Sewing Boo-boos and How to Fix Them!

If you’re interested in more bang for your buck while quilting, this is an awesome option. All the seams meet – all the time. Points are never cut off – not ever. Seams are always straight and you never have to deal with a ¼” seam, or a scant ¼” seam, or knowing when to use which one. The result is just one beautiful quilt after another.   I did a small EPP block in another post and now I'm doing a whole quilt. How big is a whole quilt? I don't know yet - I'll know when I'm done! I'm making the Cherish quilt which you can see  here . I have 16 blocks completed. Really it's very simple. You use a 'paper' the exact size and shape of your piece, wrap the fabric around it, take a few stitches, or use glue, to hold it securely on the paper and then whip stitch the pieces together. The technique lends itself to fussy cutting as you can see in the small block I did. I love fussy cutting, but it really does make fabric unusable except for m...

I know I promised a Mystery Quilt this month, but ... I got the block made up (no, I'm not going to show it!) and I don't like it. :( It didn't 'pop.' So, I'm re-working the pattern (which is all written out) and the block and I'm setting a new goal to start the Mystery Quilt is March. It's gotta be right. In the meantime, I'm sewing a pair of pants! I'll get some pictures and post about that this week. What are you sewing? More sewing adventures later! Karen

I haven't been sewing much lately. Moving the sewing room makes it hard to think of the new sewing room as home . Does anyone else feel like this? However! 😀 In January I will be offering a Mystery Quilt. Suitable for quilters of all levels of expertise. So, there will be sewing in this new sewing room after all. I'll make the sacrifice for you! I just pulled fabrics from my stash. Nothing fancy is required. And just in case you find yourself with some free time, I'm going to list the yardage requirements here. (I don't know, you might be super-organized and have your Christmas all done!) Orange Mystery Quilt Yardages 9 fabrics in all. 16 blocks for a 40 x 40 wallhanging. 3 Med-Dk Teal Blue 1/4 yd, 3/8 yd, 1/4 yd 1 Light Teal Blue 5/8 yd (includes the borders) Gray 1/4 yd Med-Brown 1/4 yd 2 Med-Dk Brown 1/4 yd, 3/8 yd Orange (it should pop) 1/8 yd Feel free to create your own color combinations. I know I titled it orange but the orange real...

Here is a great guide to fitting pants. It lists all the problems and what to do about it. https://blog.colettehq.com/tutorials/the-colette-patterns-pants-fitting-cheatsheet More later! karen

I've been downsizing. We need the room that has housed my office and sewing room, so I've been packing up and moving into the .... laundry room! I'll be honest, it hasn't been the happiest of days but I have found one positive in it all - the laundry room as better light. Oh, two positives - it's also in the back of the house and does not get the hot, afternoon sun. You can see one bracket above my sewing machine. Robert is putting a shelf there. The brackets are up, the wood is standing up in a corner. Just needs to be cut and sanded. Painted. :)  So, the previous sewing room is in shambles, as I pack up stuff and move it back to the garage. But the last thing I sewed in there was this little EPP fussy-cut 'round' :) (that outside ruffle thing has since been turned back and is no longer visible) I did fussy-cut the pieces, using my handy-dandy mirrors :) It's like playing with a kaleidoscope and fabric! And then I didn't ...

You are not stuck with EPP (English Paper Piecing) if you want to play with hexagons. Although I've had fun with EPP and I'll share some of those pictures too. I did this project years ago, and when I was going through tubs in the garage, I found this. I used fusible web on the wrong side of the fabric and then cut out the hexies. I don't remember if I used a template or Inklingo . (If you've never tried Linda's method of printing shapes on fabric - do it! Great fun!) But either way, I cut them out. I laid them on a backing/batting/foundation piece, pressed them and satin stitched them together. No seams. I butted the raw edges together and sewed. I don't know how this would hold up in a test of time or washing. But it's pretty fun to do and you get quick results. The finished/unfinished quilt. (no binding) Close-up. My machine skips on the zig-zag stitch. Oh well.   The edges that need cleaning up. The back can get pretty thready! ...

A few years ago I came across this blog and the following pictures - I was smitten! I started gathering all my wool odds and ends to make a scrappy, yet designed blanket. In two winters I've not gotten very far. But I am making progress. As I've been going through tubs stored in the garage, I'm finding lots of interesting projects to work on. I have absolutely NO business starting another one! Here is the progress on my wool blanket - I had to block the center in order to get the side pieces to fit evenly. It's still drying.  These are the new blocks I'm working while waiting for the center to dry. I'm using a sock wt variegated blue/green yarn combined with a red lace wt yarn -   And speaking of THIS BLOG - it's written in French, but the pictures are delightful. This is one talented lady. If you have some time and need some inspiration - stop by! More Adventures later! Karen