I just posted an update for the Folk Modern Table Runner Sew-Along! So, if you want to learn to make this simple block, head over to Kollabora for instructions and photos.
Fabric Choices
One of the things that I often find overwhelming about quilting is the infinite number of choices. Choices in fabric, design, layout. A simple reconfiguration of blocks can create an entirely new quilt. Sometimes I get hung up on this, so I end up spending a lot of time thinking about things before I even cut into fabric.
I made a couple of blocks for my Folk Modern Table Runner Sew-Along using different fabrics so that you can see the difference made just by fabric selection. I used monochromatic colors on the left and on the right I used Carolyn Friedlander’s topographical fabric for all of the larger squares, then assorted bright solids for the outer triangles.
Then I took the images of those blocks to see how they might look in a completed table runner:
Next week I’m going to talk about how making slight changes to the block layout can make great differences in the overall design.
1, 2, 3 Quilt
Last week I got a few advanced copies of 1, 2, 3 Quilt. The official release date is September 10, but I’m guessing that it will start shipping from amazon sometime in August. You can pre-order it now!
The book has 24 projects, divided into eight chapters of three projects each. Each chapter focuses on a different shape and the projects progress in difficulty, to build on your skills as you work through the book. There are patchwork and quilted projects including pillows, an apron, skirt, tote bag, etc. Then each chapter culminates with a quilt, for a total of eight quilt patterns. So, if you’re new to quilting, you can learn skills gradually while making some useful projects. And if you’re an advanced quilter, you might pick up on some sewing projects that you haven’t tried yet.
Projects range from basic to advanced, from a lopsided log cabin to cathedral windows. Throughout the book, you will learn various quilting techniques in the How-To sections. Here’s the Table of Contents below so you can see the full list of projects and techniques.
The photos taken by Laura Malek turned out beautifully. The quilting on the Randoms Rectangles quilt on the cover was done by Tia Curtis. As I show more projects, I’ll talk about all of the people who helped out with the quilting and binding for these projects.
Sewing School 2
Today I’m excited to be part of the blog tour for Sewing School 2: Lessons in Machine Sewing by Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle for Storey Publishing. I’m sure you already have their first book, featuring fun hand-sewn projects to get kids enthusiastic about sewing. This book is the follow-up with thirteen basic lessons on machine sewing, plus 20 projects. The thing I love most about their books is that the kids actually made the projects pictured in the book, which allows children to understand that imperfection is part of the learning process. They will have plenty of time to feel guilty about not living up to unrealistic standards of perfection later in life.
I worked on the Welcome to My Room door hanger with my 8-year-old daughter yesterday.
We decided to use felt for the project and really the whole thing could have been glued together, but the point was to practice using the machine! My daughter had the idea to add a pocket so people could leave her notes. Then she suggested that we braid some yarn for the hanger, but we found a bag of finger weavings and decided to sew one to the back. I even let her use the rotary cutter to slice through the heavy-weight felt, though it required a little extra pressure from me. This industrial wool felt is thick, but I tested a sample, lowered the tension, and set the machine to a zig-zag stitch, then she sewed the project pretty easily.
She wanted to add a photo to the opening, but she plans to also use it when she has very important messages to share with the family, like Keep Out or Dance Party Today!
We had lots of fun with this project and I think the book is an excellent way to get your kids started with machine sewing. You can see the blog tour schedule here.
Folk Modern Table Runner Sew-Along
Look! I’m doing a Sew-Along over on Kollabora, a new community site for crafting and sewing.
Each Monday for the next three weeks, I’ll give instructions for making my Folk Modern table runner. At the end of the sew-along, you can upload your photos to Kollabora. I’ll choose three winners to receive a copy of 1, 2, 3 Sew! I really look forward to seeing what kinds of fabric and color combinations people use for this project, so I hope you’ll join in! You could also take the basic block and make a full quilt.
This week I gave a supply list and cutting instructions, then we’ll make the block next week. So be sure to check back each Monday for more instructions. I hope you’ll join in on the sew-along!