Blog | Stitchin' Post

Books of Boxes

I'm always looking for fun, new ways to give gifts. To me, half the fun in gift giving is the packaging. I don't always get it 100% Martha certified...but at least I try.

So, I couldn't help myself when I ran across these books filled with

POP-UP BOXES!

Yes, that's right! Pop-up boxes in a book. There are 30 boxes in each book and there are 3 different books. Each book uses the designs from a fabric designer....now that's Right up our alley!

Erin McMorris:

Marisa Anne:

Aneela Hoey:

You can even COLOR some of the boxes...YES!

Hi-Tech and Quilt fancy

Ok, I couldn't just bring these into the shop and not talk about them. Because if you just saw the package you wouldn't really get the whole concept...and you would walk away without one.

 

Introducing... Fast2Clean Microfiber Cleaning Cloth!

They clean: computer & TV screens, cell phone & LCD displays, cameras & eyeglasses

BUT that's not the BEST part...they have a static adhesive so you can just stick it to your cell phone or Ipad case...just remove and clean with the micro-fiber top, then stick it back on. REPEAT! I have one on my laptop as I type ;-)

And because we are obsessed with pattern and texture and color...they are fun HEXAGON quilt patterns by Tacha Bruecher (author of "Hexa go-go").

Like I said, I couldn't resist. I had to let you know that this is one of those "cool" things that you can't keep to yourself! And just think, it's a perfect gift for a sister or friend this holiday season.

Happy clean screen!

Tula Pink Project with Jackie #2

#SPTula100  (That's our hashtag if you want to follow us on Instagram)

Last month we had our first Tula100 club meeting and had 27 members in attendance!  Not too shabby.  This month we are sure to have more.  It was a bit crowed last month but this time we’ll have both classrooms at our disposal.  Instead of bringing your sewing machine each month, I recommend bringing your fabrics and pre-cutting blocks at each meeting.  This way you don’t have to haul a heavy machine around for a 2 1/2 hour meeting. Last month's drawings winners were, Judy Camarata, Kristy Rawls and Lori Gailey.

Susan Denton also won but declined her prize (she already owned this super cool 2.5"x 6.5" SP ruler) It's the perfect size for these Tula blocks. Actually everyone was a winner because we all got to take home a cute little pizza box to hold all of our finished Tula blocks.

 

A few tools you might consider using while working on your Tula blocks.  Small matt for cutting those tiny block pieces, small rulers to help measure the tiny pieces, 6 ½” square ruler to square up the finished blocks and a box to hold all your finished blocks. 

I use a ultra fine point Sharpie to write the block numbers on the back of each block.  I write on the seam allowance.  I also picked up a set of fine Sharpie colored pens to use for my journaling.

 

 

Take a peek at Jill Beamans color pallet. Don’t you just love her 50 shades of grey (she couldn't resist the crossover)? All that’s missing are a few finished blocks.  Can’t wait to see what our club members bring to the next meeting Monday October 21, 5:30 – 8:00.  Lawry and I are driving back from Santa Clara that day but I will be here on time unless of course it SNOWS!!!!!

 

 

Lawry's tips on Omnigrid Half Square & Quarter Square Triangles

Back to the Star Struck Quilt /cutting with Omnigrid Half Square Triangle(96L)

Omnigrid Quarter Square Triangle (98L) rulers.

 

My strips are cut for both the 4” and 8” stars, and just to recall I have cut 1 ½” strips from both the star fabric and the background fabric for the 4” finished stars, and 2 ½” strips from both the star fabric and the background fabric for the 8” finished stars.

 

Now to cut the triangles needed for these blocks.

Let’s start with the 8” finished stars.

Using the 2 ½” strip of the star fabric I am going to cut the star points using the Omnigrid 96 half-square triangle ruler.

Why do I use the half-square triangle ruler? – instead of cutting 2 7/8” strips, then cutting into 2 7/8” squares, then cutting on the diagonal into half-square triangles. ARRG...that would be too many opportunities to get off on cutting!

The reason is with the triangle ruler we are cutting the triangles right away from the 2 ½” strips, instead of an extra cut or two, so it is more accurate. Each time a cut is made there is slight chance of error, and this eliminates two cuts.

 

So, line up the ruler with the 2 line (why the 2 line, because the finished measurement of this half-square triangle is 2”) along the bottom of the star fabric strip. You will notice a little yellow line at the top of the ruler, which lines up with the top of the strip. That’s the extra 3/8 of an inch we don’t really need.

 

Make your cut.

Pick up your ruler by that top point, turn the ruler so that little line is along the bottom of the strip and 2 line is along the top. Do your next cut.

 

To cut the background triangles, use the Omnigrid 98 ruler. Line up the 4 line along the bottom of the strip (why the 4 line, because the finished measurement of the long side of this quarter-square triangle is 4”). Make your cut. Turn ruler and make next cut.

 

For the 4” finished stars, we’ll repeat the cutting, only using the 1 ½” strips for both the star triangles and the background triangles.

 

After you have cut the background triangles, come back, use the same strip and cut the background squares. Nice! No need to cut another strip.

 

Get all the cutting complete, and next time we will do some sewing and pressing tips.

  Download Omnigrid How to

Here is a "How to" handout on each of the rulers – so they know what size strips to cut when the pattern tells them to cut 3 7/8” squares for half-square triangles or 5 ¼” squares for quarter-square triangles.

Have fun with Triangles!

 

English Paper-Piecing Tutorial

 

This week in our classroom, Jackie kicked off our Hexa-Mania series with a technique class on English Paper-Piecing.  Because hexagon quilts are all the rage this season, we wanted to share this VERY simple and traditional way to piece together hexagons. Here is what you will need:

• Hexagon-shaped paper templates (we carry 3/4", 1" and 1 1/4" templates)

• Fabric glue stick

• Needles (Jackie recommends Piecemakers Embroidery Needles size 8)

• Neutral-colored thread

• and of course fabric!

Click here for one stop shopping!

 

To make fabric selection very simple, Jackie has cut "Hexagon Starter Squares"~ fabric cut in squares appropriately sized just for this project!  Each kit contains 100 squares (four each of 25 different fabrics) available in two sizes.  The small 2 1/2" squares work with the 3/4" and 1" hexagon templates and the large 3 1/2" squares work with the 1 1/4" hexagon templates. There are three varieties available: Kaffe, dots and reproduction.

Let's begin!  Just a reminder...this is about the technique, not the manicure or lack thereof! 

Put a small dot of fabric glue in the center of the hexagon template.  Center the template on the wrong side of fabric. 

Just a small dot of glue is sufficient, eventually you want to be able to remove the paper template away from the fabric.  Keep in mind, the templates are actually a light weight cardstock, but I will refer to them as paper.

 

 

 

Trim your fabric to approximately 1/4" away from the edges of the hexagon template.  This does not have to be a perfect 1/4"...it will be okay, if the cuts are not perfectly straight!  Just make sure you leave yourself enough fabric to fold over the edge of the template and baste it down.

 

 

 

 

Fold the fabric over the first edge of the hexagon template.  You will baste the fabric in place, sewing right through the paper template.  Use an easy-to-see color of thread, because these stitches will eventually be removed. 

 

 

 

 

As you approach the first corner, fold over side two of your fabric.  Continue basting through the fabric and paper template.  Keep working your way around the template in this manner until all six sides are complete.  Use a simple knot to hold basting stitches in place.

 

 

Continue making hexagons in your spare time and keep them together in a baggie or project box.  *This is a fantastic project for road trips, as the supplies are limited and take up very little space. 

 

 

We will now move on to connecting hexagons together!

 

 

 Match up two hexagons with right sides together.  This time you want to use a thread color that is neutral and works well with the combination of fabrics.  You are going to sew the two hexagons together using  tiny whip stitches.  With your needle, take a tiny bite of both fabrics, being careful NOT to catch the paper template in your whip stitches.  Catching the template in your whip stitching will make it more difficult to remove the paper template down the road.  Tie off with a secure knot. 

 You may now open up your hexagons and admire your work! The tiny stitches should barely show. I know you want to remove the paper templates, but don't do it! It is too soon...be patient!

Let's continue building onto our hexagon unit.

 

As you add another hexagon to the already sewn unit of two, you may need to lightly fold the hexagon, in order to get into the "valleys" of the already sewn units.  It is okay to fold the paper templates.

Continue adding more hexagons.

 

  

 

As it begins to grow, this is what the back of your hexagon quilt  looks like. The blue hexagon is ready to have the paper template removed.  As you can see, the blue hexagon is completely surrounded by finished hexagons, therefore you can now remove the paper from the blue hexagon only. 

 

 

Carefully remove the basting stiches from the fully surrounded hexagon only.

 

 

 

 

 

Now flip your quilt over to see the paper templates on the backside.  Reach under the seam allowance of the fabric and grab the edge of the paper template.  Gently pull the paper out.  It will come loose very easily, unless you used too much basting glue or accidentally caught the paper in your whip stitches.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't remove the paper templates too soon.  You need to wait until the hexagon is completely surrounded on all sides by other hexagons, before removing the paper.  That's it!

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this technique is.  I hope you will give it a try, as there are so many great projects using hexagons. Stay tuned to our blog for information about an upcoming Hexa-Mania Contest.  Happy Hexing!  ~Tamra

 

 

 

Fully stocked!

Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show 2011
is almost here and we are fully stocked!
(and stoked!)

I thought I would share some eye candy today:

New samples on loan from Sue Spargo~

Lots of colorful notions~

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Books~

A little bit "kitchy"~

Fun for fall~

  

Christmas just around the corner~

"Prince Charming" from Tula Pink~

"Polka Dot Garden" from Jennifer Jangles~

And of course, "Wrenly" from Valori Wells~

I could go on and on...

but really, you just need to be here!

Charmer #5

Continued confessions of a charm pack junkie~

Here is my latest "charmer"  and I believe...my new favorite wall hanging!

 

I used the 2011 Quilt Show Panel by Kathy Deggendorfer:

 

And one of our Stitchin' Post Custom Cut Charm Packs:

Of course, I had to use one of the

Creative Grids Charming 5 Square Templates!

This time, it was the very basic 5 Square Template. 

It is THE PERFECT tool for fussy cutting the animal squares from each side of the main panel.  I also used the 5 Square Template for cutting the charm square fabrics into strips and squares, to go around the focal blocks with little animals.  

 

 

 

 

Now...if this wasn't cute enough already,

I put a surprise on the backside...

YES!  It's fully reversible!

(Thank you Sally B. for quilting a design that works well on both sides!)

Lawry is writing up pattern instructions,

so you too can make this sweet two-sided charmer!

Enjoy~ Tamra

 

 

 

 

Little Charmer #4

Continued confessions of a charm pack junkie~

Here is my latest charm pack accomplishment.  This time I used Creative Grids Charming 5 Square Template #5 (Set On Point Square).  (Have I mentioned that I love these templates?) I used the pattern that is included with the template and one charm pack of "Fa La La La La" by French General.  To complete the tablerunner, you will need 1/2 yd of fabric for backing and 1/4 yd for binding. 

 

 

I did not do a traditional binding.  I used Jean's method of making a Frame Facing, which makes the table runner very "reversible."

 

   

 

 

 

 

  I was feeling pretty lazy at the time, and didn't want to hand sew the facing to the back.  What I did instead:  I used my sewing machine's blanket stitch and was very careful to keep the facing straight.  I like the added touch this detail gives to the French General look.

Another Notion to Keep you Organized

This just in...

Stack 'n Stitch Thread Tower with Nancy Zieman by Clover

• Holds up to 30 spools of thread
• Can be used with a variety of spool styles
• Guides thread directly to the sewing machine

 

Really now, what more could a thread diva want...besides a second tower?

One of a Kind!

More new merchandise in TWIGS!

These beautiful journals and photo books are covered in fabric designed by our very own Valori Wells.  Each book is handmade, featuring the best aspects of Val's new line of fabric~ Wrenly.

 

 

 

Now available on our website!  "Tweet" yourself to one of these beauties before they "fly" out the door!