Sunday 28 February 2016

Setting Odd Blocks With 2 1/2" Strips: Update / Quilting Process


 Selecting the backing fabric. 
I like the squares in a vertical line which coordinate with the quilt top. 


I have pinned the quilt with spacing every 4 - 6 inches.  
For this quilt I used an economical polyester batting
that I purchased at Fabricland (Canada) for $20. 
It is a good quality batting, washable, and very easy to work with. 




Stitching the Wavy Lines!
 My Janome has an excellent Walking Foot for this type of quilting.  
I like the wavy lines for casual quilts that will be well loved.  

       This Wavy Line option has 2 side-by-side rows with a single row crossing them.  

In this last photo you may notice the seat cushion that I use.  This works like an exercise ball, helping to keep my posture straight and my core tight.  If you invest in one of these, be sure to work up to using it full time.  Start with 15 minute increments until you get used to it.  I purchased this from a massage therapist about 7 years ago.  These are know as Core Disk Seat Cushions.  

We may as well exercise while we sit!

Please find the QUILT PATTERN HERE.

Happy Quilting Everyone :)


Wildflower Quilt Tutorial


Wednesday 17 February 2016

Recycled T-Shirts Dust Mop Refill




I am continually dust mopping my sewing room floor using a disposable refill style mop.  I am trying hard, as we all are, to minimize my consumption and would like to stop discarding the mop refills.    Venturing off the path of quilting here a bit today, I made myself a dust mop refill and wanted to share the tutorial with you all.  This is so easy to make.  It is washable and, best of all, shakeable like the old-fashioned mops.  Here is a great way to recycle your old t-shirts and make a reusable mop pad.  2 for 1 for Mother Nature!
 



Fabric Requirement:  2 old t-shirts.
Time: 1 hour start to finish. 

 Cut 2 pieces of t-shirt 10" x 13".  
You can use a refill as a guide if you have one, 
cutting your fabric 1" larger all the way around. 


 Cut 6 pieces of t-shirt 13" x 13".  


 Sew the 2 - 10" x 13" pieces together, leaving an opening for turning.  
This makes the base of the mop pad.
Note: My base incorporated a fold, saving a seam on one side.  

 
Turn the base right-side-out and top stitch the opening shut. 

Layer your 6 pieces of 13" x 13" t-shirting and 
center them on the mop base on the 10" side. 

 Sew a seam down the center of the mop pad.  
Next, fold your 6 layers on each side of the center-line creating a "speed-bump".
Sew a line next to the bump on each side of your center stitching.   

 Bottom view after the 3 stitching lines are complete.  

 Clip the 6 layers of the mop top,  
being careful not to clip through the mop base.


  Cut through the speed-bumps and clip. 



 Here it is, bottom and top!