Large Fractal Radiance Quilt

I finished this quilt top back in September to test the large Fractal Radiance pattern. I would say the most time consuming part was choosing the fabrics. This was a last minute test, so I didn’t have time to purchase fabric and I didn’t really want to spend money on new fabric. It forced me to use what I had in my stash (a lot of green and yellow solids), which also led to a more unexpected color combination – at least for me. I had to piece a few of the triangles (you’ll notice it in the upper right red triangle) due to fabric that wasn’t quite big enough, but I think it actually worked for this particular quilt pattern. I also incorporated some small prints that almost read as solids – and I think it worked well!

Four months later I finally got around to quilting and finishing the quilt. I have been doing so much geometric/straight quilting, I really wanted to get away from that, so I just did an overall scallop pattern inspired by an old quilt passed down in Jesse’s family. Since the colors are more playful, I think having the contrast between the piecing and quilting works. I also added a normal binding, instead of the facing finish I used on the small fractal. I’m not quite sure where this quilt will end up, but I’m also not ready to give it away either. If anything, it should be a decent size for a lap quilt. Want to make one of your own? Purchase the pattern here!

Fabric Mini Postbox & Tutorial

This fabric mini postbox is the perfect place to deliver tiny notes (or Spin Pizza gift cards - yum!) throughout the year. Hang it from the doorknob to a bedroom, or in a special place for someone you love.

There are lots of ways to create a fiber version of the mini postbox. You could use felt, or use a fabric marker/pen to draw the details. I decided to “draw” my linework with quilting and to use cotton fabric. There is a layer of batting and backing fabric to make it cushy and give it some texture. I also cut out pieces from a second, lighter fabric to add dimension, though you could leave this part out to keep it simple. 

1. Download and print out template. 

2. Cut out a rectangle of fabric, slightly larger than your template. 

3. Depending on the material you use or how dark it is will determine how you transfer the template to your fabric. I used a light box (you could also hold it up to a window on a sunny day), and positioned the template under the fabric, which allowed the linework to show through the fabric. I used a water-soluble pen to trace the design onto the fabric. I also used a second, lighter fabric for pieces of the design. I used fusible web for this – laying the fusible web on top of the template to trace it, and than ironing onto the lighter fabric. Cut out each piece, peel away the paper, lay it into position on the top of your main fabric, and than carefully iron it into place. 

4. Place a piece of batting and backing behind your fabric. Using the linework you drew with the water-soluble pen as reference, quilt the design onto your fabric (free motion quilting works best). 

5. On the back of the quilted piece, carefully cut out the batting and backing of the mail slot, being sure not to cut into your front/main fabric. Cut as close to your quilting, without cutting any stitches. Sharp, small tipped scissors work best. Turn to the front, and cut fabric as shown in photo. 

6. Hot glue the fabric to the back, as shown in the photo. You now have a mail slot! 

7. Cut out your post box front (1/4” seam allowance is included in the template). 

8. Choose a backing for you postbox, and cut two rectangular pieces, with WRONG sides together. 

9. Choose a ribbon or string. I used bakers twine and cut to 9”. If using bakers twine, tie knots at each end for durability. 

10. Lay your post box front, right side down, onto your post box back, sandwiching your ribbon between the layers.. Stitch a quarter inch seam around your post box, leaving an opening at the bottom for turning inside out. 

11. Trim down backing, trim corners, and make clips in the curve at the top. Turn inside out and hand stitch closed. Write the recipient's name on the banner with a fabric pen/marker.

12. Hang somewhere special and place your little notes into the slot! If you don’t want your notes sliding down, squish up a little piece of fabric and place in the bottom of the postbox.

Mini Valentine Postboxes

A couple of years ago I made a Valentine’s box made out of cereal boxes that was inspired by an Italian postbox. You can find the tutorial here. While I still love that one in particular, I wanted something simpler, smaller and easier to put together. I’ve included downloads and a simple tutorial below if you would like to make one (or many) for Valentine’s this year! There are a couple of different versions - a mini flat version that fits in a 4 bar envelope, and a 3D version. They come in color OR black and white, in case you want to use colored paper in your printer. Both fit little notes the size of a business card – or even gift cards. It’s the perfect little Valentine for someone you love! They can also work after Valentines Day too, if you want a place to deliver tiny notes throughout the year.

Flat mini: Print. Cut out mail slot. Score the line between the front and back, as shown on the printout. On the backside, glue around edges only, making sure to avoid the center area. While glue is still wet, fold in half on the score line. Cut around the outside edge of the front of your postbox. Write the recipients name in the banner. Insert a little note into your mini post pox!

DOWNLOAD: COLOR FLAT MINI or B&W FLAT MINI

3D mini: Print. Cut out mail slot. Score on dashed lines. Cut sides and bottom of mail flap (the space with the banner) – leaving the top line scored, so it can open and close. Write the recipients name on banner. Cut out the post box. “Mountain fold” all scored lines. Add glue to tabs (a glue pen works best) and adhere to appropriate side. Insert little notes into the mini post box!

*Print on heavier paper or glue to a cereal box for added stability.

DOWNLOAD: COLOR 3D MINI or B&W 3D MINI

30 years

Last Thursday, I celebrated my 30th birthday, and 30 years with my most beloved object, my baby blanket. This quilt has been loved, and it shows! I’m slightly embarrassed to share these photos and to admit that I still sleep with my baby blanket (but, I know for a fact that I am not the only adult on this planet that still does this).

My grandmother (my mom’s mom) made this for me over 30 years ago. At one time it was a jack-in-the-box, but now looks as if it has had an encounter with Hannibal Lector. Slowly, little bits of fabric have fallen off. I used to collect them and store them in a pocket created by an opening in the fabric. If there was a tornado warning, and we had to head to the basement, my blanket was the first thing I grabbed. My mom had to steal it away from me to wash it – because honestly, the smell is one of the most comforting things. Jesse thinks it’s pretty gross, so it only stays on my side of the bed, and I’m ok with that:) 

I would love for each quilt I make for someone to look like this 30 years later, but I know this kind of bond with a blanket or stuffed animal is a rare thing. But isn’t it a lovely idea? 

Our somewhat more organized entryway

The first thing we added to the entryway were colored hexagons onto the narrow window next to the door. I found this product (Hex6agon Vinyl) on Kickstarter and purchased it by becoming a backer. It was a lot of fun to figure out how we would arrange it, and how different colors would appear when overlapping. I think Jesse was hoping for something a little more opaque so people couldn’t see through the window, but I don’t really mind. It’s really neat to see the different patterns made when the light comes through the window.

I purchased the shelf during Hammerpress’ studio sale. It was already the gray color, and I painted a few of the sides the aqua color. Since it was going to hold shoes, I was fine with it looking a little rough, so I didn’t bother sanding or refinishing it. 

I had a small piece (1/4 yrd I think) of the hexagon fabric (Daisy Chain from Kokka Fabrics), which happened to be just enough to create the cushion for the top, and went along well with the hexes already on the window. It’s layered with plywood, foam (that thick green stuff from JoAnn’s), some batting and wrapped with the fabric. I stapled it on the bottom to hold it all in place.

I love the new additions to our entry. It doesn’t help keep us organized necessarily (there are usually shoes laying out despite the cubby space) but at least it looks a little cuter!

A Jean Quilt

This quilt was made for Jesse’s brother for Christmas. All the materials (except the thread) were “recycled” which really fits his lifestyle of living simply. It’s also extremely thick and heavy, which should be durable and hopefully keep him warm. He lives in Canada, and enjoys camping in the winter, so I hope it will get lots of use! The quilt top is made out of 7 pairs of jeans – all but one were Jesse’s. The middle layer was a fleece blanket we were about to donate to Goodwill. Backing was fabric their grandma had and passed down to me. The binding is a canvas type material purchased from Fabric Recycles (a local store, it’s like a consignment fabric/craft shop).

It was fun to put the top together, but a bitch to quilt. It was so thick and heavy, and while my machine held up to the task, it definitely was a struggle. I have to say, I did not have fun quilting this, and wonder if using a long arm machine would have made the process more enjoyable.

This is the first jean quilt I made, here are some things I learned along the way: 

*I cut out each leg, cutting around the seams/pockets/zipper/knee holes as I went along. If you are doing an improv style quilt, you can wait to cut down the pieces as you go along. You’ll have to adjust width and length as you sew pieces together anyway. 

*Use a jean needle. I should have changed the needle at least once. It got dull, especially when quilting through all those layers. 

*Due to the large weave and thickness of jeans, I used a 3/8” seam allowance. I also tried to avoid cutting small pieces. I pressed the seams open after sewing two pieces together, but pressed to the side when joining strips (it gets bulky fast). 

*I cut 60 degree angles for the strips. I like the way it looks, but it did create extra material waste.

I used one of the pockets as the label, and left it open at the top. I used a fabric marker to letter the label. I have a hard time naming quilts, but we decided on Reclaimed Blues.

Fabric Shops and Color Update!

The holidays were wonderful and full of lots of time with family. I even got in a little fabric shopping:) I have been fairly good at showing restraint lately, because I really don’t need any more fabric, but I just couldn’t stop from making a few purchases. I also can’t resist super adorable boutique fabric craft shops. I happened to find two while traveling for the holidays. If you are close by, you should really check them out! 

Stitch is in the really cute area called East Village, in Des Moines. I love going to the East Village because there are several cute shops, good restaurants, and at the end of the street is the beautiful capitol building. Stitch opened it’s doors fairly recently, and this was the first time I was able to go. They sell goods for sewing and knitting, and they have a space for classes too. I went ahead and bought a bottle of Soak, which I’m excited to try out. I have a few old family quilts we’ve acquired recently, and I’m hoping the Soak will work well for cleaning them.

I visited Mama Said Sew while visiting Jesse’s family in Fort Collins. This is also in a really cute neighborhood with lots of shops and restaurants. They had so much fabric, it was hard to decide what to buy. The people there were so nice, and I even had a conversation about the modern quilt guild with another customer – which is a really big deal for an introvert like me! I’m so glad I talked with her though, because I learned about this great online tool provided by the site Play Crafts (this would have been great for the recent post I did about color inspiration) used to match Kona colors from an image. I just played around with the Palette Builder real quick, and you can see a little bit how it works below. It came up with different colors than I originally matched, but I would be interested to see the fabrics in person to see how they compare. It was extremely faster than using the color card, and the tool is very user friendly. A tip - it didn’t seem to work in the Safari browser, but when I tried it in Firefox it worked great!