Quilting

The quilting seemed to take forever to mark, stitch and complete, but I am happy with the results! The blocks with doves are stippled, the nine patch blocks are stitched corner to corner through the 3" blocks, the yellow borders are stitched X's and the wide print border is embellished with freehand random squiggles.

Doves of Inspiration

My dove quilt is finished, binding on and pressed and delivered to the museum to be put on display! Here are some photos and the story behind the quilt.

Doves of Inspiration

On a February afternoon, I found myself in a typical location - at my computer. I was browsing from website to website, searching for nothing in peticular. Soon I was moving from one webpage to another filled with fabric swatches. Why is it that whenever I was online, the click of my mouse always seemed to take me to fabric related places?!

I reminded myself that my shelves and other secret places I dare not mention are full of fabric. Just as I left another collection of fabrics, my eye caught a glimpse of a beautiful cotton print! A blue and pink background with angelic, ivory doves called out my name.

Right then and there, I knew a bolt of that fabric would find its way into my collection. My hand reached for my credit card. Soon I would be able to see and feel the fabric as visualized on my computer screen. A couple weeks later a Fed-Ex truck delivered a box holding the treasured bolt. Eagerly, I took the fabric out of the box and observed that the look was just as I had pictured.

My thoughts drifted to the soft colors of that fabric over the next few days. I finally decided that this bolt needed to join my other fabrics in the aging process. In non-quilter’s terminology this meant, "I don’t know where I can use this fabric, but I love it. I’ll save it for future use."

It sat on the shelf for a few months, waiting for the perfect opportunity to be picked. Soon, the time was right - the fabric was ripe! As I pulled the bolt off the shelf, I began to browse through quilt patterns, embroidery designs and various colors in my mind. Gradually, I had the perfect combination - a quilt featuring the doves flying in clouds, swirled with colors of blue and pink.

A blue flecked fabric served well as a background for the machine embroidered doves. Behind the intricate detailed dove wings, little stars sparkled, adding to the wispy sky. Blue and pink were woven together in a simple nine patch block. Alternating these two blocks with sashing and borders completed the quilt design.

My fabric has found a home. The fabric I started with found a few friends lying on the shelf and made them part of the family. Every yard, foot and even inch of fabric has a home. Perhaps it needs to wait until it ripens or hasn’t found the complementing friends it requires. For now, you may fold it on the shelf, hide it away in a closet or stuff it in a drawer, but sooner or later, you will bring it out and give it permanent residence.

Seamstresses and quilters - don’t gaze at your stash of fabric and wonder why? Wait for the right season and each and every piece will find its home with its own unique family!

Different Ruffles

These two valentine pillows each have a double thickness triple ruffle. The ruffles are tiered in red cotton, gold lame and a heart print cotton. They are very full which made it very difficult to sew through layers and layers of fabric - actually 8 layers!

The single double thickness ruffle on this Spring pillow was much easier to stitch. This ruffle was not gathered as full, but the print coordinates with the applique letters. But as you can see the ruffle doesn't hold up as well as the ruffles on the valentine pillows. The fuller the ruffle, the more body it adds to it!

The Best Ruffled Pillows

What is the easiest method to achieve a nice, full gathered pillow ruffle? This question plagued me for months before stitching several trial pillows and being pleased with the results!

A pillow ruffle adds personality and a unique design element to this important decorative accessory and it can soften the sharp lines of a geometric pillow.

There are a variety of ruffle treatments including single, pleated, circular and double ruffles. A double ruffle (a narrow ruffle on top of a wider ruffle) gives you the opportunity to introduce a new color or fabric into the decorating scheme. But you are not limited to only a single or double ruffle - try a triple ruffle in alternating colors. You never know the effect you can create unless you give it a try!

A double thickness (or self-lined) pillow ruffle is the ideal touch because it looks the same on both sides of the pillow. Your seams are hidden on the inside, so both the front and back of the ruffle show a clean finish. The extra layer of fabric in a self-lined ruffle helps the ruffle retain its shape. This is my favorite way of creating full, luscious looking ruffles!

The finished ruffle width should be in proportion to the pillow size. A 3" finished width (7" cut & 1/2" seam allowance) works for most pillows. A good way to determine the appropriate ruffle width is to cut strips of paper to different widths, place them against the finished pillow size/shape and decide which width you prefer.

Ruffles can either be cut on the straight grain or on the bias. A bias cut ruffle has softer folds, but requires more fabric than a straight grain ruffle. A bias cut ruffle can add a design element to the pillow, especially when using a stripe or plaid fabric.

The key to successful ruffle construction is the fullness. The ruffle should be at least 2-2½ times the pillow perimeter (or circumference). If you are using a very lightweight or sheer fabric, the fullness may need to be increased because the gathers will be closer together.

When adding a pillow ruffle, avoid stretching the ruffle at the pillow corners during construction; instead "stuff" the corners with as much ruffle fabric as possible. This creates a nice ruffled corner.

See a few of my ruffled pillows I have stitched.

Embroidery Thread Database

For machine embroidery, I usually use Sulky thread or Isacord thread, but there are occasions where I will use another brand like Madeira. When switching between threads, it is nice to have a thread conversion chart or database handy!

This is an online database with Sulky and Madeira plus other thread conversions. Type in the color number and select the brand of thread and it will match the color to the other brands listed. Quick and easy to convert colors in several brands of embroidery thread! Much easier than scanning through a printed chart for the needed color number!

Notes on Needles

There are four basic types of needles – sharps, ball points, wedge points, and metallic. Each of these needles come in various sizes. The lower the number, the smaller the needle. Here’s some tips to help you to know which needle to use.

Sharps – Yes, they are sharp needles, with a very sharp point that will penetrate threads. For very fine fabrics such as bridal satin, satin, silk, linen or similar fabrics, you will want to use the smallest needle you have; a #60/8 sharp or a #70/10 sharp would be appropriate sizes for this type of application. For denim and heavy woven fabrics, you will want to use a #75/11 sharp, a #80/12 sharp or a #90/14 sharp. Obviously these are ranges for fabrics and you will need to make the decision which needle is best for your particular application.

Ball Points – They are a bit different than the sharps in that they have a pounded point. These will not penetrate threads as easily and will more than likely go between the threads instead of penetrating them. For knits and loosely woven fabrics you will want to use a ball point needle. The same size constraints will apply to these fabrics as well. The finer the fabric, such as jersey knits and pique knits, the smaller the needle. If you are sewing on a loosely woven fabric such as tapestry you may also want to use a ball point needle.

Wedge Points – These have a sword-like point. They are very sharp but instead of making a round hole penetrations they will make more of a slit or a small slice. Wedge point needles are used for vinyl and leather. In embroidery the stitches and needle penetrations are so close together that if a large hole were made in these types of fabrics, the design might be "cut" out.

Metallic – These needles are made especially for metallic threads. The eye of the needle is shaped a little differently thereby allowing the metallic thread to flow smoothly through the needle. Metallic needles are sharp needles and make a hole that is almost rectangular. This allows for the stiffness of the metallic thread to flow through the needle very easily thereby
creating less friction and less thread breaks. Sizes for the metallic needles apply here as mentioned in the above paragraphs.

Crazy Quilt Ziplock

Here is the outside of the pink, black and white crazy quilted bag. Using three different fabrics, I pieced and patched them together. On some of the bigger patches, I embroidered a couple of themed embroidery designs.

To quilt the top, batting and backing together, I stitched a feather stitch through the layers over all the seams in bright pink thread. I also added handles to this one so it could be carried over your shoulder.

Blue Quilting Bee Zip-Lock

This is the outside of the navy bluw quilted zip-lock bag. I embroidered a design on the light blue fabric (This was the one where I almost ran out of thread!), cut it down to the size I needed and added borders to make the size I wanted. To quilt it, I just stitched in the ditch.

The inside has gallon size ziplock bags that are sewn inside. I used a little bigger bags so I could store more things inside.

Zip-Lock It Shut!

Yesterday I taught our local monthly embroidery club in Dodge City, KS. This was a fun lesson to create and teach! The topic was creating your own portable bag with clear pockets to store all kinds of sewing supplies, children's toys or crayons or traveling essentials.

The fabric bag itself can be made from a placemat, pre-quilted fabric or fabric that you quilt yourself. The raw edges are bound with bias tape to create a rounded bag or square bag. Embroidery is added to the front in any theme you want the bag to represent.

Grosgrain ribbon and a zipper are stitched to the fabric bag. Zip-lock bags with the little zipper tab are inserting into the bag to create clear pockets. It really makes a neat bag that can be very useful! Add handles and you can carry it over your shoulder also! :)

Creative Expressions Issue #11

A new, fun packed issue of Creative Expressions is available! New embroidery and decorative stitch techniques fill every page of this magazine!

In this issue:
The cover features a Topiary Wall Hanging with complete instructions listed inside!Roses for Mary quilt featuring garlarnds, swags and clusters of beautiful pink roses!Things to consider when purchasing a sewing machine!A unique Trail Blazing Tote Bag incorporating sewing and embroidery!Plus many other creative ideas for you to enjoy!!

I always enjoy browsing through each issue I receive, even if I don't have time to stitch the fun projects inside!

Just barely...

I embroidered a design and just barely finished the last thread color with just a teeny tiny tail of thread left. I was holding my breath as the machine satin stitched the last letter (g). The strand of thread right in front is the tail I had left! What a close call!! :)

Caution: Work in Progress

When I am sewing or in the middle of a project, I usually create a little clutter until I am finished. After I've completed what I need to, then I must get my sewing room back in order!

Here is my sewing room floor last night...and it still looks the same today. For me, it is easy to work really hard and get some sewing accomplished and then clean the floor at the end. Pins, thread tails and fabric scraps always wind up on the floor!

Yesterday I was doing some crazy quilting in colors of pink, black and white, so I stitched two pieces, trimmed off the excess and threw the scrap on the floor. When I needed another piece, look down and it is right there! Works great!! :)

Quilt on hold...

Decision...decisions, they can be very difficult at times! I marked my quilt 3 different times yesterday before finally coming up with a quilting design pattern that would fill in and add interest to the borders. Most of the borders are now marked with the correct placement.

I did get the rest of my blocks stippled, I will just need to finish the quilting on the borders...almost there! But for now I need to put that quilt aside and move on to some other pressing projects and classes. Last night I rearranged my sewing room back to normal (I move tables around when I am quilting so my quilt doesn't hang off the edge of a single table), so I am ready to get a few other things accomplished.

Free Motion Quilting Tips

See some tips and ideas for free motion quilting. Free motion quilting is possible to do on your machine, although it can be tougher than quilting on a long arm machine when working on a large quilt.

I would love to be able to do all kinds of patterns using free motion. I am still learning the technique. I have accomplished learning to stipple on anything - from large to small quilts. But stitching leaves, flowers, feathers and other designs are still a struggle to me. It goes back to practice, practice, practice...

Almost finished quilting...

What a day yesterday!! I was finally able to get all the borders stitched in the ditch. Half of the embroidered blocks are stippled; only 11 more blocks to go. Then I am sure I will add some more stippling to other places. Today I am going to get it finished!

Goal today to finish...

My goal today is to start and finish the quilting on my dove quilt! I'm not sure if I can get all that accomplished, but I really need to. Stitching in the ditch shouldn't take too long and then add some stippled areas in the blocks and maybe some borders. I shall see how the day goes...

Ready to Quilt!

I have my quilt top, batting and backing pinned together and ready to quilt! Now I just need to decide what kind of quilting I want to do. I know I will stitch in the ditch along the blocks and borders. I usually to this to hold the layers together because it makes the stippling or whatever design I choose to quilt easier with the layers already stabilized together.

Cutting & Stitching

I was able to finally get my fabric pressed and starched yesterday morning so I could start cutting fabric for my dove quilt. I wasn't able to start cutting and stitching until afternoon, but I was able to get a lot accomplished.

I had all the nine patches and blocks together and needed to decide on border fabric. I have looked and couldn't find the color of blue I really wanted to use in the borders, so I returned to my fabric stash and dug around for some different pieces to try.

I narrowed my choice down to these three after dragging out bolt after bolt. I really like the blue, but it seemed to just be too dark and powerful with the rest of the feel of the quilt. So I ended up with the yellow.

Today my goal is the get the last 2 rows of borders stitched on. I would also like to get it stretched out and pinned together. That way, when I am ready to start quilting, I can just start at the machine and stitch, stitch, stitch.....

33 Shirts Finished

I just finished embroidering 33 shirts with a logo for a customer! 33 shirts with different sizes in different colors for different people...confusing at times! But they are completed and already delivered. I didn't even get a chance to snap a picture....

Actually it is easier to stitch shirts in bulk rather than a few at a time. I can have the design set up in the machine and start an assembly line. I have two machine embroidery hoops, so while one shirt is in the machine stitching, I can be hooping another one. So when the design is finished, I just switch hoops. This saves a multitude of time!

Adding an extra hoop to embroidery machine collection can be expensive, but it is definitely worth it! At first I decided to own two hoops because I do lots of custom embroidery for individuals and businesses. But I use the two hoops for everything I do. Even if I just did my own personal embroidery, I would still own two hoops!

BCP Update!

Yesterday was another fun-filled day teaching the Beyond the Color Purple Quilt class. I cannot believe how much progress all the ladies have made over the last few months. Some of them are months ahead; several are starting to stitch their center medallion block. That means that they have completed all 16 embroidered blocks (18" square) and are starting on the last block to be stitched.

The center has a lot of involved embroidery, so it will take a few weeks to get every design stitched. Then there are decorative stitches and borders to add before the quilt is ready to put together.

Sometime I will have to get some photos of the different colors that everyone has chosen!

Stitching...Stitching...

August is always very hot in western Kansas...it is supposed to be 102 degrees to day! My time has been spent inside right next to my sewing machine.

I decided that I needed a quilt to enter in our local museum for a quilt exhibit. My completed quilts I have already shown there or are at other places or unavailable. So I gathered my thoughts together last week and started some thing new.

I am using a print featuring flying doves against a sky background. I decided to add some embroidered doves to make the quilt unique. So I have stitched 24 blocks with flying doves and sparkling stars last week.

My fabric is washed and ready to cut strips of pink and blue to create nine patches to insert between the embroidered blocks. My goal is to get all the pieces cut and stitched this week. And even get to the quilting and binding...I will have to see how the week goes.

Embroidered Towels

My cousin needed some towels monogramed this week for a wedding she is attending. The golden brown thread turned out nicely on the cream towels.

There are so many ways to monogram towels. I usually use a script or cursive font for an elegant look and block lettering if it needs to look more casual.

On the bath towels, I used the initial of their last name in the center. On each side of the larger L, I embroidered a little smaller D and T representing the inital of their first name.

The hand towels simple have an L to signify their last name. I have done multiple things with handtowels in the past...the first name, the first initial, the last initial, a repeat of the bath towel or the first and last initial.

The washcloth has their full name embroidered. What is embroidered on the washcloth can vary too.....perhaps the full first name, just the first initial or the last initial.

The bath set looks complete when it is monogrammed. It creates a quick and easy gift for any wedding or bridal reception!

My New FabriCalc Gadget

Laying around in my sewing room has been this little gadget called a Quilter's FabriCalc. What is its intended use? It is a unique calculator created solely for the purpose of designing quilt pieces, figuring block and sashing width and length and determining fabric yardage for each piece of fabric you are using, even the binding and backing!

My trusty paper, pencil and plain old calculator to figure my blocks, sashing and yardage had been working fairly well and I was a little undecided about this new gadget. Finally I decided to break open the package and see if it really works as well as the label boasts!

I opened the front cover, hit the key to turn it on and started playing with all the neat colored buttons. Not only can I use it as a regular calculator, but I can figure the quilt top size by the width and length of my mattress, how much of a drop I need and how much fabric it would take to complete it!

For any project, I can figure the total yardage needed for blocks, sashing, borders, backing and binding. I can even input my desired finished binding width with my total quilt measurement and it will figure the strip width and number of strips needed plus the yardage needed!

Squares, 1/2 square triangles, 1/4 square triangles, 45 and 60 degree diamonds are a breeze with this little helper. You can change the preferences so you see the measurements in fractions or decimals or figure for straight or mitered corners.

Although sometimes I do not want to know the answer, I can very easily figure the cost of each block, strip of sashing, border fabric and backing yardage. I prefer to use my newfound FabriCalc for much more creative uses! :)

Oh, why did I wait so long to try out my new gadget??!! This intelligent calculator is worth its weight in gold! If you do any amount of quilting, beginner or professional, the Quilter's FabriCalc is a tool you cannot do without!

Several things I'm stitching...

I've have multiple things I am in the process of completing. I seem to work better when I have several projects to work on and clutter my sewing room area. I need to try to stick to one thing and complete it before moving on to the next......

I'll be posting some photos of the fabric activity book I am creating with some new machine embroidery designs. The designs are cute outlines animals that were begging to be stitched onto something. I finished the embroidery over the weekend, so I just need to put the book together...shouldn't take too long.

Then, I received a flyer in the mail last week that our local museum is having a quilt show September 10 - October 15. It is a touring exhibit of Self Portrait Quilts and the Ground Zero Quilt. Plus, they wanted to add quilts stitched by local Kansas quilters. So I've been considering putting one of my quilt ideas into motion, getting it cut out, stitched, quilted and ready to exhibit by August 23.

I'm still getting caught up on all my business and computer duties since I've been gone for 2 weeks. So I have some new photo fabric sheets to try out that I received in the mail, an embroidery software class to prepare for and more...

My calendar is filled with "to do items" this week everyday. I have towels to embroider for a cousin, bags and bags of shirts to embroider a company logo on and the list goes on...