Quilty Stitches Progress

Here's my progress on the Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long.  

I finished the Pinwheel block - so cute!

And I've just started a bit of the Playful Petals block.  I hope to finish this one up tonight.  

And here's a look at the whole sampler.  Only a few more blocks to sew.  I don't want it to end!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

One Hour Skort?

Every now and then I get a little bee in my bonnet, and think I should sew some clothing.  I'm not the best at garment sewing, but I try anyway.  I thought this "1 Hour Shorts" pattern couldn't be too tough.  It'll probably be more like a One Week Shorts pattern for me - ha!ha!

I chose View A, which is actually a "skort".  I think that's what you call it; shorts that look like a skirt?  It's a 1990's pattern.  They were popular back then.  I went through my stash and picked out this wild looking paisley print for the fabric.  It looks like fun to me.  It might make a good Stack 'N Whack fabric, too.

That 5/8" seam allowance for sewing clothing always looks HUGE to me after so many 1/4" seam allowance quilts.

And....I made it all the way to the waistband today.  I might be able to finish these up in the next sewing session - not too shabby!

If you're inspired to sew a bit of clothing for your own wardrobe, or for someone you love, check out the Dress Pattern Section in the Curlicue Creations shop.  With 64 patterns currently in the shop, you're sure to find something you love.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Quilty Stitches Granny Square Block

I finished stitching the Granny Square block in the Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long!  I love it.  I think I need to add a Granny Square quilt to my "to do" list.  I can't believe the Stitch-A-Long is already half way.  It's been fun to do and fun to see everyone else's versions!  So creative!

I'm ready for the next block....

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Second Star to the Right Binding

I'm still working on sewing the binding onto Second Star to the Right.  

I usually start sewing my binding on at the bottom center position.   You can see the lovely green fabric I chose. 

Rounding one of the corners....

Stitch, stitch, stitch.  Here you can see the backing fabric.  It's a pale yellow floral.  You can also see my attempt at an all over feather design.  I'm still learning, but my feathers are getting better.  It just takes lots of practice!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Soft, Flannel Quilt Backing & So Cute, Too!

Isn't this just the cutest fabric for a little boys' quilt?  It's perfect for the backing of Trent's 100 Blocks quilt.  He asked for something soft and cuddly with mighty machines on it.  I bought this fabric from a fellow Etsy shop, Christy's Quilts 'N More, and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.  It came packaged nicely, arrived quickly, and smelled great!  Super fresh.  She has lots of great fabrics for kid's quilts and projects in her shop.  Take a look.  

Here's Trent with one of the blocks in his quilt, Ukulele Lei.  The pattern for this block appears in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 8.  The block designer is Sandi Colwell.  I can't wait to see Trent's smile when his quilt is finished.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Second Star to the Right

I pulled the yellow and blue star quilt out this week and noticed it only needs some binding.  So today's job is to bind it.  I'm using a dark green fabric from Timeless Treasures for the binding.  I'm glad I had this quilt packed away for a while, because I didn't have a name for it.  When I took it out of the box, I immediately thought, "Second Star to the Right".  See how the stars seem to "fly" across the quilt?  Perfect.  It's a quote from my favorite children's movie, Peter Pan.  I've seen Peter Pan in many different versions, and it's always magical to me.  Maybe if I sprinkle a little pixie dust on it, it will turn into a flying carpet.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Stack 'N Whack Star Quilt Progress

An update on my Stack 'N Whack Star quilt.  Here's the first six blocks with the sashing sewn together.

Sewing more sashing with the 1940 Featherweight.

Pin!  Press!  Stitch!  Pin!  Press!  Stitch!

Quilt top before borders...well, most of it!  It was a rainy day and I couldn't do the clothesline pic.

I thought I was going to use a bright orange/red color for the first border, but this purple Dreaming In Pearle fabric from Timeless Treasures looked the best to me.  Up next is the outer border, showcasing the focus fabric I used for all the stars.  

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New Books and Magazines in the Shop

Here's what's new in the Curlicue Creations Shop!

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9 in the popular 100 Blocks Series of special issues from Quiltmaker Magazine. This magazine features 100 blocks from today's top designers, and how to make them, plus some great quilts featuring these blocks. 

This issue includes my block, #897, Triangle-O-Rama. The other 99 blocks are all enchanting, must sew blocks, as usual. There is such an unbelievable variety of designs and quilting techniques in each issue of the 100 Blocks series.

Americana Sampler Decorative Painting Book

This beautiful issue includes "12 Earthy Yet Elegant Folk Art Designs for Decorative Painters". Designs are all shown in full color and include detailed painting instructions. Designs include angels, bunnies, flowers, a checkerboard, country dolls, baking, and more.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Island Batik Fabric

Just in case you didn't know, I carry a few bolts of gorgeous Island Batik fabrics in my shop.

If you don't want to purchase yardage, but would love a little sampler, I have this four pack of Fat Quarters available, or if you don't see what you are looking for, feel free to send me a convo.  I'll be happy to customize your order to suit your needs.

Spikes of green bamboo, bursts of red, green palm fronds, and white texture shoots across these fantastic fabrics. Printed in a gorgeous range of colors peeking through here and there, this fabric is perfect for your next quilting or home sewing project. This fabric can also be used to sew one of a kind clothing. So unique - be creative!

These beautiful pieces of Cotton have been individually hand dyed by Island Batik fabric artists in the garden village of Sanur, Bali. You will receive 4 fat quarters, 18" x 22" cut, 100 percent cotton. Easy care, machine wash cold water, delicate dry cycle, cool iron.

It all comes wrapped up in a pretty white ribbon.  A perfect gift for a sewing friend, or you!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Pincushion Cutie!

Look at the cutie pincushion I found the other day on the way home from the NC Zoo!  It's a little rocking chair with a pincushion seat, room for thread on both sides, and a small drawer underneath.  All the thread shown came with it and there was a couple of small spools in the drawer, too.  When I Googled it, I found oodles of different rocking chair pincushions.  It seems you could have a whole collection of them if you so desired!  All in all, a very cute find for my vintage sewing collection.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Stack 'N Whack Sashing

Fantastic! I've got some time for another round of sewing on the Stack 'N Whack Stars quilt.

It's coming together nicely.  Here you can see all twelve stars sewn into rows with sashing between each star.  I really like the way the sashing allows each star to "shine" as an individual.

Now it's time to sew the rows together!  Gotta go sew!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Coffee, Anyone?

One of the fun perks that goes along with having a block in an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks is you get a cool mug with all the blocks on it, and a BIG button.

I've got a nice collection of mugs from previous issues...but I've run out of room on my mug shelf!

What to do?

I've put it into my hutch for now.  Here it is with the thimble my Mother sent when she visited Alaska, a cute pincushion, some sewing machine oil, buttons, and thread.

If you missed my earlier post, here's my block again, Triangle-O-Rama.

Here's the cover of the issue.  This is available for sale in the Curlicue Creations Shop, too.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Featherweight: Vintage 1940

Here's a little more about the latest addition to my Featherweight family.  The above pic I showed in a previous post.  This was while I was cleaning, oiling, adjusting, and adding a little bit of love.  If you are curious about the cosmetic differences between pre WWII featherweights and after WWII models, you can read my previous post here:  Featherweight Comparison.

Here's a peek inside the case.  This one has the lift out tray that my 1937 model was missing.  In the tray are lots of attachments, including the zig-zagger, some bobbins, a teeny tiny screwdriver, some old thread, some older needles, and the original tube of motor lubricant.  I wonder if that stuff goes bad?  Hmmmmm?

Once I got her fixed up, I couldn't wait to start sewing!  This machine sews really quietly, and quickly.  It's in better shape than my other two.   You can see the gold trim design is in very good condition on this machine with minimal scratches and wear.  I assume it has low mileage.  Too bad there's no odometer on a sewing machine!

I was so pleased, that I put her in my sewing desk for now.  My poor desk!  It's an ancient Mad Men style metal desk.  It weighs a ton, but does a great job as a sewing desk.  It would look so much better with a paint job, though.  

Now my dilemma.  I don't have a name for this machine.  My 1951 model is Nicolette, because she was priced at $5.00 (like a nickel), although my husband bargained them down to $4.00 - Ha!Ha!.  My 1937 model is Mary, because that was the most popular girls name in 1937.  I thought I would do the same with this machine, but the most popular girls name for 1940 was also Mary. So what to choose?  Mary, Mary?  Mary II? Queen Mary?  I just don't know.  Please help!  I would love some suggested names in the comments today.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Stack 'N Whack Star Blocks Finished

I finished stitching all the blocks for the Stack 'N Whack quilt.  They look awesome!

I sewed the last four on the new Featherweight.  I can't believe how well this machine is sewing.  It's the best out of the three 221's I own.

I love the way this block came out.  Stupendous!

Here's another one.  See how they come together as four quadrants?

Ta-da!

And this one, almost finished.  You can see how it's going to look when the two halves are sewn together.

Next to piece the top!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Quilty Stitches - Almost Half Way!

My version of Little Miss Shabby's Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long is coming along nicely.  This is a great project to stitch as you relax after a long day.  I've been doing most of my stitching on the front porch in the evenings with the azaleas blooming and the children playing all over the yard.

The eighth block is a Granny Square.  You can see I just have the center squares left to stitch.  I'm using the same colors as suggested on the LMS blog, but converting them all to DMC floss, because I have a huge collection of DMC.  If you'd like to do the same, there is a wonderful Sullivans to DMC conversion chart online here:  Sullivans/DMC Conversion.  To join in the stitch-a-long, follow this link:  Quilty Stitches.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Winner!

Congratulations to Margaret S.!  She was the winner chosen from my blog by random number generator to receive one copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9.

Margaret commented, "Love your block and thank you for showing us how you make a block. Congrats on being on the cover."  I hope you enjoy your magazine, Margaret!  

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments.  Everyone was so kind.  It really makes me smile.  

If you didn't win a copy somewhere else on the blog tour, I do have a limited number of issues available in the Curlicue Creations shop.  Link to the magazines here:  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

New to You!

Have you visited the Curlicue Creations Shop lately?  Here's a sampling of some new books and magazines in the shop.

Decorating and Craft Ideas

This issue includes Pastel, the Romantic Look for Wicker, A Little Fabric, A Lot of Pow, Made with Love for Baby, and It's Time to Paint.

Quick and Easy Crafts

This issue includes Holiday Projects for the Whole Family, A Christmas Craft Extravaganza, Angels, Filigree Cross, Noel Sweatshirt, Penguin Friends, Scraggles, and Winter Memories.

The Art of Paper Cutting

This book includes "How I Became Interested in Paper", a brief history of Polish Paper Cuttings, General Directions, Visual Step-By-Step Instructions, and loads of patterns for your projects. There are designs for all skill levels, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.

Crafts

This issue includes "Create Handmade Gift Bags and Tags", 42 Great Holiday Ideas, Festive Tree Skirts and Ornaments, Fabulous Winter Wraps, A New Look for your New Year Party, Stamped Greeting Cards, and Super Santas to Paint, Cross-Stitch, or Sew.

Tole World

This issue includes Faux Doilies, Gifts for Moms, Dads, and Brides, A Spring Arrival, Nautical Shirt, and Wedding Fraktur.

American Artist

This issue includes New Paintings from Gallery and Museum Shows, How to Cut Unusual Mats, and Layering Multiple Images.

Easy Holiday Crafts

This issue includes gifts to make, toys, quilts, knits, and ornaments. Sixty fast crafts that take an hour or less to make. A full size teddy bear pattern. The darling doll featured on the front cover. There is such an unbelievable variety of projects and techniques in this issue.

Wonderful variety.  There's a little something for everyone.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas