Lee's Chandelier Quilt Along with Emmy Grace Fabric
Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced Modern Quilts made this gorgeous quilt from my Emmy Grace fabric line for a really fun (and free!) quilt along on Bernina's blog, We All Sew, which starts today!
Thank you, Lee and Bernina!
Happy quilting, you all!
Camp Stitch-Alot Re-cap
Hi there. I'm just back from a really fun teaching gig in Michigan, Camp Stitchalot, which is organized by Brenda of Pink Castle Fabrics. I taught my Holiday in London bag to a crowd of wonderful women. 13 women braved the large bag, and 13 women finished. It was so much fun to see what they did, and just so satisfying to teach them.
Featured in my Emmy Grace fabric for Art Gallery Fabrics above. Available at Pink Castle and other wonderful retailers.
Thank you to Brenda for inviting me. It was such a joy!
If you would like to purchase the Holiday in London Duffle Bag Pattern, you can get it on my website.
If you would like to have me teach at your event please contact me as well.
All upcoming events are listed here.
Petal and Plume
I'm so happy to show your my newest fabric line, Petal and Plume, to be in stores this December. This line began with the drawing of the peacock in black and white. When it was colored in Illustrator, I realized that it was much more than the peacock, but part of a childhood memory. The initial colorization looked distincly like a ceramic bird I'd painted for my grandparents when I was a child. I saw that bird on their shelf every time I went to their house, and was so very proud to have it displayed. My mother now keeps it at her house. To me it symbolized the love and warmth I received from my grandparents. The rest of the line developed as an imagined world surrounding the peacock with pops of my favorite colors, blooms of all sorts and a really fun text print that I can't wait to use. I dedicate this line to my grandparents, Millie and Danny, who I miss dearly and who influenced my life profoundly.
Below, the initial sketch for the peacock design which was scanned and colored in Illustrator.
The ceramic bird that I painted at around age 8 for my grandparents with the initial coloration for the peacock. I think what stands out to me is the orangey red color with the green and the way the feathers look scaled. Sorry for the blurry picture... my mom took it late at night. Can you see I gave her eyelashes? That cracks me up.
PS... Is there one print anyone recognizes??? Say possibly from my very first fabric line in 2009???
(Order Petal and Plume from Art Gallery Fabrics for December delivery)
Emmy Grace Fabric Project Round-up ... From around the world!
So... whooooaaaa! There has been a TON of stuff made in Emmy Grace since it shipped in June. Thank you SO much for using and enjoying this fabric line... sorta' v'klempt thinking about it. THANK YOU!
To be featured, post on instagram and tag #emmygracefabric or post it on my Facebook page.
Here goes...
First, Violette Field Threads patterns has made thier newest patterns using Emmy Grace cottons and knits. Shazam!!! That top is to die for! They really get how to use these prints!
Sara from Sew Sweetness made two dresses from Emmy Grace voiles:
Sew Caroline has a free Kimono pattern made using Emmy Grace voile:
Tonic Australia is making bags using Emmy Grace:
Awesome bags by Gandre:
Jemellia made this McKenzie coat from my pattern for me for Quilt Market
And the instagram round up! Keep scrolling down! If you want your Emmy Grace project featured, tag it #emmygracefabric for me to find it!
Knits!
@sewbeeitclothier made a bunch of my patterns for quilt market.... I'll be doing a separate post with all of these beauties.
Knits!
KNITS!
The Truth is, I like Crazy Town.
My mom used to say, "I thrive on chaos". It was her explanation for having four children, I think. All these years, I've thought she was slightly nutty in that regard, but I have to admit... the excitement of having lots going on at one time, I think I do thrive on that. Maybe not chaos exactly, but having lots to do. Never a dull moment. That kind of living.
Right now, I may just be right in my element. As you know, I'm preparing for both Surtex and Quilt Market (photo above, a bag I just finished for quilt market from Emmy Grace fabric, and the photo below, brochures/lookbook for Surtex). They happen simultaneously in two weeks, and everything must ship by Thursday. I'll be going to Surtex, but I still have a partial booth that I'm sewing for and will be shipping items to Pittsburg. Meanwhile, we are throwing a big birthday party for my mom next weekend and my siblings are all going to be in town. The party is at our house. The night before mother's day. No worries. I got this. (cringes)
But there's also been other big excitement here... This past week, I was very happy to welcome a photographer for Where Women Create into my home to take photos for the November issue. While this was loads of fun, I couldn't be more excited for the issue, and I feel really really lucky to be part of it ... the timing? Well? It was slightly not fantastic for me. I'd have preferred June maybe? But when Where Women Creates wants to take photos for an issue, you just don't say no to that! It's something I've wanted to do for years. The original Where Women Creates book was published in 2005. I bought a copy, and have dreamed about it since then. This was big for me. I got the studio all cleaned up and Super Husband was nagged into doing a little light painting in here.
There was lots I wanted to do to the house, but at some point, I just finally ran out of time. I did manage to make slipcovers for the chairs in the living room which we didn't really take many photos of in the end. But I really had to make the slipcovers anyways because prior to knowing about the photoshoot, I'd taken apart one of two of the covers to make a pattern for new ones and so I had two mis-matched chairs. The process of creating the covers needs to be a post all on it's own, but I can tell you that I'd have been better off creating covers from scratch rather than trying to use the old cover as a pattern. That was a total pain in the butt. Now I have to make new gray linen pillows for the sofa to pull the room together, but let's do that in June, shall we?
In other news, my 18 year old daughter, Anna, graduates high school the day after we get back from New York, so please pray for no flight delays on the way home! I'm doubting I'll post until we get back, so I'll see you after this is all over! Cross your fingers for me!!!
Introducing Emmy Grace
First, before I forget to mention it... this line has TWO voiles and FOUR knits. (yay, substrates!!!)
Look at the line sheets below for which pieces come in knit or voile as well as quilt weight.
Additionally, this line ships to stores in May and stores and manufacturers can order it now from Art Gallery Fabrics.
This line is so special to me, I don't really have the words to express it. My oldest daughter, Anna Elise, turns 18 next month and will head away to college. Emmy Grace is 16 now. She is in high school and she has a job. Life is so very different than it was in those magic years when they were little. I can't express how I miss them.
This line started with this photo... It's Emmy. 11 years old fishing in Lake Powell on a family trip where we rented a house boat.
Without further adeiu (because I'm crying now) here is Emmy Grace. Created for both of my beautiful and oh so grown up daughters.
Below... the Half Moon Boat pattern will be a free pattern to use with the line! Wait until you see how easy it is to make those circles!
Strike-offs. What are they? And what do designers do with them?
You may have heard the term "strike-offs" before from people in the fabric industry. Have you ever wondered what they are and what the heck we do with them? My next line "strike-offs" arrived today. These are basically just samples of your designs. They are printed on a very short run just so you can take a look and make final approvals.
So, what does the process of "correcting" samples look like? I imagine every designer looks for different things, but this is what I do... First I go through all of the colors I chose and make sure they are correct. I use Pantone colors. Some designers and companies just ask designers to send a paint chip or other sort of sample for the fabric mill to match to. But Pantone is the universal color language that designers in all areas use, so I find that this is the most accurate way to get the colors I want. I also look to make sure the screens were straight and no details were lost. Strike-offs also give me a last minute chance to see if colors and scale work the way I thought they would on the screen and on paper.
All in all, it's a tedious but exciting process. And it's always such a joy to see art that I created on an actual piece of fabric or product.
Feel free to ask any questions if I left anything out... I'd be happy to answer in the comments below.
Now, I think I shall go cut these babies up!
PS... These will be in the hands of sales people next month and I will update you on the name of the line and show more samples at that time! I hope you enjoyed this little preview!
Hi there. For the new year, I thought I'd add some fun photoshop tutorials to this space. I know there are lots of artists out there who would like to make pattern repeats but don't know where to start. Here's a tutorial on how I do it in Photoshop!
Enjoy!
Round Robin Love with Valori
Valori and I had discussed this idea briefly in the past, and I'm so glad we are getting it together. We decided to trade a set of fat quarters each... I sent her my "Bijoux" and she sent me her "Wish". The idea is to start with a 12.5" center, mixing our fabrics and solids of our choice, send it back to the other person, and then she puts on a border. We each managed to get our centers done pretty quickly and here are results. Next we will each add a 6" border round. Can't wait to see!!!
Val's center.
My center.
Hi there. Sorry it took so long to post this week, quite honestly, the patchwork portion took way longer than I expected. I do think the results are well worth it however!
Today I show you how to sew the outside and lining panels to the zipper placket/side panels. I'm so excited about how glue basting this worked. So much better than pins!!!
PS I should mention again that fabric is from my Bijoux line available in stores now. I'm now sold out of paper patterns, but I do have the PDF available in my shop.
PPS Yes, I REALLY need a manicure. Like really.
As many of you know, embroidery was my first sewing love. My Bijoux fabric line, like Splendor 1920, features hand stitching. The Embroidery's Fortune prints are based on Mexican embroidery and are meant to be stitched on.
I'm thinking some tunics would be just gorgeous. For now, I've started stitching a bit with the intention of incorporating this into my Holiday in London duffle for our sew-along (starts monday!). I used applique foundation (my new favorite go to for stablizing) on the back of this because it can be easily torn off when you are finished. I've used a combination of stitches on this, and you can get quite creative if you'd like. On this piece I've used matching Aurifil floss which is very nice. The colors are super saturated and it comes on a wooden spool containing a double skein. I didn't do a matching set this time, but I did pick out the colors to make it easy for you. Happy stitching!!!
Aurifil Floss:
citron green, 1147
emerald green, 2870
blue/grey, 2600
mustard yellow, 2140
light blue, 5007
brown, 2155
periwinkle, 2540
hot pink, 2479
magenta, 2535
If you like hand stitching your bindings, here is a fun way to add a little extra handmade love to your quilts.
On this Bijoux quilt, I used 3 strands and a stem stitch to finish the binding on the back. Just stitch as you normally would, but make it visible with the stem stitch instead of a blind stitch. I love how this turned out.
Happy Saturday! Are you sewing? Here's a couple easy weekend ideas for you. These are again from my Bijoux fabric quilt market booth.
This big baby (above) is filled with bean bag fill (You can get it at Walmart... I'm loathe to say, but that's the only place I could find it. I hear Bed Bath and Beyond has it too but I didn't check.). I cut all the panels at 18". The seams were pin tucked to give it a little more shape. I used 5/8" seam allowances, and if I had a little more time, I may have serged them for extra secure seams. I would recommend it. If you don't have a serger, you can zig-zag stitch the edges.
Here's a little pillow I made (in the hotel room... I always sew in the hotel room, it's like a "thing" now). It was an extra block I had from my quilt. Do you ever end up with an extra block like I do? Make it into a pillow. This is a millenium block from Judy Hopkins book.
I don't know about you, but I always curve the edges of my pillows. Nothing annoys me more than those pointy corner dog ears you can get. Just put a cup on the corners and trace before you sew. I think it gives it a more polished look.
Have a great weekend, and happy stitching!
Thank you to all the wonderful women who made projects out of my Bijoux and posted for the launch party. It was so much fun to see what you did and it really fills my heart! Thank you a million times!
Sally's Angel Works (That's me on the left and Sally on the right at quilt market in my booth! I'm wearing a Bijoux skirt made by Jona from her book The Essential A-Line which I am going to order today from Amazon... that or march down to her house and steal one!)
Note: The post from Jacqueline is still forthcoming, we had a few hiccups, but it will be up soon, I'm sure!
I hope you all enjoyed the party and found lots of fun projects to make with Bijoux!
Thank you all who visited the sites and entered to win as well! I appreciate your support more than you'll ever know!
Part one. More tomorrow(ish).
This doesn't happen much, but this time it all turned out just like it was in my head... 6 runners to show different ways you can use Bijoux in quilts, and a centerpiece with drama.
The dress has a halter top with an asymetrical lined skirt. The hemline is all fabric collage.
Below, you will see that it is true... I have a bugger up my butt about the term "low volume" in reference to color value. I prefer the term "low color value" as it is artistically accurate. Not only that, "Low Volume" hurts my feelings (not really hurts my feelings... more comically hurts my feelings) ... why, I think, would anyone should call color "loud"? I get that ones eyes need a place to rest, but in my little world, color is a vibrant expression of "life" as opposed to "loudness". Yo. I ain't loud. Hrrrmmpppfff. This quilt is my small ode to anti-establishment and rebellion. I must admit, I like the irony of a "low color value" background (all curved pieced strips) with eyepopping, colorful Bijoux text.
Moving along... next to the Value Color quilt is an improved log cabin piece with my hand embroidered caravan in the center.
The quilting on "Value Color" was done by Maddie Kertay. The Log Cabin improv quilt was quilted by Michelle Schmersahl.
More closeups tomorrow(ish). And more quilts. And more about market itself.
I have so much to tell you about quilt market and so many pictures to show, but this sweet face wanted a Bijoux maxi dress for the last day of school (tomorrow), and I couldn't resist her charms. Look at that gorgeous smile... she just got her braces off! For those of you who noticed, yes, she has taken over my new purse.
I totally winged this dress... Basically, I hemmed the top using my hem foot. Then I added 1/4" elastic by zig zag stitching it on just under the hem (the elastic is just slightly shorter than her measurement). Then I added the skirt which is simply the width of the fabric gathered just a touch. I did the elastic the same way at the waist. I put one seam all the way down the back after the top and skirt were sewn together. I used half inch seam allowances which was a good thing because we found after she put it on that it needed a slit in the back. So she can actually, you know... walk. I simply opened the seam at the bottom 12", slit the seam allowance to the stitching at the top, and folded the slit in 1/4" twice, and top stitched all the way around the opening. I back stitched several times at the top of the opening so that the stitching in the seam doesn't come out. And, no, I didn't bother matching the print. Don't judge.
Prints used: Bijoux Dancing Harvest in Guava for the skirt and Bijoux Embroidery's Fortune Rose for the top.
Happy sewing!
Thank you to the first three hostesses for the Bijoux launch party, Melanie, Cristy and Melissa! I loved your projects! Today it's time to go visit Michonne at I'm doing stuff, see what she did with Bijoux and enter to win 10 fat quarters on her blog! Thank you, Michonne!
Meanwhile since you're here... I wanted to talk a little bit about something important to me. I've been thinking about this a lot as I prepare for quilt market. One thing that I've learned over the years, is that it's great to be arty and mindful of design when creating. And, it does truly define what I do. However, I've also found that technique really matters. It matters a lot to do things well. My techniques have definitely improved over the years, but one of the things that I has improved the most is my binding. I've always done good bindings, but recently I found a technique through my good friend Miss Cristy that her mom, Sharon Schamber perfected.
I've watched this video through a minimum of three times. What I've found is, if I skip just one little detail... domino effect... all downhill from there. So, watch carefully. The way she does this has improved my work by miles.
Today it's Melissa's turn to give away a 10 piece fat quarter stack of Bijoux! I'm so excited to see what she's made too!!! Go stop at her place and give her some love.
But before you head to the party, I know you want to know how I made these dimensional flying geese. I am CRAZY over flying geese to begin with, but when I found out that you can make them with just one seam and like little pieces of origami, I about flipped my lid. This quilt was made using Ricky Tim's tutorial below. It's so simple, you won't believe it.
Happy sewing! And go get yourself some Bijoux!!! Please post your creations to the Flickr Group.
First, to get in the Bijoux mood... you'll need to watch this incredibly special video that Art Gallery Fabrics put together. It really expresses just how versatile this line is. And... this is totally the sexy version of my earth mama, Bijoux. Lawd (fans self), I had no idea I'd created such a damn sexy fabric line until I saw this. Thank you a million times to Pat Bravo and the incredible people at Art Gallery (I'm looking at you Kat) who put this video together!
Now, everyone head over to Melanie's house and see what she made with Bijoux... and ask for a strawberry lemonade... Bijoux would totally drink that. The Bijoux in the video I think maybe spiked it a little too. Go ahead, add something saucy. If you are wearing a little mustard or magenta (together really is best) that make a great party outfit.
Here's a few more photos to inspire your inner Bijoux.
Please note: do not enter to win here. You must enter on the blogs on the launch party list above. Thank you!!!
What does a Bijoux by Bari J. launch party look like? Well, a little like this...
And a whole lot like this... 11 blog party stops of this... involving 11 giveaways of 10 fat quarters of this...
So get your party skirts on...
... and go see what all of these fantastic bloggers have made with Bijoux! It's in stores starting tomorrow!
Look for the incredible video that Art Gallery Fabrics put together to show you what Bijoux is all about tomorrow as well.
And be sure to post your own Bijoux creations in the Bijoux by Bari J. group on Flickr!
Bijoux will start shipping to stores on May 1... Be looking for giveaways, blog hops and more in the coming weeks. Enjoy these little sneak peeks.
My Bijoux fabric has arrived, and I've started sewing. It will be in stores this May, and of course, I can't wait to see what you will make. Instead of showing you the whole line right now, I'd like to tell you a bit about it's story.
Bijoux is my vision of a woman who is very much a free spirit. She travels around in her vintage caravan collecting things that she loves and that inspire her. She's an artist. And a loner. I envision her as an unusually tall woman with long streaming blond hair. She wears turquoise bracelets, boho skirts and beat up cowboy boots. I see her in dancing barefoot in the desert at night with the stars lighting her way. She's a rocker. She's a gypsy. She loves life. Bijoux means little jewels in French, and it is also the name of my main character. This fabric collection is bits and pieces of her life... as she is bits and pieces of me.
The story of Bijoux looks a little bit like this. For sneak peeks of what I'm making, be sure to follow me on Instagram.
Caravan photo from Les Roulottes une invitation au voyage Jeanne Bayol Editions Aubanel
Curved Edge Dresden Plate How To
I love this quintessantial 1920s quilt block so much, and it's much easier to make than you'd think.
I made one of these as a pillow for my quilt market booth for Splendor 1920 and have just made an updated version that I'm about to turn into a pillow as well. This time, I used two Art Gallery Elements fabrics for the backgrounds to give the vintage dresden an updated look. Here's how I made my dresden and the background.
Materials Needed:
8 fabrics for the dresden petals (12" x 12" is plenty), 1 fabric (4") for the center, 2 fabrics (1/3 yard each) for the background
2/3 yard of fusible fleece (this will give you extra)
fat quarter of muslin
Washable Elmer's Glue
Needle and matching thread for applique
Thread conditioner like Thread Heaven (optional)
Download pattern: Download Dresdenplate_templates
Cutting:
Cut 16 Dresden petals and 1 circle center from the attached pattern. I used Splendor 1920 in the "Elegance" colorway for all of the petals and Oval Elements Licorice for the center (note: one of the most important parts of getting the dresden to lay flat will be really accurate cutting. Too much or too little fabric will cause the plate to bow and lay all loopy-ish.)
Cut 2 - 9 1/2" Oval Elements Licorice and 2 - 9 1/2" Living Elements Ebony for the background
Cut one piece of fusible fleece 18 1/4" x 18 1/4"
Step by step:
1. Piece the four pieces of elements together in a square for the background. I alternated prints.
2. Lay out your dresden design. I went with a design in color order from darkest to lightest. When I'm satisfied with my layout, bring it over to the sewing machine on a small cutting mat to keep it in order. I've been known to move them around if I don't leave them just so. You can also take a quick phone photo of your layout to remember the order.
2. Place the first two petals right side together, and sew together along one edge using a 1/4" seam allowance. (Note: As I mentioned before, accurate cutting is super important. A super accurate seam allowance is also imperiative.)
3. Keep adding petals until all 16 are attached, then sew the first petal to the last petal.
4. Press all of the seams to one side.
5. Place the dresden right side down on the piece of muslin. Pin it in place.
6. Cut the muslin to the shape of the dresden.
7. With the dresden still pinned to the muslin, bring it to the sewing machine. Set your machine to a slightly shorter stitch. Mine is usually at 2.5, so I bring it to a 2.0. This helps to go around small curves. Starting at a seam, sew around one curve of a petal using a 1/4" seam allowance. When you get to the next seam, stop, pivot at sew to the next seam. Repeat until you've sewn the entire way around the dresden.
8. Press to set the stitches. Snip to but not through the seams all the way around the dresden. It will be especially important to snip at the seams between petals to avoice bulk at the points.
9. Turn the dresden right side out through the hole in the middle. Press well. I use a pin to pull each seam neatly out. It's important to really take your time doing this to avoid puckers and points.
10. Place fabric circle and the muslin circle right sides together, and sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance.
11. Snip to but not through the seams as you did for the dresden.
12. Pull the muslin away from the fabric and snip an x through the muslin. Turn throught this hole. Press well.
13. Place the dresden exactly centered on the background. Use elmers glue to hold in place. Press to set the glue. (This washes out.) Do the same for the circle on the top.
14. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the base.
15. Using a blind stitch, stitch the dresden to the background. This is how you applique by hand. If you are familiar with hand sewing binding, it's like that, except that I take even smaller stitches.
A blind stitch is just that, blind. You won't be able to see it when you are done. Here's how...
15a. Start at the top of the fabric and bring the needle through the background taking less than a 1/4" stitch.
15b. Exactly where the needle came up, place the needle into the dresden taking less than 1/4" stitch right in the fold (the edge of the fabric) of the applique (dresden).
15c. Exactly where the needle came out of the edge of the applique fabric, place it back down into the base fabric. Continue until the entire applique is sewn in place.
Note: My Rule of thumb here is, if you can see the needle between stitches, you'll be able to see thread.
You can see below where I've taken about five stitches along.
Once you have the entire dresden and the circle center stitched in place, you are ready to quilt as desired. I did a different design on each petal and then an all over flower for the background. Now I'm ready to make this into a pillow! The instructions for pillow making will be in a separate post.
November/December Adventures in Quilting and Sewing: Part Three
My two months of non-stop sewing continues...
I also started a crazy quilt with Splendor 1920 this month. I'll need 25 of these blocks to finish, but I'm well on my way with 15. I'm really excited.
This are constructed using muslin as a base. And sewing using the "stitch and flip
method. I simply place a piece of scrap fabric, right side up on top of the muslin. Then a second piece is placed on top right side facing the first piece. I then sew a 1/4" seam allowance, and flip the second piece right side up, and press. I continue until I've filled the entire square. Then I trim to the original block size. Which, in this case is 12 1/2" unfinished.
Obviously each of the blocks end up looking completely different, depending on what scrap I happened to grab...
There are some in which I left the selvedges on... My mom asked me why I "left the tags on"...
And I've decided to decoratively top stitch random blocks with my Aurifil 12 wt Splendor 1920 box of threads. I did these all on the machine! Not by hand.
And there will also be random blocks that I've free motion quilted raw edged motifs to... for little added surprises everywhere.
I plan to make this a king size quilt as I have never actually made a quilt for my own bed, believe it or not. So in the end it will be five rows of five squares set on point with 2 1/2" sashing.
I'm using "Nocturnal" from Art Gallery Pure Elements collection for the sashing.
Still and yet... I had gifts to make this month too. All the crazy quilting and free motion quilting did lead up to that... I'm getting there... see part four for more.
November/December Adventures in Sewing and Quilting: Part One
First, I want to remember to tell you something, and I know some of you are going to be disappointed, but I promise in the end you'll be happy. You know that ruffle duvet cover that I said I'd post the pattern for? It turns out I can't. I've been asked to save it for something. It's something really good... So, my apologies. For now, I have to hold on to it. But I will be posting other items from my quilt market booth as tutorials very soon. (Should I open my eyes now? You aren't throwing tomoatoes at the screen are you?). Let's move on?
I've been doing a ton of sewing and quilting as tends to happen in November and December for me. First I really really wanted to finish that hex quilt for my sister before I saw her at Thanksgiving time. But I was handquilting it if you remember. I decided the only way I was ever going to finish that quilt was to machine quilt it.
As many of you know, I've done lots and lots of free motion quilting for fabric collage. And I've always said that fabric collage is a great way to get your free motion quilting feet (or hands as the case may be) wet. But as much FMQ I've done in collage, I've never attempted an organized quilting motif for a quilt. So I ordered both of my friend Angela's books and studied up for a bit. These books truly made things click for me, you guys. I really love them. I ended up finishing the quilt and now I'm totally addicted. You'll see in the next few posts... I can't stop quilting stuff. It it isn't nailed down, I'll quilt it. And let me tell you, it gives things such dimension and texture! I'm in love.
At any rate, for the hexie quilt, I ended up leaving in the hand quilting and machine quilting right on top of it. I was really concerned about that at first, but turns out, it's a look I really like.
Do forgive my quilting as this was my first attempt at a whole quilt like this. I got better as I went along as you'll see in the next few posts. I'm showing lots of the back here because it was easier to see from this side.
As you can see, I got carried away practicing all the motifs in Angela's books...
I did end up giving the quilt to my sister after binding on the plane,
in the hotel room and in my brother and sister-in-law's living room! All's well that ends well!
Happy 40th a year and a half late, Ilisa!
PS the fabric is Flower Sugar from Lecien.
After this, I moved on to a table cloth. More to come!
Splendor 1920 Video!
Now that I'm spoiled and all by Art Gallery Fabrics (they have the best team in the world), I've been waiting with baited breath for the Splendor 1920 video to be released. And I'm not in the slightest disappointed! Without further adieu... Splendor 1920 is in stores NOW!
Double Mitered Borders Video How To...
The Tea Delights print from Splendor 1920 whispers to me... "please make me into a table cloth"... She's not sly about it either. She's loud. She wants to be put on a table. Napkins, tea towels, table clothes, runners, place mats... She's screaming at me.
As you know I've obliged with napkins... and I also caved and made a table cloth. I was going to hem it, but I'm thinking I'd like a heavy table cloth, so it's going to get quilted. I'm thinking a flannel back... maybe no batting at all so it hangs nicely without being too thick. I don't want it to look like I threw a quilt on the table. So, the jury is out on that.
However, the point of this post is to show you how to add double (or any multiple) mitered borders to a quilt. Like I did with this table cloth. It's really easy as you'll see in this video. The hardest part is figuring out how long to make your borders.
Once you've got them cut, sew them together and just treat them as one border.
The formula is in the video, but I thought I'd put it in writing here as well.
Decide how wide your borders will be first. Then figure out how wide they will be once sewn together.
To figure out how long each piece should be use this formula:
(finished width of border) x 2 + (unfinished WIDTH of quilt) + 1" = length of border for quilt width side
Do the same for the unfinished LENGTH of the quilt...
(finished width of border) x 2 + (unfinished LENGTH of quilt) = 1" = length of border for quilt length side
And, here's the video explaining the whole process... Happy sewing!
Fun was had by all... and then... sleep.
Hi there. Long time no see. I feel like I'm "just" back from quilt market, when really, it's been more than a week. The truth is, I'm only now recovering from it. I totally did myself in this time. As fun and exciting as the process is, it is exhausting and stressful too. I was pretty hard on myself getting ready, and didn't get much sleep. I was inevitable... I got sick. And it was of my own doing because I wouldn't relax. Thank goodness for my friend Jona who did much of the job of driving home while I spent much of the time whining. I slept for two days when I got back.
At any rate, you don't want to hear all the poo poo about how tired I am... it was really very fun and super exciting to see how people reacted to the new fabric and patterns... And I met tons of wonderful people.
You may have seen much of this already if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook... but I did manage to take a few pictures of the booth with my good camera as opposed to the phone. So here goes...
Yes, I did drag a bed to quilt market... but if you sat on it you'd have ended up on the floor... air mattresses did the trick. No box spring.
Here's a closer look a the ruffle duvet cover ... yes. there will be a tutorial. But be forewarned, this is not a complicated project... but it's a dosey. I think it's like 12 yards of fabric. I estimated about 3000" of hem and ruffling to do. Yikes. However, IMHO, totally worth it in the end.
I'm a stitckler for always having flowers in my booth... funny story. This time I forgot to order in advance. I hopped in a cab and asked them to take me to the nearest one on the map in my phone... Yeah, ummm... that was a UPS store. The real store was on the other side of town. WHY they put the address of the UPS store on their website, I'll never know. They actually posted store hours. Long story short? The driver took me to another shop which was actually closed for wedding prep, but the really really nice lady opened the door for me anyways (crying works, people) and sold me two bouquets AND had her delivery guy take me back to the convention center. Greenworks in Houston if you are interested.
Here is what I ended up putting the cross stitch into... I think it gives the pillow some oomph.
And here is another view of the pillows... dresden is a classic 1920s pattern. It had to be done.
That's all the photo editing I've gotten through for now. My intent is to to go through each project in the booth over the next couple months and show ya' how I did it. Hold me to that, k?
Happy stitching!
Splendor 1920 ... cross stitch and embroidery with Aurifil!
When I designed Splendor 1920, I had images of the ladies of Downton Abbey doing their beautiful embroidery work that you see on the set here and there. I'm not sure if they would have done cross-stitch, but I was anamored by the look of it. So, I designed a piece that you can both embroider and cross stitch right on top of to embellish. The only problem was, I really wanted a way of giving you some sort of kit to just grab the colors and go. So, I contacted the fabulous people of Aurifil, and asked if they might be interested in doing a box set of 12 of the colors in the line. And much to my surprise, they said yes!
It's been a couple months coming, but I'm so happy to be able to show it to you now... A 12 spool box of 12wt Aurifil Cotton Mako threads for you to use with Splendor 1920 ... and any other projects you might see fit. It's awesome for both hand and machine stitching with a top stitch needle. I absolutely love this stuff, and I'm sure you will too.
The cross stitch piece in Splendor 1920 was designed to go from selvedge to selvedge. The thinking being, if you were to use the whole width for say, I child's dress, it would drape beautifully. The bottom part of the design features 3 border prints of differing widths and then the top part of the design is a tossed mix of cross stitch. I like the idea of using the borders for quilt borders, edges of skirts and coats, tea towels, pillows and so much more. I'll be showing you more of how it can be used on project in the days, weeks and months to come.
Bari J. Fall 2012 Sewing Patterns
Useful. That was the word that I kept going back to as I planned and designed the sewing patterns for this season. I wanted everything to be something we all could use.
In keeping with my "useful" theme, all of the patterns feature my "Keeping it Real" side bar hints and tips as they have in the past. These tips are things that I have learned along the way, that you don't usually read in sewing patterns. Like, "How do you sew past the zipper pull?", for instance. And, "How do you keep the opening you turn through neat and even?".
One of the things that I've been wanted to make for myself for years now, and an item that I get asked for all the time is a wallet. A wallet is something that you need to be "just so". It has to take a beating and it has to have space for all the things you need space for. The design of this wallet is something I worked really hard on. I wanted lots of pockets for cards, space for checks and for money and of course, a spot for change and of course a driver's license window. It even has a removable zipper pouch in case you don't want to take the whole wallet. In the end, it's exactly what I wanted. It really has it all, and it's a great afternoon sew... perfect for gifts. The fabrics featured here are from my upcoming Splendor 1920 line.
Next, I had to do an art portfolio. For one, when my girls were little, I was always looking for spots to store their art work. I have a couple purchased portfolios, but they were never just what I wanted. And for another reason, my now 16 year old daughter drags around a piece of poster paper that is folded and serves as a makeshift portfolio... every. single. day. It's falling apart, and she totally needs a good place for her growing portfolio of work. This portfolio features a heavy duty zipper top, and a clear window pocket on the front. Featured in Splendor 1920.
Another item I've always wanted to make is a duffel bag. It needed lots of pockets, a zipper and it had to conform to carry-on standards... Damn the airlines for making me pay $25 to check my luggage! Now I can carry on a bag on in style. Featured here in Splendor 1920 fabric.
And last, Suzy created an adorable coat (read: coat = useful and stylish) in sizes 2T through 6/8. I'm seriously in love with this piece. It's exactly what I wanted and more... a peter pan collar, 3/4 and full length sleeves, A-line and an adorable yoke at the top adds incredible detail... oh, and what coat would be complete without a ruffle... I love the piping and ruffle detail on the sleeve. And of course, a girl has got to have some pockets. These are lined pockets with a sweet box pleat detail. This is sewn in my LillyBelle line of fabrics.
All of the patterns are currently at the printer and will be available for wholesale purchase after 10/29... and yes, if you will be at quilt market, we will have them on hand for you to take home with you.
Splendor 1920 sneak peek!
As we approached our house today coming home, I squealed! And my girls nearly jumped out of their seats.
But there was a big box of in front of the door and I knew just what it was... fabric! My fabric. Splendor 1920 is finally here!
I'll be making up probably at least an item a day now until market ... I leave with my buddy Jona as co-pilot on the 24th of October. And yes, we will have the big-ass trailer. I'm a certified expert now, you know. If you can call a person who drives a Honda with a trailer and ONLY stops at places that she won't be forced to back up said trailer an "expert".
But I'm guessing you've already scrolled down to see the fabric and didn't read that last paragraph. If so, go back after you've looked, K? I imagine myself as somewhat comedic and wouldn't want you to miss out.
Without further adieu... I present... Splendor 1920.
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 14. Fabric File Portfolio
Whew! Wiping the sweat from my brow. The last project is finally done. And 14 projects in 21 days? I'll call that a success.
I hope you have enjoyed this series. I look forward to doing another (um... shorter) series when Splendor 1920 arrives in stores. Here is the 14th project. It was inspired by the loads of paper I picked up today for school registration. Happy Sewing!
You'll need:
1/2 yard of double sided fusible heavy Pellon
1/2 yard each of two contrasting fabrics
1/4 yard each of two constrasting fabrics for binding
Cutting:
1 each ON FOLD - 13" x 9 1/2" - 2 contrasting fabrics and pellon (opens to 13" x 19")
2 - 3" x WOF strips for binding on top and ties
1 - 3" x WOF strip for binding on sides
Step by Step:
1. Press each piece of fabric to opposite sides of the pellon. (wrong side faces the pellon)
2. Make binding and ties (see day 11 curtains for how to make binding except you won't need to attach pieces together for extra length as on the curtains).
3. For the ties, take one WOF piece of binding and cut it in half. Finish the ends by opening the folded binding on one short end. Fold the end in half wrong sides together and sew a 1/4" seam allowance along the short end. Turn the binding back so it is folded properly. Edge stitch the open side of the binding closed. Set aside.
4. With the "portfolio" open, sew binding onto each top edge (again, see curtains day 11 for binding instructions).
5. Sew the ties on. With the "portfolio" open, mark the middle of the top edge of each side of the folder. Place the raw short edge of the tie at the top of the folder at the mid point, just below where you've sewn on the binding. Along the short raw edge of the tie, sew the tie on using a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Flip the tie up, and sew it on (enclosing the raw edge) 1/4" above the fold. Repeat for the other tie.
6. Sew the side binding on. Cut two pieces of binding that are each 10 1/2". Fold the "portfolio" in half. Open the binding, and place it on top of the front of the folder along one raw edge. Leave an extra 1/2" at the top and an extra 1/2" at the bottom. Sew the binding through the two layers of the folder following the pressed fold as you did for the other pieces of binding. Flip the binding to the back, fold in the two raw edges at the top and the bottom, and press in place. Edge stitch the binding from the front as you did before.
14 Days of LillyBelle ... Day 13. French seamed pillowcase.
I love these pillowcases. They take under an hour and are such nice pieces when they are done. The cuff is double sided, and with French seams you have no raw edges anywhere... another great gift!
Watch the video for all of the instructions. You'll need 1/4 yard for the cuff, 3/4 yard for the main fabric and 1/8 yard for the flange.
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 12. Tube Top.
This was probably the easiest and most fun project so far. I'm beyond excited because my teenager said she would actually WEAR something I made. I fashioned this after a tube top she got at Target, and let her pick the fabric. It was interesting to see what she picked (vintage fence in the cool sunrise palette)... and she said she would buy it if she saw it in a store, so I'm feeling like The Bomb Mom!
Here's how I made this...
You'll need:
3/4 yard fabric
2 yards of 5/8" elastic
Cutting:
This is for a small tube top... Em is probably a size 0-3. It's such a baggy/loose piece, that the only real difference will be in length of the elastics and length at the hem.
Measure your wearer, just under the underarms around the top of the chest. Subtract 1 - 2". Cut elastic to that length, then cut in half.
Cut a second piece of elastic 1 to 2" bigger than the first piece. Cut it in half as well.
Measure the wearer from just above the chest, to the mid hip (or longer depending on how long you'd like the top to be), add 4 to 5". Cut a piece of fabric that is the measured length by the width of the fabric. Cut the fabric in half so you have a piece for the front and a piece for the back of the top.
Step by step:
1. Hem: Fold the top edge in 1/4" toward the wrong side, then an additional 1/4". Edge stitch along the inside folded edge.
2. Sew on the top elastic: Using a zig zag stitch, top stitch the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric, just below the top hem. The elastic is shorter than the fabric, so you'll be pulling as you sew to make the elastic stretch from one end of the fabric to the other. The trick here is to start very slowly. Take a couple stitches so the elastic is held in place, then as the fabric comes behind the foot, use one hand to guide the fabric from behind, and the other to stretch the elastic as you sew along. Repeat for the back of the top.
3. Sew the elastic at the bottom: Measure 3 1/2" from the bottom raw edge, and draw a line across on the wrong side of the fabric (I used a heat erasable pen... you can use chalk or another erasable method... even a press line will work). Use your guideline to sew the second piece of elastic on. Repeat for the back of the top.
4. Place the two pieces of fabric, right sides together and use a 1/2" seam allowance to sew each side together. Zig zag stitch or serge to finish the seam. Turn and press.
5. Hem the bottom edge as you did the top.
14 Days of LillyBelle.. Day 11. It's Curtains for Lara!
My sister just moved into a new home, and she desperately needed curtains. The sliding glass door she has is over 9 feet long, and the former occupants, had an 8 foot rod on the window and some seriously frightening curtain panels that didn't fit. On top of that, her toddler and 1 year old pulled the whole deal down the other day. Lucky for Lara, I'm in the midst of my self-imposed challenge and needed a good project. So off I went on my curtain making adventure.
Now, some of you know, that I have made a huge amount of curtains in the past. So, frankly, I was a little cocky going into this. This is actually the second set of curtains created yesterday. I had originally planned using white fabric where the yellow is. I had about 8 yards of white corduroy left, and I wanted to use it up. I cut everything very carefully, and set the leftover fabric aside. HOWEVER, when I went to put the corduroy panel on the second curtain, I grabbed the leftover fabric unknowingly. And it was 1/4 of the width. It was the end of the day, and I was exhausted, not to mention hungry... I didn't notice. Until we hung it on the window and which point I dissolved into a angry/weepy mess. Low blood sugar + exhaustion = really unhappy Bari.
I had wanted to photograph and get this post up last night. Instead, I spent the remainder of the night (until 12:30PM) remaking the curtains entirely... I had cut into the properly cut piece for another part of the curtain, and didn't have any left to be able to just fix the error.
All of that said, in the end, I like the second set better.
Lara didn't want lining because she wanted the sun to shine through a bit, so I decided to bind the curtains instead of hem the sides and bottom:
By doing this, I think it gave the back a bit of a more fininshed look. Plus, it really frames the whole thing nicely.
A basic how to on curtains:
Cutting:
WIDTH:
Lara's window was 112" the entire way across. I made two panels and each is 110" wide finished (nearly the entire width) in order to make them ruffly. i.e. = equation for each panel is 1/2 the window x 2.
Note: I actually used 3 pieces of fabric for each panel width... when you decide on width, take seam allowances between panels into account.
HEIGHT:
Here's what you need to take into account:
1. Rod pocket. I made a 3" rod pocket plus I finished the top of the rod pocket with a top top stitch that took up 1/4" inch. There for I added 6 1/2" for the rod pocket.
2. Hem. If I was going to do a hem, I'd add 1/2" to the bottom.
3. Height of brackets. Your brackets will be hung above the window. Buy your brackets first and measure them. Then decide where they will hang. Add the amount to the total height of your panels.
equation for panel length:
Window Height
+ (rod width x 2) + 1/2" for top stitching at top of curtain
+ 1/2" for hem (If you are doing one. I didn't because I used binding.)
+ bracket height
If you are going to bind instead of hem here's the equation for amount of binding needed:
1 side of curtain x 2 + width of the bottom/width of fabric = number of 3" strips needed
Step by step:
Binding (note: you'll be binding the sides and the bottom, not the top)
1. Attach the 3" strips together by mitering.
To miter...
a. Place strips in a backward "L" shape, right sides together:
b. Sew a 45 degree angle seam from corner to corner.
c. Trim off excess fabric in seam... here's what the miter looks like:
2. Press the binding in half lengthwise and press.
3. Open up and fold each edge into the middle and press.
4. Fold in half lengthwise again and press.
5. Open up the binding, align with the top right hand corner of your curtain, right sides together, raw edges matching. Sew along the first fold line.
6. When you get 1/2" from the corner, pivot and sew a 45 degree angle to the corner. Cut thread and take out from under foot.
7. To miter the corner. urn the fabric to the right...
... then back over itself to the left. Continue sewing along the raw edge.
8. Miter the other corner in the same manner, and sew to the top left of the curtain.
9. Once the binding is on the front, flip it over to the back, fold the raw edge in toward the wrong side of the binding and press in place on the back of the curtain. You can even use a little glue stick to hold it in place.
10. Top stitch the binding on from the front side (see the photo of the fininshed binding near the top of this post.
ROD POCKET:
1. Measure 3 1/4" from the top of the curtain and mark.
2. Fold the fabric down toward the wrong side 1/4" (so there was no raw edge), and then another 3" (where you just marked) for the rod pocket. Pin in place.
3. Edge stitch along the fold on the wrong side of the fabric to close the rod pocket.
4. At the very top of the fold, top stitched 1/4" away from the edge for a finished look on the top.
Voila! You are finished.
14 days of LillyBelle. Day 10... Drawstring Gift Bag
Off to a cocktail party in a few hours... bringing the coasters I made earlier this week along with some wine. Today I made a LillyBelle gift bag to bring it in.
I think I'll make a bunch of these to have on had as the holidays approach. They are super easy for a lot of impact. Plus, of course, you can make them in any size... great for shoe bags, lingerie bags etc etc... just re-size.
Here's how I made this one...
Supplies Needed:
Fat Quarter of fabric
1/4 yard contrast fabric
Safety pin
Serger (optional)
Cutting:
Main fabric: 16 1/4" x 14"
Contrast fabric: 4" x WOF
Step by Step:
1. Serge or zig zag stitch all four raw edges of the main fabric.
2. Fold the two 16 1/4" sides and 1 - 14" side in 1/4" toward the wrong side of the fabric. These will be the side seam and the bottom of the bag. Do not fold in the top edge.
3. Edge stitch along the inside edge of the 1/4" folded fabric to hem.
4. Mark 2 1/4" down from the top of the fabric.
5. Fold the top edge toward the wrong side of the fabric along the 2 1/4" mark.
6. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew along the top folded edge.
7. Edge stitch along the serged/zig zagged edge. You've just created the casing for your drawstring.
8. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise so the side seams meet, right sides together.
9. Sew the side seam and bottom edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.
10. Turn and press.
Make the drawstring:
1. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, right sides together and press.
2. Fold each short raw end in toward the long folded edge at a 45 degree angle creating a pointed end.
3. Sew the raw edge and angle closed leaving a 4" -5" opening to turn. Turn and press.
4. Edge stitch the seam edge, closing the opening to finish.
5. Place a safety pin on one end of the drawstring and draw through the casing.
4. Turn the
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 9. Zakka Embroidery Organizer Wall Pockets
Today's project is a nifty little wall organizer for your embroidery supplies...
Here's how you make it...
Download pocket pattern pieces: Download Zakkapockets
Supplies needed:
2 - 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" pieces of fabric
Scraps in varying contrasting fabrics sized larger than 8".
1 - 1/2 yard fusible fleece
1/4 yard for binding
Cutting:
For front and back cut 1 each 12 1/2" x 12 1/2"
Cut pockets as indicated on pattern sheet
1 - 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" fusible fleece
Step by step:
Edit: In hindsight... had this not been a project a day challenge, I may have thought to quilt the piece first, THEN put the pockets on... I would highly recommend that. So, instead of making and attaching the pockets, first fuse the fleece to the wrong side of the front panel, baste the backing on, and quilt as you wish. I think I'm going to take the pockets off of this one, do straight line quilting, then put the pockets back on. You can sew the pockets on through the 3 layers. Bind when it's all finished.
Pocket 1 (ruler/pen):
1. Fold your piece of fabric in half with the right sides together (the fold is 3 1/2" across).
2. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the long sides together and leave the bottom open.
3. Trim the corners, turn and press.
4. Edge stitch along the top 3 1/2" fold.
5. Place the pocket with the raw edge toward the top onto the fabric panel. The left hand corner should be 2 1/4" from the left side of the fabric and 5 3/4" from the bottom of the fabric panel. See below for placement.
6. Stitch onto the panel using a scant 1/4" seam allowance.
7. Flip the pocket up, press and sew a 1/4" seam allowance at the bottom of the pocket, enclosing the raw edge. Then top/edge stitch the sides in place.
Pockets 2a/b:
1. Follow steps 1 through 4 above, except use the 5 1/2" width as the fold.
2. Place the smaller pocket in front of the larger pocket with the raw edges aligned.
3. Place the pockets with the raw edge toward the top onto the fabric panel. The smaller pocket should be facing the right side of the fabric panel (i.e. down). The right hand corner should be 1 1/4" from the right side of the fabric and 6 1/4" from the bottom of the fabric panel. See below for placement.
Pocket 3 (rounded hoop pocket):
1. Fold the pocket in half along the fold you cut on with the right sides together.
2. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the two sides together. Leave a 2" to 3" opening in the bottom to turn (I usually baste through my openings and then open them up to turn... this way I have a stitch line to make it easier to turn the fabric in later).
3. Turn and press.
4. Edge stitch along the fold.
5. Center the pocket below pocket 1, about 1 1/4" from the bottom of the fabric, and edge stitch in place.
Pocket 4 (scissors):
1. Place the two pieces right side together and sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance and leaving an opening in the top.
2. Turn and press.
3. Center the pocket below pocket 2, about 1 1/4" from the bottom and edge stitch in place.
Tabs:
For top tabs, I created extra binding.
1. Cut off 2 - 4" pieces, folded the edges in 1/4" then fold in half. Edge stitch along the open edge.
2. Mark 2" from each side of the top center for tab placement. Align the raw edges of the tabs on the back side of your organizer, and as you sew your binding onto the front of your piece, sew the tabs in with it.
3. When you flip the binding over the top to the back and hand stitch, flip the tabs up and stitch them in place as well.
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 8. Doggie Bed.
This is Izzy. On her new bed. We had to bribe her with lots of cookies to sit still. Also, I photoshopped out her drool off the dog bed...
Several weeks ago I went to great lengths getting foam for dog beds at the local big box sewing store. Let's suffice to say, thanks to a coupon ta do, I made two stops back there for the same item only to have a coupon argument at the cutting table when I finally did get the foam. Sheesh.
But I digress... for weeks now, I've had two ugly pieces of foam sitting around, and I hadn't gotten around to sewing covers for them. Lucky me. I commited to sewing with LillyBelle every day for 14 days... so now I had an excuse. I HAD to make the dog beds. And at least I did get one done today. I did this one with the zipper in the side... It's hidden under fabric flaps, and this is my favorite way of doing zipper on pillows of any sort.
How to make your own doggie bed...
Supplies:
1 yard of 5" x 24 1/2" foam
1 1/2 yards of main fabric
3/4 yard of contrast fabric
24" upholstery zipper
2 yards fusible fleece (optional)
Cutting:
Main fabric, fusible fleece – 2 each- 37" x 25 1/2" pieces
Contrast fabric, fusible fleece – 2 each - 3 1/2" x 37" pieces, 1 each - 6" x 37" piece, 2 each - 6" x 25 1/2" pieces
Step by Step:
Install zipper in the side:
1. Place the two 3 1/2" x 37" pieces right sides together.
2. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, BASTE the two pieces together along a long raw edge.
3. Press the seam open and place your zipper on top of the wrong side of the seam, right side of zipper down, centered on top of the seam.
4. Pin the zipper in place alternating the direction from which you put the pin in (see above).
5. From the right side of the basted panel, and with your zipper foot on, top stitch along the side of the seam about 1/4" away from the zipper. The trick here is to feel with your fingers as you sew down next to the seam, and reach under the fabric pulling pins out of the way as you go.
Zipper tip: you'll want to pull the zipper pull open as you start so it's away from the presser foot, then when you get to it, put the presser foot in the up position and wiggle the pull up again past it.
6. Sew back up the other side of the seam, again keeping 1/4" away from the zipper.
7. Use a seam ripper to open the basted seam exposing your zipper.
Note: if you have cut your zipper to length, you'll want to do a tight zig zag stitch in place to work as a tab at the bottom of the zipper so that you can't open the zipper past it (see below).
Sew the contrast fabric sides to the main fabric panels:
Note: For all of the seams, start and stop at the 1/2" point. You might want to mark 1/2" from the ends on all of the pieces.
1. Place the zipper panel on top of one of the large panels (main fabric) along a long side, right sides together. Using a 1/2" seam allowance, and starting/stopping 1/2" inch from each end, sew the two pieces together.
2. Sew the other three contrast pieces of fabric on in the same manner.
4. Repeat for the other side of the dog bed.
5. Starting and stopping at the 1/2" points, and using a 1/2" seam allowance, sew the four corners together... NOTE: Before you sew the last corner, open the zipper so you can turn through it.
6. Serge or zig zag stitch all seams, turn and press.
7. Slip on the piece of foam (read: wrangle onto the piece of foam)
8. Force your dog to pose on her new bed for a photo.
9. Post to Facebook and tell all your friends you made a dog bed all by yourself.
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 7. Sweet Dreams Sleep Mask.
For some time now, I've taken to sleeping with a sleep mask, and I sleep much better when I do. It's a really pretty picture... me jumping into bed, putting the ritual lotion and sweat socks on, wearing my bite guard and then pulling a mask over my face. It's cute, I'm sure. Aherm. . . Well, at least now I'll be a little cuter, you'll have to agree. Last night the elastic on my old sleep mask busted, so I this became today's project. It makes a great gift too!
Download the pattern here:
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 6. String Block quilted coasters.
I have a party to go to later this week. So, I thought I'd make a hostess gift today. At this point, I have a ton of scraps, so I thought a string block would be perfect. Together, four coasters make one string block and I think they look fantastic on a coffee table layed out like this... Make a whole bunch and you can mix and match.
Here's how you make them...
You will need:
a fat quarter of muslin
a fat quarter of batting or fusible fleece (I used the fleece)
Scraps
A fat quarter for the back of the coasters
Coordinating Thread (I used four Aurifil colors from the Pat Bravo Quilter's Heart box set: 2132, 2420, 5006 and 2311)
Cut:
4 each backing, batting/fusible fleece and muslin at 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Cut strips of varying sizes at least 7" long
Assemble:
1. Lay a strip, right side up on top of a muslin square on the diagonal.
2. Lay a second strip on top of the first piece raw edges matching and right sides together.
3. Sew a 1/4" seam along the raw edge.
4. Flip the top piece over and press in place.
5. Continue piecing in this manner until the entire square is covered.
6. Turn your finished square over on top of your cutting mat so you can see the muslin, and use your rotary cutter and ruler to trim to the size of the square.
7. Fuse the fleece to the wrong side of each of your finished squares.
8. Place the backing and front of the square right sides together and sew around three sides.
9. For the fourth side, baste the seam.
10. Trim the corners.
11. Press all seams open.
12. With a seam ripper, open a small portion of the basted edge. (note: I had you close it and open it so that you would have a nice line to turn the edge under.)
13. Turn the coaster through the opening.
14. Press the open edge in 1/4" toward the wrong side.
15. Edge stitch around the four sides of the coaster closing the open side.
16. Quilt as desired. I simply quilted straight lines 1/4" apart until I got to the center... That way, I didn't have to lift the needle or cut thread. i.e.: It was fast.
Happy sewing!
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day 5. Fabric Collage Embellished Skirt
You probably already know this... I love fabric collage. I think it works on just about anything. I've done wall hangings, pillows, embellished sweaters, quilt edges, jeans and lots more. For this project, I embellished a jean skirt. If you were at quilt market you might have seen me wearing it. I actually did this in the hotel room the night before the show opened.
This is super easy to do. If you don't have experience with free motion quilting, this is also an easy way to get started practicing because it's just so forgiving. If your stitches appear too long or short, just go over them again. You are simply going to doodle. Watch me do it in the video below.
For this project you'll need about 20 or so raw edged fabric motifs. Mine are from LillyBelle in the both colorways. I used Aurifil 4651 which is a variegated thread for the quilting. And you'll need a sewng machine that has free motion quilting capability (feed dogs can go down and a quilting foot). You'll also need a piece of muslin to go underneath your motifs where they will hang off the edge. Quilting gloves are optional, but really help you grip the fabric to move it.
1. Lay the muslin on top of your jean skirt where you will be putting the motifs. It can hang off the bottom edge.
2. Lay out your motifs in a manner that is pleasing to you. Make sure that if it is going of the edge, they are on top of the muslin which you will use as a base.
3. Pin all motifs in place or use a washable glue stick to hold them down. You don't want them flapping about as you are quilting.
4. Free motion quilt/doodle them all into place.
5. Cut off the excess muslin up to the edges of the motifs.
6. Zig zag stitch the raw edges along the bottom with a tight stitch. You could go around the edge three times making each round a shorter stitch to mimic a satin stitch or you could also serge the edges.
7. Wash the skirt to give the pieces a frayed
look.
Here's a short video in which I show you how to free motion quilt for fabric collage. Happy stitching!
14 Days of LillyBelle
Day 4.
Paper pieced Lily Mug Rug.
Apparently my boss (me) is a tyrant. First she told me that we could just do simple easy projects that would take an hour to develop. And then she told me I was just being lazy, and that I had to step it up a bit... "give people something interesting", she said. So yesterday she decided a little paper piecing project was in order. Nevermind, we don't do that very often around here so we had to brush up our paper piecing skills in order to do it... SHE decided it wouldn't be a problem. Hrrmmppff... she didn't have to execute her evil plan. Oh, wait. Yes she did. And SO, she (I) stayed up past midnight because apparently she can't resist throwing out challenges and I apparently take the bait every time... I can't resist a challenge. Yeah, that's right. Just TRY to tell me I can't do something. Sigh.
Now all that said, and despite the challenge I had in developing this pattern... it is really quite easy to actually make! My loss, your gain, you see. Ok, plus also my gain... I love how it turned out and I might officially be addicted to paper piecing. Too fun.
For this project you will need some scraps, batting and backing that is 10 x 13 plus 1/4 yard for binding. I used LillyBelle in both colorways... to show you how nicely the colorways can be mixed and matched, don't ya' know. For piecing and quilting I used Aurifil threads from Pat Bravo's set, Quilting Heart. The blue is 4182, and I used it on the dark pieces. The pink is 2420 and I used it on the lighter pieces plus the bobbing for the quilting.
The mug rug finishes at 8 x 10 1/2" Print it out by using the link below...
14 days of LillyBelle... Day Three. Skill Builder Fat Quarter Tote. (making darts)
lily bouquet fabric and vintage fence from LillyBelle... warm sunset palette.
If you haven't done much clothing sewing then you may not have ever sewn a dart before. Darts are really useful in clothing to add shape... around the hips and the bust are some of the most common places you'll see darts. In this project I added darts to a very simple tote to give it shape around the bottom edges. It gave it a bit more fullness where otherwise the bag would have just been flat. The other nice thing about this bag is that it took all of 1 fat quarter, half yard of interfacing (22" wide) and an eighth of a yard for handles. It finishes at approximately 10 x 10
Here's how you make it:
1. True up the edges of your fat quarter. (i.e.: The top should be the same measurement as the bottom, the sides should be equal and each corner should be 90 degrees.)
2. Fold the fat quarter in quarters... in half the long way and then again the short way. Press it so that you will clearly see the press lines when you unfold it.
3. Unfold and cut into four pieces along the pressed lines... 2 pieces will be the outside of the bag and 2 pieces will be the lining.
4. Cut interfacing to the size of each of the four pieces and press on the wrong side of the fabric.
5. Make darts in each of the bottom corners... for each bottom corner of each of the four pieces of fabric do the following:
• Fold the top corner down so that the side raw edge matches the bottom raw edge, right sides together.
• Mark 1/2" in from the corner and 3" up. See the photo below.
• Stitch from the 3" mark down to the 1/2" mark... do not back stitch at the top (3" mark) because it will cause puckers. Rather, leave a long thread tail and tie a knot to keep the thread from coming loose.
• Press each dart to one side.
6. Make the handles:
• Cut 1 - 4" strip x Width of the Fabric, and cut the strip in two pieces for the two handles.
• Cut 2 pieces of interfacing the same size of the handles and press onto the wrong side of the fabric.
• Fold each handle piece in half lengthwise, right sides together and sew along the raw edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.
• Turn each handle tube using a safety pin or tube turner.
• Press flat with the seam centered down the back of the handle.
• Fold each handle in half lengthwise and mark three inches from each end.
• Along the edge that is open, and starting and finishing at the 3" marks, edge stitch the folded handle together. (Each end will be open.)
7. Sew the bag panels together:
• Place the out side of the bag right sides together and match the darts on each side. Pin in place.
• Using a 1/4" seam allowance start at the top right corner, sew down to the bottom right corner, pivot, sew across the bottom and up the other side, leaving the top of the bag open.
• Repeat the first two steps for the lining pieces except leave a 4" opening on the bottom of the bag to turn through later.
8. Attach the handles (see illustration below):
• On the outside of the bag, mark the top center of each side (you can find it by folding in half with the seams together.
• Mark 2" to each side of center on each side of the bag.
• For each handle on opposite sides of the bag: With the seam side up place a raw edge of a handle end aligned to the outside of the 2" line. Without twisting the handle, place the other edge on the other 2" line. Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance to stitch each end of the handle in place.
9. Turn the outside of the lining so it is wrong side out. Place the outside of the bag into the lining so that the right sides are facing together.
10. At the top opening, pin the side seams together, then pin along the rest of the top.
11. Sew all the way around the top of the bag opening using a 1/4" seam allowance.
12. Turn the bag through the opening in the lining and press well.
13. Top/edge stitch around the entire top edge of the bag.
14. Press the opening in the lining toward the wrong side of the fabric, then edge stitch the opening closed.
14 Days of LillyBelle... Day two. Double sided napkins
A new photo showing the mitered corners a bit clearer...
I have to laugh at myself. This morning I decided I'd do an easy project. And oh, it WAS easy. Until I decided to video it. And edit it. And add music. And make what could have taken 2 hours take... all. day. long. Anyways, I hope you enjoy. And if you don't, please just say you do anyways. XO, b
Challenging myself... 14 Days of LillyBelle
day one.
A note for myself so I can later confirm that I was right about my sanity... Dear Bari, sometimes you do stuff that's crazy just to prove you could do it. I don't know who you are proving this to. It may just be that you have issues. I am certain that all said and done, you will agree with me that this is one of those things. I'm telling you this now so that I can tell you, "I told you so!" later... and because I love you. I know you'd do the same for me. XO, Bari
Aherm... Now that that's out of the way...
For the next 14 days I have challenged myself to make and post a project from LillyBelle each day. Today I made this braided runner. I'll have you know that my sanity may have been in question this morning when I thought it was going to be a full size quilt and that I was going to quilt it myself before the day was over... I came to my senses at about 9am. You can rest assured I will send it to someone else for quilting too.
Makes a runner for a 6' table
Materials Needed:
In this runner I used the 10 prints from LillyBelle's Cool Sunrise Colorway.... it was nice how they divide up evenly with 5 light and 5 dark fabrics. You can get a pre-cut roll of LillyBelle strips here. It comes with two strips for each of the 20 pieces in LillyBelle... you will need three... so if you are going this route, then get two packs. You will have both colorways to use in other projects.
Otherwise... here's what you'll need...
1/4 yard each of 5 light fabrics
1/4 yard each of 5 dark fabrics
Rotary Cutter
Quilting ruler
OR
Optional: Creative Grids 45 degree Trapezoid Strip ruler
Coordinating Thread (I used Aurifil 5006 from Pat Bravo's new set)
Cutting:
Cut all of the fabric into 2 1/2" x Width of Fabric strips
Subcut 6" pieces in pairs of dark and light, right sides facing (for a braided quilt you need mirrored images). Cut one end of each pair at a 45 degree angle. (see the diagram below)
If you are using the Creative Grids ruler, cutting instructions for using it are included with the ruler. But basically, it is a trapezoid template. You can watch a video here.
Piecing:
Join one and one dark trapezoid together and press. Then add anotehr light trapezod to the light size of this section. Press. Then add a dark trapezoid to the dark side of the section. Your row is finished when you have 35 pairs.
Create 2 addtional rows. Piece the rows together carefully matching the points. Trim the ends making sure your corners are trued up.
Quilt and bind as you wish.
Quilt Shop Club: Joyful Soul Fabrics
When I heard about this club, I just had to pass it on to you... A Joyful Soul Fabrics in San Antonio, TX has a Fat Quarter Club. This month they already shipped LillyBelle to their members and in December they will be shipping my next line, Splendor 1920.
They also carry my Starlight Quilt as a kit and have cut LillyBelle into strip rolls for your convenience.
PS... If you are a shop owner and would like me to feature something you are doing with my fabrics or sewing patterns, please let me know, I'd be happy to post about it.
I can't wait to see what you'll make!
Thank you all for your wonderful comments on the giveaway. It's so exciting (and somewhat of a relief) to know that my work is appreciated. It sounds like you will be making anything and everything with LillyBelle. I'd love for you to post your creations over on my Facebook page and on the new "Your LillyBelle Creations" Pinterest Board.
In other news... Hey Amy (comment 16 on the post below)! Guess what?? You won the stack of LillyBelle fat quarters! I can't wait to see what you make with it, so please contact me at Bari at BariJonline dot com with your address and color palette preference! Yay fabric!
Who wants a stack of LillyBelle?
I think it's time for a LillyBelle giveaway!
I love giving stuff away more than I should admit to Super Husband because he for some reason keeps track of that stuff.
I'll pick a winner this Friday so you have 3 days to enter. Just leave a comment here telling me what you want to make. The winner (drawn by Random.org) will receive their palette choice of 10 fat quarters ... cool sunrise or warm sunset palette.
AND I'll give away a stack on Facebook too... The rules on that... When I reach 1000 likes, I'll pick a winner from all the "likers" 1-1000. You also get to choose your palette.
Ready set GO!
Hexy MF ... A Fat Quarterly Quilt a long with LillyBelle
Shhhhh... do you hear that? It's a lull. It's the tiniest bit of a lull now that I'm moved into my house and the patterns are at the printer and the color corrections are done for Splendor 1920. Ahhhhh... I think I'll go take a bath... excuse me a moment.
Are you tapping your foot???
I'm back. Bathing is boring. You and I both know I can't sit still. So, I'm about to order my templates and join in on the Hexy MF fun over at Fat Quarterly. Katy is using my LillyBelle line in the Cool Sunrise to make the Hexy MF Quilt quilt (think Prince, Sexy MF, but more fabricy)!!! She knew I was in love with the quilt. I'm pretty sure that she thought if I don't make my own I'll find a way to steal hers. Which is sorta true. Except for the fact that she lives on the other side of the ocean. And the truth is, I really can't wait to make my own. And I think I'll go crazy and mix both colorways. I'm quite out of control like that. I live on the edge.
I hope that you'll join in on the fun! All the information is here.
A girl can dream, right?
For me, designing fabric is all about dreaming. I dream I'm in other places and of the life I'd life... In my fabric designing dreams, this is who I think I am... (watch video)
LillyBelle by Bari J. from Art Gallery Fabrics on Vimeo.
Should I burst your bubble?
Here's my real life: Today, I am in my PJs making color corrections on Splendor 1920. It's noon. I haven't showered. And, yesterday, for instance...
7am: Laying in bed thinking, I better get up and finish up the changes on the patterns and get them out the door. There were just a few details left, and I want them to the printer by noon.
7:30am: Still laying in bed thinking the same thing when the phone rings. My poor sister sounds like she's been hit by a Mack truck. Turns out she and her husband had eaten something very very not good and were, well, quite sick. Meanwhile their 9 month old and 2 1/2 year old boys were apparently at the ship's helm. Deciding that was probably a bad plan of action, she called me to come steer the ship out of the muck. I quickly brushed my teeth, washed my face and threw on what resembled clothing and ran over there. It can be noted that I did not brush my hair, and I in no way looked like the woman above. This didn't matter much because about 30 minutes later I found myself covered in what can be described as baby-goo and no longer judging my sister for her well-worn yoga pants.
And, in the end, none of it mattered... because at the same time...
somewhere in UPS-land men in brown uniforms started delivering packages of LillyBelle to quilt shops all over the country...
...so that we all can dream the LillyBelle dream. So, go ahead... despite the spit-up in your hair or the coffee stain on your shirt... dream you are LillyBelle.
Now available in quilt shops online and your favorite brick and mortar stores.
Edit: Heavens, a buzz over the shoes on the social media ... I'm told that they were purchased here, some time back. But you can still get similar styles.
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