Sunday, March 30, 2014

Scrap Explosion!


Here's what happened in my studio yesterday...a TNT scrap basket explosion!  My 4 y.o.'s initials are T.N.T.  Appropriate, eh?


He had a good reason for exploring the scraps.  His fire station needed some "insulation" and "rugs".   I agree, they will be warm and cozy at the fire depot.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Mark Your Calendar!


It's only one month until Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 9 Blog Tour!  Mark your calendars now.  You won't want to miss it.  Each day you can visit different designers to see their block, get great tips and ideas, and there will be giveaways galore! My day is Friday, May 2nd.  


Here's a sneak peek at the cover of the upcoming issue.  I'm so excited!  This is the sixth issue of 100 blocks that I've had a design in, but it's my first time on the cover.  I'll reveal which block is mine on May 2nd.  See you then!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas


Thursday, March 27, 2014

My Design Wall is too Small!


Today I took on the task of stitching Trent's 100 Blocks quilt top together.  I tried to take some photos, but my design wall just isn't big enough for these rows!  See them folding over on the edges?


This pic shows the top border and part of one of the rows.  The border didn't even fit on the design wall at an angle.


Here's one of the rows together.  I took this picture in front of a window.  You can really tell, because the center block looks like stained glass with the light shining through.


Here's a picture of the back of one of the rows, while pinning.


And what is wrong with this picture?  Oh no!  That was a really looooooong seam to rip out.  Yes, that's why they call me the "Jinxed Seamripper".  Sigh!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Batting Review: Soft & Bright Batting


I tried Soft & Bright batting by The Warm Company for my most recent quilt and I loved it!  This is my favorite batting to date.  It's thick, soft, and warm.  It quilted beautifully - no problems at all.  I can't wait for next Winter, so I can sleep under this quilt.  It is going to be super warm.  

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Sewing Irish Chain Blocks

I've carved out a little time to work on the setting for Trent's 100 Blocks quilt today.  I've finished all the half blocks for the edges of the quilt and today I'm stitching the full Irish Chain Blocks.  There will be seventeen of these blocks in the quilt top.


Here they are, all pinned and lined up, ready to stitch!


Six of the blocks in the early stages.  They look like nine patch's here.


Another black strip, pinned for the next round.


Black strips sewn to two sides.


Two blocks with black strips sewn on two sides.

It's getting there!  A little closer with every stitch.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Monday, March 24, 2014

Stitch-A-Long Barn


Here's an update on the little barn for the Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long.  I've got all the walls up and the roof is on.  Next up is the barn quilt, on the side wall.  This is just getting cuter and cuter!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Sew a Flirty Skirt!

Two more lovely Spring sewing patterns I've added to the Curlicue Creations Shop this week.



This sweetly charming pattern makes a beautifully fitting skirt in five different views. Straight style skirt has waistband and back zipper closure. Can be sewn with four different pleat variations, shaped with side pockets, or a back hemline slit. 



Adorn your self in this classic dress. This dress can be sewn in three different lengths with short sleeves, long sleeves, and either a full or straight skirt. It features shoulder pads, pleats, a back zipper, and a self or purchased belt option. Very loose fitting and easy to sew.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Block Nine is Coming Soon!


Have you been sewing along with me on the Star Block of the Month tutorials?  Here is a pic of the eight blocks I've sewn so far.  The tutorials can all be found under the Star Block of the Month tab at the top of my blog.  Block #9 should be up on April 1st.  I'd better get sewing!

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Friday, March 21, 2014

Time for Some Spring Sewing!

Here are two new patterns I've added to the Curlicue Creations Shop this week.



This enticing children's sleepwear pattern sews a robe with tie belt, a nightshirt in two lengths, and pajamas with either pants or shorts. Pajama top can also be sewn with either short or long sleeves, and optional patch pocket or applique. Pants and shorts have elastic waistlines.



This sweetly charming pattern makes a beautifully fitting skirt in four different views. All skirts feature pleats, front button closure, and side pockets. This skirt can be sewn in two different lengths with waistband variations and a piping option. 

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Stitchin' Right A-Long!

Okay - I'll admit it.  I've seen the Muppet Movie too many times!  They were playing some music from the Muppet Movie when we attended story time at the library today, and when I wrote the title to this post, I was thinking of the "Movin' Right Along" song from the movie.  You know the one - when Fozzie Bear was driving the car?  Yep - now it'll be stuck in your head all day, too!


Here's the Flying Geese block from the Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long.  Sorry you can see the little bump in the fabric from my hoop.  I need to iron.  I love all the colors in this block, so pretty!


The fifth block is a little barn, complete with a little barn quilt on the side.  I'm working on it.  I just started stitching this one last night.


Here's how my whole sampler is looking to date.  What fun!  If you want to join in, look for the LMS quilty stitches button on the right hand side of my blog.  Corey's doing a great job with the patterns.  And she's having a give-a-way for her latest book on her blog today, too.  It's all about applique.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas



Friday, March 14, 2014

Craftsy Class Half Off Sale!

Save Up to 50% on All Craftsy Classes!
Don't miss out on Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale! Get ALL online classes at up to 50% off for a limited time only. You won't see hundreds of classes with prices this low again soon. Hurry, offer expires March 17 at midnight MT.

Craftsy's Endless Creativity Sale

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sewing the Setting - Trent's 100 Blocks Quilt

I've had to take a break from Trent's 100 Blocks quilt, but I did get a little bit of sewing done on the quilt setting recently.  I'm doing an Irish Chain setting using the suggested setting from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 6.


Because the quilt has so many bright colors, I'm using black to really make the blocks pop.  I'm sewing all the little Irish Chain squares from various blue and green fabrics that were used in the blocks.


Here's one of the half blocks.


Three.


Six.


Ten!

Aren't they fun?  They make a pretty groovy design all by themselves!  I can't wait to see how the whole quilt turns out.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Star Quilt Block of the Month Tutorial #8 - Spinning Pinwheel Star

Welcome to Star Block of the Month #8 - Spinning Pinwheel Star.  We really flexed our quilting muscles last month with Evening Star, so we're going to relax a little with this quick and easy block for March.  Remember that all seam allowances are 1/4", and all the blocks in this series are finished size 12".  


This is the Spinning Pinwheel Star block.  It makes a nice secondary pattern when you put them together.  I'll show an example quilt top at the end of the tutorial.


These brilliant fabrics are from Robert Kaufman.  I used a Light Pink, and Brown from the Artisan Batik collection, and the Dark Pink fabric is from Jennifer Sampou's Studio Stash line.


Cutting Instructions:

Light Pink:  Cut 4 ea. 4-7/8" squares A

Brown:  Cut 2 ea. 4-7/8" squares A

Pink:  Cut 2 ea. 4-7/8" squares A
        Cut 1 ea. 4-1/2" square B


Sewing the Block:

Step 1:  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the reverse side of all the Light Pink 4-7/8" squares A.


Pair them right sides together with the two Brown 4-7/8" squares A and the two Pink 4-7/8" squares A.  Sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides.


Cut on the drawn lines.


Open out, and press.  You should have four each Light Pink/Brown half square triangle units and four each Light Pink/Pink half square triangle units.  Each unit should measure 4-1/2" square.


Step 2:  Lay out the block, with the Pink 4-1/2" square B in the center.  Arrange the half square triangle units as shown.


Sew the units into three rows.


Sew the rows together to complete the block.
Smile!

\
Here's a quilt top sample showing what the Spinning Pinwheel blocks look like together in a quilt top.  See the secondary Pinwheel that pops out?

Thanks so much for reading today!  If you sew a block, or even a whole quilt using the Spinning Pinwheel Star block, please share it at the Quilters Show and Tell Facebook Group.

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

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas