Friday, April 19, 2013
A-Z Challenge
Due to health reasons, I can't keep up with the A-Z Challenge this year. I'll likely finish the challenge when I feel better. Good luck to everyone!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Log Cabin
By far, my favorite block is the Log Cabin. It all started when my college roommate wanted to learn how to quilt and asked me to join her in a star quilt class. She also picked up this book:
The class was a bust, but the book was perfect! If I hadn't tried my second quilt, a twin sized log cabin, I likely would not be a quilter. I hated cutting out all the little triangles for the star quilt, but I loved the strip quilting method.
Since then, Log Cabins have remained my favorite. They are fast and easy, finding colors is fun, and they offer a lot of variety in the layout phase.
A pinwheel layout for my aunt Deb.
A barn raising layout for a colorful mini quilt.
A very small tester to see if the colors work well. I don't have the final quilt's picture because it was before I had a digital camera. I call this quilt my blue willow quilt because it looks just like the china pattern.
I had some fun quilting this one... I wasn't very good at it, but I gave it a shot!
Other "l" words included a set of coffee can luminarias I tin-punched and painted (I'll likely blog about them eventually), and lace.
The class was a bust, but the book was perfect! If I hadn't tried my second quilt, a twin sized log cabin, I likely would not be a quilter. I hated cutting out all the little triangles for the star quilt, but I loved the strip quilting method.
Since then, Log Cabins have remained my favorite. They are fast and easy, finding colors is fun, and they offer a lot of variety in the layout phase.
A pinwheel layout for my aunt Deb.
A barn raising layout for a colorful mini quilt.
A very small tester to see if the colors work well. I don't have the final quilt's picture because it was before I had a digital camera. I call this quilt my blue willow quilt because it looks just like the china pattern.
I had some fun quilting this one... I wasn't very good at it, but I gave it a shot!
Other "l" words included a set of coffee can luminarias I tin-punched and painted (I'll likely blog about them eventually), and lace.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Knitting
Knitting is something I do on occasion. I don't have any pictures of the items I've knit, so here is a picture that is similar to a dishcloth pattern I use.
I would not call myself an expert knitter. I can read a pattern and mostly succeed with small projects, but that's about it. My problem isn't really my lack of skill, but rather my lack of practice. It's just that most patterns one can knit are also available to people who crochet. Anyone "in the know" can clearly spot a pattern that has been knit versus one that was crocheted, but for the most part, the average person can't tell. So, the reason I'm bad at knitting is that I really enjoy crocheting. I feel like I can go faster (always a plus for me), and I stress out less about crocheting. Why is knitting stressful? At any given time, the knitter has to keep track of 60-300+ loops. If even one loop is lost, the project may unravel and look bad. Recovering a lost loop is possible, but not easy. On the other hand, crocheting only has one main loop and normally around 6 or so if the crocheter happens to be in the middle of a stitch. More loops are sometimes needed for really crazy projects, but typically a crocheter uses only about 4 at a time. If a loop is dropped, the crocheter can pull out the stitch until there is only one loop and start again. It is basically impossible for a huge mishap to occur while crocheting (unless a dog or cat is involved, and they chew through an already crocheted part).
This is my first crocheted afghan. I don't often take pictures of finished crochet projects because I often view them as utilitarian rather than artistic.
I would not call myself an expert knitter. I can read a pattern and mostly succeed with small projects, but that's about it. My problem isn't really my lack of skill, but rather my lack of practice. It's just that most patterns one can knit are also available to people who crochet. Anyone "in the know" can clearly spot a pattern that has been knit versus one that was crocheted, but for the most part, the average person can't tell. So, the reason I'm bad at knitting is that I really enjoy crocheting. I feel like I can go faster (always a plus for me), and I stress out less about crocheting. Why is knitting stressful? At any given time, the knitter has to keep track of 60-300+ loops. If even one loop is lost, the project may unravel and look bad. Recovering a lost loop is possible, but not easy. On the other hand, crocheting only has one main loop and normally around 6 or so if the crocheter happens to be in the middle of a stitch. More loops are sometimes needed for really crazy projects, but typically a crocheter uses only about 4 at a time. If a loop is dropped, the crocheter can pull out the stitch until there is only one loop and start again. It is basically impossible for a huge mishap to occur while crocheting (unless a dog or cat is involved, and they chew through an already crocheted part).
This is my first crocheted afghan. I don't often take pictures of finished crochet projects because I often view them as utilitarian rather than artistic.
Jelly Rolls
Jelly rolls, like fat quarters, are a cut of fabric. They get their name from the way they are often packaged- all rolled up.
Normally jelly rolls come with a dozen different colors adding up to 40 strips of fabric. The average jelly roll strip is 2.5" x 44".
Normally jelly rolls come with a dozen different colors adding up to 40 strips of fabric. The average jelly roll strip is 2.5" x 44".
There are lots of books available that give instructions for making a jelly roll quilt. I haven't tried one yet, but I would like to someday.
Iridescent Thread
Iridescent thread can add a new dimension to your sewing project, or it can be a major pain. I think attitude plays a big role, but really, the needle plays the largest role.
When using iridescent thread in cross stitch, it often looks like the picture above. It can tangle horribly, and if it comes in a cross stitch kit, it is often shorter than the typical length of thread I prefer to use. In addition to tangling, this is made of a plasticy material that can stretch out and break. The needle can also cut it if the eye is too sharp. On the other hand, the finished design has a lovely sparkle. It is perfect for snow, faerie wings, and twinkling stars. I actually really love the finished look, so it is worth the pain of doing the stitching.
Quilters and machine embroiders also use iridescent thread. It is easier to manage when sold on a spool, but there are still many problems one runs into when using it. The needle can cut the thread if the eye is too sharp. I recommend using a special machine embroidery needle. Even with the needle, some threads shred too easily. The other common technique is sewing from the wrong side with the iridescent thread on the bobbin. Then the thread never goes through the eye, and is much less likely to shred. This technique is difficult to do on a quilt that follows the lines, but it works great on over-all patterns. Often, people will quilt it twice if they want to follow the lines... once with a basting thread on the right side, and one with the iridescent thread in the bobbin on the wrong side, following the basting lines. Again, it's a pain, but on a small project it might be worth it.
When using iridescent thread in cross stitch, it often looks like the picture above. It can tangle horribly, and if it comes in a cross stitch kit, it is often shorter than the typical length of thread I prefer to use. In addition to tangling, this is made of a plasticy material that can stretch out and break. The needle can also cut it if the eye is too sharp. On the other hand, the finished design has a lovely sparkle. It is perfect for snow, faerie wings, and twinkling stars. I actually really love the finished look, so it is worth the pain of doing the stitching.
Quilters and machine embroiders also use iridescent thread. It is easier to manage when sold on a spool, but there are still many problems one runs into when using it. The needle can cut the thread if the eye is too sharp. I recommend using a special machine embroidery needle. Even with the needle, some threads shred too easily. The other common technique is sewing from the wrong side with the iridescent thread on the bobbin. Then the thread never goes through the eye, and is much less likely to shred. This technique is difficult to do on a quilt that follows the lines, but it works great on over-all patterns. Often, people will quilt it twice if they want to follow the lines... once with a basting thread on the right side, and one with the iridescent thread in the bobbin on the wrong side, following the basting lines. Again, it's a pain, but on a small project it might be worth it.
Half Square Triangle
School has been crazy, so it's catch up time!
"Half square triangles" is another one of those funny quilting terms. It basically means a quilt block where the block is cut in half on the diagonal creating two triangles. This "Lady in the Lake" block features one large half square triangle surrounded by 16 smaller half square triangles.
I was going to explain how to cut and sew a half square triangle, but I'll let you read all about it here:
www.patchwork-and-quilting.com
When I've been unsure that my measurements were right, they steered me in the right direction!
"Half square triangles" is another one of those funny quilting terms. It basically means a quilt block where the block is cut in half on the diagonal creating two triangles. This "Lady in the Lake" block features one large half square triangle surrounded by 16 smaller half square triangles.
I was going to explain how to cut and sew a half square triangle, but I'll let you read all about it here:
www.patchwork-and-quilting.com
When I've been unsure that my measurements were right, they steered me in the right direction!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Grocery Sacks
For a couple of summers, I tried making and selling grocery sacks at the farmer's market. In that time, I sold one, gave one to a nice gal who gave me a bunch of veggies and sold 18 to family members. So, I generally don't make grocery sacks anymore. The problem is that there are too many cool sacks already on the market, and after paying for the supplies, I can't price them high enough to make up for my time. No one wants to pay $8-15 for a grocery sack.
I really do love using them though. Because they are made from twill or 2 layers of cotton, they are very sturdy and very washable. I used colored twill tape for the handles, so they are also very sturdy and make it easy to carry a bunch at a time. They are deceptively huge. I used a half yard of fabric on each, so they open up to approximately 40" circumference. My biggest problem is that when I take them to the store, the baggers will fill the full enough that I have a hard time lifting them. The bags can handle it, but I can't. I tested the bags when I first made them, and I could carry a 35 lb bag of cat litter in them without a problem. I didn't bother testing further because who carries more than 35 lbs in a grocery sack?
I based my design on the typical plastic bag- folded on the sides and gathered on the bottom. This allowed me to use the salvage edge for the side seam. Then I used a french seam on the bottom (that would have mad a good "F" word too). A French seam involves sewing once with the bad sides together, turning the fabric, trimming, and then sewing the normal way with the good sides together. By doing this, the seam is totally encapsulated and basically can't ravel. I turned the top down by 1 inch, using a rolled hem, so there are absolutely no edges that can ravel. I was really proud of my design, and I get lots of people at the store telling me "you should sell those!" I just smile and nod and say, "Yes, I should."
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Fat Quarter
Most quilters know what a fat quarter is, but it can be somewhat confusing for a first-time quilter. Here are the basics. Quilting fabric tends to be around 42-45" wide and is normally sold by the yard. Quilts often don't take a full yard of some fabrics, so quilters will ask for part of a yard. When asking for a quarter of a yard, the quilter will end up with a piece of fabric that looks like the darker section on this yard of fabric:
So, the quilter ends up with a piece that is about 45" long and 9" wide. This may work for some patterns, but not all, so the fat quarter was invented. This cut of fabric is almost never done off of the bolt. Instead, the store will cut a half yard of fabric and then cut it in half again the other way like this:
The fat quarter ends up being 18" wide and about 22" long. Then the quilter has the same amount of fabric in square inches, but the shape is much more likely to work for more designs.
There are lots of quilting books dedicated to quilting with fat quarters. I've not worked with them much beyond making purses, but I did do this fat quarter quilt with both fat quarters and scraps.
Other F words I considered included fabric, felting, fusible fabric, fleece, and feed dogs. Check back again on Monday for more A-Z challenge posts!
So, the quilter ends up with a piece that is about 45" long and 9" wide. This may work for some patterns, but not all, so the fat quarter was invented. This cut of fabric is almost never done off of the bolt. Instead, the store will cut a half yard of fabric and then cut it in half again the other way like this:
The fat quarter ends up being 18" wide and about 22" long. Then the quilter has the same amount of fabric in square inches, but the shape is much more likely to work for more designs.
There are lots of quilting books dedicated to quilting with fat quarters. I've not worked with them much beyond making purses, but I did do this fat quarter quilt with both fat quarters and scraps.
Other F words I considered included fabric, felting, fusible fabric, fleece, and feed dogs. Check back again on Monday for more A-Z challenge posts!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Embroidery
Embroidery is a rather vague term that encompasses just about all needle and thread on fabric techniques. I truly enjoy sitting and talking with my friends or watching a movie while my hands are busy with fabric and thread.
I found a charming little sewing shop in Minneapolis when I was visiting a friend. I couldn't decide on a kit to do, so I picked a blind grab bag that contained an Irish stumpwork sampler. I'd done many forms of needle work, but never heard of stumpwork. The cream flowers on the top are the stumpwork, and the rest is in petit point, pulled thread and other embroidery techniques.
Petit point is a lot like cross stitch, but rather than going over 4 cloth threads, the design goes over only two, making it much smaller than normal. If you look at the letters, you can see the super tiny x's.
I also enjoy needlepoint. This design is actually done with only 3 different skeins of thread, but two are variegated, making the rainbow pattern. The primary stitch throughout this quilt-like design is the long stitch.
Hardanger is another type of embroidery. It falls into the category of "cut-work". As you embroider, you also cut out threads from the cloth. This gives the appearance of lace. Although I strive for perfection in all forms of needle work, in hardanger, it is a requirement. Cutting and pulling out even one wrong thread can ruin the entire piece.
At the center of this last hardanger is another needlecraft I enjoy- ribbon embroidery. Rather than using a needle and thread, silk ribbons of varying thickness are used. Some ribbon embroidery will also use traditional threads to complete the design or to provide a foundation for weaving the ribbons. I think of ribbon embroidery as one of the fastest methods of needle work. I finish most projects in a few hours rather than the months it takes for something like counted cross stitch.
My first introduction to embroidery, and likely the one most people think of when talking about embroidery, was the iron-on transfers type that grandma used to embroider tea towels and pillow cases. I've always wanted to do a set of towels, but I always seem to start but not finish. Perhaps I change my kitchen colors too often. Here is a bunny I started something like 8 years ago. I really would like to finish, so perhaps I just need to sit and do it.
I found a charming little sewing shop in Minneapolis when I was visiting a friend. I couldn't decide on a kit to do, so I picked a blind grab bag that contained an Irish stumpwork sampler. I'd done many forms of needle work, but never heard of stumpwork. The cream flowers on the top are the stumpwork, and the rest is in petit point, pulled thread and other embroidery techniques.
Petit point is a lot like cross stitch, but rather than going over 4 cloth threads, the design goes over only two, making it much smaller than normal. If you look at the letters, you can see the super tiny x's.
I also enjoy needlepoint. This design is actually done with only 3 different skeins of thread, but two are variegated, making the rainbow pattern. The primary stitch throughout this quilt-like design is the long stitch.
Hardanger is another type of embroidery. It falls into the category of "cut-work". As you embroider, you also cut out threads from the cloth. This gives the appearance of lace. Although I strive for perfection in all forms of needle work, in hardanger, it is a requirement. Cutting and pulling out even one wrong thread can ruin the entire piece.
At the center of this last hardanger is another needlecraft I enjoy- ribbon embroidery. Rather than using a needle and thread, silk ribbons of varying thickness are used. Some ribbon embroidery will also use traditional threads to complete the design or to provide a foundation for weaving the ribbons. I think of ribbon embroidery as one of the fastest methods of needle work. I finish most projects in a few hours rather than the months it takes for something like counted cross stitch.
My first introduction to embroidery, and likely the one most people think of when talking about embroidery, was the iron-on transfers type that grandma used to embroider tea towels and pillow cases. I've always wanted to do a set of towels, but I always seem to start but not finish. Perhaps I change my kitchen colors too often. Here is a bunny I started something like 8 years ago. I really would like to finish, so perhaps I just need to sit and do it.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Dice Bags
Well, it's time to admit to my inner gamer girl. I enjoy playing Pathfinder with my brother and friends (it's sort of like Dungeons and Dragons). I started by making a dice bag for my brother, and as long as I was at it, I made one for myself.
Then my brother went out and bought a pound of dice... a very cheap way of getting lots of dice, but they took up a lot of room. To make matters worse, a couple months later he bought another pound. Clearly, the first bag would never hold all the dice. So, I altered a purse pattern for his big dice bag. He is fond of oriental designs, so I used three calicoes with a Japanese look. I used colored twill tape for the drawstrings and handle.
My brother's original bag was made of black crushed panne. This is a very stretchy fabric that looks like crushed velvet. The inside is lined with a burgundy brocade. The outside has two ribbons as decoration.
I made my dice bag from a microsuede fabric left over from a renaissance dress I sewed a while ago. I trimmed it with a piece of decorative ribbon from the same dress and a pearl lace left over from another project.
I really love the brocade ribbon, so it was nice to have it on something I use weekly.
Thanks for reading my A-Z Challenge post. I will try and visit everyone's blog who posts a comment!
Then my brother went out and bought a pound of dice... a very cheap way of getting lots of dice, but they took up a lot of room. To make matters worse, a couple months later he bought another pound. Clearly, the first bag would never hold all the dice. So, I altered a purse pattern for his big dice bag. He is fond of oriental designs, so I used three calicoes with a Japanese look. I used colored twill tape for the drawstrings and handle.
My brother's original bag was made of black crushed panne. This is a very stretchy fabric that looks like crushed velvet. The inside is lined with a burgundy brocade. The outside has two ribbons as decoration.
I made my dice bag from a microsuede fabric left over from a renaissance dress I sewed a while ago. I trimmed it with a piece of decorative ribbon from the same dress and a pearl lace left over from another project.
I really love the brocade ribbon, so it was nice to have it on something I use weekly.
Thanks for reading my A-Z Challenge post. I will try and visit everyone's blog who posts a comment!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Calico
Quilters primarily use calicoes to make the top of the quilt. This fabric is made of cotton and woven in a simple back and forth pattern. Calicoes then have a designed stamped on them. Quilters primarily use calicoes because they are 100% cotton. When quilting with other materials, the fabric may shrink at different rates, so quilters favor 100% cotton. The simple weave of the fabric is very sturdy and can be cut without too much fear of distortion. Of course, any fabric cut on the bias will stretch and distort, and calicoes are no exception.
When it comes to quilts I have made, almost all of them are made with calicoes. One of my favorites was this baby quilt which I find very punny. It has a calico featuring cats that look like they are made of calico.
I've also made several purses using calico fabric. They are available in so many colors and patterns that the color combinations are endless.
This table runner was also made of calicoes. These fabrics are a higher quality, sold in a quilting shop. The fabric feels a little thicker and softer than what is available in the chain stores.
As for other C words I considered, I thought about writing about crochet, cross stitch. cotton, and clay. I really love crafting, so I do enjoy using many media. For now, I'm trying to stick to quilting as much as I can.
When it comes to quilts I have made, almost all of them are made with calicoes. One of my favorites was this baby quilt which I find very punny. It has a calico featuring cats that look like they are made of calico.
I've also made several purses using calico fabric. They are available in so many colors and patterns that the color combinations are endless.
This table runner was also made of calicoes. These fabrics are a higher quality, sold in a quilting shop. The fabric feels a little thicker and softer than what is available in the chain stores.
As for other C words I considered, I thought about writing about crochet, cross stitch. cotton, and clay. I really love crafting, so I do enjoy using many media. For now, I'm trying to stick to quilting as much as I can.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Bamboo Batting
There are plenty of batting options available to quilters. My personal favorite is bamboo. It is not actually 100% bamboo but rather a blend of cotton and rayon made from bamboo fibers. It is extremely soft- much like rayon velvet- it is environmentally friendly, and it is naturally anti-microbial. It is also much more expensive than cotton or polyester batting. It is very low loft, but fluffier than a needled cotton batting. When I can, I will use bamboo batting in baby blankets. It also comes in slightly different sizes than a typical batting. They advertize it as "generous baby" which is a 60 x 60 inch piece rather than 45 x 60. I like the "generous" size better than typical batting because I seem to always end up with baby quilts larger than 45 x 60. Here are some quilts I have made with bamboo batting:
Hot air balloons for Abdiel,
Teddy bears for baby girl,
Pinwheels for Landon,
And Lady in the Lake for baby girl.
I really like working with bamboo batting. It lays out nicely, rarely wrinkling. When machine quilting, I don't have any trouble with the layers getting too think or the needle getting hung up on the fibers. I have not tried hand quilting with bamboo batting, but I have heard from other quilters that it is also very nice.
As for other B-words, batik, bobbin, all types of batting, and bolts of fabric also came to mind. I really could write about any of them, so maybe when the A-Z challenge is up, I'll go back and write about some of the topics I don't cover here.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Applique, Arizona & Alzheimer's
For the first letter of the A-Z Challenge, I could have chosen any of these A words, so I figured I might as well use them all. I normally avoid writing about personal issues on this blog because I don't like having personal information on the internet, but this time I simply can't write about this quilt without telling a bit about my life.
I started this quilt about 5 years ago. It was primarily the left-overs from a block of the month kit sold by Jo Ann's. I've worked on it in spurts. I never had a plan for it, so other quilts had higher priority. With the A-Z challenge coming up, I wanted to write about at least one newly finished quilt, and this one only had a few hours of work left to finish it.
I only had the hand sewing left as my trip to AZ approached. I really wanted it finished for the A day, so I decided to take it with and do the hand sewing while I visited with my family. The day before I left, my vacation plans abruptly changed. My grandma has Alzheimer's. She left her independent living facility and somehow ended up four miles away at church, without signing out or telling anyone, on a day that was in the upper 80's.
So, rather than doing the touristy stuff we planned, we had to find her a new secured place to stay. Her old place wouldn't let her stay there unless someone was with her 24/7 and they only allowed overnight guests for 14 days. All the family was under the gun to find her a new place fast.
I've always wanted to make my grandma a quilt, and this was my wake-up call. I needed to give her one before she completely forgot who I was. Right now she knows she has a granddaughter named Melissa, but she doesn't know I am her.
I sat with her for a day as I finished sewing the binding. I decided if she liked the quilt, I would give it to her, and if she didn't I would make her one once I got home. She loved it the moment she saw it (I should mention that hot pink is one of her favorite colors). I gave it to her at least seven times. It was joyful and sad at the same time. It was joyful seeing her happy, genuinely surprised reaction each time, but it was sad knowing that in five minutes, we would replay the same conversation.
Well, enough of the story, on to the quilt. As I mentioned before, this was a block of the month kit. Each block kit came with enough materials for two of the same blocks. Because this was just the left-overs on clearance,making a normal-sized quilt was a challenge. I tried many layouts before I settled on using rows of the same background color.
This was the first quilt I tried to applique. I had a few false starts until I figured out how to do it. I did start and finish at least two other applique quilts after starting this one, so I felt like I did a better job on them.
The applique quilts my mom made were always finished with a thick zigzag in a matching color, so I figured that would be a good way to start.
I used the left over fabric from the kits to make the border. I wanted something fun for the corner blocks as well, so I used some leftover fabric to make a heart.
Since I started quilting this about five years ago, I was not very happy with the back of the quilt. I generally quilt much better now, and I thought the back was too messy. I was also unhappy with the white sheet. At the time, it was the only color that was close to matching. I decided to solve both problems by turning this quilt into a duvet cover. This time, I got lucky and found a sheet that was a perfect match to the border color. I used the top and bottom of the sheet for the finished edge of the duvet slit. I am not a fan of closing duvets with buttons because they can be lumpy if you toss and turn and end up with the duvet below you, so I used hook and loop tape in pink.
I really enjoyed working on this quilt over the years, and I am really glad my grandma loved it. I hope that maybe she'll remember me when she reads the inscription I wrote when signing the quilt. And eventually, I will have this quilt to remind me of her and how much she loved spring.
I started this quilt about 5 years ago. It was primarily the left-overs from a block of the month kit sold by Jo Ann's. I've worked on it in spurts. I never had a plan for it, so other quilts had higher priority. With the A-Z challenge coming up, I wanted to write about at least one newly finished quilt, and this one only had a few hours of work left to finish it.
I only had the hand sewing left as my trip to AZ approached. I really wanted it finished for the A day, so I decided to take it with and do the hand sewing while I visited with my family. The day before I left, my vacation plans abruptly changed. My grandma has Alzheimer's. She left her independent living facility and somehow ended up four miles away at church, without signing out or telling anyone, on a day that was in the upper 80's.
So, rather than doing the touristy stuff we planned, we had to find her a new secured place to stay. Her old place wouldn't let her stay there unless someone was with her 24/7 and they only allowed overnight guests for 14 days. All the family was under the gun to find her a new place fast.
I've always wanted to make my grandma a quilt, and this was my wake-up call. I needed to give her one before she completely forgot who I was. Right now she knows she has a granddaughter named Melissa, but she doesn't know I am her.
I sat with her for a day as I finished sewing the binding. I decided if she liked the quilt, I would give it to her, and if she didn't I would make her one once I got home. She loved it the moment she saw it (I should mention that hot pink is one of her favorite colors). I gave it to her at least seven times. It was joyful and sad at the same time. It was joyful seeing her happy, genuinely surprised reaction each time, but it was sad knowing that in five minutes, we would replay the same conversation.
Well, enough of the story, on to the quilt. As I mentioned before, this was a block of the month kit. Each block kit came with enough materials for two of the same blocks. Because this was just the left-overs on clearance,making a normal-sized quilt was a challenge. I tried many layouts before I settled on using rows of the same background color.
This was the first quilt I tried to applique. I had a few false starts until I figured out how to do it. I did start and finish at least two other applique quilts after starting this one, so I felt like I did a better job on them.
The applique quilts my mom made were always finished with a thick zigzag in a matching color, so I figured that would be a good way to start.
I used the left over fabric from the kits to make the border. I wanted something fun for the corner blocks as well, so I used some leftover fabric to make a heart.
I really enjoyed working on this quilt over the years, and I am really glad my grandma loved it. I hope that maybe she'll remember me when she reads the inscription I wrote when signing the quilt. And eventually, I will have this quilt to remind me of her and how much she loved spring.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Blogging from A to Z Challenge
My good friend, Sangita, has asked me to join her in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. For the month of April, I will be posting a blog a day. Since I doubt I can make 26 quilts in one month while maintaining my normal life, I'll focus on quilting techniques and other crafts I enjoy.
I really hope I can keep up!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Lady in the Lake Baby Quilt
This baby quilt was a commission. I was surprised by the color choice: purple and gray. She also said that the theme was middle-eastern. I knew immediately that this would not be a "normal" baby quilt.
I always like trying out "new" blocks or patterns on a baby quilt. After digging through several books, I settled on a block called "Lady in the Lake". The pattern, though not strictly middle-eastern, was reminiscent of some middle-eastern designs I have seen.
I began picking fabric by finding the gray/silver/black swirly fabric. With that as a base, I tried to find fabrics that matched the color while sticking either to flowers, dots or swirls.
The pattern called for three primary fabrics and several secondary colors. Once I found the lavender and pink batik, I decided to use three purples, three grays and three gray on blacks. I had a hard time picking the third main fabric. Most of the grays in the store were just not a good enough match to the black/silver/gray swirl fabric. I experimented with violet and pink before finding this silver dot on white fabric. It was a nice way to add a little more sparkle in the quilt.
As I worked on the quilt, I started having doubts about how "adult" this quilt was. I went on a search for ribbon and lace to help soften it a bit. I found a black crocheted lace, and I was able to weave a lavender ribbon through the holes. As a final touch, I used more ribbon to place a bow in each corner (sewn down very well to avoid being a choking hazard).
I debated how to quilt it for quite a while. I looked at pictures on the internet, but I didn't see any quilting styles I liked. I finally decided to be bold and used a dark purple thread in the opposite direction from the diagonal block. It truly added another dimension to the quilt.
I truly took my time on this quilt, and it shows. I generally hate triangles because it is very hard to get the points to line up just right. Though I still don't care for doing triangles, I think this quilt was very nice. Nearly all of the triangle turned out perfectly. I have a very small list of quilts that I think were near perfect. I will often regret one of my fabric choices, or I will feel like I could have done a better job assembling or quilting it. This one is one of the rare ones without regrets and may be the best quilt I've made. It certainly makes my top 5 list. I'm eager to hear what both the client and the mom say about this one!
(Lady in the Lake, approx. 45 x 60, Feb. 28, 2013)
I always like trying out "new" blocks or patterns on a baby quilt. After digging through several books, I settled on a block called "Lady in the Lake". The pattern, though not strictly middle-eastern, was reminiscent of some middle-eastern designs I have seen.
I began picking fabric by finding the gray/silver/black swirly fabric. With that as a base, I tried to find fabrics that matched the color while sticking either to flowers, dots or swirls.
The pattern called for three primary fabrics and several secondary colors. Once I found the lavender and pink batik, I decided to use three purples, three grays and three gray on blacks. I had a hard time picking the third main fabric. Most of the grays in the store were just not a good enough match to the black/silver/gray swirl fabric. I experimented with violet and pink before finding this silver dot on white fabric. It was a nice way to add a little more sparkle in the quilt.
As I worked on the quilt, I started having doubts about how "adult" this quilt was. I went on a search for ribbon and lace to help soften it a bit. I found a black crocheted lace, and I was able to weave a lavender ribbon through the holes. As a final touch, I used more ribbon to place a bow in each corner (sewn down very well to avoid being a choking hazard).
I debated how to quilt it for quite a while. I looked at pictures on the internet, but I didn't see any quilting styles I liked. I finally decided to be bold and used a dark purple thread in the opposite direction from the diagonal block. It truly added another dimension to the quilt.
I truly took my time on this quilt, and it shows. I generally hate triangles because it is very hard to get the points to line up just right. Though I still don't care for doing triangles, I think this quilt was very nice. Nearly all of the triangle turned out perfectly. I have a very small list of quilts that I think were near perfect. I will often regret one of my fabric choices, or I will feel like I could have done a better job assembling or quilting it. This one is one of the rare ones without regrets and may be the best quilt I've made. It certainly makes my top 5 list. I'm eager to hear what both the client and the mom say about this one!
(Lady in the Lake, approx. 45 x 60, Feb. 28, 2013)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Playing with Prezi
For a technology class, we had to make a presentation on a hobby in Prezi. I had lots of fun doing it, so I thought I'd share it here.
Quilting With Sew Honeybee Prezi
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