Swim, Bike, Quilt!

Improv Blocks

2012-02-13T14:21:00.000-05:00

Last night, I made a bee block for Pam at Uberstitch as part of the A Notion or Two bee... I can't believe it has been a year! I had such a great time making blocks for such talented quilters. Pam asked for an improv block, which I love to make, but rarely do.

This block reminded me of improv blocks I made in... 2008. I fell for modern quilting and fabric with this line, Blossom by Urban Chiks. I got quite good at scouring the internet (a whole different ballgame 4 years ago) for Blossom. Irony of ironies, the first time I went to my "LQS" (which was 45 minutes away and has since closed) I found almost the entire collection, which I had spent weeks gathering. They also had the complete FMF collection, which I also passed on at the time, knowing full well what it was. Love it.

Here is an example of my crazy blocks! There are 8 of them...

Anyway, when I got Alissa's new book in the mail (thanks to my inlaws for pre-ordering it for me for Christmas!) I thought it was kismeet. I needed to work these blocks into a quilt, and try out some of the interesting quilting ideas in her book. I've only thumbed through it, but I really liked what I saw. Now I just need to find some time!

linked up at Sew Modern Monday

The XOXO Zippered Pouch: Simply Charmed Blog Hop

2012-02-10T00:35:00.004-05:00

Today, I'm happy to share my XOXO Zippered Pouch as part of the Simply Charmed Blog Hop, hosted by Melissa from Happy Quilting. Make a pouch, include some chocolate or a gift card, and you have a great Valentine's Day gift for a friend, a family member, or even yourself! This pouch is versatile, it works well with traditional Valentine's fabric & colors, or something less red & pink as well. Please read through all of the instructions before you start; I'll answer any questions in the comments. Thanks! And don't forget to leave me a comment to be entered in the giveaway...

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Supply List
12 Charm Pack Prints, quartered (2 ½’’ pieces)
1 charm, cut into (2) 1 ½’' x 3'' pieces
Linen for Front:

(1) 3’’ x 6’’ piece;

(1) 3’’ x 10’’ piece

Linen for Back:

(1) 3’’ x 10’’ piece;

(1) 5’’ x 10’’ piece

(2) 10'' x 9 1/2'' fusible interfacing pieces

(2) 10'' x 9 1/2'' lining pieces or an assortment of charms for lining
9'' zipper
embroidery thread, needle, and water soluble pen (optional)

Note: Spray starch or starch alternative on the linen and press before cutting it into pieces. Linen has a tendency to shift as you sew it. The instructions have you cut linen pieces slightly bigger than you need so you can trim outer pouch pieces to a 9 ½’’ x 10’’ rectangle.

Assembling Side A

Arrange (12) 2 ½’’ pieces into a 4x3 grid; sew together in rows. Press each seam well. Pin row 1 to row 2, match seams, and pin on either side of the seam. Sew and press well. Repeat with rows 2 and 3. Sew, press, and trim if necessary.

If you want to add the XOXO embroidery, draw a straight line along the 3’’ x 10’’ piece of linen with a water soluble pen. Additionally, use the pen to mark XOXO, and stitch it up using a classic backstitch. I am an embroidery novice--Bari J has a great backstitch tutorial here if you need one! I used embroidery thread (I would use a few more strands next time); perle cotton would work nicely as well.

Pin the 3’’ x 6’’ linen piece to the left of your 4x3 patchwork, sew, and press seam well. Pin the 3’’ x 10’’ piece to bottom, sew, and press well.

Assembling Side B

Choose (5) 2 ½’’ squares, place them in a row, and sew end to end. Press. Pin the 3’’ x 10’’ linen piece to the top of the patchwork strip, sew, and press. Pin the 5’’ x 10’’ linen piece to the bottom of the patchwork strip, sew, and press.

Embroidery: I thought this pouch was bordering on "too sweet," even for Valentine's Day, so I used my plum embroidery floss to sew three rows of (very) rustic running stitches below the patchwork.

Assembling the zippered pouch

Patchwork pouch pieces, interfacing, lining, and zipper

Fuse a lightweight, fusible interfacing on the outside pieces of the pouch according to the manufacturer's directions. You can interface the lining as well, if you wish.

Use fabric (or ribbon) to cover the end of your zipper; it makes the pouch more finished and is a simple way to add color. I like using zippers and thread that contrast with my pouch, in this case, plum and white.

Fold the 2 pieces of 1 1/2'' x 3'' fabric in half, lengthwise, and iron. Then, iron the edges in a 1/4''. Fold over each zipper end, pin, lengthen your stitch length (optional), and stitch right along the edge of the fabric. Note: If you don't stitch along the edge, you will most likely hit the metal part of the zipper, breaking your needle. Tip: For the end with the zipper pull, open the zipper first, then pin and sew.

Pin the zipper face down to the top edge of Side A.

(Line up the actual zipper, not the top of the zipper end covers).

Lay lining fabric face down, right sides together, and pin along top of zipper.

Now, the fun part! Zippers aren't scary, don't let anyone tell you that they are, especially if you use a zipper foot. If necessary, move your needle to the left, and use a zipper foot to sew right along the edge of the zipper. (Make sure to reduce your stitch length if you lengthened it earlier).

When you get to the end where the zipper pull is, stop, unpin, and with your needle in the down position, open the zipper. This will help you sew the zipper in straight (unless your brother in law is in town and your kids are horsing around in the living room, and then you will be okay with "straight enough," as you will see.)

Press the outside of the pouch away from the zipper; do the same with the lining. Lengthen your stitch, and topstitch along the outside; this will help your lining from getting caught in the zipper.

Place Side B right sides together on side A, lining up the top with the edge of the zipper. Pin into place.

Turn pouch over, place lining right sides together, line up along top of zipper, pin.

Sew in place, repeating steps above. Press and topstitch.

Your pouch will look like this. OPEN YOUR ZIPPER (at least halfway)! Now, fold back the outsides of the pouch so that right sides are together; your linings will be right sides together, too.

Trim zipper end pieces as shown to reduce bulk.

(Reduce stitch length if necessary.) Pin zipper pulls towards lining. Pin the outer pieces together and the lining together, starting with the long sides.

Sew 1/4'' (or slightly larger seam) along each long side, taking special care when going over the bulk where the zipper ends meet. Next, sew along the remaining edge of outer fabrics. Sew along the remaining edge of the lining, leaving a 3'' opening to turn the pouch.

Trim the corners of the pouch.

Flip the pouch inside out through the opening in the lining and the open zipper. Use a point turner or chopstick to make sure the corners are square. Sew the opening in the lining by hand or machine, and admire your work. Ta da! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

And the Giveaway! Finally! Leah from Burgundy Buttons has offered a $25 gift certificate to one of my readers. Leave me a comment for the chance to win the gift certificate, and include a favorite (or un-favorite) Valentine's Day story, yours or someone else's, if you want. A favorite includes getting running shoes from my husband one year, the all time un-favorite was when I was 16. I was driving my mom's mini-van, was hit, and we ended up upside down in an intersection. Miraculously, we were all okay. But it set the bar pretty low-- any Valentines Day when I am NOT in a car crash is a fabulous one. This year, I got a new IKEA sewing table and filing cabinet. Might be the best gift yet! Pictures forthcoming :)

Charm Pack courtesy of the Fat Quarter Shop.. and they are sponsoring a $200 Grand Prize Giveaway--enter at Melissa's blog here.

February 1 - Melissa from Happy Quilting with the Knotty Little Apron Tutorial

February 2 - Heather from Quilt Story with the Heart Garland Tutorial

February 3 - Melissa from Lilac Lane with the Be Mine Tote Tutorial

February 6 - Angela from Cut to Pieces with the Pincushion Tutorial

February 7 - Amy from Diary of a Quilter with the Scrappy Nine Patch Table Quilt Tutorial

February 8 - Natalia from Piece N Quilt with the Trio of Pillows Tutorial

February 9 - Jessica from Twin Fibers with the Valentine Card Keeper Tutorial

February 10 - Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt with the XOXO Zippered Pouch Tutorial

February 11 - Jane from Want It, Need It, Quilt

February 13 - Corey from Little Miss Shabby

February 14 - Happy Valentines Day and the Grand Prize Winner Announcement!!!!

Velveteen + Voile

2012-02-06T12:17:00.002-05:00

I'm a sucker for voile fabric in general. I've enjoyed making a voile quilt and a few flannel + voile receiving blankets. But add Loulouthi velveteens by Anna Maria Horner to voile in the form of figure 8 scarves? Yes, please! I'm cutting some scarf kits for my friend Pam's shop today, and I think I need one! But which one???

And don't you think my little one needs a velveteen skirt, stat? I do. Especially since her current wardrobe consists almost entirely of skirts and tights, I think she would love it! Any great 2T skirt patterns out there? I was thinking of just copying one in her closet--flat waistband, twirly-ish skirt. Perhaps the yellow print?

Happy Monday, everyone. I finally went to the Monday morning spin class, so if you see me tomorrow and I am hobbling, well, you know why.

Note: This is not a sponsored post. I just love the fabric!

My view today

2012-02-04T09:20:00.000-05:00

The kids had a day off yesterday, so my friend (she is now referred to as St. Tricia at our house) loaded up our five kids in her mini van, and after Pilates (love!) we drove to Ikea so I could buy a new sewing table. I'm constrained by space & budget, so it isn't as large or as fancy as a girl could dream about, but about doubles my surface space. Hurray! So, today the 5 year old and I are embarking on a massive project: remove books from bookcases, move bookcases, assemble table and small cabinet, put into correct spots, put all books back in bookcases, and put the room back together before tomorrow's dessert night (aka Super Bowl). Tall order, but I'm totally motivated! Going through our cookbooks, I realized how much I really do enjoy cooking. Hopefully there will be a lot more of that in my immediate future.

DC Metro Map, the pattern

2012-02-02T06:00:00.007-05:00

My friend Dana made an incredible DC Metro Map quilt a few months ago, and she just released her first pattern, which, as you might have guessed, is a map of the DC Metro! Keep in mind, it is her interpretation of the metro, so if you use it as an actual map, you may end up on the right train going in the wrong direction, or the wrong train going in the right direction, or the wrong train in the wrong direction. (Trust me. The voice of experience here, except, well, using an actual map. And in 2005). Isn't this picture awesome? I actually took it at a DC Modern meeting on the National Mall. We got a lot of weird looks taking this picture...(photos are from Dana's flickr stream, used with permission!)

Dana shared the story behind the map on the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild's blog here. So, if you love metro (or fun and funky quilts) or have a friend who has a connection to the DC area, the pattern is available in Dana's etsy shop!

Downloadable Metro Map Pattern!

Happy sewing, everyone! I have finished exactly 2 squares of my metro map quilt... but now that I have Dana's official pattern, well, watch out world!