Next block from 9patch game

The next block was done last month, but I have some problems writing a post about.

I like how it turned out. Adding new colors make very cute touch.
There are different ways to prepare half square triangles (HST), but my favorite stays  this one:
Cut two squares, place them right sides together, draw a diagonal line and stitch 1/4 inch on the left and on the rights of the line. At the end cut along the line and press well.

Come back soon to see the next one.

Learn letters while playing

Sometimes I wander about so many ideas flying in my head.
Do you remember my alphabet  hexagons  ?
What will happens if make a ball from all hexagons letter?
I needed to find a ball and write down the letters.
Probably there is a diagram in internet?
With this thoughts I have waken up one morning.
3 days later I have in my hand this funny ball.

Realizing that there is 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons in the ball I have to change 6 letters into pentagons.
As the 26 letters of the alphabet are not enough for the 32 ball’s pieces
I have added @ and # as very common symbols.
Nowadays they are used more often than letters.
The heart as a sign of love is important, too.
Each shape has 1 inch side.

 Outside and inside before filling the ball.
 The ball is around 5 inches diameter easy to catch by hand.

This is funny stuffed toy to play and learn letters with your kids.

The Hexagon Alphabet

I decided to share some tricks making letters from Hexagon alphabet.

In case you have two sections' letter paper pieces both sections.

Sew together the sections.  

Then add two pieces on the left and right.

Then add pieces up and down.

As you see it is not necessary to add perfect cut rectangles. I use every piece the same color I have by hand.
 Then align the paper hexagon on the back and reduce the exceed fabric.
As the hexagon has lines you can easily align them to the stitch lines. 
Make EPP your prefered way.

I pin and baste.

If it is still difficult to center the hexagon to the letter, look at the following tricks.

Happy sewing!

Mini quilt block

The participation in the play 9patch sampler is to challenging.
Some of the quilters began making two parallel quilts different colors, some makes two blocks different sizes.
I was challenged by a fellow who made 16 inches block as 3 inches.
Some days ago while playing I made the same pattern as 1 1/2 inch .

It turned out as mini patchwork block. Better say as bonsai patchwork.
Believe or not it was much easier than I expected.

Here it is on the original 16 inch block.

12 blocks sampler quilt

The next project I participate is 12 block sampler. Each block is based on 9patch.

There will be a challenge to see ideas different quilter.
The size of each block will be 16 inches. At the end everyone will have a lap quilt around 48 x 64 inches.

I decided on recycling - some corduroy and fabrics.

I began with corduroy only, but found it is difficult to align  pieces - when put two pieces right side together they "stuck" and the seam is quite uneven.
My first bock

It is ease and fast to sew. each square is 4 inch finished/
I have constructed the central piece quite easy
Stitch together two strips  and cut three couples.


Then added a square opposite color to any of the couples.

 At the end I have stitched together the three columns.

Easy, isn't it?
Adding other squares and strips was like a kids play.

Korean patchwork bojagi - tutorial

When Marian from Seamstobesew asked me to participate in her blog hop "A Fresh Snow Hop"and show sewing with non cotton fabrics I was absolutely sure what to share with you .
This is totally different from traditional quilt - first because of fabrics and second - because of specific way of constructing the finished item.

Have you ever heard about pojagi - the Korean patchwork?
It is also known as bojagi.
When I have seen a curtain made this technique I felt in love.
I have sewn a similar curtain six years ago. The fabrics I used then was not transparent, but there is a lamp behind the curtain so the effect was the same.
Now I tried sewing pojagi with different fabrics and I am  satisfied with the result too much.

All you need is transparent fabrics. As a real quilter you have to have a lot of patience.

You might read some tutorials after Google searching or read my step by step detailed instructions.

Here is the fabric. It is fine linen specially for curtain. The good news is that both sides are the same.

Get two pieces. You have to stitch them by "french seam" - no face, no backside for the finished item.

 Before stitching them see how to place proper- with a little gap - about 1/3 inch.

In traditional piecing if you work with 1/4 inch seam allowances you need 1/2 inch extra fabric when stitch together two pieces.

It is good to know that here you must provide ONE INCH extra fabric - 1/3 inch from first fabric and 2/3 inch from second fabric.

After stitching iron as shown. First towards one side and then to make an auxiliary fold on the back.

 Now the next stitching is very easy.

 Finished look of this stage,

Keep in mind that now both side are different - one seam on the first and two seams on another.
Use different threads if want to increase the effect.
Here we don't have a quilting so contrasting thread is quite welcome.
Be brave to experiment.















 Repeat the same way with other pieces no matter the size and color. Trim the exceed if needed.

Good luck!


Don't forget to visit future participants, here is the schedule:

Jan 20

Jane’s Quilting
Lulu & Celeste
Quilt In Piece
3Patch Crafts

Jan 23

Quilted Fabric Art
Sew Many Yarns
Ravellry
Bdieges

Jan 24

Elm Street Quilts
Resourceful Mama
MooseStash Quilting
Any Pattern
SeaCoast Quilter

Jan 25

Life in the Scrapatch
Bumbleberry Stitches
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Seams To Be Sew

First post for 2017

Hello everyone!

Happy New Year! 
Let your reasonable dreams come true!

I wish to me to have more time to write here, because I make interesting thing, but sometimes have no time to describe them and the pictures still stay in my disk.

Have a good health, good luck and chance in 2017!


 

 This is my Christmas present. I made a mini patchwork and the smallest pincushion ever.