Make a Sampler Quilt Top Easy and Interesting

Grandmother's Fan Applique Block

If you like to quilt, you've probably tried several different methods and may have made different styles of quilts. Most piecework involves piecing the same block in different colors of fabrics, but sometimes that gets boring.

Have you tried to make a sampler quilt with the same fabrics and different patterns for the blocks? You can make each block different and keep your interest level high. You can even choose to applique some blocks and piece others. So long as all of the blocks are the same size, your quilt will fit together. Repeating some or most of the fabrics will make it look like it's made to go together.

Block by Block by Beth Donaldson is a 1995 publication with 12-inch square blocks that could be used together to make a single quilt. That's the key to making a sampler quilt easily. This book doesn't have all the blocks I used, but it has enough to keep you busy and give you ideas for more. I also used Best Loved Quilt Patterns from Oxmoor House (1987) for more designs. Choose 10 1/2 inch, 12 1/2 inch, 14 1/2 inch or 16 1/2 inch squares so your blocks will line up without having to add individual sashing or additional pieces. We add the half inch for 1/4 inch seam allowance all around to have a full size square with an even number of inches when the quilt is completed.

Here's how to get started on this quilting project:

Choose your patterns. Patterns used in this quilt are 14-inch squares and include a six-section fan block, a log cabin block, a nine-patch with applique leaves, a butterfly applique, card trick pieced block, grandmother's fan applique on backing, rail fence, churn dash and a couple of others.

Log Cabin Block

Choose the fabrics. You don't need many different ones. I chose blue and pink with beige for my sampler. You may want to select fabric for sashing strips between the blocks, too. Wash and press the fabric.

Cut any full-size squares you need for backing the applique designs. Remember to add the 1/2 inch for seam allowance. Sometimes I cut these an inch larger than I need and trim after the applique is done. For a 14-inch block, I make the backing square 15 1/2 inches, then trim to 14 1/2 after the applique is completed. That allows for any shrinkage from complex applique stitching. 

Applique Butterfly Block

Use a rotary cutter for cutting squares, rectangles and triangles for quilt blocks, but use sharp scissors for applique pieces. If you're hand appliqueing the design, add 1/4 inch to all outer edges to fold under. Where the fabrics overlap, don't add to the applique piece that will be on the bottom since it doesn't have to be folded under. The wings of the butterfly where the body is appliqued over them is an example of overlap that doesn't need the 1/4 inch addition.

If you're machine appliqueing the design, don't add to the template. You can use a fiber bonding fabric like HeatnBond or Wunder-Under on the applique pieces, but they won't have the softness of a cotton quilt.

Nine-Patch with Applique

If you use freezer paper for hand applique, cut the freezer paper to the size of the template. Apply the freezer paper shiny side up (wrong sides together) to the back of the cut applique piece and turn the 1/4 inch fabric edge with an iron, or you can use your needle to turn the fabric under as you work around the edge. 

Card Trick Block

Trim all the blocks to the same size, allowing 1/2 inch for seams. Your blocks should be 14 1/2 inches square at this point if you're working with 14-inch blocks.

Rail Fence Patchwork Block

Once you've made individual blocks of different kinds but with similar or the same fabrics, you're ready to design your quilt. Sashing between the quilt blocks will make a larger quilt and require fewer blocks. You can also add a row or two of sashing around the outer edges to make the quilt larger. Sashing works  with square blocks but not for blocks set on point (like diamonds). 

X-Patch Block

Before you finalize your sashing choice, lay the fabric out on a flat surface and place your quilt blocks on it to see the effect. I used a small beige and brown background print for this one.

Lay Your Blocks on Sashing Fabric Before Cutting

If it's not what you want, look through your fabric stash and try some other fabrics until you get one you want to work with. Wash it if you haven't already, and cut the sashing in 3 1/2 inch, 4 1/2 inch or 5 1/2 inch width, as you'll need the 1/2 inch for 1/4 inch seams.

I cut sashing parallel to the selvage -- it stretches less. If you start at the selvage edge, trim off the bound selvage edge, then cut your first strip at the cut edge and work across the doubled fabric. That way, if you have fabric left over, it will be near the fold. The remaining piece will be folded, giving you a larger surface for your next project. You may even have enough for backing blocks for more appliques.

P.S. Before I complete this quilt, I'll take the lace off the Grandmother's Fan block. I may add a feather stitch or an embroidery stitch I use for crazy quilting, or even eyelet lace would work. The thin lace will wear out before the other fabrics and is impractical for a usable quilt. Quilting is always a learning experience!

Make a Shoulder Pad Angel Easy Crafts Instructions

Shoulder Pad Angel Easy Crafts

We recycle almost everything, and shoulder pads are ready-made padded shapes for 3-dimensional crafts. We've shown you how to make a butterfly, and promised we'd find the angel -- but we didn't -- so we started over and wrote out new instructions. 

You can see what we did with a few folds and a couple of seams. 

Here's what you need: 

Two shoulder pads in the semi-circle shape

Lace, eyelet, or whatever you like for trim for the wings

Large hankie or fabric about 16 inches square

1 1/4 inch Styrofoam or wooden ball for head

Twist ties

Ribbon for halo

Sewing thread to match shoulder pads and 16 inch hankie or fabric square.

Ecru Shoulder Pads Removed from a Blouse

Add lace trim all the way around one shoulder pad.

Single Shoulder Pad with Lace Added

Stitch around the 16-inch square of fabric so the edge is finished, unless you plan to use it for a centerpiece or mantel with the skirt covered. You can add lace all the way around the fabric square if you're planning to use it for a tree topper. 

Fold the fabric square diagonally in a triangle with the stitched side inside. Place the Styrofoam ball or wooden ball inside the fabric in the center. Use a twist tie or thread to secure the ball in the center.

Place Ball for Head in Center of Diagonal Folded Fabric Square

Create a halo with ribbon. You can place the ribbon around the "head" like we did here or if you prefer, wrap the ribbon around a twist tie. Shape it like an eyelet screw or a lollipop, a circle with a stick. Push the stick end to the back and hook it on the twist tie at the neck.

Make Halo from Ribbon with or without Twist Tie

Place the shoulder pad without the lace around the "shoulders" below the twist tie and stitch in place from the back. If you want to have the inside of the angel's gown open to place over a tree or other item, stitch the shoulder pad in the center to the center of the back of the gown. Wrap it around the front of the gown and stitch the corners of the shoulder pad together.

Wrap Shoulder Pad Cape Around Shoulders and Attach at Back

Attach the shoulder pad with lace as wings to the back in the same location as you stitched the "cape" to the gown.

Attach Shoulder Pad Wings to Back of Angel

Create a face on your angel if you choose. Use fabric paints for cheeks, lips and eyes. You can use this angel for a tree topper, centerpiece or mantel, or let her hang from a corner display.

You can also make small angels for tree ornaments with single shoulder pads. Zigzag stitch two semicircles on one shoulder pad. Cut the semicircles from the shoulder pad and follow directions from the top here to add lace to one. Use a 1/2 inch Styrofoam ball for the head and a 6 to 8 inch square for the gown.

Make it fun!

Linda

cajunC 

http://www.cajunc.com

 

Recycled Shoulder Pads Make an Easy 3-D Butterfly

3-Dimensional Butterfly Requires Little Sewing

From the crafty lady who makes flowers from old zippers, here's another outrageous but fun fabric crafts project, and it costs you nothing.

Shoulder pads are still available in ladies shirts and coats, and most can be removed with a few snips of the scissors. Most women remove them to avoid the linebacker look -- and most toss them in the trash. If you like recycle crafts, this is an easy one for you. You don't even need a sewing machine -- all the stitching can be done by hand.

You'll need two shoulder pads approximately the same size and shape, along with matching thread. You'll also need a sewing needle or a sewing machine. If you want to use the butterfly for your hair, you'll need a clasp or comb of your choice. You can also use the 3-dimensional butterfly for pillows, purses or other crafts projects.

Fold the straight edge of one shoulder pad about an inch down and tack in the center only. The fold should be facing you.

Start with a single shoulder pad

Accordion fold the second shoulder pad and place it on top of the first one, centered. 

Second shoulder pad  requires accordion fold

Stitch the center line to hold the accordion-folds in place.

Lay second shoulder pad on the first one

Stitch down the center by hand or sewing machine

You can use the butterfly for pillows, quilts or wall hangings in this form, but to make it three-dimensional, you'll need one more step.

Fold the butterfly in half from the back through the center and stitch from side to side about 1/2 inch through all fabrics, unless you choose to leave it flat.

Fold from the back through the center for 3-D

Attach the butterfly to a clasp or comb if you want to wear it for your hair. It fits best vertically.  (This image and the one at the top are made with a camera, while the others were scanned to show the flat work -- explaining the difference in the color.)

Completed 3-D Butterfly

You can also attach your completed fabric butterfly it to a linen, straw or fabric handbag, or add lace to the edges to make it larger. You may choose to embellish it with embroidery or beading, especially if you use solid color shoulder pads.

Shiny shoulder pads make the butterfly have an iridescent quality, so don't hesitate to use whatever you have available.

This is our personal crafts idea, and we're delighted to share. We also make angels from shoulder pads that we've featured in a previous article. I'll have to find it for you or write out new instructions for it.

See you next time!

Linda 
cajunC

Felt Applique Pictures and Ornaments -- Easy Fabric Crafts

Create Felt Ornaments or Pictures

Create Felt Applique Ornaments or Pictures with the Sewing Machine 

Felt is one of the best fibers to use for applique because it doesn't fray and doesn't require turning under the edges. Felt is also thick enough to create depth for artistry. We don't use fleece for pictures or ornaments because fleece has a layer of foam in the center. It doesn't cut as clean and tends to rough up when sewing.  

Felt Backing Fabric 

Whatever you choose to make, cut a backing piece or use a precut felt square or rectangle for a background. Your felt art is enhanced with a backing piece, and it holds small pieces together. If you're making an ornament for any holiday, start with a piece of felt for the backing. Once you have the ornament designed and completed, cut the backing the shape of the outline or outer edge with about 1/4 inch extended for a "frame." 

Use Our Pattern or Make Your Own 

We made a Pennsylvania Deutsch bird. Here are the basic parts if you want to make one similar. You probably know that "Deutsch" is a word for German, and these crafty people were Germans who settled in Pennsylvania. You may have heard it as Pennsylvania Dutch. They created designs with hearts, birds and flowers -- all themes we like for today's crafts.

Basic Pattern for Pa. Dutch Bird Picture

We found a tan backing and started cutting the bird body and pieces to fit the size of the backing (9 x 11 inches) Our bird body is about 3 1/4 inches by 3 1/4 inches (less the tail and crown). Then we cut some wing pieces, tail and crown feathers. 

Design Elements 

Design your work so it's not symmetrical, but is balanced, with something at the "floor" to ground the bird. Otherwise, he might look like he's flying away.  A tulip is common in Pennsylvania Deutsch designs, so we added a flower at the base of our picture. 

How to Make the Design

Layout Without Sewing or Pins

Lay the cut pieces on the backing and work with it until you get a design you like. Once you get it the way you want, you can pin the pieces in place or count on your memory to place the pieces where you want them. Because we do freehand work, you can see a difference in the layout and the completed picture.

Use a thread color that will be pleasing with the felt colors. We used red on this one, although the bird is a deep purple. Sew the bird body in place, and then sew the other pieces as you choose. Be creative.

We made the wing in three layers so it would have depth. If you choose to do this, sew the red layer in place first, then add the beige and purple layers, sewing far inside the outside edge so the wing will stand out.   

Completing the Design 

Add enough design elements to keep your picture or ornament from looking sparse. We added some green leaves. Freehand stitch with the sewing machine if you choose. We added some stems and a couple of leaves in green thread and a connector for the crown and tail in red thread. They don't show well in the picture because it's a scan, but they are placed on the backing material only, and done after the basic design was completed. The image at the top shows the bird sewn onto the fabric before adding the freehand stitching. 

Everything in this picture was done with straight-stitching on a basic sewing machine, so you don't have to have anything fancy to make this work. If you have a sewing machine that does fancy stitching, you may want to experiment.

See you soon!

Linda  

Back of Design Showing Red Stitching

Stitching Doesn't Show Because of Thickness

Make Ribbon Fabric for Christmas Gifts and Decorations

Christmas Crafts You Can Make  -- Instructions for Ribbon Weaving and Fabric

Weave the ribbons from center to edges

Thanksgiving is over and it's time to get your Christmas crafts for display or gifts. If you have rolls of inexpensive ribbon you've accumulated from sales, thrift purchases or auctions, you may be surprised that this is the year you can use them for crafts projects. They don't just wrap the gift, they are the gift.

You can make a pillow or tree ornaments or even a purse. Here's how to make the ribbon fabric to make gifts of your choice. 

You'll need: 

Foamcore or smooth cardboard a little larger than the item you want to make.

Heat n Bond or similar bonding material large enough to fit the foam core or cardboard

Ribbon in different colors that will withstand a little heat

Straight pins, iron, ruler and scissors

Matching fabric for pillow back, purse or ornament 

Make a Board to Work On 

Cut the foamcore (like poster paper with foam center) or cardboard to a square size you can use for your project. If you want to make a large item such as a pillow, a 20 by 20 inch square will do, but if you want to make a Christmas ornament, a 10 by 10 inch square is a good size to start. 

Cover the Board 

Cover the board with Heat n Bond, Stitch Witchery or Wunder Under -- any kind of bonding fabric that will attach to the ribbon with heat. A large board will require more than one piece of bonding material. Attach the bonding with clear tape at the back of the board. Make it secure, but don't let it wrinkle. Match two pieces with no overlap, just butting the bonding together. Don't tape on the front -- just on the back. 

Mark Measurements on Sides 

Use a ruler to mark all sides of the covered board at 1-inch intervals. These are your guidelines for your design.  

Select Your Design and Get Started 

Choose how you want to make the design -- you can do a diagonal or a square. Either one will work with the 1-inch marks.

Cut ribbon in lengths at least 2 inches longer than your board.

Start in the middle and place a few ribbons horizontally or diagonally across the board, using the measurements as a guide and securing it with a straight pin on each side. I pushed the pins from the side to the back so they wouldn't be in the way on the front, but work with your board to see what works for you. 

Weave the Ribbon 

Weave a few ribbons vertically or diagonally through the horizontal or diagonal ones, not overlapping and not leaving any gaps. If you're working with a white bonding fabric and white ribbon, watch for spaces at the corners of the crossing ribbon.

Continue weaving over and under until you get a piece of ribbon fabric the size you need to make your item. As small as 12 inches by 12 inches will make a pillow, but you can use smaller pieces of ribbon fabric for Christmas ornaments or the front of a purse for a Christmas gift. 

Use different sizes of ribbons for interest

Iron the Bonding to the Ribbon 

Once you have the ribbon woven on the bonding fabric and secured, you're ready to make the fabric. Follow the instructions on the bonding material -- it probably recommends a dry iron and medium temperature for 5 to 7 seconds of pressing. Allow the fabric to cool.

Remove the bonding fabric from the board by removing the pins and releasing the tape on the back.

Cut Your Shapes 

Cut the shape you need for your project. I made a diagonal design that would make diamond shapes for tree ornaments, a pillow or purse front. 

Ribbon fabric ready to make a Christmas ornament

Peel the Paper Off 

Peel the paper backing off the bonding fiber so you have a flexible ribbon fabric. Stitch around the shape to keep all the ribbons in place. 

Use the Fabric 

Use the ribbon fabric just as you would any other fabric, but reinforce it with a backing or lining for years of use. To make a diamond ornament like this, cut a backing fabric the size of your diamond. Place right sides together and stitch around the ornament, leaving an opening at the top to turn it and to add a hanger. Turn it right side out and close the opening with hand stitches or with the sewing machine, adding a ribbon loop for hanging.

This doesn't take much time (or thought) and the ribbon fabric is easy to work with once it's made.

Have a great holiday season!

Linda
cajunC