Archive for the ‘Methods’ Category

In my last post, I mentioned that I would be talking to Pat Sloan about using unusual materials in making bags – here’s a project that may spark your creativity – a Tyvek Tote!

Tyvek (I used the regular home wrap type) is a material which combines the properties of paper, film and fabric – it is strong in dry or wet conditions,  breathes, resists moisture, it’s lightweight and strong. What a great material for a re-usable shopping bag!

Here’s how I made it:

**Before you start: You cannot iron or put Tyvek in a clothes dryer because it will shrink away and “melt” – you will have to decide if this is the right material for you. You can put it in the washer on a cool setting and let it drip dry to clean it.

1. 1. Cut 1 piece of Tyvek and 1 piece of fabric 23″ x 36″.
2. “Pin” right sides together with paper clips and sew all around. I used my walking foot and also decreased my thread tension to achieve a good stitch. I used a 100% poly (good quality) thread and a universal (80) needle – I had no problems with skipping. I also sewed it together with the tyvek on top of the fabric.  Leave an opening to turn.
3. Turn your rectangle right sides out and machine stitch your opening closed.
4. With Tyvek facing inside, match the narrow edges and sew up the sides. Bring the bottom towards the side and box the corners if you like.
5. Topstitch around the top edge, about 1″ down from edge.
6. Add webbing or handles on the outside (instructions for strong Tyvek handles will be in tomorrow’s post).  Voila! A cool shopping bag!

Remember to listen to Pat Sloan’s Creative Talk Radio today at 4:00 PM EST for more fun ideas!

Have fun with this and think outside the bag! -Kris

Piping adds dimension, personality and strength to your tote or bag seams. You can quickly create custom piping with these instructions; it’s inexpensive and adds some unexpected” pop”!

In order for your piping to easily follow seams and curves without wrinkling and twisting, you will be cutting the piping fabric on the bias (or at a 45 degree angle); find a ruler that has this angle included on it.

You will need Rayon Rat Tail Cording (2 mm) (from your local craft store) and your piping fabric. (This cording is a narrow diameter perfect for smaller accessories; piping for pillows requires a heavier, thicker cording).

Make piping:

Cut strips of the piping fabric 1” wide at a 45 degree angle. Piece strips together to make one long strip, joining at a 45 degree angle.
Place the cording in the center of strip. Wrap the bias strip around the cording, matching the edges.
Attach zipper foot*. Align the zipper foot so the edge of it is against the cording. Sew the seam allowances together to enclose the cording. The needle should be positioned as close to the cording as possible. You should now have piping with a ¼” “carrier” on the side.
*If you have a piping foot for your sewing machine, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching and needle position.

How to use piping? Piping is placed between pieces in the seamline. Position piping along seamline (right side), so that the raw edges match the raw edges of seam. Sew along the seamline; place opposing piece over and follow previous stitching. If you need to sew around a curve, pin the piping in place and clip along piping raw edges – this will relieve the strain on the piping, and create the smooth curve that you want. Be careful not to cut through the original piping stitching.

Consider:
Use striped fabric for piping – after cutting on the bias, you will have diagonal stripes on the piping.
Use a mottled or small polka dot for piping – everyone will know it’s custom made!
You can add your custom piping on quilts (on right side) before you bind, then place binding at this seam for a different look.

Have fun with piping and send along pics of your results! Enjoy! -Kris

Here are some fun Fall facts that I found at http://www.lookingforadventure.com/fallfacts.htm:

Fall colors are best when late summer is dry & autumn has bright sunny days & cool nights below 40 °F.
Fall days become shorter & many plants stop making food. That is when the green chlorophyll starts to disappear from the leaves.
Most leaves fall from trees because the ends of the branch are sealed off near the leaf stem to protect the tree through the long winter months.

At left is a birch leaf (approximately 10″ high) I made using my stash – I am going to make this into an art quilt/wall hanging and I will share the final product with you.

How to do this:

1. Take a digital picture of a single leaf using your driveway or sidewalk as a contrasting background. Pick a leaf with a shape that you like – the color is not important.
2. Load the photo into your computer and open your photo editing software. Crop close to the leaf.
3. Resize the image to the size that you like.
4. Print out a picture of the leaf in black and white.
5. With a sharpie, outline then divide the leaf into different sections along natural divisions, such as the veins of the leaf. Use the different gradations of gray to determine where you will use darker and lighter colors. Number each section.
6. Now trace each section onto paper backed fusible web, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for prepping and fusing.
7. Zig-zag onto backing and have fun!
8. I used ribbon floss for a stem.

Have fun with this! -Kris

You made it! Twenty one days! Here is your last exercise:

This one is fun – write, then echo! Have fun with this last exercise and keep in mind that you are better at free motion than you were 21 days ago (OK give or take a few days!!).

I will continue to post fun free motion exercises for you – please send me links or pics of your successes! I’d love to post them!

Have a great weekend and happy quilting! -Kris

There may be a song in there, but I can’t find it! I wanted to demonstrate my practice piece. I started with a staff and added notes, I didn’t like that. So I changed to a heavier thread – again I wasn’t comfortable with the result. How about adding loops and words, without the staff? OK – that looks better but I still feel its not quite there! Time to walk away and let the idea simmer. If you want to, make some music and email me a pic!

Take it easy and keep quilting! -Kris

Doodle!

Good afternoon wherever you are! You’ve probably already come to this conclusion, but it really helps to draw out your designs before you quilt them. Here is my doodle I and the resulting quilting. Try the hearts and loops – I think you’ll have fun!

Happy Quilting! -Kris

Good morning Quilters! Summer is a great time to attend quilt shows – they are an invaluable resource of inspiration and ideas! Research what is coming up at your vacation destination – this year we are taking the kids to Hershey/Gettysburgh area. I am taking one day to attend Quilt Oddyssey 2009 (gee….hubby and kids don’t want to go)!