Tag: DIY

Quilty Fun Row Along

May 30, 2024

When Fat Quarter Shop announced this QAL several months ago, I knew I wanted to participate. I’ve used several of the blocks from the book in other projects; however, I’ve never actually made this quilt. Already have the book and a bin full of scraps – why not?

Each month calls for making 1-2 rows. You can find all the details over on the The Jolly Jabber blog. I’m currently finishing up May’s Chubby Chevrons. If you’re looking for an intermediate level, scrap-buster quilt project that’s spread out over a year – here you go.

Tip: Sew this quilt with a full 1/4″ seam allowance.

I can’t stress this enough! I typically sew with a scant 1/4” seam allowance. You can still make individual units using a scant 1/4″ and trim to size. However, once you go to sew it all together, you’ll need the full 1/4″ seam allowance. My first row came out about 4″ too long. At first, I thought it was a pattern error and removed two 4-patch units to make it work. When the second row (butterflies) also came out significantly longer than it should have, I checked my seam allowance. With so many seams in each row, that extra thread or two width from the scant 1/4″ seam allowance really adds up. I restitched using a full 1/4″ seam allowance and things were much better. We’ll see how things work with the chevrons using a full 1/4” seam allowance.

Fun facts:
Lori Holt did an online QAL on her blog many years ago using a different setting for the quilt.

The sewing machine cover and mat that you see featured at The Featherweight Shop is made using instructions found in Quilty Fun.

Go have some quilty fun of your own!

DIY Straight Stitch Needleplate

May 27, 2024

What you see above is a modified zigzag plate for a Baby Lock Jubilant sewing machine. Yep, I now have my very own straight stitch plate. And it works marvelously, too! A little JB Weld SteelStik, toothpick, masking tape, gloves and a paper towel were all it took. Oh, and you will need an additional zigzag plate to modify. This video explains the process. Hubs thought the putty would be easier to work with than the usual tubes you have to mix to make the epoxy. He was right. Drying time was an hour. I filed off any extra using emery (metal) sandpaper from Home Depot and my honing stick from The Featherweight Shop.

So far so good. No error messages after installation of the modified needle plate. The machine stitches fine with no residue appearing on the thread or the fabric. Best of all? No more chewing fabric when I start stitching.

I reached out to Tacony and my local dealer a few times about a straight stitch needle plate option for the Jubilant as their existing straight stitch needle plate only works with machines having an 8″ or larger throat plate. Their response was to use a leader or starter strip. That didn’t work so well for me. I showed the video to hubs and he encouraged me to try it. After all, I’d modified needle plates for my Janome 8900 with success!

A straight stitch needle plate really does make a difference in my piecing and patchwork.

Spring Stories & Crafts

April 7, 2024

Spring Break is almost over. This means we’re on the homestretch to the end of the school year. Our classes end the week of May 6th; however, I think the last day for Monday enrichment is April 29th. I’ve planned lessons to cover the next four weeks:

Week 1 – Bees
Book titles: Give Bees a Chance, Please Please the Bees and Don’t Eat Bees.
Craft: Paper Plate Bee from Simple Everyday Mom

Week 2 – Flowers
Book titles: The Gardener, Chrysanthemum and another title available from the public library.
Craft: Paper plate suncatchers using cellophane and sequins.
(adapted from several online tutorials – no single one in particular)

Week 3 – Pinwheels
Book titles: Kate, Who Tamed the Wind and Pinwheel Days
Craft: Pinwheels made from 6″ square paper, with pipe cleaner and faceted pony bead center and straw holder
(adapted from several YouTube videos)

Week 4 – Knuffle Bunny (Sadie visits)
Book Title: Any Knuffle Bunny titles available from the public library
Craft: Bunny Book Craft from Simple EveryDay Mom

The goal here is to keep things simple and use supplies I already have on hand. My self-imposed limit is to spend no more than $10 on supplies for our remaining craft activities.

Tips:
Many cute crafts with paper plates call for painting a white paper plate a certain color. Save yourself time, money and mess by picking up a pack of 24 colored paper plates at Dollar Tree for $1.25. Many colors are available.

Solid color paper napkins work as well as traditional gift tissue for torn tissue crafts.

Solid color paper cups are available from Party City in a variety of sizes for a reasonable cost.

12″ x 18″ black construction paper comes in handy.

Stock up on assorted color construction paper. Trim some to 8-1/2″ x 11″ so you can print templates directly on them. Students can cut out and craft without the need for paint and/or markers.