Oops! Quilt-along Block #4 Do-over

Have you ever had one of those days?!

If you ask me, I would bet my last dollar that yesterday was the 13th, Murphy came to visit, I walked under a ladder, rocked an empty chair, and horror of horrors, opened an umbrella in the house! Yep, sure glad it’s today

I don’t how many of you received an email stating the block #4 post was up and published, but if you did…..I have to apologize. It was up, but NOT supposed to be. Uh, uh…yours truly pushed the wrong button before the post was complete. That’s one thing nice about sewing, if you do something wrong, you grab your trusty old seam ripper and redo. This technology thing is not so private or forgiving. Talk about panic….yi, yi, yi, I thought, what do I do now????? It’s 10:30 at night, Val is visiting Sam the Muffin Man, and I’m totally embarrassed. I attempted to un-publish the post, but ended up deleting it altogether. Alas, nothing to do but ‘rip it out and start over’, so here goes….wish me luck!

1. Begin by arranging 8 solid 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ and 8 print  2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ blocks in an alternating pattern. It should look like this picture. This would be a great time to spritz with spray starch and press.

2. Start with the top/first row of blocks. Notice in the above photo that I’ve designated the blocks with blue arrows.

3. Place one solid block and one print block, right sides together. (If you would like to use a couple of pins to secure your blocks, go right ahead. I don’t usually pin mine if the blocks are this small.) Stitch these two block with a scant 1/4″ seam and press open. Repeat this step with the other two blocks from the top/first row.

4. When you have completed #3, your top/first row will resemble the one in this photo. The next step is to place the two edges (designated with the blue arrows) right sides together and stitch with scant 1/4″ seam and press.

After completing steps #3 and #4 your first/top row will look like this.

5. Next, we’ll begin assembling the four separate rows. Place two rows, right sides together, stitch at scant 1/4″, and press.  (Since this edge is a bit longer, I’m going to place a coupe of pins at the seams to ensure they match up as I sew.) Repeat for rows #3 and #4.

You can see that my pins straddle the seam allowance. This helps me ensure the seams match. Just a reminder…be sure not to sew over your pins…probably not the best thing for your machine or needle

6. After you have joined rows 1, 2 and 3, 4, they should look similar to this. Next, place these right sides together, pin if you wish, secure the ‘middle’ seam  at 1/4″ and press.

Congratulations! Your first block #4 is complete and should look similar to the above picture. Repeat these steps to complete 5 more of block #4.

I hope you all have a happy, relaxing, and safe Memorial Day weekend! I’d personally like to add a resounding “Thank You” to all past and current military personnel and their families!

See you in a couple of weeks with block #5,

Brenda

Let’s celebrate Mother’s Day by adding block #3

I’d like to take moment to say, “Happy Mother’s Day!”  In addition to the tutorial for block #3, I’m sending you a virtual bouquet in honor of this special day. I need to get into this flower bed to remove the tops of my spring bulbs, but I love purple and this spiderwort is too pretty not to share!

I hope all of your blocks are coming along well….I’ve been lucky enough to see a few finished blocks and they look super great! I really can’t wait to see all of them when we are finished!

Mod Sampler Quilt – Block #3

1.  We’ll begin with two solid  and 2 print squares (4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″) and arrange them in a layout similar to the above picture.

FYI: I’ve already starched and pressed my blocks so they are ready to assemble.

2.  Take one print block and one solid block and place them right sides together. If you feel more comfortable in doing so, go ahead and  add a pin or two for reinforcement. 

3. After confirming that your needle is set for a scant 1/4″… go ahead and stitch your two squares together.  Repeat step 2 and 3 with the remaining two squares.

*Don’t forget to set your stitching by pressing the seam first and then pressing the seam open or to one side (depending on your preference)

Once you have pressed the seams, your two blocks should look similar to these in the above photo.

4.  Next, we’ll put the right sides of the two blocks together…making sure to match the seam lines.

* When I am matching seams, I like to pin across the seam allowance (as in the above picture). I tend to have better luck with this method rather than pinning on both sides.

5. In addition to securing the seam, it might be a good idea to use a couple of more pins close to the beginning and end of the future seam. (I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a ‘slight’ (wink, wink) problem with OCD, so if you feel comfortable not pinning, go for it!)

6. Stitch your scant 1/4″ seam, press to set your stitching, and press the seam open.

* This is what the back of my block looks like after I’ve stitched and pressed the seam.

* If the seams are matched properly and ‘propriately’ (that’s for Donna’s grandson…ask her to tell you the story if you’re in need of a smile), they should look similarly to these in the above photo.

Congratulations, you have now completed block #3!!

 

I’m going to leave you with a little something that I think you will enjoy. Have fun and I’ll talk to you in a couple of weeks for block #4…woo hoo.

Pin Pal Point:  For those of you that don’t visit sewing blogs….this is your lucky day!!!! I’m going to share 3 of my favorite blogs…..but, PROCEED WITH CAUTION because they are habit forming! Seriously, I’ve learned, and continue to learn, so much about fabrics, notions, and the art of piecing and quilting from these blogs and thought you might like them too. Without further ado…………………………..

http://mamacjt.blogspot.com/

  http://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/

http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/

http://traceyjayquilts.blogspot.com/

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Time Flies (whether you’re having fun or not!)

I can’t believe how quickly the summer has flown by…it seems like just the other day my husband tore the brick off of our family room fireplace.  And, through a series of unfortunate events, the summer project has now turned into a fall project.  Our original time frame of having it done by Memorial Day (and, then, by the Fourth of July and then by Labor Day) has now been transformed into a hopeful Thanksgiving deadline!  Sometimes this is how a sewing project goes, too.  The block of the month quilt from 2008 is not yet pieced together, and there is a sweet jungle inspired quilt on the frame now at the store with a hopeful completion of “yet this week”.

The good news is that it’s really busy here at the store!  Lots of new products have arrived and continue to arrive, and the fabric, well, it’s ever-expanding.  So, I’ve put together a little picture show of what’s new!

It was an exciting day when the new Koala Studio cabinet came in!  I was so grateful that it was not raining because this box is enormous and I needed to call for reinforcements to get the cabinet inside the store.  Thankfully, Roy miraculously appeared and we rolled that bad boy into the back door.  These custom designed, by YOU, studios are made right outside Chicago, so with every purchase you can proudly say, it was “Made in the USA!”  Available in 8 colors and many sizes and custom heights, there is home delivery available for these beauties.  Because the cabinets weight over 400 pounds, I highly recommend the Top-Drawer Delivery, because the delivery men will move the studio up/down a flight of stairs and set it completely up for you.

We stocked up on machines and that’s a good thing, because we already have to reorder.  Baby Lock’s fall serger promotion is simply great, and if you ever wanted a Baby Lock serger, now is the time…our package includes the serger trolley, 6-foot kit, Inspiration Guide AND the exclusive Baby Lock Gold Standard!

As far as events go, we hosted Baby Lock educator, Emily Carter in September with a terrific turnout of standing-room-only!  Emily showed the features in the new upgrade for the Ellisimo, as well as some of the great things you can do with your Evolution serger!  Janet and Pam are going to Sew Special this weekend, in Peoria, to teach a class on Trims & Tassels on your Baby Lock Serger.  You should see what Janet has created.  I’m hopeful she’ll do a demo for us this fall!  Kid’s Club keeps going strong.  The girls created a handy cover for a treat jar and used machine embroidery on Sofia.  The projects were really cute and the spider web embroidery glows in the dark!

As far as sewing goes, check out the serger quilt Brenda made.  She used the Wave stitch (wow!) and the new Metroflock serger yarns for the ruffles.  Brenda also made a sample using the Kaffe & Brandon Mably fabrics we carry in the store.  Her first try at stippling on the Jewel was a huge success, don’t you agree?

And, we didn’t forget the dolls either!  Check out the adaptation of Mini-Kyoko as a witch costume.  It is so sweet and perfect in the new print from Dan Bennett.  Mini-Kyoko also shines in Patty Young’s new line of fabrics, Sanctuary (you know I got to sew samples, so I’m sneaking a peek to you!)

Come by sometime soon to see the newest Baby Lock sewing machines like Symphony, Melody, Tempo, Elizabeth and the rest!  You’ll see why the pros like Nancy Zieman, Eleanor Burns and Fons & Porter CHOOSE Baby Lock!  Shouldn’t you?

 

 

Change is Good.

After 4 years at this location, our store has really expanded.  And, well, we’ve suffered some growing pains, too.  One of our primary objectives when we started with fabric was to keep it neat and tidy.  This is no small feat for a sewing machine/fabric shop, and your home sewing room is an example of how hard it is to keep on top of things.  We have over 50 bolts of fabric scheduled to arrive in the next 3 weeks alone, so the pressure to make better use of our space was on.  About a week ago, Pam, her husband Roy, my husband, and I stayed late on 2 nights to re-vamp the shop.  With the advice of a friend, Brian, we were able to step back and take a second look at the place.  It didn’t take but some re-arranging and some re-routing of electrical cords and the place has taken on a new and fresh face as we head into the fall season.  With all the new Baby Lock products arriving this fall (& we’re going to showcase some of the fabulous Koala cabinets, too), we had to create some space and I think we did.  Come by to take a look in person…you already know my photography leaves a bit to be desired.

We had Kids’ Club in August and the girls re-fashioned a t-shirt.  By adding some decorative lettuce edging to the bottom of the cut sleeves and hem, in a cute variegated thread, and carefully adjusting the fit by adding pleats and tucks, everyone’s project was adorable!

Lots of new patterns and projects actually got completed in the past weeks, too.  I’m always thrilled when you bring in the completed bag or quilt.  We just love show & tell.

Oliver + S pattern + Dena Designs fabric + Dakota Collectibles embroidery = 2 cute!

Dena Design's McKenzie makes the perfect baby quilt.

Foldover Bag from Liberty Star in Halo fabrics

Mommy & Me bag (Liberty Star) in Brandon Mably

Out & About bag (This & That) in Paula Prass' Woodland Delight

Jen's Sun & Surf tote (Modkid) is terrific color-blocked! The back is equally cute!

A simply amazing bag -- Bon Vivant! (Ellen Medlock) is even more spectacular in this black print from Dena Designs (McKenzie).

A cutie from Kari Mecca's book, Sewing with Whimsy.

A Time to Sew

I know most of you thought I was kicking back and relaxing this past 4-day weekend, with the store closed, but I knew you wanted me to sew sew sew, so…that’s exactly what I did!  I completed 4 bags and a skirt, and cut out 2 Oliver + S playsuits (having left the embroidery designs at the store, I couldn’t get them embroidered!)  I did get a little sun on Saturday, made a delicious chocolate raspberry crepe dessert, but toiled away at the sewing machine all weekend.  And, yes, I have the photos to prove it!

The Barcelona Bag & Kaffe--perfect for summer!

A favorite here at Sew Much More, this Scottsdale Satchel is made from Erin McMorris' Weekends (you should see the bicycle print lining!)

This bag from Sweetwater is definitely "Pure Cute", made cuter with the addition of the clever label!

This sweet Mommy & Me bag from Liberty Star gets additional appeal from the Jane fabric (Blank Quilting.)

It's all in the details! You can tell I love the Sweetwater labels.

The skirt I made was Lila Tueller’s Sophisticate Skirt (my favorite pattern) and I made it for law school daughter out of Kathy Davis‘ Journeys purple leaf print.  Maybe she’ll pose in it and I can post her photo.  I’ve still got my skirt in the elegant black/pink/grey paisley from Dena Designs McKenzie to finish up and those darling infant rompers, so you’ll see more photos later this week.  More fabric arrives this month–Halo by Gudrun Erla, Tufted Tweets by Laurie Wisbrun, Free to Grow (Organic Cotton!) by Nancy Mims and Glam Garden from Josephine Kimberling.  Wow…where to put it?  Hopefully, in sewing rooms all around Central Illinois!  I know there’s more scheduled to arrive in July and August brings yet another round of fabric deliveries.  I do like to do my part in keeping my friend Frank, the UPS driver, busy!

Did you hear about Baby Lock’s newest machine, the Symphony?   I love this machine, and the goodies that come along with it make it perfect for anyone who is yearning for a finely crafted machine to meet their sewing needs.  You can really get this machine to “sing”…thus, the perfect name “Symphony” for the perfect new Baby Lock.  Enter the contest for a chance to win an autographed machine by Eleanor Burns!

Well, I’m off to embroider tonight…that is, if I can find the darned caterpillar design!  I have a love/hate thing with those USB memory sticks.  Love the simplicity of them–hate that I can lay them down and misplace them!  Off to search and hopefully, embroider, with pictures to follow later this week.

Grommets Galore

If you hadn’t noticed, we absolutely love the big plastic grommets that are now available.  We’re so in love that we’ve recently ordered all of the newest colors available in both the 25mm and the 40mm sizes!  Lots of the newest bag and tote patterns use these stylish colored grommets, too.  One of the most popular is the Bella Bag from Anka’s Treasures.  We’ve had to re-order this bag pattern 3 times already.  It has plenty of strap options and the size is just perfect!

You might know that I had to stitch up a sample of the new Modkid Lite pattern, Sun & Surf Tote, before market.  But, since I was privy to the pattern in advance, I made up 3 additional bags in a variety of snappy combinations.  This bag takes a small amount of fabric, is easy to do, and looks great in a number of variations.  I am partial to the button-on strap because it is the easiest to stitch up (and who doesn’t have a button box to raid for some adorable buttons?)  We’ve already sold all of the patterns we originally had in stock and I’ll post photos of those delicious looking bags once the lucky gals who just happened into the store when Patty Young dropped off the patterns get theirs finished up.  We should receive another shipment of this very popular tote pattern within the next few weeks!

Mini Nina Preview

By now, you can likely purchase your Modkid, Mini-Nina pattern at your favorite quilt shop.  At Sew Much More, we’re on the inside track because we know the designer (wink wink…I AM the designer!), so we got ours already.  And, Mini-Nina is so much (more) fun to sew!  With varying the fabrics, accessories, and styling, you can give Mini-Nina any look from playful to fancy-schmancy.  I’m hoping to post the shirring tutorial this weekend, so you, too, can add another dimension to your Mini-Nina sewing!  Our little Vacation Sarah just loves to model Mini-Nina, so, just for you, her personal fashion show of the many looks of Mini-Nina!  Click on the pic to get more info about each look.  Get your fabrics selected and commence cutting!

Sewing to Make Us Smile!

The girls were here for “Kid’s Club” on Saturday, and their project was a “go green” shopping bag.  We used the Timber fabrics (Windham) by Jessica Levitt, to keep our ecology theme intact.  This simple tote was improved upon with the use of a tab that hooks onto the bag dispenser of your local grocery–great idea, Janet!  To give their bags a professional finish, all of our seams were edged with a Baby Lock serger!  Everybody’s bag was great, and the topstitching is really improving, girls!  Super job!

Brenda got her Anita Goodesign Baby Giraffes quilt back from the quilter, and wow, didn’t Betty do a great job enhancing the pattern on the background fabric (Eden by Lila Tueller for Moda Fabrics)?  These giraffes always make me smile and the purple girly giraffes are especially sweet!

I’ve had my eye on the roses from Philip Jacobs (Westminster) since they first came in, and when the great new cantaloupe colored print arrived last week, I knew I had met the match!  The new bag pattern, Vicki’s Bag from Quilts Illustrated, shows off the fabrics beautifully, and what’s best–I finished it in one afternoon!  What a simple and good looking bag!

I don’t want you to miss the sneak peek of the upcoming Stella handbag pattern from Modkid and be sure to check out the topstitching done on the exclusive Baby Lock Sashiko machine!

Is it Spring Yet?

We got tricked into thinking that Spring had sprung last week, and the weekend snapped us back into a cold reality.  But, the sun is shining today and I’m hopeful that we actually hit the 60 degree mark later this week as the weather people have promised.

Our Kid’s Club meets this weekend; last Saturday we had a Bag-tastic class and the bags were stunning.  Marcia brought hers by for some help on “snap-ology” so she could get her great black tote finished up and I promise to post photos when I see them.  Diane toted her blue damask off to Florida, so no pics of that either until her return.  But, Janet came by with her “to-die-for” diaper bag with the ever-popular Anita Goodesign Baby Giraffes and the Nicey Jane fabrics from Heather Bailey for Free Spirit.  This fabric has gone home to many sewing rooms for use in Easter dresses and baby items.  With its fresh colors, you can see why it’s so popular!

The new Mini-Modkid pattern, Mini-Nina, will be arriving in May, along with a terrific new handbag, the Stella Handbag.  I am testing the pattern now, and you will love the style and shape.  I’m doing the topstitching with the Sashiko machine and the look is fantastic!

Our big Spring Sale is in full force and lots of customers are adding great Baby Lock sergers and embroidery machines to their sewing rooms.  We’ll also be making room for the new Crown Jewel later this spring.  Be sure to stop in to check out the new products and we’ll be posting a new class schedule featuring our popular “Bag-Tastic” series and a new series called, “Urge to Serge”.  Techniques, including embroidery machine applique and quilting, are our focus this spring and summer, and you won’t want to miss a thing!

Heavenly Peace by Verna Mosquera (Free Spirit)

Make Life…by Sweetwater (Moda)

Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry (Free Spirit)

Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry (Free Spirit)

Andrea Victoria by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake designs

Amy Butler’s Love fabrics with a Texture Magic tab!

An Everyday Bag featuring Laura Gunn’s Poppy (Michael Miller Fabrics)

This Scottsdale Satchel (Purse Strings) is terrific made from the Oz fabric by Sanae for Moda.

Sweetwater’s Little Details Bag from “Make Life…” (Moda)

An Easter Bucket and the pattern (Sweetwater) even includes the labels.

Grommet hipster made from “Make Life…” fabrics (Moda) and featuring great new plastic grommets!

Anita Goodesign’s Baby Giraffes embroidery on a diaper bag in Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey (Free Spirit)

That cute giraffe again!