Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Scrappy Rose Pillow

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I can’t take credit for this one…it was sitting in my mother’s living room when I came to visit.  She made it using a combination of this tutorial for making the strip…and this tutorial for sewing it on.  The only difference is that she pleated the long (I’m guessing about 7 ft.) scrappy strip as she sewed it to the pillow instead of gathering it before hand.  Cute huh?  I’m going to try to sneak it into my car tomorrow when I head back home…don’t tell.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I said I never would but I did

Buy a batik…oh yes I did.  I know its not very batik-ish but still…this is a first for me.

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Also tonight I’m guest posting over at Someday Crafts today with the scrappy rose tutorial. Check it out here and take a look at Michelle’s cute craft blog while your at it.  Thanks Michelle!

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Saturday, August 28, 2010

This week

I’ve been playing with new fall fabric… (City Weekend by Oliver + S)

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blackberry picking ( the boys & I are visiting Seattle) & jam making..

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Oh and I found this abandoned nest I’m going to take home for my mantel… because I’m pretty sure that’s why the bird made it, right?  For me to decorate with?  Thought so.

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And lastly I am clearing out more of  Pez (red and the darker blue).  Yes, I found more…..I told you I had A LOT.  Its in this shop.  At this rate I’m going to be finding pez ‘till I’m 80.

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Giveaways and sale

Check out Randi’s blog today for a great giveaway to kick off a sale in her fabric shop.   She’s giving away a Skipping Squares pattern along with ten fat quarters to make it!  She has an awesome 24 hour sale going on in her shop….24% off anything, including my patterns that ship free with any fabric purchase. 

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And while your checking out her blog….take a look at her recipe for chimichangas.  I’ve made them twice and they are ultra good.  Not just good….ultra good.  

Also having a weekly giveaway now is Kathy over at Pink Chalk Studio.  Head over to win some of the very cute Urban Circus or Cloud 9 Forest Friends Flannel.  Also while your there, check out the new look of Pink Chalk Fabrics!

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Monday, August 23, 2010

Its all in the foot

One of those things that nobody tells you when you start quilting is how important the right foot is. When I started, I just figured that the foot that came on my machine was an exact 1/4” foot….when really the foot that came on my machine had a seam allowance from the edge to the needle of 3/8”. It doesn’t sound like a big difference, but believe me…when your making a log cabin block or anything with a lot of piecing…your finished blocks end up way smaller.

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The one on the left came on my machine (a Bernina), the one on the right is a 1/4” patchwork foot I bought (with a handy guide on the side so you can pound a bag of Doritos and sew at the same time).

The stitches down below show the difference….the left is the 3/8” seam allowance, and the right seam is the exact 1/4” allowance. Pretty big difference huh?

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Anyways…the point is, that most machines come with a foot with an allowance of 3/8” and not 1/4” like many believe. So when your making a pattern that calls for a 1/4” seam allowance, you might end up with some small and un-matching blocks and seams if you’re not using the right foot. I know this from experience(s)(s)(s).

P.S. For a long time I compensated for not having the right foot by bumping my needle position over to the right a couple of spaces. On my machine I could bump it from a O to a 2 and it was an exact 1/4”. But..make sure you measure the needle settings on your machine before you try it.

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