Off to The Sewing Room

One finished and one started

Grand One’s quilt is finished and I’ve started on a new one for Husband.

I’m doing an abstract fish pattern, and using scraps from my stash. I had to do a couple of test blocks to get the fish to look like a fish. I’m pleased with the pattern now.

Daughter-n-law one sent picture of Grand Three waiting for his BB quilt to dry.

Back to the sewing room,
Sew Happy, Beth

Putting It All Together

I’m in the process of finishing Grand One’s birthday present and thought I’d walk through it….

Here we go.

The backing goes down first, good side of fabric to the floor. I use the middle of our living room. Then batting, this is cotton, and I used two layers, for kids and being tied I like that.

Then add the pieced quilt top, I use Quilter’s straight pins, on something being tied I don’t hand baste. I would if hand quilting. And I use these pins they leave no holes in your fabric.

I move it to the dining room table, and start to tie. I have a great light above the dining room table and I’m comfortable there, and can see the television. I can do about anything with the sound of an old movie in the background.

Darning needle, yarn cut about 30 inches long

No knot and leave about 2 inch tail

Continue as a long running stitch

Cut yarn

Tie with a basic knot

I’ll show the final project soon, just about finished.

Number one Husband has been talking about a new sleeping bag quilt too.

I even hear the, "Grand One got one". They never grow up ! ! !

That maybe next?
Sew Happy, Beth

http://www.thequiltladies.com/ Hopefully off to the Printer in the next Month, I'm learning so much... But I'm getting it. Printers have a whole different language, just like the web people. I'm learning. B

Where I Sew

Read a blog the other day
http://retro-mama.blogspot.com/2009/02/talking-stash.html
and thought about where I sew. I’m very lucky to have my own room, it’s my place of peace.







Then the closet, I have a stash, not very neat, I can find everything with no trouble. Yes, I love fabric, and buy it all the time. I use the rule buy what you like and what you can afford, but always 100% cotton.

I love the feel of cotton and it works so well. I seem to be at the stage of my work, that I make the project and then wash it. I love everything finished, and all washed together. There are all different rules about this, I’ve done the wash, iron first, and lately I like just going into the closet, picking something and starting. I’m TRYING to use what I have, that works??? But I’m always picking up fabric. I figure I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I buy fabric……

I also do a bit of jewelry work, I’m not a pro, but love doing it and wearing it. I pick up old pieces and add them too new. It makes it mine.

Just a look inside !

I’m working on Grand One’s quilt, will let you see soon, just about finished.
Next quilt lesson coming too,

Sew Happy, Beth

How to Start Quilting # 1

You've asked and here I go,

Always remember that quilting has been done for hundreds of years and all the new gadgets are great.

You can still do things very simply and fill your sewing closet with new innovations as your talent grows.

No need to purchase a rotary cutter and mat your first time out. Take your time and enjoy.

Things needed to start a quilt project:

A sewing machine that sews a straight line, borrow one or purchase one at a large chain store. No need to spend hundreds on a machine to straight stitch. OR

Hand piecing can be done too. Everything is the same as a machine, but you hand stitch using the same ¼" seam allowance.

1)Graph Paper
2)Freezer Paper – Plastic coated paper, like the butcher’s wrap meat in. You can purchase it at your local store or if you ask they may give you some at your butcher counter
3)Glue stick
4)Iron
5)Gray thread
6)Ruler
7)Pencil
8)Basic sewing supplies, Scissors, thimble, sew riper, etc.
9)Needles – for hand piecing Sharps size 7-12, for quilting Between needles size 10-12
10)Sewing Pins
11) Fabric and Batting

Fabric – The best rule of thumb is to purchase the best fabric you can afford. Always 100% cotton. Avoid loose woven fabrics. Wash cotton to check for color fast and iron if needed. If new to quilting it is always best to start with a light and dark color.

Cutting – Rotary cutter, mat and ruler can be used if you have them. If you are new to quilting and are not sure you want to buy all these supplies try Freezer paper. It may be purchased at any grocery store. You will notice that one side is shiny, one not.

Draw the pattern pieces on to graph paper, the finished
size, the - - - line. The - - - - will be the sewing line

Add a ¼ inch seam allowance around the entire outside edge –the cutting line
(example – 2 inch finished size cut square 2 ½" x 2 ½") Cut pattern out

With a glue stick. Paste the pieces to the NON-shiny side of the freezer paper.

Cut the pattern out.

You can now iron the pattern to your fabric, shiny side down.
This pattern can be used over and over. It will leave no film on your fabric.

Square -
Cut 2 squares the same size (finished size of square plus 1/2 inch) example cut 2 ½ x 2 Good to good Fabric
¼ inch seam allowance, sew
Trim threads
Open and Press to the dark

1)sew seam with a 1/4 inch seam allowance,

you may need to mark your machine with this measurement.

2) You can chain piece a few at a time

Cut thread and open

3)sew these together

Watch your color placement, sew good side to good side.

4) A 4-patch quilt square

See My Quilt Ladies Book on Kindle - HERE

The Quilt Ladies Books In Print and Ebooks(PDF) - HERE

Grand One quilt started

Here Grandma goes,




Grand One’s Bedroom is Blue, with space things. I’m not doing planets. So it’s a bit of blue, red and a tan background.




I always start with a pattern, I have a software program, but for years I used graph paper. The size, the block, borders and binding, all right in front of me, usually doing the sections for a couple of blocks at a time.

I don’t like cutting yards of material and then putting one block together and then not liking it.
Plus I need to see the end result.

I know no one will notice, but this is the same pattern as his first baby quilt 6 years ago. That one was hand quilted, this one will be tied as I know how it will be loved, washed and washed.
This will be his 4th quilt. He love’s them. I love that.

I have the blocks finished and I’m going to get them all put together and off of the sewing room.

Sew Happy, Beth

Sleeping bag quilt finished

I’m BACK
No one faint, fall off a chair or laugh themselves silly. But I’m FINALLY back. WOW what a time.


The house is on the market and I finally stopped cleaning, (I was cleaning, clean) and I’m back.

I tied this quilt, did the knot's on the back, gives a bit of a different look.




The Quilt front

Even used it last night, wasn't cold but just liked the feel.


I'm home and working away, I always love coming home from Florida, I'm always energized. The sewing room is home and I’m sewing.

The sleeping bag quilt is finished, and Grand one asked for a new quilt for his birthday, (6th) that’s next. This grandma is in heaven.


The Ladies, are going to the print, hopefully this week, I can’t stop smiling about that. Thank you Florida daughter – in – law, they are wonderful. Speaking of her check out her site: www.creativelydomestic.com
It’s fantastic, I’ll link one day when I figure that out.

Grandma’s moving forward and yes girls I’m working on the beginning quilt instructions. Hoping for this week.

Happy, Beth