This post originally appeared on Say Yes! to Hoboken. I am always blown away at how quickly Christmas arrives after Thanksgiving. It seems like the wait is endless, and then after Thanksgiving I feel so rush and like there is no time for everything that has to be done. Thankfully, this little ornament works up pretty quickly, and can provide some much needed down time on a busy day, as well as be a pretty addition to a package that does double duty as a tree ornament! Of course, you could always make a few for yourself, too! First things first,…
-
Simple Pin Cushion
I thought it’d be fun to send along a matching pin cushion for my partner to use during the holidays. It’s always nice to add a little more festive to the sewing room, don’t you think? I sewed together some scrap pieces and trimmed it down to 3-1/2” x 6-1/2” and backed it with batting and edge stitched on either side of the seams. Then I cut a scrap for the backing and stitched it all together on the top side, leaving a small opening to stuff it. I stuffed it, finished sewing it together and used pinking shears on…
-
Appliqué Block
Finally, the final block in the quilt-along series. While I’ve provided a pattern for this particular block, the idea behind having an appliquéd block was to have you try some appliqué that interests you. There are so many different ways to appliqué that I couldn’t quite possibly show them all to you. But I can direct you to some talented bloggers who have shown their methods of appliqué. I prefer the reverse [machine] appliqué method, mostly because it’s fast. I like fast. As you can probably tell on this one I rushed a little too much (bubbled fabric). I recommend…
-
Square In A Square Block
Another one done! This is “January’s” block. This one is an easy one, but gives you some patchwork experience. A good block to start with. Guess that means this should have been our block last March. At any rate, it will go quickly for most of you. And if you are new to sewing, this is probably a good block to start with. Our inspiration block is here. Again, another download for directions. Tomorrow I’ll be posting the last of our blocks for the quilt-along. {Patchwork} Square in a Square (PDF)
-
Stacked {Whatever} Block
I know, real inventive name. But I had no idea what to call it. And I can’t seem to find a name based on my searches. I can’t imagine this block doesn’t have a name yet, seems how I’ve seen it around for years now. I do like Stacked Bolts/Bricks/Books. I will let you decide what it’s a stack of. Of course, if you turn the block clockwise it is no longer stacked bolts/bricks/books. It looks more like a seismograph of an earthquake. That could just be the geologist in me. But that’s beside the point. This is the next…
-
{Cheaters} 8 Point Star
So, getting back to the Sampler Quilt-Along… I’m several blocks behind and it is my goal to get those done next. See, I have some fabric waiting for another quilt pattern, but I’ve forbid myself to work on it until the last four blocks are done. So here is “November’s” block. Our inspiration block for this quilt was an 8 point star, which uses a 45 degree angle diamond and is usually paper pieced, but I felt like finding a lazy-quilters route to this block. The basic idea behind the block is to have a traditional star block with a…
-
Adventures In Hexagons
I tried just about everything I could think of with these hexagons. Different papers, different stitches, different methods of attaching… So I wanted to share all of this with you to let you know what I thought of each method. And, this would be a great post for all of you to share your insights, too! Preparing Fabric I first went with the suggestion to cut my fabric hexagons in the shape of the hexagon with a seam allowance. It got old drawing the lines around my hexagon and then cutting a seam allowance around that. Luckily, I was researching…
-
Hexagons Tutorial
October’s block of the month is hexagons. A warning: these things are addicting! I’m going to give a quick run down of how to make the block here, but for a more informative discussion on hexagons and everything I tried, please see my separate post on “Adventures in Hexagons” next posting. There are many ways to make your hexagons, but the purpose of this tutorial is to learn the English Paper Piecing method. Preparation 1. Download the 2” Hexagon Template and print off three pages. Cut out the hexagons. OR purchase a set of 2” paper hexagons at a local…
-
Cathedral Window Block
9/19/2020 – Just a quick note since there has been so much traffic to this tutorial lately. There is no pattern to download for this block, it is simply a photo tutorial to help you make the block you see in the photo. Here it is, Septembers block of the month. Finally. The title of this post should really be “adventures in sewing”. I have to say, I love how this block looks, but until I find yet another way to do this, I think this will be my only cathedral window for awhile, although I did find some short cuts…