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