Northcott Fat Quarters are Here!

I’m just so excited!  I wasn’t expecting the Natures Palette Fat Quarters for 2 more weeks and they arrived today! I LOVE Northcott fabrics. They really are cottons that feel like silk.  They sew up a dream and enjoy my pressing compulsion.  ( We all know that’s because I have a fashion sewing background)

The  Candy and Earth Tones have 12 fat quarters. 

Yellow Brick Road is the first pattern that comes to mind for them.  You can easily make the lap size quilt 57 x 75.  I’ve made this a few times now.  It’s a great quick gift quilt. I’ve also added a complimentary fabric from each colour way to be used as a border and binding.

I have more patterns on the way so I’ll have more ideas for new patterns soon.

The Jewel and Primary grouping each have 14 fat quarters,  I’m going to try a new pattern Big & Bold by Cozy Quilt Design.  I have one copy here.  I won’t add it to the site until it’s in stock again at the supplier but it looks perfect for the primary grouping, especially with the grey for the accent and border.

The Throw Size 58 x 75 uses 13 fat quarters and 5/8 yard for the border.

Check the colours on our site
www.joannescreativenotions.com

So back to the drawing board with my sewing schedule.  I have a Thangles project on the design wall made with Jelly Rolls.  I had planned to talk about my favourite way of achieving a 1/4” seam today.  That will happen in the next entry.

Take Care,
J

Fons & Porter Diamond Ruler & Accuracy Tips

While I was working on the Flying Geese I received an email about the Fons & Porter Diamond Ruler #FPR7890.
Basically had I used it? Well I have now. It’s very easy to use. All of the specialty rulers operate the same way. One line indicates the width of strip you need to cut to achieve the finished size and the other line indicates the sewing line. This ruler is no different. The only thing I added to mine was sandpaper dots. I also use the Fons and Porter Basic Rotary Cutting Ruler #FPR7840to cut my strips. Instructions are included with the ruler. I made this sample from an illustration included of additional ideas.
To get the points to match I used a fine 100 weight thread. I piece with silk thread or the Mettler 60wt. cotton. This finer thread occupies less space in the seam area so you don’t loose fabric. I press my seams open and match the required match points by putting a pin through the thread channel. I press each section as I sew. Just like fashion sewing. The pieces are flat. I put the Cheeseblock on them to dry before I move on.
It takes me longer to do all of these extra steps. I am generally pleased with my accuracy first time ‘round and don’t do a lot of ripping. IF you do press your seams open Stitch in the Ditch quilting may not be an option.
The tools I’ve written about are shown on our web site.
www.joannescreativenotions.com
You can also check out the Sally Collins Teaches you Precision Piecing, #CT10578.

Enjoy!

I be back in a few days.
Joanne

Longboard & Iron Maven

Did I ever mention how much I love my Iron Maven Steam Generator Ironing system?
I went fabric shopping with a friend on Friday.  Like I really need to.  We both picked up some Silk Dupioni on Sale.  When I had mine cut this fabric was on the table. The colours of silk I chose went with it.  It was fate, a karmic seed ripening, something, so I bought it for $5.00/meter.

I decided I ought to do the preshrink thing right away and ended up here, steaming the piece dry.
The longboard is ideal for this as well as pressing open quilt seams. Next task will be to interface the entire piece.  I’ll be using the Sewers Dream which is already pre shrunk.
The Maven is amazing. My favourite feature (I have the 490J) is the fact that I don’t have to turn it off and wait for it to cool down to refill it. I just fill up the secondary tank on the outside and the Maven draws the water from there as required. It heats up  in lightening speed in comparison to other units I’ve owned and used.
I’m really glad I added this to my arsenal.
You can have a better look at the Iron maven on our website.
www.joannescreativenotions.com
I’ll update you on the progress of last weeks projects in the next entry

When the cat’s away…..

Well, normally I’d say I’m the chief cat in this house, but it just doesn’t sound right in this case. John is off to a high school reunion in Muskoka (Northern Ontario, but not really).  I don’t do sunburns and mosquitoes anymore.

I just haven’t had any time to work with the BSR on my Bernina® that I bought last fall.  I’d much rather play with that in peace.  I have one sacrifice quilt and the Flying Geese Trial.

After that I’m planning to put together this quilt.  Many Paths All Around.  It’s from Elisa’s Backporch and on our web site.  #EBD702.

Did you every think you could come up with so many variations of a Drunkard’s Path?

I started this sample last fall to see if it could be made with Fat Quarter Groupings available to us at the time.   Once the answer was a clear no I put it aside.
I just love the pattern and the 4’’ Drunkards Path Templates (available separately) were easy to use.
Each block is made with 2 fat quarters. Some blocks have 3 colours in them because I was using up the larger leftovers.  I’m ready to put it together now.
I have sashing and borders to add.  This will most certainly be Machine Quilt(ed)ing in Sections a la Marti Michell.  Just like the sacrifice quilt I spoke of at the top of the post.

You know I won’t get 1/2 of this done before Sunday dinner.  I’m going out with the girls shopping and dinner tomorrow and also intend to sleep in on Sunday.

BTW,  I’m trying out Cheryl Ann’s design wall.  This is the 6′ x6′ model.  They will be here in the fall.  If you NEED one sooner, email me.

Any other product I’ve mentioned is available on our web site.

http://www.joannescreativenotions.com/

Enjoy!
Joanne

Simplicity Bias Tape Maker

An electric Bias Tape Pressing Machine!  It is so COOL!

Just cut your bias 1 7/8’’ wide.  I would go scant next time.  I did fat, but there is a bit too much on the inside.
You just load the machine as per the instructions, wait for the heating element to heat up and press the button.

It rolls the bias through and it comes out the other side all pressed and ready to use.
Awesome!
The single fold bias is a scant 1’’ wide ready to be applied to your quilt top.

We are expecting other tips this fall so that you can make different widths of bias tape, but this width will certainly get us through the summer and those UFO’s that just need the binding.

The Simplicity Bias Tape maker is available on our web site
www.joannescreativenotions.com
It’s so Cool I’ve put it on Sale ‘cause I think we all need one

Enjoy!
Joanne

Flying Geese #2 Marti Michell

Finishing these blocks became my challenge this week.
For this grouping of geese I used Marti Michell’s flying geese ruler  #MM8022.

The ruler tells you how wide to cut the strips to achieve a specific size finished goose.
The ruler starts at 2 1/2’’ x 5’’.  With Marti’s Product line, you would use a template set to make smaller geese.
I needed 2’’ x 4’’ so that my finished blocks will co-ordinate with the Fons & Porter blocks.
I placed 2 rows of Omnigrid® Glow-Line Tape, #OM2102 which is 1/4’’ wide so that I would have the correct marking for the next smaller size. This worked just fine.

The “sky” cutting guide is on the right side of this ruler, which I found easier to use.
I really like the corner trimming.  It’s marked off on the ruler.  The pieces are easier to match at the sewing machine.

Back to the sub cutting of the Sky and Geese, if you put a smaller Omnimat under the strips, you can easily cut the units and trim the corners.  It’s a different routine, but one worth adding to the repertoire.

Both rulers work well if you cut and sew accurately.  The trimmed corners of Marti’s ruler tip the scale for me.

Here are the 4 blocks.  I just had fun this time instead of using the Flying Geese and More Book.  I’m sure there is something very similar to each of these in the book.  The author probably offers better complimentary blocks.  I was working with limited fabric at this point, so my creativity was limited.  Once again these are both Northcott fabrcis. These will  now be combined with the F & P blocks and the lap quilt should be at the Fall Creativ Festival.

Did you know my “Sister” is a fantastic Longarm quilter?  More work on the way.

One More Tip:
I found that using my regular sewing foot and moving the needle to the right to get the 1/4’’ seam was far more accurate especially when working with the bias.
This gives you more fabric under the foot and feed dogs and better control.
Watch future blogs for more ideas/tips on accuracy.

Have a great week.

Time & Family

I know I promised to upload the Marti Michell flying geese trial this weekend.  It’s almost done! I just allocated my time somewhere else.

Well as many of you know I spent a lot of this winter with family.  We had another family event this weekend.  My newest Great Nephew ( 9 weeks)  and his 2 yr old sister were in town. Their parents were here too.

Well, flying geese can wait! even if they do look pretty good in my opinion.  I’m glad I  spent an afternoon listening to babble and colouring.  These opportunities are far to rare to miss just to sit at a sewing machine. I know the blog will be here tomorrow.

Enjoy your day

Flying Geese #1

When we were clearing up from the Spring Show this book Flying Geese & More #GEESE, came to my attention again. I have a friend who just loves Flying Geese and with her in mind I decided to take another look. The companion ruler for the book is long gone, but I knew I could do anything in this book with either the Fons & Porter Flying Geese Ruler or Marti Michelle’s Ruler both are shown on our web site.
www.joannescreativenotions.com

First, the book. Flying Geese & More. You will never find more combinations of 12” and 18” blocks of flying geese in one location. There are 150 blocks. The author starts with one block, shows you the companion blocks, 1/2 square, quarter square and more. Then she progresses on to variations of the block. It’s all done in pictograms and well presented so it’s easy to follow. The hardest thing I found was sticking to the pattern. Other options become obvious as soon as you start.

I started with the Fons & Porter Ruler, #FPR7846. I prefer to cut my strips from the right. The ruler remains flat on the fabric. I nicked my finger a few weeks ago so I’ve started trying to remember to wear the Klutz Glove, also a Fons & Porter Item. It’s hard to remember new “habits” at 48!

The ruler tells you exactly how wide to cut your strips to achieve  the finished size of goose you need. For the 12’’ block I cut my strips 2 1/2’’ wide.

Once the strips are cut, then you cut your geese. The cut on the left side of the ruler is awkward. I went back to it at the end.

Then it was time to cut the sky pieces on either side of the goose. If you square up the left side of your strip before you start you don’t have to worry about the awkward cut.

This is Important and doesn’t appear until the end of the instructions.
When you need to cut your sky pieces 1/2 right side up and 1/2 wrong side up so that the blunt edges will be on the left and right side when you sew.

Here are the 4 variations of one block I came up with.
I used plain squares, and 1/2 square triangles for companion blocks. I like the book and the way the options are presented. The ruler works and does exactly what it should. I still had accuracy issues with the piecing. The fabric is from Northcott.

I’m going to start on 4 different blocks from the Flying Geese & More book and use the Marti Michell Flying Geese Ruler. Once I’ve posted that I will be able to compare +’s of each ruler.
That will be next week’s post.

Busy Times

Who’d of thought that the middle of winter could be so busy.  I’ve been doing a bit of work on Challenges for our local Guild, but beyond that not much creative thought.
I have however added tons of new products to the website. http:/www.joannescreativenotions.com
Paintstiks, an awesome line of patterns… FrieStyle ,  The Krafters Totes,  very interesting books and more.  My next task is to get them into a catalogue. The quickest  way for you to see the new product online is to click on the more button next to the blue What’s New? on our home page.
I will try to add sooner next time

Joanne

Lone Star Revisited

I thought I’d better add this today.  You never know how our week will play out.
Do you remember my review of the Jan Krentz DVD back in the fall?
Well I still love it! This week I found the right collection of fabric for my own Lone Star!
I know, more collecting at shows, but shopping is good for the soul!

I really shouldn’t let this out of the bag, but Jan has a new book, ruler and folding mirror being released “This  Month”.
As soon as I have confirmation the product is in the Country I will post it online.