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Textcopyright©2011byBariJ.Ackerman
Artworkcopyright©2011byC&TPublishing,Inc.
Publisher:AmyMarson
CreativeDirector:GailenRunge
AcquisitionsEditor:SusanneWoods
Editor:CynthiaBix
TechnicalEditors:CarolZentgraf,
AmandaSiegfried,andGailenRunge
Copyeditor/Proofreader:WordfirmInc.
Cover/BookDesigner:
KristyZacharias
ProductionCoordinator:
KirstieL.Pettersen
ProductionEditor:
AliceMaceNakanishi
Illustrator:WendyMathson
PhotographybyChristinaCarty-FrancisandDianePedersenofC&TPublishing,Inc.,unlessotherwisenoted
PublishedbyStashBooks,animprintofC&TPublishing,Inc.,P.O.Box1456,Lafayette,CA94549
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisworkcoveredbythecopyrighthereonmaybeusedinanyformorreproducedbyanymeans—graphic,electronic,ormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,taping,orinformationstorageandretrievalsystems—withoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.ThecopyrightsonindividualartworksareretainedbytheartistsasnotedinInspiredtoSewbyBariJ.Thesedesignsmaybeusedtomakeitemsonlyforpersonaluseordonationtononprofitgroupsforsale.Eachpieceoffinishedmerchandiseforsalemustcarryaconspicuouslabelwiththefollowinginformation:Designscopyright©2011byBariJ.AckermanfromthebookInspiredtoSewbyBariJ.fromC&TPublishing,Inc.
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Trademark(™)andregisteredtrademark(®)namesareusedthroughoutthisbook.Ratherthanusethesymbolswitheveryoccurrenceofatrademarkorregisteredtrademarkname,weareusingthenamesonlyintheeditorialfashionandtothebenefitoftheowner,withnointentionofinfringement.
BariJ.™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman;KeepingItRealSewing™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman;andFabricMixology™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataAckerman,BariJ.
InspiredtosewbyBariJ.:15prettyprojects,sewingsecrets,colorfulcollage/BariJ.Ackerman.
p.cm.p.cm.
ISBN978-1-60705-011-7(softcover)
1.Machinesewing.2.Handicraft.I.Title.
TT713.A2552011
646.2'044–dc22
2010019010
PrintedinChina
10987654321
Contents
ForewordbyJennyDoh
Introduction
KeepingItReal
SectionOneARTFULLYDRESSED
GardenTunic
KeepingItReal:GarmentSewing101
Rags,Ruffles,andKerflufflesBelt
PrettyPetals“Couture”Apron
JeanJacketRe-Vision
FlowerBrooch
PatchworkRoseZipperedBag
KeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing
Section-TwoMIXITUP:FABRICCOLLAGE
SeasonalWreath
KeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage
FloweringContainerGardenPillow
KeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack
TreeofDreamsWallhanging
MiniMemoryQuiltwithPhotoTransfer
KeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects
SectionThreeARTFULINSPIRATIONSFORYOURHOME
CrazyQuiltLampshadeSlipcover
KeepingItReal:CrazyQuiltIt
TeaPartyAccessories
•TeapotTrivet
•TeaCozy
•LavenderSachetPlaceCard“TeaBags”
KeepingItReal:AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches
LittleCabinPincushion
SweetHomeChicagoCollection
•SweetHomeChicagoPillow
KeepingItReal:MakingaMiteredBorder
•SweetHomeChicagoQuilt
KeepingItReal:FreezerPaperAppliqué
Resources
AbouttheAuthor
LovinglyDedicated
AsIcreate,memoriesofGrandpaDannyfloatbyatthemostunexpectedofmoments.FromtheveryfirsttimeIshearedthroughfabricandbegantosew,itseemedhewasrighttherewithme,watchingandcheeringmeon.Asafurrierandanartist,hewasanever-presentcreativespiritinmylife.Thoughnolongerphysicallywithus,heisstill
presenttothisday.
Grandpa,thisisforyou.Thankyouforthe
ridestothemoon,tripstothepumpkinpatch,holidaywindowsonStateStreet,andmostofall,
forbeingyou.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Friendshipandsewinggohandinhandinmylife.Withoutthehelpofmygoodfriendsatourlocalquiltstore,WoodenGateQuilts(formerlyQuilter’sInn)inDanville,California,IhavenodoubtIwouldnotbedoingwhatIamtoday.Thankyou,Jane,Marby,andKathy,fornottellingmehowuglythatfirsthandbagwasbutrathergentlyguidingmeintherightdirection.
HugstoalloftheladiesintheMondayandTuesdaysewingdrop-ins,andextrabighugstomymentorsandfriendsJanisStobandMargaretLindermann,whoadeptlyguideusall.
IhavetoaddanadditionalwordaboutJanis.EachtimeIhadsomethingtotroubleshootwhilewritingthisbook,shehelpedmeworkitout.Overtheyears,JanishastaughtmesowellthatwhenIaskaquestion,Icannearlypredictwhatshewillsay.Ateacherwhogivesyouthatextrapushtocomeupwiththeanswer—well,thatisateacher.Ican’tthankherenough.
ThankyoualsotoMickeyKruegerandLauraJaquintoofWindhamFabrics,KathyMillerofMichaelMillerFabrics,andCarolynSt.ClairandLissaAlexanderofModaFabricsforgenerouslyprovidingmuchofthefabricusedintheprojectsforthisbook.
ThankyoutoDanatTheSewingMachineShopinWalnutCreek,California,forgenerouslylendingmeamachinetoworkonwhenminewentkaputandwasinhisshopwaitingsadlyforitsnewcircuitboard.Thankyouforgettingitbacktomesoquickly,too.
Aspecialthank-youtoC&T’spublisher,AmyMarson,andtothefabulouseditors,designers,photographers,andstaffwhoworkedonthisbook:GailenRunge,CynthiaBix,CarolZentgraf,KristyZacharias,KirstieL.Pettersen,AliceMaceNakanishi,WendyMathson,ChristinaCarty-Francis,andDianePedersen.Andahugeshout-outandahugtoC&T’sacquisitionseditor,SusanneWoods,withoutwhomIwouldneverhavedreamedofwritingabook.
Andthankyoutomyexceedinglypatienthusband,Kevin,anddaughters,AnnaandEmily,forputtingupwithmewhileIwaswritingthisbook.Iloveyouallsomuch!AndI’llbeoutof“TheSewingCave”injustoneminute!
Foreword
TobeinthepresenceofBariJ.Ackermanistobeinthepresenceofgenerosity,quality,andthoughtfulattentiontodetail.Thesearetheprinciplesthatexudefromthismosttalentedartistasshemaneuversthroughallfacetsofherlifeasawife,mother,artist,andentrepreneur.ThedemeanorthatBariprojectsmightbeunderstated,buthavenodoubt—sheisacreativeforcewhoknowshowtosethersightsonthe“bigpicture”withthekindoffocusneededtomakegrandgesturesandlastingmarks.
WhenIfirstmetBari,IcouldhardlybelievethebeautythatIsawinherhandbags.Thecolorsandtexturesoffabricsthatheruniqueeyecouldpulltogetherwerewhatimpressedmemost.Foruswholovetosew,selectingtherightcombinationoffabricsisarguablythemostdifficultpartoftheprocess.AprimaryreasonBarihasbecomesuchasuccessfulartisticsewerishermasteryofscoutinglusciousfabricsandcombiningtheminfreshandfabulouslyunexpectedways.
AnotherreasonforBari’ssuccessisherabilitytotranslateherqualityfabricchoicesintobreathtakingdesignswithbeautifulsilhouettes.Thisabilitytodoboth—selectfabricsandcreateamazingdesigns—iswhyBari’sworkissosoughtafterandcontinuestogainastrongandloyalfollowing.
ThisloyalfollowingisonethatI’vehadthepleasureofwitnessingfirsthand,asIhavehadthepleasureformanyyearsofbeingBari’seditorfornumerousmagazinetitles.Throughthisrelationship,Ihavebeendeeplyinspiredwithheropennesstoshareherknowledgeandteachthosewhowanttolearn.Sheisanartistwhoispassionateaboutsharinghertips,hertricks,andallofherwonderfultechniquesanddesignconcepts.Notsurprisingly,thisgenerousapproachhasgarneredanenthusiasticresponsefromreaders,whobecomeentrancedwithherdesignsandherdown-to-earthapproach.Inotherwords,readersloveBari’sabilitytokeepitreal.
Thebookyouholdinyourhandsis100percentBari.Shebringsyouprojectsthatyou’llwanttostartrightaway.Andthankfully,becauseshe’salreadymadethem,sheoffersallthelessonsshelearnedintheprocess—importantlessonsthatkeepthingsrealandensurethatyouaresuccessfulnotonlywhenyoustartbutallthewayuntilyoufinish.
Areyoureadytobeinspired?Areyoureadytocreate?You’vecometotherightplace,asyouwillfindinspirationbubblingoverwiththeturnofeverypageinthisbeautifulbookfilledwithinnovativeprojectspresentedwithinstructionsthatareeasytounderstand.
Forreal,
JennyDoh
PresidentofCRESCENDOh,LLCFormerEditor-in-ChiefofSomersetStudio,
BelleArmoire&sisterpublications
Introduction
Ididn’tknowhowmuchI’dlovetosew.Ihadbeenathomeraisingmykids.Craftingwasapastime.Imadejewelryfromfounditems,collageart,andlittlehand-embroideredpieces,andIevensoldsomeofthesethingstolocalboutiques.
ThenIdecidedtogivethesewingmachineawhirl.Itwasloveatfirststitch.
ThefirstthingImadewasalittleclutchbagwithagiantfeltflowerbroochonit.Apparentlyitwasn’ttheprettiestsewingjobonearth,butthefeelingofaccomplishmentIhadmademethinkitwasfantastic.AndIwashooked.
Ikeptmakingbagafterbag,andeventuallyIturnedallofthatbagmakingintoasuccessfulbusiness.Ilearnednewtechniques,experimentedwithbeautifulfabrics,andimmersedmyselfinthisnewandwonderfulworldofsewingI’dfound.
Lookingback,IrealizeIstartedsewingforthesamereasonIstartedcrafting:tomakeinterestingandoriginalthingsformyselfandmyhome.Whendesigning,Ifocusonmakingstylishitemsthatareartfulandunique.
SowhenIstartedtowritethisbook,Iknewthatwouldbemyfocus.Hereyou’llfindprojectsthathelpyoutotakethereinsandmakeyourartunique—tofindyourownlook,yourownstyle.Atthesametime,completepatternsanddirectionsallowyoutogettheresultsyouwant.
you’llfindprojectsthathaveanartandcollagefeelyetarethingsyouabsolutelycanwearandlivewith.
Theyallowyoutobecreativeandindividualwithoutadding“eccentric”tothemix.
AlsoincludedinthisbookarefeaturesIcallKeepingItRealSewing,whicharetipsandminitutorials.WhenIfirstbegansewing,IwasfrustratedeverytimeImadeamistake.Itseemed
likeIneversawitcoming.AndIthought,“Ifonlysomeonehadtoldmethat.”SomuchwasleftoutofsomesewingpatternsIwasusing.Thepicturesshowedaneatandtidyrufflebeingsewnon,butmyrufflesweremessy-looking.Noonetellsyouthatwhenyoupullthegatheringthreads,thefabricfraysontheedges.IthoughtI’dmadeagrievousmistake.SowhenIstartedwritingmyownpatternsandinstructions,Imadeupmymindtoincludethegood,thebad,andtheugly.Forthatreason,throughoutthisbook,you’llfindKeepingItRealSewingtips.I’lleventhrowinsomeembarrassingmistakesI’vemade.It’llmakeyoufeelreallygood,Ipromise.
Theprojectsaremadeusingavarietyofmyfavoritesewingandquiltingtechniques.EachoneisexplainedinaKeepingItRealSewingminitutorialthatguidesyouthroughthestepsandgivesyouadvice.Frompiecingandbindingtoquilting,appliqué,andembroidery,thesearetechniquesIloveandskillsIfoundIhadtohave.
Iamsoexcitedtobeabletosharewithyou,throughthisbook,thejoyIhavefoundinsewing.Ican’twaittoseewhatyourcreativitybringstotheseprojects.IhopeyouwillenjoymakingthemyourownjustasmuchasIenjoyedcreatingthem!
Happysewing!
Afewofmyfavoritethings
Asidefromtheobviousscissors,needles,andsewingmachine,overtheyearsI’velearnedtherearecertainthingsIjustcan’tdowithoutinthesewingroom.EverytimesomeoneasksmewhatIthinktheyneed,thesearethethingsItellthem:
¼”sewingmachinefoot|Trustmeonthis—youneedone,especiallyifyouaregoingtoquilt.ForyearsIsewedwithoutoneandwonderedwhythingsdidn’tcomeoutexact.Thereasonwasthatmyseamsweren’texact.Iknowitsoundsobvious,butIthoughtforsureIwasgettingitrightjustusingtheguideonmymachine.ThenItrieda¼”foot,andvoilà!Perfectseamseverytime.Iwouldnevertrytomakeaquiltwithoutoneagain.
Alotofmachineneedles|Iliketohaveagoodrangeofthesehangingaround,too.Ihaveuniversalneedlesandjeansneedles,butIalsoliketohavemetallicneedlesaround.Idon’toftensewwithmetallicthread,butforwhateverreason,thesesharp-tippedneedlesworkgreatoncollagewhendoingfree-motionquilting,evenifyou’renotusingmetallicthread.
Rufflerfoot|Okay,soit’snotsomethingyoucan’tlivewithout,butIsuredolovemine.A
rufflerisafootyoucanuseonyourmachinethatmakesrufflesandpleatsinseveraldifferentlengthswithease.Ican’tbelievehoweasyitistouse.Iactuallymadethe350”rufflefortheSweetHomeChicagoQuiltinjustminuteswithmyruffler!Seepage119tocheckitout.
Bobbinsgalore|Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIcan’tstanditwhenIrunoutofbobbinsandIneedtofillonewithanewcolor.Ikeeptonsofthemonhand.
Seamripper|Unsewing.Really,it’spartofsewing.Idon’tfretanymorewhenIhavetodoit.Getagoodseamripper,andyouwon’teither.Ihaveonethatislikeascalpel.Ilovethisthing!Checkoutmyresourcelistinthebackofthebooktofindoutwheretogetone.YoumightwanttotryoutAlexAnderson’s4-in-1EssentialSewingTool,availablefromC&TPublishing.Thistoolisaseamripper,stiletto,presser,andturner,allcombinedinasinglewoodencase.
Quiltingrulers|Thesearetheclearplasticrulersthatcomeinallsortsofdifferentsizes.Ihaveabunchonhand,andIdon’tjustusethemforquilting.Anytimeastraightlineneedstobecut,Iuseaquiltingruler.
Rotarycutter|Arotarycutterisacuttingtoolalternativetoscissorsthatisgreatforcuttingstraightlinesandcuttingthroughmultiplelayers.Itlookslikeapizzacutter,and—well,youjusthavetohaveone.It’sontopofthesewingboxlistforanysewerandquilter.
Small,sharp,pointyscissors|Usetheseforcuttingthreads,snippingaroundseamedges,andmostimportant(tomeanyway),cuttingoutfabricmotifs…getsyouaroundtrickycornerswithease.Moreaboutthatlater!
Stilettoorawl|ThefirsttimeIsawthisonasupplylist,Iwasbaffled!Astiletto?Butalas,itisnotafancyhigh-heeledshoeI’mtalkingabouthere.It’sasharp-pointedtoolusedforpokingholesinfabricandleather.Iuseittoturnunderthesmalledgesofappliqué.It’salsousefulforkeepingyourpiecesflatclosetothesewingmachineneedlewithoutsewingyourfingertip,whichisn’taprettything.
Freezerpaper|Idon’tknowwhofirstrealizeditcouldbeusedforsewing,butthisstuffisthebomb!It’sgreatforcreatingpatternpieces,andtheshinysidecanbeironedontofabricandtheneasilyremoved.
Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing|Boy,doIhaterunningoutofthisstuff.Iloveitfusedtothewrongsideofpillowfronts,bags,andprettymuchanythingthatcanusealittlebody.
Appliquéglueandfabricglue|Thesegluesareusedinmanyprojectsinthisbook.Forappliquéglue,IrecommendRoxanneGlue-Baste-It.Forfabricglue,IlikeFabri-Tac.
Double-sidedfusibleweb|OnethatIuseforappliquéisWonderUnder.
Thegoodsewist
Ioftenignoremyowngoodadvice.Buteverytime—withoutfail—I’msorrylater.HereareafewtipsI’velearnedthathavemadesewingaloteasier.
TrimmingthreadsasIgo|Guiltyascharged.Everyonceinawhile,Idon’ttrimasIgo.AndIendupwithamess.It’sareallygoodpracticetotrimthosethreadsbeforetheygettangledandbothersome.Itkeepsyoursewingneaterandhelpsyouavoidhavinganextrastepwhenyouaredone.
Needle-downposition|ThisisaruleI’veimposedonmyselfthatIneverbreak.WhenI’msewinglongstretches,Ihavemymachinesettostopintheneedle-downposition.Inotherwords,ifIstopsewingmidwaythrough,myneedleautomaticallystaysinthefabric.Thishelpskeeplinesstraightandkeepsfabricsfromjigglingaround.
Please,don’tforgettoclosethatrotarycutter!|AtWoodenGateQuilts,thelocalquiltshopwhereIgotoadrop-inclasseachweek,ifyouleaveitopen,youbuylunch.Fingersintact:good.Blood:bad.Justsaying.
Pressing|Weallknowthatpressingseamsopenortoonesidewhencalledforisarequirement.ButIdidn’trealizethatpressingyourseamsassewnfirst,beforeyouopenorpressthemtooneside,setstheminplace.IdidnotbelieveituntilItriedit,butitreallyhelpstheseamtolooknicewhenyouturnit,especiallyifit’saroundacurve.
Samethreadinthebobbinthatyouuseontop|Ihavenoticedthatmachinestendtogetalittletestyaboutnothavingthesamekindofthreadinthebobbinasintheneedle.Itmesseswiththetensionandgenerallycreateshavoc.Soifyouareexperiencingbreakingthreadortensionissues,it’sagoodideatomakesureboththreadsarethesame.
SNEAKPEEK:
Skills&Techniques
Iusedavarietyoftechniquestocreatetheprojectsinthisbook.Asyou’llsee,I’veprovidedshortKeepingItRealSewingsectionsalongthewaytogiveyoustep-by-stepguidanceinthesetechniques.
Collagecanbeusedinsomanydifferentcontexts.Inthisbookit’sonapillow,awallhanging,andatunic.Butyoucancollagealmostanything.Tryitontheedgesofaquiltinsteadofbindingoruseitasdecorationonahandbag.Itistrulyversatile.
Withtherufflehow-tointhisbook,youaresettoputaruffleonanythingyouchoose.Putoneonalampshadeoraddonetoaskirt.
Thetechniquesyoulearnherecanbeappliedtoprojectsinotherbooksandpatterns.Knowingthesegivesyouanarsenaltoworkwithincreativeways.
Hereisasneakpeekatwhatyou’llfind.
Crazyquilting(page88)Top:Fabriccollagewithfree-motionquilting(page63)
Foolproofruffles(page114)andmiteredborders(page115)
Handembroidery(page101)Binding(page81)
Freezerpaperappliqué(page124)
FabricMixology
I’moftenaskedhowImakedecisionswhenmixingfabrics.MyjokeisthatIthrowitallupintheairandseewhereitlands.Intruth,ItendtolaboroverwhatI’llputtogether,butIamalsousuallyverybraveinmychoices.Andsometimes,justwhenIthinkwhatI’vedonewillneverpulltogether—itdoes.
Idon’thaveanyrealrulesaboutmixing,andmaybethat’swhyitdoesworkout.However,IcantellyouacoupleofthingsthatgothroughmyheadasIdesign.Forstarters,Ithinkthatoddpieces(theonesyou’dneverguessbelongedtogether)makeadesigninteresting.Butinusingthoseoddpieces,Idomakesuretheyarerepeatedsomewherewithinthedesign.Forexample,theTreeofDreamsWallhangingproject(page70)hassomeblueandpurplevelvetmotifsinit.AtfirstIwasn’tsosureifthatwouldwork,butIrepeatedthosepiecesatthetopandbottomofthetree,whichIthinkpulledthedesigntogether.
AnotherthingthatI’msuretodoinmydesignsismixthescaleoffabricpatterns.You’llseeintheFloweringContainerGardenPillow(page65)thatthereisalargevarietyofpatternsindifferingscales.AsIlayeredthepieces,ifInoticedaparticularsectionwasbecomingheavyinacertaincolororscale,Iaddedavaryingpiece.
Additionally,IreallydotrytostepoutoftheboxwhenIdesign.Ratherthanstickwithfabricsthataresafeandeasytoputtogether,ItendtothinkIshouldbealittlemorecourageousaboutmychoices.Itrytomixtexturesandaddinunusualitems—foundbuttons,vintagebrooches,scrapsofribbonandlace.AndItrytodothiswithoutfear.Mymotto:Thankgoodnessfortheinventoroftheseamripper.Whatcanbesewncanalwaysbeunsewn.
Sohavefun,getcreative,andstepoutofthatsewingbox.
KeepingItRealsewingbasics
•YardagelistedunderMaterialsisbasedon44"/45”-widefabric.
•Sewallseamswithrightsidesfacing,usinga¼”seamallowance,unlessotherwiseindicated.Backstitchatthebeginningandendofallseamsexceptdarts.
•Presseachseamaftersewingtosetit,thenpressittooneside.
•Keeptheenclosedtear-outpatternsintact.Traceontonewpaperbeforeyoucutthemout.
Thebiascutofthefabricandtheeasedshouldersofthepatternmakethefitsupercomfy.Withitsfloralcollageneckline,thispieceishighlyoriginalwhilestillbeingstylishandcontemporary.
Thistunicistrulyoneofakind.
Beforeyoubeginthisproject,especiallyifyou’renewtogarmentsewing,carefullyreadKeepingItReal:GarmentSewing101(page29).AlsoseeSewingBasicsonpage20.
materials
*½yardofsmall-printfabric(FabricA)forthetunicfronttop
*⅞yardoflarge-printfabric(FabricB)forthetunicfrontbottomandnecklinefacing
*1¾yardsofsmall-printfabric(FabricC)forthetunicback
*1yardoflarge-printfabric(FabricD,orrepeatFabricB)forthesleeves
*⅓yardoffabricforties,cutinto2pieces4”×38”(Thiscanbeadifferentfabricorthesameasoneoftheotherfabrics.)
*20–30largefloralmotifsforthenecklinecollage
*3strips4”×10”ofmuslinforthecollagefoundation
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
*Cutoutallpatternpiecesandmarknotchesanddarts.
*Cut1piece1¼”×35”ofFabricBforthenecklinefacing.
note:Cutthepiecesonthegrainlineasmarked.Severalarecutonthebias.
MAKETHETUNICFRONTANDBACK
1.Zigzagstitchalledgesofeachpieceandthefacing.
2.Sewthetunicbackpiecestogetheralongthecenterseam.Press.
3.Sewthedartsinthefronttopofthetunicasmarked.Startatthebottomrawedgeandbackstitch.Endatthebustpoint,andknotthethreadsbyhandinsteadofbackstitching.Backstitchingatthebustpointwillcauseanunattractivelumpinthefabric.Press.
4.Withcentersmatching,sewthetunicfronttoptothetunicfrontbottom.Press.
5.Sewthefronttothebackattheshoulderseams.Press.
KeepingItRealSewingLongStretchesofFabric
Thisisagreattricktomakesureyourendsmatchupwhenyousewalongseam:Matchupandpinthecentersofthe2piecesthatyouwanttosewtogether.Sewfromthecentertoanend,andthenfromthecentertotheotherend.
MAKETHETIES
1.Foldeachtieinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Atanendofeachtie,foldtherawedgeuptowardthefoldededgetocreateatriangle.
2.Startingatthetipofthetriangle,sewthefabrictogetherasshown.Trimtheexcessfabricatthecorner.Press,turn,andpressagain,teasingtheseamoutneatly.
KeepingItRealTurningCornersandEdges
It’softennoteasytogetthecornersofpieceslikethesetiesturnedcompletely.Isuggestpokingoutthecornerswiththeendofapaintbrushandthenusingapintopullthetiniestbitsoutoftheends.
FINISHANDEMBELLISHTHENECKLINE
Forfabriccollageinformation,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).
note:Thefacingyouareattachinginthesestepswillbeflippedtotheinsideofthetunic.Thefabriccollagewillbeontheoutside.
Attachthefacing
1.StartingatthepointoftheV,topstitcharoundtheneckline¼”fromtheedge,backstitchingateachend.
2.Withrightsidestogether,centerandpinthefacingtotheneckline,withtheexcessendsofthefacingattheV.
3.Fromtherightsideofthetunic,startattheVandsewthefacinginplacealongthetopstitchingline.AsyouapproachyourstartingpointattheV,foldbackthefacingyoulefthangingattheend.Sewrightuptothefold,andbackstitch.
4.CliptheseamattheVrightuptothestitchingbutnotthroughit,andpresstheseamtowardthefacing.
5.Foldtherawedgeofthefacingtothewrongsideofthetunic,aligningthefacingedgewiththestitchingline,andpininplace.Press.Fromtherightside,edgestitchthefacing⅛”fromtheseam.Thissewstheseamallowancetothefacingandmakesthefacing“want”tofoldtowardthewrongsideoftheneckline.
6.Pressthefacingtotheinsidealongtheseamline.Edgestitchclosetothenecklineedge,startingandendingattheVandbackstitchingatbothends.
7.AttheVontheinsideofthetunic,trimtheexcessfabricendsevenlyto1".Overlapandstitchthemtogether(nottothetunic),sewingasquareasshown.
Createthenecklinecollage
Thefloralmotifsshouldbebothlargeandsmallpieces.Havingvaryingsizeswillcreateinterestplusallowyoutomakethecollagegraduallywidertowardtheshoulderline.
1.Place4”-widestripsofmuslinontheneckline,overlappingintotheopening.You’llneedtouse3strips:1foreachsideand1fortheback.
2.Pinmotifsartfullyaroundtheneckline.AsIpinnedmineon,IstartednarrowerattheVandspreadthedesignoutasIgottotheshoulderseamandthebackofthetunic.Makesureallthepiecesarepinnedonwellbygivingitashake.Youdon’twantanypiecesflippingandfloppingasyouquilt.
3.Usingafree-motionmachinefoot,stitchdownallofthepieces,removingthepinsasyougo.Becarefularoundtheshoulderseam—it’seasytofoldthefabricofthetunicinonitselfandsewittogetheratthatpoint.Trimofftheextramuslinalongbothedgesofthecollage.Becarefulnottocutintothetunic.
4.Zigzagstitcharoundtheinsiderawedge.Go3timesaround,makingyourstitchlengthshortereachtimetoachieveasatin-stitcheffect.Theouteredgeswillbeleftraw.
ATTACHTHESLEEVES
1.First,createtheeaseintheshoulders.Whenyoucutoutthesleevepattern,youmade2notchestomarktheease,notchestomarkeachsleevefrontandback,andanotchtomarktheshoulderseam.Usingabastingstitch,sewfromoneeasenotchtotheother.Pullthethreadtogather.Withrightsidestogether,pintheshouldernotchofeachsleevetotheshoulderseamofthetunic.
2.Aligntheunderarmedgesofeachsleevewiththesideedgesofthetunicandpin.Spreadtheeaseevenlyacrosstheshoulderfromnotchtonotch.Pinthewholeedgeinplace,matchingtheshouldernotchtotheshoulderseam,andthensewthesleevetothetunic.
3.Turnthetunicwrongsideout.Pinthetunictiesinplace,withrawedgesalignedabovetheseambetweenthetunicfronttopandbottom,keepingtiestowardtheinsideofthetunic.Withrightsidesfacing,matchtheendsofthearmholeseamandpin.Pinthesleeveedgestogetherandthetunicsideseamedgestogether.
KeepingItRealAnEasyWaytoHem
Ioftentopstitch¼”fromthebottomedgeofapieceI’mgoingtohem.ThisputsaveryclearmarkatthepointwhereIwillfoldandpressthehem,makingthehemniceandeven.
KeepingItRealPinningwithEase
Toeaseaseam,Ifinditbesttofirstpineachendofthewholesectioninplace.ThenIpullthefabricfromtheenduptothenotchsoitisniceandflatuptothepointoftheease.Dothisonboththefrontandthebackoftheseamallowance.Thatway,theextrafabricisintheease.Spreadtheeaseevenlyacrosstheeaseallowance.
4.Sewfromthearmholeseamtothebottomedgeofthetunic,andthensewfromthearmholeseamtotheendofthesleeve.Press.
note:Itisimportantthatyousewinthesamedirectiononbothsides.Doingthisensuresthattheflowofthefabricisthesameonbothsides.
FINISH
1.Pressthebottomtunicedgeunder¼”andthenunder¼”again.
2.Topstitchonthewrongsideofthetunic,⅛”fromthetopofthefoldededge.
3.Repeatthesestepstohemthesleeves.
GarmentSewing101
Lookingatgarmentpatternscansometimesfeelliketryingtodecodeamap.Therearenotchandgrainlinemarks,andlinestoindicatevarioussizes,pluscuttinginstructionstofigureout.Nottomentionthatsometimesit’shardtofigureoutwhateachpatternpieceactuallyis.Allofthismaysoundabitconfusing,butit’sreallyeasyto“decode”onceyouknowwhatyouarelookingfor.Thesearesomeofthebasicsthatareusedinthetunicpattern.
Patternpieces|Firstthingsfirst:Figureoutwhatthepiecesare.Mostpatternsaremarkedclearly.Inthispatternyouwillfindasleeve,atunicback,and2piecesforthetunicfront,allofwhicharemarked.Figureoutwhatsizeyouwanttomake,andthencutthepiecesontheheavyouterlinesthatareforyoursize.
Cutting|It’salltooeasyandoftencostlytomakeamistakeincuttingfabric,soreadthepatternpiecescarefully.Notewhereagrainlineismarked,andalignthatpiecewiththegrainofthefabric.It’sespeciallyimportanttodothisforthetunicbecauseitiscutonthebias.Also,notewhetherapatternpieceshouldbecutonafold.Looktoseehowmanyofeachpiecetocutandwhetherthosepiecesshouldbecutatthesametime.Oftenyou’llbeaskedtocutpieceswithrightsidestogether.Sleevesareagoodexampleofthis.Forthetunic,thesleevesandthebackarecutthisway.
Notches|Don’tforgettolookfornotchesthatneedtobemarkedbeforeyouremovethepatternpiecefromthefabric.Thesediamond-shapedmarkingswillhelpyoumatchpiecestogetherwhensewing.Forexample,onthetunic,notchesindicatewhichpartofthesleevematchesthefrontofthetunicandwhichgoestowardtheback.Therearealsonotchesthatindicatewhereyoushouldmakeadartandwheretheeaseisonthesleeve’sshoulder.
Thisgirly,ruffedbeltiseasytomakeandfuntowear.
Iusedarhinestonebuckleforatouchofglamour,butyoucanchooseanybuckleyoulike—neworvintage.
materials
*⅛–¼yardofprintfabricforthebelt
*⅛yardeachof2contrastingfabricsfortheruffles
*⅛yardoffusiblefleece
*Barbuckleofyourchoicewith1½”opening
*Appliquéglue
cutting
*Beltfabric:Cut3½”wide×thelengthyouwantyourbelt.*
*Fusiblefleece:Cut3”wide×thelengthyoucutthebeltfabricminus½”.
*Rufflefabrics:Cutseveral½”stripstotalingabout4yardsinlength(½-yardincrementsarebestforcreatingtheruffles).
*Measureyourwaistandadd10”—thisallows5”forfinishingtheendsandfoldingthroughthebuckle,plus5”ofhangoverwhenwearingthebelt.Ifthemeasurementisgreaterthan44”,you’llneedtopiece2stripstogether.
MAKETHEBELTBASE
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Centerandpressthefusiblefleecetothewrongsideofyourbeltfabricstrip.
2.Presstheshortendsin¼”towardthewrongsideofthefabric
3.Foldthefabricinhalflengthwisewithrightsidesfacing.
4.Sewthelongedgestogethertocreateatube.
5.Turnandpressflat,withtheseaminthecenteroftheback.
CREATETHERUFFLES
note:Theseareraw-edgeruffles.
1.Usingalongbastingstitch,sewstraightupthecenterofyour½”-widestrips.
2.Oneachstrip,pullthetopthreadstocreatearuffle.Ithelpstopullfromoneend,rufflethestriphalfway,andthenpullfromtheotherend.
3.Presstherufflesflatwithahotironandsteamtosettherufflesinplace.
ATTACHTHERUFFLESTOTHEBELT
1.Markthebelt1”infromanend.Thiswillbewhereyoustarttheruffles.
2.Glueeachshortendof1rufflestripunderslightly,usingappliquéglue.
3.Startingatthemark,useappliquégluetolightlytacktherufflealonganedgeofthebelt,aligningtheruffleandbeltedges.Presstherufflestripdown.
4.Repeatwiththerestoftherufflestripsuntilyouhaverufflesalongbothedges.
5.Stitchthecenterofeachruffletothebelt.
FINISHTHEBELT
1.Attheendofthebeltwhereyouleft1”free,folddownthecornerstowardthecenterasshowntocreateatriangle.Sewacrossthebaseofthetriangle,thenaroundthetip,backstitchingateachend.
2.Attheotherendofthebelt,slideonthebuckle.Foldtheendoverthebarabout4”orhoweverlongwillworktosizeitcorrectlyforyou.
3.Sewtheendtothebelttosecurethebuckle.
Myloveaffairwithflowerscontinueswiththisflirtyfeminineapronpattern.Thetopissimplepatchwork,andtheskirtismadeupofprintfabric“flowerpetals.”Thestepsinthispatternaren’tdifficulttoexecute,butittakessometimetomakeallthoselushpetals—40inall.
Thismakesagreathostessgift,oragifttoyou!
materials
*Fatquartersor¼-yardcutsof12assortedprintfabrics*forpetalsandaprontop
*½yardofmuslinforapronskirtfoundation(underneaththepetals)
*1⅛yardofcontrastingfabricforapronlining,waistband,andties
*Coordinatingthread
*Forthisproject,IusedaModaLayerCake,whichisastackof10”×10”precutsincoordinating
prints.
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
note:Cutoutthepatternpiecesasmarked;cutonthefoldwhereindicated.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
Fromthe12assortedprintfabrics:
*Cut12squares4”×4”forthepatchworkaprontop.
*Cut80petalsusingpatternpieceA.
Fromthemuslin:
*Cut1eachofpatternpiecesC,D,E,F,andGfortheapronskirtfoundation.
Fromthecontrastingfabric:
*Cut1piece10½”x14½”fortheaprontoplining.
*Cut1patternpieceBfortheapronskirtlining.
KeepingItRealChainPiecing
Ilikeanythingthatsavestime,andthatisjustwhatchainpiecingdoes.Whenpiecingmultiplesof2patchestogether,feedoneafteranotherintothemachinewithoutclippingthethread.Cutthepiecesapartwhenyou’refinishedstitching.
*Cut2pieces2”×17”(1forthewaistbandand1forthewaistbandlining).
*Cut2pieces4½”×42”forthewaistbandties.
*Cut2pieces3”×24”fortheneckties.
MAKETHEAPRONSKIRT
Sewandattachthepetals
1.Sandwichyourpetalpiecesinpairs,rightsidestogether.
2.Take1pairand,usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromatopedgeofthepetalaroundthebottomtotheothertopedgeasshown,leavingthetopopen.Asyougettotheend,donotremovefromthemachineorcutthethread.Simplytakethenextpairofpetalsandrepeatuntilyouhave40petalstotal.
3.Cutthethreadsconnectingthepetalsandtrimallextrathread.Cliptheseamallowancearoundthecurvededges,beingcarefulnottoclipthroughthestitching.
4.Presstheseamsflatandthenturnrightsideoutandpressagain.
5.Ontherightsideofeachskirtfoundationpanelpiece,mark¼”fromeachend.Youcanusechalkorjustapin.
note:ThefoundationpanelpatternsareletteredCthroughG,startingwiththetoppanel.Besuretomarkeachpiecewithitsletterbeforeyousetitasideandmovetothenext.Iusuallyjustpinonaletteredstickynote.
6.Aligningtherawedgesofthepetalswiththetoprawedgeofthepanel,place1petalateachendofPanelContheinsideofyour¼”mark.
7.Addpetals,overlappingabout½”—oneover,thenextunder,andsoon—untilyouhaveatotalof6petalsalongthetopedgeofthepanel.Basteinplace,usingascant¼”seamallowance.
8.RepeatSteps6and7onthenext4panels,increasingthenumberofpetalsoneachpanelby1.(PanelC:6petals;PanelD:7petals;PanelE:8petals;PanelF:9petals;PanelG:10petals)
Assemblethepanels
1.TakePanelCandflipallofthepetalsuptoexposethebottomrawedgeofthemuslinpaneleasily.
2.PlacePanelDonPanelC,rightsidestogether,matchingthebottomrawedgeofPanelCwiththetoprawedgeofPanelD.Pininplace,sew,andpress.
3.FollowSteps1and2fortherestofthepanelsuntilyouhaveall5panelssewntogetherandallseamspressedopen.
CREATETHEAPRONTOPANDTIES
note: Ifyouhaven’tpiecedsquares foraquiltorotherprojectbefore, seeKeeping ItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).
1.Sewtogetherthe4”×4”squaresin3rowsof4squareseach.Press.
2.Sewtherowstogetherandpress.
3.Foldeachwaistbandtieinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Atanendofeachtie,foldtherawedgeintoatriangletowardthefoldededgeasshown.Startingatthetipofthetriangle,sewalongtheangle,thensewtherawedgesofthefabrictogetherasshown.
4.Trimtheexcessfabric.Presstheseamflat,turn,andpressagain,teasingtheseamoutneatly.(Foratiponturning,seeKeepingItReal:TurningCornersandEdges,page25.)
5.RepeatSteps3and4tomakethe2neckties.
ASSEMBLETHEAPRONFRONT
Nowyou’rereadytoputtogethertheaprontop,waistband,andskirt.
1.Pin,thensewthetopedgeoftheapronskirttoalongedgeofthewaistband.Presstheseamflat,andthenpressittowardtheskirt.
2.Centerthepatchworktopontheremainingwaistbandedge.Pin,thensewthetopandwaistbandtogether.Presstheseamflat;thenpressittowardthewaistband.
3.Ontherightsideoftheaprontop,mark¼”infromthesideedgesfortheneckties.Pinthetiesinplacejustinsidethemarks,matchingtherawedges.Baste,usinga⅛”seamallowance.
4.Attherawendofeachwaistbandtie,pressthecenterintoasmallpleattofittheendofthewaistband.
5.Pinthepleatedendsofthewaistbandtiestotheendsofthewaistband,withrawedgeseven.Baste,usinga⅛”seamallowance.
ASSEMBLETHELINING
RepeatSteps1and2fromAssembletheApronFront(page37)tosewtogetherthe3piecesofthelining:aprontop,waistband,andapronskirt.Leavea6”openinginthecenterofthewaistband/skirtseamtoturntheapronrightsideoutaftertheliningisattached.
FINISHTHEAPRON
1.Pinallofthepetalsandtiestowardtheinsideoftheapronsotheyarecompletelyoutofthewayofyourstitching.
2.Pintheapronfronttotheliningwithrightsidestogether.Sew,thenpress.
note:Makesureyoufeelfortheedgesofthepetalsandthetiesasyousew.Youwanttosewascloseasyoucantothemwithoutgoingoverthem.
3.Turntheapronrightsideoutthroughtheopeninginthewaistbandseam.Whipstitchtheopeningclosed.Press.
Oneofmyfavoritethingsaboutsewingisthatitlendsanaspectofcreativitytoeverypartofmylife.IlookatthingsinawayIdidn’tbefore.WhenIshopforclothing,Ithink,ThiswouldbecuterifIchangedthecollar(orthepockets)oraddedalittlesomethingtothecuffs.
Ialsorealize-thatmyoldclothescanbenewagain…ifIjustthinkalittlebitoutsidethebox.
Andthethingis,itdoesn’thavetobehard,either.Withthisjeanjacket,justcuttingoffthebottomandrebuildingitwithfunfabricsdidthetrick.Thesedirectionswillgetyoustartedwithasimilarproject.
materials
*Oldjeanjacket(minehappenedtobegreen)
*Varietyofprintfabricscraps(enoughtototal¼yardoffabric)
*Printfabricstripfornewbottombandandplackets
*Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*Clearquiltingruler
*Coordinatingthread
*Chalkorairerasablemarker
PREPAREYOURJACKET
1.Usethequiltingrulertomeasureandmark7”upfromthebottomedgeofthejacketallthewayaround.Drawalineallthewayaroundthejacket.Cutoffthe7”-widestrip.
2.Fromthepiecethatyoujustremoved,followtheseamlinesandcarefullycutoffthebottombandandthebuttonandbuttonholeplackets.Settheseaside;youwillusethemastemplateslater.
EMBELLISHTHEJACKETBOTTOM
note:Thesewillberaw-edgepieces.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Bringthecutjacketpiecetothesewingmachinewithyourcollectionoffabricscraps.
2.Startingatanendwiththejacketpiecerightsideup,placeascrapontopandstitchitdownusingyourfavoriteappliquéstitch—blanketstitch,zigzag,satinstitch,orwhatever.Youdon’thavetousethesamethreadcolorthroughoutoreventhesamestitch.
3.Addpieceafterpiece,overlappingthemslightlyandstitchingeachinplaceasyougo,untilthewholejacketpieceisfilled.Trimanyfabricthatishangingofftheedgesofthejacketpiece,andpress.
PREPAREANEWBOTTOMBANDANDPLACKETS
1.Measurethelengthandwidthofthebottombandthatyoucutoffthejacket.Multiplythewidthby2andadd½”forseamallowancestodeterminethewidthoftheaccentfabricstrip;thelengthisthesameastheoriginalband.Usingthesedimensions,cut1stripeachfromtheaccentfabricandtheinterfacing.
2.Measurethebuttonandbuttonholeplacketpiecesthatyouremovedfromyourcutjacketbottom.Tocalculatethewidth,multiplythewidthoftheoriginalpieceby2andadd¼”forseamallowances.Forthelength,add¼”tothelengthoftheoriginalstrip.Usingthesedimensions,cut1stripeachfromtheaccentfabricandtheinterfacingforeachplacket.
3.Pressinterfacingtothewrongsideofeachaccentfabricstrip.
4.Foldthebottombandpieceinhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether,andpress.
5.Pressunder¼”ononeshortendofeachplacketpiece.Withwrongsidestogether,foldeachpieceinhalflengthwise.Edgestitchclosedthefoldedendsoneachplacketpiece⅛”fromtheedge.
SEWONTHENEWPIECES
1.Pin,thensewthelongrawedgesofthebandtothebottomedgeoftheembellishedpiece.Zigzagstitchtherawedgesoftheseam.
2.Foldthebanddownandpresstheseamtowardtheband.Ontherightside,edgestitchtheband⅛”fromtheseamline.
3.Pin,thensewtherawedgesofaplacketpiecetoeachendoftheembellishedpiecewiththeband,aligningthehemmedplacketendswiththefoldededgeoftheband.Presstheseamtowardtheplacket.Ontherightside,edgestitchtheplacket⅛”fromtheseamline.
4.Sewtheembellishedpiecetothebottomofthejacket,aligningthefrontedges.
youcanputoneofthesesweetfeltbroochesonanything.
Theylookgreatonajeanjacket,ahandbag,orevenapillow.IusedonetoaddextradimensiontomySeasonalWreath(page60).
materials
*2strips10”×1¼”ofwoolfeltcolor1fortheflowers
*1strip10”×1¼”eachofwoolfeltcolors2and3fortheflowers
*2pieces4”×4”ofwoolfeltinflowercolor1or2forthebaseandbacking
*1piece5”×3”ofgreenwoolfeltfortheleaf
*1printedcottonfabricscrapatleast12”×3”for1flower
*2piecesofcoordinatingribbon6”long
*Fabricglue
*Bar-stylepin(Lookinthejewelrysectionofyourcraftstore.)
*Pinkingshears
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
Fromfeltcolor1:
*Cut2ofpatternAforflowers.
Fromfeltcolors2and3each:
*Cut1ofpatternAforflowers.
Fromprintfabric:
*Cut1piece3”×10½”foraflower.
Fromthefeltcolorforbaseandbacking:
*Cut1ofpatternBforthebase.
*Cut1ofpatternCforthebacking,usingpinkingshears.
Fromthegreenfelt:
*Cut1ofpatternDfortheleaf.
ASSEMBLETHEBROOCH
1.UsefabricgluetotackoneendofeachribbontobaseB.
2.Foldtheleafinhalflengthwise.Topstitch⅛”fromthecenterfold,backstitchingateachend.Trimthethreads.
3.UsefabricgluetotackthebottomoftheleaftobaseB,coveringtheribbonends.
4.Sewabastingstitchascant¼”fromthelongstraightedgeofeachflowerstrip.
5.Gathereachstripbypullingathreadtoruffleit.Tieoffthegatheringthreadsandtrim.
STITCHTHEFLOWERS
1.Tocreateeachfeltflower,rolltheruffledfeltfromoneend,slipstitchingthelayerstogetheralongthebottomedgeasyouroll.Donottrimthethreadends.
2.Usingthesamethread,sewtheflowertobaseB.Bringtheneedleupfromthebottomandsewallthewayaroundthebaseoftheflowertoholditinplace.
3.Tomakethefabricflower,pressoneshortendofthefabricstripunder¼”.Foldthestripinhalflengthwiseandpressagain.
4.Followthefeltflowerinstructionstogatherthelongedgestogether,rolltheflower,andattachittothebase.Begintherollwiththeunfinishededge.
5.Oncealloftheflowersaresecure,stitchthebarpintobackingC.Gluethebackingtothebackofthebase.
Thisone-of-a-kindbagfeaturesapatchworkofsmallsquaresturnedsideways,or“onpoint,”whichgivesitauniqueflair.Itsribbonrosettedetailsaddawhimsicaltouchandarefunandsimpletocreate,whilepocketsonboththebackandtheinsideliningaddmodernconvenience.Forhelpwithpatchwork,seeKeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).
ThisbagisalsoTheCureforZipperFear!
Thismethodissuper-easyandhastotallycuredmeofzipperphobia.You’llbeextraproudyoudiditwhenyouarecarryingthisuber-cutebag,too!
materials
*Ifdesired,youcanusethesamefabricforthezipperplacketliningandoutsideplackettoavoidconfusionwhensewing.
*Variouscontrastingprintfabrics(about5),eachatleast2½”square,tototal½yard,forthepatchworkbagfrontpanelandoutsidepocket
*½yardofsolid-colorfabricforthebagback(Iuseddenim.)
*1fatquarteroffabricforthebagsides
*1fatquarteroffabricforthebagbottom
*¼yardoffabricforthetop(zipperplacket)
*¼yardoffabricforthehandles
*1yardoffabricforthelining*
*1yardoffusiblefleece
*1yardofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*1pieceofplasticcanvasatleast4½”×15½”forthebagbottom(availableatcraftandsewingstores)
*⅝“–widevelvetribbonfortherosettes:1¼yardsofcolor2,1½yardseachofcolors1and3,and3/4yardofcolor4
*1¾yardsof⅝“–widegreenvelvetribbonfortheleavesandstem
*¾yardof1”–wideribbontrimfortheoutsidepocket,sidepanels,andzippertapelining
*Coordinatingthread
*18”zipper(non-separating)
*Zipperfoot
*Appliquéglue
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
Zipperplacket/bagtop:
*Cut2pieces3”×19”eachfromthezipperplacketfabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.
*Cut1strip3”longfromtheribbontrimfortheendofthezipperinsidelining.
Bagsides:
*Cut2pieces5”×7”eachfromthebagsidefabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.
*Cut2strips7”longfromtheribbontrim.
Bagfrontpanelandbackpocket:
*Cut64squares2½”×2½”fromtheprintpatchworkfabrics.
*Cut1patternpiecefromthefusiblefleece.
Bagbackpanel:
*Cut1patternpiecefromthebackpanelfabric.
*Cut1patternpiecefromthefusiblefleece.
Bagbottom:
*Cut1piece5”×16”eachfromthebagbottomfabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.
*Cut1piece4½”×15½”fromtheplasticcanvas.
Outsidepocket:
*Cut2strips8½”×2½”fromyourfabricofchoiceforthepockettopband.
*Cut1piece10½”×8½”fromtheinterfacing.
*Cut1strip8½”longfromtheribbontrim.
Baglining:
*Cut2patternpieceseachfromtheliningfabricandinterfacing.
Insidepocket:
*Cut1piece10½”×8½”eachfromtheliningfabricandinterfacing.
Handles:
*Cut2strips22”×3½”eachfromthehandlefabricandfleece.
Velvetribbon:
*Color1:Cut2strips¾yardlong
*Color2:Cut1strip¾yardlongand1strip½yardlong.
*Color3:Cut2strips¾yardlongeach
*Color4:Cut1strip¾yardlong.
*Green:Cuta9”stripforthestemand10strips5”longeachfortheleaves
MAKETHEZIPPERPLACKET/BAGTOP
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.Forextrazipperhelp,seeKeepingItReal:ACommonZipperBoo-BooandaTip(page51).
Toaccountforthevaryingwidthsofzippersavailable,I’vehadyoucutthezipperplacketfabricslightlywiderthanyoumayneed.Aftersewingthepiecetogether,trimtoexactly5”wideifneeded,trimmingequalamountsfromeachside.Forexample,ifyourzipperplacketcomesoutto6”wide,trim½”offeachside.
1.Fusefleecetothewrongsideofeachplacketpiece.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofeachplacketliningpiece.
note:Toinsertthezipper,Iamgoingtohaveyoumakeazipper“sandwich”withtheoutsideandliningplacketpiecesyoucut.You’llplacetheedgesofthezipperbetweentheliningandtheoutsidefabriconeithersideandstitchtocreateaplacket,whichwillalsoformthetopof
thebag.
2.Lay1liningpiecerightsideup,andplacetheclosedzipperrightsideupontop,sothezipperedgeoverlapsthefabric.Addapieceoftheplacketfabric,rightsidedown,overthesamezipperedge,withtheedgesofthefabricslinedup.
3.Pinthelayerstogethercarefully.Usingazipperfoot,sewthelayerstogether¼”fromthezipperteeth,backstitchingateachend.
4.RepeatSteps2and3fortheoppositesideofthezipperplacket.Pressopenandtrimtheplacketfabricendstowithin½”oftheendsofthezipperifnecessary.
5.Foldthe3”pieceofribbontriminhalfcrosswise,wrongsidestogether,andtopstitchtheedgestogether.Sewthetabacrosstheplacketatthebottomofthezipperontheliningside.
KeepingItRealACommonZipperBoo–BooandaTip
Beverycarefultostitchatleast¼”awayfromthezipperteeth.Ifyougettooclose,thefabriccangetcaughtinthezipperwhenyouopenandcloseit.
Aroundthezipperpull,itoftenbecomesdifficulttosew.Therearetwothingsyoucandotohelpwiththis.First,alwayskeepyourneedleinthedownpositionwhenyoupause.Whenyoucomenearthezipperpull,openthezippersothepullisbehindyourneedle.
Anothertrick,especiallywhenyoustartstitching,istomanuallystitchbyrotatingyourmachine’swheelacoupleofroundsuntilyouarepastthedifficultparts.Again,keepingyourneedleinthedownpositionwhenyoupausestitchingwillpreventthelayersfromshifting.
MAKETHEFRONTANDBACKPANELS
Createthepatchwork
Fortipsonsewingpatchwork,seeKeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).
1.Randomlyarrangeyour2½”patchworkfabricsquaresinto8rowsof8squareseach.
2.Seweachrowtogether,press,andthensewthe8rowstoeachother.Press.
3.Laythepatchworkflatonacuttingmatandrotateitsothesquaresareonpoint.
4.Becauseyouwillcutboththefrontbagpanelandtheoutsidebackpocketfromthepatchwork,leaveenoughroomforthepocketwhenpositioningthepanelpattern.Usingyourcutliningpieceasyourpatternpiece,alignthecenterwiththecenterofthepatchwork,asclosetothetopaspossible(asshown),andpin.
5.Lineupaclearquiltingruleralongthebottomedgeofthepattern,andusearotarycuttertocutoffatriangularpiece.Setitasidetomakethepocket.Finishcuttingoutthefrontpanel.
Maketheoutsidepocket
Cutthepatchworktriangleinhalftocreate2trianglesandrotatethemsotheyformasquare8½”×8½".Sewthetrianglestogetherandpress.
note:Here’swhereyouwillnoticethatthepieceisalittlesmalltomakemuchofapocket.Toremedythis,youwilladdthe8½”×2½”piecesofcontrastingfabric.
2.Sewthefabricstripstothetopandbottomedgesofthepatchworksquare.Press.
3.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofthepocket.
4.Withthebordersatthetopandbottom,usechalkandarulertodrawahorizontallineacrossthecenterofthepocket.Pintheribbontrimacrossthepocketjustbelowthecenterline.Foldthepocketinhalftomakesuretheribbonisjustbelowthefold;adjustifneeded.
Sewbothedgesoftheribbontothepocket.
5.Foldthepocketinhalfwithrightsidesfacingandsewthesideedgestogether.Trimthecornersandpress.Turnrightsideoutandpressagain.
Finishthebackpanel
1.Foldthebackpanelpieceinhalftomarkthecenteronthebottomedge.Dothesamewiththepocketyoujustmade.
2.Aligntherawedgesofthepocket(withribbontrimfacingout)withthebottomedgeofthepanel,matchingthecentermarks.Topstitcheachsideedgeofthepocketinplace⅛”fromtheedge.Backstitchateachend.Ateachtopcornerofthepocket,sewa¼”triangletogivethepocketextrasupport.
3.Measure3”fromtherightedgeofthepocketandmarkaverticallinewithchalk,usingaruler.Stitchalongthemarkedline,backstitchingateachend,tocreatedividedpockets.
MAKETHERIBBONROSETTESANDEMBELLISHTHEBAGFRONT
note:Asyouattachtheseembellishments,besureyousteerclearofthebagfront’sseamallowancesexceptforthebottomleftstem,whichcanbesewnintotheseam.Refertothephotoforplacement.
1.Bastealongthecenterofeachpieceofribbonyoucutfortheflowers,andpullthetopthreadcarefullytoruffleeachpiece.
2.Foldeachpieceofribbonyoucutforaleafinhalftoformaflat“loop”withthevelvetfacingup.(Itwilllooklikea“cause”or“awareness”ribbon.)Overlapandtacktheendstogetherwithatouchofappliquéglue,thentacktothebagfront.
3.Atthesewingmachine,createaflowerontopofeachleaf.Startingwithanendoftheruffledribboninthecenter,begintopstitchingthecenteroftheruffle,goingaroundandaroundincirclesuntilyouhavethedesiredsizeflower.Keepyourneedleinthedownpositionsoyoucanturnwithoutshiftingthepiece.Tucktheendunderandstitchinplacetofinish.
4.Rufflethestemportionandsewitinplace.Ifyoulike,youcanfirstattachitwithabitofappliquéglue.
Make7rosetteswithleaves,sewingthemtothepatchworkbagfrontasshowninthephoto.Make3extraleavesandtackthemtothebagfrontatthelowerleftsideoftheflowerarrangement.
MAKEANDATTACHTHEBAGHANDLES
1.Centerandpressthefusiblefleeceontothewrongsideofeachhandlestrip.
2.Foldeachhandleinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Sewthelongrawedgestogether.Turnandpresswiththeseaminthecenter.Topstitch⅛”fromthelongedgesofeachhandle.
3.Foldthefrontandbackpanelsinhalfandmarkthecentertopofeachwithapin.
4.Forboththefrontandback,mark3”toeachsideofthecentertop,andthenmark2”beloweachofthesemarksforthehandleplacement.Withtheseamsidesoutandthehandlehangingdown,pintherawhandleedgesinplaceatthemarksandstitch½”fromtheends.Foldthehandlebackup,coveringtherawends;stitchacrossthehandle1”abovethefold.
MAKETHEINSIDEPOCKET
1.Tomaketheliningpocket,followtheinstructionsfortheoutsidepatchworkpocket(page52),eliminatingtheborderstripsandribbontrim.
2.Topstitchthetopofthepocket(atthefold)afteryouturnandpressitforadecorativelookandtoholdthelayersneatlytogether.
3.Sewthepockettothefrontliningpanelandstitchthedividerasfortheoutsidepocket.
CONSTRUCTTHEBAG
Attachthebagsidestothezipperplacket
1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideoftheouterfabricsidepanels,andfusetheinterfacingtothewrongsideoftheliningsidepanels.
2.Attachthesidepanelstotheendsofthezipperplacket1sideatatime,creatinga“sandwich”:Layer1sideliningpanelrightsideup,thezipperplacketwiththeouterfabricrightsideup,and1outerfabricsidepanelwrongsideup,asshown.
3.Pin,thensewtherawedgestogetherandpress.
4.Presstheassembledplacket/sideopen.Pinthesideliningpiecebackunderthezipperplackettoholdtheliningoutoftheway.Sewribbontrimalongthetopedgeofthesideouterfabricpanel,stitchingalongbothlongedgesofthetrim.Unpinthelining.
5.RepeatSteps2–4toaddtheremainingsidepanel.
Attachthefrontandbackpanels
note:I’vehadyoumakethesidepiecesextralong.Thisway,there’sroomforerrorifthefrontandbackarenotattachedperfectly.You’lljustneedtotrimthesidestomatchthefrontandbackpanelsbeforeyousewthebottomon.
1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsidesofthebagfrontandbackouterfabric.Fusetheinterfacingtothewrongsidesofthebagfrontandbackliningfabric.
2.Markthecenteronthefrontandbackpanelsandonthezipperplacket/sidepanels.(Foldeachinhalftofindthecenterandmarkwithapin.)
3.Layerthefrontliningpanelrightsideup,thezipperplacket/sidepanelsrightsideup
(zipperpullfacesup),andthefrontoutsidepanelwrongsideup.Sewthecurvededgesofthelayerstogether.Clipthecurves,turn,andpress.
4.RepeatStep3toassembletheback,theremainingedgeofthezipperplacket,andthebackliningpanel.
Makeandattachthebottom
1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideofthebottomouterfabric.Fusetheinterfacingtothewrongsideofthebottomliningfabric.
2.Foldthebottompiecesinhalfandmarkthecenterwithapin.Dothesameforthefrontandbackpanelpieces.
3.Matchingthecenters,layerthebottomliningpiecerightsideup,thefrontpanelwiththeouterfabricrightsideup,andtheouterbottompanelwrongsideup.Sewthe3layerstogether,startingandstopping¼”fromtheends;backstitchatbothends.
note:Inthenext2stepsyouwilljustbesewingtheoutsidebottomtogether.Therewillbe2layerssewntogetheratthispointinsteadofthe3youweresewingtogetherbefore.
4.Unzipthezipperandturnthebagwrongsideout.Matchthecenteroftheouterbottompaneltothecenteroftheouterbackpanelwithrightsidestogether.Sewthe2layerstogether,startingandstopping¼”fromtheends;backstitchatbothendsofthestitching.
5.Withrightsidestogether,pintheshortendsoftheouterbottomtotheoutersidepanels.
Sewthe2layerstogetherateachend,backstitchingatbothendsofthestitching.
6.Pressthe3unfinishededgesofthebottomliningpiece¼”intowardthewrongsideofthefabric.
7.Inserttheplasticcanvasbottombetweentheliningbottomandoutsidebottompieces.Glueinplaceusingfabricglue.
8.Whipstitchthebottomliningpiecetothesidepanelandbackpanelliningpieces.
9.Pressandturnthebagrightsideout.Pressalloftheseamsagainforaneat,crisplook.
PerfectPatchworkPiecing
Ifyou’reabeginningquilter,therearetworeallyimportantthingstoknow.
First:Makesureyoualwayskeepaconsistentseamallowance.Gettinga¼”footforyourmachinemakesthisreallyeasy.
Second:Pressyourrowsproperlysothatintersectingseamswillnesttogetherneatly.Forexample,whenyouarepiecingtogetherrowsofsquaresthatneedtomatchattheseams,pressalltheseamsofRow1totheleft,thenpressalltheseamsofRow2totheright.Whenyousewtogethertherows,rightsidestogether,theseamswill“nest.”
Asyoumatchtheseamstogether,feelthefabricandyou’llnoticethereisaridgewhereyoupressedtheseamofthetoppiecetoonesideandaridgewhereyoupressedtheseamofthebottompiecetotheotherside.Butttheseseamsuptoeachotherlikealittlepuzzlefittingrightintoplace,pin,andsewusinga¼”seamallowance.
Pressseamsonadjacentpiecestooppositesides.
Ifyouhaven’tdonefabriccollagebefore,thissimpleprojectmightbeagoodplacetostart.Youcanmakethiswreathforanyseasonoroccasion,dependingonyourchoiceoffabrics—floralsforspring,heartsforValentine’sDay—anythingyoulike.
Youcanmakethiswreathforanyseasonoroccasion.
Formoreonfabriccollage,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).Inadditiontofabriccollage,thisprojectalsoinvolvesstuffingvarioussectionswithpolyesterfiberfillforevenmoredimensionandtexture.Afeltflowerbroochaddsthefinishingtouch.Tomakethebrooch,seeFlowerBrooch(page43).
materials
*30ormorefabricscrapswithfloralmotifs(ormotifstomatchtheseason)
*1fatquarterofmuslin
*1fatquarterofcoordinatingfabricforthebacking
*1fatquarterofthickwoolbatting
*Matchingorcontrastingthreadforquilting
*Ribbon
*Smallamountofpolyesterfiberfill
MAKETHEFABRICCOLLAGE
1.Layermaterialsonaflatsurfacewiththebackingonthebottom,wrongsideup;thebattingnext;andthemuslinontop.
2.Cutoutfloralmotifsandarrangethemintheshapeofawreathontopofthemuslin.Pineachmotifinplacethroughall3layers,usingplentyofpins.
3.Setupyourmachineforfree-motionquiltingandquilttheedgeofamotif,leavinganopeningtoaddalittlebitoffiberfill.
4.Stuffthemotiflightly.Quilttheedgeofthemotifclosed,andthenquiltontopofthemotif.
5.Continuequiltingmotifs—somewithfiberfillandsomewithout—foratexturedlook.
FINISHTHEWREATH
1.Cutawaytheexcessfabricontheinsideandoutsideofthewreath.Wettheentirepieceandwringitouttoaddawrinkleddimension.Allowittoairdry.
2.Tofinishtherawedges,sewazigzagstitcharoundtheedgesofeachmotif3times,makingthestitchshortereachtimetoachieveasatin-stitchfinish.
Optional:Makeafeltflowerbroochandpinittothewreath.
KeepingItRealNoStickyStuff!
It’snotagoodideatousestickystufflikefabricglueorfusiblewebtoholdyourcutmotifpiecesinplace.Trustmeonthisone.I’veattemptedit.Thestickystuffoftencausesyoursewingmachineneedletocatchandthetensiontobealtered,resultinginbreakingthreadandotherproblems.Usepins.
Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage
Oneofmyfavoritesewingtechniquesisfree-motionquiltingusedwithfabriccollage.Forsometime,Ihadbeendoingavariationonthistechniquebyincorporatinglittlescrapsandusingmachineappliquéstitchestocollagethemtogether.AndthenIdiscoveredfree-motionquilting.Awholenewworldopenedup.
Fabriccollageusesfree-motionquiltingtocreategorgeousfabricvignettesonquilts,clothing,pillows—prettymuchanywhereyouwanttoaddalittleflair.Motifscutfromawidevarietyoflarge-andsmall-printfabricsarelayeredandthenquiltedtogethertocreateausablepieceoffabricart.
OnethingIlikeisitsinstantlyfreeingnature.Usingthefreemotionquiltingfootonyourmachine,withyourfeeddogsdown,yousimplydoodleawayusingthreadasyourmedium.Youcantracethefabricmotifs,addquiltedleavesandflowers,evensignyournameorthrowinwordsandlinesofpoetryhereandthere.
Therearenorules.Layerallkindsoffabricstogether.Iuseeverythingfromquiltingcottontolaceandvelvettoselvageedges,ribbon,andsilk.Ioftencutoutanappliquéshaperatherthanafabricmotifandthrowthatinthemixaswell.Truly,anythinggoes.Andyoudon’thavetobeoverlyconcernedaboutyourstitchlengthsbecausewhenyouarefinished,youwetdownthepieceandallowittodry,givingitalovelywornlookandhidingany“flaws.”
Practiceonscrapfabrictogetusedtoit,andthen—awayyougo!Forsometips,seethefollowingpage.
*Useafree-motionfoot(alsocalledadarningfoot),anddropthefeeddogssoyoucansewfreelyineverydirection.
*Quiltingglovesarewonderfullyuseful.Theyhelpyougripthefabric,andtheykeepyourhandsandwristsfrombecomingtired.
*Usetonsofpins!Themorethebetter.Thelastthingyouwantisflippingandfloppingfabricpieces.Whenyouhaveeverythingpinneddown,pickupthepieceandgiveitagoodshake.Yourpiecesshouldallstayinplace.Also,it’sagoodideatousebrightorwhitepinsthatcontrastwithyourfabric.Ifyoushouldendupwithapinsewnunderneathamotif(I’lladmitthatIhave—severaltimes),don’tpanic.Justtrimitout,placeanewmotifontop,andquiltitagain.
*WhenIfirststartedfree-motionquilting,myinstinctwastoturnthefabricthewayIwouldwhenIturnedacornerdoingappliqué.ButIsoonfoundIwasworkingagainstmyselfbydoingthat.Simplymoveyourfabricup,down,andsidetoside,glidingitunderneaththeneedlegently.
*Thebackofyourworkisjustasimportantasthefront,sobesuretobringupthebobbinthreadtothefrontbeforeyoustart.Turnthewheelofyourmachinemanuallytomake1stitch.Thenraisetheneedleandwigglethewheelabitwhilegentlytuggingatthethread.You’llseetheloopofthebobbinthreadcomingup.Pullitallthewaytothefrontandcontinuesewing.Trimthethreadsonthetopafterseveralstitchestogetthemoutoftheway.
*Speakingofneedles…justaswhenyouaresewingalongdistance,besurethatwhenyoupause,yousetyourmachinetotheneedle-downpositiontoholdthefabricinplace.
*Youmayneedtoplaywiththetensionabittogetitjustright.Experimenton“practice”fabricsofthesameweightasyourprojecttoadjustthetension.
*Stitchin2stages:Firststitchtherawedgesofallthepiecestogetthemattachedsoyoucanremovethepins.Thengobackanddomoredecorativestitchingtogivethepiecetextureanddepth.
*Afterquilting,wetdownorwashthewholepieceandhangittodryoruseyourdryer.Washingallowsthefabrictocrinkleandgivesyouanice,softtexturewithfrayededges.
Collageisevenmorefunwhenyouuseittomakesomethingyoucanseeandadmireinyourhome.That’swhyIlovethistechniqueforallsortsofitems.Really,whocouldbeartoputaplainpillowanywhereagainwhenyoucanhaveapillowlikethis?
Itgivesaone-of-a-kindlooktoanyspace.
Thisdesignfeaturesalavishcollageofflower“blooms”inabright,stripedcontainer.Fordetailedinstructionsonthefabriccollage,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).
materials
*Approximately72floralmotifs,inavarietyoflargeandsmallprints,forthefabriccollage
*1fatquarterofstripedfabricfortheflowercontainer
*¾yardofcontrastingbackgroundfabric*
*¾yardoffabricforthepillowback(Iuseddenim.)
*3yardsofribbonforthepillowbackties
*1½yardsofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*½yardoffusiblefleece
*Coordinatingorcontrastingthread(Ilovevariegatedthreadforcollage.)
*24”×24”pillowform
*I’dsuggestusingsomethingprettysubduedtoallowforanicecontrastbetweentheflowersandthebackground.
cutting
*Cutouttheflowercollagemotifsasyoucomposeyourpiecebecausethatwayyoucanbalancethecolorsandsizesvisually.
*Flowercontainerfabric:Cut1ofpatternA.
*Backgroundfabricandfusiblefleece:Cut1squareeach23½”x23½".
*Pillowback:Cut2pieces,each23½”x16".
*Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing:Cut1square23½”x23½”and2pieces23½”x16".
*Ribbon:Cut4pieces¾yardlongeach.
BUILDTHECOLLAGE
1.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofthebackgroundfabric.
2.Referringtothephoto(page65)andwithoutpinninganythinginplaceyet,laythecontainerpieceatthebottomcenterofthebackgroundpiece.Begincuttingoutandlayeringflowerstofillandoverflowthepot.Remembertomixlarger-andsmaller-scalepiecestobalanceyourdesign,andremembertobalancethecolorthroughoutthepiece.Ifyounoticeaconcentrationofcolorinoneareaandnoneofthatcolorinanotherarea,youmightwanttomovethepiecesaround.Thesamegoesforlargeandsmallpieces.
3.RefertoKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63)topin,quilt,andfinishyourcollage.
4.Pressthefleecetothewrongsideofthecollage.
5.Toroundthepillowcornersandpreventthemfrombeingpointy,placeabowlinacorner.Drawaroundtheedgeofthebowlatthecorner.Cutalongthemarkedline.Repeatforall4corners.
FINISHTHEPILLOW
1.FollowtheinstructionsinKeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack(page69)tocreatethebackandassemblethepillow.
2.Insertthepillowformthroughthebackopening,fluff,andtiethepillowties.
MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack
Thisstyleofpillowbackisprettytolookat,anditletsyouremovethepillowformeasilyifyouwanttocleanthepillowcover.IhaveyoumakethisbackfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(page109)aswellastheFloweringContainerGardenPillow.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsidesofthepillowbackpieces.Onalongedgeofeach,turnunder¼”andpress,thenturnanother¼”andpress.Stitch⅛”fromthefoldededge.
2.Placethe2backpiecesrightsideuponthewrongsideofthepillowfront,aligningandoverlappingthemtomatchthesizeofthepillowfront.Pintheoverlaptogetheratthetopandbottomedges(don’tpinthebackpiecestothepillowfrontyet).Bastetheoverlappingedgestogether⅛”fromthetopandbottomedges.
3.Tomarktheplacementoftheribbonties,measureandmarkthecenteroftheoverlappingedges.Placethetiemarks4”fromthemiddleand3”backfromwherethepiecesoverlap.Foldanendofeachpieceofribbonunder½”andpintheribbonsinplaceasshown,withthefoldedrawedgestuckedunderneath.
Note:Piecesshownsidebysidetoshowoverlap.Thetwopiecesareactuallyoverlappedandbastedtogetheratthepoint.
4.SewtheribbonsinplaceandtopstitcharectanglewithanXthroughthemiddleonthefoldedends.
5.Pinthepillowfrontandbacktogetherwithrightsidesfacingandedgeseven.Cutthebackcornerstomatchthefrontcorners.Sewtogetherandpress.Cliptheroundededgesto—butnotthrough—thestitching,andturnthepillowrightsideout.
ThisprojectcameaboutasanextensionofthetreecollagesIwascreatingformyhandbagline.Igottothinkingthesecollageswouldbegreatwallhangings.ThenIthought,
Howaboutagiantwallhanging?
So,nearlylife-sized,my“treeofdreams”emergedasaprojectforyou.(Seethecompletewallhangingonpage72.)You’llbedoingalotoffree-motionquiltingonthisproject.For
simpleinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).
materials
*Yourfavoritefabricscrapsinfloralandleafmotifsfortheleaves,enoughtocut150to200motifs*
*Fabricscrapsabout6”×36”withbrownandgreentones(preferablyprintswithatexturedlook)forthetrunk
*Fabricscraps6”-12”×44”forthehillbehindthetree
*½yardofgreenprintedfabricfor“grass”background
*1½yardsofblueprintedfabricfor“sky”background
*2yardsofmuslinorflanneltobeusedinplaceofbatting
*2yardsofbackingfabric
*½yardoffabricforbinding
*2spoolsofthreadtomatchyourfabric
*It’sfuntoincludetexturedvelvets,silks,andcorduroys.Ievenlikeputtingtulleandlaceontopofpieces.Also,don’tbeafraidtoaddintherandomselvageorcutwordsfromtheselvage.
cutting
*Fromthebindingfabric:Cut6strips2¼”×42".
*Cuttheadditionalfabricsasyougo.
ASSEMBLEANDLAYERTHEBACKGROUND
1.Usearotarycutterandrulertotrueupyourgreenandbluebackgroundfabrics(makethebottomandtopedgesparallelandthesideedgesparallelwhilekeeping90°anglesatthecorners).Dothesamewiththemuslinorflannelandthebackingfabric.
2.Sewthetopedgeofthegreen“grass”fabrictothebottomedgeoftheblue“sky”fabric.Press.Youcanleavetheselvagesonfornow;you’llcuttheseofflaterwhenyoutrueupthewholepiece.
3.Onalargetableorthefloor,layoutthe3layerswiththebackingrightsidedown,themuslinorflannelnext,andthebackgroundthatyoujustsewedontop,rightsideup.
4.Align1ofthelongedges,andsewthe3layerstogetherjustonthatside.Thiswillhelpkeepthelayersfromslippingasyousew.Donotsewanyothersidestogether;oftenthiswillresultinlumps.
5.Forthehill,cutcurvedpiecesfromthecontrastinggreenprintfabricstolayerontopofeachother.Refertothephoto(page72)tolaythepiecesontopofthegreengrasswiththehillrisingtotheside.Pinonsecurely,usingmanypins.
BUILDTHEFABRICCOLLAGE
1.Nowstartwithyourfree-motionquilting(page63).Sewalltherawedgesofthepiecesnowsotheyareattachedandyoucanremovethepins.Lateryouwillgobacktodothedecorativestitching.
2.Onceyou’vegotthehillpiecesinplaceandattachedwell,laythepieceoutflatagainandstartcreatingthetrunk.Useyourvariousgreenandbrownfabricstocreateatrunkeffect.Justlayeroneontopofanotheruntilyouhavethelookthatyoulike.Tokeepproportionscorrect,yourtrunkshouldgoabout?ofthewaytothetopofthepiece,withtherestreservedforleaves.Pinthepiecesinplacesecurely.Quiltthetrunkjusttomakeitstable,andagainwaittodothedecorativestitchinglater.
3.Cutvariousfloralandleafmotifstofillthebranchesofyourtree.Icutaround150to200ormorepieces.Playwithandarrangethemotifssotheeffectispleasingtoyoureye.Pinthepiecessecurelyandquilttoholdtheminplace.
4.Nowgobackandquiltalloveryourwholepiece.Remember,free-motionquiltingaddsshadingandtexturetoyourart—youaregivingthepieceanaddeddimensionthatisnottherewithjustthefabric.
5.Whenyou’vefinishedquiltingtoyourliking,wetdownorwashanddrythewholepiecetocrinklethefabricandcreateasofttexturewithfrayededges.
KeepingItReal
It’sAllAboutWhatYouLike
“Pleasingtoyoureye.”Tosomepeoplethatsoundsscary.Butthisprojectisreallyallaboutwhatlooksgoodtoyou.It’sacollage—youcan’tgowrong.Imaginetheleavesonatreehangingdownorswayinginthewind.Towardtheouterleaves,youmightwanttocreategapsthewayatreethinsouttowardtheedges.Themotifshangdownaroundthetrunk;theyhaveanactivelook.
Whenyouarelayeringfabrics,don’tfretabouthowitalllooksatfirst.Justkeepadding,mixing,andmatchinguntilyoulikethecomposition.You’llmoveandplacethingsseveraltimesbeforeitlooksjustright.
Whenchoosingcolorsforthetrunkandhill,trytopicktonesthataresimilarbutthathaveenoughcontrastsoyourleavesstandoutfromthetrunkandthebackground.
Eventuallyitwillallfallinplace,justthewayyouwantitto.
KeepingItRealFree-Motion“DoodlingIdeas”
Onthegrassportionofthewallhanging,useabackandforthmotiontogiveitthelookofgrass.Doodleflowerscomingupfromthegrassandtracethemotifsinyourfabrics.Onthetrunk,stitchupanddowninrough,longovalstomimicthetextureoftreebark.Intheleaves,youcantracemotifsandstitchflowersandleavesontopofthetracing.
FINISHTHEWALLHANGING
1.Trueuptheedgesofthepieceasyoudidinthebeginning,beforeyoustartedsewing,cuttingofftheselvages.Thetruededgesshouldmeasureapproximately39”×66”.Bindtheentirequilt,followingtheinstructionsinKeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects(page81).
2.HandsewarodsleevetothebackorseetheMiniMemoryQuilt(page76)foroptional
hanginginstructions.
Makeafamilykeepsakewithfabricphototransferandcollage.Thisminiquilthasoneblockofcollagefeaturingfamilyphotosandtwoblockswithpocketstoholdmementosandphotos.Afabricpinwheeladdsdimensionandwhimsy.
materials
*1square8¼”×8¼”eachof4printfabricsfortheblocks
*2pieces5½”×4½”of1blockfabricfortherectangularpocketand1piece4”×9”ofthesameoranotherblockfabricfortheroundedpocket
*2squares6”×6”ofprintfabricforthepinwheel
*Floralprintfabricscraps,enoughtocutatleast6motifs
*1square16”×16”of1blockfabricoranothercontrastingfabricforthebacking
*1square16”×16”ofneutralflannelforthebatting
*¼yardof1blockfabricoranadditionalcontrastingfabricforthebinding
*Appliquéglue
*Fabricphototransferpaper,suchasPrintedTreasures
*Fusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder,1square6”×6”forthepinwheel
*1decorativebutton
*2ormorefamilyphotos,5”-6”tall,forphototransfers
*Coordinatingthreadforquilting
*3roundplasticrings1”diameter
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
*Blockfabricforrightpocket:Cut2ofpatternA.
*Floralprintfabricscraps:Cut6ormoremotifs.
*Bindingfabric:Cutenough2¼”-widestripstoequal78”whensewntogetherendtoend.
ASSEMBLETHEPINWHEEL
1.Pressthefusiblewebtothewrongsideof1ofthe6”squares.Peeloffthepaperbackingandpressittothewrongsideoftheother6”squaretocreateadouble-sidedpieceoffabric.
2.Usingaquiltingrulerandchalkorairerasablemarker,drawdiagonallinesfromcornertocornerofthesquare.Cutfromeachcornerto1”beforethecenter.
3.Bringacornertothecenterandtackitinplacewithappliquéglue.Thenbringitsoppositecornertothecenter.Repeatfortheother2corners.
4.Setasideandallowthegluetodrywhileyouconstructtheblocks.
CREATETHEPHOTOTRANSFERS
Useyourselectedfamilyphotostocreatephototransfers.IdothisusingPrintedTreasures,alightweightfabricbackedinpaperthatyouuseinyourhomecomputerprinter.Itisoneofmanybrands,butithappenstobetheoneIlikebest.Inthisprojectitisusedtoprintoutyourfamilyphotosonfabric.Followtheinstructionsonthepackageforbestresults.
MAKETHEBLOCKS
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Sewthe4blocksquarestogetherin2rowsof2squareseach.Press.
2.Arrangeyourcut-outfabricmotifsandphototransferfabricpiecesonthebottomrightblock.
3.Setupyourmachineforfree-motionquiltingandquiltthepiecesinplace.SeeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63)forinstructions.
CREATETHEPOCKETS
1.Withrightsidesfacingeachother,sewtherectangularpocketpiecestogether,leavinga2”openinginthebottom.
2.Pressyourstitchingandpresstheopeningintowardthewrongside¼".Trimthecorners,turnrightsideout,andpress.
3.Placethepocketonthehorizontalcenterofthebottomleftsquare.Besureitisslightlyoffcentervertically,sothatonceyouputphotosandothergoodiesinit,theywon’tstickupintothetopleftblock.
4.Pinandtopstitchthesideandbottomedgesofthepocketinplaceusinga⅛”seamallowance.
5.Createtheroundedpocketinthesamemanner,followingSteps1–4andsewingthepocketonthetopright-handblock.
ADDTHEFINISHINGTOUCHES
1.Layerthebacking,wrongsideup,theflannelbatting,andthequilttop,rightsideup,onaflatsurface.Pinthelayerstogether.
2.Followtheinstructionsonpage81tobindtheminiquilt.
3.Sewabuttontothemiddleofthepinwheel,andsewthepinwheeltothecenterofthetopleftsquare.
4.Tohang,sewthe3plasticringsonthebackofthequiltatthetopleft,topright,andtopcenter.Eithertiesomeribbonontheringsorhangwithpicturehooks.Orcoveraboardorcanvaswithfabricandhangtheminiquiltinthecenter—youcouldevenframeitforanextradecorativetouch.
BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects
Theseinstructionsarefordouble-foldbinding.
1.Measuretheperimeterofthepieceyouwanttobind,andcutenough2¼“-widebindingstripstoequaltheperimeterplusatleast14".
2.Sewthebindingstripstogetherendtoendusingdiagonalseams.Trimasshownandpresstheseamtooneside.
3.Pressthebindinginhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether.
4.Workingontherightsideofthequilttoporotherproject,aligntherawedgesofthebindingwiththerawedgesoftheprojectpiece,leavingatleasta6”tail.Beginsewing,startinginthecenterofoneedge,usinga¼”seamallowance.
5.Ifyouarebindingaquiltorotherprojectwith90°corners,you’llwanttomiterthebindingcorners.Asyouapproachacorner,stopsewingandbackstitch¼”fromtheend.Clipthethreads.
6.Turnthequiltsothatit’sreadyforyoutosewthenextside.Foldthebindingstripawayfromyouata90°angletothesideyoujustsewed.Thepointofthefoldshouldbeinalignmentwiththecornersothefoldisata45°angle.
7.Foldthebindingstripbackdownonitself,towardyou,tocreatethemiteredcorner.Stitchfromtheendofthesecondedgeagainto¼”fromtheendofthesideandrepeatthemiteringprocessateachcorner.Repeatallstepsforallsidesoftheproject.
8.Whenyouareapproximately12”fromwhereyoustartedsewingonthebinding,stopandbackstitch.Openupapieceofthebinding,foldtheendinata45°angle,andtrimitofftocreateasquarepiece.Youwillusethispieceasaguideforhowmuchthe2endsshouldoverlap.
9.Overlapthe2endsandplacethepieceyoucutasaguideoverthe2overlappingpieces.Trimbothpiecessotheyoverlaponlyforthelengthoftheguidepiece.
Makesurethatwhenyouoverlapthe2bindingends,youpulltightlytotestthattheyfit.Don’ttestfitwiththefabricsittingloosely,oryou’llendupwithtoomuchfabricleftoveronthebinding,causingaripplingeffect.
10.Openupthebindingandplacetheendsatrightanglestoeachother,rightsidestogether.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewthe2piecestogetherata45°angle.
11.Continuesewingthebindingtothequilt.
12.Wrapthebindingtothebacksideandblindstitchitinplacebyhand.Press.
Ihavethemostadorablevintagepotmetallampinmystudio,butitsshadewasinneedofafacelift.Slipcoversonfurniturearewonderfulbecausewecanchangethemwiththeseasonsorwhenwechangeourdecor.Soratherthantaketheglue-it-downapproach,Icreatedaslipcoverformylittlelamp.AndImadeitwithsomeofthemanyfabricscrapsstashedinmystudiobasketsanddrawers.Youcandothesamethingwithyourlamps.It’ssuper-easytomakeapatternforanysizeshade.
Thisslipcoverismadeusingcrazyquiltpatchworkpiecing.It’sfunandeasytodo.
materials
*Acone-stylelampshade(anysize)
*2piecesofpaperbigenoughtocoverthelampshadeallthewayaround(Iusedpackingpaperfromastorethatsellsmovingboxes.)
*Fabricscrapsofanysize,trimmedsothesidesarestraight
*1pieceofmuslinbigenoughtocoverthelampshade
*Pom-pomtrimorothertrimtofitaroundthebottomedgeofthelampshade
*Coordinatingthread
CREATETHEPATTERN
1.Findtheseamonthelampshade.Laytheshadeonitssidewiththebottomoftheseamatthebottomofthelargepieceofpaper.Markbothendsoftheseamonthepaper.
2.Rolltheshadetotheright,tracingitsbottomcurvewithapencilasyouturntheshade.Stopattheseamandmakeamarkatthetopandbottomoftheseam.
3.Rolltheshadebacktothestartingpointagain,aligningtheseamwiththebeginningseammarks.Becarefulnottomovetheshadeoffyourdrawnline.
4.RepeatSteps1–3forthetopedgeofthelampshade.
5.Usingaruler,drawlinestoconnectthetopandbottomseammarksateachend.Younowhaveanoutlineofthefullshade.
6.Toverifyyourmeasurements,measuretheheightofthelampshadetomakesureitmatchesthatoftheoutlineallthewayaround.(Checkeachsidefirst.)Usingatapemeasure,measurearoundthebottomandtopofthelampshade,andmakesurethosematchthelengthofthetopandbottomlinesyoudrewonthepaper.Makeanynecessaryadjustments.
7.Cutoutthepatternpiece,andwrapitaroundtheshadetodouble-checkthatitmatches.
8.Nowaddtheseamallowances.Laythepatternbackdownonanotherpieceofpaper.Usingaruler,makemarks½”outsidethetopedgeand¾”outsidethebottomedge,andconnectthem.(Adding¾”atthebottomgivesyouroomforerror:I’drathermyslipcoverbealittlebitlongthanfindoutattheendthatit’stooshort.)Add½”atbothstraightends.
9.Discardthefirstpatternpiecewithoutseamallowances.Cutoutthenewpatternpiece,andlayitontopofthepieceofmuslin.Thiswillbeyourcrazypiecingfoundation.
Toaddthecrazyquiltpiecing,seeKeepingItReal:CrazyQuiltIt(page88).
MAKEITASHADE
1.Placethefinishedcrazy-quiltedmuslinpieceonyourcuttingmatwiththepatternpieceon
top,andcutout.
2.Matchthe2straightendsrightsidestogetherandpin.Usingascant½”seamallowance,sewthe2edgestogether.Press.
3.Tohemthebottomedge,turnittothewrongside¼",press,andthenturnit¼”againandpress.Pinandtopstitchonthewrongside⅛”fromtheedgeofthehem.Repeattohemthetopedge.
4.Sewpom-pomorothertrimtothebottomedgeoftheslipcover.
CrazyQuiltIt
Forthisproject,I’mgoingtoshowyouhowtocrazyquiltwithnorawedgesshowingratherthansimplylayeringandtopstitchingfabricscrapsasdoneonJeanJacketRe-Vision(page39).Thistechniqueisoftenreferredtoas“stitchandflip.”Makesurethescrapsyou’reusinghavestraightedges.
Takeyourcutmuslintothesewingmachinealongwithyourstraight-edgedfabricscraps.
1.Placeascraprightsidedowninthemiddleofthemuslin.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewanedgeofthescraptothemuslin.Thenflipitrightsideupwiththeseamunderneath.Press.(A)
2.Placeanotherscraprightsidedownontopofthepieceyoujustsewed,withalongrawedgematching.Againusinga¼”seamallowance,sewonthenewpiece,flip,andpress.(B)
3.Continueaddingpiecesuntilthemusliniscovered.You’llnoticeasyougothatyouneedlongerandlongerstrips.Youcanuselongstripsofafabric,oryoucancreatelongstripsbysewingtogetherseveralpiecesbeforeyousewthemtothemuslin.You’llalsoseethatanglesarecreatedasyougo.Simplyplacethenextstripfartherbacksowhenyouflipit,itcoverstheoddangles.(C)
4.Whenfinished,applydecorativestitches(onthesewingmachineorbyhand;Iusedmymachine)oneachoftheseamsforthatvintagecrazyquiltflair.Youcango“crazy”herewith
yourstitchesandusemanydifferenttypes.
TeaPartyAccessories
Aluncheoaatalovelytearoomisoneofmyfavoritethings.
NotonlydoIadorethoseyummysconesandteasandwiches,butIalsolovetheatmosphere.Theprettynapkins,theladylikesilverware,asweetteacozy—whatcouldbebetter?Withtheseadorablepartyaccessories,youcancreateyourowntearoomathome.Maketeapottrivets,ateacozy,andlovelylavender-scented“teabag”sachetplacecards.Spendanafternoonwithyourgirlfriends,drinktea,indulgeinapastry—andwhenit’sover,sendyourguestshomewithprettyteapottrivetsandsachetsmadejustforthem.
Thesedaintyteapottrivetscanbeusedasplacesettingsanddoubleaslovelypartyfavorsforyourguests.Maketheminavarietyoffabricstailoredtoeachofyourfriends.Thesealsomakewonderfulhostessgifts.
materials
Makes1teapottrivet.
*1piece12”×12”ofprintfabricforthebase
*4pieces7”×8”ofcontrastingprintfabric,2forthehandleand2forthespout
*2pieces4”×12”ofcontrastingprintforthelid
*1fatquarteroffusiblefleece
*1piece15”×15”ofheat-resistantbatting,suchasInsul-Bright
*Floralfabricscrapsforembellishment
*1smallbutton
*Coordinatingthreadforquilting
*Smallamountofpolyesterfiberfillforthehandle
*Airerasablemarkerorchalk
*Spraystarch
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns).Cutpairsofpieceswithrightsidestogether.
*Basefabric:Cut2ofpatternDonfold.
*Handleandspoutfabric:Cut2eachofpatternsAandB.
*Lidfabric:Cut2ofpatternC.
*Floralfabricscraps:Cut5circlesinsizesgraduatingfrom3½”downto1½".
CREATETHEHANDLE
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.SewthehandleApiecestogether,asshown,stoppingatthenotchontheinnercurve,rightsidestogether,andleavingthewideendopen.Press.Cliptheedgesto—butnotthrough—thestitching.
2.Turnthepieceandstufflightlywithfiberfill.Slipstitchtheopenseamclosedusingmatchingthread.
ASSEMBLETHEPIECES
1.SewthestraightedgesofteapotlidCandteapotbaseDtogether.Repeatfortheremaininglidandbasepieces.
2.Pressthestitchesflat,andthenpresstheseamuptowardtheteapotlid.
3.SewspoutBtotheedgeof1teapotbasepiece,ontherightsideofthefabric,asshown.Thetopofthespoutbaseshouldbeinlinewiththeseambetweentheteapotbaseandlid.
4.Pressthestitchesflatandthenpresstheseamopen.
5.SewhandleAtotheoppositesideoftheteapotbasefromthespout,withthenotchedsidetowardthetop.Press.DonotsewtheremainingspoutBinplaceyet.
6.Usetheteapotpanelwithoutthespoutandhandleasapatterntocut2matchingpiecesoffusiblefleeceand1pieceofheat-resistantbatting.
7.Pressthefleecetothewrongsideofeachtrivetpanel.
8.SewtheremainingspoutBinplace,matchingtheplacementofthefirstspoutwhenthepiecesareplacedrightsidestogether.
9.Placethe2panelsrightsidestogether,andplacetheheat-resistantbattingontopofoneside.Pinwell.
10.Leavinganopeningatthebottomtoturn,sewthepiecestogether.Press.Turnandpress,pressingtheopeningedgesunder¼".
11.Edgestitchallthewayaroundthepiece⅛”fromtheedge.Backstitchateachend.
QUILTTHETRIVET
Usinganairerasablemarkerorchalkandaruler,markagridpatternononesideofthetrivet.Startatthebottomleftcorneroftheteapotbaseandmarklines1”apartallthewayacrossata45°angle.Repeat,goingtheotherdirection,tocreateagridpattern.
Topstitchthelineswithcoordinatingthread,backstitchingattheendofeachlineandtrimmingthethreads.Alternatethestitchingdirectiononeachlinetokeepthefabricfromwarping.Ifyoustartedfromtheright,dothenextlinefromtheleft.Usingawalkingfootisalsohelpful.
EMBELLISH
1.Tomakethefabricflower,stackthe5floralfabriccirclesrightsideupwiththelargestonthebottomandthesmallestontop.Usinganeedleandthread,sewagatheringstitchinacircleabout¼”-½”fromthecenter.Pulltheendsofthethreadtogatherlightly.
2.Wettheflowerwithspraystarchandmakeitcrinklybypressingitdrywithahotiron.Createrandomcreasesanduseyourfingerstocrunch,crinkle,andfraytheedgesabitforafun,rusticlook.
3.Sewabuttontothetopcenteroftheflower,andsewthepieceontoyourtrivetatthetopleftcornernearthehandle.
Createthiscutieasadecorativeembellishmentforyourtableandtokeepyourteaniceandwarm!
materials
*1fatquarterofprintfabricfortheteacozyplus⅛yardforthebinding
*⅓yardofcontrastingprintfabricforthelining,tabtop,andscallopappliqués
*¼yardofdouble-sidedfusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder
*1fatquarteroffusiblefleece
*Coordinatingthreadforquilting
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
*Fromtheteacozyfabric:Cut2ofpatternAand1strip35”×2¼”forthebinding.
*Fromthecontrastingprintfabric:Cut1piece4”×2½”forthetabtopand2ofpatternAforthelining.Setasideapiecelargeenoughtocut16scalloppieces.
*Fromthefusiblefleece:Cut2ofpatternA.
MAKETHESCALLOPAPPLIQUES
Theseareraw-edgeappliqués.
1.Pressfusiblewebtothewrongsideofapieceofthecoordinatingprintfabric.Trace16ofscalloppatternBandcutthemout.
2.Removethepaperbackingfromthefusibleweb,andpress8ofthescallopappliquésalongthebottomofeachteacozypanel.
3.Usingamachinezigzagorblanketstitch,topstitchtherawedgesofeachscallopontothepanels.
MAKETHETOPTAB
1.Foldthe4”×2½”pieceoffabricinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Sewthelongrawedgestogethertocreateatube.Press.Turnandpresswiththeseamdownthecenteroftheback.
2.Edgestitch⅛”fromeachlongedgeofthetab.Foldthetabinhalfcrosswise,withtheseamfacingin.Basteittothecentertopoftherightsideofoneouterpanel,withtherawedgestogetherandthefoldfacingdown,usinga⅛”seamallowance.
ASSEMBLETHETEACOZY
1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideofeachcozypanel.
2.Sewthecozypanelstogether,rightsidestogether,leavingthestraightbottomedgeopen.Repeatfortheliningpanels.
3.Turnthecozyrightsideout.Placethelininginsidetheteacozywiththewrongsidestogether,andpinattheseams.
4.Bind,followingtheinstructionsonpage81.
Optional:AddafloralembellishmenttothetopbyfollowingtheinstructionsforTeapotTrivet(page91).
Letlavenderscentyourtablebyusingtheseteabagsachetsasafreshtakeonplacecards.Theselittletreasuresletyoupractice(orlearn)abitofhandembroidery.Yourguest’sinitialontheteabagtagpersonalizeseachsetting—andofcourse,it’sanothergreatpartyfavor.Abowlfulmakesalovelycenterpiece,too.
materials
Makes1sachet.
*1pieceofprintedfabric6”×3½”forthesachet
*2tablespoonsofdriedlavender
*1pieceofmuslinbigenoughtofillasmallembroideryhoopforthetagplus1piece2”×3”forthetagback
*Pinkingshears
*Smallscrapoffeltfortheleaf
*Coordinatingpearlcottonembroiderythread
*Coordinatingsewingthread
*Double-sidedfusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder
*Smallbutton
*Smallembroideryhoop
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
*Fromthefelt,cut1oftheleafpatternB.
MAKETHETAG
Forinformationonbasicembroiderystitches,seeKeepingItReal:AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches(page101).
1.TracethesachettagpatternAonthecenterofthemuslininpencilorchalk,andwritetheinitialofyourchoiceinthemiddleofthetracedpiece.
2.Placethemuslinintheembroideryhoop,stretchedtight.Withthepearlcotton,chainstitchtheinitial.
3.Pressfusiblewebtothewrongsideofanadditionalpieceofmuslinslightlylargerthanthetag.
4.Removethemuslinfromtheembroideryhoopandlayeritontopofthesecondpieceofmuslin.Removethepaperfromthefusiblewebandfusethe2tagpiecestogether.Cutoutthetagshape,usingpinkingshearsforthebottomedge.
5.Usepearlcottontosewarunningstitchabout⅛”fromtheedges.
MAKETHESACHET
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Foldthepieceofprintedfabricinhalfcrosswisewithrightsidestogether.Press.Sewthesideedgestogether,leavingthetopopen.
2.Ateachbottomcorner,clipto,butnotthrough,thestitches.Press.Donotturn.
3.Tomakeaboxedgeonthebottomoftheteabag,standitstraightupandfoldasideseamdownsotheseamandbottomfoldarealigned.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewacrossthetipofthetriangle.Trimoffthetip.Repeatfortheoppositeseam.
4.Turnthesachetrightsideout.Foldthesideseamsintowardthecenterofthebagandpresstocreateapleatoneachside.
5.Fillthesachet¾fulloflavender.Trimthetopwithpinkingshears,foldthetopdown¼",andpressinplace.Stitchthesachetclosedusingarunningstitchandpearlcotton.
EMBELLISHTHESACHET
1.Stitchtheveinoftheleafusingpearlcottonthreadandastemstitch.
2.Usingthepearlcottonthread,sewthebuttonontotheleafandthenontothesachet.Donotcutthethread.
3.Extendthethreadabout6”andsewittothetagtoattachthetagtothebag.
AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches
Embroideryisagreatskilltolearn—youcanuseittoembellishsomanyitems,fromgarmentstopillows.Here’salookatsomebasicstitches.
Runningstitch|Bringthreadupat1anddownat2,upat3,andsoon.Severalstitchesmaybemadeatoncebyrunningtheneedleinandoutofthefabricasshown.
Stemstitch|Bringtheneedleupat1anddownat2,upat3,downat4.Noticethateachstitchbeginshalfwaybackbythepreviousstitch.
Chainstitch|Bringtheneedleupat1anddownatthesamespot.Loopingthethreadunderneaththeneedleasshown,bringtheneedlebackupat2.Insertitinat2(insidetheloopofthefirststitch),andagainloopthethreadbeneaththeneedleasbefore,bringingtheneedleoutat3.Securethelastloopofthechainwithatinystitch.
Tofinishoffyourstitching|Bringtheneedlethroughtothewrongsideofthefabricandweaveitinalongthebackofthestitchesfor1”-2".Trimexcessthread.
Thisneatlittlecabinisafunadditiontoyoursewingroom.
Itwillgiveyouaprettyspotforyourpins,andithasaplacetostoreyoursewingneedlessotheydon’tendupburiedsomewheredeepinthecarpet(ahem…likeinmystudio).Thepincushionisstuffedwithfiberfillandhasalittlesandbaginsidetoweightit.
Thisisagreatprojectforusingupsomeofyoursmallscraps.Ihopeyou’llgetcreativeandmakeitahomeofyourown!
Forgeneralinstructionsonfree-motionquilting,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).
materials
*Atleast9contrastingfabricscraps5”squareorlargerforthecabinwalls,roof,windows,doors,tree,andneedlebook*
*Ascrapofwoolfelt4”squareorlargerfortheneedlebook
*Ascrapofmuslin3½”×7”orlargerforthesandbag
*1fatquarterofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*Polyesterfiberfill
*Buttonfortheneedlebook
*Sandorlizardlittertofilla3”squareflatsandbag
*Appliquéglue
*Threadtocontrastwiththecolorofthedoorsandwindowsandwiththecabinfront
*Thewindowsanddoorsshouldbedifferentfromthewalls,andit’sniceiftheroofcontrastsaswell.
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
Cabinfrontandbackwalls:
*Cut2pieces5”×4”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.
Cabinsidewalls:
*Cut2pieces3½”×4”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.
Rooffrontandback:
*Cut2pieces5”×3”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.
Roofsides:
*Cut2patternApieceseachfromfabricandinterfacing.
Cabinbottom:
*Cut1piece5”×3½”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.
Doorappliqué:
*Cut1piece1”×2”fromfabric.
Windowappliqués:
*Cut10squares1”×1”.
Treeappliqué:
*Cut1patternBpiecefromfabric.
Needlebook:
*Cut1piece3½”×2½”eachfromfabricandwoolfelt,usingpinkingshearstocutbothatoncewithwrongsidestogether.
*Cut1strip1”×2”fromfabricforbuttonloop.
Sandbag:
*Cut1squares3½”×3½”frommuslin.
MAKETHECABINWALLS
Topreventfrayingandstabilizethefabricforquilting,presstheinterfacingpiecestothewrongsidesofthewall,roof,andbottompiecesbeforeyoustartsewing.
Cabinfront
note:Positionthefrontandbackpanelswiththe5”edgesatthetopandbottom.
1.Referringtothephoto,useappliquégluetoadherethewindowsanddoorstothefrontpanel.
2.Usingyourfree-motionquiltingfootandwiththefeeddogsdown,sewonthedoorandwindows.Usingthismethod,youcansimplydoodlewithyourthread.Createwindowframeanddoordetails,andaddascallopededge½”fromthetopforanartfulroofline.
Cabinbackwithneedlebook
1.Tomakethebuttonloop,presseachlongedgeofthe1”×2”fabricstripunder¼",thenfoldinhalflengthwisewithwrongsidestogether.Edgestitchtheopenedgestogether.
2.Layerthefeltandcottonneedlebookfabricswithwrongsidestogether.Foldinhalftoformabookwiththefeltontheinside.Markthecenterfoldatthetopandbottomwithpins.
3.Foldthebuttonloopinhalfandtacktheendstogetherwithglue.Withthefeltsideofthebookfacingup,inserttheloopendsbetweenthelayersinthecenteroftheleftedge.Beginningandendingatthecenterpinmarks,topstitcharoundtheleft-handsideofthebook,catchingtheloopendsinthestitching.
4.Foldthebookinhalfagainandcenteritonthecabinback.Beginningandendingatthecenterpins,topstitchtheright-handsideofthebooktothecabinback.Sewabuttonontothecabinbacktocorrespondwiththeloopforfasteningthebookclosed.
Cabinsides
note:Positionthecabinsideswiththe3½”edgesatthetopandbottom.
1.Fortheright-handsideofthecabin(whenviewedfromthefront),gluewindowsinplaceandfreemotionquiltasyoudidonthecabinfront.
2.Fortheleft-handsideofthecabin,glueandthenfree-motionquiltthetreetrunkandthewindowsinplace.Usegreenthreadtoaddamassofstitchingfortreeleaves.Thenfree-motionstitchwithcontrastingthreadontop.
ASSEMBLETHECABIN
SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.
Front,back,andsides
1.Markasmalldot¼”fromeachcorneronthewrongsideofallpieces.Usethesedotsasstartingandendingpointsforeachofyourseams,andbackstitchateachend.
2.Sewthetopedgesofthecabinfrontandcabinbackpiecestothebottomedgesoftheroofpieces.Presstheseamsup.Sewthefrontandbacktogetherattheroofandpresstheseamtooneside.
3.Sewthetopedgeofeachcabinsidetothebottomedgeof1roofsidepieceA.Presstheseamsdown.
note:Thisistheoppositedirectionfromthewayyoupressedthefrontandbackseams.Thisissoyoucaneasilysewthesidetothefrontlayerbynestingtheseams.
4.Withrightsidestogether,align1sidepanel(cabinsideandpatternA)tothefrontroof/wallpanelthatyouconstructedearlier.Nesttheseamstogether.Sewtheroofsidestotherooffrontsandbacks.Repeatfortheremainingside.
5.Sewthefrontandbackwallstothesidewalls.Press.
Sandbag
Onsuchalargepincushion,you’llneedsomethingtoweightthebottomdownsoitwon’ttilt.Forthisreason,Ihaveyouconstructasandbag.
1.Sewthemuslinsquarestogether,leavinga1½”openingtofillwithsand.
2.Fillwithsandorlizardlitterandhandstitchtheopeningclosed.
FINISHANDSTUFFTHECABIN
1.Sewthebottompieceto3sidesofthecabin,beginningandendingatthemarkeddots.
2.Turnthecabinrightsideout.Presstheopenbottomedgesunder¼".
3.Stuffthecabinfirmlywithfiberfill,andwhenit’sniceandfull,placethesandbaginsideatthebottom.Beforeyouclosetheseam,checktoseeifthehousestandsupstraight.Youwillprobablyhavetofiddlearoundwiththeplacementofthesandbagtogetitjustright.
4.Handstitchtheopeningclosedusingablindstitch.
SweetHomeChicagoCollection
HavinggrownupinthesuburbsjustoutsideChicago,Ialwaysdreamedofliving“downtown.”IespeciallywantedtoliveinthetrendyLincolnParkareaofthecity.Andinmyearly20s,that’swhatIdid.
Ilovedlivingthereamongthebeautifulrowhouses,withtheparkandzoojustafewblocksfrommylittlestudioapartment.AlthoughInowliveontheWestCoast,thecityofChicago—withitshistoricandcharmingLincolnPark—ismyfavoriteplacetovisit,especiallyinthesummertime.Thisquiltandpillowduoismyquiltedtributetomy“sweethome”Chicago.Maybeitremindsyouofaplacenearyoursweethome.
materials
Youcanuseafunmixofprintsfortherowhouses.Sometimesthefabricmotifsaddextra“architectural”details,asontheright-handrowhouseinthephotoonpage108.
*¼yardor1fatquartereachof6coordinatingfabricsfortherowhouses(fabricsA-F)
*⅛yardeachof3or4bluefabricsforthesky(fabricsG,H,I)*
*¼yardofcoordinatingfabricfortheborder(fabricJ)
*¾yardofcoordinatingfabricfortheruffle(fabricK)
*⅞yardofcoordinatingfabricforthepillowback
*⅛yardeachof3colorsofwoolorwoolblendfeltforthewindowanddoorappliqués
*5yardsofthinelasticcordforgatheringtheruffle
*1yardofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*2yardsofribbonforthebackties
*28”×14”pillowform
*Appliquéglue
*“You’llbeusingthewrongsideoftheskyfabrics,soturnthemovertoseehowyoulikethem.Evenprintsthatcontaindarkercolors,suchasbrown,canworkwell.
KeepingItRealCuttingHalf-SquareTriangles
Thereareseveralmethodsofcuttinghalf-squaretriangles.InmydirectionsIaskyoutocutsquaresat2⅞".Thisisthemostaccuratewaytogetyoursquarestothecorrectfinishedsize.Yousimplyadd⅞”tothedesiredfinishedmeasurement.However,manypeoplerounduptothenextinchandtrimaftertheysewthetriangle.Ifyoufeelmoreconfidentdoingitthatway,byallmeansdoso.Butifyouhaveaclearquiltingruleranda¼”footonyoursewingmachine,youshouldhavenoproblemusingthe⅞”measurement.
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
note:Beforeyoucutthesquaresforthehalf-squareroofandskytriangles,seeKeepingItReal:CuttingHalf-SquareTriangles(page110).
Rowhouses:
*Cut1piece4½”×6½”and2squares2⅞”×2⅞”eachfromfabricA,fabricC,andfabricE.
*Cut1piece4½”×8½”fromfabricB.
*Cut1piece4½”×7½”fromfabricD.
*Cut1piece4½”×5½”fromfabricF.
Sky:
*Cut1piece4½”×1½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricG.
*Cut4pieces4½”×1½”and1square2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricH.
*Cut5pieces4½”×1½”and1square2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricI.
Border:
*Cut2strips2”×33”and2strips2”×20”fromfabricJ.
Ruffle:
*Cutenough4½”-widestripsfromfabricKtototalaminimumof168”whenpiecedtogetherendtoend.
Pillowback:
*Cut2pieces27½”×11”fromthepillowbackfabric.
Windowanddoorappliqués:
Fromfeltcolor1:
*Cut1strip1½”×6”;subcutinto2rectangles1½”×3”.
*Cut1strip1”×10”;subcutinto10squares1”×1”.
*Cut1rectangle1”×1½".
*Cut1circle,patternC.
*Cut1halfcircle,patternHC.
Fromfeltcolor2:
*Cut1strip1½”×6”;subcutinto2rectangles1½”×3”.
*Cut1strip1”×11”;subcutinto11squares1”×1”.
*Cut1heart,patternH.
Fromfeltcolor3:
*Cut1strip1½”×6”;subcutinto2rectangles1½”×3”.
*Cut1strip1”×8”;subcutinto8squares1”×1”.
*Cut2circles,patternC.
*Cut1halfcircle,patternHC.
Interfacing:
*Cut1piece27½”×13½”fortherowhouses.
*Cut2pieces27½”×10”forthepillowback.
BUILDTHEROWHOUSES
Maketheroof/skytriangles
note:Tocreateafadedlookfortheskypiecesandformaximumcontrastbetweentheroofsandthesky,usethewrongsideoftheskyfabrics.AlsoseeSewingBasicsonpage20.
1.Youwillmake6setsof4triangles,1foreachrowhouseroof.Refertotheassemblydiagramtoseewhichfabricstouse.
2.Tocreateasetof4triangles,sandwichtherightsideofaroofsquaretothewrongsideofaskysquare.
3.Usingaquiltingrulerandeitherchalkoranairerasablemarker,drawalinefromacornertoitsoppositecorneronadiagonal.Thendrawaline¼”toeachsideofthediagonalline.
4.Stitchonthe2outerlinesandcutthesquareinhalfalongthemiddleline.Younowhave2piecedsquaresmadeof2triangleseach.Repeattomake6sets,keepingthesetspairedtogether.
5.Youcaneitherpressseamstowardthedarkerfabricsotheseamdoesn’tshowthroughorpress1seamofeachsquareineachdirection,whichiswhatIliketodo.Ifinditeasiertopiecethesquarestogetherthiswayinthenextstep.
6.Tocompletearoof,layer2correspondingroofpieces,rightsidestogether,withtherawedgesoftherooffabricsaligned.Makesuretheseamsarematchedup,andpininplace.
7.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewtherawedgesoftherooftrianglestogether.Presstheseamtooneside.Repeatfortheremaining5roofs.
Attachtheroofstothehouses
1.Seweachrooftoitsrowhouse.Thensewthe4½”×1½”skypiecesabovetheroofs,followingtheassemblydiagramonpage112.Presstheseamsoftherowhouse/skysetsinalternatingdirections—oneupandthenextdown.
2.Sewthe6rowhouse/skysetstogether,makingsuretheseamsmatchasindicatedinthediagram.
note:Toavoidawarpinthefabric,stitchtheseamsbetweentherowhousesinoppositedirections.Soifyousewthefirstrowhousefromtoptobottom,flipthepiecesoverandsewthenextseamfrombottomtotop.
MAKETHEBORDER
Thecontrastingborderforthispillowismiteredatthecornerslikeapictureframe.Forgeneralinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:MakingAMiteredBorder(page115).
Appliquéthewindowsanddoors
1.Pressthe27½”×13½”pieceofinterfacingtothewrongsideoftheassembledrowhousepanel,withborders.
2.Usingappliquéglueandreferringtotheassemblydiagram(page112),gluethefeltpiecestothehouses.
3.Stitcheachfeltpieceinplacewithahandormachineblanketstitch.Iusedcontrastingthreadforeach.Youcandothesameorusematchingthread.
4.Tocreatepanesonthewindows,stitchacrossthecentershorizontallyandvertically,usingatinyzigzagstitch.
MAKEANDATTACHTHERUFFLE
1.Sewtogetherthestripsofrufflefabric,usingdiagonalseams,tocreate1stripabout168”long.
2.Jointheendsofyourstriptogether,alsousingadiagonalseam,tocreateabigcircle.Folditinhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether,andpress.
KeepingItRealFoolproofRuffles
Therearemanywaystomakeruffles.TheoneIlikebestisusingarufflerfoot(page13)onmysewingmachine.However,ifyoudon’thavearufflerfoot,agreatalternativeistouseelasticcord.Ilikethismethodbecauseitcreatessuchpretty,evenrufflesanditavoidstheproblemofbreakingthread,whichcanhappenwhenyouuseabastingstitchandpullittocreatearuffle.
Ifthisisyourfirstruffle-makingexperience,IalsowanttomentionsomethingthatsurprisedmethefirsttimeImaderuffles.IthoughtI’ddonesomethingterriblywrongwhentherawedgesfrayedasIpulledthethread.Don’tfretwhenyouseethis.Ithappens.Justtrimtheedgesneatlybeforeyousewtheruffleon.
3.Foldthewholepieceinhalfcrosswisetofindthecenterofeachside,andmarkeachwithapin.
4.Setyoursewingmachinetoazigzagstitchwideenoughsothestitchesstraddletheelasticcord.
5.Atthemachine,aligntheelasticcordabout⅛”fromtherawedgeofthefoldedruffle;centertheneedleoverthecenteroftheelasticcord.
6.Leaving3”-4”ofelasticcordhanginglooseateachend,zigzagstitchoverthecord,goingallthewayaroundtherufflerawedge.Beverycarefulnottostitchthroughthecord.Trimtheedgesandpress.
7.Foldthepillowfrontinhalfcrosswiseandmarkthecenterofeachlongsidewithapin.Matchthecentersoftheruffletothecentersofthepillow,andpintheruffletotherightsideofthepillowfront,withrawedgestogether.
8.Pulltheelasticcordtocreatetheruffle,pullinguntiltherufflefitsthepillowedges.Arrangethegathersevenlyandpintheruffleinplace.
9.Sewinplacebycreatingaseamallthewayaroundtheinsideofthepieceofelasticcord.Youcanusethecordasaguide,butmakesureyoukeeptherawedgesinplaceanddonotcatchthethreadsfromthezigzagstitching.
FINISHTHEPILLOW
Thispillowhasroundedcornersandribbontiesontheback.Forcompleteinstructionsoncuttingroundedcorners,seepage67.Formakingthiskindofback,seeKeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack(page69).
1.Pinthecompletedpillowfrontandback,rightsidestogether,withthefrontpieceontopsoyoucanseewheretheruffleisstitchedon.Usinga½”seamallowance,sewallthewayaroundtheedgeofthepillow,stitchingjustinsidetherufflestitchinglinesotherufflestitcheswon’tshow.Press,trimthecorners,andturnthroughthebackopening.
2.Insertyourpillowform,fluff,andtietheribbonties.
MakingaMiteredBorder
1.Ontherightsideofthepillowfrontorquilt,markadot¼”infromeachcorner,usingchalkoranairerasablemarker.Thesewillbeyourpivotpointsformitering.
2.Foldeachborderstripinhalftofindthecenter,andmarkwithapin.Dothesameforthetopandsidesofthepilloworquilt.
3.Matchthecentersof1sideborderandof1sideofthepilloworquiltwithrightsidesandrawedgestogether.Pininplace.
4.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromthecentertothepivotpoint,backstitchingatbothends.Repeatfromthecentertothepivotpointontheotherend,againbackstitchingatbothends.
5.RepeatSteps3and4toattachtheother3borderpieces.Presstheseamallowancestowardtheborder.
note:IhavefoundthatifIsewalongstriponfromendtoend,oftenI’llhaveanextra¼”orsoleftover.Toremedythis,Ihavemadeitahabittomarkthecentersandsewfromthecentertoanedgeandthensewfromthecentertotheotheredge.ThiswayIalwaysendupwithequalamountsoffabriconeachside.AndifforsomereasonI’matinybitshort,Icanalwaysgivealittlestretchtotheoffendingpiece.
6.Placethepilloworquiltwithattachedbordersrightsideuponacuttingmat.Folditinhalfdiagonallysotheright-handborderseamisalignedoverthetopborderseam.Pinatthepivotpointsoitdoesnotshift.
7.Takeyourquiltingrulerandlaythe45°linealongthestitchesyoujustsewed.Makesurethe45°markisfacingyou;otherwiseyourcuttinglinewillbeupsidedown.Aligntheedgeoftherulersoitis¼”pastyourmarkedpivotpoint,beingcarefultokeepthat45°linerightontheseams.Theedgeoftherulerisyourcuttingline,andyoursewinglineisinsidethatline.Witharotarycutter,carefullytrimofftheexcessfabricatthecuttingline.
8.Pintheedgeneatlyinplacejustasyoucutit,withrightsidestogether.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromtherawedgetothepivotpoint,backstitchingatbothends.
9.RepeatSteps6–8ontheother3corners.Openthemitersandpresstheseamsopen.
materials
*⅓yardor1fatquartereachof8coordinatingprintsfortherowhousesandsmallparkcentersquares(fabricsA-H)
*⅛yardeachof4blueprintsforthesky(fabricsItoL)*
*⅓yardeachof6printfabricsfortheparkcenterandthetreeappliqués(fabricsM-R)
*¼yardofcontrastingfeltforthetopandbottomparkborders
*⅛yardeachof3colorsofwoolorwoolblendfeltforthewindow,door,bicycle,wagon,andflowercartappliqués
*⅛yardeachof2shadesofbrownwoolorwoolblendfeltforthepuppyandsquirrelappliquésandtheflowercartappliqué
*1⅞yardsofcontrastingfabricforthequiltborder(Withthisamount,thereisnopiecing.)
*2¼yardsofcontrastingfabricatleast42”wideforthequiltbacking
*1¼yardsofcontrastingfabricforaruffleand½yardcontrastingfabricforfacingor½yardofcontrastingfabricforabinding
*3yardsofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing
*1yardoftearawaystabilizerfortheappliqués
*Quiltbatting,44”×60”
*Freezerpaper
*13yardsofelasticcordforgatheringruffle(optional)
*You’llbeusingthewrongsideoftheskyfabrics,soturnthemovertoseehowyoulikethem.Evenprintswithdarkercolors,suchasbrown,workwell.
cutting
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
note:Beforeyoucutthesquaresforthehalf-squareroofandskytriangles,seeKeepingItReal:CuttingHalf-SquareTriangles(page110).
Rowhouses:
*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricA.
*Cut2pieces4½”×8½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricB.
*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricC.
*Cut2pieces4½”×7½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricD.
*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”fromfabricE.
*Cut2pieces4½”×5½”fromfabricF.
*Cut2pieces4½”×7½”fromfabricG.
*Cut2pieces4½”×5½”fromfabricH.
Sky:
*Cut8squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricI.
*Cut6pieces4½”×1½”and6squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricJ.
*Cut8pieces4½”×1½”fromfabricK.
*Cut14pieces4½”×1½”and2squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricL.
Parkcenter:
*Cut8squares4½”×4½”fromfabricsA-H(1squarefromeachfabric).
*Cut10squares8½”×8½”fromfabricsM-R(1–3squaresfromeachfabric).
Topandbottomparkborders:
*Cut2strips2½”×32½”fromcontrastingfelt.
Border:
*Cut2strips38”×4½”and2strips60”×4½”fromtheborderfabric.
Windowanddoorappliqués:
Fromfeltcolor1:
*Cut1strip18”×1½”;subcutinto6pieces1½”×3”.
*Cut1strip1”×32”;subcutinto32pieces1”×1”.
*Cut2circles,patternC.
*Cut3half-circles,patternHC.
Fromfeltcolor2:
*Cut1strip12”×1½”;subcutinto4rectangles1½”×3”.
*Cut1strip28”×1”;subcutinto28squares1”×1”.
*Cut4circles,patternC.
*Cut3half-circles,patternHC.
Fromfeltcolor3:
*Cut1strip18”×1½”;subcutinto6pieces1½”×3.
*Cut1strip1”×20”;subcutinto20squares1”×1”.
*Cut2circles,patternC.
*Cut2hearts,patternH.
Tree,bicycle,andotherappliqués:
*SeeMaketheAppliqués(page122).
Quiltbacking:
*Cut1piecewidthoffabric×60”.
Ruffleandfacing(asshown):
*Cut10strips4”×44”fromtherufflefabric.
*Cut5strips2½”×44”fromthecontrastingfabricofyourchoiceforthefacing.
or
Binding(optional):
*Cut5strips2¼”×44”fromthebindingfabric.
MAKETHEROWHOUSES
Assemblydiagram
Tomaketherowhouseswithwindowanddoorappliqués,refertotheassemblydiagram(atleft)andtheinstructionsfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(pages109–116).Notethatforthequilt,youwillcreate2panelsofrowhouses—1forthetopofthequiltand1forthebottom.
note:Forallmachineappliqué,usetear-awaystabilizerunderneaththefabriconthewrongside.
MAKETHEPARKCENTER
Sewtogetherthepiecescutfromthe6parkcenterfabrics,referringtotheassemblydiagram(page121).Piecetogetherthe4setsof4½”×4½”squaresfirst;thenpiecethemtotheircoordinatingrowsandpiecetherowstogether.
ATTACHTHEPARKCENTERTOPANDBOTTOMBORDERS
1.Foldtheparkcenterinhalfverticallytofindthecenter,andmarkthetopandbottom
centerswithapin.Dothesamewiththefeltborderpieces.
2.Matchtheborderpieceswiththeparkcentertopandbottomedges,rightsidestogether,andpininplace.Sewtheborderstotheparkcenter,stitchingfromthecentertotheedgeineachdirection.
ATTACHTHEHOUSEPANELS
1.Foldtherowhousepanelsinhalfverticallytofindthecentersandmarkwithapinoneachside.
2.Matchthepanelswiththefeltbordersandsewinplace,stitchingfromthecentertotheedgeineachdirection.
ATTACHTHEQUILTBORDERS
1.Sewtheshortborderstripstothetopandbottomofthequilt.Trimtheedgesevenwiththequiltsides.
2.Sewthelongborderstripstothesideedgesofthequilt.Trimtheendsevenwiththetopandbottomedgesofthequilt.
MAKETHEAPPLIQUES
Appliquépatternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
Treeappliqués
Youwillneed5oftreepatternT1and5oftreepatternT2.Theseappliqués,whicharecutfromcottonfabric,aremadewithedgesturnedunderusingthefreezerpaperappliquémethod.Forinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:FreezerPaperAppliqué(page124).Refertotheassemblydiagramforplacement.
Bicycle,squirrel,puppy,wagon,andFrenchmarketcartappliqués
Tracethepatternpiecesfromthepulloutpageandcutthemfromthewoolfeltfabrics.Youwillneed2(reverse1set)ofeachsquirrelpatternpiece,3(reverse1set)ofeachpuppypatternpiece,and1eachoftheotherpatternpieces.
Useappliquégluetoplacethem,referringtotheassemblydiagram,andmachineorhandappliquéthemasyoudidthewindowsanddoors(seepage113).
FINISHING
Makeaquilt“sandwich.”Laythequiltbackingflat,wrongsideup,smooththebattingontop,andlaythequilttop,rightsideup,ontop.Handbastethelayerstogetherusinglongstitches,orpinatcloseintervalswithsafetypins.
Dothequilting
Ihadmyquiltprofessionallyquiltedonalongarmquiltmachine,butifyouwish,youcanquiltitonyourhomemachine.Formoreinformationonquilting,consultagoodbasicbooksuchasShowMeHowtoMachineQuiltbyKathySandbachorFoolproofMachineQuiltingbyMaryMashuta,bothavailablefromC&TPublishing.
Bindthequiltoraddaruffle
Ifyouwanttobindyourquilt,refertothedirectionsinKeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects(page81).
Tomakearuffle,piecetherufflestripstogetherusing¼”seamallowances.Oncetheruffleisattached,youwilladdafacingstriptofinishtheedge.
1.SewtogethertherufflestripsinacontinuouscircleandcreatearuffleusingarufflerfootorelasticcordasfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(page114).
2.Foldtherufflestripinhalfandmarkthecenterofeachsidewithapin.Foldthequiltinhalfverticallyandmarkthecenterofthetopandthebottomwithapin.
3.Ontherightsideofthequilt,matchthecentersoftheruffletothecentersofthetopandbottomwithrawedgesaligned.Distributetheruffleevenlytoeachcorneronthetopandthebottom,andpintherawedgesinplace.
4.Distributethefabricevenlybypinningbetweeneachcornerandthecenterofeachsidethatyoujustpinnedinplace.Continuepinningthecenterbetweenpinsuntilyouhavetheruffleevenlydistributedacrosseachside.
5.Sewtheruffleontothequilt,usingascant¼”seamallowance.Pressthestitching.Donotpresstheruffleawayfromthequiltuntilthefacinghasbeenapplied.
Createandattachafacingstrip
1.Sewtheshortendsofthefacingstripstogetherandpress.
2.Withthequiltrightsideup,startatthecenterbottomedgeandpinthefacingstriprightsidedownaroundtheedges.Thequilt,ruffle,andfacingrawedgesshouldallbeeven.Turnunderandoverlapthefacingshortends.
3.Sewthefacinginplaceusinga¼”seamallowance.Trimthecorners.Pressthefacingtothebackofthequiltandtheruffleawayfromthequilt.
4.Turnthefacingrawedgeunderandhandstitchinplace.
FreezerPaperAppliqué
Forappliquépieceswithedgesneatlyturnedunder,trythefreezerpapermethod.Youcanuseittoapplyappliquéstoeverythingfromquiltstogarments.Thecoolthingaboutfreezerpaperisthattheshinysideadherestofabricandpaperwhenpressed.Evenbetter,itpeelsoffeasilyandleavesbehindnoresidue.
Forthisprocess,you’llneedfreezerpaper,appliquéglue,spraystarch,astilettotool,asmallpaintbrush,andanultra-fineblackpermanentmarker.Ialsorecommendaminiironforpressingundertheedges.Formoreonthesesupplies,seepage13.
1.Traceyourappliquépatternpiecewiththemarkerontotheshinysideofthefreezerpaper.
2.Iron3piecesofpaperontopofthemattesideofthepieceyoujusttracedon.Thiscreatesanicestifftemplatetoworkwith.
3.Cutouttheshapewithyourpaperscissors.
4.Ironthewrongsideofapieceoffabricatleast½”largerthanthetemplatetotheshinysideofyourfreezerpapertemplate.
5.Cutthefabricaroundyourtemplate,leaving¼”toturnunder.
6.Placethecutappliquépiece,rightsidedown,onanironingsurface.Useapinor2totackitinplace.
7.Sprayalargeamountofspraystarchintoacupsothatyouhaveagoodamountofliquidtodipin.Dipyourpaintbrushintothestarchandpaintagenerousamountontothe¼”ofextrafabric.
8.Usingyourstilettotool,turnthewet,starched¼”allowanceoffabricontothemattesideofthefreezerpaper,ironingasyougoalong.
note:Asyouturnthefabric,getpasttrickypartsliketheVofaheartbyclippingwithsmallscissorsjustbarelytothefreezerpaper.
9.Carefullypullthepaperoutfromthemiddle,andfingerpressorirontheturnedfabricneatlyinplace.
10.Puttinydabsofappliquégluealongtheturned-underedge,andplacethepieceonyourappliquésurface.
11.Letitsetforaminute,andthenblindstitchthepieceinplacebyhandormachineappliqué.
Resources
ONLINEFABRICANDNOTIONSTORES
Fabritopia
www.fabritopia.comCarriesagreatselectionofquiltingfabrics,magazines,patterns,andbooks.
FatQuarterShop
www.fatquartershop.comCarriesawideselectionofquiltingfabrics,notions,quiltkits,andmore.
ONLINEANDBRICK-AND-MORTARCRAFTSTORES
BritexFabrics
www.britexfabrics.com146GearyStreetSanFrancisco,CA94108415-392-2910
Out-of-this-worldselectionoffabricsandthelargestcollectionofribbonsandtrimsI’veeverseeninoneplace.
DickBlickArtMaterials
www.dickblick.com
TheFabricDepot
www.fabricdepot.com700SE122ndAvenuePortland,OR97233503-252-9530
Carriesalargearrayofquiltingfabrics,interfacings,notions,books,patterns,andmore,aswellasForm-Flex.
HancocksofPaducah
www.hancocks-paducah.com3841HinklevilleRoadPaducah,KY42001(U.S.)1-800-845-8723(International)1-270-443-4410
ThefamousHancocksofPaducahcarriesfabricofallkinds,notions,supplies,books,patterns,andmore.
HobbyLobby
www.hobbylobby.com
Jo-AnnFabric&CraftStores
www.joann.com
MichaelsStores,Inc.
www.michaels.com
VogueFabrics
www.voguefabricsstore.com718-732MainStreetEvanston,IL60602847-864-9600
RenownedChicagofabricstorethatstocksthousandsofboltsofeverythingfromsilktomuslin.Alsocarriestrim,notions,andprettymuchanythingelseyoucanthinkof.
AbouttheAuthor
BariJ.AckermanisaproductandtextiledesignerlivingintheSanFranciscoBayArea.HerworkhasbeenfeaturedinsuchpublicationsasSewSomerset,RomanticHomes,HauteHandbags,andmanymore.Sheliveswithherhusband,Kevin,andtwodaughters,AnnaandEmily.TofindoutmoreaboutBari,visitherblogatwww.barij.typepad.comorherwebsiteatwww.barijonline.com.
Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)
InspiredtoSewbyBariJ.Download
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