Curved Piecing...The Romantic Quilt

A few months ago, I was at my quilt group, The Quarter Seamers.  We meet at Miss Lou's Quilting Studio a couple of times a month.  This particular evening we were introduced to the Improved Nine Patch, also called the Glorified Nine Patch.  It was love at first sight.  I was lying awake at night thinking about this quilt. I just had to make one.  Or two.  Or....we'll see how far it goes!

I sewed up my nine patches with these pretty fabrics I received as a Christmas gift from Wendy, one of the Quarter Seamers.  Not my usual color scheme, but I really, really, like it!  And, Isn't it romantic?  After sewing the Nine Patches, I used Marti Michell's Double Wedding Ring Template Set to cut the curves into the sides of the blocks.

Then, I cut my melons.  I used the same fabric for the melons as I used for the center squares in all my blocks.  So romantic!

After all that cutting, you mark each melon on the center edges and each end, using the holes in the templates.  

Same goes for the nine-patch blocks.  This photo shows the back of my block with the template on top, for marking.  These templates are amazing!

At this point my quilt was assaulted by a three year old with cabin fever and a big rig truck.  We had ice falling from the sky all day - no outside playtime!

To sew the curved seams, the concave piece (the nine-patch) goes on top.  In the past, I've done this by heavily pinning all along the edge and then slowly sewing while taking the pins out.  Marti Michell suggests only pinning at the three marked points.  I tried it out.  I sewed very slowly, checking and adjusting my fabric every inch or so.  

It worked pretty well.  Here's my result, before pressing.  

A stack of romantic 9 patches, all pinned and ready to stitch!

After pressing.

After sewing a couple of the melons, on, I determined that yes, it can be done with only three pins, but for me it worked better with four.  I added another pin, about one inch away from the first one.  This makes it easier to keep the two patches lined up when you remove the first pin and start sewing.

When you insert the first pin, be sure the melon is lined up straight on the back side.  You can also achieve this by finger pressing each piece in half and lining up the creases.

Here's the first block with two melons sewn on.

So romantic!  

Maybe next I'll try the Pickle Dish.

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

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Quilt Labels

Hello and Happy New Year to you.  I hope 2013 is an amazing year for you and me and the quilting world, too!  I am going to start this year by discussing the end of your quilts...the label.  Every quilt should have a label.  You just don't know what is going to become of your quilt in the future.  Whose hands will be caressing your special work of art?  Will it be passed down in your family for future generations to enjoy?  Will it end up at the thrift shop, to be purchased by a stranger?  Will it somehow get lost, far away from home?  These are all good reasons to make a simple label, documenting your quilt.

I made this table topper, Log Cabin Pumpkins by Suzanne's Art House this past Fall.  I actually finished it before Halloween and had it on my kitchen table.  I was so proud of it not becoming another U.F.O.  It was high time to make a label.  Here's what I generally do to make a simple label for my quilts.

I start with a scrap of muslin.  Some people like to iron freezer paper to the back to make it easier to write on.  I do not.  I just write slowly, along the edge of a ruler, and it comes out just fine for me.  Information I include on my quilt labels are as follows:

1.  The name of the quilt.

2.  My name.

3.  The date the quilt was completed.

4.  Where the quilt was made.  (I put the county and state I live in - You could put your city, state, country               or whatever you like.)

5.  Any other pertinent information to the quilt.  If it is made as a gift, you could add the recipient's name.  Also note if it was made for a special occasion, such as a wedding.

Next, I use a ruler to cut around the label.  I cut 1/2" away from the edge of the writing on all four sides,

Oh yes, you should use an acid free pen to write your label with.  I have been using this Zig pen by Millenium for years and years.  It's still working great.  You can find one of these at an art supply store.

Here is my label, with all four sides trimmed.

I like to add an edge to my label, using one of the fabrics from the quilt top.  I love these green batiks - so pretty!  I cut them into strips, 1" wide.

I sewed them onto my label Log Cabin style, using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Then I pressed the edges under 1/4".  This is easy to do, as they should meet up with the edge of the label.  Be sure to also press the label.  The heat from the iron helps to set the ink.

Normally, I pin the label to the lower right hand corner of the quilt, but since this quilt is an unusual shape, I just pinned it about an inch from one of the edges.

Then, using a tiny slip stitch, I sewed the label onto the quilt.  Be sure to bury your knots so they don't show.  

Ta-da!  Here's my finished label.

Get creative.  You can make a pieced label to match your quilt top, for example, a small log cabin framed label for a log cabin quilt.  If your quilt is mostly applique, you could write your label on an applique motif used in the top and applique it to the back.  You could use photo transfer fabric and add a picture of the quilt's recipient.  This is really nice if the quilt is for a child.  If you have a light colored background, you could just write the information directly onto the back of the quilt.

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

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Congratulations, Gill Watson!

Congratulations to Gill Watson!  She was the winner of the Strippy Flowers Quilt Block Pattern for the Quilting Gallery's 5th Birthday Blog Tour.

She will have the opportunity to "grow" a whole garden of Strippy Flowers!

Here's a few of the flowers in my "garden".

Thanks everyone, for your comments.  I am compiling a list of quilty subjects, questions, and fun for the blog in the upcoming year, 2013.  It's right around the corner!

By far, the most popular request was for more information on hand applique.  I adore hand applique.  I will be exploring different methods of applique this year, and I hope you will try them all with me.  By exploring different techniques in needle arts, you may find something new that really works well for you!

We will also be learning about curved piecing, hand quilting, choosing fabrics for your quilts, and more.  I will  continue to do posts about my vintage sewing finds, too.  I just love vintage shopping!  Lately I've been into silver thimbles.  The variations in design are just amazing!

If you come up with any new quilty questions, or want to share something you've made with a Curlicue Creations pattern, please let me know!  

Until next time...Merry Christmas!...Happy Holidays!...and Have a super day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Happy 5th Birthday, Quilting Gallery!

Hello there!  I'm so glad you could stop by for the Quilting Gallery's 5th Birthday Blog Tour.  Happy Birthday, Quilting Gallery!  If you're here, you probably already know what an amazing site the Quilting Gallery is, but I've just got to say...I love it!  My favorite part is the section where you can look up quilt bloggers by state or country.  What a neat feature!  You can find out what other quilters are doing in your area, or see what's going on just about anywhere.  Fun! Fun! Fun!

 Tango Quilt

I thought I would take this moment to introduce myself to anyone who is new to my blog.  Thanks so much for reading.  It really does mean a lot to me.  I'm a quilt pattern designer, a mother to three astounding boys, and live in the beautiful countryside of North Carolina, U.S.A.  My designs have been featured in such popular magazines as Quiltmaker, Quilts and More, and Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.  The above quilt, Tango is in the latest issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 6.

 Love Trip

I also design and sell my patterns, along with some vintage sewing supplies in my Etsy shop, Curlicue Creations.  Above is the Love Trip Quilt, my variation on Trip Around the World.  This quilt was so much fun to make.  I used needle turn applique on all the hearts and the little nine patch blocks went together so quickly.  I am, however, still in the process of hand quilting!  It will be finished someday, really!

 Polka Party Block

Here's a little more eye candy for everyone.

Heart Match Quilt

This pattern seems to be well loved by many.

 Lollipops

This is a fun sampler quilt I made while testing blocks for an issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks.

 Vintage Iron with Frosty Table Runner

Another one of my loves that I often write about on my blog is vintage sewing shopping.  It all started out with the above iron, years ago.  Now I'm well on my way to my own personal sewing museum!  I try to share my finds and any interesting info about my collection here on my blog.

Strippy Flowers Quilt Block

For next year I want to use my blog to help educate others about quilting.  I plan to have more posts with helpful information on many quilty subjects, including choosing fabrics for your quilt, binding techniques, and a foundation piecing tutorial.  So, here's my birthday giveaway to all of you.  I am giving away a copy of my newest pattern, shown above, the Strippy Flowers Quilt Block.  Please leave a comment about what you would like to know about quilting. Do you have any burning quilting questions?  How to make a quilt label?  How to properly piece a curve?  How to get those annoying chocolate stains out of your current quilting project?   If you're a follower of my blog, leave me a second comment, saying you're a follower for a second chance at the giveaway.  The giveaway will be open now through December 15th.

Thanks so much for reading & I hope to see you here again.  Be sure to visit all the other stunning blogs on the tour for more fun and giveaways.   Happy Birthday, Quilting Gallery! 

Until next time...Have a super day!  & Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

How to Make an Improvised Light Box

I don't currently own one of those fancy-dancy light boxes for tracing.  I do it the hard way.  I usually tape my paper and fabric up to one of my multi-paned windows and painstakingly try to trace my design, usually moving the paper and fabric several times to deal with the window mullions.  This works alright in the daylight, but what to do at night?  Recently I was in the thick of some creative inspiration, it was midnight black outside, and I just had to trace something to make my idea work.  Here's what I did:  

I started out with my iron lamp, of course.  It's so quilty!

I simply placed a square ruler over the top opening of the lampshade, like this.

Then I placed my small pattern on top of the lighted area.  This heart is from the Heart Match Quilt Pattern, by the way.

I placed my fabric on top of the lighted area and...Voila!  Tracing time!  It worked really well.  Of course, the design you're tracing would have to be small to use this method.  

Also, I wanted to let you know, I've joined the Craftsy community.  You can see some of my projects here:  Jennifer Thomas on Craftsy

And, if you haven't joined my Facebook Group, Quilters Show and Tell, please do!  We're a fun group of quilters simply sharing photos and info about what we're working on and helping each other out with any quilt related questions.  Come and join in on the fun.  We're even going to have a Mystery Quilt a Long starting in January, hosted by my friend and upcoming quilt designer, Sally Anne Johnson.

Be sure to visit my blog again on Sunday evening (6:00 EST).  I will be part of the Quilting Gallery's 5th Birthday Blog Hop.  This is going to be a bundle of fun!  I will be having a giveaway and links to the Blog Party so you can visit and meet all the wondrous quilters participating in the Blog Hop!

Until next time...Have a super day...and Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

As American as Plymouth Cranberry Pie!

Hello everyone!  I know I've been quiet lately.  I've been busy working on a secret project, and it was my birthday a week ago (I made it to 42 - Hooray!), and we had the great American holiday of Thanksgiving on  Thursday, to boot.  

I finished stuffing my turkey.  Isn't he cute?

He was a little alarmed when he saw this.

For dessert this year, I made a Plymouth Cranberry Pie.  It was so good that I'm making it a new family tradition.  It was my first time making a lattice top on a pie.  Usually I just sprinkle some crumbs on top.  

The weather was nice enough to eat outside.  And the next day we spent some time down the road at our little log cabin.  It doesn't get much more American than that!

On Saturday we went out vintage shopping and hit it big with this great find.  Hundreds of quilting magazines for only $7.50.  This should keep me busy for a while.  I also got a couple of Nancy J. Martin books about home decorating with quilts.

I've been doing some thinking about what direction I want this blog to go in the next year.  I'd like to offer more quilting tutorials and helpful information.  So, what do you want to learn more about?  Do you want to see a tutorial on foundation piecing?  How to get that perfect 1/4" seam?  Help with choosing colors?  How to keep the cat off of the ironing board?  Send me your burning quilt related questions and I'll do my best to cover those topics in the coming year.

Also, don't forget to visit the Curlicue Creations Shop and use coupon code TANGO when you check out for 10 percent off.  This coupon is still good through the end of November.

Until next time...send me those questions...and have a super day!

Jennifer Schifano  Thomas

Everyone's a Winner!

 Hello everyone!  So glad you could stop by and visit again.  The winner for the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 6 Blog Tour giveaway is Emily Callender of Clearfield, PA.  She is expecting to receive a glamorous copy of the latest issue of 100 Blocks, right in her mailbox.  Congratulations, Emily!

This is my block, Tango.  It's block #513.  It's such a fun, playful block.  If any of you make some of these out there in blog-land, please send me pics.  I would love to see your interpretations of my block, or how my block has been used in a quilt.

Emily is also going to receive a copy of my latest block pattern, The Strippy Flowers block.  This block is also 12" finished.  It is constructed using the easy and fun fusible applique method.  For a complete tutorial on fusible applique, click on the tab at the top of this page.

And, as I said, in the title of my post, everyone's a winner today.  As a little giftie to everyone who reads my blog, I'm giving 10 percent off any purchase in the Curlicue Creations Shop through the end of November.  Just visit the shop at curlicuecreations.com, and use coupon code TANGO when you check out.  

Until next time...have a super day...and Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas