Archive for December, 2013

December 30th, 2013

Military T-Shirt Quilt

by Julie Hirt

This quilt was made for my brother with his Marine Corps t-shirts and cammies from his military years.  He served from January, 2001 to February, 2009.  I was nervous to make this because it’s my first t-shirt quilt, and I couldn’t buy more fabric if I messed it all up!  I know the shirts are special so that first cut was a bit scary.

tshirt quilt 627handworks

I decided LAST MINUTE that I wanted to have it finished and ready by Christmas.  I started the quilting 2 days before I was to give it to him.   Have you ever quilted over t-shirts and had problems with thread?  I did!

My top thread kept breaking, breaking, breaking.  I was beyond stressing!   Using Aurifil 40 wt, I couldn’t see that being the problem.  But after changing bobbins, needles, tensions, and a thorough cleaning, all to no avail, I sent my husband off to the store (in the snow) to pick up some poly Gutermann. Loaded it up, fingers crossed…  and it kept snapping too!  ACK

After taking a big wine break and some serious Googling, I found it was the plastic logo on the shirts.  I laid some thin tissue over the plastic areas  IT WORKED!  Mother of miracles.

I guess the plastic is sticky on the needles and pushes the top thread up causing it to snap or shred.

tshirt quilt 627handworks (1)

I apologize for the poor photo quality. Since the quilt was finished so last minute (hand stitching the binding less than 24 hours to go) I didn’t get take good photos, these are with my phone.

Tried my best to make some kind of camouflage design with the quilting.  The back actually looks pretty cool, it’s Kona Cotton in Khaki and with the green thread, the camo pattern is pretty neat.

I used Pellon 950F ShirTailor interfacing on the back of all the t-shirts.  My 15″ Omnigrid was priceless making this quilt.

 

tshirt quilt 627handworks (2)

I’m not sure if there will be more t-shirt quilts in my near future, but I’m really happy with the end product and my brother loves it.  After figuring out the thread issue I was able to use my beloved Aurifil (Army Green 40 Wt #5012) throughout.  The finished size is 68″ x 72″.

Happy sewing!

julie

 

December 27th, 2013

Oh My Stars: Quilt Progress

by Julie Hirt

Hope you enjoyed your holidays and got to spend a lot of time with family and friends.  I’ve been quiet due to holiday sewing but I’m back in the swing of things.

My nephew will be getting a ‘big boy’ bed in the next few weeks and I to make him a twin size quilt.  I’ve decided on a star quilt using 3 star patterns from the Oh My Stars! QAL.

stars (8)

The Diamond Heart

stars (7)

Chevron Star stars (6)

And the Quattro Stagioni Star, which I think is my favorite to make.

I’m using a mix of blue fabrics for the stars and black and white prints for the background.

stars (5)

stars (4)

stars (2)

stars (1)

stars (3)

I was able to get all of these made today – I LOVE VACATION!   They are 12″ blocks so I’m thinking 30 blocks (5 by 6) will be big enough for toddler in a twin bed.

 

Yesterday my husband and I did a little hunting at River Market Antiques.  It’s a large, awesome, 4 story building that is insane for treasure-hunting in downtown KC.  I picked up a vintage feedsack quilt top and aran afghan. I’ll definitely be sharing some pictures of those.

Oh! I also made my brother a t-shirt quilt for Christmas. It was all of his USMC shirts and cammies from his military years. I’m really happy with how it turned out.  No good pictures yet because of the snowy mess (and it was a secret), but I want to post about that soon.

Enjoy your New Year’s Eve and be safe!

julie

 

December 11th, 2013

Crochet Ornaments & Cluster Pattern

by Julie Hirt

Guess what I’ve been making during TV time?   Crochet Christmas ornaments!

crochet ornaments 627handworks (2)

My parents had some old ornaments with crochet around satin balls and I wanted to make some for myself using bright colors.

crochet ornaments 627handworks (1)

The pink ornament is made from a free pattern by Crochet Geek and it’s nice because you can also follow via video.

The aqua and yellow mesh looking ornament  is also a free pattern by Crochet Geek with a video tutorial. I didn’t add the flower but it’s my favorite base pattern.

Depending on the size of your balls (hahaha) you may need to add a few rows.  Or change it up by changing needle or thread sizes.

crochet ornaments 627handworks (4)

The pattern below is for this gray, aqua and red ornament. I also made it in solid red (above).

crochet ornaments 627handworks (5)

Bottom of the ornament.

crochet ornaments 627handworks (6)

Top of the ornament – you can see how the last row forms a star pattern.

 

crochetclusterornamentpattern

CROCHET CLUSTER ORNAMENT PATTERN:

Materials
Size 10 Aunt Lydia’s Cotton Crochet Thread
Steel Crochet Hook Size 6, 1.80 MM
2 5/8″ ornaments. Mine are clear glass that came in a pack of 12 from  Hobby Lobby.

Special Stitches
Beginning Cluster:  ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc in the same stitch
Cluster:  2dc, ch2, 2dc in the same stitch

Row 1
Ch6 and join with a slip stitch.  Ch3 (counts as first dc), dc 15 times in the center ring.
Join with a slip stitch at the top of ch3.  (total of 16)

Row 2
Ch6 (this counts as a ch3 and a dc)
*Skip a stitch, dc, ch3. Repeat from * around.
Join with a slip stitch in the 3rd chain  (total of 8 loops)

Row 3
Slip stitch into the first loop.
Beginning Cluster, ch1, * Cluster into each loop, ch1.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Row 4
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch2, * Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch2.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Row 5
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch3, *Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch3.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Row 6
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch4, * Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch4.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Rows 7-8-9
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch5, * Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch5.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Row 10
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch4, * Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch4.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

Row 11
Slip stitch into the ch2 space of cluster.
Beginning Cluster, ch3, * Cluster into ch2 space of clusters from the previous row, ch3.
Repeat from * around.  Join with a slip stitch into top of ch3.

** Insert Ornament **

Row 12
This will feel a little weird and may be a bit tight,  just stretch your work and it will fit nicely.
*Chain 12, sc into the ch2 space of the 3rd cluster over. Repeat from * until you are back at the first cluster.  Tie off.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

Download PDF Copy of Crochet Cluster Ornament Pattern

julie

December 9th, 2013

Countdown to Christmas Advent Calendar

by Julie Hirt

Yikes!  I almost didn’t get this made in time.  Finished it up this weekend and I’ll be delivering it to my niece and nephews this evening.

Countown to Christmasn 627handworks (1)

The pockets are stuffed with little goodies.  I used a Riley Blake charm pack for the pockets and some bright solids for the interior.

Countown to Christmasn 627handworks (2)

I tried something different for the quilting by using different colors of threads.  It’s okay, not sure I would it would be worth it on a printed fabric.

Countown to Christmasn 627handworks (3)

Since I waited so long to finish this up I purchased backing and binding fabric at Joann’s.  It goes pretty well with the Riley Blake fabrics.

Machine binded for the first time (I always hand sew it on the back) and it’s pretty terrible. ha!  Definitely need to practice.

Janice at Better of Thread hosted a Quilt-Along.  I’m just sorry I didn’t get mine finished in time for the party!

julie

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