The Sewing Cottage Magazine

The Sewing Cottage Issue 7 May 2012

In This Issue Springtime Sue Quilt Scallop Messenger Bag Ribbon Bug Stuffie Monster Quick Stitch Block #5 Foxie Adventures My Creative Spot -Diane In every Issue: Digital Goodies, Vintage Patterns, My Creative Spot and Q & A’s

Table of Contents

Q & A- Batting- hints & tips Ribbon Bug Stuffies My Creative Spot with Diane Springtime Sue Quilt Printable Calendar Vintage Poppy Applique Pattern Scallop Messenger Bag Vintage Bird Stitchery Quick Stitch -Monster Foxie Adventures Block #5

Spring is here! And so of course are the dandelions and yard work. Yeah.

Looking beyond that though, I love the fresh air, the cool mornings, beautiful colors of green and yellow, and the sun staying up just a bit longer.

This months patterns are full of Spring time fun, including: Ribbon Bugs, Springtime Sue Quilt, and fun scallops on a messenger bag. The Quick Stitch Monster is ready to go on some fun spring time hikes. Block #5 of Foxie Adventures features them in full swing of watering and planting.

Enjoy the collection!

Becky

I've found I don't like Warm Cotton - it seems to pill a lot. I go with a cotton/poly mix and like it. I've also used flannel as a batting, or for wallhangings, fleece.

Whatever good is on sale.

My long arm quilter has a batting that she uses on most all of my quilts. Medium weight poly.

I like the thinner cotton batting for most things My favorite is bamboo; I can't always afford it.

I like cotton batting medium weight for quilting. I use a very thin weight underneath appliquĂŠ sometimes Hobbs and dream cotton.

I love warm and natural for all my table runners and mug rugs and fuisble Fleece 987F for purses and totes.

I like 80/20 Hobbs or Warm and Natural.

Up close and personal quilting (either by machine or hand) I like Hobbs 80/20. I like the crinkled look that happens after it is washed and dried. Larger patterns, I will use Hobbs low loft poly. I have never had a problem with either of these products. I machine quilt for others and have never received a negative comment of any of my customers.

Cotton!!!

I use the Warm and Natural - off white for most of my projects. I've never had a problem with it and love how it washes up in between the quilt layers.

For wall quilts, I like a very thin, lightweight batting that hangs well. I like to embellish with lots of stitching and other elements, so this works best for me. For quilts, I use a rather thin batting, usually an 80/20 type or sometimes, a bamboo-cotton combo. Anything too thick is difficult to quilt on a home sewing machine, which is all I use (I have 3 Bernina sewing machines).

I like the weight of bamboo, but it does shed all over my clothes when I'm handling it!

Bamboo/cotton blend I use for 'special people' quilts, but if I'm just doing something for fun, its' 100% cotton batting.

I use Warm & Natural for the most part. Have no problems with it, I ran out of suitable soft batting for a baby quilt and I found a new polyester pkg that was to go under a Christmas tree that I had and went hmm....opened it up and spread it out and was a perfect fit for my baby quilt. It was not too thin to use and was happy to finish the quilt.

I like to use the 80/20 blend. It gives me enough warmth, loft, and it's easier to handle. To help get the wrinkles

I have been using bamboo batting lately, and I have found that it seems easier to quilt than other battings I have used.

Warm and Natural 100% cotton works the best for my needs, but sometimes I need a thinner batting so I will use Dream Cotton, extra thin batting.

I like the 80%/20% cotten/poly blends for the most part, but I live in Texas so we don't need a lot of batting. My friend in the mountains of Colorado just used Wool & totally loved it for her quilt.

Matildas Cotton batting- which is low loft. Great to machine or hand quilt.

It does not shredd and is warm but light.

Bamboo I love the softness......

I buy it online and get great prices and free shipping. Yeah!

I've come a long way since using old blankets back in the 70's.....then I used the cheapest batting I could find usuallybuying a large roll. Now I am making charity baby quilts, I use flannel. whatever I happen to have at hand I like to use cotton batting to get the crinkle effect on the top quilt. It just makes the quilt look patterned and vintage.

I like to use warm and natural or white and bright. I never have a problem with either of them. I have had problems with bamboo batting. just used bonded polyester and quilt tighter if I need to wash the quilt alot.

I only use Dream Batting. No problems of any kind ever.

I like warm and natural .... Hobbs 80/20 but of late Harrietts Heirloom 80/20 batting for quilts fusible batting for totes and bags I've tried lots, but I like Warm and Natural. The kind Walmart had was the best. Not too expensive and not to thick, so makes for easy sewing Warm Company Fusible Fleece Warm and Natural/White, thin poly I prefer the 100% cotton, because fabrics don't slide around much at all and it is a bit cooler than poly

low batting, and I sometimes I use fannel I am particularly fond of bamboo batting and silk batting. I also use Warm n Natural. Those seem to give me no troubles with shedding and offer the best warmth for the upper south.

I have recently discovered bamboo batting and like its warmth and ease in the long arm.

I use warm and natural because it's available locally, and I have just started using Thermore for my wall hangings and table runners. It quilts perfectly flat and grips the fabric, so it makes quilting a breeze.

I have a lot of UFO's. When I DO finish a quilt I take it to a longarm quilter and she provides the batting.

I like Hobbs 80/20 the best but also use Soft & Brite from Warm Products. I just bought a package of Fairfield's Evergreen batting (made from recycled bottles) to try.

Silk batting has been the best for me so far since learning to quilt from a very smart lady who does feathering expertly with ease on her sewing machine. I've used wool for bed quilts, poly-cotton for wall hangings.

I usually use Warm and Natural, and have taken to join pieces to avoid the waste of cutting from a large piece I prefer Warm and Natural but in the area I am in the summer, it can be hard to find. I have used an 80/20 cotton/poly blend that's not a bad substitute and is much less expensive. I want to try the Green batting and the bamboo batting. I haven't noticed much difference in the warmth and none of them seem to shed much. pull the batting out of the package at least the night before, so that the batting can 'breathe' I prefer warm and natural, although I have been using some Hobbs recently that I have been gifted with. I find the Hobbs a bit easier on me when hand quilting, which surprised me, having used warm and natural for the longest time. I don't throw away batting; if I have enough to back even one block, I will zig zag pieces together to make it fit.

Mostly cotton, but I have used fleece as a backing and batting for kids blankets I like to use polyester and wool - my least favourite is bamboo. love wool or bamboo but generally use warm and natural due to costl Wool! I don't care for poly as it works it's fibers to the surface of the fabric.

Hobbs 80/20 My Aunt has been using it for over 20 years.

Depends on the project. Do not normally use polyester Quilter's Dream Cotton is my favorite batting--it has not bare spots or clumps and gives the quilt a fantastic feel when quilted. I do custom quilting and this batting holds up even under the densest quilting.

I like the Dream Cotton the best... It does not pill, it is warm and is not heavy on your body.... I like the way it drapes, too....

I really like the extra loft batting. It gives the quilts a cushy feel to them.

I have primarily used Warm & Natural cotton batting; however, recently I've used Fairfield's Nature-Fil which is 50% cotton & 50% bamboo. I like this new one very much for both hand & machine quilting.

I use polyester fiberfil (generic) for my soft toys, and sometimes if I want weightier fill I use t-shirt scraps (pellets can get fairly pricey and rice isn't the best when you're making toys for babies and toddlers).

Mountain Mist Cream Rose and or Quilters Dream Matildas Own - Wool/Polyester Batting . nearly always, I use warm & natural batting.

Poly batting for kids quilts . It holds up best in repeated laundering.

Natural fibers. Thin, just enough to allow the pattern to show without making pieces bulky. When making table pieces, I use the batt made for heat resistance.

I recently tried the wool bat...oh what a dream that was to machine quilt! Usually I use Dream Cotton. It is reasonably warm and is great to quilt on. I am a new quilter and use my DSM to quilt. I haven't had too much problems with shedding. The warmest bat I used (besides the wool) was the theramore batting.

Always liked Fairfield Traditional but they seem to have stopped making it. I do like to use something that is needle punched. I choose depending on what I am making. I like the flatnes of the cotton batting if I want the quilting to show up but find it a bit heavy so tend to use a mix most of the time. I also leave out batting and back with fleece for childrens snuggly quilts.

EQS sew simple 80/20 and Hobbs Heirloom works really well on my gammill. The EQS batting has a slightly lumpy side and I always put this facing up towards the back of the quilt top otherwise it sometimes 'pokes' through onto the backing. i like all cotton batting so that it will not lump up...i haTE THAT. I love the bamboo battings. The drape is amazing. I want my quilts to be soft and drapable. Just bought my first wool bat- eager to try that. For those family me,bers that like a heavy quilt, of course nothing beats Warm and Natural. For hand quilting, I like Hobbs. Again- looking forward to the wool batting. That'll be hand quilted.

II'll toss it in the dryer with the "air-fluff" setting for 1/2 hour.

I save my scraps for small projects. When I'm practicing stitches, I'll put batting between scraps of material.

Hobbs poly-down easy sewing and easy care at a good prize my quilts are just for us so I use old blankets I like to have a double thickness of sheet batting inside quilts. It's doubly warm and gives the quilt a more cozy/fluffy look when quilted For family utility quilts (those that will get daily use by us) I like to use old woolen blankets for the weight and warmth.

To get an "old" look for a new quilt, I like 100% cotton batting and quilt it close together. Then pop it into the washing machine and dryer. Voila! A new "antique".

Cotton all the way! Although I like the 80/20 cotton blends. 100% polyester disappears after a few washings. I used a high loft poly and soon it looked like I did not use batting at all. All of the poly fibers disappeared from washing.

I've started using a new one but can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Lucky my sewing guy always remembers what I've bought.

I HAVE ONLY USED LOOMTEX, NEEDLE PUNCH, BATTING, A VERY THIN ONE AND IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY. ALMOST NO SHEDDING, NICE WARMTH, NOT HEAVY Old blankets, flannel and my favorite- sheets.... I hate heavy quilts and I enjoy yard sales so I pick up those bed skirts people always have to have, but do not always use. The center makes a great piece to make scrap quilts on and the colored edges is just enough to add a thoughtful idea to my scrap pile.

I am trying to be more versatile in using different types of batting. In the past I used Warm & Natural exclusively but when I used it in a king sized quilt, I found that the quilt was too heavy in weight to be comfortable with it laying on top of me. I have since tried a low loft polyester & bamboo. I love the feel of the bamboo & you can quilt it farther apart (my preference is quilts that are not heavily quilted). I am going to try an 80-20 blend for my next quilt.

For hand quilting, I use wool--the needle glides through easily and I like the little bit of loft the quilting gives the quilt. Hobbs Heirloom is the brand I use exclusively, as I've found others shed something fierce. My quilts that get machine quilted are generally made with an 80/20 blend, which seems to hold up well & looks great.

I save all of my scraps and those that are too small to stitch with I use to stuff beds for the stray cats that sleep on my porch.

Warm and Natural...I do not pre-wash my fabrics and love how it shrinks with the fabric when I wash the quilts. Gives them a old, wrinkled, well used look instantly. Also, they are light but keep you warm and toasty.

PREFER NON-ALLERGY BATTING IN MY WORK, AS YOU NEVER KNOW JUST WHOM IS GOING TO BE USING THE PIECE.

Who doesn’t need a little bug companion to go foraging with?

These Ribbon Bugs are great to tug along and show some fun times to!

Sew them up with fleece for a snuggly sleeper too-

Š Patchwork Posse 2012

Ribbon Bug By patchwork posse

Finished size: 5” X 7”

Front material:•9” X 9” fleece Back material:•9” X 9” cotton Various ribbon- antenna wings 20” long X ¼ - ¾ wide Ric-Rac for bee stripes 25” X 1/4”- 1/2” wide Felt or fleece scraps- eyes, lady bug dots Black embroidery thread- mouths and freckles Polyfil stuffing

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

Ribbon Bug Instruction: Step 1) Cut out template for bug, eyes and dots for lady bug- random sizes are given, you can use one size or a combination of sizes.

Step 2) Pin templates on fabric and cut out Step 3) Pin in place dots {ladybug} or ric-rac {bee} on body Step 4) Sew in place - 1/8” seam allowance for eyes and dots and down the center of the ric-rac * stitch with matching thread or with black thread to give it a whimsy look.

Pin in place bug parts-Sew in place

Step 5) Cut each wing Ribbon to 6” You can use multiple ribbons –overlap or layer them Step 6) Fold ribbon in half and Pin ribbons in place. Folded edge is inside/ raw edge on seam *Make sure that they aren’t going to be sewn on the other side. *Fold and pin them out of the way if you need to Step 7) Cut antenna ribbon to 10”, fold in half and tie a knot at the folded end.

Repeat for second antenna Step 8) Pin antennas in place Make sure the ribbon isn’t Going to be caught in the Opposite seam.

Fold and pin if needed Folded end of antenna with knot

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

Step 10) Pin the back right sides together on top of the body front Step 11) Sew all the way around the body 1/4- 1/2” seam allowance- leaving 2 1/2” on bottom open for turning * Watch out for the ribbon!

Step 12) Snip at curves and valleys- Turn right sides out Step 13) Stuff with polyfil firmly– insert rattle or bell if desired Step 14) Using a ladder stitch, stitch the opening closed Step 15) Using black thread, embroider smile and a few freckles {french knots}

Ladder Stitch

All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012 Foxie Adventures is an original pattern and design.

Please feel free to make and sell your own creations using this pattern. Credit would be appreciated.

NO Mass Production. NO Selling this pattern. NO Making copies for Others. NO emailing this pattern without contacting

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

Ribbon placement

Ribbon Bug www.patchworkposse.com

Body Template

Leave open for turning

Lady Bug Dots

Eye Templates

Eye- white eye

My Creative Spot with Diane Mother of two daughters and grandmother of seven. Moved to Eugene, Oregon in September of 2011 from Florida. We love it here. By we, I have a significant other who is the best, he knows to brake for quilt shops. I am a retired federal employee and love being retired. It does seem I got more done when I worked though. I love the color orange and anything snowman.

My bookcase used to be gunmetal gray from the 1950's, I had it painted green. There is one more shelf to it, but with the slanted walls, I could not get it in there.

Above it is a big jar holding leftover binding, antique jars with buttons and some new jars as well. I use the space outside my studio also. The metal shelf holds my completed quilts, table toppers, pillows, batting, etc. The antique dresser across from it holds ribbon and other craft supplies.

I started sewing when I was about eight with my grandmother at her Singer treadle machine.

I moved on from doll clothes to making clothes for my daughters. About 1993, I discovered quilting and have not stopped. My first large quilt was a log cabin pattern by Eleanor Burns.

My sewing room is above the garage, so it is long and narrow.

Thanks Diane for sharing your Beautiful Creative Spot with Patchwork Posse.

Visit Diane: Blog: sewmanmaniacquilter.blogspot.com

Show off your embroidery, quilting and raw edge applique techniques with a baby sized quilt. Š Patchwork Posse 2012

Show off that fabric collection in the scallops on the front of the messenger bag.

The bag has enough space to carry around what you need, plus the messenger style leaves you hands free while shopping.

Š Patchwork Posse 2012

Monster Quick Stitch

By Patchwork Posse

Materials Needed: Wool Felt or acrylic felt square- body Wool Felt or acrylic felt squareEyes & Mouth Needle, embroidery thread Poly-fil Stuffing

The foxie couple is having a wonderful time in the sun.

Planting, picking and smelling everything spring! Those showers from earlier really helped their garden grow.

Š Patchwork Posse 2012

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