Paper Piecing! Does that mention get you excited or did you just cringe?
If you want to try your hand at it or not sure what to do with an orphan block, here is a great option. You get a free pattern with every set of cards and envelopes and it is less than a purchase of store bought cards. Make a card, send a card and have the recipient be astonished that you made it and you share a part of your creativity, too. Wonderful scrap buster and I known…..we have scraps.
Here are a few pictures taken over the weekend at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago. Was wonderful to have questions asked and be able to teach something different. Thanks to Emily Lang for your cheering on and support. And thanks to Maureen Koepp, my new friend and assistant. It was a blast.
I was very fortunate to be able to demo and show some people for the first time how to achieve a new look on bindings.
I chose 2 ideas which I often use myself on my own quilts to add interest or maybe because I ran short on fabric but really want to use it in the binding.
So first – Faux Flange Binding.
Using a 2 ½ inch binding, Flange cut 1 ¾ in. Outer Binding cut 1 ¼ in.
Now if you choose to have more or less of a Flange you can vary your widths to achieve your look, just remember if you add to one, reduce the other so you still have a complete 2 ½ in binding when sewn.
If you need to join multiple strips to get your length to complete your project, join each, flange strip and then outer binding strip to make two complete units.
When you have the length you need, join the two strips together with a ¼ in seam to form your 2 ½ in width.
Press to set your seams.
Press seams going to the wider strip.
Press in half making sure there is a nice crisp line between the two joined fabrics.
Lay your strip down on the back of your quilt. I like to use a basting stitch when I first start my binding and test to see where it will come over to on the front. I want enough over hang so when I ( SID) Stitch in the Ditch on the front it will hide in the backing not the binding. Test it; you will save yourself time and often a head ache. I continue to sew in the same manner I do with regular bindings and also end them the same manner. Use your method of choice.
Second technique – 2 Color or 2 Sided Binding.
This makes a 2 ½ inch binding . Cut one strip 2 inches and the opposite strip 1 inch.
Join all your 2″ strips to give you enough length. Join all 1″ strips to give you enough length. * Do this in your method of choice. When you have the desired length for your project join the two strips together with a ¼ in seam.
Press to set seam and then press this seam open being careful not to distort your fabric if it a long strip.
Press in half.
You will lay the narrow 1 ” strip against the quilt on whichever side you have chosen that fabric for.
I do a test baste stitch to make sure the seam on the binding lays right on the edge of my quilt when I wrap it around.
Continue to attach when you are happy with your seam and finish in your desired method.
Hope you gives these a try. If you have any questions shoot me an email.
The International Quilt Festival called for a challenge.
Always love a good challenge! This one was between the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild and the Naperville Modern Quilt Guild.
We were given the theme “Modern in the City” and restriction of one side, any side must be 36 inches.
First thing that came to me was the Picasso sculpture in downtown Chicago. Okay so how do I translate hard cold steel into fiber and make it exciting……
Here we go.
Started with a paper pattern that was enlarged.
I did not want to use just one solid or print type fabric for the face. I used the 15 Minutes of Play by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. The first day it was a bit rough letting go and just random piece, sew and cut. The second day, was easier and became free and fun…. getting the hang of this.
The eyes had to be a bit more centered so they were done with a paper piecing method.
Getting several units to size and laying them out to get a sneak peek for myself.
Needed to lay the blocks out and mix colors and make sure coverage is good. Hmmm, a bit more here or there and then time to join.
I decided I did not want raw edges on the face and tried to think of the best way to turn the edges under; especially with all the seams everywhere. I used to use dress-makers tracing and traced the face and then put it over my sewn units.
Pinned and sewn.
After stitching all the way around, I cut through the middle leaving 1/4 all around the edges to turn. Just like in garment making, it is necessary to clip on curves to have everything lay flat.
Had to audition the right colors for the background. Some were dull and some too bright. I really liked the way the Kona Tulip (purple) and Kona Peapod (green) played together as well as with the face pattern. I then hand appliquéd the face to the background.
To continue with the sculpture and the rods that hold it up, bias tape was my answer.
Put it on the long arm machine to do the background quilting that is similar to the piecing of the face. Some of the quilting was also done on my domestic machine.
I had been playing around with a product by Lesley Riley and C & T Publishing called TAP paper. Using words an image in reverse on the computer, you print right onto the paper. Iron on fabric and it is permanent. I like this method because I always mess up or get nervous writing with fabric pens. You can even add as I did on top. I had forgotten to include my phone number on the label so I just ran the paper through the printer again and ironed on top of the original TAP transfer.
On the design wall and bound. Really wanted to use solid binding to give the sculpture a bit of suspension. May I present to you, Picasso in Piecing.
Well, as the saga continues it took me on turns and tumbles I did not see coming.
I know what colors and styles I like and which I am not so fond of. So I thought.
As the colors played well together and I was open to playing and picking up random pieces to make the happy family, I noticed I liked the way they gave me a sense of contentment. Maybe because I did not stress over matchy matchy ideas or how was I going to live with this piece being slightly off, because it was leaving my hands. It was going to a home where no one would notice these usually tidbits that drive me batty at times.
This little project has taught me much about myself that I did not know. Opened my mind and expanded my palette.
I had been thinking and even discussed recently how my color choices have changed through the years and often with season. Do you look at quilts and colors and think Spring? Winter ? Or whatever the season ?
Do you ever say,” I appreciate the work but just not my colors?” I know I have. May not do that now, knowing how this journey turned out.
Maybe I just pre-judged my color choices. Maybe I needed to explore something within myself. Color heals, art heals, maybe it also helps us grow and explore.
Give colors a chance that you may not have tried before. Entertain them or let them entertain you. See where it takes you.
When you are done you can at least know you have explored, played and used your own hands to create a work love. Or maybe not love …….okay!
Oh and the ending of this story…….it is staying in my home. We have become close friends and I am proud of taking something I turned my nose up at, and now I am proud and admire. The colors make me feel warm and cozy.
I need my new friend, and will cherish how we met.
Can your relate? Here is a quilt kit purchased in 2006, from CozyQuilt.com. I went to retreat in August 2013 and this kit came along with the intentions to complete for a Christmas gift.
Well……… we all know that didn’t happen.
As I was cutting, piecing and having a great time, people where surprised I was working with the earth tone colors and knew that these were just not what I usually pick for myself. Not really having a relationship with the colors but was enjoying the process and watching it unfold. As I continued on I just knew my friend would appreciate it.
Almost done, lets see where this goes next!
Just returned from attending a lecture by artist and author Gwen Marston from Beaver Island, Michigan. Found her liberating, humorous and her quilts inspiring. She has written over twenty six books and currently has quilts on display at the Dennos Museum in Traverse City Michigan.
Spent the last couple weekends (and weekdays) designing, sewing, quilting and binding for the NWAL Shetland Sheepdog Rescue. It helps all the Shelties at NWAL Herding Dog Rescue, Inc., especially the seniors and the pups with illnesses that need extra love and care. Please have fun bidding.
Here are some pictures of time spent in the studio. Decided to finish off the remaining Surrounded by Love by Deb Strain Moda.
Here are some pictures from our studio using Surrounded by Love by Deb Strain Moda.
Lake House Quilts & Art Retreat 