Creating an Action Quilt - Part 4

Adding a zipper to the Action Quilt…

I’ve learned, our Loved Ones with Alzheimer’s Disease, or those with dementia issues, like to zip and unzip zippers. Caregivers have made the suggestion they like an actual space (pocket like) behind the zippers to place objects such as a tube of lipstick, or keys – whatever the Loved Ones want to keep handy. Since learning this information, I rarely simply stitch a zipper down to a piece of fabric.

Someone recommended a “full pocket” … this was tricky to create and I probably won’t be doing it again!

During 2013’s National Sewing Month, I wrote an article about Scary Zippers. You’ll find several links there on how to put in different types of zippers. For this zipper, I did the “recessed” process – but without adding large fabric to create a bag! The Sewing Novice has a great picture tutorial here showing how I made the zipper “unit”… with one exception…

Rather than using pins, I find gluing it down first (and letting it dry) helps me keep the casing lined up correctly.

I then lined the zipper unit with yellow flannel and made extensions from the zipper casing using a blue/white stripe corduroy fabric. Notice the stitching across the zipper casing. This makes the zippered “pocket” space – not the entire length of blue backed by the flannel. (Goodness, if it were mine, I would never be able to dig out a tube of lipstick at the end!)

The beauty of creating an Action Quilt, there are no rules/patterns, so if you use this recessed zipper technique, the side casing along the zipper can be however wide you want it to be! I just happened to have this bright cheerful flowery print leftover from a 2.5” wide binding (folded in half lengthwise) that I used on a lap quilt! Feel free to cut yours wider! I wouldn’t make it much smaller though.

My personal opinion: I prefer using metal zippers rather than the polyester ones. I’ve found the metal zippers have much larger pulls – something, I would think, someone would find much easier to use. When I have used the polyester zippers, I’ve added something, like a ring, secured as best as I can to the little hole found on the pull. This is an example I did on another Action Quilt:

Thinking of the caregiver's washing machine & dryer -
metal key ring crocheted covered using nylon yarn.

  

Tomorrow is Patriot Day. It’s a day to remember, reflect, and to pray for peace.

Saturday I will continue the Creating an Action Quilt tutorial with Part 5 and share some doo-dads I’ve added to the various pieces!

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 3

When I return to the studio, I don’t plan to “cross the cattle” guard for a good while! I hope it works out this way! (It's already changed! Must attend training to work the November election! Oh well, at least I'm working!) Setting up a game plan has been a big help to keep me focused and on point. After I get a bunch done shared in Part 1 and Part 2, I plan to create a few things I found during the September long National Sewing Month’s celebration ~ for myself.

I recently made a camo handbag but it needs to be a bit larger for all the stuff I carry around with me. The next one will have an internal zipper like Craft Passion explains in her tutorial.

Although summer 2013 is over, I think the wide brim hat is perfect protection from the Texas fall/winter sun rays as well. Before I start the much needed work on our keyhole garden before winter hits (readying it for a spring garden), I need something like this. I’m thankful The Weekend Designer provided a great tutorial.

I have a bit of muslin fabric in my stash I’m sure won’t be used in the other projects previously listed/planned. I believe it will be perfect to try my hand at printing… oops, reminds me, I need to put celery on the grocery list! Wonder what I could make to display the original printed fabric? Maybe a pillow?

I know I have to wait a while before tackling the suitcase. I would love to work on it, to get it done to help organize my dolly things, but I must place it on the bottom of my list. 

And, Last But Not Least … I want to learn how to use my new embroidery machine!!!! I need quiet time to study and practice…

Now, something fun for you…

• When you see a post on my Facebook page, something like: “Part 1, DONE” or “Part 2, DONE” etc. ~ you’ll know what I’m talking about!
•  Be the first to comment on my Facebook page, mentioning at least three (3) items I should have completed to be “Done” and win a handmade prize!

Good luck!

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!

Scary Zippers

Putting zippers into bags has always been a scary thing for me to attempt… until a few weeks ago when I took my one and only sewing class! I’m grateful Michelle Dorsey of Sew Michelle shared her award winning tips and techniques. The class created her cute Kiss & Make Up Bag. I’m not scared of zippers any longer! Thank you, Michelle!

During the class, we got to use an embroidery machine to create the initial of our choosing! Thanks to Thomas Sewing Center in Mesquite, Texas! Oh, my. They have lovely machines of all types and beautiful quilt-quality fabrics. My sister works there and I’ve told her time and again, I couldn’t, and take home a pay check! Knowing me, I would spend it all before going home each day!

Okay… I got off of the subject for a minute there…

For quick reference and a reminder, because I’ll sleep several times before I have a chance to make another one, I found similar instructions on the internet. I also found other ways to insert zippers in projects! 

The Sewing Novice shows how to insert a recessed zipper:

Noodlehead shares the open wide zipper opening technique:

What about the internal zippers? Craft Passion shows us how: 

Working with Laminate and zippers, like lunch sacks? Check out the video from Better Homes & Garden with tips for sewing on laminate fabric and showing clear step-by-step construction instructions! Gotta love wonder tape! 

And So I Sew, also took a class down under and shares clever ideas for using color within the zippered pouch!

I went out into my mother’s garage and emptied her box of zippers (some metal, but mostly nylon). With her permission, they are going back to the studio with me – whenever I get to go home because now I don’t see them as scary zippers!

I hope this round up of zipper applications will help you, too!