TIPS, TECHNIQUES AND DEMOS - 8 June 2015

Alice Sheen - Tip

All quilters aim for getting exact seam allowances.  Garment makers strive to be just as precise.  Alice came up with a wonderful way to measure  5/8" seams and 1/4" seams.  Using these pencils to mark fabric would be an excellent start of young quilters or garment makers.

1.  Take three round pencils, tape them together with the

     outside two pencils longest (on the lead end).  See the

     photo.  If you keep the pencils upright you can draw

     two lines, 5/8" apart. 

2.  Take two octagonal pencils and tape them together. 

     When you draw the lines they will be 1/4" apart.

 

Sharon Quinton Tips 

1.  This ironing pad is easy to make and easy to carry

     to sew days.  The materials required are...

          -3 cardboard fabric-bolt centers,

          -1 towel

     a.  Wrap the towel around the 3 stacked cardboard

          fabric-bolt centers. 

     b.  Stitch or pin the towel in place.

2.  This little strap will keep the cord of your iron neat

     and tidy and attached to the handle of the iron. 

     The materials required are...

          -A strip of fabric long enough to surround the folded

           cord and the iron handle with an overlap long enough

           to use a button or Velcro closure.

          -1 large button or strip of Velcro.

     a.  Stitch the strip, right sides together leaving a small

          section open to turn the fabric right side out. 

     b.  Hand stitch the opening closed. 

     c.  Sew the button on one end and make the button

          hole on the other.

          If using Velcro, stitch each section on the opposite

          ends of the strip.





Sharon Quinton's Demonstration
     Sharon took more than a month preparing this demonstration. She did such a good job we were all listening and watching very carefully.

     All about the 1/2 square triangle.  Sharon showed us how we can save money by making eight 1/2 square triangles at once rather than purchasing the 1/2 square triangle paper.  See the photo below.

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     Once you have your 1/2 square triangles and can begin moving the 2-tone squares around and see what patterns you can create.

This single square can create a vast number of different blocks and many delightful projects. 

     Sharon had sewn up many of the blocks which have already been designed.  Some blocks were shown in patterns and in a 2 page handout which is included at the end of this demonstration.

     Here are some of the blocks Sharon had sewn for this demonstration.

Sharon gave the names of the blocks but there was so much going on I couldn't take them down.  If anyone can supply the names I'll edit this post accordingly.

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This is a block in two sizes. 

This is always an option with whatever block you choose.

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This block is called "Lipstick".

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A strip of small pinwheels.

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These blocks make up the quilt pattern attached.

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Sharon is holding a strip of 3 Fascination Blocks.  The two outside blocks are laid out horizontally with the middle block in the vertical position. 

A framed quote on the table next to Sharon reads:

Quilters

Cut with hope.

Stitch with grace.

Quilt with dreams. 

Bend with laughter.  

Share with love.

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Chevrons are interesting whether they are set vertically or horizontally.

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If chevrons are not exactly your cup of tea, this option with broken chevrons is really interesting.  This makes quite a large block.

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One of the tools you can't do without are square rulers.  You'll need different sizes depending on the size of the 1/2 square triangles.

There are square rulers with a small groove going from one corner to the opposite corner which locks the diagonal seam line of the 1/2 square triangles.

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Sharon had patterns all over the demonstration display table.  It boggles the mind just how many designs can be created.

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Chevron Table Runner

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The demonstration table looked especially nice.  The fat quarter flower arrangement was a lovely surprise to everyone at our last meeting of the 2014/2015 year.  We each received one of these fat quarters. 

Thank you Sharon!

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These are some of the quilts Sharon made using 1/2 square triangles.  These stars are set in a circle.  Sharon points out where each star meets the next.

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This quilt is elegantly simple.  A strip on the back uses up the remaining fabric.

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This quilt uses a chenille technique to make the delightfully fuzzy look to the quilt.  The back of the quilt remains smooth and neat and much easier to see the construction.  Blocks with flowers are appliqued and the alternating blocks are made from 1/2 square triangles.

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Sharon appears to be singing the praises of 1/2 square triangles.  This pillow is another example of construction with 1/2 square triangles.

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Sharon borrowed Helen Wilde's quilt, another that uses 1/2 square triangles for its construction.

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Handouts

These are the handouts that Sharon supplied for us.  Just look at all the patterns made with 1/2 square triangles.

 

 

This was an amazing demonstration.

Sharon, a HUGE thank you!