Holiday Quilt

Here's another quilt I've been meaning to make for ages. I collected for this quilt a year or two ago and just never got around to it. I did end up adding several holidays to make it a bit bigger than I originally collected for.

The holidays represented, in order, are: New Years, MLK Day, Groundhog Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, April Fools, Arbor Day, Easter, Earth Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, Cinco De Mayo, Birthday, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, September 11th Remembrance Day, International Peace Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanza.

Baby Blanky

Just a quick blanky for Barrett. He really loves little blankets he can chew on when he is tired. He will typically throw the blanket over his face when he's sleepy and be out within minutes. His favorite is a Blue's Clues one that came free in a box of diapers, of course. I made him this one to use when his other one is in the wash. He gave it his seal of approval by slobbering all over it.

My Mom's Birthday Quilt

I made this quilt for my mom for her birthday. I used a bunch of different stitches around each flower. I had fun making this quilt, I almost kept it for myself!

50 State Tutorial

After I posted pictures of the China Province wall hanging, I had a lot of people ask me how I did it. I figured since I was doing the same thing with my 50 State Swap, I would just put together a small tutorial so you can see...it's much easier to explain using pictures than words. So, without further ado...

First, I printed out a map the size I wanted America to be. I only have an 8.5 x 11 printer, so that's why it looks all frakenstein like. I had to blow it up in sections and tape it together to be big enough.

Next, I traced all the lines and state names on the map with a sharpie marker. This is an important step as you will see next.

Then, I flipped the map over. If I didn't use the sharpie, I wouldn't be able to see the lines on the back side of the map.

Next, I traced all the states on to 2 sided fusible web. The brand I use is Steam-A-Seam 2, which I buy at JoAnne's. Remember, you need to trace the mirror image of the states onto the fusible web.

This particular brand of fusible web peels off in two distinct layers. Make sure you are tracing on the side that remains with the fusible as you can see to the left. The other layer will be peeled off so it can be stuck to your fabric, you don't want to peel off your picture before you cut it out!

Next, cut out all of the states leaving a little wiggle room if you have it, if not don't worry since you will be sewing around all the sides of each state.

Next, stick the fusible to the WRONG side of your fabric for the state it is supposed to represent. Using a dry iron (no steam), quickly set each state by putting the hot iron on the fusible for a second or two. ***If you use a different brand of fusible, please follow their instructions. I only know how the kind I am used to works.***

Cut out each state directly on the lines. Keep the other piece of fusible cover paper on it, which also has the state initials, so you can remember which state it is.

Start peeling off the backing and applying the states to your background fabric. They won't be permanantly affixed until you iron them down, so you can move them around until you get them just right.

When you've got all your states where you want them, fuse them down by ironing over the whole thing with steam. It only takes a few seconds to fuse them down.

Then, you would make your quilt sandwich and sew around the states using an applique or decorative stitch. Just make sure whatever stitch you use sews onto both states that are touching each other. I used a pretty thick stitch for the province quilt.

I am not done with this one yet, but will post a picture when it's completed. Hopefully this makes sense. :)

Province Wall Hanging

I participated in a China Province Swap in my OHGWQ Yahoo Group. I have a bunch of UFO's right now and wanted a quick project that I could complete so I could experience a little sense of accomplishment. So, I thought I would make a map of China using the province fabrics.

This quilt has a scrapbook that goes with it that explains each province and shows the fabric used for that province. It will be a great learning quilt for Ani and the boys later on. I'm also planning on making a US map using the 50 state fabrics I received from the same Yahoo group.