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Quilt Label DVD Vol 2
I’m thrilled to be included in the Quilt Label CD Vol 2 with C&T Publishing! The CD releases in July 2012, and can be pre-ordered soon on the C&T Publishing website. The Quilt Label CD Vol 1 is currently listed on the site. The CD is a collection of many quilt artists and designers. I was very fortunate to have 14 of my images included in Vol 2.
In the close-up picture above, I used the original artwork to manipulate the colors in Photoshop and print the design in color onto the fabric. I added a hand stitched backstitch around portions of the shapes and then added the hot-fix glass stones. Sure, they *could* be crystals…. but my price point was down in the “cut glass” category. They still look pretty cool though. (Totally inspired to use those shiney-ies after seeing McLisa’s award-winning quilt, btw)
Box Bonanza Multi-Pattern
This quilt pattern is a multi-pattern with two size options and 4 layout/design options. Make even more designs using just one handy block. The quilt pattern is fat quarter* friendly and gives a wonderful scrappy look once all the fat quarter fabrics are mixed.
Baby Size- 55″ x 43″
Large Lap Size- 79″ x 67″
*A fat quarter is a measure of fabric 18″ x 22″.
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18″ Doll Apron Pattern – FREE
After working on the Adjustable Aprons pattern samples for Exclusively Quilters, it dawned on me that your Kitchen Helper may have their own Kitchen Helper who would enjoy a matching apron. I’m happy to report a FREE pattern/tutorial is here, just for you! This mini apron will fit 18″ dolls including the American Girl and My Generation Dolls. This pattern includes adownload-able pattern template piece (pdf) and the construction directions in full photo style. Remember, at the end of this post, you can always click the “print this post” option.
Ready to go?
Adjustable Apron – 18″ Doll Pattern
Supplies-
Fabric scrap measuring at least 9″ x 12″
Contrasting fabric 1 1/2″ x 12″
42″ Ribbon which can be between 3/8″ – 7/8″ wide
Rolled hem presser foot
Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide (optional)
Construction-
Download the pattern piece in pdf form here. Print. Make sure the 1″ guide square is one inch. Ok, good-cut right on the black lines, all seam allowances are included.
Cut template
Step 1- Hems
Switch to the rolled hem presser foot on your sewing machine. Which one is that? It is the one with a curved arch right at the center. That arch helps guide the narrow 1/4″ of fabric into a tiny 1/8″ (or less) fold under the sewing machine needle. Here are some pictures from google images.
Apply the rolled hem to the diagonal edges and the longest, lower edge of the apron. Why Rolled Hem? Because we are working on a much smaller scale with less fabric. Rolled hems are also less bulky than larger folded hems and look professionally finished. Give ‘em a try!
Rolled Hem Presser Foot
Finished Rolled Hem
On the shortest top edge of the apron, apply a 1/2″ hem. Do this by folding 1/4″ of fabric towards the wrong side, press, then fold it again 1/4″. Stitch the hem from the wrong side. This will make a double folded hem and offer more stability to the neckline.
Fold and press once
Fold again, press, and stitch to hem the neckline edge
Step 2- Make/Apply Ribbon(s)
Next, press the diagonal, hemmed sides 1″ towards the wrong side. Do NOT sew them yet. We are pressing them in order to give us a guide line as to where they will fall when the garment is finished. This is done so you can go crazy with the trims or ribbons on the front and not have the embellishments go into the “arm” area. So, press.
Press Diagonal Sides
Working with the contrasting strip of fabric, fold it in half, lengthwise matching the WRONG SIDES of the fabric. Sew along the length, on the cut side, using a 1/8″ seam allowance.
Fold wrong sides together
Use a 1/8" seam allowance
Press the custom made ribbon with the small seam centered on the back. This will be completely concealed on the finished apron.
Seam pressed to fall at center back
Position and pin the ribbon 1/2″ from the finished lower edge of the apron. Of course, you can add any pre-made satin or grosgrain ribbon or trims at this time to the front of the apron. Stitch the trim(s) in place. Edge-stitching is used to secure the ribbon in this tutorial.
Ribbon Position
Edge Stitching, using the seam guide to help
See the markings on the sewing machine in the photo above? That is my Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide helping me line up the lower edge of the apron at the 1″ mark. Lined, up at the 1″ on the left-hand side and then the 1/2″ mark when sewing the other direction on the right hand side. Neat trick, right?
Step 3- Finishing the Hems
Trim the ribbons to be the same length as your apron. Apply a double folded hem, as you did in the neckline, to each right and left side of the apron.
Hem Sides
Fold the diagonal edges back into place. These are folded wider, at 1″, to provide a casing or tunnel for the apron strings/ties to travel through. Pin the fold and stitch right on top of the rolled hem stitching line. It is very important to sew from each edge of the apron itself, even if you aren’t sewing through the diagonal fabric. This will create a nice continuous line from the front of the apron.
Pin the diagonal edge
Continuous stitching line, past the folded fabric
Step 4- Insert Ribbon or Apron String/Ties
Last step! Using the 42″ length of ribbon, or perhaps a custom made “spaghetti strap” style ribbon, place a large safety pin in one end. Push the safety pin through each right and left casing. This is a good step to teach your Kitchen Helper as the ribbon may come out of the casing during the “dressing”.
Push ribbon through casings with a safety pin
Ok- that’s all. Place the apron on the doll, cross the ribbon in the back and tie it in the front. Ta’da!
Cupcake Cuties by Exclusively Quilters
A couple weeks ago I shared these fun digital mock-ups of my Adjustable Apron Pattern with you. Today have I to tell you, the fabrics have arrived from Exclusively Quilters and are now being made up into REAL aprons.
I was able to use the yardage to make up 4 aprons on a Sunday afternoon. The pattern is really quite quick and straight-forward. The fabric collection is called Cupcake Cuties and ships to stores this March (right now.)
The collection even has a sort-of-stripe. I used this pattern to make two child size aprons, as the pattern includes directions for an Adult Size and a Kitchen Helper size apron.
All of the apron ties or apron strings were made using the supporting Sprinkles fabrics. I was even able to make 1/2inch wide “ribbon” out of the pink and a 2″ wide ruffle from the brown. Of course, in the pattern, you can use any trim or adornments you can think of to make your aprons personalized.
Sew It All TV Season 3
Screen Shot from SewItAllTV.com
Oh my goodness, Sew It All TV Season 3 is in full effect! www.sewnews.com is celebrating Season 3 by hosting 13 days of give aways. You’ll have to click the link and head over to their blog to enter to win. I think each guest sponsored a day on the give-away.
Free Project Pattern- The Sitter Tote
My episode is listed above on the screen shot- “Welt of Knowledge” – LOVE a good pun!!! Who doesn’t?? The featured project showcases a small bag and a welt zipper demonstration. You can actually also down load the free pattern project on their website, too.
with uniform or without
The bag requires a little over half a yard of to make. Yardage and other supplies are listed on the pdf how-to page. I hope you enjoy this free tutorial. And what the episode for the demonstration & construction tips.
The Modern Quilt Guild
Did you see this little shout out for my Hexagon Block Tutorial, over on The Modern Quilt Guild’s blog (((at the end of the post))) ?
Drawstring Backpack and Girl Scouts
One of the popular tutorials on this site is the Drawstring Backpack. It is made from a fat quarter of fabric + ribbon. Check out this email I recently received from my friend in New York:
“I just thought I would share with you what one of my Girl Scouts did to earn her Gold Award. Using your Fat Quarter Drawstring Backpack tutorial, she had volunteers (including myself, Ann D. and Alison V.) make 60 “Doodle Bags” and stuffed them with goodies. Erika was also working on her high school “Senior Project” and worked Art Therapy into the project, thus killing 2 birds with one stone. The bags were all donated to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Rochester Medical Center for the use of the young patients there. Betty’s Quilting donated all the fat quarters when the store was closing, this past year. And QuiltWoman.com helped subsidize the cost of printing the coloring book Erika designed (you can see it under the purchased coloring book). ”
When I asked my friend the age range of the girl scouts she told me:
“The sewers ranged from 17 up to their 60′s. Erika had a number of groups sew. Also, the woman’s guild at her grandmother’s church did a lot. Erika had girls in younger troops sew the pencil pouches.”
How great is that? I’m so happy the tutorial was able to help.
Fabric Choices
I’m working on a project with a magazine, and unfortunately, that is all I can tell you right now. I am making the project out of recycled fabrics. I’m using a men’s sport coat and a woman’s skirt. Pulled out the Benihana chopping blades and voila- the pattern pieces look good and the project is coming together. I cannot wait to tell you what the project is, and where to find it, later this year.
Of course, I didn’t pay that price for my fabric pieces. I purchased these items at the thrift store for $3.99 and $6.99. I did have quite a good day at the thrift store because I also found an original Burberry’s Men’s coat as well. I didn’t chop that one up- though I did a search on the internet and the tailored coat may have brought in up to $600 – $1500 retail* at one time, and based on the label, the coat is at least 9 years old. For my price, $6.99, it is still quite lovely.
*I'm soooooooo in the wrong business......
Sketched Shoes
And continuing on my sewing break- Sketched SHOES. The first shoe, Valentino Lace Heel, was a google image search. The other two shoes are by Poetic Licence. When shopping in Wichita’s Old Town (at Lucinda’s) they had LOTS of Poetic Licence pieces. I snapped a few pics with my phone and came home to draw them. (quick snapped pictures make for some bizarre perspective- I think I should stick to drawing the nice catalog pics from the internet.) I later looked up Poetic Licence online. …. man, I need those shoes.
The sketches were done with an ebony pencil on paper… and then snapped poorly by an iPhone camera so I could have a little jpg action to share with ya.
Sketched Animals
While my website was on a break, I decided to take a short sewing break to sketch. Animals, first. I found images using google search and sketched them in my sketch book. It is so relaxing. Even if an eye is crooked, or the feet are twisted, it is just fun to draw. Thousands of elementary school kids couldn’t be wrong- just sayin.
These sketches were done with an Ebony pencil and paper.
deploy that fabric
Seamingly Accurate™ Seam Guide
Use this removable, repositionalbe adhesive seam guide to make sewing straight seams a breeze! Look for the product relaunch at the Houston Quilt Market 2011. Distributed exclusively by ReannaLily Designs.
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