Home for the holidays

  It's Friday, and we are staying home for the holidays......for a number of reasons.  Number one was the driving weather, and then the health of Sir Old Man's father has nose-dived this week with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.  Dad is back in the nursing home now and doing better.    And lastly, I have had the stomach bug that is going around.   Today finally, I can eat a little.  Not ready for chocolate yet, but soon I hope!


   The good news is that we will be here for nephew Remy's visit...and of course, the rest of the family ;)
I had word from a very reliable source that Remy was very taken with the Elf on the Shelf mystic.  So nothing would do, except to adopt one here.
   Mason Dinklejarrel arrived yesterday and made himself at home.  He prefers to be called Dinks and apparently loves mints.  I am so happy that Rudy was pleasant and agreed to share his space with Dinks.  I would hate to have them fighting.
   I know I am just a big kid at heart, but I love to see the wonder and delight in the eyes of those who still believe in magic.  So I am planning to have some fun with Dinks this season!
  Tomorrow begins the cooking ahead/baking time that I thought I would avoid this year.  But that is part of what I do and who I am.  So why fight it?
   There's a wonderful post from Wanda at Exuberant Color today.....her studios revealed!   You don't want to miss it.  Nothing like envy to make you want to get busy.
Happy stitching.

A little extra-----The Elf on the Shelf is magical.  He watches over the child and reports back to Santa each night.  When he returns the next day, he will probably be resting in a new place.  He often brings extra treats.  But you can not touch him, that could hurt his magical powers.  And he loves to hear how your day went and what good things you did each day.
  Imagine my 4 year old nephew up before dawn, using a flashlight to find his Elf!  We all need that little bit of magic each day.

A little gift making

  The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a blur.  December arrived and is half over before I come up for air.  First, comes the baking.....bread, and apple bread, and cookies....all those goodies for friends and neighbors.  Second, I jumped into making market tote bags to hold the good stuff----sort of a gift within a gift.  I did not realize how long 8 of those bags would take!     I did quilt the fabric---that took up a lot of time.  The bag is just a simple toe with no pockets, just lots of room for stuff!

   I finished up the last 2 yesterday and shopped today for a couple of  extra items for them.   This one is a "spa bag" theme....good book, candle, soap and scrubby.  I looked for a matching hand towel to include, but no luck today.
  I also did one with the "cooking" theme with a cookbook, chopping mats, and cake cover.  That one will be for my nephew's girlfriend who loves to bake.

  These were a lot of fun to do.... only wish I had planned further ahead to make them. All my ideas seem to hit at the last minute.  

  We are sitting on the fence about traveling to Michigan.....right now they are in a deep freeze and Sir Old Man is not keen on traveling in sub-freezing temperatures.  Getting through the mountains to head north is rough this time of year.
 

 
   In between everything else, I have been stringing along on these blocks using up some floral fabric scraps.  I have the foundation pieces cut for another 5 blocks, so that may be where it ends up.  I have no idea for the final arrangement.....but I think I will put a sashing between them for a window pane look.  Lynne at Never too hot to stitch   showed one today that she sashed....and I love how it turned out.
 
  Usually at this time of year, I recap  my year, and post plans for next year.  Honestly, I am tired right now.....this old gal is feeling the years.  I must need a strong cup of coffee and chocolate.....happy stitching.

Bingle Jells!

  Bingle Jells all the way! Oops, I just woke up from my long Autumn nap, and that should be Jingle Bells.  In case, you don't know me, I am Rudy the official and very sociable mascot for the Get Your Mrs. Claus On project.
   My Mrs. Claus had this bright idea a few years ago to make a few doll quilts to go along with the doll beds and cradles that the Greenville Woodworker's Guild  make each year.  Since  Sir Old Man is the woodworker and my Mrs. Claus is the quilter, the projects just complimented each other.
  Well, let me tell you, what she thought was a few doll quilts needed actually was  60 that first year.   That is when so many wonderful blogging quilters stepped up....actually sewed up a storm.....and helped my Mrs. Claus fill the need.  And the Get Your Mrs. Claus On project began.
    Since then, quilts arrive all through the year from around the world.  Each one special, and wonderful.  And a very big antler shake and thank you goes to that group of quilters from the HGTV Message Board.  This group of quilters have supported this project from several years now,  and really stepped up when my Mrs. Claus broke her shoulder.  They send quilts dedicated to every state in the USA and territories too.  You can't imagine how excited Mrs. Claus gets when she opens one of the packages and sees where it is from and which state it represents!

   This year close to 80 beds and cradles were made by those busy elves at the Greenville Woodworker's Guild.  In total over 540 wooden toys.....beds, cradles, chairs, push toys, wooden puzzles, cars, trucks, and fire trucks were made.  All of them to be given to various organizations that work with children----from hospitals, to child development centers, and rescue groups.  These quality toys and quilts are much needed and will be much loved.  And....a new addition was  bed/cradle mattresses and little pillows made by the wife of one of the woodworkers!   See what we started.....another antler shake.

  Anyway, on Saturday, I got to oversee the packing up of the doll quilts.  One giant, huge display was being set up at the woodworker's complex.  Twenty five woodworkers, wives, and student woodworkers---students of that Pesky Elf--- were on hand to unpack toys, set up tables, and turn it all into a wonderful display.  So, without any more words from me....enjoy the show of toys and quilts.

There are going to be a lot of very happy children this year....don't you agree?   Thank you all....each Mrs. Claus....for making this year a success from me---Rudy, and the Pesky Elf, all the toy maker elves, and of course, Sir Old Man and my Mrs. Claus.  Wishing you Merry Christmas and lots of jingle bell days.

Finally, the Faux Braid

   This series of posts has been a journey for me.....reviewing some past quilts and braid techniques, and hunting up info to share, and trying to some order into all of it.
Insight:  Developing a class or series like this is not easy....it is work!  So hug a teacher, they deserve it.

Quarter Log Cabin  block

   The Faux Braid is a new favorite now.....I think I could put one together blindfolded.  It works up fast and easy.  So what is it?  Simply the quarter log cabin block....with the variation of how the colors or values are placed.
   Generally or traditionally,  the quarter log cabin block  might look like the photo on the right.  Each round that is added to the starting square is the same fabric/color.
 

  
  This photo shows the change in placement for the Faux Braid using the quarter log cabin block.  Each round contains a light strip and a dark strip.  This arrangement creates a block that is half light and half dark.  Then when set together the blocks create a braid effect.

 
  By rotating the block for the layout, the diagonal bands are formed.  Note.....very little matching to worry with!  
   I call this one the soft version.  The fabrics are low contrast...a very soothing and restful effect for our troubled world.   A nice border and a little applique would finish it off nicely.










         And for the flip side.......a version done in leftover batik strips.  Same pattern, just different fabrics for a different and stronger voice.  This one reminds me of the blue Ridge Mountains that are nearby.

  The original tutorial is from Sharon at Vroomansquilts.    Be sure to say hello when you check it out.

  Based on her tutorial I put together a simple sheet with the construction details.  Click here for the printable PDF for the Faux Braid.  

 

    I had planned to take a side by side photo  for comparison on the deck today, but nature intervened.  It is 37 degrees, and raining here, so I resorted to the front porch again.   I just wanted the contrast of the 2 versions....one soft and the other stronger.  Whatever fabrics you prefer, the Faux Braid will be striking!









  Thanks to all for taking the time to read and comment on this series of posts.  I hope a few of you will try this fun technique, get over your fear, and figure out which one you prefer.    Send me a photo if you dare!
 
   If I am quiet for a few days....don't worry.  I have a lot of stuff to clean up in the sewing room, and  a couple to quilts to work on.  Wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful this is done..... ;)

Happy stitching.

Create a star instead.....

   I went to continue working on the Faux Braid sheet....and I have misplaced it.  I am sure it is still somewhere in this computer, but where, oh where, did this gal save it?  Never fear, I decided not to panic but throw in this little idea I creatively borrowed (that is stole in real language) from a pin seen from  Etsy.
  This is just a quick sample, making it up as I went, so pardon the lack of precise measurements.

•    Start with a plain square.  I used 3" in this sample.  Next time I would recommend a 3 1/2" square.
•   Add a 2" by 3 1/2" strip to one side.  
•   Add strip number 2---2" by 4".

•   Repeat until you have added 3 rounds to the 2 adjoining sides.  
•   Trim the band unit  like you would for a braid quilt.  I aligned the ruler line so that it goes thru the center points of the square and braid rounds and the cutting edge exactly on the edge of the square.  
•    For the large triangles:  Cut a 5 1/2" square ( or a 6" square if you like to have fudge room to trim).  Cut on the diagonal to get 2 triangles.    Sew a triangle to each side of the band.
•   Square up the sides if needed and square the unit to 7".  Note--- here is where I did my fudging by trimming the inner corner of the prints.    

  Now repeat the whole process until you get 4 blocks.

  Here's the beginning of your braided star.   Click here to see the inspiration quilt.
   If not a large quilt.....how about a Christmas table runner, or set on point for a wall hanging?

  Thanks to Nicki for suggesting I link these posts in the tutorials section for future reference.  I am always forgetting where I explained something and thought this was a great idea....I am working on it now.

  So the finale is the Faux Braid....I promise to get it up next week, even if I have to start from scratch!

Happy stitching.  

Continue the braid: Find a focus

  Picking the colors and finding the focus for the French Braid is where you start naturally, and it appears to be the stopping point for many.  Once again I will send you to check out some of the examples pinned to my Braid Quilt board.  Begin by looking for the French Braid quilts and note the color combos and the focus fabric each uses.  Lots feature blues, and I love the one using fall tones.

  When I made my French Braid, I had just begun blogging and did not take enough photos to show my progression in the fabric selection.    So I am going to jump to this year and use the French Braid table runner to illustrate how I chose the fabric I used.

If you are afraid to try the braid technique.....this table runner is just the size to start with.  I left the photo large so you should be able to enlarge it and really examine the fabrics, too.
   The large center square fabric was my inspiration and focus.  It has a range of blue tones on a darker background with some softer yellow tones.
   I found a bright blue that I used for the smaller accent squares that was a very close match.  I could have used the yellow tone or a much darker blue for the accent squares.  Either would have been good, and just given a different feel to the runner.
   I used 7 different fabrics to create the braid run.....2 very light, 2 medium lights, 1 medium, 1 medium-dark, and ended with the focus fabric.

    This is the same photo in black and white.  All the color is gone and you see only the value of the fabrics.   Taking a photo of your fabric selection for any quilt is always a good idea, as it helps you see more clearly if the colors blend or contrast, or if one fabric just doesn't fit in.  I also use this technique when I do a bargello quilt.   This trick is a good one to use, especially with the braid technique.



Tips for your color scheme:

•   Find a focus fabric, or one you want to use as your color scheme.  
•   Now find 4-6 more fabrics based on the first fabric---select by color or contrast color.   Example---a fall fabric of golds and red tones.  Add a green print or two, and maybe use a golden brown as the accent square on the light fabrics and a lighter yellow with the darker fabrics.
•   Be sure to have a change in value in the chosen fabrics....working from light to darker or visa-versa.
•   Take a photo of the fabrics.  Line them up next to each other and see what happens.  Convert the photo to black and white.  Eliminate anything that doesn't fit and try again.  

   I pulled together a couple of examples to show.  I began with the dark purple print, found a fabric that had the same colors for number 2.  Then I went lighter in the purple, and next moved to a purple and yellow print.  Finally I found 3 lighter prints in the yellowish tones.  I would use a dark purple accent with these!  :)

  From leftover batiks strips.....I pulled 9 together that just might work!  But then, I find most batiks work well together.  So if you use batiks, be sure to get one or two very dark ones in there for dramatic effect.  

   So all of this is really a repeat of the selection process I use in general.  How you find a few good pointers in it.

  A few construction tips:

•   To figure or at least estimate your length for the braid, it takes a little math.  Remember your strips will end up on point, so a 2 1/2" strip will really measure just over 2 3/4" when sewn into the braid length.  So I would roughly calculate by deciding on the length and divide by 3 to determine the number of strips I would need. So for a 60" braid length, I would plan on 20 strips (and probably throw one or two more in for good measure ).   It pays to be a little flexible with this technique! 
•   If you have 7 fabrics chosen, you will need 3 cuts of each.  The repeating of the color run is what makes the design exciting. so plan on it.
•  Accent square......chose your fabric for this square to contrast with some or all of the fabrics.  
•  Accent square.....The accent square is added to just one of each of the strips for each "round" of the braid.  I first cut 1/2 of the needed segments.  Then I added a strip of the accent square fabric to a section of each fabric.  From this unit I cut the remaining segments---this unit became the second strip of each round.  It just saves a little bit of time and effort. 
• Spray starch is your friend.....starch the braid runs before you trim them.

   Once you have the fabrics selected.....go for it. Cut those strips and stitch away.  I think you will be wonderfully surprised at what you can create.

  I will be baking for a couple of days, and preparing the final information on the Faux Braid.  Let me know if you have more questions.  Happy stitching.

The Oo-la-la Braid

  That's the extent of my knowledge of French.  So let's talk French Braid as in quilt.

   The  distinction between the Friendship Braid (on the left) and the French Braid  (on the right) is the accent square used in the French Braid.   The actual construction is the same in both.  The French Braid has the accent square that travels the length of the braid, and this is what carries the eye along the design.
  In both quilts I used separator strips between the bands of braid.  So I have the bias of the braid stabilized by the straight strip.

Another comparison photo....the two on the left are both done using the Friendship Braid technique, only the smaller one in the center has no separator strip.
  Tip:  When sewing bias to bias edge, pin a lot!    Be willing to do some easing if there is too much stretch going on.
   Tip:  Spray starch the bias.  This will help....just be sure to press and not iron in multiple directions.
  
 Tip:  I found that sewing with the bias braid band on top of the straight of grain separator strip worked best.  I was able to ease some fullness in.  Generally, instructions in books and such will tell you to put the bias on the bottom.  I found that only warped edges on this.

  The second thing to notice in the above photo is the width of the braid bands.  I used 2" strips in the Friendship Braids, and the bands were trimmed straight at about 5 inches.   I used  2 1/2" strips in the French Braid and the braid bands were trimmed to 9  inches.   How can that be?  It's a math thing.....that 1/2" gets multiplied when put on point and makes a big difference.
  For full detailed instructions of French Braids I highly recommend French Braid Quilts by Jane Miller.      Good photos, great inspiration, and cutting and sewing instruction.

 
   What I felt was lacking was how to select fabrics for a successful braid....how to achieve that blended look, etc.  So that is where I want to pass on my knowledge and things I figured out in this technique.  I am trying to consolidate a lot of info scattered throughout my older posts on fabric selection and creating  that blend, so bear with me.
    The "season" is quickly approaching.....and time gets eaten up with so many things.  I serve on the meal team at church and I have never seen so many requests and needs for meals.  This week I have been in the kitchen more than the sewing room.  And thanks for the great comments about this series of posts.  Happy stitching.