and now for something different...

This week was lost to a horrible virus that took me DOWN!

I felt so bad 2 days I didn't even look at a quilt magazine, much less sew! But fortunately it ran its course, and by yesterday I was on the mend.

To treat myself, I made a triple zip bag. I was introduced to this tutorial by my friend Kim, she used it to make one for her swap partner in our guild's pouch swap. So I bookmarked it and waited. I am a finisher, I have to finish what I am working on before I leap into something else. Well, only if it is not a quilt. I like to have different quilts in various stages to work on as time permits. But I digress.
Since this was not a quilt, I needed time to work through the (extremely well-written) directions, after changing my mind multiple times on fabric choices. And zippers, I had to buy zippers. (I followed this alternative finishing tutorial, a bit easier!)

Scissors from my stash for the linings!

So much fun!

My first, I already have plans for more! These will make great gifts to keep on hand and they make a great use for scraps. Just need to get more zippers!

How I make my pinwheel quilts

So my first 2 quilts of this year are pinwheels. This one and this one. A great template makes these both easy and fast.

Start with this tool:

 Full instructions come with the template.

(I bought my template at my local quilt shop)

Also this book and this book.

Add 10" squares. I love the fabric layer cakes, it is a great way to get an entire collection of fabrics and this is a great way to use them. I like to loosely arrange the fabrics allowing for some contrast.

Sew the squares together into rows.

Then sew the rows together. I added a border.

Now the fun! Line up the crossed lines on the template with the intersection of your seams.

Cut it out!

Now align your new pieced squares. See the pinwheel forming?

Cut all the new squares from the intersecting seams. 

Sew blocks into rows, then sew rows together. Layer over batting and backing then quilt as desired.

 I really like how this pattern/template shows off the fabrics while making the process really quick, really fun and the end result looks really detailed! 


I need to get backing for this cutie and will post it again when complete.

Not enough time.....

This is when there is just not enough time to do all I want to do. I really want to be sewing, but I have a full-time job (thank God!). I have so many quilt ideas, I have to write them down and check them off as I go. I need to sew every day, but until this coming weekend, I really do not have the focus to start a big quilt, so I have been string-piecing. My scrap stash has blossomed (I have finished 21 quilts, 6 table runners and 6 handbags this year!), so last night I began. I am stringing 12.5" blocks, with a white/off-white/light neutral strip in the center. I am just going to piece until I use up all my scraps! No pressure, no deadline, just something to do that is quite relaxing. Need help getting started "stringing"? Here's Bonnie's tutorial, she uses muslin as her foundation (that's what I am doing), for a paper foundation tutorial, here's Filminthefridge's link.

And since I always like to include a photo with a post, here's one:

Pepper in Daddy's chair. She looks so sweet and sleepy!

Learning to free-motion stipple (tutorial)

I previously posted how I make and print my quilt labels. Well, I have decided to apply that process to another use: practice stitching for free-motion!

For this how-to, I am using a stipple pattern, but you can substitute an pattern you want.

Supplies needed:

Freezer paper, light colored fabric, rotary cutter or scissors

Cut your fabric and freezer paper to 8.5" x 11"

Lay fabric right side down on ironing board. Lay freezer paper, shiny side down, on top of fabric. Line up edges to be even. Iron paper to fabric with hot dry iron. This adheres the paper to the fabric.

Drawn a stipple (or other continuous line pattern) on a separate piece of paper. For this example, I am using a black marker so it will show up in the photos.

Scan your line drawing, just like you would any document. Then print on the paper-backed fabric you have made.

Peel, make your quilt sandwich, and follow your lines to practice!

If you try this, I would love to hear from you!