Creating an Action Quilt - Part 3

Now that all the pieces are cut in various sizes, it’s time to add doo-dads!!!!!!!! This is the fun creative part I absolutely love!

You know what though, sometimes I just don’t like the way something looks with the other “planned” pieces. There are no rules! No ripping out! Just grab another piece of fabric, cut to size, then start over!

On this Action Quilt, I started with the red pet screen (mini screen) to make a pocket. I didn’t want the top of the plastic to be hard or rough on the hands/fingers, so I stitched a narrow binding across the top using a lot of white but complementing the purple.

After reading the article I shared yesterday, about blue-violet was hard to see, I thought the red screen would be perfect on the purple.

I first stitched the red screen across the bottom, attaching it to the purple. Then I added white & red lace (it’s a combined unit I found in my stash) along the side.

Notice where I stitched both sides down 3 times, albeit not that straight, sorry! Anyway, I want it as secure as possible!

Later you’ll see where I took narrow satin yellow ribbon and weaved through the eyelet holes on the red lace. I’ve not trimmed the lace to size – yet! That will come later, when I’m ready to join the pieces. I’m ready now to move on to another doo-dad!

Tomorrow I’ll add a zipper to the Action Quilt!

Creating an Action Quilt - Part 2

This is the photo I shared yesterday of the few pieces of fabric and some trims I plan on working with for this Action Quilt. As I go, I may not use something, or add another piece or two of fabric I’d rather use. This is just a starting point. There are no hard & fast “rules” – just an assortment of different textures and colors.

You may recognize a rare piece – REAL Dotted Swiss! A while back, a friend/neighbor of mine gave me a few boxes and some sacks of fabric… I found this treasure of red Dotted Swiss inside!!!

A bit of lace, satin ribbon, and chiffon will be among the “doo-dads” I’ll incorporate.

I like working with plastic pet screen (aka mini screen) as well. I made a makeup bag out of it before, a class I took with Sew Michelle at Thomas Sewing Center. It makes a nice “pocket” effect. But, certainly ~ trust me ~ keep the iron far far away from it!

I start cutting out pieces of the fabric in different sizes, anywhere from 6.5” square, 2.5” x whatever length, to a 4.5” x 12”, and lay next to each other as I go. I’ve found placing them on the grid of my cutting mat works well. 

I try and keep the size to be about 14” x 19” – to fit nicely on a lap, or tray, and folks won’t have to reach so far.

Because there is no pattern, you’re free to play with different sizes and shapes – whatever suits your fancy!

While I play, I keep in mind:

1. Avoid the need to match seams
2. Scatter different textures throughout
3. Balance color around the quilt
4. I can always change my mind

I don’t fret over using thin (like my white with colorful dots or the red dotted swiss) or flimsy (like a knit) fabric. I simply use a lightweight iron-on interfacing to act as a barrier and/or give the fabric an extra bit of body.

I highly recommend reading Vision and Alzheimer’s Disease – A Different Way to See the World and what I took from reading this article I incorporate into Action Quilts:

Reds

Color Contrast

Once I’ve cut and arranged the pieces, and I’ve applied any needed interfacing ~ keeping mindful of #1 - #4 above ~ it’s time to start adding doo-dads here and there! I’ll share tomorrow! 

Accountability to Myself

Working up my three “game plan” agendas before I left Dallas and returned home, able to get back to the studio, was the best thing I could have ever done! It so helped me stay focused on things I wanted to accomplish ~ besides a bit of housework and home renovations! Part1 is now officially done!

I created Momma’s phone pocket necklace and got it in the mail to her on Tuesday (Monday was Columbus Day, so no mail)… she loves it! I will see her this week and will take a picture of her wearing it! But, for right now, this is what it looks like…

I think he’s a cutie! I couldn’t follow the pattern/materials per se on the owl pincushion, but I don’t think anyone will notice! I didn’t have any yellow felt, so had to use the thin foam board for the beak and feet. It sews beautifully! Also, I wish I had used the more solid looking pink for the body’s front and the noticeable print for the pocket. Didn’t “see” the difference it would have made before I stitched it all together! Her instructions were clear and easy and had a bit of humor sprinkled throughout. I didn’t have anything she suggested to add weight to the bottom after stuffing… so I used washers (like bolts and washers, washers) from my husband’s workshop! He’s not fallen over once!

My first project working with Pet Screen went well, but will use a bit more screening in the next creation! I love the fun print on this one and wanted more of it to show. 

Scary zippers aren’t as scary any longer! I didn’t use a pattern, just based the bag on the size of the zipper! I like the angle of the print I’ve seen on other bags and just did my own thing on this one. I believe a fun zipper pull is called for, but haven’t yet decided what to make… still thinking about it!

Oh, My! This is what happens when you take a boring lamp & lampshade and turn it into something magical…

Boring!

Magical!

With my 1.5” left over scraps, I stitched them together, machine quilted, then applied a binding… and made a “mug rug” which works beautifully with my mouse!

And, now my sewing room will always have a yellow rose….

I have finished the First Christmas gift and I’ll get it in the mail tomorrow! Once received, yes, it’s an early gift, I’ll post pictures! Even if it’s not liked, or wanted, it’s the thought that counts! Right!?! At least, I created it with lots of love.

Okay. I’ll be honest. The fabric origami wallet didn’t turn out nicely. I don’t like the way the wrong side of fabric shows when no bills are in place. I’ve pressed out all the folds and will just do something else with the bandana fabric! Maybe someday I’ll try another origami design.

More shopping bags… a long way to go….

1,612 to go!

Game Plan - Part 1

The other day I wrote, Name This Post, basically stating I had so much to do, so little time. I was totally confused as what to do, where to start first, etc. It was my way of asking for help! I know, I know! I’m on my own to figure it out!

  

I decided to go back through September’s posts and pick out the different things I shared and would like to do first, second, etc. So...

When I get back to the studio –

Before I do too much of anything else, I must design/create a phone pocket necklace, and get it in the mail back to Momma! She’s always forgetting to carry a phone with her, or when she does remember, she sticks the phone in her pants pocket & inadvertently pushes the “on” button or it slips out of her pocket into the chair! I totally forgot while she was visiting with us at the country last week! Should have done it then! Oh, well!

The Owl Pincushion is my all time favorite as it uses different scrappy fabrics and a variety of stitch applications. I can’t wait to get this made and use it while I’m creating everything else!

I found/bought some black Pet Screen at Home Depot (I know, black is not as fun as a “color”) but the fun print I’m going to use with it should work out nicely. I need a bag to carry my sewing supplies back & forth to the quilting club gathering I hope to get back attending when things calm down. On this one, I plan to use the open wide zipper technique Noodlehead shared.

I’ve mentioned several times… I have lots and lots of scraps. After cutting something out, if I have even enough to make a yo-yo from the tiniest scrap, I toss it in a box. After finding out about this clever lampshade, I can use the long scrap leftovers, not wide enough for a yo-yo! Okay, need another box for my upcoming collection. I have an ugly shade stashed away I’d like to recover and this will be perfect in getting my sewing room reorganized and prettied up!

Speaking of prettied – for me, I need to also make some long-stemmed flowers for my sewing room. I think I can spare 5” x 45” cuts off of some fabric before making into a pillowcase or shopping bag or wearable napkin. I’m thankful Snowy Bliss showed how to make them!  

I have a bit of Christmas Sewing I need / want to do. It won’t be too much this year… but I have this Hawaiian print I want to create something totally unexpected. I have a game plan… but I can’t share any more until after Christmas!

Another Christmas idea, after I make one for myself out of camo to match my handbag, is the origami wallet I found while writing about fabric origami projects. Bee a ba explains very nicely how to create it! I can’t wait!

Stay tuned for Part 2! I'm still working on it!

Pet Screen

Have you ever heard of such a thing, using Pet Screen to make bags and other projects? Maybe I should get out more!

I hadn’t heard of pet screen bags until I saw some lovely ones that Michelle Dorsey of Sew Michelle creates! She has developed a line of patterns using traditional pet screen. Some quilt shops, like Thomas Sewing Center in Mesquite, Texas, sells smaller amounts than what you have to get at the major home improvement stores.

Momma and I went to a “show and tell” – the first Saturday of every month – at Thomas’s. It was then and there I saw Michelle demonstrate her purse pattern she’s created using the pet screen. She gave all in attendance a print out instruction chart and the pieces & parts to make one. This is next on my to-do list!

Using “pet screen” is timely. I noticed on the news recently that some football stadiums are now requiring see-through bags, along with some airports, and many retail stores for their employees.

So versatile!!!

At the Embroidery Library, they have a nice article about embroidering on pet screen!

I just found an amazing resource for pet screen by the yard in fun colors! Wonder what color I’ll start off with? Maybe the Christmas red! But, I love the “garden green”!

Which color at the Fabric Depot do you like?