Thursday, March 14, 2019

Mondrian (2.0)


Mondrian!  The pattern is finally ready to go.  Erie Quilt Art is my wholesale distributor.  Your LQS can source my patterns there.  Or contact me directly (email contact is on the right side lower down).

Unlike the first Mondrian quilt, there are no partial seams in this one.  It consists of 10 large blocks.  They are all different, but since they consist of large squares and rectangles separated by narrow sashing, they are all relatively easy to assemble.


There is a "support" page for this quilt.  Look for the Mondrian tab.  There are some sewing tips and quilting ideas along with some pix to illustrate how I did the quilting. 

Close up pix of the quilting are below.
  Enjoy!

















The black didn't show up much in the other pix so I snapped this one in the sunshine.  Now you can see what I did in all the black - 1" grid with every other square filled in.


Saturday, March 2, 2019

Window Wallet - with tutorial



So I made a bunch of these little "window wallets".  I was asked if there is a pattern.  No - so I said I'd do a "picture tutorial".  Here it is:


You need (above): 
  1. 1 - square or rectangle of fabric (I used 8" x 8" because I had some pre-cuts that size - from IKEA!)  You can make yours bigger.
  2. 1 - zipper at least the length of the edge that you want as your opening (for this one, mine was 9")
  3. 2 - 2" fabric strips at least 1" longer than the finished depth of your wallet
  4. 1 - clear vinyl piece at least 1" wider than the wallet width and at least 3 1/2" deep (I used 3 1/2" - wait until Step 4 to decide how wide to cut it - so wait until then to cut this piece)




Step 1 - Cut a 1 1/2" strip off the top of the big fabric piece (above).


Step 2 - Stitch the zipper to the two pieces as shown above.  Be sure to line the fabric up so the print matches and the sides line up.  Press.


Step 3 - Topstich each side of the zipper (above)


Step 4 - Press up 1/4" on each end.  On the bottom end (biggest side) press up another 1/2" (above).

Here is where you can cut your vinyl.  It should fit between that bottom folded edge and about an inch below were the zipper is laying in that pix above.  If in doubt, cut it the width between the zipper tape and the first fold on the bottom piece - you'll be trimming it later anyway.


Step 5 - Stitch the folded edge of the thin top piece to the vinyl.  The vinyl should be on the wrong side.  (above)



Step 6 - Fold the zipper over as shown above.  It has a "natural fold" along the edge of the zipper tape, which is inside the fold - about 1/4" into the black and white fabric.  Top stitch the crease along the top edge.


Step 7 - Now you will have a better idea of where to trim the vinyl.  The bottom edge should lie just above that second fold.


Step 8 - Fold the bottom over the vinyl.  It should all lay nice and flat at this stage.


Step 9 - Stitch the bottom along the vinyl side of the fold-over.  Trim each side.  If your zipper is longer than the wallet width, be sure the zipper pull is on the wallet - not at a zipper end.  Don't cut it off!  (above)


Step 10 - Press the two strips in half, then press each half to the centre as above.


Step 11 - Trim out a bit of the bulk.  I used fabric that is like a light weight canvas, so getting rid of some bulk was desirable. (above)


Step 12 - Fold the top of the strip over the top corner. (above)


Step 12 (cont'd) - Then wrap the strip over the side. Start stitching down the edge - about 1/8" in from the inside edge - you need to catch the back with the stitching.  Stop a short distance down - needle down.  This first bit of stitching will hold the pieces in place while you cut the strip to a good "fold over length" and cut some bulk out as you did on the top end.  Fold the bottom end up over the bottom corner, wrap and complete the stitching.  Be sure to tuck the raw ends under the folded edge.  (above and below)


Step 13 - Stitch the second strip to the remaining side as you did the first side.


Et Voila!  One finished wallet!


A couple of notes re vinyl:  
  • I have a roll of vinyl of a few feet (you can purchase it by the linear foot) that I purchased from someplace like Canadian Tire.  However, if you're just doing a one off you can use one of those vinyl bags that blankets/ duvets, etc. come in.
  • If you have trouble sewing vinyl with your machine, try your walking foot or maybe some masking tape along the edge to make it a bit "grabbier" - I didn't have any trouble with my Juki and I've also used my Janome with no problem.


Here are a few more...

Some of the IKEA squares were white so I got out my fabric markers and started playing.  😀  I used the one on the right to carry my foreign currency when we were in New Zealand - it worked out really well.