Tags

 And the winner is  . . .

   

#2 - Soozem . . . come on down!    Actually, you can just email me your mailing address and I'll send you these fun Summer Time fat quarters.
mlmickle@gmail.com

Have you discovered how to use tags in your sewing?  

They make trimming strings easier.  If you start with a tag, you have less issues with thread making rat tails at the beginning of a seam.

I use them with all my sewing, but here's a good example of how they help.  When sewing triangles, it's hard to get the next set in there without messing up your seam allowance and getting rat tails.  You can use a tag, and maneuver it right in where you need it.

When I go back to trim, I cut next to my tag.  This keeps my tags clean, and leaves a short tail on the end of my seam to prevent that end from coming loose.

It doesn't work for everyone, we all have our little helps that we prefer.  You can learn more about my favorite quilting tools in this post.

Quilt Soup giveaway

I have a great giveaway for you today.  

I have 9 fat quarters from Barbara Jone's collection:  "Summer Time" for Henry Glass.  

 Need an idea for a project for this fabric?  You can find a darling pillow on this post at Quilt Soup, Barbara's blog.

Or here is a tutorial for this easy pincushion.

To enter the giveaway, leave me a comment.  I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.

Sneak Peek

I'm trying to spend more time on Free Motion Quilting instead of quilting the same design through out.  Here's a peek at my current project.  The fabric collection is Monaluna Monaco Organic Cotton.

Stay tuned for a give away on Thursday.


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Potomac River

Scrap Quilt Top

Here is my scrap quilt top made with 2011 fabrics.  For a quick tutorial, go to this post.

 I put a 2 1/2 inch strip around each finished block.

Here are some block close-ups:

This quilt is being donated to charity.  The ladies at my church are going to tie it in the sashing, then I'll go back and FMQ the centers.


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Card Trick re-bound

   

Play quilts

With the sound advice of my husband, I found another option for a baby gift to make.  It's a win win win.  Recipients will still enjoy a home-made gift, I still get a creative high, and I don't get stressed out from backed up projects (that's the idea anyways, but what it really means, is more time for more projects!).  Actually, in the long run, I get to spend more time on my HQ Sweet 16.  

 I fine tuned this idea after seeing some play quilts at fabricworm.com.  She has some in her etsy shop.  The fabric is "crayon commute" from "The Alexander Henry Fabrics Collection 2010".  Meander quilting design.

1 yard each of 2 coordinating fabrics.
Optional:  use flannel for 1 side, or Satin-backed flannel from Joann's for a cool touch to the skin.



I made a template of the car in the fabric, and used wonder-under to adhere it to a blank card.  I prefer to do this onto a white or brown gift bag, because then it can be reused by the recipient.  But this play quilt was being mailed, thus the card.


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Bias Ruler - I love this tool!!

Pear Decadence

8 inch square quilt tutorial found here.

Fabric is Crisp Pear Decadence by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake.

quilted in random continuous squares and rectangles, straight stipple . . . my new love!

A trick I recently learned:  

If you have a pieced back that you want to align with the front, notch the sides of back and batting then align with the front.

 water when needed

quilt stats:

57 x 65 inches finished

72 - 8" squares

8 across, 9 down
2 1/4 " scrappy border
Warm & Natural cotton batting

scrappy binding

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DIY kitchen curtains