Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Perfect Points Sampler Quilt Top

Ta-da!  Here is the Perfect Points Sampler completed quilt top!  I cannot believe I got all the squares to go together...and STAY together!  Some of my blocks were not quite the right size so the seam allowance is pretty scant.  I had to re-sew in a couple small places to make them stay together but all in all, I am very happy with the results!

While the original example in the quilt-along used VERY bright fabrics, I chose these beautiful blues and browns from the Charlottesville Collection.  I had to substitute a couple fabrics because Connecting Threads was sold out but I think they all look pretty decent together.  I love the inner border fabric and it is used for the binding as well.  I usually use a 2-1/2" wide binding but this pattern called for 2-1/4" binding strips so I'll see how I like that look.  (The Heart & Feather whole-cloth used only 2" wide binding - because it was such a small square - and I found that a bit finicky to work with).

Of course the instructions say to 'quilt as desired' so I'm not sure yet how I'll finish up this quilt.  I know it should be quilted with a swirly, round design to counter-act all those harsh points.  But I would like to think outside the meandering box and maybe do something different.  Now that I'm not terrified of following a drawn design I might even try using a stencil!  I'll show you the completely finished quilt as soon as it's done!

Couching

The first thing I learned in the Craftsy Stupendous Stitching class is the definition of couching.  Couching is when yarn, fibers, or other materials are fastened to a foundation/background fabric with small stitches with the same yarn or different threads.  This technique is the starting point of the Stupendous Stitching project and the reason I needed the Pearls 'N Piping Creative Feet foot I showed you on Thursday.

After I chose my blue Batik background fabric and stabilized it with some heavy-weight fusible interfacing, I was ready to begin my couching experience.  I attached the couching foot (aka the Pearls 'N Piping foot) and selected some fibers from my stash.  Since there 'are no mistakes' in the Stupendous Stitching project and a variety of colours is encouraged, there really wasn't a wrong way to do this technique nor any inappropriate fiber to use.

It is very fun to 'couch' and sadly, is over too quickly!  For the project we only had to add 5 or 6 lines of couching, leaving a couple inches in between for the addition of other stitches and embellishments.  Gentle curves and wavy lines, mixed with straight ones, yield the best results...I went a bit overboard with the neon green fiber - I was initially trying to make an enclosed circle which didn't work out - and it got away from me.  I don't like the way it ended up but, since there are no mistakes, I just left it there and learned my lesson for next time.

Couching is a lot of fun and I'm sure I will think of ways to add this to other projects.  I changed threads with each line of couching I did, sometimes matching the thread to the fiber and sometimes using variegated thread.  I also learned to move the fabric (instead of the fiber) and not pull the couching material too far in my turns since that results in the zig-zags going off track and not catching the fibers.

So that's step 1 of the Stupendous Stitching piece...and only the beginning of this interesting art project!

Carol Doak's Foundation Paper

When I made the LeMoyne Star blocks for my Perfect Points Sampler quilt I had my first experience with paper piecing.  While you can use copy paper or old phone book pages, I picked up an inexpensive pack of Carol Doak's Foundation Paper.  (You know I like having the right tool for the job!)

This specialized paper can be used in most printers and copy machines and doesn't shrink, curl or turn brittle.  It holds up to stitching yet tears away easily when the piecing is done.

Furthermore, the paper is lightweight and won't add bulk when joining seams, is absorbent so there isn't any inky mess, and non-coated so fabric won't slip.

I found this foundation paper to be excellent to work with and it made my first experience with paper piecing a breeze.  I can't wait to try this technique again.  It's so fun and easy to print out the pattern and simply sew along the printed lines - takes the pressure off trying to keep that 1/4" seam!  I bought the paper at Connecting Threads and it comes in letter or legal size for under $8.

Creative Feet

I told you about the Craftsy Stupendous Stitching class I enrolled in and one of the suggested supplies used in the class is a special foot for adding materials to the fabric.  Creative Feet is a company that makes the specialized feet and the Pearls 'N Piping Foot is the one I needed for the class (the stitching can be done with a regular zig-zag foot but it takes a little more care and is not as simple as the specialized foot).  I was fully prepared to order from the Creative Feet website but happened to find ALL THREE feet (Satinedge, Pearls 'N Piping, and Sequins 'N Ribbon) at my local store so that was a real bonus - no shipping and a great price!!  (Must be living right, as my dad would say!)

After watching the videos on YouTube of the Creative Feet in action, I really did want all 3 feet anyway.  Each one makes a specialized task so easy and the feet fit any machine - they come with adapters right in the package!  I knew I could use the feet for other projects and instantly thought about how I could add different embellishments to my quilts in some way.  Haven't figured that out yet but now I know I have the capability...it is just a matter of playing around on some practice pieces to get the hang of it.

If you like to sew, check out the website (that Clare Rowley is pretty inspirational and amazing!) and the videos to see all the neat tools Clare has come up with to make things easier.  The idea of being able to easily add sequins, ribbons, or pearls as embellishments to almost anything is pretty cool.

Foolproof Machine Quilting

OOOh, I am so excited!  I just got a great book, Foolproof Machine Quilting.  It's perfect for those quilters who want to use a walking foot to quilt rather than free-motion quilting, but want to branch out from stitch-in-the-ditch and lines!  Mary Mashuta is the author and her technique is to use paper patterns (or sticky-back shelf paper - like mac-tac/contac) and stitch around the patterns. They are simple patterns but can be made more elaborate with outlining, stacking, etc.  There is no marking and no math - just careful (and slow) stitching with the walking foot.  This is exactly what I was looking for!

I took the process one step further and used my Cricut (scrapbooking die-cut machine) to produce and cut the shapes so they are PERFECT and can be easily reproduced as needed...not to mention there are a bajillion designs I could use. I used contac paper and it worked beautifully!  Here is a scrap tester (my first, so don't pay attention to the starts & stops) - it worked great! Very tidy designs that will add a little pizazz to boring walking-foot quilting!

I bought the book on-line (Foolproof Machine Quilting, by Mary Mashuta, C&T publishing, 2008) and love it!  There is a lot of information in the book and stunning photos of Mary's gorgeous quilts.  I can't wait to get a new top finished so I can use this method.

Quilt Show Scrapbook Layout

This was a fun layout to create since the photos of the quilts are so colourful and different.  I used paper from the Enchanted Power Palette as a base, for photo mats and layers.  I cut the title using the Creative Cuts tools & template (Quilt) and my QuicKutz (show).  I also used the Border Maker and the die-cut stickers included in the Power Palette (they are really cool and different!).  I embellished the page with some 'gems' stickers and I made a little 4-patch with the Postage Stamp Place 'n Punch, which I then stitched with my sewing machine to look like a quilt block.

Horizon 7700: Sewing on a Button

I've come a long way since once hand-sewing a button onto the top I was wearing when I was mending DH's shirt!  Even though I am much more proficient at using a needle and thread these days, I am still very excited that my Horizon 7700 will sew on a button for me - practically automatically!

Watch my video to see how simple it is to attach the button foot and set the machine to take care of sewing a strong and tidy button!  I'm almost hoping those store-bought shirt buttons will start falling off more often!

Perfect Points Sampler Blocks Finished!

Lesson 4 of the Perfect Points Sampler was fairly easy for me since I completed an entire Hidden Stars Quilt of Ohio Star blocks.  I think I'm definitely getting better at half-square triangles now!

The Pinwheel blocks were my best work so far and I had no problems with them!  Even the back seams swirled the way they were supposed to.

By this point I got caught up to the rest of the group (since I started the quilt-along late waiting for my fabric to arrive).  Lesson Five ended the project with some paper piecing.  The LeMoyne Star 4 was fun to make and this was my first time using paper piecing.  It all went perfectly, and I got such lovely points, until I had to sew the 2 halves together.  Things got a bit wonky then but I just accepted my work as done.

The Basket Block was the last square to make.  It was pretty simple but looks complicated.  I almost had it perfect until the top of the 'leaves' didn't quite line up.

So that's my progress on the Perfect Points Sampler.  Next week I'll share the completed quilt top.

Stupendous Stitching

I told you about Craftsy earlier this month and about the Machine Quilting course I'm taking.  Now I've signed up for ANOTHER course: Stupendous Stitching!

I got really excited watching the previews for this class, which basically teaches you how to produce a piece of art using fabric and thread.  By combining different materials, decorative machine stitching, hand embroidery, AND quilting, you turn an ordinary fabric background into an unusual, and individual, framed work.  I've chosen this stunning blue Batik for my background!

I checked out the website of the instructor, fiber artist Carol Ann Waugh, and saw that she also has a book and some kits of materials available on her website.  I love how-to books so I was torn between taking the course or buying her book - each costing about the same amount.  I emailed Carol and presented my ultimatum and she recommended the course since it is such a great, interactive platform for learning.  That personal recommendation, and viewing all the student examples and reviews, AND an endorsement from a fellow Horizon 7700 owner, made me choose the class.

I had to gather some new supplies to start the lessons and next week I'll review some of the items and techniques I'll be using.  I am so excited to start and learn something new - and after working on those rather finicky Perfect Points blocks, I am totally ready for something free-style, random, and with a disclaimer that 'There are no mistakes'!

First Rhubarb Pie of the Season!

Mmmm, the first rhubarb pie of the season is made (and already gone!).  Here's a reminder of this great recipe which I shared with you last year:

Easy Strawberry-Rhubarb pie recipe: mix 2 cups halved fresh strawberries with 2 cups sliced rhubarb. Add about a cup of sugar (or to taste) & 1/3 cup flour, mix, and pour into an unbaked pie shell. Dot with a Tbsp of butter and put on the lid. Bake at 425F for 20 mins. and then turn the heat down and continue baking at 350F for another 30 mins. or until done. Simple and scrumptious!