Tuesday 26 August 2014

10 Quilty Little Secrets from the Patchsmith

http://www.13spools.com/2014/08/what-are-your-10-quilty-little-secrets.html
Check out all those Quilty Secrets
1.         I keep all scraps that are 1” square or bigger – yep, really!

2.         I often use ‘sew’ for ‘so’ at the end of my blog (for all you dislikers-of-sew-and-so - you have been warned).

3.         I get bored really quickly which is why I make small mug rug patterns.

4.         I press 4oz batting with a clean cloth and a hot iron to make it as thin as 2oz batting!

5.        I find it difficult to part with a quilt once made – they are like my babies.   And what type of a person gives their baby away?

6.         I press my seams to the side, up, down, open and anyway they’ll go – on the basis that they wont be seen!

7.         I don’t like perfection.  I like to see a mismatched seam or two, wonky binding and uneven stitching.  I call is ‘rustic’ and ‘homemade’.  I don’t want a mass-produced look to my creations.

8.         I get bored sewing squares onto corners to make triangle corners.  One or two, now and again is okay but for a whole bed-sized quilt – I think not!

9.         I don’t even know the name of most of the sewing thread I use – Aurifil, Moon, Coats, whatever.  And not all of it is cotton – some of it is polyester.

10.       I have been known to cut up a WIP for fabric scraps rather than finish it!   
 
Sew there you have it (I did warn you – see no. 2 above).

Saturday 23 August 2014

Drop Anchor on the High Seas

http://www.craftsy.com/project/view/drop-anchor-mini-quilt/216011
I love it when you can take an item or block from a quilt and make it your own.  This is exactly what I did with Summer Crafter's High Seas pattern.  This fun little wall quilt is made of four nautical blocks - each measuring 12" finished.

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/high-seas/100643
Summer Crafters' High Seas Pattern

Together they make the perfect decoration for a nursery or child's room.  Separately they can be used for cushion tops, table mats or a mini wall quilt, as I have done.  

I chose the anchor block and added a chain stitch rope complete with bright red button.  I also patched the background using 2½" squares.  The result - a stunning patchwork reminder to 'drop anchor' and slow down awhile.
 
And where have I placed this mini beauty?  Above my work desk of course!  

Friday 1 August 2014

Across the Pond for a speedy Cutlery Pouch

https://www.flickr.com/groups/2154636@N22/
July has been fantastic here in Hampshire, England with wall-to-wall sunshine.  And as August begins there will be many hoping this weather continues for the summer holidays.

With so much fun to be had outside the home, I thought a quick and speedy project would be just the thing for August.  Say hello to the Flatware Pouch – or as we say here in England, the Cutlery Pouch. 
http://eamylove.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/free-tutorial-summer-placemats-and.html
Ocean Flatware Pouch
This project is courtesy of our Amy (Amy Made That) who has been kind enough to provide us with the tutorial for Table Mats and Cutlery Pouches. 
http://eamylove.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/free-tutorial-summer-placemats-and.html
Cherry Gingham Cutlery Pouch
Aren’t they perfect for summer picnics and BBQs?  Amy used decorating weight fabric for both her table mats and pouches but I only had quilting cotton fabric so I added batting to the back of the front panel and quilted it before stitching it all together.

What I really like about the pouches is that they are the perfect size for transferring my mug rug applique onto the front of them for a Patchsmithian look.  If you add appliqué detailing remember to place the design at the top of the outer fabric and allow for the seams when positioning your chosen design.    
Add applique to the top of the front.
 Yep, you saw right - my pouches come complete with reindeer .....
https://www.flickr.com/photos/79143602@N04/14777974946/
and with cutlery .......
https://www.flickr.com/photos/79143602@N04/14777974946/
I think they will look lovely on the Christmas table.  I also think a red-nosed Rudolph pouch would be perfect to leave out on Christmas Eve – complete with carrot and thank you note. 

Or how about adding initials for each child attending a birthday party and then the child could take the pouch home, complete with a little treat tucked inside?  Unique, personal and a lovely touch.
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/applique-and-mug-rug-alphabet/55479
Add a letter to the front of the pouch
for a personal touch
How will you use your Flatware Pouch?  Leave a comment and let us know and be sure to check out Susie’s blog for a clever 'mitt' cutlery pouch.

And if you jump on board this month and make a pouch or two be sure to post a photo to the Across-the-Pond Flickr group.