Charming Chatter

Can't Believe I'm Doing This

 
yep I'm going back to college (MWSU - Missouri Western State University)! 

 
I'm only taking one class - Art 110 Beginning Drawing! 

See, I have some ideas in my head for some cute embroidery patterns I want to design.  But, I have a slight problem - I can't draw.  Exhibit A:

 
my first homework assignment - drawing this chair using negative spaces. 

So, my solution is to take this class - learn to draw, and hopefully be able to draw those patterns this summer.  So far - it's really challenging and really fun!

BFF Janelle came over with her 4 year old son Ethan.  Of course we took him

 
sleigh riding, and warmed up with

 
hot chocolate (and extra marshmallows). 

I want to have him back over soon to make some Ugly Dolls/Monsters like Sharon at Camp Grammas made with her grand kids!!  Too fun!!

And, I'm all ready for the sewing party!  Have my "rest" project all designed and cut:

 
I'm seriously ready to do some sewin with you girls (and snackin, and chattin, and chick flick watchin, too)!  Love our parties - and am SO looking forward to this one! 

TTFN,

Kelly

Patchwork Hearts Tutorial

I stitched up this little

 
basket of Patchwork Heart Love, and they were so fun and easy and they

 
also make for an adorable pincushion!  So, I thought I'd give you all a quick tutorial!

Materials Needed:

64 - Charm Squares or 5" Squares

3/4 - 1 Yard Fabric, or Fabric Scraps (for heart backings)

30" x 30" Piece of Batting

Paper for Tracing Hearts

Polyfil Stuffing

Crushed Walnut Shells (if you're making a pincushion)

Note:  This fabric makes a 24" x 24" patchwork piece of fabric, yeilding approximately 15 hearts that are 5" to 6" wide.  Each charm square or 5" square yeilds one 3" finished 9 patch.  So, you can adjust the amount of fabric for the number of hearts you'd like to make.

Let's Cut:

Trim the pinked edge off of your charm square, and cut 3  -  1 1/2" strips from each charm square.

 

Mkay - finished cutting (for now).

Let's Sew:

1.    Set aside 64 of your 1 1/2" x 5" strips.  With the remaining 128 strips, stitch one strip to another strip and press

 
Make 64 sets.

2.    Gather your remaining 64 strips.  Stitch one  1 1/2" strip to each set of two strips, making a strip set of 3.  Press all seams in the same direction.

 
3.    Trim the pinked edge off of each strip set, and cut 3  -  1 1/2" strips from each square.

 
4.   Stitch one of your 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strip to another 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strip.  Since you pressed the seams in one direction.  You'll just need to flip one strip upside down so all of your seams line up. Press.  Make 64.

 

5.  Stitch one 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strip to each set of 2 strips you just made to make your 9 patch.  Again, press all the seams in one direction.  Make a total of 64  -  9 patches.

 
6.  Stitch your 9 patches together in 8 rows of 8  -  9 patches each.  Stitch together your 8 rows, so that you have one patchwork piece that is 8 nine patches by 8 nine patches (approximately 24" square).

7.    Lay out your patchwork piece on your 30" x 30" batting.  Pin the two layers together. No backing fabric is necessary. 

 
8.  Quilt as desired.  I just did simple criss-cross quilting.

 
If you do the criss-cross, be sure that you stitch all of your diagonal lines in one direction first across the entire piece.  Then, go back and stitch the opposite diagonal lines to avoid puckering.

9.    Cut out a paper heart of the size you desire.  Pin the heart to the quilted patchwork

 
and cut 1/4" outside the paper edge of the heart for seam allowance. 

10.    Lay each heart on your backing fabric, and cut out the backing to match each sized heart.

 
11.    Lay the quilted patchwork heart, RST (Right Sides Together) with backing.

12.    To make it easy to know exactly when you'll need to pivot your heart at the bottom and top, place a dot 1/4" from the edge on each end as follows:

 
(mine are marked with a red dot). 

13.    Pin and stitch - being sure to leave 1 1/2"  to 2" opening along the straight side of the heart.  It's much easier to whip stitch a straight opening closed.

 
14.    Clip the edges around the curves.

 
15.  Turn your heart right side out.  Stuff with polyfil (or crushed walnut shells if you're using it for a pincushion). 

16.  Pin the opening and whip stitch it closed.

 
And - VOILA

 
you have a sweet little pincushion or

 
your own little Basket of Love!

Enjoy.

TTFN,

Kelly

 

Word Up Sewing Party!

Hi Girls!  Wow - I'm so excited that so many of you joined us in the "Word Up" challenge - and I really do think that this could be life changing for all of us!  Here are all of the words that were chosen:

 
Love them all!  So, I thought it would be fun to have a little

 
for us to celebrate!  And, our Charming Friend, Kris of Dandelion Quilts offered to co-host with me (Thank You Kris)!

Party Details

Who:        All "Word Up Girls" (It's not too late to choose a Word if you'd like).

When:    Saturday, January 29 (Kris & I will be there from 1 to 5 p.m CST - maybe longer -feel free to come early or stay late)

Where:    Here (Charming Chatter).  We'll be using Mr. Linky to stay in touch.

Bring:    A sewing project that will be a reminder of you "Word" for the year and snacks. 

You can make anything - a sign, a mini quilt, a pincushion or even work on a big quilt.   It can have your word on it - but it doesn't have to include your word.  It should be something that will remind you of your word and what you're trying to cultivate in your life this year!  Oh, and snacks - can't have a sewing party without snacks! 

Looking forward to an afternoon of stitching with you all - and in honor of being a MUF's girl - I think I'll start another new project (smile)! 

So, if you're free, mark your calendars - get a project together and join us for the fun next Saturday!

TTFN,

Kelly

P.S.  If you I missed your word, please let me know - and I'll get it added to the list!