Here's to 2010...

...let's make it happy and healthy!

Skoal! -Kris



P.S. This postcard is from my grandmother Dolly Smith's collection.

“Seams” Excellent!

Piping adds dimension, personality and strength to your tote or bag seams. You can quickly create custom piping with these instructions; it’s inexpensive and adds some unexpected” pop”!

In order for your piping to easily follow seams and curves without wrinkling and twisting, you will be cutting the piping fabric on the bias (or at a 45 degree angle); find a ruler that has this angle included on it.

You will need Rayon Rat Tail Cording (2 mm) (from your local craft store) and your piping fabric. (This cording is a narrow diameter perfect for smaller accessories; piping for pillows requires a heavier, thicker cording).

Make piping:

Cut strips of the piping fabric 1” wide at a 45 degree angle. Piece strips together to make one long strip, joining at a 45 degree angle.
Place the cording in the center of strip. Wrap the bias strip around the cording, matching the edges.
Attach zipper foot*. Align the zipper foot so the edge of it is against the cording. Sew the seam allowances together to enclose the cording. The needle should be positioned as close to the cording as possible. You should now have piping with a ¼” “carrier” on the side.
*If you have a piping foot for your sewing machine, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching and needle position.

How to use piping? Piping is placed between pieces in the seamline. Position piping along seamline (right side), so that the raw edges match the raw edges of seam. Sew along the seamline; place opposing piece over and follow previous stitching. If you need to sew around a curve, pin the piping in place and clip along piping raw edges – this will relieve the strain on the piping, and create the smooth curve that you want. Be careful not to cut through the original piping stitching.

Consider:
Use striped fabric for piping – after cutting on the bias, you will have diagonal stripes on the piping.
Use a mottled or small polka dot for piping – everyone will know it’s custom made!
You can add your custom piping on quilts (on right side) before you bind, then place binding at this seam for a different look.

Have fun with piping and send along pics of your results! Enjoy! -Kris

September!

I love September! The kids are in school, the weather is cooling off and there is a hint of Fall in the air!


Did you know that September is also National Sewing Month? You can find out the details here! There is a Sewing Green Contest that is going on now until September 30th. What a great way to entice a crafty teen!

I hope you are enjoying the first day of September! -Kris

Day 16 - 21 Days to Free Motion Quilting Success!

Good morning, Quilters!
I’d like to take a walk with you down the street with your sewing machine. You are going to take it slow making (approximately 1”) houses and trees. There is no perfect house or tree. You are smiling, enjoying the sunshine, and walking along at an even pace. Also remember, this is not a race – this is a perfect lazy summer day free motion exercise – keep it even and consistent. Are you getting the hang of this now? (Go easy on yourself - this is fun!)
Email me a pic of your houses!

Happy Quilting-

-Kris

Day 15 - 21 Days to Free Motion Quilting Success!

Good morning Quilters!

Here in the Granite State, we have rocks. So we have many rock walls. This is ours!(OK - an old pic!)

Today, let's make them on our machines! We are practicing circles today. This exercise forces you to slow down and take control of your quilting. You will start with one "rock" and carefully fit other rocks around it - you may want to fill in row by row or more randomly. I find that I sometimes have to go around the rocks more than once to achieve the shape that I want - go ahead and have fun with this!

Keep practicing!

-Kris

Day 14 - 21 Days to Free Motion Quilting Success!

Good afternoon Quilters! I apologize for yesterday's absence - rainy days are getting me down! Here we are again with our quilt sandwiches and I needed sunshine and flowers on this July 2nd! So here we go! I decided on a flower. I came "in "on the left hand side and made the center, giving myself room to come "out" between the previous stitching lines. I added petals around the final flower center. You can go on and add more petals.

I'd like to share this morning's experience with you regarding quilting - I did not have the correct needle/thread combination in my machine this morning and started skipping stitches. I changed things - first tension, then needle, then finally thread and once I changed to a different spool of thread, I fixed the problem. Try to remember to systematically change things and test your changes one at a time, so that you know what the problem is. Needless to say, I threw away the thread!

Happy Quilting! -Kris

Day 13 - 21 Days to Free Motion Quilting Success!

Good morning, quilters! It's a dreary day here in NH (again) - I'll definitely need some sewing to get through this!

To add to your repertoire and instill more confidence, we will work today on a common shape - the 5 pointed star! Like the last exercise, I combined it with loops - but it would also look nice with hearts. This is a good meander for a child's quilt, by the way. You may want to draw the 5 pointed star first. This should be a large meander.
For fun - attend this on-line quilt show! http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/paducah/2009/contests/quilt_winners.php

Keep Quilting! -Kris

Sew and Go Totes - What's inside?

My new book, Sew and Go Totes published by Leisure Arts is now available! You can find it in your local quilt shop, at Leisure Arts, on-line bookstores, and through my website!

I thought I'd show you a few projects from the book today. This bag is called the Crafty Tote (shown on right). I chose to show you this first because it is my favorite bag for going to quilting events: retreats, classes, etc. It holds an 18" wide cutting mat with ease and all of your other quilting tools as well as fabrics and batting. YOu'll be able to tote your dog or cat in this one as well!

The mini bag (left) is a small shoulder bag that can hold your camera, your cell phone and keys! This is a great little bag to use when you are traveling light! There is a simple 4-square design on the front, that can be embellished with paint, beads, etc. This bag can be made in no time (with your scraps) and you'll want to make more!

Last but not least - the floral stripe bag. This bag is pretty and versatile - make one for yourself and one as a gift! I hope you enjoyed this peek inside - more coming!

Welcome to Quilting at the Poorhouse!

Happy Spring!


Welcome Quilters and Sewists!

I am (finally) diving into the world of blogging and I hope you'll join me! I am a quilt designer from Derry, New Hampshire. You can find my designs at poorhousequiltdesigns.com; stop by and take a look at my new book and patterns! I lean toward quilted bags - I just love to carry around my love for quilting - don't you?

What is the purpose of this blog? I'd like to share my design development (a.k.a. experiments), inspirations, and other quilty snippets with you!

I have just returned from attending a quilting retreat in Manchester NH that was hosted by Stitched in Stone (located at 53 Church Street in scenic Kingston, NH). A good time was had by all! Tammy treated everyone like a quilting queen. We had a lot of laughs! Tammy inspired us with quilt as you go, and dyeing and painting techniques -we all enjoyed the creativity of these techniques. I was able to test drive a new design! I came back to the studio refreshed and ready to create. More from this event coming soon!

On to Color Inspiration of the Week!
I bought this Gerbera Daisy because I could not resist the colors - deep green leaves with red/orange petals and yellow centers...this would make a great bag or quilt or table runner! Stay tuned.....