Archive for the ‘Pattern Options’ Category

An early God Jul to you! (Merry Christmas if you’re not swedish!) Here’s a little project based on Swedish Woven Paper Hearts that I used to make as a kid. Use your scraps and add a pocket on the back to use as a gift card holder! You can download instructions for the  Free Woven Heart Ornament  here.

Happy Sewing! -Kris

Brrrr…it’s cold up here in New Hampshire! I thought I’d make an On Tour Bag with wool so that I can test out a new winter bag!

I bought my chunk of wool at the Dorr Mill Store in Guild, NH. If you ever have the chance, take a drive out (preferably in the fall), and enjoy the scenery along the way! They are so helpful and the selection of by the yard wool is astounding!

To ready my wool for this bag, I decided to “fluff” up my wool by running it through a warm rinse cycle (water only), then drying it on high. This tightened my piece of wool, but did not “felt” it. The result is a tighter weave that it less likely to fray.

I then adhered a dark fusible medium weight interfacing to the back and cut my pieces out for the outside of the bag. I cut my lining (you may recognize Sketchbook by Yolanda Fundora) and used a Pellon 987 fusible fleece for the front and back, and Decor Bond for the side pieces.

I also decided that this bag needed piping along the side seams, so I made up 100” of piping using 1/8” nylon cord (rattail) and bias cut 1 ¼” strips. You can see more about piping seams in my post called “Seams Excellent”.  This addition really helped to define the shape of the bag.

I made up this bag per the pattern, but decided not to use the grommets, because they did not enhance the wool (too shiny!). Therefore, before I sewed the lining and outer bag together, I sewed on the handles to the bag fronts (sides of handles butted against the side/front seam. Then I sewed outer to inner and caught the handles in the seam. I topstitched the top of the bag as directed. I added a big button for decoration only but I really liked the organic feel of the button. Aaaah… another successful On Tour bag!!

Ready, Set, Go – Baby Necessities to Sew is here! It’s official!

For the next preview, llet’s take a peek at “Play Date at Grandma’s”! This is a fun section of the book, featuring playthings for baby and a smart and stylish backpack for Grandma. The playthings consist of textural treats made from wovens, knits and ribbons. At left is an example from the book of the “Soft Blankie” – I used a Minkee solid with Blank’s Simply Delicious line which I embellished with ribbon and rick-rack. Simple and quick!

During Spring Quilt Market, I stopped at Shannon Fabric’s booth and fell in love with this bright printed Cuddle line (shown at the right)! I just made up these 3 projects from Play Date with Grandma to show you how cute it is in different fabrics!  I made some changes from the book – for example, since the printed cuddle is so cute, I decided not to use as much quilt fabric (woven) in my projects. Don’t you just love that Jumbo Dot?

I photographed the Ball, Blocks and Blankie on top of the Star Baby Quilt which is part of the “You’re Invited” section of the book. (More on that in another blog post!).

Here is what I learned as I was sewing with Cuddle:

• Use a walking foot, so that your bottom layer does not push out ahead of your top layer!
• Add some zig to your zag! A slight zig zag adds stretch to your seam.
• When adding an applique, interface your cuddle with a light interfacing first then use a stabilizer to add the “oomph” to the back of your Cuddle while stitching.
• I lengthened my normal stitch length to 2.6 mm.
• Use a size 90 Stretch needle.
• Pinning does help as there is some slide with this fabric.
• Smile!

I hope you’ll give my book a try and don’t be afraid to mix fabric types as I did with these baby toys. Your little one will love it!

Happy sewing!  -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

It’s NEW! It’s comfortable! Best of all – it’s quick!

It will be ready for you on November 1st…let me introduce you to the Friday Bag!

Here is a new bag that is relaxed enough for Friday, but sophisticated enough for a walk in your urban jungle. The fabric here is called “Garden Party” – it’s a riot of spring color – it is now being offered by Blank Quilting. the fabric is designed by textile designer Yolanda Fundora. Kits will be available on Yolanda’s website for the versions shown here!!

With this bag, you have options! You can quilt the panels, you can make it reversible, you can embellish or piece. The choice is yours!

Feature your lastest fabric find! Coming soon…more options with our girl Friday!

Until then, have fun with your sewing machine – go on, give it a hug!)

-Kris