Getting Back to It

Woohoo, I got to unpack my studio.  Here's how it sort of started.

I found fabric I'd forgotten I had and cleaned out things I really don't need.  Though the actual studio isn't quite finished, it's finished enough that I can get back to doing what I really love. 




During the move and reconstruction, I made several tops just to keep my fingers in fabric.  Now I start the process of getting my longarm skills up to speed.  Ok, they were never really "professional", but they were starting to get there.

Today I was practicing curves....straight lines are waiting for another day...week... when I get brave.  I'm rediscovering things I forgot, like don't watch the needle, look slightly ahead to where you want to go and your hands will generally follow, blink, and most importantly breathe.  This is what came out from under the needle.  By the time I got to the end, I was feeling better about things.  I still have a long way to go.

Delectable Mountains

I just found out I'm going to be a a great aunt again, but this time not to brand new babies.  My niece and nephew are in the process of adopting a pair of sisters just beyond the toddler stage.  Which means new quilts from Auntie M and not the baby kind either, but a big girl kind.  So no pastel colors this time, whew what a relief because I prefer brights.

Also little sister likes and does whatever the bigger sister does so they need to be similar, but with enough of a difference so each sister knows which one is theirs.

So, this is what I started with,








and this is where I'm going...


Pink for one sister and purple for the other sister.  I'm still in the process of piecing always hoping I have enough fabric to do what I want (probably should have bought more). Keep in mind one half mountain will be the complete opposite of the other half mountain.  It can be a bit confusing, don't ask how many I cut wrong.

I started out with 10 inch squares of both the purple (or pink for little sister) and the print sewn together and cut to make the half square triangles.   I squared them up to 9 1/2 inch squares. Turn one half of the new squares one quarter turn, so they look like the picture on the left (a rather smooth mountain).  Are you there?  Good.  Now to cut the HST into strips.  Though I modified the delectable mountain pattern to make only 2 cuts of 3 1/8 inches (yes, the last strip will be a wee bit bigger than the others) instead of three.

I did this mainly because I didn't think I'd have enough fabric to make the size I wanted.  Note to self:  ALWAYS buy one yard of fabric more than you think you will need. Starting in the "center" of the smooth mountain, cut two strips 3 1/8 inches, leaving that wee bit larger strip.




Once the strips are cut, rearrange them by moving the inside strip to the outside, forming the "mountains", well actually half of the mountain.  Right now your half mountains should look a bit backwards.  Switch the entire half mountain block to the other side...now the mountain actually has a peak instead of a valley.  Sew the strips together to get the full mountain.  Once you have a full mountain, sew another mountain upside down on the bottom to make the "block" that you see in the uppermost picture.




Oh, the hubs is nearing the finish line on the studio.  That means I'll be able to spread out, set up my long (or mid I can't tell the difference) arm, and quilt some of the tops I've been finishing.  I can't wait...

Mini Iron Caddy

Another Mini Monday is done, I started on Monday -- really I did.  Today I completed a Mini Iron Caddy.  It only took me four trial runs out of paper.  You see I had the dimensions for the regular sized iron, but I don't want to carry that to classes so I worked....and worked...and worked to come up with a tote that would fit my Steamfast mini iron.  Now that it's done, it probably would be fairly simple to replicate, but who needs two?  If you decide to make an iron caddy for yourself, make sure your fabric and thread are 100% cotton, to avoid melting.  At least that's what I've read when researching caddy ideas.  The fabric is Wilmington Prints, Isabella.  The buttons came from one of my husband's old uniforms (now you know why everyone needs a button jar) not the fanciest, but functional and flat.  The ironing surface is iron quick, one layer of Warm and White, one layer of Insulbrite.

Happy sewing.

Dresden Mini Plates

Today, well really a couple of days ago I thought I'd try a new technique (to me) and make it a mini.  Small mainly because all, and I mean all, of my eventual studio is packed and covered in plastic as the build out goes on.  So here I am trying new things Mini Mondays and Technique Tuesdays.

I've always wanted to try a Dresden Plate, but didn't want to commit to the thousands of blades for a bed quilt.  The solution of course is to make it small.  Well if the quilt is small, shouldn't the plates be small?  Most certainly.  These are smaller, but probably not in the true miniaiture definition.  They are 5 inches across, the block is about 7 inches across and the whole quilt is about 22 x 29.  That fits my definition of miniature.

I also tried a new, again new to me, technique - piping.  What better place to practice something new than on a smaller scale.  I have to admit, this was a might bit tedious for me but I like the result.  Have  you tried anything new lately?

Its Sunday and I started working on the quilting the mini. I looked around the web for something appropriate and thought a cross hatch would look cute.  Have you ever tried to cross hatch without marking pens?  Remember all my supplies are covered in plastic.  So I went old school, ruler, blunt end object, and indentations.  If you do it this way, shadows are your friend.  (They help you stay on track.)  After the cross hatching, the next quandry is what to do with the sashing and plates?  Hmmmm.  (If only I was a better photographer)




I'm finished for now, note the first picture, and just going to leave the outer border alone for now.  I just cant decide what to do with it.  That and the fact that I'm having trouble FMQ today.  Try something new, have fun.

M

I'm continuing to work up idea samples for boutique items. Today it's a soup bowl cozie.  It went together extremely fast and easy using 10-inch squares of fabric and batting.  If you are going to use the cozie in the microwave while heating your soup, make sure everything is 100% cotton to avoid fire.  I've not tested this premise, but I'd rather err on the side of caution.  For full instructions, go to  Happy Hour Stitches, she has a well written tutorial.  Happy sewing.

Appliqué Tea Towels

Gosh I wish I had a better camera

I've been trying something new the last few days, appliqué.  No, not the hand stitched kind, I'm allergic to any handwork.  The machine sewn kind.  What started it was a trip to a Quilt Expo.  While walking around drooling, I spotted some patterns for appliqué tea towels.  Me being the adventurous type thought, I can do that even without the pattern, sometimes I talk crazy.  Well my first attempt was kind of straight forward, and I do love chickens.  Lesson learned:  what you trace on fusible comes out backward.






My second attempt involved yoyo's (yes I know handwork-bleh).  Lesson learned:  sometimes it's best not to ask the husband for his opinion.  I think it looks like a cactus and  that's all that matters, right?

What adventures have you taken lately?

How Small Can It Get?

I've been toying around with ideas for the guild's boutique (thanks Pinterest for the ideas) and yesterday this is what I played with.


I had some small leftover squares from another project and thought I'd give it a go.  It's a disappearing four patch, but due to the small size, it looks more like a 16 patch.  I am also without my regular Bernina (getting prepped for new flooring) so the trusty Singer 15-91 got to play with me.