A little Halloween.. on Easter?

Happy Easter!!

Since it's Easter, I only had a tiny little time to sew today - and it was all hand stitching. While putting some things away before company I found a teeny tiny miniature block that I think I might have been planning on using for a center of something, or for a crumb block. But yea, I didn't.

So I put some stitches into this one and then added the keychain piece.

Scrappy Grandmothers Flower Garden - WIP

It's been in the works for about 2 years now. I've cut over 3,000 squares, each measuring 2.5" and basted about 1800 or so (probably more) into hexagons.

This is my progress so far:

I'm not counting it as a UFO because it's constantly being worked on. this one goes everywhere with me. I just love it.  The goal was to make it a true charm quilt.  A charm quilt, for those of you who don't know, has all different fabrics with no two fabrics being the same.

The Big Reveal: Rainbow Carpenters Star

Here's the finished Carpenters Star.

Add borders if you want, then quilt and bind.

There you go - a Carpenters Star quilt without any Y seams. :-)

All previous parts to the tutorial/sew along:

Stitching The Rows Together 

Row Stitching Instructions 

Cutting Instructions 

The Beginning: Picking Fabrics 

All that's left is for me to decide if I'm adding borders, or not and the quilting.  I've got a few ideas on how to quilt it, just need some time.

Picking the thread to quilt it.  A friend taught me to NOT lay the spools of thread on the quilt top like this:

And why not you ask?  Good question.  Thank you Jess for helping me out. :)  If the thread is all coiled up on the spool you won't get a good idea of how it would look laid out over the different colors of the quilt.  What should be done is to pull some of the thread off the spool and lay it over the quilt top more or less what it would look like if it was quilted.   Try it on the different colors and see what works for your particular quilt top.  It also depends on if you want the thread to blend in or stand out highlighting the quilting.

For me, I picked the rainbow thread.  See how pretty it looks?  Now all I have to do is decide on the quilting motifs.  If you've got any suggestions - I'm open to them! :)

Sew Along - Stitching the Rows Together

A more detailed explanation of how to sew each row together is coming along shortly. I need to get my husband to help with the computer aspect of labeling things. 

Two rows together:

Halfway point:

Using 8.5" *unfinished) squares, it currently is 32.5"x64.5" (unfinished)

 

Ok.. I really need to get a design wall. The floor thing isn't working out to well. LOL.

Previous Parts to this Sew Along:

Sewing Instructions

Cutting Instructions

Choosing Fabrics

Easter Egg Fun

Tonight we spent with my almost 90 year old grandmother and colored and dyed Easter Eggs. We all had fun with Nana, Mom, the Bug, Hubby.  It was so much fun.

Since my Dad passed away in 2007 I've taken up his job of always drawing and coloring the "Goofy" egg.

 

I miss you Daddy. All the time.

Sew Along - Rainbow Carpenters Star - Stitching Instructions

Let's get stitching!

For this, it's a bit fiddly at first to get the pieces sewn together. My advice is to take this quilt one row at a time.  There are 8 rows.

Because of the Half Square Triangles (HSTs), I press my seams open to reduce bulk, but you can certainly press to the dark side.

Example:

Front:

 

 Back:

 

Row 1:
Step 1 - Sew:
Blue HST to Background HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Light Purple HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background Square to Background Square
Background Square to Background Square

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 1.

Row 2:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Light Green HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green HST to Blue HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Dark Red HST
Dark Red HST to Red HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside. Label this section Row 2.

Row 3:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST  to Teal HST
Teal HST to Dark Green HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Blue HST to Background HST
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Black Square (don't stitch to anything)
Red HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside. Label this section Row 3.

Row 4:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Yellow HST
Yellow HST to Background HST
Background HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green HST to Blue HST
Pink/Rose HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Background HST
Background HST to Tan HST
Tan HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 4.

Row 5:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Tan HST
Tan HST to Background HST
Background HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Pink/Rose HST
Blue HST to Dark Green HST
Dark Green to Background HST
Background HST to Yellow HST
Yellow HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 5.

Row 6:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background HST to Orange HST
Orange HST to Red HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background HST to Blue HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Dark Green HST to Light Green HST
Light Green HST to Background HST

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 6. 

Row 7:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)
Red HST to Dark Red HST
Dark Red HST to Pink/Rose HST
Light Purple HST to Background HST
Background HST to Dark Purple HST
Blue HST to Teal HST
Teal HST to Dark Green HST
Background Square (don't stitch to anything)

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 7. 

Row 8:
Step 1 - Sew:
Background Square to Background Square
Pink/Rose HST to Background HST
Background HST to Light Purple HST
Dark Purple HST to Background HST
Background HST to Blue HST
Background Square to Background Square

Once all the HSTs are sewn together and the background squares are sewn to each other, press the seams open (or to the dark side - it's your preference).  Pin together and set aside.  Label this section Row 8.

Coming up next - how to sew each row together.

Previous - Cutting Instructions 

Beginning of the Sew Along - Fabrics Needed

Sew Along - Rainbow Carpenter Star - Cutting Instructions

All righty!! Ready to do some cutting?

 

From your BACKGROUND - 16 SQUARES, 32 TRIANGLES

Dark Red - 4 Triangles

Red - 4 Triangles

Pink/Rose - 8 Triangles

Light Purple - 4 Triangles

Dark Purple - 4 Triangles

Blue - 8 Triangles

Teal - 4 Triangles

Dark Green - 8 Triangles

Light Green - 4 Triangles

Yellow - 4 Triangles

Tan - 4 Triangles

Orange - 8 Triangles

When you do the cutting and trimming, make sure that you're consistent with the rulers that you use. Whatever ruler you use to cut your squares - use that one to square up your Half Square triangle blocks. Consistency is important.  Over the years I've found that each ruler is slightly different - so whichever ruler you start cutting with, keep using that ruler. It'll save you a ton of heartache.

Ready for a Sew Along?

I think I've figured out how to do this. I'm just finalizing all the math bits. Are you ready for a sew along?

Anyone else out there like rainbows or color wheels?  Have you been intimidated before by different sew alongs because they might be too complicated?  Never fear - this is only squares and half square triangles.

If you'd like a 64x64 quilt with no borders - you'll need 2 1/2 yards of your background fabric. The background fabric will have enough left over to cut your binding strips.

If you'd like a larger quilt, and want to use the background fabric as your border - you'll need 3 yards.

From the rainbow fabrics, I'm cutting 8.5" HSTs using the Easy Angle II Ruler. Personally I can't live without this ruler.

Can you cut squares and sew your HSTs that way? Of course! For me, the Easy Angle ruler takes all the guesswork out of making the HSTs - but use whatever method of making HSTs works for you.  As long as your HSTs are 8.5" unfinished you'll be fine.

Pull out some rainbow fabrics... and 2 1/2 or 3 yards of white, cream, tan, grey or black for a background fabric and we'll be doing some cutting shortly. 

 

Materials Needed:

Background Fabric - 2 1/2 yards (no borders) OR 3 yards (for borders)

Dark Red - Fat Quarter

Red - Fat Quarter

Rose/Pink - 1/3 yard

Light Purple - Fat Quarter

Dark Purple - Fat Quarter

Blue - 1/3 yard

Teal - Fat Quarter

Dark Green - 1/3 yard

Light Green - Fat Quarter

Yellow - Fat Quarter

Orange - 1/3 yard

Tan - 1 Fat Quarter

*You will have some leftover fabric when you cut out the triangles. Do not put it in the scrap bin - It makes an adorable embellishment on the backing and label for your quilt.

New Miniature Machine

It's cute, and pink. And I just won it on eBay. I actually bid on it so my little friend can sew with me, and it wasn't too expensive so if she doesn't like it, it's just precious. There's a little bit of wear and tear on it, but still, how precious is this? I know.. I know.. I'm gushing.

When she's asleep I might just have to make some of my Dear Jane blocks on it..  wonder what DD is going to name this gorgeous little one?

These are the pictures from the eBay auction - I paid about 10 minutes after winning the bid.

It measures 4.5" x 7"!  So I'm not out a lot of space if my little one doesn't want to sew.

But when I showed her the photos, I was told that I am "the best mommy in the whole wide world" and that "we're going to make some quilts together right mommy?" Makes me so happy!! :-)

Maybe I should start cutting up some fabric into manageable squares for her, huh? And cut some nice batting fabric so she can quilt her own doll quilts. :-)

60 Degree Triangle Table Runner Tutorial

To start the Table Runner, you really only need your ruler, 2 fabrics, and a rotary cutter.  If you want to use a special ruler, you can. Otherwise you would use the 60 degree lines on your ruler.  This is a photo of the 60 degree triangle ruler that I used for my runner.

If you wanted to make a smaller runner, you can use a smaller triangle ruler (60 degree). 

 

Here are my fabrics.  I cut 3 -  2.5" strips from  EACH of the two fabrics. If your fabric is 44" or so wide, you'll be fine with cutting 3 strips. If it's not 44", you'll need to cut 5 strips from each.

Sew two dark fabrics to each side of the light fabric.  Press to the dark side.

 

 This is what the strip set looks like from the front.

 

From one of the sets (it doesn't matter which one - it's a personal preference) you need to cut 8 triangles. Cut on one side, then cut the other. If you're into scrappy quilts, you can save the triangle to the right for a place in a future scrappy project.

 

Here's the other strip set. From this set, I cut 6 triangles. 

 

 Now, take the 6 triangles you cut, and make a hexagon with them. (you can lay it on the ironing board or wherever you want - I put them here for ease of photo taking).  Then, you'll need 4 of the other triangles. Put them to the side of the hexagon. Border the edges.  Repeat on the other side of the hexagon with the other 4.

 

 When you sew the triangles together, start at one end. Pick the top or the bottom half. Start on either side right or left. I've found that it reduces bulk if you press these seams open.

 

Here's the view from the front. Keep adding the triangles until you finish the bottom or top. Repeat for all triangles and the other half.

 

 Now you should have two halves with a flat edge on both sides.  Take out your pins!! Get ready to pin like crazy. The pins will help you keep the points sharp. Stitch the two halves together and press.  You can press these seams open or two one side.

Voila! Your runners top is done.  Now all you have to do is sandwich, quilt and bind it.  If you want, you can add a border or two. 

 

Feel free to leave a comment or link on your blog. :-)

Spring/Summer Runner

Made this one earlier today.  I know it's a finish the UFO year, not start a new one, but I just had to. Major quilting add.. it needed to be made. Just needs to be sandwiched, quilted and bound.  I'm going to be quilting it with flowers. It'll be so pretty!