Making A Lather

Yesterday, I posted my traffic jam finish. Today, I want to share a bit about a new experiment in machine binding I have been doing. One of the presenters at a guild presentation, this fall, mentioned, that, he used steam a seam when attaching his binding. I was intrigued and went to Joann fabrics that night to find what he used.

This is what I chose using a coupon. It was 2.39. I had decided that if that was too expensive, I might use the BYT and cut it myself. The package came with 2 rolls. 

I tried it the first time on my Big easy Christmas quilt, and, I loved it. Someone asked if I would share how I used it. I used almost half of one roll for that quilt.

I began by sewing the binding to the back side of the quilt. I press my binding a little short on the top of the binding, so, I can see that I catch the underside. I used 2 1/4 inch binding on traffic jam. I decided, I like it better with 2 1/2 inch binding.

I have really enjoyed the paper piecing and working on Christmas Snowflake quilt. I find it repetitive enough that I can just set a rhythm and sew away, but interesting enough to hold my interest. And the results are great.


I don't have all the paper piecing done, but I still had to make a few blocks to see how they are coming together. They are so fun.


It's a chance to see all the fun old Christmas fabrics play nicely together and be useful.






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And now we have come to the last of the Christmas snowflake instructions and time to start assembly.



Choose a center square in a square  from week 1

 add a set of 4 wings from week 2


 and 4 matching corners from week 3


And sew together like a 9 patch and tada it is finished. Again, there are 16 blocks. Arrange on a design wall and assemble in rows.





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This is the last part of the snowflake block.



It's time to make the corners. Here is a quick tutorial for foundation piecing. The wrong side of the fabric faces the wrong side of the paper. Each piece has been cut to size.


The piecing on the corner will use the prints in number order. #2 print is the same as # 1 on the wings. #5 on the corner is the same  #4 on the wings. # 8 on the corner is the same as # 7 on the wings.


The first set of rectangles is the smaller set. The next round will be the larger rectangle.


It is important to check against a light source that the triangles are centered.


I had the most trouble with the last pesky triangle. I am not sure why.


Each block will need four matching corners. And these corners should have the same fabric as the four matching wings. So make 64.
After this we are ready to assemble. It won't be long now.




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needle and thread Thursdays

I am working on cutting and sewing this Christmas quilt. I am planning on sharing as I go along.




 Here is a quick tutorial for foundation piecing. The wrong side of the fabric faces the wrong side of the paper.
It is a bit tricky placing the print triangle. I wish it was a bit bigger with more wiggle room.



With white fabric it has to be trimmed or the dark will show through the fabric.

In my quilt I am using the same fabric in rounds around the center of each block. So the block will take 4 of the same set. There are 64 sets of the wings to do for the quilt.



 I prefer to tear off the paper before I start any quilt assembly.





I am linking (links in the sidebar) to:
needle and thread Thursdays

After making wild and goosey, I wasn't sure I would ever paper foundation piece again. But I love the look of these snowflakes and wanted to give it a try.




The foundations for this quilt are simple and large enough that it is is easy to see where you are sewing and give excellent results. The templates for printing are found in the link below.


Since all the fabric pieces for the blocks have been pre -cut, it is a snap to get the block sewn. Starting with the 16 center squares. Here is a quick tutorial for foundation pieceing. The wrong side of the fabric faces the wrong side of the paper.


Flip it over and sew on the line.
 I do better if I iron after each addition of fabric.


With white fabric it has to be trimmed or the dark will show through the fabric.


I do opposite sides and then again opposite sides.


Paper piecing is great for asolutely the best accuracy.


 After I have sewn all the seams, I will trim the paper on the lines.



 and then I tear off the paper



This quilt requires 16 of these center squares in a square. They are trimmed 4 1/2 inches square and will finish at 4 inches.










Intro/ templates

fabric requirements

cutting red and green fabric

cutting background

piecing the center

I am linking (links in the sidebar) to:
needle and thread thursdays
oh scrap