Sewing Project - Fabric Collage Vase Cover/Wrap

My sister and I discovered vase wraps back in early February.  I was intrigued so I decided to give it a go.

I started with a piece of flannel 9" x 9" square to allow me to trim it after I had quilted it.

I then used Mom's Quilt as you Go method to sew strips of curated fabric and lace along the length of the flannel. I used 8 strips in varying widths.

There are many ways to finish it into a tube to go over the vase/bottle.

I decided that I wanted a flap to extend from the body of the wrap.  So, I added a strip of turquoise fabric to the lining piece so it would be exposed when I sewed the wrap closed.

I trimmed the fabric collage piece to 8.5" tall and extended it to 9.5" wide with my final piece on the collage. I trimmed my piece of lining to the same size.  I then placed right sides together and stitched all the way around leaving a gap in order to turn it right side out.  Once turned right side out I pressed it well and top stitched all the way around very near the edge with a decorative stitch. 

Then, I wrapped it around the bottle I was going to use as a vase and played with where the seam would be placed.  The option was a bit, none, or lots of turquoise showing. Once, I decided I pinned it as tight as I could and removed the bottle. I sewed the seam along the very edge of the pattern fabric edge. 

The beauty of the wrap is that it folds flat and stores away when not being used.

The bottle I chose is a sauce jar that measures 7.75" Tall, 2.25" in diameter and about 8" in circumference.

You can adjust this design any size bottle you have one hand.

Sewing Project - Hot Pad

I decided to make a hot pad so I can use my peninsula for serving food. The plan is to make 3 of them but one is a start.

My sister has made this one.

I did want to make a removable cover so that if this is not my final color choice at least the time making the pad was not wasted.

I chose a pear fabric for the top and a deep yellow fabric for the bottom.

I tested the fabric sandwich before I started sewing.

Cotton cover top and bottom.

Pad

1. Flannel - snowflake
2. Terrycloth - navy
3. Insul-brite Thermal Batting
4. Terrycloth - yellow
5. Flannel - snowflake

I heated my iron to the hottest cotton setting then set it down on the sandwich with out steam for one minute. The counter was slightly warm but not hot to the touch at all.

I set about making the pad.  I decided to make it about 12x12 inches square. My casserole dishes are around 9x9 inches.

I pieced together the yellow terry cloth and the navy terry cloth layers until I had the size I needed.

I cut the Insul-brite to 12x12 inches.  

I used my walking foot to stitch these layers into a cohesive piece.

Installing the walking foot took a long time.  After a couple of videos, I worked it out but my needle was hitting the foot.  I verified I had the right foot for my machine so I kept trouble shooting. After replacing the not quite straight needle I was finally able to stitch the middle layers together. It worked really well.  It's been at least 2 years since I bought it and had not used it.

Then I cut a piece of snowflake flannel to 14 x 28 inches which will be the pad cover. I sewed the 3 edges to just encase the middle layer. I inserted the middle piece into the case and folded the open end to the inside. I top stitched all the way around at about 1" from the edge. Then I closed the open end with a seam closer to the edge.  I top stitched a cross in the center but that may not have been the best idea was that is where the loft needs to be to protect the space below. 

NOTE: Keep the stitching away from the center.

Now I could get started on the removable cover.  Upon inspection of the pear fabric the pieces were smaller than I needed. I decided to apply a couple of fabrics to a foundation layer with the Quilt As You Go method.  I started with my foundation piece being bigger than I needed. I started with the pear fabric, and alternated strips of yellow and pear until I ended with pear fabric. 

I cut the deep yellow fabric to 13 inches by 15 inches which I thought was plenty but forgot about the thickness. My seams ended up at .25 inches and I zigzagged the edge as well.  I was going to felt the seams but there was not enough fabric for that. I sewed pear pieced fabric and the deep yellow fabric on the 3 sides, trimmed the corners to the zigzag and turned it right side out.  Ensured that the pad would fit inside. Good to go.

I was able to made a generous hem on the open end and top stitched that edge.

Now I could place the pad into the removable cover.  Paying attention to getting the far corners aligned properly.

The cover is just a slightly bit deeper than the pad.

It is reversible so I could use the pear side or the deep yellow side as the top.

The pad and cover now all settled in place provides about 12 x12 inches of protection for my counter.

Should the cover get dirty from the bottom of pans or casserole dishes it can be removed for laundering. 

Of course, the pad is also washable should the need arise. The pad could also be inserted into a new cover based on design or wear. 

There is a potluck at the end of the week so it was the big motivation to get this project done. Besides, I needed a day at home.  Last week was full of activity and being out of the house or contractors in my house.

I enjoyed my day sewing and used some fabric from my stash.

Sewing Project - Quilt 6 - Yellow, White and Navy

I finished another quilt yesterday.  I am using those Crushed Curry floral squares again. You can see the first quilt where I used them.  That was a great deal on fabric.  I have enough for another quilt.

Final Size: 40.50W x 54.00T inches

Technique: QAYG Mom Style

Colors: Yellow, Embossed White and Navy

Squares: 9.5 inches

I decided to quilt as you go the columns this time.  A process my Mom shared with me. It will be more efficient in time and involves not cutting the backing and batting into small pieces.  The columns were sewn together with a pair of squares in matching colors as shown on the left. The backing was left in one large piece and I starting quilt on the left hand side.  On the first column you have a roll of backing and batting in the throat of your machine but as you move right the bulk ends up to the left of the needle.  The first seam was the first column and the navy strip then I ironed the strip over and added the 2nd column.  Stitched again and iron that one over to the right. Left to right goes like this: Column 1, Navy strip, Column 2, Column 3, Navy strip, Column 4

Quilting: Diagonal across the 9.5 inch squares in a pattern which makes these large diamond shapes in the center panel.

Binding: Navy at 2.5 inches.  Sewn to the front, folded to the back and finished from the front to catch the fold over on the back.  Makes a really nice finish on the front.

I decided to leave the striped flannel as the backing to provide a warm and soft layer.

I paired the yellow floral squares with white embossed fabric which adds to the quilt but not another color. Coordinates with the pattern in the yellow squares.

I was limited in the amount of flannel I had so I made it 6 squares tall and 4 squares wide.  I wanted to increase the width so I added 2 navy stripes which helped to bring the navy I was going to use for the binding.

Lessons Learned:

• This process is definitely faster in putting the quilt together.  
• I have decided to use a neutral thread on the inside seams. I am getting some cones of thread from a lady at quilt group.  Grey, Black and White.  That will help a lot. Thread is expensive.
• Adding another row of squares helped with the symmetry in the design of this quilt.

Sewing Project - Quilt 4 - Fish Strips

I have finished another quilt.  I wanted to try a QAYG strip quilt which has less stitching as there is no top stitching in this one.

This one is larger coming in at 41 inches wide and 67 inches tall.

I used a piece of fish fabric cotton as the pattern in this quilt.  I added solids in yellow, brown and black fabric. I cut 4", 3.5" and 2.5" strips.

The back is a really soft fabric but I don't know the fiber content. It seemed a shame to cut it into squares so it was a strip quilt.

I added a layer of cotton polyester white fabric as the "batting" in this quilt. I started by pinning the batting to the wrong side of the back.

I started in the center and continued to add strips then iron them over and continued the process till I got to the one edge.  I then switched and went in the other direction from the center.  It is just a series of 14 very long seams. Once the strips were in place I then squared the quilt with my rulers.  I stitched all the way around about 1/8 in from the edge.

The bulk of the quilt was a challenge for the small throat of my sewing machine.  I rolled the quilt to get it through the throat and the length created a large pile behind the machine.

This will make a nice quilt for a boy.

My niece gave me this great piece of fabric from a stash she had been given.  Thanks so much.

This quilt took less time than my regular quilts made with 9.5 inch squares.  I chose grey thread so it would blend with the back.  I added a 2.5 inch binding in black fabric sewed with black thread.
You can check binding tips here.