September 2020 – Artquiltmaker Blog

Mini Pink Pouch Finished

My little Mini Pink Pouch is finished. It didn’t take long, though I had to work on it over a couple of nights in between other projects.

I used a tutorial from Quilting in the Rain just to make sure I had the right order when I was putting this pouch together.

Mini Pink Pouch - finished (back) — Mini Pink Pouch – finished (back)

One thing I would do differently is put fabric tabs on the ends of the zipper. I think it would make that curve on the side a little less.

Pink & Green Cotton Candy Pouch

I finished the latest Cotton Candy Pouch over the weekend. This is the one that Friend Julie cut out using her Cricut Maker. You last saw it as a bunch of pieces. I am always interested to see how strangely shaped pieces turn into something 3D. It was awesome to not have to cut anything but to have it all ready to go.

One reason I keep making this pouch over and over is to perfect some of my skills, especially Veering the Zipper, which went much better this time. I was also able to get the beginning of the zipper even with each other. So progress.

Yes, I could have gotten the head closer, but that is a challenge for another day.

I also like the shape of this pouch a lot. I am going to try the sidewinder next. Bronwyn, one of the moderators of the Sew Sweetness FB group, had so much trouble with the Sidewinder that she threw out her first attempt. This scares me!

I forgot to use a deeper seam allowance for the lining :(, but c’est la vie. It is fine for this time. Another part to work on.

The Sidewinder is another part of Minikins Season 1. I have two dozen or so patterns from Minikins Season 1 & 2 to try, so I need to get busy! I am constantly wondering if Sara will come out with a Minikins Season 3? Yikes! I need to get busy.

Mini Pink Pouch

After making the Mondo Bag last year, I had a few squares leftover. I sewed them together into panels of 6 charm squares, found a pink zipper and decided to make a quick pouch. Several months later, I finally got busy.

I cut some lining fabrics and found a random tutorial just so I wouldn’t mess up the steps.

I was pretty pleased with how it was shaping up, then I decided that I needed to include a leash. I love adding tabs with a lobster clip on the end, as I have mentioned numerous times, so I can clip my pouches to other bags. This step slowed me down a little as I had to find fabric that would look good (scrap diving!) and dig out a lobster clip, but I ended up being ready to sew the leash before I had to stop. Next time I’ll be able to show the item as done as I think I only need a half and hour or so to finish.

SVG Cotton Candy Pouch

As I mentioned, Friend Julie cut some Cotton Candy Pouch pieces out for me with her Cricut. I pulled them out over the weekend with the intention of starting to sew them together. I have to wait to finish until my zipper order arrives, but I thought I could, at least make a start.

I was super pleased when I delved into the bag to find ALL the pieces required – Soft & Stable, SF101, everything! She is a rockstar and this work was super appreciated, because cutting is not a favorite task for me.

These were cut before her recent adventures. She is back to sewing now, which is great. I may want her to cut more pieces for me, if I like these. Alternatively, though space is an issue, I may just buy a Cricut of my own. 😉

I sewed the Cotton Candy sides and main panels together and came up with the same problem I had when I cut out the pieces. The main panels did not line up with the sides. I feel better now about my cutting. There is no problem as I can trim the pieces after they are sewn together. I can see why this slight extra might be a feature as it gives the maker a little wiggle room.

Mini Maker Case SAL Progress

Mini Maker Case - Friday Progress — Mini Maker Case – Friday Progress

I spent some time over the weekend working on the Mini Maker Case Sew-a-Long with Lillyella. She sent out more instructions on Thursday and some corrections to the pattern. I was behind. I had work to do, and did some, but also wanted to think about some things, so I spent time on Friday catching up.

I normally don’t use a zipper foot, but decided to try it this time as Nicole, of Lillyella, had some good reasons for suggesting it. After breaking a needle and having the zipper foot go disastrously crooked, I ripped out the zipper and put it in again using my quarter inch foot** and a stiletto**. After sewing in the zipper and top stitching it down, I was super pleased with how it looks. It may be the best zipper I have put in EVER. Maybe.

Mini Maker Case - handle detail — Mini Maker Case – handle detail

The handle was really interesting. I definitely like the look of it, but there were no instructions on holding it in place so it could be sewn. I tried one of the newer super strong Sew Tites**. That worked a little bit, but I had to hold on to it and check the placement until I could get it anchored in place.

Mini Maker Case - Saturday Progress — Mini Maker Case – Saturday Progress

On Saturday morning I went to work, having all the flat parts done. The assembly of the body was pretty confusing for me. You know how I am with pattern directions. Again, some ripping went on, but I eventually got the body together.

My next step is to assemble the entire thing. I know I should wait for the SAL, but I may want to keep the momentum going.

**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Lucky Charm Pillow Top Start

The Lucky Charm Pillow Top project for Journey 2 Nebula started last Tuesday. I wasn’t very excited about it. After working with hexagons a lot, I am over them. I was determined to do the project. I had to decide, first, what fabrics.

I watch the video and decided to use fabrics from the 5″ squares I have been cutting. These are not a charm pack. Since I don’t have a project in mind, I thought it would be a good time to use these patches. Sadly, I didn’t have a lot of purple, so I had to think again.

I did look through my charm packs to see if there was anything I could use. I found a pack of Hoffman batiks in a range from pink to purple, so I pulled out most of the purples and cut them up.

Now I either have to wait for the next video or read the pattern and figure out myself what to do next.

Various & Sundry 2020 #13

Admin

I updated the HRT page with a new tutorial and some new rulers.

NQR Products & Services

You need pandemic patches for your friends and family for when you don’t know what else to give them.

Fabric, Notions, Supplies, Books & Tools

If you are not familiar with all of Omnigrid’s specialty rulers, take a look at their page of options. Links are provided to their standard rulers and non-slip rulers as well.

A new group of fabric builds on the National Park line from last year. I don’t want to add to my fabric store, but I might not be able to resist the San Francisco panel. It would be great for a back.

I never realized that Hawthorne Threads had Michael Miller’s Cotton Couture. I just used a piece the other day and was marveling at what nice fabric it was. I almost bought some Peacock and Peony, but stopped myself. Berry and Azure are pretty nice, too. That 100 yards is in reach. Also, if I started putting fabrics in my cart, I might not be able to stop. They do have a color card, which I seriously might need.

I never bought anything from The Sewing Loft (the online one, not the Seattle brick & Mortar store), but I saw she had a free bat pattern, so I went to download it. I also saw that she has tons of blocks to make holiday themed items (I have table runners on the mind) and offers an All Access Pass to the blocks.

Zippers

I went on a little zipper expedition when one of the patterns I was working on needed a #4.5 zipper. I got a little angry, because 1) I didn’t know what that was; 2) I didn’t have a chart of zipper sizes and 3) I felt like everyone else must know what that meant, but me. I asked Mary and she sent me straight to the Noodlehead site, where Anna wrote a post about the Anatomy of a Zipper. There were some good things about the post including how to measure a zipper with examples of what the different sizes look like. Helpful, but not the chart based information for which I was looking. Thank the stars for the Internet. I did a quick search, then a couple of more refined searches and found some interesting information on zippers.

First, the Do It Better Yourself Club site has an explanation of the parts of a zipper. It also goes into tools for working with zippers and says a regular sewing machine foot will force the teeth away from needle.I have been blase about switching out the foot, but maybe I shouldn’t be. This information was not exactly what I was looking for, but helpful.

Second, Sailrite has a list of zipper sizes and their uses. It is limited to the sizes most commonly used on a sailboat.

Third, Fibre2Fashion has the best chart I saw, though if it had images, it would have been awesome.

Other info I found:

“Length – To determine the length of a zipper you measure from the top stop to the bottom stop. On a separating zipper, measure from the top (pull-side) stop to the end of the zipper tape (where the zipper would separate). ” Anna Graham of Noodle Head, Anatomy of a Zipper
The DIBY Club also has several images of zippers in action
“When you are shopping for zippers you may see a little # symbol with the zipper size next to it. This number is referring to the size of the zipper teeth, measuring from one outer edge of the teeth to the other.” DIBY Club, Understanding Zipper Types, Weights, Sizes and Parts

Projects, Classes, Patterns & Tutorials

Looking for a new project? Aunties Two has a great new website showcasing their bags. They have errors and corrections well organized on this new site. The authors have also created some videos to go along with their patterns.

I found a review and how-to on using the Split Recs ruler, which is on an independent site from Studio 180 Designs, in case you want another point of view.

I am now a huge fan of Clover & Violet. I saw her Flora Supply Case on IG the other day and LOVE it. I missed the Sew-a-Long, but the pattern is available and it looks like it would be a great gift. I also love her Washi Tape Pincushion. It is that great long shape and requires some handwork. If you need a bit of handwork to keep your mind off of things, this might be your project.

Barbara Brackman is starting a new BOM on October 15. This one will be flowers in applique’. Sherri D: are you paying attention? The link to Mary Delany’s work was really interesting as well.

A Spoon Full of Sugar has an adorable travel sewing case that is triangle shaped. This is a pattern for purchase in their Etsy shop.

Face Masks

Hawthorne Threads pointed to a video pattern by Made Everyday. It is a different version of the pleated mask.

Exhibits & Shows

Houston is back with a virtual incarnation.

Other Crafts

Road Home Quilting has expanded her Barn Block project into cross stitch charts. The charts are coded to DMC threads so they match the original #QuiltStyle colors, Spoonflower and Society6 Barn Blocks.

CocoKnits needle gauges and stitch markers are really fun and different.

Baseball Catch All Caddy: Finished!

I took my first video/Zoom class on Saturday and I learned a lot. I had to come late as I had a presentation at 10, but worked ahead, so was almost at the point of the rest of the class when I joined in.

After class, I decided to make another Catch All Caddy for my DH to put his stuff in. We both accumulate stuff on the dining room table. I made his first first, though I plan to make one for me, too, because I had baseball fabric out from my rummage through my backing fabrics a few weeks ago.

I did a couple of things different on this one. The pockets are made with tubes to so I left a little of the pocket fabric showing above the border fabric (dots). I thought that was an interesting idea and I wanted to try it.

I also used 40 weight thread for the top stitching. It goes through the machine with no problem and you can see it more than regular Aurifil. I don’t know if it is the right shape for DH to use, but we will see.

Red Text Table Runner Quilted

I really don’t want these Journey2Nebula projects hanging around clogging up my UFO list. Since the next project started yesterday, I sat down on Sunday an did some simple quilting on the Red Text table runner. It will be for my buffet (if I didn’t mention that before) and I would like to get it done so I can use it for a little while before I need to set up the decor for Thanksgiving.

Red Text Table Runner - quilted — Red Text Table Runner – quilted

I quilted most of it while talking on the phone to the YM. I used the Rotary Even foot rather than my usual clear applique foot. I wasn’t happy with it for other uses, but thought it worked pretty well for quilting straight lines. I definitely didn’t have to worry about the layers shifting. I also liked it because it was quiet. Unlike the walking foot, this foot didn’t clang and make a ton of noise while I was sewing.

I don’t like quilting that much, but it was a good task to do to stay off my foot.

I also made the binding, but it was a little too big, so I need to adjust it then hand stitch the binding to the back of the table runner. I am excited to have it finished!

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