Spinning those seams

A quick tip here on how to spin the seams in a four patch block.  This will work with pinwheels and will also work with nine patch blocks.  Why would you want to spin your seams?  It helps reduce bulk where all four seams come together…take a peek:

Three seams rotate in the same direction, one goes against the flow!

Most Four Patch blocks are pressed with the two-patch units going to the same fabric, in this case, they are pressed to the dark.  The long seam is usually pressed to one side. See Above.

Flip the seam back, the one that is going "against the flow". The stitches should pop apart allowing the center to lay flat.

If the stitches in the seam don’t want to pop, help them along a bit with your seam ripper. See Above.

Play around with it on Nine Patch blocks and Pinwheels.  Note that Pinwheel blocks are little more challenging because of all the extra fabric – but really neat and tidy when it’s all done!

http://www.perkinsdrygoods.com/blog/2009/08/04/spinning-those-seams/

With many thanks for Perkins Dry Goods

Tutorial: Fabric Basket

::Materials needed::
Fabric:
Natural Linen: 1/4 yard for Basket Exterior and Handles
Pink Polka Dots Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Pink Geometric Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Flower Print: 1/8 yard for Basket Exterior
Green Rabbit Print: 1/2 yard for Lining
Other Materials:
Fleece Batting: 1/2 yard


First of all, cut out 2" squares from 3 different kinds of fabrics: 8 squares from each.
(1/4" seam allowance is included, so your finished square will be a 1 1/2" square)


Sew together two squares, making sure those two are different fabrics.
I made equal amounts for each set like in the picture: 4 for each set.


Press seams in one direction in the way that it isn't on top of each other.


Now Sew together pieces to create 2 6x2 patchwork layer.


When 2 layers are completed, press seam open like this.


It should look like this when you flip them over.When the same fabrics are not
next to each other like this, it might look a little interesting.


Sew the patchwork layers to a 6"x9 1/2" piece of linen fabric.


Place a fleece batting underneath it. Fleece batting is stable and great for this purpose. Make it a little bigger than the top layer.


Pin the layers and sew along the line that separates the patchwork part and the linen part. Repeat this for the other side too.


Machine baste the both edge.


Cut off the excess batting.


Fold it in half right sides together and sew the two edges like this.


Box corners (this link is helpful). Sew the line: along the seam from the pointy end to the needle it is 1 3/4". Repeat this for the other corner too.


Trim excess.


Let us move on to making handles. Cut out 2 - 2"x10 1/2" pieces of fabrics.


Sew them right sides together and press seam open.


Fold each side to the middle just like when you make a bias tape.


Fold in half and sew the edges like this.


Cut in half. Now you have two handles.


Sew the handles to the main basket.





Now let's make a basket lining. Fold in half a 12"x9 1/4" piece of fabric right sides together and sew the two edges, leaving a lining opening(about 2").


Do the same as you did for the main basket.


Sew outer basket and lining together.


Turn the basket right side out through lining opening and pin like this.


Sew the top part of the basket. Hand-stitch opening closed.




Now your fabric basket is complete! Yeah!!

I would love to hear what you think of this tutorial and if you make it, let me know!

Thanks for your time to stop by this blog and reading my posting!;)


Edited to add: 
- All my tutorials are for personal use only. Thanks for understanding!

- Now this tutorial is available in a PDF format (so that you can finally 
print it out!) 

Edited to Add:
- I have had many people asking me to sell a license to sell their fabric baskets made from this tutorial. If you'd like to sell these as a part of your small business (up to 20 baskets/month), you can purchase the license here.

http://ayumills.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

Great tutorial from Pink Penguin. Note the nesting seams!

Patchwork Quilts

A patchwork quilt, such as that shown to the left, is an item of bedding made of three basic elements. The quilt top, the middle layer of wadding or batting and the quilt back. These three elements are then quilted or stitched together so that the inner layer stays in place. Over time these basic elements have acquired more decorative aspects. The quilt top is the most decorative and is made up of different pieces or patches of fabric that form intricate patterns. The quilt stitching meanwhile has also become less functional and enhances and emphasises patterns on the fabric. Watercolour Railfence by Liz Sewell.

Below is a patchwork quilt illustrating the main constituent parts

http://www.cottonpatch.net/patchwork_quilts.htm