Tutorial Ruffled Apron- Easy Peasy

This is/was a quick and easy idea given to me by my friend, Barbara.  She described it to me, and so I set out to figure out how to make an easy fun apron from a tee-towel or hand-towel.

Basics needed:
1 rectangle towel.
 Cut a 9" strip off of one of the short sides of the towel, you will use it to make the pocket.
9" wof (width of fabric) strip of fun colorful fabric
2 1/2" strip of solid colored fabric for the  ties, but you could use  1- 2"wide grosgrain ribbon ( you will need about 54".

Steps:
1. hem the ruffle strip to get rid of raw edges 
2. gather the fabric at the top edge only
3. attach it to one of the short edges of the towel.

4. place the 9" that you cut from the towel earlier
and lay its right side to the apron's wrong side.
5. now you will sew a 3/8" seam
6. press the seam towards the apron
7. bring the newly formed bottom to the front of
the apron, you should have the right side of the
cut section on top of your apron now
8. pinning the cut pocket area to the apron sew
along both sides and the bottom (hint- sewing across
the bottom will enclose the raw edges of the 3/8"
seam).
9. find the center of your pocket- draw a line
with an air erase or water erase fabric marker
from the top of the pocket to the bottom, turn
the apron and sew back up to reinforce the seam.
10. attach the strip of grosgrain ribbon to the
apron, making sure you have the ties equal in
length.
                                                                                             The Christmas apron shown here is done with a very light gathering and no pocket.

If you enjoy this please pass it on and let me know.  The more the merrier.  Happy Sewing !

Practice, Practice, Practice...

It is Sunday,  I have been Zentangle crazy this week. I have done several 'tangles' on paper, today I decided to try my hand at sewing a Zentangle design.
First I cut an 8" block out of top fabric, batting and backing fabric.
I took my sketch pad to a table and started sketching.  When I was finished with the paper design I took the white top fabric, used a Frixion fabric marking pen and then drew the same design on the fabric.
Off to the sewing machine I went.  I turned off the knot tying feature on my sewing machine, because I would later pull the top thread to the back and tie it off, then bury the threads. Since traditional Zentangles are done in Black and White, I used Black thread in the bobbin and the needle.
I started with sewing the border, which helped to hold all the fabric in place, I also stitched across the sections to give separation to the individual tangles. Then the straight stitching, I wanted to make sure I was able to have continuous line quilting, and it worked pretty well. The curved crescent moon section had to be done by free motion quilting, I found that I had to turn the machine to a very slow speed for this portion.
What do you think?

Bags and Totes

Just wondering what got into me, I have now made 2 bags within 2 weeks and love them both.  

The first was a messenger bag- pattern by Valori Wells.  Made with a cool fabric I found at The Quilters Market in Tucson, AZ.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Then I finished an Eileen Roche Embroidered in the Hoop travel bag.  When the zipper is open the pocket is able to slide over the handle of a suitcase/briefcase.  Super idea.  I plan to make more of these.

 

First Time Entrant Award- 3rd place

Mid January I entered my quilt "My Favorite Things" into the Tucson Quilt Guild show- and to my surprise- 3rd place for First Time Entrant into this show.
I wanted to have this quilt judged so that I could receive feedback on my work and improve on areas that need improved (which are many).
As earlier written in an earlier blog post, this is a Sarah Vedeler design. I took liberty with it, in choosing to not make it square with a large applique border, although that is beautiful, I decided I liked the shape of the 8 point star. It is now proudly displayed on my entry wall.

Christmas Recipe Towel

This Christmas I decided to give of my talent. I love my Bernina 830E sewing machine, and I love embroidery.  Angela Sevens is an embroidery digitizer/designer and we found her designs at Bernina University this summer. Purchased tea towels are embroidered on with the picture of a finished food/drink item and the recipe is written below it.  What a clever way to share not just your talent but your culinary skills as well.  Well, okay, culinary skills from me is pushing it, but the recipes are easy enough so I made this one for a friend today.
I decided I would give a tea towel and the one or two of the main ingredients for the recipe as a gift. Hopefully I can get them finished and presented before the season is over.

Tonight we are going to Tom and Dorothy Rice's home for a dinner, I plan to take this finished one and offer it as a gift.
There are candy, cookie, beverage, and other holiday recipes to chose from- in all about 12 different designs.
The design also gives instruction for a cool way to add trim to the towel.
If you are the recipient of one of these recipe towels, I hope you and your family will make the delicious treat and then comment on this blog.

Happy Christmas Treats to All and to All a Good Holiday Season. I send my Love to you,  my Family and Friends- and wish for each of us to remember the reason for Christmas, Relish in the Joy that Gathering with Family and Friends brings into our life.
 

Mensch Family

Carl and Margie Mensch are very dear friends of Bill and I.  I took a 'Thangle' Class last spring  by my friend Joann Hinchliffe. She designed a block of the Hunter Star and then arranged it into a quilt design.  I chose 2 Batiks fabric for this quilt. The picture shown here isn't really as good as I wanted, but I was unable to take it, and so Bill went to Tucson for the day, visited with Carl and Margie and took this photo. Their new baby wouldn't move out of the picture, and why should she?  Her name is Cora and she goes where Margie goes.  This is a queen size quilt, it is a soft green marbleized batik and a more tone on tone green batik for the second fabric. I will get a close up view of the block when I am able to get to their home later this month. For now, I just wanted to honor this great couple and the wonderful friends they are to us.

Christmas Village- Embroidered

Per Gramma Sheri's request, here are the pieces that I have completed so far.  They take a lot of time to stitch out and then assemble, so I am always behind with doing the other parts of the village. Still to come, Gazebo, Post Office, Victorian House. 

From left to right: church, bakery, tree and icepond, town hall.