Sew Easy 4 Me

Making progress!

2011-06-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Well the Skylights quilt is progressing but slowly. One of the hardest blocks so far needs to be re-done. I made it a 8" block instead of 6" without realizing it. When I drafted the block in EQ I must not have changed the size and until I started putting the other blocks together on the flannel wall I didn't realize it was the wrong size. And it was one of the most challenging so far, even at 8"! I probably will be pulling out my hair to make it 6".

I just had very interesting moment that I had to post it so I wouldn't forget it. In the short time I've been using EQ I didn't realize what a profound difference it was going to make in how I look at pictures of quilts or quilts themselves. The difference has taken place so slowly that I wasn't ever aware it was happening. As I've tried to learn more about the software, it has changed how I look at how quilts are constructed. Before I would have looked at a quilt and thought I would love to make that quilt but how in the world would I figure out what the block layout was. Now I don't look at the whole quilt but try to find what the blocks are that make up the whole quilt. Its amazing how easily it is to figure out what blocks were used when you change how you look at a quilt.

This morning, I happened on a quilt designer website. She shared how she got her design inspiration, in one example she saw a tile wall in a resturant. I was looking around at some of her quilts and came across one that really caught my eye, as to how in the world did that quilt get pieced together because the blocks looked so random and just thrown together. Then, I saw a four patch block and a simple two-strip block that was rotated along with another block; and I had figured out how the quilt was made. It was like I had been hit by lightning, and a best high all at the same time!

So I never imagined that learning how to use this software would so thoroughly change I look at quilts. I suppose I'm hooked on EQ! Chris

This is what I'm working now!

2011-04-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hi! Everyone, I've made tremendous progress in learning the Electric Quilt software, I've had the program for several years but just never get real grip on understanding the program. Then I learned about the mystery lessons that are available on the website and I was blown away by how easy it to understand. The manuals were good at individual steps in using the software but I wanted something that went through the planning of a quilt from the very beginning.

I chose Mystery lessons called Skylights to start with,and the more I did the lessons; the more I fell in love with the quilt. Here is picture of a drawing and layout of the blocks. I've finished three blocks so far, the far right block, the far left block that is repeated three times and the courthouse block with the flag block.

Because of the small size of the blocks I've chosen to paper piece the blocks. I believe its made the blocks alot easier to construct and kept more true to size than I could have done with conventional piecing. Not sure though that I would want to make a large quilt by paper piecing because its more time consuming but I think it will all be worth it. Chris

2011-03-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I've done it! I "almost" designed a quilt, I say "almost" because it wasn't my original idea. I liked the design and wanted an easy quilt that I could make for the Threads of Love group I sew with; the quilt will eventually be an infant size crib quilt. So it was the beginning of something fun and challenging!

The first picture is copy of the block from EQ Library, that I thought had the basis for the block I wanted but I didn't all the additional parts of the block. Second, pic. shows that I edited and deleted most of the block parts and added the circle in the center. The pie-shaped sections within the cirlce are actually the seams of the sections under the circle. The circles will be appliques done over the sections. Third pic, is using the fabric selection in EQ to color in the blocks.

All of this wouldn't have been possible without having completed the Skylights Mystery Lessons from EQ. Its taken me little over a month to do the lessons and then finally see the inspiration for my first EQ quilt. This is the whole reason I wanted EQ, to be able to draw my own quilts from ideas I had seen in magazines and other places.

Thanks to everyone at Quilting Board who helped and encouraged me to take the lessons. With-out them, none of this would have been possible. Chris

2011-03-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hi! Everyone, Hope everyone is well and enjoying this early spring weather. Its beautiful here(So. Alabama), the flowering cherry trees and bradford pear trees are more beautiful than they have been in years. Solid white trees; of the mess that follows will come in a week or so!!!
Well, I haven't exactly been working on anything that would look exciting at the moment but hope it will help in the future. I've been spending alot more time with my EQ(Electric Quilt) software. Just finished ten lessons in a mystery quilt, each lesson teaching a different aspect of EQ. I completed all the lessons! And feel like it really help. I was particularily interested in learning more about the drawing features of the software, and the lessons really helped. Still have some practicing to do to actually being able to draw a block and know what I'm doing. Eventually, I would like to be able to sketch out a block from a magazine or pattern.
The GK's are doing great. Hannah is six yr. old and I can't believe it!!! Sarah will be five in April and Jamie, the only boy will 1yr old on the 28 of this month. They are such sweet kids and so much fun to be around.
Many of you don't know Jim had to have heart bypass surgery on 11/29. On the Fri night following the Ala./Auburn football game I found him in his recliner unconscious and barely breathing. Thankfully, God was with us that night because the sequences of events that followed wouldn't have been as good if He hadn't worked out the details, ie... the ambulance missing our house and my BIL having to chase them down to get them back to the right house!!! The surgery was a success and Jim is going back to work(another of God's blessings!) soon, and it couldn't be any sooner for me! Both of us at home at the same time, one of us would be going back to work.
So things are nearly back to normal and I'm looking forward to my evenings of sewing like they were before 11/29! Take care, Chris

So much has happened!

2011-01-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that I've not posted anything in a long while. To be honest, I've not always been comfortable writing but recently have felt that I needed to start posting again. So much has happened to our family this last year, much of it I would not have been able to put one foot in front of the other without my faith in Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit. With each of the situations I have felt such a sense of peace and even if the situation's outcome wasn't what I would have liked; I knew without a doubt that God was there for me. We are very fortunate that the New Year has brought good health for the whole family. So prayers were heard!

Now things have started to get back what is normal for our family; and I can start to get back to my favorite things, my family first then sewing and quilting. And raising a new puppy! Roxie was born Thanksgiving Day, a day after my birthday! Even though she's only a little 1-1/2lb ball of fur, she brought some new energy to the house, and the older dog has found out what it's like to be on the other end of the tail pulling, ear pulling and whatever else Roxie can think to do. Buddy no longer has time to tease the three cats!

Well, my next project is to make a Kindle cover for my daughter. I had wanted to get it done before Christmas but so much came to screeching halt before Christmas that I'm just now getting things done that I had promised to have ready for the holidays. At least I'm getting them done!

Hope everyone has a great 2011 and lots of finished projects. Hugs, Chris

Hi! I'm still here

2010-02-16T15:09:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone, You can see what I've been working on, baby things! Our new grandson is due any day. I've had so much fun sewing, had never sewn so much blue in a long time!!! Here are some bath towels I've made, they were so easy to make.

I found a link the other day for this video and I hope this show is a huge success. I watched the sewing twins last Christmas on Emblibrary, their Christmas projects shown by webcast; that featured lots of Christmas to-dos. Thought you might be interested, and check out their newsletter; you can register for new Janome give-away.

http://www.thediydish.com/2010/02/welcome-to-the-diy-dish/

Now I'm onto sewing baby sleeper sets, and making burp pads and bibs. Have so many cute embroidery designs to use. My machine will be working overtime. Take care and I will try posting more often. Chris

my pincushion!

2009-08-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Hi! Haven't posted anything in a while, had stopped quilting for a while to get some fall/winter clothes made and I had my sewing room remodeled! Jim built me a fabulous table for the embroidery and sewing machines. Now I can leave the embroidery machine set up and ready to use, still have plenty of room for the sewing machine. So I'm very happy!

My first project after getting the room back in order was a new pincushion. I had wanted a wrist pincushion but didn't know I wanted to make it. Came across a nice website calledhttp://theobjectproject.typepad.com/ LeighAnne had the cutest flower pincushion called Tea Cup Flower Pincushion. I used her idea but added a piece of heavy mylar under the flower(covered with a yo-yo) so the pins wouldn't stick me and added a strap to make a wrist pincushion. I love it and its fun to wear.

Photos of the kit

2009-06-25T09:11:00.001-07:00

This the kit inside and out! I used a third coorindating ribbon to make a loop and bow(the bow goes on the backside of the kit to hide where the loop is attached. for the button, I took two buttons; a large white button and topped it with a heart shape button. The two were sewn as one button.

Hope you have fun making yours and please send me pictures of your sewing kits, I would love seeing your work. Hugs, Chris

I added the large bags first, taping them on the sides first, then adding the long strips close to the center( down at the lower half of the picture, the pin with white head is marking the half way point of the mat). After placing the long strip of tape, I checked to make use the striped ribbon was the correct position at the halfway point of the mat. I pulled back the stripe ribbon and cut the large plastic bags at the halfway point. Then I layered the small bags on top and followed the same procedure. Once all the bags were firmly taped down and trimmed, I top-stitched the stripe ribbon; anchoring all the layers of bags under the ribbon. Then removed all the blue tape.

. To re-enforce the handle I used a second layer of ribbon at the handles. Using the sticky tape on the polka dot ribbon, I added the stripe ribbon, tucking the ends of the stripe ribbon between the polka dot ribbon and placemat.
Top-stitch the ribbon in place, stitching all the way around; including the handles. I added a small pocket to hide the backside of the monogram, you'll be able to see it in the next picture(it's on the left-side of the mat).

The ribbon starts at the point where it is pinned. I used 63 in. of ribbon, the handles are about 13 in ea. I folded under about 1/4in at the end to hide the raw edge

First step, if using the purchased mat; you might want to embellish it some way. Small pockets or applique, but anything done would have fit between the strips of ribbon(see photo 2.) Decide where the handles should be, attach two strips of paper back soluble sticky tape(the white strip is the paper backing from the tape and the shiny strip is the tape). The tape the will hold the ribbon in place while its being stitched in place. I love this tape, have used it for so many things!!!

Placemat sewing kit

2009-06-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

This kit was fun to make, my daughter got her first sewing machine. She more interested in using the decorative stitches as a embellishment technique when she is scrapbooking. I figure one thing leads to another and someday she's going to want me to teach her how to sew. We"ll see! Anyway, I thought I would make her a sewing/scrapbooking kit. She can use it whatever she likes.

If you have any questions please email me and would I glad to help. seweasy4me@elmore.rr.com I've tried to keep the pictures as few as possible but still give a good idea of how I made the kit. I have a suggestion for those who love to quilt, try making a placemat instead of buying one. Maybe a crazypatch or a stack n whack mat would be great

Here's a list of things I used to make the kit:

1 placemat- 18-1/2x14

Ribbon- grograin is the best. Used three different patterns

Ziploc bags, can use either tab or zipper type

Roll of paper-back water soluble sticky tape-1/4"wide

Button for closure

Fabric for optional pocket

Friendship tablerunner

2009-05-28T20:12:00.000-07:00

Hi! Everyone, These are pictures of the swap project I mailed out on Wed. Can't say where or who just yet because its supposed to be a surprise. I had so much fun working on this project, finding the Italian theme fabric and already had the Chef designs(from hatchedinafrica.com) and the herb designs(from emblibrary.com); I couldn't put together a better match. It was like they were made for each other. Tomrrow, I'm going back to Hobby Lobby to see if I can get more of the Italian thene fabric to put in my stash.

Well, I've just got all my quilitng done for a while. Have to finish one more project then I'm taking a break from quilting and going to make some summer clothes for my granddaughters and maybe something for me. I haven't done any garment sewing in a long while. Need to do something different for a change. But first have to finish my mother's lapquilt that should have been finished before I started the swap runner but I ran out of time and had to get the Friendship runner finished and in the mail before June 1. I gave Mother flowers for Mother's Day but told her something else was coming but didn't tell what it was or anything about it. So its still a surprise.

Hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of summer. Tonight we went over to my mother's and spent the evening on her screen porch overlooking the lake. It was fanstatic! Her porch is built almost on a second story so you really get a grand view of the lake. There is nothing like early summer in Alabama but before the humidity and heat sets in!!! Take care, Chris

Patriotic Runner by Joan

2009-05-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

Hi! Everyone, Wanted to show off the runner I received from Joan of NorthGlenn, Colorado. She also sent the ragdoll and fabric basket that was filled with fat quarters and "gourment" M&M's, which are in a candy jar and hidden so Jim can't find them! We are part of the "Quilted Table Yahoo Group" swap.

I'll post another message with the pictures of the package I sent out. Take care, Chris

Necessity can be the mother of invention!

2009-04-15T13:03:00.001-07:00

Hi! First, Hercules had to say hello and get himself in the picture. He is pawing my recycle/reuse item!!! Its actually a draftsmans' pellet bag, its used for anchoring large pieces of paper.
I was wanting to make a scrap/thread catcher bag/pincushion but didn't want to go and buy a big bag of playsand just to make one bag/pincushion. I started looking around the house for something else I could use but nothing came up heavy enough to use in the pincushion. Then I remembered Jim had given me two of the pellet weights to use when I was cutting out patterns but I never liked using them. So now at least one of them was getting a new life! The weight along with stuffing made a pretty good pincushion.
My second "neat" idea was to use some of the fusible Thermoweb plastic on the lining of the scrap bag. I'm hoping that it will make removing the bits of thread from the bag, a little easier. Threads have a tendency to stick to fabric, making them hard to remove.
Third thing I had to come up with was a substitue to keep the scrap/pincushion bag open, most of the instructions for the bags suggested using something stiff in the seamcasing at the top of the bag to keep it open so threads would easily fall into the bag. I didn't have anything stiff!!! So I used elastic; by the time I threaded the elastic through the casing and along with fusible plastic; the bag has enough stiffness to stay open.
I love my scrapbag/pincushion. Its amazing when you're quilting how many bits and pieces of thread that seem to find their way to the floor, and they're almost impossible to sweep up off the carpet. Maybe the bag will help some!!! Hugs, Chris

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-04-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

Hi! The wall hanging is finished! Its taken almost two years, other projects always seemed to keep this one to the background. After I finished the Easter runner, I decided to finish the quilt before starting on anything else.
I had alot of fun working on this sampler quilt, different block and fabrics made working on it more interesting. Now I know why BOM are so popular. The birdhouse block at the upper left corner matches the birdhouse runner posted Jan 28,'09. Because the kitchen table is right in front of the fireplace, wanted the runner and quilt look good together. So many of the same fabrics are used on both.
When the house was remodeled, the chimmey was removed but the fireplace along with the rocks were left in place; so its a safe place to hang a quilt, the fireplace hasn't been used in years. I wish we had room for a mantel but that's okay, I got the quilt in its place.
Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend. Hugs, Chris

My latest project

2009-03-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hi! Everyone, This is my Easter tablerunner for Quilted Tables Yahoo group Easter swap. The lady who received it lives in Colorado and she loved purple, so it kind of nice knowing I have something of me so far away!!! Its hard to tell from the photo, the fabric used in the blocks and the border have tulips printed on it.
Actually the pattern came from CompuQuilt's website, it was one of their freebies called Buttercup. To me it looked more like a tulip but I quess like alot of things, its depends on who's looking at it! Anyway, in the pattern; the blocks were to run all in one direction but since this was tablerunner that seems to look a little odd. So I turned the center blocks inward and the rest pointed to each end.
It will be awhile before I want to work with any more half square triangles, they are not easy to work with!!! Trying to get them to lay flat since they are cut on the bias isn't easy. Either the fabric wants to ripple at the seam or on the outside seam next to the border depending on how you cut them. Anyway, I learned something working on this quilt and feel I did a "fair" job on it.
Take care, Chris