Another Star Block Audition....

Here's another one of my stars.

View A...or

View B

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Star Block Auditions

The quilting group I attend is making Stack 'N Whack Star quilts.  I went to the fabric shop in search of something soft and romantic for my quilt, but purchased this busy and bright fabric instead.  The more I look at it, the more it reminds me of Taco Bell.

Each star has two different possible looks,  by turning the diamonds around.  Here are a few of my star choices, below.  It is interesting to see the different looks that can be achieved using the same fabric.

Star 1, View A

Star 1, View B

Star 2, View A

Star 2, View B

Star 3, View A

Star 3, View B

Star 4, View A

Star 4, View B

It's going to be fun putting this quilt together!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sewing Clothing for Men

Have you sewn anything for the men in your life?  Men's sewing patterns are not as plentiful, but I do have a few in the shop.

Men's Pajamas, Robe, and Nightshirt Pattern

This pattern produces a decent men's bathrobe with tie belt, a nightshirt, and pajamas to boot! Robe can be sewn in two lengths, and features patch pockets and belt carriers. Both the nightshirt and the pajama top feature front button placket opening. Pajama top can be sewn with short or long sleeve option. Pajama pants are pull on style and can also be sewn in short or long lengths. 

Button Up Shirt Pattern

This pattern produces a becoming shirt, suitable for both men and women. This button front shirt features color blocking details. The sleeves can also be made in either one or two pieces for more variety. 

Vest and Tie Pattern

This pattern will help you to show off your good figure in a stylish vest and tie. Suitable for both men and women, this pattern is written for all sizes, small through XXL. Buckle or tie detail on the back of the vest. 

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

So Delicious! - Cuppity Cake!

Cuppity Cake!  This is my version of Block #630, from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 7.  This block was designed by Sandy Fitzpatrick.  It's so cute!  Even the name of this block is adorable.  It reminds me of something Tigger would say from Winnie the Pooh.  Only one more block to sew for Trent's 100 Blocks quilt, and then on to the setting.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New Books in the Shop

This week I've added three books to the shop!

Applied Modeling Encyclopedia - Airplanes Edition

Applied Modeling Encyclopedia, Airplanes Edition, by Squadron Signal Publications. This modeling how-to book brings up detailed information on how to build, paint, and finish realistic aircraft models. This book features full color, step by step photos that walk you through the process of making each model. This book has chapters on basics, painting, metalized effects and camouflage, interior detailing, varnishing, the first jets, modern fighters, modern jets, specialized painting, and super detailing. 

Styrene Modeling

Styrene Modeling, by Evergreen Scale Models. This modeling how-to book trots out detailed information on how to build, paint, and finish realistic styrene models. This book features both full color and black and white photos. This book has chapters on tools, working with or without a kit, painting, conversions, and advanced finishing techniques. 

Home Knits

Home Knits, by Suss Cousins. This knitting how-to book brandishes more than 30 sublime knitting patterns for your home. All designs feature full color photos, diagrams and instructions to make each one. This book is divided into different chapters for every room in your home and includes a yarn guide, a handy index, and a resources section. 

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Dear Jane Block K-7, Rose of Sharing

My Baby Jane block #K-7, Rose of Sharing.  This one was an easy hand applique, with those gentle curves, and only two pieces.  It looks like Jane's block was sewn as four hearts with the points in the center.  I followed the book's pattern, which did the applique as one piece.  It came out lovely.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Aloha!

Have you seen the Ukulele Lei block in the current issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 8?  It's the first block in the magazine, block #701, designed by Sandi Colwell.  I'm so glad Trent asked for this block for his quilt.  I knew I wanted to sew this block the first time I laid eyes on it.

Lovely blue background fabric.

The basic pieces of the block, all cut out.

Fused in place, with the body of the ukulele zig zag stitched.

More edge stitching.

All zig-zagging complete.

Stitching the flower details.

Simple, but effective flower centers.

The ukulele strings complete the block.  Aloha!  

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Dear Jane Block, I-4

Another Dear Jane block completed.  This one is I-4, Stability.  I like the gentle curves in the center of this block.  Perfect for the snowy morning we're having here.  The purple fabric in the block looks like snow.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Oh Kitty!

My version of Friends, block #43, from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 1. Block designed by Lynette Anderson-O'Rourke.   I just love kitty blocks.  I'm so glad Trent picked another kitty for his 100 Blocks quilt.

I fused my kitty, so he's facing the opposite way.

Starting to zig-zag stitch around the patches.

The finished block.  This one is so cute!  I love all the embroidered details.  This was so much fun to sew.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Ice Cream - The Secret to Happiness

"Ice cream is the secret to happiness".  That's my motto.  Trent likes ice cream, too.  He chose "Hot Fudge Please", block #23 from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 1 for his quilt.  This block was designed by Julie Pieri.

This block is partially paper foundation pieced.

Here are the three foundation piecing sections together.

I cut out these fun triangles for the rest of the block.

Piecing...

Putting it all together...

And, voila!  Hot Fudge Please - with a cherry - Yum!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New Items in the Shop!

I've been busy, adding new patterns and magazines to the shop this week.  Here's a few of the new items.  Come on in and browse today!

Sampler Wall Hanging

The Sampler Wall Hanging Quilt Pattern features a nice variety of blocks. The blue and white color scheme is classic. The zig zag border gives this quilt nice movement. 

Heart's Content Quilt Pattern

The Heart's Content Quilt Pattern. This unique pattern by Debbie Mumm sews a country style heart quilt, using easy strip piecing directions. 

Quilter's Newsletter December/January 2014 Magazine

This beautiful issue includes Quilting in the Great Recession, Quilted in Honor, Quilt Index, Quilting in Fiction, and Quilt Matters.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Cat Nip Block

Oh kitty!  Oh kitty again!  I sewed the Cat Nip block this week for Trent's 100 Blocks quilt.  Cat Nip is block #542 from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 6.   This block was designed by Dianne Gardner.  It's soooo cute!  The original design had the cats wearing little bows, but I substituted shiny ribbons as cat collars for Trent's block.  This idea was suggested by my friend, Heather K. - great idea, Heather!

Only two or three more blocks to sew before putting it all together.  I'm thinking about using one of Quiltmaker's suggested settings for the quilt, too.  They have a nice variety to choose from.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Dear Jane, It's Time for Another Stitch

I've been working on the Dear Jane quilt forever!  I think I bought the book in 2000.  I sew blocks for a while, then it goes back up on the U.F.O. shelf.  It's a lifetime project for me.  I'm sewing all my blocks by hand in a purple/cream color scheme.  Yesterday I took it down off the shelf and did some stitching while watching the NFL playoffs.  Here's what I did:

Block M-1, Dogwood Days 

This block was pretty easy and straightforward sewing.

Block H-8, Eaton's Crossroads

This one was a little more complicated.  I appliqued the center circle onto the background square in the wrong position and had to resew.  That fits my sewing name, according to one of those silly Facebook games, "Jinxed Seamripper".  Yeah - that's not a good sewing name.

Will I sew more than two blocks before Jane goes back up on the shelf?  Only time will tell....stay tuned!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Craftsy Free BOM 2014!

While you're busily sewing the Curlicue Creations Star Block of the Month, consider joining the Craftsy BOM for 2014.  It's free.  Need I say more?  Check it out.

Craftsy's BOM this year is going to focus on color, and who couldn't use some pointers on that?  Click on the link above for more detailed information.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sewing Machine Oil - Vintage Oilers

Sewing machine oil - vital to keep your machine running smoothly.  I have two vintage Singer oilers in my collection.

This one dates from the 1920's/1930's era.  I love it!

The classic green oil can came with my 1951 featherweight and still has some oil in it.  Look at the left side of the photo.

It's so much fun to treasure hunt and collect these vintage sewing items.  The hunting is fun.  The finding is fun.  The computer research on each treasure is fun.  And sharing each one here on the blog is fun, too.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas 

Hand Quilting Finish!

 Sunday evening, I finished the hand quilting on South Shore Road.  Yay - Hooray!  This quilt appeared as a series quilt in Quiltmaker Magazine a few years ago.  I've had so many requests for this pattern recently, that I'm going to rewrite it for Curlicue Creations.  Look for it later this year.

Here's another little peek at the diagonal grid I quilted into the borders.  Sometimes simple quilting is the most effective.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Delectable Grapes Block for Trent's 100 Blocks Quilt

I sewed Delectable Grapes, block #110, from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 2 for Trent's 100 Blocks quilt.  This block is designed by Marian Mapes.

I traced all the shapes onto some fusible web.  Normally I use a circle ruler to quickly draw circles, but it was MIA.  I need to find it!

I selected three green fabrics for the leaves, and two different purples for the grapes.  

The shapes are all fused to the background, and I've started to zig zag the edges.  The pattern called for a straight stitch close to the edges, but I enjoy zig zagging and this will help the block to be consistent with the rest of the quilt.

I like the way everything is outlined on the back of the block.

It came out just lovely!  Trent doesn't eat grapes.  He chose this block as a tribute to his brother, Levi.  Grapes are one of Levi's favorite foods.  The brotherly love is so sweet!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas