Carpenters Wheel quillow

The name quillow may be new to you - it means a quilt that folds into a pillow - or cushion. I love these and made some for each of my daughters as they went to university.

The carpenters wheel block, made with 2" squares and half square triangles, (dies used - 659831

http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659831/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-2-1-2-assembled-square and 657607 -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished, with the Big Shot Machine - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray) is a 16" square - so cut an 18" square in wadding and backing fabric. Layer the backing, wadding and cushion front together, pin and then quilt together.

Trim the wadding and backing to the same size as the cushion front.

Cut another piece of backing fabric the same size and

Trim the wadding and backing to the same size as the cushion front.

Cut another piece of backing fabric the same size and place on top of the cushion front and stitch around 3 sides (now you could leave the backing off when you are quilting but I like to quilt with a fabric on the back not just the wadding - but that's just personal choice)

Turn the cushion right side out and press.

For the quilt part I have used 1.8m by 112cm wide,of a plain black and a small print, and cut a piece of wadding to match.

As I don't want to add a binding to the quilt I layered on fabric right side up, on the wadding.

The cushion is placed in the middle of one end, matching raw edges, and then the other quilt fabric is placed right side down, over the top -

Pin through all layers and stitch together, using a 1/4" or 6mm seam allowance, and leaving an opening of 12"/ 30cm in one side.

Turn the quillow right side out, and slip stitch the open edges together.

Quilt as desired - leaving the cushion free at the end -



To complete flip the cushion onto the quilt, so that the pieced front is against the quilt, pin the sides to the quilt - and stitch in place, leaving the top edge open -

 

(this photo should show black - but I'm not sure what happened to the colour!!)

Turn the quillow over so that the pocket is underneath, fold the sides in to match the width of the cushion, then fold the length into 4, to match the cushion side.

All that remains is to turn the cushion right side out, with all of the quilt inside - and that's it folks -

A useful cushion, that doubles as a quilt for a cold evening.

Next week I'll show off one of our new dies - and then the following week I'll be at the Knitting and Stitching show at Alexandra Palace - so maybe I'll see some of you there.

Angela

Pinwheel Pencil case

Hello again, I thought it would be nice to do some patchwork this week and decided to use the smallest half-square triangles to make a pencil case -

 

 

 

You will need –

5” x 20” in 2 co-ordinating fabrics, 1 light and 1 dark, for the pinwheels

6” x 40” navy fabric for the outside and lining of pencil case                                                                               

1 x 10” navy zip

Big Shot™ Machine  http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660200/sizzix-big-shot-machine-only-white-gray or Big Shot™ Plus machine http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/660020/sizzix-big-shot-plus-machine-only-white-gray

Sizzix® Bigz™ Die Half-Square Triangles, 1” finished 659983 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659983/sizzix-bigz-die-half-square-triangles-1-1-2-assembled-square 

Using the Big Shot machine and the die cut 40 triangles out of each of the patterned fabrics.

Stitch 1 light and 1 dark triangle together to make a square, repeat with all the triangles.

Press the seams together towards the darker colour

Stitch 1 pair of squares together – see photo below.

 

Press the seams and then stitch 1 pair of rectangles together to make a square, taking care to match the points in the middle.

Join the squares together in 2 sets of 5 to make 2 strips.

 

Cut the navy fabric into 2 pieces 2 1/4" x 10 1/2", 2 pieces 4" x 10 1/2" these 4 pieces are for the outside, and 2 pieces 6" x 10 1/2" for the lining.
Stitch a 2 1/4" and 4 " piece either side of a pinwheel strip, and press. Repeat to make the 2nd side.
To put the zip in - lay it across the top edge of one of the outside pieces -

lay a lining piece on top, matching the edges, and stitch, with a 1/2" seam - when opened to the right side it will look like this -

Repeat with the other side of the zip. Now open the zip at least half way.
Lay the outside pieces, right sides together, pin, matching the raw edges.

Stitch around the 3 sides, back stitching at each end to secure the seam.
Repeat with the lining - but leave a 5" opening in the bottom edge.
Trim off the extra length of the zip at both ends.
Turn the pencil case right side out -

Stitch the open edges together, and tuck lining inside the pencil case.
Not quite such a quick project as I thought it would be - but still fun, and if I start now I might make enough for all of the grandchildren for September term at school.
I'm off now to enjoy a cup of tea in the garden, while the sun is still shining.
See you next week.
Angela
 

Star Quilt: Part 3

Dies used: Half-Square Triangles, 4 1/2in Finished Square
                 Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Star, Nested

The piecing for my eldest son, Aidan's quilt is now finished.

I mentioned in my previous post that there was an issue with the quilt top that needed ironing out and so after the piecing was done resolving that was next on the list. I ordered the background fabric online and so didn't examine it thoroughly before buying it but I knew that the many little line drawings of everyday objects that covered it would fascinate and appeal to Aidan. So far so good. It was only when I began to cut it into squares and half-square triangles on my Big Shot that I noticed an unexpected picture that wouldn't really be at home on an almost 8 year old boy's quilt. I'm not going to go into detail here about the not-particularly-suitable items that were depicted (I have gone into more detail on my own blog http://twoowls.typepad.co.uk/ ) but after some thought, concluded that they should probably be covered up.

Applique was the obvious choice of cover-up method and a star shape to echo the patchwork design seemed most appropriate. I fixed some iron-on adhesive (fusible web) to the reverse of some scraps that were just big enough to cover the smallest, central star on the Stars, Nested die and cut out a neat pile of perfect little stars.

After removing the backing paper from the stars, I then pressed them in place over each of the unwanted pictures wherever they occurred on the quilt top. Considering the stars were added purely to solve a problem, they really add something to the overall look of the quilt top and it looks better for them.

Each star now needs to be sewn around to ensure that they are firmly held in place and they will also be quilted over later for extra security.

From now on I will be posting every other week and so hopefully this quilt will be finished in time for my next post - it has to be really as it's Aidan's birthday in 10 days time!

Happy sewing!

Star Quilt: Part 2

Dies used: Half-Square Triangles, 4 1/2in Finished Square
                 Square, 4in Finished (4 1/2in Unfinished)


Hello and happy Monday!

Sewing has been happening in fits and starts over the last week as my youngest (and most energetic) son has had an extra weeks holiday from pre-school and so superhero games have been top of the agenda instead.

Out of 15 blocks, 10 almost 11 are now done and decorating the wall above my sewing machine (along with the Counting Sheep blankie from the current issue of Love Patchwork and Quilting).

All of the fabric is cut out and ready go for the remaining blocks but just as things were speeding along the thread ran out. Typical.

It's starting to take shape though and so far thankfully it meets with my eldest son, Aidan's approval. Phew!

That said, there is a small issue with it though that will hopefully be ironed out over the course of the coming week and I'll post about it next time.

Sizzix project : Little Bird for Kid's room

Hello crafter,

Spring is near and there is a great desire for sunshine!

Today we present a new project for kid's room....that like "ourselves" have the head in the stars and balloons!

NECESSARY:

- Sizzix big shot machine only

- Sizzix Thinlits Die set 3PK  - Happiness Fhrases

- Sizzix Thinlits Die 4PK - Speech Bubbles

- Sizzix Framelits Die set 23PK - Card, balloons Step-ups

- Sizzix Framelits Die set 5PK - Stars

- Sizzix Thinlits Die set 5PK - Love Bird

- SizzixTree Die set

- Sizzix Framelits Die set 8PK - Squares

- Cardstocks or paper scrap

- Paper craft

- Paper glitter

- Frame (thick)

- Wire thin

- Glue 

- Hot glue

- Scissors

- double adhesive tape

- Foam board tape

Cut to size back for frame and stick on the foam board tape the square that will be base for composition.
Cut the dies in the various shapes and compose to create the pictures.



Finally paste the big star at the end of wire thin whit hot glue.
Stick on the other end with hot glue and cover with one of the small stars.



I hope you enjoyed it!
See you soon whit a new project......

Pasticci di Carta
Sara

Cari crafter,

la primavera si avvicina e c'è tanta voglia di sole!
Oggi vi presento un progetto adatto alle camere dei nostri bimbi....che come "noi" vivono con la testa tra stelle e palloncini!

OCCORRENTE:

Sizzix big shot machine only
Sizzix Thinlits Die set 3PK  - Happiness Fhrases
Sizzix Thinlits Die 4PK - Speech Bubbles
Sizzix Framelits Die set 23PK - Card, balloons Step-ups
Sizzix Framelits Die set 5PK - Stars
Sizzix Thinlits Die set 5PK - Love Bird
Sizzix Tree Die set
Sizzix Framelits Die set 8PK - Squares
Carta scrap fantasia e tinta unita
Carta craft
Carta glitter
Cornice con spessore interno
Fil di ferro sottile
Colla
Colla a caldo
Forbici
Biadesivo
Biadesivo con spessore

Tagliare a misura lo sfondo per la cornice ed applicare il biadesivo con spessore il quadrato che farà da base alla composizione.

Fustellare le varie sagome e comporle per creare il disegno.

Per ultimo incollare con la colla a caldo la stella grande all'estremità del fil di ferro ed applicare l'altra estremità sempre con la colla a caldo andando a coprire con una delle stelle più piccole.

Spero vi sia piaciuto!
A presto con un nuovo progetto....

Pasticci di Carta
Sara

Snug as a bug!

That's what I'll be when this little lap quilt is complete -

 

I decided to try to use up all of the wool fabric that I had - so this really is a scrap quilt - which is already becoming a favourite before it's quite finished - maybe partly because the weather forecast is for much colder weather and I will be able to curl up under this beauty!

To get the most out of the pieces of wool I had I decided to cut more squares and rectangles in different sizes - I have already cut out rectangles using Bigz die 658113 - 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" unfinished

 http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/658113/sizzix-bigz-xl-die-rectangle-4-x-8-finished-4-1-2-x-8-1-2-unfinished

 

and squares using Bigz Die 659838 - 4 1/2" unfinished square - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659838/sizzix-bigz-die-square-4-finished-4-1-2-unfinished

using the Big Shot machine, and then

I also cut out some 3 1/2" unfinished squares with die http://www.sizzix.co.uk/catalog#q=657608 

and some 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" unfinished rectangles - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/catalog#q=657625

Finally I cut a few 6 1/2" unfinished squares - using the Big Shot Pro http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/656250/sizzix-big-shot-pro-machine-only-periwinkle-w-standard-accessories and die http://www.sizzix.co.uk/catalog#q=657264d 

My plan was to create 12" finished blocks - so I could make some using all of the 4"/8" shapes and some using the 3"/6" shapes --

The photo below shows the lay out for the 4"/8" pieces

 and this photo shows the layout for the 3"/6" pieces. ( the photo is a cheat because the proper one came out a very strange colour so I laid out another block but didn't have enough rectangles!!!)

I had enough pieces to make a total of 16 blocks which I decided to lay the pieces out randomly, but took care to make sure that the colours and patterns were mixed in each row.

I joined the blocks into 4 rows of 4 and then joined the rows - so I have a lap quilt measuring 48 1/2" square.

Just a note that I still only used a 1/4" seam and I pressed the seams flat open on the wrong side to try to reduce bulk at the seams.

I like it so much I'm going to add another photo -

I'm going to back the quilt with either a plain wool or fleece - I'll show you a photo of it finished next week.

And just as I was going to finish this blog - one of my friends, Alex, suggested that there were enough pieces left to make a cushion so I trimmed the remaining pieces to 3 1/2" squares and laid them out like this -

 

 which when stitched together became a cushion front -

which then just left this -

I'm very pleased to have used so much of these beautiful fabrics and will show you the finished quilt and cushion next week - along with a lovely valentine project.

Keep warm this week - I'm hoping for snow to go and play in with the grandchildren - we can hope.

Angela





Advent Calendar part 3

The last stage in making the advent calendar is assembling all of the component parts.
Before adding the pockets to the pieced background, I made a quilt sandwich with the background, batting and some backing fabric and quilted it with basic diagonal lines. Once the pockets are in place the quilting options are restricted and not doing any beforehand would leave quite large un-quilted areas - as a general rule I like to have a maximum gap of 3in between quilting lines. My pre-pocket quilting was just basic diagonal lines running opposite to the pieced stripes, I had to keep it basic as my walking foot broke as I was fitting it to my machine (aargh) and so all of the sewing was done with a regular presser foot (aargh).

Once the background was quilted the pockets were arranged on it centrally, 1in apart. I arranged my numbers randomly despite my 7 year old son's insistence that they should be in order - but surely half of the fun with an advent calendar is spending 10 minutes hunting for each number in turn, so he was over-ruled.

I pinned the pockets in place and then stitched 2 lines of running stitch along the sides and bottom, closing the opening in the bottom of the pocket as a result. The double line of running stitch was for strength, to ensure the pockets were firmly fixed (my two sons aren't renowned for their delicate touch, especially where chocolate is concerned).

The last job before binding the calendar was to add channels, top and bottom, to the back which would house pieces of (12mm diameter) dowel enabling it to hold its shape as it hangs. Each channel comprised of three sections, to make one complete channel I cut 3 pieces of fabric, two measuring 4in x 2 1/4in and one measuring 12 1/2in x 2 1/4in. Each of the shorter sides on the longer piece were hemmed by folding the ends over twice, a 1/4in each time. The two shorter pieces had the inward facing ends hemmed but the outer ends need to be sealed to fix the dowel inside, one was sewn shut but the other folded in to be closed by hand once the dowel was inside.

All 3 channel pieces were then folded lengthways and then pinned and stitched along the top/bottom of the back of the calendar starting 1in in from either side.
All that was left then was to bind the edges, slide the dowel into the channels and sew the ends closed once it was in.

That's it, done. I love the numbers on it, they're so crisp and consistent having been cut with the Lollipop Shadow Numbers die and the pockets are a good size, allowing more options of what little treats that could fit inside. It will be easy for Santa to slip the note into pocket 24 that tells my boys where he's hidden their new pyjamas for Christmas Eve...

Countdown to Festival of Quilts!



In just 3 weeks time the show will be open and in full swing! As I write this I'm holding down the panic and telling myself calmly that everything will be ready in time! So what has me in such a spin - to start with  - I need to prepare the kits for the workshops - 432 - and make sure that we have all the necessary pins, needles, scissors and threads.

Then I'm making new pin cushions - to co-ordinate with our new bunting ( which is complete ), and then there are table runners and some cushions for display - so these items will be appearing on this blog over the next few weeks, and of course you'll be able to see the real things if you come by and see us at the Festival.

So this week I'm previewing the pincushions - I saw a pincushion similar to this one in Love Patchwork and Quilting - so I've adapted it and altered the size a bit to fit in with our dies -

To make this I used small pieces of 4 fabrics - and the new 1" finished square die -http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/659987/sizzix-bigz-die-squares-1-finished-1-1-2-unfinished

and the 2" finished square http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657607/sizzix-bigz-die-square-2-finished-2-1-2-unfinished and finally the rectangle - http://www.sizzix.co.uk/product/657605/sizzix-bigz-die-rectangle-2-x-4-finished-2-1-2-x-4-1-2-unfinished

This really can use up some of your scraps - and you could start now to make a basket full for little Christmas gifts  -

Using the appropriate dies and Big Shot  cut 2 x 1 1/2" squares from 2 contrasting fabrics

Cut 1 x 2 1/2" square from fabric 3 and finally cut a rectangle with the 4th fabric.

Join the small squares together in pairs -

and then join the pairs together and join to the larger square -

Join the front to the rectangle back with right sides together - leaving one end open turn right side out

Stuff the pin cushion and slip stitch the opening shut.

Attach ribbon around the middle to complete -

I think it's cute - and if you slipped some plastic or cardboard in the back then you could attach elastic to the back and make it a wrist pin cushion.

So 1 down 15 more to go!!

More projects with new dies next week - and it will be only 2 weeks until the show - have you got your tickets yet?

Have fun.

Angela