Modern Cottage Creations

In addition to the lots and lots of quilting that I do, I also do a lot of sewing that is more utilitarian.   Working for a carnival I get a lot of requests to mend clothes for the guys, make carnival flags for the rides and food trailers, and other random sewing fixes that need to be done.   No one ever thought that the show needed a seamstress, but these guys sure keep me busy! Today’s project was not actually one that I was commissioned to do, but a project that I undertook as a gift for my brother in law.   He prides himself on having a ride that always looks and runs great. Over the winter I thought that a nice way to help keep his ride looking its best would be to have some nicer protective wraps around the bars for when the ride is travelling down the road.   When the fence and lights lay against the handle bars of the ride they tend to rub the paint off.   These protective wraps will stop that wear an

One of my coworkers will soon be having another grandchild.  It's exciting for her, even at this busy time in our season; for me it's a great opportunity to make another baby quilt! Baby quilts are a perfect time to try to new design because of their size.  They go together quickly and still show off the fabric and pattern wonderfully.  I had seen this neat layout for a nine patch online and wanted to try one for myself.  I chose 8 pink fabrics from my stash and cut 16 3.5" squares from each of them.  I then selected a tone on tone white since I didn't have enough solid white on hand, and cut 16 3.5" squares, as well as 10 2.5" strips for the sashing.  The blocks went together easy enough. I did all of my cutting as well as piecing the 16 blocks before work on Sunday.  After we finished driving today, I took advantage of the rainy day and stayed inside to finish my quilt!  I layed out my blocks in a 4 by 4 configuration with the 2 inch sashing

The more professionally accepted way to finish your binding is to sew it by hand to the back of your quilt. For heirloom pieces I prefer this method, but for quick, functional quilt I use the machine sewn method.  The directions are very similar, but I will list them out here separately so that the directions are clear.  Creating your binding Measure around the entire outer edge of your quilt and then add 20 inches to this measurement. Divide this total by 40. This new number is the number of strips that you need to cut. If you came up with a decimal, round your number up to the next whole number. For example, if your result was 7.6, round up to 8. Cut that total number of strips measuring 2.5” wide x the width of fabric. To connect your strips together, make the seam on the diagonal. Lay the first strip right side up and the second strip on top with right sides together, perpendicular to the first strip. Sew on the diagonal from point to point.

I've wanted to create a binding tutorial for a while.  Especially for the ladies that come to my class as this seems to be an ongoing struggle for them.  I hope that the rest of you can benefit from this tutorial as well! Creating your binding Measure around the entire outer edge of your quilt and then add 20 inches to this measurement. Divide this total by 40.   This new number is the number of strips that you need to cut.   If you came up with a decimal, round your number up to the next whole number.   For example, if your result was 7.6, round up to 8.   Cut that total number of strips measuring 2.5” wide x the width of fabric. To connect your strips together, make the seam on the diagonal.   Lay the first strip right side up and the second strip on top with right sides together, perpendicular to the first strip.   Sew on the diagonal from point to point. Trim off the excess 1/4" from the seam line.   Repeat this until you have one cont