Tuesday Archives #191: Pillowcases

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: "Pillowcases"

A few years ago I went to a quilting retreat and though I felt like I was the last one in the world of sewing to learn this quick and easy method to make a pillowcase....

...I  quickly became the instructor's favorite participant with my bout of enthusiasm as I learned the "Burrito Method"  to make a pillowcase!

If you've tried it, you know what I'm talking about.

Serious! I felt like "the" pillowcase magician!

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Tuesday Archive #179: Machine Binding

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party. (You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: Machine Binding

I have yet to master the "art" of machinge binding. Seriously, though I prefer the look of handing binding, machine binding is a bit more durable for all the toddler quilts I make. Yet,  I can never get that beautiful, straight finish on the reverse side. Anyhooo.... this is my "go to" tutorial, by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew, that I use when I do finish a quilt using machine binding.

 I appreciate her step by step, illustrated directions.

 

I specialize in edge to edge pantographs with over 100 designs to choose from.

Check out my Long-Arm Quilting page for details.

I offer FREE Return Shipping on all quilts in the U.S.A.

Tuesday Archives #167: Tea Cups

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Please click here to read more about this linky party.  

Happy Fourth of July to all my blogging friends in America.

This week's theme is: Tea Cups

Who would have ever thought a cute tea cup, an 8" square piece of fabric, a glue gun, and some Polyester Fiberfill would turn into such cute little pincushion!

We made those at the June retreat I attended and I also treated myself to a copy of Sue Spargo's latest book: Cuppa and find myself looking at it everyday as it's full of so much inspiration

It's that time of year when we finally empty our piggy banks and splurge on something quilty! Click HERE to link your post.

Please feel welcome to join us here next Thursday, July 13th, as sign-ups for the  5th Annual Challenge will begin.

2017 Classroom Quilt: Preparations

Call me crazy....but I spent yesterday after work prepping the many quilt squares needed for me and my cooperating teacher to make classroom quilts with our second graders. I'm using a cotton muslin of which I cut into SIXTY 9"inch squares and then ironed to freezer paper for stability.

As you can imagine, to prepare sixty blocks created quite the "train":

 A quick short-cut: the freezer paper is 18inches wide...so the 9"square blocks fit perfectly upon it and left minimal cutting, that was quick to accomplish. But, never the less, Jackson was beginning to look at me in wonderment of just how long this "train" was going to be!  

So with the squares now prepped and the fabric markers having arrived, I just need to finish preparing the thematic pictures for the students to trace. (This year we are creating a themed quilt based on our reading units from the year. Thus, we will be using preprinted pictures for the students to trace and color onto the fabric.) I hope if any of you want to make a quilt with little ones in your life, this series over the next couple of weeks will give you some inspiration and quick tricks.

I have to admit, if we're going to have snow make-up days through June 9th, 

this is a fun project that makes the extended year fun!

Stay tuned as next week the kids begin their creative part.

Tuesday Archives #136: Lone Star Quilts & Projects

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Please click here to read more about this linky party.  

This week's theme is: 

Lone Star Quilts & Projects

Having never made a Lone Star quilt myself, I found myself "wandering" the internet...educating myself as I prep for our linky. I found this Lone Star color sheet at the Quilting Board. (Click here to get it.) I kinda thought it would be fun to sketch a pattern according to my scrap stash.

 Admittedly, I have to say this tutorial below that I found at Amy's Diary of a Quilter Blog is more my "quick get 'er done" style. This quilt finishes at 40"x 40"...perfect for a baby quilt. It's a great stash buster or just the right pattern to get rid of that layer cake that's collecting dust on the shelf.

 (Click HERE to check out Amy's tutorial.) 

Tuesday Archives #121: Four Patch Quilts (+Tutorial)

Hello! Hello! And...Happy Tuesday Archives. 

The linky party that let's you rejuvenate OLD blogging posts.

This week's theme is: FOUR PATCH Quilts

Here's an easy four patch quilt pattern I found that is a little bit more "wonky" than your tradition pattern. But, Oh how I love the results! And I seriously think this can be finished in the matter of a few hours....just the break I need from my humongous queen size quilt I've been making.

Click HERE to hop over to the Moda Bake Shop for the pattern. 

In fact, I have this Lori Holt layer cake just waiting to be made into a quilt.

Tuesday Archives #102: Bags

Hello! Hello! and Happy Tuesday Archives! 

The linky party that let's you rejuvinate OLD blogging posts.

. If you are new to our linky, click over the here to read the details about this fun, weekly linky party.

(You can also check out all our past Tuesday Archives themes by clicking right here.)

This week's theme is: BAGS

My favorite "bag" to make are these little "snap" bags:

 The pattern is all over pinterest and the internet or ya can click right here for a quick tutorial . 

All's ya need is two coordinating fat quarters, 2 three inch squares for the prairie points and 2 eight-inch pieces of 1 inch width, metal tape measure. They literally finish up in a snap and are the perfect carry with you 8"x 6" size. I've made them for weddings, baby gifts, make-up, jewelry and just "thinking of you" gifts. I even sold a few when I had an Etsy shop.

How did I NOT know about this tool?!

Seriously!!! 

I have been doing applique for years and never knew what a 1/4" Clover Bias Maker tool was, let alone that I could use it to create stems for my applique projects...in seconds!!

So easy peasy....I made a whole spool full! I'm hooked!

A Sew Along full of new learning already!

What do you enjoy most about a sew along?
I'm participating in Lori Holt's Bloom Sew Along and have already learned so much. First, okay, there's that amazing little tool mentioned above that is going to save me a ton of time in the future. (I'm definitely getting all the other sizes!)

Secondly, I'm also learning a new way to applique using Pellon interfacing in a lightweight non-fusible.(Click HERE to read Lori's tutorial.) I'm finding this method to be quick and easy with a neatly finished edge. I plan to machine applique my blocks using a blanket stitch for this sew along. 

 I prepared the applique pieces the evening before and was able to have my block sewn together in a half hour after work.  Bam! NOw that's what I'm talking about! Here's my first block:

Our finished blocks measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Guess what! I'm even stash busting my 30's tub of fabric for this one!

Don't ya love that feeling?!?!

(I know, I know, a lot of exclamation points in this post...the littlest things really do make me happy!)

Summer Tablecloth

Do you have a small quilt top that hasn't been quilted yet? 

Get it out and make yourself a quick summer tablecloth!

One of the things I enjoy about summer is eating breakfast and dinner outside. 

So being the quilty gal I am, I thought, what better way to make it more enjoyable than with a summer tablecloth. Especially one made from a pinwheel pattern and...

This measures 48"x48".

 ...sunflower fabric!

 I used NO batting and just put the pieced front and this checkered backing right sides together, sewed the perimeter and reversed pillowcase style. I then quilted it with a simple leaf pattern on the sashing and a fun sunflower on each pinwheel. I love it!

Hope your day is off to a wonderful start and that you are perhaps inspired 

to  finish a quilt top  into a summer tablecloth too. 

Ironing Board Make-Over

Sometime last year my darling husband created a custom ironing board for me so it would be easier to iron out quilt tops. He replaced the top of my ironing board with a piece of 20"x56" OSB Board. (It looks like a piece of wood to me...but he said if you told your husband OSB Board he'd know what you are talking about...men! LOL!)

So here's what the little handy dandy board looked like yesterday...not so good.

(Sorry for the blurry picture...I was laughing too much, as  my DH acted more like he was getting his  mugshot taken instead being the "star" of my post!)

 So after a little research and a visit to JoAnn's he stapled two layers of natural/cotton batting down. Then finished it off with two more layers of natural muslin. 

One lady swore by this method for a "OSB" made ironing board.

 Here it is renewed!

I thought of using a decorative cover, but often find myself using this as a mini design "wall" too...so went with the clean, simple look. Interested to see if the new layers will change the heat in my ironing? Interested to know if you have ever made an iroining board cover? If so, what you used...as if this doesn't improve my control of heat, I'll be looking for a plan B.

Today will find my busy repainting and recovering my studio chairs. Fun colors to come.