Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Clue # 1 - Twisted Mystery

I very nearly forgot to post my first block for the Twisted Mystery project taking place over at Carol Doaks' Yahoo group.

Clue # 1  











This block is actually constructed from 4-quarters, pieces rotated to create the star, then sewn together. It is all paper pieced - no pointy templates going on here.






You need to belong to Carol's yahoo group to be able to collect the clues. Visit  " My Links"  page for the addy.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Twisted Mystery Palette Change

I changed the palette for my Twisted Mystery project. I added some lovely new greens, changed the yellow, changed another warm color and included a 'possible' border.


Now I'm off to a cutting party. LOL  I better start cutting the fabrics I'm totally sure about, first. :D  I have selected fall fabrics. Maybe it will be a table topper or maybe I'll add more rounds and make it lap size?

Blocks for this project will start  being  released this Wednesday, Sept 28th at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolDoakQuiltingGroup/

Will any of you be sewing up this mystery with me?

Friday, September 23, 2011

Twisted Mystery Quilt

A new project is evolving at Carol Doak's yahoo group. It is being labeled a Twisted Mystery. It will grow in stages. We do not know what the pattern will look like until we're nearly finished.  But watch us try to figure it out! It will all be paper pieced, of course.

This is my color palette. I may change out a couple pieces; especially the light green and maybe the orange on the end.  The black is the background.
I will post the blocks as they are made. Maybe you can help me visualize the final design. It will be 36 inches, before borders, You can also take part in this mystery by visiting Carol's group  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CarolDoakQuiltingGroup/

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Pillowcase Dresses - Done!

Phew. It seems I've been AWOL.  Not really.  I have been slaving away on making dresses for Haiti. I ran out of pillowcases and made a bunch from yardage. Lots of sewing and lots of making bias tape!  I must be pretty good at it now. It takes about 80 inches of bias tape per dress.

I set a personal goal of making 50 dresses. My last batch was 23 pillowcase dresses. This batch has 28 dresses. This photo holds a few of the fabric combinations I worked with.

50 Dresses for Haiti

I am ready to break away to another project.  I am especially excited for an upcoming trip to Shipshewana! My main focus will be the Coming Home quilt barn panels.

http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?sid=73789211644297378&Store_id=499&page_id=23&Item_ID=63596&Parent_Ids=



I wonder if I should consider any other collections?  :D

Friday, September 16, 2011

Day 5 .... Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

Our  'Handwork   While You Wait Week' wraps up with a handy tutorial for a Hexagon Needle Case and be sure to check out the tutorials offered every day  this week at http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

I am still working on a large batch of pillowcase dresses, without the pillowcases now. LOL   I am working toward my goal of 50 dresses. I had to resort to yardage to meet this goal.  I am now reaching the dreaded final step of making ALOT of bias tape and sewing that to the dresses. Pictures later,  quite a bit later!

I hope you all had a great week. We have a beautiful September weekend coming up here in the Midwest.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Day 4 .... Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

There is a wonderful tutorial on english paper piecing today offered by Janet M Davies. Janet does superior needlework.  You can see it here:
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

I hope everyone has a blessed and creative day.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Day 3 .... Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

Can you take a moment to check out the new tutorial being offered today?  A close-up in the art of hand piecing!     http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

I hope everyone has a blessed and creative day.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Day 2 .... Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

There is a handy Thread Holder Tutorial offered today for the Handwork-While You Wait. It has some helpful, clear photos to make this project. You will find the tutorial here:
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

Be sure to visit all the links and check back every day this week for more projects.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Links for EPP Supplies

Hello everyone. I am happy that you took time to comment about my english paper piecing methods. 

I have acquired my cardstock templates from these sources. It was an excellent on-line shopping experience in all cases!  If you google for it, I know you will find several other reliable sources for epp supplies.   ***  NAYY ***


I learned of a logical way to assemble the diamonds using partial paths, from these pattern sheets at paper pieces.com. That was soooo helpful.  There is also a gallery of pictures to inspire all sorts of projects using epp shapes.

I have approx 1200 cardstock templates. It is my preferred way to make hexagons. I am hoping this supply will get me through my queen-size diamonds quilt, but time will tell. First I need to see if I can recycle the templates enough to complete the quilt 'top'.  If I make it thru that step, I have another plan for assembling the border designs .  

I will be updating MyLinks page, to include links for epp supplies.

Thanks for stopping by. Please come again soon.                                      

Day 1 .... Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

Today kicks off      * Handwork - While You Wait * week!  

Be sure to click on the button in the sidebar or    http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

There will be great tutorials to enjoy and you can  enter for a chance to win the prize. 

Your comments matter.  Thank you for stopping by!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Handwork - * While You Wait Week *

Handwork - * While You Wait Week *   begins tomorrow!

It all takes place with Benita Skinner at http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/Handwork/main.htm

Be sure to visit her site each day this week for all the tutorials and enter for the prize, which will be drawn on Saturday!

Oh, and my post is on Monday.  LOL   You won't want to miss it!  

I Remember

There was a heartwarming ceremony in church service today. We were reminded of those heartbreaking images and stories of many heros. I am truly humbled.

Mostly, we were reminded of the unity our country held together on September 12. Do you remember?  If only we could always have such character for mankind. If that 'Unity' was our mainstay, I believe things would be much different in America now.

I think of all the other countries who also mourned for us during this tragedy. Some of these countries were already struggling with their own sacrifices, yet they expressed comfort, love and grief.                   I  Thank You.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Little Dresses for Haiti

Today I've been working on more dresses for Haiti children. I set a personal goal to reach 50 dresses.  The deadline is early October, so I have made my deadline for September, specifically by end of next week!  LOL

I am  working from yardage now. I  have 8 dresses ready for the neck and armhole treatments. I used some decorative stitches along the hemline. I hope to have pictures to post tomorrow. I believe there will be a few more pillowcases brought in for me to pick up at church tomorrow.

Tally.........I have finished 23 pillowcase dresses so far. I have 5 pillowcases waiting to be made into dresses, I have 8 dresses waiting to be finished. I wonder how many I'll get to pick up tomorrow?  :D There is alot of bias tape to be made!

There will be a special service at church tomorrow, in remembrance of the 10 year anniversary of 9-11.  How somber that will be.  We look to God and Jesus for our comfort and peace.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Christmas Rose Wreath

There has been some interest in the Christmas Rose Wreath pattern, so I created a project file for anyone who wants to make it for themselves. It is a paper pieced project. No sewing directions will be provided. There are no fabric requirements listed since it is made from your scrap box.

I drew the blocks and re-numbered them for you. I have provided 2 download files. One file is a miniature size, 12 inches, before borders. I think I'll do this one for my tabletop frame. The other file is 18 inches, before borders. This makes a nice size table centerpiece or wall hanging.

While I was re-sizing the blocks in the word file, the sizing became distorted with the seam allowance included. So I have provided the block patterns without seam allowance added around the outside edges. You will have to remember to extend the fabric pieces 'at least' 1/4 inch beyond all the block edges and trim the block to include the seam allowances.   Also remember to have your printer settings set to "no scaling".

I have prepared the file so you can save paper and ink!  The color illustrations are on the first page. The patterns you need to print are arranged on pages 2 and/or 3. The patterns  have been provided in multiple units, for efficient printing.  Please check that your blocks have printed at the correct size before sewing.

      12" Christmas Rose Wreath pattern:
 http://www.box.net/shared/4igs1g1fkxtcdojnda84              

      18" Christmas Rose Wreath pattern: 
http://www.box.net/shared/21tv71abfg0tpvzv1ypu


Other options:  cutting a whole in the center and rounding off the corners would make a festive skirt for a table top tree.  A wreath doesnt have to be made up in reds and greens. How about some autumn colors or whatever compliments your room decor.  Using a multi- print for all the piecing, except the background would have an interesting effect also.





*** If you make up this pattern, please send me a photo!  I will display them on this page.***


Gun Adrian, Sweden
 http://rutigt.wordpress.com

Monday, September 5, 2011

Hexagon Tutorial - Assembling the Diamond

Part 2 - Joining the Hexagons


This is all the supplies you need to make one diamond!


  • strong quality cotton thread
  • fine sewing needles
  • scissors
  • thread conditioner (opt)
  • fridge magnet (opt)
  • 9 pre-basted hexagons in printed fabrics
  • 7 pre-basted hexagons in white fabric











I begin by sewing my pieces into the grandmothers flower garden pattern. Then,  I add the two hexagons on the ends. Finally,  I'll  add the white 'path' pieces. When the diamonds are joined together, the white path will make a smooth path, diagonally in both directions, around the diamonds.



Overcast Stitch

Step 1


I use a fine quilters knot on the end of a single strand of cotton thread. 

Weave the needle through a edge of seam allowance, weaving toward where you want to begin joining the pieces.

Begin by joining the first piece to an edge of the center hex, right sides together.






Joining piece1& 2


















I use a very tight overcast stitch (at least 22 stitches per 1-inch edge). Insert the needle  through the top threads of both pieces, NOT going through the paper template.  I still use a slip knot at both edges of the joined pieces, even though I began weaving the thread with a knot.












Join two more hexagons to the center (yellow) hexagon by  skipping every other edge.               








You can use a continuous thread to join the next hexagon by weaving the needle into the seam allowance and scoot to the next corner.








Now we can insert the other 3 hexagons with continuous stitching along 3 sides for each hexagon.








To insert another hexagon, start at an outer corner, stitch to end of that side;







Align next side in place, this will cause the paper template to fold while you stitch another side.            










After you have all six pieces stitched around the center hexagon, it is time to add the final 2 pieces to create the diamond.  **For correct placement, be sure your gfg flower is positioned  'on-point'. **  Stitch another hexagon at the top and bottom of the flower. You now have one of the diamond shapes.








Now it's time to add the first white path.  Whipstitch 3 white  hexagons into a single path.

     







Whipstitch this white piece to the side of your diamond, so it is positioned exactly as in this picture.








Whipstitch another white path of 4 hexagons.   Whipstitch this   piece to the right side of the diamond, in the  exact position displayed here.   









Flip the diamond over and remove the 4 templates which are in center    and surrounded by other templates on all edges.









When you join completed diamonds together in diagonal rows, the pieces will interlock together.


You will find Part I Tutorial - Supplies and Basting here:

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Purse Tissue Covers II

It's amazing what a photograph will tell you.  I should take more pictures. I should have a photographer on hand to take clear quality pictures for me. 

When I looked at the photo of my first set of purse tissue covers, all I saw were blues and pinks. I know I dug into my scrap box to make these items, but the photo told a story!

So I dug into another scrap box and made up some tissue covers in autumn prints. I used leftover pieces of binding to finish the edges. If I didnt have an appropriate binding scrap, I dug into that bag of 2" strips. I used to  wonder why I bothered to pre-cut some strips, but they have come in handy on more than one occasion.



A new batch of tissue covers made with autumn prints.






You can make your own batch of  purse tissue covers. I found the pattern on-line and I share that link here:       http://www.alderwoodquilts.com/shopping/Product.asp?ID=FreeTissueCover

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.