NOT buy the pattern! If you make it, tell me what you think.
Cyndi showed me a thread catcher or clip holder that I thought was cool. I looked for a tutorial and found one! The tutorial mimics the way I thought the item was put together. I think I will try one.
Spencer Ogg has a pattern called the Curvalicious Zip Wallet. I like the curve, but also the diagonal outside pocket. I notice that if I like the fabrics, I am more inclined to think about buying a pattern.
I just received the Studio 180 Designs Technique Sheet for the Split Recs Ruler. This Technique Sheet has a variety of blocks and shapes you can make with the Split Recs Ruler** in addition to HRTs. THEN I saw that Mitzie over at Jittery Wings was working with the same shapes!! Her blocks look amazing in the AGF solids. I was thinking of trying out this Technique Sheet and exploring the Split Recs Ruler a bit more, but now I HAVE to.
I wasn’t that excited about the new Kaffe Collective fabrics that were released last month. They are vibrant and colorful, but somehow just didn’t excite me.
Latifah Saafir has an exhibit called “It’s All a Dream” from March 6-July 28 at the National Quilt Museum.
Media and Articles
One of my guild mates forwarded an email from Shannon Brinkley, which resonated with me. It is called 5 things people think about teaching quilting (that aren’t true). The one that really resonated with me is that you do not have to be the most experienced quiltmaker in the room in order to teach. You do need some experience, but EVERYONE has something they can share with others.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
After Sew Day, I decided to make one of the trays that Lynette showed in her Heavy Metals demo. I am thinking about making them for people attending the Flash Retreat in April.
The project also inspired me to get out my KamSnaps tool.
This is not a project that I invented. I know there are probably many tutorials out there. You can do searches to find others. This tutorial shows the way I made mine.
These are easy enough to make several at a time. I used a Layer Cake that I had washed and divided into pairs, but hadn’t yet used. I have no idea what I was going to do with the squares.
Any squares will work. Use a larger square for your first one. I would not use a smaller square than a 5 inch square, but try it out. I think you could also use rectangles.
Since I don’t use DecorBond much I used that for my first tray. It made the first tray really stiff, which has its advantages. I found it hard to turn. For my second one, I used ShapeFlex. The tray was a little more floopy, but still usable. ProFuse would also work. The takeaway is that many different kinds of interfacing will work. Try what you have at home and see what you think. There is always more fabric, right? 🙂
Directions
Gather supplies and materials.
You can use whatever color thread you like. Use a matching thread to make your stitches disappear when you topstitch.
Cut interfacing smaller than your square
Cut interfacing 1/2 inch smaller than your squares to lessen bulk in the seams.
Note: in the photo above, I cut my interfacing 1/2 inch smaller, but it turned out that my layer cake squares had shrunk when I washed them and were more like 9.5 inches instead of 10, thus the interfacing is not as small as I normally like. I like to keep it out of the seam allowance if I can just to lessen the bulk.
Apply interfacing of choice to the squares according to the manufacturer’s directions. Since I don’t use DecorBond much I used that for my first tray. It made the first tray really stiff. It will still be usable. For my second one, I used ShapeFlex. Since I was making 14 or so of these, I took the opportunity to try some Featherweight Fusible (Pellon 811FF) I had on hand to see how that would work and how it would feel.
Place squares RST
Place the interfaced squares right sides together.
Trim so the edges are square and all the threads are removed.
Draw a line to note 1/4 inch
Draw a line 1/4 inch away from the edge of the fabric where you plan to have your opening for turning.
Use the line you drew or your foot to note 1/4 inch
Start sewing perpendicular to the edge of your fabric for about 3 stitches or 1/4 inch.
Stop with the needle down.
Turn the fabric so you are sewing parallel to the edge of the fabric. Remember that you are going to leave an opening.
Sew around the edge using a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a 4-6 inch opening
Sew a 90 degree angle to edge
Tips for Success:
At the beginning and the edge of the opening, sew up to the 1/4 inch line from the edge of the fabric to stabilize the opening for turning
About 3 stitches before each corner, backstitch, go forward again and then turn the corner. After you turn the corner, backstitch again. this will reinforce the corner and make it less likely that you poke through the fabric or stitches when poking out the corners.
Leave a 4-6 inch or so opening for turning
Press the seams open
Press seams open
Pressing won’t be completely smooth
You won’t be able to press the seam on the side with the opening all the way flat, but do the best you can (enlarge the photo above to see more detail)
Turn the piece
Turn the piece right sides out. Poke out the corners carefully. I use my Modern American Vintage Point Turner/Hera Marker. If you backstitched at each corner, it will help keep your tool from poking through.
Topstitch
Topstitch – detail
Topstitch using 1/8 inch seam allowance
sew over the starting point and backstitch.
Fold tray in half on the diagonal in both directions.
Make holes
Make holes for Kam Snaps using your awl or leather punch.
Measure and make a dot
Measure 1.25 inches from the very tip of the folded square in towards the center
My friend, Lynette, uses a 1.5 inch measurement, so try both (on different trays) and see what happens.
Keeping the ruler in place, measure 3/8 inch down from the edge of the tray
My friend, Lynette, uses a .5 inch measurement. Again, try both measurements, on different trays, and see what works for you.
Using your Sewline pencil, make a dot.
Do this on all sides near each corner.
How Snaps should look after installation
How Snaps should look after installation – detail
Follow the directions on your tool of choice (KamSnaps, SnapSetter or Rivet Press). You will need 4 caps, one Innie and one Outie for each corner.
This is a good project for your Quiltmaking Go Bag. You can store it flat and then use it at the side of your sewing machine while you are in class or on retreat for small tools and supplies, like snips and a seam ripper, or for trimmed threads. It helps with a little organization in unfamiliar spaces.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
I took a look at my design wall the other day and realized that it reflected the craziness of my mind.
Yes, I have a lot of projects going on right now.
1- The Sad Quilt. I have three blocks made and need to cut out another. It takes time and a lot of brain space to do it, so I haven’t done it yet.
2- Orange Peel Circle sample. This is quite a large block and the wrong colors to use for my Orange Peel Circle quilt. The black squares will become Orange Peel Circles at some point. At the moment, I haven’t decided if I want to cut the large sample down or use it for the back. I really like the fabrics, so I want to do something good with it.
3 – Lucky Blocks. Donation blocks for the Pacifica Quilter’s Club. In process.
4 – Four Patch Fun. I finally have a plan for these blocks. I am pairing them with four patches as in the Judy Martin quilt I wrote about a few weeks ago. I am trying to highlight the contrast by using white and a color for the four patches. I hope that makes the contrast more prevalent. When I showed Cyndi the Judy Martin quilt she thought the design was hard to see and I agree. I am going to make one in cool colors and one in warm colors for the grandchildren of a friend. I think it will be a good use of the blocks.
5 – 1-2-3 Mosaic tablerunner blocks. I need more small blocks, so I will need to clear the decks a little and get back to this project. It requires some prep, which I haven’t done the way I did it in the class.
6 – I am collecting three sets of donation blocks for the Sidewalk quilts I will make at some point. At the very top are plain, one piece of fabric 4.5 x 8.5 inch blocks in scrappy colors. This top will look like Sidewalk #5, which I don’t think I ever wrote about beyond a brief mention in the All the Sidewalk quilts post. It’s very hard to see in the tiny section of the photo, but under those units are a group of pieced half 16-patch blocks in green . I need more, but have run out of green 2.5 inch patches. Way down under the ironing board are more pieced half 16-patch blocks, though in grey. Both sets need at least 20 more before I can put a quilt together. Check the tutorial to find out how to make a sidewalk quilt for yourself.
I often refer to BSK in my tutorials and when I teach. When I teach I can show a BSK, but that doesn’t really work in tutorials.
BSK is basic sewing kit. I know I have referred to what it is in passing. It is also in the glossary, but I thought I would write about my BSK and give you some visuals. I don’t usually include fabric as part of a BSK, so it is not included here.
A BSK is a basic sewing kit, which includes all the tools you need to make a quilt.
I choose to have a basic sewing kit I keep at home and another one I use exclusively for travel. This way I don’t forget anything when I go on retreat and I have what I need when I am sewing at home. I did not go out and buy second items for my travel kit. I have collected the duplicate items over the years. I suggest you do the same as outfitting yourself or quiltmaking can be daunting.
A basic sewing kit for quiltmaking includes the following:
Sewing
Sewing machine
Sewing machines come in all price ranges and lists of features. It is important to buy a reliable machine. A new machine is not required. A used machine from a reliable dealer is a great option. I use Janome machines. I have friends with Berninas, Jukis, Pfaffs and Brother machines.
Janome quarter inch foot
1/4 inch foot – find the one that fits your machine. I like one that has a flange.
Bobbins – I like to have plenty of bobbins. I don’t know what ‘plenty’ is. I wind about 10 bobbins at a time for my basic sewing color (Aurifil Dove, 2600) and maybe a half a bobbin for other colors. It depends on what I am doing. I try to walk the line between having thread sit on the bobbin for years unused and having a bobbin available so I can continue sewing.
Thread – I use Aurifil, but find a high quality thread that your machine likes. My go to all around sewing thread color is Aurifil Dove #2600. This color blends into a lot of fabrics. I don’t generally change my thread color when I change fabric, but might depending on how the thread looks. I do change the color of thread when I am top stitching, for the most part.
Machine needles – I like sharp needles. I don’t use universal needles.
Hand sewing needles – I like chenille needles in size 24 because they have a big eye, so are easier to thread, but the eye isn’t too big
Needle threader – I have lots of different ones and they all break at some point. I just keep trying different ones.
Wonder Clips (especially if you are making bags) – I like both sizes, but use the small clips more often than the large clips. I buy only the Clover brand version as I go through the off brand versions like water. They break very easily with the smallest amount of stress.
Pressing
Iron – I have had good luck with inexpensive irons from stores like Target, Costco, etc. I had several
Ironing surface
I have a Polder ironing board which I received when I got married. It works fine and I have had no problems with it. I have had to buy new ironing board covers, which I have found at the Container Store.
Rotary cutter – I like the OLFA 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter (RTY-2/DX) – Rotary Fabric Cutter w/Blade Cover & Squeeze Trigger** because the blade is protected unless you are squeezing it. It is not possible to leave it open. I have other types of rotary cutters as well, but this is the style I use the most. I use a 60mm rotary cutter when I am cutting foam, which means less re-cutting. I use the small size occasionally when cutting curves.
Acrylic ruler(s) – I have a quite the collection after so many years, but the following are what I consider the basics.
Seam ripper – I have a lot of seam rippers. I have them everywhere as I don’t want to go hunting for them. I like the Clover ergonomic seam ripper**, because it has a fat white handle. I received a Clover Grip Fit seam ripper** as a gift. Even though the handle isn’t as fat, it fits in my hand pretty well. I also have a couple of Kaffe Fassett seam rippers which have a super fat handle, so far very comfortable. the blade isn’t as thin and I can’t always get it under the stitches.
This is my first effort at describing a BSK so I may make updates.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
The Pacifica Quilter’s Club also has a donation block program called “Lucky blocks”. I missed the first round, but picked up the instructions at the last meeting. I have slowly been starting these blocks and over the weekend made some good progress.
I have to trim all the HSTs, so the work takes longer PLUS I am working on about 12 projects at a time.
Lucky Blocks waiting to assemble
I accidentally cut 4 blocks. Either I didn’t read the instructions carefully or I skipped reading them. I made a bunch of HSTs and there were enough for 4 blocks. I’ll sew them together in time for the April meeting. If I can’t make it, I’ll drop them off with the coordinator.
I was able to use some 5″ squares I had cut from scraps for this project, which made me very happy. That scrap processing effort isn’t wasted!
I found a tutorial for a 3 color quarter square triangle block while reading the Love of Quilting magazine. I decided to try it for my Bay Area Modern Block of the Month for March blocks.
The tutorial includes a 1.5 minute video with jaunty music.
I made two first just to see what I thought of the technique. I thought it was fine and something different, so I cut some squares and went to work. I went a little crazy and made quite a few QSTs!
BAM BOM March QSTs
As I was laying them out I realized that I could make pinwheels since I used the lime green in all of the blocks. I don’t know that I’ll do that in the final layout of the quilt, but it was kind of fun to see what such a layout would look like.
I just got a Technique Sheet from Studio 180 Designs for the Split Recs Ruler**. I love that ruler and may make some Elongated Hourglass units. Stay tuned.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
2016 seems like a long time ago, well, it is 10 years!. That is what I came up with searching the blog. It makes sense, though as I am not using the Miquelrius journals now. I also have a recollection of making one for an older journal that got lost in the shuffle last year.
White Journal Cover #2 – back
This journal cover was actually mostly made when I pulled out the white drawer recently. I put a back (inside) on it and stuck the journal in. It was a bit small, but I made it work, since it isn’t going to be entered for any prizes. I wasn’t in the mood to rip it apart. I the fabric will stretch anyway.
White Journal Cover #2 – inside
The inside fabric was a large piece of Crimson Tate eraser fabric that was in my scrap bin for some reason. I don’t usually put large pieces like that in my scrap bin. Who knows?
I have been working a bit at a time on more Mosaic blocks.
I think I need to sew some of them together, so I can figure out how many more I need and where.
I have added some more fabrics to vary the contrast and make each block stand out. A two color (ish) color palette can be tricky.
I have been working on making a ton of smaller (2.5 inch) blocks. Lorraine said we would need a lot of them. The size of the blocks I made after I got home from the workshop kept creeping up. I suddenly realized that I wouldn’t be able to put the thing together without more small blocks, so that is my current focus.
Friend Julie wrote a really good post about the workshop. She got some great photos that I neglected to take.
Table runners are a great project to make when you want to try out a technique or use up the bits and pieces from a class. I decided I didn’t want to make a whole quilt when I took the Jen Carlton Bailly class and made a table runner we love.
I am making a table runner from the 1-2-3 Mosaic class I took the other day and decided to do an inventory. What a bonanza!
Cha Cha Cha table runner #2 in process
Lobster tablerunner
Cha Cha Cha table runner
Red Text Table Runner
Finished: Circle tablerunner
Mod Lights Table Runner
Finished: Thanksgiving tablemat
Pumpkin/gourd tablerunner
Thanksgiving Tablerunner
Thanksgiving Tablerunner detail
I have made a couple of table runners and given them away.
Bat Tablerunner: finished
Christmas Tablerunner
The bat table runner was for Amy. I just made it. She gave me all of the supplies. I think it was a kit or something.
The Christmas table runner was a gift for SIL#4. I saw that she used it during the Christmas season, which made me really happy.
I think I could make a table runner for each holiday. It is an opportunity, but I am not signing up for it at the moment.
After finishing the Pandora Charisma and thinking about what I want to do next time, I decided to go sewing machine shopping. Kind of an extreme reaction, I know, but my machine has been bugging me. The stitch length has a problem that seems to only be a problem for me. Making the Pandora Charisma made the problem worse.
I have been out twice and have looked at 3 different machines, the Elna 792 Pro, the Janome Memory Craft 9480 QC and the Janome 6700, which is the newer model of the machine I have now.
The Janome 6700 is similar to the machine I have now. I looked at this machine on my first outing. It doesn’t have Accufeed capability, so I would basically be buying better stitches. I probably won’t buy this machine.
Yesterday, I went back to the same shop and looked at the Elna 792 Pro again and the Janome Memory Craft 9480 QC for the first time. Laura came with me to provide moral support. I am assured that the Elna 792 Pro is the exact same machine as the Janome M8, which I went in to look at. The differences are white vs. grey color of machine and the AccuSpark app. The Elna does not use the AccuSpark app. I probably wouldn’t think to use it anyway.
Elna 792 Pro
The Elna has 13.5 inches of throat space and is a flat bed machine. My current machine has 10 inches and is also a flat bed machine. I can tell the difference. It feels very spacious under the throat.A flat bed machine means that there is more space under the needle for the engineering/motor/mechanical bits. I learned that today, which I thought was interesting.
Sewing pleather on the Elna 792 Pro
There is a separate bobbin winder, which I enjoy now on my Janome MC 6600. The added bonus is there is a thread cutter that is part of the bobbin winder. I didn’t bring my own materials to sew. I meant to, but never got around to it. A, the person helping me, brought out some pleather and I was able to sew on it. The machine doesn’t come with a Teflon foot, but I can buy a Teflon foot and throat plate combination pack. It means that when sewing vinyl or pleather, both top and bottom will be slippery. We really put the machine through its paces with the pleather. It sewed a really nice stitch even with about 5 layers of pleather. The key is to keep the foot level. Someone told me that I should not be sewing fabric thicknesses that force the foot not to be level and I should never use a hump jumper**. ‘A’ said that that was why the machine came with a hump jumper. That made me feel better since I use my hump jumper all the time.
The machine comes with a lot of feet, though not all that I think I would want. It also comes with 3 stitch plates, which are SOOOO easy to change. What a difference between trying to unscrew the plate I have now. The stitch plates on the Elna automatically lift up when the button is pressed. The machine is very smart. It has a plate sensor so you can’t move the needle into a position that is incompatible with the stitch plate.
I tried a hand stitch ‘look’ stitch and that was amazing! It really looked good and I can see using as a top stitching.
‘A’ said that this Elna (or the Janome M8) is the strongest home sewing machine they sell without getting into industrial machines. I do not want an industrial machine. I think I can rent one at a local sewing store if I need one.
Janome 9480 QC
The Janome Memory Craft 9480 QC was the second machine I looked at yesterday. The motor isn’t as powerful as the Elna 792 Pro and there is an extra charge for the stitch regulator. It has 11 inches of throat space and I could tell the difference when compared with the Elna.
Janome 9480 QC-light
A bonus is that this machine has a pull out light that provides even more light than what is given in the throat space. There is no separate bobbin winder on this machine so I would have to un-thread, wind the bobbin and re-thread. Not earth shattering, but not ideal either.
The stitch plate is not electric, but pops off easier than the machine I have now. No screws required. This machine has the same accessories. It only has a horizontal thread stand, though a vertical option is available at an extra price.
Neither machine uses the AccuSpark app. I probably wouldn’t use it though you never know.
I have a lot to think about! What machine do you have? What is the best feature?
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this website.
Joelle brought the January Creative Play packet to Saturday’s workshop to exchange with someone else.
Some interesting Flying Geese and Sawtooth border have been added since the last time I saw it. The orange has really taken off as a color. It is so fun to see what people do with a little piecing.
I spent Saturday with the guild and with Lorraine Woodruff-Long. The guild arranged for her to teach her 1-2-3 Mosaic workshop. I have to admit that I wasn’t excited, but I am pleased to report that I loved it. I created a lot of little jewels, which makes me very happy.
The photo, left, shows the blocks I made during the workshop.
After the workshop you end up with enough blocks (or almost) to make a 20 inch or 24 inch cushion cover. DDH has warned me off anymore throw pillows for our living room, but he has not said anything about table runners. As a result, I went into the workshop with the idea of making a spring/start of summer table runner for my buffet. Our buffet is probably our nicest piece of furniture and the top is still pristine. Anyway, I started out with the idea of making a tablerunner, which I will actually use.
As an aside, I am going to have to do a table runner inventory and see what I ‘need’. Thanksgiving and Christmas are well covered, but I could go for all the holidays and have an easy way to change the decor.
Lorraine teaching with her quilts
Lorraine did a nice job teaching.
She has clearly thought through the process and was clear about how to do it. I was super excited about the organization of the pieces to make the blocks. It is a game changer for chain piecing, no question. You really need to take this class!
1-2-3 Mosaic mistake
Lorraine said there were no mistakes, because the blocks could always be enlarged. I found a way to have to use a seam ripper. LOL!
I actually just cut the fabric after I sewed the correct piece on the correct side. I didn’t use a seam ripper all day, though I could have.
All the 1-2-3 blocks
I sewed a third batch of blocks at the very end of the day, but didn’t press them until I got home.
This is about the width I will use for the table runner, but I have to make it about three times as long.
I might sew blocks I like together into chunks so I can move them around more easily. We’ll see.
MaryC shared her scraps
MaryC brought a huge pile of ‘scraps’ (some were half yards!!) to share. I pulled some blues and pinks from that pile, so right now the piece is made up mostly of solids and tone-on-tones. I have a couple of fussy cut motifs in the center of blocks, but I think I need to break up the solids and tone-on-tones with some prints on the outside of a few of the blocks.
Gerre’s Jewels
Lynette’s gem
First batch of blocks
Lorraine with more examples
Above are a few of the blocks other people created as well as the first blocks that I made. Lorraine made an awesome video of all of us in her workshop. Check it and see how fun the guild is. You should join us. 😉
Copyright is only claimed on the photos. Permission is NOT granted to take any photos from this page and use them without permission. Designs of quilts and blocks are copyrighted by the creator.
This piece is a little different from #1 and #2, because of the red. I have been feeling like I have a lot of red fabric I am not using. I decided just to put some red sashing on this quilt and see what happened. It is not a favorite of the series, but it isn’t ugly either. Next time, I’ll stick with the monochromatic look.
I like making these strip quilts, as I have said, as they use up scrap and make great leaders and enders. The problem with the white is that I have A LOT of white scraps and I can’t seem to use them up quickly enough. I am pleased that I didn’t use any white background fabric in Lupine. It loaded up my black scrap drawer, but stayed away from the white.
A week ago was the Community Sew Day at the Guild. After doing some pre-sewing, I also sewed another quilt using the same pattern at Sew Day. SueG sat next to me and followed my lead on sewing blocks my way.
Sue used her own materials, which was a lot better for precision. We sewed quite a few blocks, but Lee Ann took them all to sew together before I could take a picture.
I tried to keep the packs I chose in the same color family as Sue’s blocks, but I was really distracted and am not sure I succeeded. when I get a photo from Lee Ann, I’ll share it.
I finished another EPP Ball a week or so ago. This one is heading off to a Farmer’s market for my friend to sell. It’s a new adventure for me and we will see how it goes.
I have never wanted to sell my creations, because I love making things and want to continue to use it as a method of expressing my creativity as well a way to reduce stress.
EPP Ball #11: orange & pink
This foray has a fairly low commitment. I am sending her two items to sell. I priced them on the high side, so we will see. I don’t want to encourage orders or people telling me what colors to use.
This one does not have any Beanie Baby pellets inside it. I had a reason for not including them, but I don’t remember what it is. I am working on another one and will add the pellets.
EPP Ball #11: orange & pink
Working on this project has made me want to get back to La Passacaglia, which is languishing.
