String Me Along Bee Block

It's September?!? Are you sure? Ack!

Well, it's my month for the String Me Along Bee. It took me ages to decide what block to make & which fabric to use, but I finally decided.

As many of you know, Sew Mama Sew hosts Giveaway Days twice a year. In May I won some fat eighths of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms from Don't Call Me Betsy (who happens to be in the String Me Along Bee too). I thought these fabrics would be perfect to send out to my fellow hive members.

The next decision was what type of block to do. Since Bree just had her baby a few weeks ago I wanted to choose a block that would be easy to make, but still utilize the creativity of the group. That's when I decided on HST's (half square triangle). The basic pieces are simple, but you can create all sorts of fun patterns with them.

Here's a quick little tutorial for my block:

Gather your fabric. For this tute I'm using a 2.5" collection for Aneela Hoey's Little Apples & some solid white for the coordinating fabric. My fellow hive members will be receiving 4.25" blocks.

Cut your coordinating fabric to the same size as the other squares. Draw a diagonal line (corner to corner) along the wrong side of your patterned fabric.

Match up 1 patterned square & 1 coordinating square, right sides together. Stitch 2 - 1/4" seams parallel to the line.

Cut along the drawn line.

Press your seams open. You can cut the tails if you like. I don't because I'm lazy. :P

Play with the pattern of your 16 blocks until you find a design that you like.

Once you've chosen the layout you'd like to use sew your pieces into rows & sew the rows together. That's it! :)

WIP Wednesday

I haven't been around much lately, I know. I'm sorry. Sadly, I just haven't been in much of a blogging mood lately. I've been trying to spend less time online & more time sewing and catching up on things around the house. But I've got some fun plans for my blog later this summer (giveaways?) so thanks for sticking around!

My WIPs this week:

I felt I needed a new skirt for summer so I pulled out this pattern and got to work.

With all the gathers I would not call this a one hour pattern, but it only took me a few hours from cutting to wearing it. :)

I used a light corduroy that I found at WalMart over the winter. I would love to use a light cotton, but those of you who've been to Wyoming know the wind always blows here and a heavier fabric is a necessity for a skirt here.

Here is the start of a project/tutorial that I am working on. I'm using charm packs of Arcadia fabric & I would describe the pattern as a variation between a nine patch & a rail fence pattern. I should have it near completion next week. I hope you like it.

What would you think of doing a quick sew along? Would you play along?

If you haven't done so already be sure to stop by Freshly Pieced to see everyone's WIPs.

Thanks for stopping by!

Pincushion Tutorial for Fabric Tuesday

I am new to the virtual swapping world. I have only participated in a few so far, but I'm having a lot of fun creating for others and seeing what they come up with for me. What I've discovered is that my fellow swappers are very generous people. Not only do they send gorgeous items like this and this. But often times I'll find extra goodies in the package as well.

I've started sending handmade needlebooks along with the swap, but the other night I got a brilliant idea to make fun little candy shaped pincushions made from charm squares. I designed it all in my head while we were driving home from our roller skating adventure and the next morning I tried it out. Success!

So's here's a quick and easy tutorial for my Wrapped Candy Pincushion.

Choose your charm square. If you cut your own (5" x 5") be sure to pink two opposing sides for the candy wrapper look.

Turn square over so wrong side is up. Fold and press two sides approximately 1/4". I cut the pinking off those two sides because it's less messy and easier for me to work with, but it is not necessary.

Measure and mark a line across the width 1" from each pinked (non-folded) edge.

Cut a piece of embroidery floss so it is slightly longer than the width. Split the floss into two sets of 3 strands and sew and running stitch along both marked lines.

Make sure that one end of your running stitch comes out the bottom and the other end comes out the top so that the strings match up when you pull them tight to tie closed. Also, be sure that the top and bottom are stitched the same.

Pull one end tight and tie closed with a square knot. Clip excess thread. Cut another piece of embroidery floss and split this into two sets of 3 strands as well. Put one set aside for your next Wrapped Candy Pincushion.

Thread the other set through your needle and tie a knot in the end of this piece. From the inside of the "wrapper" bring your needle up where you tied your knot. Continue to overlap your pressed edges and stitch a running stitch until you have reached the other (width-wise) thread.

Stuff the middle with your favorite fiberfill.

Pull the other end of the "wrapper" tight and tie. Be sure to tie the other end of the lengthwise running stitch in when you tie off the "wrapper."

Make several and throw them in a small bowl for a colorful display.

*This pincushion is an original idea and creation of Sharon Tuckey. Please use for personal use only. Do not use any photos from my blog without permission.*

Go over Fabric Tuesday @ Quilt Story to see what other people have been working on this week.