Sister's Choice Quilts

Jelly Roll Jammin'

The Internet has been all a-buzz about jelly rolls in the past couple of weeks, so of course, I had to do something with them too. Primitive Gatherings has just come out with a really pretty new collection called "Redwork Gatherings," as well as a pattern, especially for jelly rolls.

This quilt is so easy. As a matter of fact, the name of the pattern is "Take It Easy." Honestly, I think you could make it in a weekend! The quilt is good-sized, 72" x 78". If you love red and white quilts, this could be a lovely addition to your collection.

I got my strips all starched and ironed, then cut into the strips required by the pattern. I can plug in a podcast or an audible book and stitch away.

Did you start any jelly roll projects as a result of the recent promos of them? I know I don't use them enough. It is a fun way to use up every bit of a couple of jelly rolls! You could even make it smaller and go with just one.

Saying goodbye to September. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Sewcialites Block 1

This is the first block in the new "Sewcialites" sew-along I couldn't resist joining. The block is called Harmony and was designed by Lissa Alexander. Fatquartershop.com is sponsoring the completely free sew-along, and a lot of well-known designers are participating with block designs.  The sew-along goes through next June.  Block sizes are 3", 6", and 9". I have opted to do the 9" because I want a bed-sized quilt. A new free block pattern will be released each week.

Do check out Jolly Jabber (FQS's blog), the Sewcialites Lounge FaceBook group, and Fat Quarter Shop's Behind the Seams YouTube channel for tips and tutorials. On Jolly Jabber, there are suggestions for fabric collections to use, and a suggested setting. Clever individuals on the FaceBook group have offered even more settings. The support for this sew-along is phenomenal. If you are a beginner or intermediate quilter, there are so many tutorials and helpful tips you can take advantage of.  And if you are an experienced sewer, consider giving those 3-inch blocks a try! 

The FaceBook group seems quite encouraging.  A surprisingly large number of folks all got their block units oriented incorrectly, and others were so gentle about pointing out the mistakes. "You might want to have another look at that bottom left-hand block unit..."

I had a rummage through my stash and came up with even more fabrics that tie in with the Evelyn's Homestead collection I am using.  The main fabrics I am using were designed by Betsy Chutchian for Moda.

Goodness, how I love a good long sew-along.

It's All About Contrast

See what I mean?  I made the block on the left as part of the Moda BlockHeads 3 Sew-Along.  Block #37 "Broken Dishes" by Laurie Simpson. My first effort did not have much contrast.  It's ok but look at the difference in the block on the right. Greater contrast in the color tones makes the block on the right much more interesting, I think.

This block pattern is worth printing out, even if you are not doing the Moda BlockHeads 3 Sew-Along.  The construction of it is totally unique. You might think it is four hourglass blocks with larger background corners attached, but you would be wrong.  The construction of this block is so different.  Go ahead, make one. It will blow your mind!

Much starching of fabric has been going on. Out on my side porch, rack after rack of fat quarters has been saturated with spray starch and hung out to dry. I got it all ironed yesterday, and I am ready to start a new project.

Aaahhh. Just look at those beautiful fabrics.  Evelyn's Homestead by Betsy Chutchian for Moda. Plum, green, black, pink, and navy. I will use these in a new sew along sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop, called Sewcialites. If you haven't heard about it, you must click on the link and read up on it. I think it is going to be so much fun.  Whether you like modern fabrics or more traditional ones, this may be a project that appeals to you. Kimberly Jolly of FQS will do videos every Friday on how to make the blocks, setting suggestions, and more.

I need another sew-along, or any new project whatsoever like I need a hole in the head, but what the heck.  Life is short; you might as well be sewing. And that's what I'll be doing this weekend.

Moda BlockHeads Catch-Up= Block 37

This beautiful block is Block #37, "Fixer Upper", of the Moda BlockHeads 3 Sew Along.  You can check the Moda website/blog for a complete archive of the blocks so far released in this sew-along.  There are some wonderful free patterns in four different block sizes, so you would be wise to at least download them for future reference if nothing else.

I do love the Square in a Square block, although it can be tricky to get right.  This pattern allows for just a smidge of trimming, which was mostly enough for my units to come out accurately.  It was fun to make, and the results are pretty striking.

I made one other block yesterday when I was trying to catch up on my BlockHeads progress.  This is block #36 "Broken Dishes". It was a truly unique block, due to its really unusual construction technique.  I didn't have my head completely wrapped around it, so my fabric choices were off.  I am going to re-do this block and show you all what I mean.  Here is what I accomplished yesterday.  It missed the mark due to a lack of contrast in the fabrics I selected, but I have a plan to rectify that with my second attempt.

Stay tuned.

 

 

Cupcake Papers Quilt

Oh my, I am in love with this!  These blocks are made with Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. Cupcake Mix Foundation Papers #1. What you see above is 16 blocks made with the papers and a charm pack of "Late Bloomers" by Sandy Gervais for Moda.

I have loved the experience of paper piecing, and working with this vintage fabric collection has been a blast.  Sure wish I had some extra for a border. I have played around with block placement and have not decided if I want a small square table topper as shown above, or a longer runner.

I dunno, what do you think? Square or rectangle?  I could use either shape for a table topper.

There are a lot of new projects in the works over here at Sister's Choice. A good amount of fabric starching has been going on, and you know what that means....

I currently have more projects than I can shake a stick at, so I should probably take on another sew-along, right?  Yes!

It's Sew Emma Log Cabin Foundation Paper

After prepping my honey bun over the weekend, I was all set to try out my new It's Sew Emma Log Cabin Foundation Paper.  I used the 6-inch size with my honey bun of Squirrelly Girl. The papers were straight forward enough, and I got up to speed by watching a YouTube video first.

Here is my completed stitched log cabin block.  

After stitching, you are directed to trim your block on the outer marked lines. I used my 6.5" Creative Grids ruler.  Gosh, I love those things.  I wish I had them in every size!

Ack.  Of course, I goofed with my first block.  In fact, I goofed with the first square I positioned in the block.  My pen is pointing to where the center brown square is supposed to be. Live and learn.  It's a process.

This is what it is supposed to look like. Well, that is one mistake I will only make once.

I completed four blocks.  They were fun, they were easy, the paper came off easily, and I can't wait to make more! There is no wonkiness in the shape of the block, which always happens to me when I make a regular Log Cabin block without foundation piecing or a special trim tool.

My plan is to make a table runner, with maybe twelve or sixteen blocks in all. Love that fabric. One of the prints features darling little squirrels which I may need more of for a border. Oh, as a side note, I added in some of Fig Tree's All Hallow's Eve collection, and it ties in very well.

Hope your week got off to a great start.  I have loads of content for you this week, so be sure to check back every morning this week!

Happy first day of Fall!

Great Tip for Jelly Rolls and Honey Buns: Lint Control

We are all familiar with Jelly Rolls and Honeybuns, right? If you are not, both are popular pre-cuts offered by fabric companies.  They are super convenient, and there are loads of books and patterns out there with wonderful ideas on how to use them. Pre-cuts are fabrics that are part of a complete designer collection that are cut into specific shapes.  If you buy a pre-cut, you get every piece in the collection, in a particular size package.  Charm packs are 5 inch squares.  Layer cakes are 10 inch squares. Jelly rolls are 2 1/2 inch by 42 inch strips.  Honeybuns are 1 1/2 inch by 42 inch strips.  The edges are pinked, not straight cut.

Which leads us to the main problem with pre-cuts:  the lint issue. Once you take them out of their protective plastic wrapping, the lint from the pinked edges gets everywhere. Every.Where.

I am a big fan of the Moda Fabrics website/blogsite.  You will find great ideas, sew-alongs, free patterns and tons more.  If you don't know it, you really should check it out. One of the more recent ideas shared on their blog was a tip from Moda designer Betsy Chutchian.  Here is her technique for reducing the lint issue. It is in an article about whether or not to pre-wash jelly rolls and honeybuns (no, don't do it, is what I say).

What she does is unwrap the roll and toss it in the clothes dryer on high for about 8 minutes. Stop the dryer, clean out the lint filter and do it again two more times, stopping after 8 minutes and cleaning the lint filter.  There will be a lot of lint.

You would think they would come out in a snarly tangled mess (which they would if you actually washed them). The dryer just kind of fluffs them up and they are not tangled at all.  And the lint has come off.

I got this amount of lint, three times, once for each 8 minute drying cycle.

This is what you are left with.  The heat of the dryer shrinks the length of the strip a tiny bit, maybe a half-inch or so.  But the 1 1/2" width was not affected at all. The lint is gone.  There is a frayed thread or two along the strip, but it doesn't bother me nearly as much as the annoyance of that lint getting everywhere.

And do you know what?  I didn't even need to iron them!  They came out smooth and wrinkle-free.  Now, I wouldn't leave them sit in the dryer after the cycle ended.  I removed them immediately when the dryer stopped.

I think it's a great tip and will do it again when I use jelly rolls and honeybuns!