Perfect Everytime

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It only took two years!! I finally figured out what to do to get my seams to abut correctly without tacking them down first.

Number 1: Cut the squares accurately. 😀 Seems easy enough, you might say. BUT I was using the lines on my cutting mat as my measuring tool. The first cut was perfect. Then the next and the next got smaller. Lost some of the inches. I only JUST found this out when my cut strips looked off. Don’t know why I never noticed this before. I am pretty sure this is why the white strips for my Hugs and Kisses quilt were off. Now I measure with my quilt ruler PLUS I measure with my tape measure.

Second. I finger press the seams lightly. No ironing/pressing with the iron until the block is sewn together. I find the “raised” seam abuts better than when it is flattened by the iron.

Third. Not sure how you insert the pin to hold the seams in place before sewing but I had seen several different methods on the net. And tried them all. I still struggled trying to keep the seams from slipping and sliding. Even with a regular foot and my walking foot. And then, guess what happened? I went back to the way I pinned when I first learned to sew as a child. I pin horizontal along the seam line instead of vertical sticking into the seam. The vertical way just wasn’t working for me. I sew right up to the pin and ease the pin out as the needle advances toward it.

Works every time!!

Now that I have the 9-Patch down, hopefully I can get my other seams in my other blocks to line up. 😀

How do you get your seams to abut correctly? Do tell.

Can You Stand One More Bird? :)

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Well, two more. And one more pincushion. Now that March is here, I need to catch you up on what I made in February that I haven’t shown you.

Sorry, but I DO LOVE making these. So addicting.

AND I have some tips to share with you on making these birds, in case you plan to make a few.  And then I will get on with the other stuff you see in the photo.

Making Birds Tip 1: Reinforce the beak section with a patch of batting. When you turn the fabric inside out, you will only need to add a tiny bit of stuffing.

Making Birds Tip 2: This tip is from my husband. Use a thin pencil with an eraser on the end to push a tiny bit of stuffing into the beak. It worked well for me. He saw me struggling to fill the space. (Which is the real reason I decided to add a bit of batting first.)

Making Birds Tip 3: Don’t overstuff the neck area. Won’t topple over as much.

OK, I am done making birds. You can take up where I left off. Have fun making them.

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Now let me show you the rest of my “Bird and Pincushion” project. 😀

I recycled this DVD box with zebra duct tape and made a carrying box for my two new birds.

Then I duct taped these quilting pins. Just to be different.

Here they are stuck in my new Cathedral Window pincushion which I also love making.

Sigh!! Got to move on. Can’t keep making the same old stuff. Can’t keep showing you the same old stuff, even though in different colors.

Time to move on to something else. Next!!

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Friday Linky Parties. Check them out!!

http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2012/03/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-busy-week.html

http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2012/03/finish-it-up-friday-week-17.html

Tutorials Have Moved

Tutorials can now be found over there ——-> in my Sidebar under PAGES. Go to the right side of my blog and scroll down a bit.

https://thisyearsdozen.wordpress.com/tutorials-tips-help-links/

I collected them all up, including some tips and help links for macrame, beading, crochet and sewing.

It should be easier for you to find what you are looking for with them all on one page.

Don’t forget to send me photos of things you made using my tutorials. I will add them to the “You Made It” photo gallery.

10 Tips For Making A Fabric Bowl

Sunday, August 2

OK, so I am not an expert in making these fabric bowls. Yet. But I have made five of them and think I have learned something from each one.

Tip 1. Take the time to cut fabric on the bias. Sure it will take a bit longer but the finished look will be cleaner. You can thank me later. 😀

Tip 2. Cut strips 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″ wide. Saves on wrapping time. You can cover more of the cord with wider strips and not worry about them slipping off and uncovering the cord as you work.

Tip 3. Don’t waste any fabric. Sew smaller strips together before wrapping.

Tip 4. To save on wrapping “preparation” time, you can sew longer strips together. Wrap them around your hand to create a nice circle and secure with a paper clip or binding clip, as I have done. Unwrap when needed.

Tip 5. Use a binding clip to hold fabric in place every 6 inches. Even if it looks tightly wound around the cord.

Tip 6. For a different look, mix or match up the strips. Sew several rounds with the same fabric/color. Then change up and sew several rounds with a different fabric/color.

Or sew every other strip with a different color/pattern. Change up to see how you like the outcome.

Tip 7. Be creative when ending the coil and work it into the design so it doesn’t stand out. (Here I used a crochet flower and a button to hide the ending.)

Tip 8. Not sure how much a clothes line costs but I have to think I am saving money by using 8mm (thick) macrame cord. I bought 100 yards on sale for $5 and this is how much is left after making 3 bowls. (Photo showing a full roll and the left over roll.)

Tip 9. Wind 2 or 3 full bobbins before beginning to sew. You will use two for sure. It takes a lot of thread.

Tip 10. Experiment with your sewing machine’s zig zag stitch before beginning your fabric bowl. Length and width. Make a note of which setting you like best. So your stitches will be consistent. I am not positive but I believe I am saving a bit of thread by spacing the stitches farther apart. Plus I like the look rather than smaller tighter stitches.

So… those are my 10. As you make your fabric bowl, please do come back and share yours with us.

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Go here for instructions to make a fabric bowl.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl