Back in the Saddle

It has been a season of remarkable events around here; some wonderful, some worrysome, some trying and traumatic, some delightful and joyful.  Life changing and "change of life"-ing.  And sometimes all those things at the same time.  My score on that chart of stressful life events is literally off the chart.  Suffice it to say, I've been flying under the radar, hovering, waiting for the chance to land, get up on my feet and get going full swing again.  I am super grateful for family and friends; people who inspire and buoy me up.  Thanks and love to you all! ♥♥

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Back in the sewing room this week, I've paper-pieced 208 pickle-dish points, sorted through some vintage patterns from my Mom's sewing room (oh, those aprons!!) worked on a book, and started getting things in order for Riley Blake Designs' Fabric Fest, coming next September, where I'll get to teach some of my favorite "Snippets" using their laminate fabrics.  The UFO to Go! (portable design wall) has been a hit, and I just posted a new tutorial on Cutting Corners for Riley Blake Designs today using some of these sweet Laminates and coordinating fabrics!

 

UFO-to-GO!

Made with Riley Blake Designs' Cotton Laminate fabric and "Sew Together" notions 

by Deonn Stott of Quiltscapes

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What's a UFO?  "Un-Finished Object"... or maybe an "Un-Fulfilled Opportunity"?

 
I think you are going to love making this quick portable design wall!

 

Use this project to lay out quilt blocks or store supplies for any work in progress. Fabric sticks to the fleece lining and stays put when rolled up in the laminate cover.  It's the perfect size for a tableside workspace next to your sewing machine, or grab and go to a class or retreat!

 

Supplies:

1/2 yard Riley Blake Designs' Cotton Laminate fabric 
1/2 yard Pellon 987F Fusible Fleece
1/4 yard coordinating fabric for binding
1 yard 1/2" ribbon
2  cute 1" buttons
2 covered hair elastics

 

See some great tips for working with laminate fabric HERE <<

 

Instructions:
CUT Laminate fabric into a rectangle, 15" x 30"  
CUT Pellon fusible fleece 15" x 30"

Step 1)  Place fabric, wrong side up on ironing board.  Place fleece, fusible side down over fabric, then follow manufacturer's directions and PRESS to adhere fleece to fabric, careful not to press on the laminated side of the fabric. 

With the iron at "Wool/Steam" setting, press down firmly for 10 seconds.  Using steam really seems to do the trick.  Repeat, overlapping iron until entire area is fused.  You could also use a damp press cloth.  Trim edges if necessary.  

Step 2)  Binding.  Machine-Bind your UFO-to-GO as you would any quilt. 

CUT three 2" x width of fabric binding strips.  Join short ends together using diagonal seams to make a binding.  Fold binding in half lengthwise and press.  

With fleece side up, align raw edges of binding with project edge and stitch, using 1/4" seam allowance.  

 

 

Miter the corners and finish with a diagonal seam for a continuous binding.  Need a refresher?  See my "Cutting Corners" TUTORIAL or RBD VIDEO tutorial of my favorite machine-binding technique. 

Step 3)  Add notions.  After stitching the binding to the fleece side, turn it over, laminate side up.  On one short end of the UFO-to-GO, center and BASTE 1 yard of ribbon, folded about in half, right sides together if using a printed ribbon.  The upper ribbon is about 6" longer than the lower ribbon.  

 

 

Measure about 8-1/2" from corners on the long sides and mark with a pin where your elastic hair bands will be positioned.  Make a 1" loop and baste into place as pictured (this shows placement with a finished binding). 

 

 

Step 4)  Finish binding.  Bring the folded edge of binding to the laminated side and pin in place, if desired.  I like to pin the miters in the corners as well.

 

 

Finish up by machine-stitching on the laminate side.  I used an edge-stitch, but a decorative stitch would also work.  Don't spend too much time worrying about placement on the fleece side.  The stitches disappear into the fleece.

 

 

 

 

Step 5)  Buttons.  Next, measure down 2-1/2" from the top corners and machine-stitch the buttons in place using a zig-zag stitch.  Refer to diagram above.  Stitch through the binding for reinforcement

 

 

 

Now your UFO to GO is ready to go!   Lay out quilt blocks or load it with supplies.

 (Filled with supplies to make a Sewing Kit ensemble; "Snippets" from my sewing room)  

 

Roll it up!

 

 

 

Secure ends by bringing elastic bands over the buttons.  Wrap the ribbons around and tie a cute bow.

Make it more compact by folding the UFO in half and trading sides with the elastics. 

See how this handy little unit can be made as a DELUXE version (holds ten or more large quilt blocks!) in this RBD VIDEO <<.   I hope you enjoyed this tutorial - I've made several of these and find that they're perfect for storing UFO projects and supplies. They also make great gifts for sewing friends!

This and other little "Snippets" from my sewing room can be found at my BLOG. 
I'd love you to stop by for a visit!

Happy Sewing!
 
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS

Basically, this will be the class I'm teaching at Fabric Fest - We'll make several of these fun projects, and as always, class will include many of my tips and tricks that make sewing "sew" much fun.  Are you going?  Registration opens in a week!  Check out the details here:  www.fabricfest2013.com
 

  Happy Quilting!

1. I have already made two of these for gifts and can hardly wait to make one for myself. Thanks so much, it is a great pattern idea and everyone really loved them.....they were really impressed that I made it. You made it so easy. I am a constant follower of your website...love it. Thanks

   by sheila bishop
   February 12th, 2013 at 8:08 p.m.
2. Just fished it last night. only took a couple of hours in between other stuff. It was a breeze. Thanks!

   by Judy Mc
   February 13th, 2013 at 12:14 p.m.
3. I just found you on the RBD web site,I would like to say you are one in a million..I have seen other people teach,and try to explain how to do new things in sewing,but you just have the best ideas and explain everything so throughly and simple it makes quilting and sewing a joy to all of us who are new or just alittle rusty at it...I am absolutely hooked on your great ideas..I just made your UFO to go Deluxe and next I'm enrolled in a Craftsy class for August Quilt of the month workshop, and am looking forwrd to using my UFO...Im trying to locate the site so I can make that laminate bag that holds all the sewing materials,I cant seem to find that site I am planning on making a matching bag to my UFO. Keep up all the wonderful things you make..

   by Jenny
   August 08th, 2013 at 12:45 a.m.
4. I would like to make the UFO and laminate bag projects, I am trying to locate the site to purchase the materials I would need. Thanks

   by Bonnie J.
   April 16th, 2015 at 1:09 p.m.