Zig Zag Quilt I was confronted with a challenge recently when I found out my boyfriend's sister was expecting a baby boy. I knew I wanted to make him a quilt but I was stumped when it came to the palette. I'm not someone who thinks that genders should be assigned colors (I think boys look great in pink), but at the same time I wanted to make something that this baby, and his parents, would be comfortable with. I have been thinking about this issue a lot because many customers come in to our shop looking for fabrics for little boys. I often wish that people were more free with the fabric they used for children. Since I work at Purl Patchwork and am surrounded by fabric all week, I was able to take my time deciding on the fabrics for my project. An outdoorsy green and brown? Sunny yellow and blue? Reds with a vintage feel? I made up a simple zig zag pattern for the quilt and I am so happy with how it turned out that I want to make a big one for my bed! PS- The finished size of this quilt is 32" X 44".
Ziggity Mug Rug Tutorial ~ John from the Fat Quarterly Team John from Fat Quarterly joins us with a quick and easy tutorial for the little “mini quilts” sweeping the sewing blog scene. Don’t forget, we have issues of Fat Quarterly available for purchase in the shop. Each issue is full of original patterns and project ideas, articles and interviews. The talented sewists behind Fat Quarterly have joined us with a series of great posts, from their Guest Fat Quarter Packs to the ‘Fit for a Princess!’ Picnic Quilt tutorial and the Stepping Stones Block. Enjoy John’s tutorial and join in the Mug Rug craze with your own Ziggity Mug Rug… Greetings, Sew,Mama,Sew! Today, I’m excited to share a little mug rug tutorial that I wrote especially for all of you in the Sew,Mama,Sew! The Ziggity Mug Rug Supplies: 16 – 2″ wide strips of scraps, each 5″ longApprox. 7″ x 13″ backing fabricBinding You’re going to start with a bunch of scraps, cut into 16 – 2″ wide strips. Sew all eight strips together to create your mug rug top. I hope you enjoyed this mug rug tutorial.
A Zig Zag Baby Quilt A friend is having a baby and what better gift that I can make than a baby quilt? I have thoroughly enjoyed making this baby quilt; sitting down today to finish the piecing as well as quilt and bind it. It isn't big - 24.5 inches x 28.5 inches - and is made entirely from fabrics salvaged from my scrap bin (except for backing and binding - which are from stash). Even the batting is a scrap from a larger quilt. It's truly satisfying to know that saving all those bits and pieces is worthwhile even if it is a messy task to search through the scrap bin! Pictured below is a snippet of the Zig Zag Pillow from Malka's book. The yet to be born baby is a little boy and although I have used some floral and pink prints I do think this baby quilt is gender neutral. Ready for posting together with wishes of a safe and healthy arrival. Rita
How To Make A Fabric Postcard DebR Style A few days ago, in comments, Elena said, "I'm so intrigued by the fabric postcards--can you shoot me an email about how you got started, maybe some resources if I was interested in doing something like that?" Well, I started writing an email, but then decided it would be more fun to make a postcard and document the process with pictures, creating my own little photo lesson. So if you always wanted to make a fabric postcard, but weren't sure how to start, here's one way. If you already know how, then just enjoy the pictures. You can find Peltex (or Timtex, pretty much the same thing) in the section of a fabric store where they sell interfacing and fusible web. You can, of course substitute a Shiraz, or a margarita, or even a latte for the Pinot. Follow the directions for whatever type of fusible web you're using, because they vary a bit, but if you're using WU, you do this step with a dry iron on fairly high heat (wool setting). Almost done now...we're on the home stretch!
Sweethearts Charm Swap Update: January 19, 2012Thank you to all who posed interest for this swap. The response was not near enough to continue. I will repost a different swap sometime in the future and hope you will join. I joined a charm swap a couple months ago, and loved it! I still have to figure out what to make with all my pretty new charms, but am narrowing it down. The first month we will be starting with is February for the Sweethearts Charm Swap. The Rules: 28 spots available. So, Anyone wanna swap?
Want an excuse to shop the sales? A Rainbow charm swap sign-up! Here it is, all the deets on the Rainbow charm swap! The Modern Christmas Charm swap was such a blast I couldn't wait to organise another. I figure a new year should be bursting with fresh vibrant colours, what better than a rainbow swap. 1) There will be 28 spaces, each person is to purchase a meter of 100% quilting weigh cotton in their assigned colour (red, pink, purple, blue, aqua, green, yellow, orange) 2) Post your photo in the flikr group (to avoid any doubling up of fabric choices between participants) Please do not choose solids, make sure that that you choose something that reads as your assigned colour, ie when you look at it from a distance it is most definitely that colour. 3) Cut your meter into 56 5x5" charms. 4) Mail your cut charms to me, please place them in a plastic bag along with the fabric info (ie designer, line, colourway) REMEMBER TO INCLUDE A PRE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE. So, who wants their very own rainbow? Remember to join the flikr group!
SewCraftyJess Freshly Pieced