Random Things

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

Multitasking... #blackfriday #appliqué #oopsiedaisyquilt

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on Nov 27, 2015 at 9:31am PST

The Oopsie Daisy quilt is progressing well.

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on Nov 27, 2015 at 5:58am PST

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 Nov 20, 2015 at 5:47am PST

Remember the Dresden Plate?

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on Aug 28, 2015 at 9:24am PDT

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.

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

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 Nov 17, 2015 at 7:49am PST

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You should now be able to let go of the threads and your circle will hold its shape.

5. Flip the circle over and spray the other side with starch as well. Press until dry.

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.

Voila! A perfect(ish) circle!

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.

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

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 Nov 11, 2015 at 10:43am PST

A photo posted by Twiddletails (@twiddletails) on Nov 12, 2015 at 6:47am PST

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.

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?