Lilac Lane by Melissa Stramel

Giveaway at SewBaby

2012-03-16T09:41:00.001-05:00

Good Friday morning everyone! It's our second day of spring break here at Lilac Lane. And the weather here has been unbelieveable for March. Mid 70s, some 80s even.

One of the newest places to carry my patterns is SewBaby. I have an interview there today. If you leave a comment, you will be entered to win your choice of one of my patterns.

Also, there is some news I haven't let out yet right on that blog. Go see!

Love,

xoxo

Almost Spring

2012-03-14T14:57:00.000-05:00

Love,

xoxo

Introducing the Mommy, Dolly and Me Aprons

2012-03-12T14:38:00.001-05:00

Oh my goodness, it's reveal after reveal around here. I tell you what! I don't think it's going to slow down anytime soon either.

This is such a fun pattern! It comes in doll sizes, girls sizes (about size 2T-12), misses (called skinny mama in the pattern) and plus sizes (simply mama). All of these are included in one pattern.

The skirt of the apron is very flowy and wraps around to the back, giving you nice coverage.

I started work on this pattern quite some time ago, so let's say it's WELL tested!

Oh how I miss 2-year-old Emilie!

Did I mention the instructions include a half-apron option?

The Mommy, Dolly and Me Aprons is available as an e-pattern on my website. Paper version is coming very soon!

Love,

xoxo

Quilt Market is Coming!

2012-03-09T10:42:00.001-06:00

Eek! The upcoming International Quilt Market became very real yesterday. My booth assignment came, #2531. It's pretty close to the center, so I think it's a good place to be.

There's so very much to do before then, that I have to have a specific project in mind each and every morning.

If you're on my blog, you can see my countdown to quilt market, only 68 days and some hours to go.

Keep me in your prayers, please!

Love,

xoxo

Goosegirl Sews Sweet

2012-03-07T08:44:00.001-06:00

One of my pattern testers, Sivje of Goosegirl Sews, made such a cute version of Sweet that I had to share it with you. Isn't her daughter precious? The pinafore in the pattern changed since her sewing, but it looks so pretty, I just had to share the picture. Happy sewing!

Love,

xoxo

Sweet for Dolls

2012-03-06T08:27:00.000-06:00

Well you knew this was coming, right?

We HAD to have a matching doll dress. My girls are wearing their Sweet dresses for Easter and the dolls need to come along! I had too much fun with these photos.

Thank you to Christy, my pattern tester.

Sweet for Dolls is available here.

Have a Sweet Day!

Love,

xoxo

How About a Sweet Reveal?

2012-03-05T17:27:00.001-06:00

Well it feels like it's time to show you something, so here goes. I have a new dress pattern out! It's called Sweet. It's a perfectly springtime kind of dress made up of both a dress and a pinafore. The pinafore looks smocked, but it's actually faux smocked, making it quite simple. It would be a great sundress on its own.

It comes in sizes 2T-10. Think Easter! Think spring weddings! Flower girls!

Even though the weather has been quite wintery, we had a beautiful day to take pictures.

Thank you to my niece Samantha for agreeing to be a cover girl.

Thanks also to all my pattern testers: Leisel, Zarina, Sivje, Jenny, Jen, Cheryl and Robyn.
Thank you so much girls! I couldn't have done this without you.

The pattern is available in e-pattern form in my store. I'll let you know when the paper patterns get here.

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting: Tips and Tricks

2012-03-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

I recently finished my little series, the Very Basics of Quilting. It contains everything you need to know to complete your first quilt. Here are all the lessons:

Part 1: Equipment
Part 2: Choosing fabric
Part 3: Picking patterns
Part 4: Cutting and sewing a 9-patch block
Part 5: Sashes and Borders
Part 6: Preparing for a Long Arm Quilter
Part 7: Quilting on a Domestic Machine
Part 8: Binding

Originally posted at The Quilting Gallery, here are some tips and tricks I have added to this series:

IRONS
The iron is your very best friend in sewing. Until I figured that out, my projects were pretty cruddy. If you think about it, the iron flattens wrinkled fabric, turns back seam allowances, sets seams and does a myriad of other things.

Tips: *Never iron with your iron. Well, at least not on a quilt block! No, we want to press, a simple up and down motion. Ironing -- moving the iron from side to side -- can stretch your fabric.

* Use a lot of steam. Some will disagree, but I LOVE steam. It's the easiest way to get rid of wrinkles. I love how it sets seams.

*Sewing is full of gunky adhesives. Fusible interfacings, wonder under, etc etc. All of these things can really gunk up your iron. And that stuff can get transferred to your fabric. Take a dryer sheet and rub it on the plate of your iron while the iron is hot (I use an oven mitt) to remove all that gunk. It works like a charm. Just make sure to remove the greasy stuff before using it on your fabric again. I rub the iron on a scrap of fabric and then you're ready to go!

CUTTING
Rotary cutters and rulers are such time savers for a quilter and for a garment maker. We'd be lost without them. If you're new to quilting, you can get by with a good 6" x 24" ruler.

Tips: *Keep your blade sharp. The duller the blade, the harder you have to push, which can lead to nasty accidents.

*Line your body up with your cutting table. It helps to put your cutting mat on a corner. Then you can always cut "straight on."

*Keep firm pressure on the ruler with your left (right is you're left-handed) hand. Try to focus the pressure downward so the ruler won't slip.

*While we're talking about slipping, always cover the fabric piece you are cutting with the ruler. If you do slip, you won't ruin your good piece, just a bit of the extra -- and it will be fixable!

MY NUMBER ONE TIP FOR QUILTERS:
Invest in a quarter inch foot with a guide along the side! These are usually fairly inexpensive and will make a world of difference in your quilting. After all, in quilting, size does matter. Of the seams that is!

Love,

xoxo

A Fun Day in Wray

2012-02-29T10:43:00.002-06:00

If you missed last Saturday at Granma's Treasures in Wray, Colorado, boy did you miss out! The morning was full of neat demonstrations by talented sewers. And in the afternoon, I had a little class on the Bountiful bag. Since you might not have been there, join me in photos:

Here are some of the ladies who participated in the class. Oh and me back there. Thank you Marie for all the pictures!

It's so exciting to see my patterns on a store wall.

Nearly finished!

You did it!

They even had a little Cherished dress sample made up.

Thank you Patty and girls for the lovely day. It was so fun! And such sweet people in the class.

Love,

xoxo

Giveaway at the Quilting Gallery

2012-02-28T11:45:00.001-06:00

Make sure to visit the Quilting Gallery today. Pat Sloan has been a host there with a whole bunch of information about organizing the sewing room. (Note to self, read all of those posts very carefully!) Anyway to help with your organization, I am giving away 5 pdf copies of Quilters Rule! Stop by today to enter.

Love,

xoxo

Quilters Rule! e-pattern now available

2012-02-24T09:06:00.001-06:00

I'm so happy to have the e-pattern for Quilters Rule! available to download. The paper pattern is following and will be here soon. For now, you can buy the e-pattern from my etsy shop or website store.

Love,

xoxo

Winner of Sonoma Rose

2012-02-22T10:50:00.000-06:00

Lucky #50 is the winner today.

Mama Lusco said...

sounds like a great book! Thank you!

Well it is a great book and congrats to Mama Lusco!

Love,

xoxo

Introducing Quilters Rule!

2012-02-21T09:38:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone. I have a brand new pattern called Quilters Rule! But before I talk about it, I need to tell you something really important. Starting tomorrow, this pattern will be available for FREE in tutorial format at Sew We Quilt. If you love it, and I think you will, make sure you print off the tutorial. Because after 48 hours, it will be gone. And you'll have to buy the pattern from me. Now I love you guys, so I'm giving you this heads up notice.

Quilters Rule! is a practical pattern born out of the frustration of always searching for my rulers. If any of you are the organizing type, feel free to come spend some time with me. You can clean my sewing room while I sew! Anyway, this handy case is a whopping 28" x 17". It holds every ruler I own and has a nice pocket on the other side of the ruler toting side for holding notions. This way, you can take it with you to a sewing class and have all your supplies right there.

On a side note, my little Nathan, who you don't see a whole lot of, took all these pictures. Quite the talent! He rarely appears here due to the girly girl nature of this blog.

I hope you love it!

Love,

xoxo

Fluville

2012-02-20T08:41:00.005-06:00

Well Lilac Lane has been hit with the flu bug. I didn't want you all to think I'd forgotten about you, so I'm posting some pictures of Emilie, who did not get sick (yet) and was a little cheerleader this weekend.

Love,

xoxo

Sonoma Rose: An Elm Creek Quilts Giveaway

2012-02-17T13:52:00.002-06:00

The giveaway is closed. Please check back for the winner.
Well, Jennifer Chiaverini has done it again. February 21 her new novel in the Elm Creek Quilts Series, Sonoma Rose, comes out. I received an advance copy, which means you could win this book right after it comes out!

As the nation grapples with the strictures of Prohibition, Rosa Diaz Barclay lives on a Southern California rye farm with her volatile husband, John, who has lately found another source of income far outside the Federal purview.

Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease currently afflicting young Ana and Miguel. Two daughters born of another father are in perfect health. When an act of violence shatters Rosa’s resolve to maintain her increasingly dangerous existence, she flees with the children and her precious heirloom quilts to the mesa where she last saw her beloved mother alive.

Doesn't it sound great? Well I, for one, have not been able to put it down. Leave a comment below for your chance to win this book. I will draw the winner on Wednesday, February 22!

Love,

xoxo

Winner of the Green Fairy Quilts Gift Certificate

2012-02-15T08:18:00.002-06:00

The Hungry Crafter said...

So Hungry Crafter, you are the winner! Congrats! And thanks to everyone for loving this pattern. And a special thank you to Green Fairy Quilts for sponsoring the giveaway.

Also, just because I love all of you and hope you have a sweet day, when you buy the Cherished dress pattern from my etsy shop or the Lilac Lane store, you can receive the Cherished for Dolls pattern free. So if you've been waiting, here's your chance! Just write something in the notes box like, I would love the Cherished for Dolls pattern too. No need to purchase it or pay separate shipping. This is good for both the e-pattern and paper pattern! Act fast, this offer is only good until supplies run out or through Sunday, February 19, 2012.

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 8

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Originally posted on Shruti's blog, 13 Woodhouse Road, last week, I wanted to make sure you saw the final installation of the Very Basics of Quilting.

But just in case you're new around here, the links to the rest of the series are:
Part 1: Equipment
Part 2: Choosing fabric
Part 3: Picking patterns
Part 4: Cutting and sewing a 9-patch block
Part 5: Sashes and Borders
Part 6: Preparing for a Long Arm Quilter
Part 7: Quilting on a Domestic Machine
Part 8: Binding (right here)

First you're going to need to measure all the way around your quilt. And then you need strips of fabric that will make up that length. Add a little bit extra on so that you can overlap a bit when you bind all the way around the quilt.

What's the perfect width for a binding strip? Well that's debatable, but many people like 2 1/2" wide. I prefer 2 1/4" wide, but you'll have to find your own perfect width. If you happen to have a partial jelly roll around, they make great binding strips. For my little quilt, I only needed four strips.

Place the strips at 90 degrees to each other with the right sides facing.

Using your quilting ruler, mark a straight line at a 45 degree angle across the strip, from tip to tip. Make sure to leave a little extra if you're using a jelly roll so you can get rid of the selvage.

Here's the mark. I used permanent black marker for you, but you should probably use a water soluble or a pencil so it won't show.

Sew across the line you made and then cut off the excess. A quarter inch seam here is plenty.

Voila! A perfectly mitered strip. Why mitered and not just straight across? Well, when you're sewing on your binding this will make the seam a little less bulky. Go ahead and miter all your pieces together into one long strip.

Next press the strip in half with the raw edges aligned.

Now you're ready to sew the binding onto the quilt. If you have a quarter inch foot (which I highly recommend), attach it. Leave several inches (at least 5 or 6) unsewn and then being sewing 1/4" from the raw edges of the quilt, aligning the raw edges of the binding and the raw edges of the quilt. Although you can't tell in this picture, you are attaching the binding to the FRONT of the quilt. Also, make sure to begin attaching the binding in the middle of one of the sides and not right at a corner.

Okay, here you can better tell that we are, indeed, attaching the binding to the front of the quilt.

When you get close to the corner, I want you to stop with the needle down and measure 1/4" from the corner in both directions. Don't eyeball it! Make a mark here. You might be able to see that I made a black dot right in that place (it's on the feather.) That is the exact spot where you will stop and back stitch a few stitches.

Now cut the thread and we're going to do a little bit of fabric origami. First fold the binding across the corner at a 45 degree angle.

Then fold again so that the binding is parallel to the edge of the quilt (straight across). Take your marking pen and again mark 1/4" from the corner from both directions. Again, that is the EXACT place where you will begin stitching once again. And also again backstitch (but not past this mark!). It would be a shame to do all this hard work and then the stitches would fall out.

When you've done this four times (assuming your quilt has four corners), you will approach the place where you started binding. Stop stitching and backstitch when you are several inches from meeting up, at least 5 or 6 inches.

Take one of the binding strips and mark a 45 degree angle across it. Go ahead and cut here, across the mark.

Lay both strips across each other, as flat as possible and then mark a 45 degree angle on the other strip in the same direction, but add an extra 1/4" from the point where they match up. Do not cut -- this is your stitching line.

It should look something like this, except that the strip on the right is scooted back to allow me to show you the line on the strip on the left. The right strip should actually slightly (1/4") cover this line.

Press back in place and sew using 1/4" seam to finish sewing the binding around the quilt.

Fold the pressed edge of the binding to the back and clip in place. I like using girl's barrettes (they're cheap.) You will want the binding to be snug and even all around the quilt, definitely not saggy or wavy.

Here's what it will look like from the front.

I hand sew using tiny stitches in and out of the fabric, but never showing on the top or bottom. This takes practice but you can soon do it very quickly. Miter the corners with a little fold in both directions.

You did it! For more tips, tutorials, patterns and recipes, visit me at Lilac Lane.

Love,

xoxo

Chocolate Ice Cream Cake Recipe

2012-02-10T15:50:00.003-06:00

I have a quick recipe for you for the weekend. Someone in this family had a birthday this week and here is the cake I made:

Ice Cream Cake

You will need:

1 family-sized brownie mix

1/2 gallon of ice cream in flavor of choice

toppings of choice

1. Make the brownie mix according to the directions except place it in a bigger pan. I believe mine is 15 x 11. Bake according to package directions, except it may not take quite as long.

2. Chop up the toppings you chose. I chose Snickers and Oreos. Yum!

3. Add softened ice cream to the mixer and blend. Spoon over brownies and freeze at least two hours.
4. Enjoy!

I would show a picture of the birthday boy blowing out his candles, but he occasionally reads this blog! I should note that I used both low-fat brownies and low-fat ice cream and the fat was missed by no one.

Love,

xoxo

Come to Wray February 25

2012-02-07T08:19:00.004-06:00

On February 25, I'll be at Granma's Treasures once again. This time will be a full day of classes. The morning with have special speakers about embellishing and I'll give a little talk about following your dreams. In the afternoon I'll teach a class on Bountiful. The afternoon class is limited to 10 people and, when I last heard, there were 6 signed up already. If you'll be in the area, hurry!

See you there!

Love,

xoxo

Simply Charmed Blog Hop: the Be Mine Tote

2012-02-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

The drawing is closed. Please check back for the winner.
I'm so excited that it's my day to be part of this great blog hop! Have you registered for your chances to win all the great prizes?

Today's prize is sponsored by Green Fairy Quilts and is a $25 gift certificate! Of course this giveaway is open to anyone, even internationally. To enter, simply leave a comment telling me the best Valentines gift you've ever GIVEN! For one additional entry, you can become a follower of this blog. Be sure and let me know that you are in an additional comment. (If you already are, let me know in an additional comment.)

Now for the really good part. My pattern is the Be Mine Tote. And I say pattern, because I created it exactly like my e-patterns with all the supplies and drawn instructions for each step.

Isn't this picture just darling? I feel like they should be a Hallmark card.

To download the pattern, simply click here for the Be Mine Tote.
Now when you print it, make sure you set the page scaling to "none" for the templates.
And thanks again to Green Fairy Quilts! Make sure you sign up for the grand prize at Happy Quilting! And thank you to Deb Strain of Moda for the gorgeous fabric, Always & Forever.

Love,

xoxo

Sew-Vivor Competition

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

I am excited to announce that I'm a proud sponsor of a new sewing competition called...

It's a spin off of the show Survivor, and takes place on the blog, Family Ever After. Entries are open during the whole month of February, and the Top 10 contestants will advance to an exciting competition which takes place in April.

The prizes are just fabulous! Over $900 worth! And there are lots of patterns from me.

Be sure to stop by and see what prizes we are giving away!

For all the rules, and to enter, go here!

Sew-vivor

Love,

xoxo

Simply Charmed Blog Hop Starts Today!

2012-02-01T08:15:00.002-06:00

Oh my goodness, it really snuck up on me, but today is the day! Make sure to hop over to Melissa from Happy Quilting's blog today for a chance at $200 from the Fat Quarter Shop! I wish I was eligible!!! Then follow along each day for your chance to win great prizes and for all the wonderful tutorials.Get your button today!

February 1 - Melissa from Happy Quilting - Fat Quarter Shop - Grand Prize $200.00 Giveaway
February 2 - Heather from Quilt Story - Burgundy Buttons - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 3 - Melissa from Lilac Lane - Green Fairy Quilts - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 6 - Angela from Cut to Pieces - Intrepid Thread - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 7 - Amy from Diary of a Quilter - Burgundy Buttons - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 8 - Natalia from Piece N Quilt - Green Fairy Quilts - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 9 - Jessica from Twin Fibers - Intrepid Thread - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 10 - Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt - Burgundy Buttons - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 11 - Jane from Want It, Need It, Quilt - Green Fairy Quilts - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway
February 13 - Corey from Little Miss Shabby - Intrepid Thread - $25.00 Gift Certificate Giveaway

Love,

xoxo

Viva Las Vegas

2012-01-30T10:54:00.001-06:00

Well, have you noticed I've been gone? I'm so happy to be back though. My sisters and I took a little vacation to Las Vegas.

Nothing better than Home Sweet Home.
Love,

xoxo

Pattern Testers Needed

2012-01-24T10:30:00.000-06:00

Thank you all so much. I believe we have it covered.
Hi there. I'm looking for a few good pattern testers for a girl's dress. Must have prior dress making experience (please send photos.) Must also have a quick turn around time. I will line up the testers this week and send the pattern to you next week. It will be in e-pattern format, so you have to have adobe reader and a printer and be able to piece it together.

I need testers for the following sizes:
2T, 3T, 6, 7, 8 and 10. I only need one person for each size and sizes 4 and 5 are covered. Please look at my size chart below to find the size of your child. For the chest measurement, measure across the bust of a well-fitting garment and double it. In other words, it will be a little bigger than their actual size around.

If you're interested, e-mail me at mstramel@melissastramel.com. Thanks!

You can ignore everything about fabric and notions on the chart -- it's from my other dress. Testers will receive a free copy of the pattern and, of course, the finished dress before anyone else. You will also be featured on my blog when the pattern comes out.
Love,

xoxo

All Dolled Up Tote Testers

2012-01-23T10:25:00.001-06:00

I thought you'd love to see the testers projects from the All Dolled Up Tote. They did such a fabulous job.

Here is Samantha enjoying her bag. Her mom Marie made it using Heather Ross fabrics.

Maggie's bag, made by mom Christy, is just what she needs to carry around her dolls. It's made from corduroy in the pretty pink and black zebra stripe.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 NIV

Love,

xoxo

This and That

2012-01-20T08:30:00.001-06:00

Well, there are several things I need to tie up today. First of all, I've been a guest on several blogs this week. Why don't you check it out?

I was on U-Create here and the Quilting Gallery here. This Quilting Gallery post I wrote is a continuation of the Very Basics of Quilting with some overall tips.

Also, my new pattern is now available from QuiltWoman and Patterns Gone Digital. Of course you can also buy them from my store.

Finally, I bet you're wondering who the winner of The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer is.

Mama Lusco said...

I love Christian fiction! I've read Levi's Will but didn't realize it was part of a series :) I recently finished my BFFs new Christian YA book, Replication by Jill Williamson. Thank you!

Yay! (And Linda, I donated my copy to our local library so you can check out the whole series there.)

Love,

xoxo

Introducing the All Dolled Up Tote

2012-01-19T13:42:00.002-06:00

I'm so excited to show you my sixth, yes sixth!, pattern to be published. Just out today, it's the All Dolled Up Tote. This may be my favorite pattern to date because, well, it was so necessary around here. You see, my daughters wanted the American Girl doll holder bags for Christmas. First I looked at them and they looked pretty flimsy. Then I read the reviews, which were TERRIBLE. And I thought, "I can do better than that." So I thought it out for a few months. Honestly, I did. Exactly what would I want to carry in a bag like this if I was a little girl? So I put a really cool three-dimensional pocket on the front for doll gear. On the back is a huge back pocket that holds books. Mostly because my kids love to travel with their dolls and we always have both reading and coloring books too. Finally, I put a "secret" inside zipper pocket on the interior. That's so they can feel like they're being really sneaky by bringing along a little something in there.

I also made two dividers to hold the dolls. But I wanted to make them removable in case you (or the child) ever need a plain tote bag. And a nice tote bag it is! It's super sturdy since it's stabilized with Peltex. So you're probably waiting for pictures, right? We really had fun taking these.

I was so happy to use Thomas Knauer's Pear Tree fabric. So perfect for this.

Here's the bag and its inside dividers.

I'm so thankful to have produced another pattern. The biggest testimony to me is that all my friends have asked me to make bags for their daughters. And my daughters and my testers' daughters won't let the bags out of their sight.

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 7

2012-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last week in the Very Basics of Quilting we found out how to prepare our quilt tops for a long arm quilter. This week is all about learning how to quilt it ourselves. I'll be the first to tell you that I'm not an expert in this area. However, I know enough to be able to finish a small quilt and be proud of it. I'm going to share my super easy tips with you, so that you too can finish a small quilt top on your home machine.

You will need your finished quilt top, a backing just a little bit bigger than the top (for our purposes an extra two inches on each side is sufficient), a fusible quilt batting (fusible on both sides), a water-soluble marking pen and thread.

Here is the quilt we've been working on with added borders. I thought it was going a little more traditional than I hoped for, so I added six inch gray borders. Pretty, huh?

Lay your batting out very flat on the floor. Scoot the kitty off of it.

Smooth your quilt top out on top of the batting.

VERY IMPORTANT: Read the directions on your fusible batting. I'm not sure if they're all the same, but for mine, if you were fusing one side at a time, you did NOT use steam. I *MAY* have fused my quilt to the floor of my sewing room the first time. I *MAY* still have some batting sticking to my carpet. So using NO STEAM, slowly iron the quilt top to the batting, moving your iron from the center to the edges. Always returning to the center and moving outwards.

Go ahead and trim the quilt top to the size of the batting. NEVER do this if you're sending the quilt to a long arm quilter. But on your machine, you want it even so the batting doesn't get caught by the feed dogs.

Now flip the quilt fused to batting over, so that the batting is up and place the backing over the batting (right side up of course). Fuse again, just like above except this time you can use steam. Trim again, this time leaving an inch extra all around the back. You can flip it over and steam the front for a stronger hold now.

Take your water soluble pen and draw straight quilting lines. If you own a darning foot and want to try freestyle quilting, be my guest. I've never been very good at that. But for the simplest quilting, just use straight lines.

Now if you own a foot kind of like this, called a walking foot, go ahead and attach it to your machine. If you don't own one, your regular open toe foot will probably work just fine. After all, we fused this baby together pretty well. The walking foot helps keep the same tension on the top fabric as the feed dogs keep on the bottom fabric.

Choose a thread color, either something that will blend in or something that will stand out. I chose a bright pink to contrast with the gray and complement all the pinks in the quilt. Sew down the lines you marked with the pen.

To keep everything smooth, place one hand to the left of your foot and the other on the right, pressing down lightly. My right hand isn't in this photo because I was taking the picture. When you've finished all your lines, look your quilt over and see if you need to add more quilting anywhere. If so go ahead and mark more lines. Square up the quilt by cutting off the extra batting and making sure everything is straight. You may also want to baste any sides that don't have much stitching, which will make it a little easier when you put on the binding (next week!). After everything is square, remove the water soluble marks by squirting them with a little water.

You'll have a gorgeous back . . .

and front! I hope this will give you the confidence to try quilting yourself.

Love,

xoxo

It's All Roses Headband Tutorial

2012-01-17T13:00:00.002-06:00

This is a really fun little pattern that I think you'll enjoy. Sometimes it's nice to throw a headband in your hair and be done with it, right? So here's a one-size-fits-all people headband PLUS a little one for the dolls. I think it's really, really cute. Find the instructions for the It's All Roses Headband here.

Hope you LOVE it!

Love,

xoxo

Simply Charmed Blog Hop

2012-01-16T13:18:00.000-06:00

Today's the day! The secrets out! Announcing the Simply Charmed Blog Hop! Isn't Valentines Day great? A day focused on telling those we love just how much they mean to us. And what better way to show someone you care than to give them something special made by you just for them!

Thank you to Melissa from Happy Quilting for pulling this entire blog hop together and inviting some of her blog friends to join in -- including me!

February 1 - Melissa from Happy Quilting

February 2 - Heather from Quilt Story

February 3 - Melissa from Lilac Lane (that's me!)

February 6 - Angela from Cut to Pieces

February 7 - Amy from Diary of a Quilter

February 8 - Natalia from Piece N Quilt

February 9 - Jessica from Twin Fibers

February 10 - Katie from Swim, Bike, Quilt

February 11 - Jane from Want It, Need It, Quilt

February 13 - Corey from Little Miss Shabby

February 14 - Happy Valentines Day and the Grand Prize Winner Announcement!!!!

From Happy Quilting Melissa, "Thank you so much to each of these ladies. I have had so much fun working with each of them on this Blog Hop. They are all so very talented and the projects they have created are just amazing!!! Trust me when I say, you are all in for a treat!!!The Simply Charmed title came about because each of us created our project using 1 Charm Pack and added yardage if necessary but only for backing, lining ect. The bulk of each project is made using just the 1 Charm Pack of Always and Forever by Deb Strain. And trust me, you are going to be amazed with what you can create using a single charm pack!!!"

And what fun would a Blog Hop be without Giveaways???

Thanks to the generosity of our amazing sponsors, there will be a giveaway along with each of the 10 tutorials. So when the time comes, make sure to enter at each of the contributors tutorial post for your chance to win some major fabric cash.

Fat Quarter Shop has graciously sponsored the fabric used in making the tutorials.

They will also be sponsoring the Grand Prize of a $200.00 Gift Certificate to 1 lucky reader.

Burgundy Buttons has graciously sponsored three $25.00 Gift Certificates for 3 lucky readers.

The Intrepid Thread has graciously sponsored three $25.00 Gift Certificates for 3 lucky readers.

The Green Fairy has graciously sponsored three $25.00 Gift Certificates for 3 lucky readers.

A huge thank you goes out to each of our sponsors!!! They are a huge part of making this Blog Hop. So pop on over to their shops (their icon's are links) and find the special Charm Pack or 2 for you. (And whatever else might tickle your fancy :)

And last but not least, we would love it if you joined the Simply Charmed Blog Hop Flickr Group. This will be a place to show us your amazing projects made using the Simply Charmed tutorials!!! We can't wait to see your own personal take on these special gifts :)

So are you ready to hop along with us??? Are you excited for February 1st?????

Well then grab a button and spread the word!!

Let's see how far we can spread the homemade love this Valentines Day!!!! .

Love,

xoxo

Quilt Market Help

2012-01-14T08:47:00.000-06:00

Well, I've taken the plunge. I just turned in my contract for booth space at the Internation Quilt Market this spring in Kansas City. There I will launch a small line of embroidery patterns that I have been working on for quite some time.

If any of you are stitchers, particularly cross-stitchers, and would like to help, would you leave me a comment or e-mail me at the address on my sidebar? I can provide a tiny bit of monetary compensation, all the supplies you will need and possibly your name on the back of the pattern.

Thanks so much!

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 6

2012-01-13T09:17:00.001-06:00

Can you believe we're already at part 6? Just a couple more parts and we'll be more advanced than the very basics! Today I have a special treat. Lisa, from That Crazy Quilty Girl, is here to tell us all about preparing a quilt top to be quilted by a long-arm quilter. Is she qualified? Oh yes! She's one of the best quilter's I know. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. She's won awards for her quilting all over the country, but most importantly at MQS -- the machine quilter's equivalent of Quilt Market. Not only that but she quilted BOTH samples of Ricky Tim's and Alex Anderson's Block of the Month for this year. And one of those she pieced -- (seriously, go check it out.) It's even in the current issue of the Quilt Life!

Without anymore gushing, let's just say it's an honor to have Lisa here. Lisa, take it away:

Hello everyone! I'm Lisa, and I'm a longarm quilter. You may have seen my name thrown around Melissa's site on occasion because she likes to make pretty things, and then I get the pleasure of finishing them for her! I'm happy to be here to continue with you her Basics of Quilting series.

Many people think that when their top is completed, their work is done. That couldn't be further from the truth! But I'm here to help make it a little easier for you (and your quilter). I may get a little long-winded and if I do, I apologize in advance!I can't offer much advice on preparing your quilt to quilt it on a domestic sewing machine, as I've only done just a few small projects (usually quilting fabric to make into a bag) on a domestic. However, I can give you all kinds of tips and tricks for preparing your quilt for a longarmer. Please bear in mind that each longarmer is different and requests different things, so it's best to check to see how they'd like your quilt and backing prepared.It is my job to make my customers' quilts look as best as they can. But I can only work with so much. I always start out by loading every quilt square (some longarmers do NOT load square, but flat, which is a big no-no).

Once I've loaded it, I know what types of issues, if any, I will be dealing with before I even take the first stitch of quilting. The first piece of advice that I can give you is to follow the "rules" that Melissa mapped out for you in all of her previous entries of this series!Following the rules of quilting to construct your top is the number one way to be sure you will be happy with the end result (after quilting). Whether you're more of a traditional or liberated quilter, the best rule of thumb is to always square up as you work! If your quilt top has a lot of problems in the piecing, it can affect all kinds of things. Including it not getting quilted the way you'd like. Precautions need to be taken for errors in piecing, whether you or your quilter like it or not. If "the rules" are not followed, all kinds of things can go wrong. You can end up with fullness, a quilt that's 10 inches longer on one side, puckers, pleats, tucks (I personally have never, nor will I ever do a tuck... if I can't work it out then I will fix it), etc. Why would you want that? Properly attaching borders is the most overlooked of the rules. And also the most catastrophic. Would you like to see what it looks like when a longarmer loads a quilt square on the frame, but the borders weren't attached properly? I'll show you. And if you're not horrified by what you see, you have no soul. KIDDING! But I was horrified. And that takes a lot.

That's a whoooooooole lotta fun right there. It takes SO MUCH time and extra effort to quilt something like that without pleats or intentional tucks (and apparently very few can, my friends on Facebook were amazed when I was done with this puppy, it turned out beautiful!). On this particular quilt, my customer didn't measure for her borders, but "sew and slashed" them, which not only allows you to stretch your fabric, but distort it as well. In this picture, there is too much fabric for the border. In the next picture (same client), there's not enough, which leads to a whole lot of fullness within the body of the quilt. Again. Horrified. This picture doesn't even accurately illustrate how bad it was, because it wasn't this one section. The entire quilt looked like this:

And another one. SAME client. Again. Before:

And after:

That's a lot of work! Which takes a lot of time. Which will cost you more. So do yourself a favor and follow Melissa's suggestions. :)Now! Other things that you don't typically think about:Thread tails and fabric fray on the back side of your quilt. If you have a lot of light colored fabrics, you should always take the time to remove frays and clip thread tails from the back side of your quilt top. You would really be amazed how much it shows through once it's quilted.Removing stray threads and frays that have creeped up through your seams and made their way to the top of the quilt top. This seems like I'm being picky, but I've spent up to 45 minutes removing threads (and pet hairs, etc.) from someone's top. My time is my most valuable resource! (Ask me how long my waiting list is)

If your top has no borders, say a whole bunch of squares sewn together, it's best to "square up" the outer edges of the top. By this, I mean to trim off any excess fabric that may have sneaked past your seam, so that there is a nice, straight line along the edge of your quilt. When we're loading the top onto the frame, we need to have a point of reference, to which we load it square. Having trimmed edges helps tremendously!Press your quilt top before dropping it off. This seems like a given but... yeah!I love an embellished quilt, but wait to add any embellishments (yo-yos, crystals, buttons, anything 3-D) until after it's quilted. I learned the hard way that it's nearly, though not entirely impossible to quilt an embellished quilt. The hopping foot can sometimes catch on the embellishments and you then run the risk of a tear in your top. Nobody wants that!

If you'd like to supply your own batting, be sure that it's a good quality batting. If you question whether or not your batting is a good quality, discuss it with your quilter. We have to follow rules with battings, in that certain battings have to have a minimum amount of space between stitching. Some of the low quality battings can leave a quilt limp and lifeless and it may be gross and bunchy after it's washed. Yuck!Remember to never baste your layers together before dropping off with a longarm quilter. Quilting on a longarm is a whole different ballgame than on a domestic and each layer must be loaded individually.

While we're on the subject of loading layers, another really, super-duper important thing is to always provide a backing that is LARGER than your quilt top. The way your quilt gets loaded onto a longarm frame, your quilter will need an absolute minimum of three extra inches on each side. The amount of fabric that each quilter prefers varies. For me, it depends on what type of quilting will be done. Some quilting requires more fabric than others. I usually prefer at least five inches of fabric on all four sides of the top. (For what it's worth, when I'm quilting my own quilts, I do eight extra inches on each side to be sure that I end up with the absolute best results possible) It's a good general rule to add 10 inches to your width and lenth and buy that much backing. So if your quilt top measure 90x108, you would need at least 100x118 inches of backing.Another important rule as far as backing goes is that it must be square. I don't mind so much if the quilt top isn't square. However, if your backing isn't square you're just begging for trouble! If it's not square it can twist on the frame. If it twists on the frame, your quilt will also twist when it comes off of the frame. Un-square backing can cause serious pleats as well. And, if it isn't square, there's a chance that once I get to the bottom of the quilt, there may not be enough on one side (this is a big reason why I started basting them square before beginning the quilting!). Now I'll show you the difference between a square and non-square back.

That beauty up above? That's a square back. It has an even tension all across the frame. When the back is loaded onto the frame, I first find the center of the top and bottom and work my way out to each side from there. It is very important to have a square back so you don't end up with:

A sad back. Do you see how it's all droopy on the left side? There's nothing your quilter can do to help that. Except straighten it. Which will likely result in not enough backing.It is always best to tear your backings along the straight of the grain by clipping into the fabric just past the selvedge and then tearing it all the way through the selvedge on the other side. If you buy wide backings at your local quilt shop, ask them to tear it. If they don't/won't tear it you should 1) probably look for a different favorite local quilt shop! And 2) buy anywhere from 1/4-1/2 yard extra to account for the fabric you'll lose once it is straightened.If you like to piece your backings, whether you sew a single seam to join two big strips of fabric, or like to make your quilts reversible by piecing blocks together, etc. it is best to follow the regular rules of quilting *except one!* That one rule you shouldn't follow when it comes to backing, is the 1/4" seam rule. For a backing, it is best to use a 1/2" seam allowance and press open. There are a few reasons for this. Your backing is the most "abused" during the quilting process. It gets stretched between rollers, across the frame, and with the clamps on the sides. A 1/2" seam allowance helps to keep everything where it should be until it comes off the frame. There's more fabric in the seam allowance, which helps keep the seams from coming apart. If the seams start to come apart, your nice and square backing becomes a non-square backing and can cause weird humps or waves in the quilt once it's finished. Pressing the seams open helps to eliminate unnecessary bulk within the quilt sandwich. Longarms can be kind of picky, they like uniformity! Sometimes a little added bulk can result in skipped stitches, shredded thread, etc.Now that I've managed to be the bad guy for an entire guest post, it's time for me to tell you: It's okay. Don't be discouraged if everything isn't just right. It's my job, and my responsibility to tell you how things are *supposed* to be. If you have a good quilter, any "problems" can be overcome (except for the not enough backing part... so, so important!). There is no such thing as a perfect quilt, and your quilter doesn't (or shouldn't) expect perfection if they can't also deliver perfection. I'm giving you permission (as if you need my permission!) to "fudge it" every now and then. It isn't the end of the world.Quilting is supposed to be fun. Have fun!

Wow, Lisa! I learned a lot. I hope all of you did too. Thank you so much for instructing us today.
Love,

xoxo

Dale Cramer's "The Captive Heart" Giveaway

2012-01-11T12:39:00.000-06:00

Update: To read all about Dale Cramer and this series, visit here: http://wordservewatercooler.com/2012/01/04/interview-with-w-dale-cramer-author-part-1/

I have recently been reading and enjoying Amish fiction. Something about a simple life really appeals to me. While exploring this genre, I happened upon Dale Cramer. He has written a series of books about Caleb Bender's family, an Amish family who moved to Mexico's Paradise Valley to escape religious persecution in the United States. These are not only based on a true story, it is the story of Dale's family.

To date, there are two books in the series: Paradise Valley and The Captive Heart. He also has another book, Levi's Will, which continues the story with later generations. There will be one more book in this series, which is due out next December.

From the Booklist review of The Captive Heart:
“In a way that only Cramer can, the lives of these plucky, authentic characters are skillfully woven into the fabric of a richly researched historical tapestry, making for a strong series… The tender ending of the second novel will leave readers anxiously awaiting the third.” — Elizabeth Ponder

I couldn't put this book down! Dale has generously offered one of my readers a copy of this, his latest book. To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me the latest book you've read.

The giveaway will end on Wednesday, January 18 at midnight CST. A winner will be chosen by random.org. Good luck!

Love,

xoxo

Super Simple Dump Cake Recipe

2012-01-10T11:51:00.001-06:00

Here is another super simple recipe. Since we're involved in church, 4-H and dance classes, it seems like we always need a little something fast. This is a go-to recipe you may have made before. You probably even have the ingredients in your pantry.

1 yellow cake mix
2 cans of fruit or pie filling (I like pineapple and cherries)
1 stick of butter

Mix the two cans of fruit in a 9 x 13 pan. Cover with the yellow cake mix. Barely moisten it by stirring just a little bit. Melt the butter and pour over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden bubbly.

Love,

xoxo

Yummy Cabbage Salad

2012-01-06T11:17:00.003-06:00

Here is a fun little salad you can make in a hurry. Next time you have a potluck, give it a try. It's sure to be a favorite!

1 package pre-shredded cabbage (sometimes I buy an organic cabbage and shred it also)
1 package Ramen noodles
1/2 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1 small package sliced almonds
1/2 cup roasted (shelled) sunflower seeds

1. Toast the almonds under the broiler in your oven until light brown. Careful! This goes fast.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the seasoning from the Ramen noodles, vinegar, oil and sugar.

3. Crunch the Ramen noodles up very small. Combine in a large bowl with cabbage, almonds and sunflower seeds.

4. Pour mixture from step 2 over this. Refrigerate for at least two hours.

If you like your noodles with a little extra crunch, reserve them and then add about 1/2 hour before serving. Enjoy!

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13

Love,

xoxo

Curls the Doll

2012-01-05T12:49:00.001-06:00

Emilie has this sweet, tiny little doll that she named Curls and loves dearly. For awhile now, Curls has only had one outfit, but Emilie finally convinced me that the time had come to make her another.

The headband was also required, because according to Emilie, without it, she looks like a boy.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Love,

xoxo

Little Birdie Secrets Giveaway

2012-01-04T08:33:00.001-06:00

Visit me today on Little Birdie Secrets for a chance to win my patterns! And have a wonderful Wednesday.

Love,

xoxo

13 Woodhouse Road

2012-01-03T11:14:00.001-06:00

Shruti's blog, 13 Woodhouse Road is full of creative quilts. She has contributed to such big names as the Fat Quarterly and Oh Fransson! Anyway, she has a new series called the ABC's of Quilting and today, Michele of the Quilting Gallery is a guest. She listed me as one of her favorite modern bloggers! So go check it out!

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 5

2012-01-03T10:49:00.000-06:00

We took a little Christmas break, but now we're back with more basic quilting instructions!

Don't miss the first four parts of this series:
Part 1: Equipment
Part 2: Choosing fabric
Part 3: Picking patterns
Part 4: Cutting and sewing a 9-patch block

Today we will talk about sashes and borders. A sash is a strip of fabric between blocks and a border is strips of fabric that surround the quilt. As far as sewing them, they're exactly the same, so pay attention!

If you've made it through part 4, you should have several 9 patch blocks.

Now we'll play with the arrangement. This is something I really want you to understand -- quilting should be fun! Play -- where else (unless you color with your kids) do you get to throw around colors at will and mix it up in a way that only has to make you happy?

I love the look of just sewing the blocks together. But keep in mind that all those intersections will have to be matched. A sash might be better for our first quilt.

Now it's time to play again. I happen to have a jelly roll that has two strips of a very light pink print. Jelly roll strips are 2 1/2" wide. This will make a thin sash, just 2" wide. It would be a good idea to take some pictures of your different layouts so you can go back and decide which you like the best.

Try different colors and different widths. This is a 4" sash, which ends up being 3 1/2" wide when sewn in. I like this too, but I think I prefer the light pink print. Now cut your strips for sashing by first cutting your desired width in a long strip and then cutting it to the length of your blocks. Remember that we had perfectly squared up our blocks. It's VERY important that you cut these lengths (in my case 12 1/2") and not leave a long strip that you sew to your block and then cut off. You see, sewing machines are kind of funny. They have feed dogs that pull your fabric through the machine. But these feed dogs also make the bottom fabric feed a little bit differently that the top fabric. You will need to keep a tension on your top fabric so that they end up being even. Otherwise your quilt will bubble up. When you put tension on your top fabric, you're not stretching it! I wouldn't even call this easing. It's just keeping your fabrics even. After all, we measured and then cut the piece exactly the same, right?

Go ahead and sew the strip to the side of one 9-patch block.

Remember that the iron is your friend. I love to use steam. If your water is perfect, use tap water. But if your water is like mine, full of calcium and rust, use bottled water to avoid leaving spots on your fabric. Some people prefer Best Press or other light starches. If you used a very light colored sash, like I did, make sure to press the seams toward the 9-patch blocks. Otherwise, the seams will show a little bit after your quilt is quilted.

Sew your blocks together, putting strips between each one in the rows your have chosen. Do this for each row.

Now it's time to carefully measure again. Don't worry about what it's SUPPOSED to be, but rather what it IS. Cut a sash to this exact length. Hopefully all of your rows are the same length. This time, to counter the tension we talked about earlier, you probably need to put just a few pins along the length of your sash. Sew and press just as before.

Soon you have a beautifully sashed quilt.

For borders, continue just as with the sashes, only with one little additional step. Measure the edge you are adding the border to and THEN measure across the middle. They should be the same. However, they are often off just a bit. In this case, take the difference between the two and then divide it in half. For example, if your middle if 1" wider that the width of the bottom, add 1/2" to the bottom border. If it was 1" smaller, then you would take 1/2" off of the bottom border. At this point, it would be called easing to get it all to fit and you may have a tiny bit of puckering. But it would make the quilt lay flatter because the borders and middle of the quilt would be the same.

I normally apply borders to each side first. Then measure the top and bottom with the added side borders and apply them. It's common for borders to be a little bit wider than the sashing. However, borders are also optional and you don't even have to make them. It's your quilt!

I hope this helps. Next time we will have a guest talk about preparing your quilt for the quilter. I'll also have my borders on by then. How about you?

Love,

xoxo

Pajama Girl

2012-01-02T09:08:00.001-06:00

You know a girl can't get by with one pair of pajamas. So I had to make one more. My local quilt store has the cutest flannels: Riley Blake's Mother Nature Girl by doodlebug designs. I improvised the design by combining features of several patterns I like and then adding in some of my own like the long sleeves and the ruffle on the bottom.

Anna's always doing this crazy dance that cracks us up. I couldn't get her to stop doing it for the pictures.

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-24

Love,

xoxo

The Girl Creative

2012-01-01T16:52:00.001-06:00

To kick off 2012, join me at The Girl Creative today! Happy New Year!
Love,

xoxo

Best Ever Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

2011-12-30T09:13:00.000-06:00

So yesterday, Nathan turned 8. I can't believe it either! Yes, he and my sister share a birthday, but I wasn't ready to share his yet. :)

So of course I made him a cake. Let me preface this by saying that I have been under the weather since Monday. Big, bad cold. So I put off the cake until yesterday and then I finally dragged myself to the grocery store. (we were literally out of everything -- bread, milk, frosting ingredients, you get the picture.) Thank goodness I bought two cake mixes because the first cake STUCK to the nonstick tractor pan. Of course I was out of that cooking spray that makes your food not stick, so I thought if I wiped a little oil around the nonstick pan, it would be alright. We're not talking a little stuck here, more like the bottom half of the cake came out and the rest is STILL IN THE PAN stuck.

Not wanting to return to the grocery store in my feeble state, I buttered and floured a 9 x 13 pan and made cake mix number two. Let me please say that I don't usually cook from a mix and I don't usually buy store bought frosting, so maybe some of that is at play. Anyway, cake number two stuck too! It came out of the pan in big clumps. Nathan was horrified. I picked up the pieces and stuffed them back into the pan because there was NO WAY I was making a third cake. So I got out the big container of store bought chocolate frosting and it totally did not cover the cake. Maybe half of it. Thank goodness I also bought loads of store bought decorator frosting. The spray can kind was sort of expensive and he wanted a green and yellow tractor, so I bought the spray can of green and the tube of yellow. Thinking that since they were both Betty Crocker that the tips that came with the green can would fit on the yellow tube. Well that would be too simple, wouldn't it? I had some real cake decorator tips that were way huge for the yellow frosting tube and forced the yellow stuff out through one and it backed out the back side as well. So.

If you're still reading, you probably want to see the cake. Well, it's at the bottom of this post if you REALLY want to see it. Please don't judge. In the meantime, here are the best ever peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 sticks softened butter

Mix these really well. Add 1/2 cup milk. Mix. Add: 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 3 1/2 cups flour. Mix. Then add in about 1 1/2 bags of Gheradelli chocolate chips. Bake each batch about 7 or 8 minutes, sometimes it takes a little longer at 375 degrees. I use a little scoop to make each cookie about the same size. It looks kind of like a mini ice cream scoop.

Oh, you're sticking around for the birthday? Well, ok.

He's so fun.

Drumroll please . . . the cake:

Love,

xoxo

Nook Cover Tutorial

2011-12-29T11:24:00.003-06:00

Happy birthday to my little sister Christy! We are both avid readers, but she prefers to read on a nook. I thought a pretty cover was in order.

Isn't it pretty? I found a nice tutorial from Melissa at the Polka Dot Chair. Her tutorial is for an ipad case. You probably know that is a lot bigger than a nook. So, if you would like to make this for a nook, I cut down all the pieces to 7"x10". For the cover, I cut a 7"x10" piece and then added accessories on top, rather than piecing. (sewed on top of the piece of fabric.) And I didn't have auto foam, so I used a piece of craft foam as a stabilizer. Finally, I did not have a zipper (I know!), so my back is just a flat piece of fabric. A zipper would be nice, but I didn't want to go back to town for one. It's lined with minky fur. If you like this, give Melissa a shout-out and tell her I sent you.

Happy birthday Christy!
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1-3

Love,

xoxo

linking up at

Visions of Sugar Plums

2011-12-28T09:27:00.000-06:00

The kids thought it would be awfully fun to have a campout around the Christmas tree. (Thanks to one of you for suggesting it.) Look at funny little Squirt on Anna's head!

Not to be bothered with an uncozy floor, Nathan chose the couch. He's not much for camping out.

If you subscribed to my e-mail newsletter, you would have received a sneak peek of my new pattern today!

Love,

xoxo

Join Me at Stitchin Heaven

2011-12-26T12:58:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Hope your Christmas was merry and bright! Ours sure was and we even had some snow, left from a week or so ago, but still, it was white.

Anyway, I hope you'll join me at Stitchin Heaven today. Even more, I hope you'll join me on New Year's Eve for Stitchin Heaven's twitter party. It's the second one they've had and everyone says it's a blast! There's fun prizes and lots of fun sewing chat. If you don't have plans, please check it out. I'm no twitter expert, but I'm assured it's easy as can be.

Love,

xoxo

Time's Running Out!

2011-12-22T08:25:00.000-06:00

Have you made your Graham Cracker House? Mary Beth did!

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 NIV

Love,

xoxo

Ho Ho Ho!

2011-12-21T17:19:00.000-06:00

Love,

xoxo

Family Tree Now Available!

2011-12-20T14:59:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note to let you know that Family Tree is now ready to order from QuiltWoman.com! That means if you are a store, you can buy it at wholesale rates. Hooray! And just so you know, the printed pattern contains full-sized templates. That means no taping, no figuring out which piece goes where. It's all on one sheet!

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. Luke 2:1, 4-5

Love,

xoxo

My Favorite Christmas Songs

2011-12-19T13:29:00.000-06:00

Just to get you in the mood for Christmas!

And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven Luke 1:76-78 NIV

Love,

xoxo

Quilting Gallery Blog Hop Winner

2011-12-18T19:01:00.000-06:00

The winner is lucky number 28:

cajamk said...

My favorite winter tradition is going to the Christmas pagaent held by our sister church. It is held at the boys' school church. The pagaent is all called How the Chimes Rang. The costumes are wonderful and when the poor boy with his meager present makes the chimes ring and lights in this old church dim and the choir starts singing. Everytime I go my heart swells. It's hard to explain but I know who is in my heart...I follow and work for him everyday. My life is better with him in it. Christ. Thanks for the chance to enter. Oh btw. Tonight is the play. Yes, I am going.

December 10, 2011 8:48 AM

I couldn't resist adding a few pictures from my children's Christmas program.

Love,

xoxo

SMS Giveaway Winner!

2011-12-17T09:10:00.000-06:00

The winner is:

#92

Kimberly said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I love the Barenaked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen! It's so fun and Sarah McLaghlan accompanies them, awesome!

December 12, 2011 5:08 PM

And for your viewing pleasure:

Merry CHRISTmas!

Love,

xoxo

Free Shipping Day!

2011-12-15T20:51:00.001-06:00

It's national free shipping day! The last day before Christmas to order and receive your order before Christmas and receive it shipped free. I'm happy to be participating this year. You can buy from my shop or my etsy shop and enter the coupon code FREESHIP. This offer is only valid from now through Friday at midnight CST. You will receive your order by Christmas for anything you buy from my shop except the paper pattern for Family Tree, as it hasn't come in yet. To see a list of all the participating stores, click here.

While you're waiting for your order to arrive, make some Christmas cookies! And to whoever gets the red ones, I'm sorry!

But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33 NIV

Love,

xoxo

New QUILT pattern: Family Tree!

2011-12-13T16:05:00.000-06:00

This is so exciting! My new pattern is ready to show, much faster than I anticipated! I am so happy because that means you can use the coupon, BLOGHOP2 and receive 40% off the $10 price! And if you're kind of speedy, you can even make it up in time for Christmas. Merry Christmas from me to you! Think how much Mom or Grandma will love it! Just hop over to my store on my website to purchase it. Even if you don't have time to make it, quilty friends would love it as a gift. The paper patterns will be in stock (hopefully) next week. You can preorder those now and still get the 25% discount with the code BLOGHOP.

Skill level: Intermediate
Finished size: 36" x 39"
Let’s get back to our roots! Family Tree is a three generation quilt, showcasing each member of the family. It’s written for a middle generation of 2 to 8 children. Utilizing applique, it’s sure to become a family heirloom. A writing chart that you may use for letters is included. Very specific instructions on arranging the leaves and how to remove extra branches is, of course, included.

Here's a look at everything you need:

A close-up of the quilt:

This is my actual family tree!

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans^[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times Micah 5:2

Love,

xoxo

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!

2011-12-12T06:00:00.012-06:00

This giveaway is closed. Thanks for participating!
Well, tis the season. For giveaways! If you haven't had enough by entering my giveaway for the Quilting Gallery's birthday, you can enter again for a new prize here.

Make sure to visit SMS for a list of all the giveaways.

Anyway, if you're new here, hi! I'm Melissa Stramel, a pattern designer and hopeful fabric designer. I am with Andover fabric. My patterns are available in many places, you can click the link at the side for more information. If you like what you see here, I hope you'll be back for more. I respond to every comment that is not from a "no reply" blogger.

In honor of this blog hop, I'm having a giant sale. You'll have to use my store through my website. I couldn't get the coupon to work on etsy, sorry! The sale is 25% off all paper patterns and 40% of all e-patterns! Enter code BLOGHOP for 25% off paper patterns. Enter code BLOGHOP2 for 40% off of e-patterns. If you buy a combination of both, you'll have to check out each order separately to use both coupons. Your total should be right though since there are no shipping charges for e-patterns! So check it out. The sale is good through December 17 and all orders placed by December 16 will arrive by Christmas for US orders.

And now for the giveaway!

For this giveaway, you can choose from two options: either a copy of all four of my patterns as e-patterns or a choice of two of my patterns in paper. It's your choice.

And to sweeten the deal, I am also giving away 9 fat-eights plus and extra smaller piece of LouLouthi by Anna Maria Horner.

To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas carol. If you don't celebrate Christmas, it can be your favorite winter song. The drawing is open until Friday, December 16 at 5 pm CST. The winner will be randomly drawn with random.org.

Don't forget, you can still enter the other giveaway until Saturday, December 17!

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Jesus loves you! Merry Christmas!
Love,

xoxo

Blog Hop, Giveaway and Sale!

2011-12-09T06:00:00.008-06:00

The drawing is now closed. Thank you for entering.
Happy birthday to the Quilting Gallery! In honor of their fourth birthday, the Quilting Gallery is hosting a blog hop. How fun! Be sure to stop by my Sew Mama Sew giveaway for another chance to win!

If you're new here, hi! I'm Melissa Stramel, a pattern designer and hopeful fabric designer. I am with Andover fabric. My patterns are available in many places, you can click the link at the side for more information. If you like what you see here, I hope you'll be back for more. I respond to every comment that is not from a "no reply" blogger.

In honor of this blog hop, I'm having a giant sale. You'll have to use my store through my website. I couldn't get the coupon to work on etsy, sorry! The sale is 25% off all paper patterns and 40% of all e-patterns! Enter code BLOGHOP for 25% off paper patterns. Enter code BLOGHOP2 for 40% off of e-patterns. If you buy a combination of both, you'll have to check out each order separately to use both coupons. Your total should be right though since there are no shipping charges for e-patterns! So check it out. The sale is good through December 17 and all orders placed by December 16 will arrive by Christmas for US orders.

And now for the giveaway! I have a brand new copy of The Wedding Quilt, an Elm Creek Quilts novel by Jennifer Chiaverini.

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini brings us to Elm Creek once again, for the wedding of Sarah McClure's daughter Caroline. The book travels through wedding memories of most of the Elm Creek staff. For every bride who has ever dreamed of commemorating her marriage with a wedding quilt, and for every family member who has proudly witnessed nuptials bound by love, The Wedding Quilt is a novel that celebrates the strength and beauty of shared lives.

In addition to this beautiful, hard-back book, the winner of this drawing can choose one of my patterns of their choice, either paper or e-pattern.

The drawing runs through December 17 at midnight. To enter, just leave me a comment with your favorite Christmas tradition. If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can tell me your favorite winter tradition.

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Love,

xoxo

Graham Cracker House with Recipe

2011-12-08T08:48:00.002-06:00

Each year, we love to make a gingerbread house before Christmas. I've never had much luck, though, with the walls staying straight. Gingerbread is a lot of work! To keep the kids' attention, this year we decided to use graham crackers. Here is a sort of mini-tutorial.

You will need:
a small cardboard box, plus a long piece of cardboard for the roof
a large box of graham crackers
assorted cookies and candies for decorations
one recipe of frosting-glue, recipe below

1. Start by taping the small carboard box closed so that it is a sturdy base to your house. Add the cardboard roof. I used gray tape. A long piece with half of the sticky side on the base and the other half on the roof held it on. The triangular ends were open, but we tried to fill them in with graham crackers later.

2. Make frosting-glue as follows:
Place 2 egg whites and 2 tablespoons of water in mixing bowl.
Add powdered sugar while mixing until it's a very thick paste, about 3 cups.

3. "Glue" the graham crackers onto the house with frosting. We overlapped the graham crackers like siding. Also glue cookies to the roof for shingles.

The triangular end pieces were the hardest and we used a blow dryer to dry the frosting and cement the triangles in place. You may have a better idea. There is no support behind these triangles, but so far they are still upright.

Add candies. Try to fill in any cardboard that's showing. Eat the extra candy. Voila! You're finished.

Your kids will think you're the best mom ever.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV

Love,

xoxo

melissastramel.com

2011-12-07T08:18:00.001-06:00

Check it out! The redesigned website is up. What do you think?
Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 4

2011-12-06T09:27:00.001-06:00

Since we've already done all this, we're ready to begin sewing! Today we're going to make a 9-patch block. Like I said earlier, this is a block made from 9 patches. Pretty simple, huh? Let's begin.

First choose nine fabrics for your nine patches. I decided to just mix it up and have a scrappy block. Then press your fabrics carefully. Pressing is not the same as ironing. Pressing is straight up and down. You can use steam. Ironing is pushing the fabric with the iron and can cause the fabric to stretch.

Next decide on the size you want to make your patches. This can be anything as long as they are all the same size. A 4 1/2" patch size will make a 12 1/2" unfinished (12" finished) block, which is a pretty standard size in a quilt.

When cutting, I like to cover the portion of fabric that goes into the quilt with the ruler. You can see the 4 1/2" patch covered by ruler. This is make sure you don't have an oops and cut into that reserved fabric.

If you're right-handed, press down on the ruler with your left hand and glide the rotary cutter along the edge of the ruler. This sounds complicated but is actually quite simple. A sharp blade helps! If your fabric has a beautiful design in it that you want to make sure is in your patch, simply center your ruler on top of the design. This is called fussy cutting.

Once all nine patches are cut, arrange them in a way that makes you happy.

(Sorry for the blurry photo. I couldn't quite get close enough.) We're ready to begin sewing. Remember that quarter inch foot we talked about? Well, now is the time to use it. It has a little guide along the right side that helps you keep your seam at a quarter of an inch. Now in quilting, we most often use a scant quarter inch. This means a tiny bit less than that. So make sure there's a little space between the guide and the edge of your fabric. You need the scant part because when you press your seams, you always lose just a little bit of fabric. And our goal is to finish with the right size of block.

Here is a look at your finished seam.

Go ahead and sew together all three rows.

Now let's talk about pressing our seams. You can press them open which makes a really nice finished quilt top. It is a little more difficult to match the seams and also the seams can sometimes come undone a little bit when you're sewing the rows together.

The other way is to press the seams to the side. If you press one row one way and the next row the opposite way, you can make them "lock" together when you sew the rows, making perfectly matched seams. I prefer this method for a beginning quilt.

You can see them locking together here. I don't even use pins with this method. You just push the seams into each other and they fit together kind of like a puzzle.

Measure your 9-patch and make sure it's 12 1/2" or whatever size it's supposed to be. I happen to have a ruler that size, but it's not necessary. If it's a little bit big, you can trim some off.

And here's your finished block! I hope this is helpful.

Next week we'll have borders and sashing.
Love,

xoxo

Heartsy

2011-12-04T17:59:00.001-06:00

Hey there. Do you know what Heartsy is? Well, it's a little site that promotes handmade things. But it offers them at incredible deals. Really. Incredible. Deals.

Anyway, I'm trying to get included with my patterns because, well, it's also great advertising. So if you have time, would you go through and pick the deals you would vote for? And please, vote for mine as well? If you sign up for Heartsy, you get $5 credit (well, so do I since you asked.) And you can also submit your crafty things for review. Oh and it's free. Yay!

Thank you so much!!!
Love,

xoxo

E-newsletter and other happenings

2011-12-01T08:16:00.001-06:00

Hi everyone! It seems like we're always going through some growing pains here at Lilac Lane. I've started an e-newsletter. This newsletter will come out only when there's major happenings at Lilac Lane, probably 3 or 4 times a year. I promise not to clog up your inbox! This is the place I've chosen to reveal new things first and probably include some exclusive coupons as well. To sign up, you can enter your name and address in the sidebar.

In addition, you will notice there is an option to receive each blog post as an e-mail. That is a separate sign-up in the sidebar. You can also get the blog posts by facebook or twitter (@MelissaStramel). I try to be very flexible here!

Finally, please bear with us as we update the website! I've seen an example of the new site and it's very nice. Stay tuned.

Love,

xoxo

Cherished and Cherished for Dolls

2011-11-30T13:30:00.001-06:00

Do you all know how incredibly busy I've been? Today is the day that all that work pays off. I'm so happy to introduce to you my two newest patterns: Cherished and Cherished for Dolls.

A handmade dress can become a family heirloom. Create this one-of-a-kind dress in fun fabrics for any little girls, sizes 2T to 10. It's perfect for school or play. Detailed instructions for every step are included. This is the dress she will cherish.

Every girl wants to match her favorite doll. This pattern is an easy version of the Cherished dress for girls by Melissa Stramel. Featuring a cute button front and unique pockets, it's sure to please any little girl and her dolly. It's made to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl, Madame Alexander and Our Generation and 15" dolls such as American Girl Bitty Baby and Gotz. Also included are instructions for a miniature market tote from the Bountiful Pattern, also by Melissa Stramel. Make this the one she will Cherish!

Now for the details on how to get them: You can order any of my patterns as paper pattern or e-patterns. These are all now available in my new shop. We are doing some website maintenance and the shop will be linked from there over the next few days. In the mean time, just click the link above to order! I need to mention that the patterns are not in my hands just yet, but I anticipate they will be here next week. Or you can go for the e-pattern option which will be send quickly. Of course, you can also order through QuiltWoman.com. This is especially a good place to order from for wholesale and distributor orders of the paper patterns. And coming really, really soon you can order all of my e-patterns at a distributor rate through Patterns Gone Digital! This is also an option for stores. There are a few other places that are selling them -- as I get them I will add them to a new page that tells you where you can buy. Retailers, if you have my paper or e-patterns, please let me know and I'll include you!

I hope you Cherish this dress!

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

Love,

xoxo

Can You Hear the Caroling?

2011-11-29T09:19:00.001-06:00

Our day-after-Thanksgiving tradition continues. I get a little crazy about after Christmas decoration sales. Usually each kid gets their own little tree in their rooms. It often gets a bit messy. So this year, I put up one of my bargains, a large Christmas tree, in the playroom of our house. Nathan, Anna and Emilie were delighted to decorate it "however they wanted." We still have a lot of Christmas decorating to go, but at least our trees are up! What do you do to get ready for Christmas?

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 3

2011-11-28T09:58:00.001-06:00

Welcome back to the Very Basics of Quilting Series. So, we've amassed our supplies, and chosen our fabrics. This week let's pick a pattern.

Now you might love the look of cathedral windows or a double wedding ring quilt. But for your very first quilt, you should definitely steer clear! Whether you're looking online, in a magazine or at quilt patterns in a fabric shop, most should be marked with a level. For example, my own patterns are marked "beginner," "advanced beginner," "intermediate," or "advanced." We are going for beginner. Not only that, but there are certainly levels of beginner. Some beginner patterns assume you have made a few quilt before. Let me introduce you to a few that are great choices for a first quilt. Another thing to keep in mind is the size of a quilt. A queen-sized quilt for your bed may not be the way to start! Unless, that is, you are very persistant. If not, look at wallhangings and baby quilts. Most baby quilts are easily adapted into a wallhanging or lap sized quilt with a few fabric change-ups.

The block used in this quilt is called a 9-patch, because as you can see there are 9 patches in each block. I actually made this quilt when I was 13 years old and it is one of the simplest you can choose. Your blocks are all cut to the same size and then they are pieced in three rows of three patches before sewing them into a block.

A log cabin is another wonderful choice for a first quilt. You start with a center square and then build in strips around it, either using darks and lights to create a pattern or using strips to make boxes.

Of course, I think we can even go a little bit easier. There are several quilts for the modern quilter which are made in a freeform pattern, meaning basically that there are no rules. One such quilt is by my friend Thomas Knauer and you can purchase it from his website.

I think you get the picture. To sum up, choose the following:
* a pattern marked beginner
* a pattern made from squares or rectangles
* a wallhanging or lap-sized quilt
* if it looks like it doesn't have matching intersections, it will be easier still

Next week we'll go through some of these patterns and talk about sewing techniques.

Love,

xoxo

Free Shipping QuiltWoman.com

2011-11-24T11:28:00.001-06:00

QuiltWoman.com has free shipping from now through Monday, in honor of Small Business Saturday. That means you can buy patterns, such as the Joy Bag and Bountiful and have them shipped for free, just in time for Christmas sewing!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

xoxo

Thanksgiving Pilgrim (and Indian) Style

2011-11-23T09:13:00.001-06:00

Anna's kindergarten class prepared a Thanksgiving feast for their families. They made vegetable stew, pumpkin pudding and cornbread muffins. It was delicious! And they really did it all. It taught me that she can do more than stir the bowl when I'm cooking.

Thank you to Mrs. Donley for the beautiful pictures. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 2

2011-11-21T15:40:00.001-06:00

Hi there. I know this is quite late, since it should have been posted Friday. Thanks for waiting on me! I've been finishing up some new patterns that should be out really soon.

This week we're going to talk about fabric.

I certainly recommend quilting-weight cottons when you are quilting. Avoid fabrics like polyester and knit, especially for your first quilts. Also heavier weight cottons would not be suitable. Quilting weight cottons come in a variety of colors and prints. The ones sold in quilt stores are by far the best. Discount store cottons tend to be a looser weave with lower thread count, prone to raveling and fading. My opinion is, if you're going to spend all the time it takes to make a quilt, then spend the extra dollars for better fabric.

Now let's move on to color choices. Quilt stores generally group fabric in one of two ways: by color like the top photo or by collection like these bottom two. Shopping by collection is pretty much a foolproof way of combining fabrics. After all, a designer made them to go together. The above photo contains thirties prints which is another nice way to choose fabric: by era. Generally speaking, using fabrics made to look like a certain time period will match each other. If this is all too matchy-matchy for you, let's look at another way to choose fabric.

Here's a little lesson in art, just like I teach my students each year. As you can see, there are primary, seconday and tertiary colors. A great way to choose colors is to choose complementary colors, those that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. These colors will always appear more vibrant when they are used together, such as yellow and purple. Or you can use two complementary color groups in a quilt, such as purple and yellow, red and green.

Too wild for you? How about a split complement? Again, if you choose yellow, the split complement would be red-violet and blue-violet. This would be a little less vibrant than a direct complent and you also get an extra color. Adding white or black can ground these colors.

Of course primary colors or secondary colors can also be used as a color scheme. These are called triads and can be any three colors equally spaced on the wheel.

For the least amount of contrast, choose an analagous color scheme, or those colors next to each other on the wheel, such as red, red-violet and violet.

Adding white to the color is called a tint (red to pink), gray is called a tone and black a shade. All of these variations create a myriad of different colors. And even though I am scrappy, scrappy, scrappy, I always keep the color wheel in mind. I often play complementary scraps off of each other in a small part of the quilt.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to play with it. If you love fabric, you know that you can spend hours sorting through it and making combinations. Just give yourself permission to play.

Finally, before you start your quilt, decide whether or not you want to prewash your fabric. I seldom do unless it's red. Red fabric tends to bleed. I love the look of a washed quilt and the effect washing has on a quilt after it has been quilted.

Next up, choosing a pattern.

Love,

xoxo

Creamy Enchilada Topping

2011-11-17T15:20:00.001-06:00

Enchiladas are probably my favorite food in the whole wide world. I recently ate an enchilada that had the yummiest sauce, instead of the same-old red stuff. I tried to recreate it and here is what I did. Try it, you might just love it too.This recipe makes enough for 7 or 8 enchiladas.

First put one package of cream cheese in a half cup milk and slowly melt them together. Just use medium-low heat.

When it looks like this, we're ready to proceed.

Chop a half cup of cilantro and shred 3/4 cup of monterey jack cheese. Add to the pot and stir.

Next stir in a half cup of frozen corn.

Add cayenne pepper to taste (a little goes a long way) and a couple of teaspoons of hot madras curry powder. This one can me omitted if you don't care for curry, but it gives a really nice flavor. Stir in another half cup of milk and reheat until bubbly.

Serve with homemade refried beans and salsa. Delicious.
Love,

xoxo

Squirt

2011-11-16T14:20:00.001-06:00

Meet Squirt. He has stolen our hearts. He is the tiniest little thing but still able to boss around the barnyard. Born in an unusually late litter. The only survivor. His mom is seldom around. And yet here he is. He sits in a large cat food dish and growls at anything that dares to come close to his food. I'll have to get a picture of that for you. It's SO cute.

Love,

xoxo

The Very Basics of Quilting Part 1

2011-11-11T11:50:00.001-06:00

I decided to write a few posts up about quilting how-to for the very beginning quilter. This may not pertain to most of you, but people always tell me they would love to quilt but don't know where to start.

This week we're talking equipment.

These are what I would call the essentials. First off, you will need a sewing machine. However, if you're just starting out, please don't go buy one. Borrow Grandma's. Or a friend's. Or go to your local quilting store and see if they will let you use one before you decide to buy. Sewing machines can cost as little as $100 and as much as several thousand. A good beginner's sewing machine probably should cost around $500 although there are people who would argue that the less expensive ones are fine. The most imporant thing is that you get one you can try out first and then buy. And by all means, please don't buy one if you're not sure you love to sew yet!

In the top left corner, you'll see a little tin of pins. I like long pins with a flat head, but any sewing pin will do, especially if it's a quilting pin. You should be able to pick these up for under $5.

You will need a small pair of scissors for snipping threads, also around $5. And a pair of sewing shears, which are only used to cut fabric. Again, please borrow someone's if you're not yet sure this is for you. And when you're ready, buy the best you can afford. A good pair will cost $50 or a little less.

Every sewer needs a ripper because mistakes do happen. This is another item which will cost under $5. Extra needles are also a must have, because they break from time to time and also need frequently replaced. A package of 5 needles costs about $5.

The next tin is from Gutermann and contains thread. You don't have to buy this brand, but do buy a good quality thread. I normally piece with a polyester thread although cotton is also acceptable.

The final little silver thing on the right is a quarter inch foot. It shows you how to guide your fabric perfectly so that you always get a quarter-inch seam. This is the standard sized seam used in quilting. This foot cost about $15. Most machines have a similar foot available. You can also place a brightly colored taped at the quarter inch mark on your machine to accurately mark your seam allowance. An accurate seam allowance is possibly the most essential secret to good quilt piecing!

The next things you'll need is a cutting mat, as big as you have room for. These are expensive, but they are a one time purchase. If you can't store it where you use it, make sure to store it flat on the ground as they do warp. A big cutting mat can get pretty expensive, so borrow one if it's your first time.

A good ruler follows the mat, and I recommend one that is 24" x 6" or a little bit bigger. Mine is 8 1/2" wide. Rulers can also get pretty pricey, but a decent one can be purchased for under $20 although you may have to shop around.

You will also need a rotary cutter. Scissors will work, but a rotary cutter is SO accurate. And accuracy makes beautiful quilts. I love the clover brand rotary cutter. You can buy one for around $20.

And finally, make sure you have a measuring tape as this will be essential when you apply the borders of your quilt. These cost around $5.

Maybe the most important piece of equipment in the sewing room is an iron. Don't go all out on this -- the discount store ones work fine. Or use the one you already have for clothes. And ironing board will also be needed.

Hope this helps you get a good start! Next Friday, on to fabrics.

Love,

xoxo

Think Christmas

2011-11-09T08:22:00.001-06:00

It's hard to believe it's almost time for Christmas again. For those of us who sew, we had better get busy! Now this is not a Christmas present, but while I was making it I thought, pajamas are always great for Christmas. My Anna grows so fast! I know I've said that before, but I think she might be a super model someday. And where does this come from? Certainly not my 5'5". She is very tall for her class (kindergarten). And suddenly she needed pajamas, pretty much right now. She had nothing warm. And we only have WalMart in our little town, so I thought I could do a little bit better. I made these a very large size 8 so hopefully they will fit next year too. She wears a 6X.

The pattern is See and Sew from Butterick, number B4896. I had picked it up last summer because it's really cute, but honestly, not the best written. I could have used some more details and I'm pretty sure it told me to baste a few places but never to go back and sew them. I did go back, but still I like A LOT of detail. Now that I have it down, I may lengthen the top and make a nightgown. Maybe flannel. Probably pink. The pants fabric is Jennifer Paganelli and the shirt is something Timeless Treasures for breast cancer awareness. I honestly just used what I had on hand as it was really cold yesterday and I decided to stay home.

Love,

xoxo

Really Late Halloween Post

2011-11-08T08:22:00.002-06:00

So while I was at market, my husband really took over Halloween. He did so awesome! I got home at midnight on the day of Halloween, so the costumes had to be ready to go before I left. We went really simple this year.

I was home for the trick-or-treating but the Jack-o-lanterns were all Todd.

He even took pictures!

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

Love,

xoxo

Schoolhouse Series

2011-11-07T07:42:00.002-06:00

This is my last Quilt Market post. Are you ready to get back to my normal postings? Anyway, the day before the market opens, there is a fun day called the Schoolhouse Series. The people who design fabrics, patterns, notions, etc teach them. Basically it's a full day of 15 and 30 minute sessions and you get to choose which ones you go to.

Jane Sassaman's new collection. She's on the right and my friend Melissa P is in the middle.

Verna Mosquera, a designer for Free Spirit.

Michael Miller fabrics.

Modern Quilt Relish, pattern designers. These were really fun ladies.

Lecien fabric.

My friend Thomas Knauer, of Andover fabric.

Jo Morton (on the right) for Andover Fabric. She's a sweetheart.

More of Jo's Amazing Quilts!!!

Lonni Rossi for Andover Fabrics. She designed a gorgeous quilt.

She had me model an apron for her.

Kathy Hall, art designer for Andover Fabric is on the left. David Weinstein, the president, is next to her. This quilt is made from the John Hewson collection. Kathy redrew it from museum samples of his work. He is the first known American printer and I think the collection is amazing.

Love,

xoxo

Quilt Market Faces

2011-11-04T13:44:00.001-05:00

My favorite part . . . the people I met up with! So, I didn't take too many pictures this time, mostly just with people I really consider good friends. And I even missed some of those!

Pat Bravo and I. We sat down and had a nice chat in her beautiful booth.

My friend Jenny who met me at a party and then we went to Sample Spree together. I forgot to take a picture! She helped Patty Young and this photo comes from ModKid Boutique.

Keri Beyer and I.

Fellow Andover designer Thomas Knauer, who made a big splash at market.

And finally, Lisa and I. We went together and she made the block of the month quilt for Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson this year.

Love,

xoxo

Well, Hello November

2011-11-03T14:19:00.002-05:00

Is it really time for this stuff?

Love,

xoxo

More International Quilt Market Booths

2011-11-02T08:36:00.001-05:00

My friends Anne and Val of Pillow and Maxfield for Michael Miller fabrics. They're Kansas girls!

Designer Sandi Henderson and her very cute booth.

Amy Butler's booth for her new collection, Lark.

David Butler, Amy's husband, now designs fabric as well.

Don't Look Now!, Australian designers and their work is fabulous.

Taylor Made design.

Sarai Mitnick, designer of Colette patterns, now has a book. It's VERY cute.

Sweetwater, designers for Moda, are somewhat local (eastern Colorado.)

Serendipity Studios (Kay Whitt) has a new book.

Krause Publishing had a very nice book. They gave books away several times each day.

Love,

xoxo

International Quilt Market Booths

2011-11-01T11:45:00.002-05:00

I'm back. Hooray! My family is so happy to have the mommy back, in more ways than one. I was so busy for the month of so before market getting a gigantic project ready. It feels good to be back to my role of homemaker.

It turns out it's not so easy to blog from a phone, so sorry about that. Luckily, our home computer is up and running once again. If you don't know what International Quilt Market is, it's a wholesale/trade show which is not open to the public. Quilt shops are the guests and fabric companies, notion companies and pattern companies are there in full force. Lots of fabric and pattern designers also have booths. This show is followed by Quilt Festival, which is open to the public. Festival is when the shops get to have booths and sell to the public. Also, lots and lots of amazing quilts are on display. I've never been to the festival but would love to someday.

Here are some pictures of about half of the booths I liked. I'll follow this up with other posts throughout the week of other sites from market.

Dear Stella is a new fabric company.

Designer Jennifer Sampson for Kaufman

Art Gallery fabric's booth

Urbanista, also from Kaufman

Michael Miller fabric company

Kwik Sew patterns

Jenean Morrison's booth

Tina Given's booth

Anna Maria Horner's booth

Jane Sassaman's booth

Ellie Mae Designs, patterns through Kwik Sew

Echino's new offerings

Penguin and Fish, embroidery and fabric design

Until next time!
Love,

xoxo

Quilt Market

2011-10-29T22:00:00.001-05:00

We helped Jen of ReannaLily Designs put her booth together. It looks great!

The making of a booth

2011-10-27T20:25:00.001-05:00

Hello from HOUSTON!

hello!

2011-10-25T13:29:00.003-05:00

Sorry I haven't posted anything! We've had a major computer meltdown, but I hope to send you all pictures from market over my phone. Until then,

Love,

xoxo

It's for the Dogs

2011-10-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

I built this dog house a *few* (I think six) years ago. Imagine my surprise to go outside yesterday and see it decorated.

with leaves and a late blooming rose.

I have the most creative kids.

And by the way, if you're going to market (as in the International Quilt Market) next week, will you please let me know? I'd love to meet up!

Love,

xoxo

Be Still My Heart

2011-10-18T08:12:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure if you've been following along with Quilting Gallery's Celebrate Christmas Quiltalong, but I have and it's so much fun. Here are a couple of people who made my block. As a designer, this is what it's all about! I can't tell you how it makes me feel.

From Tiny 1949

From CBNova1

Good work, ladies!
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

Love,

xoxo

Patterns Available

2011-10-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

Looking for Bountiful or the Joy bag? These are my two currently available patterns.

They are both now available from Henrietta's Handbags and QuiltWoman.com. If you are a shop, they are now carried by the distributor Petersen Arne.

Love,

xoxo

Winner of Clare O'Donohue book

2011-10-15T14:05:00.003-05:00

June said...

Love a good mystery, especially if it involves another quilt lover!

October 13, 2011 10:39 PM

June, give me a shout out, please! Congrats!

Love,

xoxo

A Someday Quilts Mystery Giveaway!

2011-10-11T08:16:00.002-05:00

Clare O'Donohue writes mystery books, and one of her series is the Someday Quilts Mystery series. I was given an advance copy of her new book THE DEVIL'S PUZZLE to give away! I'm sure many of you are familiar with her work. In fact, Clare was the supervising producer of HGTV's Simply Quilts. She's here with us today with a guest blog.

First, let me tell you a little bit about THE DEVIL'S PUZZLE.

Witchcraft in a small New England town typically harkens Salem, Massachusetts. However, amateur sleuth Nell Fitzgerald finds the upcoming anniversary of Archers Rest, New York drawing out the town’s own dark history of witchcraft, as well as that of its residents in THE DEVIL’S PUZZLE. Nell is thrilled when her grandmother Eleanor’s boyfriend plans a double surprise—restoring the rose garden of her old Victorian house, and a marriage proposal. However, Oliver’s plans are put on hold when a skeleton is unearthed in Eleanor’s backyard. Police Chief Jesse Dewalt launches an investigation, and for once, Nell vows to stay out of his way, instead focusing on organizing a historic quilt show as part of the town’s upcoming anniversary festivities. When clues lead to questions about Eleanor’s past, Nell is forced to uncover the truth. As the anniversary approaches, a chilling wave of vandalism strikes town hot spots, raising fears that witchcraft has returned, and revealing secrets that could change life in Archer’s Rest forever.

The Someday Quilts series includes The Lover’s Knot, A Drunkard’s Path, The Double Cross and The Devil’s Puzzle (Oct. 2011), and her Kate Conway series recently made its debut with Missing Persons. O’Donohue lives in Chicago, IL. Visit her website at clareodonohue.com and the Someday Quilts fan page on Facebook.

And now from Clare:

Recently I was working on a hand appliqué project with thin vines and small berries. I wanted each of the vines to be exactly the same, and the berries to be perfectly round, but that wasn’t happening. I’m not very experienced at hand appliqué. I usually piece my quilts and only sometimes do I add appliqué, and usually by machine. So I was struggling.

But I was also happy. It took me a moment to realize that. I was doing a bad job at this project, having to take it apart and do it again (several times on one vine), yet I was happy. I was learning something new and I was caught up in the joy of discovery, without any worry about whether it was good, or worthwhile. I just had fun.

How often, I wondered, do I allow myself – do any of us allow ourselves – to be bad at things, to be new at things? After childhood ends, not often. We expect to be masters at what we do. So, without even thinking about it, we only do the things we have already mastered.

Letting myself be bad at something, and knowing that awkward beginning is the first step toward a new skill, is something that quilting has taught me. And when I look at my slightly crooked vines, my not quite perfectly round berries, I remember that. And hopefully, try to use it as a reminder to be happy even when I’m struggling.

So true, Clare! Thank you so much for being with us today!
To win a copy of THE DEVIL'S PUZZLE, simply leave a comment by midnight CST on Friday, October 14. I will randomly draw a winner on Saturday. Good luck!

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Psalm 62:1

Love,

xoxo

And the winner is:

2011-10-08T11:04:00.001-05:00

The winner of the book Deploy That Fabric by Jen Eskridge is:

Lisa Marie

So, I looked the book over and I kind of totally dig it.
The use of uniforms is awesome and unique (to me) and was impressed there was a Coast Guard patch included (they always get left out!).
With or without the use of uniforms the projects are cute!

October 4, 2011 12:44 PM

I promise it's not rigged!

Love,

xoxo

My First Quilt

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

In case you missed this post on Gen X Quilters, I thought I would share my first quilt with you.

I made this quilt when I was just ten years old. I recently gave it to Emilie. All the teddy bears are counted cross stitch. I'm sure I would not have the patience for one of those these days!

A couple of my favorites.

Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat! Isaiah 55:1
Love,

xoxo

A Tote for All Seasons

2011-10-05T08:15:00.002-05:00

In Jen Eskridge's book, Deploy That Fabric, there is the cutest tote bag. It's about 14" square and just the right size for carrying crafts or books or anything else you need to tote around.

I believe this is the backside and the front is a big camo pocket panel.

Well, I didn't have any military uniforms here. And not even a pair of pants or a jacket I was willing to cut up. But I sure liked the idea of upcycling something . . . and then I remembered a pretty sweater I had been saving because a moth had gotten ahold of it.

Having never worked with sweater material before, I decided to first fuse Dream Weave onto it. And then it really did sew like a dream. I'm not sure if that was the difference or if it would have been easy anyway, but it was very easy. (This really needs steamed to get those little wrinkles out.) I cut it so that the ribbing at the bottom of the sweater would become the top of the bag. Then I used my ballpoint needle (for stretchy fabrics) and a very slight zigzag everywhere I sewed the sweater. I added a flower pin, because you know I need a little bit of pink!

Here is the back. You can see the subtle stripe of the sweater, which goes nicely with the stripe of the cotton fabric. I'll probably miss the pockets, but I totally love this bag.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win your own copy of Deploy that Fabric!

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NIV

Love,

xoxo

Deploy that Fabric Blog Tour Day 4

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Deploy that Fabric Blog Tour Day 4! My friend, Jen Eskridge of Reanna Lily Designs wrote a book published by Stash Books. Isn't that awesome? Even better, she is sharing a copy of the book and a tote bag with one lucky commenter.

And here is the blog hop schedule:
Oct 1st Fat Quarter Shop
Oct 2nd Sew Mama Sew
Oct 3rd I Have A Notion (IHAN)
Oct 4th Lilac Lane (you are here)
Oct 5th CampFollowerBags
Oct 6th Fat Quarterly
Oct 7th Tall Grass Prairie
Oct 8th My Bragg Bag
Oct 9th Quilt Dad
Oct 10th Quilt Story
Oct 11th Gen X Quilters
Oct 12th Amy’s Creative Side
Oct 13th Keepsake Quilting Blog
Oct 14th True-Up

In my opinion, the coolest thing about the book is how versatile it is. Of course, if you have military in your family, you will want to make these projects from the uniforms. But the patterns also translate easily to other fabrics, as Jen explains below. I'll share a project I made from the book tomorrow and I think you'll be surprised at how different it can look just by using different materials. 23 (!!!) projects are included in the book. They vary from quilts to bags and wallets and even a Christmas stocking. Here's my interview with Jen:

1. Tell me about ReannaLily Designs.

My sewing pattern company is a little mix of everything. I have quilts and bags, even accessories patterns. Many of my patterns even include directions for sewing and working with a military uniform, in the event you'd like to incorporate that garment into what you are making. The company is just a couple months over 3 years old.

2. What in the world inspired you to write a book?
I wrote the book specifically to showcase military uniforms re-purposed into new designs. I sewed many commission projects throughout the years and realized, although many people sew commissioned bags/quilts with uniforms, there were no patterns specifically targeted to this style. I thought it's be a good way to give people a pattern collection all in one place. One really cool thing about the 23 book patterns is that we've provided yardage requirements OR uniform requirements, so every project and be constructed with or without an actual uniform.

3. What motivates you the most?
I think my "need to create to preserve sanity" is the most motivating factor for me. Whether its a pattern, a uniform project design or something for me to sew and keep at home, I just really like to be creating things. Sitting still just really isn't an option for me.

4. How long have you been sewing?

I've been sewing for about 26 years and quilting for about 18 or so. My mom taught me to sew pillows, then I dabbled in sewing clothes in high school. Those clothes... well, they didn't turn out awesome. I made my first quilt my sophomore/jr year of high school.

5. What is your favorite sewing tool?

Can I shamelessly plug my Seamingly Accurate Seam Guide tool here? =) I really love its multiple uses in quilting, garment and home dec sewing. BUT if I had to pick another tool... I don't think I'd get by without the turning tool. It is a thin wire with a hook on one end and a circle on the other end. It allows you to turn spaghetti strap sized tubes right side out. Great for bag handles, appliqued vines, actual spaghetti straps, making matching "ribbon" ... I love that thing.

6. What is your studio like?

I just recently opened my home to the local quilt guild (800 members) and hosted a quilt room tour. The room is bright and light blue with inspiration work all over the walls. My fabric is housed by color in 18 little cubbies from Target and I have window in the room that overlooks our culdesac. You can actually take the virtual tour here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vmKfJLYZYc

7. How do you have time to do everything that you do?

Mostly I can get things done because all 3 kids are now in school. They are 11, 9 and 6. I also keeps lots of lists and go "to work" in the studio or on the computer for about 6 hours a day- depending on the day.

8. You have been in hoardes of magainzes, have your own pattern line and now have a book! Do you have any future plans or goals?

I'm working on my second book right now (releasing next fall or late summer) and am releasing two new patterns (one bag and one qulit) & relaunching my Seamingly Accurate at this year's Fall Houston Quilt Market. This will be my first year to have my own booth at market, so please stop by and say HI at #2048, right by C&T Publishing.

Thank you Jen!

To enter the drawing for your own copy of Deploy that Fabric and the matching tote, just leave a comment below. Enter by Friday, October 7 at midnight CST. A winner will be randomly drawn on Saturday.

Love,

xoxo

First Quilt

2011-10-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

Hi there! I'm over at Gen X Quilters today, showing off my very first quilt. You'll have to go see and tell AnneMarie hi. She and I were two of the collaborators on the Rockin Robin Quilt.

Love,

xoxo