Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop

One of my favorite, and unexpected, things to come from starting this blog was meeting so many other new craft bloggers.  Through link parties, quilt alongs, flickr, etc., the number of blogs I follow has quadrupled!  I love visiting all these new blogs (as well as the blogs I have been following for years) - finding inspiration, gathering tips and tricks, learning new techniques, and following fun tutorials.  When I used to find new blogs, I would go through their archives and really keep up on all their posts.  However, because of the number of new blogs I am finding, I can't do that anymore.  So, I was thinking - what if we have a Blog Hop.  That way, we can really get to know our new blog friends and their blogs.  What do you think?

Here are my thoughts:

1.  Participants must have started blogging in 2011 or 2012 and the focus of the participant's blog must be quilting.

2.  We'll hop to 2 blogs a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays.)  

3.  Edited May 9th:  3.  The theme of the Hop is novelty prints (blogger's choice - typewriters, monsters, bicycles, clocks, animals - or even just flowers.)  You can make anything related to quilting - a quilt of any size, bags, coasters, etc.  You don't need to include a full tutorial but you should include pics and a few words about your process.  Your project does not need to be used just for the hop - link it wherever you want, use it for a swap or a QAL - whatever you want.

4.   Optional:  Make a collage of your favorite projects/posts to include in your post on your day in the hop.

5.  Optional:   Answer some questions about yourself and your blog (if you don't want to answer the questions, just leave them out of your post or write different ones.)  

       - How long have you been quilting

       - Favorite quilting tip(s)

       - Favorite blogging tip(s)

       - Favorite fabric

6.  I'll write up a master list with the schedule for everyone to cut and paste to their blogs on their hop day (or before) - this could include your name, the name of your blog, and a sentence or two about your blog or project.  I'll also create a homepage for the Blog Hop which will include this information as well as a photo of your favorite project.

       

Anyone interested?  Let me know your thoughts and suggestions.  Send me an email (plumandjune(at)gmail(dot)com) or leave a comment below.   Be sure to let me know if you have a preference for what date in May or June you want the hop on your blog.

And please share this post with your new blog friends - link, tweet, pin - whatever you usually do to pass the word along.

  

I hope you, my new blogger friends, will be excited about this - I think it will be a great opportunity to find new blogs and help new bloggers find you.

  

Once I hear from you, I'll create a button and write up a schedule.  Oh, and create a flickr group.

Looking forward to seeing the response to this post!

*May 7th - editing to say that since almost everyone who has responded prefers June that I'll change the dates to Summer 2012.  Oh, and I'm very happy that so many of you are interested in partipating - I'm very excited!

Front Zip Pouches with Shoulder Straps

So, I'm not sure where this week went.  If you read my last post, you know that I was iron-less - I had lots of plans for nap times BUT um, well, uh, yeah, my house is still not clean and organized, I have no new crochet or embroidery projects to share, I didn't organize or order any photos, I didn't try new recipes (though I did pin some new ones) - yep, so many big plans and nothing!

But the new iron arrived yesterday so I was back to it and made 5 bags!  What was that number again?  5!  And why did I cram 5 bags into 2 days of sewing?  Well, my kids have three birthday parties to go to this weekend and a few coming up so I got on a roll.  These are fairly quick to whip up - I think the most time is spent selecting and cutting the fabric. 

There are so many zip pouch tutorials out there so I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel but here are some pics/words/tips about my process.

Supplies:

Note 1.  For the front zip pouches, I actually start by measuring my zipper.  I find them easiest to make when I use a zipper that is longer than the width of the bag so that all metal parts fall outside the fabrics and can be chopped off.  

Note 2.  I use cotton flannel or batting as a middle layer.  I actually have never used interfacing in any project so I can't comment on how that would work for these.  

Note 3:  I used two different methods for finishing the bags.  I'll talk about both both.

My measurements for this bag were approximately the following.  Depending on how close I sew to the zipper and various shifting throughout the project, I usually end up having to trim at the end.

Front pieces:

1.  Outer Fabric 9x3 (this is the total measurement after patchwork, etc.)

2.  Flannel 9x3

3.  Lining 9x3

4.  Outer Fabric 9x9

5.  Flannel 9x9

6.  Lining 9x9

Back pieces

1.  Outer Fabric 9x12

2.  Flannel 9x12

3.  Lining 9x12

10 inch zipper

30 inches of cotton webbing 

1.  Start by making your Outer Front Bottom piece of fabric by sewing together scraps to make a finished size of 9x9.  You can foundation piece the scraps to your 9x9 piece of flannel if you wish.  Or you can make a few quilting lines to attach it to the flannel after piecing together the front.  Do the same for the Outer Front Top (9x3) and the Outer Back (9x12).  You don't have to attach the outer fabrics to the flannel but at least iron them together so they are somewhat attached.  From now on, when I refer to outer fabric, I'm referring to the outer fabric attached to the flannel.

2.  Lay your Outer Front Top on your table right side up.  Put your zipper on top of that right side down and make sure the fabric is centered so that the little metal parts on the zipper are on the outside of your fabric.  Place your Lining Top right side down on top of the zipper.  I like to have the zipper a bit below the top of the fabrics so that I can make sure I am getting through all the layers.  I use the zipper teeth to guide my stitching so I'll know that the zipper is being included even though I can't see it.  Use your zipper foot if you have one.

*Not all my photos are from the same bag.

3.  Pull back the fabrics so that wrong sides are facing.  Take your Outer Front Bottom and lay it down right side up.  Take your zipper (with tops attached) and lay it right side down.  Take your Bottom Lining and lay it right side down on top of the zipper.  Make sure all your sides are lined up and stitch to the zipper.

4.  Pull back the fabrics and top stitch on both sides of the zipper.

At this point, you can choose one of the following ways to finish the bag.

5.  Put together your back by placing your Outer Back and Lining together wrong sides facing.  If you haven't already, quilt a few lines to attach them together.

6.   With your zipper open, stitch a little bit over the end of the zipper to secure.

7.  Take your cotton webbing and attach it to the top of the Outer Front Top.

8.  Take your Outer Front (with attached lining) and your Outer Back (with attached lining) and put them right sides together.  Cut off excess fabric including both zipper ends (you should be able to cut off the metal parts from both ends and then you won't have to worry about sewing over metal.)  Sew around all four sides (your zipper should be open!)  You can reinforce your stitches over the zipper ends and handles if you like.  Clip your corners and finish off the raw edges since they'll be showing (zigzag, serger, binding - I've even tried french seams on all but the top where the handles are attached.)   Using the zipper opening, rearrange the bag so that the right sides are on the outside. 

That is one way to do it.  However, yesterday, I did a web search about finishing the raw edges and I found this tutorial on Projects by Jane.  It took me a few tries but it works great and the raw edges are all fully encased.  To do the bag with the straps like I have it, just go to her step 7 where she has you attach all the layers and sneak the straps in there (attached between the outer front and outer back when they are right sides facing.)  You'll then have to move the straps around while doing her other steps to make sure you don't sew over them.  Also, I find that if I cut my lining about one-half of an inch longer than the outer fabrics that it is easier for me to sew the gap at the end (which I prefer to do by machine) - not sure whether that really makes a difference but it worked for me.  

And since I love looking at pics of fabrics on all of your blogs, I thought I'd post one of my recent acquisitions.  I have specific plans for a couple of these and some I just ordered small cuts of to stockpile for an I Spy Quilt.

I was so happy to be able to sew again!  However, my machine was acting up again today so . . .


Please check out my Links page to see where I like to link my posts.

Little Crocheted Bags and Free Motion Quilting

After spending the morning troubleshooting my uncooperative sewing machine, I was so happy when the baby took a late afternoon nap while the girls were at a friend's house thinking I'd be able to get some sewing in today.  All was looking good until I noticed my iron was not warming up - sadly, I don't think I can fix it so my sewing will have to take a break for a few days.  What to do???  Crochet, maybe?!?

 
Actually, I made this little bag with the purple flower over the weekend (and the pink one years ago) - if I'd only known, I would have waited.

These bags are a relatively simple and quick project.  I've been giving these out for birthday presents for a few years and from the feedback I've received, I can say - little girls LOVE them!

To make the bags, you just need to make two Granny Squares of your choice and a big flower.  For the grannies, I recommend making two identical ones - you can vary the yarn color for the middle but I think it looks nicer at the end if your outermost row is the same for both.

Put the two squares right side together (if you have a right side) and starting in the middle of one of the sides, use single crochet to stitch around the rest of that side and the next two sides.  Then make a chain of your preferred length (mine was about 100 stitches) and stitch down the rest of the side you started with.  You can really attach them anyway you want but using this method gives the bags a nice boxy look.  Flip the bag around so the right sides are showing and attach your flower (or flowers.)

You can leave the bag like this or you can add a lining.  To make the lining, you need to first measure your granny square to figure out what size you need.  Your fabric should be about 1/2 to 1 inch wider than your square and double the length plus about 1 inch.  For example, if my square was 5x5, I would cut out two pieces of fabric measuring 6 x 11 inches.  Remember when choosing fabric, that the exterior will show a bit though the crochet - you might want it to stand out or you might prefer for it to blend in - I usually hold it up behind the square when deciding which fabric to use.

Put your two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew around all four sides leaving a gap on one of the sides for turning.

Turn it so right sides are facing out and topstitch around the rectangle enclosing the open gap while doing so.  Take the rectangle and fold it in half so that the short sides touch and sew down the two sides forming a little bag.  The seams will be showing but the raw edges will be enclosed because of the first step.  (You could also sew the fabric bag with no seams by sewing the exterior into a little bag and the interior into a little bag, putting one inside the other (right sides facing) and sewing around the top leaving a gap for turning.)

Then just put the fabric bag inside the crochet bag and hand stitch using your preferred method for invisible stitches around the top to attach.  Make sure to put your needle through just the interior side of the crochet stitches so that the thread doesn't show on the outside.  

I also made some of these little bags last night using some granny squares that I had made awhile back (I think I was originally going to make a blanket.)  

But back to quilting:

I've been building up to free motion quilting - using it in smaller projects and trying sketch stitching but I finally quilted a whole quilt (well, it was doll/baby size) using a meandering stitch.  I love the scrunchy look the quilts get when made this way.  

I used my go-to wonky log cabin for the blocks and appliqued the hearts using a zigzag stitch.

And here is the back:

I definitely want to make more quilts using FMQ.  My WIP this week is a little houses quilt that I started before my iron broke and I guess I'll take this opportunity to organize my stash and go blog hopping!

A Little Scraps Bag and A Precious Quilt

I've decided that little tote bags are one of my favorite handmade gifts for kids - they are relatively easy to whip up and the kids can actually use them.  I also like making them because I can experiment with different patterns and techniques without having to commit to making a whole quilt.

And that is my middle daughter's foot in the photo staking claim to this bag!

I put this together by taking the linen-y fabric and a piece of batting and, using a strip of masking tape as a guide, stitched a grid.  I then cut out little rectangles of fabrics to fit in each box and used my free motion foot to applique the shapes to the background.  (Is it still called applique if I use the free motion foot to outline the scraps???)

I used home decor weight fabric for the back and straps and then lined it with regular quilting cotton.

I also got started on my first QAL.

When I read about the My Precious Quilt -A-Long on Kelbysews, I knew I had to join since I've had a yard of Momo Wonderland in my stash pretty much since I started sewing that I've been saving for some reason even I don't know (Kelly even mentions Wonderland as an example - guess I'm not alone!)

As I'm completely hooked on HSTs, I decided to try another HST quilt.  I added in many of my other favorite fabrics and this is what I came up with.  I only used a small bit of the Wonderland maybe I'll make a trio of small quilts with it?!?

There is also some Mendocino in this quilt.  The Mendocino is another one of those fabrics I bought when I first started sewing.  It was on clearance and I only bought one yard!!!  Well, and one yard of the orange.  I think it was less than $5 - oh, well.  Live and learn.  I definitely didn't realize what a find it was.   My daughter loved the fabric and at her request, I immediately used it to make a skirt for her - um, the first skirt I ever made so it wasn't even a good skirt - just great fabric.  Well, the skirt is a bit too short now so I reclaimed the fabric and upcycled it to use in this and a future project.

To make this quilt, I first cut up a bunch of squares and randomly put together fabrics to make a pile of HSTs.

  I put those to the side and cut out strips from the same fabrics.  I pieced the strips together.

And then cut it into strips.

 I then took the strips and the HSTs and arranged and rearranged until I liked the pattern.

Then I added in the white fabric as sashing to piece it all together.  It was kind of like figuring out a puzzle.

I wanted to try something new with the quilting so I did diagonal lines of varying widths along the whole quilt, horizontal lines about 1/2 inch apart along the bottom third of the quilt and vertical lines about 1/2 inch apart along one of the sides.

Oh, and I used some Jennifer Paganelli Pinwheel stripe fabric for the backing.  

And here is the very beginnings of my next small quilt using my "precious" fabric:

Linking up to 

Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

Sew and Tell Friday at Amylouwho

Serenity Now

Weekend Wrap Up Party at Tatertots and Jello

Once Upon a Link Party at Family Ever After

Log Cabin Baby Quilt

Yesterday was a very exciting day for me.  I was flipping through the blogs in my reader and came upon the listing of the Top 10 link ups in the Festival of Half Square Triangles at Canoe Ridge Creations.  I scrolled through, admiring the quilts, and then, BAM - there was my quilt.  Wow - I couldn't (and can't) believe it.  There were so many amazing entries into the festival - I am so flattered to be chosen.  The choice has now been turned over to the viewer's and voting is open until tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 25th at midnight CST.)

I was in such a happy place because of my HST quilt news that I couldn't wait to get started on my next project but as I've been mentioning, my fabric stash is running very low.  So, while I was waiting for my new fabrics to arrive, I decided to fix the binding on this Log Cabin quilt.  This was one of the first patchwork quilts I made after discovering my love of quilting.  I made it last summer while very pregnant and had my two older kids nearby taking turns picking out the fabrics.  This quilt definitely has its, um, imperfections - puckering and uneven squares for example - but most of its, um, imperfections, don't bother me at all.  However, the binding was really awful.  I think this was only the second quilt that I actually put a binding on - and I machine-stitched the binding which didn't work out very well.  (It was after this quilt that I started hand-stitching my bindings until I decided to try machine-stitching again a few months ago.)  Anyway, here is a small photo of the binding:

Redoing the binding has been on my to-do list for awhile and I'm so glad I finally did it.  What a huge difference it makes!

I machine stitched the binding again but I think my technique has come a long way over the last eight months (not perfect but much improved.)

And another pic:

I started this binding as soon as the baby started her nap this morning.  While I was stitching, I was trying to remember what I did during nap times when my older two were babies - I didn't do anything crafty back then - no sewing, no crochet, no embroidery - seriously, what I do with that time?  Okay, back to the present - one more photo:

Happily, my new fabric order arrived.  Yea!

So I started sewing my quilt for the My Precious QAL at Kelbysews.

Can you guess what my precious fabric is?

It is the Momo Wonderland and the Mendocino.  I also used the few precious scraps I had left of Nicey Jane and various other fabric scraps I love.  I only had a 1/2 yard (or even less) of the Mendocino but I had a full yard of the Wonderland so I'll be doing another project or two with that as well.

Oh, and I'll leave you with this:

This is the old binding I cut off the quilt and some scraps that are even too tiny for me to use.  I collect these in a basket for my daughters who put them to use in their craft projects.  They use the scraps in a variety of ways including as stuffing since they always seem to be making pillows and mattresses for their dolls.

I have a few other projects in this works this week including this one that I posted a peek of over the weekend.  And I think I might get back to a little crochet - it has been awhile.

Linking up to JAQ Studios - Made by Me Wednesday, Sew Much Ado - We did it! Wednesday, Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story, and WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Okay, I'm off to check out the link parties to see what everyone else has been up to this week.