During our last quilt guild meeting I learned how to make a cool bag to carry quilting rulers (thanks, Diana!). The perfect item for our upcoming retreat. The bag folds totally flat when empty (the rulers give the bag its shape), a welcome bonus for those of us with limited storage space in our sewing rooms. There are enough pockets for different size rulers, as well as smaller pockets for rotary cutters, scissors, and other notions. It was easy to make, and I used a decorative stitch … [Read more...] about Ruler Bag
quick projects
Applique Group Project – II
Well, we have a small group of quilters interested in this project. Just to refresh your memory: I will start with a background fabric (a fat quarter, for instance), and will applique something on it. Then, I will send it to the next person in the group, who will look at what I have done, and will either embroider or embellish it, or will add something of her own (a flower, the sun, or anything that goes along with what I have done). It is a small addition, which can be done in about an hour at … [Read more...] about Applique Group Project – II
16-hour purses…
A quilter does not a seamstress make! Or maybe, I can understand quilting directions but not those for purses. I spent a long time making these for my nieces, and the problem was assembling the liner with pockets. Now, I can crochet from instructions, same for knitting. I ended up making one with pockets and the other without. It was meant to be a quick project... I wonder what went wrong. Does anybody have a pattern for similar purses, but easier to understand??? … [Read more...] about 16-hour purses…
Permanent Wall Hanging
Italian mosaics are the source of inspiration for intricate, beautiful quilts. The book Bella Bella quilts: Stunning Designs from Italian Mosaics by Norah McMeeking (I found it here) is a great example of such quilts. I have at least two of them on my list of UFOs (Utterly Fun Objects!) In my case, it was the other way around. Quilts inspired this mosaic I pieced together on the back porch of my previous house. First, I designed the block. When I was satisfied, I applied grout to a … [Read more...] about Permanent Wall Hanging
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!
Quilting after applique
When you quilt around the applique in your block, whether you machine or hand applique, it makes the design stand out. I free motion around it slowly and with small stitches. I use the same process when I quilt panels. It enhances the design and turns a wall hanging into something more special, since I usually use a panel when I do not have much time for piecing. A few borders and you are done. I do, however, spend more time on the quilting part of the project, and the results are wonderful. … [Read more...] about Quilting after applique