how's it hanging?

Yesterday I finally got round to hanging my 

beautiful quilt from Mary@ Molly Flanders.

Now this is something new to me,

as usual my attempt was somewhat adhoc.

If you want to see how it should be done please hop over to

Stitched in color who yesterday also posted a great how to!

If you prefer to wing it with whatever you have 

stick with me!

 The idea is to make tubes of fabric with which to hold a piece of dowel.

Ever the corner cutter, I struck on this old apron that I'd been chopping up.

The ties made perfect tubes for the dowel.

That's one step down.

Now all I had to do was hand stitch the three tubes to the back of the quilt.

I chose three tubes as this seemed to hold the quilt straighter.

I did feel strange sewing my stitches on to Mary's quilt,

I like how my addition is so me!!

 After cutting my dowel with a saw on the kitchen work surface,

I placed it through the stitched tubes.

Next step bang two nails in the wall,

using the hammer as a measuring implement.

Spirit level?  I have eyes.

So there we have it.

One beautiful quilt hung.

How can I possibly go wrong now that Mary has my back!

In case you didn't know I'm a big lover of independence.

Indie music, indie movies and indie quilters!

Are you an indie girl like me?

rose star tutorial

Its Monday (for most!)
we know what that means..
..its time for my tutorial for English paper piecing

of the rose star block.
yay!
May I suggest that you read through a couple of times
so you really get to grips with it.
Have fun!

 When I was looking for a design for Marys mini quilt

I found Eileen and her beautiful quilt on her blog at

my quilting porch
Her blocks are quite a bit bigger than mine.

 Eileens quilt

 After much head scratching and puzzlement

I realised the pattern is actually a lot easier than it looks.

As you can see from my sketch it's basically dissected hexagons.

To start with work out your desired size of hexagon.

I used one that measured 3 inches across
from point to point.

I found a hexagon shape from google images
and printed it.
Edit 
Kreatives von mir has just shared her template (on flickr)
drawn up on squared paper.
It's a really helpful idea..
wish I was that clever! 

Measure halfway along on the sides shown above

and draw a line across to make the disected shapes.

note:

You can either make 3 cardboard templates to draw around
or you can just draw and measure as I have done.

For one block you will need 

1 hexagon

12 petal shapes

18 kite shapes

Cut out your fabrics roughly an extra 1/4 inch larger than your papers,
and tack them with large stitches holding the corners down as you go.
 Before you begin to sew them together,
make sure you like your composition.
Don't be afraid to try different fabrics,
I quite often find clashing fabrics can work really well.

I am using a mixture of vintage and new fabrics.

I've chosen to keep the centres solid as I'm going to hand quilt them.

With all your fabrics tacked to their templates

it's now just a case of sewing the correct pieces back together.

I don't think it matters what order you do it in,

as long as you end up with hexagon to hexagon.
Just check back with my original drawing if you get lost.

Hold the pieces together and whip stich over the edges

until you run out of thread.

Here I'm using a pale grey thread to blend better,

though on paler fabrics I've used white.

Here you can see my progress and see the hexagons reforming.

The finished back complete with papers,

which can be removed from the inside and used again.

Always keep the outer edge papers in place until you have sewn into your desired project.

So here it is

the rose star.
Once you understand how the jigsaw fits together
you can join blocks with a solid colour
still using the same templates.

 The fun thing about this pattern is choosing the colours and fabrics.

I like to use mixes that you might shy away from.

I do try and link the overall quilt together.

The dominant colour was turquoise, 

which featured on every block.

The finished size of the quilt is approx 20x30''

If you would like to have a go or see more.

why not join my block party on flickr

Click on the picture to take you there!
 
edit: I have recently discovered that this pattern may also be called
the kite pattern, as it is possible to make with just one template..the kite.
However, me being one for an easy and faster method,
I simplified the design by using one whole hexagon in the middle.
(for fussy cutting you could use the kite method instead)

Apparently the kite pattern is in the book Material Obsession two,
I don't own any material obsession books,
maybe I should!

If you love this pattern but can't sew by hand I think there is possibly
a machine technique out there somewhere.
I prefer paper piecing for it's accuracy
and take anywhere approach!

second edit:
There are some great hints and tips being posted in the flickr group,
do take a look!
Inspiration.

 The colour palette for this project was inspired by my

hand pieced quilt which I named.

summer of love

the basics of english paper piecing

 I always assume that because I've seen something on another blog,

then everyone has right?

This post is a basic guide to English paper piecing (epp) for those who haven't read the blogs I've read.

Firstly it may not be obvious,

 epp is a hand sewing technique, if you love your machine

you might not like it...I'm just saying...you need patience.

 My home made templates.

I love epp because I like the control, the accuracy and the ability to sew anywhere

especially in the garden!!!

Draw around your cardboard/plastic template.
Cut out your paper template.
Cut the fabric with a 1/4'' seam all around
Tack the fabric on to the paper piece.

Place two pieces right sides together and whip stitch across the edge,
taking care not to sew through the paper.

 I've opened the pieces out above to help you understand how it works.
Carry on stitch more pieces together with the same thread,
when you cant join any more tie it off with a knot.
Paper pieces are removed at the end.

The bigger the pieces the quicker your project will come together.
The above picture is my current epp project,
the circles are the size of dinner plates.
Epp is a great way to make trickier quilts by hand
if you are a machine-phobe.
I do use my machine for patchwork,
I just like hand sewing.
If you have any question or are unsure,
take a look at my fussy cutting tutorial or leave me a comment.

 I liken epp to that of a jigsaw,

only with simpler pieces.

If you can wrap fabric around a paper shape and sew them together,

then you can paper piece it.
I like to use a bright coloured thread for the tacking
so when you come to cut out the thread it's obvious which knots to cut.
Believe me I've cut the wrong ones before,
it happens!

itty bitty crochet star tutorial

 I am a firm believer that if I can think up a crochet pattern,

especially one so easy,

then probably somebody else has too.

I don't believe that simple crochet patterns belong to anyone.

 This is my first ever crochet diagram.

Isn't it pretty!

 It's pretty self explanatory really if you already crochet.

 I used some kool cotton from my stash.

to begin
(I'm using uk terms)

chain 5, slip stitch into the first chain to create a ring.

{1 dc, 1tr, 3ch, 1tr into the ring} repeat 4 more times

finish with a slip stitch into the first dc.

With a darning needle weave in the ends.

To produce a pointy star, 

pin each 3chain point to a folded towel/old cushion

and spray with water and leave to dry.

For a stiffer star I like to use spray starch,

found in the laundry section.

And there you have it.

I strung mine on a piece of twine,

but you could hang each one individually..

..or make pretty parcels like below!
In answer to Deborahs question 
I used a 4mm hook :0)
Why not try my recycled christmas cards tutorial in my side bar,
any card will do!

fussy cutting : a patchwork tutorial

Whilst making my last quilt I discovered the term 

fussy cutting.

It was something I was already doing without realising it.

This is my tutorial to show you how simple it really is to turn

an average looking patchwork quilt into something a bit more exciting.

And to prove it I am using a pattern I've not used before.

I am by no means an experienced quilter,

so forgive me if I do anything in an odd manner,

this is my method and it works for me.

For this tutorial I am paper piecing by hand, 

but there are a ton of designs suited to the machine also.

The shape I am going to show you stems from a hexagon.

Hexagons are so versatile, you really can do so much with them!

You will need:

4 types of fabric, one  preferably that is geometrical or stripey

these tend to work well when fussy cutting.

4 card templates, which I will show you how to make

paper for the templates, I use computer paper or old envelopes.

 

I make all my templates, just because I generally make patchwork from scratch,

and template making is so easy.

To start with you will need a hexagon template,

google hexagon in the images section

and print one off, mine has 3cm sides.

Make a cardboard template as above.

Next, draw around the hexagon and extend two sides to make a point.

Make this new crystal shape into a card template

and make 6 paper pieces,

Isn't it neat how they fit together?

So here are the first pieces.

Ready to get fussy cutting?

I've chosen a sweet butterfly for the centre hexagon.

This fabric is an old nightgown that cost me £1 from a charity shop.

With the motif in the middle,

pin, cut with a 1/4 inch seam allowance and sew.

I tack through the card and fabric,

which is not strictly correct,

I find it quicker and easier this way

especially with larger or more tricky shapes.

Next up the stripey or geometrical fabric.

Another vintage piece that cost £1.50.

It is important here that you cut all 6 points the same.

If you are using fabric with a busy pattern, 

make sure you find the repeat and cut the shapes all alike.

This is not always a great idea as it can be wasteful,

which is why a striped fabric is good.

Sew up the crystal shapes like before, 

being careful and keeping the stripes straight.

Mine are not perfect, I'm not that kind of girl.

There is a certain amount of give when hand sewing,

but they do need to be somewhat similar.

Next with right sides together I whip-stitched all the points to the hexagon.

And next the sides in the same way.

Now for this tutorial I am showing you step by step.

Once you have all your fabrics paper pieced in the desired

pattern, it would make more sense to sew more pieces together continually,

and not small bits at a time.

Now you have your star shape the next step is to choose the shape which surrounds.

Above you can see how there are a few different add ons.

All these shapes can be easily made using the template you already have.

This one can be split into 3 or as a whole hexagon.

Once you have chosen your shape make a template.

For this tutorial I have chosen a simple triangle, 

for bigger projects you may prefer the diamond or hexagon,

both of which I have used.

This picture shows how I fold the piece over to make stitching easier.

And the result.

I am adding an extra border to my piece.

Above is how I worked out the shape, 

by working with the templates already used.

Again try to fussy cut all the same.

 The finished piece...

 with papers

(remove the papers only when you have completed the whole project!)

I simply stitched a felt backing on

and practiced my

'in the ditch' quilting,

which I am hideously awful at.

(no really)

mistakes I made useful advice:

use a coloured tacking thread 

so you don't cut the wrong knots when removing the paper!

try and buy 100% cotton solids

to prevent puckering, which I found with the jade fabric.

spend more time getting your centre motif 

where you want it!

****

Like I've said before I am no expert,

if there is anything I've left out or 

if you have any questions

leave me a comment!

ps. these are my favourite colours.
very 1920s upstairs downstairs!