I have been replacing fabrics then chunking as the opportunity presents itself.
I made good progress and was really to put the whole top together when I realized that two pieces did not blend well at all and would have to be replaced. I was really irritated with myself and with the fabrics as well.
I used the ‘it’ll be ok’ test and decided I need to change those fabrics.
PP4 problems
In general, the piece is darker and moodier because of all the lighter fabrics I replaced. Still, those two lightish greys stick out like sore thumbs.
I saw an article about Christmas coming up fast. That article and the gift bags I made for birthdays recently reminded me that it was time to encourage all of you to make gift bags! I updated the tutorial and am reposting it here.
Pink Gift Bag for Mom
I love using fabric gift bags for all types of gifts – birthdays, Christmas, graduations, weddings. Besides the fact that I intensely dislike wrapping gifts with paper, the fabric feels so much nicer in my hands. For Christmas, or other specialty holidays, I also get to sew with the new and beautiful fabrics each year with out committing to a holiday quilt.
Gift bags are a great way to use up scrap fabric that would otherwise hang around unused. If a fabric is no longer to your taste, it will make a great gift bag.
You don’t need super high quality fabric for gift bags either. If stored properly gift bags can be reused year after year.
Supplies:
Basic Sewing Kit
Sewing machine
Thread
Fabric
Ribbon
Supply Notes:
Lush Gift Bag
Fabric: the amount you need depends on the gift you are wrapping. If you are making some to have on hand, you can make one bag from a half yard or small bags from a fat quarter. Making gift bags is also a great way to use different fabrics such as upholstery fabric, velvet and other lush fabrics you wouldn’t normally use for quiltmaking.
Decorative stitches: This is a good way to get to know the resources required to use your decorative stitches. I made a lot of bags systematically using all the decorative stitches on my machine. This allowed me to know how much thread each one used and how long they took to stitch out.
Instructions:
Press a double hem on the edge of your fabric that will be the top. I often use the selvedge so I can skip this step.
Finish the hem with a decorative stitch. If you do not have decorative stitches on your machine, two straight stitches close together make a nice finish.
Sew first seam on gift bag
Once done, I fold the piece in half, wrong sides together, aligning the hem at the top. I put a piece of ribbon, folded in half. The end of the ribbon should be sticking out of the piece. Place the ribbon about a quarter of the way down the side.
Stitch down the side, starting with the hem using an 1/8 inch seam allowance. I reinforce the start backstitching over it a few times. I do the same for the ribbon and the end.
After sewing, trim any stray threads. Trim the corners.
Turn the bag wrong side out.
Finish French Seam
Stitch using a larger seam allowance. A quarter inch seam allowance may work, but you need to make sure you cover the entire previous seam allowance. Again, I reinforce the start backstitching over it a few times. I do the same for the ribbon and the end.
N.B. Be very careful that the end of the ribbon is out of the way.
Turn your bag right side out and poke out the corners carefully.
OMG. Quilting is endless. Over the last weekend I thought I was making progress. Today I am convinced I will never finish quilting this quilt. Sigh.
I finally tackled the large teapots. I am still following the edges and hoping I don’t ruin the quilt. I feel the space it too big to leave it completely unquilted, especially with the close quilting of the backgrounds. The teapots looked baggy. So, I held my nose and dived in. I am choosing threads that match the fabric, so hopefully the quilting won’t show too much.
Tarts Tea Kettle – quilted
Tarts-Tea Service Tea Pot – quilting in process
I think the tea kettle looks pretty good. I am not so sure about the teapot in the tea service. I think I will rip some of the quilt in the Tea Service teapot out.
If I never quilt anything again, it will be too soon.
I totally forgot to show you the Halloween Pillowcases I made for the nephews and the YM. The black cat pillowcases are for my YM and his partner in honor of their black cat, Marie. I hadn’t intended to make him more pillowcases, but I couldn’t pass up the fabric.
The pumpkin pillowcases are for my two nephews who are in their first semesters of college. They are not twins; they are cousins, but are only two months apart. My intention is to send them a themed pillowcase every month, but we will see what happens.
I just want to let them know I am thinking about them and pillowcases are useful.
The Pacific International Quilt Festival was held, as usual, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. I went on Friday with Friend Julie and had a good time. The big change was that there was fewer of everything. Fewer quilts, fewer vendors, fewer exhibits, fewer items to buy, fewer people.
PIQF 2022 Purchases
I was in a mood to shop. I didn’t want to get a lot of fabric, but I did want to look at everything in person and buy a few things, including some fabric. One thing I am really excited about is a pattern called Stay Tuned. It is by Thimble Creek Quilts. I almost bought the kit, but the solids in it were Konas and I have a strict policy of not buying fabrics I don’t like. The nice things was that Roxie (owner of Thimble Creek) asked me what solids I liked, so we had a chat about American Made Brand, AGF Pure Solids and Northcott. Maybe they will change what they use for kits. I went to Stash Fabrics and randomly chose several solids to use for this quilt.
Stay Tuned pattern by Thimble Creek
I am excited about it, because it is just piecing a bunch of small blocks into a cool quilt. I am really desperate just to do sew something new. I don’t want anything complicated or arty – just an interesting block quilt I can relax with. I have to pick a few pieces of fabric for this quilt, but will mostly use my stash.
Another thing that I was able to do was look at a variety of needles. I was able to identify the hand sewing needles I like and buy a couple of packs. They are Chenille needles** (Amazon has them for twice the price as Batty Lady, where I bought them). I like them because they are sharp and have a big eye. I had lost the package for the ones in my La Pass sewing kit, so I am glad to have been able to identify which ones I like. I bought size 28, because I always forget about needle sizes. Not sure if those are the ones I have had before.
Kaffe seam ripper
I also bought a couple of new seam rippers. As I ripped seams out of Pointillist Palette #4, I found that the process seemed much harder than necessary. I thought that my seam ripper might be getting dull. Can they be sharpened? Who knows? I bought a couple of Kaffe branded seam rippers, not because they are Kaffe branded, but because they had a large grip. The cutting end is pretty thin, which may mean I can more easily get the blade under seams. We’ll see. I’ll have to try them out, but I hope not too soon.
Clover seam ripper
I am happy with my Clover seam ripper**, in general. Those are definitely my go-to seam ripper, but the Kaffe seam ripper has a larger handle and might be better for a lot of ripping. Also, I am scared of the Tula Pink surgical seam ripper**. I’ll do a review.
Aside from those few things, I bought 4 yards of fabric and some Pineapple Flatter. I finally used the bottle I got from the guild at the last (??) retreat. I like the smell.
I didn’t think the COVID lockdown affected me that much in terms of quiltmaking. I was wrong. Looking at all the quilts made me realize how much I have gotten into my own bubble of quilts. I looked at the show quilts which were pretty normal for PIQF and realized I hadn’t seen anything like them since the last time I went to a quilt show. Visiting a quilt show meant that I saw quilts I wouldn’t normally see in all types of styles and colors. In general, at home from my computer, I look at quilts that appeal to me and skip over quilts that do not. I look at quilts by people I know and not at others. At PIQF, I looked at everything, regardless of the style or appeal. I was walking by anyway, so I might as well look, right? This is really hard for me to explain because I have just realized it myself.
It was also hard to be around all those people. I am just not used to it. Most people were not wearing masks, but I wore a mask while at the show. The booths were still small and somewhat jammed, but the show cleared out pretty much by 3pm.
**Obviously, you should shop at local fabric stores, knitting shops, independent booksellers or quilt shops. However, if you can’t, please know that I use affiliate links. I 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 do not recommend items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
Replacing patches means taking apart part of the blocks, removing one patch and sewing a new one in. The chunks where a patch is missing look like the photo right. When a patch has been removed, it is just a hole. This is the way I have always removed patches. I try and remove as few seams as possible.
PP4 blocks with patch removed
The yellow arrow points to the spot where I have removed a patch. I know it is a little hard to see in the photo above. The piecing looks totally normal except for the removed piece. It actually looks like there is a white piece of fabric in it.
The process isn’t difficult, but it is time consuming. I am also fixing seams, if I have the chance. Some of them seem to have something wrong with them and I may as well deal with them now.
I spent some time on Friday making gift bags for my mom’s gifts and for a book** I bought for my baby niece.
I realized as I was sewing that my ribbon stash is getting low. I’ll have to buy some ribbon before I start making Christmas and holiday gift bags.
The first bag uses the last of the pink Textured Basics fabrics by Patty Young. I used this fabric for Marianne’s Fresh Fruit quilt. I am pleased with how the bag came out. I did save some of the fabric for Fabric of the Year 2022.
Pink Gift Bag for Mom
I used some fabric that I found when rummaging for the first Pantone Project blocks for one of my mom’s birthday gifts. I was going to give it away, but ended up using it for the bag. This bag looks great in the picture and the bag construction itself is good. I was going to give it away because the color was too dull. I don’t see that in the picture. It is really old, though I had cut a piece out of it so maybe I bought it after I started on the FOTY series.
Gift Bag for Mom
Finally, I took a piece of fabric out of my dots collection. This is probably not one that I will use as a background, but I still like it. I think the bow looks especially posh.
All of these bags have French seams, which keep them from raveling.
**Obviously, you should shop at local fabric stores, knitting shops, independent booksellers or quilt shops. However, if you can’t, please know that I use affiliate links. I 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 do not recommend items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
I really wanted to make Mary something for helping me with the Westchester top.
When she made the ballgown I needed for Political Wifery, I made her a group of gifts, including Tooly McToolston. I don’t think she really liked the colors I chose, because I have never seen them again. I don’t mind since it is the thought that counts and once I give a gift, people can do with it what they want. Mary C. is also a GREAT seamstress, quiltmaker and bagmaker, so she make whatever she wants. However, I wanted to use the gift grouping experience to inform my future fabric choices. I took the opportunity to look around her studio at everything there to see what I could see in terms of colors and patterns. It is a great space!
Small Pattern Weights for Mary
I had some of the t-shirt material left, so I decided to use that. For some reason, pattern weights were on my mind. I knew Mary would use them. I found some patterns for the weights. The pattern I used, basically, was from Tea Rose Home. I had to request access to the free template, but the owner was very quick about responding. I made a small batch of those pattern weights. I found them small and not very heavy.
She uses rice for the filling, but I used Beanie Baby pellets**. Rice is a little on the pricey side right now and the Beanie Baby pellets (Poly Pellets) are more hypo-allergenic than something like crushed walnut shells.
I used the full size of the ruler rather than the size of the template. When finished, the weights were larger, but not a weird size. They were also heavier and, thus, more useful, I thought.
Pattern Weights and all the accoutrements
I did augment the weight with some washers I bought at Home Depot. I measured the side of the larger weights so I knew what would fit once each weight was sewn. I put the washers in and then filled the rest with Beanie Baby pellets**.
Pattern Weights for Mary C.
I was pleased with the set in general. I gave them all to Mary at Sew Day following our t-shirt session. She said she uses pattern weights all the time, so I hope this will be something she can use.
**Obviously, you should shop at local fabric, knitting shops or quilt shops. However, if you can’t, please know that I use affiliate links. I 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 do not recommend items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.
I am working hard on getting the Pointillist Palette #4 piece done. I am making progress, but I am also vaguely unhappy with the piece.
Deb E took the time to comment about the fabrics used in the piece and her insights were valuable. While I am working on the border, I am also going back and replacing some of the lighter fabrics with darker pieces. The theme of this installment in the series is Night and I want it to be darker, moodier than is shown above.
These changes mean a delay in finishing, but also means a better piece, I think ….and hope.
Remember when I went to the sock knitting class? One thing I realized is that my knitting needles were disorganized. I have two needle holder bags, but somehow they don’t fit my needles. It is sad because they are really pretty bags, made from silk. Perhaps I don’t know how to use them?
Zaudal Creates Knitting Needles Case
One day, I went on a rampage to find a great knitting bag. What I found was a Knitting Needle Case pattern from Zaudal Creates. It has been sitting in my “must make ASAP” pile for a few months. I took it to Sew Day to cut out. Fortunately, I had already gathered the pattern and supplies, so I was able to cut out most of the pieces.
N.B. If you are careful in your shopping, you can get two bag patterns for only slightly more money from her shop.
One of the things I like about this pattern is the snap that keeps circular needles in place. I don’t know if this bag will hold all of my needles, but I can always make a second one, if it doesn’t. Maybe one for circular needles and one for double pointed needles?
Zaudal is located in Norway, so she had references to Vilene interfacing. I was able to find a chart created by Sara at Sew Sweetness. This chart told me that Vilene H250’s US equivalent is Pellon Decor Bond (809). I didn’t have this at Sew Day, so it was the only part I didn’t cut out.
I asked some questions about what I could use instead. I was being cheap and lazy, but eventually I went to Joann and got some Decor Bond. It is not too stiff, but it does add some stiffness to the fabrics. I cut it out and fused it to the interior and exterior of the fabrics shown above at Gerre’s house .
As a result, I am pretty much ready to sew this bag together. It is waiting its turn, which will be after I finish PP4.
When I brought PP#4 home from Sew Day, I put all of the blocks up on my small design wall so I could see what I had. I had mostly worked on creating small using that would later be made up into blocks. Since I was working at Sew Day, this was a good way to make progress without having to spread everything out. This project is good for random, speed sewing without a plan.
PP4 – damage
PP4 – damage
PP4 – damage
As I put the blocks up, I noticed that two of them had some kind of damage. I thought this was really strange since the project has been in a non-offgassing box in my fabric closet, so mostly out of the sun. I have never seen bugs in there. I am pretty careful with my quilts and projects.
PP4 – damage
PP4 – damage
I inspected all the blocks carefully and found only two places where there was damage. I marked the spots with some WonderPins and worked on making the other blocks while I thought about what to do.
I didn’t do any repair right away. Eventually I decided to just replace the pieces. I have plenty of that fabric and the repair was a little fiddly, but not difficult. When I finished the blocks, I made the repairs. The blocks look fine now. I do keep looking to see if I see signs of other damage developing.
I see this as another good reason not to have 20+ year old UFOs lying around.
Gerre and I finally arranged a sewing day, which consists a lot of talking and eating with a little sewing thrown in. I worked on cutting out pouches for upcoming holidays and birthdays. I decided to make some small Moto Pouches, from Sew Sweetness Minikins Season 1, for the nieces as well as a large Hackney pouch Minikins Season 3.
Gerre worked on her Harmony & Light Quilt-a-long quilt. She bought the fabric bundle and her quilt is coming a long very nicely.
Gerre’s EPP project
One of the things we talked about was her needing some handwork for some upcoming recovery time on the couch. I asked her if she had any UFOs. She does some hand quilting and I was thinking of big stitch. Instead she talked about an EPP project on which she was stalled. It was made with Malka Dubrowsky fabric. She brought it out and I was gobsmacked by the amazing design, the beautiful colors, her amazing stitching and how far along she was. Those hexies are 3/4 inch!
Gerre’s EPP project- detail
She said she got stalled at some point and put it away. I gushed about it, because I really like it and we talked about design. After I was done gushing, we talked about what she needed to do to finish it. She needs to make a center and finish the edges.
She said I gave her the All Points Patchwork book. She brought it out and we looked through to see if we could get some ideas for finishing the edges. In looking through it we found a hexie design that would be perfect for the center. We discussed different ways of finishing the quilt, like adding pieces to make the edges straight, cutting off the edges and appliqueing the edges to another piece of fabric.
I got really excited about this project and she did, too. It will give her something to work on and she will get a UFO completed. I can’t wait to see it finished.
My La Pass package, which caused me so much drama for Sew Day is in Inchen Korea heading towards a military base.
Why?
Who knows. Pink Door has sent me a second package after a couple of inquiries. They also told me to go to the Post Office and ask them to help me. My local post office knows me and knows I am not a lunatic, usually. The helper, however, wasn’t very helpful and I got the boss. He said that they can’t do anything, because they don’t own the package. He suggested I tell Pink Door to issue an ‘intercept’ on the website and get the package sent back to them.
I told Pink Door, but haven’t heard back, so for now I am still waiting. I think I will start sewing the rosettes to each other. I have to do something and I am sick of knitting.
I worked all last weekend on the Pointillist Palette #4 project. I made good progress, but I am not feeling any connection with this quilt. I was quite enamored back in the day, but time did not look kindly on this project. I don’t sincerely dislike it, but I also don’t understand why my younger self loved the concept so much. I guess I need to think about how my quiltmaking has evolved and what makes up my quiltmaking.
This cements my resolve to not let projects linger.
Pointillist Palette #4: blocks in process
So, I worked hard on finishing the blocks for this project.
The piecing is super easy, just a lot of straight stitching in long chains. It is going quickly. It is good after the other projects I have worked on recently.
For this quilt in the series, I want it to be dark, thus the black and white aboriginal prints. I stopped using the lighter parts of the ombre fabrics to get that darkness, but there are still a lot of light fabrics in the quilt. I wonder if I will have to resew some blocks.
I finally finished the Westchester Top. Really Mary C. finished it for me. I went to her house with the full intention of having her tell me what to do then doing it. She was able to finish most of it very quickly.
One problem I had is that I couldn’t find the directions. I think I must have made a folder for the project and left it somewhere (or hidden it) in my workroom. I’d like to find it and see if the directions are included in the hard copy pattern or if the directions are in the video course only.
I knew the course was in my account, but on my phone, I could only see the hack parts of the course. Fortunately, Mary knew what to do and just serged the whole top, the put the neck and armbands on. She top stitched some of it and I top stitched the rest at home.
I think the top came out pretty well. I have a pattern that fits. I would make the neckline higher if I made this again.
This is a free pattern from Crafty Gemini. You do have to print and tape together the pattern pieces. I bought the hard copy pattern so I wouldn’t have to do that (laziness and printer ink).
