How2 Make a Quilt Enclosed String or Blouse Bow

A Quick Tutorial on making an Enclosed string to "gift" wrap a Quilt or Make and add it as a Blouse Bow.

A quick photo of a cute string used to tie up a Baby Quilt for a Gift - I used my special stitches to put little cars along the string.  Read below how to make this with all the edged enclosed



First, must say we all Love cotton and not only for quilting, but Clothing!  So far, I've made 2 pair of Capri pants, a pair of long pants, a Blouse in batiste cotton and a swingy panel skirt.  Tonight I'm having a go at white Camisole's, but I promised I will show you a quick way to make a Cute Bow to wrap a Quilt, or add a cute Bow to any Blouse.

Here's one of my comfortable cotton outfits.

Soft batiste cotton for the top and *gasp* I used my favorite print Quilting cotton for my skirt!

So under the Tab "Quilts" you can see the cute Bow I made and tied it around a very special quilt.  This time I remembered to take photo's as I made a Bow for my Blouse (almost the exact same technique!) and enjoy this easy way for both.

If I'm making a string for a Quilt -- Cut 2 1/2" x WOF (width of fabric).  To the ironing board and fold in half with  right sides of fabric out.  Iron the fold..

Next open this up and  take each side and fold TO the center fold and iron.  (See photo's below)

Then fold all this back up you'll have a nice length to Top Stitch and add a decorative stitch to.  Add another section as your quilt gets larger than Lap Size.

The same idea in making strings to Gift Wrap Quilts can be applied to add a bow to a Blouse.  This time I remembered to take photo's to help!

For the Blouse you don't need the WOF (44-45") so I cut mine Blouse Bow 2"x27".

Iron the center together, right sides out.  Open back up and iron both sides TO the 1st center fold.  Now you'll see all the fold lines below.

Now for the ends -- For a Quilt or Blouse, I don't want boring square ends :-)

Now that all the "folds" are ironed, you can SEE where to fold in the tips on each side to the center fold for a triangle shape.

Put Quilting pins in to press this shape down.

Now Fold everything back into the tidy shape and press again!

Edge Stitch close to the fold lines.  I like to start at the tips edge and make a Fix stitch - Set the first stitch and sew slow to get close and as straight as you can.

For the Quilt string, this is where you get to choose the stitch to sewn down this cool string to jazz up your Tie.  Hearts, Cars whatever Fancy Stitch you normally forget your machine makes.  Some older model sewing machines have a few decorative stitches, and Quilters or clothing sewer forget to use them.   *holding up hand* like me!  

To finish the Blouse bow, cut a 2" x 2" square from the blouse fabric and fold in edges.  Iron to make a Square Box shape like below.  Don't stitch this yet!

Next take your string and make a loopy bow and set it down where you can work with it.  I love the ironing board for this, because I can stick pins  into the top and my small fabrics stay.

Take the 2"x2" square and fold it over the Front of your bow.  Pin it so the fold meets at the back of the bow.  Stitch around the square to hold your cute bow loops in place.  See how cute that is now! 

If you want the Bow to be on your Blouse permanently - sew the square then sew through the center onto your Blouse.   Because I want my Bow to be removable I sewed across the center in the photo below.

All done and ready to add to the Blouse.  See how nice the ends come out, and they are easier to sew across then folding them into a plain square end!

So to keep this Blouse "casual" I leave off the bow.  When I want to add it to a Blouse, put a small safety pin through the back "square" and add it on.

Without Bow

 

 With Bow

Enjoy and I hope this gives you all Many ideas for adding Gift Wrap Strings to quilts, or just add a bow to your next Blouse

-- This Blouse's pattern was reviewed on PatternReview.com and runs 1 size too Big!  By the pattern measurements, I normally would have cut a Large and been disappointed.  Thaniks to other reviews, I cut a Medium and it fits me very well.  This is a really good pattern as it also has the pattern for Sleeveless, and 3/4 sleeves, all which I'll make.

:-Dee

Time to make Clothing

It has been nearly 100 the past few weeks since I posted, and other than running around Nekid (No-one should ever see that hahaha), I decided I better put quilting to the side and make myself some summer clothing.

I read about interesting patterns on the website Pattern Review.  Before you buy a pattern this is a GREAT place to go see if that pattern gave anyone problems -- Sure glad I checked some on my list, many ran very big, one I needed to buy the pattern size one UP, so always check on any potential pattern at that website first and read about any issues seamstresses may have had.

Easy elastic waist band Capri's -- I love wearing these during the hot summer months!  They fit the bill because they are longer and soak up more moisture, All Cotton - Nothing is better than a soft cotton to wear!  I do like making the string ties for the legs, and use the same method I tie up and "gift" wrap a quilt to give.

Well there is the most Amazing Batiste cotton I found.  NewYork Fashion Fabrics?  Gosh I need to make that a link  but it is their very pricey 100% cotton Batiste on a bolt.  When my bolts arrived I had to poke through the plastic to feel this fabric and OhMyGawd!   I want to wrap myself in this all summer!!  Yes, it's that soft - BUT :-)  Pricey and Sheer!  Well all that aside, I'm slowly working on a blouse that will be so cool to wear.  To the side on the right, you'll see reviews on Patterns I try from time to time.

Have a great day doing what YOU love to do in life, be happy.

:-Dee

End of April Already?!

So many things in 2013!  My DH is a PhD High Energy Physicist so he has been keeping up with the eye opening news from CERN!  Thrilled they may have (or have) discovered what other people call the "god" particle -- One of the quarks... Corrected to say (as I was told haha) Boson Higgs? hm or Higgs Boson?

I'm the blond and he's the smart one!!  Scientist will understand what this means, and I know you are keeping up on this extraordinary event!  It really is exciting even for "non-scientist".  For me it meant hubby was happy to have given his great mind toward any part of this for many years - and it is a major discovery!

I've kept busy too - maybe not as exciting but enjoyable to me.

Since 2013 began, I've finished the following Quilts:

4 Quilts4Kids

Easy Street is now raising funds for Holy Cat Whiskers Animal Rescue - Please Donate if you can.  Even a   $10 donation = 1 Ticket to win the Easy Street Queen sized quilt.  Most important is that more Feral Cats can be helped, spayed, neutered, and kept out of the freezing temps in Ohio.

My grandson spent his Spring Break learning how to sew a 1/4" seam (and how to sew!).  We made him a twin sized quilt which he did about 1/2 of the piecing on.  *Insert proud grandmother look*

Miriam's quilt - A Miracle happened when I learned of a young lady Easter Sunday.  She surprised her doctors and survived a terrible tragedy.   Recovering enough to leave ICU, I rushed a beautiful Jelly Roll Quilt to the hospital.  I know it will bring her much comfort and joy.  I've heard she is on here way home now, what a Miracle and proof they do exist!

"The Seamstress" is what I'm calling this next quilt I just finished!  Made using a fun tutorial on You-Tube from the Missouri Star Quilt Shop called "1 Layer Cake + 1 Jelly Roll  Quilt".  I used the McCalls fabric and put a fat 3" binding of deep navy blue with sissors to highlight the years of sewing this fabric shows. 

To highlight all the cute Buttons in this fabric, I used a can to draw my first Circle to begin quilting, and then just followed around quilting in circles, around and around and.... but it came out really nice!

For Effect I'll add two Fake Button Holes to the front :-)  This should make anyone who enjoys sewing Happy!

The past few days we have moved furniture around in my sewing/fabric room!  I am so excited about the new arrangement AND I painted the ugly white peg board I bought for the walls, a yummy faux wine leather color -- Photo's for inspiration after I do more clean up!

Hope your 2013 has gone well and you are getting done what makes YOU happy!

:-Dee

Please Share - Easy Street Quilt on CrowdRise

Easy Street Mystery Quilt (Queen bed size) is on CrowdRise for donations to raise funds for Holy Cat Whiskers animal rescue group.

Please feel free to share the link on Twitter, Facebook, your Blog, Website, send emails...  Everywhere! :-)

$10 donation = 1 Ticket for drawing June 15, 2013 to win this gorgeous quilt!

Easy Street Quilt on CrowdRise Fundraising!

My Beautiful Easy Street Mystery Quilt (designed by the famous quilt author and quilt maker Bonnie K. Hunter of Quiltville) is now available on... 

CrowdRise for donations.

If you make a donation and wish to be entered into the drawing (Held June 15, 2013) to win this Queen sized quilt - Send an email or post your comments here!

I'm delighted to raise funds for Holy Cat Whiskers in Madison, Ohio, a small Animal Rescue group that will receive 100% of the donations -- Winner will be responsible for shipping to your zip code.











Thank you all for your patience and please SHARE everywhere - Email your family and Friends, Tweet, Facebook, Pinterest, your Blog -- This is too important to keep a Secret!

If you love animals please help spread the news. 

Sincerely

Dee (Debbie HeadWench)

Shown above on a Cal. King Bed so you can see the Beautiful Design, Borders and Paw Print Binding.  This Easy Street Quilt is a very nice over-sized Queen sized Quilt with overhang room.

I disappeared from life the month of March as I've been very ill.  Regaining energy has been top of my list, so I've not posted anywhere in a long time.

I would like to share a special quilt made for M.... in California so she may find comfort and know she's loved and prayed over.  This quilt was a large project for me, stitched about 1/4" apart with love and prayers put into each limited time I had to spend on it.  I'm very fond of how it turned out and look forward to mailing it to the hospital next week.

I don't know where my next project will take me, but my "awake" hours are limited.  Now I'm going to check on Facebook to see if Holy Cat Whiskers Rescue successfully registered with Mission Fish to receive funds when I auction off the beautiful Easy Street Quilt shown on a top tab.

I've uploaded my newest quilts near the bottom section of the Quilts tab.  Thank you for looking.

Sincerely,

Dee

Anyone near Madison, Ohio?

Holy Cat Whiskers needs Help figuring out how to get their non-profit registered with Mission Fish so my Easy Street Gorgeous Quilt can be auctioned off to raise 100% of the fund for them!!!

They are not too computer savvy so if anyone can help out (phone number is on their website)

Thanks!

Easy Street Mystery Quilt Completed

This Easy Street Mystery quilt is complete.  Designed by Bonnie K. Hunter of www.Quiltville.com, this gorgeous on-point quilt design will be available in her next book.

100% of the Proceeds from my Auction will go to Holy Cat Whiskers of Madison, Ohio.  They are currently registering with Mission Fish so we can get this to auction.  I hope to have many people bidding to win this beautiful Quilt and raise funds for this animal rescue.

The picture below shows this quilt on a California King Bed.  This quilt is an over-sized Queen at approximately 81" x 81".

Variegated Thread quilted on both borders and throughout this quilt it has small Dog Bone print on the Binding.  You will see many outlines of Cat and Dog Faces used throughout my quilt.

Ready to be Bid on and Shipped to YOU.

This is on top of a Queen size bed showing there is some pillow tuck room at the top, and over-hang on the sides and bottom.

After Quilting and still up on my big table.

I quilted this with variegated thread and thought it would be nice to show the colors with a design in both borders.  

Time to choose between the Dog Bone and Paw Prints for the Binding.

To Cheer up your Monday

Monday Monday... Well I had a blast making Chris Gilman's "Tighten The Tension" super funny wall hanging.

Here is my quick version, *smile* it makes people wonder what you're up to!

Progress near the end of January

Doing the January FabShopHop, I discovered a wonderful website that quilts very nicely.  I've emailed and asked if they would consider quilting the Bonnie Hunter Easy Street Quilt for charity -- Hope to hear back from them very soon!

My sewing room is OFF limits to our cats -- yeah right.  Well she dashed in, got right into this one so here is my Sandy Baby aka the Quilt Inspector sewing away for me -- How nice she matches the fabric at least!

I've finished this with a 3" wide beautiful mottled wine binding.

The weather's great outside, but not inside

We've had some great weather here the past couple of days, 73 degrees and just lovely!  Except we are inside with the flu *cough* *mmmmm* Did you know saying mmmmmmmm just feels good when you are aching all over?  Try it!  mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, blink, breathe but not too deep to set off another round of coughing.

I thought this was one long cold, then the husband got it.  Can you keep passing this back and forth?  Can our cats get this?  (a) I hope not and (b) I'm almost positive, animals don't catch this from us.

Well ya know how I "think" it happened -- I'm one that won't use a pen sitting on someone's desk, at the store etc.  No way I'm not touching those germ laden items, I carry my own!  But, sometimes you have to when your signing those credit card things with the stupid non-pen Pens. I also carry around little bottles of germ stuff, you know the non-soap Soap?

I see a trend here -- Pens that are non-pens, and soap that is non-soap -- What else is not something, that is?  What a word play.  Another day when my head isn't feeling full and in the clouds.

See how in the clouds my brain is -- Geeze, so anyway I went to my monthly Doctors appointment and the NP was sick so she sat on the other side of the room.  I tried not to breathe the whole time in there, but that didn't work out so well :-)

Then I scoot to my next appointment, and that doctor is out sick *sigh*... So I work out my testing with someone else, and must go back the next day to see the doctor..  Here she is fresh from home after being out Sick -- Let me say - you can't talk to a doctor for over an hour without Breathing!!  I'm just saying, I can swim the length of a pool totally underwater but at some point, quickly I might add, talking and breathing just happen.

Well then I've got prescriptions to fill.  Where?  A Pharmacy where there are (of course) Sick people waiting for their prescriptions.  What are they using?  Yes!  Signing with the non-pen Pen and probably not using the non-soap, soap!  Two days later I was knocked flat.  Well it's been a week, and I think this bug just keeps traveling up and down  -- Coughing, give that a few days oh then joy, with or without body aches, then hey - let's heard up to insult your entire face, ears, nose... ohh then it's time to travel back down for another trip into the airways for more coughing fun!

Ok this isn't a great blog post, but the Good news is?  You are over --------------------> there where you can't  possibly catch this, because I am <----------------------here p="p">
The only saving grace about this was that I've had time to be on the internet and catch up playing Canasta, have my new sewing machines walking foot and special Stitch in the Ditch ordered and on it's way, been enjoying reading other blogs I don't get to often (cuz I'm Sewing! :-)

With the amazing weather, I was able to piece the back and sandwich my Easy Street Mystery Quilt on the driveway -- Always so thankful that most folks in my neighborhood LEAVE for work and don't see me tossing sheets on the driveway and kneeling and crawling around trying to flatten and get a backing on a large quilt -- Oh Joy to see them walking around on a weekend wondering what the hell that Crazy lady is up to now (and why I pushed myself too hard on Thursday, but got it done).

It's been sort of nice to spend days getting lost reading some of the most interesting blogs I've recently discovered!  Did you know about the Science, Fashion and other places you can find here in Blogland?  Amazing and worth taking time just to wander about.

LONG story short is that I'm expecting my walking foot to come in Monday and pray that I'm feeling good enough to begin to VERY long journey quilting my beautiful Easy Street Mystery Quilt!

Hope you are having a much better day!

:-Dee

Award for very small Bloggers? Why Yes

There is an Award for bloggers who have less than 200 folks following them -- well that's me and so many others :-)

I'm excited to have been nominated for the Liebster Award! Thank you so much to MadeByMammainPa!   This award is for up and coming bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. It's always good to know someone is reading our blogs and enjoying it. 

The rules for this award
1. List 11 facts about yourself
2. Answer the 11 questions given to you
3. Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award
4. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or less followers to nominate (this one may be hard as I am not sure if I know of 11 bloggers under this criteria)
5. Go to each bloggers page and let them know about the award
6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog. 

Questions to me...
1) Are you a cat or dog person?

100% Cat-a-holic

2) If you could go anywhere in the world for a vacation where would it be?

My own beach, no crowds, soft breeze, clean sand, soft water lapping, a tree giving a hint of shade with the breeze, always about 78 degrees, and my drinks brought to me.

3) What is your favorite color?

I love yellow but don't like to wear it - it just says sunshine and happiness when I see it.  

4) If you could go back in time and re-live any experience in your life what or when would it be?

uh oh -- Dad don't look (just kidding!!!) 

5)Do you have a favorite number?

Not really, I'm not a superstitious person.  No Friday 13th thing, black cats are good ones, lucky number 7 doesn't do anything for me.

6) Do you speak any other languages?

I learned ages ago to say some very bad words in Spanish (totally forgot how to say anything else).

7) If money and time were not a problem what would you go back to school for?

Maybe fabric design so I could create my own cute prints *but I know about Spoonflower* :-)

8) If you could move anywhere in the world where would you go?

No-where, I love being at home!  Yes I'm a nut but a nice Pecan.

9) What is you favorite movie of all time?

I don't like going out to movies, but enjoy watching comedies.  Tom Hanks Green Mile, Johnny Depp Pirates of the Caribbean... Goldie Hawn 1st Wives Club, Ace Ventura Pet Detective I'm not good at picking just one.

10) Shoes or barefoot?

Barefoot!

11) Are you afraid of anything? 

Pit bulls and coyotes

========================

My Questions for the Next Bloggers are?

1.  Would you rather be on vacation, at home sewing, or out purchasing fabric?

2.  Do you have a favorite Author and who is it?

3.  Your favorite color

4.  What is your favorite thing to cook?

5.  Your least favorite cleaning activity?

6.  Do you think you spend more time sewing, or organizing your sewing area?

7.  When did you begin to sew and who taught you?

8.  What do you think of the current prices of fabric?  Going up, or going down and why?

9.  Do you have any pets?

10.  What is your favorite thing to do while sewing (radio, TV, nothing?)

11.  Why did you start your blog, and where do you think it is going?


I thank MadebyMammainPa.blogspot.com for dragging me into this hahahha  and here are other people with small blogs like me that post what they are up to, I do enjoy reading and sharing these.

My favorite is Quiltsareforgiving -- Can't believe they have less than 200 people!!  Seriously, BlogLand come on! haha

I like making things to give away -- Quilt for Kids, My Easy Street Quilt (Gasp, holy smokes batman, yes I know - this was 1500+ pieces and 2 months in the making and I'm selling it to raise money for an animal rescue group haha)... But here are 11 I nominate... Check them out, JOIN and enjoy.

http://quiltsareforgiving.blogspot.com/   

http://picklepatchquilter.blogspot.com/

http://atthetopofthehill.blogspot.com

http://madakamom.blogspot.com/

http://mary-quiltingrandma.blogspot.com/

http://emilyscupboard.blogspot.com/

http://dietingononeleg.blogspot.com/

http://fabadashery.blogspot.com/

http://weednstitch.blogspot.com/

http://wraggedypatches.blogspot.com/

http://wraggedypatches.blogspot.com/

Wed Night Thursday Morning

Set up my "new 2 me" sewing machine and finally made time to give it a good work out.  Instead of fooling around with scraps, I worked on my Book Case Quilt and am trying to finish all the between column sashes.  Machine threaded easy, bobbin winding via needle pretty cool, really love the scissors cutting my threads for me and the big foot pedal is ohh la la!

I set the machine for needle down and pivot, so it helped give me a 3rd hand during piecing.  So far the machines sewing great, so she was allowed to move into my sewing room - ugh fabric spewed all over.  That's for another day or a few nights of work.

One sash left, then both the Easy Street Mystery Quilt and Book Case quilt are ready for borders, backing and Quilting -- This Viking Sapphire has the lovely 10" harp, so I'm excited that the Easy Street Quilt will be her first challenge.  

Doctors later today so it's off to bed this cold morning... brrr need my little heaters around me.

Enjoy your beautiful Thursday.

Sneak Peak at Easy Street Mystery Quilt Sewn

Tuesday -- I'm done sewing the Easy Street Mystery Quilt Top together.  

Right now, this measures 64" square without the 2 borders (shown below).  

The title I'm playing with is "Singing for our Supper - Cats and Dogs"

Choices for 2 borders are:

Purples - The Solid was used and the 3 one over with small purple apples, but not the 2nd with the Hearts and other design.  That one may be a bit "too" much with everything else going on.

Turquoise or one with a Dog Bone print... While I'd like to use the Dog Bones print, it's a bit "busy" and OFF a shade or two away from the other Aquas and Turquoise I used.  The Batik looking Turquoise was used in some of the units in the quilt.  

Close up of the colors

I like these two -- The batik looking Turquoise and the Solid Purple.  But which will pop off the green outer border better?  I think the Solid Purple won't bounce off the Dark green as well as the Turquoise so I'll use that for the larger outer border and put the lighter Turquoise in a small inside border.  Maybe use the dog bone print for the binding?  

Final Decision time!  Cut, sandwich, get this quilted, bind and Up for Auction she goes.

Saturday Already!

Wow it seems like the New Year just began and it's Saturday, January 5th already!  Is it just me or is 2013 flying past??

If you haven't browsed through my blog, you've missed photo's of my cats because I sneak them in between posts here and there!  Well this post is about 2 that were rescued as dumped kittens.

So Who Loves Ya Baby??

Both rescued as dumped kittens in various states.  The adorable tortie orange/black and every other color is named Sandia (yes, rescued dying at 10 weeks old from Albuquerque, NM), and named for the Sandia Mountains.  She is more often called Sandy Baby or Mama's baby.  Her older black and white buddy I caught as a feral in a campground when he was about 3 months old, and he loves his Sandy Baby!  

Sandia came to national attention when I wrote her story for multiple animal rescue groups.  She weighed 1.7 pounds and struggled to live during the first 5 months of her life.  I won't post those photo's but believe me when I say it was an incredible struggle for both of us.  Her eyes told me she wanted to live, so every Monday we had standing Vet appointments.  Ear mites were only the 1st problem we tackled.  She lost control to hold her tiny ears up (then I found a wonderful Home Remedy).  She had intestinal worms and IBS, then mange where she lost almost all her kitten fur.  Yet we both struggled on.  Mentally I had to Save her, and she saved me!  She is now a Beautiful 6 year old and the only health problem is she has is Failure to Thrive.  If I am not around her for more than a few days, she gives up eating :-(  We have not been apart since I learned this 3 years ago.  

Little Lucky Streak was often seen "streaking" about a campground near Houston, Texas.  Lucky the folks camping there named him, as the rest of the litter was drowned!  His Streaking around so fast, no-one could catch him gave him the rest of his name.  Back then, he WAS "Little" too.  Patience, food and fresh water out with me sitting nearby finally won him over.  When it began to get cold, one night he jumped into my lap.  Snuggled under my sweater purring away, I promised him he could come into our 5th wheel and be loved.  That was 9 years ago and MANY pounds later -- at almost 25 lbs he decided he loves people and all the other rescues and adoptions we've had since.  Well except KayCee, but that is another story ;-)

Test Driving New Sewing Machines

OMG I was strolling through eBay and saw a used Viking 870 quilt machine.  It says it sews perfect and was just serviced.  Ok, so I put a bid in and 10 minutes later.... I GOT it!  It's schedule to arrive next week and I'll have it set up and take several days to give it a going over and have a sew-a-thon!  I'm praying it works like advertised so this will have a big enough harp to quilt larger Charity ones.  Can I say Yahooooooooooooo!!

=======================================

Well Easy Street took a Back Street Today :-)

I didn't work on finishing Block A because I'm got side tracked.  I need a new sewing machine.  I've done research on the internet, Consumer reports, other happy (or not so happy) buyer reviews, Amazon, eBay, and *drooled* at some very expensive and (for me) over the top machines.  After I made myself get back down into MY world --- I took time today to go test drive 4 at our the local Sew and Vac.  

My "newest" mechanical sewing machine is an 8 year old Pfaff.  Then there is my back up machine - a very old heavy metal Viking Selectra, and 2 Elna's from eons ago.  These only sew straight but I lucked out finding some Vintage Cams!  My goal for 2013 is to set up 1 working Elna and let her come back out and play with some fun designs.  But, in the mean time I have to get a new machine.

So, if your interested here are the one's I tested Button holes on, sewed seams and generally got the "feel" for.  All these are computerized which is like going from hmm driving a Volkswagen to a Lincoln??

Brother NX650Q - Click on the link if you want to see how "space age" it looks (pretty cool)  VERY nice button holes, had tons I don't need, and a bunch I never knew I need!  


Husqvarna Viking Opal - Very nice greenish/turquoise *pretty pebbles* on front yet not a large harp for shoving quilts under, but it sang and danced in all other regards


Pfaff 150th Tribute - Anniverary Edition - I believe there was a threading issue or something as the woman in the sewing center made the test buttonhole and it was a homey looking buttonhole... so I put that on a side list - It's above my price range anyway.  


MY NEW LOVES listed Below -- Viking please put a few of these on SALE!!!  Either one I would grab in a hot flash -- But they are $400 over what I want to spend *cry*.. We have a huge quilt show coming soon, so there is a ray of hope that a reduction in price will happen then.  *Pray, Sing, Dance, do the Hokie Pokie* to help make it happen!

Husqvarna Viking 140C -- This is their 140th year Edition and it is RED! omg CUTE and the BEST buttonhole ... I'm in love!

And only a teeny smidgen behind the Red one is ...  

Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 875Q -- Still above the price but less than either of the Anniversary Editions.  This has the nice 10" harp space for larger quilts and so much more.

The Brother and the Viking Opal are nice computerized machines but don't have the larger Harp.  *Argh* I don't like making decisions, even after being well informed.  

How can I possibly chose?  I want to spend my time sewing without the shopping, and most of all -- trying to decided on one.  Maybe they can just drop it at my Door step and let me get BACK to sewing LMAO!!!

Ok off I go to sew 

The Past 2 nights Cutting with my Rotary

1 Charm Pack and 1 Jelly Roll to be made into something.  Needed ideas so to the internet I went.  

Moda's website has ideas for quilts using Pre-Cuts.  It's a great way to search by what pre-cut you're using.  

A Layer Cake, Turnovers, Charm Packs, Jelly Rolls -- Hope you aren't on a diet, they have such delicious names don't they?

Another good "idea" place is you-tube.  You can get lost in space there for hours and get side-tracked. 

Better than spending time online, I dug for more fabric (much more enjoyable time).  After I found part of a black tone on tone leftover Jelly Roll, I had an idea of a Book Case looking Quilt.  

I know this can be sewn like the Chinese Coins, or Coin Quilts.  If I add 1 black rectangle at the bottom of so many blocks or xyz number of coins, I bet it can be made into what I want with the fabric I have.  Now it's coming together so I got started.  

One Charm Pack called *Tranquility* Click on the link to see it, or buy one

1 cute Striped Jelly Roll (can't remember where I got these, but cute enough to nab 2!)  

For the Sashings and "Book Ledges", I'll use black tone on tone Jelly Roll strips.  

Cut the Charm Pack in 1/2 -- So they are 2 1/2" by 5" rectangles (Toss into a box)

Cut the 2 1/2" Stripped Jelly Roll strips into 5" lengths (Toss into a Box)

Cut the Black tone on tone 2 1/2" strips into 5" lengths (Don't Toss into a Box! Lay these by the side of your Sewing Machine)

Reach in and mix the rectangles in the box up.  Make sure to pick out any hunks of colors that want to stick together hahaha "Scrappy" not my style?  Well this needs to be to scrappy to get this look, imho.

Chain pieces these together by grabbing any 2 out of the box (but not 2 that actually match), and sew along the Long side.  Remember to make 2-Sets using a black rectangles sewn to the bottom.  If I had one that appeared cut a bit longer, put that piece and feed it through the bottom so the feed dogs help keep it more even.  Make sure 1 side of each Column stays the "most" even, the other side you can trim a bit but begin each Column with 1 side straight.  

1/4" seam allowance Yadda yadda 

Chain piecing is so relaxing because I love to cut and get right to sewing.  After piecing all the pairs together it was a good time to lay them out and design each Column. 

You should probably COUNT how many sets you made and then figure out how many you want in each Column, and how many Columns with sashing you want this across.  You do have to plan where you want the Black bookcase "shelves" to sit - How many sets of 2 before you sew in a Shelf black set.   

That said, I noticed my 1st Column was on the carpet before I stopped piecing... Cool, so I made 6 of those to match that length.  Measure?  Me?  Hmm Well that is when I had my *light bulb over the head* moment.  You should really count how many you want in each Column and plan this part out 1st hahaha!

My six columns measured out to be 110" long.  I chose to begin each one with a Black rectangle sewn onto the top so I won't have to sash the top of this Bookcase.  Then I used three of the 2 sets down the column before I added another 2 set for the Shelf.  This shelf had one "normal" piece with a black rectangle sewn on the Bottom of that pair.

When I measured a spare bedroom queen mattress, it was about 74" long.  So back to the design table to lay out each column.  I moved them around to get a varied placement of the colors and stripes.  Un-picked my columns at 72" so I can add a small border later and made sure the black is the last rectangle at the end of each column.

After my six originals were un-sewn and measured, I used the left-over sections to make 2 more columns across.  I picked out a few strips to make sure the black book "shelf" stays in the same place every Column, but that worked out well.  

Iron all the seams.  Since I'm going to sash between each Column (and not sew them together), press them by alternating which direction for each column should keep this from getting wobbly.  

After pressing, number the top rectangle of each column to remember the order that looks good.  I use a Frixion Pink Highlighter by Pilot.  I love the bold bright ink and the best?  It removes with heat, so the next pressing it will disappear :-)

I personally need to look at things and kinda "step" back to see it.  Today I took photo's with the sashing strips just placed on the columns so I can check again  to make sure it has the look I want.  

The great thing about having a 96" race track table is to be able to lay out designs and have a room to move them about.  

(That red Box top has Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street Mystery Quilt Clue pieces cut and sewn ready for today's clue - It has been posted, but I'm kinda tied up the next few days until I can SEE my rotary mat under this :-)

Two Columns were moved because colors came together that looked too matchy.  This is easy to see after you look at the photo's online.  So if I cut the stripes the right direction for these, it should lend to the Books on a Shelf look I want.  How do you think I did?

Top 1/2

Bottom 1/2

 This is before I noticed Column 5, 6 and 7 all "appeared" to have the orange/purple/yellow stripe too close and moved them.

Alright, my Grandson's flight arrived and he is here!

Tonight we're drying the cherries with stems on to prepare to make our annual Mice Candy.  We both take these to the local Animal Shelter to surprise the workers.  You can bet there are not many folks that THANK them for the impossible job they have.  Well, we appreciate the work they do for our large city.  This is what my oldest grandson and I make together and Don't tell the Shelter who I am *shhh* This is a secret between you, my grandson and myself!

Happy Friday all