It's a wrap!

 For the last couple weeks my studio has been the gift wrapping station.  With all the presents wrapped and most of them gifted, visions of sewing projects dance through my head.

I have one last project to share before I wrap up the year.  I made a new Christmas tree skirt to replace the skirt I made in 1981.  Although every year I unpacked that skirt it brought back fond memories, it has shown its wear and tear.  Here is my new Christmas tree skirt.

My new skirt is made up of fabrics from my stash (hooray, no new fabric had to be purchased).  The pattern is made from random stringed strips.  The fabric was sewn together on a piece of batting to make the strings, then wedge pieces were cut out and placed in a circular pattern to get the zig zag look.  

Assembling the wedged pieces together brought back memories of the first quilt I made in 1970 when I was in high school.  It was a quilt as you go technique.  I came up with this technique so I could sew it on a standard sewing machine.  This was way before I ever heard of quilt as you go.  Who knows, maybe I could have been rich if I thought to publish this idea back then.

My assembling technique went like this:  After cutting the string fabric in wedges, I also cut the backing in the same size wedges. 

For the first wedge sandwich one string pieced fabric wedge and one backing wrong sides together and press.  *Next layer one string wedge on top of the previous string wedge with right sides together.  Do the same for the backing.  You now have a sandwich with two string wedges right sides together and two backing wedges right sides together.   Sew down one long side through all thicknesses.  Press so the top and the bottom wedges lay flat.  Continue going around in this circular fashion with all 18 wedges to form your circle (follow the * for each wedge section).  Note there is an option to do quilting on each wedge before, during or after joining.  I choose to do no quilting.  The seams hold the skirt together and allowed a little puffiness.

After all wedges are joined in a circle, bind the two sides (the beginning and the end wedge pieces).  Next bind the top and the bottom of the skirt.  You will need to cut the binding on bias since you are binding in a circle.

This might sounds complicated, but it is extremely easy.

I have cleared the decks for the new year.  For me 2024 is officially wrapped up.

I have no New Year's resolution this year.   I've already started my UFO challenge with my quilt guild in October, so I've gotten a jump start on my projects.  However,  I will pick a single word for 2025, "FOCUS".  With that in mind I'm excited for this new year

Welcome 2025

Merriest of Christmases

 As we're coming to the end of the year Christmas is always great send off.  

Hooray.  I'm looking forward to a productive New Year!!!

Jean Jeanie

I'm still repurposing!  I have a pile of used, beat-up blue jeans given to me from my wonderful family and friends.  I've made several blue jean quilts over the years, most I've given away.  They have been a favorite because of the way they drape and hug you with warmth.  I still have a couple on hand so I'm looking for alternative projects for these jeans.

I thought it would be fun to see how much I could use from a single pair of jeans.  I know it really depends on the size as to how much fabric there is to work with.  I have a couple pair that are 38 waist and 32 length. that should give me a good amount of fabric.

First I made two pair of extra long oven mitts.  It was fun to use the waistbands as the top binding.  I did have to cut into a second pair of jeans waistband for one of the mitt's binding.  Including the from pocket, some belt loops and the front button and buttonhole made some fun embellishments.  They are lined with batting, Insul-Bright thermal batting and cotton fabric.  Don't you love the worn denim look?

My next project is a I-pod bag. I needed an I-pod bag, so what better fabric then denim?  I measured my I-pod and added an 1 1/2 to the length and width.  To add some flare I cut the front using one of the outside seams of the leg.  The bag is lined and has batting.  The closure is a piece of leather cording that loops over a button. Unfortunately I was unable to use the jean button because it was grommeted onto the jean, so a large blue button was used.   I did use that grommeted button from the waistband on the top binding.  I was given some leather upholstery samples that I cut one into a flower shape to sew behind the button.  I added a loop handle cut from the side seam.  The handle started to ravel so I used some anti-fray glue on the cut sides.  This is a perfect little bag to protect my I-pad and carry it around.

There still are some scraps of fabric left that I've cut out pieces to make a denim bowl that I'll work on in a few days.  Also, I have a zipper and two back pockets left, but not committed to what I want to do with them yet.  Christmas is a few days away and I'm not sure how much time I'll have to sew.  It's time to focus on the holidays.  

Alpaca soft

A lady I know offered me a handwoven wallhanging and sweater from her visit to Peru made with alpaca wool. She decided she didn't want them, but didn't want to throw them away.  Of course, she offered it to me saying that she knows I would find something great to do with them, but if I wasn't interested I could dispose of them.  Dispose of them?  That's not an easy thing for me.  Would I try to make mittens, a bag or purse?  I hated to cut them up.  

Folding the wallhanging in half it looked pretty awesome as a bag.  So bag it is.

Sewing up the sides and lining was a snap.  Next came the handles. Webbing was to industrial looking.  I tried fabric handles, which was okay - maybe it was the color or lack of color.  Then I had this brainstorm.  Previously, I purchased a rope dog chew toy.  The multi-colored threads and the tassels on the ends added that homemade look and the multi-colors are like the pattern in the bag.  What the heck.  If I didn't like it I could easily replace it.   I hope the weaver of this piece would be pleased with my repurposing.  They might have had a more unique handle, but this is working for me.  If the lady that gave me this wallhanging really loves it as a bag, I might give it to her. And then again, I might not.  I'm loving it too much right now!

Next came the sweater.  The off-white alpaca wool is very soft and fuzzy.  It's winter, the season for wool - I will be carrying this bag around everywhere, so mittens are a perfect companion. In fact, I easily was able to make two pair.  The sweater had knitted covered buttons that I embellished the mittens with.  Maybe the extra mittens will be easier to give away.  These mittens are so warm - let the cold wind blow!

Sexy Hexi

I've been stuck on Log Cabin blocks lately.  When I came across a Log Cabin Hexi Potholder pattern I was all in.  I've also wanted to make a hexagon block quilt sometime in the future.  Although this potholder certainly isn't a hexagon quilt block it still was a fun challenge, and I love new challenges.  I'm inspired to start that hexagon quilt soon.  I'll add it to my list.

After constructing the first potholder I came up with a few pointers to add to the directions.  As part of the education committee, of the AuSable Quilt Guild, I will offer this hexi potholder pattern to the members.  I'll do a quick demo and show them some of my pointers to help them make the perfect hexi.

Once I got the hang of this hexi, I whipped up a few potholders.  They will make great stocking stuffers this Christmas.

The potholders in orange, yellow and green matches the jar opener I posted previously - Repurpose with a purpose.  Although It wasn't my plan, both the potholders and the matching jar opener will be given as a set.

Hopefully the ladies from the quilt guild will be inspired to give this sexy hexi a try.