inspired to sew

Textcopyright©2011byBariJ.Ackerman

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Trademark(™)andregisteredtrademark(®)namesareusedthroughoutthisbook.Ratherthanusethesymbolswitheveryoccurrenceofatrademarkorregisteredtrademarkname,weareusingthenamesonlyintheeditorialfashionandtothebenefitoftheowner,withnointentionofinfringement.

BariJ.™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman;KeepingItRealSewing™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman;andFabricMixology™isatrademarkofBariJ.Ackerman.

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataAckerman,BariJ.

InspiredtosewbyBariJ.:15prettyprojects,sewingsecrets,colorfulcollage/BariJ.Ackerman.

p.cm.p.cm.

ISBN978-1-60705-011-7(softcover)

1.Machinesewing.2.Handicraft.I.Title.

TT713.A2552011

646.2'044–dc22

2010019010

PrintedinChina

10987654321

Contents

ForewordbyJennyDoh

Introduction

KeepingItReal

SectionOneARTFULLYDRESSED

GardenTunic

KeepingItReal:GarmentSewing101

Rags,Ruffles,andKerflufflesBelt

PrettyPetals“Couture”Apron

JeanJacketRe-Vision

FlowerBrooch

PatchworkRoseZipperedBag

KeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing

Section-TwoMIXITUP:FABRICCOLLAGE

SeasonalWreath

KeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage

FloweringContainerGardenPillow

KeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack

TreeofDreamsWallhanging

MiniMemoryQuiltwithPhotoTransfer

KeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects

SectionThreeARTFULINSPIRATIONSFORYOURHOME

CrazyQuiltLampshadeSlipcover

KeepingItReal:CrazyQuiltIt

TeaPartyAccessories

•TeapotTrivet

•TeaCozy

•LavenderSachetPlaceCard“TeaBags”

KeepingItReal:AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches

LittleCabinPincushion

SweetHomeChicagoCollection

•SweetHomeChicagoPillow

KeepingItReal:MakingaMiteredBorder

•SweetHomeChicagoQuilt

KeepingItReal:FreezerPaperAppliqué

Resources

AbouttheAuthor

LovinglyDedicated

AsIcreate,memoriesofGrandpaDannyfloatbyatthemostunexpectedofmoments.FromtheveryfirsttimeIshearedthroughfabricandbegantosew,itseemedhewasrighttherewithme,watchingandcheeringmeon.Asafurrierandanartist,hewasanever-presentcreativespiritinmylife.Thoughnolongerphysicallywithus,heisstill

presenttothisday.

Grandpa,thisisforyou.Thankyouforthe

ridestothemoon,tripstothepumpkinpatch,holidaywindowsonStateStreet,andmostofall,

forbeingyou.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Friendshipandsewinggohandinhandinmylife.Withoutthehelpofmygoodfriendsatourlocalquiltstore,WoodenGateQuilts(formerlyQuilter’sInn)inDanville,California,IhavenodoubtIwouldnotbedoingwhatIamtoday.Thankyou,Jane,Marby,andKathy,fornottellingmehowuglythatfirsthandbagwasbutrathergentlyguidingmeintherightdirection.

HugstoalloftheladiesintheMondayandTuesdaysewingdrop-ins,andextrabighugstomymentorsandfriendsJanisStobandMargaretLindermann,whoadeptlyguideusall.

IhavetoaddanadditionalwordaboutJanis.EachtimeIhadsomethingtotroubleshootwhilewritingthisbook,shehelpedmeworkitout.Overtheyears,JanishastaughtmesowellthatwhenIaskaquestion,Icannearlypredictwhatshewillsay.Ateacherwhogivesyouthatextrapushtocomeupwiththeanswer—well,thatisateacher.Ican’tthankherenough.

ThankyoualsotoMickeyKruegerandLauraJaquintoofWindhamFabrics,KathyMillerofMichaelMillerFabrics,andCarolynSt.ClairandLissaAlexanderofModaFabricsforgenerouslyprovidingmuchofthefabricusedintheprojectsforthisbook.

ThankyoutoDanatTheSewingMachineShopinWalnutCreek,California,forgenerouslylendingmeamachinetoworkonwhenminewentkaputandwasinhisshopwaitingsadlyforitsnewcircuitboard.Thankyouforgettingitbacktomesoquickly,too.

Aspecialthank-youtoC&T’spublisher,AmyMarson,andtothefabulouseditors,designers,photographers,andstaffwhoworkedonthisbook:GailenRunge,CynthiaBix,CarolZentgraf,KristyZacharias,KirstieL.Pettersen,AliceMaceNakanishi,WendyMathson,ChristinaCarty-Francis,andDianePedersen.Andahugeshout-outandahugtoC&T’sacquisitionseditor,SusanneWoods,withoutwhomIwouldneverhavedreamedofwritingabook.

Andthankyoutomyexceedinglypatienthusband,Kevin,anddaughters,AnnaandEmily,forputtingupwithmewhileIwaswritingthisbook.Iloveyouallsomuch!AndI’llbeoutof“TheSewingCave”injustoneminute!

Foreword

TobeinthepresenceofBariJ.Ackermanistobeinthepresenceofgenerosity,quality,andthoughtfulattentiontodetail.Thesearetheprinciplesthatexudefromthismosttalentedartistasshemaneuversthroughallfacetsofherlifeasawife,mother,artist,andentrepreneur.ThedemeanorthatBariprojectsmightbeunderstated,buthavenodoubt—sheisacreativeforcewhoknowshowtosethersightsonthe“bigpicture”withthekindoffocusneededtomakegrandgesturesandlastingmarks.

WhenIfirstmetBari,IcouldhardlybelievethebeautythatIsawinherhandbags.Thecolorsandtexturesoffabricsthatheruniqueeyecouldpulltogetherwerewhatimpressedmemost.Foruswholovetosew,selectingtherightcombinationoffabricsisarguablythemostdifficultpartoftheprocess.AprimaryreasonBarihasbecomesuchasuccessfulartisticsewerishermasteryofscoutinglusciousfabricsandcombiningtheminfreshandfabulouslyunexpectedways.

AnotherreasonforBari’ssuccessisherabilitytotranslateherqualityfabricchoicesintobreathtakingdesignswithbeautifulsilhouettes.Thisabilitytodoboth—selectfabricsandcreateamazingdesigns—iswhyBari’sworkissosoughtafterandcontinuestogainastrongandloyalfollowing.

ThisloyalfollowingisonethatI’vehadthepleasureofwitnessingfirsthand,asIhavehadthepleasureformanyyearsofbeingBari’seditorfornumerousmagazinetitles.Throughthisrelationship,Ihavebeendeeplyinspiredwithheropennesstoshareherknowledgeandteachthosewhowanttolearn.Sheisanartistwhoispassionateaboutsharinghertips,hertricks,andallofherwonderfultechniquesanddesignconcepts.Notsurprisingly,thisgenerousapproachhasgarneredanenthusiasticresponsefromreaders,whobecomeentrancedwithherdesignsandherdown-to-earthapproach.Inotherwords,readersloveBari’sabilitytokeepitreal.

Thebookyouholdinyourhandsis100percentBari.Shebringsyouprojectsthatyou’llwanttostartrightaway.Andthankfully,becauseshe’salreadymadethem,sheoffersallthelessonsshelearnedintheprocess—importantlessonsthatkeepthingsrealandensurethatyouaresuccessfulnotonlywhenyoustartbutallthewayuntilyoufinish.

Areyoureadytobeinspired?Areyoureadytocreate?You’vecometotherightplace,asyouwillfindinspirationbubblingoverwiththeturnofeverypageinthisbeautifulbookfilledwithinnovativeprojectspresentedwithinstructionsthatareeasytounderstand.

Forreal,

JennyDoh

PresidentofCRESCENDOh,LLCFormerEditor-in-ChiefofSomersetStudio,

BelleArmoire&sisterpublications

Introduction

Ididn’tknowhowmuchI’dlovetosew.Ihadbeenathomeraisingmykids.Craftingwasapastime.Imadejewelryfromfounditems,collageart,andlittlehand-embroideredpieces,andIevensoldsomeofthesethingstolocalboutiques.

ThenIdecidedtogivethesewingmachineawhirl.Itwasloveatfirststitch.

ThefirstthingImadewasalittleclutchbagwithagiantfeltflowerbroochonit.Apparentlyitwasn’ttheprettiestsewingjobonearth,butthefeelingofaccomplishmentIhadmademethinkitwasfantastic.AndIwashooked.

Ikeptmakingbagafterbag,andeventuallyIturnedallofthatbagmakingintoasuccessfulbusiness.Ilearnednewtechniques,experimentedwithbeautifulfabrics,andimmersedmyselfinthisnewandwonderfulworldofsewingI’dfound.

Lookingback,IrealizeIstartedsewingforthesamereasonIstartedcrafting:tomakeinterestingandoriginalthingsformyselfandmyhome.Whendesigning,Ifocusonmakingstylishitemsthatareartfulandunique.

SowhenIstartedtowritethisbook,Iknewthatwouldbemyfocus.Hereyou’llfindprojectsthathelpyoutotakethereinsandmakeyourartunique—tofindyourownlook,yourownstyle.Atthesametime,completepatternsanddirectionsallowyoutogettheresultsyouwant.

you’llfindprojectsthathaveanartandcollagefeelyetarethingsyouabsolutelycanwearandlivewith.

Theyallowyoutobecreativeandindividualwithoutadding“eccentric”tothemix.

AlsoincludedinthisbookarefeaturesIcallKeepingItRealSewing,whicharetipsandminitutorials.WhenIfirstbegansewing,IwasfrustratedeverytimeImadeamistake.Itseemed

likeIneversawitcoming.AndIthought,“Ifonlysomeonehadtoldmethat.”SomuchwasleftoutofsomesewingpatternsIwasusing.Thepicturesshowedaneatandtidyrufflebeingsewnon,butmyrufflesweremessy-looking.Noonetellsyouthatwhenyoupullthegatheringthreads,thefabricfraysontheedges.IthoughtI’dmadeagrievousmistake.SowhenIstartedwritingmyownpatternsandinstructions,Imadeupmymindtoincludethegood,thebad,andtheugly.Forthatreason,throughoutthisbook,you’llfindKeepingItRealSewingtips.I’lleventhrowinsomeembarrassingmistakesI’vemade.It’llmakeyoufeelreallygood,Ipromise.

Theprojectsaremadeusingavarietyofmyfavoritesewingandquiltingtechniques.EachoneisexplainedinaKeepingItRealSewingminitutorialthatguidesyouthroughthestepsandgivesyouadvice.Frompiecingandbindingtoquilting,appliqué,andembroidery,thesearetechniquesIloveandskillsIfoundIhadtohave.

Iamsoexcitedtobeabletosharewithyou,throughthisbook,thejoyIhavefoundinsewing.Ican’twaittoseewhatyourcreativitybringstotheseprojects.IhopeyouwillenjoymakingthemyourownjustasmuchasIenjoyedcreatingthem!

Happysewing!

Afewofmyfavoritethings

Asidefromtheobviousscissors,needles,andsewingmachine,overtheyearsI’velearnedtherearecertainthingsIjustcan’tdowithoutinthesewingroom.EverytimesomeoneasksmewhatIthinktheyneed,thesearethethingsItellthem:

¼”sewingmachinefoot|Trustmeonthis—youneedone,especiallyifyouaregoingtoquilt.ForyearsIsewedwithoutoneandwonderedwhythingsdidn’tcomeoutexact.Thereasonwasthatmyseamsweren’texact.Iknowitsoundsobvious,butIthoughtforsureIwasgettingitrightjustusingtheguideonmymachine.ThenItrieda¼”foot,andvoilà!Perfectseamseverytime.Iwouldnevertrytomakeaquiltwithoutoneagain.

Alotofmachineneedles|Iliketohaveagoodrangeofthesehangingaround,too.Ihaveuniversalneedlesandjeansneedles,butIalsoliketohavemetallicneedlesaround.Idon’toftensewwithmetallicthread,butforwhateverreason,thesesharp-tippedneedlesworkgreatoncollagewhendoingfree-motionquilting,evenifyou’renotusingmetallicthread.

Rufflerfoot|Okay,soit’snotsomethingyoucan’tlivewithout,butIsuredolovemine.A

rufflerisafootyoucanuseonyourmachinethatmakesrufflesandpleatsinseveraldifferentlengthswithease.Ican’tbelievehoweasyitistouse.Iactuallymadethe350”rufflefortheSweetHomeChicagoQuiltinjustminuteswithmyruffler!Seepage119tocheckitout.

Bobbinsgalore|Idon’tknowaboutyou,butIcan’tstanditwhenIrunoutofbobbinsandIneedtofillonewithanewcolor.Ikeeptonsofthemonhand.

Seamripper|Unsewing.Really,it’spartofsewing.Idon’tfretanymorewhenIhavetodoit.Getagoodseamripper,andyouwon’teither.Ihaveonethatislikeascalpel.Ilovethisthing!Checkoutmyresourcelistinthebackofthebooktofindoutwheretogetone.YoumightwanttotryoutAlexAnderson’s4-in-1EssentialSewingTool,availablefromC&TPublishing.Thistoolisaseamripper,stiletto,presser,andturner,allcombinedinasinglewoodencase.

Quiltingrulers|Thesearetheclearplasticrulersthatcomeinallsortsofdifferentsizes.Ihaveabunchonhand,andIdon’tjustusethemforquilting.Anytimeastraightlineneedstobecut,Iuseaquiltingruler.

Rotarycutter|Arotarycutterisacuttingtoolalternativetoscissorsthatisgreatforcuttingstraightlinesandcuttingthroughmultiplelayers.Itlookslikeapizzacutter,and—well,youjusthavetohaveone.It’sontopofthesewingboxlistforanysewerandquilter.

Small,sharp,pointyscissors|Usetheseforcuttingthreads,snippingaroundseamedges,andmostimportant(tomeanyway),cuttingoutfabricmotifs…getsyouaroundtrickycornerswithease.Moreaboutthatlater!

Stilettoorawl|ThefirsttimeIsawthisonasupplylist,Iwasbaffled!Astiletto?Butalas,itisnotafancyhigh-heeledshoeI’mtalkingabouthere.It’sasharp-pointedtoolusedforpokingholesinfabricandleather.Iuseittoturnunderthesmalledgesofappliqué.It’salsousefulforkeepingyourpiecesflatclosetothesewingmachineneedlewithoutsewingyourfingertip,whichisn’taprettything.

Freezerpaper|Idon’tknowwhofirstrealizeditcouldbeusedforsewing,butthisstuffisthebomb!It’sgreatforcreatingpatternpieces,andtheshinysidecanbeironedontofabricandtheneasilyremoved.

Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing|Boy,doIhaterunningoutofthisstuff.Iloveitfusedtothewrongsideofpillowfronts,bags,andprettymuchanythingthatcanusealittlebody.

Appliquéglueandfabricglue|Thesegluesareusedinmanyprojectsinthisbook.Forappliquéglue,IrecommendRoxanneGlue-Baste-It.Forfabricglue,IlikeFabri-Tac.

Double-sidedfusibleweb|OnethatIuseforappliquéisWonderUnder.

Thegoodsewist

Ioftenignoremyowngoodadvice.Buteverytime—withoutfail—I’msorrylater.HereareafewtipsI’velearnedthathavemadesewingaloteasier.

TrimmingthreadsasIgo|Guiltyascharged.Everyonceinawhile,Idon’ttrimasIgo.AndIendupwithamess.It’sareallygoodpracticetotrimthosethreadsbeforetheygettangledandbothersome.Itkeepsyoursewingneaterandhelpsyouavoidhavinganextrastepwhenyouaredone.

Needle-downposition|ThisisaruleI’veimposedonmyselfthatIneverbreak.WhenI’msewinglongstretches,Ihavemymachinesettostopintheneedle-downposition.Inotherwords,ifIstopsewingmidwaythrough,myneedleautomaticallystaysinthefabric.Thishelpskeeplinesstraightandkeepsfabricsfromjigglingaround.

Please,don’tforgettoclosethatrotarycutter!|AtWoodenGateQuilts,thelocalquiltshopwhereIgotoadrop-inclasseachweek,ifyouleaveitopen,youbuylunch.Fingersintact:good.Blood:bad.Justsaying.

Pressing|Weallknowthatpressingseamsopenortoonesidewhencalledforisarequirement.ButIdidn’trealizethatpressingyourseamsassewnfirst,beforeyouopenorpressthemtooneside,setstheminplace.IdidnotbelieveituntilItriedit,butitreallyhelpstheseamtolooknicewhenyouturnit,especiallyifit’saroundacurve.

Samethreadinthebobbinthatyouuseontop|Ihavenoticedthatmachinestendtogetalittletestyaboutnothavingthesamekindofthreadinthebobbinasintheneedle.Itmesseswiththetensionandgenerallycreateshavoc.Soifyouareexperiencingbreakingthreadortensionissues,it’sagoodideatomakesureboththreadsarethesame.

SNEAKPEEK:

Skills&Techniques

Iusedavarietyoftechniquestocreatetheprojectsinthisbook.Asyou’llsee,I’veprovidedshortKeepingItRealSewingsectionsalongthewaytogiveyoustep-by-stepguidanceinthesetechniques.

Collagecanbeusedinsomanydifferentcontexts.Inthisbookit’sonapillow,awallhanging,andatunic.Butyoucancollagealmostanything.Tryitontheedgesofaquiltinsteadofbindingoruseitasdecorationonahandbag.Itistrulyversatile.

Withtherufflehow-tointhisbook,youaresettoputaruffleonanythingyouchoose.Putoneonalampshadeoraddonetoaskirt.

Thetechniquesyoulearnherecanbeappliedtoprojectsinotherbooksandpatterns.Knowingthesegivesyouanarsenaltoworkwithincreativeways.

Hereisasneakpeekatwhatyou’llfind.

Crazyquilting(page88)Top:Fabriccollagewithfree-motionquilting(page63)

Foolproofruffles(page114)andmiteredborders(page115)

Handembroidery(page101)Binding(page81)

Freezerpaperappliqué(page124)

FabricMixology

I’moftenaskedhowImakedecisionswhenmixingfabrics.MyjokeisthatIthrowitallupintheairandseewhereitlands.Intruth,ItendtolaboroverwhatI’llputtogether,butIamalsousuallyverybraveinmychoices.Andsometimes,justwhenIthinkwhatI’vedonewillneverpulltogether—itdoes.

Idon’thaveanyrealrulesaboutmixing,andmaybethat’swhyitdoesworkout.However,IcantellyouacoupleofthingsthatgothroughmyheadasIdesign.Forstarters,Ithinkthatoddpieces(theonesyou’dneverguessbelongedtogether)makeadesigninteresting.Butinusingthoseoddpieces,Idomakesuretheyarerepeatedsomewherewithinthedesign.Forexample,theTreeofDreamsWallhangingproject(page70)hassomeblueandpurplevelvetmotifsinit.AtfirstIwasn’tsosureifthatwouldwork,butIrepeatedthosepiecesatthetopandbottomofthetree,whichIthinkpulledthedesigntogether.

AnotherthingthatI’msuretodoinmydesignsismixthescaleoffabricpatterns.You’llseeintheFloweringContainerGardenPillow(page65)thatthereisalargevarietyofpatternsindifferingscales.AsIlayeredthepieces,ifInoticedaparticularsectionwasbecomingheavyinacertaincolororscale,Iaddedavaryingpiece.

Additionally,IreallydotrytostepoutoftheboxwhenIdesign.Ratherthanstickwithfabricsthataresafeandeasytoputtogether,ItendtothinkIshouldbealittlemorecourageousaboutmychoices.Itrytomixtexturesandaddinunusualitems—foundbuttons,vintagebrooches,scrapsofribbonandlace.AndItrytodothiswithoutfear.Mymotto:Thankgoodnessfortheinventoroftheseamripper.Whatcanbesewncanalwaysbeunsewn.

Sohavefun,getcreative,andstepoutofthatsewingbox.

KeepingItRealsewingbasics

•YardagelistedunderMaterialsisbasedon44"/45”-widefabric.

•Sewallseamswithrightsidesfacing,usinga¼”seamallowance,unlessotherwiseindicated.Backstitchatthebeginningandendofallseamsexceptdarts.

•Presseachseamaftersewingtosetit,thenpressittooneside.

•Keeptheenclosedtear-outpatternsintact.Traceontonewpaperbeforeyoucutthemout.

Thebiascutofthefabricandtheeasedshouldersofthepatternmakethefitsupercomfy.Withitsfloralcollageneckline,thispieceishighlyoriginalwhilestillbeingstylishandcontemporary.

Thistunicistrulyoneofakind.

Beforeyoubeginthisproject,especiallyifyou’renewtogarmentsewing,carefullyreadKeepingItReal:GarmentSewing101(page29).AlsoseeSewingBasicsonpage20.

materials

*½yardofsmall-printfabric(FabricA)forthetunicfronttop

*⅞yardoflarge-printfabric(FabricB)forthetunicfrontbottomandnecklinefacing

*1¾yardsofsmall-printfabric(FabricC)forthetunicback

*1yardoflarge-printfabric(FabricD,orrepeatFabricB)forthesleeves

*⅓yardoffabricforties,cutinto2pieces4”×38”(Thiscanbeadifferentfabricorthesameasoneoftheotherfabrics.)

*20–30largefloralmotifsforthenecklinecollage

*3strips4”×10”ofmuslinforthecollagefoundation

cutting

Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)

*Cutoutallpatternpiecesandmarknotchesanddarts.

*Cut1piece1¼”×35”ofFabricBforthenecklinefacing.

note:Cutthepiecesonthegrainlineasmarked.Severalarecutonthebias.

MAKETHETUNICFRONTANDBACK

1.Zigzagstitchalledgesofeachpieceandthefacing.

2.Sewthetunicbackpiecestogetheralongthecenterseam.Press.

3.Sewthedartsinthefronttopofthetunicasmarked.Startatthebottomrawedgeandbackstitch.Endatthebustpoint,andknotthethreadsbyhandinsteadofbackstitching.Backstitchingatthebustpointwillcauseanunattractivelumpinthefabric.Press.

4.Withcentersmatching,sewthetunicfronttoptothetunicfrontbottom.Press.

5.Sewthefronttothebackattheshoulderseams.Press.

http://www.ctpub.com/client/client_pages/PDFs/InspiredToSew_Patterns.pdf

KeepingItRealSewingLongStretchesofFabric

Thisisagreattricktomakesureyourendsmatchupwhenyousewalongseam:Matchupandpinthecentersofthe2piecesthatyouwanttosewtogether.Sewfromthecentertoanend,andthenfromthecentertotheotherend.

MAKETHETIES

1.Foldeachtieinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Atanendofeachtie,foldtherawedgeuptowardthefoldededgetocreateatriangle.

2.Startingatthetipofthetriangle,sewthefabrictogetherasshown.Trimtheexcessfabricatthecorner.Press,turn,andpressagain,teasingtheseamoutneatly.

KeepingItRealTurningCornersandEdges

It’softennoteasytogetthecornersofpieceslikethesetiesturnedcompletely.Isuggestpokingoutthecornerswiththeendofapaintbrushandthenusingapintopullthetiniestbitsoutoftheends.

FINISHANDEMBELLISHTHENECKLINE

Forfabriccollageinformation,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).

note:Thefacingyouareattachinginthesestepswillbeflippedtotheinsideofthetunic.Thefabriccollagewillbeontheoutside.

Attachthefacing

1.StartingatthepointoftheV,topstitcharoundtheneckline¼”fromtheedge,backstitchingateachend.

2.Withrightsidestogether,centerandpinthefacingtotheneckline,withtheexcessendsofthefacingattheV.

3.Fromtherightsideofthetunic,startattheVandsewthefacinginplacealongthetopstitchingline.AsyouapproachyourstartingpointattheV,foldbackthefacingyoulefthangingattheend.Sewrightuptothefold,andbackstitch.

4.CliptheseamattheVrightuptothestitchingbutnotthroughit,andpresstheseamtowardthefacing.

5.Foldtherawedgeofthefacingtothewrongsideofthetunic,aligningthefacingedgewiththestitchingline,andpininplace.Press.Fromtherightside,edgestitchthefacing⅛”fromtheseam.Thissewstheseamallowancetothefacingandmakesthefacing“want”tofoldtowardthewrongsideoftheneckline.

6.Pressthefacingtotheinsidealongtheseamline.Edgestitchclosetothenecklineedge,startingandendingattheVandbackstitchingatbothends.

7.AttheVontheinsideofthetunic,trimtheexcessfabricendsevenlyto1".Overlapandstitchthemtogether(nottothetunic),sewingasquareasshown.

Createthenecklinecollage

Thefloralmotifsshouldbebothlargeandsmallpieces.Havingvaryingsizeswillcreateinterestplusallowyoutomakethecollagegraduallywidertowardtheshoulderline.

1.Place4”-widestripsofmuslinontheneckline,overlappingintotheopening.You’llneedtouse3strips:1foreachsideand1fortheback.

2.Pinmotifsartfullyaroundtheneckline.AsIpinnedmineon,IstartednarrowerattheVandspreadthedesignoutasIgottotheshoulderseamandthebackofthetunic.Makesureallthepiecesarepinnedonwellbygivingitashake.Youdon’twantanypiecesflippingandfloppingasyouquilt.

3.Usingafree-motionmachinefoot,stitchdownallofthepieces,removingthepinsasyougo.Becarefularoundtheshoulderseam—it’seasytofoldthefabricofthetunicinonitselfandsewittogetheratthatpoint.Trimofftheextramuslinalongbothedgesofthecollage.Becarefulnottocutintothetunic.

4.Zigzagstitcharoundtheinsiderawedge.Go3timesaround,makingyourstitchlengthshortereachtimetoachieveasatin-stitcheffect.Theouteredgeswillbeleftraw.

ATTACHTHESLEEVES

1.First,createtheeaseintheshoulders.Whenyoucutoutthesleevepattern,youmade2notchestomarktheease,notchestomarkeachsleevefrontandback,andanotchtomarktheshoulderseam.Usingabastingstitch,sewfromoneeasenotchtotheother.Pullthethreadtogather.Withrightsidestogether,pintheshouldernotchofeachsleevetotheshoulderseamofthetunic.

2.Aligntheunderarmedgesofeachsleevewiththesideedgesofthetunicandpin.Spreadtheeaseevenlyacrosstheshoulderfromnotchtonotch.Pinthewholeedgeinplace,matchingtheshouldernotchtotheshoulderseam,andthensewthesleevetothetunic.

3.Turnthetunicwrongsideout.Pinthetunictiesinplace,withrawedgesalignedabovetheseambetweenthetunicfronttopandbottom,keepingtiestowardtheinsideofthetunic.Withrightsidesfacing,matchtheendsofthearmholeseamandpin.Pinthesleeveedgestogetherandthetunicsideseamedgestogether.

KeepingItRealAnEasyWaytoHem

Ioftentopstitch¼”fromthebottomedgeofapieceI’mgoingtohem.ThisputsaveryclearmarkatthepointwhereIwillfoldandpressthehem,makingthehemniceandeven.

KeepingItRealPinningwithEase

Toeaseaseam,Ifinditbesttofirstpineachendofthewholesectioninplace.ThenIpullthefabricfromtheenduptothenotchsoitisniceandflatuptothepointoftheease.Dothisonboththefrontandthebackoftheseamallowance.Thatway,theextrafabricisintheease.Spreadtheeaseevenlyacrosstheeaseallowance.

4.Sewfromthearmholeseamtothebottomedgeofthetunic,andthensewfromthearmholeseamtotheendofthesleeve.Press.

note:Itisimportantthatyousewinthesamedirectiononbothsides.Doingthisensuresthattheflowofthefabricisthesameonbothsides.

FINISH

1.Pressthebottomtunicedgeunder¼”andthenunder¼”again.

2.Topstitchonthewrongsideofthetunic,⅛”fromthetopofthefoldededge.

3.Repeatthesestepstohemthesleeves.

GarmentSewing101

Lookingatgarmentpatternscansometimesfeelliketryingtodecodeamap.Therearenotchandgrainlinemarks,andlinestoindicatevarioussizes,pluscuttinginstructionstofigureout.Nottomentionthatsometimesit’shardtofigureoutwhateachpatternpieceactuallyis.Allofthismaysoundabitconfusing,butit’sreallyeasyto“decode”onceyouknowwhatyouarelookingfor.Thesearesomeofthebasicsthatareusedinthetunicpattern.

Patternpieces|Firstthingsfirst:Figureoutwhatthepiecesare.Mostpatternsaremarkedclearly.Inthispatternyouwillfindasleeve,atunicback,and2piecesforthetunicfront,allofwhicharemarked.Figureoutwhatsizeyouwanttomake,andthencutthepiecesontheheavyouterlinesthatareforyoursize.

Cutting|It’salltooeasyandoftencostlytomakeamistakeincuttingfabric,soreadthepatternpiecescarefully.Notewhereagrainlineismarked,andalignthatpiecewiththegrainofthefabric.It’sespeciallyimportanttodothisforthetunicbecauseitiscutonthebias.Also,notewhetherapatternpieceshouldbecutonafold.Looktoseehowmanyofeachpiecetocutandwhetherthosepiecesshouldbecutatthesametime.Oftenyou’llbeaskedtocutpieceswithrightsidestogether.Sleevesareagoodexampleofthis.Forthetunic,thesleevesandthebackarecutthisway.

Notches|Don’tforgettolookfornotchesthatneedtobemarkedbeforeyouremovethepatternpiecefromthefabric.Thesediamond-shapedmarkingswillhelpyoumatchpiecestogetherwhensewing.Forexample,onthetunic,notchesindicatewhichpartofthesleevematchesthefrontofthetunicandwhichgoestowardtheback.Therearealsonotchesthatindicatewhereyoushouldmakeadartandwheretheeaseisonthesleeve’sshoulder.

Thisgirly,ruffedbeltiseasytomakeandfuntowear.

Iusedarhinestonebuckleforatouchofglamour,butyoucanchooseanybuckleyoulike—neworvintage.

materials

*⅛–¼yardofprintfabricforthebelt

*⅛yardeachof2contrastingfabricsfortheruffles

*⅛yardoffusiblefleece

*Barbuckleofyourchoicewith1½”opening

*Appliquéglue

cutting

*Beltfabric:Cut3½”wide×thelengthyouwantyourbelt.*

*Fusiblefleece:Cut3”wide×thelengthyoucutthebeltfabricminus½”.

*Rufflefabrics:Cutseveral½”stripstotalingabout4yardsinlength(½-yardincrementsarebestforcreatingtheruffles).

*Measureyourwaistandadd10”—thisallows5”forfinishingtheendsandfoldingthroughthebuckle,plus5”ofhangoverwhenwearingthebelt.Ifthemeasurementisgreaterthan44”,you’llneedtopiece2stripstogether.

MAKETHEBELTBASE

SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.

1.Centerandpressthefusiblefleecetothewrongsideofyourbeltfabricstrip.

2.Presstheshortendsin¼”towardthewrongsideofthefabric

3.Foldthefabricinhalflengthwisewithrightsidesfacing.

4.Sewthelongedgestogethertocreateatube.

5.Turnandpressflat,withtheseaminthecenteroftheback.

CREATETHERUFFLES

note:Theseareraw-edgeruffles.

1.Usingalongbastingstitch,sewstraightupthecenterofyour½”-widestrips.

2.Oneachstrip,pullthetopthreadstocreatearuffle.Ithelpstopullfromoneend,rufflethestriphalfway,andthenpullfromtheotherend.

3.Presstherufflesflatwithahotironandsteamtosettherufflesinplace.

ATTACHTHERUFFLESTOTHEBELT

1.Markthebelt1”infromanend.Thiswillbewhereyoustarttheruffles.

2.Glueeachshortendof1rufflestripunderslightly,usingappliquéglue.

3.Startingatthemark,useappliquégluetolightlytacktherufflealonganedgeofthebelt,aligningtheruffleandbeltedges.Presstherufflestripdown.

4.Repeatwiththerestoftherufflestripsuntilyouhaverufflesalongbothedges.

5.Stitchthecenterofeachruffletothebelt.

FINISHTHEBELT

1.Attheendofthebeltwhereyouleft1”free,folddownthecornerstowardthecenterasshowntocreateatriangle.Sewacrossthebaseofthetriangle,thenaroundthetip,backstitchingateachend.

2.Attheotherendofthebelt,slideonthebuckle.Foldtheendoverthebarabout4”orhoweverlongwillworktosizeitcorrectlyforyou.

3.Sewtheendtothebelttosecurethebuckle.

Myloveaffairwithflowerscontinueswiththisflirtyfeminineapronpattern.Thetopissimplepatchwork,andtheskirtismadeupofprintfabric“flowerpetals.”Thestepsinthispatternaren’tdifficulttoexecute,butittakessometimetomakeallthoselushpetals—40inall.

Thismakesagreathostessgift,oragifttoyou!

materials

*Fatquartersor¼-yardcutsof12assortedprintfabrics*forpetalsandaprontop

*½yardofmuslinforapronskirtfoundation(underneaththepetals)

*1⅛yardofcontrastingfabricforapronlining,waistband,andties

*Coordinatingthread

*Forthisproject,IusedaModaLayerCake,whichisastackof10”×10”precutsincoordinating

prints.

cutting


note:Cutoutthepatternpiecesasmarked;cutonthefoldwhereindicated.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.

Fromthe12assortedprintfabrics:

*Cut12squares4”×4”forthepatchworkaprontop.

*Cut80petalsusingpatternpieceA.

Fromthemuslin:

*Cut1eachofpatternpiecesC,D,E,F,andGfortheapronskirtfoundation.

Fromthecontrastingfabric:

*Cut1piece10½”x14½”fortheaprontoplining.

*Cut1patternpieceBfortheapronskirtlining.

KeepingItRealChainPiecing

Ilikeanythingthatsavestime,andthatisjustwhatchainpiecingdoes.Whenpiecingmultiplesof2patchestogether,feedoneafteranotherintothemachinewithoutclippingthethread.Cutthepiecesapartwhenyou’refinishedstitching.

*Cut2pieces2”×17”(1forthewaistbandand1forthewaistbandlining).

*Cut2pieces4½”×42”forthewaistbandties.

*Cut2pieces3”×24”fortheneckties.

MAKETHEAPRONSKIRT

Sewandattachthepetals

1.Sandwichyourpetalpiecesinpairs,rightsidestogether.


2.Take1pairand,usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromatopedgeofthepetalaroundthebottomtotheothertopedgeasshown,leavingthetopopen.Asyougettotheend,donotremovefromthemachineorcutthethread.Simplytakethenextpairofpetalsandrepeatuntilyouhave40petalstotal.

3.Cutthethreadsconnectingthepetalsandtrimallextrathread.Cliptheseamallowancearoundthecurvededges,beingcarefulnottoclipthroughthestitching.

4.Presstheseamsflatandthenturnrightsideoutandpressagain.

5.Ontherightsideofeachskirtfoundationpanelpiece,mark¼”fromeachend.Youcanusechalkorjustapin.

note:ThefoundationpanelpatternsareletteredCthroughG,startingwiththetoppanel.Besuretomarkeachpiecewithitsletterbeforeyousetitasideandmovetothenext.Iusuallyjustpinonaletteredstickynote.

6.Aligningtherawedgesofthepetalswiththetoprawedgeofthepanel,place1petalateachendofPanelContheinsideofyour¼”mark.

7.Addpetals,overlappingabout½”—oneover,thenextunder,andsoon—untilyouhaveatotalof6petalsalongthetopedgeofthepanel.Basteinplace,usingascant¼”seamallowance.

8.RepeatSteps6and7onthenext4panels,increasingthenumberofpetalsoneachpanelby1.(PanelC:6petals;PanelD:7petals;PanelE:8petals;PanelF:9petals;PanelG:10petals)

Assemblethepanels

1.TakePanelCandflipallofthepetalsuptoexposethebottomrawedgeofthemuslinpaneleasily.

2.PlacePanelDonPanelC,rightsidestogether,matchingthebottomrawedgeofPanelCwiththetoprawedgeofPanelD.Pininplace,sew,andpress.

3.FollowSteps1and2fortherestofthepanelsuntilyouhaveall5panelssewntogetherandallseamspressedopen.

CREATETHEAPRONTOPANDTIES

note: Ifyouhaven’tpiecedsquares foraquiltorotherprojectbefore, seeKeeping ItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).

1.Sewtogetherthe4”×4”squaresin3rowsof4squareseach.Press.

2.Sewtherowstogetherandpress.

3.Foldeachwaistbandtieinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Atanendofeachtie,foldtherawedgeintoatriangletowardthefoldededgeasshown.Startingatthetipofthetriangle,sewalongtheangle,thensewtherawedgesofthefabrictogetherasshown.

4.Trimtheexcessfabric.Presstheseamflat,turn,andpressagain,teasingtheseamoutneatly.(Foratiponturning,seeKeepingItReal:TurningCornersandEdges,page25.)

5.RepeatSteps3and4tomakethe2neckties.

ASSEMBLETHEAPRONFRONT

Nowyou’rereadytoputtogethertheaprontop,waistband,andskirt.

1.Pin,thensewthetopedgeoftheapronskirttoalongedgeofthewaistband.Presstheseamflat,andthenpressittowardtheskirt.

2.Centerthepatchworktopontheremainingwaistbandedge.Pin,thensewthetopandwaistbandtogether.Presstheseamflat;thenpressittowardthewaistband.

3.Ontherightsideoftheaprontop,mark¼”infromthesideedgesfortheneckties.Pinthetiesinplacejustinsidethemarks,matchingtherawedges.Baste,usinga⅛”seamallowance.

4.Attherawendofeachwaistbandtie,pressthecenterintoasmallpleattofittheendofthewaistband.

5.Pinthepleatedendsofthewaistbandtiestotheendsofthewaistband,withrawedgeseven.Baste,usinga⅛”seamallowance.

ASSEMBLETHELINING

RepeatSteps1and2fromAssembletheApronFront(page37)tosewtogetherthe3piecesofthelining:aprontop,waistband,andapronskirt.Leavea6”openinginthecenterofthewaistband/skirtseamtoturntheapronrightsideoutaftertheliningisattached.

FINISHTHEAPRON

1.Pinallofthepetalsandtiestowardtheinsideoftheapronsotheyarecompletelyoutofthewayofyourstitching.

2.Pintheapronfronttotheliningwithrightsidestogether.Sew,thenpress.

note:Makesureyoufeelfortheedgesofthepetalsandthetiesasyousew.Youwanttosewascloseasyoucantothemwithoutgoingoverthem.

3.Turntheapronrightsideoutthroughtheopeninginthewaistbandseam.Whipstitchtheopeningclosed.Press.

Oneofmyfavoritethingsaboutsewingisthatitlendsanaspectofcreativitytoeverypartofmylife.IlookatthingsinawayIdidn’tbefore.WhenIshopforclothing,Ithink,ThiswouldbecuterifIchangedthecollar(orthepockets)oraddedalittlesomethingtothecuffs.

Ialsorealize-thatmyoldclothescanbenewagain…ifIjustthinkalittlebitoutsidethebox.

Andthethingis,itdoesn’thavetobehard,either.Withthisjeanjacket,justcuttingoffthebottomandrebuildingitwithfunfabricsdidthetrick.Thesedirectionswillgetyoustartedwithasimilarproject.

materials

*Oldjeanjacket(minehappenedtobegreen)

*Varietyofprintfabricscraps(enoughtototal¼yardoffabric)

*Printfabricstripfornewbottombandandplackets

*Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*Clearquiltingruler

*Coordinatingthread

*Chalkorairerasablemarker

PREPAREYOURJACKET

1.Usethequiltingrulertomeasureandmark7”upfromthebottomedgeofthejacketallthewayaround.Drawalineallthewayaroundthejacket.Cutoffthe7”-widestrip.

2.Fromthepiecethatyoujustremoved,followtheseamlinesandcarefullycutoffthebottombandandthebuttonandbuttonholeplackets.Settheseaside;youwillusethemastemplateslater.

EMBELLISHTHEJACKETBOTTOM

note:Thesewillberaw-edgepieces.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.

1.Bringthecutjacketpiecetothesewingmachinewithyourcollectionoffabricscraps.

2.Startingatanendwiththejacketpiecerightsideup,placeascrapontopandstitchitdownusingyourfavoriteappliquéstitch—blanketstitch,zigzag,satinstitch,orwhatever.Youdon’thavetousethesamethreadcolorthroughoutoreventhesamestitch.

3.Addpieceafterpiece,overlappingthemslightlyandstitchingeachinplaceasyougo,untilthewholejacketpieceisfilled.Trimanyfabricthatishangingofftheedgesofthejacketpiece,andpress.

PREPAREANEWBOTTOMBANDANDPLACKETS

1.Measurethelengthandwidthofthebottombandthatyoucutoffthejacket.Multiplythewidthby2andadd½”forseamallowancestodeterminethewidthoftheaccentfabricstrip;thelengthisthesameastheoriginalband.Usingthesedimensions,cut1stripeachfromtheaccentfabricandtheinterfacing.

2.Measurethebuttonandbuttonholeplacketpiecesthatyouremovedfromyourcutjacketbottom.Tocalculatethewidth,multiplythewidthoftheoriginalpieceby2andadd¼”forseamallowances.Forthelength,add¼”tothelengthoftheoriginalstrip.Usingthesedimensions,cut1stripeachfromtheaccentfabricandtheinterfacingforeachplacket.

3.Pressinterfacingtothewrongsideofeachaccentfabricstrip.

4.Foldthebottombandpieceinhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether,andpress.

5.Pressunder¼”ononeshortendofeachplacketpiece.Withwrongsidestogether,foldeachpieceinhalflengthwise.Edgestitchclosedthefoldedendsoneachplacketpiece⅛”fromtheedge.

SEWONTHENEWPIECES

1.Pin,thensewthelongrawedgesofthebandtothebottomedgeoftheembellishedpiece.Zigzagstitchtherawedgesoftheseam.

2.Foldthebanddownandpresstheseamtowardtheband.Ontherightside,edgestitchtheband⅛”fromtheseamline.

3.Pin,thensewtherawedgesofaplacketpiecetoeachendoftheembellishedpiecewiththeband,aligningthehemmedplacketendswiththefoldededgeoftheband.Presstheseamtowardtheplacket.Ontherightside,edgestitchtheplacket⅛”fromtheseamline.

4.Sewtheembellishedpiecetothebottomofthejacket,aligningthefrontedges.

youcanputoneofthesesweetfeltbroochesonanything.

Theylookgreatonajeanjacket,ahandbag,orevenapillow.IusedonetoaddextradimensiontomySeasonalWreath(page60).

materials

*2strips10”×1¼”ofwoolfeltcolor1fortheflowers

*1strip10”×1¼”eachofwoolfeltcolors2and3fortheflowers

*2pieces4”×4”ofwoolfeltinflowercolor1or2forthebaseandbacking

*1piece5”×3”ofgreenwoolfeltfortheleaf

*1printedcottonfabricscrapatleast12”×3”for1flower

*2piecesofcoordinatingribbon6”long

*Fabricglue

*Bar-stylepin(Lookinthejewelrysectionofyourcraftstore.)

*Pinkingshears

cutting


Fromfeltcolor1:

*Cut2ofpatternAforflowers.

Fromfeltcolors2and3each:

*Cut1ofpatternAforflowers.

Fromprintfabric:

*Cut1piece3”×10½”foraflower.

Fromthefeltcolorforbaseandbacking:

*Cut1ofpatternBforthebase.

*Cut1ofpatternCforthebacking,usingpinkingshears.

Fromthegreenfelt:

*Cut1ofpatternDfortheleaf.

ASSEMBLETHEBROOCH

1.UsefabricgluetotackoneendofeachribbontobaseB.

2.Foldtheleafinhalflengthwise.Topstitch⅛”fromthecenterfold,backstitchingateachend.Trimthethreads.

3.UsefabricgluetotackthebottomoftheleaftobaseB,coveringtheribbonends.

4.Sewabastingstitchascant¼”fromthelongstraightedgeofeachflowerstrip.

5.Gathereachstripbypullingathreadtoruffleit.Tieoffthegatheringthreadsandtrim.

STITCHTHEFLOWERS


1.Tocreateeachfeltflower,rolltheruffledfeltfromoneend,slipstitchingthelayerstogetheralongthebottomedgeasyouroll.Donottrimthethreadends.

2.Usingthesamethread,sewtheflowertobaseB.Bringtheneedleupfromthebottomandsewallthewayaroundthebaseoftheflowertoholditinplace.

3.Tomakethefabricflower,pressoneshortendofthefabricstripunder¼”.Foldthestripinhalflengthwiseandpressagain.

4.Followthefeltflowerinstructionstogatherthelongedgestogether,rolltheflower,andattachittothebase.Begintherollwiththeunfinishededge.

5.Oncealloftheflowersaresecure,stitchthebarpintobackingC.Gluethebackingtothebackofthebase.

Thisone-of-a-kindbagfeaturesapatchworkofsmallsquaresturnedsideways,or“onpoint,”whichgivesitauniqueflair.Itsribbonrosettedetailsaddawhimsicaltouchandarefunandsimpletocreate,whilepocketsonboththebackandtheinsideliningaddmodernconvenience.Forhelpwithpatchwork,seeKeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).

ThisbagisalsoTheCureforZipperFear!

Thismethodissuper-easyandhastotallycuredmeofzipperphobia.You’llbeextraproudyoudiditwhenyouarecarryingthisuber-cutebag,too!

materials

*Ifdesired,youcanusethesamefabricforthezipperplacketliningandoutsideplackettoavoidconfusionwhensewing.

*Variouscontrastingprintfabrics(about5),eachatleast2½”square,tototal½yard,forthepatchworkbagfrontpanelandoutsidepocket

*½yardofsolid-colorfabricforthebagback(Iuseddenim.)

*1fatquarteroffabricforthebagsides

*1fatquarteroffabricforthebagbottom

*¼yardoffabricforthetop(zipperplacket)

*¼yardoffabricforthehandles

*1yardoffabricforthelining*

*1yardoffusiblefleece

*1yardofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*1pieceofplasticcanvasatleast4½”×15½”forthebagbottom(availableatcraftandsewingstores)

*⅝“–widevelvetribbonfortherosettes:1¼yardsofcolor2,1½yardseachofcolors1and3,and3/4yardofcolor4

*1¾yardsof⅝“–widegreenvelvetribbonfortheleavesandstem

*¾yardof1”–wideribbontrimfortheoutsidepocket,sidepanels,andzippertapelining

*Coordinatingthread

*18”zipper(non-separating)

*Zipperfoot

*Appliquéglue

cutting


Zipperplacket/bagtop:

*Cut2pieces3”×19”eachfromthezipperplacketfabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.

*Cut1strip3”longfromtheribbontrimfortheendofthezipperinsidelining.

Bagsides:

*Cut2pieces5”×7”eachfromthebagsidefabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.


*Cut2strips7”longfromtheribbontrim.

Bagfrontpanelandbackpocket:

*Cut64squares2½”×2½”fromtheprintpatchworkfabrics.

*Cut1patternpiecefromthefusiblefleece.

Bagbackpanel:

*Cut1patternpiecefromthebackpanelfabric.

*Cut1patternpiecefromthefusiblefleece.

Bagbottom:

*Cut1piece5”×16”eachfromthebagbottomfabric,liningfabric,fleece,andinterfacing.

*Cut1piece4½”×15½”fromtheplasticcanvas.

Outsidepocket:

*Cut2strips8½”×2½”fromyourfabricofchoiceforthepockettopband.

*Cut1piece10½”×8½”fromtheinterfacing.

*Cut1strip8½”longfromtheribbontrim.

Baglining:

*Cut2patternpieceseachfromtheliningfabricandinterfacing.

Insidepocket:

*Cut1piece10½”×8½”eachfromtheliningfabricandinterfacing.

Handles:

*Cut2strips22”×3½”eachfromthehandlefabricandfleece.

Velvetribbon:

*Color1:Cut2strips¾yardlong

*Color2:Cut1strip¾yardlongand1strip½yardlong.

*Color3:Cut2strips¾yardlongeach

*Color4:Cut1strip¾yardlong.

*Green:Cuta9”stripforthestemand10strips5”longeachfortheleaves

MAKETHEZIPPERPLACKET/BAGTOP

SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.Forextrazipperhelp,seeKeepingItReal:ACommonZipperBoo-BooandaTip(page51).

Toaccountforthevaryingwidthsofzippersavailable,I’vehadyoucutthezipperplacketfabricslightlywiderthanyoumayneed.Aftersewingthepiecetogether,trimtoexactly5”wideifneeded,trimmingequalamountsfromeachside.Forexample,ifyourzipperplacketcomesoutto6”wide,trim½”offeachside.

1.Fusefleecetothewrongsideofeachplacketpiece.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofeachplacketliningpiece.

note:Toinsertthezipper,Iamgoingtohaveyoumakeazipper“sandwich”withtheoutsideandliningplacketpiecesyoucut.You’llplacetheedgesofthezipperbetweentheliningandtheoutsidefabriconeithersideandstitchtocreateaplacket,whichwillalsoformthetopof

thebag.

2.Lay1liningpiecerightsideup,andplacetheclosedzipperrightsideupontop,sothezipperedgeoverlapsthefabric.Addapieceoftheplacketfabric,rightsidedown,overthesamezipperedge,withtheedgesofthefabricslinedup.

3.Pinthelayerstogethercarefully.Usingazipperfoot,sewthelayerstogether¼”fromthezipperteeth,backstitchingateachend.

4.RepeatSteps2and3fortheoppositesideofthezipperplacket.Pressopenandtrimtheplacketfabricendstowithin½”oftheendsofthezipperifnecessary.

5.Foldthe3”pieceofribbontriminhalfcrosswise,wrongsidestogether,andtopstitchtheedgestogether.Sewthetabacrosstheplacketatthebottomofthezipperontheliningside.

KeepingItRealACommonZipperBoo–BooandaTip

Beverycarefultostitchatleast¼”awayfromthezipperteeth.Ifyougettooclose,thefabriccangetcaughtinthezipperwhenyouopenandcloseit.

Aroundthezipperpull,itoftenbecomesdifficulttosew.Therearetwothingsyoucandotohelpwiththis.First,alwayskeepyourneedleinthedownpositionwhenyoupause.Whenyoucomenearthezipperpull,openthezippersothepullisbehindyourneedle.

Anothertrick,especiallywhenyoustartstitching,istomanuallystitchbyrotatingyourmachine’swheelacoupleofroundsuntilyouarepastthedifficultparts.Again,keepingyourneedleinthedownpositionwhenyoupausestitchingwillpreventthelayersfromshifting.

MAKETHEFRONTANDBACKPANELS

Createthepatchwork

Fortipsonsewingpatchwork,seeKeepingItReal:PerfectPatchworkPiecing(page58).

1.Randomlyarrangeyour2½”patchworkfabricsquaresinto8rowsof8squareseach.

2.Seweachrowtogether,press,andthensewthe8rowstoeachother.Press.

3.Laythepatchworkflatonacuttingmatandrotateitsothesquaresareonpoint.

4.Becauseyouwillcutboththefrontbagpanelandtheoutsidebackpocketfromthepatchwork,leaveenoughroomforthepocketwhenpositioningthepanelpattern.Usingyourcutliningpieceasyourpatternpiece,alignthecenterwiththecenterofthepatchwork,asclosetothetopaspossible(asshown),andpin.

5.Lineupaclearquiltingruleralongthebottomedgeofthepattern,andusearotarycuttertocutoffatriangularpiece.Setitasidetomakethepocket.Finishcuttingoutthefrontpanel.

Maketheoutsidepocket

Cutthepatchworktriangleinhalftocreate2trianglesandrotatethemsotheyformasquare8½”×8½".Sewthetrianglestogetherandpress.

note:Here’swhereyouwillnoticethatthepieceisalittlesmalltomakemuchofapocket.Toremedythis,youwilladdthe8½”×2½”piecesofcontrastingfabric.

2.Sewthefabricstripstothetopandbottomedgesofthepatchworksquare.Press.

3.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofthepocket.

4.Withthebordersatthetopandbottom,usechalkandarulertodrawahorizontallineacrossthecenterofthepocket.Pintheribbontrimacrossthepocketjustbelowthecenterline.Foldthepocketinhalftomakesuretheribbonisjustbelowthefold;adjustifneeded.

Sewbothedgesoftheribbontothepocket.

5.Foldthepocketinhalfwithrightsidesfacingandsewthesideedgestogether.Trimthecornersandpress.Turnrightsideoutandpressagain.

Finishthebackpanel

1.Foldthebackpanelpieceinhalftomarkthecenteronthebottomedge.Dothesamewiththepocketyoujustmade.

2.Aligntherawedgesofthepocket(withribbontrimfacingout)withthebottomedgeofthepanel,matchingthecentermarks.Topstitcheachsideedgeofthepocketinplace⅛”fromtheedge.Backstitchateachend.Ateachtopcornerofthepocket,sewa¼”triangletogivethepocketextrasupport.

3.Measure3”fromtherightedgeofthepocketandmarkaverticallinewithchalk,usingaruler.Stitchalongthemarkedline,backstitchingateachend,tocreatedividedpockets.

MAKETHERIBBONROSETTESANDEMBELLISHTHEBAGFRONT

note:Asyouattachtheseembellishments,besureyousteerclearofthebagfront’sseamallowancesexceptforthebottomleftstem,whichcanbesewnintotheseam.Refertothephotoforplacement.

1.Bastealongthecenterofeachpieceofribbonyoucutfortheflowers,andpullthetopthreadcarefullytoruffleeachpiece.

2.Foldeachpieceofribbonyoucutforaleafinhalftoformaflat“loop”withthevelvetfacingup.(Itwilllooklikea“cause”or“awareness”ribbon.)Overlapandtacktheendstogetherwithatouchofappliquéglue,thentacktothebagfront.

3.Atthesewingmachine,createaflowerontopofeachleaf.Startingwithanendoftheruffledribboninthecenter,begintopstitchingthecenteroftheruffle,goingaroundandaroundincirclesuntilyouhavethedesiredsizeflower.Keepyourneedleinthedownpositionsoyoucanturnwithoutshiftingthepiece.Tucktheendunderandstitchinplacetofinish.

4.Rufflethestemportionandsewitinplace.Ifyoulike,youcanfirstattachitwithabitofappliquéglue.

Make7rosetteswithleaves,sewingthemtothepatchworkbagfrontasshowninthephoto.Make3extraleavesandtackthemtothebagfrontatthelowerleftsideoftheflowerarrangement.

MAKEANDATTACHTHEBAGHANDLES

1.Centerandpressthefusiblefleeceontothewrongsideofeachhandlestrip.

2.Foldeachhandleinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Sewthelongrawedgestogether.Turnandpresswiththeseaminthecenter.Topstitch⅛”fromthelongedgesofeachhandle.

3.Foldthefrontandbackpanelsinhalfandmarkthecentertopofeachwithapin.

4.Forboththefrontandback,mark3”toeachsideofthecentertop,andthenmark2”beloweachofthesemarksforthehandleplacement.Withtheseamsidesoutandthehandlehangingdown,pintherawhandleedgesinplaceatthemarksandstitch½”fromtheends.Foldthehandlebackup,coveringtherawends;stitchacrossthehandle1”abovethefold.

MAKETHEINSIDEPOCKET

1.Tomaketheliningpocket,followtheinstructionsfortheoutsidepatchworkpocket(page52),eliminatingtheborderstripsandribbontrim.

2.Topstitchthetopofthepocket(atthefold)afteryouturnandpressitforadecorativelookandtoholdthelayersneatlytogether.

3.Sewthepockettothefrontliningpanelandstitchthedividerasfortheoutsidepocket.

CONSTRUCTTHEBAG

Attachthebagsidestothezipperplacket

1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideoftheouterfabricsidepanels,andfusetheinterfacingtothewrongsideoftheliningsidepanels.

2.Attachthesidepanelstotheendsofthezipperplacket1sideatatime,creatinga“sandwich”:Layer1sideliningpanelrightsideup,thezipperplacketwiththeouterfabricrightsideup,and1outerfabricsidepanelwrongsideup,asshown.

3.Pin,thensewtherawedgestogetherandpress.

4.Presstheassembledplacket/sideopen.Pinthesideliningpiecebackunderthezipperplackettoholdtheliningoutoftheway.Sewribbontrimalongthetopedgeofthesideouterfabricpanel,stitchingalongbothlongedgesofthetrim.Unpinthelining.

5.RepeatSteps2–4toaddtheremainingsidepanel.

Attachthefrontandbackpanels

note:I’vehadyoumakethesidepiecesextralong.Thisway,there’sroomforerrorifthefrontandbackarenotattachedperfectly.You’lljustneedtotrimthesidestomatchthefrontandbackpanelsbeforeyousewthebottomon.

1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsidesofthebagfrontandbackouterfabric.Fusetheinterfacingtothewrongsidesofthebagfrontandbackliningfabric.

2.Markthecenteronthefrontandbackpanelsandonthezipperplacket/sidepanels.(Foldeachinhalftofindthecenterandmarkwithapin.)

3.Layerthefrontliningpanelrightsideup,thezipperplacket/sidepanelsrightsideup

(zipperpullfacesup),andthefrontoutsidepanelwrongsideup.Sewthecurvededgesofthelayerstogether.Clipthecurves,turn,andpress.

4.RepeatStep3toassembletheback,theremainingedgeofthezipperplacket,andthebackliningpanel.

Makeandattachthebottom

1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideofthebottomouterfabric.Fusetheinterfacingtothewrongsideofthebottomliningfabric.

2.Foldthebottompiecesinhalfandmarkthecenterwithapin.Dothesameforthefrontandbackpanelpieces.

3.Matchingthecenters,layerthebottomliningpiecerightsideup,thefrontpanelwiththeouterfabricrightsideup,andtheouterbottompanelwrongsideup.Sewthe3layerstogether,startingandstopping¼”fromtheends;backstitchatbothends.

note:Inthenext2stepsyouwilljustbesewingtheoutsidebottomtogether.Therewillbe2layerssewntogetheratthispointinsteadofthe3youweresewingtogetherbefore.

4.Unzipthezipperandturnthebagwrongsideout.Matchthecenteroftheouterbottompaneltothecenteroftheouterbackpanelwithrightsidestogether.Sewthe2layerstogether,startingandstopping¼”fromtheends;backstitchatbothendsofthestitching.

5.Withrightsidestogether,pintheshortendsoftheouterbottomtotheoutersidepanels.

Sewthe2layerstogetherateachend,backstitchingatbothendsofthestitching.

6.Pressthe3unfinishededgesofthebottomliningpiece¼”intowardthewrongsideofthefabric.

7.Inserttheplasticcanvasbottombetweentheliningbottomandoutsidebottompieces.Glueinplaceusingfabricglue.

8.Whipstitchthebottomliningpiecetothesidepanelandbackpanelliningpieces.

9.Pressandturnthebagrightsideout.Pressalloftheseamsagainforaneat,crisplook.

PerfectPatchworkPiecing

Ifyou’reabeginningquilter,therearetworeallyimportantthingstoknow.

First:Makesureyoualwayskeepaconsistentseamallowance.Gettinga¼”footforyourmachinemakesthisreallyeasy.

Second:Pressyourrowsproperlysothatintersectingseamswillnesttogetherneatly.Forexample,whenyouarepiecingtogetherrowsofsquaresthatneedtomatchattheseams,pressalltheseamsofRow1totheleft,thenpressalltheseamsofRow2totheright.Whenyousewtogethertherows,rightsidestogether,theseamswill“nest.”

Asyoumatchtheseamstogether,feelthefabricandyou’llnoticethereisaridgewhereyoupressedtheseamofthetoppiecetoonesideandaridgewhereyoupressedtheseamofthebottompiecetotheotherside.Butttheseseamsuptoeachotherlikealittlepuzzlefittingrightintoplace,pin,andsewusinga¼”seamallowance.

Pressseamsonadjacentpiecestooppositesides.

Ifyouhaven’tdonefabriccollagebefore,thissimpleprojectmightbeagoodplacetostart.Youcanmakethiswreathforanyseasonoroccasion,dependingonyourchoiceoffabrics—floralsforspring,heartsforValentine’sDay—anythingyoulike.

Youcanmakethiswreathforanyseasonoroccasion.

Formoreonfabriccollage,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).Inadditiontofabriccollage,thisprojectalsoinvolvesstuffingvarioussectionswithpolyesterfiberfillforevenmoredimensionandtexture.Afeltflowerbroochaddsthefinishingtouch.Tomakethebrooch,seeFlowerBrooch(page43).

materials

*30ormorefabricscrapswithfloralmotifs(ormotifstomatchtheseason)

*1fatquarterofmuslin

*1fatquarterofcoordinatingfabricforthebacking

*1fatquarterofthickwoolbatting

*Matchingorcontrastingthreadforquilting

*Ribbon

*Smallamountofpolyesterfiberfill

MAKETHEFABRICCOLLAGE

1.Layermaterialsonaflatsurfacewiththebackingonthebottom,wrongsideup;thebattingnext;andthemuslinontop.

2.Cutoutfloralmotifsandarrangethemintheshapeofawreathontopofthemuslin.Pineachmotifinplacethroughall3layers,usingplentyofpins.

3.Setupyourmachineforfree-motionquiltingandquilttheedgeofamotif,leavinganopeningtoaddalittlebitoffiberfill.

4.Stuffthemotiflightly.Quilttheedgeofthemotifclosed,andthenquiltontopofthemotif.

5.Continuequiltingmotifs—somewithfiberfillandsomewithout—foratexturedlook.

FINISHTHEWREATH

1.Cutawaytheexcessfabricontheinsideandoutsideofthewreath.Wettheentirepieceandwringitouttoaddawrinkleddimension.Allowittoairdry.

2.Tofinishtherawedges,sewazigzagstitcharoundtheedgesofeachmotif3times,makingthestitchshortereachtimetoachieveasatin-stitchfinish.

Optional:Makeafeltflowerbroochandpinittothewreath.

KeepingItRealNoStickyStuff!

It’snotagoodideatousestickystufflikefabricglueorfusiblewebtoholdyourcutmotifpiecesinplace.Trustmeonthisone.I’veattemptedit.Thestickystuffoftencausesyoursewingmachineneedletocatchandthetensiontobealtered,resultinginbreakingthreadandotherproblems.Usepins.

Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage

Oneofmyfavoritesewingtechniquesisfree-motionquiltingusedwithfabriccollage.Forsometime,Ihadbeendoingavariationonthistechniquebyincorporatinglittlescrapsandusingmachineappliquéstitchestocollagethemtogether.AndthenIdiscoveredfree-motionquilting.Awholenewworldopenedup.

Fabriccollageusesfree-motionquiltingtocreategorgeousfabricvignettesonquilts,clothing,pillows—prettymuchanywhereyouwanttoaddalittleflair.Motifscutfromawidevarietyoflarge-andsmall-printfabricsarelayeredandthenquiltedtogethertocreateausablepieceoffabricart.

OnethingIlikeisitsinstantlyfreeingnature.Usingthefreemotionquiltingfootonyourmachine,withyourfeeddogsdown,yousimplydoodleawayusingthreadasyourmedium.Youcantracethefabricmotifs,addquiltedleavesandflowers,evensignyournameorthrowinwordsandlinesofpoetryhereandthere.

Therearenorules.Layerallkindsoffabricstogether.Iuseeverythingfromquiltingcottontolaceandvelvettoselvageedges,ribbon,andsilk.Ioftencutoutanappliquéshaperatherthanafabricmotifandthrowthatinthemixaswell.Truly,anythinggoes.Andyoudon’thavetobeoverlyconcernedaboutyourstitchlengthsbecausewhenyouarefinished,youwetdownthepieceandallowittodry,givingitalovelywornlookandhidingany“flaws.”

Practiceonscrapfabrictogetusedtoit,andthen—awayyougo!Forsometips,seethefollowingpage.

*Useafree-motionfoot(alsocalledadarningfoot),anddropthefeeddogssoyoucansewfreelyineverydirection.

*Quiltingglovesarewonderfullyuseful.Theyhelpyougripthefabric,andtheykeepyourhandsandwristsfrombecomingtired.

*Usetonsofpins!Themorethebetter.Thelastthingyouwantisflippingandfloppingfabricpieces.Whenyouhaveeverythingpinneddown,pickupthepieceandgiveitagoodshake.Yourpiecesshouldallstayinplace.Also,it’sagoodideatousebrightorwhitepinsthatcontrastwithyourfabric.Ifyoushouldendupwithapinsewnunderneathamotif(I’lladmitthatIhave—severaltimes),don’tpanic.Justtrimitout,placeanewmotifontop,andquiltitagain.

*WhenIfirststartedfree-motionquilting,myinstinctwastoturnthefabricthewayIwouldwhenIturnedacornerdoingappliqué.ButIsoonfoundIwasworkingagainstmyselfbydoingthat.Simplymoveyourfabricup,down,andsidetoside,glidingitunderneaththeneedlegently.

*Thebackofyourworkisjustasimportantasthefront,sobesuretobringupthebobbinthreadtothefrontbeforeyoustart.Turnthewheelofyourmachinemanuallytomake1stitch.Thenraisetheneedleandwigglethewheelabitwhilegentlytuggingatthethread.You’llseetheloopofthebobbinthreadcomingup.Pullitallthewaytothefrontandcontinuesewing.Trimthethreadsonthetopafterseveralstitchestogetthemoutoftheway.

*Speakingofneedles…justaswhenyouaresewingalongdistance,besurethatwhenyoupause,yousetyourmachinetotheneedle-downpositiontoholdthefabricinplace.

*Youmayneedtoplaywiththetensionabittogetitjustright.Experimenton“practice”fabricsofthesameweightasyourprojecttoadjustthetension.

*Stitchin2stages:Firststitchtherawedgesofallthepiecestogetthemattachedsoyoucanremovethepins.Thengobackanddomoredecorativestitchingtogivethepiecetextureanddepth.

*Afterquilting,wetdownorwashthewholepieceandhangittodryoruseyourdryer.Washingallowsthefabrictocrinkleandgivesyouanice,softtexturewithfrayededges.

Collageisevenmorefunwhenyouuseittomakesomethingyoucanseeandadmireinyourhome.That’swhyIlovethistechniqueforallsortsofitems.Really,whocouldbeartoputaplainpillowanywhereagainwhenyoucanhaveapillowlikethis?

Itgivesaone-of-a-kindlooktoanyspace.

Thisdesignfeaturesalavishcollageofflower“blooms”inabright,stripedcontainer.Fordetailedinstructionsonthefabriccollage,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).

materials

*Approximately72floralmotifs,inavarietyoflargeandsmallprints,forthefabriccollage

*1fatquarterofstripedfabricfortheflowercontainer

*¾yardofcontrastingbackgroundfabric*

*¾yardoffabricforthepillowback(Iuseddenim.)

*3yardsofribbonforthepillowbackties

*1½yardsofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*½yardoffusiblefleece

*Coordinatingorcontrastingthread(Ilovevariegatedthreadforcollage.)

*24”×24”pillowform

*I’dsuggestusingsomethingprettysubduedtoallowforanicecontrastbetweentheflowersandthebackground.

cutting

*Cutouttheflowercollagemotifsasyoucomposeyourpiecebecausethatwayyoucanbalancethecolorsandsizesvisually.

*Flowercontainerfabric:Cut1ofpatternA.

*Backgroundfabricandfusiblefleece:Cut1squareeach23½”x23½".

*Pillowback:Cut2pieces,each23½”x16".

*Wovencottonfusibleinterfacing:Cut1square23½”x23½”and2pieces23½”x16".

*Ribbon:Cut4pieces¾yardlongeach.

BUILDTHECOLLAGE

1.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsideofthebackgroundfabric.

2.Referringtothephoto(page65)andwithoutpinninganythinginplaceyet,laythecontainerpieceatthebottomcenterofthebackgroundpiece.Begincuttingoutandlayeringflowerstofillandoverflowthepot.Remembertomixlarger-andsmaller-scalepiecestobalanceyourdesign,andremembertobalancethecolorthroughoutthepiece.Ifyounoticeaconcentrationofcolorinoneareaandnoneofthatcolorinanotherarea,youmightwanttomovethepiecesaround.Thesamegoesforlargeandsmallpieces.

3.RefertoKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63)topin,quilt,andfinishyourcollage.

4.Pressthefleecetothewrongsideofthecollage.

5.Toroundthepillowcornersandpreventthemfrombeingpointy,placeabowlinacorner.Drawaroundtheedgeofthebowlatthecorner.Cutalongthemarkedline.Repeatforall4corners.

FINISHTHEPILLOW

1.FollowtheinstructionsinKeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack(page69)tocreatethebackandassemblethepillow.

2.Insertthepillowformthroughthebackopening,fluff,andtiethepillowties.

MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack

Thisstyleofpillowbackisprettytolookat,anditletsyouremovethepillowformeasilyifyouwanttocleanthepillowcover.IhaveyoumakethisbackfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(page109)aswellastheFloweringContainerGardenPillow.SeeSewingBasicsonpage20.

1.Fuseinterfacingtothewrongsidesofthepillowbackpieces.Onalongedgeofeach,turnunder¼”andpress,thenturnanother¼”andpress.Stitch⅛”fromthefoldededge.

2.Placethe2backpiecesrightsideuponthewrongsideofthepillowfront,aligningandoverlappingthemtomatchthesizeofthepillowfront.Pintheoverlaptogetheratthetopandbottomedges(don’tpinthebackpiecestothepillowfrontyet).Bastetheoverlappingedgestogether⅛”fromthetopandbottomedges.

3.Tomarktheplacementoftheribbonties,measureandmarkthecenteroftheoverlappingedges.Placethetiemarks4”fromthemiddleand3”backfromwherethepiecesoverlap.Foldanendofeachpieceofribbonunder½”andpintheribbonsinplaceasshown,withthefoldedrawedgestuckedunderneath.

Note:Piecesshownsidebysidetoshowoverlap.Thetwopiecesareactuallyoverlappedandbastedtogetheratthepoint.

4.SewtheribbonsinplaceandtopstitcharectanglewithanXthroughthemiddleonthefoldedends.

5.Pinthepillowfrontandbacktogetherwithrightsidesfacingandedgeseven.Cutthebackcornerstomatchthefrontcorners.Sewtogetherandpress.Cliptheroundededgesto—butnotthrough—thestitching,andturnthepillowrightsideout.

ThisprojectcameaboutasanextensionofthetreecollagesIwascreatingformyhandbagline.Igottothinkingthesecollageswouldbegreatwallhangings.ThenIthought,

Howaboutagiantwallhanging?

So,nearlylife-sized,my“treeofdreams”emergedasaprojectforyou.(Seethecompletewallhangingonpage72.)You’llbedoingalotoffree-motionquiltingonthisproject.For

simpleinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).

materials

*Yourfavoritefabricscrapsinfloralandleafmotifsfortheleaves,enoughtocut150to200motifs*

*Fabricscrapsabout6”×36”withbrownandgreentones(preferablyprintswithatexturedlook)forthetrunk

*Fabricscraps6”-12”×44”forthehillbehindthetree

*½yardofgreenprintedfabricfor“grass”background

*1½yardsofblueprintedfabricfor“sky”background

*2yardsofmuslinorflanneltobeusedinplaceofbatting

*2yardsofbackingfabric

*½yardoffabricforbinding

*2spoolsofthreadtomatchyourfabric

*It’sfuntoincludetexturedvelvets,silks,andcorduroys.Ievenlikeputtingtulleandlaceontopofpieces.Also,don’tbeafraidtoaddintherandomselvageorcutwordsfromtheselvage.

cutting

*Fromthebindingfabric:Cut6strips2¼”×42".

*Cuttheadditionalfabricsasyougo.

ASSEMBLEANDLAYERTHEBACKGROUND

1.Usearotarycutterandrulertotrueupyourgreenandbluebackgroundfabrics(makethebottomandtopedgesparallelandthesideedgesparallelwhilekeeping90°anglesatthecorners).Dothesamewiththemuslinorflannelandthebackingfabric.

2.Sewthetopedgeofthegreen“grass”fabrictothebottomedgeoftheblue“sky”fabric.Press.Youcanleavetheselvagesonfornow;you’llcuttheseofflaterwhenyoutrueupthewholepiece.

3.Onalargetableorthefloor,layoutthe3layerswiththebackingrightsidedown,themuslinorflannelnext,andthebackgroundthatyoujustsewedontop,rightsideup.

4.Align1ofthelongedges,andsewthe3layerstogetherjustonthatside.Thiswillhelpkeepthelayersfromslippingasyousew.Donotsewanyothersidestogether;oftenthiswillresultinlumps.

5.Forthehill,cutcurvedpiecesfromthecontrastinggreenprintfabricstolayerontopofeachother.Refertothephoto(page72)tolaythepiecesontopofthegreengrasswiththehillrisingtotheside.Pinonsecurely,usingmanypins.

BUILDTHEFABRICCOLLAGE

1.Nowstartwithyourfree-motionquilting(page63).Sewalltherawedgesofthepiecesnowsotheyareattachedandyoucanremovethepins.Lateryouwillgobacktodothedecorativestitching.

2.Onceyou’vegotthehillpiecesinplaceandattachedwell,laythepieceoutflatagainandstartcreatingthetrunk.Useyourvariousgreenandbrownfabricstocreateatrunkeffect.Justlayeroneontopofanotheruntilyouhavethelookthatyoulike.Tokeepproportionscorrect,yourtrunkshouldgoabout?ofthewaytothetopofthepiece,withtherestreservedforleaves.Pinthepiecesinplacesecurely.Quiltthetrunkjusttomakeitstable,andagainwaittodothedecorativestitchinglater.

3.Cutvariousfloralandleafmotifstofillthebranchesofyourtree.Icutaround150to200ormorepieces.Playwithandarrangethemotifssotheeffectispleasingtoyoureye.Pinthepiecessecurelyandquilttoholdtheminplace.

4.Nowgobackandquiltalloveryourwholepiece.Remember,free-motionquiltingaddsshadingandtexturetoyourart—youaregivingthepieceanaddeddimensionthatisnottherewithjustthefabric.

5.Whenyou’vefinishedquiltingtoyourliking,wetdownorwashanddrythewholepiecetocrinklethefabricandcreateasofttexturewithfrayededges.

KeepingItReal

It’sAllAboutWhatYouLike

“Pleasingtoyoureye.”Tosomepeoplethatsoundsscary.Butthisprojectisreallyallaboutwhatlooksgoodtoyou.It’sacollage—youcan’tgowrong.Imaginetheleavesonatreehangingdownorswayinginthewind.Towardtheouterleaves,youmightwanttocreategapsthewayatreethinsouttowardtheedges.Themotifshangdownaroundthetrunk;theyhaveanactivelook.

Whenyouarelayeringfabrics,don’tfretabouthowitalllooksatfirst.Justkeepadding,mixing,andmatchinguntilyoulikethecomposition.You’llmoveandplacethingsseveraltimesbeforeitlooksjustright.

Whenchoosingcolorsforthetrunkandhill,trytopicktonesthataresimilarbutthathaveenoughcontrastsoyourleavesstandoutfromthetrunkandthebackground.

Eventuallyitwillallfallinplace,justthewayyouwantitto.

KeepingItRealFree-Motion“DoodlingIdeas”

Onthegrassportionofthewallhanging,useabackandforthmotiontogiveitthelookofgrass.Doodleflowerscomingupfromthegrassandtracethemotifsinyourfabrics.Onthetrunk,stitchupanddowninrough,longovalstomimicthetextureoftreebark.Intheleaves,youcantracemotifsandstitchflowersandleavesontopofthetracing.

FINISHTHEWALLHANGING

1.Trueuptheedgesofthepieceasyoudidinthebeginning,beforeyoustartedsewing,cuttingofftheselvages.Thetruededgesshouldmeasureapproximately39”×66”.Bindtheentirequilt,followingtheinstructionsinKeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects(page81).

2.HandsewarodsleevetothebackorseetheMiniMemoryQuilt(page76)foroptional

hanginginstructions.

Makeafamilykeepsakewithfabricphototransferandcollage.Thisminiquilthasoneblockofcollagefeaturingfamilyphotosandtwoblockswithpocketstoholdmementosandphotos.Afabricpinwheeladdsdimensionandwhimsy.

materials

*1square8¼”×8¼”eachof4printfabricsfortheblocks

*2pieces5½”×4½”of1blockfabricfortherectangularpocketand1piece4”×9”ofthesameoranotherblockfabricfortheroundedpocket

*2squares6”×6”ofprintfabricforthepinwheel

*Floralprintfabricscraps,enoughtocutatleast6motifs

*1square16”×16”of1blockfabricoranothercontrastingfabricforthebacking

*1square16”×16”ofneutralflannelforthebatting

*¼yardof1blockfabricoranadditionalcontrastingfabricforthebinding

*Appliquéglue

*Fabricphototransferpaper,suchasPrintedTreasures

*Fusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder,1square6”×6”forthepinwheel

*1decorativebutton

*2ormorefamilyphotos,5”-6”tall,forphototransfers

*Coordinatingthreadforquilting

*3roundplasticrings1”diameter

cutting


*Blockfabricforrightpocket:Cut2ofpatternA.

*Floralprintfabricscraps:Cut6ormoremotifs.

*Bindingfabric:Cutenough2¼”-widestripstoequal78”whensewntogetherendtoend.

ASSEMBLETHEPINWHEEL

1.Pressthefusiblewebtothewrongsideof1ofthe6”squares.Peeloffthepaperbackingandpressittothewrongsideoftheother6”squaretocreateadouble-sidedpieceoffabric.

2.Usingaquiltingrulerandchalkorairerasablemarker,drawdiagonallinesfromcornertocornerofthesquare.Cutfromeachcornerto1”beforethecenter.

3.Bringacornertothecenterandtackitinplacewithappliquéglue.Thenbringitsoppositecornertothecenter.Repeatfortheother2corners.


4.Setasideandallowthegluetodrywhileyouconstructtheblocks.

CREATETHEPHOTOTRANSFERS

Useyourselectedfamilyphotostocreatephototransfers.IdothisusingPrintedTreasures,alightweightfabricbackedinpaperthatyouuseinyourhomecomputerprinter.Itisoneofmanybrands,butithappenstobetheoneIlikebest.Inthisprojectitisusedtoprintoutyourfamilyphotosonfabric.Followtheinstructionsonthepackageforbestresults.

MAKETHEBLOCKS


1.Sewthe4blocksquarestogetherin2rowsof2squareseach.Press.

2.Arrangeyourcut-outfabricmotifsandphototransferfabricpiecesonthebottomrightblock.

3.Setupyourmachineforfree-motionquiltingandquiltthepiecesinplace.SeeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63)forinstructions.

CREATETHEPOCKETS

1.Withrightsidesfacingeachother,sewtherectangularpocketpiecestogether,leavinga2”openinginthebottom.

2.Pressyourstitchingandpresstheopeningintowardthewrongside¼".Trimthecorners,turnrightsideout,andpress.

3.Placethepocketonthehorizontalcenterofthebottomleftsquare.Besureitisslightlyoffcentervertically,sothatonceyouputphotosandothergoodiesinit,theywon’tstickupintothetopleftblock.

4.Pinandtopstitchthesideandbottomedgesofthepocketinplaceusinga⅛”seamallowance.

5.Createtheroundedpocketinthesamemanner,followingSteps1–4andsewingthepocketonthetopright-handblock.

ADDTHEFINISHINGTOUCHES

1.Layerthebacking,wrongsideup,theflannelbatting,andthequilttop,rightsideup,onaflatsurface.Pinthelayerstogether.

2.Followtheinstructionsonpage81tobindtheminiquilt.

3.Sewabuttontothemiddleofthepinwheel,andsewthepinwheeltothecenterofthetopleftsquare.

4.Tohang,sewthe3plasticringsonthebackofthequiltatthetopleft,topright,andtopcenter.Eithertiesomeribbonontheringsorhangwithpicturehooks.Orcoveraboardorcanvaswithfabricandhangtheminiquiltinthecenter—youcouldevenframeitforanextradecorativetouch.

BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects

Theseinstructionsarefordouble-foldbinding.

1.Measuretheperimeterofthepieceyouwanttobind,andcutenough2¼“-widebindingstripstoequaltheperimeterplusatleast14".

2.Sewthebindingstripstogetherendtoendusingdiagonalseams.Trimasshownandpresstheseamtooneside.

3.Pressthebindinginhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether.

4.Workingontherightsideofthequilttoporotherproject,aligntherawedgesofthebindingwiththerawedgesoftheprojectpiece,leavingatleasta6”tail.Beginsewing,startinginthecenterofoneedge,usinga¼”seamallowance.

5.Ifyouarebindingaquiltorotherprojectwith90°corners,you’llwanttomiterthebindingcorners.Asyouapproachacorner,stopsewingandbackstitch¼”fromtheend.Clipthethreads.

6.Turnthequiltsothatit’sreadyforyoutosewthenextside.Foldthebindingstripawayfromyouata90°angletothesideyoujustsewed.Thepointofthefoldshouldbeinalignmentwiththecornersothefoldisata45°angle.

7.Foldthebindingstripbackdownonitself,towardyou,tocreatethemiteredcorner.Stitchfromtheendofthesecondedgeagainto¼”fromtheendofthesideandrepeatthemiteringprocessateachcorner.Repeatallstepsforallsidesoftheproject.

8.Whenyouareapproximately12”fromwhereyoustartedsewingonthebinding,stopandbackstitch.Openupapieceofthebinding,foldtheendinata45°angle,andtrimitofftocreateasquarepiece.Youwillusethispieceasaguideforhowmuchthe2endsshouldoverlap.

9.Overlapthe2endsandplacethepieceyoucutasaguideoverthe2overlappingpieces.Trimbothpiecessotheyoverlaponlyforthelengthoftheguidepiece.

Makesurethatwhenyouoverlapthe2bindingends,youpulltightlytotestthattheyfit.Don’ttestfitwiththefabricsittingloosely,oryou’llendupwithtoomuchfabricleftoveronthebinding,causingaripplingeffect.

10.Openupthebindingandplacetheendsatrightanglestoeachother,rightsidestogether.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewthe2piecestogetherata45°angle.

11.Continuesewingthebindingtothequilt.

12.Wrapthebindingtothebacksideandblindstitchitinplacebyhand.Press.

Ihavethemostadorablevintagepotmetallampinmystudio,butitsshadewasinneedofafacelift.Slipcoversonfurniturearewonderfulbecausewecanchangethemwiththeseasonsorwhenwechangeourdecor.Soratherthantaketheglue-it-downapproach,Icreatedaslipcoverformylittlelamp.AndImadeitwithsomeofthemanyfabricscrapsstashedinmystudiobasketsanddrawers.Youcandothesamethingwithyourlamps.It’ssuper-easytomakeapatternforanysizeshade.

Thisslipcoverismadeusingcrazyquiltpatchworkpiecing.It’sfunandeasytodo.

materials

*Acone-stylelampshade(anysize)

*2piecesofpaperbigenoughtocoverthelampshadeallthewayaround(Iusedpackingpaperfromastorethatsellsmovingboxes.)

*Fabricscrapsofanysize,trimmedsothesidesarestraight

*1pieceofmuslinbigenoughtocoverthelampshade

*Pom-pomtrimorothertrimtofitaroundthebottomedgeofthelampshade

*Coordinatingthread

CREATETHEPATTERN

1.Findtheseamonthelampshade.Laytheshadeonitssidewiththebottomoftheseamatthebottomofthelargepieceofpaper.Markbothendsoftheseamonthepaper.

2.Rolltheshadetotheright,tracingitsbottomcurvewithapencilasyouturntheshade.Stopattheseamandmakeamarkatthetopandbottomoftheseam.

3.Rolltheshadebacktothestartingpointagain,aligningtheseamwiththebeginningseammarks.Becarefulnottomovetheshadeoffyourdrawnline.

4.RepeatSteps1–3forthetopedgeofthelampshade.

5.Usingaruler,drawlinestoconnectthetopandbottomseammarksateachend.Younowhaveanoutlineofthefullshade.

6.Toverifyyourmeasurements,measuretheheightofthelampshadetomakesureitmatchesthatoftheoutlineallthewayaround.(Checkeachsidefirst.)Usingatapemeasure,measurearoundthebottomandtopofthelampshade,andmakesurethosematchthelengthofthetopandbottomlinesyoudrewonthepaper.Makeanynecessaryadjustments.

7.Cutoutthepatternpiece,andwrapitaroundtheshadetodouble-checkthatitmatches.

8.Nowaddtheseamallowances.Laythepatternbackdownonanotherpieceofpaper.Usingaruler,makemarks½”outsidethetopedgeand¾”outsidethebottomedge,andconnectthem.(Adding¾”atthebottomgivesyouroomforerror:I’drathermyslipcoverbealittlebitlongthanfindoutattheendthatit’stooshort.)Add½”atbothstraightends.

9.Discardthefirstpatternpiecewithoutseamallowances.Cutoutthenewpatternpiece,andlayitontopofthepieceofmuslin.Thiswillbeyourcrazypiecingfoundation.

Toaddthecrazyquiltpiecing,seeKeepingItReal:CrazyQuiltIt(page88).

MAKEITASHADE

1.Placethefinishedcrazy-quiltedmuslinpieceonyourcuttingmatwiththepatternpieceon

top,andcutout.

2.Matchthe2straightendsrightsidestogetherandpin.Usingascant½”seamallowance,sewthe2edgestogether.Press.

3.Tohemthebottomedge,turnittothewrongside¼",press,andthenturnit¼”againandpress.Pinandtopstitchonthewrongside⅛”fromtheedgeofthehem.Repeattohemthetopedge.

4.Sewpom-pomorothertrimtothebottomedgeoftheslipcover.

CrazyQuiltIt

Forthisproject,I’mgoingtoshowyouhowtocrazyquiltwithnorawedgesshowingratherthansimplylayeringandtopstitchingfabricscrapsasdoneonJeanJacketRe-Vision(page39).Thistechniqueisoftenreferredtoas“stitchandflip.”Makesurethescrapsyou’reusinghavestraightedges.

Takeyourcutmuslintothesewingmachinealongwithyourstraight-edgedfabricscraps.

1.Placeascraprightsidedowninthemiddleofthemuslin.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewanedgeofthescraptothemuslin.Thenflipitrightsideupwiththeseamunderneath.Press.(A)

2.Placeanotherscraprightsidedownontopofthepieceyoujustsewed,withalongrawedgematching.Againusinga¼”seamallowance,sewonthenewpiece,flip,andpress.(B)

3.Continueaddingpiecesuntilthemusliniscovered.You’llnoticeasyougothatyouneedlongerandlongerstrips.Youcanuselongstripsofafabric,oryoucancreatelongstripsbysewingtogetherseveralpiecesbeforeyousewthemtothemuslin.You’llalsoseethatanglesarecreatedasyougo.Simplyplacethenextstripfartherbacksowhenyouflipit,itcoverstheoddangles.(C)

4.Whenfinished,applydecorativestitches(onthesewingmachineorbyhand;Iusedmymachine)oneachoftheseamsforthatvintagecrazyquiltflair.Youcango“crazy”herewith

yourstitchesandusemanydifferenttypes.

TeaPartyAccessories

Aluncheoaatalovelytearoomisoneofmyfavoritethings.

NotonlydoIadorethoseyummysconesandteasandwiches,butIalsolovetheatmosphere.Theprettynapkins,theladylikesilverware,asweetteacozy—whatcouldbebetter?Withtheseadorablepartyaccessories,youcancreateyourowntearoomathome.Maketeapottrivets,ateacozy,andlovelylavender-scented“teabag”sachetplacecards.Spendanafternoonwithyourgirlfriends,drinktea,indulgeinapastry—andwhenit’sover,sendyourguestshomewithprettyteapottrivetsandsachetsmadejustforthem.

Thesedaintyteapottrivetscanbeusedasplacesettingsanddoubleaslovelypartyfavorsforyourguests.Maketheminavarietyoffabricstailoredtoeachofyourfriends.Thesealsomakewonderfulhostessgifts.

materials

Makes1teapottrivet.

*1piece12”×12”ofprintfabricforthebase

*4pieces7”×8”ofcontrastingprintfabric,2forthehandleand2forthespout

*2pieces4”×12”ofcontrastingprintforthelid

*1fatquarteroffusiblefleece

*1piece15”×15”ofheat-resistantbatting,suchasInsul-Bright

*Floralfabricscrapsforembellishment

*1smallbutton


*Smallamountofpolyesterfiberfillforthehandle

*Airerasablemarkerorchalk

*Spraystarch

cutting

Patternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns).Cutpairsofpieceswithrightsidestogether.

*Basefabric:Cut2ofpatternDonfold.

*Handleandspoutfabric:Cut2eachofpatternsAandB.

*Lidfabric:Cut2ofpatternC.

*Floralfabricscraps:Cut5circlesinsizesgraduatingfrom3½”downto1½".

CREATETHEHANDLE


1.SewthehandleApiecestogether,asshown,stoppingatthenotchontheinnercurve,rightsidestogether,andleavingthewideendopen.Press.Cliptheedgesto—butnotthrough—thestitching.

2.Turnthepieceandstufflightlywithfiberfill.Slipstitchtheopenseamclosedusingmatchingthread.

ASSEMBLETHEPIECES

1.SewthestraightedgesofteapotlidCandteapotbaseDtogether.Repeatfortheremaininglidandbasepieces.


2.Pressthestitchesflat,andthenpresstheseamuptowardtheteapotlid.

3.SewspoutBtotheedgeof1teapotbasepiece,ontherightsideofthefabric,asshown.Thetopofthespoutbaseshouldbeinlinewiththeseambetweentheteapotbaseandlid.

4.Pressthestitchesflatandthenpresstheseamopen.

5.SewhandleAtotheoppositesideoftheteapotbasefromthespout,withthenotchedsidetowardthetop.Press.DonotsewtheremainingspoutBinplaceyet.

6.Usetheteapotpanelwithoutthespoutandhandleasapatterntocut2matchingpiecesoffusiblefleeceand1pieceofheat-resistantbatting.

7.Pressthefleecetothewrongsideofeachtrivetpanel.

8.SewtheremainingspoutBinplace,matchingtheplacementofthefirstspoutwhenthepiecesareplacedrightsidestogether.

9.Placethe2panelsrightsidestogether,andplacetheheat-resistantbattingontopofoneside.Pinwell.

10.Leavinganopeningatthebottomtoturn,sewthepiecestogether.Press.Turnandpress,pressingtheopeningedgesunder¼".

11.Edgestitchallthewayaroundthepiece⅛”fromtheedge.Backstitchateachend.

QUILTTHETRIVET

Usinganairerasablemarkerorchalkandaruler,markagridpatternononesideofthetrivet.Startatthebottomleftcorneroftheteapotbaseandmarklines1”apartallthewayacrossata45°angle.Repeat,goingtheotherdirection,tocreateagridpattern.

Topstitchthelineswithcoordinatingthread,backstitchingattheendofeachlineandtrimmingthethreads.Alternatethestitchingdirectiononeachlinetokeepthefabricfromwarping.Ifyoustartedfromtheright,dothenextlinefromtheleft.Usingawalkingfootisalsohelpful.

EMBELLISH

1.Tomakethefabricflower,stackthe5floralfabriccirclesrightsideupwiththelargestonthebottomandthesmallestontop.Usinganeedleandthread,sewagatheringstitchinacircleabout¼”-½”fromthecenter.Pulltheendsofthethreadtogatherlightly.

2.Wettheflowerwithspraystarchandmakeitcrinklybypressingitdrywithahotiron.Createrandomcreasesanduseyourfingerstocrunch,crinkle,andfraytheedgesabitforafun,rusticlook.

3.Sewabuttontothetopcenteroftheflower,andsewthepieceontoyourtrivetatthetopleftcornernearthehandle.

Createthiscutieasadecorativeembellishmentforyourtableandtokeepyourteaniceandwarm!

materials

*1fatquarterofprintfabricfortheteacozyplus⅛yardforthebinding

*⅓yardofcontrastingprintfabricforthelining,tabtop,andscallopappliqués

*¼yardofdouble-sidedfusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder

*1fatquarteroffusiblefleece


cutting



*Fromtheteacozyfabric:Cut2ofpatternAand1strip35”×2¼”forthebinding.

*Fromthecontrastingprintfabric:Cut1piece4”×2½”forthetabtopand2ofpatternAforthelining.Setasideapiecelargeenoughtocut16scalloppieces.

*Fromthefusiblefleece:Cut2ofpatternA.

MAKETHESCALLOPAPPLIQUES

Theseareraw-edgeappliqués.

1.Pressfusiblewebtothewrongsideofapieceofthecoordinatingprintfabric.Trace16ofscalloppatternBandcutthemout.

2.Removethepaperbackingfromthefusibleweb,andpress8ofthescallopappliquésalongthebottomofeachteacozypanel.

3.Usingamachinezigzagorblanketstitch,topstitchtherawedgesofeachscallopontothepanels.

MAKETHETOPTAB

1.Foldthe4”×2½”pieceoffabricinhalflengthwise,rightsidestogether,andpress.Sewthelongrawedgestogethertocreateatube.Press.Turnandpresswiththeseamdownthecenteroftheback.

2.Edgestitch⅛”fromeachlongedgeofthetab.Foldthetabinhalfcrosswise,withtheseamfacingin.Basteittothecentertopoftherightsideofoneouterpanel,withtherawedgestogetherandthefoldfacingdown,usinga⅛”seamallowance.

ASSEMBLETHETEACOZY

1.Fusethefleecetothewrongsideofeachcozypanel.

2.Sewthecozypanelstogether,rightsidestogether,leavingthestraightbottomedgeopen.Repeatfortheliningpanels.

3.Turnthecozyrightsideout.Placethelininginsidetheteacozywiththewrongsidestogether,andpinattheseams.

4.Bind,followingtheinstructionsonpage81.

Optional:AddafloralembellishmenttothetopbyfollowingtheinstructionsforTeapotTrivet(page91).

Letlavenderscentyourtablebyusingtheseteabagsachetsasafreshtakeonplacecards.Theselittletreasuresletyoupractice(orlearn)abitofhandembroidery.Yourguest’sinitialontheteabagtagpersonalizeseachsetting—andofcourse,it’sanothergreatpartyfavor.Abowlfulmakesalovelycenterpiece,too.

materials

Makes1sachet.

*1pieceofprintedfabric6”×3½”forthesachet

*2tablespoonsofdriedlavender

*1pieceofmuslinbigenoughtofillasmallembroideryhoopforthetagplus1piece2”×3”forthetagback

*Pinkingshears

*Smallscrapoffeltfortheleaf

*Coordinatingpearlcottonembroiderythread

*Coordinatingsewingthread

*Double-sidedfusibleweb,suchasWonderUnder

*Smallbutton

*Smallembroideryhoop

cutting


*Fromthefelt,cut1oftheleafpatternB.

MAKETHETAG

Forinformationonbasicembroiderystitches,seeKeepingItReal:AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches(page101).

1.TracethesachettagpatternAonthecenterofthemuslininpencilorchalk,andwritetheinitialofyourchoiceinthemiddleofthetracedpiece.

2.Placethemuslinintheembroideryhoop,stretchedtight.Withthepearlcotton,chainstitchtheinitial.

3.Pressfusiblewebtothewrongsideofanadditionalpieceofmuslinslightlylargerthanthetag.

4.Removethemuslinfromtheembroideryhoopandlayeritontopofthesecondpieceofmuslin.Removethepaperfromthefusiblewebandfusethe2tagpiecestogether.Cutoutthetagshape,usingpinkingshearsforthebottomedge.

5.Usepearlcottontosewarunningstitchabout⅛”fromtheedges.


MAKETHESACHET


1.Foldthepieceofprintedfabricinhalfcrosswisewithrightsidestogether.Press.Sewthesideedgestogether,leavingthetopopen.

2.Ateachbottomcorner,clipto,butnotthrough,thestitches.Press.Donotturn.

3.Tomakeaboxedgeonthebottomoftheteabag,standitstraightupandfoldasideseamdownsotheseamandbottomfoldarealigned.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewacrossthetipofthetriangle.Trimoffthetip.Repeatfortheoppositeseam.

4.Turnthesachetrightsideout.Foldthesideseamsintowardthecenterofthebagandpresstocreateapleatoneachside.

5.Fillthesachet¾fulloflavender.Trimthetopwithpinkingshears,foldthetopdown¼",andpressinplace.Stitchthesachetclosedusingarunningstitchandpearlcotton.

EMBELLISHTHESACHET

1.Stitchtheveinoftheleafusingpearlcottonthreadandastemstitch.

2.Usingthepearlcottonthread,sewthebuttonontotheleafandthenontothesachet.Donotcutthethread.

3.Extendthethreadabout6”andsewittothetagtoattachthetagtothebag.

AQuickGuidetoHandEmbroideryStitches

Embroideryisagreatskilltolearn—youcanuseittoembellishsomanyitems,fromgarmentstopillows.Here’salookatsomebasicstitches.

Runningstitch|Bringthreadupat1anddownat2,upat3,andsoon.Severalstitchesmaybemadeatoncebyrunningtheneedleinandoutofthefabricasshown.

Stemstitch|Bringtheneedleupat1anddownat2,upat3,downat4.Noticethateachstitchbeginshalfwaybackbythepreviousstitch.

Chainstitch|Bringtheneedleupat1anddownatthesamespot.Loopingthethreadunderneaththeneedleasshown,bringtheneedlebackupat2.Insertitinat2(insidetheloopofthefirststitch),andagainloopthethreadbeneaththeneedleasbefore,bringingtheneedleoutat3.Securethelastloopofthechainwithatinystitch.

Tofinishoffyourstitching|Bringtheneedlethroughtothewrongsideofthefabricandweaveitinalongthebackofthestitchesfor1”-2".Trimexcessthread.

Thisneatlittlecabinisafunadditiontoyoursewingroom.

Itwillgiveyouaprettyspotforyourpins,andithasaplacetostoreyoursewingneedlessotheydon’tendupburiedsomewheredeepinthecarpet(ahem…likeinmystudio).Thepincushionisstuffedwithfiberfillandhasalittlesandbaginsidetoweightit.

Thisisagreatprojectforusingupsomeofyoursmallscraps.Ihopeyou’llgetcreativeandmakeitahomeofyourown!

Forgeneralinstructionsonfree-motionquilting,seeKeepingItReal:Free-MotionQuiltingandFabricCollage(page63).

materials

*Atleast9contrastingfabricscraps5”squareorlargerforthecabinwalls,roof,windows,doors,tree,andneedlebook*

*Ascrapofwoolfelt4”squareorlargerfortheneedlebook

*Ascrapofmuslin3½”×7”orlargerforthesandbag

*1fatquarterofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*Polyesterfiberfill

*Buttonfortheneedlebook

*Sandorlizardlittertofilla3”squareflatsandbag

*Appliquéglue

*Threadtocontrastwiththecolorofthedoorsandwindowsandwiththecabinfront

*Thewindowsanddoorsshouldbedifferentfromthewalls,andit’sniceiftheroofcontrastsaswell.

cutting


Cabinfrontandbackwalls:

*Cut2pieces5”×4”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.

Cabinsidewalls:

*Cut2pieces3½”×4”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.

Rooffrontandback:

*Cut2pieces5”×3”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.

Roofsides:

*Cut2patternApieceseachfromfabricandinterfacing.

Cabinbottom:

*Cut1piece5”×3½”eachfromfabricandinterfacing.

Doorappliqué:

*Cut1piece1”×2”fromfabric.

Windowappliqués:

*Cut10squares1”×1”.

Treeappliqué:


*Cut1patternBpiecefromfabric.

Needlebook:

*Cut1piece3½”×2½”eachfromfabricandwoolfelt,usingpinkingshearstocutbothatoncewithwrongsidestogether.

*Cut1strip1”×2”fromfabricforbuttonloop.

Sandbag:

*Cut1squares3½”×3½”frommuslin.

MAKETHECABINWALLS

Topreventfrayingandstabilizethefabricforquilting,presstheinterfacingpiecestothewrongsidesofthewall,roof,andbottompiecesbeforeyoustartsewing.

Cabinfront

note:Positionthefrontandbackpanelswiththe5”edgesatthetopandbottom.

1.Referringtothephoto,useappliquégluetoadherethewindowsanddoorstothefrontpanel.

2.Usingyourfree-motionquiltingfootandwiththefeeddogsdown,sewonthedoorandwindows.Usingthismethod,youcansimplydoodlewithyourthread.Createwindowframeanddoordetails,andaddascallopededge½”fromthetopforanartfulroofline.

Cabinbackwithneedlebook

1.Tomakethebuttonloop,presseachlongedgeofthe1”×2”fabricstripunder¼",thenfoldinhalflengthwisewithwrongsidestogether.Edgestitchtheopenedgestogether.

2.Layerthefeltandcottonneedlebookfabricswithwrongsidestogether.Foldinhalftoformabookwiththefeltontheinside.Markthecenterfoldatthetopandbottomwithpins.

3.Foldthebuttonloopinhalfandtacktheendstogetherwithglue.Withthefeltsideofthebookfacingup,inserttheloopendsbetweenthelayersinthecenteroftheleftedge.Beginningandendingatthecenterpinmarks,topstitcharoundtheleft-handsideofthebook,catchingtheloopendsinthestitching.

4.Foldthebookinhalfagainandcenteritonthecabinback.Beginningandendingatthecenterpins,topstitchtheright-handsideofthebooktothecabinback.Sewabuttonontothecabinbacktocorrespondwiththeloopforfasteningthebookclosed.

Cabinsides

note:Positionthecabinsideswiththe3½”edgesatthetopandbottom.

1.Fortheright-handsideofthecabin(whenviewedfromthefront),gluewindowsinplaceandfreemotionquiltasyoudidonthecabinfront.

2.Fortheleft-handsideofthecabin,glueandthenfree-motionquiltthetreetrunkandthewindowsinplace.Usegreenthreadtoaddamassofstitchingfortreeleaves.Thenfree-motionstitchwithcontrastingthreadontop.

ASSEMBLETHECABIN


Front,back,andsides

1.Markasmalldot¼”fromeachcorneronthewrongsideofallpieces.Usethesedotsasstartingandendingpointsforeachofyourseams,andbackstitchateachend.

2.Sewthetopedgesofthecabinfrontandcabinbackpiecestothebottomedgesoftheroofpieces.Presstheseamsup.Sewthefrontandbacktogetherattheroofandpresstheseamtooneside.

3.Sewthetopedgeofeachcabinsidetothebottomedgeof1roofsidepieceA.Presstheseamsdown.

note:Thisistheoppositedirectionfromthewayyoupressedthefrontandbackseams.Thisissoyoucaneasilysewthesidetothefrontlayerbynestingtheseams.

4.Withrightsidestogether,align1sidepanel(cabinsideandpatternA)tothefrontroof/wallpanelthatyouconstructedearlier.Nesttheseamstogether.Sewtheroofsidestotherooffrontsandbacks.Repeatfortheremainingside.

5.Sewthefrontandbackwallstothesidewalls.Press.

Sandbag

Onsuchalargepincushion,you’llneedsomethingtoweightthebottomdownsoitwon’ttilt.Forthisreason,Ihaveyouconstructasandbag.

1.Sewthemuslinsquarestogether,leavinga1½”openingtofillwithsand.

2.Fillwithsandorlizardlitterandhandstitchtheopeningclosed.

FINISHANDSTUFFTHECABIN

1.Sewthebottompieceto3sidesofthecabin,beginningandendingatthemarkeddots.

2.Turnthecabinrightsideout.Presstheopenbottomedgesunder¼".

3.Stuffthecabinfirmlywithfiberfill,andwhenit’sniceandfull,placethesandbaginsideatthebottom.Beforeyouclosetheseam,checktoseeifthehousestandsupstraight.Youwillprobablyhavetofiddlearoundwiththeplacementofthesandbagtogetitjustright.

4.Handstitchtheopeningclosedusingablindstitch.

SweetHomeChicagoCollection

HavinggrownupinthesuburbsjustoutsideChicago,Ialwaysdreamedofliving“downtown.”IespeciallywantedtoliveinthetrendyLincolnParkareaofthecity.Andinmyearly20s,that’swhatIdid.

Ilovedlivingthereamongthebeautifulrowhouses,withtheparkandzoojustafewblocksfrommylittlestudioapartment.AlthoughInowliveontheWestCoast,thecityofChicago—withitshistoricandcharmingLincolnPark—ismyfavoriteplacetovisit,especiallyinthesummertime.Thisquiltandpillowduoismyquiltedtributetomy“sweethome”Chicago.Maybeitremindsyouofaplacenearyoursweethome.

materials

Youcanuseafunmixofprintsfortherowhouses.Sometimesthefabricmotifsaddextra“architectural”details,asontheright-handrowhouseinthephotoonpage108.

*¼yardor1fatquartereachof6coordinatingfabricsfortherowhouses(fabricsA-F)

*⅛yardeachof3or4bluefabricsforthesky(fabricsG,H,I)*

*¼yardofcoordinatingfabricfortheborder(fabricJ)

*¾yardofcoordinatingfabricfortheruffle(fabricK)

*⅞yardofcoordinatingfabricforthepillowback

*⅛yardeachof3colorsofwoolorwoolblendfeltforthewindowanddoorappliqués

*5yardsofthinelasticcordforgatheringtheruffle

*1yardofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*2yardsofribbonforthebackties

*28”×14”pillowform

*Appliquéglue

*“You’llbeusingthewrongsideoftheskyfabrics,soturnthemovertoseehowyoulikethem.Evenprintsthatcontaindarkercolors,suchasbrown,canworkwell.

KeepingItRealCuttingHalf-SquareTriangles

Thereareseveralmethodsofcuttinghalf-squaretriangles.InmydirectionsIaskyoutocutsquaresat2⅞".Thisisthemostaccuratewaytogetyoursquarestothecorrectfinishedsize.Yousimplyadd⅞”tothedesiredfinishedmeasurement.However,manypeoplerounduptothenextinchandtrimaftertheysewthetriangle.Ifyoufeelmoreconfidentdoingitthatway,byallmeansdoso.Butifyouhaveaclearquiltingruleranda¼”footonyoursewingmachine,youshouldhavenoproblemusingthe⅞”measurement.

cutting


note:Beforeyoucutthesquaresforthehalf-squareroofandskytriangles,seeKeepingItReal:CuttingHalf-SquareTriangles(page110).

Rowhouses:

*Cut1piece4½”×6½”and2squares2⅞”×2⅞”eachfromfabricA,fabricC,andfabricE.

*Cut1piece4½”×8½”fromfabricB.

*Cut1piece4½”×7½”fromfabricD.

*Cut1piece4½”×5½”fromfabricF.

Sky:

*Cut1piece4½”×1½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricG.

*Cut4pieces4½”×1½”and1square2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricH.

*Cut5pieces4½”×1½”and1square2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricI.


Border:

*Cut2strips2”×33”and2strips2”×20”fromfabricJ.

Ruffle:

*Cutenough4½”-widestripsfromfabricKtototalaminimumof168”whenpiecedtogetherendtoend.

Pillowback:

*Cut2pieces27½”×11”fromthepillowbackfabric.

Windowanddoorappliqués:

Fromfeltcolor1:

*Cut1strip1½”×6”;subcutinto2rectangles1½”×3”.

*Cut1strip1”×10”;subcutinto10squares1”×1”.

*Cut1rectangle1”×1½".

*Cut1circle,patternC.

*Cut1halfcircle,patternHC.

Fromfeltcolor2:



*Cut1heart,patternH.

Fromfeltcolor3:



*Cut2circles,patternC.

*Cut1halfcircle,patternHC.

Interfacing:

*Cut1piece27½”×13½”fortherowhouses.

*Cut2pieces27½”×10”forthepillowback.

BUILDTHEROWHOUSES

Maketheroof/skytriangles

note:Tocreateafadedlookfortheskypiecesandformaximumcontrastbetweentheroofsandthesky,usethewrongsideoftheskyfabrics.AlsoseeSewingBasicsonpage20.

1.Youwillmake6setsof4triangles,1foreachrowhouseroof.Refertotheassemblydiagramtoseewhichfabricstouse.

2.Tocreateasetof4triangles,sandwichtherightsideofaroofsquaretothewrongsideofaskysquare.

3.Usingaquiltingrulerandeitherchalkoranairerasablemarker,drawalinefromacornertoitsoppositecorneronadiagonal.Thendrawaline¼”toeachsideofthediagonalline.

4.Stitchonthe2outerlinesandcutthesquareinhalfalongthemiddleline.Younowhave2piecedsquaresmadeof2triangleseach.Repeattomake6sets,keepingthesetspairedtogether.

5.Youcaneitherpressseamstowardthedarkerfabricsotheseamdoesn’tshowthroughorpress1seamofeachsquareineachdirection,whichiswhatIliketodo.Ifinditeasiertopiecethesquarestogetherthiswayinthenextstep.

6.Tocompletearoof,layer2correspondingroofpieces,rightsidestogether,withtherawedgesoftherooffabricsaligned.Makesuretheseamsarematchedup,andpininplace.

7.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewtherawedgesoftherooftrianglestogether.Presstheseamtooneside.Repeatfortheremaining5roofs.

Attachtheroofstothehouses

1.Seweachrooftoitsrowhouse.Thensewthe4½”×1½”skypiecesabovetheroofs,followingtheassemblydiagramonpage112.Presstheseamsoftherowhouse/skysetsinalternatingdirections—oneupandthenextdown.

2.Sewthe6rowhouse/skysetstogether,makingsuretheseamsmatchasindicatedinthediagram.

note:Toavoidawarpinthefabric,stitchtheseamsbetweentherowhousesinoppositedirections.Soifyousewthefirstrowhousefromtoptobottom,flipthepiecesoverandsewthenextseamfrombottomtotop.

MAKETHEBORDER

Thecontrastingborderforthispillowismiteredatthecornerslikeapictureframe.Forgeneralinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:MakingAMiteredBorder(page115).

Appliquéthewindowsanddoors

1.Pressthe27½”×13½”pieceofinterfacingtothewrongsideoftheassembledrowhousepanel,withborders.

2.Usingappliquéglueandreferringtotheassemblydiagram(page112),gluethefeltpiecestothehouses.

3.Stitcheachfeltpieceinplacewithahandormachineblanketstitch.Iusedcontrastingthreadforeach.Youcandothesameorusematchingthread.

4.Tocreatepanesonthewindows,stitchacrossthecentershorizontallyandvertically,usingatinyzigzagstitch.

MAKEANDATTACHTHERUFFLE

1.Sewtogetherthestripsofrufflefabric,usingdiagonalseams,tocreate1stripabout168”long.

2.Jointheendsofyourstriptogether,alsousingadiagonalseam,tocreateabigcircle.Folditinhalflengthwise,wrongsidestogether,andpress.

KeepingItRealFoolproofRuffles

Therearemanywaystomakeruffles.TheoneIlikebestisusingarufflerfoot(page13)onmysewingmachine.However,ifyoudon’thavearufflerfoot,agreatalternativeistouseelasticcord.Ilikethismethodbecauseitcreatessuchpretty,evenrufflesanditavoidstheproblemofbreakingthread,whichcanhappenwhenyouuseabastingstitchandpullittocreatearuffle.

Ifthisisyourfirstruffle-makingexperience,IalsowanttomentionsomethingthatsurprisedmethefirsttimeImaderuffles.IthoughtI’ddonesomethingterriblywrongwhentherawedgesfrayedasIpulledthethread.Don’tfretwhenyouseethis.Ithappens.Justtrimtheedgesneatlybeforeyousewtheruffleon.

3.Foldthewholepieceinhalfcrosswisetofindthecenterofeachside,andmarkeachwithapin.

4.Setyoursewingmachinetoazigzagstitchwideenoughsothestitchesstraddletheelasticcord.

5.Atthemachine,aligntheelasticcordabout⅛”fromtherawedgeofthefoldedruffle;centertheneedleoverthecenteroftheelasticcord.

6.Leaving3”-4”ofelasticcordhanginglooseateachend,zigzagstitchoverthecord,goingallthewayaroundtherufflerawedge.Beverycarefulnottostitchthroughthecord.Trimtheedgesandpress.

7.Foldthepillowfrontinhalfcrosswiseandmarkthecenterofeachlongsidewithapin.Matchthecentersoftheruffletothecentersofthepillow,andpintheruffletotherightsideofthepillowfront,withrawedgestogether.

8.Pulltheelasticcordtocreatetheruffle,pullinguntiltherufflefitsthepillowedges.Arrangethegathersevenlyandpintheruffleinplace.

9.Sewinplacebycreatingaseamallthewayaroundtheinsideofthepieceofelasticcord.Youcanusethecordasaguide,butmakesureyoukeeptherawedgesinplaceanddonotcatchthethreadsfromthezigzagstitching.

FINISHTHEPILLOW

Thispillowhasroundedcornersandribbontiesontheback.Forcompleteinstructionsoncuttingroundedcorners,seepage67.Formakingthiskindofback,seeKeepingItReal:MakingaRibbon-TiedPillowBack(page69).

1.Pinthecompletedpillowfrontandback,rightsidestogether,withthefrontpieceontopsoyoucanseewheretheruffleisstitchedon.Usinga½”seamallowance,sewallthewayaroundtheedgeofthepillow,stitchingjustinsidetherufflestitchinglinesotherufflestitcheswon’tshow.Press,trimthecorners,andturnthroughthebackopening.

2.Insertyourpillowform,fluff,andtietheribbonties.

MakingaMiteredBorder

1.Ontherightsideofthepillowfrontorquilt,markadot¼”infromeachcorner,usingchalkoranairerasablemarker.Thesewillbeyourpivotpointsformitering.

2.Foldeachborderstripinhalftofindthecenter,andmarkwithapin.Dothesameforthetopandsidesofthepilloworquilt.

3.Matchthecentersof1sideborderandof1sideofthepilloworquiltwithrightsidesandrawedgestogether.Pininplace.

4.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromthecentertothepivotpoint,backstitchingatbothends.Repeatfromthecentertothepivotpointontheotherend,againbackstitchingatbothends.

5.RepeatSteps3and4toattachtheother3borderpieces.Presstheseamallowancestowardtheborder.

note:IhavefoundthatifIsewalongstriponfromendtoend,oftenI’llhaveanextra¼”orsoleftover.Toremedythis,Ihavemadeitahabittomarkthecentersandsewfromthecentertoanedgeandthensewfromthecentertotheotheredge.ThiswayIalwaysendupwithequalamountsoffabriconeachside.AndifforsomereasonI’matinybitshort,Icanalwaysgivealittlestretchtotheoffendingpiece.

6.Placethepilloworquiltwithattachedbordersrightsideuponacuttingmat.Folditinhalfdiagonallysotheright-handborderseamisalignedoverthetopborderseam.Pinatthepivotpointsoitdoesnotshift.

7.Takeyourquiltingrulerandlaythe45°linealongthestitchesyoujustsewed.Makesurethe45°markisfacingyou;otherwiseyourcuttinglinewillbeupsidedown.Aligntheedgeoftherulersoitis¼”pastyourmarkedpivotpoint,beingcarefultokeepthat45°linerightontheseams.Theedgeoftherulerisyourcuttingline,andyoursewinglineisinsidethatline.Witharotarycutter,carefullytrimofftheexcessfabricatthecuttingline.

8.Pintheedgeneatlyinplacejustasyoucutit,withrightsidestogether.Usinga¼”seamallowance,sewfromtherawedgetothepivotpoint,backstitchingatbothends.

9.RepeatSteps6–8ontheother3corners.Openthemitersandpresstheseamsopen.

materials

*⅓yardor1fatquartereachof8coordinatingprintsfortherowhousesandsmallparkcentersquares(fabricsA-H)

*⅛yardeachof4blueprintsforthesky(fabricsItoL)*

*⅓yardeachof6printfabricsfortheparkcenterandthetreeappliqués(fabricsM-R)

*¼yardofcontrastingfeltforthetopandbottomparkborders

*⅛yardeachof3colorsofwoolorwoolblendfeltforthewindow,door,bicycle,wagon,andflowercartappliqués

*⅛yardeachof2shadesofbrownwoolorwoolblendfeltforthepuppyandsquirrelappliquésandtheflowercartappliqué

*1⅞yardsofcontrastingfabricforthequiltborder(Withthisamount,thereisnopiecing.)

*2¼yardsofcontrastingfabricatleast42”wideforthequiltbacking

*1¼yardsofcontrastingfabricforaruffleand½yardcontrastingfabricforfacingor½yardofcontrastingfabricforabinding

*3yardsofwovencottonfusibleinterfacing

*1yardoftearawaystabilizerfortheappliqués

*Quiltbatting,44”×60”

*Freezerpaper

*13yardsofelasticcordforgatheringruffle(optional)

*You’llbeusingthewrongsideoftheskyfabrics,soturnthemovertoseehowyoulikethem.Evenprintswithdarkercolors,suchasbrown,workwell.

cutting


note:Beforeyoucutthesquaresforthehalf-squareroofandskytriangles,seeKeepingItReal:CuttingHalf-SquareTriangles(page110).

Rowhouses:

*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricA.

*Cut2pieces4½”×8½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricB.

*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricC.

*Cut2pieces4½”×7½”and4squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricD.

*Cut2pieces4½”×6½”fromfabricE.

*Cut2pieces4½”×5½”fromfabricF.

*Cut2pieces4½”×7½”fromfabricG.

*Cut2pieces4½”×5½”fromfabricH.

Sky:

*Cut8squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricI.

*Cut6pieces4½”×1½”and6squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricJ.

*Cut8pieces4½”×1½”fromfabricK.

*Cut14pieces4½”×1½”and2squares2⅞”×2⅞”fromfabricL.

Parkcenter:

*Cut8squares4½”×4½”fromfabricsA-H(1squarefromeachfabric).

*Cut10squares8½”×8½”fromfabricsM-R(1–3squaresfromeachfabric).

Topandbottomparkborders:

*Cut2strips2½”×32½”fromcontrastingfelt.

Border:

*Cut2strips38”×4½”and2strips60”×4½”fromtheborderfabric.

Windowanddoorappliqués:

Fromfeltcolor1:


*Cut1strip18”×1½”;subcutinto6pieces1½”×3”.

*Cut1strip1”×32”;subcutinto32pieces1”×1”.


*Cut3half-circles,patternHC.

Fromfeltcolor2:

*Cut1strip12”×1½”;subcutinto4rectangles1½”×3”.



*Cut3half-circles,patternHC.

Fromfeltcolor3:

*Cut1strip18”×1½”;subcutinto6pieces1½”×3.



*Cut2hearts,patternH.

Tree,bicycle,andotherappliqués:

*SeeMaketheAppliqués(page122).

Quiltbacking:

*Cut1piecewidthoffabric×60”.

Ruffleandfacing(asshown):

*Cut10strips4”×44”fromtherufflefabric.

*Cut5strips2½”×44”fromthecontrastingfabricofyourchoiceforthefacing.

or

Binding(optional):

*Cut5strips2¼”×44”fromthebindingfabric.

MAKETHEROWHOUSES

Assemblydiagram

Tomaketherowhouseswithwindowanddoorappliqués,refertotheassemblydiagram(atleft)andtheinstructionsfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(pages109–116).Notethatforthequilt,youwillcreate2panelsofrowhouses—1forthetopofthequiltand1forthebottom.

note:Forallmachineappliqué,usetear-awaystabilizerunderneaththefabriconthewrongside.

MAKETHEPARKCENTER

Sewtogetherthepiecescutfromthe6parkcenterfabrics,referringtotheassemblydiagram(page121).Piecetogetherthe4setsof4½”×4½”squaresfirst;thenpiecethemtotheircoordinatingrowsandpiecetherowstogether.

ATTACHTHEPARKCENTERTOPANDBOTTOMBORDERS

1.Foldtheparkcenterinhalfverticallytofindthecenter,andmarkthetopandbottom

centerswithapin.Dothesamewiththefeltborderpieces.

2.Matchtheborderpieceswiththeparkcentertopandbottomedges,rightsidestogether,andpininplace.Sewtheborderstotheparkcenter,stitchingfromthecentertotheedgeineachdirection.

ATTACHTHEHOUSEPANELS

1.Foldtherowhousepanelsinhalfverticallytofindthecentersandmarkwithapinoneachside.

2.Matchthepanelswiththefeltbordersandsewinplace,stitchingfromthecentertotheedgeineachdirection.

ATTACHTHEQUILTBORDERS

1.Sewtheshortborderstripstothetopandbottomofthequilt.Trimtheedgesevenwiththequiltsides.

2.Sewthelongborderstripstothesideedgesofthequilt.Trimtheendsevenwiththetopandbottomedgesofthequilt.

MAKETHEAPPLIQUES

Appliquépatternsareavailabletoprintfrom(http://tinyurl.com/InspiredToSew-Patterns)

Treeappliqués

Youwillneed5oftreepatternT1and5oftreepatternT2.Theseappliqués,whicharecutfromcottonfabric,aremadewithedgesturnedunderusingthefreezerpaperappliquémethod.Forinstructions,seeKeepingItReal:FreezerPaperAppliqué(page124).Refertotheassemblydiagramforplacement.

Bicycle,squirrel,puppy,wagon,andFrenchmarketcartappliqués


Tracethepatternpiecesfromthepulloutpageandcutthemfromthewoolfeltfabrics.Youwillneed2(reverse1set)ofeachsquirrelpatternpiece,3(reverse1set)ofeachpuppypatternpiece,and1eachoftheotherpatternpieces.

Useappliquégluetoplacethem,referringtotheassemblydiagram,andmachineorhandappliquéthemasyoudidthewindowsanddoors(seepage113).

FINISHING

Makeaquilt“sandwich.”Laythequiltbackingflat,wrongsideup,smooththebattingontop,andlaythequilttop,rightsideup,ontop.Handbastethelayerstogetherusinglongstitches,orpinatcloseintervalswithsafetypins.

Dothequilting

Ihadmyquiltprofessionallyquiltedonalongarmquiltmachine,butifyouwish,youcanquiltitonyourhomemachine.Formoreinformationonquilting,consultagoodbasicbooksuchasShowMeHowtoMachineQuiltbyKathySandbachorFoolproofMachineQuiltingbyMaryMashuta,bothavailablefromC&TPublishing.

Bindthequiltoraddaruffle

Ifyouwanttobindyourquilt,refertothedirectionsinKeepingItReal:BindingQuiltsandOtherSewnProjects(page81).

Tomakearuffle,piecetherufflestripstogetherusing¼”seamallowances.Oncetheruffleisattached,youwilladdafacingstriptofinishtheedge.

1.SewtogethertherufflestripsinacontinuouscircleandcreatearuffleusingarufflerfootorelasticcordasfortheSweetHomeChicagoPillow(page114).

2.Foldtherufflestripinhalfandmarkthecenterofeachsidewithapin.Foldthequiltinhalfverticallyandmarkthecenterofthetopandthebottomwithapin.

3.Ontherightsideofthequilt,matchthecentersoftheruffletothecentersofthetopandbottomwithrawedgesaligned.Distributetheruffleevenlytoeachcorneronthetopandthebottom,andpintherawedgesinplace.

4.Distributethefabricevenlybypinningbetweeneachcornerandthecenterofeachsidethatyoujustpinnedinplace.Continuepinningthecenterbetweenpinsuntilyouhavetheruffleevenlydistributedacrosseachside.

5.Sewtheruffleontothequilt,usingascant¼”seamallowance.Pressthestitching.Donotpresstheruffleawayfromthequiltuntilthefacinghasbeenapplied.

Createandattachafacingstrip

1.Sewtheshortendsofthefacingstripstogetherandpress.

2.Withthequiltrightsideup,startatthecenterbottomedgeandpinthefacingstriprightsidedownaroundtheedges.Thequilt,ruffle,andfacingrawedgesshouldallbeeven.Turnunderandoverlapthefacingshortends.

3.Sewthefacinginplaceusinga¼”seamallowance.Trimthecorners.Pressthefacingtothebackofthequiltandtheruffleawayfromthequilt.

4.Turnthefacingrawedgeunderandhandstitchinplace.

FreezerPaperAppliqué

Forappliquépieceswithedgesneatlyturnedunder,trythefreezerpapermethod.Youcanuseittoapplyappliquéstoeverythingfromquiltstogarments.Thecoolthingaboutfreezerpaperisthattheshinysideadherestofabricandpaperwhenpressed.Evenbetter,itpeelsoffeasilyandleavesbehindnoresidue.

Forthisprocess,you’llneedfreezerpaper,appliquéglue,spraystarch,astilettotool,asmallpaintbrush,andanultra-fineblackpermanentmarker.Ialsorecommendaminiironforpressingundertheedges.Formoreonthesesupplies,seepage13.

1.Traceyourappliquépatternpiecewiththemarkerontotheshinysideofthefreezerpaper.

2.Iron3piecesofpaperontopofthemattesideofthepieceyoujusttracedon.Thiscreatesanicestifftemplatetoworkwith.

3.Cutouttheshapewithyourpaperscissors.

4.Ironthewrongsideofapieceoffabricatleast½”largerthanthetemplatetotheshinysideofyourfreezerpapertemplate.

5.Cutthefabricaroundyourtemplate,leaving¼”toturnunder.

6.Placethecutappliquépiece,rightsidedown,onanironingsurface.Useapinor2totackitinplace.

7.Sprayalargeamountofspraystarchintoacupsothatyouhaveagoodamountofliquidtodipin.Dipyourpaintbrushintothestarchandpaintagenerousamountontothe¼”ofextrafabric.

8.Usingyourstilettotool,turnthewet,starched¼”allowanceoffabricontothemattesideofthefreezerpaper,ironingasyougoalong.

note:Asyouturnthefabric,getpasttrickypartsliketheVofaheartbyclippingwithsmallscissorsjustbarelytothefreezerpaper.

9.Carefullypullthepaperoutfromthemiddle,andfingerpressorirontheturnedfabricneatlyinplace.

10.Puttinydabsofappliquégluealongtheturned-underedge,andplacethepieceonyourappliquésurface.

11.Letitsetforaminute,andthenblindstitchthepieceinplacebyhandormachineappliqué.

Resources

ONLINEFABRICANDNOTIONSTORES

Fabritopia

www.fabritopia.comCarriesagreatselectionofquiltingfabrics,magazines,patterns,andbooks.

FatQuarterShop

www.fatquartershop.comCarriesawideselectionofquiltingfabrics,notions,quiltkits,andmore.

ONLINEANDBRICK-AND-MORTARCRAFTSTORES

BritexFabrics

www.britexfabrics.com146GearyStreetSanFrancisco,CA94108415-392-2910

Out-of-this-worldselectionoffabricsandthelargestcollectionofribbonsandtrimsI’veeverseeninoneplace.

DickBlickArtMaterials

www.dickblick.com

TheFabricDepot

www.fabricdepot.com700SE122ndAvenuePortland,OR97233503-252-9530

Carriesalargearrayofquiltingfabrics,interfacings,notions,books,patterns,andmore,aswellasForm-Flex.

HancocksofPaducah

www.hancocks-paducah.com3841HinklevilleRoadPaducah,KY42001(U.S.)1-800-845-8723(International)1-270-443-4410

ThefamousHancocksofPaducahcarriesfabricofallkinds,notions,supplies,books,patterns,andmore.

HobbyLobby

www.hobbylobby.com

Jo-AnnFabric&CraftStores

www.joann.com

MichaelsStores,Inc.

www.michaels.com

VogueFabrics

www.voguefabricsstore.com718-732MainStreetEvanston,IL60602847-864-9600

RenownedChicagofabricstorethatstocksthousandsofboltsofeverythingfromsilktomuslin.Alsocarriestrim,notions,andprettymuchanythingelseyoucanthinkof.

AbouttheAuthor

BariJ.AckermanisaproductandtextiledesignerlivingintheSanFranciscoBayArea.HerworkhasbeenfeaturedinsuchpublicationsasSewSomerset,RomanticHomes,HauteHandbags,andmanymore.Sheliveswithherhusband,Kevin,andtwodaughters,AnnaandEmily.TofindoutmoreaboutBari,visitherblogatwww.barij.typepad.comorherwebsiteatwww.barijonline.com.

InspiredtoSewbyBariJ.Download

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