Coming soon!

I am going to start a new  hexy project! I know I have another one in the works, but I just can't help myself.

Would you like to join me ? There will be a lot of options! And templates, tips in choosing the colors, many design options...

I will start the project in a week or so.

The project from the previous post has to wait. I tried many fabric combinations and none of them worked. It has to be done in two solid  colors. Otherwise, the illusion is gone.

Disappointed...

I spent all day long playing with this:

I am disappointed  that I don't have enough  yardage from two solid fabrics to make one of these; I do have one colored print and enough neutral to make it -  but I think these designs look better in solids.

Tomorrow I will try something else...I hope it will work because I really want to make such a quilt. And I want to start it tomorrow!

 

Now I have to clean the house and cook something for dinner!

See you here tomorrow!

Geta

PS.  Forgot to say: I will piece it. No applique!

New Projects

This week I stitched NOTHING!
I learned something new and  now I have a new toy for playing and designing new quilts.
What I love most is that I will use solids again - I already ordered a few but I don't have all the colors I need.

I am so excited about the new designs, even though the quilts will be made with appliques. I am not fond of appliques at all, but I intend to make them the easy way- raw edge with fusible web.

Lost of wall hangings in the future!
But until then, I have to make 3 bed quilts! Two of my sisters and my niece need them ! I will put at work those dots and some other prints!

Enjoy the weekend!
Geta

PS. For dots lovers - lots of dots here. They can ship 10 yds International  in a Priority envelope.

Happiness is...

Is it bad or is it good ?

My newest addiction: dots!

There will be lots of dots in my next quilts.

Flannel for Alex:)

Obsessed by apples too...

and these are FAVORITES:
"Wonderland" by MoMo, an older collection,

and "Wrenly Wildfield" by Valori Wells

Enjoy Sunday!

Boring binding ? Not anymore!

This article was originally posted on Sew We Quilt.

I want to talk today about binding - do you think it is boring? Not anymore!

Do you pay attention to the binding you add on your quilts ? For years I considered it just a necessary thing. The raw edges of the quilt have to be hidden so adding binding is a must.
Usually I make it from one of the fabrics used in the quilt and I always choose the fabric I less like. If I have an ugly fabric then I use it for binding.

But a few months ago I took the time to make a pieced binding and now I see the binding with different eyes.

I like to make it from strips of the same length- it is easy to calculate the number of pieces needed.

I join the strips with straight  seams (no bias seams!) and I press the seam allowances open.

And since I take the time to make a pieced binding, why to make it only 1/4'' wide ? I want a more interesting binding so I make it wider. About 1/2'' finished width. This means that I cut the binding strips 3 1/2'' wide and I stitch it on the edge of the quilt about 1/2'' away from edge (you have to move the needle to the left).

If the pattern used on the quilt top has sharp points (like triangles) where you have to add binding, don't use this method, you will cut them off. You can use other method, read further.

I also like to stitch the binding entirely by machine. I turn the binding to the back and I insert pins on the front of the quilt, keeping them parallel with the fold of the binding. Then I stitch in-the-ditch along the binding, catching the binding edge on the back of the quilt at the same time.

Do you keep the binding rolled while you are stitching it on the quilt? It really helps. Do not throw to the trash the empty spools - it is very  easy to roll the binding on them.

But wide binding is not just for beauty and fun. It could solve a serious problem! What to do if your finished quilt, after quilting and washing, is smaller than the size you need? Many quilts shrinks  - the shrinkage depends by the materials used and the amount of quilting. 

The good news is that you can add a few inches to a quilt - just make a wide binding.

You have to trim the batting and backing larger than the quilt top.Measure from the edge of the top. 

Naturally, you need more fabric for a wider binding.

The double folded binding below is about 1 1/2'' wide. I made it with 6 1/2'' wide strips. I trimmed the batting and backing 1 1/4'' larger than the top.

Binding on front of quilt 

Binding on back of quilt 

Two more tips:

• Too wide binding doesn't look good. 
•  Always use walking foot when adding the binding.

Here are a few quilts I made recently with wide binding. 

I love strippy bindings but I don't add them on all my quilts. On this quilt below there are so many colors and I thought a plain binding would look better.

Have fun making binding for your new quilts!

Boring binding ?

I am guest posting at  Sew We Quilt today!   Come on over and check it out! :)
I am talking about binding. Do you think it is boring ? I thought so for 10 years. But not anymore!
There is a giveaway too!

After months of staying folded in the closet, I finally managed to bind this quilt.

New Quilt and Pattern

I LOVE this quilt. I can't even remember when I finished it, now I am happy it is washed and delivered to my hubby. It's a lap size quilt, with perfect colors for a man! 

My hubby loves it but he anyway loves everything I sew:).

In the first stage of piecing I was disappointed  that I did not have white fabric to use as neutral but now I can see that the beige fabric was a better option. It matches perfectly with the other colors. 

Oh, too many pictures ! I just can't help myself!

I enjoyed the quilting and even though the thread broke many times, it wasn't too bad!

I quilted it with wavy lines -  it was quick and easy.

For variation I quilted some circles on the sashings.
I am happy again with the texture of the washed quilt.

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions you sent me for a name! It was really hard to choose just one!

Marilyn, you won!

If you would like to make a quilt like this, here is the pattern:

I am afraid I forgot how to sew with prints!
Thank you for stopping by!

Mylene Farmer Anniversaire

Today, my favorite singer, Mylene Farmer (one of the most successful artists in France) turns 50 year old.

Two years ago she celebrated her birthday performing on Stade de France, in Paris. 80000 fans sang her "Happy Birthday". I was there!

Do you remember this quilt I made for her ?

I really wanted to make her another quilt for this special day. I spent many hours on Internet looking for good photos I could print on fabric. This was the plan, but I didn't manage to make it. I am sad and furious that I did not keep this project on top of my to do list.

Happy Birthday, Mylene! There are no words to thank you for the happiness and excitement you bring in the heart of millions of fans.

I love her music as much as I love quilting. I am so lucky having both in my life!

My favorite song, "Point de Suture".

I was there!

Black Quilt Finished

Even my family noticed: "You have never used black until now"!

 

I tried to use colors I know my nephew loves. From me it's only the green!

I added a little blue to my initial color palette, I felt there is too much orange-yellow-green. Anyway, the blue was the only solid I still had in my stash so it wasn't difficult to make the choice.

It measures 62'' x 86'' (155 x 215 cm).

The pattern is the same I used for this quilt, I just modified the size of the patches.

The quilting took a lot of time and a lot of thread. I thought the black fabric requires a little more attention from my part so I quilted double-bubbles/pebbles.

How many times everything goes smoothly with your quilts ? Without any difficulty from start to finish? To me this doesn't happen often. So this time I was happy that I had cotton batting but the thread kept breaking. I changed it three times! Please don't ask how it looks on the back!

Love the scrappy and wide binding -  my new favorite way to finish a quilt.

I hope my nephew will love it for at least 8 years!I sure love it!