Quick Rotary Cutting

I saw this demonstrated and wondered how I hadn't thought of doing this. It's so simple.
1- Fold fabric in fourths.

2- Square up edge of fabric and cut strips needed. Leave strips as close together as possible.

3- Turn the cutting board not the fabric for this step. Place the acrylic ruler on all strips and square up the edges. Cut the size squares or rectangles needed. Note: For this tutorial I cut two strips. Cut as many   strips as needed or that the ruler will cover. Each strip yields four pieces per cut. My example shows one cut through two strips yielded eight squares.

That's all there is to it. I'm off to my cutting table to whack more fabric.

Thanks for visiting.

Joan      

" Placemat Purse " Fun and Easy

Here's a quick project. I purchased this quilted placemat at a Walmart department store for $ 4.00. To make the purse set the placemat on a table with your choice of the right side facing down and the rectangle vertical. Fold the bottom up to one third from the top as shown in the photo below. The arrows are to show where the bottom edge of the placemat is after the fold.

NOTE: The fold dimensions are approximate. Depending on your placemat design you may want the fold shorter or longer. Sew the side edges together. Add Velcro as shown. Another option is to use snaps for closures.

Fold the top down. The photo below shows the finished project. Try experimenting with handles from a craft store, or add fabric straps. To keep it simple leave it as is. A clutch purse.

This makes a great gift. Something to think about. Why not make one and fill it with goodies for a special some one as a thank you.

Enjoy,

Joan



How to Make a Quilt Label

 I start with plastic coated freezer paper. This can be purchased at most grocery stores.

Step 1: Lets start with a 6" x 8" piece of freezer paper. Using a black Sharpie marker and ruler, draw lines on the paper side of the freezer paper, 3/8" to a 1/2" apart. Next cut a piece of muslin or choice of fabric used for the label a little larger than the paper.

Step 2: Layer the wrong side of fabric on top of the plastic side of the freezer paper. Using a cotton setting on the iron and the fabric on top press the two together. Note: Be sure that no paper is sticking out from under the fabric. You don't want to get a plastic coating on the iron.

  

                                                      

Step 3: Don't seperate the paper and fabric yet. Using a permanent fabric marker write your information on the label.

A point of interest. I was just told by a woman that helps at a childrens theatre that a Sharpie, fine point, permanent, felt tip marker as shown in the photo above works great and won't wash out. This is the first time I've used it and I haven't tried to wash it. It might be worth experimenting with.

Peel the paper and fabric apart. Hold a hot iron briefly on the writting to help seal it.

                                           

Step 4: Using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler trim the label. We trim about 1" from the writting on all sides.

                                                

Step 5: It's hard to see in the photo but fold the top and right side of the label to the back about 3/8" and press.

Step 6: Set the label in the bottom left hand corner of the quilt alligning the left and bottom edges of the label with the with the raw edges of the quilt. Pin in place. As shown in the photo above when the binding is turned to the back it covers the raw edges of the label. After sewing the binding to the back and using an applique stitch sew the folded edges of the label to the quilt back. ~

Thats all there is to it. Hoping this makes label making a little easier for you.

Till next time.

Joan

Quilting Strip Piecing and Cutting

In the quilting world strip piecing is where you sew strips of fabric together to create a strata. It can be from two to a number of strips. Then you crosscut the pieced strip into sections of units needed. The picture below shows how I cut a pieced strip. Square up the edge. Set the acrylic ruler at the size you need to cut. In my picture it's 2-1/2". Line up the seams of the pieced strip with horizontal lines on the ruler. Don't use the edges of the strip pieced to line up the ruler. At times the edges are not straight due to pressing, stretching, as you can see in my picture. Using the seam lines as a guide keeps it squared. When the units are sewn to a block or another unit the edges seem to square up just fine. Give it a try. It works.




Thanks for visiting.
~Joan~

Simple Applique Technique

In my last post I said I would have pictures of our annual Ajo quilt show. My friend took the pictures and will get them to me soon, I hope. I'll post them as soon as I get them.

For the following applique block you will need:

Two different color squares of fabric 7" x 7" each. I used pink and yellow.

One 6" square of light weight fusible webbing.

Instructions: Start by choosing an image for the center of your block. I used a star. Any simple image will do.

Trace the image on the paper side of the fusible webbing making sure it's centered as shown in the picture.

Center and fuse this image to the back side of one 7" square using an applique sheet to protect your iron. I used the pink square. Note: This will be your background color. See the picture below.

Cut the center of the image out being careful not to cut outside the traced line as shown below.

Remove the paper backing from the fusible web. Set your second 7" square facing up on your ironing board. Place the cut out (overlay) star square on top of this square right side facing up and edges even. Using an applique sheet press the two to fuse them together. Keeping the image centered trim the block to the desired size.

I like to machine buttonhole stitch around the image. I used black thread to show the stitching. I usually use the same color thread as the top fabric. In this case the pink.
This would be fun to try in different flower shapes. Or maybe different baby blocks with animal images. If you google "clip art images" or "easy images" you might find something to your liking to trace.

This is a quick and easy method. I don't have to worry about turning under points. I don't know that I'd recommend this for quilts that will be laundered often but for a wall hanging it would be great.

If something is confusing to you or if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy,

~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

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

No Time To Make a Quilted Gift? Try This!

A quick needle case for that special someone or a great stocking stuffer.
You will need:
Two pieces of fabric 4-1/2" x 6"
One piece of felt 2-1/4" x 4"
One piece of Wonder Under or fusible webbing of your chioce 4" x 5-1/2".
Two 1/8" x 6" pieces of ribbon.
Pinking shears

Assembly:



Using the Wonder Under fuse the two 4-1/2" x 6" pieces of fabric,
wrong sides, together. With pinking shears cut a rectangle 3" x 4-1/2" from the fused fabric.






Center the felt on top of the fused fabric. Mark the center of the felt and sew on the line.
Think of this as a page in a book. Don't sew the edges down. Mark the centers of the sides and sew the ribbons on using a zig zag stitch.




Fold the needle case in half and tie.
Warning: These can be addictive. I couldn't stop with one.
Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
Joan

No More Wavy Quilt Borders.

The following instructions guide you on how to attach borders eliminating the waves or as some call them lettuce leaf edges.

STEP 1- Measure the width of your quilt top. This is your top and bottom border measurement.

STEP 2- Place a straight pin on the wrong side of one end of a border strip about 1 inch from the edge. Measuring from this pin place a second straight pin marking your border measurement. Fold border in half crosswise, matching pins, to find the center and mark it with a pin.

Repeat steps 1 & 2 with another border strip. These are the top and bottom borders.

STEP 3- Find the center of your quilt top by folding it in half and marking it with a pin.

With right sides together, and raw edges matching, pin the marked border to the top of your quilt matching the center pins and the side pins to the quilt edges. Sew the border on and press seams to the border. Using a rotary cutter and ruler cut the border even with the quilt top. Repeat for bottom border.

Repeat the above instructions to attach the side borders except your side border measurements on the quilt top will include the top and bottom borders. After these borders have been attached and pressed cut them even with the top and bottom borders using a rotary cutter and ruler.

This has worked for me.

Happy quilting, Joan