WIP Wednesday

Comma and yarn-dyed Essex linen drawstring bags: complete.  These were part of the Pretty in Patchwork Holidays sew-along on Threadbias.  You can read more about the bags here.

Top for my partners pillow in The Pillow Talk {Swap} 10: complete.  I know I want to quilt it with lines that echo the piecing, but I'm going to stare at it for a couple of days to figure out just which parts of the piecing I want to echo.  I hope my partner thinks it's as pretty as I do!

New to the list are two sets of bee blocks for Stitch that Stash! (scrappy 64 patches) and Love Circle at do. Good Stitches (stars).

No progress on the Inside Out quilt.  I stopped working on it because I was running really low on linen and wanted to make sure I had enough to complete the pillow top.  It will probably stay on hold until I finish this months bee blocks.

No progress on the fabric basket.  I lost interest.  I don't need to give it as a gift any more (got the recipient something else instead) so I may just scrap the project all together.

No progress on the Marcelle Medallion.  Probably won't pick that back up again until June.

I will be on vacation next week, so I won't be around for a while (but you're used to that, right?).  Hopefully I'll have some finishes to share soon!

Linking up with Lee for WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced.

Double-Sided Table Runner

Here's something I forgot to post about.  A table topper for the piece that corrals all the toys in the living room.

One side looks like this.  Linen with some applique.  I made a mistake and forgot to stitch down the fused-on applique.  Luckily this thing shouldn't have to get washed very often, rarely enough to where I would be willing to do it by hand.  I quilted it all over with a meandering stipple.

This is the other side!  A lot more "sweet" if you will.  The fabric is mostly Breakfast At Tiffany's by Fig Tree for Moda.  The pattern for the blocks is by Camille Roskelley and can be found in the Winter 2012 issue of Quilts and More (Scrap Lab article, page 19).

A double-sided table runner needs double sided binding, am I right?  This technique wasn't so hard, but I don't care for the way the seam on the inside made the corners all lumpy.  It was fun and new to try, but I doubt I'll volunteer to do it again.  I just like crispy sharp corners too much.

Linking up to Finish It Up Friday on Crazy Mom Quilts.

WIP Wednesday

Backing pieced for a Marcelle Medallion quilt (pattern in Liberty Love by Alexia Marcelle Abegg).

The makings of an Inside Out quilt (pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew).

Fabric selected for a patchwork fabric basket (tutorial by Pink Penguin).

Fabric selected for some drawstring gift bags (pattern in Pretty in Patchwork Holidays by John Q. Adams).  These bags are part of the sew along on Threadbias.

Linking up with WiP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Scrappy Dishtowel Tutorial

I've recently decided to add some color into my bland, neutral kitchen.  I also needed new dishtowels.  And that's how this tutorial was born.

My color inspiration came from a few sets of bowls I have.  Colorful, bright, warm, vibrant.  A far cry from my usual muted, cool, safe, soothing colors.  But oh, did I need a dash of spice in my kitchen.  I started sorting through my scraps to find some colors that would play nicely together and with the bowls I had in mind.  Here's what I came up with:

As I set out to make my dishtowels, I decided to take photos of all the steps in case you wanted to make a set for yourself (or as a gift for someone else).  Ready?  Here we go!

Tools & Materials:
Dishtowels - I used a set from Target
Rectangle/Strip Scraps - 2" by at least 3", up to 5"
Self healing mat, rotary cutter, ruler
Sewing machine
Thread
Iron & ironing board
Seam guide

Step 1:
Measure the width of your towel.  Add 2 inches to this measurement for seam allowance.  For my towel:  16" + 2" SA = 18"

Step 2:
Lay out all your scraps.  Doing so will help you decide if it's scrappy enough or if you need to add in more colors and prints.  After seeing them all spread out like this, I added in more green and purple.

Step 3:

Grab scraps randomly, and sew together the 2" sides with a HALF INCH seam.  We're using a 1/2" seam because this item is going to get washed A LOT (because you ARE going to use it, right?).  So let's give ourselves some extra wiggle room to prevent fraying and seams coming loose, shall we?  Press all the seams open.  

Keep going until you have three long strips (for each towel) of scraps sewn together that are at least the length of the measurement you calculated in step 1.

**Color placement note:  Though we're trying to be random here, keep in mind that you want a variety of colors in the center third of each strip to get the biggest scrappy impact when the towel is folded.  I learned that the hard way on my first towel.  Learn from my mistakes!

Step 4:

Join the three long strips together, again using a half inch seam.  Press seams to one side.

Step 5:

Trim your new patchwork panel to the measurement you calculated in step 1.

Step 6:

Turn down each long side a quarter inch.  Press.

Step 7:

Sew close to the edge to secure this seam.  It won't be visible in the end so feel free to use a zig-zag stitch here for more fray-protection.

Step 8:

Fold each long edge down a quarter inch again.  Press.  (Don't stitch to secure this time.)

Step 9:

Fold each short edge in by half an inch.  Press.  Stitch to secure with a straight stitch a quarter of an inch from the folded edge (This stitch line will be visible on the back of the finished towel).

Step 10:

Position your patchwork panel toward the bottom edge of your dishtowel, about 2" from the bottom, depending on the finish of your particular towel.  Also note whether your towel is directional.  For example, my towels have this twill tape finish at the bottom edge but not the top.  Important if you're making more than one!  Make sure the panel hangs over each side of the towel by half an inch.

Step 11:

Fold the half inch of the panel that hangs over the side of the towel to the back.  Press, pin, or clip in place and stitch on top of the stitches you created in step 9 to secure the panel to the towel.  You will be going through multiple layers of fabric/seams as well as the thick edge of the towel, so use your judgement for speed and or possible need of walking foot based on your skills and machine.

Step 12:

Secure the center of the panel to the towel by topstitching close to each long edge as well as through each seam line running the length of the panel.  You may want to increase your stitch length a little.

And that's it!  Now repeat for the rest of your towels.  I find that chain piecing the long strips from step 3 makes for a quicker project, plus you can mix and match the strips better when joining them in threes when you have a lot more to choose from.  

If you make some of these towels, I'd love to see them!  Please email me photos or put a link in the comments.  And please don't hesitate to ask questions if I wasn't clear about something!

Linking up to Fabric Tuesday on Quilt Story

April bee blocks and swap news

Sunny yellow and brown blocks for Rachel and the Love Circle.  These are quilt-as-you-go log cabins.  You can find the tutorial on Rachel's blog, Stitched in Color.  They measure 14.5", unfinished.  I normally don't use a lot of brown because it is my least favorite color.  Luckily I had enough browns to use here thanks to a recent scrap bag/Instagram destash purchase.

April blocks for Stitch That Stash are called Low Volume Charm Plus blocks, requested by Deb.  Low volume with a center plus sign in a fun fabric.  This is going to make a great quilt.  You can find the tutorial on Deb's blog, Life on the Selvage Edge.

Also, I've joined The Pillow Talk {Swap} on Flickr for round 10.  I'm so excited about this.  I've always admired all the great pillows that come out of that swap, and now I get to participate.  Here's the mosaic I posted to guide my partner (click through for photo credits and additional details):

And here's a little mock up of what I plan on doing for my partner, using fabrics from Denyse Schmidt's Chicopee and some natural Essex linen:

This is four blocks (called Evan's Star) joined together with a thin border added (or possibly piping instead - if I can figure it out).

Antique Sewing Box

My dad recently sent me this great antique sewing box.

It has seen better days, I'm sure.  Above is supposed to be a pin cushion.  There are two little holes at the front - I have no idea what those are for.  The little nubs on the back are filled with a gritty substance, so I can only guess that they were for sharpening.

There are four drawers.  The top three are just boxes.  The bottom one has pegs for spools.  

The drawers are stacked in a way that it makes sort of a pyramid shape.  Look at those great little carved details at the top.

There are no markings on the bottom.  But you can see here that one of the feet was replaced.  I love the idea that this piece was so well-loved. 

And now it will continue to be well-loved.

Should I try to repair/replace the pin cushion on top?  What about the little spool pegs that are broken off?  Should I use this piece for it's intended purpose, or keep it as a show piece?  Lastly (I know, so many questions), can anyone tell me anything about it?  When was it made, where, etc?  I'd love to research the history of it a little more.

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