Curtain Panels - Dummy Panels

This is a simple project that I know you will enjoy.  It is amazing how adding curtains or dummy panels can change the look of a room.  In this project I made dummy panels to add a frame around my living room windows.  They are odd shaped and there is more wall space on one side of the window than the other and they are separated by a fire place.  In order to make that end of the room look balanced I made these panels to make the windows look larger than they are and to make them look symmetrical.

The fabric was originally 54" (4 1/2 ft wide) and I had 5 yards (15 ft) of fabric.  I cut the fabric in half making two pieces of fabric to work with.  I then cut the fabric down the length of the fabric making two 2 1/4 ft wide pieces.  At this, if you are using only one fabric, you will start hemming you panels.  I used two different fabrics for my curtains.  One that was floral, which is the primary portion of the panels, and one coordinating striped fabric, which I used for the top of the curtain panels.

I sewed the stripe to the floral by placing right sides together making it into one panel.  Then I pressed the seam down towards the floral pattern.  At this point I pressed a small 1/4" hem down both sides of the panel lengthwise and then folded and pressed a 1" hem.  You can make the hems any size you wan to, I just felt that this would like the way I wanted it to look. 

Sew down the hem using whatever stitch you want to use.  I used a blanket stitch on mine.  Next you will press down your hem on the top of the panel, then fold it over and stitch it \where you want.

After hemming all the edges, I wanted to add a little embellishment to the seam between the two fabrics to give the panel a finished look.  First I pinned the trip on and then I machine stitched it down.  You will want to stitch this very slowly if you are using your machine.

This is what they looked like once they were finished.

As usual, I hope I have inspired you to start your own home project.  Remember, these projects are simple, so get the kids involved!

Happy Sewing!!!

Sewing Scrappy! 12 1/2" blocks

It's a new year and time to get started on my donation quilts as well as quilts for my family members who are trying very hard to wait patiently for me to get them pieced and quilted. Every year I set a goal to make a minimum of 12 quilts for Project Linus which is a local charity that collects blankets for those in need. They donate the finished blankets primarily to the local hospitals, ambulance services and two chapters of the Child Advocacy Center. Most of the blankets donated are made child size and are made from fleece, cotton or are crocheted or knitted.
This is one of the quilt tops that I have been working on.  I try to do fairly simple quilts most of the time so that I can make as many as possible without taking too much time cutting out small pieces.  For this quilt top I cut out 12 1/2" blocks using a plastic form that I picked up at Walmart. First press your fabric and then lay it out on your cutting board.  Place the square form on the fabric and use a rotary cutter to cut the fabric from around the edges of the form.  Repeat this step until you have the number of squares that you need to make the size quilt you want.

Next you will pin the squares together in rows, sew them together, and press the seams all in the same direction.  Then you will sew the rows together.  Once I sewed all the pieces that I had cut out I realized that I didn't like the size of this top, so I added a red strip boarder to make it the size I was looking for.

The next step is to quilt this top.  There are several methods that you can use.  If you don't have a quilting machine, you can do a quilting method call tie quilting where you use yarn and a darning needle to attach the backing, batting and the quilt top togethter.  You can also do what is called "stitch in the ditch", which is a method where you stitch near the seams around each piece.   For this quilt you would have horizontal and vertical lines.  And finally, you can put it on a quilting frame and use a quilting machine to add a more detailed pattern to the quilt.

I hope that this post inspires you to get started on your own quilts.

Happy Sewing!!!

WELCOME 2012!!!

My new years resolution would have to be to stay more organized with my blogging.  I find that when I don't have a project going, I don't write anything.  SO, I have lined up a ton of projects and will try to post more frequently.

I am currently working on making Dummy Panels for my living room windows and recovering my dining room chairs.  I will post instructions on how to do both this week.  I have also been working like a mad woman on my charity/donation quilts for Project Linus.  They are all made from scrap fabric or left over fabric from other projects.  I am very excited to share those with you.  Hopefully they will encourage you to start your own scrap quilt or home decor projects!

As always, HAPPY SEWING!!!

Purpose

Recently I have been asked by many to teach them how to sew, however most of those who have asked live out of town and this has made getting together for lessons almost impossible.  I have decided that in order to be able to teach those who want to learn, it would be in everyones best interest to start a blog so that they can access the information that they want without having to drive all the way to my house to learn to sew.