The "safe" place

Ever put something in a "safe" place only to not remember where you put it? Of course, you have! Now, what if we had a clear plastic medium-sized tote called "The Safe Place" ?
When we go to look for that item, we'll know exactly where we put it. Over time, we will hopefully finish the project, file away the pattern, or decide you don't need it there. Otherwise, the safe place will become a mess. Also, the project contents could be put in a ziploc bag so all the parts would be together.
Wouldn't it be nice to never lose ANYTHING?  I suppose this is probably impossible, but one can dream.......

Designing your own embroidery

Have you ever seen a saying that you would like to hang on the wall? If you have a computer, a printer and some Sulky Fabri-Solvy, you can embroider it and put it in a quilted wall hanging or tabletop display.
Here is what to do:

Open Microsoft Windows or whatever word processing program you have. Type a word and try different fonts and font sizes. When you have found the one you think you can stitch well, type out your saying. I like to copy scriptures myself! Use the rulers along the top and bottom to block out how large a square you want to cover. Many 12" blocks have a 6" or 7" center that work well.

Once you have designed your square, place a piece of Fabri-Solvy in your printer. Take the paper out of the printer so only the Fabri-Solvy is in the tray. Make sure the Fabri-Solvy is in correctly so the print will come out on the interfacing side. Print.

Cut out your square of background fabric. Be inventive in what you use. Solids are not the only fabrics that look good with embroidery. You might also cut the background slightly larger than you think you need so that if the embroidery pulls the fabric in, it can be re-cut to the correct size.  Try a light print with darker thread or even a medium print and then use lighter thread. Peel the Fabri-Solvy off its freezer paper backing. Place it on the right side of the background fabric and stitch.

Add borders or finish the block. Put a rod-pocket in the back and hang it or use several for a special wall hanging or quilt.

How do your blocks  come out? What is their size compared to what they should be?

Here's how to figure out how to sew a perfect 1/4" seam. Contrary to popular belief, all presser feet are not 1/4". And even some the 1/4" feet allow the fabric to push up against the bar and then the seam is too wide.

Cut 3 strips of fabric that are 3 1/2" long and 1 1/2" wide. Sew one strip to another along the long edge. Now sew the third strip to the other two along the long edge. You have 3 strips side by side. Press the seams carefully to one side. Measure the width of the block --it should be 3 1/2" wide. ( It should be a
3 1/2" square.).

If it is wider that 3 1/2", then your seams are too narrow. If it is smaller than 3 1/2", then your seams are too wide.

Accuracy counts in quilting because the blocks and sashings need to match each other. It's probably the only kind of sewing where 1/4" is a large discrepancy.

Measure the amount of space between where your needle meets the hold in the faceplate and where 1/4" inch should be. Put a piece of blue masking tape or several small post it notes at that mark. This will help you "see" the 1/4".

Sonflower has a "piecing basics" class this summer to help you sew these 1/4" seams as well as about 4 other kinds of shapes. We want you to be successful. Check out our newsletter for times.

Sauder Quilt Show

Don't forget the Sauder quilt show that is coming up next week, May 2-6, 2012. You can get a lot of ideas by attending a quilt show. Check out color combinations, patterns, quilting designs and workmanship. Notice what you are drawn to....do you have that skill? If not, is there a quilt shop nearby that can teach you? Read the little descriptions on the quilt. What can you learn from the quilter? And don't just look at the prize winners closely, but look at all the quilts. What would you do differently? What would you like to try? All these observations can make you a better quilter. Chat with your friends and perhaps write down some of things all of you have learned. Then copy and share it with each other. Post it somewhere so that you can remember what you learned. Most quilt shows allow you to take photos. You might write a caption under your photo to remind you of your observations of that quilt. Usually in the spring and summer there are quilt shows all over the United States. If you are taking a trip, note some places you might want to stop at. Have fun and keep quilting!

Using Glue Stick Creatively

Use a glue stick for all kinds of sewing projects. It holds items in place until you can sew them down.

For piecing: Where you would use a pin to match seams, touch one seam junction with glue stick and press the opposite side on it.
Instead of pins, especially with children, spread a bit of glue about every 3 inches to hold the seam before seaming.
For Applique:
Hand- Cut out the freezer paper templates for applique pieces. Put glue stick on the matte side, press to the wrong side of the fabric and use an iron to turn edges under that will attach to the waxy side of the paper. OR Iron the freezer paper to the wrong side of fabric and use glue stick to stick the edges of the applique to the matte side of the freezer paper.

Fusible- Using a non-sticky web? Use a bit of glue stick to attach the fusible web to the background so it won’t slip until you press it.

For Trims and Zippers:
Instead of poking yourself with pins, use glue stick to attach the trim or zipper before sewing it down.

Good for hems, too!
Anywhere you would use a pin, glue stick it!
Make sure you always use a water soluble, acid free glue so fabrics will not be harmed.

Organizing your ever growing scrap pile!

Here's an overview of ways to cut up your scrap fabrics. Begin by sorting them into colors and styles. Styles are such things as flannel, batik, or screenprinted cotton. Now begin to cut them into the following listed sizes according to what you like to work with. Use gallon plastic storage bags to store the various sizes and colors. I have listed commercial patterns that are scrap oriented which you can use with these scraps. Sometimes you need a background fabric to pull all the fabrics together. You decide how small the piece needs to be before you throw it away! NO guilt! Remember it's spring and birdies like bits of color to put in their nests. Place scraps in an onion bag, hang it up outside and let them pull out the bits to feather their nests.

Cutting up your scraps: common sizes
• Squares: 2″, 2 ½″, 3″, 3 ½″, 4″, 4½″, 5″, 6″, 10″

• Strips: 1 ¼″, 1 ½″, 2″, 2 ½″, 3″, 3½″

• To make flying geese from squares and rectangles:
1. 3 ½″ x 6½″ rectangles and 3 ½″ squares
2. 2 ½″ x 4 ½″ rectangles and 2 ½″ squares

Commercial patterns which use scraps and the sizes needed

• Four Square Farmhouse—strips of 4 ½″, 3″, 2″

• I Can’t Believe it’s a Beginner--3½″ and 6″ squares,

• Braids on Parade—2 ½″ strips

• Cabin Fever-- 2½″ and 3½″ squares

• Modern Thinking--1½″ and 2½″ strips

• Whirlin’--1½″ strips

• Cure for a Bad Day-- 2″ strips

• Partial to 4’s—1 ½″ and 3″ squares, 2″ strips

• Which Way Do I go?—3 ½″ squares, 3½″ x 6 ½″ rectangles

• Any jelly roll (2 ½″ strips), charms (5″ squares) or layer cake (10″) book or pattern

Ideas for storage:
Plastic zip seal gallon bags labeled with sizes

Shoe, Photo or clear boxes

Stacked drawers on wheels—one for strips in lights and darks
--one for squares of different sizes