SEWING/QUILTING Archives - Page 5 of 18

Wotza Wednesday – What’s a Cheater Needle?

April 22, 2015 by Nanny 11 Comments

Today I have a question from Gail:

“Nanny what’s a Cheater needle? Can you explain please?”

Thanks Gail – a great question!

A Cheater Needle is just another name for a Self Threading Needle. These are used widely by hand stitchers and are especially handy for those with impaired vision. They are available at any of the supply stores.

The needle has a slit at the top of the eye

You simply place the thread across the top and tug lightly and the threads move down into the eye!

I have just been using one of these to finish off a quilt I am working on. They make hiding threads a breeze! (and not only in quilting)

I began these rows at the seam by drawing the bobbin thread out before starting sewing. (This avoids knotting up a mess on the back and gives a much neater finish than backstitching )

I knotted the two threads ( top and bobbin) together

Put the needle down into the quilt and ‘threaded’ the needle

Pulled the needle through, and gently tugged the knot into the quilt – I love the way you hear/feel it pop!

Then I simply trimmed the threads.

Here it is all finished:

Thanks for the question Gail. As you can see, the cheater needle or self threading needle is a very handy item to have in your sewing kit!

Don’t forget, if you have a Wotza question for me just send a message and I’ll do my best to answer.

Until next time

Nanny xx

Spin the Pins – Make a Hexie Pouch

April 11, 2015 by Nanny 6 Comments

In my swap group (Australia only) we decided to try swapping some hexagons, so with a quick spin of my pins, I found this cute little pouch made using 1″ hexagons and decided that I would make a Hexie Pouch!

This is how I did it:

I collected my hexies from the swap, cut some papers on my newly acquired Accuquilt Go and started basting.

In no time at all I had them done and had fun ‘playing with positions’

Following the diagram given, I arranged my hexies and started joining them with a whip stitch.

As I used paper templates and not wadding/stiffening, I needed to use my hexie shape to cut out a layer of Vilene.

I then removed all of my papers and popped them away for next time.

Next I opened the edges not stitched and pressed them open.

I then cut a lining to match the opened shape and pressed the vilene to the back of the hexie shape.

Then it was off to the machine where I stitched around the edge leaving a space to turn it through.

I then clipped the corners and turned it through to the right side.

Time to stitch the opening closed. I use ladder stitch to do this.

I then pressed it well and using ladder stitch, joined it up to form the pouch. I added a snap press for closure.

How cute is that!! Thank you Maria-Cecelia-Mora, I love your little pouch and I love mine too!

Now to decide what to make with our next Hexie Swap………

Until next time

Nanny xx

Fix Your Foot Control

April 10, 2015 by Nanny 22 Comments

Hi!

What sort of floor covering do you have in your sewing area? Do you have timber floors or nice slippery tiles or vinyl? Does your sewing machine foot control slip away from you all the time?

Well I am going to show you how to fix your foot control!

Have you seen this before? You can find it in the cheap shops and it is so useful! It is non-slip matting that I have used it in the motorhome but today I am going to use it in my sewing room.

The bottom of my foot control is flat and has two patches of rubbery stuff that has lost its gripping ability.

So cut a piece from the matting to fit the base of the foot controller.

Apply glue to bottom of your foot control and add the non-slip matting.

Taa daa! Now that baby won’t be going anywhere it’s not supposed to.

I hope this helps you fix your foot control wanderings!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Store Your Quilting Rulers

April 6, 2015 by Nanny 10 Comments

Hi!

One of the ongoing battles for any type of crafter is STORAGE and as a quilter, I have been searching for ideas on ‘How to store your quilting rulers’.

I want them to be easily accessible, on hand and ‘safe’ from breakage and/or chipping.

I do have a special Ruler Holder, made by a good friend, from Australian Red Cedar. While it is beautiful, my collection has quickly outgrown the two grooves provided.

rulers

My craft room is also quite small. It doesn’t have a door or much wall space to hang the rulers, and I don’t want to have to attach a clip or hanger each time, so my options are limited.

Some time ago now, I showed you the outcome of one of my Op-shop visits, where I acquired some interesting pieces.

One that really took my attention was this Letter Holder!

It didn’t take me long at all to find a ‘new’ purpose for this find …..

Perfect!

I love how it is often the simplest thing that provides the answer! (and there is lots of space for more rulers!!!) I hope this has given you an idea to successfully store your quilting rulers.

Do you enjoy Op-shopping? What is your ‘best’ find? I would love for you to share your ideas!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Make an Easter Bunny Basket

March 27, 2015 by Nanny 9 Comments

Today I am going to show you how to make an Easter Bunny Basket! It uses the same basic idea that we used in the Card Holder and Xmas Treat Dish.

Finished size: Basket 3″ x 2.5″, Rabbit: 8″ tall + handle

What you need:

The pattern – available here

Two pieces of fabric – outside and inside

Iron on vilene

Scraps of white and black felt

Matching embroidery floss or fabric markers

A white pompom

Let’s Sew!

1. Fold your fabric pieces in half and place the pattern on the fold.

2. Cut out the Easter Bunny Basket, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance.

3. Cut around the pattern on the vilene (no seam allowance)

4. Iron the vilene to the back of the main fabric

5. Trace the the dotted and filled lines from the pattern to the outside of the lining fabric. (I use my Frixion pen that disappears with ironing)

Nanny edit: Please find new, detailed info re these pens here and make your own decisions re their use!

6. Create the face (or draw it on with fabric pens). I used small pieces of felt for the eyes and nose and backstitched the mouth.

7. Cut the pads from the white felt and sew in place in the front corners – I used the machine.

8. Put right sides together and starting at the top of a handle piece, stitch down that side to the end of the other handle piece. Repeat on the other side, leaving a space to turn through to the right side.

9. Clip into corners taking care not to cut stitching, turn it through to the right side. Push corners out carefully (I use the blunt end of a wooden skewer)

10. Ladder Stitch the opening closed and press well.

11. Stitch around the filled lines to form the base of the basket.

12. Turn in the edge of one end of the handle. Insert the end of the other handle piece and stitch.

13. Turn to the inside and fold the back corners along the dotted lines and stitch.

14. Now turn to right side, fold the front corners and stitch.

15. Press the foot flat.

16. Stitch a pom pom to the back for the tail

Now isn’t that just the cutest!!

All we need now is a egg hunt!

Nanny note: Not one chocolate egg was devoured during the making of this tutorial!!

Until next time

Nanny xx

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