A Stitched Typography Quilt Tutorial : :

I created this quilt for my son Jacob and wrote the tutorial to first share on the Janome Project Center here, as a Janome Independent Designer. It's a Quilt-As-You-Go style quilt, made with log cabin style blocks, including a simple and fun applique, and stitched typography created using the built-in text stitches in the Horizon Memory Craft sewing machines! This is definitely my most favorite style of quilting!

Janome Supplies Required : :

• Horizon Memory Craft 12000

Fabric and Materials Required : :

• a variety of fabrics cut into fat quarters ( I used blacks, greys, and whites)
• twin size cotton or another 100% natural fiber batting
• black & white thread
• typewriter fabric or another fabric for fussy cut applique
• a light weight iron-on fusible interfacing (HeatnBond Lite)
• fabrics for the quilt backing and binding
• rotary cutter/mat/ruler set

* Notes * 

• Synthetic batting is not suggested, I only use a natural batting. It is important to be able to press the batting with a hot iron and steam. 
• Low-loft batting is preferred.
• Quilt blocks can be made in any pattern and size..
• Have fun with your quilting, this is the perfect time to experiment with new stitches or Free Motion Quilting!
• This method does not include the quilt backing fabric. I like to add my quilt backing at the end, to avoid hand-sewing, which is really hard on my hands.

Making a Log Cabin Style Block : :

1. For this quilt tutorial, I made off-centered log cabin style pieced quilt blocks. To make the blocks for the applique and stitched words, begin with a piece measuring a 7.5" square. Using fabric strips in widths varying from 2" to 4" add each new "log" working around that first square. I cut my strips (logs) longer as I went, trimming back after each piece has been added. Continue until you have a block measuring a 17" square




Applique Block : :

2.  Prepare the applique pieces by following the light weight iron-on fusible interfacing directions



3. Remove the interface backing and position applique piece in the center of the block, then press with a hot iron to set  4. Baste the quilt block to a piece of batting measuring at least a 17.5" square  5. Sew just inside the raw edge of the applique piece, attaching it to the quilt block and batting layers 



6. Add the quilting stitches, removing pins as you go, if you pin basted. For my blocks, I quilted with straight lines, using the edge of my presser foot as my spacing guide. If needed, you can mark where you want the quilting lines with a disappearing ink pen before hand. I like to be more improv and free with this type of quilting. I often change directions and make up the quilting pattern as I go



7. Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat, square up the quilted quilt block by trimming away the excess batting to measure a 16.5" square block



Stitched Typography Block : :

8. Make another log cabin block, this time beginning with a 7.5" square in a white fabric, building out until you have a 17" block. 9. Baste this block to a piece of batting measuring at least a 17.5" square



9. Using the built-in letter stitches in the Block style, plan out your text. I used special little sayings and song lyrics that are meaningful to me and my family. Add the text, moving slowly across just that first white square, until it's filled in with the text



10. Continue making the log cabin style blocks, adding both the applique and text to the centers, as well as making several blocks with only a variety of solid and print fabrics. For a throw size quilt measuring 48" x 64", you'll need 12 - 16.5" blocks



Joining the Quilted Blocks : :

11. Place two quilted quilt blocks right sides together, matching up all ends and pin in place. Sew together on one side using a 1/4" seam allowance



12. Using a very hot iron with steam, press the back seams open



13. Continue sewing together the quilted quilt blocks, pressing all seams open as you go. Press the quilt top front as you go, as well





Quilt Backing, Basting, & Binding : :

14. Piece together fabrics for the quilt back to measure a large 49" x 65" piece, and baste to the quilted quilt front.  I love using 505 basting spray for this, however pin basting works just as well



15. Working your way down from the top of the quilt to the bottom, with a stitch length set at 3, simply sew about 1/4" to maybe 1/2" from the seam lines (when adding this stitching it IS recommended that you do use a Walking Foot). I continued this for both sides of each seam running from the top of my quilt to the bottom, as well as side to side. The photo on the right is an example of what these stitches will look like from the back side of the quilt



16. Finally, bind the quilt using your preferred method, and Voila! Your Typography Quilt is finished!!




If you've given this tutorial a go or plan to, be sure to share on my Facebook page or in my Maureen Cracknell Handmade Flickr group! I'd love to see it!!  ♥  Maureen 

QAYG In Progress : :

I looked around my newly cleaned sewing room the other day and I noticed I was surrounded by several qayg projects in progress. I snapped a few pics of each and thought I'd share these "in-between" photos today.

As I mentioned yesterday, this quilt is going to take just a little longer than I had planned and hoped for. If you just said to yourself, "Of course it is, Maureen" or something similar, it's o.k. I forgive you and completely agree. My ability to begin a new sewing project far exceeds my ability to finish one. No one is more aware of that than me, and I apologize!



But wait, I do have excuses too! When I cut into the LillyBelle Garden Rocket print, months ago, I made sure to cut my squares so each one had one of those sweet little bees. I planned from the beginning to alternate blocks with the Lillybelle print and improv Sweet Summer Dream blocks without it. Well, I just noticed late last week that I had made many more blocks with those little bees, than without, so now more improv blocks without are needed for my quilt to turn out just the way I want it to. And it's never a good idea to rush, right? So...more blocks are being made. Which is still progress!

Below is my improv chevron block, all quilted, with the Pure Element Emerald and Empire Yellow fabrics I chose for the pillow backing. It's actually all finished now and is just waiting to be photographed and then packed away for the new house!



Do you remember that pieced house-air-balloon block from a couple of weeks ago? Well, it's been quilted as well! I had planned to make this into another floor pillow for the kids, but now I am thinking of making it into a throw size qayg quilt for my daughter? What do you think???  I love the way Art Gallery fabrics feel quilted and this looks kind of dreamy to me. Much like the plan I have for her bedroom.



And finally, here are some photos of  my new qayg tote bag tutorial wip! I am really loving all that black & white! I wished right away that I had some text fabrics to add in there, but I haven't ever stashed any, can you believe it? I need to change that soon!



I added just a little color by using one of my beloved Melody Miller Typewriters as a simple applique to the center of my log cabin block.



I had planned on doing the same for the other side of my bag, but then I stumbled upon this amazing image yesterday and was immediately inspired to combine a bunch of the ideas floating around me! I used some of those built-in stitches that I shared yesterday, with this embroidered typography image and my typerwriter applique as inspration to make my own text fabric! I programmed in a few quotes and saying that are special to me. and I am really thrilled with the end result!



I love when "making progress" takes a little detour like that and you end up with something better than you ever expected. That is certainly one of the many reasons I love sewing and just making in general!

Of course, there is still nothing better than seeing a project done...here's hoping that happens at least once today! ♥,  Maureen

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Drawstring Skirt Tutorial : :

Today I'm thrilled to be sharing my very first garment tutorial for a Simple Drawstring Skirt with a sweet Melody Miller Ruby Star Shining Typewriter Applique, as part of Skirting the Issue for Project Run and Play!

What is "Skirting the Issue?" From the Project Run and Play intro post -- "Skirting the Issue is an event that has been planned for the month of July to make and donate handmade skirts to girls in Foster Care. We have teamed up with our local Foster Care Agency, Utah Foster Care Foundation,  in our local efforts, but we have been assured that there are plenty of local Foster Care Agencies across the nation (and world) and that there is plenty of need for skirts!

As part of the event we have asked over 40 celebrity sewing bloggers to participate and share simple handmade skirt tutorials that we can all use to make and donate skirts to our local agencies (or mail to us if you would like to!)

We have set a goal for 100 skirts to be donated by the first week in August---and we REALLY need your help to make our goal!"

You can follow this link to read the rest of that post and to find ALL the details you'll need to join in our efforts! If you have any questions feel free to email me anytime at maureencracknell@hotmail.com.

Now let's get started!!  

What you'll need : :
 

• 1 - piece of fabric for main skirt measuring 14" x 44" (source)
• 1 - piece of fabric for skirt waistband measuring 4" x 44" (source)
• 1 - piece of fabric for skirt bottom measuring 4" x 44" (source)
• 2 - pieces of fabric for drawstring ties measuring 2" x 44" (source)
• 1 - fussy cut Melody Miller Ruby Star Rising Typewriter for applique (optional)(source)
• 1 - small square piece of Heat Bond Lite for applique (optional)(source)
• white thread
• Sewing pins
• Sharp scissors and/or a rotary cutter/mat set   

Making the Drawstring Tie : :

1. cut two - 2" pieces of fabric from selvedge end to end, trim those ends away 2. with right sides facing match up ends, pin, and sew together at one end. Making one very long strip of fabric. Press that seam open

3. fold in both short ends of the long fabric strip 1/4" and press well 4. fold in both long ends so they meet in the middle, press well 5. fold in half one last time, press well, pin, and sew along the folded edge to create the drawstring tie

Sewing the Skirt : : 

6. cut and press the skirt fabrics

7. sew the waistband and skirt bottom pieces to the main skirt fabric using a 1/4" seam allowance

8. press waistband seam so the seam is facing the top of the skirt, press bottom piece seam so it's facing the bottom of the skirt



9. fold in both side edges of the skirt piece 1/4" and press well

10. fold in waistband edge 1/4" and press



11. bring that folded end to match up with the waistband and main skirt fabric seam, press well to create the skirt waistband. Pin in place

12. Sew along both sides of the waistband, staying close to each edge. Leave each end open

13. Bring the skirt ends together, pin, and sew along that edge, leaving the waistband ends open. This is very important, since this is where you'll add the waistband tie. Press that seam open

14. Hem skirt bottom. Fold bottom edge of skirt in 1/4", press, fold again, press and sew along that edge to hem the skirt.

The skirt body is finished and now it's time to add the drawstring tie!

Add the Drawstring Tie : :

15. Add a pin to one end of the tie and thread through one opening of the skirt waistband, coming out the other end. Add a knot to each end of the drawstring and tie a nice bow to cinch the waistband of the skirt

Add the Applique : :

16. Press to adhere the typewriter fabric piece to the Heat n' Bond Lite. Fussy cut the typewrite and remove the Heat n' Bond backing. Press to add the applique to the skirt and stitch around the outer edge of the typewriter with white or black thread to attach permanently. So cute!!

Now you're Drawstring Skirt is finished and ready for wearing!

I had originally planned to make this skirt for a small child, then for a tween - teenage girl, when I read that the greatest need for these charity skirts is for older girls. When I had finished, this skirt fit me just fine! After having every female who happened to stop by my house throughout these last couple days try this skirt on, I feel like it really works for so many ages and sizes -- from a child size, all the way up to an xs/small adult size. The drawstring waist just makes it that versatile! You can make a smaller or larger version using this method, by simply taking away or adding a few inches to the width and length!

I hope you do enjoy this tutorial and find it helpful! As always -- be sure to let me know if you give this one a go!!  ♥ Maureen

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _