I Discovered A New Pinning Aid for Quilt Projects

 I have been reorganizing my craft corners and containers to make things easier to find.  Also to weed out things I no longer use and give them to my granddaughter who is crafty.

I needed to layer and pin a door hanging together but lo and behold, I could not find my box of quilt pins.  Finally after some re-organizing I found it.  But to my dismay, the little gadget that you use to hike up your pinpoint so you can close the safety pin was not in it.  What to do.  I needed to layer and pin a few Xmas door hangings I have ready to go.

I found the answer.  The backside of a teaspoon works wonders.

When you bring up the tip of the pin, you place the backside of the narrow end of a spoon against it and you can shove it closed.

Yup, I was able to get this door hanging pinned without getting nicks and holes in my fingertips.

I tossed that teaspoon right in my pin box so I can use it in the future.  Maybe, with luck, my gadget will show up soon.  I still have some boxes to go thru before my task is complete.  If not and its truly lost, I am happy using my teaspoon.

I hope this helps some of my fellow sewers who may be getting tired of sticking pins in their fingertips while pinning something together.

Have a good day.  S

I Worked On My Shadow Panel Trio Today

 Would you believe I haven't touched these since 2017 and packed them away after finishing the appliqued shadow panels.  It was originally going to be a quilt but since I already had it sewn in strips and I no longer tackle quilts on my sewing machine, I thought of a better use for them.  Today I worked on borders.  Got those all done.

I call this simply "Gifts' as a working title because of the gifts in the bottom block.  This will be a table runner I think.

This working title is "Noel" for the bottom banner.  A door hanging would work out fine.

This is 'Stocking" again so named because of the bottom block.  Another door hanging in the making.

Next step is layering and pinning and quilting, then adding the binding.  That will take a bit of doing.  First, though, I have to remove the stay stitches I have in some of the blocks.  I needed those to hold the layers together for the shadow effect.  I can do that while I sit and watch some TV easy enough.  The next steps take more effort and will take a few days to manage.

Its been a nice sunny day so my sewing mojo was back in force.  I also did so sketching for other Xmas wall hangings. 

Here's my latest sketch..... "...And A Piece of Cheese and...." 

I hope you are all having a good day.  Hugs, S

Today I Am Just Drawing

 Today is a lazy day for me.  Its dreary and rainy outdoors as it has been for the 2nd day.  I get a touch of SAD on days like this so the creative juices are hard to flow.  Instead of sewing today, I thought I would draw some ideas.

This is one that came from a coloring page online so I just sketched it out and then redrew it larger on this paper for my next project.  Title: "Twas The Night Before Christmas."

The following idea also comes from a coloring page.  You can get lots of ideas from those pages online.  I do not have a printer so I have to draw them by hand the best I can on 8 1/2 by 11" paper and then resize them by hand when it comes to the project I want to make.  I have several ideas on paper in my pattern box and enjoy adding more to them.

 I love Penguins, so I wanted another one but as yet I have no idea what other items I will add to this project.

I think Penguins are ideal for Christmas Time subjects. I may add another animal for Xmas or maybe an ice floe with a tree on it.  Who knows what I will get into my head for this one.

I made this one in 2017, a penguin delivering Christmas gifts.

This is Penguilly Penguin bringing gifts to friends.  Christmas is a fun Holiday for quilting projects.  I think I feel another idea coming on.......

Have a good day.  S 

Halloween's Door Hanging "Yikes, Its a Pumpkin!" Done and Done

 I finished this in time for Halloween this year and I am very happy.  It measures 12 1/2 inches wide by 14 inches long.  

He's finished and hanging outside my door, my latest quilting project, "Yikes, Its a Pumpkin!".  I am very pleased with him.  Now I have other things waiting.  I'm thinking a Christmas Mouse that is making out his Christmas Wish List.  I am also thinking maybe something other than gray or brown for my mouse. Something more festive.  I have to look in my stash of fabrics to get the right idea.  That project may get started tomorrow.

I am feeling pretty good and sometimes I have to push myself a bit, but I get things accomplished.  I have really missed being creative so I'm happy to have my sewing mojo back.

Have a nice day friends.  Hugs, S

More Stitching Done Today

 I was able to work on some leading on a stained glass piece I started 2 years ago, while our maintenance guy was here to remove my A/C unit until next spring.

It needs a bit of pressing, but as you can see, I have added some leading lines along the outside edge.

This one, "Yikes, Its a Pumpkin!" is smaller and will finish about 12 1/2 inches wide by 14 inches long, a good size for my door when its finished.  I have managed to add borders, layer and pin the piece today.  Next up is quilting it, which I hope to do tomorrow.  Little by little I am getting there.

Have a good day.

Progress on "Yikes its a Pumpkin!"

 I worked on my latest door hanging today.  I have satin-stitched the piece.

Its at a good resting point for now.  I see a couple of spots that need some extra tweaking but that will have to wait.

Right now I have to eat some lunch, then there's some chicken and veggies to bake and then even later some Chicken Rice soup to make to share with family tomorrow.

Tomorrow, if I have time after my son's visit, I will probably get to cut it to size, add batting, and quilt it.  Then the last phase will be to add the borders and finish it.

Its been a fun project and it nice to get my sewing mojo back.  With the Holidays coming, there are some other projects I hope to finish. 

A Halloween Door Hanging Idea Takes Shape

 I actually had this idea last year and made a rough drawing.  I thought it would work well on my door for this Halloween so I took it out of hiding and am working on it.  Its a combination of things I love......Ghosts, Pumpkins, and Birch Trees. 

I call it "Yikes, Its A Pumpkin!" where the ghost is frightened when he sees a pumpkin and jumps into a birch tree, hanging on for all he's worth.

Here's the sketch.

Here's the start with the birch trees against the background fabrics.

This is known as Replique.   Its sewing with an upside down method of applique.  You draw the picture, place your backing right side up on the backside of the drawing and sew down the pieces with a close stitch.  Then you will satin-stitch all the items you've added over those first sewing lines.

There's not much time until Halloween this year so I need to work on it daily until its finished.  I really enjoy working in Replique as you can see from these photos of other projects I've done in the past......

The blue butterfly I made in 2017.

I made this for Easter in 2018.

and this one I made for Xmas for 2017. 

This was my first Replique project in 2015 and it won a blue ribbon in the applique section in Texas.  From that moment on I have loved the method.  Oh, not because of the blue ribbon, but because it was such fun to do.

Yes, its a fun way to make wall hangings and door hangings.  I love the outlining in black satin stitching which makes the subjects stand out.

I am enjoying this project.  I hope to have it done by the beginning on next week.

Hugs to all.  

Hexagon Coasters in Photo Instructions......

 I made a couple sets of hexagon Xmas coasters for gifts.  This time I took photos along the way.  Here are the instructions.

Supplies Needed:

Fabric with subjects you can cut out and fit inside 3 1/2" hexagon.

Background fabric to suit

Batting or flannel for sturdiness

Adhesive fusible to glue the subject to the background bits.

Hexagon ruler that cuts different sizes for ease in making the patterns

A Pencil for tracing

Teflon ironing sheet to keep from gumming up your iron when you press

Here are the two sets of coasters I made while photographing the process.

Here is the hexagon ruler I used.  I place it over the subject I want to cut out.

Measure the subject from flat edge to flat edge and draw the hexagon around it.

See the pencil lines.  Now cut out the subject just a bit outside the drawn lines.  You want to leave a bit of fabric that you can cut off when you have the fusible in place so you get a smoother edge.  Set these aside for later.

You need to do the same for the background edges but this time you need to place your fabrics right sides together before you draw the lines and then you cut out again, just outside the drawn lines.  You will need batting or flannel inside these coasters for body.  You do not want anything fluffy.  You want something smooth and flat.

Cut a slit in the top one about 2 inches long for turning your piece after its sewn. Layer your fabrics on top of a larger bit of batting or flannel.

Sew along the drawn lines all around thru all 3 pieces, the 2 fabrics and 1 batting/or flannel piece.. 

Cut around the pieces trimming away the excess batting/flannel.

Turn your piece right side out thru the slit you made earlier.

Using a point turner of some kind push the fabric out smoothly and get into those points.  I do not trim the points away before hand like many do.  I find that I get smoother points without taking that step.

Press the background flat and smooth so the slit is no longer showing.  You want a smooth surface on which to place your main subject fabric. The main subject fabric will cover the slit.

The next step is doing the fusibles.  I used SteamASeam 2 for this project.  Whatever fusible you use, be sure to read the instructions on how to do it.  I placed my cutouts on the sticky side of my fusible and pressed with my fingers to just hold it in place.

Use a Teflon sheet for this next step or you could ruin your ironing board and your iron.  Press with your iron on the Teflon sheet over the subject pieces onto the fusible for about 3 seconds, just enough to get it to stick.  You can see some of the sticky stuff on the Teflon sheet.  Its easily removed from the Teflon, but not from your ironing board or iron.

Should you get any gummy residue on your iron, you can clean it off after it cools using a wet rag and table salt.  Just pour salt on the rag and rub it over and over the iron's plate until its cleaned off.  The salt is abrasive enough to remove the gummy residue.

Now you can cut out your main subject directly on the drawn lines to get a smooth edge.

Use the point of a common pin or needle to scratch a strip on the fusible from about an inch inside the edge to the edge.

Just lift one edge and then pull the fusible gently away from the back of your subject fabric.  It will be a bit sticky.

Align your main fabric on the background piece and center it, then press it down a bit with your fingers.

When its aligned how you want it, again using your Teflon sheet, press the top piece onto the background piece for about 10 seconds to adhere nicely.

To keep your main subject piece from falling off, you need to stitch it down.  Use whatever suits you.  I used a blanket stitch but you can use a blind hem stitch or even a decorative stitch of your choosing.

Here are my finished sets of coasters.  The top coasters I stitched with a blanket stitch set with a 3 length.  The bottom coasters are set with a 4 length.  You can adjust your stitches any way you like.  Its your project.

I just pressed them when I was done and they are ready for gifts for others.

I hope these instructions are clear and you have a good time making these little gifts for any time during the year and for any Holiday.  They are cute and simple to make.

Enjoy.

If you do not have any fusibles handy, you can do the same with a little tweaking.

When you draw your main subject, make sure you cut about a quarter inch beyond the drawn lines.  When it comes to setting the subject on your background, you can just press under the quarter inch of excess by turning it under on the drawn lines and pressing with your iron to give you a smooth sewing edge.  Center it where you want it.  Pin in place and stitch in place.  You can use your machine or you can do it by hand.  A blanket stitch by hand with embroidery floss is always nice.

Sometimes it feels good to just do some hand stitching while watching TV or waiting in the Doctor's office for your appointment or while waiting for your kids after dance class or sports.

Whatever pleases you, just enjoy the process.

I Finished My First Set of Xmas Coasters

 This first set of coasters was my practice set.  I had not been using my sewing machine lately and had to get my mind adjusted to how it works best and how it aligns for stitching best.

As you can see from the photo, the top left coaster is sort of raggedy.  That's because I did not use any SteamASeam2 to press down the subject.  These coasters really need it.

The top right coaster I used the sticky stuff but did not align my machine properly so that the blanket stitching was not where it should be, along the very edge of the subject.  The bottom two I improved a bit.

I have to admit to having trouble when I have to use any sticky sheets to adhere fabrics to other fabrics.  My mind gets mixed up.  I call it my personal elderly dyslexia (though I was lucky and never suffered from any dyslexia in my life before).  I also have trouble either pressing the fabrics too much or not enuf.  If you press to long, the sticky stuff just seems to melt and you have nothing to stick down your fabrics.  I have to wrestle with those things all the time when I use this method when sewing.

But all in all, after hemming and hawing a great deal, I usually can come up with a rather decent finished piece.  This set I will keep because there are too many errors, but I will continue to make more gift sets doing it correctly now that it is familiar for now.

Here are the instructions.  I did not take photos as I did this so just jotted down the instructions.

I have an acrylic hexagon ruler I use to cut out my hexagons.  I draw around my main subject with a pencil and then I cut my center piece out.  I measure that center piece 3 1/2" across the even sides and my background fabrics 4 3/4" across.

  The backs need to have their rt sides together on top of a flat piece of batting or flannel (you want something flat and not soft and bumpy) and then sew them together. I also cut a slit in one side of the backs (which will hide under the center piece) for turning right side out.

Sew the backings together close to the edge, trim away the excess batting or flannel, and turn thru the slit, using something pointed to even out the corners.  Personal note......I never cut off the points.  I find that I get smoother and flatter points if they are not chopped off.

 Press the backgrounds flat and smooth with the slit on the top so you can place the centerpiece in the middle of the background piece and iron to stick together. I use SteamASeam2 to adhere my centerpieces to the background pieces.

Final thing to do is stitch around the centerpiece.  I use the blanket stitch on my machine but a blind hem stitch also works fine.

I have cut out another 2 sets this afternoon but won't sew them til tomorrow.  
I made a booboo when I pressed my sticky stuff to the centerpieces.  I forgot to put my non-stick sheet over them so I got sticky goo on my iron this morning.  Yikes.  I had to let it cool down and then using a wet cloth and table salt, I scrubbed the bottom plate on my iron til it was clean again.  I find that using salt works very well for removing gunk.  It takes a bit of muscle and work, but it cleans nicely.

I hope these instructions are clear.  Maybe in the future I will do a photo piece with the instructions for those that need to see something to get the idea.

These are quick and easy and make great gifts for any holiday or anytime during the year.

Enjoy.

Xmastime is Approaching and I Would Like To Make a Few Little Gifts.

 Thanks for a quilter buddy of mine in Australia who sent me pictures of her latest Xmas project, I decided to make some Xmas coasters for little gifts.  This friend sent me the instructions for these coasters in 2018 and I went digging around and found them.  I immediately set out to find fabrics for some projects, then hunted again for my hexagon template so I could cut the pattern precisely.  I found everything I needed.

Here is my first set in its first stages.  I have all the pieces cut out.  Next I have to start sewing them together.  That will happen another day.  

I decided that if I can take 15 to 30 mins. each day to work on a project, I will have something accomplished at the end.  Its better than just thinking about it.  My usual method is to get going on something and keep working on it but these days that can't happen.  My decision to limit my time I think is a good one.  At least something will be created even if it takes ten times as long.

So bear with me folks.  I will be back with follow-up photos as they happen.

Hugs to all, S 

October Is Upon Us

Its early October and fall is in the air.  Our leaves have not yet turned and I hope they do before wind and rain pulls them from the branches before we can get full color this year.  Last year we did not enjoy good color in my area.  Too much wind blowing the leaves off.

 

Here are a few photos I took in our back garden.  The colors, as you see, are not in full range yet and some are getting mighty feeble from the wind blowing off leaves before they changed.  I hope the coming days continue to be nice so we can enjoy color by next week.  

Our usual time for bright color is from Oct 10th to 20th each year.  We still have time for that to happen.  I am crossing my fingers.  

I am also enjoying the last of the flowers in our garden.  Among them, the sunflowers..... and put out this fall the mums for some added color.  The vegetables are all done.

Winter must be right around the corner.