Unrolling the Roll

    It's that time. Time to get up close and personal with some fabric. It is a well known fact that anyone can tell when a new quilt top is about to come together when you walk into my house and fabric is draped here, there, and everywhere. I like to take time and get to know my fabrics before piecing them into a quilt. Let's take a moment to lay out some fabric together.

     This week the layout comes together for us. Let's make sure we are happy with the color progression and the way the motifs fit together. Next week we are stitching the strips and cutting the blocks! See you then:)

Come Piece with Me: Intro

       When I began my quilting journey, my projects were whole cloth and hand quilted. Once I reached a comfortable place with those skills my journey into piecing started. It's a whole different world with different areas and dimensions to travel through. Over the years I have stayed rather simple; keeping to the traditionals much more than the moderns; it's my style and I'm okay with it.

        I talk to so many ladies who long yearned to piece a quilt and see it to completion, but found frustration and disappointment in their path. It breaks my heart. That is why I started teaching quilting and why the "Come Piece with Me" series came to be. Let's tackle quilting once skill, one project at a time; moving forward when we find confidence and completing instead of quitting.

        Meet the 'Sunny Summer Picnic'; a simple quilt with plenty of personality. All we need is a jelly roll, our cleaned and set up sewing machines, and a little time each week to pull this project together. Simple straight lines will join us as we stretch toward cutting, squaring, and piecing large blocks. Random patterns help us relax a bit by masking any imperfections.

         While piecing completes the top of the quilt, we will journey forward with basting and on to quilting both by hand and by machine. Nothing fancy needed; we can quilt in a hoop or on our home sewing machine using a quick 'in the ditch' pattern. Before you know it, we will have it basted and ready for use.

           Join me next week with a jelly roll in your colors of choice. My has 20 strips each measuring 2 1/2" by 42" and making a 36" by 36" quilt top. Gather your fabric and come piece with me.

      

Prepping Those Machines

    Alright everyone. We have worked some hand quilting stitches onto a sampler, set up our machines in a small space, and looked at the larger possibilities. It's time to stretch ourselves a bit and start a new project. Over the next few weeks we are going to dive into the area of piecing a simple quilt using a purchased jelly roll pack. Before we begin we need to take a look at our machines.

    Whether your machine gets regular use or has sat dormant for a while, a little TLC goes a long way. Most of my machines have a manual with clear instructions for care and cleaning; I use them regularly. For those without a manual, basic care can be done without harm or hindrance. Let's take a look at this one.

    I start my sewing machine maintenance with an unplugged machine. If you have ever run over your finger, you know why unplugging is really handy. For basic cleaning I use a lint brush (small paint brush works beautifully), small screwdriver, and a soft cloth. With my tools in hand, it's time to remove the needle, bobbin, and unthread the machine. Setting all that aside, I use the soft cloth to wipe down the entire outside of the machine removing dirt and lint.

    I dust out the grooves and tracks in the thread guides before removing the flat bed arm off. I use  the small screwdriver to remove the bobbin casing. Now the lint brush is used to sweep the bobbin area clean preventing build up that could disrupt or damage the machine. If your machine requires regular oiling, consult the manual for directions.

    Lint free and ready to go! Bear in mind, some fabrics create more lint than others. This will determine how often the machines needs cleaned. As a quilter, my machines are checked after large projects and cleaned rather often.
    Join me next week as we introduce a summer quilt project just right for a sweet little one or a pretty picnic seating.

     Video Tutorial: Cleaning the Machine

Large Space Sewing Set Up

    After many years of small space sewing my patience paid off allowing me a larger, more permanent set up. The room which once held my home classroom now contains fabric and notions rather than desks and curriculum. Let me first say any space, any machine, any location can be used for piecing and quilting a quilt; yes, any. Last week we looked at the smaller spaces I used for quilting; this week let's take a look at the larger set up.

    Working in a larger area opened the door for larger tables which help support the weight of larger projects. As you can see, I prefer setting up an 'L' shape layout using my sewing machine table and two folding tables. Tables support the bulk of fabric as it moves through the machine, while the walls prevent the fabric from falling off the tables. This prevents 'drag' from the weight of my project.

     One key in table set up is a flush surface. My sewing machine table is not quite as tall as my folding tables allowing a flush surface. Since my tables didn't match exactly, small wooden blocks were added under the folding tables to raise them flush. I really like the flush surface preventing 'snags'; pins and fabric glide over the table surfaces making maneuvers easier.

     The cutting and ironing surface still rest next to the machine allowing quick access when piecing blocks. Notions and thread are on hand, while machine accessories are in a sewing box beneath the table along with my crumb box and small trash bin.

     A comfortable chair and an extra lamp are always on hand making the workspace even more comfortable; an Ipad offers videos and music as well. Today I cleaned my space preparing for next week's project introduction; a pretty picnic quilt just right for beginners, rusty stitchers, or even a seasoned sew-er.
     What are some things in our sewing set up? Share your tips and techniques.



Shared at Dolly's Designs

Small Space Set Up

    Those early days of quilt piecing often found me without any real space. The machine sat where ever a little corner could be carved out for a machine, a pressing surface, and a chair. When my children were babies the little quilting corner found it's way into their playroom where stitches were done as they sat at my feet. They grew into students bringing my quilt corner into their home school classroom..and then the main living space.

    When we set up our sewing space it can be large or small depending upon availability and comfort. The picture at the top shows a very early sewing area basically consisting of a machine and a chair. The little table was sturdy and just the right height for my reach.
     The next picture shows a little bigger set up that moved with me from the playroom, to the classroom, and even the living room for a time. Set down in an old sewing cabinet, the machine was flush with the surface giving me more space to work. A TV tray became a small pressing area..and fit nicely under the table for quick storage. On the floor, unseen in the picture, is a trash bin and a sewing box.

      Now we have looked at the set up, let's take a little look at the elements. First we have a little tray to catch our clips as we pull them out..I tend to tuck a small pair of scissors in it as well. A pincushion would be here if I were sewing clothes, but I don't pin my quilt pieces...I use old metal hair clips.

    On the corner of the table area sits a 'crumb catcher'..just a bowl where scraps of fabric land. Beside it is a tool cup equip with larger scissors, seam ripper, tweezers, and a few pencils in case I need to mark something

    Next to me on the TV tray sits a little mat for pressing and cutting. I can' tell you how important and nice this is to have for setting seams and quick trims.

    Tucked between the legs of the TV tray is an old sewing box where my machine accessories, manual, and extra needles/bobbins are stored. Before I had the sewing box, this was simply a cardboard box..my how I've grown. Either way, the tray and box slip neatly under the table when not in use. Let me note..the larger cutting mat is tucked against the wall behind the sewing table to be pulled out as needed.

     Today we have seen a few of my early sewing set ups..little cubby holes were simple piecing was put together. In my current sewing room, this set up remains as a second piecing station for teaching or my own stitching when my main machine is in use. Next week we will take a look at the larger sewing area I have been working on these days..including my cutting corner.
     If you have questions or tips to share..please feel free to leave them in the comment box or email me at simplyscaife@yahoo.com. Let's set up a cozy place to stitch something beautiful!