Test Run of a Walking Foot

So, I purchased a walking foot for my sewing machine over a year ago and have not used it, even once. Why? because I couldn't figure out how to install the darn thing on my sewing machine. I pride myself in being able to figure out how things are put together with and without instructions, but I have to admit, that even with the instructions, I could not figure this little contraption out.

Lately, I've been contemplating making new bedspreads for both the kids, for which the walking foot would be perfect, so I set out to figure out my walking foot. I found this great tutorial on how to install a walking foot. Complete with pictures! I literally had my walking foot on my machine five minutes later! I threw together two pieces of felt and did a very quick test run. I think it came out great! Of course, I'm a novice...what do I know.



Now, being a complete beginner to quilting, and knowing that my patience is short at best, I don't plan to put together anything intricate as far as a quilt goes. I just want to be able to make a bedspread using some of the wonderful fabric I've been drooling over, and give the kids something truly unique. Monkey is hoping for a Nintendo themed room and I'm thinking of incorporating some intensely bright colors in a bedspread to kick-off the project.

Missing flaps

There is a fine line between thifty and creative or downright anal and cheap. I may have just crossed it.

Alligator's favorite book currently is called "Trick-or-Treat Calico." She got it from her grandma last Halloween, and is just now understanding the fun of searching for her friend Calico the kitten. Each page shows one of Calico's friends dressed up in costume for Halloween. Alligator lifts the flap to see if she can find Calico who is hiding at the end of the book. I think some of the appeal of the book is that Alligator loves to say Calico over and over, although it comes out more like "Kaiko"

Well, the other day, apparently without my notice, Alligator managed to rip off Calico's flap. Now we searched for two days for that flap because I've fixed numerous other books that have suffered at Alligator's not so gentle hands. And since she now know's I'm able to fix her books, she spent the last two days walking around the house with Calico saying "Mama, fix it." But how am I supposed to fix a flap that I can't find.

So I got creative and thrifty (or anal if you prefer). I used the drawing tools in MS Word to match colors and pattern as best I could; and then traced, as best as I could remember, the shape of Calico's veil. A few scissors, glue and packaging tape, and voila! Calico is as good as new. At least in the eyes of my sweet little almost 2 year-old Alligator who spent the rest of the morning saying "Tank you, mama, tank you mama" She always says it twice, to make sure you heard her.

Sewing Mitered Blanket Corners Tutorial

One technique that took quite a bit of practice for me to perfect has been the mitered blanket corner. But it's truly not that complicated and is a great way to finish blankets, table cloths, placemats and other projects.



I use Wright's satin blanket binding to finsh my Blanket Envy lovey blankets and there is definitely an art to creating clean mitered corners and a clean finish seam.

1. Start with any rectangular shaped fabric and pre-made satin blanket binding. Starting from the middle of the first edge (not the corner), sandwich the blanket in the pre-folded blanket binding, pin the binding to the blanket leaving 4-6" inches of extra binding at the beginning that you will use to finish the final seam. Do not pin the other edges, you'll need to finish one edge at a time.
If you'd rather make your own binding, check out my tutorial on making your own bias tape.



2. Stich along the pinned edge stopping about 1/4" from the edge of the blanket


3. Pinch the blanket binding using your thumb and forefinger and flatten the binding at the seam, forming a triangle.



4. Fold the triangle over to form the mitered corner. Fiddle with the fold until both the front and back corners of the second edge line up exactly with the corners of the first edge.



5. Pin the corner and the remainder of the second edge. Line up the foot carefully so the stitching for the second edge lines up with the stitching from the first edge. Stitch the second edge stopping again about 1/4" from the edge of the blanket. Repeats steps 2-5 for the remaining three corners. When stiching the final edge, leave 8-10 inches open and plenty of extra binding to finish the trim.




6. Now this is the tricky part, but don't get initmidated, it's really not that complicated. Tuck the extra binding under at an angle. As you do, bring the extra fabric down in front at a 90* angle and press.


7. Repeat the same steps for the other side of the blanket binding, bringing the extra fabric down in back of the blanket and press.



8. With right sides together, using the press lines as a guide, pin the binding together at a right angle. The press lines should match at both edges and in the center.


9. Stich along the press lines



10. Trim the excess fabric. And clip the corners of the seam allowance where one side extends further than the other.



11. Turn and press. Pin and stitch. Voila! You've finished.

Blanket Envy

I'm not quite sure what was driving me, but somehow, I created six "lovey" blankets for my little alligator. The obsession started with just one or two, but as soon as we realized that this little item was a "must-have" sleep item, the craziness began. I made a travel version for the car, and then of course the emergency version because kids are messy and then needed an extra one for daycare and there is always at least one in the wash. So there you have it, my obsession with baby blankets.


*Note there are only five blankets in the picture because I rotate one to daycare every week, so one was unavailable for the photo opportunity.

Each blanket has three layers of cozy-soft flannel, giving the blanket a huggable weight to it. I use a layer high quality, designer cotton quilt fabric to add unique and whimsical color to each blanket. Add super silky satin trim to line the edges for a irresistibly touchable finish. Alligator likes to rub the satin between her fingers. Thankfully she loves all six blankies equally.

As I said, we keep one of her blankets at daycare, all the time. Apparently, one of Alligator's friends has taken quite a liking to her blankey and whenever he finds it unattended, he steals it for a quick snuggle. I suppose you could call it "blanket-envy." So I whipped up a quick travel size blanket for him and dropped it off in his cubbie at school this morning. This first "boy" version sports super crazy race track fabric in blacks, purples and greens all lined with green flannel and trim. I can't wait to find out his reaction when I pick up Alligator this afternoon.

Do you have a fun "lovey" story to share? I'd love to hear it.



As a side note, I'd like to point out what a struggle it was to get a decent photograph of the beloved blankets. She really wasn't very patient with me, at all!

Look for the Blanket Envy to be added to my store in the near future. They would make great gifts for any little one, or an excellent shower gift for an expecting mom! This project has also prompted me to write a new tutorial on mitered corners....coming soon!

Introducing Snack Pockets

So my new work-in-progress is reusable snack bags. I've been packing my lunch for work, snacks for alligator, and monkey makes his own lunch for school, and we've been blowing through the plastic baggies lately. I'm pretty pleased with how the "first draft" of these bags turned out.





The bags are made with bold fun fabrics and lined with water-resistant fabric. They fold over, like the sandwich baggies we used when we were kids. Little Alligator has been testing them out this week, and when they are folded, the snacks stay in, but she has no trouble grabbing pretzels when they are open.



Next, I'll make a few in different sizes and do some testing with different closures, a little velcro or a few snaps. Look for snack-pockets to be available in the shop soon. Throw a few in a Reversable Tote for a day out at the park, or beach or wherever your spring adventures might take you. Happy Spring!

Pinning Fabric Seams for Sewing

There are many ways to pin fabric together to sew a seam. Regardless of your method, pinning is critical to keep layers of fabric from slipping while you are sewing. Ever since I can remember, I've always pinned my seams parallel to the hemline like this.


I'm not sure why I've always pinned seams this way. Is this the way my mom taught me? Honestly, that was so long ago, I no longer remember. I've started to wonder recently, if there is a better way to pin seams. It seems incredibly inefficient to have to stop sewing to pull out each pin along the way.

So recently, I've tried two other pinning methods. The first is to pin perpendicular to the seam right along the seam line like this.



I love pinning perpendicular because I don't have to slow down to remove pins while sewing. Heck, I don't even slow down. The down side, however, is that every once in a while, the machine needle catches one of the pins just right, or just wrong you might say, and it bends the pin, the machine needle or both. But it hasn't happened very often and usually only when it's about time to change the machine needle anyway.

I've also experimented with pinning perpendicularly completely inside the seam allowance like this.



This way, when I'm sewing the needle never comes anywhere near the pin. Again, this is great for efficiency, however I don't always feel like my seams are as secure, and feel the fabric moves a little more than I care for.

I hear there are those out there who skip the pinning altogether and baste seams together. But I'm just not that brave.

So tell me, how do you like to pin your seams?

New Additions

New to the shop!

It's been a while since I've added anything to the shop and now I'm thrilled to announce the Reversible Tote. These fantastic bags are handmade by my sister



The tote is perfect for carrying books, office papers, groceries and anything fabulous that you find at your local farmers market.

Check it out now.