Tutorial: Fabric art blocks

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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

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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!!

 

Reflection + Goals 2016

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For this year’s reflection and goals, I am joining in Yvonne @ Quilting Jet Girl Planning Party Link-up (see button below).

Reflection – 2015

Reflecting on my goals from last year, I think I did pretty well…though my goals altered during the year.

  • My biggest goal for the beginning of the year is to sew just from my stash. If I run out of a fabric in the middle of a project or require backing fabric, I can make a purchase.
    X Did not accomplish for most of the year to met this goal, but in this last quarter I am doing more of this.

    IMG_5513

  • Continue to make strides in finishing of my projects on a monthly basis (see below for project plans/targets). I will definitely continue goal setting with A Lovely Year of Finishes.
    √ I definitely finished a project every month, finishing 16 projects which were mostly quilts. I did not finish the projects I identified earlier this year but I am happy with the flexibility.

    mosaicd5919d85d20159a033587cd2b4da006f3d6d7233

  • Make my son a quilt
    X Did not accomplish this
  •  Participate more in the quilting community
    √ Overall, I think I accomplished this, just not completely in the way I thought I would. I made some great friends and relationships this year. I also participated more via Instagram vs. my blog and participated in 3 blog hops.

    • Launch “Back to School” Tutorial series on my blog, which I hope will be a regular feature (coming beginning in January).
      X This did not come together. I did start the Spoonflower Sampler Quilt block tutorials, quilting triangle tutorials and lately how to use your selvedges to make an ironing board cover.
      IMG_9503
    • Plan and teach new classes this year. I hope to teach a needle-turn applique and a paper-piecing class this year.
      √ This is coming together nicely. I took the time this year to developed a couple of classes which I am having the opportunity to teach in 2016.
    • I have really enjoyed sharing Design to Reality on Sew Mama Sew, so I would like to continue contributing projects and take the big step of seeing if I can publish in magazines.
      √ To my surprise I have managed to get 4 projects in print (includes Quilt Now, Love Patchwork & Quilting, Art Gallery Lookbook) , with another 3 projects coming out early 2016.

      Love Patchwork & Quilting issue 29 NEGATIVE CROSSWALKS

    • Participate more in my guild (Triangle MQG).
      √ I ran as President for my local guild!! It was a lot of fun. I also contributed to the MQG Quilt of the Month. Oh, and I had two quilts accepted at QuiltCon 2015…my first quilt show, 2 quilts are going to QuiltCon 2016.
      Altitudinal Ecosysytem
  • Design goals include:
    • Continue participating in Quilt Design a Day.
    • Try out a 1-2 new fabric designs via Spoonflower
      √ Completed both these goals and accomplished making my designs into reality.

Goals – 2016

This year (2015) has set up many of my goals for 2016. I am super excited about the opportunities.

  • Make that quilt for my son and another one for my mom.
  • Continue making my designs into reality. My goal is to make 1 quilt a month…12 quilting projects total.
  • Start a blog or Instagram series, related to design (plans are underway).
  • Release at least 4 patterns (PDF and in Print).
  • Go to Spring Quilt Market (I was approved/qualified!!)
  • Teach at least 4 quilting classes and attend at least 2 quilting classes.
  • Submit quilts for consideration to juried quilt shows (definitely QuiltCon 2017)
  • Submit an application for an art gallery showing.
  • Make some decisions about my brand to set up for the future.

It is important to me to find balance, so I want to also:

  • Start exercising again.
  • Family.
  • Don’t stress about blogging, share when and where it makes sense.
  • Give myself permission to play and experiment, it’s not all about deadlines and getting finishes.
  • Continue and participate more in Quilt Design a Day. Make the time.
  • Support my quilty friends and continue to build those friendships (locally and online).

That’s it, I think, for this upcoming year. What about you all?? Check out Yvonne’s link up and be inspired 🙂 Happy Holidays.

2016 Planning Party