foundation pieced quilt patterns
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How should I anchor my floss at the beginning?
Though some people will tell you otherwise, never use knots in needlework. It tends to cause a bulge on the front of the fabric when the piece is mounted. To start, hold the end of the floss on the reverse side and stitch over it with the first couple stitches. To finish off a strand run the needle under a few stitches on the back. Avoid anchoring colored threads under white threads since the color tends to show through to the front. Trim the tails.
The technique I use is one that I learned from my aunt. Start by separating one long strand of floss and doubling it over on itself so it forms a loop at one end. Thread the two raw ends through the needle. Begin by taking your needle up through the fabric. Make your first stitch, and go down through the fabric. Take your needle through the loop. The thread is now anchored securely, and looks neater on the back.
I have finished a piece of cross-stitch work and now I cannot get the creases from the hoop out. I do not need to wash it how can I get them out?
You can damped it and iron it, BUT the floss colors might run beads might melt or the crease might not come out all together. Before trying this be sure to take some strands of floss and put them on a sample of the cloth and dampen them to see if the color runs. When you iron, use a cool iron on the back of the design, and put a towel on both sides, never put an iron directly on the stitches! Alternatively you could go to your dry cleaners and ask them if them could help with a light steam iron, but know if the colors can run.
The best way to get them out is to avoid getting them in the first place. I would suggest that you take the fabric out of the hoop every time you stop sewing, and move it to a slightly different place each time. Another option is to place a piece of plastic wrap between the top hoop and the fabric before stitching. Then all you just cut out a hole for stitching. This keeps the hoop from touching the fabric.
3. Can you tell me what is the best way to clean the finished product? Is it dry clean or hand wash? Or not clean at all?
You should always wash your finished piece because even if it doesn’t look dirty, it will have some dirt on it and the oils left by your hands will attract more. You should also never iron your needlework before it’s been cleans since, like a dryer, it will make the dirt and oils permanent.
I suggest washing with a gentle soap like ivory or baby shampoo, though I feel the best choice is Orvus quilt soap. It’s non-abrasive and free of harsh chemicals, which makes it perfect for needlework. I don’t suggest Woolite since it contains bleach. Use cool water and let your piece soak for 5-10 minutes, and then gently suds the piece. Rinse it by dipping it in cool clean water. If any of the colors begin to bleed, continue rinsing until the water remains clear. When it’s completely rinsed lay the piece flat on a towel and gently roll it up. This will blot up the extra moisture. NEVER wring or twist your needlework!!
The next step is ironing. First, place your needlework face down on a dry towel and place another thinner towel or press fabric on the other side. Putting a towel underneath helps keep the stitches from getting flattened. Be sure to use a dry iron that’s set on the appropriate fabric setting. Let the piece fully cool before moving.
After this first washing, the floss and fabric should be color fast and you shouldn’t have any other problems washing it.
I hope these hits help make your needlework projects even better!
About the Author
Katrina Renouf is the founder and owner of the cross stitch website www.matkailuxstitch.com.
...Author: Katrina Renouf
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Timely help for foundation pieced quilt patterns
About Quilting This little quilt was fun to make, and is a take-off of a bed quilt my sister, Donna, made for me many years ago, a pitchers and bowl design inspired by my collection of vintage spongeware. And there's a story behind that quilt. She had assembled a double or queen version (time has erased that bit of my memory) and then learned I bought a king sized bed. So she reworked the quilt to make it larger. I think most people would have left it as-is, but Donna wanted it to be just right. She even made matching throw pillows. I reduced the scale of the pitchers for this wallhanging and combined them with foundation pieced Courthouse Steps quilt blocks, a variation of the traditional Log Cabin design. © Janet Wickell Pitchers for Tildy's Cabin Quilt originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Thursday, February 9th, 2012 at 06:15:42. Permalink | Comment | Email this Wonky Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern You'll have fun with the wonky log cabin quilt block pattern. Make the blocks from structured fabrics if you like, or grab strings from your stash and go entirely scrappy. This quilt block is one of the easiest you'll ever make -- its patches do not have to be cut to exact sizes and its seams can vary -- angle the strips this way and that to increase the design's wonky appearance. Blocks in the photo were stitched to resemble a wonky version of one traditional log cabin layout -- the pattern includes tips to help you change the look. Follow About.com Quilting on Facebook Photo © Janet Wickell Wonky Log Cabin Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 07:45:55. Permalink | Comment | Email this Oriental Attic Windows Quilt Block Pattern I really like Asian themed fabrics, but sometimes I have a hard time visualizing blocks that fit the look. But I love this Oriental Attic Windows design. Each quilt block is made from three pieces of fabric -- and sewn together with only two seams. Yes, the block has a mitered corner, but the easy sewing method will erase any fears beginners might have about tackling miters. I promise, it's simple, and a really important skill to learn. Give it a try! Oriental Attic Windows Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 06:00:47. Permalink | Comment | Email this Domino Quilt Block & Quilt Pattern The Domino quilt block finishes at 9" square, with small units that are a nice size for baby and toddler quilts, but perfectly fine for a bed-sized quilts, too. The Domino quilt block pattern includes instructions for making a single quilt block, for those of you who like to go scrappy, plus directions for 20-strip pieced Domino blocks. The 20 blocks can be used in the Domino baby quilt shown on page 4 of the pattern, or in another quilt of your own design. Before beginning, new quilters should make sure they're okay with sewing a quarter inch seam and with rotary cutting long strips of fabric. Domino Quilt Block & Quilt Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 at 06:00:00. Permalink | Comment | Email this Lost Ship Quilt Block Pattern Lost Ship is the ninth quilt block pattern for the Scrap Happy Sampler Quilt, but you can use it for any project. Two versions of the block are shown, one more scrappy than the other, but each variation helps you practice making half-square triangle units -- a good thing since those units are probably the most commonly used patchwork configuration. You might notice that the design is similar to the Rocky Glen quilt block -- the overall layout is basically the same, but Rocky Glen contains more half-square triangle units. Like other blocks in the sampler series, the Lost Ship quilt block finishes at 12-inches square. Lost Ship Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 07:50:44. Permalink | Comment | Email this Pictures of 2012 New Year's Day Mystery Quilts The 2012 New Year's Day Mystery Quilt gallery is up and running now, and illustrates the wide variety of layouts that quilters developed when designing their projects. The quilts in the gallery are a wonderful representation of the work that went into these projects, but there are many, many more quilts and quilt tops out there, and I'd love to feature them all in the gallery. Please email your photos to me at quilting.guide@about.com. Quilt by Neralie Pictures of 2012 New Year's Day Mystery Quilts originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Monday, January 30th, 2012 at 06:00:59. Permalink | Comment | Email this Quilt Photo Gallery Updates I updated quite a few of our quilt galleries this weekend, and am now pretty much caught up (temporarily, as usual) with the photos you have submitted. Once again I do have forms without photos and photos without forms -- all of those go into a 'check these' folder until I can find time to write (mostly about missing photos). When you submit the form, please remember that it is a 2-step process -- photos must come to me by separate email. Galleries Updated Photo is Shattered, a quilt by Sewtherequilts in memory of her sister. Quilt Photo Gallery Updates originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 18:01:08. Permalink | Comment | Email this Flock of Geese Quilt Block Pattern Flock of Geese is a traditional quilt block, but its name is a bit misleading. Take a look at the block and you'll see it does not include those popular flying geese units that we often use. Instead, the 'flocks' are made up of half-square triangle units, kind of like geese flying in formation. You can adjust the color value of your patches to make the block appear very different from mine, and you can choose a structured look or go very scrappy with the layout. The Flock of Geese block is fun to play with -- try varying the look from block-to-block in a larger quilt, because I think you'll like that, too. Flock of Geese Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 12:16:15. Permalink | Comment | Email this Patchwork Hearts Quilt Block & Quilt Patterns Quilting Forum members designed this 6" patchwork heart quilt block for a 2008 swap, and are using it again this month. The design is a natural for a Valentine's Day wallhanging and makes a lovely baby quilt. The heart block is assembled with quick piecing techniques, so it's super easy to make. For the swap, a different focal fabric was used in each half of the block (two pinks or two reds), but choose another combination if you prefer. You'll find instructions and yardage for a small heart wallhanging on the last page of the pattern. Photo © Sophie Patchwork Hearts Quilt Block & Quilt Patterns originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Saturday, January 28th, 2012 at 06:00:22. Permalink | Comment | Email this Heart in a Snowball Quilt Block Pattern This vibrant Snowball quilt block is assembled with a white on white interior and purple tips. A red heart is appliqued to the center of the 6" (finished size) block. If you're already into applique, the gentle heart will be a breeze, and beginners will find that it's a perfect first applique project (read my Needleturn Applique Basics for technique how-tos). The block is from a 2009 Quilting Forum event, where it was sewn by numerous members. Heart Blocks by Sandy Heart in a Snowball Quilt Block Pattern originally appeared on About.com Quilting on Friday, January 27th, 2012 at 06:00:45. Permalink | Comment | Email this Newsfeed display by CaRP |
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