What Do You Get…?

What do you get when you draw a name and then add:  fabric, stuffing, thread,  buttons, beads, fimo clay, card stock, ribbon, floss, ink, wire, press board, batting, a dowel, wood turnings, tape, paint, cardboard tube, skewer,  sewing machine, a compass, oven, chop saw, scroll saw, drill press, hot glue gun,  and a crimper?

Why, a barber shop quartet of course.

We are having a gift exchange at work on Sunday and I drew our sewing machine repair man’s name.  He sings with a barber shop quartet.

This just started with an idea, a couple of sketches and then a lot of hours making it happen.   As an original design, this is a one of a kind gift.  The only thing I had to buy  for the project was the dowel and wood turninsg for the barber pole.

Bloomin’ Holly

My 6th day working in the store, I was approached by the person who schedules classes and asked if I was interested in teaching in the next schedule.  I was late to the party, the dead line for turning in class suggestions had already passed so I scrambled for some ideas.  I managed to come up with four things for the schedule and now I’m trying to get samples finished.  The place mats I posted last week will be one class that is beginner friendly.

This table runner (it would make a pretty cool narrow wall hanging)is another class I will be offering.

I started with the pattern “Bloomin’ Holly” by Bloomin Minds.  Everything in my sample is scraps from other projects except the leaves.  The pattern used fused applique for everything, but the background. I didn’t use fused applique at all.  I’m going to demonstrate the use of bias tape makers for the stem.  The berries are all small yo-yos and I will demo the yo-yo maker for those.  For the leaves I chose to use wool felt.  Which results in no need to finish edges and means I can have dimensional leaves.  I’m really pleased with how it turned out and will take it to the store tomorrow for display.

Picked Fresh

A perk of the new job is the opportunity to make store samples.  Some people think I’m crazy, but for me the process has always been the most enjoyable part of quilting — not necessarily the finished product.  The only draw back is I can’t dilly dally like I usually do over my projects.

The goal for this store sample was to showcase some of the Picked Fresh fabric line by Wilmington prints.  I’d already volunteered to do a place mat/table runner class this fall, so it seemed like a perfect fit for both a class sample and a store sample.  Since getting home Monday night I’ve whipped out this set.

The center squares and the light fabric are from the Picked Fresh line.  The green is from the Bittersweet line by Benartex. 

I used a border print from the Picked Fresh line and centered it on the back so the set is reversible.

The pattern for the set is “Simply a Pleasure” by Tiger Lily Press.  I chose to leave the binding off this set since I am billing the class as beginner friendly.  I don’t think it is real friendly to have to do that much binding .

The quilting is very simple stitch in the ditch.  I haven’t done quiting on my domestic machine in years and it felt a little strange.

Funny thing, I have the tops for my own set done (which is why I suggested these as a class), but am dilly dallying around trying to decide whether to bind them or not.

Tuesday’s Triangle — Half Square Triangle #2

For today’s triangle, start with two squares of fabric 7/8 of an inch larger than the desired finished block size (a background color and the theme color).  In my example I wanted a 2″ finished half square triangle, so I cut the squares 2-7/8 inches.  (The square could be cut even larger and then the block would need to be squared up after it was sewn.)

Mark a line from one corner to the opposite corner on the wrong side of the lighter square.  Layer the two squares of fabric with right sides together.

At the sewing machine line up the edge of a quarter-inch foot with the line, and stitch down that side of the line.

Don’t bother to cut the thread, just lift the presser foot and turn the square so the edge of the quarter-inch foot can be lined up on the other side of the line.  Stitch again on that side.  (If chain piecing more than one square, sew all the way down one side of all the pieces then turn and come back on the other side of the line.)

Cut the square in half on the drawn line.

Press the seams toward the darker fabric, and there are now two half square triangles for the price of one.

I promise these are more square than they look.  I was in a hurry to get this written before leaving for work, so just finger pressed the seams, which means they aren’t laying  as flat as they will after using an iron.

Pros and cons.  Pro – the vast majority of the waste (as seen in last week’s method) has been eliminated.  There would be a very small amount when the dog ears ar trimmed.  Or there would be waste if the square was cut larger and squared up after sewing.  The only real con for me is having to mark the line for each set of triangles.

Vintage Friday — Singer Sewhandy

Today’s exhibit is the first toy sewing machine we acquired.  Guy picked this one up at an antique store in California  sometime in the ’90s.  It’s in very nice condition, it fact I could believe that it hasn’t been used by a child.

These toy sewing machines do not have serial numbers like Singers regular sewing machines, so getting an exact year of manufacture would be difficult.  However, based on the illustrations and the 1953 copyright date in the manual it is safe to say it was made circa 1950s.  It came with the original box,

as well as all the original parts/accessories.

Many times I’ve seen these machines labeled as salesmen’s samples or  just a small (rare) sewing machine.  They aren’t rare and the were manufactured for children.  I know it is unusual now for a toy to function like the real thing (wouldn’t it be great if toddler vacuums actually cleaned), but these toys were operational.  It was possible to make items on them  (I sure wouldn’t want to have to do all me sewing on one).  They are different from a full size singer in that they are a chain stitch machine.  There isn’t a bobbin. 

Singer did tout these as more than a toy, and based on the descriptions in the manual expected them to grow with the child, in fact they mention the machine going off to college one day.  For fun here are the last three paragraphs in the manual:

A special message to mother

The SINGER Sewhandy is a strong, well-built and safe little sewing machine — not just a toy.  With it your little girl will have lots of fun making new clothes for her doll.

Big sister, too, can also use it for making simple garments, towels, aprons and do other plain sewing and at the same time learn some of the fundamentals of sewing that will be so useful in later life.

You too will find it practical and handy for travelling.  Small and compact, it can be packed in a corner of a suitcase or trunk.  It is also ideal for emergency use on vacation or at the summer home.”

Tuesday’s Triangle

I’ve been mulling over the idea for a “how to” series, and have finally decided to just go for it.  My plan is to dedicate Tuesdays to triangles.  Different methods for stitching them and different types of triangles.  I hope there will be something for beginners as well as for the experienced.

I’m starting off with a method for a basic half square triangle.

Start with a square of the theme fabric and of the background fabric 1/2 inch larger than the desired block.  For my example I want a 2 inch finished half square triangle so I cut my squares 2-1/2 inches.

On the wrong side of the lightest square place a straight edge from corner to corner.

Mark a line along the straight edge.

Layer the two squares right sides together and stitch on the marked line.

If a person were making lots of half square triangles, they might get tired of marking all those lines, so here is a slight variation on this method.

Lower the needle on the sewing machine and line a straight edge up with the needle.

Mark a line straight out from the needle on the bed of the machine.  I would have added a base extension to my machine if I’d been doing more than a demo.  Many people will mark this line with a permanent marker, but in the off-chance I ever want to sell or trade my machine I chose to use an air erasable pen.  Masking or painters tape would also work.  There are commercially available products for marking the machine bed, but I don’t plan to add to my extensive collection of gadgets for this series.

Now put the needle in one corner of the layered squares and line the opposite corner up with the line on the bed of the machine.  Keep this corner on the line as you stitch.  You can chain piece to your heart’s content using this method.

Once the squares are stitched together, it is time to trim the seam to 1/4 inch.  I chose to use a small rotary cutter and ruler, but scissors will work.  If you are not concerned about bulk or shadow through, this step can be skipped.

To continue the visual process, here is the trimmed block.

The blocks are ready to be pressed.  First press the seam flat as stitched, to set the stitches.

Now press the seam toward the dark side (this is the general rule, unless it is necessary to press toward the light for construction purposes).  As simple as that a half square triangle.

As with most things, there are pros and cons to this method.  The biggest drawback for me is the waste unless the triangles are very small. (I’ll show you other methods in future weeks that eliminate the waste.)  A recommendation for this method –  it is easy to add a triangle to another shape.  For instance a larger square -

or a long strip/rectangle.

Pick of the Week

I’m in my 3rd week of a new job.  I’m working two or three days a week at Ruth’s Stitchery.  I’m still quilting, but working in the store gives my neck a break and because I’m moving it doesn’t seem to cause pain.  In my never ending quest for subjects to discuss here, I thought I’d add my pick of the week.  Other than the fact that whatever I talk about will be in the store, it will have no other cononection to the store.  It will just be something that caught my eye that week.  I may or may not purchase and use it, but I will try to share with you every week.

Today’s pick — the pattern “Snap Happy” by Stitchin Sisters.

This was the reason for the hunt through my stash that I discussed yesterday.  And yes, there was enough fabric left from my last project to make these.  I chose to leave the loop handle off the bags.

So why do these little bags appeal to me?  Allow my reluctant model Jesse to demonstrate.

When released, the opening of the bag snaps shut.  This is thanks to pieces of  tape measure in the top.  I purchased my measuring tape from the Dollar Store and it is more flimsy than the good Stanley tapes we have.  The next time I make these bags, I’m going to try using two layers of the inexpensive tape measure in the closure.  I think the “snap” will be stronger.  These were a really quick, fun project.

First Things First

I was digging through my stash looking for a piece of fabric to use for a quick project. Eureka!  I found the perfect one, but wait — I bought that for a different project several years ago.  Hmm, I wonder if I could get both out of it?  Because I almost never do things the easy way, I made the original project rather than just laying it out.

Recognize any tubes?  This is a large bag, in fact I stuffed a whole quilt into it so it looked full for the picture.  The pattern is “A Carpet Bag,” by Favorite Things.  I’m ready to go shopping at a quilt show.

Stitching Curved Seams (using the Curve Master)

I’ve been a quilting fiend, working on customer quilts.  (Registration for school is next week and I’m stashing all the money I can before school starts.)  Maintaining such a high level of focus can become draining and  occasionally I take a short break and sit down at my domestic machine.  In an earlier post I showed the Drunkard’s Path blocks I cut out during my quilt escape.  I’ve started stitching them together.

I have had the Curve Master foot for at least two years and it was still in the package.  I got it out and read the tiny print on the back of the package to see how it worked.  I had a distinct lack of success from reading the directions.  So the first twelve blocks I stitched I used the method in which one divides the two pieces in half, pins the middles and both ends.  It was working, but was time-consuming.  At midnight I hijacked the boys computer and pulled up the video from the Curve Master website.  The next morning I tried the foot again and this time success was mine!  So for your viewing pleasure here is the process.

First, this is how the foot looks.

Start with the cut pieces — I used templates to cut these — I’m excited to see Accuquilt is releasing a 3-1/2 Drunkard’s Path die for the Accuquilt Go.  So maybe next time I’ll cut with the die cut machine.

Line the top edge up in this manner.

Here is a video showing the stitching process.  Pardon my big fat hand in the way at the end.

Finally here is a block hot off the machine — it hasn’t even been pressed.

Notice how the edges line up perfectly and there aren’t any puckers or tucks.  I’ve seen Sandy Chandler demonstrate her foot at shows and I’m not nearly as fast.  However, I can stitch the blocks in considerably less time using this foot than when I was using the pinning method.

Whew!

They did it!  We did it!  The school Christmas play was tonight and the students did an amazing job.  They knew their lines.  They transitioned and changed sets smoothly.  There were 17 students, many with multiple parts.  They always exceed anything they’ve done in rehearsal when we get to the actual play.  Thanks to Carol and Sam for the pictures.  I didn’t have a chance to take any since I was the prompter and had to follow along closely. 

Here are a few pictures to document the event.  

Three Missionaries

 

Young Scrooge and his sister Fan

 

Scrooge & Marley

 

 The bed was made from a broken table top, bolted to scooters.  PVC pipe poles and the curtain was fabric I had on hand.  It was attached to string with shower curtain rings and safety pins.  Carol, Sam and Chad built the bed and I added the textiles.  

Get up on the wrong side of the bed, Scrooge?

 

Christmas Past and Scrooge during rehearsal

 

Fezziwig’s Warehouse

Belle's House

I’m not sure why I made Fred a vest since he covered it up the whole play with that jacket.  He didn’t have the jacket in any rehearsals.  

Fred’s House

Cratchit House — Tiny Tim is doing a good job of hiding behind Bob

You can tell by the look on Jesse’s face he hated this line.  He is talking about the Christmas pudding and says to his wife “Like it! Why my dear, next to our children it is the best thing you’ve ever produced!”  

Ah, There’s Tiny Tim

Christmas Present, Ignorance and Want

 

Scrooge and Christmas Yet to Come

 

A Portion of the Cast

 

Carol, Sam and Chad put together the backdrops.  I worked on costumes.  If I’m counting correctly I made 10 vests two of which were reversible, 12 skirts (I went simple with these one seam, a hem, a casing with ribbon pulled through for an adjustable waist), 2 capes, 2 mob caps, 1 night cap, 1 clock, 1 apron and I started a bonnet that just didn’t get finished.   All the fabric except the gray for the capes and the off-white for the mob caps and apron (that fabric came from Walmart for $1.50/yd) was upholstery fabric remnants that was donated to the school years ago.  It doesn’t sound like so much here, but when I was working on my ceiling at the same time and cooked dinner for the play it seemed a little overwhelming.   

It is finished, so now I can move on to a few decorations and a little Christmas preparation in my own house.