Sewing Test Samples

Like many people, getting a project started and completed is sometimes like a race.  So many projects and not enough time.  But.... sewing a test sample is worth every minute.  Before starting the Wollie Churn Dash I made a sample of the corner square.... depending on the fabric I sometimes find it very challenging to make triangles seamed to the correct size. 

With this Churn Dash pattern, using the measurement as stated didn't go so well for me and it ended with a rather messy corner square. It is very easy to cut the fabric just a bit larger and then trim to size.  I will likely need a few extra inches of fabric to create the wiggle room but it will be well worth it. 

In the photo, the square on the left was sewn using the measurements as stated in the directions (from Folk Art with Heart). The blocks center and right were made by cutting the squares 1/4 inch larger and then trimming to size.  I like it. 

Time to get started!!

Woolies Fabrics -- Ready to Go

These are the Woolies Light fabrics for the quilts from One's Done, Another's Begun.  The colors are yummy!

Free Patterns

I am working on adding pages that will provide links to sites that have free patterns.  Since I am just getting started with this, it is a work in progress -- hopefully will be a great resource for someone other than myself!

Click on the links on the menu at the top of the page, at the right side, or below....

Needlepoint Patterns

Quilt Patterns

Cross Stitch Patterns

Stitchery Misc Patterns

Knit & Crochet Patterns

Other Crafts

Wagon Wheels Quilt Top

It's impossible to have just one project going at a time.  This is a photo of a top that is completed and waiting to be quilted.  The pattern is from This and That and is jelly roll pattern called Wagon Wheels.  Most of the fabrics are from Kansas Troubles / Moda.

This will be quited on my home machine.  The top looks like a great opportunity to try different straight line patterns -- by using a different pattern in each block the finished top will be a sampler quilt.

One's Done, Another's Begun - Lap Quilts in Flannel

My next project -- the photo comes from http://allthroughthenight.net/All_large_version.php?pattern_type=3&current_pattern=715

Bonnie Sullivan is the designer of this pattern - One's Done, Another's Begun - and the beautiful fabrics used to make it.  The fabrics are called Woolies and are produced by Maywood -- in my opinion the best flannel on the market. 

This clever idea utilizes the "scraps" from one quilt as the start for another quilt.  As you prepare the Churn Dash quilt, the left over triangles become a great start for the baskets of the quilt pattern Simply Baskets.   If this looks familiar, it could be because these patterns were originally published in the book "Folk Art with Heart" -- they appear as Woolie Churn Dash and Warm Woolie Baskets.

Down in the Valley - Halloween - Finished

Yippie!  It's done!  This is my completed Down in the Valley - Halloween/Fall version wall hanging.  It seemed like there were so many (too many) buttons.  It doesn't look like so many when the quilt is done -- I like it.

Yes, it did take much longer than I anticipated but I finished it today.  This was another learning process --  as my first completed wall hanging / small quilt there were a couple of glitches. 

First, I have learned that just laying the completed top on the batting / backing creates some bunching as it is quilted.  Next time I will smooth - but not stretch - more aggressively as I pin. 

Second, I have always attached binding using the E. Burns method -- attaching as you stitch and slightly pulling the binding to keep from getting lettuce edges.  Well.... After attaching the binding by machine, I had sewn down about 1/3 of the binding -- when I held it up it looked like the start of nice wash basin -- guess I stretched just a little too much.  Off came the binding for a redo.  

The clothesline is linen thread that was couched down with 60 weight thread.  I also used 60 weight thread to sew on the buttons.  If you are new to using the buttons from Just Another Button Company, be gentle.  I broke one while fastening the thread.  The good news .... super glue works great for repairs.

Last Day -- Last Shoppe

The final day of the Valley of the Sun shop hop is today.   Last day -- last store.

The Olde World Quilt Shoppe -- Plus: nice selections of repros, blenders (full line moda marbles with marble swirls, essential dots and much more), novelty, flannel, wool, silk, books and notions.  Probably 6,000+ bolts.  Many samples with kits .  Well lit large classroom.  Minus:  as beautiful as the shop is, the the lighting is poor in the main shopping area.  Overall:  This is a great shop with a knowledgeable staff... well worth the drive!!

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop - Continuing to the southeast

Today I hopped to the Tempe/Mesa/Chandler area and visited five different shops.  More than enough shops for one day. 

3 Dudes Quilting -- Plus:  light and well organized, nice fabric selection including repro, batiks, blenders, much moda.  On display (I forgot to ask if they were for sale) are several antique toy sewing machines. Minus:  rather small -- probably 2,500 bolts.  Overall: Nice shop -- these dudes are talented and knowledgeable, worth a visit.

Quilters Ranch -- Plus: artsy and traditional fabrics plus thimbleberries and bernina machines.  Minus: maybe 3,000 bolts.  Overall:  not impressed with the staff knowledge, shop was a dissapointment.

Cutting Edge -- Plus: nice fabrics including the full line of moda marbles and many other blenders, thimbleberries, batiks, novelty.  Large selection of patterns.  Minus: could use some additional light.  Overall: Nice shop, probably about 3000 bolts -- staff is friendly and knowledgeable.

Zoe's Trunk -- Plus: great fabrics including repros, 30's, blenders, bold prints, wide backs -- probably 6,000+ bolts.  They also carry a beautiful variety of what look like overdyed wools and wool/applique project patterns.  Minus:  They tear the fabric.  Sorry Harriet, when you tear the fabric it can ruin the fabric by disrupting the pattern for up to 2 inches on each side of the torn fabric.... it just seems such a waste!!  Overall: great shop, run by nice and experienced people but the minus is too big for me to make a regular shop. 

A Quilters Oasis -- Plus: Light and cheerful with wonderful fabrics that include Kansas Troubles, repros, batiks, flannels, blenders and more.  Nice variety of books, notions and tools.  Minus:  too far from my house!!  Overall:  I really like this shop and it would be a favorite haunt if I lived closer.  The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable but most noticeable they seem to be truly excited about what they do. Do not miss this shop.

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop 2010 Continues

Today I visited three more shops from the hop, all were in Phoenix.

The Quilted Apple -- Plus:  Nice selection of fabric and books, some flannels -- plenty of wool if you like to rug hook or felt and applique.  Seem to specialize in applique.  Minus: Need to get rid of the faded curtains on the door, it makes a very bad first impression. Rather small, probably 2500 bolts. Many older fabrics that need to go on clearance or be donated.  Overall: I like this place, it is a friendly shop with a knowledgeable staff and a nice variety.

Bernina Connection -- Plus:  fabrics are bright and bold,  nice selection of books - great selection of buttons.  Minus: clutter, clutter, dusty clutter.  Overall:  with some serious organization this could be a nice shop.

Quiltz -- Plus:  great variety of fabrics, including flannels and moda marbles -- probably over 6000 bolts, books are always 20% off. Great lighting with plenty of classroom space.  Minus: if I come up with one I will post it.  Overall:  Friendly staff, bright pleasing shop with a wonderful selection.  This is a shop you don't want to miss.

Down in the Valley – Another Update

For a small quilt this project just keeps going and going.  I machine quilted in the ditch around each block and the inner border then I added some simple lines to the border .  In the blocks I hand quilted clouds and swirls in the sky.  The binding is almost on -- maybe the next photo will be a finished piece.

Valley of the Sun Shop Hop 2010

Friday was day one for the Valley of the Sun Shop Hop, the hop run for 9 days.  There are 13 quilt shops to visit -- each shop has a demo (and discount) on a quilt tool/product, plus a page with directions for a Debbie Caffrey mystery quilt.  This is a great time to find a new shop and see what each shop has to offer. 

I started hopping yesterday and visited four of the shop hop stores plus one that is not part of the hop.  Five shops were enough for me in one day, more than that and I would never remember who has what!!  I started in the west valley....these are the shops and my impressions of each:

Bearly Stitchin in Goodyear -- Plus: beautiful shop - light and bright, great selection of batiks and brights, very friendly staff.  Minus:  very small (2000 bolts or less is my guess).  Overall: if I lived closer it would be a nice shop for classes and fabrics, I suspect that they have a rapid turnover of fabrics. 

Quilted Cactus in Surprise -- Plus:  fairly large selection of beautiful fabrics including flannels, well organized by color and style, plenty of fat quarters available.  Minus: clearance section needs to be donated.  Overall:  Definitely worth a visit and would be a great local store.

Sun Valley Quilts in Sun City -- Plus: large selection of fabrics including flannels, juvenile and wide quilt backs, great selection of buttons and misc quilt notions and tools.  Minus:  seems cluttered.  Overall:  Worth the drive -- great shop with a great selection.

Quilter's Bee in Peoria -- Plus: great selection of fabrics and kits, bright and cheerful, nice classroom with great lighting, staff seems very knowlegeable.  Minus: small -- probably not more than 2000 bolts, parking lot leaves a lot to be desired.  Overall:  a nice local shop.

35th Ave Sew and Vac (not in the hop)-- Plus: fabulous selection of fabric including complete lines plus kits, nice book selection always on sale at 20% off,  great variety of threads.  Minus: rather intimidating on the first visit, parking can be a problem.  Overall:  Worth a visit regardless of where you live in the valley... be sure to sign up for the email newsletter when you pay.

Safety Pins for Quilting and Finding Equinox Quilt

My little quilt is pieced!  Since there are a bunch of buttons to add, minimal quilting will be needed.  Because I have done very little quilting on a home machine I have been doing research to help with supplies.  I had always been told to use brass safety pins -- what I didn't know was that they leave marks in light fabrics.  Harriet Hargrave recommends high quality, rustproof, nickel plated pins.  I'm pretty sure that means nickel plated brass and not nickel plated steel. When I did a Yahoo search I was directed to Hancocks of Paducah where I found not just safety pins but this fabulous quilt!  It is called Equinox and uses fabrics designed by Kaffe Fassett - the pattern is by Aardvark Quilts.



This photo came from http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-AQ-818-QK

A New Iron – which Rowenta is best?

Deciding on a new iron -- it's time for a new one.  The search started a couple of weeks ago via the internet.  It seems that over the years I've had most of the brands made.  My favorites have been my Rowenta and my cordless Maytag.  But... my Rowenta is leaving marks when I steam (no matter how much I self-clean) and the Maytag has a terrible leak when I try to use  it with steam. Unfortunately, Maytag no longes make a cordless iron.