The Sewing Cottage Issue 9

The Sewing Cottage Issue 9 June 2012

In This Issue Window Pane Quilt + Doll Quilt Halvsies Quilt Daisy Stuffie- vintage inspired Bat Quick Stitch Block #6 Foxie Adventures My Creative Spot -Kari In every Issue: Digital Goodies, Vintage Patterns, My Creative Spot and Q & A’s

Welcome to the 9th Issue of The Sewing Cottage Magazine. This month as I started out sketching, sewing and finishing up the projects I noticed that there was a theme going on……something I didn’t even intend to do! That theme was ½ square triangles.

Not only are these addictive {read about that later on} but they are easy to make –and they come free! I think that is my favorite part. By sewing one extra line while piecing the blocks, you end up with a nice little collection of ½ square triangles.

To help you and your collection of these random blocks I have come up with a vintage inspired pattern- Daisy the dog. Before you conquer that, you can practice sewing that extra line and getting those new, free ½ square triangles with the Window Pane pattern.

Enjoy this new ‘technique’ and searching for ways to make more with your fabric.

Becky

Table of Contents Q & A- How do you display your quilts?

All About Triangles Halvsies Quilt Daisy Dog Plushie -Vintage inspired Little Purple Pansies My Creative Spot with Kari Bat- Quick Stitch Window Panes Quilt + Doll Quilt Mini Foxie Adventures Quilt~ Block #6

Actually, I use a wrought iron curtain rod for one & Ackfeld hangers for some others I don't display. I make my quilts to be used Pushpins into the wall. Pants hanger, On the couch. On a footstool I am just beginning with a table runner which is on my dining room table I display my aprons on lines and on hangers. I've done fairs and shows for one year and am still thinking of ways to do displays.

In my office I have a curtain rod across the wall so I can swap out whatever I am doing.

Wood hangers, table top frames and folded over the stair rails.

Some with hangars, some on a standing quilt rack.

Quilt rack, railings on staircase, with doweling through sleeves or little corner 'sleeves' and patch abilities coordinating hanging holders My couch back ,on my beds, and draped on a quilt rack.

My personal quilts are on my beds. Wall hangings have an attached sleeve and are hung with cafe rods. I like them to be away from the wall and have air circulating from both the front and the back. If they have been hanging for awhile, I will ‘air fluff’ them in the dryer to remove dust. Smaller pieces are placed/draped on furniture.

I have no place to display so they are folded and brought out upon request or need.

I have a few small ladders to place in the living room to hang the smaller projects, a beautiful oak quilt rack that I fold up my larger quilts and stack them on the top of the rack and of course have the wall hangings hanging on the walls - I use push pins which are great, no holes in the wall except tiny ones and they color coordinate with the quilt.

I have a pretty quilt hanging rod with shelf above (I think it was from Pottery Barn years ago) that I use in my living room. Otherwise, I sometimes hang quilts with pretty curtain rods, or if they are small, thin wood rods I cut apart to the correct size. I do use quilted table runners.

Generally draped over furniture- currently there are piles of quilts on top of the piano!

I have several quilt racks that I use, also I put them on furniture and hang them on walls and on the floor....I stick a quilt anywhere I can find a place for it.

I have made bed quilts and wall hangings and I have just found a way to make a wooden hanger for my extra big wall quilts that doesn't cost the earth and looks good too.

My husband (he is really SPECIAL) makes me custom wooden quilt racks to fit my quilts and I have them hanging in almost every room. I change my quilts with the seasons, so I need quite a few.

I have used a wooden curtain rod & hooks for a quilt that graces the entry way to my cabin in Colorado. I do think they look better with some type of rod to keep them level. I have used those small rectangle hangers...don't care for them much. I have some folded on top of my cabinet in sewing room. I have some on wrought iron rack from my daughter. I have some hanging on the stair case.

I hang them on walls, I use tacks, drapery rods, and I have two quilt racks... Plus I have one over the back seat in my SUV. I get stopped constantly being asked about that beautiful quilt ( heck its for the cold). at the moment, HUGE thumbtacks I like to keep a quilt draped over the backs of my favorite chairs. I have a wooden towel rack from Ikea that is great for quilts ranging in size from baby to twin size. I use wooden dowels, and wood brackets to display wall quilts. I'm sure it's not surprise to learn that I love quilts on my beds.

I have poles going around the ceiling of my studio. I hang my quilts with padded pants hangers form the poles.

I have a ladder and a pie safe... folded on chairs, draped on everything, there is 174 quilts in this house... Husband saids that if you stay long enouph you will get one put on you sooner than later... gotta love that man...!! usually just use furniture, or my blog. I usually make smaller quilts, like runners, and give away most of them! I have a few larger ones on the ends of beds or on the back of the couch for snuggling under and decoration! in the unitly room, so no one gets to them till i'm finished I have mine stored in a glass case Usually I display the quilts I keep on beds and walls. Ones on the wall have sleeves that are threaded onto drapery rods (1" diameter) and hung on heavy duty 3M hooks.

I use just a basic rod hanger and a small display rack with changable headers for my mini quilts. I have a small apartment so my minis are on the display rack on top of the freezer in the dining room.

My favorite is hung on my stairway with a dowel rod slipped through a piece of fabric.

My husband built me a lovely hanger in my livingroom whre I have a large wall. Then I have a smaller one in my sewing room, or they are just layed around the house to enjoy I have a ladder, some are draped, my beds are covered, every wall surface is full, the couches are full!!! Let see the most unusual would be the quilt of a dog peeing on a tree over my dining room table. It has long horrified my husband! :-) I now use magnetic quilt hangers and metal bars. They are removable and easy to change out.

Shelf with wooden rod

I have given my finished projects away as gifts so I do not have an answer for this.

Smaller quilts are put on wall with straight pins. Medium size quilts are draped over chair. Antique quilts stored in antique armoire and bed quilts used on beds.

A lot of my stuff never gets quilted but I never let that stop me from hanging it and enjoying it. I just use those big old quilters pins with the round heads and pin the tops right to the walls.

Usually as wallhangings although I do use them as covers for the back of my lounge, as tablecloths (sometimes).

I have some hangers made by a gentleman in the quilt group, on the bed or back of couch.

My husband built me a hanger for the way with a shelf above it to put favorite items. My daughter is using it now as I'm a full-time RVer and don't have a place for it. I hang my wall-hangings on the only blank wall in the RV, hanging them on a curtain rod. My quilts are either on the bed or draped over the chair.

My quilts are totally functional. I use them in every room, generally over my lap or to lie under. I also quilt lots of table runners for gifts and totes/purses.

I use the one quilt I have made for my husband and I as a quilt. I drape old family heirloom quilts over the backs of chairs, and across the back of my sofa, so I can enjoy them. All the over quilts I have made for my family as gifts. back of couch, over doors that are open, foot of bed...I spend 6 months living in an RV and there aren't lots of display places, but over a chair or the steering Wheel is one.

I like to hang them over couches and backs of chairs. Larger ones on the beds. When we are having an outside gathering I like to hang them over outdoor wooden furniture that is in need of some attention - making I have several quilts hanging on my walls and I just use straight pins to do that... They are very unnoticable....

I put eyelets in and hang 'em with ribbon - wall hangings, that is. The larger items I would use drapery rings with clips on them.

I display with all of the above methods but I keep them out of the sunlight. When not un use, I store my completed quilts, etc. on padded hangers in a closet.

I drape them over the couch - over the recliner - over the rocking chair - in a quit rack - inside a quilt chest (size of quilt rack, totally inclosed with 3 sides made of glass, leaded dome top) - at foot of bed - as blanket on bed. Am looking for a good size ladder.

I usually have a couple on the couches for display and for snuggling. I always have at least one on the bed. I've hung a few on the wall with sticky back velcro. It's easy to put up and also easy to take down later and change.

I don't collect them i give them. I do take photos before i give away.

I hang the quilt using the slot on the back of the quilt. Yes there are quilts on my children's beds...all grown children now. I also hang them in the window and place them on tables.

I like outside in the garden or on the balcony.... if possible otherwise on a furniture. Grandson loves them for tents. Indoors of course.

This month’s collection of patterns was decided on because for some reason all of the ½ square triangles kept showing up! They were in a lot of the projects that have been on-going and I though, hey wouldn’t it be fun to put some together to showcase their goodness? So, here we are.

I would like to take just a bit though and talk about where these half square triangles are coming from.

Awhile back I had written an article on ‘Triangle-it is’

This is how it started: So this is where the disease came about. Triangle-itis. I have a tendancy to sew the other ‘line’ when sewing a half square triangle. I think this is such a great idea! I will have all these little ‘extra’ half square triangles that i can make something with!

Won’t that be just grand? Sure…it will!!!! i just know it. Well, know this…….you sure do get a bunch of half squares. they get tossed into the no rhyme or reason drawer and get lost in the confusion of half sewn stuff.

Do I suffer for this? you bet….the aches and pains, and don’t forget that guilt—they call me in the night (only because i have set them free) and until i get a few of those things sewn up i won’t be able to sit quietly thinking up other projects to accomplish.

Of course does Triangle-itis ever go away? I am not sure. I think that it can be kept under control. You know–actually sew them together, maybe send them to someone to do something with….but for some reason i am not sure that i can give up sewing that extra line. I might suffer from this as long as i sew.

Look familiar? Share yours if it does, and maybe we can all help each other get through this together. Isn’t that what friends are for? the good, the bad, the traingles? Ahhh come on. Admit it– share it–and take a pill just before starting …..it. Triangle-itis.

To help you out with your own problems of ‘Traingle-it is’ I have come up with a few patterns here to use them– or make new ones! Weee As mentioned in the previous page– triangles can be found everywhere in quilting. They are super easy to sew…even when you aren’t planning on it.

Whenever you are sewing two pieces together and there is a chunk of fabric off to one side–- you can easily and quickly sew a second seam ½” away from the first seam. Then you cut down the center of these two sewn seams– and viola! You have a free ½ square triangle. It truly couldn’t be any simpler really. Could it?

Now, I know you are wondering where these extra triangles or chunks of fabric can be found. I have searched and came up with a little helpful guide on the best blocks that extra triangles can be spotted.

As you can see the recurring theme is anything with a ½ square triangle! If you spot one in the block you are sewing you can sew that extra line and get a free ½ square triangle to do as you wish.

Halvsies Wall Hanging

By Patchwork Posse Finished size: 25” X 25”

Materials List: 26 ½ square triangles 3 1/2” X 3 1/2” ½ yard sashing Fat Quarter- outside trianlges Wool or acrylic felt for applique Embroidery floss and needle

Daisy- Scrappy Vintage Dog Finished size: 9” X 13”

By Patchwork Posse

Materials List: Scrap fabric pieces or Cutter Quilt {warn and torn quilt} Poly fil stuffing Black buttons Ribbon Black embroidery floss Pink scraps for cheeks

Little Purple Pansies Doll Quilt Finished size: 14 1/2� X 14 1/2�

By Patchwork Posse

Materials List: 4 dark fat eights 2 light fat quarters Med/light scraps for flower centers

Cutting Instructions: Dark Fabric~

Light fabric~

Border~

24–- 2 1/2” X 3 1/2”

24–- 1 1/2” X 1 1/2”

2--- 1 1/2” X 12 1/2”

Med or Light fabric~ 6-- 2” X 2”

Sewing Instructions: 1) Place light 1 1/2” square to corner of dark rectangle 2) Draw line from corner to corner on WRONG sides of fabric 3) Sew on drawn line 4) Cut off extra corners. Fold corner back and iron 5) Repeat for a total of 24 6) Sew 4 rectangle blocks together- notice placement of corners 7) Repeat step 6 for a total of 6 flower blocks 8) Sew blocks together to make center of quilt 9) Sew borders on outside of quilt center 10) Sew 2” X 2” squares in center of each flower block

2--- 1 1/2” X 14 1/2”

My Creative Spot with Kari

I started sewing in Grade 8 and throughout high school. I sewed all my kids sleepers jackets, , and various clothes for both kids they are now Trevor 23, and Krista 20. I have always enjoyed creating something. I tole painted for many years and went back to sewing and learned to quilt.

I belong to the Blue Mountain Quilter’s Guild in Coquitlam, BC. We are about 130 ladies which we do a lot of donation quilts to the premmies at the local hospital and various charities around the area. It is very rewarding.

I enjoy going to retreats and sew sew sew with my two quilting buddies (neighbours) Joanne Nelson and May Bollong. We like to hang out together and sew, check out quilt stores and travel together with quilting adventures.

I work part time in a Quilt store in Ladner, BC called The Quilted Bear.

I love this job and find it so rewarding meeting fellow quilters, sewers etc.‌ I alos make samples for the store I think I own every quilting ruler possible. I enjoy buying fabrics online, (ebay) and shopping at quilt stores where ever I go.

I have a very understanding patient husband Ray. We own a boat and he loves to go fishing in his spare time. We both travel to different hot spots to get that needed sunshine in the winter months. I always check out quilt stores in the Caribbean, Hawaii or where ever

Kari’s collection of sewing machine ornaments

My husband built my “L� shaped sewing center many many years ago. It has been great and holds so much.

I own a Janome 7700 Horizon Sewing Machine.

My sewing window looks out to tall trees which is very peaceful.

The yellow Poppies/Sunflowers I bought as a kit from The Pine Needle shop in Oregon. I did all the thread painted and I really enjoyed doing this wall hanging.

The blue mountains/ocean with Orca whales was an applique kit I bought a couple years ago from Satin Moon Quilt store in Victoria, BC. I have this hanging in my living room. I love the colours in this quilt.

Thanks Kari for sharing your Creative Space with us.

Bat Quick Stitch

By Patchwork Posse

Materials List: 12” X 12” wool or acrylic felt- body, wings, ears White scraps for teeth 2 black buttons 12” X 12” cotton for wings & ears Embroidery floss, needle, poly-fil stuffing

Running Stitch: Begin with hiding the knot inside the layers.

Stitch in an up and down motion- making Sure you are sewing through both layers.

Whipstitch: Hide knot inside layers. Stitch straight or diagonally evenly across the edge. Don’t pull tightly or the sides will pucker.

Window Pane Quilt Finished size: 40” X 40”

By Patchwork Posse

Materials Needed: 16– 5” X 5” squares these could be fussy cut if you’d like to show off a cute design in the center of the block 1 yard striped fabric

½ Square Triangles Mini Quilt Finished size: 17 1/2” X 15 1/2”

By Patchwork Posse

Materials List: 72– 2 1/2” X 2 1/2” ½ square triangles 1 yard ribbon, ric-rac or lace edging

Foxie Adventures 6th

Block

By Patchwork Posse www.patchworkposse.com

These two are ready for the breezes to blow and the wind to catch their kite!

Materials Needed: · 6” X 6” light cotton fabric for background · Various colors of fabric scraps · Black thread · 2‐‐ 5” X 5” cotton squares

www.patchworkposse.com

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