Lone Star Mini Quilt: Part 2

Dies used: Diamonds, 2 1/2in (2 3/4in x 6 1/2in Unfinished)
                 Half-Square Triangles, 2 1/2in Finished Square


Hello again!

The Lone Star mini quilt I've been making with diamonds and half-square triangles is progressing nicely. Picking up from last time, the next stage was to make 8 large half-square triangles with each star point and 3 background sections and then to join them in pairs to give 4 squares.

And then the squares were sewn together to give one large square mini quilt top.

Then it was time to start quilting. I drew out a geometric design on the lone star with water erasable pen and once it was completed I looked at the swirl effect created by the fabric in the centre of the star and decided that instead of the pattern I'd marked out, a spiral would be much better! So the pen lines were blotted out and the centre of a spiral drawn out instead.

To help the star stand out from the background only the star was quilted with the spiral and so once it got to the white background I stopped quilting a continual coil and instead did each of the star points one at a time working from side to side. Each of the background sections were quilted with straight lines to contrast with the curves on the star.

Progress has stalled now as I can't decide on a binding fabric but hopefully a decision will be made and it will be finished and hanging on the wall in time for my next post.

Happy sewing, see you next time!

Prancing Deer Cushion

Die used: Prancing Deer

I've been using the Prancing Deer die recently for a project that I can't blog about just yet but I really love this die and so have carried on using it to make something that I can post about! It's such a classic, stylish deer shape and perfect for some Christmas crafting - I have a plan to make some paper and card deer bunting nearer to the festive season with one in the chain sporting a mini red pompom on it's nose. For now though I've been using it to make an appliqué patch to embellish a cushion cover.

Applying a piece of iron-on adhesive (fusible web) that is slightly larger overall than the deer to the reverse of the appliqué fabric

and then positioning the adhesive-backed area over the cutting area of the die and cutting with a Big Shot

results in one perfectly cut out deer.

I cut out a simple cushion front and peeled off the backing paper from the die-cut deer and pressed it in place in the bottom right-hand corner of the cushion front. Then, with a scrap of fabric pinned behind the deer to support the patch, I sewed an outline all around the inside edge of the deer sewing twice around the body but just once over the antlers (just carrying on past them on the second circuit).

It is quite an ornate shape but a perfectly stitched outline isn't required just one that will hold it in place securely, a sketchy outline looks really effective especially over the antlers.

Once the appliqué was done it was just a case of sewing an envelope back onto the cushion front and turning it the right way out. Voila!

I think this die is going to see a lot of use over the next 2-3 months.

Happy sewing!

Advent Calendar part 2

The next stage of the advent calendar I started last week is the numbered pockets. First of all, using my Square, 4in Finished die I cut out 24 pocket fronts and 24 pocket linings with my Big Shot. I used the same fabric (Essex linen) for both but the lining could be made from any of the fabrics used in the calendar. Half a yard of fabric should be enough for 24 squares.

Next up were the numbers and I can't even guess at how much time (and hand-cramp) was saved by using the Lollipop Shadow Numbers die rather than drawing out and cutting by hand - hours though! Plus every number was consistent and perfectly cut out. By applying a piece of iron-on adhesive to the reverse of the fabric before the numbers were cut meant all that was left was to peel the backing paper off and iron them on. So, so quick and easy! How much fabric is required for the numbers depends on how efficiently they are cut out but a fat quarter should be plenty (I used approximately two thirds of a fat quarter).

To make the best, most efficient use of the fabric (and adhesive) scraps can be cut from between the holes in previously used sections and used again. Thirteen number 1's need to be cut out but being a narrow number quite a few can be cut from scrap pieces (others will have to be cut from measured out pieces of fabric though).

Here's a list of how many of each of the numbers are required:

Number 0 - 2
Number 1 - 13
Number 2 - 8
Number 3 - 3
Number 4 - 3
Number 5 - 2
Number 6 - 2
Number 7 - 2
Number 8 - 2
Number 9 - 2

Once all of the numbers were ironed in place in the centre of a pocket front, I sewed around the edges to make absolutely sure they can't go anywhere.

Before sewing a front and lining together a 1/4in fold was pressed to the wrong side along the bottom edge of them all. Then, with right sides together, a front was pinned to a lining and sewn together leaving an opening along the bottom. The corners were snipped off and each pocket turned the right way out and pressed flat.

The final part for me to get on with this week is to fix the pockets to the background and finish the advent calendar, I'll blog about that next time.

Fabric Covered Die Cut Wreath

I am back safe and sound from my #PaperTrail trip! It was busy, fun, exhausting, and quite satisfying all in one. To read about my travels, start at Day 1 here.

Scotty, my vintage trailer, did pretty well but there are a few things I need to fix before I leave again in September for a two month trek to California.  I loved meeting lots of new people and sharing the Sizzix love with them.

Throughout all of the traveling and teaching, I didn't really have much time to create! So it was nice to have some time in the studio today to make a fun little summer wreath for the trailer. I used one of my favorite dies- the Cupcake Ruffle, along with the Butterfly, Flower, Layers #9 and Leaves.

Apologies for bad pics- couldn't find my camera last night...

I used the Cupcake Ruffle for something other than to hold a cupcake. I cut three and layered them to make a wreath! Cover the matboard with fabric before die cutting keeping the fabric in position using spray adhesive...

Cover the matboard with fabric before die cutting keeping the fabric in position using spray adhesive... then run it through the Big shot three times...

Trim off end sections of each piece, form into a wreath shape and glue it together.

Die cut a selection of large and small butterflies, flowers and leaves for the wreath.

Assemble your pieces and start laying out the arrangement that you like.

Once they are in place, add clear adhesive Zotz to the bottom of each piece and press them onto the wreath. Die cut about ten layers of coffee filter flowers, insert brad in the middle and fluff layers up. Tuck leaves cut from green paper in among the flowers.

Add butterflies as desired. I curled the wings to give them dimension and added double layers to some to make them look as though they are flying off the wreath.

Add a piece of lace for a hanger and you are all set! 

I would also like to invite you over to visit our sister site, The Artists on the Block, to see what amazing things are being created every day using Sizzix Artist Trading Blocks. Many of the projects are created by talented UK artists like Tracy Evans, Anne Redfern and Jenny Buttons. You would be absolutely amazed at some of the things that can be created using blocks!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you are enjoying your summer...