Creating an Action Quilt – Part 7

Thinking outside the box …

I won’t be using the following doo-dads on this Action Quilt I’m making with you. I do, however, want to share how / what some “unconventional” things or ways I’ve used items on other Action Quilts. It’s “thinking outside the box” when it comes to doo-dads!

A large yellow acrylic bead threaded with grosgrain ribbon. I also took a piece of felt and cut slits large enough for the bead to go through. I stitched both the ends of the ribbon and the felt strip securely within the seam allowance of pieces.

Rubberized shelf liner… now that’s a cool texture for Loved Ones to have on an Action Quilt! It goes through the home laundry cycle (cold water/low heat) beautifully!

String ball shaped buttons on a metallic cording! Of course, I secured the ends of the cording within the seam allowance.

Take a piece of gingham and do a cross-stitch design!

Here I embellished a purchased dolly by crocheting a fun yarn around the edge, then doubled each button set and knotted a narrow satin ribbon through their holes. Knots and more knots on the back side secures the buttons – only scissors will get them off!

I bought a package of stretchy headbands… I made the ceramic pendant years ago (I rarely throw anything away) and put them together! I stitched the ends of the headband securely in place. Now the Loved One using this Action Quilt has something to put in the pocket! (In addition, with the pendant tucked inside the pocket and the caregiver using a safety pin to keep it in place, it will protect the washing machine & the dryer when going through the laundry process!)

A nicely covered pony tail band used as a slider…

I like using strap sliders on ribbon…

Sometimes, something catches my eye… like this scrapbook page design “Layering Papers”. I have it pinned on my Pinterest Action Quilts Board.

So I created something similar out of fabric…

 Tomorrow I’ll start putting the pieces together. I’m thinking I’m going to need one more fabric piece cut. It will be a perfect place to put a clear pocket for a photo!

Action Quilt (aka Fidget Quilt)

Several weeks ago, a friend called my attention to a newspaper article about a lady creating Fidget Quilts. La Mon knows me well. She knew it would interest me. I went on a Facebook search, and found Fidget Quilts, by the same lady the article featured!

I then did a Pinterest search… oh my goodness, lots of folks are making them! What a great idea ~ to help those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s keep their hands busy, things to fiddle with while they still can.

Even “Sewing with Nancy” has a blog entry “Sew an Alzheimer’s Activity Mat”. I like the clear plastic pocket where a photo could go. I understand zippers are important, and I like the way Nancy used different machine embroidery stitches to attach the zipper.

As long as the felt is washable, and doesn’t fade, I like the different textures this provides:

Several folks on Etsy are creating “fidget” something or the other quilts… and they are charging outrageous prices. I’m sorry. I just can’t see doing this, charging anything other than minimal shipping and handling to get it to the caregiver.

I did an Internet search and found a blog article called Nancy’s Beginnings from a couple of years ago on a quilt guild creating the Fidget Quilts for community service! Yes! She’s also provided lots of fabulous ideas.

And, I found other articles going back to 2009. So, I’m late to the party… again!

However, I personally don’t like calling it “fidget quilt”.

I believe it sounds more positive for an adult to call it an “Action Quilt” … and is what I’m calling those I create! Lord knows I have the supplies. I’m thrilled to discover productive ways to use the materials I readily have available.

January has been a weird month…

I wrote it all out, then deleted… just trust me!

Suffice it to say, time spent in Dallas so far this month I couldn’t sew, so I did the next best thing – I planned! I created a Pinterest board, Action Quilts, where I’ve been pinning different ideas to incorporate. I’ve also learned about adding different tactile attributes to the quilts. Sometimes it’s a simple embellishment like ribbon folding or weaving, or using ruffles or scallops, in a variety of fabric textures. So many ideas! It keeps me going when I can’t sew…

I know I have several quilts to quilt for our Veterans (and a few tops under construction to finish), but I so want to make at least one Action Quilt very soon. Maybe, once my energy level returns to normal after also experiencing the flu over the past couple of weeks, I can gather supplies together and make a “kit” for the next time I’m off to Dallas to be with my mother! I can weave ribbon without sewing. I’m sure there are a lot of things I can do without having a sewing machine… all in preparation of creating Action Quilts!

Fabric Origami

Creating fabric origami is a new-to-me endeavor. I’ve never attempted this technique before using fabric, but I have added to my to-do list! I don’t remember where I first saw accents or whole projects created using ribbon or fabric origami techniques. I remember finding them beautifully intriguing. I wanted a quick reference point with the how-to’s. Hopefully, you’ll find them inspiring as well.

I’ve created uncomplicated paper origami projects before. Maybe the process is similar…

I may start off with something small… just to get the feel of working the fabric folds… maybe a butterfly! Google would not translate the Chinese site for me, but the pictures are worth a 1000 words anyway… 

I found these bright cheerful colored butterflies on Pinterest made the same way! Just goes to show what a bit of imagination can do!

Rowley DIY shows us how to do an Origami Ruffle…

Threads shares a picture tutorial How to Make a Striped Origami Belt. 

It’s all in the fold… Fabric Origami Wallet

And, it’s in the bag…

I’m sew doing these! Which one will you try?

Ribbon Weaving

An interesting technique I’ve seen across the Internet – Ribbon Weaving. It’s a bit of embellishment I failed to include in a previous article, Make it Pop - Embellish. It should have been there! It can be a lovely addition to any creation!

A contributor on Craftster provided us a step-by-step picture tutorial how to create a Ribbon Lei… I can see using this, not as a lei, but as a trim around the neckline of something… wheels are turning! 

WikiHow also shows Ribbon Leis using a different type of ribbon.

A Legg Up shows us how to weave a ribbon fish… why not pin this little fishy to a blouse? Or, bag?

KT HOM Designs created a video tutorial showing us The Art of Ribbon Weaving. She made this is for a greeting card, but I ask, why not use it as trim on a garment?

I happened upon "Victory Braid" instructions and wanted to share...

Okay! I’m adding ribbon weaving to my to-do list!

Make it Pop - Embellish

Adding that little extra trim, decorative stitch, or texture to a project makes it pop. 

If it’s not embellished, it’s not finished! – Betty Blais

This sounds like my mother, too!

Pop = Extraordinary

Ordinary with a bit of “extra” thrown in makes a huge difference in the finished project.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration to add that extra bit of pop?

For those who are on Pinterest (and if you’re not, I highly recommend it!), I did a search for embellishment ideas. You’ll find over 800 pins to get the juices flowing!

Elle has comprised a Pinterest board “Sewing Embellishment Ideas” that gives some wonderful inspiration.

Then I simply did a google search “embellishment ideas” and found some websites/blogs that I want to keep bookmarked for future use!

Fabric flowers, yo-yo’s, and covered buttons are the rage! Sew Mama Sew already comprised a list of great places to visit for tutorials.

Have you thought of using crazy quilt stitches to enhance a neckline or bodice or a napkin, or handkerchief corner? Here are twenty seam embellishments!

Also, TAST is amazing… Over on Pin Tangle, she does a Take a Stitch Tuesday and has oodles and oodles of hand embroidery examples and great step-by-step instructions! I signed up for her weekly email!

Embellishing doesn’t have to be sewn on…

When you train your eye to look for those small details found in magazines, on web sites, and even television shows or movies you’ll find a wide variety of embellishing techniques for your project.

Do you have a favorite embellishment?

Design and Embellish

While out shopping one day, the curvy, imperfect whimsical stripes in this fabric caught my attention! When I read the end of the bolt: 100% Cotton, Made in the U.S.A., I knew immediately it would be the apron to create and enter in the 2012 Creative Arts Competition at the State Fair of Texas. It took over a year to decide how I would design and embellish the apron!

Between each stripe is a quarter inch white space where I machine-stitched white rick-rack on top. I then took green embroidery floss and hand stitched a zig-zag along the rick-rack. Threaded underneath the green, I used a coordinating dusty rose shade of embroidery floss, looping and knotting at each zig and zag.

I created custom made bias trim from complimenting dusty rose 100% cotton fabric to finish the neckline. A button centered yo yo accents the mock closure for a pull-over-the-head fixed apron.  

The fully lined pocket has several embellishment points. Between the dusty rose and a portion of the main fabric is half visible rick-rack. Along the top of this rick-rack, I used green embroidery floss to do a tiny blanket stitch. At the bottom of the daisy horizontal stripe, I added a bit of variegated green and dusty rose crewel embroidery floss to accent the flowers within the 100% cotton eyelet lace. A running stitch of sorts in dusty rose floss fills the holes within the bottom edge of the lace. The larger button centered yo yo on the pocket coordinates with the smaller one at the back of the neck. Two strands of dusty rose satin picot ribbons complete the pocket’s embellishment.

Using a poly/cotton white-on-white fabric, I fully lined the apron. I then top-stitched around the apron’s perimeter.

I’m a happy camper! My hard work paid off! The apron placed 3rd in the competition! It will be on display during the State Fair of Texas from September 28, 2012 through October 21, 2012! Congratulations to the First and Second place winners! I can hardly wait to see their entries and see what they did!

Tuesday Tips

During the wee morning hours, I seize the quiet time and read articles, always wanting to learn new techniques. I found some amazing tips today and had to share. Feel free to pin this article so you can find them easily whenever needed! (If you need an invite to Pinterest, leave your email address in the comments below, or send it to me privately, and I’ll send out the invite.)

I’ve not yet tried making my own bias tape because I didn’t feel I had the correct “tools” necessary. At The Scientific Seamstress Blog site, Carla created and shared a template for us to print out. It looks like it will work perfectly! Will do this soon!  

“The (EPIC) scallop” tutorial takes a bit of time to load up, but well worth the wait. I’m such a visual learner and appreciate the detailed photos of each step Hetterson provides!

Someday I will embellish something – an apron, a sweet doll dress, an e-Reader cover, or something – using the silk ribbon embroidery technique. Carla at The Scientific Seamstress Blog again offers visual and written instructions for simple little romantic roses and leaves.

Well, “the sun’s spit morning” (one of my favorite movie quotes from The Owl and the Pussycat, 1970 – and yes, that shows my age!) and I need to get busy sewing! A new product line is coming soon at Lanetta’s Creations!

Happy Sewing!

Saturday Sewing - Embellishment

Two questions are contemplated each time a new project is created at Lanetta’s Creations: what type of embellishment should be added and how much. At times the fabric’s print design with top-stitching is all the embellishing I think is needed. Sometimes the item calls for a bit more to make it that little “extra” to become extraordinary! It’s then the first question must be answered, what type of embellishment should be added?

When I think of embellishments, I think of: ruffles, lace, piping, appliqué, yo-yo’s, fabric paint, buttons, binding, rick-rack, cording, brads, eyelets, ribbon, charms, beads, fringe. Embroidery, smocking, and decorative stitching are also forms of embellishment! What else is there? I know I’m missing some!

Combining different forms of embellishing techniques either on aprons, doll clothes, or bags can be so cool, too! Take the apron designs found in any issue the fabulous magazine, Apron-ology!

By the way, this new issue

is expected

to hit the newsstand

in less than a week!

I can hardly wait!

Anyhoo… right now my focus is not only in searching for more techniques to embellish items handmade at Lanetta’s Creations, but easier ways to apply, helpful hints and tips, and whatever else I can find that will make answering that first question a snap!

Cool techniques using buttons and buttonholes are found at Threads Magazine's site. A must try on an upcoming project!

I’ve never tried Pintucking before, but with the great instructions I found, it's now on my list to learn how to do!

Rather than continuing on here, I’ll keep handy a blog site of embellishment sewing tutorials available around the internet that the author graciously compiled!

What forms of embellishment do you enjoy working with?