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My sons, Jared (age 9) and Jacob (age 8) were badly in need of new quilts for their beds. Time has not been on my side when it comes to making bed quilts, but with the arrival of cold weather already this year, I decided it was time to take my own advice and make a couple very quick quilts while practicing my panto skills.
Here's what I did:
I selected 5 yards of a very busy quilting cotton print (bug sounds, the yellow print below). After pre-washing, I divided that into two 2 1/2 yard pieces. I removed the selvage edges and pieced them together making a single piece of approximately 84" x 90". The print was so busy, it's extremely difficult to locate the center seam.
Then I selected 2 1/2 yards of 108" wide fabric (the dark blue mottled fabric below).
This process gave me a top of 84" x 90" and a backing fabric of 90" x 108"
Next, I loaded the backing, batting and top fabric on Max (the longarm quilting machine). I selected the "Lounge Lizard" panto by Patricia Ritter of Urban Elementz - click here to see the panto. I love this panto and I loved using it. As this was only the 3rd & 4th time I'd ever used a panto (and it's been months since the last time), I found this design easy to follow and the results were great! To me the density of the design was just right (not too intricate and not too spacey) and the feeling of movement this design offered was a bonus.
Below are close-ups of the front and back of Jacob's quilt. Jared's quit is identical, but blue instead of yellow and I used blue thread so the quilting does not "pop" like this one.
The boys both love their quilts and use them "reversibly" depending upon their mood.
Other details: Top thread used was Glide. In the bobbin I used Magna-Glide pre-wounds -- the blue fabric shows the bottom/bobbin side of the quilting. I used Quilters' Dream Wool batting.
If you have need for quick warmth, consider using this process. It goes together very quickly, looks great and provides needed warmth.
Here's what I did:
I selected 5 yards of a very busy quilting cotton print (bug sounds, the yellow print below). After pre-washing, I divided that into two 2 1/2 yard pieces. I removed the selvage edges and pieced them together making a single piece of approximately 84" x 90". The print was so busy, it's extremely difficult to locate the center seam.
Then I selected 2 1/2 yards of 108" wide fabric (the dark blue mottled fabric below).
This process gave me a top of 84" x 90" and a backing fabric of 90" x 108"
Next, I loaded the backing, batting and top fabric on Max (the longarm quilting machine). I selected the "Lounge Lizard" panto by Patricia Ritter of Urban Elementz - click here to see the panto. I love this panto and I loved using it. As this was only the 3rd & 4th time I'd ever used a panto (and it's been months since the last time), I found this design easy to follow and the results were great! To me the density of the design was just right (not too intricate and not too spacey) and the feeling of movement this design offered was a bonus.
Below are close-ups of the front and back of Jacob's quilt. Jared's quit is identical, but blue instead of yellow and I used blue thread so the quilting does not "pop" like this one.
The boys both love their quilts and use them "reversibly" depending upon their mood.
Other details: Top thread used was Glide. In the bobbin I used Magna-Glide pre-wounds -- the blue fabric shows the bottom/bobbin side of the quilting. I used Quilters' Dream Wool batting.
If you have need for quick warmth, consider using this process. It goes together very quickly, looks great and provides needed warmth.
If you love fiber art landscapes and want to be inspired, you will LOVE learning about Sue Gilgen. The gorgeous pieces she shares in this clip are simply delicious. Enjoy!
You can see close-ups of several of these pieces and more on Sue's website gallery page, click here (link opens a new window).
You can see close-ups of several of these pieces and more on Sue's website gallery page, click here (link opens a new window).
If you subscribe to the eNews or if you've read this blog for very long, you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fabric yo-yos.
It's true...when Clover came out with the Quick Yo-Yo Makers, I was completely hooked!
I love this cool tool sew much that Jeff & I made a couple tutorial videos:
Here's a tip to build up your fabric yo-yo stash rather quickly:
I personally use multiples of every size & shape Clover Yo-Yo Maker. I store the Makers pre-loaded with fabric. That way, when I sit down in the evening or over the weekend I'm ready to stitch up as many yo-yos as I feel like stitching. I keep a bag of fabric scraps handy to reload fabric into the tool as soon as I complete a yo-yo. I sort the finished yo-yo's by shape and color.
Yo-Yo Makers are portable!!! When I know that I'm going to be traveling, I pack up my pre-loaded Yo-Yo Makers in Gallon size freezer bags.
The other day I discovered that Clover offers several FREE pdf projects for yo-yos. Check out these fun projects:
It's true...when Clover came out with the Quick Yo-Yo Makers, I was completely hooked!
I love this cool tool sew much that Jeff & I made a couple tutorial videos:
- http://sewthankful.com/blog/2008/07/now-showing-clover-quick-circl.html
- http://sewthankful.com/blog/2008/08/clover-flower-yoyo-maker-free.html
Here's a tip to build up your fabric yo-yo stash rather quickly:
I personally use multiples of every size & shape Clover Yo-Yo Maker. I store the Makers pre-loaded with fabric. That way, when I sit down in the evening or over the weekend I'm ready to stitch up as many yo-yos as I feel like stitching. I keep a bag of fabric scraps handy to reload fabric into the tool as soon as I complete a yo-yo. I sort the finished yo-yo's by shape and color.
Yo-Yo Makers are portable!!! When I know that I'm going to be traveling, I pack up my pre-loaded Yo-Yo Makers in Gallon size freezer bags.
The other day I discovered that Clover offers several FREE pdf projects for yo-yos. Check out these fun projects:
- Yo-Yo Christmas Tree Ornaments: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/CT0039%20-%20Yoyo%20Trees.pdf>
- Yo-Yo Curtains: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/Curtain_PS.pdf>
- Yo-Yo Flower Pins: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/Flower%20Brooch-PS.pdf>
- Yo-Yo Heart Greeting Card: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/Heart%20Card_PS.pdf>
- Yo-Yo Hair Accessory: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/Hair_accessories-PS.pdf>
- Yo-Yo Necklace: <http://www.clover-usa.com/project_img/CT0041.pdf>
About a year ago I made some curtains for Jeff's office because it gets SO hot in the summer. Jeff's office has a rather large east facing window and when temps hit 95 degrees before 9AM, it means a painfully hot day or a horrendous sting when the electric bill arrives. Thankfully we do have refrigerated air, but with this window and the sun penetration it was killing us cost wise to keep the room bearable.
With energy costs what they are, I wish I could multiply the hours in a day so I could make some insulated curtains for every window in our house. The layer of mylar reflects heat back toward the window in the summer (cold gets reflected back in the winter) instead of absorbing it or passing it through to the room. If prices keep going at the rate they are, I'm going to have to MAKE time.
The picture below/left shows one panel hanging down and one tied--to allow best natural light for taking the pictures.
I made these over a year ago and didn't use a pattern so I'll do my best to describe what I did. If I had it to do over I would make them about 3" longer. They are bulky and they do darken the room which can be good or bad depending upon what you want. They are not "flow-y". But they are attractive and very functional.
NOTE: There are many ways to make curtains, this is simply the method I used and I like the result. Quilted curtains would be wonderful also!
OK...so how I did it:
I figured my needed width and length for my top fabric, allowing extra for the top to make the rod pocket and a little extra length at the bottom for the hem where I would not want to double the Insul-Bright & lining because it will only add bulk. The Insul-Bright and lining were not extended up into the top area (rod pocket channel) or into the bottom hem allowance.
Keeping in mind my placement allowances for the top (rod pocket area) and the hem at the bottom, I layered my panel fabric (right side up), lining fabric (wrong side up), then Insul-Bright on top.
Stitch each vertical side.
Turn right sides out so that Insul-Bright is now in the center and your side seams are inside. Smooth and press.
Top-stitched down each vertical edge (along the seams you just sewed & turned).
Press & make sure the top edge of lining fabric & Insul-Bright is straight all the way across (horizontally at the top and bottom). I pinned & stabilized the top edge of Insul-Bright & Lining start with a large zig zag. A basting stitch would work also.
Finish the bottom edge which should be panel fabric only, fold up to cover the bottom edge of the lining & Insul-Bright, hem the bottom.
Finish the top edge of the panel fabric.
Fold over finished top edge down (toward the back of the curtain) to form your rod pocket area, slightly overlapping and covering where the zigzag or basting stitching of the lining & Insul-Bright lay across the top. Make sure it's straight, press, pin, stitch all the way across.
Using the top edge of the fold and the stitching line you just made, mark your rod pocket channel (this should be 2 horizontal lines). Stitch the channel, reinforcing the stitching at each end.
With energy costs what they are, I wish I could multiply the hours in a day so I could make some insulated curtains for every window in our house. The layer of mylar reflects heat back toward the window in the summer (cold gets reflected back in the winter) instead of absorbing it or passing it through to the room. If prices keep going at the rate they are, I'm going to have to MAKE time.
The picture below/left shows one panel hanging down and one tied--to allow best natural light for taking the pictures.
I made these over a year ago and didn't use a pattern so I'll do my best to describe what I did. If I had it to do over I would make them about 3" longer. They are bulky and they do darken the room which can be good or bad depending upon what you want. They are not "flow-y". But they are attractive and very functional.
NOTE: There are many ways to make curtains, this is simply the method I used and I like the result. Quilted curtains would be wonderful also!
OK...so how I did it:
I figured my needed width and length for my top fabric, allowing extra for the top to make the rod pocket and a little extra length at the bottom for the hem where I would not want to double the Insul-Bright & lining because it will only add bulk. The Insul-Bright and lining were not extended up into the top area (rod pocket channel) or into the bottom hem allowance.
Keeping in mind my placement allowances for the top (rod pocket area) and the hem at the bottom, I layered my panel fabric (right side up), lining fabric (wrong side up), then Insul-Bright on top.
Stitch each vertical side.
Turn right sides out so that Insul-Bright is now in the center and your side seams are inside. Smooth and press.
Top-stitched down each vertical edge (along the seams you just sewed & turned).
Press & make sure the top edge of lining fabric & Insul-Bright is straight all the way across (horizontally at the top and bottom). I pinned & stabilized the top edge of Insul-Bright & Lining start with a large zig zag. A basting stitch would work also.
Finish the bottom edge which should be panel fabric only, fold up to cover the bottom edge of the lining & Insul-Bright, hem the bottom.
Finish the top edge of the panel fabric.
Fold over finished top edge down (toward the back of the curtain) to form your rod pocket area, slightly overlapping and covering where the zigzag or basting stitching of the lining & Insul-Bright lay across the top. Make sure it's straight, press, pin, stitch all the way across.
Using the top edge of the fold and the stitching line you just made, mark your rod pocket channel (this should be 2 horizontal lines). Stitch the channel, reinforcing the stitching at each end.
Learn Elisa's easy, accurate and speedy template cutting technique for cutting 20 Fat Quarters (enough for 80 Crazy Curves blocks).
If you love the idea of Tsukineko Inks but you're not quite sure where to begin, check out Trish Stuart's YouTube video (below). Need a GREAT source for Tsukineko Inks & Totally Stable? Click here for Tsukineko Inks. Click here for Totally Stable.
Sew Thankful also stocks Trish's books: QuiltArt: Color Your Quilts, QuiltArt: More Quilts To Color, and QuiltArt: Curves Made Easy
Happy Mothers' Day to all the Moms--whether by birth or by heart, Moms are a special treasure.
I found a couple fabulous Patsy Thompson YouTube Videos--and I thought you would enjoy these a LOT. Part 1 is on top, scroll down for Part 2. Patsy is a wonderful teacher.
Sew Thankful stocks Patsy's DVDs on machine quilting techniques...so these will give you a great sense of her style.
ENJOY!
If you want to try these methods and you're looking for great new threads, Sew Thankful offers a fantastic selection and great prices too! http://www.sewthankful.com/ThreadsAndFibers.html
I found a couple fabulous Patsy Thompson YouTube Videos--and I thought you would enjoy these a LOT. Part 1 is on top, scroll down for Part 2. Patsy is a wonderful teacher.
Sew Thankful stocks Patsy's DVDs on machine quilting techniques...so these will give you a great sense of her style.
ENJOY!
If you want to try these methods and you're looking for great new threads, Sew Thankful offers a fantastic selection and great prices too! http://www.sewthankful.com/ThreadsAndFibers.html
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Good lighting is always a concern for quilters.
I was recently asked about the overhead lighting I have for my longarm:
We purchased the overhead wiring feature (the basic framing/rails, etc.) from APQS
as an "add on" when I ordered the machine. But, the lights are separate
components that Jeff added by attaching them with clamps to the frame.
He purchased the lights from Home Depot. There are two light units. So...two pieces of rail/track with 3 lights in each. More individual lights can be purchased and added on to each track. The feature I like best is that you can turn each individual light to the direction you choose (within the limits of it's turning capability). I think we paid around $40 per unit.
Thanks to Stephanie for asking for clarification. Happy quilting to all...
I was recently asked about the overhead lighting I have for my longarm:
We purchased the overhead wiring feature (the basic framing/rails, etc.) from APQS
as an "add on" when I ordered the machine. But, the lights are separate
components that Jeff added by attaching them with clamps to the frame. He purchased the lights from Home Depot. There are two light units. So...two pieces of rail/track with 3 lights in each. More individual lights can be purchased and added on to each track. The feature I like best is that you can turn each individual light to the direction you choose (within the limits of it's turning capability). I think we paid around $40 per unit.
Thanks to Stephanie for asking for clarification. Happy quilting to all...
Something old becomes NEW and fresh and fun!
I seem to wear my jeans forever and I've had this particular pair for approximately 4+ years. Hey...I have a limited budget and what I have I'd rather spend on sewing and quilting supplies!
After all that wearing and washing, the back pockets started ripping out at the stitching and another small spot had caught on something making a tiny hole. I couldn't bear to throw them away so I fixed them with "special shaped" fabric yo-yos--made using Clover's yo-yo makers--and a bit of perle cotton free-form hand stitching! I have tested washing and drying the jeans (post-patching) to ensure stability--in fact, this picture was taken with the jeans pulled fresh from the dryer. YAY!
Click the image to see a larger picture.
I *love how they turned out. I never thought I could love my old jeans more, but now I do. I've been thinking I may add some more to the front lower legs as a design element. Uh-oh...watch out closet...I'm getting jiggy with the yo-yo embellishments.
