Blog Series: Colour

9 Replies

ColorWidget

I love colour. I enjoy choosing different color palettes across multiple mediums and using then in quilt designs, paintings / drawings or interior design. My favorite part is pulling fabric for a particular colour palette.

I am in the process of planning a blog series, starting January 2016, where we can focus on a particular colour each month. The blog series will include:

  • fabric pulls using the focus colour of the month (include name, designer, manufacturer)
  • color theory
  • inspiration sources
  • reference / research material (across multiple disciplines)
  • guest posts
  • Link-ups for activities

I hope we can have a lot of discussion, share, learn and have fun together. I am excited to get started. Stay tuned, more details to follow.

If you are interested in doing a guest post, please contact me at ml_wilkie (at) hotmail (dot) com.

 

Tutorial: Fabric art blocks

6 Replies

For Christmas gifts for my colleagues, I needed something quick but handmade. I had a couple of designs in my head, I needed to get out (they were keeping me awake at night). I had an idea to make those blocks into hanging art blocks.
FabricArtBlocks

I had a few folks ask about how I mounted the blocks. Here are the steps I used.

Materials

  • One (1) Canvas Frame (eg. 12 x 4″)
  • One (1) Fabric Block (eg. 16 x 8″)
  • 1 1/2″ Fusible Batting Tape
  • Staple Gun

Instructions

  1. When making your block, add two inches to each side (allowance for wrapping around the canvas).
    FinishedBlock
  2. Cut four (4) pieces of batting tape the length of each side. The batting tape will be used to stabilize and finish the edges of the block.
    BattingTapeFinishing
  3. Fold the batting tape over each edge (one at a time). Iron to adhere the batting tape and hold it in place. Take the pre-made canvas board and place it on the back of the block face down.
    Frame_Placement
  4. Take the first long edge of the fabric block and fold over the frame. Staple in the middle, in place. Repeat on the opposite side, stretching the block flat. Fold the corners (try folding a 45 degree angle), pull lightly to stretch the block smooth, staple in place. Repeat with each corner. If needed, add additional staples to provide the appropriate even stretch over your frame.
    Staple_Print
    NOTE: Check as you add the staples, that the block is laying flat and have smooth edges with each addition of a staple.

  5. Turn your block over….your block is all done. This block is a 12 x 4″.
    Pink_Art_Block

Last minute finishes

4 Replies

First of Merry Christmas to you all. I hope you all had a happy holiday.

Sitting here today, waiting for banana bread and orange muffins to finish baking. It’s the perfect time to catch-up on some project finishes.

Portable selvedge ironing board

I finished my portable ironing board made from selvedges. I have been asked by several people “how does it work ironing on”.  As the selvedges are top stitched there is very little bulk, and so far the ridges or bumps have not pressed through & the board has held up well so far.

PortableIroningBoard

Please note when making a portable ironing board, there are a couple of differences from the tutorial I posted a few days ago.

  • The 17 x 17″ board is much harder than the ironing board that below the insulated ironing padding, I added an additional layer of batting.
  • For the edging, I used four (4) 17.5″ x 3″ strips. Sewed each strip together to form a square, pressed the seams. When sewing the strips to the top, pin at the corners and sew corner to corner, leaving a 1/4 space at each end (this allows the ability to turn easily and have neat corners).
  • Lightly stretch top over the board and using a staple gun adhere the fabric to the board. I then used washi tape to finish the edges neatly and added small feet to the bottom of the board.

I plan to make a couple more ironing board covers and use more of my constantly growing pile of selvedges. Definitely a fun project!!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts

I finished Ashley’s Quilt top right before Christmas. I love it. I would so not have made a rainbow quilt on my own, so this experience was fantastic. More information about all the contributors in this WiP post.

SisterhoodTravelingQuilt

Design wall

My hubby moved his office of the bonus room and now I have the whole room to myself. He had the only valuable flat wall space. I now have my 7 x 8′ design wall up. It’s so great to have that much space!!

DesignWall

Its been a week of some great accomplishments and so happy with my new work items. I hope you all have a great New Year!!