The Sewing Cottage

Issue 10 July 2012

In This IssueCherry Chip Wallhanging

Fabric Dolls & Pocket Book

Picnic Quillow

Bean Bag Tic-Tac-Toe/Bulls Eye Set

Little Summer Travelers Stuffie

Block #7 Foxie Adventures BOM

My Creative Spot -Marsha

Patterns and Designs by www.patchworkposse.com

Table of Contents

Cherry Chip Wallhanging

My Creative Spot withMarsha

Foxie Adventures Block 7

Bull’s Eye and Tic-Tac-Toe Set

Q & A- Sewing Groups

Picnic Quillow

Fabric Doll & PocketBook

Summer TravelersPlushie

Welcome to Issue 10 of The Sewing Cottage Magazine~

Summer is all about having fun– outside. We are on the move,traveling, camping, exploring and maybe even napping!

This month’s issue has a collection of fun things for the kids–double sides tic-tac-toe and bull’s eye set, little travelers stuf-fies, picnic quillow and fabric dolls. But of course we won’tforget the ones who are running these kids around! Cherry ChipQuilt shows off cherries and cupcakes! Yummy.

To go along with the theme– Marsha is sharing her creative spot,in an R.V.

Enjoy the patterns and as always- share what you make! I’d loveto see.

Becky

Fresh, fun and bright red– Cherries are a perfect way to try out a new technique. This appli-que method gives the cherries and leaves a little bit of a 3-d style.

They are just a little ‘poofy’ even.

To go along with the playful look sew up the cupcake papers using a dresden plate method.The tips are loose keeping with the 3-d look.

Nine blocks are all you need to sew up- making the Cherry Chip Wall hanging a great easyand quick way to start your summer vacation!

Marsha is sharing this month herCreative Spot– which is her travel-ing RV. Take a moment to find outhow she keeps organized and makes

My Creative Spot with Marsha

Space is a premium when you live year-roundin an RV. That old saying "A place for every-thing and everything in its place" definitelydescribes an RV lifestyle. I actually love the"forced" organization. Now I will say that Istill misplace things, especially since I pull

things out and put things back over and overagain, quilting supplies that is.

I have an island in the middle of the RVkitchen/dining room area which is my main-stay for quilting. On this island I have a cut-ting board most of the time. I cover it with a

quilted table runner to keep it clean.

The dining table holds my sewing machine. I carry with me a Bernina virtuoso150 and a Janome DC150 at all times. The Janome entered my life last summer asa lighter machine to take to quilt guilds/classes. One or the other lives in the clos-

et in the back of the RV when not in use. Thank goodness for closet space!

Most RVs have space under their beds which rest upon platforms and that's myquilt storage area. Other things get stored there too, like my painting portfolio

and my husband's hand-made dulcimer.

We spend our winters in the South where its warmer and Vermont where it's cool-er in the summer. The past two winters we've been staying in Summerdale, Ala-bama at an RV park where there are many avid quilters. I was elected President ofthe Rainbow Plantation Quilt Guild last January. I love encouraging the membersto stretch themselves and try new things. I also love those big tables for basting!

Needles, threadcutters, extra machine needles, pins, etc. stay in my Maine quiltingbasket which was given to me years ago by my younger sister and it fits perfectly be-hind my Canadian glider and is handy to my sewing area.

Most RVers have a rule about new things. If you buy something new to keep in theRV, something else must go. That does NOT pertain to my quilting supplies. It doespertain to clothing and also dishes/pot and pans/books, etc.

I stitch many items every year, including quilts of all sizes (even queens), wall-hang-ings, fabric postcards, ATCs, blocks for swaps and blocks for blog hops.

I love the RV lifestyle and I love the quilting. Thank goodness my dear husbandknows how important it is to me. He is very supportive.

Thanks Marsha for sharing your creative spot with us! I love that no matterwhere it is, you can make it work!

Please visit Marsha on her blog: Quilter In Motion

Foxie Adventures Block of a Month, is a fun wall hanging that willteach you the raw-edge applique method. This method makes

applique super easy and ‘whimsical’ in style.

The Foxie pair love new activities each month– going from rakingleaves, fishing, parades, spring showers, flowers and more!

Sew along with them, month by month

www.patchworkposse.com

FoxieAdventures

7th Block

By Patchwork Possewww.patchworkposse.com

Materials Needed:· 6” X 6” light cotton fabric

for background· Various colors of fabric

scraps· Black thread· 2‐‐ 5” X 5” cotton squares

Tic-Tac-Toe & Bull’s Eye Game

Grab a few kiddos and have somefun with a two in one game with

cinch bag to carry it all in.

Weighted with Poly-Beads the gamepieces are washable.

Word of mouth and our city quilt guild keeps me informed of sewing groups.

local quilt shop

I have a facebook page; word of mouth

Friends, Quilt 'til You Wilt at the Bernina Shop, classes there, too, Helena Quilters' Guild, Friday Night Friends at thePrickly Pear Shop. Just attended my first quilting retreat -- WOW!

Local shop and state quilt guilds, also sew alongs on the internet

Quilt guilds. I have just retired from 36 years of teaching high school and I am absolutelyamazed at the # of daytime groups that are available to me.

Like minded friends, and Quilt guild.

I just moved to Oregon and did a google search for guilts and quilt shops of course.

Internet is a wonderful way to find like minded folks.

I am in a County Guild plus just 2 months ago started my own little group that meets at achurch. We started with 2 and are up to 4, but I can see it growing. We just bring our ownprojects and help each other.

I belong to a large quilting guild. I also sew with some quilting friends, sometimes here at my home for the weekend(like a quilting retreat of sorts).

I started quilting through a community college class and have continued with a local group of sewing ladies!

I found them when I moved to Utah on the Internet. I now belong to 2 Quilt Bees and one Quilt Guild.

Internet (I live in the country and don't travel much) I find plenty of educationaland companionship groups on the internet - like Quilting Board.

internet, local council information booklet or magazines.

I belong to a guild - my neighbours got me going. The three of us all go togehter and we do alotof retreats. We watch magazines, emails, facebook to find them....fun fun

I met a gal at a LQS, and she told me about it... I am currently the guild president!

I don't have a local sewing group in my area. Most groups I stay in touch with online.

Online, ads in local newspapers, and notices in local quilt shops.

friends, ask in stores that sell fabric

community guild, local quilt store group, thru my blog.

I'm on the road all the time so don't have time to join local sewing groupsunfortunately.

a friend introduced me to our local guild - love it! LQS's can lead us to a guild, though we are looking at advertisingand are now on FaceBook

I find sewing groups through friends, local quilt shops, or I start my own, depending on my particular interest atthe time.

I searched online and the local newspaper for guilds. Then I was at a small local shop and someone startedtalking to me and invited me to there guild meeting the next night and as they say the rest is history.

I have belonged to a quilt guild for the base five years and found it though a sewing machine dealer in the area.

I am not a joiner. However, I am vice president of Quilts From the Heart, a nonprofit public benefit corporation, andwe started with less than 15 members who were all at the time (19 years ago) members of Quilters Anonymous, alocal quilt guild. Members of Quilts From the Heart heard about us through word of mouth and an article publishedin the local newspaper. The article coincided with Make a Difference Day.

Back in the day (30 years ago) I answered an ad in the local newspaper and helpedsomeone start our own group. It became affiliated with the state Guild.

Met a lady through a flickr swap who introduced me to ladies from our local guild. Then I joined the guild.

We have a quilting group within the community. We get together every Thursday at the homeowner's associationclubhouse. Once a year we have a 3-night/4-day retreat. The ladies are very talented and share their knowledge.We do a lot of charity work for the needy and the hospital.

Through the local quilt shop for one, found another from a local news report, and the other was through a friend

As we travel, I read the local newspaper for sewing/quilting events and ask people Imeet and also the clerks/owners of local quilt shops when I find them.

Quilters find each other. Period.

I attend a local community centre our teacher was an instigater in starting up the local quilt guild

Driving to church one Sunday ten years ago, a marquee on a local hotel announced a quilt show. I had beenquilting for ten years, so it was time to join the guild presenting the show. Met wonderful quilters, many of whomwere part of several local groups. Seems we go by word of mouth endorsing various local groups.

Because my family is dependent on me for transportation, i can only participate in one guild, so I enjoy a few groupson-line.

When I retired and had time to join a quilt guild, I did an internet search for localguilds then visited three before making a decision on which to join. I'm thinking ofchecking out an additional guild soon.

Just joined a guild in nearest big city (50 miles away). We don't have one locallyunfortunately.

Trial and error. Patchwork groups do not always advertise in local papers.

Word of mouth.

I join classes at local quilt shops. After forming friendships, I formed a group of six gals . We meet at my home inaddition to belonging to a quilt shop sewing group.

belong to quilt guild - also off shoots to small size neighborhood group - friends - relatives

My first quilting friend told me about one group and from there I've just been invited to others.I've also learned about some through local quilt shops.

I have always gone to quilting shops that have groups that gather to sew on special days and Fridays...

Through the Guilds.I have a few friends around on a Friday for sewing, eating and talking sometimes there is notmuch sewing done

my quilt group has been working together for 22 years; at present we count 32 members

Friends and then when i moved to a small town i started my own.

A friend of mine got me back into sewing after I retired. Love it!

MY GROUP CONTAINS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND AS ALL ARE FAIRLY BUSY WITH FAMILY,CHURCH, ETC. WE MEET AT IRREGULAR TIMES AT THE VARIOUS HOMES... AND LOTS ON THEINTERNET!

Joined a friendship group of the larger guild. Sew with friends when we can get together.

I love our local sewing group, I sew with two different groups. I started one with the Women'sInstitute group and now there are only two of us sewers in the group but there are a couple offriends that sew with us every Tuesday night @ 7 p.m. and another group is a few of us fromour quilters guild that sew every Wednesday afternoon.

Local guild was listed in a Neighborhood column of th elocal newspaper. Started attending as a guest and soonjoined.

I started my own, with magazines :)

but now I joined to web-group and I like it!!

When we moved here to SoCal, I knew no one, so I headed for the local quilt shops for information about guilds,groups & small bees. It took a long time and many classes for me to find a group of like-minded woman to form afriendship group. Along the way, I joined the local guild; joined a committee; became an officer.

I meet with a group of 14 ladies who all quilt ( some knit, crochet, rug hook and cross-stitch aswell) every Monday night. We rotate as to whose house we meet. We are not a Guild..justwomen who like the companionship of other crafters.

This is a quick pillow/quilt to toss in theback of the car and use at any summeroutings. Add a bit of easy raw edge

applique– chickens, and a shade tree willadd a bit of whimsy and fun.

The pocket holds the quilt inside mak-ing it a perfect little pillow to nap on.

pocket

This little set is sure to please any little girl who lovesdolls. Printed on fabric in black and white you can add a

few color highlights with crayons.

Tuck them away in the little pocket book carrier and theyare ready to go!

Printable dolls are different than shown

Summer Travelers are super simple and oh so lovable! Stitch a few of these charac-ters in fleece, cotton or whatever fabric you have on hand! They are small enough

to stow away on any trip and are ready for adventure.

The pattern and shape are easy enough for a child’s first sewing lesson. Let theimagination run wild with color, pattern and of course character!

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By Patchwork Posse

w w w . p a t c h w o r k p o s s e . c o m

Little Travelers

These little guys are around 9" tall. They are per-fect to snuggle with, laugh with, and to show the

world too. They love to be tucked into bags, blankets,suitcases, and little people arms. They find the

world fascinating and want to see and experience itall. Use scraps to get this patchwork crafts made.It is an easy pattern for beginners and maybe even

for little sewers who are just starting out.

Materials List:

6 X15 inch piece of Fleece, or anything else soft

6 X 15 inch piece of cotton or whatever else you would like to use

Transfer your pattern:

Cut out the printed pattern and lay on the RIGHT SIDES of the fabricand trace. The edges will fray and make them fuzzy and cute. You willneed to do this for the body, ears–choose just one kind per little guy,arms and legs.

Sewing Arm and Legs:

Lay the cotton fabric RIGHT SIDES UP on top of the fleece fabric.You want to make sure that the fleece stretch is going up and down.You want it to stretch long and skinny, not short and fat.

Now you need to sew on the drawn lines. This will keep you straightand nice.

Cutting the pieces:

Now cut all the pieces out just under a 1/4 inch outside of the sewnline. This area will fray. Make sure you aren't too close to the seamline. It is easier too to cut out with the cotton on the bottom. It won'tshift while cutting. no funky edges.

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w w w . p a t c h w o r k p o s s e . c o m

Body:

On the right side of the fabric you can add a belly. I used a piece of thefleece. I fussy cut the little spiral thingie. Sew this to the front along theedge. Cut your fleece for the back of the body 6 X 5 1/2" with the stretchgoing up and down the 6" length. Here are all your pieces and parts:

Stuff:

ONLY the legs. Just a bit. Not too much, not too little. Leave a littlespace at the top. This will make it much easier to sew into the body later.Believe me.

Pinch and Pin:

Pinch the ears just a bit and before pinning in place.

Pin the ears, and arms onto the front piece of the traveler.

Pin again:

Pin the front to the back fleece piece. Notice that the fleece is not cut toshape. It will stretch and move just a bit. Perfect for getting everythingjust right.

Sewing again:

Sew around the body edge 1/4 inch inside. Watch those pins!! There willbe a few parts that are fat and chunky and hard to get through. Just keepgoing.

Take your pins out and then turn it right sides out. I know i am not hav-ing you clip it yet…hold on. You want to make sure that the ears andarms are all sewn in perfect. Nothing should be loose, or dangeling, orsewn into the other side seam. Everything ok? Then pop it all back inand trim around the seam.

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Legs:

Stick the legs in place and PIN. These legs love to run away and move.They are little guys and little guys are wiggle worms, so pin those in.

Sew right across this bottom. 1/4 inch is perfect. Then turn over and makesure you got both front and back sides. Then sew across it again.

Bend the legs down and trim this just past the stitching. There is large andsmall parts of fabric everywhere. Even them all out. Make their bum cutepeople. People will be looking at them!

They would love to have a face either stitched on or use button for thiereyes, red pucker lips, a crooked sneaky smile, starry eyes,eyelashes…whatever you think this little guy/gal needs.

Make sure you make one per child. They all want their own! And theydon't like to share! And they won't fight while you are on vacation! Have

fun… oh, and i would love it if you shared them too!!

w w w . p a t c h w o r k p o s s e . c o m

Little Summer TravelersBody Template

www.patchworkposse.com

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Bunny Ear

Little Travelers Arm

Little Travelers Leg

Are you in love with Plushies?

Check out the new site– PlushiePatterns where you will findFREE Plushie Patterns fromaround the web in one place!

www.plushiepatterns.com sharesa new pattern daily–

Plushie patterns included:

all sorts of animals, Dolls,

and Teddy Bears.

w w w . p a t c h w o r k p o s s e . c o m

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