Curvy Placemats

This placemat project was the first example in Craftsy's "Playing With Curves" taught by Anne Petersen. I'm very pleased with the results. The FMQ in the solid areas was part of a design idea from "Machine Quilting with Templates: Creating Design Perfection" taught by Kimmy Brunner. Combining the two lessons made it extra fun! And to top it off, I'm linking up with Leah Day's FMQ Friday!

They are interesting to look at. And they say SUMMER!!! Where's my ice cream?

The back shows the FMQ-ing a little bit better.

The next project I will do is Winding Ways. Very excited about that one!

Check out Craftsy and start picking out patterns and video lessons to expand your skills. Tell them PamelynsPostings sent you!

Sewing Cores

When you cut them out, it's almost hard to believe they'll go together. Piecing apple core cuts takes a little getting used to but once you do, you get really great results. 

I have a bunch of cores cut out for a sunset scene. I'm hand sewing the individual rows. When the rows are done, I might go to the machine to attach them. At this point, I feel like I have better control sewing by hand. Here's what I do to sew them.

Finding the center of each core is the important step #1. Fold the fabric and pinch it. Then pop a pin in to hold them in place. Then you can match the right side seams: the edge of the front piece comes up to the edge of the back piece.

Get the first stitch in the right side and give the fabric a tug. Not all fabric is equally stretchy. The weave may be tight and you will have some waviness but you can still ease it together and stitch it flat. The top edges will begin to line up when you gently pull on it. As they do, grab more stitches with your needle. You may only get to grab one stitch at a time or, if your edges stay lined up, you can get several.

When you reach the center, make sure your stitches are not pulling but are flat, do a little back stitch, and take out the pin. Let the right half curl around as you line up the left side edges. Pin that left side down. Repeat the sewing process for the second half and tie it off. 

When you open the seam, you will see something like this. See which way the seams lie down best and press it. Then pat yourself on the back for sewing a lovely curved apple core seam!

Do you make projects that have curves? Craftsy has great lessons about it. Start small and simple, be easy on yourself, and give it a try!

FMQ and other fun stuff!

I've been a follower of the Free Motion Quilting Project with Leah Day for over a year and a half now. Her videos have taught me so much about FMQ and even if I don't do every project she offers, the ideas are ready to come in handy other times.

I also have become quite pleased with Craftsy and the wonderful things they have to offer. The last video series I began watching was about Curve Sewing by Ann Peterson. She is a fabulous teacher!

So, what did I free motion quilt this week? I am working on a set of summery, fun placemats that put both those skills to use.

 

The FMQ is in the flowered panels - all outlined echo filler, leaving the flowers unstitched.

 

It even looks cute on the back!

 

 

The latest four rows for Blue Kaleidoscope Flowers has been set aside for now. I have other things I have to finish first. It's great to have this project in the wings, waiting for me when I am ready to plug away at it again. 

Recently, I saw a gorgeous photo of a sunrise over a green field. I thought it may be pretty to piece it out in the apple core cuts. These babies are going along with me in long car rides and I'll hand stitch them when I am away from Thistlefire (my sewing room).

I managed to squeak out a couple more of the scrap blocks. It's great to save fabric scraps from going into the trash!

I don't know if you have the same Joann's sales I do but the Singer Dress Form was my big score yesterday with 60% off the regular price! Now I can fit homemade things for myself better. My dog couldn't stop barking at it for a while but I had her on my lap as I made the measurement adjustments and she learned it wasn't as ominous as it first appeared to her.

So that's what I was up to this week. How about you? Share the links to your blog posts here or share your pics at my Facebook page! Have a creative day!