My Turn on Bonnie Christine's Succulence Blog Tour!

My day is here! I'm happy to, once again, participate in one of Bonnie's blog tours for her fabrics. This tour features her most current line for Art Gallery Fabrics, Succulence. You'll find all Bonnie's fabrics, including these, available with free shipping at my quilt shop, A Stitch in Time! And, did you know that I'm blessed to be Bonnie's mother?

I love the colors and prints in this line so much that I decided to use it to check off one of the quilts on my bucket list! I have wanted to make a Winding Ways quilt for years, but I just couldn't make myself take the time to do all the precise curved cutting. Hmmm...I do have an AccuQuilt machine, and to my delight I found that they make the Winding Ways die! Oh heaven. AccuQuilt recommends cutting six layers in one pass, but I found that the fine pima cotton that Art Gallery produces allowed me to cut eight! (I can cut at least 9 binding strips in one pass, too, using the 2 1/2" strip die!)

For the AccuQuilt machine, I cut 10" strips, width of fabric, and found that folding them in half fit perfectly on the die. I layered two dark fabrics and two light fabrics, yielding 4 blocks in about 30 seconds! Some people ask me, "Do you waste fabric with the AccuQuilt?" My answer is, "Maybe a little...but I don't waste any time!" And each piece is cut perfectly, with notches for matching together.

This quilt block is 100% curved piecing. Wait! don't leave me! I promise it's easy and I made a short video to show you how easy it is. Click here to view it.

The magic happens in this quilt by making two versions of the same block: a dark center with light corners, and a light center with dark corners. The effect is quite entertaining, to me, because my eyes just won't stay still when I look at it!

I quilted in the ditch to accent the design, and to keep a soft feel. I used one of Bonnie's voile fabrics for the back to make it extra soft!

For now, this one will live on the wall in my sewing room because it just makes me happy...and because it makes me think of Bonnie. Do you have a quilt on your bucket list?

Be sure to visit yesterday's post by Ali Brorsen and see her beautifully sewn projects and her angelic model. Tomorrow's stop is Michelle Cain at From Bolt to Beauty.  See the full lineup, and read more about the blog hop on Bonnie Christine's blog, Going Home to Roost.

Thanks for visiting! Happy sewing and God bless. Maxie

Padded Ribbon Key Fob

Sometimes I just need a nice little project that I can finish in.....say, 10 minutes. Sometimes I need a little gift in a hurry. Sometimes I need to take a break from that quilt I've been working on for six months and actually finish something. I think I have just the ticket.

Working with beautiful textures and textiles always lifts my spirit, and this project is a delight because it includes a little bit of luxurious ribbon from Renaissance Ribbons! And because the end result is something that everyone needs, (whether you're gifting yourself or someone else), it will long be appreciated for both its usefulness and beauty.

The two ribbons used above are from Bonnie Christine's designs for Renaissance Ribbon.  Because they coordinate with her Hello, Bear fabrics, you may recognize the sweet little fox and owl. I have several of these key fobs and they are so great because the ribbon is easy to find in my purse and I can wear it like a bracelet when I need to keep up with my keys.

• Supplies:
• 9" braid trim a bit wider than your ribbon. I used a 1" wide braid.
• 9" ribbon
• matching thread
• BInding clips or pins
• Key Fob Hardware Set

Assembly:

•  Lay ribbon on top of the braid, centered. Hold in place with binding clips or pins.
• The Edge Joining Foot from Baby Lock makes it so easy to sew straight along the edge of projects. See the fabric guide in the first photo, below? In the second photo you can see how the guide is placed next to the stitching edge, keeping your stitches on the straight and narrow!

I've made too many of these to count, but this green one gave me a new idea. I decided to try to slip a 1/2" strip of batting inside, between the ribbon and the braid. To do so, I sewed one long edge of the ribbon to the braid and lifted the unsewn edge and placed the batting inside (center photo, below). I used a glue stick to hold the batting in place. Next, I stitched the remaining long edge to the braid. The grey ribbon, (shown left in the far right photo, below) is unpadded, the green is padded. The padding adds an extra layer of special-ness to this special ribbon!

After stitching both sides of the ribbon, stitch across the short ends to secure. You'll need a key fob hardware set to complete your project. The optional pliers simplify things and press the clamp smoothly together (first photo, below) Simply fold the ribbon/braid in half and place the short ends inside the hardware clamp (middle photo, below). Give the clamp a good press (third photo, below). Add your split ring and you're done! At least, with your first one! Hardware,  Hello, Bear Ribbons and braid aren't listed on my website, but are available at my quilt shop, if you'd like to call! 828 524-3300. See other available ribbons by Bonnie Christine here.

Thanks for visiting. Happy Sewing and God bless!  Maxie

How to Make a Christmas Stocking...Extra Special!

As Thanksgiving approaches, the onset of Christmas Spirit commences. Let the Christmas sewing begin!

I made these two stockings for my grandchildren, Ollie Doe and Bear. You may recognize that the fabric for the cuff is from Bonnie Christine's fabric line for Art Gallery Fabrics, Hello, Bear. There happens to be a doe in the fabric, so by adding Ollie's name to the embroidery design I was able to personalize her stocking, too! I posted last week about Bonnie's coordinating machine embroidery designs for the new app, Acudesign, from which I chose the Bear and the Doe to make their stockings. Whether you choose to embroider a design on your stocking, or applique´, use patchwork or plain fabric, you can follow these simple directions to make a stocking extra special for your special someone!

First of all, draw a stocking shape on your pattern paper. Trace another stocking or create an original shape; stockings come in all shapes and sizes! I used a basic shape from a great little pattern by Sharon Hollifield, who teaches occasionally at my shop (if you'd like to order her pattern, just send me an email).

• Trace the design onto your stocking front fabric. If you are planning to embellish in any way, don't cut it out yet. Embellish as desired first, within your drawn stocking line.
• After embellishing, cut out your stocking front and another plain stocking for the back. Make sure they match when placed right sides together.
• Cut two lining pieces the same size.
• For the cuff, cut two pieces the width of your stocking top by 8". My stocking piece measured 9" across the top edge, so I cut two cuff rectangles, each 9" wide and 8" deep. If your fabric is directional, as mine, keep in mind that the top half of the cuff rectangle will be folded down to the front outside (the center line of the cuff will become the lower edge of the cuff). I was able to plan a bit of the deer and the bear to be placed in just the right spot. Get creative with your cuff...use faux fur, leather, corduroy, satin, an old sweater, etc.
• With right sides together, stitch the front cuff to the front stocking. The photo below shows the cuff sections stitched to the stocking front and back, and the lining pieces are laid in place. This photo also shows why a separate cuff is needed for directional prints! Had they been cut from one piece of fabric, either the cuff or the lining would have been upside down.

• Next, place the lining pieces and the cuff right sides together and stitch, as shown below:

Hint: Press the cuff seams toward the cuff on the front piece and away from the cuff on the back piece. This will allow your seams to nestle in opposite directions and reduce bulk.

• Place the two pieces right sides together (nestle and pin those cuff seams) and stitch around the outer edges, leaving a 3" opening (for turning right side out) at the bottom of the lining 'foot'. To reduce bulk and allow smoother seams in the curves, clip almost to the stitching line in the inner and outer curves. Trimming the seam with pinking shears, as I did, will accomplish the same thing.

• Turn right side out and press well. I cannot stress how easily the Point 2 Point Pressing tool makes the job a cinch. After turning, simply run the curved edge along the seam inside the stocking (through the opening at the lining bottom).

After pressing well, sew the opening closed by machine. It will never show, no need to waste precious time hand sewing! Stuff the lining down inside the stocking. The cuff will extend above the stocking, simply fold it down over the outside of the top and press well. Attach a ribbon at the back seam for hanging. Give it to someone extra special!

Thanks for stopping by. Happy sewing and God bless! Maxie

Succulence Fabrics Look Book!

I've been anticipating the release of Art Gallery Fabric's Look Book for Bonnie Christine's newest fabric line, Succulence! My wait is over! The free online book is ready for your viewing pleasure! Inside you'll find lots of inspiration for beautiful quilting projects, bags, clothing and home decor. I love the colors Bonnie chose...rich burgundy, emerald green and warm golds. Take a peek and don't stop until you reach the end, where you'll see the tumbling block quilt Bonnie and I designed as a free download for Art Gallery. Click on any of the photos below to view the book, which has live links that will take you to the sources for most of the projects. And if you live in my neck of the woods, stop by my quilt shop for a trunk show with many of the actual projects from the book!

Click the picture to view the Look Book

As you probably know, Bonnie Christine is my daughter! You might enjoy her blog, going home to roost, filled with lifestyle inspiration, tutorials, free fun stuff and more. You can also read a little about her in the Look Book. (Yes, she's as sweet as she seems!)

Click the picture to view the Look Book

Here's a little peek at that tumbling block quilt, Terrarium, that Bonnie and I designed for her fabrics. In the Look Book, you'll find a link to the free pattern. You can find the fabrics here, with free shipping!

Click the picture to view the Look Book

I hope you enjoy the book and are inspired to create something beautiful today! Thanks for visiting! Happy sewing and God bless. Maxie

Quilt Inspiration

We can find inspiration for quilts in the most unexpected places. Like the entrance foyer to Mimi's Cafe Restaurant. I snapped this picture as we stood waiting for our table, and pondered the possibilities throughout our dinner.

It's in the very preliminary stages...but I took the image to my Electric Quilt software and in just a few minutes I had this drawing. It needs a bit of work, granted, but I thought I'd share how our inspiration comes when we least expect it. Maybe it's just a beautiful color palate from a photo that you love, or an architectural structure that has great geometric lines.

Because Electric Quilt offers Bonnie's fabrics as a download, I was able to choose them for this color variation. (You can also import your own fabrics from the web or by scanning fabrics from your own stash!) Where do you find inspiration?

Thanks for visiting. Happy sewing and God bless. Maxie