Quilting is so much easier than setting up a blog! Hang in there, friends in cyberspace, as I work to improve your experience (and my day!) … [Read more...] about Blogger Blues
Surgical tweezers in my studio?
Well... who knew? Another tool I cannot live without is a stainless steel pointy tweezer. It offers great help when I can't pull pieces of threads from quilts, if I must pull stray pieces of thread from my sewing machine, or to remove paper from seams. I even use them to grab my sewing machine needles when I can't pick them up with my nails. Handy!!! … [Read more...] about Surgical tweezers in my studio?
What is a bodkin?
A bodkin is a tool I cannot live without in my studio! It is perfect for smoothing out the corners of anything you sew and need to turn inside out, as one of its end has a ball and the other is straight. I use it with applique pieces which have been sewn to Pellon fusible interface, when making stuffed animals, etc. The other day, my son Ryan came to my sewing room, and as he was talking with me, and absentmindedly, he picked up my bodkin and proceeded to bend it (remember Uri Geller?). I could … [Read more...] about What is a bodkin?
Two-sided flannel quilt
Finally, my flannel quilt is finished! Since it was a present for ME, I decided to make it a two-sided quilt, so I got 2 for 1... A complete departure from my normal designs, I chose bricks on one side using the Woolies, and plain square blocks with sashing for the back, with a more girly feel to it. It is so warm and cozy! In order to make it even more comfortable, I only quilted straight lines using a decorative stitch and varigated thread. I should probably grab a book and head for the couch … [Read more...] about Two-sided flannel quilt
Self-binding quilt
My flannel quilt is almost done. As I was trying to figure out which fabric to use for the binding, I decided to try something different: self-binding. This is a quick way to finish the quilt, most commonly used when the edge of the quilt has an irregular shape. I prefer the traditional binding, but since I want to finish this quilt quickly, and it is for my own use... Here is how I did it: Baste backing to batting using large stitches. I basted all around the quilt, as well as across the … [Read more...] about Self-binding quilt
The cutest apron ever!
On this cloudy day, my friend Soraya came to visit me with her mother. She came bearing gifts: Brazilian food for dinner (feijoada!), and a gorgeous apron she made for me! Clouds? What clouds? She has no idea how she has brightened my day! The colors are cheerful and the choice of fabrics could not have been better! What would we do without friends and their acts of kindness? … [Read more...] about The cutest apron ever!