Journal project --curved seam

 After cleaning up the sewing area...again...I found a piece of fabric I had forgotten about--the turquoise curls and swirls.  Love the color and pattern, so I decided to use it for a journal project.  Originally, I said I would try new techniques, and one of those being curves.  So I had fabric and intention, or at least one fabric. 

  Design/creative process.....
    I found a scrap of fabric that gave me the second color. It's the piece on the right with circles on it.   The palette is not one I would have ever thought of using.  But onward to curved seam and random scraps.    This first arrangement is kind of boring.    I felt it was too regular and lacked movement.  I kept trying to find me in this and it just wasn't happening.
     I turned it the other way, and hacked off part of the top  of the whole thing and added it to the side.   Better, but still more.
     So I decided to add the original fabric to the bottom in a curve too.
     Oops....one more change.  The bottom became the top and I was happier with it.  Decorative stitches, a little quilting, and it is done. 

 What did I learn: 
   While it is not a great collage, I did  follow my gut instinct and managed a better result.  It's different, a little odd, but  oh, well, I'll show it anyway.
 What it says about me....I love the high contrast in colors,  the swirl pattern, and I had to throw in a couple of flowers and vines.
    The curved piecing is easier than I first thought.  I used 2 different types...the first was a joined seam.  Two pieces of fabric over lapped to approximate desired size.  Then draw/cut a gentle curve through both pieces in the over lapped area.  Join the matching halves or pieces of the 2 fabrics....sew slowly and don't stretch them.  Press and it looks great!
For  the second one I used the extra piece from the first cirve cut.  The edge was pressed under and top stitched down.  I know I cheated on that part. 
Happy stitching.

Graphics for quilt labels

  I had an email about the quilt labels I create, so review time.  I do my labels on the computer using an old greeting card program.  I love the graphics for the borders, and my handwriting is so bad now that I needed  help so they could be read!   Plus, I can make the print large.

    But, by no means is this the only way to create wonderful labels to finish off your piece.  The array of fabric markers and pens on the market today are perfect for making a label.


 Here are a few tips:        Iron freezer paper to the back of your chosen fabric before you begin writing  to stabilize the fabric.    Set up a light box  (or use the window on a sunny day) and trace your selected design.     Old greeting cards, magazines, and coloring books are a great source of motifs to use.    Include details about the quilt.....who, what , when, and why.  Include favorite quotes or poems.   Finally, don't forget ..."Pieced and quilted by..." and the date. 

   I updated the Label your quilt page and added a PDF file of a few of my favorite border graphics for labels.   If you save the file, you should be able to copy and paste the motif you want to use into your word processor program and create a computer label.  Otherwise, just print the page and use the light box tip to trace.  

  If you have other questions, let me know.  Happy stitching.

Update----I just checked the link and it was locked.  Sorry, I have reset it for those who have the link from here.

More blocks

   This cold  I've got  has been such a drag, and a drain to my creative spirit.  So I've been mindlessly sewing quarter log cabin blocks for this blended quilt.  And I finally stopped to sort and clean up the scattered strips.....and guess what?   I can actually tell that some have been used because the strips now fit into one box!   A tight fit, but I got them in.  This is only about 48 inches square, so I need about 20 more blocks for the size I want.   I'll still have strips left.....need an idea for those too.

   I haven't even thought about a journal quilt project this week.  Maybe an idea or inspiration will hit me soon.  Could be that I just need a chocolate fix to lift me up.....happy stitching.

Blended floral--part II

  On the stitching front, I have about 20 blocks done for the blended floral project, and a wound in my leg, and a cold in my head.  This is about day 2 of the cold, so I have a few more days to get thru with it.
   The wound in my leg -- 1/2" long and deep....accidents happen and it really scared me.  I was stopping for the evening and went to push my work table away.  I bumped the table and my sleeve brushed my small scissors off the edge of the table.  The scissors went point down right into the fleshy ( OK, the fat part, thankfully) part of my  inner thigh.  When I looked down, the scissors were just sticking out of my leg.  It happened so fast, I was stunned.  But pressure stopped the bleeding, and then lots of alcohol and betadine to clean it up.
   Insight:  Scissors have sharp points and they penetrate skin easily.    I think I will look for a pair of blunt nose scissors, as I am so clumsy.   That's why, years ago,  I bought the rotary cutter that has the safety/automatic closure.  I release it and it closes shut. 

   So,  I trimmed up the  20 quarter log cabin blocks and put them on the design wall to see how it looks.  Yes, this is going to work for me!     I was concerned that the mixed sizes of strips would be obvious, or some areas would look odd.    But it blends and looks really good.   If you squint when you look at this, you get a better idea of how it really looks.  This won't be the final arrangement and another 20 or 30 blocks will make a huge difference.  I  really want to play with the  light and shadow  in  this. 
  Wanda said my multiplying strips were really "the fluff" factor.  I know she is right, but even another 30 blocks will not make a dent in my pile of floral strips.  I might need to make 2 of these quilts.
   Happy stitching.

Frayed edge technique

    I was kind of at a loss for this week's journal quilt.  I needed/wanted something easier and better than last week....for sure.  I dug through my box of leftover blocks and such, and found some parts from the French Roses quilt.  Ah, frayed edge applique---very easy.      Instead of the 4 layers that I used on the French Roses, this journal quilt only has 3 layers stitched onto a strip pieced background of scraps.  After washing, it has a very old fashioned  home spun look to it. 

    Basic technique:  Cut applique out of fabric (no fusing!) and place the bottom piece on to the background.  Stitch about 1/4" away from the raw edge.  Carefully snip away the background fabric that is behind the applique--about 1/4" inside the stitched line.  This is to reduce the bulk.  Then add the next layer of applique and stitch around it 1/4" from the edge.  Repeat for all layers.  Just be sure to use a smaller stitch when you do this technique.

   And to carry it all the way to the edge, the binding is raw edge strips also.  So quick and easy to do.  So here it is after washing....all fluffy and frayed. 

   Now outside a bit to enjoy the beautiful sun and warmer temperatures.  I have baking to do later for the Meal Team at church.  Happy stitching.

The English Window

    Finally, I got this one finished!  You would think I would have gotten more done, since I've been home with this vertigo.  For some reason, I only feel half as productive.  Today was a good day and I did get this quilted. 
   I ended up using the blue print for the border because it made the blue flowers  in the window box "pop".   It was my first choice, but I did audition a red, a brown, and a rusty tone.....none of them worked and seemed to be more of a distraction overall. 
   It is time to begin Justin's quilt for his graduation.  So I will begin cutting tomorrow.  His choice is  simple--- squares with a prairie point style border.  He just wants it BIG.  That shouldn't be a problem....I have a big stash to use.

Do strips multiply?

    Every time I look at the box of floral strips, it seems to have grown.  When I began piecing the quarter log cabin blocks, I was sure the box was only about 2/3's full and now it is overflowing.  Does that ever happen to anyone else?   Do strips in your stash have babies, too?

  Anyway, it has caused me to stop and rethink this blended floral project.  I began with a plan to make quarter log cabin blocks with mixed sizes of strips and planned on a 7 inch block size.  I have made about 10 blocks and realize I like the effect so far.   Nice ........but I really, really need to use/reduce the number of  these strips  that are multiplying faster than I can sew.    So I plan to increase the block size to 9 inches.  I need to add an extra round to the blocks I have made so far.   So guess what I'll be doing tonight ;)

Update on the English window box......

 I got the borders added to the English window box and it is ready to be quilted.  I plan on adding more details when I get it under the needle with a bit of thread painted stems and vines.....so no photo yet.