Craft Sisters Quilting
  • Etsy Shop
  • The Pattern Store
  • Free Patterns
    • Big Hearted Quilt
    • Simple Snowman
  • Wholesale/Retail
  • Quilting
  • Contact
  • Etsy Shop
  • The Pattern Store
  • Free Patterns
    • Big Hearted Quilt
    • Simple Snowman
  • Wholesale/Retail
  • Quilting
  • Contact

Hula Bear Mini Quilt

2/14/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Completed this little top today, Valentines Day 2022. It was fun getting back to some hand stitching (just healing up from a finger injury). The top is approx. 25" x 26". So probably big enough to tuck into a car seat or stroller. The bear block is 9.5" square. It will be quilted using a light batting with flannel backing to finish. I decided to embroider Hula Bear this time and use fewer appliques. She's bright and sweet. The prints are mainly Trendtex fabrics from Hawaii.

I like making the appliques using sew in interfacing. The results are a flat applique with edges turned under. I learned this method from a tip in an old Quilter's Newsletter Magazine. I've used it when possible ever sense. Below are pictures of what that process looks like.
Picture
1 - Trace your shape on to light weight, sew in interfacing. Pin to the right side of applique fabric. You can see through it to position your applique.
2 - Thread needle with water soluble thread.
3 - Shorten stitch length to 1.5 or 1.6.
4 - Sew around your shape just outside the drawn line.
5 - Trim leaving a 1/8th to 1/4" seam allowance outside the line.
6 - Clip any curves if needed.
7 - Cut a slit in the interfacing only and turn the shape right side out. Use the straw and chopstick method to make this step easy.
8 - Use the chopstick or a bodkin to smooth the seams and press shape.
9 - Spray the back of the applique lightly with fabric sizing.
10 - Following instructions on the can, make sure sizing is absorbed in fabric.
11 - Turn the applique right side up and press moving iron back and forth until shape is dry.
12 - Lift interfacing away from the fabric and you have a nice flat applique shape with turned under edges. The interfacing lifts off because the water soluble thread melts away. Magical...
Picture
Above is the back of Hula Bear's skirt applique and the interfacing that came away when it was pressed. Nice smooth turned under edges.
Picture
Picture
Above is Hula Bear in progress. For me, not always, but a lot of times, applique prep this way is faster than using the starch and paper method or other. You still get a nice flat applique. Also, if you want more body to your applique, use regular thread in the needle and leave the interfacing in.
0 Comments

Dresden Plate Fall Table Toppers

11/17/2021

0 Comments

 
This is my fabric pull for making some new fall table toppers. I wanted to make something using a fan pattern and or Dresden plate and ended up making two. The colors turned out to be rich and saturated.  Just right for fall.
Picture
Picture
First fan or (half Dresden plate) made with a 15 degree ruler. The ruler is huge (Creative Grids non slip, 24") so you can cut just about any size fan blade that you want.  I liked the look of more narrow fan blades so there are 14 in these. Now what?
Picture
How about sewing a bunch of 2.5" squares together along with 2.5" border strips? Simple and looking good in these fabrics so far. It could be finished just like this.

However, we're incorporating the Dresden plate pattern here. So the half Dresden's were appliqued to a rectangle and sewn to each end for the finish. A pretty top for a fall table and or Thanksgiving. To me these particular half Dresden's suggest turkey feathers. :) I liked these fabrics so much I decided to make a full Dresden plate to use as a table center piece.
Picture



Picture
The blades in above Dresden plate are large. 24 blades are used to form the circle which finished at about 20". The appliqued center circle is 6".

Here's how it got finished.

Dresden plate was appliqued to a big background square.

Square was layered over batting, basted, and quilted around the center circle and in the ditch on other seams.

I still wanted this one to be a circle shape so I traced a 21" circle and cut out a backing. Top was trimmed to same size as backing that includes seam allowance.

Sewed top and backing together, trimmed it, turned it right side out.

Pressed and sewed the opening closed by hand to finish.  It's nice that this is  reversible.

Picture


And just for fun, with some of the extra fabric, here's another quilted block which makes a reversible centerpiece. The back is all leftover 2.5" squares.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Follow your Heart Valentine

2/5/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Here's a simple Valentine idea I've been playing with in the last few days. I do like the colors better on the card than in the one stitched out on wool.  However, the pink wool background was the lightest  in the bin right now so tried it. Maybe I'll do another one in different colors. This is small so quick to make. The image size is 3.5" x 5", same size as the frame. 

Transferring
embroidery patterns onto wool isn't always easy. Some years ago I bought a roll of medical paper. The kind that's used at doctors offices. You can see through it to trace easily and it holds up pretty well as you embroider.  It's also easy to tear away when you're finished (get it at medical supply companies).

PDF downloadable file of the drawing is below if you would like to make a valentine.
followyourheart1.pdf
File Size: 18 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
0 Comments

Indigo Farm Quilt

12/16/2020

0 Comments

 
All I can say about 2020 is I feel so lucky to be healthy and wish the same for all!
I quilted and sewed a lot in the earlier months of this year. My Indigo Farm started with a Moda Indigo Charm Pack. I used the charm pack and some scrap grunge to make hourglass blocks. They represent fields at the farm. Some dark navy Gunge and a denim/chambray blue provided background for Sashiko blocks. It was an enjoyable time slow stitching the farmhouse, trees and stream, and the daikon radish patch. A fun make overall. It got quilted and finished Jan/Feb. During that time I was also trying to learn a new drawing program. The hardest part of pattern making for me is drawing diagrams and applique shapes on the computer or tablet. While I decided not to create a pattern for this design, I did manage to get some very simple drawings done of the stream, gate and radish patch. Line drawings are here for you to download if you'd like to try some Sashiko.

ifstreama.jpg
File Size: 376 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File

radishpatch.pdf
File Size: 23 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I used a photo of a young Japanese maple along side our driveway to create this tree.
0 Comments

Island Heart Strings (String Quilt)

1/3/2020

0 Comments

 
This was maybe the most fun project I completed in 2019. I decided to participate in the #modastringalong (instagram hashtag). I wanted my string quilt to be an applique quilt instead of using pieced blocks. There are lots of Hawaiian fabrics in the closet still after this :). Really not much of a stash buster, even though the whale tails are quite large (36"). It started out with string hearts. Then it was on to turtles, ferns, flowers, whale tails, and appliqued waves under the whales. The ferns were a little tedious to make because of the narrow leaves. It was surprising though despite all the seams, the appliques weren't that heavy. And finally, I cut up the hearts and made a school of fish. The hearts didn't really work with the other elements. The borders are also string pieced. Background fabric is Grunge Clear Water by BasicGrey for Moda Fabrics.  Lots of space is left open for quilting. Pantograph is Hula Hibiscus by Lisa Calle. It reminds me of Hawaiiana and this felt like the perfect quilt for it. Better pictures are needed of the finished quilt. Another day...
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Summer Quilt Along at Camp Oda May

11/14/2018

0 Comments

 
The idea starting out was to use up some fabric from the stash in the closet (Salt Air, Cosmo Cricket by Moda Fabrics). I used Grunge Creme for the background. Big thanks to Oda May, Camp Counselors and other campers for great patterns and inspiration! This was my first quilt along and first medallion quilt. Choose your own adventure summer camp theme. I did choose to go off on my own a bit adding some shell, star fish and whale tail appliques. Mainly because the Salt Air fabric line has a sea theme.

Here are pictures of how my quilt progressed over the summer and fall (apologies for some of the pics clarity). The top is complete and backing purchased. Now to figure out the quilting part. I'm so happy with how the top came out.

You can see other campers quilts on Instagram #chooseyourownadventureqal #campodamay
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Lady of the Lake Denim Runner Instructions

6/30/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Pat requested instructions for this runner made with Lady of the Lake blocks and old jeans. It's very simple and I know I'm repeating myself but this block is fun to do. Thanks for writing Pat. Hope you have fun with it.

Quilt will be made sometime in the future... from that big bin of denim under the cutting table.
Picture
Lady of the Lake Block
Finishes at 12.5" and 12" when runner is complete.

Each block is made up of 8 Half Square Triangles (HST). HST instructions not included here. Press seams open and press well as you go because denim seams are heavy.

Cut 2  -  10" squares - 1 light, 1 contrast
Make Half Square Triangles. Yield 2 HST from 2 squares. Trim and square to 9.5"

Cut 8  -  4" squares  - 4 light, 4 contrast
Make Half Square Triangles. Yield 8. Trim and square to 3.5". You will use 7 for each block. I used black denim for extra contrast in the bottom center HST. Sew the 3.5" HSTs into 2 rows.

One row = 3, one = 4. Sew rows to 9.5" HSTs.



Cut 1  -  12.5" square light  -  sub cut in half on the diagonal. If your jeans legs aren't large enough to get a 12.5" square, use a 12.5" sq. ruler to cut triangles half at a time. You still might need a good sized leg. Triangles are cut larger to make sure points show when edge is finished.

Sew one triangle to top and bottom of each block making 2 rows. Sew the rows together matching center seam. Trim outside of piece leaving a 1/4" seam allowance around entire edge.

Press yet again to flatten seams as much as possible. Quilt as you like. I quilted this on the longarm using an overall pattern (jeans needle) and it didn't have a problem. Bind and enjoy.

For runners, I like using really light weight Pellon fleece (can be found in interfacing area of some stores). My big sis suggested this instead of regular batting. Not sure of the weight but it seems like almost nothing. It helps keep runners flat and quilting shows nicely. When "the future" denim quilt is ready to be quilted, it will probably just be backed in flannel without batting.

0 Comments

New Hawaiian Mini Quilt Pattern

5/14/2018

0 Comments

 
This one is quick and easy and great on a small wall. Island Hours I`a (I`a means fish in Hawaiian). Use prints and fussy cut the fish appliques for interesting fish faces and fins. It's fun to audition and use different areas of the same fabric to get unique fish. There are also fish faces included on the templates in case you choose to embroider them. Eyes can be embroidered or small beads can be used.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Peace Puppy Quilt Applique

4/3/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
This is before and after stitching a little car cuddle, stroller tucker, drag around (whatever you want to call it). I used the puppy applique from my Peace Puppy in the Window quilt pattern to add some fun. He's a sweet little puppy and fun to stitch. Dimensional ears get sewn under the head and make good handles for little fingers.

Background piece (white approx. 20" x 26.5") is leftover from another project along with the borders. Peace puppy applique measures a little more than 9 inches tall and wide. Finished piece is approx. 30" x 35".

I made this one nice and light weight (no batting) because baby lives in southern Cal. However, minky/cuddle backing make it extra soft. A quick and special little gift and maybe a new friend for a little one.



Picture
2 Comments

Wooly Adventures with Stuffy and Whiskers

12/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Stuffy and Whiskers were first made back in 2002 as stuffed snow cats. I recently remade Whiskers in a smaller size. He looks great in beautiful felted wool and makes a fun pin cushion.

As the story goes Stuffy and Whiskers live in a high mountain meadow outside Seattle or Thereabouts. Wherever there is lots of snow and a nice pond. Whiskers is a passionate ice fisherman and is known to occasionally tell a whopper. He is also owner/operator of "Whisker's Fish Sticks"  Stuffy is a large cat obsessed with coffee and his daily run ins with the Caffeine Hound. He gets his coffee at "Cafe Kit Kat", the local coffee bar frequented by residents of Thereabouts. Stuffy has to out wit the Caffeine Hound (his dog house is outside the cafe) to make it inside for a cuppa. This happens every day and lots of times more than once.

Below is Whisker's first wool project "Fish Story Pin Cushion". More wooly adventures to come.

Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    November 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    January 2020
    November 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    June 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    October 2012
    July 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2010

    RSS Feed

    Picture


Home              The Pattern Store                   Robin's Blog                   Contact                   Copyright 2002-2020 Robin C. Nelson All rights reserved