Corner Fix

Recently I was finishing the edges of a small quilt.  I was using the facing technique instead of binding because there was not enough of my border fabric to make binding strips.  

As I was inspecting the edges of the quilt, I saw that one corner antique block had a slit along an edge.  I thought that my walking foot took a wide enough seam allowance that the slit would be enclosed.  All would be okay.

 

But it was not okay.  It wasn't until I had all of the facing turned to the back side that I discovered the batting poking out of that corner.  Now what?  This project was set aside as I pondered how to fix this problem.

Several other quilts were waiting for bindings, so I set to work on one of them.  I chose a tan fabric with which to bind a charity lap quilt.  The binding strips were joined in the usual way--perpendicular to one another--so there were small triangle pieces to cut away from the seam allowances. 

 

Hmmm...could one of these triangles be used to fix the problem with the other quilt?  The fabric was a good color, but would the size work?

The facing was undone in that corner area and a triangle basted in place.  There was enough seam allowance along the diagonal edge to turn under.  That allowed me to applique the triangle in place, over the damaged original corner of the block.  

 The facing was reworked in that area, and one would never know that a repair had been made! 

 

 

 

Another use for a cut-away triangle.  :)

Waste Not

I get excited when I see the possibilities in fabric bits that others might consider waste.  

Depending on their size, I like to play with triangle cut-offs.

At a fall retreat, we were given kits to make blocks for the Cluck Cluck Sew pattern, "No-point Stars".  In this pattern, the stars in the blocks are created using "Triangle Corners" or "Diagonal Corners" (A small square is placed in the corner of a larger square.  After you sew on the diagonal of the small square, the corner is trimmed away and the remaining small triangle is pressed to the outside.)

For these stars, 3" squares were placed on top of 4" squares.  The leftover trimmed corner was large enough to sew a 1/4" seam and finish with a decent size half square triangle square. 

Because 3" squares were placed on adjoining corners of the 4" squares, there was an unexpected result using some of the half square triangle squares to make pinwheel blocks!  (See the small pinwheel in the center of the square on the left?)

The binding for one of my prayer quilts was made from striped fabric.  I joined strips of the fabric using  diagonal seams.  Instead of throwing away the seam trimmings, I decided to stitch them to scrap squares of white fabric.  Pinwheels from these triangle trimmings turned out fun, too!

 

Often I will find random triangles in scrap bags that are given to me.  As I did with the striped triangles, I will stitch these to scraps of background fabric, then cut them out and trim to size.  

What will I do with these little blocks?  Right now I have a basket in which I put little blocks that I have either made or inherited.  My vision is that someday, they will be made into a sampler quilt.  TBD  :)  In the meantime, it is definitely fun to play! 

Seam Great!

Ever since I learned how to make pillowcases using the "30 Minute Pillowcase" pattern (where you stitch the trim and main pillowcase fabric inside the tube formed by wrapping the cuff fabric around all of it), I have enjoyed finding unique fabric from which to make pillowcases for the grandkids.  

On the give-away table at a fall quilt retreat, I spotted some fabric that "celebrated" Lionel trains.  My youngest grandson loves trains, so I claimed it.  There were 4 pieces, two of which were just the right size for the main pillowcase fabric; the other two were smaller and could be used for the cuff.  The trim fabric would come from my stash.  

The "tube" process of constructing the pillowcases goes quite quickly.  Once the fabric is pulled out of the tube, it is pressed and squared up.  Then it's time to finish the side and bottom seams. 

I do not have a serger, so I have used a couple of different techniques for finishing these seams.  In the past I have stitched a 5/8" seam allowance, then either made flat-felled seams or turned the seam allowances in on each other and top stitched the edge.  Flat-felled seams are a bit tricky, trying to stitch all areas without a free-arm sewing machine.   Turning the seam allowances in on each other works okay.  But with each of those techniques, I always run into trouble in the area of the trim--lots of bulk there that doesn't want to turn under nicely.  

Another idea came to me when thinking about finishing my grandson's pillowcases:  with wrong sides together, I stitched a 1/8" seam allowance down the side edge.  I then turned the pillowcase inside out so right sides were together.  After the seam was pressed, I sewed 1/4" away from the seamed edge, enclosing the raw edge of the pillowcase.  The bulkiness of the trim area was not a big problem when the seams were stitched this way.

The bottom seam of the pillowcase was finished using the same technique.

In just a couple of hours, I made two pillowcases that will be part of my grandson's Xmas gift.  

My daughter can let me know if these pillowcases wash up and hold together as well as others I've made for him.  So far, they seam great!  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Cutter Quilts

I have been interested in vintage quilts for a very long time.  Along with the vintage blocks that I have been blogging about, my collection includes vintage quilt tops and vintage quilts.  Some are in good shape; others had outlived their usefulness as quilts, but were purchased for a purpose.  Thirty years ago I got caught up in the trend of using old, worn out vintage quilts for clothing, bears, dolls, and other decorative items. That is when I first heard the term "cutter quilts". 

Cutter quilts have damaged areas--holes, spots or worn places--but have areas that are still in good enough condition to use for smaller items.  As with other aspects of quilting, cutter quilts are once again being talked about. All kinds of ideas for using them can be found online.  Just search for "cutter quilt crafts". 

Recently I pulled out some of my cutter quilt scraps to make Christmas ornaments.  

All were made from simple shapes--"three tiered" snowmen;  angel heads on hearts; stockings.

The snowmen are a single layer of the quilt; the edges finished with the buttonhole stitch all around.  After the faces were embroidered, the shapes were stiffened with a 50/50 mixture of Elmer's glue and water.  Once dry, the scarves were tied around their necks and held in place by stitching on a button.  

Both the hearts and stocking are lined--placed RST on the lining fabric; stitched around leaving an opening for turning.  The angel heads are lined circles, hot-glued in place.  Raffia creates their hair.  A bow is tied under their chins; a small charm is stitched right under the bow knot.

The stocking is topped with vintage crochet edging which was basted in place before stitching the stocking piece to the lining.  A bow is tacked to the upper right corner.  

Because I did not know the makers of the cutter quilts that I bought, it was not difficult to cut them up.  These small vintage quilt pieces have found new life in items that will (hopefully) be cherished!