Denim Jean Pattern...(cont)

Update:  The pattern is complete!

You can purchase a copy at my Etsy Shop:

A Passionate Quilter Etsy Shop

So...in order to stay focused on getting this pattern done, I've been getting up early before work to practice. 

I'm trying to get this down to a science.  It's not easy to translate what I know how to do in my head into written, easy-to-understand directions!  :)


Continuing from the other day...I've figured out how to maximize the number of circles I can get from a pant leg.  In this case, I was able to get 16 circles from one pair of jeans- NOT BAD!

It's taken me a while (and a LOT of practice) to get my measurements down to a science.  Since I'm making this up as I go, I've had to play with the exact measurements for sewing between circles.  I needed a size that would fit a charm square and still show off the fabric in the middle. 

I've made and remade these circles SO many times in order to finally get all of the measurements just right!  I am very pleased with how it's worked out! 

Sewing the denim circles end to end is actually quite easy now that I have a method for measuring consistently.  I never thought about it before but it's not easy to know how to measure from the end of a rounded edge!! ;)

I was honestly able to whip these out pretty quick!  It was fun and when I was done I was able to better envision what it would look like when finished!!

Although the pattern is for a quilt, I am making a table runner right now in order to practice the steps more than once. 

More pics to come with the charm squares inside! 

See ya and thanks for sharing the process with me!!

Heather

Progress on my New Pattern

Update:  The pattern is complete!

You can purchase a copy at my Etsy Shop:

A Passionate Quilter Etsy Shop

Recycled Denim Jeans- Rag Quilt Pattern

I have posted several times in the past about the progress of my recycled denim jeans quilt. As I progressed I got some great feedback and I decided to turn it into a pattern.

I'm about a third of the way through the pattern draft and have been taking pictures along the way which I'd like to show here.

I've been thinking about how to help people can get the most possible usable yardage from each pair of jeans. 

I've found that if you cut the legs off just under the pockets and then cut down the inside of each leg seam, you'll get the maximum amount of fabric.

One pant leg cut open looks like this...

 

AND interestingly enough, I've found that if you start tracing circles at the Bottom of the pant leg you will get MORE circles then if you start tracing at the top.  I don't know why but somehow I'm maximizing the length better by starting at the bottom!  

As far as cutting out the circles, I've been going back and forth between using use a cardboard template for tracing the circles or using the Olfa circle cutter.

 OR

There are advantages to both and I'm trying to decide which one to recommend or to just talk about both.  I don't want to make things too complicated though...

I think the biggest challenge about this quilt is actually making the circles.  I've been doing a LOT of research and it's surprising but there are no really good ways to cut accurate circles.

Anyway, back to the drawing board (literally)!  

Heather

Material Girls Quilters

I belong to a great quilting group called “The Material Girls”. We get together twice a month.

AWESOME quilt Char!  Your hard work paid off!

The first meeting takes place at a member’s house where the host creates terrific food and we share our latest projects and ideas. There is a LOT of laughing and it’s always a great time!

 The other meeting takes place at a local quilt shop (thank you Sierra Sewing Center and Michelle) where we bring down our sewing machines and spend the evening sewing!

Of course, since it takes places in a quilt shop there MAY be a little shopping that goes on as well.

Excellent quilting job- Mom!

At every meeting we have food and we share our most recent projects. It’s a terrific group of ladies. Everyone is so supportive and it’s really fun to get together and share our favorite past time with other people who appreciate it!

 

Thanks guys!  :)

A Dog Bed!

So...I wanted to make something that could be finished in a couple of hours.  I wanted that feeling of moving from start to finish in one sitting. 

I was over at Noodleheads (such a cute blog!) and saw the November 24th entry.  What an adorable pillow she made for her girls!!

Her version is an "I Spy" pillow.  It got me thinking about how I have been meaning to refinish a pillow covering for our dogs for a pillow that currently sits in a chair in our living room.

 

One of our "dear little puppies" likes to self soothe by chewing on blankets.  This pillow covering did not escape his focus.  It was long overdue for a change.

I couldn't help but think what a great pillow covering this would make for our dogs bed! 

So I made made my own customizations, wrote a pattern and was VERY happy with the results!  Best yet, it only took a couple of hours at the most.  I was done in no time!!

I used part of a Tweet Tweet charm pack from Moda!

What do you think?

A 5 year old's Birthday!

We celebrated my niece’s birthday on the 23rd, two days before Thanksgiving. She turned five years old this day!

She is such a princess and so cute!

Her mommy and grandma brought princess cupcakes to her school to share with the entire kindergarten class.

The whole family celebrated her special day with a dinner. She got a big stack of presents and we had cake.

It was so cute to watch her open her presents. It was fun to be reminded of how much fun it is to get presents when you are little!

So much anticipation!

What could possibly be in those beautifully wrapped presents?

(She and I pose with the family chihauhau.)

After she opened each present she would show it to everyone and then say “Now under the table!”. She would place each present under the table in front of her. ??? Who knows why but it was pretty cute!

She did eventually take out each toy and play with it for a while. At the end of the evening she packed up all of the presents and walked them to her room!

Here the birthday girl poses with my Mom and sister (her mommy)!

The birthday craziness continues...it was a VERY fun evening!

Happy Birthday Aspen!

LOVE, Tia





Twisted Scissor in Sparks, NV

I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT THIS SHOP HAS CLOSED.  WE WILL MISS IT!

Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe

1360 Disc Drive

Sparks, NV 89436

(775) 626-7017

Click here for the:

Twisted Scissor Facebook Page

Hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am - 5pm

Saturday: 10 am - 4 pm

Sunday, Monday: CLOSED

_________________________________________________________________________

Welcome to the Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe, owned and operated by Karen Smith!

Karen has an absolutely lovely shop located just outside of Reno in Sparks, NV. (For those not from the area, Reno and Sparks have no clear division and one city melds into the other.)

When you meet Karen you will be instantly won over by her friendly, warm smile. She is a true people person and has created a fun, exciting quilt shop!

Karen is the shoppe's one and only employee and if you ask her what she does for a living she'll tell you, "I run with scissors!"

This joke extends beyond quilting because in a shared next door space you'll find Karen's hair salon!

She's not kidding when she says she spends her days "running with scissors"!

Karen carries a great line of current patterns and likes to showcase various designers.

Twisted Scissor has a wonderful display of quilt samples hanging on the walls.  On the day of my visit there were quite a few 3-D samples where the designs were literally jumping off the quilt!  Absolutely adorable child quilts! 

This is a small shop but Karen makes use of every bit of space.  The displays are darling and the merchandise is easy to see.  As Karen says, she's paying for every square inch so she's going to use it!!

When I asked Karen to define her shop she said that people could expect to find lots of color, bright fabrics and clean, crisp prints!  I would definitely agree!

Above is a picture of the quilt they designed for this year's

Pony Express Shop Hop 2010. 

What a beautiful quilt!

Although this was only the shop's second year participating, the Shop Hop was a huge success!!  Word is spreading about our local Shop Hop and people are coming!  Can't wait until next year! 

Karen makes pricing extremely easy. 

Unless a fabric is specially marked all of her fabric is $9.50/yd.  In addition she has a large selection of sale fabrics and is constantly getting in new fabrics!  There is always something new to see!

Here you can see another example of her beautiful 3-D quilt samples!  I LOVE the pink and black!!

Every bit of space is cleverly used.  The displays are cute, fun and fresh!

One of the nice things about Karen's shop is that not only can you buy fabric off the bolt in whatever yardage you need but she also precuts

 1/2 yard and 1 yard bundles. 

 I LOVE the convenience of this and I usually find that I spend much more money than normal with the precut bundles!  It's just TOO easy to shop!  :)

Below is a picture of Karen and her daughter, Dani, at this year's Shop Hop. 

Thank you so much Karen for your hospitality!! 

You have a beautiful shop and I can't wait to come back!

Don't forget to visit her on Facebook at: Twisted Scissor Quilt Shoppe

Thanks for stopping by!

Heather

Cool Cottons in Portland, OR!

Cool Cottons

2417 SE Hawthorne Blvd

Portland, OR  97214

Phone: 503-232-0417

Website: http://www.coolcottonsinc.com/

My brother-in-law got married a few weeks ago which meant that we flew into the Portland Airport on our way to Benton City, WA.  So you know I had to stop and see a quilt shop prior to leaving the city!

Lucky for me, I stopped at Cool Cottons!  What an AWESOME shop!  It was really a luck of the draw since I've never visited any Portland quilt stores before.  We pulled up to the shop (which is actually a converted home...see picture below).

I was intrigued and ready to investigate!

They carry a LOT of fabrics and many modern lines.  I simply loved it!  Each section of the store was organized by color which made shopping easy and fun.  (see the "greens" below?)

The shop is located in an old restored house.  It used to be an art gallery and all of the original wood was restored.  It's just simply gorgeous.  Pictures don't do it justice.

The shop has its own website and they have a LOT more pictures.  Check it out @: Cool Cottons

While visiting the shop, I got to meet the owners Marie and Pam.  Such lovely ladies with an obvious eye for great fabric. 

We visited for a while and they told me about Portland's weather.  It was such a lovely summer day and I couldn't help but wonder if they really did get all of the rain I have heard about.  Do you know they even get snow!  I wasn't expecting that!

The overall feel was very welcoming.  With so many windows and a wonderful lighting system, the shop was bright and open. 

This is a fantastic shop and WELL worth your time.  I will definitely be making a point to return the next time I'm in Portland.  

This is a true First class Quilt Shop!

Heather :)