Showing posts with label Jane's Fabrics and Quilts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jane's Fabrics and Quilts. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Stitching Up Baby!

A "Stitch Me Up" Baby Bib !
for the
 
Stitch Me Up Blog Hop
 
 When I signed up for this hop and the Stitch Me Up Packet arrived in my email, I was overwhelmed by the possibilities.  The many free patterns are all so beautiful!  I am sure you will be seeing much more intricate projects for this hop. There are flowers and gardens and houses and adorable wee tots.   I chose one of the simpler patterns.  The geometric shapes in this pattern by Bee Tree Designs appealed to me.  
When it came time to chose a project, I decided that the simple pattern was very "primary" and that it would  be wonderful for a baby or toddler. 
 
  What to make???
A Baby Bib!
I drew up a pattern ...

I wanted to keep the same lines as the Elements design so I used these to decide on my shape for the bib.  I drew this directly onto the paper side of piece of freezer paper, so I would be able to iron the pattern right to the fabric.  I used my ruler for the straight lines and drew around the bottom of an empty thread spool for the curves. At one point I realized my initial pattern had to neck opening too small, so I recut the opening larger.  These photos were taken before I realized this design flaw and recut.

pattern details
cut
front
This is when I realized the neck opening was cut too small.
batting
It is snowing here again!
back
with enlarged neck opening
pin and machine stitch

This is an experiment and my own method.

I pinned the copy of the pattern design right to my top
with the batting only underneath. 
Katniss helps thread and set up and check my machine
Katniss checks my machine settings
These are my standard settings.
After experimenting, I reset the stitch smaller to 2.0
to make it easier to remove the paper. 

Katniss helps me matching the thread colors.
  I started with my thin white piecing thread then I switched to red top thread as I knew I was planning to embroider with red perle cotton.  
remove paper ... use tweezers if needed to get tiny bits
easy stem stitch right over the machine stitches
This hand stitching over machine stitching was an experiment and I will definitely do it again. I used larger stitches on my machine like basting at first. Then I set it to a smaller stitch. The smaller stitch covers easier and also makes it easiest to remove the paper. I also tried both white and red thread since my top color was red. The red was easier to cover, but one color would not work for embroidery with multiple colors. Next time I will match my machine color thread to the background fabric and set it to a small stitch length.
front and back
sandwich with right sides together
detail of the back of my hand stitching shows on the batting
machine stitch through all layers around the edge
Note:  Remember to leave a 2-3 inch opening on one side to turn your bib right side out
crimp edges 1/4" away from seam
turn right sides out
I use a bone tool with rounded edges to smooth out the seams. 
hand stitch opening closed
 
press bib and top-stitch 1/4 inch around the edge
 
machine stitch the velcro closure
Here is the finished Baby Bib!
This Baby Bib is destined to be included in a package that
I will be donating to the next ...
I first learned of this drive from a blog hopper, KaHolly,
and I feel this is a very worthy cause. 
Just thinking about the young mothers of our service families who may be far away from home and getting ready to have a baby, sends me to my sewing machine. 
I hope you will consider contributing in some way to this effort.
Giveaway Time!
Make Your Own Baby Bib Kit Giveaway! 

[This Giveaway is now Closed ]
Cat not included ... again ... ;)
Pattern, back, batting, front ... when my model gets off of the red fabric, I will cut this piece, too.  I will also enclose the velcro closure and a twist of red perle cotton to complete your own baby bib.
For a chance to win, please leave my quilty kitties and I one comment. We love comments!
You do not need to be a follower to win.

I will send this Baby Bib Kit anywhere in the world.

Winner will be chosen at random.

Please be sure that I have a way to contact you by email to tell you that you have won and to get your mailing address. If you are a no reply blogger, I will pick another random winner.


For a 2nd chance to win be a follower and leave me a second comment telling me you are.

This giveaway will close at Midnight EDT on March 29th.

A winner will be announced and emailed on March 30th.

Best of luck!
 
Please visit all the other lovely bloggers posting today ...
WEDNESDAY March 20th

Life in the Scrapatch (you are here!)

Selina Quilts 

So you do not miss a single post on any day ...
FULL BLOG HOP SCHEDULE HERE 
  
Thanks to
and
for organizing this wonderful blog hop
and
to all participants for their
amazing creations and inspirations!


Thank You for visiting!
<3

Monday, March 18, 2013

Stitch Me Up Blog Hop Starts Wednesday!

from

starts on Wednesday!
 
 
I am posting on the first day!
 
Must get my project done!
 
I slashed my finger with my rotary cutter over the weekend
while working late Sunday night on the mystery quilt and
and with the bandage on my left hand,
the stitching is going very slowly.
 
... just keep sewing ... just keep sewing ...
 
 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Hugs and Kisses!

Hugs and Kisses Baby Quilt
 
When the

was announced,
I knew just what pattern I wanted to make!

Katniss helped me find the fabric
 
This is a "tried and true" free pattern that
I found several years ago on the internet. 
It is from QuiltPox. Click here for this Free Pattern
 
I started with these fabrics.
I pulled the pink and greens and I am saving the red/brown/pink white for another "someday" project.
Cutting Complete
NOTE:  If you are making this whole quilt pattern, there  is an error on the QuiltPox site in the cutting chart.  You will need to cut DOUBLE the amount of background strips as listed in the instructions in order to get enough fabric to cut the pieces needed. The number of squares and rectangles IS CORRECT as stated. I have emailed the administrator of this site but received no reply.  The site no longer appears to be active at this time.  The free patterns are a great legacy for online quilters.
 
On to the sewing ...
chain piece
nest seams
have quilty kitty inspect
 
pin and remove
 
]
or no pins
 
I very often do not pin these easy to match seams, just nest them carefully and align them by touch as they go under the presser foot.  My eyesight is not good so I do a lot by of things by touch and feel.
 
Press all one way
 
Note:  When piecing the blocks together, turn the x's one way and the o's the other so that the pressed seams will be in opposite directions for easy nesting of the seams.
 
Xs and Os
layout
top complete
 
a pieced back

For the backing, I needed to come up with a piecing plan as I am only using fabrics from my stash and I did not find enough anything I liked to use as a whole back.  I like pieced backs anyway sometimes.  So I used a pink calico and the rest of a white tone on tone to make a "double zipper" back and included one of the ...
 Scrappy Pink Heart Blocks that I made for the RSC2013.
 
On to the quilting! ...
 
I did straight line echo quilting to make the Xs and Os stand out

The quilting took me about a week with many breaks to rest my hands and back.  Photos and story of my quilting journey.

quilting complete!

quilting closeup

hand sewing the binding to the back 
Quilt Complete!
 
Backing

Quilty Kitty Approved

Katniss and I are very pleased with this quilt.
 

Over the years, I have made block for this quilt pattern in a variety of baby fabrics and colors with the Quilt & Needle Quilty Aunties to welcome many babies into this world.  One of my most popular posts is this one, More Blooms and Baby Quilts, where I have a picture of one of these scrappy group quilts which I quilted and bound ...
 
Scrappy Hugs and Kisses Quilty Auntie Baby Quilt
 
This is my favorite baby quilt pattern and I hope you will enjoy it, too.
 
Once I started making hearts, I could not stop and I have also made couple of smaller projects ...

 Hugs & Kisses  Mini Quilt
 close up

... made with one extra  block.  When I home quilt a quilt on my regular sewing machine, I like to do a test project of my planned quilting and batting before I start quilting the larger quilt.  I finally decided to go with the straight line quilting on the Mini Quilt for the larger quilt.  In the process, I also tried FMQ and a heart shape so ...
 
I also made a couple of ...
Heart Shaped Mug Rugs!
White Edge Heart Mug Rug, machine binding
 
Pink Edge Heart Mug Rug, hand-sewn binding
 
 
For my Hugs & Kisses Giveaway, I will use a random number generator to select one lucky winner to receive one of these Mug Rugs.  I will even let my winner chose which one.  To enter to win, please leave me one lovely comment and be sure that I can contact you by email to let you know that you have won and to get your address. You do not have be a follower to be eligible.  Also, if you do not wish to be in the giveaway and wish to comment, please do so and just tell me that you do not wish to be a part of the giveaway.  I will send my Mug Rug anywhere in the world.

For a second chance to win, leave a second comment telling me you are a follower.

One winner will be chosen at random from all entries by midnight February 15th EST.

The winner will be announced here on my blog on February 16th.
 

To get many more Hugs and Kisses,
please also visit all the other blogs on the hop today ...

Monday February 11th








Life in the Scrapatch (you are here!)

 
Thanks to Jane and to Madame Samm

for running this lovely blog hop!

So you do not miss a stop, you may find the

Full Blog Hop Schedule Here

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me!

Have a Happy Heart Day!

[Tuesday, Feb 12th EDIT:  I am so happy that so many have enjoyed my post and have left me wonderfully encouraging comments. I love visiting and sharing and making new quilty friends online. I shall be enjoying the fun hugs and kisses all week. Thank You, everyone!]

XOXOXO

<3