Tool Time Tuesday...Bread Ties Quilt Row Markers

Happy Tuesday!! Do you know that the word "Tuesday" has a whole new meaning in our house. If I pick something up, look at it funny, stare off into space, keep it, shove it my purse, or if I ask...do you know what this is? all my family says is...Tuesday. (To tell you the truth, they sometimes say "why do you save all that crap", but then when they see the final product they say...Tool Time!)
space
Here is the perfect example of "why the heck did you save those"?
space
Do you know what these are?
space
space
Bread Bag clips...
space

space
and lots of them...

space
These are another versions of this TTT. These are quilt row markers too!!

space

and you can color code them if you want.
space

Use a permanent marker to write the row and number. Because it's plastic, make sure the ink dries before you use them...it may not dry and smudge. You can also use a pencil or there is a different idea towards the end.
space

All you need to do is use a straight pin and catch a little of the fabric inside the clip hole. Isn't this block adorable...it was made and sent to me by a special friend. It's a top secret project which I will reveal soon!
space

Here's a close up.

or you can use a little safety pin to attach it to the fabric. This pin comes with the bend in it. It does resemble many of the straight pins I run over in my machine, but this I didn't do!!

You can use a larger safety pin to store them on.

Here's the other idea if the pen or marker keeps smudging. Just type the row numbers on sticky labels, then cut them up and stick them to the bread clip.

or you can use price tag stickers too.

So, get out there and start eating all those breads, rolls or muffins....we have rows and rows of blocks to sew together!! Make sure you check the bag before you buy it. It may have the twisty wire things and who needs those. Oh wait a minute...that may be a Tool Time in the future. Hmmm, what can we use those for?

space

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Quilting Finger Grips

Hello everyone...sorry I've been away for so long. We've had family here this summer from 4 different states and crazy college stuff to get ready. I can't believe I missed a Tool Time last week. Yikes...I haven't even been on the computer in 2 weeks. To make up for all this lack of blogging, look for a give away coming soon!!!! Woo Hoo.
space
Now on to TTT...if you are new to this blog, you're probably thinking what is a Tool Time Tuesday anyway? Well, I find items in hardware stores, offices supply, auto stores and even the grocery store and turn these items into useful gadgets for the sewing or the crafting room.
space
This little item is from Staples for a $1.99. They are rubber finger tips and are used to protect your nails and finger tips while sorting paper. Well, not for quilters...



These weird little things come in different sizes so make sure you try them on before you buy them.

See, a perfect fit. A little strange I know, but wait until you see...

Look how easy it is to machine quilt, especially free motion quilting. You have to move your fabric around so fast, trying to picture all those puzzle piece shaped figures in your head and move the fabric. The rubber tips really grip the fabric and help to glide the quilt along. Try them and see what you think. (I'm really not quilting this yet. I haven't even finished piecing it, but it was in my machine so used it as a prop)

Hope you are having a great week so far and look for the give away in a few days!!! Sorry this is a quick one, but I should have left for work 10 minutes ago. Why can't I stay here and blog?!?

space

See you soon,

~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Paint Chip Fabric Match

sspacepace

This week's TTT will be a short one, but oh so helpful. We're having another party this weekend...this time for Courtney's high school graduation...we've invited over 80 people, so I've been running around like a maniac. I'm having a carnival theme with booths, games, prizes, a moon bounce, cotton candy machine and a full dinner. I ought to have my head examined, but you only graduate from high school once. Ok, back to Tuesday's helpful hint.

space

Paint chips...love the free paint chips. We've been painting for the party, so I grabbed these paint chips while at the hardware store. She wants a blue and yellow theme, because those are the colors of the university she will be going to in 25 days (lump in throat).

space

Now I know there is a TTT in these paint chips somewhere...

Woo Hoo!!
How about matching the chips to one of the fabrics that you already have in your stash and then just take the paint chip strip with you to the quilt shop. You can then match any range of colors to the fabric, because you already know it matched the strip.
space
This really takes the guessing out of picking and matching colors, because Benjamin Moore has already done the color work for you.


Hope you like this short, but sweet Tool Time Tuesday.
space
I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments and emails. I really miss visiting your blogs, but I know my life will slow down soon...this summer has been a crazy one. I will try and get back to you after this weekend, so don't think I've forgotten you!!!
space
By the way...if any one has any suggestions for more games for our carnival, I would love it if you could share. Well, I'm off to bed...see you next week. I'll try to remember to take pictures of the carnival to share.
space
Have a great Tuesday,
~Karen~

Tool Time Tuesday...Sewing With Coffee Filters

I found this coffee related quote, but I don't know who said it...
space

"You know when you've had too much coffee when

you can thread a sewing machine while it's running"

space
I had a "brewed" awakening one morning when I found a package of coffee filters that I don't use anymore. What to do? What to make? I couldn't just throw them away...how about sewing with them! I am so flying by the seat of my pants on this Tool Time Tuesday. I have never made a crazy quilt block or used any type of foundation when quilting, so if there is anything that looks like I need help...please let me know.
space
Here we go... first up...the paper coffee filters
space

One paper coffee filter ironed very flat.

space

Gather up all your odd shaped scraps or just cut some up like I did. (still have some pieces of my favorite Moda's like Wuthering Heights...love the browns and reds)
space

randomly place a piece on the filter right side up.

space

Take another fabric scrap and place it on top of the first piece, right sides together.

Stitch with 1/4" seam, sewing through the 2 pieces of fabric and the coffee filter.

Here is a close up of the seam.

Open up the top fabric and press with hot iron.

Here it is pressed open.

Select another piece of fabric and place right side down on the 2 first pieces. Play with the placement, so they aren't going all in the same direction.

Sew again with 1/4" seam.

In this close up, you can trim the extra fabric that sticks out beyond the 1/4" seam to reduce the bulk.

Iron the new piece open.

In this picture you can see that it doesn't matter that the scraps extend beyond the shape of the circle.

Keep adding scraps right side down on the last sewn fabric. Press each piece open after sewing it down.

When you have completely covered the coffee filter, it will look like this. (I know...it looks like a mess, but you'll see).

This is a picture of the back.

Trim the excess fabric up to the coffee filter.

Dampen the coffee filter with a spray bottle of water or just soak it in the sink like I did (flying by the seat of my pants...not knowing what I was doing here, but it worked!!) This helps the filter just melt away from the seams. Tears off very easily.

Press again with the iron and there you have it...a perfect "Crazy Coffee Circle". All you need to do is applique it to a pillow, make several more and blanket stitch them to squares of fabric and make a quilt with all these scrappy circles. You can also cut a square out of it if you wanted to. The size of my filter when it's ironed flat is 8 inches across.

I started this project after work on Monday night, another late night project as usual. I had no plan of action...just grabbed some fabric and sewed away. I think I'll pick out more fabric and make a bunch of these. Can't wait to see what a full quilt of circles sewn to different squares looks like.
space

These were very easy to make, so I hope you can join me in making these fun circles. I looked up the definition of a "Coffee Klatch". It is a casual social gathering for coffee and conversation.
spaceMaybe I should start a virtual "Crazy Coffee Klatch". We could all make our own version of the coffee filter circles, while having a nice cup of coffee and then post it on our blogs. Let me know what you think...sounds crazy, but that seems to be the theme of this post. I think I need to go to bed now!!!
spaceHope you all have a great (crazy) Tuesday,

~Karen~

Bucket of Half Square Triangles To Go...

For me a bucket of anything to go is good, but a bucket of half square triangles is even better. Do you remember a few posts back when I was making the 1930's spool blocks? I had mentioned that whenever I am sewing squares on the diagonal, I take the time to sew the extra seam and it gives me all the extra half square triangles (remember the bucket of them in the clamp Tool Time Tuesday). Well, here is a little tutorial on how I square up the little 1.5 inch half square triangles without using a rotary cutter. With this technique, you can square them up while watching tv, out on your porch, in the car or like me today...at the beach. I get antsy at the beach, so I always need something to do!!!!
space
Here's the spool block.
space
space
The 2 outer rectangles of the block are white and have 2 squares placed on each end. I drew the black line so you could see the direction of where the stitching will be.
space

I sewed the first stitching line from corner to corner. Then I sewed again a 1/2" away from the first stitch line. I use a piece of blue painters tape to mark my machine so it goes faster.

Now simply cut between the 2 stitch lines.

For each of the 2 rectangles that you need for the spool block, you will get 4 little extra half square triangles.

The 2 on the left are for the spool and the 4 on the right are your extras, all ironed and waiting to be squared up.

Here's my bucket to go!!!!

The next few pictures are the tutorial for squaring them up without using a rotary cutter.
spaceFirst take the square and measure it. Mine are a little larger than 1.5 inches.

Take a piece of medium weight plastic, somewhat see through. I used a notebook divider. You can also use template material.

Cut a square to your desired size. Mine will be 1.5 inches. With a permanent thin tipped marker, draw a line from corner to corner.

Now place your plastic square on the fabric half square triangle and match the black line to the diagonal line of the seam.

With little sharp scissors, trim the excess fabric and the little pieces that are sticking out.

Here you have a finished half square triangle that will finish up in a quilt at 1 inch. Tiny I know, but oh so cute in a mini quilt!!

The next few pictures are different arrangements to use them in mini quilts or borders.

These last 2 pictures are of a little quilt I made using this technique. This was made with the extra half square triangle from a Thimbleberries quilt. I trimmed them all to 1 inch and the finished squares are 1/2 inch. The mini quilt is 7" x 9" with a matching pillow sham. I certainly didn't waste any fabric on that one!!!

I hope you can use this idea the next time you have to trim your squares. Just imagine yourself in a comfy chair, instead of hunched over your rotary mat with a pile of half square triangles staring at you.

Hope you have a great day,

~Karen~