No Excuses

This is my challenge to you this year for quilting....follow this blog: http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

She is doing a quilt-along about free-motion quilting and everyone can learn it.  Do it.  Go read it now.  ;) k.

Some Great Easy Projects....and I do mean that!

I was just cruising my usual sewing and quilting blogs and I saw a reference to this website: Quiltville.com

She has some great projects that are scrap/stash/beginner friendly.  I have printed out some of the patterns, but go check out the list on the right side (down towards the bottom.)  Especially Strip Twist (which I love) and Simply Strippy.  With the Accuquilt and some motivated ladies I bet we could really get some work done! k.

Humanitarian Super Monday

Reporting that 60 kids t-shirts have been acquired....I don't know that we will get that many done but wouldn't THAT be great.  (We are using these as the "base" for play dresses, which is one of the categories for donation to LDS Humanitarian Aid.)  They are white, so fun prints with white in them might be best.  Sizes from 2-14 I think. hehehe. k.

March

So we actually had a meeting, which is something for this time of year.  We decided that ALL who are in town (not just group members) should come to a Super Monday on the 11th of April (Spring Break for SAES etc) and have a grand sewing day for Humanitarian projects.  We will have a variety of sewing based activities and for people not so inclined, we will also need some vigilante adults to watch kids. heh

I think we will try to do School Bags, Play Dresses, some kind of easy quilt blocks and maybe pillowcases.  Any other suggestions?  People should plan to bring fabric (or a little cash to help.)  ALL projects require only straight stitching and will also have non-sewing aspects for those of you who are afraid of the terrible beast, your sewing machine!

More details forth-coming. k.

Log Cabins

After our meeting I decided I had better go actually USE some of the fabric I have been hoarding.  Strictly speaking, what I did is NOT  log cabin as my colors go all the way around the square, but check out the top  made the other day: k's boxpleat blog

In other news, the meeting falls firmly on another day off school again this month.  (Remember how we got our "Cursed Quilt" name?!?  sigh!)  Taking nominations for a better choice of day..... k.

A quick idea

Rail Fence Pattern

I follow this blog.....she does some amazing work with Quilts of Valor.  They are just starting up this project and I thought if anyone wanted to quilt along it should be pretty accessible. ;)

In the meantime, the DARE for the sewing group is "Completion" this month so I promise I am going to get my blocks done.  I don't know why I am feeling so unmotivated.  sigh!

May there be many hours in the days ahead for quilting.  The next meeting will be on the 15th. k.

Easy - Traditional - Cool? Sure, why not?

Log Cabin Loco

Quick, go look at that link! It is for a "pattern" called "Log Cabin Loco" and is a great way to get interest without having to bend your brain. :) I think I might try it using my strip cutter...now I just need more fabric (That is my evil laugh by the way. heheh)

I was also cruising THIS blog and thought they had some lovely things to inspire us. I "think" they do the strings by the same technique used in our first ever block. (And now that everyone has some experience, we can review it again if you want to try this technique.) This seems very versatile and a good way to use stash fabrics. :) k.

Quilts of Valor - Spring 2010

We still haven't decided quite how these will go into quilts...since we have so many we will try to do more than one. :) In the meantime, I have to say, I am really pleased with the way they ALL turned out. Congratulations to all the ladies who challenged themselves while working on this challenge! And Thanks to Ruth for choosing such lovely base fabrics and challenging us. More later on this project when it is closer to completion. Enjoy.

The Box is on its WAY!

As of yesterday, the box with our completed wall hangings is on its way to the Humanitarian Aid Center and from there to Orphanages around the world.  I am very proud of the number and quality of the products we have been able to make.  I know they will be enjoyed for their bright colors and beautiful designs and that the children seeing them will feel a whisper that God loves them.

If you have additional projects you would like to donate to this cause, I will still send them.  I just wanted to get this group on its way.  (I know I have a few more projects that I would like to make and send...)

The Challenge for this month was issued by Ruth to make 12 inch blocks (with the base fabrics of her choice...I have an extra packet if you didn't get one. :)  These blocks will eventually be put in to a Quilt top and sent to "Quilts of Valor" for individuals who have been injured serving in the armed forces.  We have a local quilt organization (Yongsan Quilters) who do a lot of donations with this organization.  They also do lots of quilts for the ladies who have to stay at the Stork's Nest when they have their babies.  If you want to help out with their charitable giving as well, let me know.  I have contact information for them.

They also are the group that has access to the longarm quilting machine here at Yongsan.  I will update you as we get more information on what services are available.  I hope to see it in action Friday.

I hope everyone is having a great week and finding joy in whatever it is they endeavor. k.
P.S.  Isn't anyone else going to post?  You don't have to make it fancy.....

Prize for the "March Challenge"

We didn't get a chance to vote on the wall hangings for the March Challenge largely because many people were still working on them.  That was fine by me (as issuer of the challenge) since so many people were excited to be trying it, especially those who have little experience but a great desire to try. :) Also, I wasn't finished with the prize! heh.

So here it is.  After the April Meeting, we will post individual pictures of each finished wall hanging.  The voting will be by "comment" meaning that the one with the most comments will receive the tote bag.  You should recognize the block pocket on the front of the bag: this is the sample I made for our first ever activity.  If you want to do this with your own block (on a purchased plain tote bag) check on my personal blog for the tutorial.  (You can find a link to my blog in the "Places We like to Go" but it does make me wonder why no one has added any of their own links, whether personal blogs or resources they like....sigh!)  I will edit on a link to the instructions when I have done them.  (I didn't take pics, but it is pretty easy.)

I found a place in Dongdaemun with tote bags....the guy had "unbleached" which is a sort of off-white but is 100% cotton so can be dyed, and these black ones (which are not 100% cotton, but since my block was black.....)

So I hope everyone is busy doing something that makes them happy today.  I am. k.

March Meeting - Applique': the aftermath

Sorry I am so slow with the blog updates (I typed bog! Feels a little bit like that today.) I am going to try to make a bit of a tutorial to remind all of you how we did our machine applique' and to remind you that you need to finish your blocks so we can make one last wall hanging to go in our box to LDS Humanitarian Aid. (If you didn't finish yours there is still time. I just got the "prize" supplies and will be making it this week!)

Step 1: Choose your fabric. You need two pieces. ;)

Step 2: Iron on your Paper Backed Fusible Web.

• Your Fusible Web should be slightly smaller than your fabric (but bigger than your intended design.
• The product should be laid on the Back/Wrong Side of the fabric you want your SHAPE to be out of.  The other piece of fabric is the BACKGROUND for your block.
• Make sure the Paper side is up.  The Adhesive side is slightly rougher and a little shinier.  If you put your iron down on the adhesive you will cry and then curse profusely when you try to clean it off.  It is worth it to check several times before you start to press it! :)
• The Fusible Web should come with instructions, which you should follow.  If it doesn't, typically you need a hot iron and you want to move it slowly and evenly until the product is completely fused.
• Let it COOL before trying anything else with it.
• There are many brands of this type of product available. For quilting, choose lightweight. The heavyweight products are very stiff and will be a bit harder to work with later and won't be soft.

Step 3:  Draw your Shape on the paper attached to your fabric.

• Remember it will be backwards because you are drawing on the wrong side of your fabric.  This obviously won't matter if you are drawing circles. hehehe
• Corners and Points are harder than smooth rounded shapes for both hand and machine applique.
• You can use templates or freehand.  You can also use shapes cut directly from a large print.

Step 4: Trim your Shape.

• Do not add a Seam Allowance.
• Use very sharp Scissors.

Step 5: Peel the Paper Off.

• This can be tricky, so be patient.
• Make sure that ONLY the paper is coming off.  If the adhesive is sticking to the paper not the fabric, try pressing it again.

• This is one of the steps when points are tricky; your fabric may start to fray if you aren't careful.  A little fraying is ok, since we will be sewing over the edge.
• If you can tell your shape is trouble, you might leave a peel tab to trim off afterward so the fraying doesn't reach in to your shape.

Step 6: Place Your Trimmed Shape(s)

• Remember the seam allowance on your block.  It is okay for your shapes to run off the edge of your block when it is in your quilt, but only if you MEANT to do it that way.  
• Lay out your pieces and look at them from a distance.  
• If you want the shape in the center, measure.  It will make you crazy later if it isn't just the way you want it. :)

Step 7: Press your Piece(s) in Place

• Use a Press Cloth to keep your Iron Safe.  (Ignore the pic here. hehe)
• Follow the same instructions you did when you pressed the paper on.

Step 8: Admire your Handiwork.

Step 9: Experiment with Stitches and Thread

• Use a scrap to try lots of types of stitches and threads.  I don't recommend experimenting on your first ever block. :)
• Everyone's machine is different, as are their preferences.  Find a stitch/thread combination that appeals to you.  If you are hand stitching, look for interesting embroidery stitches that can enhance your work. 
• Match, Contrast, Use invisible thread....the choice is up to you.  (Monofilament "invisible" thread can be tricky so be sure to practice.  I have found that some brands are better than others for my tastes.  My favorite?  Sadly it is a cone thread that had the label on the plastic packaging.  I have no idea what brand it is.  Luckily it is a very full cone so it should last me a while.)
• The general idea is to cover the "raw" but fused edge of the shapes to give it strength, help it look tidy, etc.  If you are making a quilt that will be washed a LOT, this is obviously more essential than if you are making a seasonal wall hanging that will never be washed and spends most of the year packed carefully away.
• But you can still choose to be "edgy."  Many current art quilting techniques are using raw edges in interesting ways, so maybe you don't want to cover the "raw" edge....

I will try to take some pics of stitching (or you could and submit them....hehehe) to finish out our little tutorial.  Thanks to the hands of Ruth, Amber, Karen and Joanna for starring...and thanks to Joanna for taking the pics at our meeting. k.

Whole Cloth from February

Ruth

At our March meeting I was amazed at how great the whole cloth samples are turning out (that people brought to show.....post yours if you didn't bring it.)

Ruth and Liz are tied for ambition. Liz plans to dye her stars to work with her baby quilt/wall hanging project. I have all the supplies, but it will have to be on a kid free day if all of you want to try it. :) Ruth chose the tiniest design with the most motifs. Looking forward to seeing it when it is finished. (And then we will have to have a binding class I guess, eh?)

Liz

I think Nicole F (I feel like I am back in grade school, but with more than one Nicole what are we to do? hehehe) has a future in the soothing art of hand quilting. Not that I am surprised that Nicole can produce perfectly even, amazing stitches....

Amber

And Amber gets the prize for most enthusiastic as she both completed her chosen design AND requested additional fabric/batting so she could do more!?!? I am glad that everyone seemed to either enjoy the whole cloth adventures, or at least see the point. (Yes, yes I know some of you have decided to be machine quilters based on your experiences last month, but knowing that is useful too.)

Nicole F.

Watch this space for more amazing things to come! k.

March Meeting - Applique'

The March meeting will be on March 15th at my house.  Bring at least 2 pieces of your fabric (you don't need huge pieces...) a needle, thread to match and scissors.  We may also need 1 extra iron and if you want to try one of the machine applique' styles (like if you hated the hand quilting we did last time, hehehe) you should bring your machine (with thread to match of course.)  I have paper-backed fusible web for everyone to try ($1/1000 won donation to the group fund.)  Think about Shapes.

Remember you should bring your Challenge Wall-Hanging.  Don't worry if you don't have it all quilted and bound....since we haven't learned binding yet.  There is a good tutorial here: Connecting Threads on YouTube  In case you wanted to learn more about possible stitching methods, here is a blog with great info and pics: turningturning.com (watch for the group of pics of other styles!)

And now that you are here, sign in to the blog (with the sign-in information I sent you earlier by email) and either add yourself as an author or post as "Cursed Quilt."

We are cursed, by the way.  Amanda S says she can't make it because, dang it, her ultrasound is scheduled for the same morning.  Maybe she will show up late and share her news.....here's to hoping we only have HAPPY reasons people will miss the meeting this month.  (No vomiting, ER visits, car trouble, NO crisis of any kind!)  My kids are getting their sick out of the way now. :) k.

Clearly Carolyn is WAY better at being in charge. hehehe

Dear Ladies of the Cursed  Quilt Group, If you are here and stuck, read Carolyn's first post and then read her comment on Karen's Basketball quilt.  She gives all the details and you can't go wrong!

Thanks Carolyn.  You need to also add your personal blog links to the "Places we Like to Go" in the sidebar.  :) k.

Here I am as a Separate Author!

Decided it would probably be best if those of us who can, add ourselves as an Author. :) k.

So now I need to get THIS started too!

My goals for March included finishing the machine quilting on the Tree and Isaac's Quilt....so here it is the last day of Feb....and the tree quilting is done and the major quilting on the train quilt as well. I guess I need to be more realistic on my goals in the opposite direction than usual. :)

I have to say that Machine Quilting is a full body workout though. I actually have sore muscles just like if I went to the Gym. Perhaps I can make a quilt pattern that is an actual work out! hahah

We will be doing Applique' for March and looking for Shortcuts in April I think. If Nicole F. is successful with the block she was getting ready to try yesterday when I was over there, she will be our first Shortcutter. :) Ruth is going to Challenge us for March also.

Now I need everyone in the Group to log in and try this. Just Click on "New Post." I need to see if we can include pics in comments also. When you have pics to post you can upload them to the page by clicking on the little pic icon at the top when you are typing your post. Be sure to attach your name if you are posting directly to the blog. (Also, be sure to add "labels" for your post by putting the search terms in the space at the very bottom of the New Post type window. One of those terms should be your name or initials...but use the same each time. Mine is k. Eventually we ought to each have our OWN log in but I think this should work for now. Now show me what you are up to! love, k.