I just finished the High Seas Quilt(which I blogged about earlier in this post) and wanted to share a simple quilting technique that can add some texture and fun to your next project. These three dimensional strips of fabric stick up out of the seams and make for a really impressive look.
I used these strips to define the watery waves beneath the Sailship.
This is a very simple technique. You measure out the desired length of your strip and fold in half longways. So, if you want your strip to be 3/8" that would be 6/8 plus your Seam Allowance 1/2"= 1 1/4". Baste your strip on top of the bottom row.
*Important- Figure out where you want the strip to end and sew it between to pieces.
In this Sailship quilt. I left he raw edges and just stitched them down. But in the Bird Applique Quilt, I sewed them into the vertical seams for a clean and modern look.
These are two examples of using three dimensional pieces in quilting, one is modern and the other is more crafty. I look forward to really stretching this idea and incorporating more 3-D quilting techniques.
This Owl Activity Blanket is a fantastic developmental tool for infants as they begin to explore the world around them-especially tags! This blanket idea is a great use of extra ribbons, bows, seam tape and other do-dad's you have lying around. The Activity Blanket is a quick and fun handmade gift for the next new mother in your life. It is available on my ZhalaClothing shop here.
For this Owl Activity Blanket I added some vintage plastic rings that I've had forever and some linen bows I cut off some curtains years ago. Here's how I put it together:
-Size is 27 x 34
-3 owl panels sized 9 x 34 plus 1/2 seam allowance- so CUT 10 x 35 inches
-1 back panel
-Choose your ribbons and bows
-I had rings so I made loops for them 1 inch wide. -CUT 2 1/2 x 4 inches
After you choose your fabrics and ribbons begin to place them along the seams and pin them in place. At this point you can baste them if you are a perfectionist:)
Now, you are ready to sew your seams together for the front panel. (Right sides together)
--Iron the seams and top-stitch them down.
Line up your front and back panels, right sides together, and sew up the edges leaving a 5 inch hole so you can turn it right side out again. When you are done, go along the seam and finger press the edges neatly. You can use a pin to pull out your corners. Edge stitch all four sides and voila! You are done a totally cute and unique baby blanket! yay!
I hope you enjoyed this fun tutorial today. I'd love to hear from you! You can convo me on Etsy here or order a custom made one for your next baby gift or bundle of joy! Thank you:)
One of my favorite items I make for my Etsy shop are the burp cloths. They sell in sets of 2, lined in thick terrycloth and usually match one of my baby quilts. I love to make beautiful things for babies and for their mothers to use. And one of the most used things for a new baby is the burp cloth. There is one either on your shoulder, in your hand, on your lap or under the baby's head. At all times.
I use beautiful printed cottons lined with thick and durable terrycloth and, sure, you can keep them for special occasions, but you can also use them. Enjoy them. Let them cheer you up on a ho-hum day. Despite our fears, these cotton beauties aren't going to disintegrate because your baby droolled on it. Babies aren't the stainers we think they are. Give them a year or two and they'll show ya.
Here's link to my Burp Cloth Section-
OK.. I am going to get right to it. When I learned how to print on fabric using my inkjet printer, it was kind of a life changing moment. My mind started bursting with ideas, concepts, drawings... Anyway, for my first project I made a Game of Thrones Baby Quilt because 1) I am a super fan, and 2) I make baby blankets. I had some tutorials pinned on my Pinterest Sewing Board that were really helpful.
- Indestructibles offers tips for Inkjet Printing on Fabric
- Craftzine Fabric Printing How-To
- The actual HP website lists some tips and resources
Naturally, I didn't have all the materials they suggested so I ended up using some cardstock paper I had for other projects. It worked perfectly. I cut the fabric(I used some leftover muslin) to fit the printer and scotch taped it to the cardstock. Super easy, right?
Game of Thrones Baby Quilt is for sale on my Etsy Shop ZhalaClothing.
TIPS:
-Make sure you tape around the edges so you don't get excess ink smudges.
-After your print on the fabric let it dry for 15 minutes
-When it is dry submerge into tepid water for 10 minutes. I used my bathtub. This is important because it sets the ink permanently.
-Let it dry flat and you're golden!
-I put it through the washer and dryer and it was perfect so no worries.
-I was printing all black so I opened each jpeg in photoshop and cleaned it up a bit with the eraser tool and strengthened some thin lines.
I am about half-way through my preliminary baby collection, listed on my etsy shop, ZhalaClothing- slowly but surely building inventory and completing precious little baby blankets and such likes. I just received in the mail two new cotton prints that I recently fell in love with. I love taking a classic style and putting a contemporary twist on it and these prints do just that. I will be making quilted baby blankets(like this one) and burp cloths(like this one) out of these two particular fabrics. I am giddy with excitement. come'on, you know the crafty feeling. Supplies are getting low but I'm trying to be patient, they will be completed.
I am about half-way through my preliminary baby collection, listed on my etsy shop, ZhalaClothing- slowly but surely building inventory and completing precious little baby blankets and such likes. I just received in the mail two new cotton prints that I recently fell in love with. I love taking a classic style and putting a contemporary twist on it and these prints do just that. I will be making quilted baby blankets(like this one) and burp cloths(like this one) out of these two particular fabrics. I am giddy with excitement. come'on, you know the crafty feeling. Supplies are getting low but I'm trying to be patient, they will be completed.
