QUILTING TUTORIALS Archives - Page 11 of 12

Rainbow Machine Cover – Tutorial 3 – Sewing the Squares

May 26, 2013 by Nanny 2 Comments

How exciting! Our squares are all trimmed so Let’s Sew Along!! 🙂

NOTE: This is not the only way to do this but it is the way I have chosen to: explain; demonstrate; and keep it simple. If you prefer to follow a different method, that’s fine! Enjoy!!

1. SEW – Take your board with squares laid out to the machine. Start with the two left hand rows and take the first square from each row. Using a 1/4″ seam, sew them together but don’t remove them from the machine. Instead, take the next two and continue sewing – keep doing this to the end of the rows. This is called ‘Chain Piecing’ and it is a great technique – time saving, cotton saving and a huge help in remembering what goes where!!

When you are finished, they can get all over the place but will still be ‘chained’ in the correct order! Don’t cut them apart until you are ready to move on to the next step.

2. PRESS – Lay your chain along the ironing board the same way up that you sewed, and press. ( I haven’t cut them apart yet – it will make showing you another step easier) This will set the seam. Remember don’t iron back and forwards – just press down and up.

3. OPEN – Open the squares up so that the seam is on top and press one seam to the right and the next to the left and so on along the chain. This is a difference between regular sewing and Quilting/Piecing – you rarely press the seams open unless the design/quilting work requires it. Usually, you try to press the seam towards the darker fabric, so that seams aren’t as visible through the fabric, but for this exercise, I am not worrying!

4. CUT – Cut the first two from the chain and put right sides together, matching the seam lines. (Make sure you have them right way up to get the layout to match the colour chart)

You will notice, that when one seam is pressed one way and the other the opposite way, that it forms a little ridge that lets you ‘lock’ the seam join in place.

While holding the seam joins together, place the pieces in the machine and sew. Keep your finger on the seam join so that the lock is in place as it enters the needle area.

Take the next two and chain and then the next two. You will have one left over.

5. PRESS – Press as before to set the seam and when you open it out, you will see that your seams match!! No pinning required! (Please give it a try but if you feel you need to pin, then of course that is up to you)

If they are a little bit out, you have two choices – Don’t worry about it OR unpick and redo! Like anything, you will get better as you go but, if it’s any help, I won’t be undoing any of mine! ( I’m not putting the cover in a competition or anything and you won’t notice little differences in the overall effect!)

NOTE: I am referring to a mismatch of a stitch width – it is important to keep your edges matching and of course, it is preferable to have your joins precise, as it is this precision that will result in your finished project sitting flat and looking its best!!

Now, before we start on the next rows, we need to take care of the double colours in the green row and the pink row. (remember – we are matching the colour chart) Take the two greens and two pinks and sew together, press and open.

6. TRIM – We now have to trim these to a 4″ square. Place your rule on the rectangle so that the 2″ line runs down the seam line and trim excess away. Turn and do the other side.

7. REPEAT – Now repeat the chain piecing for the next two rows. For the last row, sew the first 2 and so on up the row. How are your seam ‘locks’ going – getting better?

8. ACROSS – Now work across the chart. Take the 4 patch on the left and join it to the green/blue one to it’s right and then add the purple. Continue doing this as you work your way up the chart.

9. JOIN – Join the rows right across, locking your seams as you go, and before you know it:

You have a completed rectangle which is a replica of the colour chart for the Quilters Solids. (Or you have completed the rectangle to fit your project)

10. CELEBRATE – Well done!

It is from this point that we will be following different paths according to what we are making.

I will post further instructions for each.

Until next time

Nanny xx

Rainbow Machine Cover – Tutorial 2 – How to measure up!

May 25, 2013 by Nanny 2 Comments

This ‘Let’s Sew Along’ is designed to utilise the sample squares of Quilters Solids. These samples have determined the size of the squares we are using and the completed cover will fit a medium size machine.

If you are using your own squares, making a smaller cover, making an overlocker/serger cover you will need to measure up! A cover does not need to be snug fitting so we will add a little extra to these measurements – an inch or two.

Sewing Machine:

This is my ‘Betsy’ ( a medium machine) – I will use her to demonstrate!

1. Measure the length

making sure that you allow for the ‘bits’ that stick out at the end …

2. Measure the width:

3. Measure the height:

4. Calculate the dimensions of your cover – following the arrows you add height + width + height

So the overall dimensions of your cover will be : height + width + height x length of machine. To cover Betsy, I would need a rectangle 31.5″ x 17.5″ (that was lucky – wasn’t it!!!) We will add ends.

If your machine is bigger you can : use bigger squares; use more squares; or add a border.

Overlocker/Serger

I’m guessing that most overlockers/sergers will be a similar shape to mine:

Height:

Width:

Overall length:

Dimensions = Height+width+height x length
(12 + 12 + 12) x 12
To cover mine, using the same size squares (ie 4″), I would need 4 rows each with 8 squares plus ends. The ends could be a single piece or more squares!

So you will need to measure up, decide what you are making, the dimensions of your squares if they are different and so on. Please ask if you are not sure about any of the directions.

We will all proceed through the joining of the squares together.

Until next time
Nanny xx

Let’s sew Along – ‘Rainbow Machine Cover’ – Tutorial 1

May 20, 2013 by Nanny 2 Comments

I am excited that we are finally ready to progress with the’ Rainbow Machine Cover’ Let’s Sew Along. I am still using that title even though a number of you will be veering off along the way to complete small quilts to use as mats or to hang.

The object, as proposed, is to make a machine cover, using the sample pack of quilting solids available from The Oz Material Girls.

I ordered myself a set, and on receiving them thought “How can I keep these together so that when I want to colour match for an order I know :

(a) where to find them; and

(b) how to keep them in the correct order for easy reference?”

This is my solution!

The schedule will be as follow:

Monday 5th May:

Introduction

Measuring Up

Monday 27th May

Sewing squares together

Calculating end panels, wadding and lining requirements

Monday 3rd June

Sandwiching the main section

Monday 10th June

Applying binding

Monday 17th June

Sharing finished covers/mats/quilts

So Let’s Sew along!

Measuring Up

After checking the size of the samples, I have decided that we will be trimming all sample squares to 4″ square. We have 47 samples, but will be joining two pairs to make a replica of the colour chart. Therefore, we will be sewing with 45 x 4″ squares.

This will give us a rectangle 31.5″ x 17.5″(finished). We will then adjust that rectangle to our own needs.

What you need to do this week:

Trim all samples to 4″square.

Place your rule on the sample so that it fits the 4″ square.

Trim the right hand side and along the top.

Turn the fabric so that the top, right corner is now on the bottom left.

Place your rule so that that corner is at the 4″ mark across and down and trim the right hand side and top again.

Arrange them on a board or table, following the colour chart (use the link above and scroll down to the larger image)

You will have 5 rows each with 9 squares.

If you are using your own scrap fabrics, you will need 45 x 4″ squares. You will need to ‘audition’ them (try them out/play with them/rearrange them) and decide on the layout that you prefer, following the same layout of 5 rows, each with 9 squares.

Have fun!

Until next time

Nanny xx

How to Cut Squares

May 19, 2013 by Nanny 3 Comments

We are launching the Let’s Sew – ‘Scrappy Square Swap’ this week so I thought I would run through how to cut squares. I will give instructions for cutting from a fat 1/4 , cutting from the width of the fabric, using scissors and using a rotary cutter. I am also giving the instructions right handed – if you are a leftie, just reverse them (I’m sure you are used to doing that – I’m sorry but I am sooo right handed)

So I have washed my fabric (because that’s what I do), I’ve pressed it, folded it in half, selvedge to selvedge or selvedge to opposite cut edge if using a fat 1/4. This is where you will often find the fabric won’t ‘sit’ right – while you are holding the selvedges together with both hands and the fabric hanging down

See the folds coming from my hand on the left?

Just move the front of the piece a little to the left or right until it does sit right and then you may be dismayed at how much you have to trim off! You can see on the left how much ‘out’ it is.

1. Using a Fat Quarter.

Fold the long side to long side again, making sure that it is all sitting flat – no folds.

The first thing we need to do is straighten the cut edge – don’t assume that the person in the shop has done a good job!

(a) Using scissors, a rule, a piece of paper and a pencil

So you don’t have a rotary cutter and a cutting mat – don’t worry! You can use a rule and scissors – I made my first quilt this way!!

First you need a right angle: Take a piece of paper – any old piece is fine – and fold it and crease.

Now fold the fold along the fold and crease again.

You now have a perfect right angle!

Place the folds along the folded edge of your FQ and mark the upright.

Join the dots with a pencil or fabric pen. (I used my Pilot Frixion pen – disappears when you press)

Nanny edit: Please see new, detailed info re these pens here and decide for youself whether you use them.

Measure from that line along 5″ both top and bottom and mark. Join with your pen.

You now have 2 lines marked.

Cut along both lines with your scissors.

You now have a 5″ strip.

Open it so that the two short ends are together and repeat the process to straighten the edge/remove the selvedge.

Measure 5″ top and bottom like you did before and repeat.

You now have 3 lines. Cut along all 3 with your scissors.

and you now have 4 perfect 5″ squares!

Repeat the whole process to get your eight squares. Well done!

(b) Using a rotary cutter, rule and cutting mat.

With your FQ folded in half and then in half again, place the fold along a line on your board. Place your rule so that it is on the same vertical line at the top and bottom of the fabric. Cut.

You can see how uneven the edge was:

Now flip that straight edge to the left hand side and line it up on the board lines – vertical and horizontal.

Put your rule on the 5″ line above and below the fabric – cut. Move the rule along, making sure the fabric hasn’t moved, put rule on the 10″ line and cut.

You now have 4 x 5″ squares. Repeat the process to get your 8 squares. Well done!

3.If Using width of Fabric:

Put the fold along the bottom line on your cutting mat. ( you can see the whoop in the cut edge on mine as it goes up the mat!)

Move the fabric until the rule can sit on, in my case, the 15 at the bottom and the top and then cut:

(You can see that my strip thinned away in the centre and was up to 1/2″ wide at its thickest!)

NOTE: If you have a small mat, by all means fold the fabric again, just taking care that all folds are removed.

Now that you have a straight edge, flip the fabric and put the straight edge on the left of your mat, fold along the bottom:

Place your rule so that it passes over the 5″ mark top and bottom, and cut the strip:

Bottom Top

You now have a 5″ strip the wof (width of the fabric) and it’s time to trim the selvedges. So once again, place the fabric along a line on your cutting mat, with the selvedges to the right and place your rule on the upright line to cut:

You now have a straight edge:

Flip the fabric again so that the straight edge is running up the left hand side of your cutting mat and the bottom of your strip is running along one of the lines:

Place your rule on the 5″ line top and bottom and cut. Repeat across the strip. You will have 4 cuts:

and you will now have 8 squares and a small rectangle for your scrap collection!

Well done!

I hope that this has helped those who were not sure about how to go about it . Now all you have to do is pop your squares in an envelope with a return addressed, stamped envelope and post them off – and then start waiting for the postman!

Until next time

Nanny xx

Let’s Sew 22 – Valentines Message Cushion

January 25, 2013 by Nanny 6 Comments

Good evening!Today we are going to make a gorgeous heart cushion for Valentines Day (or in my case, a heart cushion for my grand daughter’s bed). It will give you the chance to use some scraps and try your embroidery!

What you need:

Choose the colour for your cushion and find some other fabric pieces to match in.
A 16.5″ square of plain light weight cotton for backing – can be a light calico, poplin etc
Heart Pattern download here.
Lace, ribbon, embroidery threads, ricrac, etc

Let’s Sew!

Join the pattern pages and trace off the sections.

Take the sections of the heart and select your fabric for each one. Make sure you have a plain fabric if you are going to write a message on the cushion itself.

NOTE: If you are going to make the pocket, you need to fold the fabric so that there is a fold on the Number 4 edge and another at the bottom.
There is a fold under my thumb so it is like a back to front S

Place the pocket pattern so that the number 4 edge is above the top fold

Cut each section out allowing a 1/4″ seam and 1/2″ allowance around any of the heart line (the cushion shape) like on section 8 for example

Starting with the centre piece, place it near the centre of the backing fabric – don’t be exact as this method is supposed to look ‘crazy’!
Take number 1 and place it over the Centre till you have the sides even. Stitch. Flip open and press.

Trim away any excess as you go. Take number 2 and place it right way up , in place to check you have it facing in the right direction, then flip it to sew.

Flip open and press

It was at this stage that I had planned to use some ric-rac so I am going to sew it on now. (That way, the ends will be enclosed) – You can sew ric-rac on by sewing down through the centre of the ric rac. Some prefer to sew it on with a zigzag.

Continue adding the next piece and trimming with lace and ric rac if that is what you have planned.

Notice how I turned the same fabric to get different effect – stripe and floral stripe

Trim the shape to the pattern plus seam allowances.

Now comes the fun part!! You can finish embellishing the heart with whatever you like. I am going to do some embroidery stitches and use an iron on applique. You can use any of the decorative stitches on your machine for a quick solution.

I collected a few sequins, beads,bits of lace and my embroidery threads and went to work!