Thursday, June 25, 2015

Creative Eye Thursday-Quiltmaking Essentials 2 by Donna Lynn Thomas

Have you ever wanted more in depth instructions for quilting? Have you ever felt like you needed a guide book to help you with patterns you have previously purchased?  Would you like to know, not just how to make a quilt a certain way, but why that's a good way to make it?  What's the best way to bind a quilt, how do you make a binding look amazing?  How can I set my blocks in a way that makes the quilt absolutely shine?  If you have ever wanted more in depth answers to your basic quilting questions, this book is perfect for you.
Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

I remember when I started quilting, I needed information.  And lots of it.  I got every book I could, I and read it from front to back.  I loved the information  I learned from those quilters.  And I LOVE books like this, that not only teach how...but WHY?  When a quilter knows the why, they know if they can tweak the method.  They know when to be creative, and test the limits, and they know when to play it safe, and have a quilt that can stand up to the test of time.

Buy this book, your library will be better for it.  Buy it here or  here.  Enjoy!
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Creative Eye Thursday-Quick Change compiled by Karen Burns

Have you ever wanted to change the look of your bedroom without wanting to make a WHOLE quilt.  Maybe just a small quilt, a small change?   I love how each of these little quick bed runners has a different look.  Just think of the possibilities, a new bed runner for each month, maybe each season, maybe even a birthday banner?  Possibilities are endless, and pretty darn fun (if I say so myself). 

Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

If any of this sounds like a fun plan for you, then this is the perfect book of patterns for you.  Check out some of the fun bed jewelry below.  And since I know you'll want to make one yourself, you can go here or here to purchase the book.  Don't forget, you can get the ebook too!
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
 Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved
Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved


Thursday, June 11, 2015

Creative Eye Thursday-Style and Swing by Susan Dunlop



Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

As I thumbed through this fun book of big bags, little bags, purses, and wallets I was delighted at the possibilities in store.   No matter what kind of purse or bag you may need, there's a pattern for "that" in this book.

I love that when we make our own bags, purses, and wallets, we get to use th
e fabrics that speak to us, that represent us.  When we go out in public, we want our bags to show a little of our personality.  With these patterns, you can totally make any bag, your own.

Check out some of the goodies below, and go here or here to pick up a copy for yourself.

Martingale, 2015; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

 Martingale, 2014; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

 Martingale, 2014; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved

Martingale, 2014; used by permission. Photos by Brent Kane. All rights reserved






Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Creative Eye Thursday- Seems Like Scrappy by Rebecca Silbaugh



Sometimes you just want to make a scrappy quilt.  And sometimes you want to make a scrappy quilt without having to have all the scraps.  Enter this book.  If you have ever wanted to make a scrappy quilt without the hassle or ability to have a huge fabric stash, here's the book for you.  Simply pick up your favorite precuts, and now you get to make some scrappy goodness without all the work.

This book has lots of fun designs to choose from.  And you will love every minute of it.  For the pattern I chose to work with...it's this little number. Let's get to work.


Oh my goodness.  I started this little number last week, thought since it was small I could finish it quickly.  Hmmm.  Not so much. Now, I am almost a whole week late in writing this blog post.  I knew that it might take a little while to do, but I forgot how much time kids take. I love having summer break, but holy cow, kids want your attention..like all the time.  I actually love it.  I really do.  But instead of working, I get to take the kids swimming, and to the movies, and play card games with them.  life is hard here.

Anyway, when I had a chance to work.  There was a lot of chain stitching.  A lot of trimming, cutting, and pressing.  I really enjoyed the idea of making this little cute quilt.  The actually making of it made me remember these things:
1) as much as I love precuts, they are not as accurate as self cut squares
2) small blocks are tricky
3) following all the directions is a super good idea.  

So...I didn't follow the instructions to press the seams open.  I kinda thought that was her preference, and not a requirement.  And, I prefer to press them to one side.  Well, that was fine for awhile.


Until this...

Yeah, so by the time you get to the 1" squares, there are a ton of layers there.  A TON.  That's not an exaggeration in any way.  So, maybe it's a good idea to follow the instructions.  Even when you think you know better, you might save yourself from breaking a needle.

I do have to say.  There was some frustration with the precuts.  I do love precuts, but they have that zig zag edge, which can fray a bit, which means not all of your blocks will be exactly the same size.  I'm sorry, but when you're doing something so small, even a little bit off matters.  I could have measured each and every block, to see where to take a little more, and to see when to skimp.  But, that's quite a bit of work.  So, I just went for it.  Later, some of my blocks were less than perfect.  However, I know how to fudge a little here and there to make it work. There was a fair amount of fudging.

I did like the design of this pattern.  Rebecca did such a great job with making this pattern.  Sewing together, and then cutting, sewing, cutting, etc.. Was pretty fun. I like finding new ways to make classic blocks.

Here's my finished product.  Mine, a little blue, with browns and pinks.  If you were making it, what colors would you choose?



 Here are a bunch of her other patterns. All of them are fun, and easy to make.   Check out the book, you can buy it here or here.