Fat Quarter Table Runner

We had a Sunday out and I came across a Hobbycraft shop in the shopping arcade.  Well, what's a girl supposed to do??  You can't not go in, that would be silly!  So I dragged him in to 'just take a look-just in case'....  Well they had some fat quarters on sale and again thinking it would be silly to go in and not buy something (Yeah right, like I need sewing supplies!!) I picked up a couple of Christmas-y themed fat quarter packs with a view to making a table runner and some table mats for Christmas day dinner.

• have you ever tried explaining the concept of a fat quarter to a guy who has no idea about fabric and thinks its to do with the shape of a female?  I think the ladies in the shop were glad we were leaving as the conversation got a little too loud.....

As you will know by now if you have been reading my blog, I have not done any piecing other than the hexy piece hand sewing projects I have done, so I didn't really know where to start.

I trawled through my patterns and the internet and finally happened upon a chevron design for a runner which I felt I could handle and so set about cutting out the pieces.

• I had a hissy fit during the making of this project and so didn't get any  starting photos as I have to rely on one of my daughters to take the photographs for me; as they were giving me a wide berth, all I have are start and end pictures nothing in the middle.  Note to self - get photos and then have a hissy fit!!!

So I spent a lot of time cutting out the 4" squares, drawing diagonal lines, sewing either side, cutting through the middle to make the 'triangle-square' pieces to make up the chevron design.  I found this particularly rewarding and quick even though I found tying off the ends of my threads a little tedious as I do not have a 'proper' reverse stitch on my hand-crank Singer (see previous Introduction blog).                         Note to self ; find a 'nickname' for my sewing machine!!

Anyhoo, I completed the patterned top of the runner and was really pleased with the result. However, when I placed it on my table to see how it looked, the table looked so huge it buried the runner.  I went back to the 'drawing board' and realised that I had enough material to double up on the design so I cut out, drew and sewed some more to make another runner.  I went back to the table and placed both pieces on it but it still looked a little lost.  I now had very little material left from my fat quarter packs but I did have some 'odd' triangles of each left over.

Thinking cap on and a little time to spare (I know, don't ask me, I don't know where it came from either!!), I decided to play a little with the triangle/square design and using the few oddments piecing these together to make squares of four triangles, I made a centre piece mismatching them together into a separate design.  (see photo below of middle section and border).

A thought then crossed my mind that I would need something to make the back with.  Now it isn't as if I don't have a glut of material - previous posts and my family will testify that I am a fabric hoarder - but I just couldn't find a piece suited to the cotton top of my runner.  Unfortunately with a few minutes spare at work and idle hands, I managed to find a perfect piece of red (not pink as it seems to have come out in the photo here) cotton with little gingerbread men on it - perfect.  The purchase was made and the following day - yep that quickly! - my material arrived at work. 

As soon as I got in, coffee made and laptop tuned into the radio I set about finishing the back.  I had to cut two pieces of equal length from the material and piece it in the middle so it was long enough to cover the front and have enough left at either end to act as a binding.  I then cut pieces to go around the mini mid-section piece which would also add additional inches to the length of the finished piece.  Both 'ends' of the runner were sewn to the mid section.

I then spray-glued the wadding and top runner and put them together and then glued this to the gingerbread backing making sure to centre (or as near as I could) the top runner onto my backing.  As this was the first of this type of project, I wanted to ensure that I covered all bases so I also pinned the backing at the corners and middle 'just in case'.

The edge of the gingerbread fabric was the folded over the top and ironed down to made a crease which I then used to fold the edge to and refold - making a sort of binding - all the way around.  When I got to the corners I couldn't decide what to do - did I just square them off or fold the corners in like a present to make a 'triangle' end? I left the decision as I discovered when I got to the corner that I could leave them alone whilst I top sewed the runner to the backing around the edge.

I eventually made the decision to fold back the raw edges underneath making like a triangle end (like on a parcel) and then hand stitched them to finish off the runner.


I then placed the runner on the table and placed a couple of my glass-jar ornaments on top 'just to see'. Even though I say so myself, I am really pleased with the result.  However, I am now 5 place mats short of a Christmas dinner table setting and as work has gone from quiet to manically busy, no hope in sight of getting them done.  Do you think napkin rings would make up for this if I make them using the chevron design and my pieces of left over fat quarter?  Neither do I but watch this space - snow is on its way and I may just get a couple of more hours sewing ...................

First Quilt (Proper) part 3

Well, I managed to make up a log cabin square - bottom block - and finally worked out how to finish the last seam on the block I started to make and, all in all, I like my block much better.

I know I didn't cut my pieces specifically for the log cabin which is probably why they don't line up and I don't suppose that making the block with stretch denim, denim and light weight upholstery fabric is a good mix but it seems to work ok with my block.

The stretchiness of the denim, I am hoping, will lessen when the backing is sewn on.

I am also putting four plain squares of each fabric together to make a single block.  I could also add blocks made up of strips of each fabric also................. Ideas, ideas - really need to be at home - not work!!!! Grrrrrrrr! lol

Has anyone tried using a low tog rated quilt to use as batting/wadding and backing?  My hand-crank seems to cope with anything I chuck at it and I have a new Ikea single, low tog quilt taking up much needed space in my hoard of fabric.  Seems like a match made and all that............ Will keep you posted.

First Quilt (Proper) part 2

Well I have spent some time this weekend - not as much as I would have liked however - cutting out squares and strips for the quilt I want to make out of the denim jeans pieces and a couple of cushion covers (for texture purposes and dash of design).

I played with a couple of configurations of the different colours and only then noticed that two of the pairs of jeans were very similar in colour.  I have since decided that the cushion covers will work both right and wrong sides giving different coloured designs to the log cabin squares pattern I (finally) settled on.

I had some spare time this morning before coming to work so I thought I would try and put a couple of the log cabin squares together.  However, although I have seen this pattern many times and in many different colours and applications, I have never used the pattern before and have not seen an instructions anywhere on how to put the pattern together.  So, not wanting to waste anymore time, I jumped in with both feet and tried it.

I couldn't work out how I could sew both the seam square to strip and strip to strip (short end to long side) at the same time so I tried not sewing up to the end so I could then remove the square and sew a separate seam.  This sort of worked out but I knew there must be a simpler way of doing it.

When I got to work (and finished all my paperwork - yeah right!!!), I looked up how to sew a log cabin pattern and (- head in hand moment! I know you're already there and wondering what I am talking about) - You make the first rectangle the same length as the square and sew that first!!

I knew there was a simpler way!  It just hadn't occurred to me that it would be that simple.  I could have done a whole lot more sewing this morning rather than faffing with two squares I did manage to get done.  Anyhoo, now I know what to do, I can do some more sewing tonight and maybe get more than two done!

As I haven't worked out how big I want my quilt yet, I haven't worked out how many squares and rectangles I will need but for now, my pinking shears are hanging up with their tongues hanging out after all their hard work this weekend and my hand-crank is sitting waiting for me.

No, I haven't broken out the electric machine - the sizes I have cut don't fill me with confidence that I could stop the machine before I ran over my fingers - but I working on an idea to help me control the machine which will hopefully help me conquer my fear.

So I am now clock watching (again) waiting for 5.00 so I can go home and start sewing again - I am really enthusiastic now I know what I am doing - well there's a first time for everything, right...?

First Quilt (Proper) part 1

First Quilt (Proper) part 1

Well, having just spent three days (evenings in real time) deconstructing 5 pairs of jeans, I am now preparing to get my pieces cut for the next stage of my quilt.  Saw this blog on Pinterest and thought - what the heck...!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycle-DenimJeans-into-Reusable-parts-with-no-wa/?ALLSTEPS

I have made a large piece of sewing using paper piecing - this is the one I still need to find - but didn't finish it.  The smaller projects I have been finishing off when I have decided what to do with them - see related blogs. However as far as a machine sewn quilt is concerned I have wanted to do one of these for ages and have not the confidence to even contemplate it.  However I now feel a little more confident in myself and as the nights are drawing in and weekends are not being spent walking the hills, I have the time to start up sewing again.

Looking at the pile of denim I think I am going to need some other light coloured ones just to add a little more variety but the first thing I need to do is decide how I want my finished quilt to look.  As I am not that busy at work (but don't tell my hubby!!), I can mess with patterns and hopefully come up with one not so difficult or faffy.

Who knows, I may even break out one of the electric machines............ who knows...?!  ;0)

Paper Piercing Quilting

Whilst I was at school, a girlfriend of mine showed me how to make a patchwork quilt using a hexagon template, scraps of material and lots of patience!  A few years later I remembered this and started to make my own.  The worst bit of the whole project is making the templates, however once you have a pile of virgin paper templates you just can't help yourself.  I find this stage the most therapeutic - I can sit and make the individual pieces all night and can do this in front of the telly not sitting on my own in the sewing/library.

Not really knowing how to make formal patterns with the hexagon template I 'shuffled' my stacks of pieces and set to hand-stitching them together.  (My eldest daughter has had to inspect the examples shown in the photographs as she didn't/couldn't believe that I had actually sewn stitches so small by hand).

I have all these projects done and now I have my machine I can finish them with a lining as well as a pillow/cushion pad. 






There are a couple I haven't decided on what to do with mainly the cream and brown piece.  This was made with squares and triangles - can't remember where I saw the design but looks pretty good...

This pastel project I think will be finished to make a throw or blanket - again not sure

 

 

 

 

 

This one I think I will just put a sturdy backing on and use it as a table runner/doily - maybe even put it underneath a plant (it's not that I haven't got a 'million' of those to chose from.  Seems I also collect plants too....)

Now I have the projects in my eye line, I will finish them off and maybe even break out an electric machine.................... Mmmmm  Catch you later and let you know.

Introduction

Well here it is.  You've heard me talk about it now on nearly every posting so I thought it was about time I introduced you to my machine.  It is a 1914 hand crank, Singer sewing machine with bullet shuttle and bobbins.

Anyhoo, it works brilliantly and has probably done more sewing in the last three years than it ever did! 

I have found accessories on Ebay which - although strictly speaking are for the electric version - fit mine, however I am not entirely happy with some of the results.  Most of the mistake are down to 'driver error' but it is very difficult sometimes trying to power it with one hand and steer and hold down fabric with the other.

I am getting there and the end results are getting better too.  Here it is in all its glory!  Isn't it gorgeous?!

 It belonged to my dad's sister, Minnie, and I inherited the machine when my Mum and dad helped them clear their house when they were leaving to move into The Vicarage, at Harworth.

I have the instruction manual somewhere in the loft - I  need to dig this out so I can  learn any tips on maintaining it.

Stash Basket

When I am sewing (or doing anything if I am completely honest) I like to be in control of my environment.  So much so that I can be working in what looks to be a complete disaster zone but whilst I am in 'the zone' I don't see the mess chaos creative milieu around me until the last thread has been knotted.  I then take a breath, have a coronary and when I come round, start to tidy up. 

During one of my quieter, less frenzied projects, I realised that I needed to organise myself better so that scraps were put somewhere together at the cutting off point  - not after I had had to unpick them from the back of the last seam because I had not put them far enough away - and threads needed to be put in the bin (or something) straight away before I was covered in them.

I stopped what I was doing - it can't have been going very well or I wouldn't have been as easily distracted - cleared up, tidied away, folded and placed back fabric and then searched my favourite sites - allfreesewing.com, allpeoplequilt.com and thesewingloftblog.com which finally produced a pattern for a scrap bucket basket (http://thesewingloftblog.com/2014/03/31/scrap-bucket-pattern/).

As I really needed a quick result - have I mentioned that I am not the most patient of sewists? - I decided to 'tweak' the pattern in my favour by cutting a single piece of fabric the size required for my basket with a lining piece and interfacing to butch up the sides.

I had a few 'open-mouthed, tongue sticky out' minutes trying to sew the round bottom but finally it was done. I then realised that I had sewn it on inside out.  By this time I was a little fractious, so after having counted to 10, I finished the basket and filled it with scraps.  

I have (just yesterday) seen a demonstration on making a quilt from triangles so my basket is in danger of losing weight - something I must also get around to doing.  However, that idea has been shelved for now as I have much bigger plans.  My sewing chair needs covering and I have just the pattern and somewhere the perfect material.  All I need now is a really wet weekend, hockey games (to get rid of the rest of the family), Bones Series 7 (third time of watching), coins for my swear tin.  Mmmmm what are my chances?  :0D