Silhouettes!

I was given the honor of making two silhouette quilts.  They wanted the quilt to be different than the standard black and white silhouette.  Something that would accent the diversity of the classroom.  They turned out beautifully.  It was a fun and exciting project to work on.

This is going to be a photo heavy posting and I'm going to briefly go over how I constructed them.  This might be a bit dry and technical.

Each black square is about 9 by 9.5 inches.  The silhouettes were sent to me via email.  I went ahead and fit them to a custom sized page in Microsoft Word.  That way, they would all be similar size and would fit in the black squares.  Initially, I had the black squares larger but there was too much empty space.  I traced the heads, backwards, onto Wonder-Under and then fused onto the batik.  I, then, cut the heads out, peeled the paper off, and fused onto the black block.  Each child's name is stitched onto their silhouette, using the letters on my Baby Lock Symphony.  That completed the silhouettes

I also did blocks for the school mascot and class information.  The class information blocks are sent out for embroidery by a local company that I use.  The dragons were done by printing on fabric.  I will share how I did that at a later time.  The dragons were fused in the same manner as the silhouettes.  

The blocks were sashed with 3 inch wide strips of a blue batik.  Then a 6 inch red border finalized the quilt top.

I backed the quilt in black using a wide backing.  FMQ in black and red.  I did some SITD with clear thread on the top.  The quilt was bound in a plum.  When I FMQ around the silhouettes, I didn't want to actually stitch on the heads.  So, I loosely went around them and meandered to fill in the space.  I really enjoyed the effect on the back.

The Wonder-Under did a great job of stick through all the washing and quilting.  A few silhouettes had to be fused on again, however, they reattached with no problem.  I use Wonder-Under for all my applique needs and love it.  

I finished off the quilts with a hanging sleeve using the method found here.  Since I didn't stitch the silhouettes down, this quilt is considered a display quilt.  It just wouldn't hold up, long term, to daily use and multiple washes.  

Let me know if you have any additional questions.  This is something that could be easily made for your child's class.  I have thought about doing one for our family.  I bet the kids would love to have it, when they are grown up with families of their own.

~SLBY

New and Improved E-Reader Clutch

Just for the record, that is absolutely the worst title for a blog post.  I could not come up with anything creative.  2 days of thinking and stressing brought about nothing.  So, I went with straight forward.  Boring but efficient.

I recently completed an e-reader clutch on my new BabyLock Symphony.  Not only is it my first e-reader clutch on this machine but it also my first, albeit small, quilting project using my Symphony.  I love that I was able to FMQ, utility stitch and decorative stitch, all in one project.  Not only has the new machine increased the quality of my clutches but I get to add a lot of fun, unique touches to each clutch.

FMQ is wonderful on this machine.  I did it both with the foot and with just the start/stop.  My stitches are far more regular.  The machine really glides and the large extension table gives me adequate room.  As does the large throat space.

I got daring and tried a new FMQ design.  It turned out really well.  I saw the design and many others here.  It is a great site for inspiration.

I was able to bind off the pocket using a decorative stitch.  Typically, I bind the pocket, as I bind anything.  Machine straight stitch on, fold over, press and ladder stitch closed by hand.  I decided to use a decorative stitch because, well... I CAN!!!  

I don't usually put a button hole in but I can actually put one in large enough, that it worked out.  No more having to use the elastic string to keep these closed.  I also used the machine to sew the button on.  My machine can sew buttons!  And it was such a simple process.  I have used a buttonholer before and Symphony's is straight forward.  The button foot was equally simple and after a user error, I got it perfectly on the second try.

I am also able to make my own tags.  I was doing these really sad tags that were handwritten with permanent marker.  This was a first rough design.  I'd like to get some printer fabric and do a combo of printing the website and monogramming with my Symphony.  I need to get a printer first.  Then the fabric.  Then the free time to test it out.  The fancy tags will go on my list of things to do.  For now, I have something that looks at least some what professional.

This by far has been the best e-reader clutch I've made.  My FMQ has improved immensely.  I like that I can easily use and access all the added features of the Symphony.  It *really* shows on my end product.


I'm starting a pinwheel quilt tonight.  I'm salivating, I'm so excited about it.  I am using some fabrics that I've never quilted with before.  I also found a tutorial on how to quickly piece the simple pinwheels together.  I have never seen this method before.  I will share all the details, when I finish the quilt.  I am so excited about the experience.  After that, we have an upcoming short trip, which means I get to visit quilt shops and blog about them.


~SLBY

♪♫ Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.... ♪♫

That's what is playing on the radio, as I type.  My house is finally decorated for the Christmas holidays.  Since my house is decorated, I decided my blog should be next.

I received a few new orders, so I am doing price sheets tonight.  I will finish up the e-reader post tomorrow night.

Here is a teaser though....

~SLBY~

I'm working on a blog post right now.  I made an e-reader cover and used a bunch of the bells and whistles on my BabyLock.

However, I'm from Texas.  It is cold.  We are wimps.

I'm sitting next to this.

It is quite lovely.

Stay warm.


~SLBY

I have a new Baby!!

A new BabyLock Symphony that is.

I picked her up at the International Quilt Festival.  It is pretty much the only purchase I made.

I am working my way through the manual right now.  I will take an intro class after Thanksgiving.  I have 3 projects lined up to try her out.  I'm in love.  I might have hugged her.  I might do a detailed review of the machine or I may just display her wonders as I go.  FMQ is a dream now.  So many of the issues I had before have disappeared.

And she needs a name.

I want to be buried with this machine.


~SLBY

International Quilt Festival - Houston

Sometimes living in Houston area isn't the greatest thing.  It's hot.  It's humid.  There is smog.  Lots and lots of people and not a single one knows how to drive.

BUT

The one thing we do get is the International Quilt Festival.  It made the 800 days of triple digit heat that we had this summer, well worth it.

This pictures is taken from the 2nd floor and covers from the center to the right.  To the right of this section is the exhibits.  To the left of this center is the same number of booths.  Honestly, this show is crazy.  There is nothing that can't be found here.  You can catch a few more pictures on my Facebook page.

I ended up sick the day of the show and only stayed a few short hours.  I was able to look at some of the beautiful quilts that were on display.  Did a little shopping.  And, after 6 long years with my base line mechanical beast, I purchased a new computerized machine.  Expect another post about that, once the machine arrives.

Next year I hope to be well, to have a hotel room and take two days at the show.  And a class or two.

If you're a quilter, consider this Mecca.  You need to take a trip at least once in your life time.