Guest Post: Sarah, anyone can quilt

Sarah is another really great friend.  You can always count on her.  She loves books, and knitting.  She is passionate about whatever she is working on.  She is so loving and caring, and she even sits with her husband and watches (knits during) a football game.  She's adventurous and always dabbling in something new.

 

My Experience learning how to quilt:

After spending years envying the talents of my friends and family members who make beautiful quilted things, I decided I needed to learn. So I thought about asking someone to teach me . . .

That thought lingered for a long time; not because my friends weren’t willing, but because they are all so busy and I was too shy to ask.

And then I got really lucky, and I found this fabulous website

link to

http://www.craftsy.com/

which is offering this fabulous class absolutely free:

http://www.craftsy.com/class/The-Craftsy-Block-of-the-Month/50

 

So, I collected all my 40% off craft store coupons and bought my supplies and some material. And I watched the first video.

Two months later I actually made the first two blocks. I don’t know how other people do it, but I like to sew at night after my kids are asleep. Sometimes I can cut out the pieces I need during nap time and then breeze through two or three blocks in a night. But that doesn’t happen very often, and yep . . .
I’m already behind, but it doesn’t matter because the class is available any time I want it for as long as I need it. But I’m not going to push my luck. My goal is to finish all the blocks by Christmas time. Here are a few of the blocks I’ve made so far . . .

 And then, just to be sweet and make my life even more exciting, my wonderful husband made me a quilt stand for my birthday.

We found this website where we could print off super simple directions for building our own quilt frame and even simpler instructions for how to get started quilting.

http://www.americanknitter.com/tie_quilting.html

The moral of my little story is this:

Anyone can quilt. If you have the desire to learn this craft the Internet is a really good resource. You can also ask a friend. I know I’ve been dying to share what I’m learning with someone else. Don’t be shy like me. Just ask.

 

PS- The winner of the booties is SHAINA!! call me to claim your prize :)

Guest Post: Jessica- Vertical Ruffles Tutorial

Jessica is one of my best friends.  We met her and her Husband when Jes and I were pregnant with our first babies. Now she has 2 and I have three, ah, time flies and things change!  She is really smart and really creative.  She is always great to talk to and has a problem solving attitude.   This project she's going to share is proof of that.

 

I wanted to make a dress for my little girl for my brother's wedding.  I looked around and decided to try some vertical ruffles to get super fluffy dress..... and when I called to ask Sharon a question about them, she had never done them either.  So per her request, here is a tutorial for anyone else who wants to try this.  It was a lot of fun and more work than I thought, but I love the end result.  Since I have completed this, I think they would look cute on a casual skirt, maybe along a v-neck blouse, or to add some pizzazz to some pockets on a skirt. The possibilities really are endless.

The Basics
Vertical ruffles (aka flounces) are created in a donut shape.  By cutting your fabric this way you create ruffles without needing to gather the fabric.  The inner circle of your donut is where your seam will be.  The smaller the circumference of your inner part of the donut the more ruffley (is that a word?) your ruffle will be.

I think these ruffles are beautiful, but they do take more fabric than a traditional gathered ruffle because there is so much waste when cutting them out.  However they are really simple and you do not have to worry about making sure your gathers are even like you do in a traditional ruffle.

Measurements/Pattern

Quick geometry lesson... Circumference = the distance of the outside of a circle. The formula for circumference is    Pie  equals about 3.14. D = Diameter and it is the distance across the center of the circle going through the midpoint.  R = Radius and it is one-half if the diameter out from the midpoint.  Here is an illustration courtesy of wikipedia for you as a reminder.

Here is why you need the geometry lesson.  If you do not want to piece together two or more ruffles to create length, then you can simply take your desired length of the ruffle and divide it by pie (3.14) to find the diameter of the inner circle of your donut that you need to create.

The skirt of the dress was 15 inches long that I was creating.  So you take 15 / 3.14 = 4.77 or about 4.75 inches.  This was the diameter I needed for my inner circle, so my ruffle would be the same length as the skirt.

To create a pattern you can do one of two things:

1. Look for a circle in your home that has the same diameter that you need.  I used a bowl, but you could also use a CD, glass, plate....

2.  If you can't find a circle, then find some cardboard.  Divide your diameter in half so you have the radius of your circle.  Cut a piece of string or yarn.  Attach a pencil to the end of it.  Then pin the string on the cardboard so you have exactly the radius coming from the pin to the pencil.  Using my example above it would be 2 3/8 of an inch of string.  The pin becomes the center of your circle. Keeping the line tight, simply draw a circle onto the cardboard.

Now you do the same thing for your outer circle.  Note that the distance between your two circles will be how wide your ruffle is.  This is a personal choice.  Don't forget to take into account the seam allowance (about 5/8 of an inch).  I used a 4 inch wide ruffle.  If you are using cardboard for a pattern then I make sure you draw your outer circle before you cut your inner circle because you will want to use the same midpoint.

 Here is what you are going for.

Cut Your Fabric
Use the patterns for your inner and outer circle or your single cardboard pattern.  I was using organza so I folded my fabric so I could cut about 4 at a time using my rotary cutter.  I cut the outer circle first and then cut the inner circle second. Then cut your circle apart so it will open up.

Cutting the outside edge first.

Cutting the inner circle second.

Cut it apart straight across so it will open up.  

See how it ruffles just by straightening the inner circle?

Finish the Edges
You will somehow want to finish the edges of your ruffles by either hemming them, using a serger, or using fray check to ensure they don't fray.  I used fray check on mine because I did not want to add bulk by hemming them.  If you are piecing ruffles you would want to do that before you finish the edges.

Mark Your Fabric
Using a marking pencil that is appropriate for fabric, mark vertical lines where you want your ruffles to go.  My skirt (before gathering it at the waist was about 64 inches).  I wanted ruffles every 2 inches, so I had 32 ruffles.  Use a straight edge to mark your lines.

After all my lines are drawn.

Pin!  Pin!  Pin!
Pin your ruffles to your fabric, using the lines as your guide.  Start at the top and then pull your inner circle straight as you work your way down.  I pinned about every inch or so.  If doing a lot of ruffles like I was, you can probably pin about 5 at a time and still be able to sew them pretty easily.

Sew
Sew your ruffles using about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Once you have attached the ruffle, fold the ruffle back over itself and sew it again.  This will cover the raw edges so they don't show and fray.

Folding it over to cover the raw edge and sew again.

The finished ruffle.

Hem the Bottom?
If sewing a dress or a skirt, you could hem the bottom.  I like the loose and free look at the bottom of the skirt so I didn't hem it.  If doing them on a sleeve or a pocket then you may want a finished edge.  Depending on the look will determine if you want to finish after you attach it or before.

 My finished product.

Guest Post: Sarah vs. The Serger

Today we are going to hear from one of my friends, she's just as good as a sister!  Her name is Sarah and she is a domestic goddess.  She knits, crochets, sews, cans, cooks, cares for her children, keeps a clean house and teaches others how to do the same.  She is loving and caring and so funny.   She is one of my favorite people to be around.  I love our chats, and that she likes "old lady" activities too.  We have so much in common, but are utterly different at the same time.  I learn something new from Sarah all the time, I love how she is always excited to try something new.  Even when she doesn't know how to do something, she always finds a way.  I'm sure you'll love Sarah as much as I do.  She is going to share her first experience with a Serger, a machine unfairly labeled as "scary!"

I don’t know about you, but Sharon INSPIRES me! I feel honored that she would ask me to guest post on her blog, and during sewing month, of all times. Confession: I only sew because Sharon makes it look oh so easy.

So, when one of my friends needed help finishing 20 table runners for a wedding last month I said I would help by serging them for her. I’ve only used a serger once before in my life, and the results were horrific.

BUT, that was a long time ago, AND Sharon makes it look oh so easy.

So, I went over to my grandma’s house (site of the before mentioned serger experience), and sat down with my bag of fabric and thread.

 First things first, threading! I’ve heard about sergers that thread themselves, but, this is not one of those, and my grandma warned me that her particular machine might take some time to thread. The up side though, Grandma said, was that the directions are right on the machine. And they are . . .

This truly being my first experience threading a serger, I went slow and did take a long time, but I know I got it right, and I know next time I will have no problem. The trick for me is to open all the covers. This machine has a front and side cover.

I found it much easier to see where the thread needed to go with both covers opened.

Step two: Sew! Really, it’s that easy. You thread the machine and then you sew. If you’ve used any other kind of sewing machine, this part is easy. All the same steps apply. Close those covers. Throw your threads to the back of the needle. Place your material and lower the foot. Then push the pedal to the metal and Sew! This being my first time, I’m sure there’s more to it than that, but my beginner mind was amazed at the simplicity of it all. I loved the efficient way the blade chopped the rough edge as the four threads over-locked around to make a nice smooth finish.

Here are some things I learned that may help me be better qualified for my next serging venture:

Although I had 4 spools of thread, because I was finishing one piece of fabric and not sewing two pieces together and finishing at the same time, I really didn’t need the far left spool, which sews two fabrics together like a regular machine would. Good to know!

The far right spool is the one doing most of the over-locking work and therefore, runs out of thread fastest. It’s a good thing I didn’t need the far left one for this particular project. I just moved it over to the far right position and kept on sewing.

Grandma also taught me a little trick for manual threading machines. Thread once; then every time after that you can cut your old thread close to the spool and leave it threaded in the machine. Now, you can tie your new spool ends onto the ends of your already threaded thread and sew a scrap until the old is used up and the new has been pulled all the way through.

The moral of my little sergeng story is this . . . Sharon makes it look easy because it is easy. If you’ve never serged something or you’ve been scared to try, you should do it. You’ll like it. It’s Easy!

My best friend's wedding (this should be the name of a movie!)

I was gone all last week at my friend's wedding.  I went a couple days early so I could help with all the finishing touches, like flowers, setting up tables and lights, altering the brides dress... ya know, the usual :) I drove up to my parent's house on Monday, and got to work Tuesday.  Amee, the bride, has been my friend forever (since we were 3 at least), and she married a foreigner on Aug 6th.  They had a whole year since they got engaged, and he just barely got the visa he needed to come to America.  It was pretty stressful because for Amee to move over there, it would have taken a month!  Her now husband is a Scottish fellow named Adam.  He is quite charming, and not just because of his accent or his love for "sweeties" aka candy, cookies, cakes, chocolate...

I spent the week just doing wedding things, it was fun to spend time with my friend again, and then meet all her new friends as they arrived for the wedding.  The English guests were probably my favorite.  They made me laugh with their amazement of American food, and how big our cars are.  They also would say things like "I could only get 3 weeks of holiday,"  "Em" instead of "um" and "or-eh-gano" (like origami) instead of oregano. 

Amee bought this lace in Scotland, that she wanted put into the back of her dress.  I was freaking out a little bit over doing it because I was worried that maybe I hadn't done it the way she envisioned, but it turned out beautiful!.  I also uncrossed her dressed straps, tacked down the cowl neckline and added ribbon around the seam at her waist. 

(picture taken by Wynona)

After working hard all week, we had the rehearsal dinner on Friday night and walked through the wedding.  Afterwards, we went back to Amee's parent's house (where the reception was going to be) and had a little bridal shower.  Basically all the ladies that were coming to the wedding came, and we shared memories we had of Amee and got to know each other.  I cried a ton because I can't see others crying and not join in.  On Saturday morning, we all got ready for the wedding.  Diana and Gloria (two of Amee's bridesmaids) were fantastic and did most of the bridesmaids hair and also Amee's hair and makeup.  Thee wedding started at 4:00 and we all marched in.  There were two bridesmaids for each of the groomsmen, and it was fun to outnumber the fellas. 

Wynona and I were the Maids of Honor, and we walked down with the best man, Fozzy.

Wynona, Amee and I were best friends growing up.  People used to call us the three musketeers and we were ALWAYS together.  It was fun to be all together again :)

Then after Adam walked by himself, he stood there waiting for Amee.  She was walked down the isle by her Dad.

Here is Adam saying his Vows, and all 8 bridesmaids (Wynona, me, Ariel- Amee's sister, Gloria, Heather- Adam's sister, Vickie- Cos's girlfriend, Diana, Mesha)

Here's Amee saying her vows, they were married by their English friend Cos (Cosmo).

The kiss... (you can also see Fozzy on the left)

Just married, everyone had paper airplanes under their chairs to throw at the newlyweds

Nona and I after the reception line

The "we did it!" high five

Adam and his groomsmen

Adam and the bridesmaids

The wedding party

The happy couple!

After the wedding, we had afternoon tea while the couple go their pictures done.  Then was dinner and the reception.  It was a fun event.   I'm so glad that I could be part of Amee's big day!

Family Pictures 2010

We had our pictures taken at the end of October, by Sarah Turner.  She is so amazing and patient.  I love her!  I love how she just captures moments.  Life isn’t always “look at the camera and smile!”  Sarah is pretty much amazing!  She’s a great photographer, but she’s also a great friend!     

Back to real life

Well, believe it or not, September wasn’t ALL about sewing.  Here are some of the other things that kept me occupied….

Keeping this little girls clean, she LOVES mud!

Training our new puppy Margo (or Mango) to go potty outside, roll over, and obey.

Watching this little man grow… he’s about as wide as he is tall

 

Thanking the husband for taking the kids so I could write my blog posts

Celebrating my 52nd 25th birthday

Loving on my babies

Max finding his first girlfriend, they kept kissing each other's cheeks. Seriously, who wouldn’t want to love on that chub?

Bosom Buddies

When darick and i first got married we lived in a basement apartment. it was a house that could rent to three families. we had two sets of awesome upstairs neighbors. One of my old neighbors now lives here in Idaho Falls too, and her name is Nashina. she's so cool, and beautiful. She is having a baby boy soon, her due date is Saturday.... so he'll be here pretty soon. Nashina came over today to make some nursing covers, i think they turned out awesome. for a sweet tutorial click here . Also here is a sneak peak into my new craft room.. my purple wall, more pictures to come!

They fold up into themselves, which is so nice for storage