Archive for January, 2016

January 25th, 2016

Sleep Tight Dreamcatcher – Tutorial

by Julie Hirt

I have a new tutorial up over at Moda Bake Shop.

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These are a lot of fun to put together and are kid friendly. Probably ages 7+ with a little adult supervision.

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If you aren’t a quilter and don’t sew, this is a fun way to use fabric.

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You get completely different looks just by changing the materials around.

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You can find the tutorial HERE.

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January 19th, 2016

Needlebook with Scissors Holder

by Julie Hirt

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!!! Isn’t it cute?   A new needlebook has been on my list for a while. When I saw this free pattern/tutorial by Nana Company I knew it was the one.

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It did take a couple hours between fussy cutting and the hand stitching embellishments, but so worth the time.  If I’m going to use it and see it often, I may as well enjoy it.

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The interior is has a little strip of selvage from one of the fussy prints and 1973 ric-rac purchased from an estate sale.  I’ve been saving that little package for something special and this was it.  The pink button is from a jar of vintage buttons purchased from the same estate sale.

Here is my favorite part:

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My previous needle case has a little pocket but the scissors slip out.  Kam snaps came to mind and this is what I came up with.

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When making the pattern add medium interfacing the interior fabric so the snaps can attach to something with more substance.  Take a small piece of ribbon, fold the ends over a few times and add the snap.   This process is customized to your scissor size.

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When removing the scissors you really only need to undo one snap for quick access. You won’t lose the ribbon and the scissors are secure.

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I recommend using wool or wool blend felt and not the $.50 per sheet craft felt.  It’s better for your needles and just feels a bit luxurious.

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What is your favorite needlebook pattern?

 

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January 17th, 2016

Here we go 2016

by Julie Hirt

Instead of a New Years resolution or Word of the Year, I chose a phrase for 2016.

Get Shit Done

Doing my best to stick with it and made this little banner. I have it hanging above my sewing machine to remind me.

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I save my selvages in a big glass jar on my cutting table.  After a few years it’s starting to get pretty full so I’m stitching them into 8.5″ blocks. Hoping to have enough variety for 64 blocks. I’ve always admired selvage quilts so I’m looking forward to this one.

 

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Hope you are off to a good 2016!

 

siggy

January 7th, 2016

Rope Bowl Tutorial

by Julie Hirt

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I’ve been noticing a lot of rope bowls in my social media feeds and wanted to share some of the information I’ve gathered. From different ways to begin, end and options to decorate as you go.

Using this basic method you can make baskets, coasters, plate chargers, hot mats, table runners, rugs and I’ve even seen bags!

Gather Supplies

  • Rope*
  • Thread

Optional:

  • Thread in different colors
  • Fabric scrap strips
  • Ribbon
  • Yarn
  • Leather/Pleather scraps
  • Natural dye – Dye your rope beforehand, allow to fully dry
  • Paint – Paint your rope beforehand, allow to fully dry

*I like the 7/32″ cotton clothesline rope from my local hardware store. The cost was $9 for 100 ft.  I recommend cotton approximately 1/4″ to start with, then venture out from there.

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Set your machine to zig zag stitch.

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START – Optional Criss Cross

Make a tight coil and put a pin in place to help hold it.

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Zig Zag stitch straight across and reverse a few times.

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And the other direction.

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What this does is help hold your coil in place.  You need to start your zig zag stitching back in the center section. The criss cross helps with stability and I also like the look of it with contrasting thread.

START

Make a tight coil and put a pin in place to help hold it.

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Slowly start zig zig stitching around the coil.  (If you did the Criss Cross you still need to start in the center)

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The goal is the keep the coil and loose rope going through the center so the zig zag catches both sides.

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Decorate with Fabric

I like to use strips less than 1″ wide and the length is up to you. You could even wrap the rope from beginning to end in different fabrics.

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I just tuck the end in and start wrapping. Keep zig zag stitching.

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Keep going and you’ll come back around to it.

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Decorate with Yarn and Ribbon

Using the same method as above.  The yarn is fun to play with because you can make different designs and use multiple strands at once.

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Ribbon:

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Here is a little coaster using the Criss Cross beginning, loop and tuck end (below), ribbon, yarn and contrasting thread.

(This may not be the most fabulous look combined but I wanted you to see the different options!)

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Bowl Making   

Keep making your base until it’s the width you’d like. This one is 7″.

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You’ll notice that the direction I’m going above puts the coil under the arm of my machine. I cannot continue bowl making with my coil in this position, I have to cut threads and move it to the other side. (You can avoid this by going the other direction to begin with.)

Take your base and lift it up on its side and continue the zig zag stitch.

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A lip will begin to form.

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Just keep going and adding your fabrics, yarn or ribbon.

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Join New Rope

Just for reference – the bowl on the left, coaster and bowl in progress is what you can make with 100′ of 7/32″ rope.

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If you run out of rope, no worries.  Just stitch the end and the beginning of a new rope together.  I zig zagged.

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Cover the join with wrapped fabric.

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No one is the wiser.

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Just keep going around.

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And around.

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END – Loop & Tuck Option

Decide how big you want your loop to be.  Pictured here is a large loop.

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Pictured here is a tiny nub loop.

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For this I will make a small loop.

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Press the loop up against your coils, raw edge inside.

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Zig zag stitch over the raw edge and down the side, back stitch the beginning of the loop.

The further you stitch, the less round the loop will be.

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After you’ve back stitched, zig zag stitch over the raw edge and the outer loop.  This helps secure the loop.

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The further you stitch, the smaller your loop.  Back stitch this as well.

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Result:

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END – Wrapped Edge

Zig zag stitch right up to the end of your rope.

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Fold your leather/pleather piece over the edge and close to the end.

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Stitch down. I triple stitched using matching thread.

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YAY!  You’re all done.

I love my bowls and coasters and know this is just the beginning of a nice little collection.

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I’ll definitely be playing more with color changing thread.

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INSPIRATION!

Different size ropes and and patterns. (image courtesy of @jmzblond Instagram)

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Painted rope! (image courtesy of @onethousandlayers Instagram)

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Gorgeous natural dyes (image courtesy of @sewbettyjane Instagram)

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Handles! Thread and rope options (image courtesy of @vivelymade Instagram)

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January 5th, 2016

Kansas City Royals Rally Towel Quilt

by Julie Hirt

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This quilt is a big deal… because ROYALS! When my Aunt contacted me to make this for my cousin using their 2015 Post Season and World Series rally towels I was pretty excited.

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I was also a little nervous because I had never worked with terry cloth before.  Honestly, it wasn’t an issue other than lint fluffs from trimming the towels.

The process was similar to making a t-shirt quilt as the towels were all slightly different sizes and orientations. I filled spaces with baby blue Kona cotton.

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We found some awesome Royals fabric for the backing and quilted in a baseball pattern.  With a layer of Hobbs 80/20 between the terry and backing this turned into a nice, heavy quilt.

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The only drawback to making this quilt was giving it back.

Let’s go Royals! *clap* *clap* *clapclapclap*

 

siggy

 

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