Let's Twist...

Don't you just love those quilts that look complicated, but aren't really complicated. Using the "twister" tool you can achieve one of those beautiful quilts with just a few easy steps. We'll show you how.

First you begin with 5" or 10" squares sewn together with a 3" border. Then you take your handy dandy tool and begin cutting your twists. Like sew...

 

  

 

Then as you begin sewing the blocks back together you'll begin to see your twist.

 

 

 

 

 

We are offering this class at the shop on Monday, March 11th if you'd like to come and learn this fun technique. Click here to register.

Here are a few photos from our last class...

 

Twisted Pillow

 

Twisted Runner

 

Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full!

 

Fat Quarter basket

In honor of our Fat Quarter Sale Tuesday, I'm going to be posting some quick fat quarter projects. The quick basket that I made the other day is the one I will be sharing today. A while back I did a post for my 3 Fat Quarter Apron. You can get to the tutorial here...

For my fat quarter basket I used three fat quarters and a bit of batting. Here's what I did...

As always press your fabric, then trim it to the size you'd like your basket. I made mine 8 1/2 x 6" for the bottom of my basket and 4 1/2 x 6" for the sides. Lay out your bottom and top pieces and sew them together.

 

Now that you have the outside of your basket you can lay this piece out on a piece of batting.

 

Next I stitched in the ditch to attach my batting to the fabric.

 

 

 

Next fold your piece right sides together and stitch up the ends.

 

 

 

Once you have both ends stitched then poke out your corners like sew, and measure 1 1/4" and draw a line. You will be stitching on this line to make the bottom of your bag. Once you've sewn on your line you can cut the ends off to make a quarter inch seam.

 

 

 

 

 

Cute, huh? Ok, now we will make the handles. However, you could not put handles on if you'd like or use ribbon, make yours to suit your purpose!! :) To make the handles I cut 2 1/2" strips and sewed them as if I was making a binding. Sorry, I don't have the photos of that. But I just sewed the strips together, right sides together and then folded them in to make a strap and then top stitched.

 

 

 

I then stitched them to each end of the basket. Now we can work on our lining. You will need to cut a piece that is 17 x 6" if you make it the same size as mine. Right sides together, you will again sew up the sides and make your corners. However, on one side leave a 2" opening to "flip" your basket out.

 

 

Now take your basket and turn it batting side out and put in your lining.

 

 

 

Pin it into place and stitch around the top of your basket.

 



 

Now you will have something that looks like this. Through the opening you've left in your lining, pull your basket right side out. Top stitch around the top to finish off and you're done. You can make this in all sizes. They make a great gift or treat basket. I think I'll be making some for Easter treats.

 

 

 

There you have it! Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full!

 

If you're interested in any of the fabrics I used you can purchase them on our site at parklandparishquilts.com











 

Stash Dash Kick Off...

February begins our dash to use at least 100 yards of our stash this year! We have several ladies taking our challenge and should be a year of great fun and lots of finished UFO's! It's not to late to join in and if you live out of area you can still participate! Contact me at parklandparish@gmail.com and we can get you up to speed!!

Our first featured Stash Dasher is our very own Tracey from the shop! She has graciously shared photos of her stash and UFO's that she's working on.

 

This is Tracey's sewing area. She's not yet blessed with a wonderful craft/sewing room. I think many of us fit in that category, so we do what we can!

 

Tracey's been quilting for 6 years and loves to volunteer her quilting for Quilts of Valor and other military supporting groups! She has generously made quilts to be donated and shared her talents with many. However, to get on top of her stash this year has adopted our Norma Jean's project rule; "Only have 3 projects going at a time". Norma Jean is a Grand Champion quilter and teaches Free Motion and Machine Quilting here at the Parish. If you're interested in catching up with Norma Jean you can read her featured post here... 2013 is the year to get things done and to that end Tracey came up with this fabulous idea to help us ALL get our UFO's done!

 

Here's a photo of Tracey's first quilt. Now looking at this quilt, she has shared that she can see how far she's come. It's so fun to see how we grow as quilters.

 

 

Here are few other of Tracey's quilts that are very close to being finished! Some of our dashers are well on their way to a 100 yards! How about you? Won't you join in on the fun!!

 

 

Like I said it's not to late to join us, come in the shop and talk with Tracey and she can take of you or live out of town, email Diane and I can help you! Lets make 2013 the year of getting those UFO's done!!

 

Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full!

First Sunday Workshop for Feb...

We had our First Sunday Workshop and I think the ladies had a great time!! Each month we have a fun quick project. This is what they made this month...

 

First you sew all your strip or scraps of fabric together. Once you get them sewn you can trace your shapes on your "steam a seam".

 

 

Once you place your steam a seam on your pieces (follow manufacturers instructions) you can cut out your shapes.

 

 

 

Then I places my pieces on my background fabric to look over placement. Once I was happy with that I fused my pieces on. Then I put on my borders, however some of the ladies did their borders first and then fused their pieces on. So there's really no wrong way, just be sure leave room for your seam allowance if you sew your borders on last.

Once I got all my pieces fused and borders on I then machine appliqued the edges down.

Next I hand embroidered saying on the hearts and put it all together. Some of the ladies appliqued the edges once they sandwiched their wall hanging together. Then your quilting is all done too!

 

A quick and fun project, just in time for Valentines Day!

Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full!

Quick Baby Blanket...

Do you have babies in your future? It seems with the change of season there always comes new life on the horizon. Here is a super quick gift for that mom to be! If you need a kit we have them on our online store. There will be a link below...

What you will need... 

• Two pieces of fabric. One 30 x 30 inches and one 40 x 40 inches.
• Rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins
• Ruler
• Marking tool

Let's get to it!

Lay your 40 x 40 inch piece of fabric right side up. Then lay your 30 x 30 inch piece on top right side down.

Next you will need to find the middle of each side of your square and pin the two pieces of fabric together. Do this on all four sides.

Next pin 1/4 inch from each corner. You will now have 8 pins in your blanket.

Then sew from the middle out to your 1/4 inch pin. You will be sewing a 1/4 inch seam as normal. Be sure to leave a small opening on one of your sides.

Once you have all your sides sewn, you will need to mark your "bunny ears". Place your ruler edge on the fold and draw your line. That will be your sew line. This will make your mitered corners. NOTE: be sure to flip your corners out before you cut the "ears" off to ensure you have your miter and not a box. :)

Once you have all your corners sewn, flip out your blanket and press. Now all you have to do is do a zig zag top stitch of some sort to close your opening and finish your edge and you're done! Easy peasy!!

There you go! Once you make one you can whip them out and all those babies in your life will be covered! Happy sewing and may your bobbin always be full!

Need a kit to make one now? Click here to order now!