Category Archives: project

December 9, 2011 · 10:00 am

Borders Made Easy

I saw these advertised on Suzanne’s Quilt Shop website and was intrigued by them. I have done my own machine quilting on small quilts but have never attempted “fancy” work on the borders or blocks. I have used other methods to give my small quilts quilting designs but have always done the quilting free hand and never been very satisfied. (That might be because I need more practice). So, I ordered a couple of border styles.

Border rolls are adhesive edged patterns for continuous machine quilting of borders. This product is an innovative way to machine quilt your borders or sashings on your quilt. They work for both beginners as well as advanced machine quilters. The adhesive does not stain your quilt and holds well. The borders come in small sizes, 1 inch to 5 inches. The rolls contain 26 feet of pattern, corner pattern and instructions.

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The company, Quilting Made Easy, also has Blocks Made Ease and Stipples Made Easy that are available. The company has level of difficulty attached to each pattern. The instructions are good and they have a tutorial you can watch on their website.

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I recommend Borders Made Easy. You might like to give a roll a try. Maybe even a roll for Christmas?

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December 6, 2011 · 11:00 am

Twisting the Day Away!

Nope, not Chubby Checker! Those of you younger than 55 may not know who I am talking about. But just picture some serious fun!

It’s the same with this new way to make pinwheel quilts with a fun new tool.

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I saw this fun and fast little quilt at my favorite quilt store, Primitive Gatherings. The project fascinated me with the unique construction technique.

The little quilt was done using precut 3 1/2 inch charm squares, but you can cut your own from the mountain of scraps we all have. This little quilt is 12 inches by 13 inches and is a great little wallhanging or cute doll quilt for that favorite daughter or granddaughter.

Thanks Carol Charles for the pattern.

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This fun tool was developed by CS Designs in Superior Wisconsin. The tool comes in 2 sizes, 5 and 10 inches. Country Schoolhouse Quilt Store is where they can be purchased.

The larger size works great for the layer cakes that you find in the quilt shops and the smaller size is perfect for the charm squares. You may see these in the quilt shops and wonder what to do with them…this a great use and it produces dramatic looking pinwheel quilts, wallhangings, table toppers or table runners.

The 3 1/2 inch size tool can be purchased from Primitive Gatherings Quilt Shop. Country Schoolhouse Quilt Shop gave them permission to make the smaller size tool.

If you want inspiration, Marsha Bergren, of Country Schoolhouse Quilt Shop has written several books to give you great ideas for the use of the tools.

Let’s Twist introduced the tool and Let’s Twist…Again was written to help you build upon the skills learned from the first book.

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Pick yourself a good mix of light and dark charm squares or layer cakes and select the size tool you wish to work with and just start twisting the day away!

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June 27, 2011 · 11:30 am

Pin Cushions Galore!

This weekend at the West Virginia Quilt Festival Teacher’s Medley, one of the classes I taught was on wool applique pin cushions.

You start by drawing your pin cushion design on the paper side of freezer paper (not the wax side). The design is your own personal preference. Cut the design out of the freezer paper; iron the wax side of the freezer paper to the wool fabric (or any fabric) you’re using.

Now you have to determine what kind of back ground fabric to adhere the cut out design. Use a glue stick to adhere the design to the main fabric piece. Now stitch it down with wool thread or dmc floss – a primitive or blanket stitch (if you cut out a wool design); if you’re using cotton then use needle turn applique.

Then assemble the front and back right sides together stitch by machine around all four sides leaving a small opening on one side; turn the cushion right side out; fill with crushed walnuts or sand; whip stitch the opening closed.

Enjoy the examples below…

A few wool sun flowers to brighten any sewing room.

A few more beautiful wool creations.


Here are some of the themed versions done in cotton – Just in time for summer, no less.

A great little American Flag with embellished stars.

A summer bloom (notice the buttons?!).

A sweet treat with a yummy watermelon – decked out with beads.

These are wonderful little gifts and can even be converted to cool paper weights if filled rice!

Be sure to check out the For Sale section and the Etsy tomorrow as they will be featured!

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June 26, 2011 · 9:00 am

Nauvoo Temple Pattern

My daughter is member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On a trip she took with a good friend of hers, Marla, they called me from a little quilt shop in Nauvoo, IL. She wanted to know if this pattern by Hearthsewn is something I could use to make her a wall hanging.

It’s really is very beautiful. I know it’s her favorite Temple and so it’s extremely special to her. This is a picture she took of it while visiting Nauvoo. As you can see, the quilt really does resemble the actual Temple.

I have yet to make it with all the other projects I have lined up but it’s on the list and will look beautiful in her home.

Here are some finished examples for you…

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I can’t wait to show you mine and see the look on her face when I finish it! What is on your plate to make for your family?

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June 24, 2011 · 12:00 pm

Buttons, Buttons, Who Wants Some Buttons?!

One of the best things about quilting and of course sewing in general is the ability to create!

A little secret I have is that I love buttons.

I think it’s because they are much like us…
They are unique.
They come in all shapes and sizes.
They can be reused and recycled.
They have great stories and memories to go along with each one.

I have drawers upon drawers and jars upon jars of buttons (these are just a few).

The great thing about these great little embellishments is that they add to and enhance any project.

Buttons are great because  they can be used as a set, alone or in groups. A single lone button can make your project pop! Never discard a button – you never know when you’ll need it.

Here is a great example of how I used buttons to make an already stunning wool and multi-patterned fabric purse FaBuLoUs!

One of the other benefits of using buttons is the added depth and texture it brings to any project. You can see the way these buttons enhance the images and fabrics of my purse.

I so enjoyed making this purse and I love how it turned out. It’s one of my most cherished projects. Using embellishments can spice up and project – give it a try and tell me what worked for you!

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June 23, 2011 · 9:00 am

Welcome in Summer…

…with a bang or a bloom!

This is just one of my favorite patterns – Autumn Blooms.

It’s a classic primitive pattern by Kim Kofstad at Waterpail deSigns. This pattern creates beautiful 8″ sunflowers. These sunflowers are a great addition to any cabin – that sunroom in your home!

I am a huge fan of primitive quilting. Wool fabrics are my favorite. I think what attracts me to enjoy and focus on this type of quilting is the feel of coming home that I get from each pattern, piece of fabric or successful class taught.

What’s one of your favorite summer primitive quilting patterns?

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June 22, 2011 · 1:00 pm

My Favorite Place.

One of my most favorite places in the world, aside from any space with my family is my quilt room. It really is the best.

Being able to go downstairs in my home and know that I have a sanctuary all to myself rejuvenates me! It helps relax me when I’m stressed and has provided me a space to create and grow. And I must admit, I’m growing right out of the room – spilling rather – into the basement rec room, the living room and where ever else I can store my quilts!

But I do still have plenty of room to spread out. This not only helps me see all my options but creates a conducive work space to measure and cut. I am surrounded by fabric and great little bonuses (be sure to come back to find out this little perks). As you can see there are also lots of fun decorative items – great for inspiration!

What does your quilt room look like?

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June 15, 2011 · 10:00 am

For the love of aprons!

My daughter loves to make cupcakes and cakes. She’s always trying new tools, recipes and she has 4 aprons! I’m sure she’d love more!

I’ve noticed that it’s not just her that has the baking bug and clearly, cupcakes are all the rage – Georgetown Cupcake, Baked & Wired, Sprinkles - just to name a few.

The return of the cupcake is in hand with the return of apron. We are going back to home entertaining, as the economy is challenging all of us.  Plus, we all enjoy spending time with family and friends and what better a place then in the kitchen!

It’s not just baked goods like cupcakes but with great meals of ribs, a hamburger on the grill and a healthy piece of fish.

In honor of their return, I have had fun making reversible aprons for all occasions.

As you can see, I started with some great cupcake fabric but then got a bit more creative! These are not your grandma’s aprons.

Cupcake Apron

Tea Cup Apron

Morning Rooster Apron

Halloween Apron

You can make one in about 2 hours and you only need 8 fat quarters. I have made them with theme fabric such as Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.  I also use fun and fancy fabrics with images of cupcakes, cooking utensils, and gardening.

These are perfect gifts! If you need a quick hostess gift for a dinner invite, make an apron – bring it with some wine or cupcake liners and you are all set!  Your hostess will love it!

Be sure to check them out in the For Sale section or my Etsy store!

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June 14, 2011 · 9:00 am

Quilt Challenge.

I have this wonderful group of quilting friends.  We get together here and there – no real schedule but we always meet to quilt with a challenge in mind. I guess you could say I was the instigator of the group so this time I came up with our challenge.

I was rummaging through my studio and all its fabric to try to get an inspiration – I came across a fat quarter bundle that I had not yet decided on what to do with it. I also had just purchased a new tool – star singles, by spinning star design -  to make half-square triangles. I wanted to use them both, so became the challenge!

We decided that we would “use 54 half-square triangles” in a design (i.e., quilt, handbag) of your choice.

Since there are six of us I put together bundles of scrappy collections of fat quarter fabrics and enough of the half-square triangles (using the star singles)  for each person to make 54 triangles. Everyone was to make something (i.e. quilt) of their choosing out of all 54 triangle (together). We had enough time so no one felt stressed and the sky was the limit.

Wow, what a creative group!

We saw a wonderful handbag, delightful placements, table topper, wall hanging and one of us used it to become the center of a bed quilt!  Each one made out of 54 half square triangles.

Here is my challenge project – a wall hanging.

I used a variety of techniques and fabric textures. I brought a little color to the design to “pop” and draw off the traditional appliqué design.

I love my little quilt and I know all the rest of our group loved their finished projects.

Have fun with your friends, group or guild and try one of these projects.

It is a blast!

 

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June 10, 2011 · 12:00 pm

Bittersweet Briar

Be sure to check out What I’m Working On to see my latest project(s) - Bittersweet Briar one of the 14 projects in Simple Graces, by Kim Diehl.

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