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Friday, October 28, 2022
Hello Fall Coffe Cup Wraps
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Thursday, October 27, 2022
Strippy Improv Halloween Finishes!
How about you? Have you finished any Strippy Improv Halloween projects? I'd love to see them! Email me at lisaeruble (at) gmail.com or tag me on IG (@quiltyzest) and use the hashtag #strippyimprovhalloween
And if you don't have the pattern yet, you can get it in my Etsy shop.
Happy Halloween!
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Strippy Improv Halloween Trick or Treat Bag
By request, here are basic cutting details and instructions for making the trick or treat bag. I didn't take step by step photos because I was too busy filming the video!
(See the video on IG: @quiltyzest)
1 8-1/2" square strippy improv block
Orange tonal:
2. Sew 2-1/2" x 9-1/2" white spiderweb strips to opposite sides of block. Sew 2-1/2" x 13-1/2" white spiderweb strip to top and 5" x 13-1/2" white spiderweb strip to bottom to complete bag front, measure 13-1/2" x 15-1/2".
3. Layer bag front and bag back right sides together and stitch around sides and bottom. Layer (2) black print bag lining pieces right sides together and stitch around sides and bottom, leaving a 6" opening along bottom for turning.
4. Cut out 2" squares from bottom corners of both outer bag and lining. Box corners. Turn outer bag right side out.
5. To make handles, lay (1) each 3" x 18" white spiderweb and black print strip right sides together. Stitch along both long edges. Turn right side out, press, and topstitch along both long edges. Make (2) handles.
6. Measure in 2-1/2" from outer bag edges and pin handle in place, matching raw edges. Repeat on bag back. Baste handles in place.
7. Slide outer bag inside lining, making sure handles are tucked in. Match side seams and pin top raw edges together. Sew along the top outer edge.
8. Turn bag right side out through opening in the lining. Stitch the opening closed. Topstitch along the top edge of the bag to finish. Happy trick or treating!
If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll stay and look around a bit.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Strippy Improv Halloween QAL - Week 4
It's week 4 of the Strippy Improv Halloween Quilt Along! Time for assembly and finishing!
Ready to finish your project? I've got some tips and advice to make this process go more smoothly.
The Strippy Improv Halloween pattern includes directions for finishing your block as a table runner or as a wall hanging. Choose what works best for you!
Tip 1: Don't forget to secure the appliqued background to your stitching! Depending on how the project will be used, I vary which stitch I choose. If it's a wall hanging that won't be handled a lot, I use a straight stitch along the outer edge. If it's something that will be handled/washed more frequently, I will choose a zig zag stitch that adds a little more security.
Tip 2: Choose a neutral thread color for machine quilting. This can seem hard to choose if, like in my pillow, you have a lighter gray block background and then a black border background. But if you choose a simple quilting design like straight lines (my go-to!), the quilting primarily provides texture and the thread color doesn't stand out.
Tip 3: Let's talk machine quilting. Diane Oakes quilted my first wall hanging, and did a beautiful job! She switched out thread colors for different fabrics, did some echo quilting in each of te shapes, and added in that adorable spider and web!
I machine quilted my second wall hanging and the pillow. I opted for straight horizontal lines to create texture without distracting from the design. I freehanded the lines, starting along one of the block frames, and then moved over the width of my walking foot for each line. Quick, easy and effective!
Next up is a tote bag for trick or treating, which I'll share as soon as I finish it! :)
Need the full Strippy Improv Halloween Pattern? Purchase the digital pattern here.
And mark your calendars for the Strippy Improv Holiday QAL, starting mid November!
If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll stay and look around a bit.
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Strippy Improv Halloween QAL - week 3
It's week 3 of the Strippy Improv Halloween Quilt Along!
How are your blocks coming along?
If your life is anything like mine, the last couple weeks have sped by, and you can't believe it's already the second week of October. Halloween is coming!!
I 'm still planning to finish some of my blocks into a table runner, and I'll show you that next week.
But I also wanted a back-up plan - an idea for how to make a project from just one block in case time got short again. I chose to make two new pumpkin blocks, and I'm going to turn one into a throw pillow and one into a trick or treat bag. I'll share more details next week.
Let's start with one more tip - this is about block background placement. Play around with your block background before fusing it down to make sure you get the best combination of fabric, and also to make sure things like the stems show through correctly. Here are two "don't do it this way" examples:
Play around with your background and make sure it's exactly how you want it before you fuse in place!
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So back to my pumpkins - I decided they needed a little embellishment! When I stitched my pumpkin blocks, I wanted them to be jack o'lanterns instead. Aren't they adorable?!?! I just sketched my face shapes, but afterwards I created a pdf with similar faces to these for you to use. Download the pumpkin face templates here. Enjoy!
Since my pumpkin block has a black background, I knew I could use the fused pumpkin shape I cut out of the background for my eyes, nose and mouth. Easy!
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These are more of the Michael Miller Halloween and blender fabrics I used for my wall hanging above. |
I also made a second pumpkin block, so I decided to try yellow eyes, nose and mouth so that this jack o'lantern looked like it was lit up. I like them both!
If you add a face to your pumpkin, make sure to stitch down the appliques to secure them. Since you're fusing them to a pieced surface, they'll need those extra stitches.
Next week, we'll talk about runner and wall hanging assembly (and the tote and pillow!).
Until then, enjoy sewing your strippy improv blocks!
Need the full Strippy Improv Halloween Pattern? Purchase the digital pattern here.
If you're new here, welcome! I hope you'll stay and look around a bit.
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Sew a Garden Pattern Release Day!
Happy Saturday, happy October, and happy pattern release day!
Earlier this year, Benartex invited me to create a few block of the month designs with their upcoming fabric lines. I immediately keyed in on Pat Sloan's Sleepovers collection - it's got everything a quilter needs: great colors, a variety of values in each color, and different sized prints. Perfect for designing!
I chose these fabrics:
And used them to design the Sew a Garden BOM.
I chose the name because each row reminded me of the rows in a flower garden (although in my actual garden, there would be plenty of weeds, too, LOL!)
I really like row-by-row BOMs because finishing a full row each month feels like such an accomplishment! There are 9 rows in this quilt; the final month of the BOM is for assembly.
Each row features a different block or unit, so they're all different, and they also use a variety of techniques. Two fo the rows include curved piecing, but I've included applique directions as well.
We'll be working our way down the quilt, so Month 1 will be the top row.
When you purchase the pattern, you'll receive the cover with yardage info and Month 1. On the 1st of each month, you'll receive the next month's pattern.
You can purchase the pattern here.
I hope you'll join me for this fun BOM!
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