tutorial – Page 11 – Sew Bittersweet Designs

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Vicki from Sassy Blog

16 Comments / Guest Post, Sassy Packs, tutorial, Valentine's Day Showcase / By Melissa Dunworth

Welcome to day 3 of the Valentine’s Day Showcase – today I have Vicki from Sassy Blog for you! Vicki and her daughter Jennifer own and operate Sassy Packs – one of the sponsors for the Valentine’s Day Showcase. They are very talented have a lot to offer both new and experienced quilters alike! Please take a few moments to check out their blog and shop.

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? I was looking for a winter hobby a few years ago after I quit working. Most of my time was focused on golf, but there were a few months when it was just too cold. So I took a beginning quilting class. I didn’t expect it to hook me as much as it did, but I just loved it! First I joined a small quilting group and then a guild, which helped expand my knowledge – not my skill so much (haha!), just my knowledge! The groups really showed me how big the world of quilting is and much there is to learn!

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? The idea that my quilting interests are always changing. I’ve learned to never say I don’t like this style or that block, because as soon as I do I see it done in new fabrics or a layout that makes me fall in love with it. And then I want to make one! I guess in a way, it’s like golf – you never really master it; you just keep learning and improving.

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? Cinnamon candy!! Red hots, cinnamon hearts, cinnamon Jolly Ranchers and hot tamales (but those are a year round fav!).
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Hi Melissa and friends! Thanks for having me be a part of your Valentine's Day Showcase. I have a super quick placemat and napkin tutorial. (It'll probably take longer to read the tutorial than it will to actually make the placemats!)



I'm using a striped border print for the body and red Kona for the binding. I also used the same red Kona for the napkins with a light-weight white batiste on the back. I'm sure you could use white Kona also - I just wanted to make them a little lighter in weight.
I used a yard of the border print and had plenty left over - I could easily make 2 more.
The napkins and binding will use about 5/8 yard of red Kona.
The white on the back of the napkins will take less than 1/2 yard.
You'll also need 1/2 yard of backing for the placemats.
Cut a strip of border print 7-1/2" wide by the length of the fabric (I used scissors to follow the lines).

You can cut the wedges with either a 60 degree ruler, or your regular quilting ruler with marked angle lines. I'll do the 60 degree ruler first. Place the ruler near the left edge, making sure you're all the way on the fabric:

Be sure the top line is straight with the fabric's cut edge:

Cut the left side with your rotary cutter (you may have to go to the other side of your table). Don't move the ruler. Cut along the right side of the ruler:

Now lift the ruler, turn it upside down and place it for the next cut:

Cut along the right edge, flip the ruler and cut again. Continue until you have 8 wedges - you may have to cut another strip of fabric.
Note: if your lines are perfectly symmetrical, you can just pile these up. If the stripes are different (like mine), you have to keep the "up" and "down" triangles separate. Otherwise, the lines won't match up when you sew them together.
Finally, we need to cut the long wedges. Mark a spot 2" over from the top of your last cut and lay the ruler's left edge on that spot. Cut 2 long wedges from each direction (total of 4):

Lay out 4 triangle and 2 long wedges (from the same matching piles) as shown below:

Sew the top three together and then the bottom three together, matching the lines along the seams:

 
You should have two pieces that look like this:

Notice that the center is notched out - lay a ruler along that edge and trim both side even:

Sew these two pieces together!

Add batting and backing; quilt and bind!
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BINDING TIP: If you sometimes get those nasty little "peaks" when turning 60 degree corners with binding, click here to see how I solved that problem!
Now, if you don't have a 60 degree ruler:
Most quilting rulers have angle lines marked on them. Find the 60 degree line and lay it even with the bottom edge of your fabric, as shown below. The edge along the left is now a 60 degree line - cut there:
 

To cut the other side, first mark a point 1/2" from the top cut (see pin in photo below) and then turn your ruler and lay the other 60 degree line along the bottom of the fabric (there are two lines forming an X across the "60" on the ruler):

Continue cutting pieces as outlined above. When you are ready to cut the long wedge, mark a spot 2-1/2" from the previous cut and line the right side up with that mark.
To make coordinating napkins, cut (2) 13-1/2"  squares from the red and 2 from the white. Place them right sides together and stitch 1/4" from the edge all the way around, leaving a couple inches open on one side to turn.

Trim the corners:

Turn and topstitch close to the edge:
 

Ugh! That last picture was taken at a different time than the others! It really is red, not pink!
And we're all finished!!:
 

Oh - I need a white tablecloth on that table (and some wine in that glass!)!
Thanks everyone! We blog at http://www.sassypacks.blogspot.com/. We'd love to have you come over for a visit and follow us! :)  Happy Valentine's Day!

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Thank you Vicki for showing us not only how to use a 60 degree ruler - but also how to do this project with our standard quilting rulers! Come back on Monday for a project from Kris over at I don’t have a problem, I have a well-rounded fabric stash!
Will you be spending your weekend whipping up a Valentine's Day Project to enter into the showcase? Get cracking!
NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google             Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and  follow    me     via     Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs.   You are      important   to  me    and I want to be able to stay in  contact with      you!  Check my   side  bar    for all the best ways to  stay in  touch     after GFC goes bye   bye!

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Connie from Quilting by the River

17 Comments / tutorial, Valentine's Day Showcase / By Melissa Dunworth

Welcome to day 2 of the Valentine’s Day Showcase!

Today Connie, from Quilting by the River, has an amazing tutorial for a Valentine’s Day table runner – change the fabrics and this will work for any time of year! Before the tutorial, let’s get to know Connie a little:

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? When I was about 16 I had a girlfriend whose mother was always cutting small squares of fabric and making quilts. Every time I went over there I was fascinated by what she was doing and I soon started cutting up scraps and making 9 patch blocks. My first quilt was hand tied with a blanket inside and flannel on the back. Over the years I have switched to painting, digital scrap-booking, counted cross-stitch but I always come back to quilting!

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? I love working with fabrics and the challenge of putting the right colors and prints together to make something special. Quilting the piece can also give it an entirely different look. I also love looking and adding to my beautiful stash!

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? My favorite Valentines’ treat is Hershey Kisses, they melt in your mouth!

And now – Connie – Take it Away
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Hi, I’m Connie from Quilting by the River and I’m going to show you how to make a string pieced runner that would be perfect for Valentine’s Day. Thanks so much Melissa for inviting me to be part of the Valentine’s Day Showcase!

The first thing you want to do is find a helper…..who will help you pick the string pieces to use in your blocks. Simon loves to help out!

The blocks in the runner are made from 4 inch squares of strings. I like to start with a 8 inch piece of paper from a telephone book and make a 8 inch block. I used strips varying in size from 1 inch to 2.5 inches.

Start in the middle and put one strip right side up with another right side down on top of it and stitch. I have a couple used needles that I save for using on paper; use a small stitch so it will be easy to tear off the paper when you are done.

Continue adding strips until you cover the entire piece.

I like to starch the block, then flip over and trim it to the edges of the paper.

Finished 8 inch block.

Now I cut the block as shown into 4 pieces.

You could just make 4 inch blocks but I prefer to do it this way.

Make 4 – 8 inch blocks
Cut into 16 – 4 inch blocks (you will have 2 blocks left over)
Take 2 of the blocks and cut them diagonally for your ends

Sew your blocks together as shown.

When I took a picture of the blocks pieced together I noticed how the white in this block was distracting.

I removed it and added a different block…..much better.

Next add a 1.5 inch border.

Then add a 3 inch border.

I used Warm & Natural batting, did some stipple quilting in the center and a free motion leaf on the border. The binding is 2.5 inch strips that I sewed to the right side of the runner, then machine stitched it down from the front. The runner finishes at 14 x 36 inches.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and make a table runner!

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Thanks so much Connie for this wonderful tutorial! I love how versatile it is – change the fabrics and it can work for virtually any time of year! Tomorrow we will have Vicki from Sassy Blog – make sure you stop by to see her creation.

NOTE: Don’t forget, I am one of the bloggers who is going to lose Google Friend Connect in March 2012, please take a moment and follow me via Bloglovin’, Facebook, RSS or networked blogs. You are important to me and I want to be able to stay in contact with you! Check my side bar for all the best ways to stay in touch after GFC goes bye bye!

Valentine’s Day Showcase – Sharon from Craizee Corners

20 Comments / Guest Post, tutorial, Valentine's Day Showcase / By Melissa Dunworth

Welcome to the Valentine’s Day Showcase! For the next 10 days (week days) I will be bringing you 10 fabulous tutorials from some very talented bloggers! Today I have Sharon from Craizee Corners kicking us off.

For fun I asked each of the bloggers 3 questions so you could get to know them a little bit better, here are Sharon’s answers:

1. What got you hooked on your craft of choice? Hmmm… This is a hard one. I saw a wall hanging that my sister did and that made me want to try quilting. I was at a point in my life that I was looking for a hobby so it all fit together. Like I was destined to be a quilter. I learned to sew with my Mom when I was younger, this just took it one step further. I want to be able to leave my family quilts to have as heirlooms for generations.

2. What lights your crafting fire (ie. what keeps you crafting, why do you do it?)? I would have to say that I need creativity in my life, it’s who I am. I am so happy when I can be creative. It’s that drive to show who I am thru what I make that keeps me going. Being able to take an idea and turn it into a quilt is very rewarding to me.

3. What is your favorite Valentine’s themed junk food? I’m not sure if this is junk food, but I love strawberries and champagne.

Now I’ll let Sharon take it away!

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Hi everyone! I’m so happy to be here at Sew BitterSweet Designs to kick off The Valentines Day Showcase! My name is Sharon and I blog over at Craizee Corners. As a matter of fact I just finished a Valentines themed week on my blog. If you missed any of the V-Week series here’s the projects and links:

Valentine Basket, Valentine Goody Bag, Snake Charmer Quilt, Love Braids Tablerunner and Love Braids Mug rug.
Today I am going to share with you the Love Braids table runner pattern.

The fabric I used is Always and Forever by Deb Strain. A jelly roll works great for this project.
You will need:
1 – 8.5″ square white print for the center block
8 – 2.5″ squares red print
4 – 8.5″ x 2.5″ strips of each of 4 different prints (light pink, dark pink, white and red)
2 – 2.5″ x 28″ strips red for the border
1 – 40″ x 20″ red for backing
1 – 40″ x 20″ piece of batting
3 – 2.25″ x WOF strips for binding
1 – heart applique
Steam-a-seam
1. Along the short side sew a red 2.5″ square to a dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip. repeat with another dark pink strip. Do the same with 2 of each of the other colors (light pink, white and red). Press the dark pink pieces towards the dark pink and the rest towards the 2.5″ red square.

2. Sew a dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip to one side of the 8.5″ center square.

Note – All seams are pressed away from the 8 1/2″ square from now on. I finger pressed everything until the end.
3. Sew a dark pink and red piece that you made in step 1 to an adjoining side of the square.

4. Sew the white 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip to the same side as the dark pink 8.5″ x 2.5″ strip, starting at the red square point.

5. Add the white and red strip to the dark pink and red piece starting at the top point of the white strip you just added.

6. Repeat for the other 2 colors.

7. Repeat on the other side.

8. Press the entire table runner top now.
9. Now its time to trim the table runner. Line up the ruler 1/4″ away from where the 2 pieces meet, which should be where the inside point is (where the seam ripper is pointing. cut along that line. Do this on both sides.

10. Sew on the 2.5″ x 28″ red strips to the long side of the table runner. star sewing with the strip at least 1″ away from the edge. do this on both sides.
11. Trim the borders even with the diagonal red strips.

12. Make a quilt sandwich and baste using your preferred method.
13. Following the directions affix the steam-a-seam (or other interfacing) to a 6″ square of red. Cut out a heart shape from the red fabric with interfacing. I used my Accuquilt die, but a hand drawn heart is good too.
14. Affix the heart to the center of the table runner, following the directions.
15. This can be machine or hand appliqued. I machine appliqued it using a blanket stitch.
16. With a blue fabric pen (disappearing ink) draw the arrow parts. I used a triple running stitch on my machine for the arrow.
17. Quilt the rest of the table runner as you would like.
18. Bind and enjoy!
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you like this tutorial why not hop on over to Craizee Corners and let me know you saw me here?
Also if you would like a heart cutout with my accuquilt die, just let me know and I will send you one out.
Thanks Melissa for inviting me to be part of your Valentines Showcase! I can’t wait to see the rest of the Showcase projects!
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Wow Sharon – what a gorgeous table runner and I love the technique you used! Thank you so much for sharing. Tomorrow we will have Connie from Quilting by the River

Have you started working your on Valentine’s Projects? Make sure you grab a button from my sidebar and get creating so you can enter to win some fabulous prizes on the 15th!

Quilt Binding Tutorial

15 Comments / binding, tutorial / By Melissa Dunworth

In December I posted a quickie basting tutorial and I asked if anyone would like me to do a binding tutorial, several people asked and it is time for me to deliver!

This is a picture heavy tutorial – my apologies!

The steps that I am going to detail in this tutorial will work for virtually any machine quilt binding that you will do.

For the Valentine Pinwheel Table Runner you will need three strips measuring 2.5” x WOF (width of fabric) – I am using solid fabric for my border. If you are using a patterned fabric make sure you sew your strips right sides together.

Placing fabric corner to corner, right sides together, take a ruler and draw a line with an air or water soluble pen/pencil from corner to corner.

Pin in place and sew along the line you drew.

Place your ruler with the ¼” mark on stitched line – trim triangle off

Press your fabrics open and repeat until all your strips are sewn together

Fold your strip in half and press along the entire strip.

Note Before: when you are going to do the entire binding on the machine – sew your binding to the back first. If you plan on hand sewing your binding down – sew your binding to the front first!

Place the raw side of the strips to the quilt edge. I like to start in the center of the quilt and have an excess of 8-12 inches of strip when you start sewing.

Sew the strip to the quilt with a ¼” seam. Stop sewing when you are ¼” from the corner. (I like to measure with a tape measure and place a pin so I know where to stop).

When you reach the corner, you will want to fold the fabric back (refer to picture)

The fold your fabric back down – align it with the next edge you will be sewing on (you are creating your mitered corners)

Repeat the last two steps at each corner. Stop sewing when you are 8” from where you started.

Fold the strips in towards each other – meeting in the middle, fold the strips back on top of themselves.

Fold the strips down, making a point

Using a quilting ruler – place it on the edge of the quilt and cut off the excess fabric from the binding strips.

Place the strips right sides together, draw a line corner to corner, sew on the line and trim ¼” from stitching and press open

Finish sewing down your binding

Fold your binding over to the front, at this point you can pin or not pin (I start out pinning usually and then end up just folding the fabric over with my fingers). Pick a decorative stitch or straight stitch. NOTE: Make sure when you fold your fabric over that you are covering the stitching from when you attached the binding to the back!

I like to pin my corners down until I am ready to sew them (literally right until the needle is about to hit the pin). I also leave my needle down, lift my foot and turn at the corner rather than starting and stopping at each corner.

Congratulations you have just machine sewn your binding!

Reversible Stocking

1 Comment / Christmas, tutorial / By Melissa Dunworth

This was originally posted at Purple Panda Quilts as part of her Stockings for Kids Drive. I had so much fun being a part of the drive and I am so happy to say that Lyanna collected 219 hand made stockings for the foster children that she works with. The truly impressive thing is that her goal was only FIFTY!!!

This stocking takes less than an hour to make and is the perfect last minute gift project!

Materials (enough to make 2!):
You will also need an old stocking or use Lyanna’s pattern.

Fold your PFF in half lengthwise and then in half again:

(I used my rotary cutter)

Next cut out stocking from flannel – fold flannel in half width wise. Place one of your PFF stockings on top, cut around with 1/4″ extra on all sides – You will end up with 4 flannel stockings total.You will also need to cut pockets out of the flannel and out of the PFF – Eyeball these based on the size of your pocket. Make the PFF pockets smaller than your flannel by 1/4″. Cut 4 from the PFF and 4 from each of the flannels.

Fuse your PFF following the directions included with the PFF to the flannel (note it may take longer than usual):

Make your pockets. My pockets are also reversible so I layered one red square with one of the green squares that was fused with PFF. Sew 1/4″ around three sides – leaving BOTTOM open, clip your corners:

Make 4 pockets – Turn them right side out and press. Sew to stockings.

Place right side up on stocking to determine placement, flip down and pin in place, using 1/4″ seam sew across opening of pocket.

Flip the pocket up, pin in place and top stitch down 1/8″ from edges.

Do this on all 4 stockings.

Next sew the stockings together – place red stockings right sides together and green stockings right sides together. Sew around both stockings with 1/4″ seam – leave tops open.

Next, make your handle. I cut a strip from each flannel – 1.5″ x 8″, and sewed them into a tube – turn tube right side out and attach to one of the stockings.

Time to make these 2 stockings into 1! With the green stocking inside out and the red stocking right side out. Place red stocking inside green stocking – pin side seams and around, leave 4 inch opening so you can turn stockings. Sew with 1/4″ seam.

Reach inside the opening and pull red stocking out. Then pull green stocking right side out and place back inside the red stocking.

Pin the opening closed and topstitch around the top of the stocking using an 1/8″ seam. This will close the opening you used to turn the stocking and it will give it a nice finished look.

Congratulations! You have just made 2 stockings in one – and you should have enough fabric to make another reversible stocking too!

Happy stocking making!

I will be back on the blog Friday to figure out who the winner of The Intrepid Thread $25.00 gift card is and I will announce the winner on Christmas Eve! You still have time to enter if you haven’t already!