My First English Paper Piecing

My aunt gave me a kit from Blank Quilting.  Here it is finished (I supplied the background fabric).

I was excited to try English Paper Piecing, and I really like it.  It is an all hand sewing technique.  The instructions were easy to follow.  The paper hexagons are reusable.

It is a very portable project.

Here is the back after I hand appliqued it to the background. 

I will be doing more of this in the future!

Shhh- Don't Tell the Cat: Bird Appliqued Pillows

I recently finished these pillows- 16"x16".  They have an overlapped back, with a removable pillow form.  I received a lovely songbird datebook as a gift and it has been inspiring me to do something with birds.  I traced the outline of a Northern Mockingbird (the datebook has photos of birds each week).  Then used the tracing as a pattern for the raw edge applique. 

I free motion stitched around the birds.

Feline Friday- Patchwork Applique Cat

This week I made a patchwork applique cat.  A friend gave me a bunch of pre-cut squares (not all the same size- roughly 3"x3") that I used for this project.  I decided it didn't matter if any corners matched up (I knew they wouldn't)- it just adds to the charm!  I sewed a bunch of beige and tan together for the background and some blue ones together for the cat.

To make the applique, I cut a solid piece of fabric and placed it right sides together with the patchwork.  I sketched my cat and then sewed around the design.

Trim seams, clip curves and here it is ready to be turned right side out.  This method is much easier than trying to turn down all the edges.

Here is the finished applique.  I machine stitched around the edges.  I really like the effect of patchwork on patchwork. 

Here is a close up of the stitching.  I'm not sure what this will ultimately become- a pillow? a wall hanging? part of a larger quilt?  the front of a tote bag?  What do you think?

A Feel for Color Exhibit by Sally Barker

I recently saw this exhibit at the Children's Museum of  Richmond.  Sally Barker recreated famous paintings as quilts full of texture for the visually impaired.  All of the quilts, roughly 20" (just an estimation!) were hung low because it was a children's museum after all.  I enjoyed the visual impact and then I went around again with my eyes closed so I could appreciate the tactile aspect.  Sally Barker not only used different fabrics, but she also used cardboard or something to make some areas recessed and others more prominent.  It was fun to actually be encouraged to touch the quilts because usually it is hands off!  Here are my favorites:

 A Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh

 Jane Avril by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

 The Fall of Icarus by Henri Matisse

 Woman Seated in a Chair by Pablo Picasso

 The Red Poppy by Georgia O'Keefe

The Scream by Edvard Munch

Easy T-Shirt Fix Up

So my daughter had this pink t-shirt that I really like (cute shoes!).  She out grew it and, with her permission, I cut the front off.  I centered it on top of a white t-shirt and stitched it down.  This would be great for covering up stains or just for enjoying an out grown shirt.

Multicolor Knit Cape or My Cape of Good Vibes

 I sewed this many years ago (15 years maybe) out of knit scraps, just for fun.  Here it is displayed next to an instrument my husband made.  Here are more of his guitars.

 Emma is helping me spread out the cape.  The shape was dictated by the size and shape of the scraps.

 Here is the other end.  I couldn't get the whole cape in the picture.

 I simply overlapped the fabric pieces, zigzagged and then I trimmed any excess.  That way it looks tidy on both sides.

 Here is the back or inside.  The binding was attached with a zigzag also.  Knit doesn't unravel, so the raw edges aren't a problem.

The appliques are all from the same print knit.  I think they tie it all together.  It was really fun and free to sew.  You could use the same technique to make smaller scarves (I did that too).

A Few Random Sewing Pictures

Here is a felt mola I sewed years ago.  It is reverse applique- the top layer is teal, light green next, black and pink is the lowest layer.  It was just a sample of the technique.

This is another sample (I have a huge box full) of a button and loop treatment.  A square of fabric is folded so no raw ends show.  Tuck the loop under it and sew around the edges.  Sew a square opposite with a button on top.

 

I made these fabric roses to sit in a thread bowl.  Quick and easy: cut a long bias strip, fold in half and gather one long edge.  Pull up the gathering threads and roll the flower up.  Stitch and add a bottom circle.

Close up of bottom of flower.

My First Quilt Ever

I made this probably when I was 6 years old.  Just tall enough to reach the foot pedal!

My first "quilt" is really applique.  I hemmed the bottom piece and then sewed each square on top.  I keep it on my bulletin board in my sewing room.  About 5" x 6", it looked great in my dollhouse!

Book Review: Koos Couture Collage

It is so hard to sew during the summer with my kids home, so I was rooting around in my closet and found this vest I made a few years ago.

I was inspired by "Koos Couture Collage" by Linda Chang Teufel.  Published in 2002, 107 pages of beautiful examples of clothes by Koos van der Akker. 

He does a lot of applique and bias binding, both of which can be tricky.  The leather leaf wanted to stretch while I was sewing it and going around circles with bias requires patience.

I free hand cut the leaves.  I like the challenge of using what is already in my sewing room.  Can you believe I didn't buy anything for this project?

 

This is the back view.  Originally, I thought I would make it reversible, but I changed my mind.  The lining is striped.

Then, a year later, I was in a thrift store and saw this Koos sweater jacket!  He sells on QVC. 

It was neat to see an original Koos in person after drooling over the pictures in the book!

Surface Design Inspiration from Shirley Adams

Shirley Adams is unfortunately retiring, but I managed to catch one of her last workshops.  She had so many  wonderful examples to show us!  These 3 photos are purse flaps.  The top picture is a print fabric with fringed squares on top to look like flowers.  She used 2 squares for each flower.  The middle picture is squares folded up twice and sewn through the middle with 2 bartacks.

This last picture shows two spirals made by a long bias strip sewn through the middle.  A fancy button goes right in the middle.  I love these techniques and hope to use them in the future!

Appliqued Coat by Shirley Adams

This is a beautiful coat by Shirley Adams.  She showed it at a recent workshop and I think it is so simple and elegant!  The leaves are all scraps, cut freehand and sewn down the middle.  What a striking effect!  

Pattern Manipulation and Surface Design by Shirley Adams

The past two days I was at a sewing lecture and workshop given by Shirley Adams. She is so full of ideas! Lots of pattern manipulation and surface design was shown. The second day was a purse workshop. She designed the Chameleon Handbag that features a removable flap, so you can have several to change the look of the basic purse. I still need to finish mine, but I'll post it soon.

This is a coat she made and then used machine free motion stitching to create stems/branches. The leaves are fused on, with raw edges.
More on the workshop later.

Small Appliqued Wall Hanging

Made from scraps I had on hand (as a lot of my projects are!). This is early sunset. Clouds machine zigzagged and then pieced around the edges. There is a dowel in a pocket on the back so it doesn't droop when hanging.

I added a couple of beads to the bottom. The whole thing is 12" long. It was fun and fairly quick and easy to sew. Years later, I still remember the evening I got the inspiration! Try capturing a moment in time.

Easy to Sew Letter Pillows

I made these for my niece, but I've also taught classes to kids on sewing letters. They are fun and easy. You can choose a mixed look or use all the same fabric. It is a great gift for young kids just learning how to spell their names. Older kids like them as decoration for their rooms.

One thing to keep in mind, cut the letters larger than you want them. They will end up smaller due to seam allowance, stuffing. For letters with a hole (a,b,d etc.) I applique the "hole" before stitching together.

Pink Applique Quilt Problem

This quilt was made by someone in my family on my dad's side. I don't know who or when. It has a few stains, and is not quilted all over. It was washed at some point (not me!) and the basting came out and the batting balled up. My problem is what to do with it? Do I take it apart and try to replace the batting and finish quilting it. Do I cut it up and use the good parts to make smaller items? As it is, it is hanging around taking up space. Help me decide what to do with it!

Thank you!