Saturday 14 December 2013

Cute Odd-Block Basket

 
This is a wonderful basket that looks so cute and stores flat.   

 

Please enjoy!



 


 Cardboard with corners cut out and fold lines scored. 


 Bottom view.  I started with a leftover block. 


 Inside of basket.  
Opening is sewn shut by machine.  
Corners are topstitched.  
Ribbons are attached by machine.  


 Tied to form this lovely little basket. 


 Bottom view.

Your hostess gift is ready!


***

Quick & Easy Cosmetic Bag



Tuesday 19 November 2013

Chevron Strip-Tube

 




 4" WOF (width of fabric) Strips in 3 Colors.
Half of these are the background color. 


4 - 4" Strips Sewn Together in two pairs.
One background color in each pair.  


 2 pairs of strips sewn together on both edges creating a tube,
 alternating the background color.  


Use the 45 degree line on a 15" square ruler to cut your blocks. 


The 45 degree line is along the seamline on the blue strip (top of tube).  


 Cut along the right edge of the ruler.  


 Alternate the 45 degree line
to the opposite seam edge of the tube (bottom edge) 
and make your cut on the right edge of the ruler.   



Open up your blocks and it's a beautiful sight :)  
Each WOF tube will make 5 - 10" blocks


This is the start of my quilt after 2 tubes have been cut into blocks. 
I'm so excited...I have to get back to quilting.  

Here's Lulu...
It's the perfect kind of quilting day.
Soup's on, bread's in the oven,
and Willie Nelson is playing on the stereo. 
Quilt & Laugh :)

Link here for the layouts for Strip-Tube Chevrons. 
CHEVRON STRIP-TUBE: PART 2






Thursday 31 October 2013

Super-Easy Cosmetic Bag


Here is a tutorial for a
quick and easy cosmetic bag.
 




 

It is self-lined, has a thin batting layer,
and closes like a sandwich bag :)

 
 
Cut one piece of fabric 12 1/2" X WOF (width of fabric).


Cut one piece of thin batting 12" X half of the WOF.


 With right sides together sew the short (selvage) edge of the fabric together 
creating a wide tube.  


  Turn the tube right-sides-out. 


Horizontal 

 Trim 3/4" off the length of the batting.  
Evenly insert it into the tube and smooth all layers together.
Gently press with the iron.  


Bring one folded edge of the batting-filled tube down 3".  
This is now the TOP of the bag. 
The open edges of the tube are now on the sides. 


 Bring the other folded edge of the tube up keeping it 3/4" from the TOP. 
On this photo you also see the seam that created the tube. 


 Pin and sew the side seams together, catching the batting in the seam.   
Finish the edges with a zig-zag or serger.  


 The 2 side edges sewn and finished.  


Turn the cosmetic bag right-sides-out and it is complete. 
  

It works for sewing supplies too.

 We make these at the Chinook Guild in Calgary, fill them with toothbrushes and toiletries, and donate them to shelters in our city...Melanie

Horizontal

Piecing Batting With a Wide Zig-Zag




Heart Block Tutorial



Odd Block Modern Improv
for your UFO blocks! 


Plaid Block Tutorial




Saturday 26 October 2013

Sunrise & Sunset Over The Bow River


These paintings were done to represent the emotion felt by the people 
of the Alberta, Canada floods this spring.   
Emphasized in these works is the power of the water 
in relationship to the downtown buildings in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 


 
 "Sunrise - City Over The Bow 1"  
by Melanie Rudy

 
 "Sunrise - City Over The Bow 2" 
by Melanie Rudy


"Sunset - City Over The Bow" 
by Melanie Rudy






From a quilting perspective, this is the color theory used for the above works.