The Splendid Sampler Gallery and Peanut Butter Cookies

I'm the only one sharing Splendid Sampler photos this week, so I've added the recipe for yummy peanut butter cookies to the end of this post. 

The Gallery

In spite of the new pattern and working on my second purse, I actually managed to keep up this week! Three new blocks have joined my collection. One of them was even a bonus block. 

 

Block 13, "Scrap Stars", is one of my very favorites so far. Once again I had to face those itty-bitty pieces that plague me. I did cheat a tiny bit and used paper foundation piecing for the flying geese to get my points precise. I managed the rest of it the old-fasioned way. the combined techniques worked well for me. 

I loved Pat Sloan's bonus block! It's simple and elegant. With no tiny triangles to make, the piecing was quick and  easy. The designers have thoughtfully balanced the tricky blocks with quick and easy ones.

"Flying High", block 14 appeared in my inbox Thursday morning. The birds are beautiful, but they almost did me in. I was determined to applique these three silhouettes by hand. I've never been successful with hand applique, but everyone says that it only takes practice. I ruined the first three birds with needle turn applique. I'm not a quitter, and I wasn't about to give up so easily. I got out the freezer paper. This is supposed to be surefire. 

Forty-five minutes later another three birds hit the trash. By now half the morning had gone by, six birds were headed for the landfill, and one 7" square of background fabric was beyond repair. I gave up. I got out the fusible web and whipped those babies onto a background in no time.  Thank you, my trusty machine blanket stitch.You never let me down.

 

After all of that I went upstairs and baked a batch of peanut butter cookies. I ate two cookies while they were still warm. They were delicious, and I'd earned them.

Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 1/4 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

  

Method

1 Cream the butter for 2 minutes. Add the sugars, cream for 2 more minutes. Mix in the peanut butter and egg. Mix together the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Stir into the sugar butter mixture.

2 Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

peanut-butter-cookie-2.jpg peanut-butter-cookie-3.jpg

3 Preheat oven to 375°F. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with a fork. 

*4. Bake until light brown, 9 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for a minute; transfer to rack to cool completely.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

For chewier cookies, bake at 300°F for 15 minutes.

*Note: After 10 minutes my cookies were still slightly uncooked in the middle. I gave them the full 15 minutes, and they were perfect. 

 

Summer Purse: Part 2, All the Pieces, and a New Pocket Design

I am loving this bag! I like everything about it from the front pocket to the details of the inside lining.   It's a good pattern. Along with compliments I'm being asked where I bought it. Giggle...
 
I want to share the entire construction process with you, even the recessed zipper but I didn't get every photo I needed when I made the bag. That leaves me no choice. I have to make a second purse. So I can take photos of everything along the way. Besides, there is no such thing as owning too many pretty bags.

I'll be trying to post a new blog for each sewing session I have on the second bag. I'll try to get one or two posts up each week until the purse is finished.

The New Pocket Design

"Summer Swallow" - quilt block, mug rug, purse pocket

The new purse is identical almost every way. Measurements and construction are exactly the same. The fabric is different, of course, but there's also a new design on the pocket. Now my purses will look entirely different from each other. The Summer Swallow pattern is available here, in my Craftsy pattern shop.

In Part 1, we made the front pocket section. It was trimmed to a 10" x 10" square.

10" x 10" Hexi pocket section                                   10" x 10" Summer Swallow pocket section

For the Summer Swallow pocket I had to make one change. Because the quilting lines are so close together, I did the quilting before sewing on the pocket lining.


Prepare the body of the bag, front, back, sides, and bottom.

Cut these pieces from your fabric. Cut identical pieces from your bag batting. I prefer Soft and Stable for making bags.

Pieces are larger than needed and will be trimmed back later.

Note: All seam allowances are 1/2" unless otherwise specified.

Assemble the bag front.

1. Use quilt basting spray to hold the fabric for the front panels to the bag batting. these pieces are narrow enough that quilting won't be needed.

2. Sew the side panels on either side of the front pocket section.

3. Press the seams open.

4. Trim the ends of the panels so they line up with the pocket sections. The front will be 10" x 13".

This is a strange photo. The bag really is cut straight all across. The sides lean up, so it all looks crooked.

Quilt the sections.

1. Quilt the bag back, side sections, and bottom as you like.

On the back of the hexi bag I quilted the same diamond design I had used on the pocket. On the blue bag, I stitched straight vertical lines about 5/8" apart.
The sides and bottoms of both bags are stitched with horizontal lines about 5/8" apart.

2. Square up and trim the back down to 10" x 13".
3. Trim the bag sides to 4" x 10".
4. Trim the bottom of the bag to 4" x 13"

Prepare the bottom of the bag for a plastic canvas insert.

Plastic canvas is the product I use for giving the bottoms of my bags strength and for maintaining their shape. I like the bottom to remain flat and squared off, even when filled and weighted down. The plastic canvas does a very nice job, but be sure to get the stiffest piece you can find. You will need a piece about 11" x 2 1/2".

1. Cut a piece of scrap fabric 4" x 12" for the insert.
(I used a leftover piece of my main fabric this time, but this will be hidden by the lining, so anything will do.)

2. Turn the short ends under 1/2", press and stitch down.

3. Center this fabric on the wrong side of the bag bottom and stitch the long sides in place. Use a 1/4" seam for this.

That's it for today. The pieces are ready to be put together.

Next time, we'll make the straps and assemble the bag.





  

"Summer Swallow": An Experiment in Thread Art

The Experiment

 It was just a thought. A bird, a swallow in blue, and a different approach to applique.

 

The idea of thread play and raw edge applique has intrigued me for a very long time, but I didn't have the courage to try it. That fear of failure thing can get in the way of so much. Finally, this past week, I took a deep breath and decided to just go for it. If it was disastrous, no one need ever know, but I would never find out if I didn't at least attempt something scary.

Oh, my goodness! This was so much fun! I only had to relax and let the stitching flow. Around and around the bird, I stitched, ignoring every rule of precision I'd been holding myself to. Just sew. Free motion stitching in it's most free form. As long as the bird was securely sewn to the background, the details didn't matter.

So what, if it gets a bit messy. I'm new to this, my stitches wander all over the place. Even so, if you step back just a bit, there is a lovely elegance and artistry to the finished bird.

I'm hooked!

I'd started with a 12" square of fabric, so I decided to add some more elements to the sketch. A branch, a few leaves and berries.

Prettier and prettier.

First lesson

Scribble! Your kindergarten teacher was wrong! Scribble inside the lines, outside the lines, or anywhere your crayon (or thread) may want to travel. It's all good.

Second Lesson

Practice first. Draw any shape on a scrap of fabric. Now scribble. You'll get the hang of it before long. Find you comfortable speed, relax, and stitch around your shape. Over and over. Draw another shape, and do it again.

Third Lesson

Use a sturdy stabilizer!

I used my regular stabilizer behind the bird. Even so, all of those scribbling stitches pulled the fabric in and caused horrible puckers. With lots of ironing and stretching, I finally got it smooth.

When it came time to do the branches and all, I place a medium weight, fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the background fabric, and I added the stabilizer, too. It helped so much!! When I was finished with my free motion stitching, I cut the interfacing and stabilizer away from the lines. It still needed a good press with steam, but it was so much better.

 

Stabilizer and interfacing cut away from the outside of the shapes.

Now, the question remained of what to do with my pretty swallow. It would look lovely as a wall hanging. A pretty border around a 10" or 11" square would do the trick nicely.

It can also be cut down to 7 1/2" x 9 1/2". That's mug rug size!

Wait a minute ... I'm making another new purse because I need more photos for the summer bag tutorial I'm writing on my blog.  I need a design that fits an 8 1/2" x 10" piece of fabric for the pocket. Problem solved! On the purse it goes.

The Pocket

A graceful, blue swallow will be singing on my bag this summer. 

The Tutorial is here on my blog:
 http://klee2strings.blogspot.com/2016/03/san-experiment-in-thread-art-and-lessons.html

I'm a happy, happy camper, and I'll most certainly be playing more with thread art scribbles in the future

The Splendid Sampler Gallery and Floss, Before and After

The Gallery

I've learned that two other participants are using the same Mon Ami fabric line that I'm using. I've really enjoyed seeing how we each interpret the blocks. It's surprising that the same fabrics in the same blocks can look so different.

Two new blocks came out this week, and we were also given two bonus blocks. It was quite a chunk for just one week, and between sewing a purse and working on a tutorial, I was really pressed to keep up. I'm afraid I decided to skip one bonus block altogether. I've done it before and I'm sure it won't be the last block I skip or postpone for later.

These are my three blocks for the week. They're out of order, I know, but the one that came first ties into the before and after floss pics, so I've placed it third.

I enjoyed this bonus block from Pat Sloan. It was easy and fun. I spent more time choosing fabrics than I did making the block!

Bonus Block: Just for You

The 1" checkerboard was so good for me. Lots of little pieces are still a challenge, but at these were all squares, so it went smoothly. Finding that scant 1/4" is tricky. I've finally chosen the only quarter inch foot from my collection that is accurate, and I refuse to use any of the others. I had no idea there could be so much variance - just a hair, but that hair can really throw measurements off.

Block 12: Checkerboard

Block 11 was a learning experience. First I learned that if you try to use any old embroidery floss you just might have to unpick a big section of floss that clashes and ruins the entire effect, and that unpicking takes a looong time. I ended up with an emergency trip to Michael's. Then, while I was getting the matching floss I picked up a floss organizer and a couple of other items. What a difference an organizer makes! I have no idea why I didn't buy one years ago.

Block 11 Crocheted Thoughts

Floss, Before and After

I spent several evenings winding floss while listening to music or watching Netflix. Where did all the pink and green come from?

Before

After

Your Blocks

Dixie Moore

I thought I was doing well until Dixie sent in a photo of all of her blocks together. Remember how busy she was last week with a bargello quilt and a slew of spring mug rugs? I can't believe that she caught up and hasn't yet missed a single block! The Easter block in the second row and the middle block in the top row of her photo are two of the bonus blocks I've missed so far. 

Dixie has summed up the feelings of most of us participating in the quilt along.  
" Blocks in semi-finished state. Want to add something to pale blue heart...words or maybe a small flower. Pat Sloan's Checkerboard is probably too somber, so I cut out a new set of squares to be sewn together. This project is turning into a most enjoyable activity. Love thinking, love the anticipation, and I enjoy seeing how others interpret the designs."

Dixie's first 15 blocks. The blues are working out so nicely!
The Easter block in the second row and the middle block in the top row are two of the bonus blocks I've missed so far.  

Marge Colleran

Marge continues to work at a pace that feels comfortable. She has her priorities in the right place. This isn't a race. It's meant to be fun!

Marge explained it well. 
" I stitched a little each day and am sending my latest blocks to you.  Friends around the Square may have to be redone and others still need some embellishing.  I am always looking forward to the next block."

Block number 13 comes out tomorrow. I hope I have time to work on it right away, but my to do list is growing by leaps and bounds: A purse tutorial to work on, a second new purse, more than a dozen requests for a particular apron pattern, block 4 for the Kitty Craft quilt along, a new round of fifth grade book talks, and I really want to work on a mug rug. Somewhere in there we'll have to eat, too. 

It's good to have goals, but we all need to take time to smell the flowers. 
I won't get everything done as quickly as I'd like, but I definitely won't lose sleep over any of it. 
Besides, tomorrow is Easter.

Wishing all of you a beautiful Easter!

 

Summer Purse: Part 1, The Front Pocket

Finished size: 12" x 9" x 3".

It's been a three day marathon, but the new purse is finally finished.

I've had requests for a pattern, and I'm going to give it a bit of a try on this blog. I've never produced a pattern for a bag because it's always seemed overwhelming. Unfortunately, I sew a bit like I make soup. I start out with a vague idea and a few basic measurements - sort of. Then I toss things together as I go and wait to see what happens.

I'm warning you now. This is a learning experience. I hope it won't be a huge disaster!

Please, please tell me if any part of this tutorial needs to be corrected or clarified!

I'll give instructions for the entire outside of the bag, but I'm not quite sure how, or even if, I'll deal with the inside details.  You see, I was so focused on finishing the bag that I forgot to take important photos for the recessed zipper and the pockets in the lining. I have measurements for a basic lining with no recessed zipper, so that may have to do. Unfortunately, my hubby's right about me. I can be a total scatter brain. But, the lining and zipper are tales to be told much later. Or not. Or, then again, I just might have to make a second purse. Oh, dear. That's so sad. (said the lady with a grin)

Today, it's all about the front pocket.


The Front Pocket

Fabric & Materials Requirements
(These measurements are generous. It's better to have extra fabric for your stash than is is to run short.)

• 1 1/2 yard of lining. This will be used for the handles and sides of the bag as well as the inside lining. 
• 3/4 yard contrasting fabric for the recessed zipper and for the front and back sections of the bag.
• A 11" x 11" square of a third fabric for the pocket insert.
• Scraps for hexagons.
• 3/4 yard of bag batting such as Soft and Stable.
• An 9" x 12" piece of lightweight batting such as Warm and Natural.
• One small magnetic snap.
• One  18" nylon zipper for top of the bag. (Nylon zippers can be cut if they are too long.)
• One  9" zipper for the lining.
• 1 yard medium weight fusible interfacing. (This is to add stability to the lining.)
• Thread
• (optional) Invisible polyester thread.

Cutting measurements for the pocket back, front, and lining are 1" larger than needed to allow for trimming after quilting. 

Note: Seam allowances are 1/2" unless otherwise specified. 

Make the Hexagons

Make three hexagon that finish at  2 1/2" wide . I used a hexagon ruler to make a template. The hexagon that finishes 2" in height is perfect, but only if you use the 2 1/2" high cutting lines for the finished size.

You can sew the hexagons on any way you like. Fusible web applique would be fine. That's my usual approach. This time, though I wanted my purse to be a bit special, so  I experimented with a quick technique that is supposed to look like hand applique. It was scary, but it worked perfectly, so that's the method I've shown here.

1. Make three templates from freezer paper.

2.. Starch the fabric to make it very stiff before cutting it. I used an inexpensive spray starch from the supermarket.

3. Lay the freezer paper shiny side up on the wrong side of the fabric. I put a dot of quilt basting glue between the freezer paper and the fabric to hold it all in place temporarily.

4. If you're planning to turn edges under, cut the fabric 1/4" larger than the freezer paper template on all six sides.

5. Fold the edges down against the template one side at a time, and iron onto the shiny side of the freezer paper.

6. Carefully remove the freezer paper, then give the hexagon a really good press. When you do, press straight down and give it a good burst of steam! Flip to the other side and press again. Moving the iron back and forth will distort the shape. I know because I've lived to regret it. More than once. We scatterbrains do things like that.

7. Cut out an 8 1/2" x 11" rectangle of fabric for the pocket front.

8. Center the hexagons with their top edges  1 1/2" below the top edge of the pocket front. Line the hexagons up in a row with the side points just touching. Use pins or quilt basting glue to hold them in place for sewing. I used a dab of glue stick on each corner and in the center of each hexagon.

9. Stitch the hexagons in place. This was the new part for me.  I used invisible polyester thread and a shell tuck stitch. A very narrow zigzag stitch would work just as well, but I only recently discovered this stitch on my machine. I did have to reverse it. Love this new Babylock!

The second photo shows the stitch length and width. My choice was for short and narrow.

I stitched right along the edge of the hexagon. The straight stitches are just outside the applique, and the little inward stitches barely catch the edge. I was surprised that this really went so smoothly. Zip-zip, and done.

Look how clean that edge is! You have to get very close to tell that it hasn't been hand stitched in place. Giggle!

Make the Pocket Front.

1. Cut a 10" x 11" rectangle of fabric for the pocket lining.

2. Cut a piece of batting 8 1/2" x 11".
A heavier batting such as Soft and Stable is great for most of the bag, but the pocket needs a thinner batting, like Warm and Natural. Cut a piece of your thin batting to fit the pocket. Attach it to the wrong side of the pocket with quilt basting spray.

Note: I used a quilt basting spray and a quilt marking pen. These are my standbys - June Taylor spray and a Frixion pen.  The spray holds things together lightly so you can reposition everything easily. My lovely pen erases with the touch of a hot iron. 

 

3. Place the pocket front and the lining right sides together. Use a 1/4" seam allowance to sew along the top of the pocket through all three layers. Press the seam up to the lining.

4. I added the first half of a magnetic snap next. With the pocket sections open, mark a point in the exact center of the lining and 1 3/4" down from the seam.  Attach the magnetic snap to the right side of the lining at this mark. Push the prongs through the right side of the lining and then through a scrap of folded fabric on the wrong side of the lining.

5. Fold the lining over the batting and to the back of the pocket front. Do not fold the batting down. The 1/2" strip of lining that remains on the top of the pocket looks like binding, but is much easier to make than binding would be. (Photos found below will be helpful in seeing this.)

6. Baste around the outside edges of the layers pocket front, batting, and binding. Stitch right against the seam where the lining meets the front of the pocket.

7. Quilt however you like.
I used a diamond design that lined up with the hexagons. A 60 degree triangle ruler helped to keep the lines straight and even.

8. Square up and trim the pocket to 10 " wide and 7 1/2" high.

Right Side

Lining Side

Prepare the pocket back.  
The center insert forms the back of the pocket.  Later the entire pocket section will be inserted between side pieces on the front of the bag. 

1. Cut out the pocket back and a matching piece of your main batting. Soft and Stable was my choice for batting. 

2 Use quilt basting spray to hold the batting to the wrong side of the fabric. Quilt as you like.

3. Square up and trim to 10" x 10".

3.  Place the pocket on the center insert with the the bottom and side edges together. On the right side of the insert, mark the point where the other half of the snap needs to be placed.

4 Attach the snap with prongs going through the right side of the pocket insert and the batting. Snap the pocket onto the insert.

5. Stay-stitch close to the edge through all layers on the two sides and the bottom. leaving the top of the pocket open.

The finished pocket section including pocket and center insert.
 

And that's it for now. 

Coming Soon: Finishing the outside of the bag.

 

The Splendid Sampler Gallery, Something New, and Watson

Something New

For several weeks I've been trying to find time to make a new purse, and I finally feel caught up enough to start. The fabrics will be leftover from the "Kitty Craft" quilt along. They are such pretty fabrics, and it only makes sense to use those instead of buying something new. 

So far I've only decided on how to make the front pocket. I'm placing three hexagons on it. This will definitely be a design-as-I-go bag. It's my mystery quilt bag.


The Splendid Sampler Gallery

I love the variety in the Splendid Sampler blocks! Each one is so different from every other that has come along. Most of all, I relish learning new tricks and struggling with new challenges. We all have our specialties, but we only grow through accepting challenges that take us beyond our comfort zones.

Block 9, "Local Quilt Shop"

 Blocks 9 and 10 were given to us this week. Block 9  is one of my very favorites so far. I have such a weakness for quilted houses!

 

I'm not sure that I like my interpretation of the block. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I don't care for it at all. It much too busy for my taste, so I will quite likely remake it. That's at least the fourth one to land onto my list of blocks to redo so far. At this rate, if I actually do remake those less than happy blocks, I'll have two quilts and one will be made of all the discards. 

Block 10, "Iowa" with Block 9

Block 10 looks so easy, and it would have been quick and slick if I hadn't go myself all in a muddle with it. As it was, my seam ripper got a great workout. All's well that ends well, but I do hate wasted time.

Your Blocks

Keeping up with the pace of the blocks isn't easy. Lives fill up with other things, and we often need to slow down.

Marge Colleran

Marge has sent a photo for Blocks 5 & 6. They are perfectly precise! She's stitching these blocks at a pace that's comfortable for her, and that's just the way it should be!

Dixie has also slowed down a bit on The Splendid Sampler, but her sewing machine is getting a real workout! Look what she has been doing these past two weeks! A bargello quilt workshop and nine spring mug rugs!! Quite enough, don't you think?

This next week may the one that slows me down. I know I won't get Sunday's Splendid Sampler made on Sunday because I'll be hosting a meal for my family. That includes the newest member, whom I've yet to meet.

 Watson, my daughter's new baby.

Watson, there's a strip of bacon waiting for you at my house! Shhh...

Happy First Day of Spring!!