Month: November 2024

26 Projects 2024 #11

This is the last 26 Projects post of the year. The next one will be a full round-up of everything I have completed this year. WOW!

Finished 2024 Quilt Projects

Finished (for me!) Donation Quilts

As you know, I don’t quilt much. I really enjoy the collaborative effort of making a top and allowing someone else to quilt it. Thus, the quilts below are mostly tops, but I will include a finished quilt once someone else finishes it for the group.

Finished Bags and Small Projects

This category covers bags, toys, aprons and knitting as well as other non-quilt projects.

Ready for Quilting / In the Quilting Process

In the Finishing Process

  • Nothing now

WIPs

WIPs are projects on which I am working. This means that I am past the cutting out of pieces stage,  some sewing has taken place.

  • La Passacaglia – I am working on the border, but need to work more and harder
  • Running with Scissors tote – I worked a lot on this while I was in Portland and am nearly finished

Cut Out & Stopped

  • EPPic Bag – I need to make a cover/ main exterior piece for this bag. I was thinking of a Pineapple block, but haven’t gotten back to it yet. I am also kind of scared of this pattern. I know what to expect from Sew sweetness patterns, but this is a new designer to me.

Still UFOs

I still have UFOs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled, it hasn’t been worked on in awhile or it is waiting its turn to be worked on. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.

I am annoyed that some of these are still UFOs. I have to give myself credit for completing some of them last year.

  • Rose Petrillo bag – I found the pieces for this bag cut out, but not sewn.
  • Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – not started. I did pull the fabric, supplies and found a photo I plan to use as inspiration that others posted, so I am one step closer.
  1. Handbag Sampler – I found the blocks! I found them in a bin I thought I had thoroughly searched! I also found the fabrics carefully stored together. Hooray!!
  2. Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. After a brief burst of inspiration, I am stalled on this again. As one of my oldest (I am pretty sure) UFOs, I put it on my blog and out into the Twitterverse and Diane suggested that I not consider this as a self portrait. I think that strategy is a great idea. I am now trying to think of a new persona for her.
  3. Serendipity Lady – I am still planning to take this piece to be framed. It might need a bit of quilting first.
  4. Fabric of the Year 2020
  5. Fabric of the Year 2021 – I may combine 2020 and 2021 into a COVID edition.
  6. Fabric of the Year 2022 – yes, I added this one to the list, but this is the last one I plan to do.

Various & Sundry 2024 #10

Admin

I updated the Tutorials page to include a new zipper tab technique.

Projects, Classes, Patterns, Techniques & Tutorials

Sew Hungry Hippie has SVG files! If you have a Cricut** or a similar machine, you can use these files to cut fabric for patterns you buy at Sew Hungry Hippie.

Simplicity has a new line of garment sewing patterns. Called Stitch in Time, you can find patterns for fashions across the ages. The pages incorporate the history of pattern companies, and the history of home sewing, into their pages. You can also purchase patterns, e.g. Simplicity S9846, from the line. I also saw some tutorials, such as How to Sew a French Seam. The tutorial includes a downloadable PDF with resources. I am guessing few YouTube videos have that feature! I have been wanting to make some wings. Now I know there is a pattern that includes directions.

I found a link to 100 different zipper pouch patterns. I haven’t tried them, but I love the way the page is organized.

Tools, Books, Fabric, Notions & Supplies

Remember 2020 when monthly subscription boxes were popular? It was so great to receive something new and fun. I miss my Sew Hungry Hippie Happy Box, even though I don’t want additional supplies. It was fun to get a box of things I didn’t order. Those boxes are still around. Gathered.how (see below) had an article on the best craft subscription boxes. The article is divided up into different types of crafts, including sewing, though there weren’t very many listed. I didn’t see a list of all the boxes considered, either. Still. Go take a look and get yourself a treat.

Lauren at the machine
Lauren at the machine

My niece is now enamored with her Mom’s new machine. I am thrilled to be related to a budding sewist.

If you have the Sew Tites Magnetic Cutting System, check out the 6.5 inch x 24 inch ruler that is now available.

Media, Books and Articles

As you may know, I subscribe to Today’s Quilter. It is the sister magazine to Love Patchwork & Quilting. It is a great magazine with interesting designs, lots of projects and a few articles. The colors are a little on the classic (traditional side), but I LOVE the section on basic skills. It is perfect. As a result of this subscription, I get a newsletter called Gathered. The website for the magazines is gathered.how.

Recently the newsletter had a feature on “best cheap drawing tablets.” based on the article, I probably will buy something higher end, if I were in the market, but I learned a lot. The author makes a good point when she says “Starting out at a lower price point will take the pressure off, allowing you to give it a try without feeling guilty for spending lots of money.” Some of the options were wired only, e.g. no wireless or Bluetooth connection. I also never realized that pen sensitivity and tilt recognition were something I should think about. Regardless of what you think of the options, this is a good article to get you started thinking about what is important in drawing tablets.

Surprisingly, my PT told me about the Business Insider Still Standing series. This is a series of YouTube videos that talks about crafts that have survived for a long time. Interesting.

My friend, Alison Schmidt was on an episode of Rev Craft Biz Podcast.

NQR

Another reminder: Cups for Pups: Join my Lil Sissy in helping to fund the Recovery Ranch Sanctuary via GoFundMe. She is working on creating a place where the dogs of those going into recovery will be taken care of while their people are getting help.

 

 

 

 

 

**N. B. : Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s 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.

November 2024 Donation Blocks

The regular monthly posts are a bit out of order this month due to the American Thanksgiving Holiday. Enjoy more donation blocks! I am back working on a Color Strip quilt, though we all know white is not a color. 😉

I need 40 of the strip blocks to make a nice sized quilt, so I have a few more to sew.

Revisiting Frolic!

Frolic!
Frolic!

Frolic! was received by my friend and she sent me a wonderful text, despite her loss, when she received it.

Frolic! is a Bonnie Hunter pattern. It was one of her Winter Mystery quilts that I actually sewed with everyone else. I was also really happy with my color choices.

This is a cheerful quilt. While it wasn’t designed specifically for my friend, I thought she would like it while I work on a quilt specifically for her.

Finished: Grab & Go Sleeve

Grab & Go Sleeve for Mom
Grab & Go Sleeve for Mom

I finished the Grab & Go Sleeve very quickly and sent it straight off to my mom so she could use it right away.

Both sides essentially look the same. The only difference is that I put a label on only one side of the exterior.

I also used some ‘webbing’ that Cyndi made me take from one of the Sew Day Free Table offerings. The webbing is made out of cotton rather than plastic, like the Tula Pink webbing I used for a couple of the Take a Stand bags.

Grab & Go Sleeve interior
Grab & Go Sleeve interior

Since this is for my mom, I dug out the Laurel Burch fabric I used for her Mustang Organizers and used that for the lining.

She received it on Wednesday and said that it fits her portfolio perfectly. She said she really liked it, which makes me happy.

If I can think of things for which to use these bags I’ll make more as they are a quick bag to make, especially if you use pre-made webbing for the handles.

Atlas Zipper Case Start

My Sister has taken to sending me Instagram videos. One of them showed a new Pattern by Center Street Quilts,  the Atlas Zipper Case. It is a portfolio like case that can be used for tools or small projects.

I was on the fence about another new pattern until I visited with Mary. She had bought and printed out the pattern. I was able to look through it. I decided that the pattern would be a good gift.

Atlas Zipper Case start
Atlas Zipper Case start

I started right away, but struggled to get past cutting. I was dreading the quilting part until a friend mentioned MistyFuse. I used MistyFuse to fuse the lining to the foam so I could quilt it. I never tried it before, but it adhered the fabric to the foam really well.

I haven’t tried quilting it yet but my fingers  are crossed that it will help keep the pieces flat.

Needlepoint Progress

Needlepoint flowers - Nov 2024
Needlepoint flowers – Nov 2024

I am making good progress on my needlepoint project. It’s only been a month, but I feel like I am flying through it.

The frame is very large, so it isn’t very portable. I just work on it in the evenings when I don’t have a quilt project on which to work. There is a learning curve, so it isn’t boring.

Sue’s Flying Geese

Sue said she made this while we were having our Sew Day. Sue was away for some of the Fall, but she misses us (and we miss her) when she is away. At least I do. 😉

Sue's Flying Geese
Sue’s Flying Geese

Some weeks ago, Gerre demoed the Quilt in a Day Flying Geese ruler. Sue had that ruler and a random FQ bundle she had on vacation, she went to work.

I don’t know how many of the rulers she had along, but using one can make more than one size.

Sue said she thought the ruler was good. She made FGs in sizes that didn’t match up easily, so she had to add pieces. She wasn’t sure she liked the colors, but found it to be a fun challenge.

Sue said that the piece ended up about 30×27.

I like the different sizes of the Flying Geese. I think that adds interest to a piece. The colors have an old fashioned sort of look – not 1930s, but maybe 40s? There is a flat, e.g. not shiny or textured, look to them, but the pink is definitely bubblegum.

The other thing I like is that she just went and played.

Go play! There is always more fabric.

Grab & Go Sleeve

Grab & Go Sleeve -exterior side
Grab & Go Sleeve -exterior side

The Grab & Go Sleeve is a project from Minikins Season 1. Honestly, it is one I never thought I would make. I have at least two laptop bags, so I really don’t need anything else. Also, there is nowhere in the bag for the mouse or the cord.

However, it is a good bag for other things like files and notepads. My mom has a portfolio she is using to take notes during a series of appointments she has. She is using the project bag I made her to carry around her portfolio. It doesn’t really fit very well.

This project immediately occurred to me once I saw what was happening. I am not sure why as I really never thought about this bag before.

This project serves a second purpose as well. I want to make the Heartlands Backpack. It is a ‘choose your own adventure’ bag. The Grab & Go Sleeve is a lighter version of a ‘choose your own adventure’ bag. It has only a few pieces and not many options. I wanted to try an easy ‘choose your own adventure’ bag before I started the Heartlands.

Grab & Go Sleeve- lining with pockets
Grab & Go Sleeve- lining with pockets

I decided to add some mesh pockets to the inside to provide a bit of organization.

I also added a D-ring (but rectangular) so she can clips things to the bag if she needs to do so.

Ends n.19 in Process

Ends n.19 in process
Ends n.19 in process

Cyndi gave me a few yards of white from an estate sale trove of fabric she got, thus I decided to use white on this quilt.

I know white for a donation top is a bad idea as it will get dirty, but a design wants what a design wants.

I have one more section to sew before I decide if it needs to be larger. Without the left hand section sewn, the top is about 40 in. x 40 in. at the moment. I might not want a white strip on the end. We will see.

LeMoyne Star Demo

As you know from the Sampler Quilt class tutorials, I am very fond of people learning all the quiltmaking techniques. It is a way to be free from the tyranny of always having to use a pattern.

NOTE: I am not against quilt patterns and I feel we should all support quilt designers.

Y Seams demo sample
Y Seams demo sample

However, at some point quiltmakers will want to make a quilt design they have thought up themselves. To do this, we need to know all the techniques. Thus, I couldn’t say no when SueS asked me to do a Y Seams demo for the guild. As usual, I had to overachieve. I posted a handout to the guild members only site*. Most of the information is in the Y Seams tutorial.

I made a whole bunch of step outs and notes to tell people. I won’t be actually sewing. That didn’t work out well when I tried to show a demo of leaders and enders, thus the step outs.

 

 

*N.B. If you are in the Bay Area and want to join, click the join button on the guild site. We also have a Zoom option, though the demos and Bag Club are not always available via Zoom.

Zipper Tab Technique

I was very pleased to learn a new zipper tab technique after working on the Stella Pouch. I actually emailed Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness about it. She said it was new to her. I really like the technique, because it makes zipper tabs really easy and you don’t have bits sticking out as you do when you fold them.

Note this is not a tutorial. I am just showing a technique you can try. It is well explained in the Stella Pouch pattern. You can probably figure out how to sew zipper tabs using this method from the photos below.

CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 1
CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 1

First you cut two pieces of fabric and place them over the zipper. You don’t put the fabric quite to the end.

CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 2
CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 2

Next sew a big U starting away from the end of the zipper. Do not catch the zipper tape in the stitching. It is pretty easy to see the zipper tape through the fabric.

CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 3
CSQ Zipper Tab Technique step 3

After the tabs are sewn, turn the zipper tabs out to cover the raw edge of the zipper. You might want to trim the corner where the vertical stitching meets the horizontal stitching to reduce bulk.

CSQ Zipper Tab Technique - turned tab detail
CSQ Zipper Tab Technique – turned tab detail

Now you can sew your zipper into a bag or pouch.

CSQ Zipper Tab Technique - info
CSQ Zipper Tab Technique – info

However, one thing I didn’t like was that I couldn’t poke the turning point corner out to be crisp. I even tried my awesome Modern American Vintage turning tool. It was a little large for the job. I wonder if they have a smaller version? I didn’t trim around the corner, but I would try that next time (see above).

Zipper tabs sewn in
Zipper tabs sewn in

Fortunately that particular area is sewn into the seam allowance when you sew the zipper into the bag or pouch. It makes the technique really crisp and clean. Of course, if the zipper is sticking out like in the Cotton Candy pouch or the Boxy Clear pouch, then a different technique needs to be used.