Tidbit Tuesday #45 - Starching

Good Tuesday to you my friends! 

I have another tidbit for you today! Two weeks in a row even! 

This is a tip that I have grown to love and use all the time.  At first I groaned because I thought it took too long but after giving it a fair chance, I can't imagine not doing it.  

Starching.  Is. Amazing. 

I don't know about you, but I use a lot of Fat Quarters and Fat Eights.  Upon opening these, they always have folds that are not always so easy to get out. If you are anything like me, you want to give those pretties a quick iron and get to cutting so you can delve right into your project, right? That was me.  Inpatient and quick to cut.  This almost always resulted in inaccurate cutting which doesn't bode well when it comes to putting the quilt together.

Fabric is Ansonia by Denyse Schmidt for Freespirit!

Here is what I do with all my fabric before I cut it. 

First open up the fabric and lay it wrong side up. Using your favorite starch spray the wrong side of the fabric.  I like to use Faultless Heavy Starch as I can just starch one side and be good.  If you use a lighter starch, you may have to repeat the process on both sides, and perhaps more than once.  You will have to test to see what works for you. 

Note:  When I am pressing my blocks (using the same method) I use a lighter starch like Flatter! Love that stuff!! It smells sooooooo good! 

Love my Oliso Iron and Flatter by Soak!!

After you lightly sprayed the starch, let it sit for a minute or two.  I usually work in pairs.  I will starch two fat quarters, or whatever, wait two minutes, press one and before I start the second one, have a third sprayed.  This way one is always ready to go after I am done pressing. 

BEFORE you press, flip your fabric so the right side is now up.  Now press your fabric.  Go kind of slow.  You want the starch to raise up through the fabric as you press and you don't want the fabric to be wet so give it a good pressing. If you still have stubborn wrinkles in your fabric, after pressing the right side of the fabric, now spray the right side of the fabric with the starch, let sit, and then flip it to the wrong side and press.  Just remember you always want to draw the starch up through the fabric to your iron.  Never iron directly on the starch you just sprayed.  

Once you do this, your fabric will be wrinkle free and crisper.  Starching also stabilizes the fabric which is extra good when you are working with the bias edges!! It also helps  your fabric from fraying.  Who doesn't love that when you have to trim all those frayed edges from the back of a pieced top before getting it quilted??!! 

Another thing I have noticed with starching is that my cutting has been much easier and more accurate.  Nice crisp clean cuts! 

Oh and don't worry.  Your quilts won't be super stiff from starching (unless you go reallllyy overboard..lol)  and all of it will wash out!!! 

The morale of this story is that if you take your time in prepping the fabric, your quilts will go together easier and will come our more accurate.  Who doesn't want that? :)

These are all my personal thoughts on this subject matter.  What are your thoughts on starching?? 

Much Love!!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #44 - Seam Allowance

Hello Friends!! 

So if you have been a follower of mine for a while, you know I used to do a Tidbit Tuesday every Tuesday, or close to every one anyway. :)  After taking a blogging hiatus and then coming back, I haven't done one for a while.  

On that note, I thought I would bring back my tidbits! Yay!  Granted, these probably will not be every Tuesday but you will see them every now and again.  

Just like before, if you have your own tidbit you'd like to share, please send me an email at karrielyne at gmail dot com and I will try and post your tip on my blog.  Be sure that if you have your own blog, link to it in the email so I can link the tip back to you! 

Today my tip is about accurate seam allowances.  If you are a veteran sewist, you already know how important this seam accuracy is and you still may find this tip helpful so don't turn the page just yet. *wink*  If you are new to sewing then if you haven't perfected this 1/4" seam allowance, this may be just what you need!! 

I've tried a lot of methods but this is my favorite by far.  It does utilize a tool that you have to purchase but after the results I've had, I'd buy it 20 times over again.  Oh, this entire post is my personal opinion.  I was not asked to do this post, nor was I paid to do it.  I purchased the tool with my very own money! Yah! 

By chance I saw a post in Instagram by someone I follow.   Her name is Nydia and she blogs  at The ADD Crafter. She was using a tool called Ideal Seam Gauge.  It immediately caught my attention and that day I ordered it.   You can find them at Sew Very Smooth. 

Let me tell you a bit about it... 

This tool is made of a hard plastic so it is durable.  It's not a flimsy piece of plastic or paper that can be ruined over time. Huge plus for me.  Also you will notice that it has multiple sizes so it's great for other sewing needs besides quilting! How cool is that? 

The best part, it not only has a 1/4" seam guide, but it has the SCANT 1/4" seam guide! This is the one I use with my machine.  I most always use cotton quilting fabric and I use Aurifil thread so when I sew my seams, my seams come out "ideal".

Once you choose the allowance you want, or want to test out, lift your presser foot and slide the tool underneath.  Using the hand crank on  your machine, slowly lower your needed so that the needle drops into the hole for the seam width you are aiming for.  Once you have the needled dropped in the hole, lower your presser foot so it stabilizes the tool. Use lines on your machine or on your presser foot to ensure the tool is squared up (use a ruler if necessary) and then add your seam guide. 

Here is a close up of how I lined up my presser foot with the purple markings on the tool to ensure it was square. 

Once you are all square up, add your seam guide.  I used a magnetic one from Dritz.  

WARNING:: Do NOT use a magnetic seam guide if you have computerized mechanisms below the needle plate!! This will ruin the computer.  For most machines this is safe to use because the computerized parts are not under the needle plate, but if you are not sure, contact your machines customer service to see if it is safe to use.  

I have a Juki 2010Q, so if you have one of those, you are safe! 

Don't wan't to use a magnetic seam guide?  No problem!! You can use other marking tools like washi tape (pretty tape that resembles masking tape, only prettier) or post it notes.  Some machines also have seam guides you can screw into your machine.  

Now you are ready to sew a test piece.  I will usually take 2 pieces that are 2.5" square and sew the seam and press it open.  Measure the piece.  Does it measure 4.5"? Yes? Bingo! 

Once you have your seam all set, sew to your hearts content!! 

As you can see below, one of the biggest reasons I prefer the magnetic seam guide, or the kind you can screw in, is because it is a surface I can run my fabric against with out worry of it sliding past it too much.  However, use what works for you. 

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit Tuesday!! Don't forget to send me your tips!

Much Love!!!

Memorial Day Sale

"And each man stands with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can."  ~~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Please make time this weekend to think about what Memorial Day means and to thank our heroes, past, present, and future. Not only this weekend, but carry that with you every day.  Thank a service man/woman when you see them.  The sacrifice is not light for these men and women and we should always show our respect and appreciation to them.  Remember, Freedom is never free.  

In celebration of Memorial Day, please feel free to use this below coupon code in my shop to take 25% off your entire order.  Sale ends May 26th at 11:59pm CST. 

Much Love!!!!!

Diamond in the Rough - PDF now Available

Hello friends!!

As promised, I bring to you a PDF document that has all the instructions from start to finish! Even though the posts will still remain on my blog, you now have the opportunity to download the whole file.

If you are interested, please click HERE to go to my Craftsy store where you will find it. :)

In the meantime, below I have some photos of my finished Diamond in the Rough quilt.. fresh back from my quilter, Darla Padilla!!! I thought it was fitting to have this pebble quilted since its "in the rough"...hahaha!

Enjoy!!

This is the back of the quilt.  I had one extra block that I didn't want to go to waste! 

Much Love!!!

Bountiful - A Free Pattern

Hi Hi Hi!!

I hope all you ladies out there had a fabulous Mother's Day!!! Yes ALL you ladies!! Because even if you aren't a Mama of a child or a fur baby, you're still a HOT MAMA!!! :D

I was asked to be a guest blogger over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and I jumped on board really quick. I've "known" Sarah for quite some time through blogging and crafting (someday we WILL meet in person) and let me tell you she has the purest of hearts!! She is also a quilting maniac! I also mean that in the most loving way possible ;) She pointed out to me in a text the other day that we also share an affinity to exclamation points. I have no idea what she was talking about. I mean, I've only used 15 so far in two paragraphs... hahahahha!! < -- 16 and 17.  Oy!  I just can't help it. :)

Back on topic.... If you haven't been to Sarah's blog before, go have a look around and see all the wonderful things she does.  She asked me to guest blog to help promote Hands2Help for her which is a contest she runs for charity quilting every year. It's full of awesome sauce! Have a look around, comment and tell her I said hello. 

For my post I wanted to do a pattern that was quick to sew (so that lots could be made for charities) as well as pleasing to the eye.  

Here is Bountiful...

The pattern is written up for a baby sized quilt at 40" x 40" and I used Lori Holt's Vintage Happy for Riley Blake. You can also make 4 of these and make an 80" x 80" if you'd like! Here is a mock up of 4 of them put together.  Wowza!

If you'd like to get your own copy of Bountiful for FREE, click HERE to head over to my Craftsy shop and you can download away. :)

Much Love!!!

Diamond in the Rough - Final Week

Hello my friends!

Let me explain why this is so late (supposed to have been posted on April 19th).

When I first laid out the weeks for this quilt along I had originally allowed three weeks for the final step of putting the blocks together and then I changed it to two.  For whatever reason I had in my head that I would post the final post on April 26.  I was gently reminded by a participant (thank you!!!) and I scheduled the post.  Apparently I thought it was May because I scheduled it for May 26.  Ugh.  Seems my ginkgo baloba isn't working so well..hahaahah!!

So I realized that this hadn't posted still and here I am with an explanation.  I do apologize for all the confusion and lateness.

On to the final week!!!

If you are just joining us, I've linked weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4 below.  Feel free to join us if you haven't already!! 

Week 1 : Choose Your Quilt Size ~~ Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Week 2 : Cutting Instructions ~~ Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Week 3 : Begin Piecing Blocks ~~ Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Week 4 : Sewing Blocks Together ~~ Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Week 5 : Completing the Quilt Top ~~ Saturday, April 19, 2014

By now you should have some or all of your blocks put together.  If you have all of them completed, all you have to do is lay them out to your liking, sew them into rows, and then sew the rows together.  Please refer to the images in Week 1 to assist with your layout. 

I chose to do the 9 block layout which is a nice lap quilt.  At the moment it is with my dear quilter, Darla Padilla, who is going to pebble quilt it for me!! I am sooooo excited to see this quilt after its quilted!!! 

Thank you for sharing your quilt along progress over in the Flickr group!! If you haven't already, please add your photos!! I'd love to see them!! Here is the link to the group! Flickr Group..

Here are some photos of my quilt top completed...

I really love how this turned out!! It still amazes me how fabrics that I would never in my life put together work so well in a scrappy quilt.

I hope you enjoyed this quilt along!!!

If you haven't completed all your blocks, thats OK!!! Keep working at them and don't forget to show me!!! There is no hurry to complete this.  Just go at your own pace!! That's the beauty of this pattern and I won't be taking this down.  In fact, I'm working on putting a PDF together to put on Craftsy so it will be out there for anyone to enjoy!

Much Love!!!

Diamond in the Rough - Week 4

Welcome back!!! 

Today I am going to go over the next step in the quilt along!! 

But first, just a few reminders...

1 - You can join at anytime! There are no sign ups and no actual deadlines! 

2 - Work at your own pace.  I have dates listed, but its ok if you get behind or maybe you are on vacation.  It's ok.  Just pick back up when you can.  The instructions will ALWAYS be here on my blog! 

3 - I created a FLICKR group for you to post any picture related to this QAL.  Add photos of your fabrics, progress photos, and of course completed projects! I can't wait to see what everyone is doing! Click HERE to go to the Flickr Group :) 

If you are just joining us, I've linked weeks 1, 2, and 3 below.  Feel free to join us if you haven't already!! 

Week 1 : Choose Your Quilt Size ~~ Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Week 2 : Cutting Instructions ~~ Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Week 3 : Begin Piecing Blocks ~~ Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Week 4 : Sewing Blocks Together ~~ Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Week 5 : Completing the Quilt Top ~~ Saturday, April 19, 2014

How did you do on your HST's?? Did you get them all done? Kudos to those of you who did and if you didn't, no worries! This QAL isn't a race and there is plenty of time to get them all done.  :)

Now that you have your 3 1/2" squares and your 3 1/2" HST we can start assembling our blocks!! Yay!! 

Step 1 :: First lay out your pieces like the below photo.  You will need 16 squares and 20 HST to complete this layout.

Step 2 :: Start sewing your rows together.  Use a 1/4" seam throughout. 

Make sure as you sew you keep your pieces exactly as you laid them out.  ( PS  - I forgot to rotate this photo so I do sew my rows horizontally first, not vertically as this photo appears)

Step 3 :: Press!  Here again I suggest pressing the seams open! Press each row. 

Step 4 :: Now sew your rows together into your block!! Take care to match your seams, pinning if necessary. 

Press these seams open, then press the front of your block.

 One down.. and how many more to go? :)

This is the best part in my opinion..watching each block come together and see how different they really are.

Please don't forget to post pictures in the Flickr group (linked above) so I can see your progress!

We will meet back here on April 19th and hopefully we will have some quilt tops/pillows to show off!! :)

As always, please let me know if you have questions!!

Much Love!!!