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~

Great Quilting Tips

The following tips are some that I've collected over the years. These are from many sources such as books, the internet, or my quilting buddies. I would like to thank all that share their tips with others.
1- Take your favorite quilt book to an office supply store, like Staples, and have them put a
spiral binding on it. It's great to be able to open it flat or fold it back. Last time I did it the cost
was less than $3.00.
2- If you have to remove stitches and some holes remain dampen a Q-tip with warm water and
rub it over the holes. Watch them disappear.
3- To keep thread from tangling around pins while appliquing pin from the wrong side of your
work.
4- Cut and piece one practice block before cutting fabric for the entire pattern.
5- Use the color code on fabric selvedges to coordinate your colors.
6- Store glue sticks in the refrigerater. This keeps them firm and they last longer.
7- Instead of cliping curves use Pinking Shears to trim them.
8- Use a music stand to hold your instructions. I found one at a garage sale.
9- Attach a towel rack behind a bedroom door. Fold your quilt over it when not in use. I must
confess this works better with smaller sizes such as twins. I use my rack to hold my queen
size chenille bedspread. It's not as bulky as a quilt.
I've ran out of tips so I'll close for now. If you would like to share some of your tips contact me at www.jaybeehive@yahoo.com. I promise not to put you on a list or keep your email on file.
Till next time,
Joan

Quilt Binding; A Mitered Corner Trick

While at my quilt group meeting a member shared this nifty trick with me. I was so excited about it I had to share it with you. In the sample I used green thread to make it easier to see in the photos. This continuous binding was cut on the straight of grain. It's not necessary to cut on the bias. After attaching the binding by machine turn the binding to the back of your project. Hand stitch the binding to the backing fabric. When you come to a corner stop stitching right on the machine stitching line. The pencil in the picture points to the stitching line referred to. Take a back stitch at this place.





Run the needle inside the binding, traveling to the point shown in the pictures below.



Holding the needle bring it in toward the center of the quilt. It will create a miter. Tack it down and continue down the next side working toward the next corner.

After sewing the binding on I went back and whip stitched the corners closed.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Enjoy the day.
Joan

How to Attach a Square End Binding

For this demonstration I'm using a pieced block as a quilt. A walking foot is recommended to attach the binding.

Step 1. Measure the length of your quilt. Add at least 3" to this measurement. Cut two strips of binding 2-1/2" wide by your measurement length. Example: If the length of my quilt is 30 inches I would cut two strips of binding 2-1/2" x 33". Press binding strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Note: Binding is always attached to the long sides first. If the quilt is square then attach to any two opposite sides. With quilt facing up lay a binding strip on top of the quilt, with at least a 1" tail of binding extending beyond both ends and matching raw edges of the binding with the raw edges of the quilt. Sew together using a 1/4" seam. Repeat with the opposite side. Don't trim ends yet.

Step 2. Press binding out over the stitching, away from the quilt.

Step 3. Trim the binding even with the quilt.

Step 4. Measure the width of your quilt including the attached binding. Add 3 inches to this measurement. Cut two pieces of binding this length. Attach both short sides in the same manner as the long sides. Press binding out over the stitching, away from the quilt. Do not fold binding to the back. This will be done in step 6 and 7.

Step 5. Trim the four binding ends even with the side binding as shown in photo below.

Step 6. Fold both long sides to the back first and using an applique stitch sew it to the backing fabric. NOTE: Always fold back the first two attached bindings. In this case whats described as the long sides. This prevents any raw edges on the ends.

Step 7. Fold the top and bottom (short) sides to the back. Use an applique stitch to sew the binding to the backing fabric.

I don't use this method for scalloped edges or mitered borders. In these cases I would use the continuous binding method.

Why not give this a try. Make a little sample to test my instructions. This really works well and I've never had problems with wavy edges. If you have any questions feel free to contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com.

Happy quilting and enjoy the day,

~ 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~

Quilting News and a Hint

Shown in the pictures below are the February Quilter's World magazine and my pattern on page 65. I just couldn't contain my excitement so I'm sharing it with you.

Now for the hint. I was cutting a dark fabric with a busy pattern the other day and found it hard to see the edge of the fabric through my ruler. After squinting and holding my breath trying to line up the edge I finally realized if I cut from the wrong side of the fabric I could see it much better. If you have a hint you'd like to share please contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com . I promise not to pester you. I will even delete your contact after I read your email. The only thing I ask is if you would allow me to share your hint on my blog. Let me know if you want your name mentioned or not for sending the hint to me. As always thank you for visiting.
~Joan~

Catching Up and Sharing Christmas

Between a major accident that totaled our car and the holidays I've neglected my blogging. We are very blessed in that our injuries were not life threatening and we're on the mend.

It's a little late but I wanted to share my Christmas ideas and decorations with you. This is our tree in all it's glory of 18 inches. The quilt was a flower pattern I found in a magazine last year. The reds cinched it for that poinsetta look.

This 17" square wall hanging was made using a novelty print and attic window blocks. It's hard to see but the border fabric print is Christmas lights. The right bottom corner is wrinkled from being stored. I have to confess at being lazy and not pressing it flat before I photographed it. It really is perfectly square. Whats Christmas without gingerbread people? This girl and boy gingerbread wall hanging meaures 13" x 24". I taught this in a class one year. I embellished with baby rick rack for the icing on the arms and legs. Buttons were used for the eyes, nose, and on the boys chest. It was a quick and fun project. The last picture below shows my "Photo Ornaments" that were published in the December 2009 Crafts and Decorate magazine. They measure 3-1/8" x 4-1/8".

Needless to say their too big for my tree. I think I'll pin them to a ribbon next year and create a garland to hang over my door. I guess I don't have to wait for Christmas I could use them anytime in a wall grouping. As always I thank you for stopping by. I look forward to sharing the new year with you.

Joan