Candy Flavoured Yellow Brick Road

It’s done!  I’ve finally  finished  our Yellow Brick Road Sample.

This picture does not do the colours justice.  It’s much more vibrant.  Yummy as I said in an earlier post.  I got hung up trying to use exactly the amount of fabric the pattern calls for to make the kitting easier.  I decided I needed to add another 10 cm of  the border fabric so that there would be enough to piece the east west borders the same way as the north south.  Now there are more options for colour placement with the variegated fabric.  There is even enough to miter the border corners which will look better.  I’m adding a note to this effect to the kit.

The quilt is actually square.  I didn’t spend a lot of time on the picture.

I’m going to have it quilted in a bright fuchsia.

That done I’ll be starting on the Bundle of 12 Tree Tops tomorrow.

It’s the perfect pattern for the Earth colour way of the Northcott natures Palette grouping.

It’s all available on our site http://www.joannescreativenotions.com.

It’s a long holiday weekend here so orders placed over the weekend will be shipped Tuesday.

Take Care,

J

When you know better but don’t do it

I just did this and  I thought would blog about it while I’m fixing what I did.

You know when you are in a hurry, or inspired and you just want to do the idea or finish the piece and you don’t always think the process through….

Just now I did that and I know the right way to do this.  I’m making the borders for the Yellow Brick Road ( I will write about my delayed week later today or tomorrow).  Any how I’m joining the pieces on the bias.  Well in order for them not to stretch and match when you finish, you really should sew  that diagonal seam from the centre out.  It takes an extra 60 seconds.  The result is a border that matches start and finish that you don’t trim away later to cover your goof.  I really should have done that.  I would have been happier with myself.

Now lets talk about marking that diagonal stitching line.  I grabbed the closest available marking tool.  An water/air soluble pen.   Now in the catalogue, when I’m teaching or giving notion presentations, I always tell you to remove the markings with water before you press the seam.  I didn’t do this on the North South bindings of the quilt.  I know the purple line will reappear.  So as I sew the east west bindings, I’ve soaked the seams with water . They will have to dry before I can press them. This is what I’m waiting to fix while I write this.

There are 2 lessons here.

1.  Slow down and think about what you are doing.  The extra 2 minutes (1 to think, 1 to execute the task properly)is well worth the investment.
2. Walk over to the drawer and get the appropriate marking tool for the task.

The next time I write here I WILL have that darned Quilt top ready to go to Lynne for Quilting. You’d better get their quick, she’s getting very busy.

Have a great day.

J

Roxanne’s Glue Baste It & More!

I’m thrilled!  After a couple of years of not being able to get this amazing glue, Roxanne’s Glue Baste it is finally available again.  Every retailer is as anxious as I was to have some.  I’ve only got a limited quantity.

I love this glue because it’s
1. Water Soluble
2. Very fine,  there is no consistency to make it round  and inaccurate when sewing.
3.  It’s Perfect for basting appliques in place.

4. I use it to baste collars, cuffs and other fashion sewing detail/elements in place before top stitching.  Then I’m not dealing with pins in the work which push the detail around making my stitching look bad.
5. I also use it to hold the corners of binding in place when I’m finishing the quilt.  Once again pins tend to invade the accuracy.

I’ll be posting it to the site this afternoon.

#GBI $9.95 for the 2 oz bottle.

http://www.joannescreativenotions.com

Lot’s of other product arrived this week. ArtBin storage cases and thread boxes, Super Fine Japanese fusing tape and tracing paper, Bonash Ironing sheets, and more.   I’ll be adding these to the site over the next day or so.
We are anticipating the arrival of Klasse machine needles and some beautiful designer scissors in the next few weeks.
Yellow Brick Road progress continues.  I need to add the borders and then it’s ready to quilt.  That will also happen in the next day or so when I get tired of sitting behind the computer.   Our daughter is already trying to bribe me into letting her take it to Uni.  She forgets we will want it for the Fall CreativFestival display.
I may just watch The Order of the Phoenix and refresh my memory.
Bet you never figured we were Harry Potter Fans. More tomorrow.
Take care and stay dry.  It’s very rainy here in Southern Ontario.
J

More Layer Cakes

Our principle book supplier loaned me her preview copy of Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Quilts By Pam & Nicky Lintott. #KRZ4202 $32.95  It will be here next week.   I really enjoyed it.  It’s quite timely considering I was talking about layers the other morning and community service pieces.

Layer Cake, Jelly Roll and Charm Quilts is filled to the brim with 17 quilting projects for those latest irresistible pre-cut fabric bundles. This book includes exciting blocks with stars, triangles and hexagons. All with simple step-by-step instructions. A great book for all levels of quilters.

My favorite pattern is the “Jelly Roll Hidden Wells”. This particular pattern was adapted with Mary Ellen Hopkin’s permission to use with a jelly roll.

It will be in stock next week.  I’ve added it to the site http://www.joannescreativenotions.com

I can take pre -orders.

Now I’m off to add to my project list.

I’m putting together my Yellow Brick Road today.  The sample I’m making with the Northcott Candy Fat quarters.  It’s amazing.  I know my daughter will be wanting to take this to Uni in the fall and my niece will want it for her daughter.  We might have to toss a coin.

Take Care,

J

Community/Cottage Project Idea

I came across this new Book Layer ‘em Up  by Sharyn Craig while I was looking for some new fat quarter ideas.

#CQD04008 $28.95  In stock next week.  I can take pre orders on this.
http://www.joannescreativenotions.com

The ideas here actually work better I think with Layer Cakes and Charm packs.  But…. I bet most guild Community Service  groups  could very quickly create layer cake (10” x 10”) squares from donations.  maybe someone will even donate Layer Cakes.

These patterns are great for group sewing sessions.  The Blocks go together very quickly.  They are trimmed down so you can easily deal with everyone’s personal seam allowances.  Adding sashing eliminates the need to match points.  I think this is a great stash buster project.  It’s so easy and the cutting is so UNComplicated that you could take this to the cottage for those evenings when it’s too wet and buggy.

The fabrics here are once again all from Northcott.  It’s a combination of Stonehenge, Natures Palette and Mark Lapinski.

Here is my finished piece.  It won’t be quilted for a while.  My sister, Lynne,  you know her if you’ve been to our booth,  will be quilting this.

Tomorrow I have a new Jelly Roll book to talk about.   Also a great cottage idea.

Be Carefull

Joanne

Seam Allowance/Yellow Brick Road Kit

Hello,  Bonus,  There will be 2 posts today!

#1 I received an email last night asking for a picture of what the presser foot/needle looks like to sew my 1/4” seam allowance.  I should have done this to start with sorry.  I too am more of a visual learner.

The is on my 9mm machine.  The needle is moved to the right.  The  fabric is lined up against the edge of the presser foot so I take advantage of all the feed dogs pulling the  fabric through straight.

#2 I have been working on a Yellow Brick Road sample with the Northcott Fat Quarter Bundles.  The Grouping is from the Natures Palette Collection and I’m  using the Candy Colourway.  It’s so yummy working with these colours.  I’m hoping to finish the blocks today and piece it tomorrow.  The kit with the pattern, fat quarter bundle,border and binding fabric will be on the web site asap. http://www.joannescreativenotions.com

If you can’t wait send me an email and we can get it out to you.

We received a new pattern the other day from the states.  Also a fat quarter project.  Perfect for the Earth groupings.

Next post is last weeks project.

J

Accurate 1/4” Seam Allowances

Well here it is finally.  My favourite way to achieve an accurate 1/4” seam allowance at the moment.

Firstly, I use the Mettler heirloom cotton thread 60/2 ply, or the YLI 100 wt. silk thread.  The finer the thread, the less space it takes up in the seam, so it doesn’t eat up fabric when you press to the right side.  This is part of the “Turn of Cloth” principal, once again from my fashion sewing background.

Secondly, both my Bernina’s have an adjustable needle position.

I use the standard straight stitch foot. I place the ruler I used to cut the quilt/project out with under the presser foot flush with the right edge of the foot.

Then I adjust the needle position to the right until the needle is exactly centered over the 1/4” marking.

Why do I believe this is more accurate?

Well, when you go through this process you now have all of your fabric under a foot  and making  contact  with the feed dogs, so the fabric is pulled through the machine more evenly, and you have better control.

There are and always will be times when the 1/4” foot is a better option, curves, drunkards path etc.

I’m looking  to trying the Bernina 1/4” foot with the seam guild on the right side.

Try this and let me know how it works for you. Everybody has their own way of doing things. Don’t forget I press as many seams open as practical to help with matching as well.

Hopefully we will see more entries,  I’m moving this task to the begining of the day rather than the end.

We all know what happens to those tasks at the bottom of the list.

Have a great day

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