16 patch ~ 20 blocks finished

 

This is what I imagine that they would look like if they were stitched together with a solid border and sashing. White may not be the best color. The finished size would be somewhat like a lap quilt. So fabric shopping I  will go and I will probably make a star or house block, maybe both. Something a little bigger would be nice.

What are you going to do with your blocks?

16 patch ~ Part 3 cutting, flipping, sewing

Using a omnigrid 12.5"
Cut into 2.5" strips

 

little left over

For my first block I cut my strips 10" long and came up short when it came to cutting my 2 1/2" strips. A 10 1/2" strip gives you a little extra wiggle room without too much wasted fabric.

flip

Flip the second and fourth strip as shown

Right sides together

Matching seams ~ this is where alternating pressing the seams comes in handy

Corners line up just right

Right sides together, stitch final seam

 

I pressed the seams open for the last step

finished block size 8 1/2"

19 more to go ~

So I am leaning toward making either a star or house block to alternate with these 16-patch blocks. Similar to the Lincoln Museum Quilt but I will wait till all my blocks are done.

Happy Mother's Day and have a great weekend!

16 patch ~ Part 2 sewing and ironing

4 strips, 2 of each color/pattern

right sides together- stitch along one edge

Now stitch these together, right sides together, 

Voila, now for the ironing

flip over and iron so that the seams alternate. This will help when we align the seams after the next cut. I promise it makes a nice corner and everything aligns so nicely!

We will have 20 blocks when we are done...

I am ready to cut again. And I have been thinking...there are multiple ways to finish this quilt top. Meaning there are many variations in which we can assemble our 16-patch blocks. Some ideas are to stitch them together and they can be either a quilt top or a back for a quilt top, adding sashes and corners between the blocks will give a place for the eyes rest or perhaps alternating the blocks with another block such as a star, school or house block. 

What are your ideas?

More cutting on the way ~

16 patch - jelly roll style ~ Part 1 arranging & cutting

Last year I created a tutorial for a linen project bag and published it here for Mother's Day.

This Mother's Day I had every intention to create this tutorial early so that if you wanted to create this quit as a gift you would have plenty of time. I had the best of intentions ~

I am using the remaining strips, from a jelly roll I purchased years ago, that I used for my Granny Square quilt from Blue Elephant Stitches blog. I had half of a jelly roll left and thought about the best way to use it up. I have been drawn to scrappy 16 patch quilt tops seen here and there in blog land. No individual quilt stands out, I like them all.

So with 20 strips of 2-1/2" fabric, arrange as follows:

remaining jelly roll strips from 'Granny Square' quilt top

paired up

10 1/2" cut

Yield- 4 solid pink and 4 brown floral
You will have 4 lengths of 10 1/2" from each strip

right  sides together

Using 2 of the solid pink and 2 of the brown floral, stack together. These strips will complete one block

 Remaining 2nd cut-  2-10 1/2" strips to be paired with different fabric

Reserve remaining strips to be paired with different fabrics.

all stacked and ready to sew

Now that your strips are cut and arranged we will sew next. This is very quick and easy.

Hope you enjoy it and the process!

Linen project bag ~ Trimming, french seams & done

Right side of bag
Trim only slightly for the next step.
This is to make the sides straight and a tad thinner

Ribbon side of bag
Trim

Turn bag inside out
I used a chopstick to gently push the corners out

Make sure the seam is tucked and flat.
 Pin to keep in place

Starting from the bottom of the bag, stitch a 3/8th seam making sure that the previous seam is enclosed
You can feel where the seam is.
I pin to help me know where to stitch
You don't want any threads or seam peaking out of your finished bag

 

Now stitch the other side

Both sides stitched - selvedge view

Back view - folded flap is inside

Inside view before turning right side out

Right side out

Done! of course if  you make another bag you could place the ribbon on the other side ~

Happy Mother's Day 

linen project bag tutorial ~ gathering

ribbon and Japanese fabric

fabric with selvedge

cut fabric with selvedge

Here is a list of materials you will need to complete 1 bag:
1-13 x 32 inch continuous piece of fabric. I cut mine including one selvedge edge.
1-10" piece of ribbon. You can make this longer if you would like....
And all your favorite sewing notions, machine, iron and scissors or rotary cutter.

I have little bits of time, so please bear with me. This is how I complete my projects, by breaking them down into parts. It is quiet in the house at this moment, so I can blog too! I never can begin and complete any one project in a day. Many apologies ~

More to come. Folding, ironing and pinning are next.

linen project bag

 

 

 

Here is a simple tutorial for a project bag that is both handy and easy to make. I made the one above with one rectangle of white linen, a piece of ribbon and a lot of thinking. I like to make french seams for a  finished look, so it took me a while to put the steps in the right order. I have been inspired by each and every  tutorial, project, quilt and garment I have sewn over the past few years. This is my way of giving back and brightening someone day who might be looking for that perfect 'thing'. This is how I started on my journey in the home-arts. I would seek out free tutorials or read every word of a blog to see how an item was made. It began as totes and bags, then scarfs and then my first quilt. Now I have collected  many quilting books, craft books, quilt patterns and garment books and patterns. There is simply not enough time to do every project, play with all the new fabrics or make and cuddle with each beautiful quilt. So I have to pick and choose.

Now for the preview~

In the photo above I have the Mara Shawl, that I have been diligently knitting,  in the linen bag to give you a basic idea of the size.  What you see there is 2 skeins of DK knitted on the needles with one skein left to be knit and the pattern in a protective sleeve, all in that bag. The finished measurements are  approx. 11 1/4 wide by 12 1/2 high and has a fold over flap.  I can throw my projects in my purse or larger bag and they stay clean and together.

Over the next few days I will post my process, pictures and instructions as clearly as possible. I have divided my photos and project into 4 posts. Of course at any time you may want to jump ahead and complete your bag.  Make them different sizes or use the bags for a variety of projects. Enjoy~