Heads up everyone!
I've had so many requests for the asterisk from my funky peppermint tablerunner pattern, I decided to make the asterisk pattern available separately. The pattern makes an 8" square block and can easily be reduced or increased in size. The pattern is available here!
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Once a month, Ange at Mama Said Sew has a crafty meet up. For the last one, she organized a fabric swap. So I loaded up some fabrics and off to the swap I went.
You never know what kinds of fabrics you'll find at swaps, but I have to say, I scored big time.
Beth brought four panels that each consist of three vintage blocks. She also brought a load of feedsack scraps! I was in heaven!!
On a whim, I decided to draft up a pattern for the block so I can make my own. It's full of Y-seams at every turn, but extremely satisfying to make!
I've not seen this block before (although, there are two similar but different blocks in Patchwork 163, thanks for the info Amy!) and don't know what the name is, so I'm calling it Special K.
It's a 16" block and the second one was infinitely easier to make than the second. I think I'm addicted to inset seams thanks to this block. Hmm. Did I just say that out loud?
Happy Friday!
xo,
Penny
p.s. The girls over at Spoonfulzine are having a super fun Spoonful Easter Competition, 2013!
They're challenging individuals to design/draw an Easter pattern, to get in the springey chocolatey spirit and win this handmade Easter bunny!
Isn't he adorable!!!!
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Hello everyone! I've missed you! And I have so much to tell you since I was here last. Fair warning, this will probably be a long one!
I'm going to break my QuiltCon posts into a two because there was just so much to take in. Honestly.
What to say, what to say. It was inspiring. Joyful. Exciting. Fun. Heartfilling. Nervewracking. And I had several proud momma moments with my students.
I taught threee classes. Foundation piecing. Freezer paper piecing by template. And Designing foundation blocks.
I was so impressed by each and every student in all three classes!
Vicky and her cupcake from the foundation piecing class
Claudia and her microwave design/block from the design class
Elaine and her flappy finned fish design/block from the design class
Monica says hi from the foundation piecing class!
Gillian's elephant (applique, applique that ear!! lol) and Anne's St. Bernard patterns from design class
Joanne's key pattern/block from design class
Audrey's headless "Marigold"
Eileen's ladybug pattern/block from design class
Whaaaaat? They're all so fabulous! And there are so many I missed.
So yeah. I had some serioulsy goofy students too.
Or maybe it was me (no, not me!) and I forgot to tell them it was OK to take their blocks home with them after the photoshoot? Ooopsie!
If you were in the class and you see one or more of your blocks here, shoot me an email to sewtakeahike at gmail with your addy and I'll pop them in the mail to you!
And you should probably hurry before Fozzy tears across them. He's a total spaz.
Also, I have your original bridge design one of you left in the design class that I'd love to get back to you!!
And lastly for today, a photo of some of the concentrating design class students
And a couple of gratuitous class sample seam block photos
See you in a few days for QuiltCon diaries part 2.
xo,
Penny
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The winter weather we're (finally) having is warming my heart and making me want to wear warm things around my neck. So a week ago I made an infinity scarf, which I love, but wanted to customize it a bit more to the length I prefer and add some flannel to the inside for an extra cozy feel.
Also, I shortened the length from the other tutorials I found so it wouldn't hang so low. In doing that, I wanted to give an alternative to putting it on over the head since I usually put my scarves on as I'm walking out the door, after my hair and makeup are done.
This scarf is really super simple, and will take you about 30 minutes to make. I hope you enjoy this little Christmas gift from me to you!
What you will need:
Note: All seam allowances are 3/8".
Directions:
1. With right sides together, sew the lining and outside pieces together along one of the 52" edges and press the seam open.
2. Sew a gathering stitch along the two shorter ends of the joined lining and outside fabrics. Do this by lengthening your stitch length as much as you can and sewing 1/8" and then 1/4" from each edge.
3. Pull the threads on one side of your gathering stitches to gather the scarf ends so they are 12". Make sure the lining and the outside fabrics are evenly gathered, so each one is 6".
4. Topstitch 1/4" from each edge to tack the gathers down.
5. Fold your three lengths of cording in half and pin them down along the edge of the short edge of outside fabric, lining up the raw edges of the cording with the edge of the fabric with the loops inwards. Topstitch the loops down so they don't shift.
6. Fold the scarf in half, right sides together along the first long seam you sewed, and pin the three remaining edges together. Sew the three edges together, leaving a 3" hole along the long edge for turning.
7. Turn the scarf, press, and either hand sew the opening closed or topstitch it closed with your machine.
8. Evenly mark and sew your buttons onto the gathered edge that doesn't have the loops, about 1 1/2" from the gathered edge.
You are done!
I would love to see the scarves you make from this tutorial! Please post them to the sewtakeahike flickr group here!
xo,
Penny
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