That didn't happen, but there's always next year! Have a Happy New Year!!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
2011 Quilts
30 quilt projects in 2011! Some are small and I really had a goal of finishing up all my unquilted tops.
That didn't happen, but there's always next year! Have a Happy New Year!!!
That didn't happen, but there's always next year! Have a Happy New Year!!!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Metro Link
My Metro Link quilt is done! {except for a little more binding stitching tonight} In plenty of time for Christmas. I wasn't worried, were you? The pattern is from i like orange too and available on etsy.
The background is Free Spirit's Nugray - my new favorite gray. The fabric is soft and smooth and the color is perfect!
I paired it with lots of scraps - many snagged from a door prize and scrap swap at our STL Modern Quilt Guild - in aqua blue, lime green, yellow, orange and gray.
I tried to stay away from anything floral and stuck with geometric patterns and some fun fabrics - like these toasters and measuring cups...
Some cool ducks...
The back is a wonderfully soft flannel of gray with white dots and the binding is a Joel Dewberry herringbone blue.
I've been trying to find the perfect quilt for my city-boy son for a while and when my friend Mary Claire showed hers at our guild - I knew that's what I would do. I hope he loves it!!
The background is Free Spirit's Nugray - my new favorite gray. The fabric is soft and smooth and the color is perfect!
I paired it with lots of scraps - many snagged from a door prize and scrap swap at our STL Modern Quilt Guild - in aqua blue, lime green, yellow, orange and gray.
I tried to stay away from anything floral and stuck with geometric patterns and some fun fabrics - like these toasters and measuring cups...
Some cool ducks...
The back is a wonderfully soft flannel of gray with white dots and the binding is a Joel Dewberry herringbone blue.
I've been trying to find the perfect quilt for my city-boy son for a while and when my friend Mary Claire showed hers at our guild - I knew that's what I would do. I hope he loves it!!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
How I make Chevrons
Thought I would share today how I make chevrons. I'm sure there are other methods, but this is working for me and pretty quick and easy!
And here's the result. You can see too that I alternated the background color in this example. It required 4 strip sets - 2 with color and white and 2 with color and gray.
Remember the pillow I made? The strips were varied in width on this one...
Here's my chevron quilt also. The colored strips were cut 2 1/2" and the white strips 1". Since this was a long quilt, I made the chevrons in sections, by doing about 6 colored strips and 6 white strips at a time. That way the section wasn't any longer than my ruler. Then I sewed the sections together to make long rows.
And this was my first attempt ~ Stella's quilt.
Hope that makes sense! Please feel free to email me or comment if you have any questions!!
First the difference between a chevron and a zig zag (in my humble opinion). This is a chevron ~ the angled stripes are long and skinny, or longer than they are wider.
This is a zig zag ~ the stripes are not as long between the angles and can be made with triangles.
I've been strip piecing my chevrons. Start with a strips that are all the same width or vary in width - doesn't matter. Sew the strips together, off-setting each strip based on the finished size of the strip you're sewing it to. These strips are cut 1" and finish at 1/2". Each strip is off-set 1/2" as they're sewn together. If your strips vary in size the off-set will change based on the size of the top strip.
For each chevron you'll need to make a second set the same way, except that it will "step" in the opposite direction creating a mirror image set.
Find the 45 degree line on you ruler and place it along one of the seam lines of your strip set as close to the off-set edge as possible.
Trim the end - creating a 45 degree angle.
Your chevrons can be any width. In this example they are 1 1/2". Cut your chevron units parallel to the 45 degree edge whatever width you chose. Do the same with the mirror image set.
Sew your sets together alternating the two directions. then trim the top and bottom evenly.
This set was used for the eyeglass case I made.
Here are a few tips:
This is a zig zag ~ the stripes are not as long between the angles and can be made with triangles.
I've been strip piecing my chevrons. Start with a strips that are all the same width or vary in width - doesn't matter. Sew the strips together, off-setting each strip based on the finished size of the strip you're sewing it to. These strips are cut 1" and finish at 1/2". Each strip is off-set 1/2" as they're sewn together. If your strips vary in size the off-set will change based on the size of the top strip.
For each chevron you'll need to make a second set the same way, except that it will "step" in the opposite direction creating a mirror image set.
Find the 45 degree line on you ruler and place it along one of the seam lines of your strip set as close to the off-set edge as possible.
Trim the end - creating a 45 degree angle.
Your chevrons can be any width. In this example they are 1 1/2". Cut your chevron units parallel to the 45 degree edge whatever width you chose. Do the same with the mirror image set.
Sew your sets together alternating the two directions. then trim the top and bottom evenly.
This set was used for the eyeglass case I made.
Here are a few tips:- Press the seams in one direction on the first set and the opposite direction on the mirror image set. This way the seams will nestle when you sew the units together.
- After you cut your first 45 degree angle, try not to move the strip set if possible. The edge is bias and loses it's shape easily. Think about this as you lay your strip set on your board to make the first cut.
- If you make your first and last strips extra wide, you'll have room to square it up without cutting off any of the chevrons.
Here's how that might look...
And here's the result. You can see too that I alternated the background color in this example. It required 4 strip sets - 2 with color and white and 2 with color and gray.
Remember the pillow I made? The strips were varied in width on this one...
Here's my chevron quilt also. The colored strips were cut 2 1/2" and the white strips 1". Since this was a long quilt, I made the chevrons in sections, by doing about 6 colored strips and 6 white strips at a time. That way the section wasn't any longer than my ruler. Then I sewed the sections together to make long rows.
And this was my first attempt ~ Stella's quilt.
Hope that makes sense! Please feel free to email me or comment if you have any questions!!Tuesday, December 13, 2011
My Swoon
Chances are if you're a quilter, you've made a Swoon quilt or at least have it on your to-do list.
I used this Alexander Henry floral as my color inspiration. (Just love that piece!)
Pulled more from the stash...
And decided to throw in one piece with some aqua in it.
It's a fun quilt to make and a beautiful one to own!
I used this Alexander Henry floral as my color inspiration. (Just love that piece!)
Pulled more from the stash...
And decided to throw in one piece with some aqua in it.The binding is a MM crosshatch and the back DS's polka-dot from Joann's with a strip of that glorious Alexander Henry floral.
It's a fun quilt to make and a beautiful one to own!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Gifting...
So I did a bit of Christmas gift sewing this week! I love giving these gift bags filled with something special.
Pencil cases for a couple of school age girls that belong to my hairdresser. I'm thinking glitter pens may be the perfect filler!
Sweet Zip for my sister. I'll fill it with some nice toiletries ~ all natural, of course.
The Dumpling Zip pouch will contain a Target gift certificate for my hairdresser.
And while I was at it I stitched up some new oven mitts for myself!
Follow the links for tutorials. What did we do before all these wonderful free instructions??
Pencil cases for a couple of school age girls that belong to my hairdresser. I'm thinking glitter pens may be the perfect filler!
Sweet Zip for my sister. I'll fill it with some nice toiletries ~ all natural, of course.
The Dumpling Zip pouch will contain a Target gift certificate for my hairdresser.
And while I was at it I stitched up some new oven mitts for myself!
Follow the links for tutorials. What did we do before all these wonderful free instructions??
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Obsessed with {by?} Chevrons...
I'm continuing my play with chevrons. Our quilt guild had a gift exchange today and we were to make a hand-made eyeglass case. Here's my version...
And I added little chevrons to it.
Then this pillow had me working into the night! More chevrons, but you'll notice the sizes vary.
There's been lots of interest in my chevron quilt top. I plan to share a bit more info on how I'm making chevrons and some tricks I've learned through trial and error. Stay tuned! I have another idea to try first!
Oh... there's a little interview with me here :)
And I added little chevrons to it.
Then this pillow had me working into the night! More chevrons, but you'll notice the sizes vary.
There's been lots of interest in my chevron quilt top. I plan to share a bit more info on how I'm making chevrons and some tricks I've learned through trial and error. Stay tuned! I have another idea to try first!
Oh... there's a little interview with me here :)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Christmas in July??
You really should start your Christmas sewing in July. What's wrong with me?? I don't even start it in November. I'm notorious for getting my ideas for Christmas giving right about now. Maybe it has to do with having a birthday in December. I never really want to get into the spirit until after the 14th!
So this week I'm starting some gifts. I worked on the Metro Link quilt this weekend. Do you think I can get it done by Christmas?
I also have some little projects to do ~ for some little girls...
And for some big girls...
Yes, it's December, I've got the holiday spirit!
I also have some little projects to do ~ for some little girls...
And for some big girls...
Yes, it's December, I've got the holiday spirit!
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