I am discovering that I sure do like procrastinating. I have the goal of completing a quilt by the end of the month that is fairly intricate even though it will only be crib size. It has a lot of hand-embroidery, which I’ve completed, and has yet to be hand-quilted. I need to finish before our trip to Denver at the end of the month, so I need to focus…
But then there is this Quilt Month over at Sew, Mama, Sewthat I can’t seem to resist participating in. As I’ve mentioned I am new to sewing, embroidery, quilting, etc. and have no formal needlecraft training. Since Sew, Mama, Sew is presenting tutorials on quilt block variations each week, I thought joining in the challenge would give me a little free skoolin’. The first week–which I am a little late for–we learned how to create a 9-patch block and variations. It is actually kind of tricky to get your seams to match…esp. when you don’t measure and cut precisely. (Are those rotary cutters and mats really helpful?) I think I’m a little more freestyle than traditional quiltmaking calls for. I also learned how to made a Disappearing 9-Patch Block. I had a great time picking out colors from my scrap material. Since my fabric is usually scrap to begin with, it is a challenge finding nice sized pieces to work with. I think I’ll add some hand-embroidered leaves to the 9-Patch Block and turn it into a small doll quilt. The other block I’ve made into a trivet to give as a gift. Not bad for two hours’ work.
I used to work as an activity director for a senior center. One of our goals was to increase educational opportunities for our population, believing that you are never too old to learn new tricks. On the flip side I think you are never too young to learn, too. So, I am teaching Mogs to sew. Probably a little young to really get all the concepts of hand-sewing (like, we are merging these two pieces of fabric to create a larger piece, etc.) She turned 2 on Sunday and one of her presents was a set of plastic sewing needles. I tried her with a large darning needle awhile back, but had to be supervised pretty closely. With the new needle she is less likely to cause any lasting damage. I’ve been teaching her to push the needle halfway through the fabric and to pull the rest of the needle through with her other hand. She is getting it and really focuses hard while she is working.
My inspiration is this post from a mom who is teaching her 5 year old to use a sewing machine. She is making a quilt for her own bed. Doesn’t she looks so proud!
i remember when i was a little girl having these sewing card things. i think they had a picture on them and holes punched out. i think i had something like shoeleaces to push in and out the holes. that’s my earliest memory of sewing.
another early sewing-like memory is creating “dresses” out of paper napkins. i remember doing this at my gramma’s kitchen table. cutting a halfmoon neckline out of the folded side of the napkin, and cutting arms out. then decorating with blue ballpoint pen.
ahh. makes me long for my old paperdoll collection. now why didn’t i save that? it would’ve taken up next to no space…
The curve of Imogen’s feet in that picture really shows how hard she’s concentrating—I didn’t even need to see her face!
For me, anyway, rotary cutters and mats are *extremely* helpful. If you’re cutting strips or blocks for quilts, though, you also need a big clear ruler with lines and angles marked on it. (I’m sure there’s a name for this kind of ruler, but I can’t remember what it is—fabric stores sell them next to the mats and rotary cutters). That’s what makes a basic level of precision possible. (Note that I said “basic”—I have yet to master anything beyond the most basic level of consistent cutting and sewing when I make quilts….well, you know this, I’m sure, having seen some of my work….)
I’ve now got two mats–one is about 18 X 24, and it’s helpful mostly when I’m quilting, but the other one is much bigger. I use the big one for cutting out clothing pattern pieces. The rotary cutter is so much easier and less tiring to use than scissors; with a nice sharp blade, I can cut out several layers of quilting blocks/strips at a time, or (and this makes me *so* happy!) three pairs of Astrid’s pants at once, thus making the most of my limited sewing time.
Mat and rotary cutters all the way. I love my 60mm rotary cutter but 45 will work just fine. You’ll need an acrylic ruler as well. Great starting ruler is a 6×24 inch ruler. Perfect starting size mat is 18×24. I love my 24×36 the best though. Get them on sale. I got my mats 40% off at JoAnn Fabrics. Same with the rotary cutters.
Yes, it is an expense but 6 years later I still have the first mat, ruler and rotary cutter I bought. I’ve added on during the years but but these supplies last forever.
Thanks for the info Bobbinhead and Seis Manos—I love the idea of cutting through several quilt blocks at one time. I just got a sale flyer from Joann’s…just in time.
Rebeca,
I remember those sewing cards. The show laces…so funny. There are a bunch of variations of those at our local toy store. I imagine that they are intended to increase manual dexterity in toddlers, rather than to teach them basic sewing skills.
I like the image of you at your gramma’s table making delicate doll clothing. What a sweet memory.