Vertical Quilting Curve

We all have them. Scraps. A little snip here, a little strip there and many of us cannot seem to find the strength to throw them away. I grew up with a mother who lived through the depression so every little scrap of everything was kept because you never knew when you might need it and not be able to buy something new. Luckily, there are several things you can do with fabric scraps. Of course you can make a scappy quilt. You can make small hand sewn gifts like potholders, sachets or pillows. Another item you can make for yourself or for a gift is an item decoupaged with fabric.

The container I made shown in the photo is one of those paper mache boxes you can buy at the craft store. The top is made from pieces of fabric from one of those bundled 5″ square samples you can pick up at most quilt stores. Unfortunately I can’t remember which brand this is. I just remember picking it up at the Spring International Quilt Festival for $5. The bottom is not fabric, though. It is a nice crepe tissue paper I picked up at the art supply store. It is not as thick as fabric so it makes the lid fit not so tight.

To make the box, or cover almost anything including glass vases, candle globes or wooden tissue box covers, you will need just a few supplies.

Modge Podge glue
Sponge brush or a nice size paintbrush
Fabric
Container

Steps
1. Cut pieces of fabric into interesting shapes and angles.
2. Using brush apply glue to surface.
3. Lay one fabric piece onto glue. It is easier if you start in the center of an area.
4. Apply glue over fabric piece and more of the uncovered surface.
5. Overlapping the edges of the first piece lay another fabric piece down over glue.
6. Continue applying glue and fabric pieces until desire area is completely covered.
7. Allow to dry.
8. Apply a layer of glue to finish. Allow to dry and repeat if desired.

Now you have a cool little object to use in your quilting space or an instant gift for the holidays.

Want to learn some more stuff? Check out the tutorial section.

quilting, scrap fabrics, craft tutorial, crafts, decoupage, handmade gifts

This is the coolest craft fair you will ever go to. Some of the items you find here will not appear at the local church function around Christmas time but there are many hip versions of the very same things you will find at said church craft fair. I saw tons of bags that ranged from urban chic to vegan safe. There was an array of children’s clothing especially cute, cute onesies and adorable bibs. If you were looking for a one of a kind T-shirt for yourself or hard to find college student this was the place to be. You could also find independent printers of stationery, note cards and journals.

Here is a picture of just some of the many business cards I picked up. I went down with a friend and both she and I have the same affliction. It’s the “oh, I can make that” syndrome. I know I inherited it from my mother who took me to craft shows when I was a kid. We were definitely the kind of people that the crafters love/hate. They love it when we say how great their items are then discuss how it was made and then hate us when we turn around and don’t buy anything. We feel really bad that we don’t buy anything but I hope they know we are just like them and love to make stuff.

Luckily for us DIYers there were some booths that had the supplies for making stuff. I picked up 2 iron-on transfer packs from Sublime Stitching and some fat quarters from Quiltogy the urban quilters quilt store who had a booth. I got some great Amy Butler plus one other I can’t remember the designer of. See the photo. No, I don’t have a project in mind but I will…someday.

The Renegade Craft Fair only happens twice and year. Once in the summer in New York and once in Chicago. Check out the website for updates on next years dates. Also, if you live near Chicago or are coming to town they opened up a Renegade Handmade store selling many of the items by the artists who partake in the fair.

fabric, quilt shop, Chicago, Renegade Craft Fair, Quiltology, Amy Butler, Sublime Stitching, craft show

I love going over to Flickr and searching the groups for quilting and crafting related themes. You can view what other creative people are doing and you can also join in on a swap or challenge. I’ve linked to a few of the groups you may find interesting:

English paper piecing/foundation piecing caught my attention since I am working on a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. I may have to join this group.

Doll Quilt Swap is the group for you if you like to make these little quilts and would like to exchange them or just to get some ideas. There are some cute little quilts here.

Quilted Barns is a young site where you can see and post photos of barns that have been decorated with quilt motifs on them. So, if you are out traveling and see a barn painted with a quilt design make sure you stop and take a photo to share with everyone.

Fabric Addicts Anonymous will let you admit your addiction but in no way encourages you to get rid of it. In fact, the more fabric you have the better and if you want you can take part in swaps so you can get more!

Use what you have is if you feel you have too much and need to stop purchasing all those supplies and actually use them. Vow to not buy supplies for a month and just “use what you have” then post pictures of what you make.

Quilted Teacup is just for fun and the only rule is that the item you make and post is about tea in some way.

Hope you enjoy these sites and if there are other interests besides quilting just go to flickr and search the groups. Warning: it can be addictive to see what is out there especially when you find others who love the same things you do. Oh, and of course you can have your own photo page. Here is mine although it is a variety of crafts and I haven’t uploaded many of my quilting projects yet.

Flickr, English paper piecing, doll quilts, quilted barns, fabric, quilting groups

If you haven’t checked out Etsy.com yet you should definitely get over there especially if you like supporting crafters. Etsy is a growing community of artisans and crafters trying to either make a living or earn a little extra cash from their hobbies. You can find original paintings, prints, photographs, one of kind clothing and even supplies.

Some of the quilting shops on Etsy I found with some nice pieces were:

On This Nose!: This shop has quilts, one of a kind pictorial quilt blocks and quilt blocks.

Quilts by Daria: Wall hangings and quilts both traditional and contemporary.

Pat Winter Gatherings: Hand-dyed ribbons, crazy quilt kits and original hand-crafted items.

Mark K. Hopkins Quilts: Wall hangings and full sized quilts and even a cute patchwork bear.

You can find fabrics, books and even items with quilt motifs such as jewelry and home decor. It is quite addictive to browse the shops and you will soon find favorites. One of mine is of a young artists who has a more Tim Burton and Edward Gorey quality and loves Alice in Wonderland. Her etsy store is theblackapple and she also has a hip blog about her art and life, Inside a Black Apple.

So, if you are looking for a unique gift or want to window shop some great items just click on over to Etsy. It’s like having your own personal gallery on your computer screen.

Etsy, quilting

Here is a cute little item you can make in no time really. It is one of the smallest pincushions you can probably make. These would make great gifts for fellow quilters and other crafters as well as just about anyone who needs to keep a few pins close at hand. It would be a nice little addition to a sewing kit for a college student or in your desk at work. Oh, and don’t forget your travel sewing supplies you keep on hand when working on your portable projects.

Here are two links that provide tutorials for two different types of the bottle cap pincushion. Over at “How about orange…”, she uses the cap as a base for the blossoming puff of pincushion while verybigjen encloses the bottle cap with felt in her slideshow flickr tutorial.

Question of the day: Can you get much smaller with your pincushion and still be able to hold a few pins?

sewing, pincushion, quilt gifts, bottle cap pincushion

Here is a cute little diddy known as the Sewing Machine Song I found over at You Tube. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought anyone who uses a sewing machine would as well. It comes from the 1947 movie the Perils of Pauline sang by Betty Hutton about a garment sweatshop worker.

Question of the day: Do you know of any other sewing related songs?

sewing machine, songs, old movies, sewing, Betty Hutton