Spray Starch and ironing

So today I decided to try using spray starch and ironing my fabric before cutting. I am actually surprised by how much better my pieces came out! And I have only sewn the strip sets together and ironed lol. Normally when I piece a quilt, I take the easy way out and I just put the two pieces of fabric together and sew. Most of the time, my piecing stinks. Today, I took the time to spray starch, iron and then pin each strip before sewing and I think this will make all the difference between an ok quilt and an awesome quilt!

I am making a quilt for my bed using two Moda Batik jelly rolls and some Moda black fabric. Tomorrow I will snap some pictures of my progress so far and see if the cutting goes better then it normally does.

~Lynn~

Trying to make a Dancer Skirt

Is it just me? or are there others out there who have a love hate relationship with their seam ripper? No matter how hard I try, I just cannot seem to get through a project without using my seam ripper.


I have been admiring all of the wonderful Dancer skirts over on Sew Forum so I thought I would give the pattern a whirl. I purchased it from Youcanmakethis.com, got my fabric all picked out, printed the pattern pieces, got them all cut out and I am ready to go! Or not :(

First issue I am having is with the shorts. I cut out two pieces of the pattern and stitched up the side seams. Then you are supposed to match up the seams and sew the crotch together. Well, my crotch area does not match up at all. It is like an inch off. I made sure that I printed the pattern correctly and I think I cut it out correctly but nope, still don't match up. So, i put those off to the side and set off to work on the skirt.

I cut out two pieces for the top part of the skirt and two pieces for the bottom part of the skirt. The pattern calls for me to gather the short piece and attach to the waist band and then gather the second part and attach. Well I obviously cannot read directions very well and I attached both pieces together first and then gathered and am now at the point of attaching them to the waist band. Hopefully it will still work because I did not follow directions.
This is what I have so far. I still have to try and figure out how to do the shorts and then sew the waistband. I think it is adorable but I much prefer the patterns that have the step by step directions with real pictures showing you how to do each step.

Anyway, My point of the post is to point out the fact that I am constantly using my seam ripper and cannot get through a project without it. I know I can't possibly be the only one out there who does this am I?

~Lynn~

Butterfly Block

I found a tutorial on a quick and easy butterfly block so I thought I would give it a try. It really is an easy block to make! The only thing I think I need to do is cut out the extra fabric from each layer as it does make the block rather thick and heavy. I also need to work on cutting my pieces a bit differently and stop being so anal about symmetry! I always seem to think everything needs to be even on each side and that is just not the case with this block.

My next post is going to be all about my wonderful piece of junk iron!

Have a great day!
Lynn

Well I finally finished a quilt top! I have been working on this applique quilt for at least a year. I started it and then put it away and would take it out to work on it here and there. I just need to get the backing pieced together and then get it on the quilting frame. I should have my new Juki on Wednesday so I am going to wait until then to quilt it up.

This year I have finally decided that I NEED to finish up all of the half started quilt tops that I have lying around.

Although I found this awesome butterfly quilt that I just have to start working on today!

If you love giveaways like I do, head on over and visit Dena at Tales at Wayne Manor! She is giving away a box of fabric! And then you can wait along with the rest of us for the other things she want's to tell us but can't ;)

Have a great day!
Lynn

I bought a Juki 2010Q!

Well I bit the bullet and bought myself a Juki 2010Q! I have been wanting to get a Juki TL98Q for a while but just never had the money to do it. I am glad I waited because the 2010Q has the sliding speed control so I can sew at 200 spm all the way up to 1500 spm!

I am excited to get this baby home next week and try it out on my quilting frame!

Where has the time gone?

I cannot believe that it is already May 16th and it is still pretty much freezing out! I am still trying to get my mojo back and really need to start posting more.

I am going to try to tackle some of my unfinished projects that are accumulating in bins in my sewing room. I have so many quilt tops that need just a few more things to be appliqued before I can sandwich them together and quilt. With this rainy, cold weather it is the perfect time to do just that!

I made an adorable little onesie dress for my friends granddaughter. It was the first time I sewed with knits and I used my serger to make a rolled hem. I love the way it came out. I will definitely be making more of these.


That's all for now. I will post pictures of the quilt I am going hopefully finish within the next 2 weeks.

Lynn