Tips, Tricks & Tools, Part I: What's in Your Sewing Kit?

This is Part I of a 3-part series of my favorite Tips, Tricks & Tools when it comes to quilting. 

One thing I was advised when I first started quilting:  Always use the best tools and supplies you can find and afford: sewing machine, scissors, rotary cutting equipment, fabric, needles, thread, even good quality pins can make a difference.  

TOOLS 

Here are a few of my favorite tools and toys in my quilting arsenal:

Hello Fall! A fun Blog Hop!

Carla over at Creatin' in the Sticks has put together a super-fun blog hop this week!

What a fun way to welcome Fall!  I seem to be short of Autumn decorations, and this hop gave me the chance to add to my decor using some of Sandy Gervais' "Give Thanks" fabric scraps from my latest quilt (see previous POST).  

Love to Sew ~ "Blessed Beyond Measure" Project Tour

"Love to Sew" wall hanging, 36" x 43" by Deonn Stott

Introducing Buttermilk Basin's new fabric line, "Blessed Beyond Measure" by Stacy West for Riley Blake Designs.  It includes a couple of printed panels that include sewing notions and sayings reminiscent of Stacy's experiences with the women in her family who loved to sew and embroider.

Pressing Matters

My pressing zone got a little facelift!

I re-covered an old tabletop ironing board I came across while tidying up my sewing room.  I usually have my ironing board set up in the next room, just to get some exercise, but this little topper will make it convenient when I'm sewing at full speed.

 (♥♥Love my upholstery tacker.)

And this sweet little misting spray bottle from Riley Blake Designs came in the mail!  Sew-Press-Repeat, it's adorable.

Have you tried these spray-misters?  I love that it sprays a perfect light mist over a large area -  ideal for piecing!  I think I'll need two, one for water and one for starch.

I've seen them listed online at Fat Quarter Shop and a host of other sites, or ask at your local quilt shop - many of our local shops still offer drive-by, curbside service.

My new pressing station came in handy for making a little batch of masks from these Hampton Gardens leftovers.

Press on, and Happy Sewing!

Ruching around... (& Giveaway)

In a Ruche... Having a Ruche time....   (pronounced "roosh")   Hey, what's a Ruche??

Click on the button below to find out all about Ruching!  It's my latest tutorial of this fun vintage technique made modern for RBD's Cutting Corners.

And now, it's time to clean up the Sewing Room, yeah!  It's been in a state since April: stuff made, kits cut, classes taught... There's hardly been time to clear a path to the sewing machine!  But all that is about to change, becuase... 

I Quilt for CLEANING!!

My sweet little friend Frannie is here to trade a little labor for my quilting on her latest quilt... and she isn't taking any prisoners... look out, stash!!

Does anyone else find this picture funny/punny??

An old garbage bin from my Dad's farm...  I giggle every time I look at the label - "Raw Material"

Yep, we're making progress, and it's a cause to celebrate!!

So, while I'm at it, how about a little giveaway? Today's class samples, plus a nice little pile of other  printed ribbons, notions, buttons, an odd pattern of mine and whatnot.  The pile may grow by the end of the week!  ...another man's treasure and all that!

Ruched flowers,  ribbon and other odds & ends

Let me know in a comment what old-timey sewing or quilting or other home-arts technique you like to do, or want to learn.   Winner will be selected on Friday, July 11th after 6:00 pm MST.

Thanks for playing along!

A cute little Monster Coloring Bag.

Sometimes I can talk my girls in to hanging out with me in the sewing room.  It was Chelsea's day off today... 

Supplies / Cut List:

13" x 20" rectangle for bag

2  -  2-1/2" x 16" strips for handles

9" x 12" piece of craft felt

scraps / buttons for eyes

1 box of 8 to 10 jumbo crayons

1)  PRESS 13" x 20" rectangle in half

2)  CUT an 8-1/2" square from the felt piece.  Free-form cut it to the monster shape desired.  We included a couple of ears and rounded the sides.   Or use this PATTERN.  Keep the bottom straight. With the long edge of the 13" x 20" rectangle up, center the monster's head in position on one half of the rectangle and about 2" from the top edge.

3)  STITCH all around the edges using either a straight stitch or blanket stitch.

4)  CUT a 3-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangle from the felt.   MARK the center, then MARK at 1" increments from the center.  We used a FRIXION pen (marks disappear when ironed).

5)  Round off the bottom corners, then PIN in place, overlapping about 1".  STITCH the outside edges, through all layers, back-stitching at the top of the pocket, leaving the top edge free.

 6)  STITCH along the marked lines, backstitching at beginnings and endings.  This forms the crayon pockets.  PRESS to remove marking lines.

7)  Add felt/buttons for Monster's eyes, a little offset for personality... We used a zig-zag stitch on the machine to sew the buttons in place.

8)  On the top long edge of the rectangle,  PRESS under 1/4", then PRESS again, at about 1/2". 

9)  FOLD the bag in half, right sides together, leaving 1/4" folded at the top. PIN and STITCH raw edges along the side and bottom of the bag.  Zig-Zag or serge raw edges for a clean finish.  Chelsea likes sewing on one of our old beater sewing machines.

(Optional)  BOX the bottom edges of the bag, if desired.  We measured down 1/2" from the tip.

10)  PRESS handle strips in half lengthwise.  Fold raw edges to align with the center pressed line, then PRESS again.  FOLD in half and EDGE-STITCH to create bag handles.

 11)  FOLD top edge of bag down 1/2" (pressed line).  Slide handle pieces inside top edge and PIN at about 2" from the outside edges of the bag.

12)  EDGE-STITCH along the hem, stitching over the bag handles.  Then, flip the handles to the top and EDGE-STITCH all around the top edge, stitching through the bag handles to keep them in place.

Fill your fancy little monster with crayon "TEETH", and fill the bag with coloring books.  Ready for babysitting, or little-kid visitors.  Nice work, Chels!  Cute bag--cute girl.

Thanks for hanging out today!

p.s.  Linky party over at Sew Many Ways.

A little sewing...

Yep.  This day was bound to come, after nearly nine years of quilting with my longarm machine.

Pinky sewing.  What we go through for our craft.  Infusing our quilts with blood, sweat, and tears, sometimes literally.  Then we pour on a little antiseptic, slap on a bandaid, and continue sewing, right?

Meanwhile, down in the sewing room...  getting ready to start some Quiltscapes "Quilt Escapes" classes. Check out the upcoming schedule HERE.