Thursday, December 31, 2015

Little Penguin Mini Quilt

Yay! Snuck one more in successfully.

Little Penguin Mini Quilt
I decided not to quilt the polka dot background and I'm not sure if that was a good idea. I may change that. I quite like the three-dimensional yellow inner border though.

Upon further investigation it turns out that I actually did have 4 finishes before this, so now I have five. This is MUCH better than 2013 when I had zero. I'll post pictures of all the 2015 finishes tomorrow.

I'll be hanging it on my mini quilt wall as soon as I can get my hands on more clips to hang it from.

The block pattern is "Little Penguin", available on Craftsy. If anyone is interested in the measurements for the borders, etc., let me know. It's 16" x 16", so will make a cute little pillow cover, I think.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Last Minute Penguin Project

As people started posting their completed projects for the year, I decided to go back and look at mine. I knew it couldn't be good - it's been a year full of other events, like moving halfway across the country - but I didn't realize I had been this unproductive in the quilting arena.
Three completions. THREE!

One cannot compile a photo collage with three photos, so I figured I could whip up a fourth quickly using an orphan block. Since the mini quilt wall I started about a week ago (photo coming soon) is looking pretty bare too, this little quilt can serve two purposes.

Little Penguin
The block is the "Little Penguin" paper pieced block available in my Craftsy store.
I'm making a mini quilt but I think this would be a very cute pillow cover too. It just happens to be 16" x 16". And I just happen to have another block...

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Oopsie Daisy Quilt Top Completed

I finished the Oopsie Daisy quilt top today. It turned out really cute. Not sure when I'll have time to get to the quilting though. SO many other things on the burner this time of the year!

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(Kits are still available if you really, really like this little quilt. You can also purchase the pattern separately if you'd like to use your own scraps.)

I'm also working on a pattern. Something like this:

Stay tuned for more details.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Random Things

Did a bit of multitasking on Black Friday - shopping and sewing. Perfect!

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

The Oopsie Daisy quilt is progressing well.
A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

In shop news, Little Joys is 20% OFF this weekend only. Perfect for Holiday projects.
Some really pretty ones have been showing up on Instagram under #littlejoysfabric. Isn't this little pillow lovely?
A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on
Remember the Dresden Plate?
A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

This is going to be pretty!

I work on the appliqué blocks for the Oopsie Daisy quilt at night, so I set aside some time this morning to start piecing. So far I've sewn thirty 2 1/4" strips together. It never ceases to amaze me that all 30's reproduction fabrics just seem to go together, even when they're really scrappy.

Oopsie Daisy Quilt Progress
(I've put together some kits with the fabrics I'm using, just in case anyone is as inspired as I am.)

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Making Circles for Appliqué

Since I last posted I've completed almost two of the 4 appliqué blocks for the Oopsie Daisy quilt.
I also discovered that I "only" have to make 84 petals, not 86 as I previously thought. Phew, what a relief!

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on
The center of each little flower is a circle. I thought I'd share my method for making perfect (or as perfect as I'm going to get them) circles.

You'll need: a circle template in your preferred size - something sturdy like plastic or cardboard, spray starch - I like Mary Ellen's Best Press, an iron, needle and thread and, of course the fabric you want to make the circles out of.
My preferred templates for circles are Karen Kay Buckley's "Perfect Circles". There is an assortment in each package with multiples of the same size. You should be able to find these at your LQS. You can, of course, make your own templates, but I find I can never cut them perfectly smooth.
Applique Circles
1. Place the template on your fabric and trace around it, using a disappearing or washable marker. Cut out, leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance - smaller if you're making really small circles. I don't think it really matters whether you trace on the the wrong or right side of the fabric since you're going to have to get rid of the markings anyway but, if you'd rather not deal with it, trace on the wrong side.
Applique Circles
2. Run a basting stitch all around the circle about midway through the seam allowance. My stitches are about an eighth of an inch long. Leave thread ends at least 3" long to make the next step easier. Ensure that both thread ends are on the right side of the fabric this time. Pleace the template back into position on the wrong side of the fabric.
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3. With the template in position, pull on the two loose thread ends, gathering the fabric around the template. Tie the threads in a single knot.
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4. Now for the tricky part. Spray the bottom of the circle with starch. Pull the two thread ends in opposite directions with two fingers, thereby tightening the gather around the template.While holding on to the thread ends, press the circle with a hot iron until the the starch has dried.
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You should now be able to let go of the threads and your circle will hold its shape.
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5. Flip the circle over and spray the other side with starch as well. Press until dry.
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6. Carefully remove the template and thread. I like to starch and press the circle on each side one more time after this to ensure that it will hold its shape until it's securely appliquéd to my block.
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Voila! A perfect(ish) circle!
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Friday, November 13, 2015

Oopsie Daisy Progress

I decided to hand appliqué the Oopsie Daisy quilt. It's going to take a whole lot longer than machine appliqué but I feel it will be the more authentic way to go.
If I tackle it one daisy at a time, the 86! petals will hopefully not be so overwhelming. Plus, I find handwork very relaxing.

Oopsie Daisy Quilt
Off to go get some glue baste this morning. I'm not hand basting all these petals to the background!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Insta-update

The Oopsie Daisy quilt is progressing nicely. Thought I'd share some Instagram photos.
I also figured out how to use press bars for stems and they're amazing! I'll share in a later post.

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

New Project!

I feel (once again) that maybe I have things kind of under control around here. Just not enough hours in a day...
Inspired by all the new 30's Reproductions in the store, I decided to make a little 30's quilt - actually just a wallhanging.

Oopsie Daisy

I'm using the "Oopsie Daisy" pattern by Darlene Zimmerman. It has size options for a wall hanging, twin, or queen size quilt.
It will be my first new project in a while, so I'm kind of excited to get started. Got to get the dog to the vet for her checkup first though. Why does life always interfere with fun?

Friday, August 28, 2015

Little Dresden Plate Quilt

It seems most everything that appears on this blog these days comes directly from Instagram. My apologies for that. Charging my camera battery right this very minute. Stay tuned for "real" photos soon.

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on


A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on


(Fabric is Little Joys by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics. In the shop here.)

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

What Oh What Shall I Make?

Little Joys by Elea Lutz for Penny Rose Fabrics. The cutest Christmas fabric I've seen in a long, long time.


Since it's 1930-ish I'm thinking Dresden Plates but it'll take sooooo long!

Any suggestions?

Thursday, July 16, 2015

A Crazy Couple of Months

I don't even know where to start.

In February, after a couple of months on pins and needless, we made the decision to move from Washington State to Iowa. Reasons were purely financial and I was a little apprehensive.
In March we spent 3 days frantically house hunting in the Des Moines area. I discovered that it's really SO much prettier here than most people probably think.

On April 9th, we closed on our new house in the woods.
I love it here although I haven't had time to explore and/or meet any local quilters. We've been busy painting, gardening and organizing our beautiful new home, which was vacant for 9 months. (You can see a little bit of it on my other very neglected blog.)

My mom was here for a month-long visit and, needless to say, not much sewing happened while she was here either.
I have one more visitor until the 23rd, after which I will seriously jump back in!
I still have a messy new sewing studio but it's huge, so I'm REALLY excited about getting it in shape.

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on
I managed to make a couple of pillow covers (with zippers!) for the guest bedroom.
A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on

And a pincushion. Who remembers "Park Slope" by Erin McMorris?
A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on
That's about it though. I've managed to post a couple of photos on Instagram so, if you want to stay slightly up to date, be sure to follow me over there.

I hope to be back here on a fairly regular basis starting today. For real.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Trying Something New

I had an idea this morning...
You can never have too many t-shirts, right?



(Available on Teespring. Just click the photos for more details.)

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Nothing

Seriously. There is absolutely no sewing of any kind happening over here.
We're in a holding pattern waiting for some big news.

I'm still de-stashing and have marked the fabric scraps down to $2/yard in the Etsy store.


I'm also selling some of my quilts.
The GIANT Sale is progressing pretty well in the main store. I've marked some fabrics down to less than $4/yard over there, so check it out if you'd like...

In other, totally non-sewing-related news, Valentine's Day was fun!

Friday, February 6, 2015

Pinwheel Party

If you've been following me on Instagram, you know that I've been working on another Pinwheel Party quilt for the last week or so.
Today I finally finished the top!

Unfortunately the weather is atrocious around here, so good photos are not happening.
I did manage to get a couple of snaps taken in the dining room but pictures of the whole thing will have to wait for a drier day.
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I was worried about all the white in the background but, now that it's done, I think it's crisp looking.
The dots are Moda Essential Dots, available in the store and the background is my standard Moda Bella color 9900-98.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that there is a GIANT Sale going on in the store. A move may be in the works and I'm urgently trying to reduce inventory!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Stash Reducing and Scrap Busting #2

UPDATE 2/4/14: I just listed all the scraps I have in the Etsy store. Lots of brights from Rainbow Jane BOMs.

As promised, another installment...

1.
Bee Happy by Mary Lou Weidman
Benartex
Quantity: 0.75 yards
Price: $1.85

2. SOLD
All Star by My Mind's Eye
Riley Blake Designs
Quantity: 0.75 yards
Price: $1.85


3. SOLD
Assorted scraps, all fat eighths or larger. Some have a little notch or two cut out of a corner.
Quantity: more than 3 yards total
Price: $7.50


4. SOLD
Assorted aqua fat eights - some a little larger
Quantity: more than 3 yards total
Price: $7.50


5.
Assorted purple fat eights - some more than 1/4 yd
Quantity: more than 2 yards total
Price: $5.00


I can fit about 7 yards of fabric into a flat rate envelope for $5.60 and up to 20 yards in a Medium Flat Rate box for $12.35.

If you're interested in any of these fabrics, please send me an email (address beneath my photo on the left) letting me know which fabrics you want and I let you know what the total will be including shipping, then send a PayPal invoice.
I will respond to emails in the sequence I receive them.

I will probably do another post with more fabric later today, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Stash Reducing and Scrap Busting #1

This weekend I have a bee in my bonnet. It's time to get rid of some of the fabric cluttering things up around here and make room for the new.
It's funny how our tastes change over time.

I figured some of my blog readers will be able to give these fabrics good homes, so I'm asking around $2.50/yd to try and recoup a little fraction of my original cost (and pay the PayPal fees).

I will provide as much info as I can glean from the selvedges.

1.
Raining Cats & Dogs by Debbie Mumm
South Sea Imports
Quantity: 1.5 yards
Price: $3.75

2.
Sunset
Paint Brush Studio
Quantity: 2.25 yards
Price: $5.60

3.
Noah's Ark by Jim Shore
Red Rooster Fabrics
Quantity: 1.75 yards
Price: $4.35

4.
Sunrise
Exclusively Quilters / Classic Cottons
Quantity: 2.5 yards
Price: $6.25


I can fit about 7 yards of fabric into a flat rate envelope for $5.60 and up to 20 yards in a Medium Flat Rate box for $12.35.
If you're interested in any of these fabrics, please send me an email (address beneath my photo on the left) letting me know which fabrics you want and I let you know what the total will be including shipping, then send a PayPal invoice.
I will respond to emails in the sequence I receive them.

I will probably do another post with more fabric later today, so be sure to keep an eye out.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

1930's Reproduction Bunting Quilt

The weather finally (kind of) cooperated yesterday and I managed to take a couple of photos of the 30's Bunting Quilt.

Bunting Baby Quilt in 30's Feedsack Prints
Bunting Baby Quilt
I pieced the binding using scraps from the blocks and I really love how it turned out.
Bunting 1930's Reproduction Baby Quilt
Bunting 1930's Reproduction Baby Quilt
Bunting Baby Quilt
Even though it's hard to tell from the photos, the back is Michael Miller Garden Pindots in Sunny Yellow which matches the 30's Yellow Bella Solid I used on the front really well.

The pattern is in my Craftsy store. I've added a link in the right sidebar.
Kits to follow soon.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

WIP Wednesday

Yesterday I started another Pinwheel Party quilt. Not sure about the white background, but I do love Moda's Essential Dots.
The first seven blocks are done. Five more to go. And sashing and borders.


(I also finished the 30's Bunting quilt. Just waiting for the weather to change and I'll take some photos. With a real camera.)

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

WIP Wednesday

The 30's Reproduction Bunting Quilt top is done!

Hoping to baste and quilt it today but that may be a little ambitious.
If you really like it, I'm planning to add kits to the store soon.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Bunting #2

30's Reproduction fabrics are the biggest seller in the store yet somehow I haven't gotten around to making a quilt using them.
I figured this would put a whole different spin on the Bunting pattern.

Out of curiosity, I'm also timing myself to see how long it actually takes to make a small quilt.
Not sure that was a good idea...

(If you'd like to follow my progress more closely be sure to follow me on Instagram.)

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Bunting Baby Quilt Pattern

Ta Da!
Here it is! My latest pattern. I'm really happy with it.

Bunting.
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It uses the "Four-at-a-time" flying geese method so it's super quick to make.
The quilt is 48" x 48" but I included cutting instructions and fabric quantities for different sizes up to twin.
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I usually use solids for my quilt backs but this Michael Miller Play Dot was so perfect I couldn't resist using it.
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The pattern is for sale in both the Etsy and Craftsy stores.

(The gray I used is Moda Bella Solids 9900-83 Gray and the dot is Michael Miller Play Dot in "Sea".)