tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52664636883754203972024-02-20T10:25:34.651-08:00Blue Bird SewsHow to make a quilt and other sewing projects are the backdrop to my life in Portland, OregonKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-54862242547767188192020-07-08T12:30:00.001-07:002020-07-08T12:30:05.342-07:00New Blog Alert<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello,<br />
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I have begun blogging again this time for Vintage Fabric Studio! You can find it here: <a href="https://vintagefabricstudio.blogspot.com/">Vintage Fabric Studio Blog</a><br />
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I hope you'll join along with me.<br />
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Best,<br />
KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-69459176461184685302016-09-28T10:00:00.002-07:002016-09-28T10:00:40.920-07:00I am vintage.I've been throwing around the term vintage for a long time now. Since the early 2000's the term started to mean something, imbibe a feeling - a nostalgia: a style. Vintage to me evokes a picture in my mind of a white farm house kitchen in pale aqua and whites with feed-sack cloth for curtains that looks out onto the expanding prairie. Just search 'vintage kitchen' on google images or pinterest and you'll see what I mean.<br />
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But then I wonder is vintage something I have been taught or do I really know it? How do I know it? Is it that you'll know it when you see it kind of a thing or is it more concrete than that? Can it be defined by a number? Oh yes it can: 1940-1980. Bam. Vintage.<br />
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I was born in 1979 right on the edge of vintage. Lookey there; by the very definition I am a vintage person. I grew up around things that are now considered vintage. The knick knacks in my parents house, the hand-me-down clothes I wore, the television I watched, the fabrics my mom sewed with; all of it was produced in the vintage window.<br />
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Going back another generation to my Grandparents and the things they were surrounded with firmly placed the range of 1940 to 1980 in my early childhood memory. Their house, their aesthetic became the creative language of my youth. The patterns in the fabric, the style of clothes we wore, the music we listened too. My dad always had the oldies station and the top 40 station programmed on the push button radio in the beat up vintage car he drove. Pushing between his youth and my older sister's pre-teen demands.<br />
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So when I say I am drawn to vintage fabrics, vintage patterns, vintage everything; it's because I am vintage. And I like it that way; I want to be true to that part of me. I am not modern, I am not a great big expanse of white with a square strategically placed here and there. I am a big 'ol cornucopia of color, shape and repetition. I am making due with what I have. I am re-purposing the old in a usable way. I am aqua, red, yellow, blue and green.<br />
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So when I bring to you this newest form of Blue Bird Sews please know it is not for kitsch. It is not to jump on a bandwagon of vintage. I am in the vintage camp and always have been. It's just not until now that I have found my best form of expression to it and I can't wait to share it! But it's not ready yet; I am still cutting, ripping, formulating, measuring, asking and percolating on it. Believe me, you'll know when it's ready.<br />
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It's gonna be so fun! Yee-haw!<br />
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-41025325948853655342016-09-16T10:33:00.001-07:002016-09-16T10:33:40.644-07:00Hello, I make quilts.2014 was the last quilt I completed for myself; the last blog post I wrote too. I had made a few other commissions between then and now but really what I had poured my energy into was growing a baby; birthing said baby and now caring for that baby who is due to turn 1 at the end of the month.<br />
Whew, that was a lot of energy I used in that whole process. Like can't hold two thoughts together at the same time kind of expending. I never shared this here but I had a hell of a time getting that baby in my womb. My creativity suffered because of it. My worth was tied to that struggle and now that I am well on the other side of it all I can say that right now I am right where I should be. I am tapping into my <a href="http://www.clarissapinkolaestes.com/women_who_run_with_the_wolves__myths_and_stories_of_the_wild_woman_archetype_101250.htm">river beneath the river</a> I knew was there my whole life; I just didn't know it's name.<br />
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Until now.<br />
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I jumped in this space again not knowing what I wanted to say or how it was going to come out, but trusting that what needs to be written will be written. I needed to tell you these things, to clear the air and crack open my truth and reveal myself anew. Because I make quilts. I make fucking awesome quilts that feed my need for creation and connection.<br />
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Last night was <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjtx4S2rJTPAhVI4WMKHfoHB6QQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fportlandmodernquiltguild.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNHjZq_dcO8PWa_xpRmIvt7WFLC9zg&sig2=tKfiEmlMXrwkxB6Bp69XZQ&bvm=bv.133053837,d.cGc">Portland Modern Quilt Guild</a> meeting under an almost full moon, under the guidance of <a href="http://www.melissaaverinos.com/">Melissa Averinos</a> who gave a presentation on her artistic journey. It was deep ya'll. It was another piece in the puzzle of this journey I am on. The room was on fire. The women were holding that space last night and it was lit.<br />
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So here comes the pretty pictures part and if you're still reading after you get the story of this quilt. Which is the story of me.</div>
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Vintage Dresden Improv began in March of 2015 from a bag of scraps my Aunt found for me at an estate sale. With no design intentions behind it I just stared making dreseden plates. I made full sized dresdens and then I found a pattern for mini-dresdens (gotten by signing up for <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjdpMSBs5TPAhVK-GMKHWTTBu0QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.westwoodacresfabric.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFoSAQAcaZhtz5PjI_aH7e04t_8NA&sig2=m2CLmLycnw8S9c9CWmT3Aw&bvm=bv.133053837,d.cGc">Westwood Acres</a> newsletter) and made some of those. I cut the wedges based on the size of scraps I had. Then I made quite a few and had to figure out the center circle. As I was chatting with Cris Pera from PMQG she offered to teach me how to sew inset circles, so I did that. Then they were made and I was wondering what are these for? That's when the gingham started to creep in, a big burnt sienna piece was calling to me but I didn't pick up the phone. I went for my blue gingham stash, in all colors and scale. I sewed them together in a puzzle to create a large background for my dresdens. That's when the magic happened. Those little dresdens had a spot to fill, the bigger ones had their own space. Each dresden had a special spot. I machine appliqued them onto the background and quilted the top myself at <a href="http://www.justquiltingpdx.com/">Nancy Stovall's</a> quilting studio - with a baby on my back in the Ergo. When I pulled it off the longarm and brought it home I knew it needed curved corners and a red gingham binding (thanks Nancy ;). The crowning touch was a block printed label set on the vintage red gingham.<br />
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This quilt really embodies me as a quilter, as a maker, an artist. The process, the materials, the colors, the design, the re-purposed fabrics and the time I took on those final touches. I am proud of this quilt and the community which helped make it and the space they gave me last night to share it in. I am holding onto this quilt, it's a part of my river now.<br />
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I'm gonna do me so hard from now on. I have found the goddess in me and she is not afraid.<br />
press publish.<br />
Kelly<br />
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-62531278979438418562014-12-31T09:36:00.003-08:002014-12-31T09:36:44.832-08:00A quilted finish: PMQG Medallion QuiltAs a 2014 officer for Portland Modern Quilt Guild I had the opportunity to work and collaborate with a bunch of amazing people. My fellow officers were awesome and I am happy to call them friends. One of the coolest things we did for the guild this year was to design a medallion quilt for an alternative to a block of the month program. It worked really well and we have almost 20 finished quilts hung up at our December party and I know there are more out there to be finished in 2015.<br />
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I'm gonna be honest here, if I wasn't an officer I probably wouldn't have taken this project on, but I am so happy that I did! The pace was just perfect with just one new boarder each month and I started it with the intention of it being just for me so I chose fabrics that were my favorite. </div>
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Making this quilt throughout the year taught me so much about my own personal quilting style. I am now 100% sure about the colors that speak to me and patterns I'm drawn to. There are my favorite vintage fabrics in there and lots of DS Quilts; this quilt is so much me and I love it.</div>
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To finish I straight-line-quilted it with an all over grid 2" apart on the diagonals. And thanks to precise piecing lines match up! I backed it with a vintage sheet and a line of yellow gingham to bring it up to size. </div>
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This is the first quilt to be able to live on our bed but for bittersweet reasons. Our kitty of 14 years passed away over Christmas. I was unable to put a quilt on the bed because she would claw things. It was in her final days I finished the binding and put the quilt on our bed. I know, sad face. </div>
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My final quilt of 2014 turned out to be my best quilt ever and set me up nicely for 2015. Happy New Year! </div>
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Cheers, </div>
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Kelly</div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-16840469310128311682014-10-04T21:00:00.000-07:002014-10-04T21:00:21.695-07:00A quilted finish: Early Americana Hello there, I will say it. It has been a while since I sat to write a blog post about my quilty endeavors. It is too much fun to just sew and there has been much to be sewn! Lots of quilts got finished and I hope to share them all in due time but the first and most rewarding was the quilt I made for my mother-in-law that she commission me to design and make.<br />
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It started last year she asked me to make her a queen sized quilt for her beautiful Amish sleigh bed. I happily accepted and we picked out a basic pattern (she was drawn to an Irish chain) and then we went to Fabric Depot and selected a palate of blue, green, red and tan. I choose the white to make the other shades pop.<br />
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To design the quilt I use a very basic program called Quilt! 1-2-3, it allows you to form a very traditional layout with blocks, sashing and borders. Once you have a layout you can select blocks to put in the quilt and then it gives you a cutting guide to make the block. Very simple but handy for designing and getting the quilt math right!<br />
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I slowly sewed the blocks together until I had a 90"x83" quilt top! The backing for the quilt was picked out on our trip to Fabric Depot but when I went there to buy it they didn't have the 9 yards I needed for a solid backing. Luckily the good folks at Fabric Depot ordered me up a new bolt. But before I could quilt it I had to de-thread the back. Necessary evils. Like flu shots or DMV stuff.<br />
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Quilting a gigantic quilt like this was not gonna happen on my trusty Viking 830. Another stroke of luck was that my wonderful friend and guild mate Nancy just happens to own an<a href="http://www.justquiltingpdx.com/"> amazing quilting studio</a> where I was able to rent time on a long arm machine! That was an experience I will not forget! Nancy helped me load it onto the quilt frame and I was ready to go!<br />
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When I went in to quilt - I had a plan. I had been researching quilting patterns and found one that fit the shape of the quilt white space and went well with a simple corner to corner filler pattern for the rest of the blocks. I really wanted those white middle blocks to shine in the quilting. I think I got it. My side fillers are really fun to, they remind me of 1950's future star shape.<br />
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I quilted it in 5 hours, just before my MIL's plan landed at PDX. I hurriedly made binding for it - in that great red French General by Moda - and spent our vacation with her stitching the binding down here and there. I think she saw how much time goes into a quilt. It is mind boggling what we do sometimes. But each stitching is worth the results.<br />
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She took it back home with her on the plane to NY and it now lives in her bedroom on that beautiful bed keeping her and her man nice and warm.<br />
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It feels nice to write again;<br />
Cheers!<br />
<br />Kelly<br />
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<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-50851259344761791262014-03-21T10:47:00.000-07:002014-04-04T11:22:28.736-07:00Quilted Finish: QAL Value Play Pantone Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! I am usually excited but today I am really excited to share with you a finished quilt that does double duty as a Pantone Challenge Quilt and a Quilt with Me quilt along (QAL) finish! When I started the QAL I had no idea there was a radiant orchid Pantone Quilt Challenge happening in these same colors. How cool that purple is making it's way into modern quilting. Purple can be a hard color to work with but when paired with a neutral like grey it allows the colors to shine through. If you'd like to make this quilt then stay tuned I'll have all the links you need below. But for now enjoy the photos of my value play quilt!<br />
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Full Quilt Front</div>
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Quilt detail front</div>
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Quilt Back: pieced with leftover fabrics</div>
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Quilt Back Detail</div>
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Quilt Back and Scrappy Binding Detail:</div>
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<a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/11/zigzag-binding-tutorial.html">Zig Zag Binding using Stitched in Color Tutorial</a></div>
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Quilt Detail</div>
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Quilt and FMQ Detail: Echo Triangle Quilting</div>
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This quilt is a crib size measuring at 36" x 54". It will be listed in my Esty Shop. </div>
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Thanks for looking and thank you to the Pantone Quilt Challenge Hostess: <a href="http://thewindyside.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/2014-pantone-quilt-challenge-open-for.html">On the Windy Side</a> and <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/">Play Crafts</a></div>
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<a href="http://thewindyside.blogspot.co.nz/p/2014-pantone-quilt-challenge-radiant.html" title="2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid"><img alt="2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fXgBnBmoEk/UsTM64bSPaI/AAAAAAAADpY/J8nVeZWJXFA/s1600/orchidbutton1.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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Here is a list of all links to the QAL posts to make this quilt!</div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/02/quilt-with-me-fabric-choices.html">Fabric Choices</a></div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/02/quilt-with-me-cutting-squares-for.html">Cutting Instructions</a></div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/03/quilt-with-me-sew-those-rows-into-quilt.html">Sewing Instructions</a></div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/03/quilt-with-me-backing-basting-quilting.html">Backing, Quilting, Binding Resources</a></div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Kelly </div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-36170044372373152582014-03-21T10:20:00.000-07:002014-03-21T10:21:01.500-07:00Quilt with Me: Backing, Basting, Quilting, Binding Tutorial LinksHello There!<br />
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So I've got a lot of good information for you today on how to finish the Quilt Along Quilt - or any quilt for that matter! Since I started quilting my methods have changed and evolved for what works best for me and feels right. When I wrote tutorials for finishing a quilt it worked for me but since I started this blog I have learned a lot and changed how I do things mostly due to reading other quilting blogs! So instead of just saying hey read what I wrote I wanted to add in other points of view and ways to do things. So here is a big list of links for backing, basting, quilting and binding you quilts. And if all else fails, Google it. <br />
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2011/08/shrinking-squares-scrap-quilt-back.html">Blue Bird Sews: Making a quilt back</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/2011/05/tutorial-how-to-make-pieced-quilt-back.html">Jaybird Quilts: Pieced Backing Tutorial</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2009/06/basting-and-batting.html">Red Pepper Quilts: Basting and Batting</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/03/quilt-along-part-13-making-the-quilt-sandwich.html">Oh, Fransson!: Making the Quilt Sandwich</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2008/02/binding-quilting-resource-links/">Sew Mama Sew: Binding & Quilting Resources</a><br />
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2011/05/binding-quilt-tutorial.html">Blue Bird Sews: Quilt Binding Tutorial</a><br />
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<a href="http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/continuous_quiltbinding/">Heather Bailey: Continuous Quilt-Binding Tutorial</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2013/01/machine-binding-tutorial.html">Cluck, Cluck, Sew: Machine Binding Tutorial</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/11/zigzag-binding-tutorial.html">Stitched in Color: Zig Zag binding Tutorial </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.canoeridgecreations.com/2013/03/straight-line-quilting-tips-techniques.html">Canoe Ridge Creations: Straight Line Quilting Tips</a><br />
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<a href="http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilting.html">A Few Scraps: Free Motion Quilting</a><br />
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PS. Look for a post with just photos for the quilt finish coming up quick!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
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KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-57104044242389926482014-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:002014-03-07T00:00:12.388-08:00Quilt with Me: Sew those Rows into a QuiltHello there Quilt-Alongers! I have a tutorial for you, whew! Because I will confess I'm only days ahead of myself when I push that publish button! :) But that's okay because this quilt top is coming right along. I do love to see a quilt come together!<br />
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Oh and since I last shared with you I was told about the Pantone Challenge hosted by <a href="http://thewindyside.blogspot.com/p/2014-pantone-quilt-challenge-radiant.html">Adrianne from On the Windy Side </a>and Anne from the <a href="http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/category/2014-pantone/">Play-Crafts blog</a>. The colors I am using are perfect, are you doing purple too? Well then let's join in!<br />
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<a href="http://thewindyside.blogspot.co.nz/" title="2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid"><img alt="2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Radiant Orchid" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fXgBnBmoEk/UsTM64bSPaI/AAAAAAAADpY/J8nVeZWJXFA/s1600/orchidbutton1.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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All right so now let's get back to the quilt along! By now the blocks, side units and top and bottom units are sewn together and you've been playing around with the layout on your design wall, dinning room table, open floor space. Great! Let me show you how to sew up a diagonal set quilt because it really couldn't be easier!</div>
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First step is to get that layout just how you want it. Start with the main center blocks. The quilt goes three blocks across, then two blocks, then three, then two, then three, then two, then three. On point there are 4 blocks down.</div>
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Once those are laid out start adding in the side/top/btm units to get a nice variety of patterns and colors.<br />
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Next you'll add the solid corner triangles that are cut from 2-8" squares. Add those only to the ends of the top/btm rows. You will add them to the top/btm side units once the rows are sewn together (see photo below). </div>
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With all the blocks laid out how you want them it's time to sew the blocks and units together into rows. Begin by matching up the seams in the middle and pin out from there to the edges on each block. There will be six rows all together. Once the six rows are sewn then sew the rows to each other. </div>
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Join rows to each other by again matching up seams first and then pinning to the edges. On the blocks and the rows the edges of the side and top/btm units will be a little overhang from the triangle (like a dog ear) and this is good, you'll want that to create a seam allowance. That is why you pin from the seam and work out to the edges so that bit will hang off. </div>
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Here is the first row all sewn up and read to attach the corner triangle to finish off the edge.</div>
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Work slowly and carefully matching up all the seams and pinning a whole lot especially when sewing all the rows together. The bias edges are very forgiving when stretching seams to match them up but they are also be very fidgety so pin well! A tip for working with the bias is to starch the heck outta them to make them stiff and flat!</div>
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Waaa-laaa! A quilt top all sewn up! Hooray! Hooray! So if you've got a question or need clarification on any step of sewing the blocks and row or corners let me know! I'll be back next week to talk quilting, but first I have to stare at this little gal and see what way she wants to be quilted! </div>
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And share with me what you're making! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1620281@N24/">Flickr here</a> IG: #bluebirdsewsQAL</div>
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Cheers!<br /><br />Kelly </div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/02/quilt-with-me-fabric-choices.html">week 1 here</a>: fabric choices/values</div>
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<a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/02/quilt-with-me-cutting-squares-for.html">week 2 here</a>: cutting instructions</div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-70698367406916117452014-02-28T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-28T00:00:05.130-08:00Quilt with Me: Cutting Squares for Diagonal Settings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again and welcome to the second week of Quilting with Me where we talk about cutting and constructing all the half squares triangles (HST). And let me tell you, my brain kinda hurts because of it. When I make quilts it is from scratch in my head with a few roughs sketches and measurements. And most the time they are not on point.<br />
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Toying around with settings has been on my quilty want to list for a bit. A block can change so much when you flip it 45°; a little magic happens in that spin. Turns out magic takes some math but luckily there are a whole lot of resources out there to help a quilter navigate the numbers.<br />
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I learned about side setting triangles and what math to do for them. These are the triangles that fill in around blocks when set on point. I will not attempt to explain or say I fully understand it. I just plugged in some measurements, tried out a block, asked my mates at PMQG what I was doing wrong, then I went back to the sewing machine, made a tweak and Bam. Side setting triangles figured out, kinda. I wrote some stuff down and it works, how it works? Magic.<br />
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I learned a couple of really great techniques for HST making and trimming from the on-line quilt community. It has changed my world! The first is making HST four at a time and I used a tutorial from <a href="http://sometimescrafter.com/">Christina Lane, The Sometimes Crafter,</a> <a href="http://whipup.net/2011/03/17/guest-blogger-series-half-square-triangles/">posted as a guest topic at Whipup</a>. The method she describes is so simple and elegant, yielding 4 HST from two squares sewn together.<br />
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The second little trick I found is by <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/">Amy Smart, Diary of a Quilter</a>. She stumbled upon the way to use an <a href="http://www.diaryofaquilter.com/2014/02/half-square-triangle-short-cuts-and.html">HST ruler from Quilt in a Day</a>; which I happened to have already! With the ruler you can trim HST before opening them up for pressing and having to only cut once to trim! Yay! Check out both of these great techniques then come on back for fabric measurements and all the mathy goodness you can handle!<br />
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These are the measurements for a quilt that finishes just a bit bigger than crib size (36"x54"). The above method of making HST is what yields these measurements. If you're using another method then find finished HST size and amounts below. (unfinished measurements)<br />
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Inner 4-patch Blocks<br />
8.5" squares : CUT 36 from various prints low/med/dark purple/grey/cream<br />
Total: 5.5" : 72 HST<br />
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Side Setting Triangles<br />
9" squares : CUT 6 from various prints<br />
Total: 5.5" : 6 HST<br />
Total: 5.875": 6 HST ---> 12 Quarter Square Triangle (QST)<br />
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Top and Bottom Setting Triangles<br />
9" squares : CUT 4 from various prints<br />
Total: 5.5" 4 HST<br />
Total: 5.875" : 4 HST ---> seam ripper out these HST to make 8 QST<br />
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Corner Setting Triangles<br />
8" squares: CUT 2 from solid fabric ---> cut those into 4 triangles<br />
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Hello, are you there? Oh wow, I almost blanked out typing all those up...... boring! Let's do the same sorta thing but with pictures and diagrams. So much better!<br />
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First up cut out squares for HST.<br />
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Next, match up squares...<br />
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Then sew around each set of squares to create 4 HST.</div>
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<u>Next comes the three different kinds of blocks: Center 4 blocks - Side Triangles - Top/Btm Triangles</u></div>
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First the easy ones: Center 4 Blocks from 8 1/2" squares ---> 4 HST Trimmed to 5 1/2"<br />
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Then the tricky Side/Btm/Top Setting Triangles - for all triangles<br />
From the 9" squares ---> 4 HST ---> cut 2 - 5 1/2" HST and 2 - 5 7/8" HST<br />
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For side setting triangles - Cut trimmed 5 7/8" HST into 2 QST</div>
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Side Setting Triangle Unit lined up like this - </div>
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Top/Bottom Triangle Units - Top and Bottom units use 1 - 5 1/2" HST and 2 - 5 7/8" deconstructed HST. Once HST are trimmed use your seam ripper to deconstruct the 5 7/8" HST and use them to sew up the top and bottom triangle units.</div>
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Okay there are all the units you'll need to sew up this quilt! Pretty straight forward right? If you have any questions please leave them in the comments and I will answer them there so we can all see what's happening.<br />
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Also share these with us! Tag them #bluebirdsewsQAL on IG or add them to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1620281@N24/">Flickr page</a>.<br />
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I can't wait to see what you all are sewing! Next week I'll talk about how to sew the units together into rows and the a quilt top. That part is super easy! We're almost done with this quilt top! Hooray!<br />
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Cheers,<br />
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Kelly<br />
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ps. the first post from this series can be found here: <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/02/quilt-with-me-fabric-choices.html">Fabric Choice</a><br />
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<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-68531659296207958642014-02-21T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-21T00:00:08.676-08:00Quilt with Me: Fabric Choices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Lovelies! Welcome to Week 1 of our Quilt Along! This is the time to choose fabrics and get a plan going for this half square triangle quilt. Hopefully I will come up with a better name than that by the end of the QAL - any suggestions?!<br />
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I'm not one for much chit-chat; so let's talk fabric. When I started this quilt I had only 1 request and that was for color - purple and grey to match the soon to be here baby girl room. So I hit up my fabric stash and came out with a stack of all I had in purple and grey - it really wasn't much. Which is a good thing! Limits foster creativity. Without the perfect fabrics I had to get creative and use what I had.<br />
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Now I had a stack of fabric in purple and grey but what I look for when auditioning fabrics for a quilt is: Value, Scale and Prints. Three super important factors for getting just the right mix of prints, solids and colors. But before you dig through your stash of fabrics or drive to the fabric store let's talk.<br />
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Let's start with value. A really great tool for choosing the right value is to take a picture and change it to black a white. I did that for the next examples and I hope it helps to illustrate the point.<br />
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You might notice on the first quilt that there are prints that don't really read purple but the value is there in one way or another. Like the white background and little purple violets. It's not super purpley but it reads as a light value something that you will need to balance out the dark and medium values of the other fabrics.<br />
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Notice in the picture above that the fabrics you might have thought were dark - like the grey is actually medium - and the prints you thought were medium are actually dark - like the purple geometric. Know the value of the fabrics will help you match them up with each other and create the most contrast for the HST blocks.<br />
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Next there is scale; a good quilt has a place to rest the eyes and a place to move the eye around. So when choosing prints make sure to get a good ratio of tiny prints to keep the eye moving and larger scale prints to give the design a little rest. There is no magic number for how many large scale vs. small scale prints to include - that is up to the designer but let me say 80/20 would not be so great.<br />
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Okay, so now go over to your stash and pick a big ol' stack of fabrics in your choice of <i>color</i>. Red, blue, purple, yellow, green. What ever color you like pick out prints and solids, choose different values, choose your best and least favorites. Then let's mix in a <i>neutral</i>. In this case the choice was made for me; grey with purple. But you could do; red and grey, blue and grey, green and black, pink and brown, red and brown, blue and tan, yellow and grey, red and black, red and brown, blue and grey, green and black....you get it right? Pick a color and then add a complimentary neutral to it. Now go back to that fabric stash and pull out all prints and solids in your color and neutral choice.<br />
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Here's where the colors in the prints come into play. Make sure your prints do not have lots of other colors in them. You want your fabrics to be purple, not purple with lots of yellow - or purple background with big yellow and blue flowers. Make sure your fabrics have just one color in them or a small bit of other colors that keep with either the warm or cool sides of the color wheel depending on the color you have chosen. For example if you color is blue and you have a print with a little bit of green in it then I'd say go for it, but if you have a blue with a little bit of orange then I'd pass. Stick with your color wheel friends.<br />
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Let me stress here that the print isn't as important as the <b>value</b> at this point. Especially for scrappy quilts. The blue hue quilt I made has some of my least favorite fabrics from my stash but it works so well because they are all in the same hue - the value is what gives the interest not the individual prints. <br />
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One last addition to your fabric pull is a shade of white. For the quilt above I choose a cream color to break things up a bit. You might want a brighter white or even a beige - that will depend on your color choice and the values in your fabrics. Try a couple out and see what meshes best with your color choice.<br />
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Now take all the chosen fabrics and mash that pile together and take a picture of it. Now take that picture and change it to black and white. Got it, okay. That's the picture you want to study for choosing your final set to fabrics to use. Get a good mix of dark, light and medium values.<br />
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Here it doesn't matter what colors they are, value is what is important, but you also want a good mix of <i>color to neutral</i> like around 50/50. For the overall <i>values</i> I would say 30/30/40 ratio of dark/light/medium so that when putting together blocks you have enough mix to get a good contrast to each block. Here's a picture of my final fabric stack. Looks a lot like the first but I had to edit a bit because I used up a bunch in the last quilt!<br />
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Whew! Okay what have you got? A huge wonderful stack of awesomeness - that's what! So here's the part I am not so great at but I'm going to give it a go just for you!<br />
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Yardage Required:<br />
Backing: 1 3/4 yard<br />
Binding: 1/2 yard<br />
Light value: 1 yard<br />
Dark value: 1 yard<br />
Medium value: 1 1/4 yard<br />
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Now the fabric for the quilt top is an over estimate and because we are working from the stash you probably pulled out way more fabric than this even, that's cool. We'll just cut what we need and re-stash the rest. If you are buying fabric for the quilt then stick with fat quarters or 1/2 yard cuts. For my fabric choices I have about 15 different fabric choices. But I like a scrappy quilt! Chose how ever many you are comfortable with!<br />
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Okay now you've got a pretty stack of fabric to pet and talk nice to until we cut it up into squares, okay.<br />
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Let me know if you've got any questions. I will respond in the comments below so everyone can benefit from the discussion. And let us know if you have any tips or tricks for picking out your fabrics!<br />
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Next time we will talk about cutting and sewing Half Square Triangles and little bit about on-point settings! If you are following along grab a button below!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
Kelly<br />
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<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-23967104862121586362014-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:002014-02-07T00:00:19.076-08:00Finished Quilt: Cowboy Wild Goose Chase<div style="text-align: center;">
Instead of an explanation in words how I made this quilt I thought it would be better to share the process in photographs. So be warned, lots of yummy quilt pictures. Enjoy! </div>
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I made that! :)<br />
Cheers,<br />
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ps. I'm going to be hosting a Quilt Along soon, <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2013/12/winters-steely-grey-and-purple-quilt.html">for this quilt</a>. I'm writing and working on it now, want to join? hee.hee!Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-72875926644003773702014-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:002014-01-14T00:00:08.210-08:00Mama's got a brand new bag...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have had this bag on the brain for about year. It was percolating in there but I didn't know how to start, where to begin with the design. Having only made a handful of bags my construction technique wasn't up to the challenge..not yet. But then that changed and I made the bag of my dreams!</div>
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So how did I overcome my bag making shortcomings? I made a practice bag and I searched for a bunch of tutorials and inspiration. I made <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2014/01/first-make-of-2014.html">this bag first</a> and I used <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2012/10/how-to-make-quilted-panels-for-a-structured-bag.html">Elizabeth Hartman's Quilt-as-you-go tutorial</a> for bags (but I didn't use the canvas inside, I wanted a floppy bag) I looked at this picture from <a href="http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/?p=2317">Fresh Lemons</a> about a hundred times and then I just dove in. </div>
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The fabrics came from my stash and there is a mix of vintage and new, just like always. I love, love this color palette; look for more of this combination coming soon! There is a little bit of Anna Maria Horner, lots of DS quilt and my favorite vintage prints that I have been hoarding for special projects. </div>
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The inside has a canvas bottom and some of my favorite linen blend vintage lining. I put in a little pocket up top and zigzag stitched around the top. I used a pretty clever technique to make the bag handles and I may get around to sharing that here.<br />
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This is project number 2 of the new year and it's like in the top 5 favorite all time makes already. It just says ME all over it. The fabrics, the way it's put together, the fact that I didn't use a pattern but was able to construct it by myself - it all just adds up to a big 'ol YES!<br />
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What's been your favorite thing you've ever made and why?<br />
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<br />Cheers!<br />
KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-85629982665485483792013-12-22T09:23:00.000-08:002013-12-22T09:23:11.711-08:00Winter's Steely Grey and Purple QuiltHi. It's really Christmastime now. Just a few days left until the family gathers and friends come to call. This is what all the preparation is for. But before I get back to the sewing of little person PJ's and snack bags I wanted to pop in a share a quilt finish from last month.<br />
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Remember my <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2013/10/blue-hues-scrappy-baby-quilt.html">little boy blue quilt post</a>? I had eluded to the two pregnant ladies in my life - one a baby boy (who is healthy and happy!) and a little girl (who is expected in February) - Baby Winter. It was baby Winter's turn and mom choose a very pretty palette of grey and purple. So I hit the stash and came back with several shades and a few creams for good measure.<br />
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Now with most of my quilt designs I wasn't exactly sure where this quilt was headed. I had a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/159807486751200208/">half square triangle quilt</a> for inspiration so I started there and used <a href="http://sometimescrafter.com/2011/03/guest-posting-on-half-square-triangles/">The Sometimes Crafter</a> tutorial for making HST (it's brilliant and quick).<br />
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Then I waited and during that time my circle of Do. good stitches was working on an HST quilt top inspired by this <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35920337@N06/6748794847/">quilt top</a>. It was just the right hues to work with the fabrics I had pulled.<br />
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So in the end it turned out beautifully. It is backed in flannel and straight-line quilted on either side of each triangle.<br />
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I am thinking of writing up a simple tutorial for this because it really is so easy to make. Would anyone be interested in that????<br />
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Cheers and Merry Christmas to you and yours!<br />KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-53083785488775734852013-11-15T16:31:00.000-08:002013-11-15T16:31:44.900-08:00Rainbow Scrappy: Log Cabin QuiltRemember once upon a time when I was making <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/#uds-search-results">rainbow inspired goodness</a>? Well that never really stopped, I have been trucking on this quilt for just a year and a half. I made the first block on a rainbow whim and that was going to be it. A big pillow I thought. I made another for the back but I couldn't stop making them.<br />
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I made a 6 block top and showed it to the hubby. He said quilts need to be big - and I agreed. I hate that when the toes stick out or the arms aren't quite covered. So I made 3 more blocks and fudged it together with the first 6. It measures 76" x 82". All the blocks are total improv. No measuring with anything other than my eye. So making them all fit together with a little white around the edges to break up the colors was a little tricky. But I made it happen. One strip, one color and one scrap at a time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10876170474/" title="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5544/10876170474_459c9dbfc5_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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The scraps really do tell the story of my quilting life. There are not so pretty fabrics in there; ones that were gifted to me or that I had long before Blue Bird Sews. There is a huge amount of swapped scraps most notably from <a href="http://spontaneousthreads.blogspot.com/">Spontaneous Threads</a> when I won a box of scraps from her a while back. Then there was an amazing grab bag of modern scraps from one of my favorite thrift stores. There was also Stashtacular from 2 summers ago where I was the beneficiary of some wonderful and tragic prints.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10876337963/" title="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3723/10876337963_6386e61d8e_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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The other notable aspect of this quilt is the quilting. I knew I wanted to practice hard core on it but I didn't know what patterns or ideas exactly. So I just sat down and first made little loops on the white boarders. They looked adorable so I did the DS Quilts loop d' loop on one of the blocks. Then I wanted to practice some swirls so I did that but wasn't satisfied with the density so I went back and filled in with circles. I did two of the blocks with different boarders. I did more swirls and I did repeating lines.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10876337703/" title="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/10876337703_d81abc4931_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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I did it all and I learned a bunch about how my machine jumps when I let go of the quilt. About how I can't move my left hand without losing total control over the design. And about my stitch regularity and how it needs a lot of work. And that is just what this quilt was for. Testing, growing and learning.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10876067106/" title="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/10876067106_fb3e687e5d_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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The last little bits that are incredible about this quilt is the backing and binding. Backing in rainbow vintage sheet and binding in vintage black on white polka dots. Perfect.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10876031965/" title="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Rainbow Log Cabin Scrappy Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/10876031965_6fb368230b_z.jpg" width="579" /></a></div>
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Have a wonderful weekend! I will be doing a holiday market at the Portland Waldorf School on Saturday in Milwaukie. I am hoping there are lots of people who need a quilt (but not this one)!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
Kelly<br />
<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-49960120651090448522013-10-25T00:00:00.000-07:002013-10-25T00:00:07.994-07:00Sewing for all Seasons: Coasters MadeThis book is gorgeous. Every page just drips with style. I have flipped through it about a dozen times since I WON it at PMQG meeting last week. Susan was kind enough to giveaway a few copies and I was lucky enough to walk away with it and a kit to make the coffee cozy project too!<br />
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So in my many flip throughs I decided to make the coasters out of purely practical reasons. My hubby and I invested in a new set of bedroom furniture. Like the most beautiful mission style oak bedroom set on the planet. I lurv it and I don't want to be getting any tea mug stains on it, ya know.<br />
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I choose to use a Joel Dewberry fabric Heirloom which I got the fat quarter set last year for myself for Christmas. It's already in some pillow shams I made for the bed so it fits in well. And there's beautiful roses on one side and blue/purple geometric on the other.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10465328246/" title="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/10465328246_93f5a816e5_z.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
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So we know the book is gorgeous and the writing and diagrams are good too. I decided to actually read the instructions and go with the way Susan uses to bind her quilts and things with a binding tape that is folded over the exposed edges. Very clever, a little tricky, and worth the effort. Once you sew the binding on you're done. I like that satisfaction. I choose not to baste the corners as she suggests but I can see how it totally helps out.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10465511713/" title="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/10465511713_8921a99056_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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what's missing here? A coaster!</div>
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I did do one thing a little differently because I don't have any double sided fusible interfacing. Instead I used potholder batting which added some loft but will also keep it cool on my nightstand. I might just need a reason to sew up the matching place mats. Like new dinning room furniture! Ha! There is no more room for furniture in my little house!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/10465328544/" title="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Sewing for all Seasons Coaster Project" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/10465328544_b0b2e03f01_z.jpg" width="529" /></a></div>
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aahhh. Much better!</div>
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Thanks again to <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.com/">Susan</a> for the giveaway. I have many more flip throughs with this inspiring book! I love the little library cards with fabric swatches, you must check it out!<br />
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Cheers!<br />Kelly<br />
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linking up to Finish it up Friday at <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Crazy Mom Quilts</a>!<br />
<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-59560976365250229202013-10-19T17:26:00.002-07:002013-10-19T17:30:49.127-07:00Blue Hue's Scrappy Baby QuiltBabies are coming. I have two good friends who are pregnant and due in the coming winter months. Lucky for me one is a boy and one is a girl so I get to make the best of both worlds. This past weekend was a little boy baby shower. You know it's gonna be scrappy but how scrappy would it go?<div>
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Super scrappy. I found a Thimbleberries pattern from an old quilt book of mind; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Better-Homes-Gardens-1-2-3-Leisure/dp/160140820X">1-2-3 Quilt</a>. The original was pastel mess but I changed it up with blue prints and solids.</div>
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All the colors and prints just ooze together for me; the whole is greater than the parts. These were prints that aren't my favorite or didn't have a lot of, just hanging out in the stash waiting for a turn. They came together so well, the overall it just cool. </div>
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Of course I missed getting a picture with the mommy and blanket. I'll make sure to get one with the real owner when he decides to show up. </div>
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The next quilt is for a little Winter girl. Mom and Dad are doing the room in purples so a purple, grey, white, cream half square triangle quilt will be coming, but not until after I sew up a bunch of rainbow goodness for the holiday bazaar shows. </div>
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To be crayon rolls and notebook covers. Make me so happy to use up all these scraps! </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Kelly </div>
Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-73621950978965149532013-09-23T18:17:00.000-07:002013-09-23T18:17:34.441-07:0010 Years...This past week my husband and I celebrated 10 years of marriage. Our wedding was held along the banks of the Crooked River 15 miles outside of Prineville in the canyon desert land of central Oregon. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBDywtZ5Fbk/UkDnM94Dk0I/AAAAAAAADAo/mlD-TQ31RRU/s1600/IMG_2925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBDywtZ5Fbk/UkDnM94Dk0I/AAAAAAAADAo/mlD-TQ31RRU/s640/IMG_2925.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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It is a place we call home, a place we come back to for renewal and growth. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9897531746/" title="10 year wedding anniversary camping trip to Crooked River Canyon by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="10 year wedding anniversary camping trip to Crooked River Canyon" height="481" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/9897531746_95abb1dbdb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was a trip surround by family and friends who have become family.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5x8kU7zn-Bs/UkDnLHb7XMI/AAAAAAAADAg/r9nOKkW0n2I/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5x8kU7zn-Bs/UkDnLHb7XMI/AAAAAAAADAg/r9nOKkW0n2I/s400/IMG_2969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It was the first time we took our son out there for camping. An adventure that will be repeated many times I hope. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9897646633/" title="10 year wedding anniversary camping trip to Crooked River Canyon by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="10 year wedding anniversary camping trip to Crooked River Canyon" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/9897646633_b36137bb82_z.jpg" width="481" /></a></div>
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The next 10 years begins again.</div>
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Cheers, </div>
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<br />Kelly </div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-75418551378084601922013-08-28T08:16:00.000-07:002013-08-28T08:16:12.534-07:00Seeing Red:: August Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I was wandering the garden this month I noticed something...something other than green. Red was every where in every shade from bright orange red to soft magenta. Of course there are red tomatoes and red hot peppers but the not so apparent hints caught my eye this month. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517594903/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9517594903_5d607e1739_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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A special flower: The Nightwatchman variety of Holly Hock. Saving seeds as I type. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517595385/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="298" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/9517595385_00884b3af9_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Red Leaf lettuce.<br />
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Beets! Yum. After watching my Grandma Dutra eat these from a can I never thought beets would be a favorite. But they are easy to grow and taste like candy when roasted.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517597669/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/9517597669_823dba9d62_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Sun Gold tomatoes; these maybe more orange than red but they are beautifully sweet.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517597159/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/9517597159_b2ab60f84a_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Another bee buzzing about collecting pollen. I told my son about this magical process and now each time he sees a bee he says "Awe look Mom, a bee getting pollen." The scientist in me melts each time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517596209/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/9517596209_c822387d31_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Hot, Hot, Hot!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9517595815/" title="Garden Red's 8/2013 by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Garden Red's 8/2013" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9517595815_ff4cb3d3bc_z.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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The constant in all my gardens, nasturtium. Also saving seeds from these little ones. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9613183595/" title="August Garden by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="August Garden" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/9613183595_4e648c8a19_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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A basket full of red veggies (and green and yellow and orange). The garden is bursting. In the next couple of weeks I will be harvesting and preserving drying, freezing and canning. The bounty is too much to eat; especially when there are figs coming ripe. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/9616422390/" title="August Garden by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="August Garden" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9616422390_754d55179c_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Maybe next month Orange will be the dominate color :) Till then, </div>
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Cheers!</div>
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Kelly </div>
Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-65342101603714914152013-06-13T14:15:00.000-07:002013-06-13T14:15:00.424-07:00Hexagon Flower Garden Quilt: A FinishHooray! A Finish! Finishing a quilt is so satisfying. Putting the last stitches on a binding and standing up to shake it out, lay it down on the floor and take a good long look.<br />
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The first inkling of a quilt is so magical - and this first look of a finished quilt is also that way. The colors coalesce, the pattern emerges and the binding makes a frame to ground the life within it.<br />
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This hexagon flower garden is for a dear friend and her family as part of our bartering deal. She made me a branding package for Blue Bird Sews (banner above!!) and I made her a quilt. She choose the design and steered me to the colors and patterns she likes. The rest was up to me. I've been working on it for a while, find more about this quilt at my <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2013/04/hexagon-quilt-in-progess.html">earlier post</a>.<br />
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Scrappy hexagons are unified by colors and quilting. Bright red and orange pop this quilt into hyper color with the spots of brown and green bringing it back down to earth and foliage.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3UOYVxj3Lw/UbJLZWw6RII/AAAAAAAAC1k/LCC7RYoC06E/s1600/DSCN2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u3UOYVxj3Lw/UbJLZWw6RII/AAAAAAAAC1k/LCC7RYoC06E/s640/DSCN2978.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I put on the walking foot for straight line quilting in an all over triangle pattern; mostly following along lines of the hexagons. I used masking tape to get the first set of lines started and then by the end I was eye-balling it. I hope I'm not the only one to to this...is this where 'organic quilting' comes from? he.hee<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGkWYcjPQH0/UbJMTmxyT4I/AAAAAAAAC1w/PwJv5sdSWrQ/s1600/DSCN2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGkWYcjPQH0/UbJMTmxyT4I/AAAAAAAAC1w/PwJv5sdSWrQ/s320/DSCN2979.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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A little special touch of quilting was done in the very center hexagon; interlocking petals for a flower in red thread. Binding was made from scraps and hand sewn on. The back is a favorite is great! Using the leftovers and scraps I stitched up the back for a modern quilt finish.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi8wt0hl-Gs/UbJLUQMzj2I/AAAAAAAAC1U/mZl7CDht_ak/s1600/DSCN2983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Oi8wt0hl-Gs/UbJLUQMzj2I/AAAAAAAAC1U/mZl7CDht_ak/s640/DSCN2983.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Washed and packaged up; on the way to it's new home across the United States. To be loved, washed and loved again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8904350153/" title="Sexy Hexy Love - Flower Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Sexy Hexy Love - Flower Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/8904350153_082cdbbdf0_z.jpg" width="573" /></a></div>
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Cheers,<br />
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Kelly<br />
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ps. thought I should mentioned I've made this pattern before. <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2011/03/sexy-hexy-red-finish-giveaway.html">Check it out here</a>.<br />
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<br />Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-44209227316464637092013-06-02T00:00:00.000-07:002013-06-02T00:00:06.600-07:00New Technique for flying geese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1MEwZmm4ubg/UaJuUVrJl8I/AAAAAAAACzc/kZ6KIKrhKiA/s640/blogger-image-561206139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1MEwZmm4ubg/UaJuUVrJl8I/AAAAAAAACzc/kZ6KIKrhKiA/s640/blogger-image-561206139.jpg" /></a></div>
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Well, new to me technique. I was stalled on my cowboy wild goose chase quilt for my little boy. I have about a thousand flying geese to make. Small flying geese, like 2"x 3.5". It was a bit discouraging. But after making about 8 blocks by eye-balling it (i live my life by the eye-ball method) I had to step away and think. I did not want to mark each square - twice in fact! So I waited and then I saw <a href="http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2012/02/qm-shorts-no-mark-stitch-flip/">this method</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/bluebirdsews/boards/">Pinterest</a> and it was a game changer for this quilt. </div>
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The photo above it not the best I am sorry for that, but under my fingers is a piece of lightweight cardboard. That dark line next to the needle is my mark for cutting out said piece of cardboard. Take the piece and line it up from corner to corner of the square then simply follow the edge of the cardboard from point to point. So simple it's crazy! And no marking. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8905857611/" title="Flying geese progress by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Flying geese progress" height="640" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/8905857611_ec257f0226_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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Bam! Problem solved, WIP progress made. I've got all of the geese half way sewn up. A nice straight edge on each. Sometimes a WIP quilt that has stalled out just needs a little trick to get it going again. This new technique saved my sanity. </div>
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What's your best trick? Let me know!</div>
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Cheers!<br />Kelly </div>
Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-88218916260461407542013-05-31T14:50:00.001-07:002013-05-31T14:50:03.717-07:00Vintage Calico Nine-Patch: A FinishA Finish! A Friday Finish! What are you feeling good about today? Here it is sunny, warm and a new day. What is better than that - how about a finish almost 3 years in the making.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07Zlh5RxkTM/UakZefAqR_I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/zTMM2gBh08I/s1600/DSCN2994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-07Zlh5RxkTM/UakZefAqR_I/AAAAAAAAC0Q/zTMM2gBh08I/s640/DSCN2994.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I started this quilt by cutting up little bitty 2" squares out of a stack of calico's that came from who knows where. Little flowers on soft pastel backgrounds. I cut and cut then I sewed and sewed. There wasn't a real plan, just quilting along.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8904358973/" title="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/8904358973_5db85d04d3_z.jpg" width="601" /></a></div>
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Then all the little squares were sewn up. Each nine-patch had a white middle square that was the extent of the plan. It sat a while and I auditioned fabrics to go with the scrappy blocks. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8904361145/" title="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt - Close Up by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt - Close Up" height="640" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/8904361145_52407b6a4e_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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That's when I found the background print, tucked away in a pile of fabric. It took a while to commit to it, but it was about the same time that I bought the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Material-Obsession-Modern-Quilts-Traditional/dp/1584798807">Material Obsession 2</a> and I knew I needed to take a chance, step away from the kona white and go for the print. That is also when the design came together. With not enough fabric to make every other square I came up with another plan. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8904982548/" title="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt - Close Up by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt - Close Up" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8273/8904982548_77362dedab_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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The large patch of nine-patches is surrounded by patchwork. I love it, it's perfect. Material Obsession 2 was also the inspiration for the boarder print. Vintage, check. In the stash, check. Unexpected, check. I had a quilt top. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rU3jNSotUHM/UakYGI1F-dI/AAAAAAAACz4/3afbY3eXx3E/s1600/DSCN2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rU3jNSotUHM/UakYGI1F-dI/AAAAAAAACz4/3afbY3eXx3E/s640/DSCN2993.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Once the top was complete I knew it needed free motion quilting in a dog wood pattern. The squares lent itself to that, no marking needed. The boarders are quilted in a petal in petal design that meanders around the quilt.</div>
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The back is the left overs from the calico stash. I am happy to say that it took every last bit to make the back and I don't have anymore calico left. Not sad about that. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la4LN7rqB4U/UakYuJz6K2I/AAAAAAAAC0I/ntYpF20wu7k/s1600/DSCN2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-la4LN7rqB4U/UakYuJz6K2I/AAAAAAAAC0I/ntYpF20wu7k/s640/DSCN2996.JPG" width="566" /></a></div>
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Now I have a question for you. I am experimenting with quilt photography and I took pictures with my happy snappy digital and my iphone camera. Which do you prefer? </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8904358973/" title="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage Calico Nine Patch Quilt" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/8904358973_5db85d04d3_z.jpg" width="601" /></a></div>
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They are both touched up to look their best, but they each have such a different look. I'm not quite happy with either, but that's what I got. </div>
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Best to you! A new month awaits, a weekend and I am feeling more like myself. </div>
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Cheers!<br />Kelly </div>
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linking up with: </div>
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<a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/">Crazy Mom Quilts</a></div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-40171578629277166112013-04-21T19:53:00.000-07:002013-04-21T19:53:00.560-07:00Color Play Applique Mini Quilt FinishHello there you! You know what -- I thought wouldn't like hand quilting. When I first started the blocks for this mini quilt I knew it was going to be hand quilted in white; it just fit. But having never tried it before and having no technique what-so-ever I just wasn't expecting to enjoy the process.<div>
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And then once I started on the background of the color wheel block - in little tiny 'popcorn' stitches I thought I was going to go insane before I finished. Instead of going crazy, I fell in love. Isn't life funny like that. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8593995634/" title="Hand stitches by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Hand stitches" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8527/8593995634_98dcfd2958_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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It began with my need for a color wheel. I wanted something I could hang on the wall and reference each time I needed to know what color comes after green. It's like singing the whole alphabet to know what comes after Q. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8602165488/" title="Color play appliqué mini quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Color play appliqué mini quilt" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8387/8602165488_1db3d73465_z.jpg" width="594" /></a></div>
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Once I finished the color wheel more blocks started coming to me. A crazy 8 point applique contraption. Another color inspired block, this one more complementary. And then the need to finish it and hang it on a wall. That part took longer than expected. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8593993810/" title="Hand stitches by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Hand stitches" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8593993810_0332bb2c21_z.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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But now what bliss, that it is finished. I really did enjoy the slow process and the texture of the quilting. I miss having something to work on that does not chain me to the sewing machine in the craft cave. Just relaxing in bed with my son and stitching was really nice. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8602165728/" title="Color play appliqué mini quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Color play appliqué mini quilt" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8602165728_8838b940e8_z.jpg" width="608" /></a></div>
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Also, I still really do enjoy a good rainbow. I don't think these scrappy rainbows are done with me yet.</div>
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Cheers!<br />Kelly </div>
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Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-40055686181990312262013-01-30T13:58:00.000-08:002013-01-30T13:58:24.561-08:00Blue Bird Sews Top Ten Tips for finishing WIP's<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hello and happy Wednesday! I thought it would be fitting to post this article about WIP's on a Wednesday the day we designate as WIP Wednesday and share what our progress looks like. It's also a chance to document what and </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">how many</i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> quilts, clothes, baby things and sewn projects we have gotten our </span>selves<span style="font-family: inherit;"> into. I linked up with <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/">Freshly Pieced</a> today; check it out for more WIP Wednesday inspiration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've heard and read around that this year people want to finish up those stacks of WIP's in search of a more organized and focused approach to the creative process of quilting. I know for me that rings true, if I could just get some mental space around my quilting I think the ideas might start coming and time will not be so scarce. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So on that note; here are some helpful suggestions to get you started on your WIP pile as originally posted (expect the photos are of my current WIP's not the FAL crew) at <a href="http://www.quilterinthegap.com/">Quilter in the Gap</a> earlier this month as part of the year long Finish A Long which you can join up with still, see the end of the article for more details about that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">There will always be new WIP’s (work’s in progress) for the quilter. New ideas to contemplate, new patterns from the best designers, inspiration to be found from all over quilty internet blog land, new fabric to dream with and of course the stash to work from. As quilters we yearn for the next project that sparks our interest; so much so that we stay up until ungodly hours of the morning to cut, sew and press </span></span><em style="color: #112233; line-height: 22px;">just one</em><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"> block out of 50 that is needed for that next quilt. We try to finish, oh we try really hard! But by the time all the blocks are done — well then there is sashing options, boarders to miter, sandwiching to be done, quilting (eek! even FMQ) to be tried…binding to sew. You know the list too and somewhere in the middle a WIP is born.</span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: #112233; line-height: 22px;">I love all my quilts, all my projects equally but invariably the quilts that get done are destined for a purpose. Something for my shop, a family member or Portland Modern Quilt Guild commitment. All of these are equally good reasons to finish, but what about those inspired quilts of the moment that happen all at once yet wait for months, years maybe to be completed. How to finish those? Hmmmm….</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #112233; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8409751374/" title="Vintage scrappy spools quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage scrappy spools quilt" height="374" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8409751374_72e7a0f822.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #112233; line-height: 22px;">That was a question I had earlier this year. How on earth do I finish these umpteen quilts I have around in various stages of completion? How could I even start a new quilt with those umpteen quilts hiding in the drawers? Am I really going to buy another 1/2 yard of this awesome fabric because I </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #112233; line-height: 22px;">want</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #112233; line-height: 22px;">to, what about my huge stash at home? Now wait here, even if you don’t harbor the same kind of WIP guilt I do, read on you may find a tip that speaks to you…or please share your own with us in the comments! So with that here are some suggestions for you to use or ignore as you like.</span></span><div style="background-color: white; color: #112233; line-height: 22px; padding: 0px 0px 15px;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Throw them out. Gently of course, slowly at first. Put the pieces into a bag and close it shut. Leave it the closet for a month or two. Open it up and ask is the world going to end if I don’t have/save/hoard this unfinished quilt? If the answer is still yes after a month then salvage what fabric you like for scraps and donate the rest. Let go of the WIP guilt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">2. Make it to donate it. Okay if number 1 freaked you out then consider finishing your quilt with the intent to donate it. There are lots of organizations that would love to pass on a quilt. Every year Kate at Swim, Bike, Quilt! hosts a </span></span><a href="http://www.swimbikequilt.com/p/100-quilts-for-kids.html" style="color: #99bbdd; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: initial;">100 quilts for kid</a><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">s initiative and she shares a few worthy charities that need your finished WIP quilt. If you are involved with a guild check with one of your officers about the current charity they are giving to. Make some else warm and give yourself the warm fuzzies too.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #112233; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8402769135/" title="Vintage 1980's fabrics 9-patch quilt by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Vintage 1980's fabrics 9-patch quilt" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8402769135_f24b52c48c.jpg" width="374" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Try out a new technique. Okay you have a few quilt tops done and you just can’t bring yourself to quilt them out. Take a big gulp, sandwich it up (<a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/03/quilt-along-part-13-making-the-quilt-sandwich.html" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">Elizabeth Hartman has a great tutorial for this</a>) and try something new that you’ve admired. By the time you are done you will be way better than when you started and you’ll feel like a quilting queen! Another way to broaden your skills is to take a class, try improv, color play or free motion quilting. We can all benefit from learning and doing something new!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Join a support group. Seriously we all need a little help to finish these languishing quilts. Besides having a blog to shout about it, there are <a href="http://www.flickr.com/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">flickr</a> groups, Finish-it-up-Along 2013, the <a href="https://www.threadbias.com/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">Threadbias</a> community, instagram, your<a href="http://themodernquiltguild.com/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;"> local quilt guild</a>, <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced</a> or join a quilting bee. Having a group of people to encourage you in your work, especially when the labor part of the love of quilting kicks in will increase those chances of completing a project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Get organized! You might not even know how many WIPs you currently have! (I am currently guilty of this 100%, my list isn’t many but I know there is one or two I plum forgot about!) Take a quiet moment and pull them all out onto the dinning room table or somewhere you’ve got some room. Bring out some storage like gallon zip lock bags, clear totes or shoe boxes and start sorting the unfinished pieces into the bags and boxes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">6. Make a list. Write down or create a computer document that has each project listed with the date started, current progress (i.e. blocks complete or 10 blocks to go), any supplies needed to complete the quilt and the intended purpose of the quilt (gift, donate, your couch) Having this information at your finger tips might prevent another WIP and encourage you to finish up steps along the way. Here are some other great tips I stumbled across in this blog post specifically for </span></span><a href="http://www.sewwequilt.com/2011/01/tips-tricks-and-tutorial.html" style="color: #99bbdd; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: initial;">quilt organization at Sew We Quilt!</a><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">written by Karen from Sew Many Ways, she has a </span></span><a href="http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/p/organizing.html" style="color: #99bbdd; line-height: 22px; text-decoration: initial;">whole section on craft organization</a><span style="color: #112233;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">! Check it out and get inspired to be tidy!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #112233; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebirdsews/8376744687/" title="Cowboy Wild Goose Chase by Blue Bird Sews, on Flickr"><img alt="Cowboy Wild Goose Chase" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8376744687_4046a2a186.jpg" width="374" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Edit the quilt. The fabric is picked out, the pattern decided upon and the queen sized batting bought. But stop there, would a mini quilt satisfy that<a href="http://pinterest.com/lindakay916/pickle-dish-quilts/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">pickle dish</a> yearning? What about the blocks that were started but never made into a quilt top? Do any of your completed tops or blocks fit into this wall hanging category? Hooray! Make it easy on yourself and edit it down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">8. Stop hoarding fabric. This might break a quilt commandment but it’s true for me. I try really hard to use the fabric I have to complete my WIPs. Maybe that back doesn’t have to be 4 yards of new flannel. First try auditioning all possible fabrics for the boarders or back before buying new — and maybe make a bold choice that pushes your usual design. Only once you’ve exhausted your current stash options should you hop to your favorite fabric store (online or in person) and shop for your specific WIP. Treat your self restraint with a pedicure or mocha and quickly cut into that new WIP fabric and finish it up.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #112233; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">9. Work on WIPs first. That golden hour when you have a few moments to yourself and you’ve got a ton of things you would like to accomplish (because that WIP list has been staring at you every time you go to your sewing space!). Well start off on the right note and take 15 minutes to work on a WIP. I like to do this because with a time limit I can iron a few pieces, mark a few sewing lines or stitch up half a pile of flying geese. Then the 15 minutes are over and I can mentally check those things off the list and either keep with my WIP if I’m in the mood or move on to my new love; without the WIP guilt.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">10. Set a WIP goal. How much do you want to finish this year, this month or by next week? Write that down and post it next to your WIP list. Share it with your support group, take those 15 minutes to check off an item or two and be mindful of the purpose of the quilt. Having these things in mind will help to overcome the urge to shove the WIPs into the back of the closet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So did one of these tips speak to you or do you think I’m completely loco? Ha! I admit there’s a little crazy in these ideas but used in the right scenario it just might transform a WIP into a beautiful finish. What is your strategy for creating a quilt from start to finish? Share your get it done tips with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I plan on making my WIP list up this week so I know where to focus my efforts in 2013. I’ll be sure to share my progress with you all at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/finishalong/" style="color: #99bbdd; text-decoration: initial;">Finish it up Along flickr group</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cheers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kelly</span></div>
Kelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-11916136261679203572012-08-04T13:27:00.001-07:002012-08-12T10:31:03.788-07:005 Minute T-Shirt Tote Bag TutorialHello and Welcome! Today I'm sharing a quick tutorial on how to transform a t-shirt into a tote bag. Bringing your own bags to the farmer's market, grocery store or any where else will be a snap with these t-shirt totes! And with this super quick method you'll turn out a strong bag you can use over and over again!<br />
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So let's get started!<br />
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<u>Materials</u><br />
T-Shirt,<i> any size</i> from child's to XL - long sleeve or short, collar or no collar, v-neck....anything goes<br />
rotary cutter and mat or scissors<br />
straight edge ruler (optional)<br />
pins (optional)<br />
sewing machine/thread
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">A basket full of shirts destined to be totes <br />given away at the West Moreland Farmer's Market on 8/8/2012! <br />Did you get one????</span></span>
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Some simple tools needed.
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Start by lining up your ruler on the far side of the arm seam, you want to leave the seam intact to provide extra strength for all those farmer's market peaches, onions & meat!<br />
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Trim close to the seam following a straight line. (The straight edge helped at first, but after I'd made a few totes I just eyeballed it)<br />
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Cut out the neck. Since t-shirts come in all sizes I will give you a measurement guidelines: cut the 'handles' about 3" wide and cut down into the neck of the shirt about 2/3 of the way down the arm hole. When using a rotary cutter one long cut from side to side works well. If you are using scissors to cut it out instead of a rotary cutter then use a marker and draw a line first then follow your line with scissors.<br />
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If you have a really big t-shirt like XL you'll want to fold the bottoms into the shirt to create a pocket bottom, which will still hold a lot of stuff, but won't be so bulky. Start by turning the shirt inside out and folding the bottom into itself.<br />
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Again since every shirt is a different sized just make a guess at how much you should fold over. For this shirt the bottom was huge and I folded about 4 inches on each side of the seam for 8" total. Anyway your fold it works -- a simple turn in on either side will also do the trick.<br />
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Then pin across and sew the bottom seam on the hem and back stitch at the beginning and end of the shirt. </div>
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For the small to large shirts no pocket was needed I simply turned inside out and stitched across on the hem. </div>
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Ta-Da! A Reusable recycled t-shirt tote ready for your goodies. I've made a few already in all sizes from child's small to adult XL. They all turn out great and soooo quick - oh and best of all they are machine washable!!</div>
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I hope you make one for yourself or come on down the <a href="http://www.morelandfarmersmarket.org/">Moreland Farmer's Market</a> on Wednesday August 8th and I'll be handing out a limited number of bags for FREE! </div>
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Cheers!</div>
KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5266463688375420397.post-80466273047617679682012-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:002016-10-05T10:04:22.179-07:00Blue Bird's Quilting TipsA year ago I was bold enough to give <a href="http://bluebirdsews.blogspot.com/2011/05/blue-birds-top-10-quilting-tips.html">Blue Bird's Top 10 Quilting Tips</a>, and reading back they still hold true for me today. I continue to practice the basics and always take the time to make it right.<br />
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With a year of quilting comes a new set of quilting tips learned. The next stage of technique for this girl. So here's round 2 of Blue Bird's Quilting Tips, enjoy!<br />
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<ul>
<li>When transferring quilting patterns to the top of a quilt sandwich a sharp crease in the fabric works just as well as a 'disappearing' marker and doesn't require another step to get rid of the lines. I used a <a href="http://www.joann.com/clover-hera-marker/prd2806/">hera marker</a> for the lone star dahlia and it worked great. </li>
<li>Take inspiration from the designers and make it your own. Recently I've been embracing the Material Obsession look and adding other background fabrics besides white; loving it. </li>
<li>Chain piece when ever you can to save time in your piecing. I chain piecing everything! </li>
<li>When cutting out the multitude of half-square triangles you need to make your favorite designs trim them like this to ensure a proper cut: Line up the rulers 45 degree angle with the diagonal seam, trim the corners on each side. Doing it this way instead of lining up the rulers 90 degree angle sides with the sides of the block ensures corners match and seams line up.</li>
<li>Clean and service your machine regularly.</li>
<li>Change your needle. Like right now - especially if you can't remember the last time you did ;o)</li>
<li>Try something that scares you. Sew a Y-seam, free-motion quilt a top, paper piece a NY beauty, cut out strips for a string quilt. These techniques are not as hard as you imagine and it will only build confidence in your abilities! </li>
<li>Take a class, even if you think you know all about it chances are someone does it different and can teach you a few things! </li>
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This year is half over already and the goals for the next six months is to use these tips combined with the basics to catapult my work into another level. But first I gotta finish up some languishing WIP. A stack of custom work, new plans, quilting tops and HST's are in my future!<br />
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What has your quilting experience taught you? Share your best tip with us!<br />
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Cheers!<br />
KellyKelly @ Vintage Fabric Studiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16455935828658683815noreply@blogger.com4