23 Creative Ways To Reuse Old Plastic Bottles

 

Quilt Blocks : On - Point Heart Block

This month's sew along at Sew Can She is a simple and easy block that is really beautiful.

The tutorial to make this quilt block can be found here .

Quilt Blocks : 12" Hashtag Quilt Block

Finally, completed the hashtag quilt block from this month's sew-along at Sewcanshe.
I made a 12" quilt block which was not so easy to make but managed to complete it. First I made a 5 " inch block using the same technique but later realized that a larger block is easier to make.

Embroidery Stitches for Leaves

Index  ( More to be added....)

Outlining the Leaves

• Running Stitch
• Stem Stitch / Outline Stitch
• Chain Stitch
• Coral Stitch

Filling The leaves

• Buttonhole Stitch

• Fish Bone Stitch
• Raised Fish bone / overlapping herringbone stitch / self padded herringbone stitch
• Open fish bone
• Leaf stitch

• Basket stitch
• Flat stitch
• Loop stitch  

• Seed stitch
• Darning Stitch

• Satin stitch
• Encroaching Satin Stitch
• Long and short stitch

• Stem stitch filling
• Cretan Stitch - closed and open

• Chain Stitch Filling
• Rose Leaf Stitch
• Detached Chain Stitch
• Granitos  

• Lattice Work

• Herringbone Stitch
• Raised Herringbone 
• Closed Herringbone 

• Fly Stitch  (Y Stitch or Open Loop Fly Stitch)
• Feather Stitch ( long Armed / Quill Stitch )

• Romanian stitch/oriental/Janina Stitch/ Antique stitch ( different from Romanian couching)
• Roman filling stitch
• Vandyke stitch 

• French Knot 

• Wheat-ear Stitch 
• Thorn Stitch
• Fern Stitch

Stump-work Leaves

• Woven Picot 

Others 

• Applique 

Simple Corner Embroidery Pattern

This very simple but lovely embroidery pattern will enhance the beauty of towel corners.
This could be an amazing pattern for beginners who are just learning the embroidery stitches.

Stitches like french knots, line stitches for stems and filling stitches for flowers & leaves can be used. 

Quilt Blocks : Double Diamonds Block

This lovely 12 " Double Diamonds Block is from the sew along   at Sew Can She. 

I am planning to make few more with different color combinations.
Very pleased with the appearance except slight problems with the measurement that will be corrected in the next blocks.

Embroidery Design Freebie

Almost nearing the end of this month here is an Embroidery design that I would be working on shortly.
The rose with stem, thorns and leaves along with some wild flowers would look beautiful with line stitches or with filling stitches.

Happy Stitching !!

Rail Fence Quilt Block and Rug

Long strips of fabric scrap can be sewn together to get a really mesmerizing quilt block. Rail Fence quilt block is an easy to make quilt block, at least that's what I thought until i started making it with the most primitive methods available.

Ideally the rail fence design is made by sewing together 3 long strips of different fabrics and then re-cutting this band into squares. These squares are then arranged such that the strips form beautiful pattern and then sewn together to make a block.


I made this rug using strips cut from cotton pants and not 'so' cotton pinafore of my daughter. So, after a long time some recycling going on ...

What made the work easier was the firmness of the cotton pant even though the pinafore material was not very easy to work with.

Only the top part is done but worth showing off......... 

  

One way of making the block is to cut individual strips( what I preferred) to make a block.

Another method is to sew together long strips and then cut off blocks from it.

 

   Piece measures 1x 5 inches without seam allowance  
 

 

5 " finished blocks that actually measure 5 1/2 inches

 

More blocks ready to be sewn together

 

Gearing up to finish it as soon as possible. 

Update :

Added up one more column to the rug as this was lacking 'something'

 So, now it looks like this...

  

I used an old towel to make the backing.  

Cutting the thick edges help in easier stitching while joining the top and the backing.

I then folded the towel so as to get enough length and breadth to match the quilt top. 
The edges are raw and the fabric doesn't seem to fray much, so, I just left it the way it is now.

12" Double Four Patch Square Block

Last two posts were about the  6 " Solid quilt block and the 6" Four Patch square block.
I joined the four blocks as shown down to make a 12 " block that is considered a variation of the Four Patch square block

 12 " finished block

The finished 12" block should actually measure 12 ¹⁄2" ( seam allowance included)

 Another finished 12 " Block

Coming up with more quilt blocks..........

Four Patch Square Quilt Block

After the 6" Solid Square Block, next in line is the 6 " Four Patch Square Quilt Block. 

In coordination with the Solid Block I have decided to make a finished 6" block

A 6 ½˝ Four patch square block 

 ( Ideally called as a finished 6" Four patch square block)

To get the correct measurements:

A Four patch Square Block can be divided into four smaller equal squares. So for a 6" finished square, each smaller finished square would be 3" .

• A square’s length and width are equal. 
• ¼˝ seam allowance should be added to both sides of the square’s width and length: 

¼˝ x 2 = ½˝. 

 
So the each squares will be 3˝ x 3˝ plus ½˝ for seam allowances = 3 ½˝

 Pieces joined using chain piecing method

 Ironing the pieces at seams is  really important after every sewing.

Alternative Easier method

When there is enough fabric to get longer strips, this easier method is used.
I know that the borders are not accurate.... but yes, the measurements are.

 

 Next step is to sew the pieces together.

Getting the centre point was quite tricky for me.

 

 The four patch square quilt block is ready.

 So, now I have solid blocks and four patch square blocks. Preparing for something more interesting.

After making these blocks, I am seriously thinking of investing in a rotary cutter and mat ( It does cost a lot ... )

  

Quilting : 6 inches Solid Square Block

 
 

 After My First Quilt I had planned to make another and a more tidier one with proper blocks. Having decided so I had great deal to learn before attempting patchwork to make a quilt top. 

Starting from planning the layout, choosing fabric to making beautiful quilt blocks; not to forget the measurements or maths involved in making accurate blocks - involved lots of research

The first thing I had to decide upon was the size of each quilt block. 
I chose to make  6 inches quilt blocks ( neither too small nor too large). 
The best way to start making quilt blocks is to make a solid quilt block.

• For a 6 " finished quilt block,  a 6" template out of cardboard is cut.

Using the template mark a 6" square on the desired fabric.
 

Using the scale measure, mark and cut 1/4 " seam allowance all around the 6" square, that makes it a 6 1/2" square.  

The inner marking works as a guide to sew over while joining the pieces.
Though My sewing machine has a guide to sew 1/4 " seam it is quite difficult for a beginner like me to get the right seam allowance. 
Yes, I need lots of practice..... 

 The 6 inches block ( in terms of finished block) is ready.

Bow Tie Quilt Block

 The  Classic Blocks: Fresh Fabric for January 2016  got me inspired to make this beautiful quilt block. I decide to make a 6 " block . The measurements for each square is shown in the picture below.  

Basic Embroidery Stitches : French Knot

One of the most basic and commonly used detached knot stitch is the French Knot.

The French knots can be stitched individually or for fillings or as lines. This stitch forms a raised dot.

An easy to make decorative knot that needs some practice enhances the beauty of the work.

My first project of this year has French knots in it