How to Make Bias Binding for a Quilt

How to Make Quilts : How to Join the Binding Strips

School's out for two weeks, look at me go!

The semester is over and faculty has two weeks off before the next semester begins. I have been practically living in my sewing room. I have a small TV in here, my laptop with Netflix should I want a movie and itunes for music or podcasts! There is this comedian who talks about gender differences: where men have many boxes in their brains and women always want to know: "whatcha thinking?" Well while I am in my sewing room, I know what he is talking about. I am in my box! This is my relaxation place!



I have been busy in my (box) sewing room. While I was in Japan this summer, Monica was showing me her vinyl and telling me about some issues she was having with sewing it. When I came back to the States, I asked my sewing people what to do to fix Monica's issue. They told me to get a teflon foot. I have been back from Japan for about 6 months now and finally tried sewing some vinyl.

This is some of the things that I have made: Black vinyl drawstring back; Black vinyl snap pouch; Yellow vinyl shoe bag for traveling (gift for Melanie) It fits her sneakers for when she travels.

I also made a few pillowcases for my bed and one for a student who has had a rough time. I made it for her because she needs a break and is one student who is "four year college" material if she can get past her issues (such as being in foster care since she was 11) Here are the pillowcases:

Almost every Friday, I go to Breakfast with the Biddies. Last Friday was a snow day but I spent the day making bread for all my biddie friends and had to freeze it. Today, I went to an unscheduled Breakfast with the Biddies and gave them the bread. I also made Christmas bags to put the bread in. Here they are:

I am not sure what I am going to do when the semester starts ups again!

The Aftermath

So after two days of sewing on Melanie's friends quilt: This is what my sewing room looked like. It is very interesting: when I sew, my room stays the way it was before I sewed with only a minor mess. When Melanie sews, everything is everywhere. I am the kind of clean up as you go person, she isn't yet!

I do wish I had some of her creativity!

Susan's Finished with the Purple Afghan

Susan asked me to post this because she can't remember how to get on the blog, duh! So I am posting it for her, wishing it was my afghan. It is my favorite color and beautiful so how about it Susan!!!

Sorry I couldn't rotate it for some reason. I especially like the sideways kitchen table.

UFO Challenge

UFO Challenge 2011
December 13, 2010
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2010/12/15/my-ufo-2011-list/

Many online groups/guilds, as well as real life guilds have UFO Challenges each year. If you’re participating in one of those and wish to do this one too, feel free to deviate from the “rules” here and make it work for you. Really, there are no “rules” but the whole purpose is to end 2011 with less UFOs.
Here’s how this one will work.
Dig out the UFOs! Look under beds, in drawers, in the freezer . . wherever you store hide them.
Don’t overload yourself or set yourself up for failure. Be realistic!
Number the UFOs you want to finish in 2011. Number them 1 – 12. Each month I will draw a number and the UFO that corresponds to that number is the one we will finish in 2011.
If you have way more than 12 and think you can finish two per month, or even just two some months, number those 1 and 1-A and those will be the ones you work on when I pull the number “1″.
If you have a blog, make a blog entry with your UFOs. Photos of the projects are always nice!
Make your blog entry any day you like but I will have a link box up on Friday, December 17. You can add your link any time between then and January 1. If you don’t have a blog, you can still play along. Make your list, pin it to the wall and leave a comment here about your progress each month.
I will add a link on the sidebar for the UFO project.
On the first of each month, I will draw a new number and will add a link box for you to post your progress on the previous month’s project.
This sounds harder than it is. For now, all you need to do is dig out those UFOs, and make a list.
As far as definitions, use your own judgment. Whatever works for you is good for me. We’re not going to get bogged down here with “rules” and there are no UFO Challenge Police on the payroll at Patchwork Times! Here are some loose definitions!
UFO – Anything you’ve started and not finished. Can be something that needs just binding, or it could be something that you’ve only cut out and haven’t even started sewing yet.
Completed Project – For me, it will mean quilted, bound and ready to be given away or used! For others, it may mean the top is finished and ready to go to the quilter as funds are available. Totally up to you!


So with that said up there above, I decided to post my UFO's and write them on paper, put them in a jar and pick one a month. I have more then 12 UFO's with some of them needed a lot of work, some needing very little so I am just going to give it a shot.

Here is my list in random order:
1. Friendship Quilt (only cut)
2. Mel's graduation quilt (15 more squares to go)
3. Duck fleece baby quilt (completed 3/6/2011)
4. Applique quilt (half done, need help with it)
5. #1 antique quilt top (needs fixing and backing)
6. Brown fleece quilt (almost done, hand stitching) completed 1/9/11)
7. Pink rag quilt (needs sewing)
8. 4" square quilt (cut only, needs lots of sewing, back)
9. Knit baby blanket
10. Knit yoga bag (almost done)
11. Japanese fabric quilt (only partly cut)
12. Reversible quilt ( 10 more squares needed, I think)
13. #2 Antique Quilt top (needs mending and backing)
14. Chicken Quilt (just started not all cut)
15. Brown/Purple Quilt (cut needs sewing)
16. Sewing Machine cover Melanie (not even cut, just a thought)
17. Sewing Machine cover for Serger (not cut, just needed)

so here it is, when I finish each one, I will post pictures.

Melanie quilts

Melanie is dating a new guy who likes to sail. She decided to make him a quilt for Christmas based on Nautical flags. She designed this herself and those flags are his initials. Beautiful job!