Quilt Using Your Scraps

The objective of my latest class was to reduce the students' stash but it is hard to resist shopping for fabric ....

The class went well and the 6 students enjoyed themselves.

Explaining the quilt that hangs in the background
at the right.
(photo credit, J. Freeman)

I think I did a good job explaining the project and showing different options. I suggested better ways to cut fabric and helped decide block placement for maximum effect.

Fill in what you are missing with a  fabric that
is similar in value.
There are three strips of blue that are slightly darker in value
than the rest in the row but it still works.

I am thrilled with the new space I have found at Artscape Youngplace. The Flex Studio is large and quiet and has great natural light and a tiny kitchen.

students working
(photo credit, L Mayers)

 I will be teaching there again in October and November. The two classes I am definitely putting on the calendar are Quilt-as-you-Go technique and a Free Motion class. Both have been super popular in the past and are both " life changing" techniques one can use in many different applications. I will probably do another scrap quilt project. I may do a gift class and teach something like a pillow case,

a pin cushion, a fabric bucket for storing stuff,

things that are easy and quick to put together and make great gifts.

If you've ever taken a class anywhere and have forgotten how to go about finishing your quilt you'll love this. I am offering a class where students can bring in those projects so we can work through problems and refresh your memory on how to finish it. Wouldn't it be great to get those out of the cupboard?

If anyone reading this wants to propose another class I am interested in hearing your idea.

All Fall classes will be advertised on this blog under Teaching Schedule when I set the dates later this summer.

I will be at Artscpae Youngplace in mid- June but this time as a student myself. I am taking a paper making workshop at Paper Studio. I am really looking forward to learning this craft in hopes that I can integrate some of the more sculptural sheets in my artwork. I have been stitching paper and combining it with fabric for 7 years. I know there are still places available in the workshop so contact the studio directly if you are interested.

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Do you need another idea?

How about a pillow case?

I made one a few years ago for my daughter and she still loves it!

Supplies: 

24 inch cut of pillow case fabric (24 inches x width of fabric) Non-directional is ideal. For fabric with figures, they should stand with their heads towards the selvage in order for them to be upright when the pillow case is completed
10 1/2 inches fabric for cuff (10 1/2 inches x width of fabric)
1 1/2  inch strip of accent fabric (1 1/2 inches x width of fabric), folded in half lengthwise and ironed.

How to:

Part 1

1. Lay the 10 1/2 inch fabric on your table with the good side facing you
2. Lay over that the pillow case fabric with good side facing you (the selvage ends are to the right and left sides)
3. Lay the accent fabric over that, lining up the raw edges
4. Pin in place
5. Sew all layers together
(helpful hint: I use my 1/4 inch foot for this)

Part 1 should look like this.

Part 2

1. Flip the cuff fabric up and over to the front.
2. Fold a 1/4 inch seam and iron.

Part 2 should look like this.

Part 3

1. Sew the cuff so that the accent fabric peeks through.
(helpful hint: I use my walking foot for this)

Part 3 should look like this.

Part 4

1. Fold the pillow case in half, good sides facing outward.
2. Cut off the selvage edge.

Closing up the Pillow Case:

Sew the side and bottom of the pillow case (you are sewing an L shape)

Regular way:

1. Fold with good side facing inward and sew the L-shaped seam
Turn right side out. Voila!!

OR

French seam: (looks neater and better!)

1. Fold the pillow case with the good side of the fabric facing outward.
2. Sew straight along the L edge catching only about 1/8 inch of the fabric.

first part of the french seam

3. Turn the pillow case inside out and iron the edges flat.

4. Sew the same L shape, taking in a generous 1/4 inch seam allowance.

5. Turn the pillow right side out and iron. Voila!!

Fold and wrap!

If you are making several I suggest you do it assembly style- cut everything at once, match up your fabric pieces for every pillowcase, pin all the pieces together, sew the first seam on all the pillow cases, etc. Way faster!

This is a good gift for any age!

Add a good bedtime book to the gift. Or how about a cup and hot chocolate recipe, or a new pj, or a bedtime cuddle toy, or a new alarm clock...

cooking class

I organized a cooking class for last Thursday.

different types of radicchio

Antonia and Annalisa from La Cucina di Casa, www.lacucinadicasa.com, were our teachers.

chopping the radicchio for the risotto

Not only did the teachers give us the recipes and show us techniques but they also talked about the history of the dishes. Verona is rich in tradition and that extends to their food.

My friend opened up her home for us. 

taking notes and discussing the food preparations

We had Crostini with Monte Veronese cheese.

We learned to make fresh pasta.

two kinds of flour

adding the eggs one at a time

after kneading

testing the texture

rolling it out

different ways to cut the pasta

The pasta was added to the Pasta e Fagioli.

We prepared the stock for a wonderful light chicken salad.

Zaleti's, soft cornmeal cakes, were made for dessert. Yummy! 

The dishes will be reproduced at home by all!

Our gifts were a big hit!

I am sure they will find an interesting way to incorporate the maple syrup into a recipe.

We of course ate the food that was prepared for lunch.