10/12/17

Tutorial for the Block DUTCH TILES

I promised to share how was made my 'Hydraulic tiles 'block : Dutch Tiles quilt was called ,
I can't explain all the process, not almost in the way Corey Yoder does...she explain in her book all what you need to do, all steps for a good success making petals applique , she is great , it worth it to buy the book !!

Regarding my Tiles quilt , have you ever seen flooring tiles that you wanted to make a quilt with the pattern shown ??
I did, many times in old churches , in old floors of Modernist houses in Barcelona ..it remembers me new patterns for quilts to do. I took photos many times, and at the end ,this book allow me to make it in a proper manner

Once I bought the Corey Yoder's book ' Playful petals' I started testing with others prints fabrics from my stash  , measured and final block are the same 12  1/2 inches.
I used paper backed fusible web..if it is lightweight that's ok for cotton fabric , but if it is a bit thick consider to trim the centre fusible of the petal at the back , this eliminates extra bulk.. (do see at the pics )
Also you will iron open seam allowances for the petal , so that makes a nice block

Starting now to show the way ...follow  me please !

**But beforehand  IMPORTANT  TIP  ask yourself  what do you want to get a HIGHLIGHTED square or a highlighted circle , which is your preference ? do see  what I mean:


do see the difference , I will show you that one  but my final decision was to make much more remarcable the circle at the Tiles quilt , this one :



1- Making the block (12 .5 " final ) do make first the background :
   Cutting diagonally   6 7/8 inches square you will get  2 HST for the sides..repeat for the 2     sides more  untill get 4 sides of the  9" blue square ..this is the basics of the block






2- Making 4 petals for the block by combining 4 dark prints with 4 lighter colours in order to get contrast :


  Sew together 1 of each 1/4 seam allowance always ..press seams open

 **IMPORTANT ....before to cut the petal shape ...should be added fusible web at the back of the 2 strips joined by an open and press seam allowances









 This is a lightweight  fusible web...no need to trim at the back , but ...
avoid multiples layers by cutting the centre of the fusible web petal if it is thick , you will need only sticky fabric  around the petal before to make blanket stitch , after finished block
do see here a closeup  what I mean :


 
Bellow the thick one :

   Cut the centre before iron it at the 2 strips fabrics  ... voila !








Hope that helps to encourage some of you to make one of those, choose your fabrics , your favourites colours and have fun by playing as a child with geometry

**Addendum: a small summary of my Dutch tiles block , see how:





















Happy sewing  winter room !

8/12/17

Quilt Dutch Tiles block ...

More than 1 year without visiting and posting my blog...oh Gosh, time flies by!!
So, trying now figure out how does it works.... (giggles) I would say I forgot it !!

I want to show and share with mad sew people that can be interested my last quilt .
It is a quilt made with applique technique 'fusible web ' , I bought the book from 'Corey Yoder Playful petals ' book ...
I felt in love with one quilt pattern called 'Sunshine and clouds', so mine is a variety of what is shown in the book , I added binding and is largest . I used 'Dutch garden Cornerstone fabric collection ' ,vivid yellow and blue colours that gives the layout tiles, at less it seems to me so ! So I called Dutch Tiles Quilt, here there is the final result .
I will post the link in case an intermediate quilter wants to know how was made, it is not a tutorial but you can make it an idea ...so, enjoy the view!



 







Have a nice weekend !! happy sewing winter room :-))

5/4/16

Be open to whatever comes !!

Lately I have a customer in my Etsy shop that wants customized curtains. That's me , this is the most I like to do in my studio. She explained to me what she would like and was a feast to me thinking on it.
She wanted a curtain for another room, (she is a returning customer, in Atlanta ) she sent to me pictures of the window (as usual, I always ask for), she wanted this time red embroidery for the initials on off-white and dark linen combination for the panel .

Please do see what she got and how nice it is the personalised details I made for her.
The initials are : G + L in a Gothic design I have from my books . I really love the result , imagine in her place, at home it was a dark day, my shoots are no good , and I don't like to keep the curtains at home, I know my customers are excited to receive their purchase asap, and see them hanging at home . I'm really glad when they sent to me a shoot of the curtains hanging at home. many times they do !

Isn't it marvelous to have, not only a business contact but also complicity on doing something that 'both' likes, and I have to say that many, many times I get compliments that make my day !
This is what I'm working for ! I hear that many people have stress on Sunday night, you know what I mean !LOL It is not my case, many sundays I'm working at home , delighted to do that.


Here we go, bad shoots, but you can make an idea, in case you want a customized curtain that no one has the same ! ( in a World where all is standard and massive done ...)


 This is an complete image, well almost,  it has a rod pocket in dark linen too.


Detail of the monogram, French design with gothic initials ... I really like it !! happy to do it !


Bottom curtains with hemstitched  to enhance ending curtain.


And please, do see what Erica got in prior purchase, a meaningful design from linen artisan with their initial






I like my French diagram book for cross-stitch technique initials..Isn't it great !! the linked initials



Easy for me imagine them hanging in place, take a look ...

Thanks to Erica for the opportunity to dress 2 rooms in their home . This is my saying:  ' to dress a window is to dress a room' , although their house is beautiful !!

This was the first time I made a design in one curtain that it was made several times in a cushion ... (giggles) Be open to whatever comes !!


Please take a look to my helper ... isn't it funny ! I work while she sleeps :-)



Have a great week ! and thanks for your interest in my craft

7/3/16

Finished ' Magic Squares' ..

Hi there, a lot of pending information here , which I'm busy lately and I cannot post as much as I wanted, a pity because if I'm posting starting some quilts , and of course, the finish should be shown  , it makes sense  !!,  For instance, I would like post now, what happened when I was finished my last one ... the 'Magic squares ' , it was finished as a decorated bottom bedspread...
also if there is a log table, rustic wood table, can be as a Table topper  or can be hang as a Wall tapestry in a landing , up the stairs.. why not??
Here you can find how was started as a Tutorial 'Assembling Magic Squares'
My pictures are taken as a bedspread , I always wanted one of this


This is a Queen bed ..





As you see measurements is for complete a 4.7 ft / 5 ft , the Quilt sides will match the bed sides


Isn't it nice and charm ?! I like the look , rustic and cottage decor !


Much to do and catch up !! :-))

In case you lost how Magic Squares started see here 

Happy week to you all !

4/3/16

All about Reclaimed furnitures, Recycled clothes ..

Today's post is about Reclaimed.
I like distressed , I like the mark of ages,  simulated the pass of time in any furniture I get , but also, as a 'fabricaholic', I like to give new chance to those fabric I get at anyplace ...sometimes, I saw in a Ric-Rac a piece of fabric, or a ready-made cloth and suddenly I see what could be at home ! That happends to me when I saw this apron...I imagined this print fabric in my reclaimed studio chair..
Take a look , never neglect what a piece of cloth could be ,

1/  The white lucky Chair :

This chair was abandoned in the attic, dark and dirty, I love now. It is made with an apron :-)
The apron was quilted and the roint flowers match perfectly with my furniture at home.

Here Before !


Makeover ...


Here now !







I'm happy enough to have at home bright and clean 'old ' furniture :-))

2/ The Little armchair:



This armchair was lost in a second hand furniture, price was very cheap , matching with my bedroom's  wardrobe, I gave it a chance with an old velvet dress (dark green) for the backrest,
and for the seat fabric from an old cushion  :-) No bad , isn't it???

But I wanted, a few days ago, make it all the same look ,


I wanted to take advantage of leftover in my stash .

Hope that can be inspiring for you.. never be afraid , give it a try , practice , practice and practice, you will find your own style !!

Happy week you all ! I hope to meet you soon here, with new ideas to 'practice'   LOL