Cupcakes for Young Quilters

Do you know a young quilter or are you looking for projects for children and young people? Well I have a great website for you to visit. Pippa Wardman organises the Young Quilters Group in Yorkshire for the Quilter's Guild and has designed a new website with some lovely projects: Quilt and Stitch.

Pippa made these delicious cupcakes and has published a step by step photo tutorial for them on the site:

 There are lots of other machine and hand stitched projects to try and information for students taking textile courses.

Pippa also recently made this QR code quilt which has been featured on the Poppyprint blog this week. I have seen this quilt, as Pippa brought it to our group meeting, and I have to tell you: it is stunning! It's made of 414 little fussy-cut cupcakes on a white background and if you scan it with a mobile phone or tablet PC it will automatically link to Pippa's website. You can find more information about the quilt on Pippa's Flickr photostream.

Go! Round Flower Die

Today I'm posting for SewCalGal's Accuquilt blog hop and I've attempted my first video tutorial! I've chosen to use the Go! Round Flower die which makes lovely applique designs. I've been experimenting with something a little different - creating a flower circle by folding fabric into six before cutting.

Click below to watch the tutorial:

The Go! dies can cut many different types of fabric, not just cotton. This weekend I cut some flowers from hand dyed felt and used two to make a quick gift: a mini pincushion which could be good sewn onto elastic to go on your wrist.

 I also tried some fashion fabrics such as tweed and organza. These can be layered to make flower brooches or decoration for a bag or jacket.If you're worried that these will fray you could fuse some lightweight interfacing on the reverse before cutting.
TIP: when cutting felt or other fabrics on the Go place tissue paper on the die first, then the fabric on top. I think this helps prevent fibres getting caught in the blades.

Remember to visit all the blogs taking part in the hop this week for more Accuquilt fun!

Monday, September 27th

SewCalGal

Spring Water Designs

Tuesday, September 28th

Marjorie's Quilting Bee

Cotton Cocktails

Wed., September 29th

Love Bug Studios

Spun Sugar Quilts

Thur., September 30th

Quilted Inspirations

Fabrics N Quilts

Friday., October lst

Beautiful Seams

Sew Fun Quilts

Go Monday - Feather Wreath

I've been playing with my Accuquilt Go feathers die and thought I'd share this wreath project.

The feathers die cuts two shapes and you can cut 3 of each time. Of course you can cut several layers of fabric so it really is fast to cut enough shapes for a project! Can you see how I'd marked the shape outlines with a permanent marker to make fabric easier to place?
Since I was planning to fuse these I first ironed Bondaweb (Wonder Under) onto the back of my fabric. I used a 7 inch strip, width of fabric, which I had left over and cut the fusible slightly narrower so it didn't peek over the edge and attach itself to my ironing board:

Next I folded it in half lengthways and placed it carefully over the curved feather shapes on the die.
Note: I did leave the paper backing on the fabric.

Now place the cutting mat on top and turn the handle to feed it through the rollers. Every time I use this I think of my Grandma feeding laundry through the mangle on her twin tub washer!

This produces 6 feather shapes:

Can you see that 3 of these face the opposite direction? That's because the fabric was folded and it's important because you need both types for this project. I used 24 of one shape and 12 of the other for this project. My strip of fabric was more than big enough for this.

Once the shapes are cut I put away the Go and layed my backing fabric out (22" square) ready to arrange the shapes. First I tried placing them round a dinner plate but was struggling to get them evenly spaced util I had a better idea! I drew round the plate onto freezer paper and cut out the circle. Mine was 9 and 3/8inches. I then folded the circle in half, then half again, then half again (hope this makes sense!) until I had it marked into eighths. I put a pen mark at the edge on all the folds. I then ironed the freezer paper circle onto the centre of my fabric.

I then arranged feather shapes so the points matched up to these marks, keeping the shapes just a little away from the edge of the paper and removing the backing paper from the shapes as I went. It's best to do this on an ironing surface but don't press the shapes in place til you have placed them all!

Now it was easier to place the other shapes evenly between.

At this stage I ironed the shapes in place before removing the freezer paper . Now you need to use the shapes which faced the other direction for the inner circle. I used only feathers in the centre circle but I could perhaps have used one or two more.

So there you have it - a feather wreath!. All it needs now is some buttonhole stitch round the feathers and some quilting. I'll post a picture when it's done.

Would you like to have a try at this? Well I feel a giveaway coming on. Come back tomorrow to see what I have planned!

SewCalGal hosts a list of bloggers who use Accuquilt products. Visit her page by clicking here 

Chickens!

Next Saturday the 14th November my quilt group, Tuesday Quilters, will be hosting a coffee morning and small quilt display in Wetherby Town Hall. I've booked a stall to sell a few gifty things as well as fabric, patterns, books etc from my groaning shelves to make way for new things! Yesterday I started a flock of chicken pincushions - I love them! They are SO easy to make. Here's what you need:

 Two squares of fabric -mine were 4". For the beak and 'crown' I used 2 layer of fabric which I'd fused together with Bondaweb (Wonder Under). I also used a decorative thread or yarn for the tail feathers which I wrapped around 3 fingers to make loops.

Arrange the pieces on top of one piece of fabric like this:

Now  place the other square of fabric on top right sides together and stitch around 3 sides - starting at the top left in my picture. Next take the two side seams and pin them together squashing the shape like this:

 Sew about an inch along from each adge leaving a gap in the centre. Turn right sides out. Now you can stuff your chicken before stitching the gap closed. You can also stitch fench knots for the eyes and trim the tail feathers. Ta da!

I couldn't find my toy stuffing (it must be in a very safe place!) but I did find a brand new (budget) bed pillow which I'd put away because it had a horrible plasticky paper cover on it. I cut it open and used the polyester filling. This is probably a cheaper source than buying it from craft shops so I'll remember that in future - look out for pillows on offer in the supermarket!

Now I'm off to stitch more  gifts for my stall. Come and see me next week if you're in the area! Wetherby is a lovely little town to spend a morning in and the tea or coffee and scones will be waiting for you!

Zippy Bag Tutorial

Here's the promised tutorial for a zipped bag. This one is a flat-ish rectangle which tucks neatly inside a ring binder or folder. I use one like this to store my small quilting rulers. For a boxier bag see the hint at the end of the tutorial.

Requirements

Main fabric, bag lining and wadding approximately 10inch square of each
Contrast: for zipper trim 2 pieces 2 1/2by 9 1/2", for tabs 1 1/2" by 5"
Zipper, nylon at least 12"

1. Layer the mainfabric, wadding and lining, quilt then trim to 9 1/2" square.
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2. Take the zipper trim pieces and press in half lengthways. On one long edge press under 1/4".
Pin the unfolded edge of each trim to either end of the back of the quilt sandwich and sew 1/4" seam.

Press the trim to the front and pin the folded edge just over the stitching line. Stitch close to the edge through all layers and again 1/4" inside first line of stitching to snugly enclose the quilt edge.
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3. Now you can stitch the zip. First pin one side of the zip to one edge of the quilt with the top of the zip close to one end of the zipper trim. Using a zipper foot stitch close to the edge of the trim. Stitch again 1/4" away to secure the zipper tape.


Next pin the top and bottom of the zip to the other edge of the quilt, matching the position of the trim to the side already sewn. Then open the zipper as far as it will go. This is why you start with a zip longer than the length of your quilt edge -you should now find it easier to pin and sew the second side of the zip in place.
When you have finished close the zipper half way.

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4. Now for the tabs. Take the remaining strip of contrast fabric, fold in half lengthways and sew a scant 1/4" seam. Finger press the seam open the turn the tube right sides out and press so the seam is in the middle of the tube. Cut in half to make 2 pieces 2 1/2" long. Fold each piece in half and pin to each end of the zip with the fold towards the centre of the zip. Stitch in place taking care to stitch slowly over the zipper teeth. Stitch over these seems several times to make sure they are secure.
Now you must check that the zip slider is in the centre of the bag and not at the end of the zipper. OK now you can cut off the excess zipper.

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5. Nearly there! Turn your bag inside out and pin the ends at either side of the zip. Now you have to make a little pleat at each end of the side seams. Here's a photo - sorry about the quality!Hold the corner of the bag about one inch in from the side. Push the corner in the make a little pleat about 1/2" deep. Repeat for each corner.

Sew the side seams (I go over these twice) then zig zag the edges turn the bag right sides out and push out the corners.
Voila! A neat bag for pencils, gadgets, whatever you like! If you want to be able to fasten this bag inside a ring binder you could add a couple more tabs to one end of the bag about 3 3/4" apart.

Hint: it's the little fold which gives the bag it's shape. Making these folds deeper (so they meet in the centre near the zip) makes the bag higher and more boxy, like this:

Try experimenting with different sizes too.

I hope you enjoy this project. Let me know how you get on with making this by leaving a comment or email me - see my profile for a link.

Hazel

Free Projects and Tutorials

It never ceases to amaze me how generous quilters are. There are so many willing to share techniques and quilt patterns online I can spend hours admiring their work. Here are a few of my favourites at the moment:

The Quilt Show - I've been a member from the beginning but if you don't want to sign up to watch the online shows you can still get free project patterns and watch free videos. Click here for a link to the Project page but also look at the Daily Blog and the Bernina videos even if you don't own a Bernina!

On 'Don't Look Now' Kellie has tutorials for some of her gorgeous designs including really detailed instructions of how she does applique and the patterns to print.

Nellie shares some projects on her blog 'Nellies Needles' including a fun fabric bird. Nellie is also a prolific art quilter and makes some wonderful embellished lanscape quilts which you can see in her gallery.

I discovered 'Tallgrass Prairie Studio' only yesterday and was enthralled by the stunning quilts. There are 4 detailed tutorials on the site and lots of lovely photos.

Finally for now 'Mel's Place' is a blog packed full of fun stuff including a stuffed owl pattern. Her 'Wonky Op Block' is definately on my to do list - I love it!

PS for a few dollars many sellers on ETSY will send you their quilt patterns as PDF files by email so it's quick and there's no postage to pay. There are some fabulous hand made goods on offer too.

Dyeing Day

Yesterday I had fun dyeing samples to show my quilt group on Tuesday ready for my workshop in September. I will be showing them several ways of dyeing including dyeing in plastic cups which is a great way to get a rainbow of fabrics quickly and easily.

Here's what I do:

I use measuring spoons for making up the dyes and solutions because it's easier than weighing. Equipment is cheap and cheerful from the supermarket. For spooning the dye into the cups and mixing I use disposable picnic teaspoons.

I use white cotton fabric e.g. sheeting and tear each metre into 9 pieces just over 12" square.

Wearing a dust mask and rubber gloves mix one level teaspoon of dye with 100ml warm water. I used 3 colours of procion dye - Royal Blue, Scarlett Red and Golden Yellow from Fibrecrafts. Once the dyes are mixed you can take off the mask.

Mix 90ml of table salt with 1 litre of hot water and 45 ml soda ash to 1 litre warm water then mix these together in a 2 litre plastic jug.



I use disposable plastic cups (7oz) in a cat litter tray. I add soda and salt solution to half fill each of 12 cups. Then add 4 disposable teaspoonsfull of dye to each cup and add the fabric. I use these combinations:

4Red, 3Red+1Yellow, 2R+2Y, 1R+3Y
4Yellow, 3Y+1Blue, 2Y+2B, 1Y+3B
4Blue, 3B+1R, 2B+2R, 1B+3R

So here is everything in the cups:



I just leave these to sit for 2-3 hours then rinse the fabric in cold water and put into the washing machine for a 40 degree wash, dry and iron. This gives marbled fabrics which I love. If you like less marbling use more liquid and stir the fabric for a few minutes before leaving to stand. Easy isn't it!





Note: I adapted this dyeing method from a several sources. Here's one site with more dye recipes:
http://fabricdyeing101.blogspot.com/
Helen Deighan's book 'Dyeing in Plastic Bags' is my dyeing bible!