Scrappy Rose Pillow

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.

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.

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!

This week

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

 

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

 

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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?

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.