Hunter Star Completed

Yippee my UFO is finally completed. I finally tackled the job of attaching the binding all by machine!!!

I used red for the binding!! It was my first attempt all by machine to attach the binding!

Enjoy stitchin'

Joey

Binding Your Quilt

For my binding I use 2 1/4" folded WST (wrong sides together) . While attaching my binding to the top of my quilt I use 1/4" stitch foot. Use the two videos below to help you with the corners and joining the binding at the end. I then fold my binding over to the backside of the quilt and stitch in the ditch from the front. Practice Practice!! You will get it also.

Here are two videos that I found helpful this first one is about joining your ends when you had done attaching your binding to the quilt and the second one is doing the mitered corners...First video...Second video

The pictures below is to show how to join your strips to make one long binding strip. The first picture shows you where to stitch when you put the second strip RST (right side together) on top of the first strip. I show the stitching in blue so that it can been seen. The second photo shows how it should look once pressed and open. After that you can trim off 1/4" away from the stitch line. Make sure its how you want it before you cut.

Enjoy stitchin'
Joey

Ensuring a 1/4" Seam Allowance

This is the MOST important step of all quilting!!! That 1/4" seam allowance. Even if your seam allowance is off even slightly, then your sewn pieces will not match up. And we don't want that now, do we?

Here are some steps to getting that 1/4" seam allowance:

Grab your ruler and place it under the presser foot of your sewing machine. Slowly lower the needle so it touches just to the right of the 1/4" line on the ruler. Lower the presser foot to hold the ruler in place. Keep the edge of the ruler parallel with the lines of the throat plate. The edge of the ruler is the starting point for positioning the seam gauge and there are several choices for a seam guide that you can chose:

• magnetic guide
• screw-on guide
• layers of adhesive tape
• straight-stitch foot with quilting bar guide
• 1/4" foot (my favorite: some machine will have one but you can get a generic one)

Be sure to test your seam allowance so that it gives accurate results. The thickness of the thread and pressing will affect your results, so sew and press a test sample using the same materials and methods you will be using for your project.

To test your seam allowance:

1. Sew two 2 1/2" squares of fabric (RST: right sides together) using your seam guide.
2. Press the seam allowance toward one of the two squares. Tip: I like to press to the darker fabric. Why? Will not show on the front side.
3. Measure the pressed unit. It should measure 4 1/2". If it is larger or smaller than 4 1/2", then adjust your seam allowance accordingly. Sew test samples until you achieve an exact 4 1/2" unit.

Enjoy stitchin',

Joey

Which block to start with?

This was the first site that I went to and you can get free patterns and instructions. Its called Quilter's Cache.
Please follow her rules. But enjoy the vast of patterns that she has done for the site.


If you are a beginner, and would like to know which blocks to start with. Then I will let you know a few of them. So that you can practice your sewing that 1/4" seam. Very Important!!


Here is the first and it is called the 9 patch...

 This one is called the Rail Fence.

 

This one is called the Ohio Star you can practice the quarter triangles.

 

All the pictures where taken from The Quilter's Cache/Marcia Hohn. She gives very clear instructions that anybody calling themselves a beginner can do!! Enjoy and visit her site.


Tip: Press your seam allowances towards the darker fabric. This will help for your seams to butt up against each other when the seam allowances are in opposite direction. Also it will create less bulk at the intersection.


Enjoy stitchin',
Joey

Where to start?

You will need the basic items...sewing machine, needles, threads, rulers, rotary cutter & mat, and mostly important: FABRIC.


You will need to practice cutting your fabric into nice STRAIGHT strips. If you can't accomplish this with the rotary cutter and ruler. You can visit the June Tailor site for this Shape Cut Ruler. I could not cut straight for a very long time and that ruler helped me out!! Then I practiced and practice cutting on very ulgy fabric until I got confident to cut on the pretty fabric.

Now on to piecing/sewing. In the quilting world, we use the 1/4" seam allowance unless otherwise told. I have a very special foot that helps me achieve this 1/4" seam. BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! Here is what the foot looks like...

See that guide!! This foot is awesome and will help you achieve that 1/4" seam allowance too. Sew practice sewing your squares together. Here is a hint. When pressing your squares try and press it to the darker fabric. 

American Rapid Fire Hunter Star

Hi, this is one of my 2009 UFO's. It needs a border, sandwich, stitch in the ditch, and binding.  My hubby chose the 2 fabrics. This quilt was actually going to be smaller. This was my first attempt at the design and when hubby saw it he said "make it bigger and put it on the wall". So I added a few more blocks. But it will have to sit unfinished for awhile. Don't know when I'll be getting to it.

How I started Quilting!

How I started quilting?? You ask.

Well it was back in 2003. I was getting married in June and I thought (in Febuary) what a neat idea to give wallhanging quilts to the bridesmaids!! So I went to the local quilt store in Centerville and browsed the store looking for a quilt design I liked. Well I found it!! A double wedding ring pattern!! The name is perfect!! So I bought the Quiltsmart Double Wedding Ring and a book by Judy Martin. I had 4 months to complete 5 quilts!! Yes you heard me 5!! I made 4 of the Double Wedding Ring wallhanging, now let me think of the colors...blue, green, purple, and I can't think of the 4th one!! What about the 5th quilt? Well for the maid-of-honor which was my sister I made her "Shakespeare in the Park" from the Judy Martin book and made it a twin size. Can you believe it she still has it!!! I should have her take a picture of it. Nah!! Well she wants me to make another one in orange and blue. Hmmm, I'll have to see about that.

A few years ago (ok maybe over 3 years ago) I discovered rag quilting!! And love it! Its sooo fast and easy!! I now have a machine that has a 8.5" square with the fringe already cut for me!!! Check out my store...

Sew Strange Bits N Pieces 

I have a few listed there and can do custom orders!!

My First Rag Quilt for 2010!!

Darn camera! Doesn't take a very good picture of this awesome "Retro Trip Around the World Rag Quilt". It measures approx. 36"x45". A great size for your toddler. Does she love purple?!?! Once I get better pictures of this quilt I will be listing it in my store at Sew Strange Bits N Pieces.

 

Here is a close up of the fabrics I used. I used 3 flannel printed fabrics of retro flowers, retro birds, and retro elephants in pink & blue. The middle is a boisenberry flannel.

Quilting Tips

1. Use the chain method whenever possible. Makes your sewing that much faster and easier!

2. Stitch with the darker fabric on the bottom.

3. Have a bowl next to your machine to catch all those snipped threads.

4. Sew a piece of fabric at the start of your project to save on thread. This also helps for your points not to go into the throat of your machine.

5. Stack what you need to sew and place it next to your machine.

New Year 2010

Hello everyone! I'm going to try and post every month. But don't hold me to it!! LOL.

Happy New Year!!