No Need to Mark That Quilt Top.

I met the nicest people while attending the annual Arizona Quilt Guild Fall meeting yesterday.
One lady happened to share a neat hint with me. I'm passing it on to you.
1- Draw your quilting design on Press-n-Seal.
2- Place the marked Press-n-Seal on top of your quilt. Smooth the Press-n-Seal down with your hand. No need to pin. It should cling to the top.
3- Stitch on the drawn line.
4- Tear the Press-n-Seal away.
Wow! I'm anxious to try this. Guess where I'm headed to? The store to get some Press-n-Seal. Thank you Germaine Fritz for sharing this with me.
Till next time,
Joan

Introducing My New Pattern

I've been busy trying to get ready for the, November 6th & 7th, Lake Havasu quilt show. I'll have a booth there. If any of you decide to come to the show be sure to stop by and say hello. I'd like to introduce you to "Divinity", my new pattern.
A wall hanging that measures 24-3/4" x 24-3/4". It's a diagonal set with a fusible applique center and four pieced feather blocks. Its now in the hands of a pattern tester. I'm hoping to have it ready for the quilt show.


If you'd like to see more of my patterns you can view them at http://www.quiltersfun.com/
Enough bragging. Wishing you well on your journey.
Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Rotary Cutting Hints.

While cutting fabric for my newest design I had a couple of things happen to me.
1- After cutting a strip I had a jagged edge.
2- After cutting a strip I had a slanted edge.
Now for the reasons. When cutting fabric I concentrate on the measurements I need and the quantity of strips needed per color. I find that I don't pay attention to how I'm holding the rotary cutter.
Solutions to the problems for number:
1- The rotary cutter is dragging. I'm not holding the cutter handle high enough so that just the blade runs across the fabric.
2- I'm holding the cutter at a slight angle.
Now for the good news. At least I didn't blame it on the blade being dull. It could have been expensive changing them more often than needed.
I'm hoping I'm not unique and that there will be others that benefit from these hints.
Enjoy the day. Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Combining Hobbies to Make a Quilt.

My first love is quilting. A close second is cross stitching. While on vacation I decided to take some hand work with me. Rather than take quilting along I chose to do some cross stitching. After finishing the three small images I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them. I ended up creating a wall hanging by sewing sashing between the cross stitch squares and then adding a border. After layering, quilting and binding it I had the finished product shown in the picture. My husband made the hanger.

Now to change the subject. If you have any questions or a subject you would like me to write about please contact me at www.jaybeehive@yahoo.com . Would love to hear from you.

Till next time.

Joan

Applique' Hints and More

Over time through experiance we all learn little helpful hints or have read techniques that make life a little easier. Here are a few of my favorites I'd like to share with you.
(1) When using paper-backed fusible webbing have you ever had part of the webbing stick to the fabric and part of it stays with the paper? Well I've found that happens when I don't wait long enough for the pressed unit to cool before removing the paper.
(2) When layering different pieces of an applique' I use what I call iron basting. First apply the fusible webbing to the back of your fabric as instructed then cut out the fused images. Remove the paper. Place the first fused piece on your background and touch the tip of the iron to it. This holds it in place. Layer the next piece where needed and touch it with the tip of the iron. Continue with this method until all pieces are layered and in place. Now fuse all permanently.
(3) When you need to baste why not use fusible webbing instead. Just cut little snippets of webbing and place them randomly between pieces that need to be basted together. Press to fuse pieces together. Use this in place of thread basting.
(4) Have you ever tried combining different fabrics to create an appliqued piece? For example if you were making a flower pot with flowers in it. The pot and background can be from cotton fabric. Create stems with narrow rick rack, binding, or use a straight line stitch with green thread. The flowers can be from wool or felt. This makes them look dimensional and theres no need to finish the edges as wool doesn't fray.
Part of the fun for me is playing with creativity.
Try it!
Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Frame That Hierloom Quilt

We inherited a crazy quilt that was started and never finished by my husbands grandmother. It's dated circa 1910. It measures 25" x 44" and is made with silks. Wanting to preserve it I decided to frame it. I used an acid free backing and put spacers so that the glass doesn't touch the quilt. The one thing I didn't do was buy a glare free glass for it. I plan on doing that. The frame was bought at a thrift store for $ 15.00. A lucky find. We had a friend cut it to fit. It now hangs over our headboard.

The picture looks hazy because of the glare on the glass. It really is beautiful.

Thanks for visiting.

Till next time,

Joan

What to do with those scraps?

When I have any leisure time I pull my scrap bin out and start cutting 2 1/2" squares. I keep these cut pieces in a plastic container about the size of a shoe box. Below you will see three versions on how to use these squares. NOTE: All the colored squares were cut 2 1/2" but the background or light fabric shown was cut 2-1/2" x 4-1/2". I have more fun with putting these pieces on a table and playing with different placement ideas. It's like working a puzzle. Be careful this can be addictive.

Have fun.

Joan

Quilted Orphan Block Placemats

Orphan blocks = Individual blocks that haven't found a home or a place in a project.

Do you have a stash of orphan blocks? I do. I thought of a way to use them. Make placemats. I don't think it matters if there aren't two of a kind. I haven't tried this yet but I hope to soon. Here are some figures to use. If your orphan block measures 12 1/2" square unfinished add a cut 3 1/2" wide border to each side of it. The picture of my Thunderbird placemat shows how I used side borders.

If your orphan block measures anywhere from 6" to 9" you can add strips around the block till you create the desired size needed. There would have to be more strips on the sides than the top and bottom to end up with a rectangle. This would give it a nice scrappy look. A good size for placemats are from 12" x 16" to 13" x 19". Other options for one of a kind placemats. Use it in place of a doily. How about setting it on the back of a chair?
How many ways can you think of to use these placemats? Have fun and thanks for visiting.
Joan

FANCY NINE PATCH

I had fun changing a nine patch and playing with it. I would like to share it with you.

Use 1/4" seam allowances for all pieceing. Cutting and instructions are for one block.

Purple: Cut (2) pieces 2-1/2" x 7" and (1) piece 2-1/2" x 3".

White: Cut (2) pieces 2-1/2" x 3" and (1) piece 2-1/2" x 7".

Black connecting strips: Cut (1) strip 3/4" x 16", (2) pieces 3/4" x 3", and (2) pieces

3/4" X 7".

Sewing instructions: Sew (2) 2-1/2" x 7" purple, (1) 2-1/2" x 7" white, and (2) 3/4" x 7" black pieces together to create a strip as shown in the picture below. NOTE: The length of strips in the picture aren't accurate. The picture is a guide to show how the fabrics are pieced together. Press all purple/black seams to the purple and the white/black seams to the black. From this strip crosscut (2) 2-1/2" sections. Set aside.

Sew the following pieces together to create the center section. (1) 2-1/2" x 3" purple,
(2) 2-1/2" X 3" white, and (2) 3/4" x 3" black pieces. Note: Press seams as instructed above.
See picture below. Trim this section to measure 2-1/2" wide.


Measure the length of your sections. Ours measured 7-1/4" long. Cut (2) pieces this length from the 3/4" x 16" black strip. Using the picture below as a guide sew the three sections and the two black pieces together. Press seams to one side.



Have fun playing with this block. Create your own project with it. I would love to see how you used it. If you would like send a picture to me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com
Till next time,
Joan

Introducing My New Pattern

Here is a sneak preview of my newest pattern called "SW Triple Treasure". It looks complicated but it's not. It measures 24 1/2" x 18 1/2". It should be ready for market within two weeks. I'm waiting on the pattern covers. As soon as it's ready I'll put it on my web site.

This is a good time to share some joy in my life. I became a great grandma in February. Her name is Lilly. I hope to see her for the first time in July.

To whom it applies to have a happy Mothers Day.

Joan

QUILTED BOOKMARK

If you need a quick gift here it is. These work up so quick and it's a good way to use up scraps from your stash.

Finished size 2" x 7-1/2"
CUT THE FOLLOWING:

One 2" square for the top.

One 2" x 6" piece for the bottom.
One 3" x 8-1/2" piece for backing.
One strip 2-1/4" by width of fabric (selvedge to selvedge) for the binding.

From thin cotton batting cut one 2-3/4" x 8-1/4" piece.

ASSEMBLY:
With right side together and using a 1/4" seam allowance sew the top and the bottom together. Press to the darker of the two fabrics. Sandwich the backing, batting, and bookmark together. Pin and quilt as desired. attach the binding and your finished.
HINT: Use a muslin or light fabric on the back and with a fabric pen write that special someone a message.
The picture below shows variations of bookmarks using pieced units at the top.

Hope you have as much fun with these as I have.
Joan

Sharing Exciting News.

While getting a free bookmark pattern ready for my next blog I received notice that I've been published in the May/June 2009 issue of Quiltmaker. My design is found on page 20 and is called "Blue Bayou". Pardon me if I sound like I'm bragging but I had to share with you as my excitement is bubbling over. Thanks to all of you for your support.

Will return real soon with my bookmark pattern.

Joan

Another Tip for Quilters.

I want to share a tip with you. This is not a new idea. I don't remember where I first heard of it.
When it's time to change your ironing board cover save the batting from your old one. It's great for potholders and hotpads. This idea makes me want to change my covers more often.
Will post again soon.
Joan

Quilting Show and Tell

I would like to share my husbands talents with you. I designed this wall hanging titled "Southwest Flavor". In need of a hanger my husband, Clyde, designed and made the one shown in the picture. Now how lucky can a girl be? To view a larger image click on the picture. The hangers can be purchased. They come in three sizes 14-1/2", 17", and 20-1/2". There's a slight variation in designs depending on size needed. For further information contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com. You can see more of my designs at http://www.quiltersfun.com/. I'm hoping to share a free pattern with you in a few weeks. It's quilted bookmarks. The instructions are written I just need to take pictures and get them in my computer. Have a great day and thanks for visiting.

Joan

Nifty, Quick, Quilt Hangers

I've come up with a neat way to hang wall quilts. I purchase a wooden shelf and drill holes, a little bigger than the diameter of a dowel, through the shelf supports. I used a 1/4" dowel. I then fed the dowel through a drilled hole, through the sleeve or tabs of my quilt, then through the drilled hole on the opposite side of the shelf. How simple is that and looks great too.


If you have a shelf without side supports just screw cup hooks under the shelf. One on each end to hold a dowel as shown below.


Have a great day.
Joan

Pinning Quilting Seams.

I'm back and getting ready for our local quilt show. In the meantime I wanted to share some information with you. As most quilters know life is so much easier when we can create opposing seams. These seams lock together. I have found through experiance that there's a little trick to pinning seams that aren't opposing. Pin the two seams together by sticking the pin in at an angle so that the edges stay even. When holding the pin straight up and down through the fabric and then slanting it the edges pyramid.
Till next time,
Joan