Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Great Looking Drawstring Backpack


Here is a great looking backpack to make with your young sewers or for teens to sew on their own. Lots of creative options for fabric and color combinations:

http://www.hopeyoder.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=187

It has two sizes so don't overlook the pattern thinking is it just for kids!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Another Thread Catcher


I finally got around to making the Lorelei a thread catcher. I didn't put a pincushion on it because I have been using my magnetic one. I should have put a pocket for my small scissors on the tile, instead.

If you like the thread catcher, see my December 12, 2007, entry for more details on where to go for the general instructions. I used a 4 inch tile so all the measurements were 33% smaller than Jane's.

TOGA Birthday Blocks


I am testing my fabrics for the 2008 Seattle TOGA Birthday Blocks. I had better get going on these. I want to have enough to exchange with everyone at the TOGA and perhaps a few of the TOBE's so I will have enough blocks to make a good sized lap quilt. I like to be warm and skimpy lap quilts just aren't practical! ;) Let me know if you think I need to get a darker signature block fabric. I prefer the slightly marbled effect over a solid.

I am making my blocks on the Lorelei, my White Rotary treadle. They are coming out right on, a perfect 4 1/2" by 6 1/2". I guess I won't need a template to cut the blocks from larger block.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Disappearing 9 Patch


I used the disappearing 9 patch for my baby quilt on the Lorelei. It is an easy and fun method for sewing both planned and scrap quilts.

The disappearing 9 patch quilt block is made from a 9 patch block that is split both horizontally and vertically and sewn back together as desired. There are many possibilities for planned quilts but as a scrap quilt, the blocks are great stash busters.

Check out the tutorial here for the pattern in a scrappy look:

http://quiltsatcs.blogspot.com/2007/04/disappearing-9-patch-tutorial.html

There are other possibilities below:

http://weetoesandnoggins.blogspot.com/2007/05/my-first-doll-quilt-i-actually-finished.html

http://maggi.typepad.com/photos/quilt_stitches/9patch.html

Check out more examples from this link (I love the red and black one by Sara):

http://www.webshots.com/search?query=disappearing+9+patch&new=1&source=chromeheader

Have fun experimenting!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Patchwork Pedaling

The Lorelei is up and running! I started a baby quilt to bond with my "new" machine. Learning to treadle and actually sew something is a little like learning to sew again. The quilt top has some imperfections that probably would not exist had I used my little Janome Jem Gold but considering, I think I did a pretty good job. ;)

I have to admit, I did use an old White Rotary 77 e-machine for about 25% of the work. I have my treadle on the main floor but my pressing station is downstairs. When I wearied of running up and downstairs, I set up the 77 for some of the piecing.