The Sewing Cottage Issue 12 September 2012
In This Issue Squiggly Waves Quilt
Open Seas Pillow
Octopus Applique
Seal Plushie
Block #9 Foxie Adventures BOM
Squiggly Mini Quilt
Patterns and Designs by www.patchworkposse.com
This month I decided to focus on the ocean.
I love the ocean. I don’t live nearby, but when I get a chance I go! Every year my family goes for 1 week to Bear Lake in northern Utah that offers a ‘fake’ beach….but we love it anyways! My favorite is sitting by the water, feet dipping in, big sun hat on and something inspirational to read. This month’s patterns are all about the ocean. The squiggly waves quilt will help you learn the curved piecing technique, and simple applique with the whimsical octopus. The Seal plushie is ready for some imaginative swimming and surf exploring. The constructions is super quick and easy too! Combining machine embroidery with machine applique the Open Seas pillow shows what I’d really like to be doing! Enjoy the last issue of the year! Becky @Patchwork Posse
Table of Contents September Calendar Squiggly Waves Quilt Octopus Applique Squiggly Mini Quilt Seal Plushie Open Seas Pillow Q&A- What to do with scraps Foxie Quilt- Block 9
With the Squiggly Waves Quilt pattern you will learn curved piecing! Those waves are super easy after learning the technique. Add a little whimsical octopus and your favorite little water guy will love it! The applique is also quick and easy to sew on t-shirts or fleece blankets. Sew up a set of them– perfect for gifts or showers.
The ocean is full of wonderful creatures- one of them being the Seal. This seal has flippers for quick swimming and tail for making waves. The kiddos will love swimming about and exploring with their new seal plushie.
Open seas pillow is a great way to explore machine stitching (instead of hand embroidery) and a little bit of applique. Pin-tucks are added to each side to the offset center block.
Open Seas Pillow By Patchwork Posse
Materials List: ¼ yard pillow front ¼ yard pillow back 9” X 9” center block Fabric scraps- boat & flowers Pillow form or stuffing
Finished size: 14” X 15”
Open Ocean Pillow By Patchwork Posse
Instructions: Center block: 1) Trace pattern on the front of fabric chosen for center block
3) Cut out applique pieces using templates
2) Iron center block to a stabilizer if the fabric is thin or shifty
4) Glue applique pieces in place
Stitching: 1) Use dark thread on the top and a walking foot on your sewing machine 2) Stitch with machine twice around the fabric appliques and everywhere there is a line. * To make your stitching simpler, don’t stitch every seam that was copied. Pick a few waves and stitch those. As you can see, I have not included the land behind the boat at all. Pillow Construction: 1) Trim center block to 9” X 7” 2) Cut 2 pieces of fabric- 7” X 15” 3) Sew them to each side of the center block 4) Pin tuck the right side 3 times, the left side 2 times
Fold fabric back 3/4-1” and pin in place
5) Pin tuck the seam right next to the center block 6) Sew 1/8” across pin tucks to secure 7) Trim to 15 1/2” X 7”
seam
8) Cut 2 pieces of fabric- 4 1/2” X 15 1/5”
Fold fabric over seam to make a pin tuck. Pin in place
9) Sew to the top and bottom of center 10) Trim to 15 1/2” X 14” Backing: 1) Cut fabric 1) 10” X 14” 1) 11 1/2” X 14” 2) Hem small edge of 11 1/2” X 14” 3) Overlap the two pieces, right sides up- adjust to measure 15 1/2” X 14” Hemmed piece should be on top with hem in the middle of the pillow back 4) Lay front on back, right sides down. Sew all the way around. Trim corners- turn using the hemmed opening in the middle of the pillow www.patchworkposse.com
flag
flower
Templates for fabric applique
sail
sail
Crumb blocks by Bonnie K. Hunter. LOVE her ideas and patterns. I do try to go to my scraps before looking to cut into new yardage.
I use zip lock bags to store like sizes. Makes my quilt life much more manageable.
save for applique and scrap pillows
I put the small pieces in plastic baggies, someday I hope to make a postage stamp quilt. Sometimes I comb through them to use as applique pieces on different projects.
I don't have many scraps yet, but I have seen a few quilted projects online with scraps, maybe a postage stamp quilt? I make several small projects and I'm using much that way - tooth fairy pillows, bibs, that sort of thing. Actually, I went through my box yesterday and I now have a huge bag to donate to a local club that is making quilts to give to homeless shelters. I use transparent shoe boxes, paper boxes from the office that linen comes in and has a hole on the top so you can see the project, bags that seem to come just when I need them, a variety.... Keep them all in storage boxes and the use them in appliquĂŠs and also in scrap quilts. I follow Bonnie Hunter on quiltville and try and use her tips Grandaughter that's learning. I'm struggling with my mountain of scraps - I am a monochromatic person but love scrap quilts but am not great at doing them. I took a workshop from Joan Ford (scrap therapy) and subscribe to your newsletter which came highly recommended - your system is great. I love making string quilts. Some I give for charity. I make wallets, mug rug, pot holders, and scrapppy quilts. In doll quilts and swap blocks I have several quart bags with scraps divided by color. I keep them in the bottom of my fabric closet so when I need a small piece, I go there.
I store them in bins if large enough and use them in other small projects.
Scraps are great to use for small projects (cosmetic bags, eyeglasses cases, mini wall quilts, etc.), or to use for teaching youngsters sewing skills. They come in handy when making a quilt or a landscape when you need some little piece of the just right fabric. I keep them in a very large basket! I also keep selvages to use for whatever. little skirts and bows for my grand daughters So far I've just collected them up in various zip lock bags, but I hope to do a scrap quilt next year! I try to use the offcuts from a quilt top in a decorative manner down the back of the quilt. Hold on to it and wait for inspiration I love making cotton crazy quilts....I store my scraps by size in tiny totes, larger totes and large baskets I have learnt how to do confetti quilting which use a lot of my scraps and also applique is a good way to use up scraps. I have a scrappy strip pattern called "Pioneer Picnic" that uses 2.5 inch strips and it comes out so beautiful. The pattern is from a local designer, Rebecca Morganson, Payson, UT Applique - I like pictorial style quilting like Sunbonnet Sue, Parasol ladies, stuff like that. Again, I am learning. I save my scraps for that 'rainy day'. Which I haven't found yet. :( Anyway,
Doing a scrap quilt. Pattern varies. I use my go cutter dies. I have donated quilts in the past. I sew all my scraps up to make blocks in various colour combinations and make a scrappy quilt.....I donate these to our guild for the local hospital crazy pieced for small pieces.....string blocks I love crumb quilts stuff and forget it I like to make pin cushions or little softies for my cats. I like to make string quilts and disappearing 9 patch quilts. I also make chunk blocks using small squares and rectangles. Although I love Bonnie Hunter's scrappy patterns I have never made any of them. I find that almost any pattern made for charm packs can be converted to scrap quilts sort by color, make mini crazy pieced blocks for cats to use to keep furniture clean Store in clear storage bins, same colors use them in new ides I use for 'template' patterns I save everything, I'm a confessed scrap a holic, lol, I have saved scraps and used them to patch customers clothing, made a sash, or what ever they needed. Just different things. I donate the really tiny pieces to my local quilt shop. The owner uses the scraps to stuff pillows she makes for charity. Anything 2" and over I save for foundation piecing. I have a very large sewing room, fabric is in color cordiation and folded small bits are cut into strips and stored per size...
funky quilts offer them on freecycle.org I donate fabric, or try to use with my needleturn applique. Lately, I use my scraps for making hexagon flowers, for the monthly exchange thru Quilt Jane. I have a bunch, I will be donating for others to make for people having chemo Save for small crafts items, I have different size containers to put them in solid colors, stripes, designs oh, they are supposed to be used??? And here I was collecting them! ;) I use them in applique projects and scrap patterns. making doll size quilts - my favourite blocks are the old traditional ones. Most of my scraps are still in totes - too busy sewing for others to get to use much of it right now. I make a lot of "Quilt as you G0" and donate them to charity I have just become a fan of scrap quilts and am sewing my way through some Evelyn Sloppy books now. Log cabins are also a great way to use a lot of scraps. There are also some local groups that need my extra scraps - women's prison, senior citizens, and day cares. I have found the quicker I get scraps out of the sewing room either by sewing them or donating them, the more creative I feel in my sewing space. I tend to hoard my fabric. ;o) I am just a beginning quilter but a fairly good seamstress. I would use small scraps for crazy quilts. Charity blankets, or items for our quilt boutique that we have every spring I love scrap quilting, or dreaming up projects to use scraps on. I never throw anything away. I have plastic storage bins that pull out like drawers to store things in. Along with bags, boxes, shelves, the floor, under the table...
I just save them up and when i feel the urge stitch a bunch together and then make something! Stuff in a basket and hopefully one day make a scrap quilt am reorganizing them into pre-cut strips, squares, etc. More managable. I put them in a see thru jar and have not used any of them yet. The smaller scraps are pitched. I use 2-1/2" strips and squares for a scrappy Sister's Choice. I use 2" strips for log cabins. I don't have loads but I keep them in ziploc bags. I use them for making mug rugs when you need just a bit of something. I love to make scrappy quilts. Most of my quilts are donated, so using scraps is great. I like making string blocks. I try and cut my scraps up as soon as I finish a quilt. I have clear boxes for the sizes I use, 1, 1.25, 1.5.1.75. 2.00 strips, and various size squares. I have given most of my scraps away I keep my scraps for paper piecing. I also will crochet with them and am waiting to get a lesson on "nal binding" for a type of crocheting bags and baskets. I keep them in a bag under the table where I quilt. I also have quite a few "scraps" cut into strips so I can use them for Liberated Quilting (letters) and strip piecing. I rarely buy yardage, I am fortunate enough to have clients (I'm a hairdresser) give me their old vintage scraps, buttons, zippers, shirts, skirts, jeans and I am always making a scrappy quilt. Yardage is generally purchased for control background color. Bonnie Hunter has become my alter ego. When I realized that I wasn't the only one to save scraps and make quilts like this today, I felt justified.
i use most of them while doing block of the month patterns...the smaller ones i donate to some of the ladies in our group who do charity quilts. I kept them in bins and use in other quilts. I have a little scrap box, and I use it for little projects. I very seldom ever throw any scraps away. There is always a spot for Watch for a great pattern in a magazine - one with not too many small triangles. I like Log Cabin blocks as scraps of all sizes can be used I pack them into colours then bag them for future use or sharing scrap quilts, cut strips and use cotton clothes line covered to make baskets, applique on dish towels, T shirts decorations, water bottle covers, Tea cup mice, stuffed animals, pin cushions I enjoy covering sweatshirts and giving them away... otherwise 2 to 3 inch squares until I have a large enough piece to make a quilt and them give away Use scraps for crazy quilting and collage. Store my fabrics mostly by color all weights mixed together by color. I have donated to local school's art department and senior citizens daycare. making a scrappy quilt and hexogon shapes Still trying to figure it out. my scraps are organized in plastic bins by color. I make scrappy donation quilts for my guild. I just finished a stacked bricks quilt out of my scraps and it turned out beautiful. I did a mystery quilt for my guild and I had everyone use only scraps.l Everyone's quilt came out differnt and beautiful. I use them for applique embroidery or when I make doll clothes and children's dresses or an apron.. I also use it for making bias tape...
I have absolutely no way to tell you how to store scraps. I use comic book backing boards, but I cut them down to about 3"x5" and wrap them up if they're big enough. Anything smaller I just throw in a bag and forget about them until I want something tiny.
I cut all of my scraps into the largest size usable, up to 5". I have plastic boxes of precut squares: 2", 2 1/2", 3", 4". I hate having scraps around so I try to make them orderly. I have sent packets of squares to internet quilt friends.
I usually use my scraps, though, because most of my projects are small. Making ornaments, patchwork soft toys, needle books, or my favorite - letting my little kids clothespin them to a line to make banners (of course there's a lot of cleaning up after that, but it's a fun way to spend an afternoon)!
I have to admit that I give most of my scraps to my mother. She does a lot of things with smaller pieces of fabric so I know she will usually have a good home for them. When I do keep my own it's usually to use them to piece the back of the quilt they came from. I have a couple of backs that are as pretty as the front of the quilt. There is also a basket of scraps in the corner of my sewing room that is very handy when you need to find a little piece of something.
applique, but I'm also saving really small scraps for the filling for a doggie bed.
stuffed in zip lock bags according to size...kinda, sometimes the line is blurred!
Log Cabin, Irish Chain, single and double, D9Patch.
I have strips bagged by color and I use them when making Bonnie Hunter of quiltville.com mystery quilts! I also use them when making rug mugs.
My stash has such varied sizes of fabric, my intention is to use them in square and rectangle blocks just to make a very scrappy quilt.
Mile a minute. Join loads together and then cut new squares. Always look good. Donate some to the local school for collage.
Well organised patchworkers cut their fabric leftovers into squares, triangles etc as they finish each project; so they are already cut. I am not that organised.
selvedge edges sewn together to make cushions, pin cushions, also use scraps for mile a minute quilts and when they get too small or I'm sick of seeing them they go into my stuffing savings bag.
I use scraps to make small pincushions and other small projects. I do have a lot stored in baskets, bins, drawers and containers though.
I love making little projects such as glass cases, coasters, scrappy placemats, stuffed mini toys, and most recently (though it takes a little more than a scrap) making doll clothes for my granddaughters American Girls.
My favorite way to use up scraps is in appliqueing. Also, I store all 2" or larger scraps in a large basket for small projects & to make ornaments. Never waste! save scraps for applique - one patch quilt - let the grand kids play with them. I like crazy patch blocks from the scraps
I like to applique so many of my scraps are useful for that. If the scraps are big enough, I'll cut them into squares and store the same sized ones in zip locks (haha- then they're pretty much forgotten) MY FAVORITE WAY TO USE SCRAPS IS TO MAKE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS AS THEY USUALLY REQUIRE SMALL PIECES OF FABRIC FOR ANY DESIGN.
Today I am making quilt for my uncle. All of the triangles cut off from making flying geese went into small clear bin. Now I am making pinwheel border with these little cut offs. They would also have been perfect size for coasters. I make crazy quilt blocks, strip quilts, etc. at this point they are stuffed in a basket I cut them to square pieces, if possible, or sew them to a larger piece of fabric for a raw applique quilt. Use scraps for small projects like potholders, mug rugs, string blocks. improv blocks for my crazy quilt blocks I try to make quilts blocks with no particular pattern, I never ever get them used up.
I've just re-organized my craft room and donated (4) four large bags to Goodwill filled with all the "scraps" I've collected for the past 7 years. Separated them by type of fabric, i.e.: woven, fleece, knit, etc. Hope someone else will be able to utilize them. I won't in this lifetime. (joke) The scraps I did keep, I intend to make scrap quilts. Want to try the "string" quilt. Give them to a friend! random piece them together to make into larger blocks. I use scraps for anything and everything. I love to use them for pillows, blankets and anything else. i save all scraps however have yet to use most of them. sewing them together to end up with "crazy" material
I make presents for the family from door stops to christmas decorations, to quilts large and small. Some are donated to local charities. One of my recent projects used fabric I had kept since the 1970s!, you never know when it might be just right and back in fashion. the really bitty pieces and thread ends, batting scraps too small to piece etc. go into pillows for the SPCA to use in their kennels scrap quilts, smaller projects like wall hangings or toys. I need to get better organized on this. I like to make pincushions for gifts or dollies for my little sisters I like to use my scraps using the quilt as you go method. I cut the strips in various sizes.I made a beautiful tree skirt with all of my Christmas scraps
I donate my scraps to good firends in the guild. My pleasure is from recognizing my scraps in finsihed quilts they make and donate to the guild charity projects. I'm saving my scraps to make a crumb quilt. Can't wait till i have enough. Come to think of it, I may just make a few squares as I go along just to keep me interested. cut and sort regularly into largest size possible eg 2 1/2" squares and use as leaders and enders I make little owls and bears with my scraps. They either go in a craft show or get donated. Also baby shoes. I DIVIDE MY SCRAPS BY SIZE, VERY SMALL PIECES GO IN A LITTLE BAG FOR CRAZY PATCH QUILTING. SMALL PIECES GO IN A BAG FOR MAKING SMALLER ITEMS LIKE PINCUSHIONS. STRIPS GO IN A BAG FOR LOG CABINS. THE REST I PUT IN MY FAT QUARTER BAG I haven't used too many scraps lately --- been working on larger quilts so I have made more scraps than I have used.
Foxie Adventures Block of a Month, is a fun wall hanging that will teach you the raw-edge applique method. This method makes applique super easy and ‘whimsical’ in style. The Foxie pair love new activities each month– going from raking leaves, fishing, parades, spring showers, flowers and more! Sew along with them, month by month
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