Ironing Board Hint

This is a top view of how I use my ironing board. By having the iron on the narrow part of the board I have more surface space to iron my larger quilt projects. Actually I keep my board this way for all my ironing.

If your left handed set your board as shown below. Sorry about the iron being turned wrong but you get the idea.

All for now. Cheers.

Joan



A Quilter's Experience

I've decided to squeal on myself. I'm in the midst of designing a new quilt. I cut my fabric and sewed 16 blocks before I realized I made a mistake. Wrong dimensions on a corner piece. I wont bore you with details but I did it on all 16 not just one before I caught it. The waste of fabric doesn't make me happy. The good news is all it takes is a seam ripper and a little time to reverse what I did. The lesson here is to remember the important hints such as; try one block before cutting all the fabric requirements and sewing a multiple of blocks. The seam ripper is a handy tool. I saw the neatest way to use one in a magazine once.  Just stick a small seam ripper in a spool of thread as shown in the picture below.  Great for cutting loose thread ends if your doing hand work, cutting thread from the spool it's in or using it by your machine. I wish I could remember which magazine I saw it in so I could give them credit.

Well now that I've taken a break I'm ready to tackle the sewing again. By the way I need to make a total of 64 blocks for this pattern. Sixteen blocks with errors doesn't sound so bad. Life is good.

Thanks for visiting,

Joan

The Neatest Quilt Site

I needed to calculate fabric for an odd pattern I was trying to create. I found this site on Google. I have had more fun playing with this fabric calculator. There's no signing in or signing up. Do yourself a favor and check it out. http://www.vrya.net/quilt/index.php  Click on "Flash Quilt Calculator". I bookmarked this one as I know I'll be using it often.
Enjoy the day.
Joan

Sharing My Quilting Adventures

I'd like to introduce you to my newest pattern on the market, "Native Trails". I like that I only had to choose two colors for this one. Anything over five colors and I have a hard time. Not that I haven't done it. It just takes me forever.
We're still working on my book. Most of the editing is done. Now the pictures are being taken. I'm worse than a kid at christmas time. So excited and finding it hard to be patient.
I'm working on a new southwestern, table runner, design. I live in a snowbird area and this is my time of year, the summer, to create. I use the remainder of the year, when the snowbirds (friends) return to promote, teach, and present lectures. Busy as ever and loving it.
Thanks for visiting.
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

Christmas Tree Napkins

I found this pattern on Lyn Browns blogspot. She doesn't know the origin of it and neither do I.

If you can't print this pattern from here go to http://www.lynbrown.com/ and in her search box type Decorative Tree Napkin. It should come up.

I've decided to make this as christmas gifts for my children, that have families of their own, along with a cookbook with old family recipes. I've seen these made up. They are soooo cute. It's a good way to use up the christmas fabric stash I've been hanging on to.

Enjoy,

Joan

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Sharing My New Web Site and Quilt Pattern

I just had a new web site designed. The woman did a great job as she filled in the bee wings with one of my designs. If you have a chance check it out at http://www.quiltersfun.com/
This is my newest pattern. "Feather Dance". It's a 15-1/2" x 39-1/2" table runner. I had fun with this one. Although I must admit I have fun with most of them.

We're into our typical Arizona summer heat. Yesterday was 110 degrees. Needless to say I'm thrilled that my hobby keeps me indoors.
Thanks for visiting.
Till next time,
Joan