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Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
16 Projects
Precut Friendly
Cheryl Arkison
Slow Down & Sew
Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
16 Projects, Precut Friendly
Cheryl Arkison
Text copyright © 2013 by Cheryl Arkison
Photography and Artwork copyright © 2013 by C&T Publishing, Inc.
Production Editor:
Joanna Burgarino
Publisher: Amy Marson
Creative Director: Gailen Runge
Illustrator: Jessica Jenkins
Art Director / Book Designer:
Kristy Zacharias
Photo Assistant: Mary Peyton Peppo
Flat Quilt Photography by
Diane Pedersen of C&T Publishing, Inc.,
unless otherwise noted
Editor: Lynn Koolish
Technical Editors: Helen Frost and
Nanette S. Zeller
Style Photography by Kate Inglis,
unless otherwise noted
Production Coordinator:
Jessica Jenkins
Published by Stash Books, an imprint of C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456,
Lafayette, CA 94549
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Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts from C&T Publishing, Inc. Permission for all
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Arkison, Cheryl, 1975A month of Sundays : family, friends, food & quilts : slow down & sew - 16 projects,
precut friendly / Cheryl Arkison.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-60705-696-6 (soft cover)
1. Patchwork--Patterns. 2. Quilting--Patterns. 3. Color in textile crafts. I. Title.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
and shades 13 Why Scale Is Important 14 Value Evaluating value 16 Background Choices RELAX 27 View Quilt 32 Beach Grass Quilt 37 Button Sudoku Quilt and Game Board 42 Parade Pennants SHOP 86 Hugs and Kisses Quilt 90 Stripes Quilt 94 Lush Wine Carrier 98 Floral and Herb Wraps EXPLORE 112 Pinwheel Quilt 118 Flags Quilt 123 Treasure Bag 127 Women's Auxiliary Scarf BASICS PLUS 130 Piecing 131 Fabric Selection Quilting cottons • Laminated cottons Home decor • Voile • Linen 133 Easy Appliqué 134 Paper Piecing 137 Chain Piecing 138 Finishing Touches EAT Bias strips • Binding tape 58 Crossword Quilt Sewing binding to a quilt 63 Sherbet Quilt Finishing binding ends 68 Any-Size Aprons 142 Need More Information? 73 Napkins with Built-In Ties 143 About the Author .Contents 5 Introduction TURN IT DOWN 9 What Makes a Quilt Low Volume? 10 Color Still Matters Saturation • Tints. tones.
This book would never have come into being without the support. and encouragement of my dear friends in the community around me.Dedication To the bestest husband ever. I couldn't have done it without them. the style photographer. 4 A Month of Sundays—Family.) Finally. Morgan Arkison. For teaching me the true value of sleeping in and pushing me to be more than I am today. Friends. Thank-you to all the folks at Stash Books and C&T for believing that a quilt book can be more than a collection of patterns and that words can inspire as much as pictures. a giant Zombie Underpants Screech for Kate Inglis. and it is because of them. interpretations. Acknowledgments Two people were instrumental in bringing this book into being— Susanne Woods and Amanda Jean Nyberg. (But only in the short term. thank-you to all my readers and the quilters who continue to inspire me with their questions. play dates. design. Food & Quilts . The patience of and cheerleading by my family are what got me through the sleepless new-baby nights. and help. From that collaboration to this individual work. cooking. But next time I will listen to them when they suggest that I keep my plate clean for a little while. Speaking of pictures. Our work on Sunday Morning Quilts inspired me to write this book. I've found my home. photo sessions.
Introduction .
there is always a bit of exclamation at to really appreciate everything. I am a color person. the floor. My obsession with color My enthusiasm for low-volume fabrics can started long before my obsession with fabric. Malka is well known for her bright. my 6 That's where low-volume fabrics come in. more like an intermittent breeze than a Chinook wind. of A Stitch in Dye fame. turquoise. and I will sit by the one pillow or photograph that has color in it. just to feel its vibrancy. wardrobe understood. or he doesn't care that much and lets me take the lead. To quote Oprah. It isn't just that I'm a quilter either. there are times when even I need a little respite. combined with a colorful or graphic punch. but it is more like a stage whisper than a yell. Basic black was never a concept my is enough to keep visual interest without resorting to in-your-face color. I need it around me. we don't know how not to. And my kids have obviously inherited this love of color. my collection grew.Without a doubt. filling me with energy and smiles. it was an "A-Ha" moment for me. or orange. Like a calm spot on a busy quilt. The answer is easy— The white or light base of low-volume fabrics. I'm sure there is a lot of wonder at how we can live with so much color. In time. I sought out rental apartments that allowed me to paint the walls. This means I can pile quilts in every room. That. . I married a man who also relishes being surrounded by color. When people come to our house for the first eye and my soul need a place to rest in order time. graphic. Put me in a beige home. While I wouldn't change a single color in my life. the furniture. Malka Thankfully. I was the one who picked the brightest comforter when choosing bedding for my dorm room. A Month of Sundays—Family. There is still color and still boldness. Friends. But one day she shared a project that was a direct departure from her usual bright palette. the colors on the walls. be linked to two clear inspirations. hand-dyed fabric and improvisational use of color in sewing and quilting. I even had some of these low-volume fabrics around—I was obviously drawn to them without intention. or set the table with pink dishes without anyone complaining. introduced me to the concept a few years ago. Food & Quilts Dubrawsky. paint my walls red. I crave it when I'm surrounded by too much white.
They ground. I wanted to inspire more than just quilts in creating this book. but in their energy as well. The two bedrooms— one. partly because it fits with our design preferences of late. and the other. or lifeless. Built upon the four themes of Relax. and Explore. this book takes you through some personal journeys. A Month of Sundays—Family. the master. just It is impossible to see a stack of low-volume like a perfect Sunday afternoon. while providing ideas to get you started on your own weekend explorations. my studio/ guest room—would get the most light. and winter lights augmented by the bluest of skies and the whitest of snow on the ground. aptly named Sunday Morning. Many are precut friendly too. fully this work is both exciting and restful. It's a basement. but it is also a this book first. We wanted to channel that light in our new space. Eat. The projects in the book are based on the four themes. and all feature low-volume fabrics. we all the projects. not only in their Nothing comes without some work. Embracing the spirit of the ment renovation. Food & Quilts is not the typical quilt book. The patterns are straightforward and designed for the confident beginner and sea- Low-volume fabrics fit in this plan because soned sewist. well. And. and exactly filled with light. Introduction 7 . this book is meant to inspire entered the final stages of an endless base- quiet energy. To compensate. After that. cloud watching. but that doesn't limit them to weekends or low-volume fabrics. Then I made a inspire a bit of peace and a lot of quiet energy. we painting with your children are all a part of added the biggest windows we could and that energy. Like the low-volume fabrics profiled in Just as I was finishing that scrappy quilt. in lieu of stark white. so it isn't Sunday afternoon stroll. they indeed channel the light. long summer days create.I dabbled with using these patterns as back- fabrics and think drab. All are inspired by the ideas discussed. dull. Shop. then go grab your fabric to light-filled place: long. there was no turning back—I was hooked on low-volume fabrics. scrap quilt for Sunday Morning Quilts. but hope- light/white base. agreed on white walls. I want you to sit and enjoy reading Canada is a winter country. because it is a basement. Friends. I had romantic visions of light and snuggles and pops of color.
over-the- able to hear the lyrics and the bass at the same top parody This Is Spinal Tap is all about time.Turn It Down Definitions and Tips on Using Low-Volume Fabrics "But it's got eleven!" That famous line from the cheesy. Great quilt design can get lost in a sea of volume. you can see different design notes. When everything is For many of us quilters and fabric lovers. When you turn down the volume. choos- an eleven. The want it to pump. Friends. ity of the sound than the overall volume. If a stereo has eleven. then turn it up. the more saturated that color. 8 A Month of Sundays—Family. saturated fabrics. but you also want to be songwriter will now get as much appreciation as the guitar player or drummer. Food & Quilts . ing fabrics for projects is more about the qual- focus on the graphic nature of the fabric itself. maybe to a four instead of Like every good sound system though. this bold (loud). then you see (hear) nothing. even better. yes. This chapter is about the basics of using lowvolume prints in your projects. The more color the better. You and even hear what the maker was saying. bright. line is equally appropriate.
Color. However. value. the tone.What Makes a Quilt Low Volume? In low-volume prints. This applies to color. Low-volume quilts have a softer feeling than the high-volume ones. The print can be any scale or style—from boldly graphic lines and dots to florals and novelties—but without a graphic element. and the intensity of the quilt are more relaxed. and scale / visual texture are all instrumental in achieving this result. the print would still read as light. value. and scale or visual texture. the white/light base is generally the predominant color of the print. The mood. you essentially have a whiteon-white or beige-on-beige fabric. this concept can be reversed—the print may have a color for the background with a dominant white design. The primary characteristic of low-volume quilts revolves around contrast—low-volume quilts (softer) have less contrast than highvolume (or louder) quilts. In this case. Turn It Down 9 .
Food & Quilts . Typically. these properties of color become even more important. and terms like saturation. Friends. tint. and tone get thrown around. you still need to think about the elements of good design. hue.Color Still Matters When you turn down the volume. when we talk about color. When you are working with low-volume fabrics. 10 A Month of Sundays—Family. including color. to make a project work. the color wheel comes out.
Cobalt In low-volume fabrics. For example: Light pink vs.SATURATION Saturation is a reflection of the intensity of a color. Turn It Down 11 . Emerald green Robin's egg vs. it still reads as low volume. Fuchsia Sage vs. or how much pigment there is to the color. If the print is saturated with a predominant light background. the colors can be saturated or less saturated.
AND SHADES Tints are created when white is added to a color. or shade of a fabric. tones are created when gray is added. and some will have tone. Not all whites are created equal. tone.TINTS. TONES. Friends. Using tints. Food & Quilts . and shades greatly increases the pool of fabrics to choose from. tones. and shades are created when black is added. 12 A Month of Sundays—Family. take into account both the fabric's print and background. especially when you want to keep the volume low while still making vibrant quilts. for example—some will be brighter than others. When describing the tint.
Having similar-colored backgrounds in almost all of your fabrics means that the scale of the prints—the visual texture—becomes extremely important. With the softer nature of low-volume fabrics. For example. But when you finish the quilt. there is no variety of scale— kind of like a pop song that might be catchy but gets boring quickly because it is nothing but the same words and music repeated over and over again. scattered flowers. The changes in scale from large to small and back again provide movement and strong design to a low-volume project. and a few fabrics with dots or lines—all in several colorways. If all the prints in a quilt are the same size. Turn It Down 13 . several floral prints in a smaller scale.Why Scale Is Important An easy way to pick fabric for a quilt might be to use the multiple colors of one print available in a fabric line. it feels flat. This variety of scale helps make for a more interesting design. some very small. scale matters almost more than anything. like something is missing. and scales. there could be a main large-scale floral print. A good line of fabric includes a variety of colors. patterns. even if you do use only a single fabric line for your quilt.
Without variations in value. the design will be lost. with white or light backgrounds. This can be a design consideration. and times when a lighter touch works just as well. The colors in the fabric affect the value. Even more so. As with scale. Friends. if all your fabrics are similar in value. perhaps. A densely printed design will generally read darker than a sparsely printed one. The important thing is to pay attention to value and scale— the visual texture—to finish the quilt with your design and energy goals in mind. because the value differences are less dramatic. 14 A Month of Sundays—Family. There are times when the quilt pattern needs high contrast. When you make a quilt with similarly valued fabrics. this affects the value. the different shapes within the quilt design will be indistinguishable. Some fabrics will have a more sparsely printed design as compared with others. expect a very quiet energy in the final project. It will be softer around the edges than a high-contrast project. Food & Quilts . as do the density and scale of the print design.Value Good use of value (how light or dark a fabric is) is as important when using low-volume fabrics as it is with any other type of fabric.
Fabric with contrast of value and scale Turn It Down 15 . NAKED-EYE TEST Put two or more fabrics side by side. as well as the type and density of the print or pattern. or do they look similar? Pay attention to the background color and value. the grayscale image shows you nothing but value. but it is worth the effort to make your project sing. It might seem like an extra step. BLACK-AND-WHITE TEST With a digital camera or camera phone.Evaluating Value Here are two ways to evaluate your value and scale variations to determine whether or not they provide contrast. After your image is in black and white. try the black-and-white test. Can you easily see the differences between the fabrics. then do so before you snap the photo. take a photo of your fabrics side by side. Squint. Fabrics that look different when viewed with the naked eye may appear almost identical in black and white. If you are struggling to see differences or similarities. If their values and scales are similar. the majority of basic photo-editing software packages have a way to convert photos into black and white. or if you simply want to confirm your conclusion. Otherwise. Some cameras allow you to set your camera to black and white Fabric with similar value and scale before you even take the picture. If you don't have a digital camera. photocopying fabric in black and white will also work. This test will confirm your naked-eye test or send you to look for more fabric. If you can do this. they will tend to blend together.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with will feel calmer. Friends. background colors—some will be bright white. more so than with brighter fabrics. ranging from the palest of pinks or blues to creams or grays. or creams. Picking a white background fabric is easier than picking the perfect white if the pattern calls for only one fabric. Low-volume prints are made on a variety of Showcase Your Quilting Remember. in quilts with a lot of neutral space—where the design pops in a sea of a neutral background—the quilting will really stand out. even Many fabric manufacturers that produce solid fabrics also produce a small range of white or cream solids. Go with a single solid. Pick a brighter white for a that. background fabrics in a single quilt. while others will be light grays. warm beiges. Changing the background color can change the quilt's entire look. Use this opportunity to play with and showcase the quilting. Try mixing up your safest. Using a variety of background fabrics in a quilt is a great way to avoid any worry about how the background will work with your prints. Food & Quilts . For one. Each quilt pattern includes suggestions on how you might turn up the volume on the design. Turn Up the Volume Variations All the projects in this book can easily be made with other fabric choices. so audition a few different options. 16 A Month of Sundays—Family. And remember that your seamlines add another design element. So many options! paint. and two. but it isn't your only choice—it's just the quilt with more punch. you can hardly go wrong.Background Choices The safest bet when picking a background Your background choices change the quilt's fabric for any low-volume project is a white energy. You can also try other colors. there are fewer choices. and the quilt solid.
Turn It Down 17 .
18 A Month of Sundays—Family. Friends. Food & Quilts .
such as a perfectly skipped rock bouncing across the water. To keep from making mistakes and hurting myself. Relax 19 . only in the moment. When I started making quilts. I had to concentrate on the quiltmaking. that's what relaxation is about—forgetting about stress by focusing on something right in front of you. what's important is slowing down to enjoy the moment. That meant no thinking about grad school papers or my boring job reading legislation—only the quiltmaking. Ultimately. True relaxation comes from living a real life and taking the time to enjoy the thrill that comes with what's here right now. this is what it was about.Relax Whether you are throwing rocks in a pond or sharing a beer with a friend.
My parents. that isn't boredom—it's relaxation. so I would lie in bed and quietly read. We brought her nothing. Even on the We don't all have the luxury of time and good days. usually left me alone. nurse. but because my body had no will to get up with the previous night's adventures clouding my brain. we'll light and the company. but we still find Lying about started for me when I was a surly 20 Fast-forward to those days after university. Santa now visits us just out- awake. with errands. I stayed in bed a little days of reading. I actually didn't think I would want to lie about. mornings are far from relaxed. Our first baby brought about lazy mornings with her snuggled between us. In that moment. it usually happens the day before the vacation ends! in the throes of young love and disposable income. When the girls wake up. bedroom and do nothing more than enjoy the Without breaks from real life. We reveled in her presence. you don't sleep in. In a small house with no wanting to avoid an argument first thing in chimney. It was this way long before I had kids. however. though. swimming. With more kids. In reality. But weekends can also be the time to relax. family or not. Looking to avoid church. after Even after they left. the and peach-colored comforter. After months on bed rest. the the epitome of luxury. I was often for little girls. and you think you might actually be bored. housework. with my kids running around. book languishes beside you. In those days. shopping. I loved to lie in my sunny money for do-nothing kinds of vacations. teenager. or otherwise and now. despite the early hours. side the bedroom.Shhh… There is a moment on a vacation when the indicated they were coming to check on me! body and brain click off. however. commutes. Friends. reveling in my teenage victory or eating too much. Christmas morning is a brain-teaser the morning. it is fawn over her. Food & Quilts . Of course. in when she woke to tickle. Enter the weekend—often filled wild citrus and turquoise comforter. You've finally arrived at the moment where the stress is gone. time to gather under our wedding quilt. It can get hectic. I pretended Regardless of the season. double-check A Month of Sundays—Family. hiking. I had a go bonkers. not by choice. quickly hiding my book when the footsteps they race down the short hall. or soccer practice. while longer. gathering to lie about to be asleep on Sunday mornings. and birthday parties. obligatory family visits. is part of our family. reveling in not having to face the workday. Weekend mornings were often spent in bed. however. but About the most indulgent thing I can do is those mornings were precious.
you can find the light that keeps you going. a wife. Alas.the cookies to confirm that Santa did indeed arrive. We crowd in the bed. soaking in the morning sun with a weekend newspaper or captivating novel. I would stay in bed. Those moments of peace are indulgent. but they are also energizing. a quilter. you can find inspiration to bring vibrancy to the other. notso-quiet moments of life. Opportunities to lie about are very few and very far between. Relax 21 . and more. and every morning where I don't have to be the first one to get out of bed. People would bring me some tea and toast instead of me getting it for them. For every time you can turn away from the to-do lists. I take full advantage of every quiet cup of tea. There is bed jumping and wrestling and loads of cajoling to get us parents out of bed. then burst open the door to our room. every swing on the porch. yes. I am a mother. eating oranges and chocolate and investigating our gifts. So we throw aside a wintry quilt and get our day started. My ideal day as a mother now includes loads of lie-about time. I might even get a crossword puzzle started. If I could. The indulgence of time spent in relaxation is the best gift anyone can ever give me.
How can you grab moments or even
whole afternoons of relaxation? I'll
share with you how I take advantage
of or even create the quiet spots in
life. Be sure to bring the rest of your
family with you, because the more
they seek out the quiet moments,
the more you will get. Embrace the
ease of a Sunday afternoon with no
yard work or birthday parties. Wrap
your hands around a kid or a mug
of coffee and indulge in moments
of peace.
Stare at the Clouds
Throw your quilt on the ground and stare
up. It isn't more complex than that. Pick out
the dragons, butterflies, and Stephen Colbert
shapes in the clouds. If there are no clouds that
day, then watch for birds and airplanes.
Don't wait for the summer to do this. With
a skylight or big window, you can do this all
winter long. Park yourself in front of the light
and watch. Wrap yourself in a quilt for extra
The whole point is to just sit and be. Staring
at the clouds is the easiest form of meditation around. When you are looking for the
perfect shape, that's all you can think about.
When you are doing it with a loved one, their
physical presence is calming. When you are
lying on a quilt, the warmth comes from the
sun and your back. There is no dinner to make
or project to finish; it's just you and the sky.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
Harness the Wind
Cool breezes are for more than fluttering the lace curtains (though that is
a fine purpose). The wind brings with it
the promise of flying dandelion seeds,
tangled hair, and color flying through
the sky.
spend our Sunday afternoons sailing,
but we can fly a kite, hang a windsock,
My father-in-law was a fiend for jigsaw puzzles. Not
or blow on a pinwheel to bring the simple
much of a TV watcher, he set up a table behind the
beauty of a breeze to our hands. Kids
couch so he could hang out with the family while he
naturally flock to things that seem to
worked away on a puzzle and they watched TV. Not
move of their own volition. It's the flap
just any puzzle either—it was always something like
and snap of fabric as the wind takes it.
a 5,000-piece, all-blue puzzle.
It's the secondary breeze from the move-
The act of searching for just the right piece (after
We can't all live near the ocean and
ment. It's the color, the dance, and the
simple energy of the wind.
the straight lines of the outside of a puzzle are completed) is a meditative act. For some, it's downright
A near perfect day for me would indeed
frustrating. For others, it is an opportunity for ten-
involve the water and the wind cutting a
sion to fall away. And for more, it is simply a way to
boat through the deep blue of the Atlantic
keep the eyes and hands busy while sitting. There is
Ocean. There would be beer, friends,
a reason that puzzles are often ongoing in hospital
loads of laughter, and even a little fear.
lounges, after all.
Alas, I live on the Prairies, and the only
One of my favorite things about jigsaw puzzles is
time I sail is when gracious friends take
me out the moment I descend upon their
dock. But I can put fabric to the wind and
hang on to the breeze.
that anyone and everyone can work on them. No
one owns the process. Set up a table where anyone
can sit down and work on the puzzle, even to search
for just one piece. Just five minutes of quiet contemplation, of letting your brain wander over the colors,
has to be equivalent to a few minutes of meditation
or a cup of tea. Better yet, bring your tea to the
puzzle table.
Stolen Words
When the demands of the day
with little ones are too much,
we gather on the couch or, even
better, on the porch swing, with a
stack of books, the dog at our feet,
and the stories of the world in our
hands. I'm teaching my kids the
pleasure of reading. We started
before they could even hold a
book themselves, and I hope it
continues to the point that we
can all spend afternoons poring
over books on our separate chairs,
Throw Rocks
We are fortunate to live near a reservoir. You
beyond. Everyone is in quiet contemplation
can't swim in it, but you are allowed to sail,
with the rote nature of the rock flinging.
row, and play on the beaches. In our family,
one of our simplest family activities is to go
and throw rocks in the water. The handfuls
that the girls chuck in the water make a notso-quiet PLOP! PLOP! PLOP! as the rocks
break the surface. We adults work hard to skip
the not-actually-flat rocks.
We don't talk much as the rocks fly. It's an
unexpected break from the city behind us
and an uninterrupted view of the mountains
dog-eared pages welcome.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
Somewhat contemplative and ultimately pointless, rock throwing can be done just about
anywhere—the beach, a stream, a puddle in
the back alley, or the slough at the farm. Rocks
plus water, that's all you need.
No rocks around? The same effect can be
had from gathering pinecones, looking for
four-leaf clovers, searching for sea glass, and
picking out pretty fall leaves.
where you can hear the inflections in the voice and see the blinks and tears in the eyes. Skype with another quilter. The best way to fuel that relationship is with conversation—a real.Catch Up Friendships don't just happen. a shared things you can do. Relax 25 . and crafting make it easy to talk over an activity. catching up divulged. There are no awkward chat is priceless. Shared creativity invites secrets to be or wine with your neighbor. your hands can be wrapped up in crafty things. they fizzle out. it's hard to multitask your thoughts. joke. When you gather with people. Sure. Whether it's coffee with pauses. There is also a natural intimacy With time being so precious to every one of that comes when you catch up over some- us. Quilting. but you must personally be engaged in the conversation. only moments of concentration. otherwise. the opportunity to sit with a friend and thing like quilting. They need with friends is one of the most relaxing a spark first—a common interest. person-toperson conversation. another mom. Then they need to be fueled. knitting. a random encounter.
and 2˝ × 4˝ 26 draft-proof area. For example. kids' old art (the stuff you Spread your paper on the table or floor in a don't want to save).Paper Quilts Paper quilts are a lovely way to play with design and to get your younger ones involved in the art of quiltmaking. This is not an activity for the A Month of Sundays—Family. arrange. Start with squares. cut: If you love what you've done and don't want • Squares 1˝ × 1˝. With paper. it is at once mindless and captivating. PREPARE Keep your papers in a small box to keep the Trim your paper to a variety of sizes and shapes together and not strewn all over the shapes. 2˝ × 2˝. brickwork. Friends. scrapbook papers • Paper cutter and good paper scissors (Don't use your fabric scissors!) • White foamcore board cut to 10˝ × 10˝ or porch on a breezy day! Start arranging your papers in pleasing designs. Of course. you likely have a bin of scrap paper around and piles of more gorgeous papers to work with. If you are already a scrapbooker. Use the • Glue (optional ) white of the background as part of the design if you'd like. Basic patchwork. 1˝ × 2˝. or more! You don't actually white paper have to create functional designs. Like putting together a puzzle. and house when a door gets opened or a small triangles that can all work together. and 4˝ × 4˝ to forget the design. half-square tri- more (but small enough to carry) or heavy angles. you can play. rectangles. Food & Quilts gluestick! . you could also always go shopping … SUPPLIES PLAY • Paper scraps. and design with no commitment. child plays superhero. Not a scrapbooker? Then pull out the kids' construction paper and watercolor paintings and cut them up. 2˝ × 2˝. grab your camera or a • Rectangles 1˝ × 2˝ and 2˝ × 4˝ • Triangles with the right angle sides cut to 1˝ × 1˝. It is a low-stress way to engage the mind creatively.
In this case.View Finished quilt: 42˝ × 42˝ | Made by Cheryl Arkison Strip bundle and mini charm pack friendly Once. whites. As the pile of scraps built up next to me. the scraps are a borrowed view of my quiltmaking process. and pale yellows. grays. I thought of showcasing the same fabrics while playing with the concept of negative space. in a design workshop. more inspiration hit. I played around with the softest of colors in a winter prairie theme: blues. View 27 . I've always liked the Japanese garden theme of a borrowed view.
Friends. Take this opportunity to work on your improvisational piecing skills—try cutting squares and rectangles and putting them together randomly by sewing scrap to scrap. The design pops the most when you pick a single solid or tone-on-tone background and bind the quilt using the background fabric. but the similarity in value. all lights or all mediums. Choosing Fabrics My version of this quilt has a controlled color scheme for the center square. For example. include fabrics with strong graphic lines that will pop when cut into small pieces. If you prefer a bolder section.This is an easy quilt to put together—use scraps or pull some fabric from your stash. . This allows the pieced section to shine. The softness is accentuated when you pick subtle colors and fabric graphics. you need all 2²⁄³ yards and will have a nice piece left over. you can create a square of basic patchwork. you can swap out the swath of pink background for blue or a different color. but you can go completely random in your choices. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝. Pieced block: 6–10 fat eighths or smaller in a variety of colors or 64–100 small scraps of fabric for random version Background fabric: 11/3 yards Batting: 46˝ × 46˝ Backing: 22/3 yards Binding: 1/2 yard 28 A Month of Sundays—Family. when you have a boy. It's easy to change the colors of this quilt. Food & Quilts If you want the quilt backing to be made from the same fabric. If improv is not your thing. even though you were fully expecting a girl. The soft energy comes from a selection of similar-value fabrics with interesting textures. It isn't the color that matters much. Otherwise. you can buy 1¹⁄³ yards of fabric and piece together the remainder that is needed from scraps. Choose colors that are all in the same value—that is.
I assumed that my third baby would be a girl. We both enjoyed the snuggle as I stitched the binding with him sleeping in my lap. I still couldn't abandon the idea of this delicate pink quilt." View 29 ." When I started this quilt. But when my son was born. so I had that in mind.
Food & Quilts . be sure to alternate the direction by rows so the seams nest when you sew together the rows. if necessary. check the length of the rows once they are pressed. Press toward the of the pieced block. Sew the 71/2˝ × 421/2˝ background piece to the right edge of the center section. Give them a stir to mix them up. Place the small pieces in a basket or bowl next to your •• Cut a total of 64 squares sewing machine. 161/2˝ × 161/2˝. trim the scraps into rough squares and rectangles 2˝–3˝ × 2˝–3˝. Sew the 161/2˝ × 71/2˝ background piece •• 1 piece 161/2˝ × 71/2˝ background. •• 1 piece 191/2˝ × 421/2˝ 5. If you are pressing the seams to one side. Sew the rows together and press the seams open or in one direction. 30 A Month of Sundays—Family.Some Assembly Required Cutting Instructions Seam allowances are 1/4˝. Baste with your preferred method. If making the random version. For the random version. 3. Sew the 161/2˝ × 191/2˝ background piece to the top edge •• 1 piece 71/2˝ × 421/2˝ to the bottom edge of the pieced block. Friends. You will need at least 64 pieces. Trim the ends of the center panel if the fabric width was less than 421/2˝. but possibly more if 2. Press toward the background pieces. 21/2˝ × 21/2˝. 8. Chain piece (page 137) the squares until you have 8 rows of 8 squares. Assemble the quilt back to measure 46˝ × 46˝. Sew the 191/2˝ × 421/2˝ background piece to the left edge Binding Cut as needed for your preferred method of binding. Pieced Block 1. •• 1 piece 161/2˝ × 191/2˝ 6.OR •• For a random version. Layer the backing. batting. . make additional your pieces are closer to rows if necessary to create a square that measures at least 2˝ × 2˝. Background Cut: 4. of the center section. 7. Trim the block to 161/2˝ × 161/2˝. Add pieces until the length is at least 161/2˝. and quilt top.
you can make the quilt shout it out. Trim the excess batting and backing. Wash the quilt and wrap it around your favorite baby. so pick a pattern that you like. Set. square up the quilt. View 31 . and attach the binding. quilt that section differently than the background. If you really want to make the pieced block stand out. An allover pattern works well on this quilt's small scale. Bright background or neutral! Pure scrappy love for the pieced square or a controlled scheme! No matter what you decide. Turn Up the Volume Just about any color combination goes when it comes to this quilt.Quilt top assembly Ready. Take this opportunity to showcase free-motion techniques or bold straight-line quilting. Finishing 1. Your quilting will really show on the background piece. 2. Quilt! I suggest a neutral thread for quilting.
quilted by Janet Madeyski Fat quarter friendly 32 There is no dreamier place than a beach. Caribbean or on a prairie lake. These beaches have a partic- doesn't matter whether the beach is in the ularly dreamy feel when the tones of the water. water in front of me. One have sand under me. I'm in heaven. and sky all blend together. Food & Quilts . A Month of Sundays—Family. and this quilt will live there an homage to some of my favorite beaches in with me. and day I will have a little cabin that will remind grass behind me. It Atlantic Canada.Beach Grass Finished quilt: 64˝ × 90˝ | Finished block: 8˝ × 9˝ Made by Cheryl Arkison. grass. As long as I sand. Friends. This quilt is me of the beach.
as do the hits of brighter colors. as needed. Choosing Fabrics I chose the colors in this quilt to reflect the marriage of sand to sea to sky. Quilt top: 30 fat quarters Batting: 68˝ × 94˝ If you want the quilt backing to be made Backing: 51/2 yards all 51/2 yards. blenders. greens. and you will have a nice Binding: 3/4 yard from the same fabric. Stripes. you will need additional yardage of that fabric or additional fat quarters in total. and more add dimension. As with most quilts that come together with a straightforward patchwork layout. grays. so the mix of textures is especially important. dots. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝. If you prefer square blocks. and beiges combine with pops of more saturated versions of those colors.I wanted to emphasize the vertical nature of grass in this quilt. This quilt has many fabrics with similar values. Beach Grass 33 . Note If you have directional fabrics. Otherwise. the best way to change the size of this quilt is to add or subtract columns or rows of blocks. feel free to make them square. you can buy 4 yards of fabric and piece together the remainder. This kind of quilt benefits from that mix of quiet with a bit of bright to keep it from falling totally flat. look of the finished quilt. so the blocks aren't square. you will need piece left over. You will not get the block length The pattern is written to take advantage of as many fabrics as possible. Hushed tones of blues. needed if the fabric design but you can stick to just one or a few background choices to change the runs parallel to the selvage.
22˝ Figure B A. Making a few extra blocks isn't more work. 4. cut the added variety in blocks results in additional strips 2˝–3˝ more of a scrappy look. 1 strip toward the center strip. each measuring 81/2˝ × 91/2˝.Cutting Instructions Quilt Top Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. 18˝ 8˝ 8˝ 2˝–3˝ Keep the center strip in your block vertical. preferred method of binding. just aim to cut them roughly in half. Your finished quilt Cut fat quarters. will include only 80 blocks. However. Alternatively. Trim the piece from Step 2 into 2 blocks. ters. Don't worry about being precise. Use the extra wide to total 44 narrow blocks on the back of your quilt or as strips. 3. to add variety to the placement in the quilt. use 20 fat quarters to start and make 80 blocks only. Figure A 2˝–3˝ wide. you can cut it a little bit wonky. Sew a contrasting 2˝–3˝ strip vage to cut edge). if possible. Friends. and •• From 8 fat quarters. You should get 4 blocks from each fat quarter. cut on the crosswise grain of the fat quarters (from sel- 1. 2. Sew strips together. if you like. . cut 2 strips 8˝ wide Press the seam allowance open or and. Cut the 8˝-wide strips in half lengthwise. To yield longer strips. Repeat Steps 1–3 to make 88 blocks total. the start of a baby version of Beach Binding •• Cut as needed for your Grass. Food & Quilts B. •• From each of 22 fat quar- between the 2 halves of the 8˝ strip. Cut blocks 81/2˝ × 91/2˝. 34 A Month of Sundays—Family.
" With no ocean in sight. I settled for rainstorms and movies that take place near the ocean to keep me company while making this quilt: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and Finding Nemo (for when the kids were awake)." Beach Grass 35 .
Whether you go for a your walking foot if you gently guide the quilt light background with bright or dark center through your machine. Sew the rows together and press the seams open or in one direction. and go Turn Up the Volume back again. you can align the angles of the center strips by row or column. cross over. Finishing Trim the excess batting and backing. 8.5. 7. and quilt top. Like its inspiration. so aim for a balance of colors. Assemble the quilt top using chain piecing (page 137). be sure to alternate the directions so the seams nest when you sew together the rows. Assemble the quilt back to measure 68˝ × 94˝. 36 A Month of Sundays—Family. Baste with your preferred method. much like the grass would wave High-contrast blocks give this quilt a com- in the wind. If you are pressing the seams to one side. Gentle curves are a cinch with pletely different look. This design also lends itself make it move. Layer the backing. batting. I wanted to focus on the idea of beach grass blowing in the breeze. and attach the binding. the strips or you mix it up. This is quite an angular quilt. beach grass in this quilt doesn't need much to funky quilt. without too much of one color in any one place—but don't worry too much. so we (my longarm quilter and I) went with wavy lines. Quilt! For the quilting on this. square up the quilt. Set. If you cut your blocks wonky. Arrange the blocks into 10 rows of 8 blocks each. 9. The lines come together. Ready. you will get a bold. well to a mix of solid fabrics. scrappylooking quilt. Friends. Food & Quilts . 6. This is a fun.
Creating them is a Sunday activity itself—first the gathering of the rocks. We use buttons as the game pieces. but painted rocks also work well.Button Sudoku Finished quilt: 27˝ × 27˝ 10˝ precut square friendly I may or may not have created a few addicts pinch-hitting as a little picnic table topper when I brought a couple of Sudoku books to when necessary. a family vacation a few years back. It travels well. Button Sudoku 37 . This fun game is modeled after the famous numbers game. then the painting of them. This one is easy enough for the preschoolers and grandparents.
3. Fold in both ends of the strip to make a neat hem. add an additional line 1/4˝ away from the first lines. Cut 4 strips 21/2˝ × width of fabric. Layer the backing. 2. batting. each 12˝ long from each finished end. catching the ties in the stitching. Food & Quilts . Finishing 1. Assemble the quilt top using chain piecing (page 137). but with subtle variations Binding and ties: 3/8 yard Batting: 31˝ × 31˝ Backing: 1 yard Buttons: 82 (9 each of 9 different colors. and quilt top.Materials Needed Quilt top: 9 squares 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ in the same neutral color. 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ Elastic: 4˝ piece of 1/4˝ elastic Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. then fold and topstitch along all the edges. 2. Baste with your preferred method. If desired. Finish binding by machine or hand. To make the ties. The remaining strips will be used to bind the quilt. use 1 strip to create a piece of binding tape (page 140). Set. 1. Quilt! Quilt the mat by stitching in the ditch between each block. plus 1 more of any color for the bag's button) The buttons don't have to be the same. Sew on the binding. Quilting 38 A Month of Sundays—Family. Ready. Arrange 9 squares into 3 rows of 3 squares each. The idea is to create a 3 × 3 grid in each block. Then add quilting lines at the 3˝ and 6˝ marks of each square. 3. Cut the strip into 2 pieces. Pin the unfinished ends of the 2 ties to the back of the quilt at the center of a side. but you do need 9 Button bag: 4 squares in each color. Friends.
Button Sudoku 39 .
Friends. Pin it in the center of the pressed edge on one side. slide 6. Turn one bag right side 5. Place the bag on the folded quilt and roll up the quilt around the bag for transport and storage. sew together 4. Fold over one bag inside the other. Fill the bag with the buttons. Put button bag together. with the loop to the outside. with the ties on the outside. Align the top edges and hem 1/4˝ from the 2 matching 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ squares on 3 sides. of each bag. Use the ties to hold everything together. 2. With wrong sides together. the top edge and slip the elastic around the button to close it. With wrong sides together.Make the Button Bag 1. Storing Fold the quilt in thirds. 40 A Month of Sundays—Family. elastic. Fold and press a 1/2˝ hem at the open end 41/2˝ from the bottom. edge. Food & Quilts . 3. out. Make sure you catch the ends of the Repeat this step with the remaining 2 squares. Clip the corners. Make a loop with the piece of elastic. Sew a button to the other side of the bag.
COLOR MATCHING For the younger set. COLOR SUDOKU In the traditional Sudoku game. 2. 3. and grid. 1. The same goes for Color Sudoku. 2. The game is over when all buttons have been placed.Playing the Games Here are two different games to play with your new Button Sudoku. Set out the quilt and have the button bag handy. Take turns drawing buttons and placing them on the mat: one color only in each 3 × 3 grid. who might not grasp the concept of Sudoku. column. Take turns drawing buttons and placing them on the mat: a different color per row. Button Sudoku 41 . It's another way to learn colors and spend some time with the little ones. the goal is to have one of each number 1–9 in each row. 1. turn this into a color-matching game. Keep drawing until no more buttons can be placed within the rules. Set out the quilt with the button bag handy. column. and 3 × 3 grid.
pinwheels. however. Sitting around. Friends. Fighting the crowds is stressful. 42 A Month of Sundays—Family. and toy drums. waiting for one to start. Food & Quilts .Parade Pennants Finished pennant: 12˝ × 10˝ Fat quarter friendly Kids love a parade. the kids can have their own homemade parade with their friends and neighbors instead. then tromp through the forest for fallen sticks. can be interminably boring. Why not bring the parade home? Encourage the kids to pick the fabric for this project. If you throw in some penny candy.
Make a mark at 43/4˝. Trace the template onto the fabric and the fusible and cut 4 triangles from the fabric and 2. Cut out the template. Following the manufacturer's directions for your fusible. Refold the bias tape and press again. Cut 6 bias strips 2˝ wide. Draw a line 101/2˝ surface. open the outer folds and press the ends under 1/4˝. Place a fabric triangle on an ironing paper. Join the ends and cut a 49˝ strip and a 22˝ strip for each pennant. Make a sandwich of your fabric and fus- drawing a 91/2˝ horizontal line on a piece of ible. Fold and press as shown in Binding Tape (page 140). Make a paper template for the triangle by 3. 9½˝ Draw triangle template. press until the layers are fused together as a single unit. On the short side of the pennant. Top it with the tri- up from that mark. Repeat to make 2. wrong side up. angle. right side up. Connect the top point to angle of fusible. Parade Pennants 43 . 2 from the fusible. 3. APPLYING THE BIAS TAPE 10½˝ 1. 2. To finish the ends of the bias tape. Cover with another fabric the ends of the 91/2˝-long line to create a tri- triangle.Materials Needed For two pennants: Pennants: 1 fat quarter Binding: 1/2 yard Double-sided heavy-weight fusible interfacing: 11˝ × 25˝ piece. such as fast2fuse Some Assembly Required MAKING THE TRIANGLES 1. measure and mark 2˝ from each corner. 4.
backstitching to reinforce the corner. and there's no chance of on. 5. attaching the bias tape to the pennant. first across the end and then along the length. Sew 1/8˝ from the open edge of the bias 8. Doing this is a bit finicky. Go Slowly 2˝ 2˝ Stitch slowly as you attach the bias tape. Tie the pennants to sticks. Continue sewing. but patience will be your friend for success. Add bias tape binding. Friends. You want to 8˝ ensure that both sides of the bias tape are caught by the stitches. folding back the bias tape on itself. These clips will hold better beside the bias tape that is already stitched than pins. poles. Back Away from the Pins 7. backstitch for a few stitches in and out of the corner for extra reinforcement. Pin it to a pennant at the that it lies smooth. or even the bedpost and let the parade begin! 44 A Month of Sundays—Family. Fold the bias tape around the corner so piece of bias tape. folding the bias tape at the cor- the triangle's edge.4. Measure 8˝ from one end of a 49˝-long 6. folding the second piece of bias tape in being poked. Repeat Steps 5–7 to attach the bias tape to the other pennant. the opposite direction. Food & Quilts . until you get 1/2˝ from the corner. of the pennant. When you reach the pennant. Continue sewing around left-hand mark. leaving Fold the bias tape back on itself. 9. This is a fast project. Make a mitered corner by ners until you get 1/2˝ from the other mark. tape. Continue sewing to the end of the bias tape and then stitch across the end. Wrap the bias tape around the pennant. but you don't need to rush through this step. as in Step the 8˝ tail free and perpendicular to the edge 4. Position the 22˝ piece of bias tape by mea- Use binding clips to hold the corners suring 8˝ from one end and pinning the piece in place.
Parade Pennants 45 .
Food & Quilts .46 A Month of Sundays—Family. Friends.
But there is no excuse not to eat well on the weekends. It's more about the process than the end result. mugs of coffee and hot cocoa. It also feels like a treat.Eat There is a good reason why Friday night is often pizza night for many people. we'll need to eat at some point. Eat 47 . It's the time for trips to the bakery and farmers' market. Who wants to cook? It's the start of the weekend and the end of a long week. and good meals with good friends. Sure. a launch into a few days where the rules are slightly different. the bedtimes are later. I might make a big batch of food to take us into the coming week. simmering stock. pinching dumplings. Instead I'm roasting tomatoes. and accepted laziness begins. Or I might try some fancy dessert just for fun. it's a time to putter and experiment in the kitchen. For me. or mixing cookie dough—puttering. but I'm not necessarily in the kitchen to make dinner.
are the mornings. If to time. I'm a from- the butter will be transformed into for our scratch cook. a cake. prepped for use. My young assistant is now sitting always butter. or some of butter.) her unwrapping the butter and cutting it into My favorite moments in the kitchen. I'm not immune to burnout and exhaustion with the daily challenge of putting a good meal on the table for my family. She's also pretty darn cute up there. cakes. kneading. muffins. Or it might just be waiting there. counter—the perfect spot for pouring. Other than pasta and an odd box second breakfast. mixing. a man who is still corn for dinner. It's better that way. the kitchen is a mess of flour believe games. we decide on just what repetitive prep work in the kitchen. I don't even mind the baker in the family. the enthusiastic dreaming about tastes. style—butter in everything and lots of it. soft. thing without having to navigate her chair. They both settle for cheese and some bubbly on the side. then trying to get someone to make him deep-fried it's popcorn with truffle oil and parmesan bacon-wrapped butter. By the time the oven is warmed or the waffle with the kids moving between TV and make- iron is ready. to be spread on bread and topped with honey. of course! allowing access to our tools and baking ingre- That being said. (If I'm feeling decadent. Food & Quilts . and asking questions. monkey bread. waffles. because now I have access to every- cookies. She Then there are the nights when we have pop- gets this from her father. 48 dients. There is butter on the counter. Friends. and giggles. We go out for sushi or steak when I she had her way. I buy filled pasta and jarred sauce from time It is always her job to unwrap the butter. we would cook Paula Deen simply have no energy or inclination to cook. setting it just so. it is hard to find much in the way mies and tie one on my assistant. She pulls a of premade or processed foods in my house. waiting to be turned into pan- directly on the counter.Mmmm… I love everything about cooking—starting with After a snuggle with the kidlets and a consul- the search through cookbooks for recipes and tation with my middle one. I'm still in my jammies. still Excepting chocolate. while giving her full access to the wide chunks. I put an apron over my jam- of crackers. From her A Month of Sundays—Family. though. chair into the kitchen. even if her butt is pressed into an extra knob biscuits. or maybe a fruit crisp. scones.
perch. baths. we actually eat breakfast together as a family at the table. adds flour. and maple syrup becomes a condiment for everything from bacon to tea. There is fruit. and my husband makes his coffee instead of going out for it. She also weeknight evening meal before homework and watches out the window for cheeky squirrels. we On the weekends. she cracks eggs. The conversations are even sillier. Even our little girls have don't scoff at the greater use of fingers as utensils. and sneaks the goodies eating of the weekend breakfast versus the we might be popping into our baking. scrapes the sides of learned the difference between the languid the bowl. Eat 49 . It's Sunday morning.
as I get continual pleasure from these small "Watch this. Celebrate Sunday. So much for their morning entertainment. in addition chat with the family. so I turned it into my table or the comfy chair. Friends. Celebrate the people we share our meals with. I breathe contentment. Sometimes the girls sit to a place where we could actually eat. or creating bookmarks in your web browser I still love browsing through my collection helps you keep track of your favorite recipe of magazines and cookbooks. might be quicker. and gathering around food. Food & Quilts . maybe not. One with me and point out recipes they find inter- weekend I decided to make pancakes for the esting. Using online bulletin boards. settling at the dining hours in the kitchen. here are some ways to enjoy the shopping." She was referring to my habit investments. room table. and cookbook and magazine library. of going through nearly every magazine in search of a recipe when I had the hankering to make something. any quick search with an ingredient in mind will reveal so many ideas and inspiration for Sunday dinner. Going online inspirations. She said to her boyfriend only. Either way. A Month of Sundays—Family. such as Pinterest. No one really I pull a big stack of books or magazines to the used the dining room. 50 If you do go online. cooking. Celebrate the bounty and beauty of the food we grow and create with. Celebrate the luxury of time in the kitchen or around the dinner table. Usually my husband just sighs because whole house. Window-Shop When I first moved in with my husband. but I still prefer to flip pages. we had a pile of roommates. Unfortunately for them. I knew exactly where I was going that morning. flip aimlessly.Maybe you are a weekend warrior in the kitchen. One roommate grabbed her boy- it means I'm probably spending the next few friend and their coffee.
there are still ways to find pleasure among the cutting boards and onions. and more. Almost.Gather If you aren't a cook by nature. Just be with your and goes by quickly when the effort and time friends. If you don't want to cook at all. hit a local Italian market or deli. Don't worry about making it perfect or pretty. with each person bringing part of the dinner. Add some gorgeous fruit and good wine and you have the over takeout. don't apologize for not making your dip or crackers. cookies. Prepare a meal to share together or cook a big batch of something like tomato sauce. Load up on meats. You can also share the effort with Whether you cook as a group or come together a potluck. Gathering is the important part—the food is almost irrelevant. Gather friends or family to help you cook. or enchiladas. and fruit. are shared. cheeses. a meal shared with others is a special thing. olives. and you dread the hour before dinner needs to be on the table. Eat 51 . Don't feel bad if you did nothing but take it out of its box and put it on a pretty plate. Gather with good food and everything is just a little bit better. dumplings. The food serves as a backdrop to the conversation and companionship. The work is easier Other options include melting chocolate and serving it with cake. Buy a great cake from a good bakery and brew some coffee. peppers. Whatever you do. start of a good party.
It is low stress for the kids and relax. sugar. Ask your friends to join you. And treats they are—to bake and to eat. I can only fake the enthusiasm for pretend skunks and tigers for so long. 52 It might be Friday night for Thai or Saturday afternoons at the neighborhood coffee shop. Frankly. The restau- not have to deal with the dishes. and muffin mixes in the grocery stores makes me a little bit sad. take this chance to get out. Bake I must admit. Hands Off Even if you do like to cook. When I've reached the breaking point of parenting play. there is nothing in terms of behavior expectations and food wrong with going out to eat. Change the proportions and add some other ingredients to create the individual treat. baking anything with chocolate will divert my children from whatever they are doing into the kitchen. And it is leisurely for us parents. If you've kept your kids out of the kitchen until now. cookies. In my family. We weekend. enjoy the sunshine. Brownies. and cakes are just variations on the magic combination of butter. then start with this easy baking. I bring out my trump card—baking chocolate chip cookies. If you aren't a cook or baker. I have a hard time playing dolls or cars with the kidlets. and flour. cookie. when there is no real pressure to can sip our caffeine. Baking these things from scratch is easy and almost foolproof. this is always the best way to bring them in. Especially on the choices. Food & Quilts . The proliferation of brownie. rants are full of energy when you aren't. and return home at any specific time. on the weekends. stools and aprons in hand before the chocolate chips are out of the cupboard. eggs. Friends. A Month of Sundays—Family.When in Doubt. explore. we like to go out for brunch Either way.
Put them together for an easy weekend meal. each one of these recipes is easy and tasty. whether that is Sunday dinner with the family or Saturday night with friends. Eat 53 .Weekend Cooking Taken on their own.
pine nuts. tomatoes. and toss with a simple citrus vinaigrette. Store the leftovers in the Just like in a good quilt. feta •• 1 part lemon juice/orange juice/lime juice* cheese. walk away from it. Frankly. but it's not the only place. A Month of Sundays—Family. add some nuts or a bit of cheese for an added dimension. Make your salad room temperature before using. red onion. Use what is in season at the market. salad starts with lettuce. apple. sunflower seeds •• Oranges. walnuts. that is a pretty good place to start. roasted beets. Let the vinaigrette come to of colors as well as flavors. Seriously. aged cheddar 54 •• 3 parts olive oil/grapeseed oil •• 1 tsp Dijon mustard •• 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup •• Salt and pepper Combine everything for the vinaigrette in a jar or bottle with a tightly fitting lid. mushrooms. baby greens. butter lettuce. * To make a basic vinaigrette. pecans •• Asparagus. Friends. The possibilities are endless. spinach. use your favorite vinegar in place of the citrus juice. cucumbers. •• 3 cups loosely packed greens (mesclun. goat cheese •• Celery. pretty and tasty. almonds. poached or boiled eggs. cooked quinoa. Food & Quilts . young beet leaves. and so on—mix it up each and every time) •• 2 cups added veggies or fruit •• 1 cup nuts or 1/2 cup cheese Potential Flavor Combinations Basic Citrus Vinaigrette •• Tomatoes. Shake and toss with your salad. pine nuts •• Peaches. Just stay away from the iceberg lettuce.A GOOD SALAD For most people. aim for a balance fridge for a week.
It also provides extra-crispy skin for the cook to steal as the chickens rest before serving. I strongly recommend seeking out organic and free-range chickens if possible. A few minutes of the neck. Wash your hands. for 30 minutes. then roast two. By making two at once. Place the chickens on top. 3–4 pounds each cavity of each chicken. If you don't have it. Carefully slide your hand between the skin and the breast of the chicken. Mix them together with 1 tbsp olive oil and a generous pinch of salt. The added cost will translate into a better dinner and more meat. separate the skin from the meat as much as you can. Working slowly. Line the bottom of a 9˝ × 13˝ •• 3 tbsp olive oil •• 1 lemon •• 1 medium onion •• Salt and pepper baking pan with the onions. Remove the Preheat your oven to 425°F. and cook for another 30–35 minutes. and dinner is chicken stock you are going to make later). chickens from the oven and let them rest 15 minutes before serving. if still attached (reserve it for the prep work. rub the garlic and rosemary mixture on the breasts of the chicken. Wash your hands again. Rub the chickens with the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. you can either Double-check the cavity of the bird for any serve a large crowd or ensure that you have innards and discard them. an hour in the oven.ROAST CHICKENS If you are going to go to the effort of roasting Rinse the chickens and pat them dry. This bird will be naturally plump and actually flavorful. •• 6 cloves garlic don't worry about it. leftovers for lunches and another supper later in the week. breast side down. Resist the urge to pick at the crispy skin that entire time. tie up the legs. Eat 55 . Don't be shy. If you have butcher's twine. done. Peel the onion and slice it •• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary into large rings. Using your hands. For me. carefully flip over the chickens. Cook the chickens. Place a garlic clove and half of a lemon in the •• 2 roasting chickens. Reduce the heat of the oven to 375°F. Finely chop 4 cloves of garlic and the rosemary. that is worth the extra bird! This is the Sunday night dinner your kids will remember well into their later years. underneath the skin. Remove a chicken.
•• Salt and pepper in a tart shell. and a splash of balsamic vinegar. some feta cheese. Or toss them with pasta. Roma tomatoes oranges. Generously season with salt and pepper. They can touch one another. because 5 minutes of prep and 5 hours or more in the oven make for sublime eats. These tomatoes will do it. •• 4 tbsp olive oil Serve the curd on top of yogurt for breakfast. crumbly cookie for dipping. however—lemons. try another hour or so. 56 A Month of Sundays—Family. Put the pan in the oven and •• 3/4 cup sugar leave them to roast for at least 4 hours. Drizzle them with the olive oil and give •• 3 egg yolks the pan a little shake. Food & Quilts juice •• 1 tbsp zest (optional) •• 3 tbsp butter . The tomatoes are ready when they look just a bit dry and shriveled. You will be eating them like candy as soon as they come out of the oven. chopped rosemary. Any citrus fruit will do. blood oranges. or in a mound of cooked egg whites (a pavlova) for a fancy Preheat the oven to 300°F. They are perfect weekend food.SLOW-ROASTED TOMATOES CITRUS CURD So maybe you aren't a meat eater. Our favorite way is in a bowl with a buttery. Friends. They will be about half their original size. Make twice as many as you think you need. which makes for a very rich curd. but you want something stellar to sit beside your roast. •• 4 lbs. Meyer lemons are sweeter and less tart. because I guarantee that half of them won't make it to the dinner table. them out on baking sheets. Serve them on crusty bread slathered with goat cheese and topped with fresh basil. straight with a pile of fruit. My favorite is made with Meyer lemons. potentially stealing all the attention. Wash then cut the tomatoes in half. when they are in season. If you •• 1/2 cup citrus can be patient. Spread dessert. even grapefruit. but you don't want them in a •• 3 whole eggs pile. Or you are. right from the bowl with a big spoon. limes. I have a serious addiction to lemon curd.
Pat the mixture into your prepared pan. Add the zest. if using. But every now and then. whisking Whisk until the butter is melted. Cut the cookies into triangles (if you are using a round pan) or squares. Butter or spray with nonstick spray a 9˝ round cake pan or 9˝ × 9˝ baking pan. Add the cocoa nibs. Add the vanilla and mix well. This should take 3–5 minutes. I want something a bit different. WHOLE WHEAT BROWN SUGAR SHORTBREAD WITH COCOA NIBS Preheat the oven to 350°F. These cookies fulfill all my cookie requirements—a clear taste of butter. substitute mini chocolate chips. •• 1 cup allpurpose flour •• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or an electric mixer. It is important that you cut them while warm. Slowly add the flour to combine. Let cool completely before you enjoy them. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. stir together the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Let it cool in the fridge until thickened further and chilled. using a big spoon I love chocolate chip cookies as much as my kids do. softened •• 2 tbsp cocoa nibs •• 1/2 cup brown sugar Eat 57 . It might boil just a little as it thickens. In a sturdy bowl. Whisk together the flours and salt in a medium bowl. together well. otherwise you won't get them cut at all. until it is foamy and thickened. Remove the mixture from the heat as soon as it thickens. a slight crumble that falls to a mess on my lap. Cook on medium heat. and any sort of cocoa goodness. nearly constantly. Place plastic wrap right on the surface of the curd or transfer it to a jar. the richness of brown sugar. sugar.Combine the eggs. egg yolks. and butter. Bake for 20–25 minutes until lightly golden. Roast them for a few minutes in a hot oven for an intensified flavor. and Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a citrus juice in a medium saucepan and whisk it clean bowl. If you can't find them. Find cocoa nibs at health food or high-end grocery stores. •• 1/2 tsp salt •• 1 tsp vanilla •• 1 cup butter.
and I'm not sure I ever will. I made my way through books and books of crosswords to keep my brain engaged. while on bed rest with my first baby. pen) than with a crossword puzzle–inspired quilt? 58 A Month of Sundays—Family. fat quarter. Food & Quilts . What better way to take advantage of that time with the newspaper and pen (yes.Crossword Finished quilt: 76˝ × 76˝ | Finished block: 41/2˝ × 41/2˝ Made by Cheryl Arkison. I enjoy the bits of time I do have to work on a crossword puzzle. Friends. Since then. However. quilted by Angela Walters Charm pack. or fat eighth friendly Full confession: I've never done the famous (or infamous) New York Times crossword.
If the black/white/gray scheme isn't to your liking. Choosing Fabrics The key to this quilt is having contrast between the "words" of the puzzle and the background. Batting: 81˝ × 81˝ Backing: 43/4 yards Binding: 3/4 yard Crossword 59 . Keep in mind that a larger variety of fabric means more variety in your squares and a good depth of variety for the background. but mixing it up provides much more visual interest.Easily change the size of the quilt by changing the size of the block or by playing with the layout. You can use a single fabric for the background. the Cutting Instructions indicate how many squares are needed. so your word squares stand out from the background. so expect a bit of leftovers Background fabric: 43/4 yards total in your background fabric or raid your (or 10 cuts of 1/2 yard each) scrap bin for the extra required. Try making up your own crossword puzzle and using that for your layout. as they are already in 5˝ × 5˝ squares. play around with colors. Word fabric: 6 fat quarters or 18 fat eighths You need just slightly more than 9 pieces. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝. Always keep value in mind. Adjust the number of squares needed for the "words" and background as needed when doing a custom layout. just to make it easier. If you are using charm squares. This quilt is designed with charm packs in mind. The material requirements provide yardage if you don't have charm squares.
This may be an extra step.Cutting Instructions Word Fabric Background Fabric Binding Cut 71 squares 5˝ × 5˝. Arrange the squares into 17 rows of and then sew the pieces to either side 17 squares each. Those letters are seams open or in one direction. It's a nice touch on what is essentially a simple quilt. the more variety the better. If you are pressing the seams to one side. 4. Arrange all the blocks on a flat surface (design wall. I sug- from two large strips of fabric. quilted in each designated square. Note: The following instructions refer to the quilt as it is shown in the project photos. Cut as needed for your pre- more variety the better. Set. 60 A Month of Sundays—Family. Sew the rows together and press the specific words in mind. and quilt top. the Cut 218 squares 5˝ × 5˝. Assemble the quilt top using chain piecing (page 137). it is gest using a design wall or flat surface and actually better to piece it in thirds. Assemble the quilt back to measure 81˝ × 81˝. Layer the backing. ferred method of binding. If you prefer a simpler design. After stitching the letters. 5. bed. before filling in the one full width of fabric in the middle. If you Although you can piece a quilt backing would like to create your own layout. Food & Quilts . Quilt! rows together. batting. Friends. I suggest a diagonal grid or a grid that echoes the seamlines. The layout of this quilt was indeed done with 3. Baste with your preferred method. You can follow the assembly diagram (page 62) or arrange the squares in a way that works for you. an allover design fills the background to add great texture. but it will help the quilt wear better over the long run. background. Put arranging your words first. or floor). 2. Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. cut the other piece of yardage in half. be sure to alternate the of the middle piece. 1. direction so the seams nest when you sew the Ready.
while you stitch away. Thus. where is the paper and my cup of tea?" Crossword 61 . Let your partner read the clues and wield the pen. while you are sewing on the binding is a great time to share the crossword with your partner. Now." It is impossible to stitch and write at the same time.
combination of two words (slang) Down 1. One foot in front of the other. the ultimate in tain the integrity of the design. printed fabrics throughout 5. just make sure you have good value contrast. Mix up your charm packs and showcase your favorite fabrics in this 6. Unwind. In the midst of it all. That doesn't mean you 4. and attach the binding. Teenagers do it. Sometimes we have to stop and do this 4. why can't we? 5. Quilting. Afternoon break. Take a few minutes to fill out the cross- 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 Quilt top assembly Finishing Trim the excess batting and backing. Laughter emanating from little kids 2. Ensure high contrast between the words and _______________ the background. Find the answers on page 143! 62 A Month of Sundays—Family. 7. Stopping. Value is very important to main- 3. Across 1. word for yourself. Babies do it. To fuel our tummies the piece. not lunch can't use bold. Not breakfast. why can't we? precuts.1 2 1 This pattern is based on real words 2 3 making up a real crossword. square up the quilt. Light from the sky 3. Friends. Food & Quilts . imported from the Brits Turn Up the Volume With construction based on charm squares. doing nothing now is the time to pull out all of your 2. this gives us a break 6. down the avenue updated patchwork.
I was always drawn to the sunny nature of their wedding photo. it was the 1980s). Sherbet 63 . that may have had something to do with the oh-so-cheerful peach and forest green combo I had going on in my room (yes. I had those colors on the brain when designing this quilt. and yellow combo makes me think of sherbet. and pure. Of course. sweet summer pleasure. my parents' wedding.Sherbet Finished quilt: 78˝ × 85˝ | Made by Cheryl Arkison. quilted by Angela Walters Fat quarter friendly When my parents got married in the mid-1960s. green. their wedding colors were mint green. and yellow. The orange. peach. Obviously.
cut 12 squares 21/2˝ × 21/2˝. you need to steer clear of large graphic prints that have a lot of white space. Confetti pieces: 5 fat quarters each of 3 colors (for maximum variety) Background fabric: 51/4 yards Backing: 51/4 yards Batting: 82˝ × 89˝ Binding: 3/4 yard Cutting Instructions Confetti Pieces Background Fabric To yield longer strips. Friends. •• Pick 2 fat quarters from each color range to become the center strip on the columns. though. Instead.To change up the size of this quilt. with the design floating on a sea of creamy white.) Binding Fabric •• Cut as needed for your preferred method of binding. cut on the crosswise •• Cut 16 strips 21/2˝ × width of fabric. make each column multicolored. you want to keep as much center strip. •• Cut 2 strips 21/2˝ from each fat quarter. To maintain the design effect. Pick three colors that you won't be tired of looking at while piecing and quilting. I do recommend sticking to an odd number of pieced columns for the best overall design. stick to prints that will provide good contrast with your background choice. Scale and value are very important in this quilt. 64 A Month of Sundays—Family. from grain of the fat quarters (from selvage to cut edge). or change the size of the background columns. •• Cut 6 strips 61/2˝ × width of fabric. If your fabric is less than 42˝ wide. •• Cut 7 strips 121/2˝ × width of fabric. (If the width of the fat quarter length in each strip as possible. Food & Quilts . you can make the pieced columns shorter. For a wilder. confetti-streamer effect. Trim Cut an additional 3 strips 21/2˝ for each just the selvage. is less than 21˝. cut 1 more strip. This quilt has more background than print. 1 strip. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝. The color of the background is not as important as ensuring good contrast with the confetti pieces. Choosing Fabrics The small scale of this quilt's confetti pieces requires careful fabric selection. cut an additional strip to total 7. use fewer or more columns.
if necessary) print strips for each column center. Pinning at this stage ensures that you do not pull and stretch the strips as you sew. Note Sherbet 65 . the ruler with the mark you just made. Try this trick to accurately measure MAKE THE CONFETTI COLUMNS 1. Smooth it down. Add 3–5 additional pins between the middle and the ends. ruler with the left end of the fabric and along the bottom edge. Pin at the middle. to make 41/2˝ × 21/2˝ sections. Press to the surface in front of you. Lay your fabric horizontally on a flat strips to each background strip. Add the other pieced row to the other side of the center strip. 3. and repeat for both sides of each column. Pick up the ruler and move the fabric to the left. keep its direction in mind as you are sewing together the blocks. Make another mark at the end of the ruler. sew 2 print long pieces without stretching the fabric: Get the longest ruler you have. Cut the pieced strips into 21/2˝ sections in the edge of the fabric at the end of the ruler. Trim 1˝ from a background square at one with the fabric's bottom edge. 2. Using the 21/2˝-wide strips. Repeat as many times as necessary to measure out the desired end of each pieced column so they each mea- length. might be easier to work from the right instead. 6. 4. If you are left-handed. Make a small mark with a pencil or fabric pen Piece strips. Sew with the pieced row on the top to make sure your seam allowances stay flat. Sew together 3 (or 4. Make 10 sets. Pick up the ruler and move the fabric to the left. Take Care If using directional fabric. Line up the end of from each set. Pin a pieced row to a matching color center strip. and then at each end. making sure the ruler also lines up Sew a 21/2˝ × 21/2˝ background square to a print square at one end. Cut 12 sections but don't stretch it.Some Assembly Required Accurately Measuring Long Strips Seam allowances are 1/4˝. it sure 611/2˝ long. Sew 15 sections from Step 2 end to end. Press the seam allowances open or toward the center strip. Line up the print strips. Trim to 611/2˝ long. The direction of the print changes from the first seam to the finished column. 5.
Food & Quilts . 2. Press the seams in one direction. end to end." that on the left edge of each column." A Month of Sundays—Family. Just keep the napkins handy. into 1 set of 3 and 2 sets You have an extra column. Cut more options with respect to color 2 strips 611/2˝ long from the set of 3. Having Options strips end to end. Cut 4 strips 611/2˝ long. 66 Stitching between ice cream cones on a sunny day seems about perfect. the MAKE THE QUILT TOP row begins with a whole background square. 1. Cut placement when it comes to piecing 2 strips 781/2˝ long from each set of 2. Make 6. together your quilt top. Sew together the 61/2˝-wide background and on the right edge. giving you of 2. Sew together the 121/2˝-wide background strips. I suggest you piece the unused column into the back of the quilt. Press the seams in one direction. the row begins with a trimmed background square. Friends.
Layer the backing. Quilt! Turn Up the Volume This quilt has a lot of white space. have Sherbet 67 . Arrange the pieced columns and the 61/2˝-wide background columns as shown in the skills. until the columns are joined. as in Step 6 of Confetti Columns (page 65). Sew and press the seam allowance toward the background column. Assemble the quilt back to measure 82˝ × 89˝. or your longarmer. showcase for your quilting. 4. After all the 61/2˝-wide columns are sewn together. and attach the binding. 5. providing a Put the lighter fabrics aside and go for Baste with your preferred method. Ready. For a truly bold look. Pin together the first 2 columns. square up the quilt. reverse the subtle by using a thread that matches the values—a dark background with light con- background fabric. Pin in the middle first. pressing each seam as you go. 7. batting. Add additional pins as necessary Quilt top assembly to keep either piece from stretching. Press the entire top well. 6. and then pin the ends. the assembly diagram (right).3. and quilt top. You can go bold by picking a pale version of one of your sherbet bold and bright on your confetti strips. If you. Sew and press toward the background strips. are well suited party started! to this quilt. Add the next column. Allover quilting designs. look for something a little more complex to fill the background space. Pin the horizontal 121/2˝ × 781/2˝ background strips to the top and bottom of the quilt top. Set. Press the seam allowances toward the background strips. Mix up the colors on each strip or try a rainbow colors for your thread or keep it relatively effect. Now that's the way to get the whether free motion or gridded. Finishing Trim the excess batting and backing. fetti pieces. pin and sew the 121/2˝ × 611/2˝ background strips to the sides.
Any-Size Aprons My youngest daughter is the resident baker in the family. In fact. and pretty darn cute. and all washable. somewhere around the age of three. Oh. her answer was "Baker!" Before her. often working to make baby food for her little sister. simple. Friends. Food & Quilts . 68 A Month of Sundays—Family. the first time she was asked what she wanted to be when she grows up. too. my oldest daughter was happy to be in the kitchen with me. Customized. I came up with this pattern guide to create aprons for them.
C MAKE THE APRON TEMPLATE PATTERN B 1. These fiddly details aren't important to making it work. It Will Fit Don't worry too much about whether you are getting the measurement at the start of the shoulder socket or in the middle or at the exact waist. With a few key measurements and a basic template you can make aprons for the entire family. I guarantee they will be appreciated. Matchy-matchy or not. Relax. Any-Size Aprons 69 .This is a guide more than a pattern. It allows you to make an apron to fit anyone. as long as you are close. you'll be fine. from a toddler on the stool beside you cracking eggs to grandma making Sunday roast. Materials Needed Toddler-Sized Apron Adult-Sized Apron 2 fat quarters 2 pieces 1 yard each 2 yards 1˝-wide grosgrain 3 yards 1˝-wide grosgrain ribbon or binding tape ribbon or binding tape Kid-Sized Apron 2 pieces 1/2 yard each Customizing (Optional) 21/4 yards 1˝-wide grosgrain fat quarter ribbon or binding tape Fabric scraps or additional Lightweight fusible Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. Use the following 4 key measurements to make a template before A you cut any fabric: D •• Waist (A) •• From the divot at the base of the neck and above the chest to the waist (B) •• Width between the start of the shoulder sockets (C) •• Waist to the top of the knee (D) Take measurements.
minus 2˝. Draw a line this length in the center of your pattern paper. 70 A Month of Sundays—Family. This is your apron shape. •• Using the top of that line.2. . It should look like a box. •• Draw lines down from the ends of line A equal to measure- D ment D. Mark the A + 2˝ midpoint of this line. it is simply a matter of marking them appropriately and connecting the dots. After you have the measurements. B – 2˝ •• Divide measurement A in half. •• From the midpoint of line A. Connect the ends of line C to the ends of line A. Food & Quilts Create apron template. Use the measurements from Step 1 to draw a pattern on a C large sheet of paper or directly on the wrong side of your fabric as described below. and then add 2˝. Friends. centered on the top of line B. Connect the line at the bottom. draw a line equal to line C. draw a line up equal to measurement B.
Clip the outside corners. Topstitch around the outer edges of the apron. Any-Size Aprons 71 . Press all the seams. cut out 8. and cut out the apron. place and pin the pattern to the fabric. before you sew the apron together. Sew all the way around the edges. 10. If you drew on a piece of paper. Pin the pieces together. Pin ties in place before sewing. pin the loose ends of the ties so that you don't accidentally catch them in apron's bottom edge. leaving an opening. right the apron right sides together. on top of the apron front and directly on the fabric. Place the apron front on a smooth surface. If you are customizing your apron (see Customizing sidebar. Give the seams a quick press. 6. Turn in the seams at the bottom opening to the inside. pin 2 of the ties 1/4˝ in from the corner. Kid: Cut 4 lengths 19˝ long. Remove the pins holding the ties down. Also. Repeat with the neck ties. At the waist. Get in the kitchen and cook! a seam. stopping and pivoting at the corners. making sure to catch the seams at the bottom edge.3. drew. Stop sewing a few inches from the other corner on the bottom edge. 4. Start sewing the pieces together on the the pattern on the line. Cut the waist and neck ties from ribbon or binding tape. Begin sewing a few inches from one corner. Turn the apron right side out through the opening. cut along the lines you ties. 9. Toddler: Cut 4 lengths 15˝ long. right side up. If you drew side facing in. Adult: Cut 4 lengths 24˝ long. page 72). do it now. Carefully place the apron back piece. Place and pin the 2 pieces of fabric for 7. 5.
or a straight stitch. Stitch ¹⁄8 ˝ from the edge on the bottom and sides of the pocket. Because the apron will be washed. Food & Quilts . perhaps a cupcake. Remove the pins and press again. perhaps on the front of the hip or on the chest. a blanket stitch. noncopyrighted image from a clipart or online source. Draw or trace the image and refer to Easy Turn in the seams at the opening. to create a square. Pin the pocket on the apron front where you would like it. 72 Add design. pick your favorite. machine. Add letter. A Month of Sundays—Family. Select an image that starting with a rectangle that is twice as you can draw or trace. Fold the rectangle in half. Clip the corners and turn the pocket right side out. Press. a long as it is wide—5˝ × 10˝ for example. 2. I suggest that you use the fusible web method and stitch around the outside edge of the shape with a satin stitch. wrong sides together. Top Appliqué (page 133) to attach it to the apron.Customizing All of the following customizing should be done before you assemble the apron. or a spatula. Friends. a flower. Make a pocket any size you'd like by on the size of the apron. If you aren't comfortable with your drawing skills. You can do this by hand or Add pocket. then sew 2 opposite sides together. stitch 1/4˝ from the edges. bird. ADD A LETTER OR DESIGN ADD A POCKET Plan the letter or motif you want to use based 1. 3.
Napkins with Built-In Ties Finished napkin: 16˝ × 16˝ When my family gave up paper towels and napkins for the more sustainable. I insisted that cloth napkins. I now have a coordinated set with individual markings provided by the homemade bias tape edge. Looking to limit laundry. cloth napkin. and frankly prettier. Napkins with Built-In Ties 73 . we struggled with one small detail—we had no napkin rings in the house. get used for more than one meal. With the built-in ties and decorative edge of these napkins. The only way we could then tell who used what napkin was by assigning different colors to each person. unless filthy with tomato sauce or butter.
Friends. Stitch the ties to the napkin square using an X shape in a rectangle. 74 A Month of Sundays—Family. Attach tie. Find the center point of the 161/2˝ × 161/2˝ napkin square. 3. Food & Quilts . Topstitch across the end. If you want to use a print for the napkin. the wrong side will be quite visible. and across the other end. along the long edge. Cut the napkin fabric into 4 squares 161/2˝ × 161/2˝. make sure you like the look of the fabric on both the right and wrong sides. Cotton will be similar. Fold under the ends of each 14˝ bias strip 1/4˝ and press. Or double up the napkin by basting two squares of fabric wrong sides together before attaching the ties and binding. Materials Needed Makes 4 napkins. Cut 4 additional bias tape pieces 14˝ long.I love the relaxed look of linen for these napkins. You can use any solid color for some gorgeously decorated tables. each 72˝ long. Cut the bias tape into 4 pieces. page 140) Some Assembly Required 1. 4. In a single layer. no larger than 3/4˝. Linen or cotton: 1 yard 1/2˝-wide double-fold bias binding tape: 93/4 yards (or make your own. These are the ties. 2. Pin the center of the topstitched bias tape ties to the center of the napkin square. but they will require pressing if you want a crisp look.
6. When the rolled edges meet. This is a compact way to store or transport the napkins.5. making sure the ties are on the outside. pack them in your picnic basket or leave them on the table for brunch. Then use the ties as you would a napkin ring—tying around the gathered fabric and fanning out the edges. Fold the bias tape to the other side of the napkin and stitch 1/8˝ from the edge of the bias tape. Napkins with Built-In Ties 75 . Press well. Napkin Folding There are three easy ways to fold these napkins for decorative and functional use. •• Gather the napkin by pinching the fabric 2˝ below the ties. •• Fold the napkin in thirds. •• Roll the sides of the napkin in toward the ties. Use a coordinating thread. Napkin and napkin ring in one. tie the napkin closed with the built-in ties. Attach the bias tape to the edges of the napkin as if it were bias binding on a quilt (page 141). Roll the sides in and tie.
76 A Month of Sundays—Family. Friends. Food & Quilts .
much like you would be selective in how you spend your time on your precious weekends. Likewise. To keep my fabric house in check. Be selective in what you spend your money on. it is like a derivative. but then I'd have a heck of a lot of fabric languishing in piles in the closet. This means I think of my stash as a bank. When we can buy anything we want. a skirt. The value is realized in a quilt. Buy what you truly love and can afford. combine. and create. but instead work to realize that promise in the here and now. I need to make sure I don't just hoard the fabric for the potential promise. It holds potential value. we don't value what we have.Shop When money is no object. Really. As a quilter. Shop 77 . gathering fabric just for the sake of collecting does no one any good. a bag. whenever we want. I keep it in storage on the promise of future value. Don't fall victim to the must-haves your friends are hoarding. I could have every fabric line I desire. The value of the fabric comes in bringing it alive as I cut. the object has no value. except the manufacturers and designers.
a low-key Saturday night meant a nice brunch filled with pastries and eggs Benedict. But we loved to dream. down the road from the space and money. he had car magazines to read. it was special to leave brunch or a T-shirt. other months we was when I had no kids and more disposable wandered wistfully through the store. He would pick up the latest crop of British car magazines. café aptly named Friends and Neighbours. we would start walking. In truth. Some the street in a busy shopping district was a fan- months we could afford to actually think tastic way to spend a Sunday afternoon. That about buying shoes there. it was the funky shoe store. Our first stop was always the bookstore/magazine rack. Then hand-in-hand with my man. always. I dragged A Month of Sundays—Family.Ooh… There was a time in my life when a stroll down After that. previous night—if we needed a big. greasy a rental that we were simply lucky to have breakfast. this is probably the only place Hubby wanted to stop. It was an extraordinarily good way to determine whether we would mesh well when we lived together. I mar- difference did it make to him? ried a man who adamantly hates walking. me income. On the other hand. Would he be okay if I wanted a red room? Did I care about the construction of that couch as much as he did? . Friends. and I would arm myself with cooking magazines and a novel. Food & Quilts We sat on couches. Hangovers in check. Furniture was a luxury of shopping district. him to some clothing stores to try on a million things and buy nothing more than a necklace In those days. But every now and then. Now my Sunday afternoons are more dreaming of those awesome purple heels and likely to involve trips to the big-box hardware he of a new pair of sneakers. with no definite again. so this was the only way I could get him to stroll with me. He was patient. so what plans but an amble down the avenue. I get wistful for those Sunday afternoons of old. usually followed by browsing Our route depended on the activities of the for furniture. We lived in the tiniest of houses. store or maybe a bike ride with the kiddos. made fun of ugly lamps. and wonder about the homes we would eventually have. our walk was a loop through the found at the time. 78 If we were still up for it at this point.
ten years into homeownership and three kids later. Shop 79 . Just don't get me started on car shopping. It seems silly now. Come to think of it. to look back at afternoons spent furniture shopping as romantic. even though we have radically different butts? In those afternoons. that like all men he wanted a giant TV (but refused to have an ugly couch). I don't miss those lazy Sunday strolls down the avenue at all. and that we both love midcentury modern design. But that's our life now. Only now furniture shopping requires a babysitter or dividing our attention between choosing the right table and making sure our kids aren't wrecking anything in the store.Could we both be comfortable in those dining room chairs. They brought me the life I have now. let alone telling of our future (especially because we still have furniture to shop for). We agreed that one day we would have a house with a wraparound porch and that the best sofa would be one that is both deep and long enough for him to sleep on. I learned that his dream home is a giant bungalow.
A little dreaming goes a long way. as much as the budget allows. and take a stroll down Main Street. It isn't any different from flipping through home magazines or quilt books. wishing. Even if your stores are open on Sunday. Food & Quilts This is your chance to try something you've never had before. Stroll down a street with interesting stores. Now you can really see what the stores were hoping to do with their displays. make a push to support small businesses. The act of dreaming. too— well. and plotting gets your brain working creatively. a dress you've eyed that is now on sale. Instead of letting this drive you batty with lost opportunities. windowshopping is perfect for the early-morning or late-night crowd. Link arms with your sweetie. so treat yourself and buy without purpose. look through the windows. Buy without Purpose Sunday Shopping In some communities. hold hands with your littles. The mall does not have to be part of your weekend plans! In this age of online shopping.For many among us the idea of going to a mall on the weekend is torture. Shopping on the weekend is often without purpose. Maybe it is a new-to-you vegetable at the farmers' market. 80 A Month of Sundays—Family. or the justreleased book by a trending author. stores are closed on Sundays. and imagine all that you would buy with a million dollars. and the windows are the focus of attention. It can be just the right poke to your creativity to get you going on something new. Friends. The streets are quiet. let it guide you to take a different route—grab a coffee and window-shop. instead of fighting crowds of shoppers just for a glimpse. .
browse the booths filled with yarn. You are pretty much guaranteed something creative and unique. but I think we are the exception. perfect for when you don't have the time to make a gift yourself. Producers come to sell their wares and their stories. how it is grown. without having to leave your own. There are other families that go to two farmers' markets a week for groceries. Pick up the story of the person selling you the treat. and how to cook it. Shop 81 . or the gravel parking lot. what's stopping you? Swing by to stroll through the aisles. Knowing the people behind the food is as important as where it comes from. Don't just pick up the flowers or the homemade pie. and more. If you are looking for a birthday present or unique gift. jewelry.Farmers' Market Farmers' markets are perfect for exploring the communities around you. the field. not the norm. If you haven't been to your local market lately. The market is also great for crafts and artisan goods.
sure nothing is wrecked and everything gets Hit the sections you might not normally buy from to see what's out there—maybe a new interest will be sparked. I would definitely encourage them to try their hand at this most fundamental start to entrepreneurship. Then help them get stocked with lemonade— preferably the real stuff—and even help them spread the word with social media. the drinks were just a side business. I bookstore. my friend and I were trying to sell our painted rocks. The staff doesn't mind kids pulling I find it nearly impossible to enter a bookstore things down to explore. though. Friends. come summer.) Browse the Books I can happily spend an hour or two walking Take your kids along. we all usually leave with a treat. treats. My favorite store up and down the aisles of even the smallest in town has an adult side and a kids' side. pulling books and daydreaming can be on my side and see and hear them all about the time I might have to read them. In the end. But I've trained the kidlets to return items to the shelf so as not to interrupt my browsing time.Lemonade Stands I should have a bumper sticker that states. But the time. (Painted rocks are optional. we would often set up on the corner. I keep cash in my car for the express purpose of buying at any lemonade stand I should happen across. Food & Quilts . provided you return your books on time. As kids. too. Pick up something trashy for pure Don't forget the library too. great price. Really. If your kids are old enough and so inclined. so long as I make without buying something. with lemonade or powdered iced tea. Dig through the piles at the used bookstore for loved books for a 82 put back. "I Brake for Lemonade Stands!" In fact. These are free pleasure. A Month of Sundays—Family. Find a relatively busy corner where you can feel comfortable that they are safe.
Wandering. Even if you are just heading to the grocery store. so you can run errands or shop unencumbered. Alone time in a fabric store? Now that's a real luxury. Shop 83 . this kind of shopping feels indulgent. pulling.Go It Alone It is often on the weekend that those of us with kids will get the chance to have some alone time. stacking. even when all you're buying is milk. and dreaming. When you are at the store alone. No impatient toe taps from a partner or spending more time putting bolts away after the kids pull them out. Leave your partner in charge of the kids. Just the peace of not having to repeatedly say "no" and keep sticky fingers off everything is enough. you have the luxury of reading every label on every shampoo bottle so you can pick just the right one or of spending fifteen minutes in the magazine aisle.
Friends. Food & Quilts groceries can amount to a full afternoon of work. It also saves you money because you are focused at the store and less likely to buy something just because it's there. With various diets and special requests. While we steal the moments to relax when we can. You can simplify that process by creating a master grocery list to streamline your shopping and ensure that your house remains stocked. what can we do when the weekly chores get in the way? Make them as simple as possible. Grocery shopping for the week is often a weekend activity. just getting the 84 A Month of Sundays—Family.Master the Simple List As much as we want to spend Sunday afternoons in a hammock with some iced tea and a good book. minimizing weeknight forays to the store. . it's a luxury we need to create.
write those down. store and avoid backtracking because you missed an item. your bags. so print out at least a few months' worth. Shop 85 . If more than one person does the shopping. You could organize your list to reflect the way your kitchen is organized: baking supplies. 6. lemons for your tea and frozen blueberries 5. Don't worry about and copy your master grocery list. If it will get finished in the coming week. And definitely use pretty paper. Use specific brand names if 2. basic pantry items. But if you always have have a preference. make sure you have The second way to organize is by the way you walk the aisles in the grocery store. 4. Leave sorting them at this point. condiments. someone else is doing the shopping and you dairy. or even handwrite you use on a regular basis. This is a great way to do it if you have a large household where many Make sure there is a pen available with the list. cupboard door. and so on. note the aisle numbers and what each aisle contains. mark it on the list. Take stock of your pantry and standard Use a table in a simple word-processing pro- recipe lists. people are either cooking or constantly Before you head out the door to grab coming in and out of the kitchen. just get them some empty spots for seasonal items or spe- down on paper. Now there are two ways you can sort your grocery list. Start by listing all the ingredients gram.Here's how to create and use a master grocery list: 1. build a spreadsheet. mark it on the list. the weekly groceries. mark it on the list. cial requests. sible spot in the kitchen—the fridge. you can pick up some flowers as a treat. pinned to a bulletin board. on a 3. and produce you use weekly. Then print out multiple copies. and your floral wrap (page 98)—with the money you save with this focused shopping. Next time you are at the grocery store. If you want something in particular. You will use one a week. so don't worry about that as much. Most grocery stores are organized in a similar fashion and put similar items together. If you finish something. this is a great way to minimize time in the your list. Your produce may change by the season or with what's available in the market. Now you need to give an orientation to everyone in your household. Look in your fridge for all the condiments. Post your master list in an easily acces- for your oatmeal.
Hugs and Kisses
Finished quilt: 90˝ × 63˝ | Finished block: 9˝ × 9˝
Made by Cheryl Arkison
Fat quarter and 10˝ precut square friendly
You'll never find me far away from a piece of paper and pen. If my sketchbook isn't handy, I'll
doodle quilt concepts on anything. My daughters love to sketch quilts too. This quilt comes entirely from a sketch my daughter made. She was learning how to play tic-tac-toe, and her random
scratches of X's and O's struck me for their graphic nature. Together we drew and came up with
this quilt.
To make this quilt both easy and representative of the initial inspiration, the X's and O's are
raw-edge appliquéd to the background pieces. You could piece the X's precisely or in an improv
style if you prefer. Hand appliqué the O's for a more refined look.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
Choosing Fabrics
The color scheme for this quilt came from a store window. It was a clothing
store for girls (older than my daughters, but much younger than me), so
I've never been in the store. But I stopped and stared at the window forever
because the combination of peach, pink, and gray was entrancing and ethereal. When I started pulling fabrics, the combinations were initially a little
too soft, but the blue was the jumping-off point to some contrast.
There isn't a lot of contrast of value, however, in the fabrics within the quilt.
The values blend quite a bit, softening the quilt even more than the colors
do. Therefore, it's important to really pay attention to scale. Because the
value changes are subtle, scale plays a big role.
Don't hesitate to stick with a single color background for the X's and O's if
that is your preference.
Materials Needed
Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝.
Quilt top: 35 fat quarters (for
maximum variety)
Batting: 94˝ × 67˝
Backing: 51/2 yards
Binding: 3/4 yard
Freezer paper (optional)
Fabric glue or lightweight fusible
web (optional)
Cutting Instructions
Quilt Top
•• Cut 2 squares 91/2˝ × 91/2˝ from each fat
quarter for a total of 70 squares.
X's and O's
•• Draw a template for the O's using a compass, 2 bowls/plates, or freehand to create
an O shape no longer or wider than 8˝.
•• Draw a template for the X's using a ruler or
by eye. The X should be no longer or wider
than 8˝. The width of the "lines" that make
up the X should be about 11/2˝– 2˝. Cut out
your template.
•• Refer to Easy Appliqué (page 133) to cut
The width of the "lines" that make up the
18 O's and 24 X's from a variety of fabrics
O should be about 11/2˝– 2˝. Cut out your
based on your choice of appliqué method.
•• Cut as needed for your preferred method of
Hugs and Kisses
Some Assembly
Seam allowances are 1/4˝.
1. Pair up the X's and O's with background
squares. Use the techniques in Evaluating
Value (page 15) to make sure there is contrast
between the appliqué and the background.
2. Appliqué the X's and O's to the back-
Quilt top assembly diagram
ground blocks, using your preferred appliqué
3. Arrange the blocks into 7 rows of
10 blocks each. You can follow the quilt top
assembly diagram (right) or arrange the
blocks in a way that works for you. (For that
matter, you can also make more or less appliqués to suit your design preference.)
4. Assemble the quilt top using chain
Ready, Set, Quilt!
You have choices when it comes to quilting
this quilt. You can outline your X's and O's
by repeating the appliqué stitching and then
stitch a background design. Or you can stitch
an allover design that tacks down the rawedge appliqué. This quilt will look better the
more it is used and washed, so don't fuss too
piecing (page 137). If you are pressing the
much about the quilting—those raw edges will
seams to one side, be sure to alternate the
become nice and soft over time.
direction so the seams nest when you sew
together the rows.
5. Sew the rows together and press the
seams open or in one direction.
Trim the excess batting and backing, square
up the quilt, and attach the binding.
6. Assemble the quilt back to measure
94˝ × 67˝.
7. Layer the backing, batting, and quilt top.
Baste with your preferred method.
Turn Up the Volume
Pick your favorite color combination to
give a whole pile of hugs and kisses to
someone you love. A single background
color with bold choices for the X's and O's
is a surefire way to declare your love from
the rooftops for all to hear.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
I sat with my daughter in the sun." To complete the circle of this quilt." Hugs and Kisses 89 . guiding the needle as we stitched the binding down together.
but sometimes you just need a break from all that energy. She would tattoo herself in multicolored bands. No. obsessed isn't a strong enough word to describe her love of stripes. This quilt still has loads of stripes. The overload of color and line is awesome. Friends.Stripes Finished quilt: 87˝ × 92˝ | Made by Cheryl Arkison. quilted by Janet Madeyski My oldest daughter is obsessed with stripes. like her when she is sleeping. but it is a little bit calmer. 90 A Month of Sundays—Family. given the freedom. Food & Quilts . Usually she just settles for stripes on all her clothes and a deep fascination with tigers.
add or remove similar-sized blocks from anywhere in each column. add or remove columns. Stripes of many colors on a white background are easy to find. •• From each 1/2-yard piece. Size this quilt up or down simply by adding or removing rows and blocks. To make it wider or narrower. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝. The following cutting instructions assume you are cutting the fabric so that the stripes will all run horizontally across the quilt top. if you like. Choosing Fabrics This is definitely a menswear-inspired color scheme. and little in the way of repeats in the quilt. You could also make this quilt in nearly any other color scheme. Feel free to change the direction now and then for variation. remove a skinny and a wide column to make the quilt twin sized or add both to make it king sized. Quilt top: 8 yards total (16 cuts of 1/2 Backing: 8 yards (pieced cross- yard each of various striped fabrics) wise) OR 51/2 yards plus fabric from Batting: 91˝ × 96˝ your stash Binding: 7/8 yard Cutting Instructions Quilt Top Note: Striped fabric almost always has stripes running parallel to the selvage edge on the lengthwise grain. To make the quilt shorter or longer.The quilt is based on a mix and match of block sizes. Mix and match to find your true stripey love. though none of the fabrics come from men's shirts. all based on 4˝ increments.) The fabric amounts will ensure enough variety. •• From the 121/2˝-wide strips. (They could. For example. cut: 24 squares 121/2˝ × 121/2˝ (Block A) 21 rectangles 121/2˝ × 81/2˝ (Block B) 24 rectangles 121/2˝ × 41/2˝ (Block C) Stripes 91 . minimal waste. cut 1 strip 121/2˝ × width of fabric and 1 strip 31/2˝ × width of fabric.
" Some Assembly Required cut: Seam allowances are 1/4˝. make 5 of Column 2. Then grab and sew each set of A columns." •• From the 31/2˝-wide strips. 25 rectangles 31/2˝ × 121/2˝ 1. Make 3 each of Column 1 and 3. choosing the blocks out of the B appropriate pile according to the placement diagram. If you are comfortable with improvisation. Arrange your C (Block E) C B D blocks for the columns according to the (Block D) 10 rectangles 31/2˝ × 41/2˝ (Block F) Binding •• Cut as needed for your preferred method of binding. Unlike the bedjumping frenzy the quilt inspires. 92 C A Month of Sundays—Family. Work on a single row configuration at a time to minimize confusion. A simply place the blocks in piles or bags of B C each size. The contrasting bias binding on this quilt provides some respite from the stripes. To provide variety. block placement diagram. Friends. Food & Quilts A C E D F E D D F D B A C B A C B A B Block placement . this quilt consists of 1 2 3 3 different columns: 2 wide columns (1 and C E A A 15 rectangles 31/2˝ × 81/2˝ 3) and 1 narrow column (2).
6. Set. 1-2-3-2-1-2-3-2-1-2-3 4. It might be tempting to skip pinning Pinning will keep things in line. Arrange the columns in the following order: Ready. such as random and then at each end. Add 3–5 additional pins spirals.2. Sew and press the seams open or to a side. straight-line striped design. Pin 2 columns together. The combination of stripes makes this design sing. at this juncture. Assemble the quilt back to measure picking out some of the many multicolored 91˝ × 96˝. Turn up the volume on this quilt by 7. and quilt top. Press the seams open or to one side. The yardage requirements call for enough to piece it crosswise from a single fabric. 8. Layer the backing. 5. and attach the binding. Sew 1/8˝ from the outer edges to ensure Turn Up the Volume that seams will not split as you handle the There is no shortage of striped quilting quilt in basting and quilting. batting. therefore. fabric. If you have the stripes. 3. The columns Finishing should be the same length. square is easy to stretch them as you sew. an allover design as simple as stippling looks great. you can get away with piecing the back using 2 lengths of 23/4 yards each plus scraps pieced to make up the extra width required. the back requires a lot of fabric. Quilt! You can go in nearly any direction when it comes to quilting this love affair with stripes. either echoing the direction of the stripes in the quilt top or con- Bring Out the Pins trasting it. Don't. but it Trim the excess batting and backing. stash. Baste with your preferred method. up the quilt. Pin at the middle With such a large quilt. Don't forget about fabric that uses shapes to create stripes or that adds a curved dimension to the stripes. Stripes 93 . Or break out the walking foot for a between the middle and the ends. Repeat to join all the columns together. This is a big quilt. So would something more detailed.
frankly. location mattered the most—specifically.Lush Wine Carrier Finished carrier: 61/2˝ wide × 111/2˝ high × 61/2˝ deep | Made by Cheryl Arkison When we bought our first home. In the ten years that we've been in this house. I think my bag for transporting libations is much prettier than theirs. Food & Quilts . Friends. a school. My husband wanted it all to be skateboarding distance. while I wanted to be able to ride my pretty bike around. we've made very good friends with the folks at our neighborhood wine store. 94 A Month of Sundays—Family. But no offense to them. and. proximity to a grocery store. a liquor store.
C C C C 12˝ D 3½˝ A A A A 3½˝ Mark handle placement. Cutting Instructions Topstitch 1/8˝ from the edge on both long •• Cut 4 panels 7˝ × 15˝ (A). to the 12˝ mark on the Panel A pieces. Refer to the tips on working with this material on page 131. sides. Take your time in construction. as you definitely want something heavier than regular quilting cotton. as the material is a bit different to work with. •• Cut 4 pieces 12˝ × 12˝ (C). and then fold the strip in half lengthwise. 2.The many beautiful laminated cotton fabrics available are the perfect material for this bag. •• Cut 1 panel 7˝ × 7˝ (B). fold in the long edges Binding clips (optional) 1/4˝ on the long strip (D). as shown. 1. Mark 2 Panel A pieces at 31/2˝ on the short •• Cut 1 strip 21/2˝ × width of fabric (D). To make the handle. Canvas also works well. The results are worth it. B Cutting diagram Lush Wine Carrier 95 . wrong sides together. Materials Needed Canvas or laminated cotton: 1 yard (or 7/8 yard and 1/8 yard for contrasting handle) Large hand-sewing needle Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/2˝. Cut 42˝ long or try on the handle for the right length for you. Measure and mark a line from the 31/2˝ mark sides and 12˝ on the long sides.
96 A Month of Sundays—Family. Twist handle. Line up one end of the handle on the mark on the bottom edge. Repeat for the other marked panel. from Step 1. sew across the handle and down the other edge. At the 12˝ mark. Sew the handle to the panel by sewing over or just beside the topstitching Attach handle. Food & Quilts .3. For an added design feature. I twisted the handle a couple of times before I attached the other panels. Friends.
fold over the top 1/2˝ and topstitch to hem them. Insert the 4 tubes. You now have a square tube with a to attach the tubes together. Place the bottom panel (B) right sides together to the main body of the bag. Topstitch 1/2˝ from the fold. removing the tape as you sew. Use a few pieces of tape to hold the folded-in fabric in place on the inside. be sure to pin inside the 1/2˝ seam allowance so the pin holes don't show. Secure with binder clips or pins. Lush Wine Carrier 97 . Finger-press the or sparkling water. clip the opposite side of the bottom panel 10. sew a few small stitches by hand to tack the tubes to the bag. Sew each of the 4 C pieces Now load up the bag with your favorite wine into a tube. into the bag. other pair of tubes. 9. Note: If you use pins. with the other bottom edge. Make sure the edges of the pieces line up. Line up and pin or securely sew the pairs together. Stand the 4 tubes together. Start sewing 1/2˝ from the corner and sew from corner to corner. Repeat with the handle attached. the beginning and end. Create tubes. 5. then topstitch again near the raw edge of the folded-in fabric 21/2˝ down from the top edge. Fold over the top edge (wrong sides together) at the 12˝ mark. At each corner. Put the stitches into the topstitch line of the bag to hide them. The right side of the fabric will be on the inside of the tube. Sew and repeat on the remaining sides. seams open. backstitching at Hand stitch tubes together. starting with just one side. Sew the remaining Panel A pieces to the 8. 7. Without turning them right sides out. now stitched together. 6. Line up the seams of 2 tubes and hand panels with the handles on the long side.4. with some small stitches along the topstitched hemline. Join sew down the length of the seam allowances all sides.
We take reusable grocery bags to the store now. a bouquet of dandelions from my kids is just as precious as a big storebought bouquet from my husband. In my world. I am not above treating myself with a bouquet. 98 A Month of Sundays—Family. And when neither are forthcoming. Friends.Floral and Herb Wraps Finished floral wrap: 20˝ × 30˝ | Finished herb wrap: 5˝ × 71/2˝ Made by Cheryl Arkison You'd be hard-pressed to find a woman (and more than a few men) who doesn't love to receive flowers. Food & Quilts . so why not take reusable floral wrap? Consider it a good reason to buy yourself flowers this weekend.
each square. Turn the tube right side out and finger-press the seam. so it measures 15˝ × 51/2˝. MAKE THE TEMPLATE MAKE THE WRAP 1. use the 22˝ marks on the arc of the circle onto the fabric. Cut from the remaining fabric: paper. this wrap can withstand the moisture from the flowers. Tie the string to the pencil and measure it in place. Square up the edges of the laminated has a good right angle corner with straight cotton. Be sure to let it dry before storing. paper to double-check. Stretch out the string the full 1 piece 15˝ × 11˝ length. Place the edges. Cut along Create quarter-circle template. Make sure your large piece of paper 1. With a fabric marker. Floral and Herb Wraps 99 . Mark this point on the string. Use a few pieces of tape to hold 2. and then move the pencil from one edge of the paper to the other to create a quarter-circle. Pin or hold 22˝ the string at the this line. the corner of the 3. trace the out 22˝ from the pencil tip down the length of the string. Cut 2 squares 24˝ × 24˝. Materials Needed Laminated cotton: 11/2 yards Paper: Large sheet at least (or 3/4 yard each of 2 con- 25˝ × 25˝ trasting colors/patterns) Pushpin Pencil String: 30˝ long Binding clips Cutting and Assembly Seam allowances are 1/2˝.Made with laminated cotton. Fold the 15˝ × 11˝ piece in half. 3. Cut off the corners on both fabric 22˝ mark onto quarter circles. 2. Mark 2˝ from each side of the right angle corner and draw a line connecting these marks. Sew the long side to make a tube. and it is easy to clean. Measure 22˝ from the corner along quarter-circle template on the wrong side of both edges. 4. 1 strip 2˝ × 13˝ 1 strip 2˝ × 30˝ 4. right sides together. Cut out the template.
Sew and trim bottom pouch. and fold in half. Cut off the excess. including the ends. Place the rectangle from Step 4 about 1˝ up from the cut corner on the right side of the inside piece. 5. Stitch the sides and bottom a scant 1/2˝ from the edge. Food & Quilts . Topstitch all around the edges. Fold the short ends in 1/2˝. wrong sides together. 100 A Month of Sundays—Family. 6. This creates a pouch for the flower stems. not the lines of the rectangle. to make the ties. wrong sides together. then unfold.This Foot Is Made for Walking Use a walking foot or Teflon foot to sew the laminated cotton—it will make your life much easier. Fold the long edges of the strip to the center line. Fold the 2˝ strips in half. following the side lines of the quarter-circle. Friends. to mark a center line.
Untape the ties. Hold them together with binding clips. right sides facing. Tape the tie so that it will not get caught when the quarter-circles are sewn together. On the right side of the outside quarter-circle piece. folded and stitched to make a finished rectangle 7˝ × 2˝. Place the 2 wrap pieces together. sew an X in the middle of the box. Topstitch 1/4˝ from the edges of the wrap. 8. just use the following smaller sizes: •• Cut the quarter-circle template with an 8˝ radius. •• Cut the rectangle for the pouch 7˝ × 5˝. Follow the same process as for the floral wrap. mark a spot about 11˝ from the bottom and roughly 10˝ from the right edge. Place the shorter tie on the outside quarter panel. Turn the wrap right side out through the opening. Herb Wrap Use the leftover fabric from making the floral wrap to make an herbal wrap—it's perfect for giving herbs or small bouquets from your garden. Tape the loose end out of the way so that it will not get caught when the quarter- 10˝ circles are sewn together. •• Cut the ties 8˝ and 12˝ long. Stitch all around the edges.7. leaving a 6˝ opening on a straight edge for turning. Floral and Herb Wraps 101 . Next time you head to the market. Place the longer tie on the mark and stitch a box around the bottom of the tie. 11˝ 9. bring your wrap so your flowers will be just as pretty on the way home—with no waste. Fold in the open edge. 9˝ Tie placement 10. 9˝ from the curved edge and facing the center of the panel—this end will be sewn into the seam allowance. For extra stability.
Food & Quilts . Friends.102 A Month of Sundays—Family.
Being married to a man who loves adventure and being a mother trying to raise adventurous kids means I have to stomp on the fears that make me afraid to take leaps. since becoming a mother. I'd probably prefer not to try new things at all. such as quilting. It is about being true to my own creativity as I try to model an honest character for my kids. In all honestly. or tackling an actual mountain. there are plenty of things you can do to build the skills and confidence needed to make exploration almost second nature. I am not. I prefer to plan it all out. indeed. If I'm going to try something new.Explore By nature. but a necessary one. I am a risk-averse person. Otherwise those calicos will take over your life. Whether it is simply about creative activities. Indeed. I've become an adventurous quilter too. Explore 103 . But even I know that would make for a boring life. Because my family won't let me be wimpy. It is a push.
on his hands and knees to help me baste. If I was really lucky. I could get him was. quilting addiction. time. He shop to look for inspiration in the fabrics and A Month of Sundays—Family. a bad boy? Subtract some self-esteem. This includes the relationships we have with people and their impact on us. and writing a book. Date let me tell you that I got him to try quilting. As the years went by. but together insisted on putting his name on the label too. more We've all made mistakes and stupid decisions.Whee… I firmly believe that we are the sum of our is the one who encouraged me to try surfing. sense of adventure. I will never be like him. Friends. Cultivate a weekly date with a good That simple little quilt is what started my friend? Add in some love. I would make him come in the room would have a much lower number in my expe- and lend an eye to a fabric selection or maybe rience equation. I'm pretty sure I Oh sure. my man of our personality or existence. and children. babies were born among family and friends. my Then came the day that my brother announced man taught me to take risks. He has a true he was getting married. that was one of his wedding vows. Without hesitation. add up to make us the person we are at any given time. I In addition to teaching me far more about cars 104 Lest you think this is a one-sided relationship. So So far he's kept his promise. than I ever expected or wanted to know. sushi. and laughter. But he hadn't sewn a stitch! If I hadn't met my husband. we've all had good luck at times. Every None of these things are necessarily defining time I made the quilt and labeled it. In fact. they all flying in a helicopter. I decided to make him and his bride a quilt. Positive and negative. but he ask his opinion if I was playing with design has indeed pushed me to be more than I ever options. but I can credit him with instilling in me a love My man came along with me to the quilt of mountain biking. and we've And like most new quilters. agreed to put his name on the label. The man isn't perfect. long as he did something during the process. Food & Quilts . money. My first quilt was made for our first nephew. making quilts for all these wee babes. I set the goal of all met amazing people who change our lives. they equal who we become. and years. experiences.
But he did try it. more than one lady offered to set him up quilt greeted us at the door. then he was going to sew with me. we was going to be my first queen-size quilt. Curves and paper piecing on what of our quilt. Despite the fact that I was sitting next to big quilt. design. He went completely out of his to this. when he wants his name on a quilt. we walked into a well. he either grabs a beer and gets on his knees to help me baste or hands me some cash and says that he bought the fabric. we kept coming piecing for the points. We walked out of there with the technique down (but no phone numbers) and the start Yeah. He can sew On the day of the class. but I knew it would be my first room. The door hadn't with her daughter. Yes. A bright and bold New York Beauty him. He handled the precision paper But as we wandered the store. He was his usual self—sarcastic Now. I love him for room of women our mothers' age. it was the name too. I was used at least trying. We signed unannounced in the time leading up to the up for the class. but quilting isn't for him. with our pile of fabric between us. no. and searching for easier ways to make the Explore 105 . and charming all the ladies in the going to make. we signed up for the class. and I took care of the back to the quilt by the door. wedding. with grabbed a couple of hours a week and sewed only a handful of quilts behind me? Yeah. Over the next few months. It wasn't just the curves. If my man was My husband never quilted again. okay. I had no illusions that he would get hooked on the habit. My brother pro- not helped by my brother often coming over posed in New York City—it was fate. going to be a part of this gift. Oh. It took us forever to make that quilt. Then he grabbed the second machine and settled in.the patterns. But we did it. twenty-something man there! They assumed he was just being a nice guy and carrying my machine for me. this complex and large gift. but the ladies weren't used to seeing a comfort zone to explore something new. together. even shut behind us when my man told me that we should make this quilt. and we did it together. I wasn't exactly sure what I was block.
The majority suggest one. They feed off of me. While they are young. I might provide a theme or ask them to borrow some kids if you need to. Go On. Friends. Food & Quilts . involved. turning their tigers and butterflies into abstract designs. That applies everywhere in our lives—from the books we choose to read. All I might make that I can't help but feel great. to realizing our creativity. for example. Many lose it somewhere later in elementary school. Get Down Get down with your kids or grandkids. do is dictate whether there is glue or paint I want them to feel confident and inspired. to play with shape and color in a geometric way. I tend A Month of Sundays—Family. They are so unabashedly enthusiastic about My preference is to make the supplies acces- creating together and supportive of what I sible and let them lead the way. is part of the adventurous spirit. potentially becoming fearful and self-doubting adults.Exploration is about more than climbing mountains. however. of kids have a built-in confidence when it comes to creativity. Don't be afraid. every step forward is an adventure. The push. Then we get down to it. Likewise. the best thing we can do for them (and ourselves) is to get down and create with them. depending on my desire to clean that 106 When I paint with my girls. and I feed off of them. borrowing their color combinations and trying to draw animals as they do. to trying new foods. or day. the drive to do more and be more.
It doesn't have to be a bucket list. make a list of the things you want to try. spurring you to tackle the next thing on the list. way to push yourself. but there is value in the game from a creative point of view. Not everything you make has to be for something. So I trace and trace and trace. So go home and put in a whole bunch more—make a stack of pillows for your couch. You will indeed tackle it. evidence of your efforts to learn new techniques. breathe. Someone will put out a call for orphan Don't write something down on your list just blocks one day. Setting up a monthly challenge is a great never done but wanted to try? Bogged down by the This has the same effect of making a to-do list and crossing off something you've already done. To be totally honest. So. Do Just One Thing Overwhelmed by all the things out there you've different directions to turn? Slow down. as I'm not out to be an illustrator. I don't mind. I would like to keep up with my kids and their drawing. This gets me used to the idea of drawing figures and shapes. The muscle memory will be created. Monthly Challenges and pick one thing—just one thing. It increases my comfort in doing my own sketches.Follow the Leader Remember that childhood game where someone got to stand in front and do all sorts of crazy moves. It is okay to have a pile of blocks just sitting there. However. Pick some of your favorite artists. Really. After you've taken your class on invisible zippers. it is about trying something new every month. because you think you should do it—make sure that They also jazz up quilt backs quite nicely. and you had to follow them around? When you say it that way. for example. including your kids. it's okay. But if you are avoiding it out of fear alone. I am also a firm believer in tracing. It could be as simple as pushing yourself to use a color in a quilt that you normally shun. and you aren't likely to forget when you go to sew a dress a few months later. Explore 107 . it would be very easy to forget how to do it if you never did another one. This isn't about making a quilt or a dress every month (unless that is your challenge). then put it on the list. and you can pass them on. Rather. what you pick excites you. after you start with just one thing. it seems kind of lame. I don't have great drawing skills. It is satisfying to just make that line through an item. Playing follow the leader is a great way to create muscle memory for an activity.
Some can find inspiration and thrive with their creativity in that environment. Not only will this allow us to see the pattern Stillness is about more than not watching on the butterfly's wings as it flutters by. staring at the clouds. Whether you want to lose 25 pounds. and open to the beauty. That's precisely the point. You will do the work because you are being held accountable. it TV while sewing. but most of us cannot. and able to face old ones with just stopping can be better for our creative energy. take the moments to be still. reflective. your dad. Tell your partner. The world is noisy. Pick a venue or person who will give you the right kind of support. even if it makes you uncomfortable. finally figure out how to sew in a zipper. Ask them to keep tabs on you. declaring it to friends. This works both ways. explorations. Stillness comes from the will also leave us open to the pure inspiration moments we quiet our surroundings and mind. and brash. chaotic. You should also have your own cheering section.Be Still As great as it is to throw ourselves to the world In being still we are receptive to new ideas with energy and aplomb. around us. Go on Record One of the best ways to stick to a goal is to state it publicly. or mindless hand stitching. Friends. Hopefully you are putting the effort in so someone isn't breathing down your neck. 108 A Month of Sundays—Family. your daughter. there are times when and concepts. or the entire Internet is the best way to stick to your goal. family. You don't have to have a blog or Twitter account to do this. Food & Quilts . Whether it be meditation. or literally take a hike.
it can be easier to head out on an adventure when you have a destination in mind. Explore 109 . We recently discovered Geocaching. Or pick your daily walk to end with a stop in a calm spot for meditation. A teeny tiny quilt block. climbing skyward in the mountains for a view. Using GPS coordinates. you seek out spots—both urban and wild—where little caches are hidden. perhaps? Geocaching is a great way to hike with a purpose. Aim high. Sign the logbook and swap out an item that you have brought for one from the cache.Hike with Purpose Just as it is often easier to sew when you have a specific end product or recipient in mind.
Food & Quilts That's the point. That's pies in bloom. Friends. or color. down. Sometimes these images do nothing but inspire a memory or a smile—definitely good things. whether it is with fabric. and around. And maybe that makes you think of your grandmother drying flowers for tea in a prairie home. I digress. actually. But that crack could be artful and possibly sprouting some chamomile. Then you are transported to sticky afternoons in 110 A Month of Sundays—Family. the mundane. because most of us don't really open our eyes to the beauty in the small. this inspiration can be overwhelming. words. the detailed. When you look up.Capturing Inspiration The world is filled with beautiful images— her kitchen and hanging laundry by the pop- more than we can actually see. For people who create. . We look for vistas instead of looking at the crack in the sidewalk at our feet. Alas. you can see infinite examples of beauty and inspiration.
is enough for me. the goal is to take a turing details of a light. only to have it accidentally recycled camera on it isn't that great. Tag it with these images—adding filters. that moment. Make sure to For those folks with fancier phones or who date your sketches and even jot down where like to carry a camera. inspirational. I hate looking for a little me. but sometimes form of documentation is required to access the room details were. You can't rely solely on your covered in sketches of quilts. I try to glue it catch my breath or gets me thinking of a directly into my sketchbook to keep every- quilt design. doodling. but not of a project. I keep a I am not a person who always carries around sketchbook with me. Some was not always inspiring. Now that I no longer that memory. Then I can send the image to thing in one place. Consider it the If you were to look at the notebooks I kept defining of a moment. editing with what made that image. you would see they are filled with Explore 111 . on the fly. I spent a creative exploration. snapshot of the detail or image in question The sketchbook is used for notes at classes. almost always have my cell phone with me stay organized. for my job. My two favorite ways to do that have that job and my time in hotel ballrooms are with a camera and a sketchbook. is usually reserved for weddings.The best way to keep that inspiration in check doodles and jammed with hotel stationery is to capture it. how- Having all my ideas in one place also helps ever. But taking a because it was on a random bit of paper. nor is it the end. your memory when going to create. and posting to websites instantly. beginning. My sketchbook also serves as a bit of a yearbook or journal of inspiration. This will also help you access That's part of the creative process too. my email or just keep it on the phone for reference. cap- photography contest. It isn't a terribly fancy phone. A sketchbook is also essential for me to cap- Capturing the inspiration is part of the ture the image. you can get all pretty you were when you made the sketch. If I pull an image from moment to capture the bit that makes me a magazine or the newspaper. It isn't about winning a working out pattern details. a camera—often. It isn't necessarily a lot of time in boring hotel conference rooms. but not always. I do. The work itself brain to be a virtual inspiration board. and the sketch. In a previous career.
quilted by Angela Walters Fat quarter friendly This quilt is purely about playing with color and scale of design.Pinwheel Finished quilt: 77˝ × 77˝ | Finished block: 51/2˝ × 51/2˝ Made by Cheryl Arkison. 112 A Month of Sundays—Family. It makes me think of a pile of kids racing around with their faces to the wind. very big. I took the basic pinwheel design and made it big. There are pinwheels among pinwheels here. Food & Quilts . pinwheels a blur. Friends.
Keep in mind that if you go larger. If you go the single-color route. Pinwheel fabric: 1/4 yard or fat quarter each of 7–9 prints to total 13/4–21/4 yards Background fabric: 4 yards Batting: 81˝ × 81˝ Backing: 43/4 yards Binding: 3/4 yard Pinwheel 113 . Your finished block size will be approximately 1˝ smaller than your starting square size. but a variety of fabrics works really well. don't worry about your greens (or whatever color you choose) matching up perfectly. Variations in texture. it is anything but simple. this is important. You don't want to remove blocks because then the design will lose its impact. expect some leftover strips of fabric. They don't have to all be the same shade. you will need to piece the triangles for the large background spaces. not the similarities. The interest lies in the differences. saturation. You can certainly use only one fabric for the pinwheel blocks. Even on a restful quilt. and even value have your eye moving all around the quilt. taking into account seam allowances and trimming of the half-square triangles. Choosing Fabric Even though this is a two-color quilt. In both cases.Scale the quilt up or down by altering the block size. Materials Needed Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝.
Friends. Make another triangles. it might be easier to work from the right once diagonally to make instead. Cutting Really Big Squares and HalfSquare Triangles 1. Press the fold. Triangles at the right. Cut off the excess fabric from Squares and Half-Square the yardage piece. then fold that (See Cutting Really Big side up on a 45° angle. mark at the end of the ruler. Line up your ruler with the left edge triangles. the end of the ruler. Cutting for large square 5. 3. press. make a small mark •• Cut 42 squares with a pencil or fabric pen at the edge of the fabric at 61/2˝ × 61/2˝. If you are left-handed. and place it horizon- subcut once diagonally to tally on the largest cutting mat you have on a large make single half-square surface like a table. 4. 114 A Month of Sundays—Family.) Binding 38½˝ •• Cut as needed for your preferred method of binding. Food & Quilts . Background Fabric 2. Using the longest ruler you have. •• Cut 6 squares 63/8˝ × 63/8˝. Unfold the fabric and use the line created by pressing to cut the large square in half on the diagonal.Cutting Instructions Note: Handle cut triangles with care so you don't pull or stretch the bias edges. Open the folded fabric. Pinwheel Fabric •• Cut 42 squares 61/2˝ × 61/2˝. Cut the fabric to the needed length. Repeat as many times as •• Cut 2 squares 393/8˝ × 393/8˝. •• Cut 8 squares 63/8˝ × 63/8˝. of the fabric and the bottom. half-square triangles. subcut necessary to measure out the desired length. Pick up the ruler and line up the end of the ruler with subcut once diagonally the mark you just made. making sure the ruler also lines to make half-square up with the bottom edge of the fabric.
although a finished quilt is heavy enough to keep the breezes at bay." It is best to finish the binding out of the wind." Pinwheel 115 .
Quilt top assembly diagram 6. 3. 1. Pair 42 print squares with 42 background squares. 116 A Month of Sundays—Family. and then sewing the second seam. Take care not to stretch the fabric. then press the seams toward the print fabric. and sew 2 quadrants together. Sew 1/4˝ away from both sides of the line. 8. Line up the 45° line on a ruler with the not to trim too much off the pinwheel blocks. sewing toward the background fabric. Square up the entire block. Press the seam open. 2. Friends. Food & Quilts the other pair. These are easy to chain piece by sewing the seam on one side first. Pin each pinwheel unit from Step 6 to a large background triangle along the diagonal seam. Repeat this step for the 4 pinwheel units. Cut and press. Sew. Sew the columns together. seam. draw a diagonal line. Press these seams open to reduce bulk. Press the seam 5. Piece together the pinwheel units. Sew the 2 units together to complete the quilt top. being careful 4. Press the blocks flat. using a light pencil or washable fabric marker.Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. Cut the squares in half on the drawn line. Refer to the assembly diagram (page 117) blocks. On the back of the 61/2˝ background squares. Square up the blocks into 6˝ × 6˝ 9. Press the seams toward the print fabric. Press the seam toward the background fabric. Mark and sew. Repeat with the units into columns and adding the appropriate single triangle to the end of each column as shown in the assembly diagram. . 7.
tion to matching seams when piecing the pinwheel units because you don't have the advantage of nested seams Ready. Set. Pinwheel 117 . batting. Baste with your preferred method. This avoids having Finishing a seam directly down the middle of the quilt Trim the excess batting and backing. Turn Up the Volume There are a lot of color possibilities to make this quilt louder. and quilt top. Layer the backing. Pay careful atten- it will help the quilt wear better over the long run.(you already have that on the front). in a new way and lets the design sing without falling flat. Put a full width of fabric in the middle and cut the other piece of yardage in half lengthwise. sew the pieces to either design from the center out. for some fun quilting. side of the middle piece. Try echoing the movement of a pinwheel by starting your quilting 10. Assemble the quilt back to measure 81˝ × 81˝. •• Reverse the design—pick a bold color or wheel blocks and another fabric for the print for the background fabric and a light background. Quilt! as you do when seams are pressed to Such large expanses of background fabric beg one side. and Press Well in Any Direction If you find that all your seam intersections are raised up. and attach the binding. try pressing all your seams open. This showcases the print or solid for the pinwheel blocks. 11. square up the quilt. Either curved lines or straight lines would work well to translate the concept of a pinwheel blowing in the wind. •• Use one large-scale print for the pin- •• Use your country's colors for the pinwheel blocks to make a great patriotic quilt.
Finished quilt: 42˝ × 54˝ | Finished block: 6˝ × 6˝
Made by Cheryl Arkison
Despite my best efforts to squirrel away property by the ocean, I live in the landlocked prairies.
I did live for four years in Nova Scotia, however, and there isn't a day that goes by when I don't
dream about foghorns, waves crashing, and sailboats floating by. Thankfully there is a large
lake nearby with a sailing club, so I can still see the boats. This sweet baby quilt is a simple homage to the maritime signal flags that always lead me back to my second home.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
The quilt uses a very simple paper-pieced block. Change up the look
of the quilt by adding additional background pieces or making all the
blocks from flags. Easily size up this quilt by adding rows and columns
or even changing the size of the blocks. When you have such a simple
design, you can turn it into many things.
Choosing Fabrics
With the obvious colors of my inspiration—red, yellow, and blue—I had
when I found those precious stars. I was lucky, but don't feel like your
Watch the
backgrounds have to match that much; a solid white would work just
Using very directional
as well.
fabrics for the back-
a lot of fun picking fabric. The background choice became very easy
For the flags themselves, I sought out an array of textures: stripes in
different scales, small and large patterns, and not perfectly matching
colors. It adds up to a striking selection. Use one fabric in each color
or mix up the fabrics used. This quilt certainly benefits from the use of
four fabrics per color, even though one could have done the job.
Background fabric:
in a very different
effect. If you like your
directional fabrics to
stay on course, then
over prints or solids
Amounts are based on a fabric width of 42˝.
in 3 colors
or checks, will result
stick with smaller all-
Materials Needed
Flags: 11/4 yards total
ground, like stripes
for the background
Batting: 46˝ × 58˝
Binding: 1/2 yard
Backing: 23/4 yards
Freezer paper
fabric choice.
(pieced crosswise)
23/4 yards total in 3
Cutting Instructions
•• Cut 32 squares
•• Cut 64 rectangles
61/2˝ × 61/2˝ for the
7˝ × 7˝ for the flag
4˝ × 71/2˝ for the
alternating blocks.
for your preferred
flag backgrounds,
- 12 red
method of binding.
- 10 red
2 for each flag.
- 11 blue
- 12 blue
•• Cut 31 squares
•• Cut as needed
- 8 yellow
- 10 yellow
Some Assembly
the opposite route and quilt it with straight-
Seam allowances are 1/4˝.
where. There is enough white in the triangles
line quilting to emphasize the design's linear
nature. For thread, I chose to use white everythat it doesn't matter if you don't match the
thread perfectly.
1. Refer to Paper Piecing (page 134) to make
32 flag blocks using the flag block paperpiecing pattern (page 122). When you make
your freezer-paper patterns, make sure they
are exactly 6˝ × 6˝.
2. Trim the pieced blocks 1/4˝ away from the
edge of the pattern piece.
3. Arrange the blocks into 9 rows of 7 blocks
each. You can follow the quilt top assembly
diagram (right) or arrange the blocks in a way
that works for you.
4. Assemble the quilt top using chain
piecing (page 137). If you are pressing the
seams to one side, be sure to alternate the
direction so the seams nest when you sew
together the rows.
5. Sew the rows together and press the
seams open or in one direction.
Quilt top assembly diagram
Trim the excess batting and backing, square
up the quilt, and attach the binding.
6. Assemble the quilt back to measure
46˝ × 58˝.
7. Layer the backing, batting, and quilt top.
Baste your quilt using your preferred method.
Ready, Set, Quilt!
I chose to quilt wavy lines to bring out the
idea of wind and sailing. You could also go
Turn Up the Volume
This design lends itself to great volume.
Showcase some favorite fabrics in the
flags. For extra oomph, piece the triangles
themselves from scraps or strips. You could
also mix up your background fabrics.
A Month of Sundays—Family, Friends, Food & Quilts
I would have finished this quilt on a sailboat—or at least in the club with some rum by my side." Flags 121 . I merely watched the boats go by. Alas." In a perfect world.
Friends. 1 3 Flag block paper-piecing pattern 122 A Month of Sundays—Family.1˝ Use a ruler to measure these inch marks to verify that printout is correctly sized. Food & Quilts 2 .
Inevitably I end up carrying rocks. over one shoulder. but something between that and leisurely strolls on the bike path. Treasure Bag 123 . It is also fully reversible. pinecones. or across the chest—the best carrying technique in the forest.Treasure Bag Finished bag (excluding handle): 141/2˝ × 141/2˝ Our family loves to stomp through the forest. and wildflower bouquets that the kids gather as we walk. shoes and backpacks. pretty leaves. I made these bags for the kids so they could carry their own The tie allows this bag to be flexible in length. It can be carried in hand with a shorter handle. making it adjustable for different kids and different ways to wear it. stuff—brought and collected—on our dappled Not true daylong hikes that require special stomps in the woods.
Unfold and press the creases from your 15˝ fabric. Fold the fabric in half. Make the pattern on a large sheet of paper: Draw a 15˝ × 15˝ square. 2. Cut out the bag. Cut out the pattern and unfold it. . Treasure bag pattern shape Multiply the Look by Multiplying the Fabric If you want to have each side of the bag different and have the interior and exterior different. cut four different pieces of fabric. Now fold the 24˝ paper in half. From this point. Repeat with the other fabric. using this line as a guide.Materials Needed Bag: 1 yard each of 2 cotton or canvas/home decor fabrics Pockets: 1 piece 12˝ × 6˝ and 1 piece 18˝ × 6˝ Paper: 17˝ × 40˝ Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/2˝ unless otherwise noted. You want the handle to be no narrower than 3˝. 4. Friends. Food & Quilts Place pattern on fabric. Pin the pattern you made to the fabric. Make a mark in the center of the top edge (71/2˝ from a corner). draw a line 24˝ up. perpendicular to the selvages. 7½˝ 3. 124 A Month of Sundays—Family. Draw a gradual curve from one top corner of the square to the top point you marked. MAKE THE PATTERN Selvage 1.
interior and exterior pieces. Pin the pockets on the bag portion of the fabric where it suits your fancy. To make the pockets. and turn right side out.5. Press. for the interior. clip the corners. Pin the pockets to the bag fabrics—one Go for a hike and fill with all sorts of pocket is intended for the exterior and one treasures. making sure that the side with the opening is either on a side or on the bottom. Fold and press a 3/8˝–1/2˝ hem on the bag handle and top areas of the bag for both the Topstitch bag and handle. This will also sew down the opening that was used for turning. With right sides facing. Don't worry too much about location. Pin and and 9˝ × 6˝. the pockets right side out and fold in the add a second line of stitching for decoration seams at the openings. just keep the pockets at least 2˝ from any edge. and durability. sew the bag portion of the exterior panels together. Press and clip the corners. Topstitch 1/8˝ from the side and bottom edges to attach it to the bag fabric. leaving a sew together by topstitching the top and 3˝ opening. Repeat this step with the interior portion of the bag. fold the scraps of 9. 7. If desired. Treasure Bag 125 . but do not turn it right side out. Add a second line of stitching 1/8˝ from the first one for decoration and durability. Turn handle areas 1/4˝ from the edges. Sew around the edges. Place the interior of the bag inside the fabric right sides together to measure 6˝ × 6˝ exterior with wrong sides together. Press again. 8. 6.
Friends. Food & Quilts .126 A Month of Sundays—Family.
however. They do sew together beautifully. My husband treasures such a personal gift from a man he greatly admired.Women's Auxiliary Scarf Finished scarf: 16˝ × 57˝ Many years ago. Refer to the tips on working with this material on page 132. in love and always wanting to explore. gentle pinning. Woman's Auxiliary Scarf 127 . Together. and maybe even some starch. boy did my husband hear about it! I've much admired the relationship they had. voiles can be a bit tricky to work with. and the effort is worth it for the drape and softness you get from voile. Cutting them out requires patience. my husband was gifted his grandfather's silk scarf from his World War II Royal Canadian Air Force uniform. But when Grandpa found out he treasured it so much and wasn't wearing it. Grandpa was an adventurous soul. as was Grandma. as well as the scarf and its history for our family. I can only hope my husband and I grow old together like they did. Because of their silky nature.
Materials Needed If you prefer a much longer scarf. slipping. Repeat with the remaining Trim each piece to 161/2˝ × 221/2˝. . Turn the scarf right side out by pulling it through the opening. It does not matter exactly where on the and sew around the edges. leaving a 6˝ opening. Make the pleats on all 6 of the pieces of fabric. Press. Press each piece. 7. 8. 3. add another 1/2-yard cut of fabric so that you have four sections on each side. Start 4˝–6˝ from one end and make a 1/2˝ pleat in the fabric. Tack down the Use a walking foot to stitch the voile. Create pleats across the 161/2˝ width of the fabric. Place the 2 pieced sets right sides together wider than conventional quilting cottons. Press the seams open. Friends. 6. Repeat 2 more times to create 3 pleats. Voile or cotton lawn: 1/2 yard each of 3 pieces Some Assembly Required Seam allowances are 1/4˝. Voiles are usually a bit 5. 128 A Month of Sundays—Family. Cut them longer if you can. squaring 3 pieces. fabric you place the pleats. Topstitch 8–16 lines down the length of the scarf. so this length is easy to get. as long as it is away from a corner. Cut each 1/2-yard piece of fabric in half on 4. Sew together 3 pieces. 1. particularly when you are topstitching. Food & Quilts grouping them for a more interesting look. pleats on each side by stitching 1/8˝ from the This foot will reduce the chance for edge of the fabric. essentially creating 6 fat quarters. Space them no more than 2˝ apart. It doesn't matter where the opening is. end to end. Topstitch a scant 1/4˝ from the edges to close the opening and stabilize the edges. Press. 2. Clip the corners. the 161/2˝ sides. it up as you do so. Press well to get the edges flat. Try Make 3 pleats across width of each piece of fabric. you just need to ensure that you end up with the same amount Walk Carefully of pleating on each piece. on the fold.
" Woman's Auxiliary Scarf 129 ." This long scarf is perfect for wrapping around you to bring warmth and beauty to your adventurous soul.
do not fear—the projects in this book are not difficult. Rather than go into detail about sewing and quilting basics. Pressing direc- tions are included in each project. A needle size of 80/12 (either a Universal or a Sharp) is recommended for all piecing. Food & Quilts . If you need some help (or a refresher). Piecing All seam allowances are 1/4˝. Need More Information? (page 142) includes a number of books with quiltmaking basics. you can use this Basics Plus section to step up your skills and tackle all the projects in this book. If you are a beginning quilter.Basics Plus If you are coming to an exploration of low-volume fabrics. All seams should be pressed with a hot iron after sewing. unless otherwise noted. you are likely already familiar with the basics of putting together a project. this chapter covers techniques and details used in this book that are not always covered in the "basics" section of most books. After you get the basics down. Friends. 130 A Month of Sundays—Family.
so not all cottons are equal. as the weave is looser and these sheets are often softer with their history. just keep in mind that newer sheets may be more difficult to quilt. use a walking foot or a Teflon foot particularly the newer. and online. Vintage cotton sheets are often a popular choice for quilters. as the holes won't come out in the wash. There is nothing wrong with using through the machine more easily. Following is an overview of the different types of commercially avail- LAMINATED COTTONS Imagine a stiffer. use binder clips and patience. but are lightweight enough to have some drape. the largest selection of wear. Laminated cottons are perfect for bags. even if the printed pattern looks the same. Cotton bed sheets are often of a tighter weave. high-thread-count when sewing to help your fabric move sheets. nearly waterproof version of your favorite quilting cotton and you've got laminated cotton. but don't be afraid to with laminated cottons. and table linens (wipeable!). Also. Traditionally. such as 90/14. Basics Plus 131 . print choices is available in quilting cottons. rain- QUILTING COTTONS limited drape to them and are relatively easy Widely available at quilt stores. Different projects. Stick with reputable stores when purchasing. Modern oil- fabrics. goes without saying that quilts are the number Oilcloth is sometimes used interchangeably one use for these cottons. however. Large box stores that sell fabric are likely to sell a lower-quality or looser-weave cotton. They have to work with. Some have cloths are PVC-coated woven cloth. call for different fabrics. That means my default fabric selection is always quilting cottons. cotton sheets. I recommend using a larger needle. Don't use pins with them. and you can be assured of the quality of your cotton. These medium-weight fabrics provide enough stability for quilts and many sewing projects. Indeed. It Instead. but it isn't the same. use quilting cottons in bags. general fabric stores. clothes. able fabrics used in this book. or toys. oilcloth was a base cloth coated Fabric manufacturers use a variety of base with a linseed oil preparation. Tips for Working with Laminates In addition to skipping the pins when using laminated cottons. laminated cottons start with a base cloth of the quilted cotton and are coated on one side with a polyurethane film. however.Fabric Selection My world is the quilting world. more drape. while others will fray more.
which makes it wonderful for quilt projects. Canvas is a good stand-in for many projects calling for home decor–weight fabrics. home decor–weight Cotton lawn is a similar style of fabric to voile. These are indeed cottons. Cutting them out requires patience. voiles were used for clothing or drapery. It wears a project. so the effort is worth it for the drape and softness. such as a 50-weight. gentle pinning. Food & Quilts Linen does shrink (please prewash in hot water to avoid headaches later). 132 LINEN A Month of Sundays—Family. The weight might feel nice on a finished utilitarian quilt. I don't recommend using home decor–weight fabric for quilting. but it isn't necessarily easy. means they are now used in quilts to great effect. well. . Spray starch helps alleviate any stress caused by slippage. and maybe even some starch. Use a Smaller Needle When piecing with voile. and it is difficult to quilt. use a smaller needle that makes a smaller hole in the fabric. linen is slippery when you are cutting and sewing. fabric provides a sturdier option when making and these two can be used interchangeably in bags or items to be used outdoors. VOILE Even though they come from different Falling on the opposite side of the weight plants—linen from flax and cotton from cotton spectrum from home decor fabrics are voiles. the softer linen gets. plants—these two fabrics work well together. but it is difficult to work with. Friends. Because of their silky nature. and it does wrinkle. Like voile. But a hot iron takes out the wrinkles. Traditionally. And the more it is used and washed. voiles are a bit tricky to work with. hence its use on upholstery and drapery. either an 80/12 or a 75/11 Microtex Sharp needle. The seam allowances are thick. and a lighter weight thread. however. but they have a wonderfully silky feel and soft drape. They do sew together beautifully. The proliferation of beautiful voiles from modern fabric designers.HOME DECOR Heavyweight and sturdy. of course. It's possible to use it.
sewing the appliquéd block into the quilt. After you've appliquéd 4. so they will fray lightly as the quilt gets loved appliqué. Use a gluestick to hold the appliqué in place with a few pins for reinforcement. the size is more manageable as you But if you use a light hand with a reg- move the background piece while ular gluestick. this is an invitation to bleed all over your block. Cut out the shape on the line. 1. 5. Don't forget about the seam allowances for method is that there is no need to reverse the appliqué design. This way. After you sewing down your appliqué. as long as you use the template on the right side of the fabric. Using Freezer Paper and Glue try traditional needle-turn appliqué or use a One of the best parts of the freezer-paper satin stitch (a very tight zigzag stitch) to stitch down the edges of the appliqué. I suggest that you use one of the following two methods to prep appliqués. you'll be fine. You can purchase fabric-specific glues. Press the shiny side of the freezer paper to block in half horizontally and then in half the right side of your fabric. Find the center by folding the background 3. Basics Plus 133 . Cut out the appliqué shape. Draw or trace the appliqué shape directly onto the paper side of the freezer paper. 2. you won't even know the glue was there at all. The lines cross iron. recommend making your appliqué Raid the Craft Cabinet background a quilt block. Freezer-paper the design. you can press again to remove these marks. wash the quilt. Use a hot but dry vertically. at the center point. PREP THE BACKGROUND Prep the background by cutting it to size. If you absolutely hate this look. and washed. The look isn't for everyone—the edges of the appliqués remain unfinished. I templates can be used at least a dozen times before they won't stick to the fabric with pressing.Easy Appliqué About the easiest way to put two pieces of PREP THE APPLIQUÉ fabric together is to place one on top of the While you could pin the heck out of your other and sew it down. I'm talking about raw edge appliqué. Give Your Shoulders a Break Unless you are adamant about using a single piece of fabric for the background of the entire quilt. Finger press lightly.
A Month of Sundays—Family. edge. One of the most common complaints about Go Small to Stay Soft paper piecing is that it produces a lot of waste. Paper piecing is the easiest way to get precision in your piecing. if you work really hard to minimize waste. Iron to fuse. 3. Following the manufacturer's instructions. next block. or quilt an allover design. Discard infinite paper piecing possibilities! trimmings. Or. around. if you prefer. Friends. Master out shape in place.Using Paper-Backed Fusible Web Using a lightweight paper-backed fusible web provides the most stability for appliqué. you can see what you're doing before you sew. iron the cut-out shape to the wrong side of your fabric. The quilt in this book that uses paper piecing (Flags. Or. following this easy block and you will be on your way to the manufacturer's instructions. minimizing the potential for mistakes. This results in a more light- see if they will work in a similar place on the weight finished block. stitch right over the topstitching. For a less stiff appliqué. shape is on the back- Save time by first cutting the fabric into ground. There is something about paper piecing that 2. Sew close to the roughly echo the shape of the pattern pieces. Cut out the design. Plus. with just two seams. 1. When you do the quilting. If not. page 118) is a fantastic introduction off the paper backing. as you trim. 134 Stitch appliqué shape. you can echo the appliqué shape. The best pieces of fusible and attach these to way to deal with this is to not worry about it. your appliqué close to the center and Cut your pieces large enough and. topstitch it in squares or rectangles or cut the fabric to place. place those pieces into a scrap bin for another project. cut out small you increase the chance of mistakes. but not right on it. with a 1/4˝ margin all instills fear in many a quilter. Reverse the appliqué design and draw it Paper Piecing on the paper side of the fusible web. Changing your mind-set regarding this fundamental issue TOPSTITCH allows you to actually enjoy the process of After the appliqué paper piecing. 4. any points. peel I'm not sure why. you can satin stitch around the edges. and place the cut- to paper piecing. Food & Quilts . Cut out the shape on the drawn line. but it will be a stiffer block in the end. To be honest.
1. Write the against the shiny side of the freezer paper. 1 3 2 Trace pattern. It's usually easier matters. so make sure the pieces on to just cut a square or rectangle. You can also see the allowances on the pattern at this point. Place the first piece of fabric (#1) on the pattern. Trace the pattern on the dull/paper side of the freezer paper. Reduce your machine's stitch length to 14–18 stitches per inch. Press lightly to hold it in place. perimeter of the block. with the wrong side of the fabric or any other asymmetrical design. Some folks use regular paper. as blocks. Cut out the pattern around the outside is freezer paper. Basics Plus 135 . plus adequate seam allowance on all sides. 2. which is crucial in ensuring adequate coverage of your fabric. so make sure to account for this if you have a directional design. Piece by Numbers For Flags (page 118).PATTERNS My favorite pattern material for paper piecing 2. For more complex paper piecing have to be the same shape as the pattern. Cut a piece of fabric about 1/2˝ larger on as the center triangle is put in place all sides than the #2 pattern piece. as long 3. Do not cut the indi- but I prefer the stability of pressing my pieces vidual pieces! Do not worry about seam to the freezer paper. comes with the sewing and trimming. number of each piece. That reverse side easily through the freezer paper. It doesn't first. the pattern are numbered according to the order in which each is to be sewn. The fabric should entirely cover the #1 portion of the pattern. This order ensures that the design will come out as intended. the order in which you sew long as it is large enough. The line between consecutively numbered pieces is your seamline. like a letter SEWING 1. Your design will be reversed. it doesn't matter which seam you sew first.
and keeping the paper on them reduces the potential for stretching with handling of the block. Holding on to the fabric at the seamline. still holding on to the fabric. Turn the piece over to the dull/paper side piece #1 and fold the edge under 1/4˝. 5. this is your seam allowance for joining blocks. Trim seam allowances. Don't remove the paper yet. 136 A Month of Sundays—Family. The fold line in the fabric 9. This will confirm that Sew on line. Line up and stitch on the seamline on your pattern. give from Step 4 should be lined up with the seamline on your pattern. Fold back the paper along the seamline so it is out of the way and trim the seam allowance to 1/4˝. Remove the paper just before you sew all blocks together. 1 the piece of fabric will cover the pattern piece completely. Repeat Steps 3–7 for every pattern piece. Hold the entire piece up to the light. seam allowance. covering section #2. Trim the outside edges of the blocks 1/4˝ larger than the edge of your pattern piece. Determine which edge will be stitched to 6.4. After you have sewn all the pieces. Fold edge to confirm coverage. as if it was already sewn. Press the seam flat. then unfold the pattern and press the seam and fabric. the block a good press. Trim. You will have edges that have some bias stretch to them. to ensure that the fabric for piece #2 is still covering the seamline and that there is the appropriate 8. this folded edge with the seamline between pattern pieces #1 and #2. unfold it so the fabrics are right sides together. Position piece #2. A spritz of water helps when removing paper. Friends. The wrong side of the fabric should be against the shiny side of the freezer paper. 3 2 7. Food & Quilts .
Your blocks will stay in order. 2. columns you have in your quilt. put a pin or clip through this situation. and movable design walls are often called 4. big gusts of wind. it is easier to line up your seams when the blocks. and then pick it all up before the label is on each stack. stack the into use when laying out quilt tops. Starting with the top left block. create stack. beds. Using scraps of fabric or paper.Chain Piecing Having a dedicated sewing space with a 3. You can arrange your quilt top. feel free to do so. If you move your blocks—errant children. you sew a stitch. When you alternate pressing direc- layout before you start picking up tions. Working left to right. take the first 2 stacks to your sewing machine. keeping them in order from the top of the quilt to the bottom. the first 2 blocks from each 1. press to the right. This technique works when all blocks are the same size or when you are working on 5. Sew together basic patchwork. Even a cell phone photo prefer to press your seams open. Gather these 6. You should now have stacks of blocks. Sew a few piecing diagrams or dreaming up your own fantastic layout. Basics Plus 137 . top block in each column. will be enough to remind you of what your layout looked like so it can be re-created. Arrange your quilt blocks by following the end of the seam. Grab Your Camera side. each stack so they don't lose order. Pin the #1 label to the block in the top left large design wall is a luxury for many of us. If you aren't sewing Chain piecing your blocks is the way to tackle them right away. Repeat with each column. There is nothing wrong with any of that—but what if you haven't finished sewing the top together before your kids need to go to bed? entire column of blocks. Then press the second pair to the left. pin labels to the In the real world. Make sure label the rows. Repeat this until you've sewn together all the blocks in Chain piecing little labels numbered with the number of those 2 stacks. corner. or well-meaning partners. then press to one and an equal number of pins. Starting at the top. and you can work on piecing the top as time allows. Alternate pressing directions down the Take a quick snapshot of your quilt column. the living room floor. When you are ready to sew. Do not cut the thread at stitches then join the next 2 blocks. You never know who may you are sewing the rows together. Press the seams flat.
Repeat sewing and pressing for all the stacks. 9. The little finishing details might seem nitpicky. Yes. Repeat sewing together the rows and pressing. Press in the same directions as you did in Step 6. see them. Start in the middle as quilt top. All of your blocks should now be sewn roughly 1˝ × 1˝. Press seams to one side or open. Now the top is done! Create Dedicated Labeling Pieces Sew stacks into rows. Cut more if needed. Finishing Touches Quite often the details matter more than the overall design. chain piecing as before. 138 Cut twenty light-colored scraps A Month of Sundays—Family. Sew the blocks in the third stack to the joined blocks. and use them at close range. If you press to one side. your seams should nest together nicely. If you pressed in alternate directions. but taking the time to do them right will make all the difference to your final product. Using this them together in a little bag or box method of stacking the blocks into columns to pull out when you need to piece a actually creates rows. I recommend pressing all the seams in one direction. That means you are going to touch them. rows. 8. Friends. All the projects in this book are designed to be used. Number the scraps with a fabric pen or marker. Keep together in rows. you pin and sew together the rows. Food & Quilts .7.
create a parallelogram. such as seeing stripes or plaids on the diagonal. Create parallelogram. Figure C 4. mixing up the colors and patterns. to C. Sew together strips with diagonal seam. Sew them together on a 45° angle. And they come in handy. see Binding Tape (page 140). Sew the straight edges together. Cutting Bias Strips B. Bias strips are strips cut on the diagonal of the fabric. For a single-layer binding. to make ribbons or ties that are perfect for wrapping quilts when you give one as a gift. cross grain. which allows the bias strip to move around curves and irregular edges with greater ease. Press the seam open. Fold over an edge at a 45° angle to make a square. Figure B 3. Trim and press. quite a lot. 1. knowing how to create bias strips is a handy technique to have in your repertoire. Save Your Leftover Bias Strips Sew your leftover bias strips together. Cut off 45° triangle. Carefully move the cut triangle to the other end of the fabric. Figure A 2. Cut off the selvages and press the fabric to remove any creases. Regardless of where you side on the debate.BIAS STRIPS Ask a group of quilters about binding. Bias strips can be used for more than binding quilts. and a heated debate about the merits of bias binding versus straight-grain binding ensues. right sides together. Use a long ruler to measure and cut strips the desired width. Cut strips. Or use them for the Napkins with Built-In Ties (page 73) or the Parade Pennants (page 42)! Basics Plus 139 . Figure D 5. Cut off just the edge of the fold. D. Fold and press in half lengthwise to make a doublelayer binding. Bias strips are also a great way to see a fabric in a new way. Sew together the strips by placing them right sides together and perpendicular to each other at one end. when you are binding something that has curved edges. The bias of the fabric is much stretchier than the fabric's straight or A.
A dd together the length of all sides of your project. Round to the nearest inch. Take the square root of that number. That's it. run them through the tool.How Much Fabric Do You Need to Make Bias Strips? Use the following chart to determine how much fabric you need. Food & Quilts appropriate width. You can also make single-layer binding tape without any tools. I generally add a couple of inches and round up. for the price of one package. If you make a lot of bias tape. It comes in many 140 sizes. 36 + 36 + 54 + 54 = 180 2. 1. If you don't want a lot of leftovers. you can buy a bias tape maker and make your measurement for the final width of the bias tape. other than your iron. Then you can use the binding tape on anything from quilts to napkins (page 73) to fun projects such as the Parade Pennants (page 42). STEP EXAMPLE: Make 21/2˝ bias binding strips for a 36˝ × 54˝ quilt.5 = 475 4. and press well as it comes out the other end. Friends. The size indicates the A Month of Sundays—Family. BINDING TAPE You can buy bias binding tape in various widths and tones of colors at the fabric store. there is also an electric version own tape with your fabric of choice. T his equals the length of piece you need for cutting your bias strips. 180 + 10 = 190 3. My favorite tool for creating binding tape is the Clover Bias Tape Maker. Add 10˝ to this number. from 1/4˝ to 2˝. Simply . √475 = 21. 190 × 2. Or. Multiply this number by the width of the binding strip you want.8 5. You can available that folds and presses for you. I like the 1/4˝ and 1/2˝ sizes. just for a bit extra. more or less. you should start with this length for each side of the square to make your bias strips. create binding tape with bias strips or on- To make the tape. cut strips of fabric the grain strips.
Fold the binding down and align it with the edge of the quilt. Start stitching 1/4˝ from the edge and sew the next edge. Repeat at each corner. Join the ends (see Finishing Binding Ends on page 142). but it will look so much more Backstitch. you could serve the cake without 3. and press. pillowcase fold. Mitered corners 4. 1. Backstitch and lift your needle. Basics Plus 141 .fold the strip in half. layer to the quilt or project. exciting with that extra dash of color. Fold the binding up so the fold forms a 45° angle. If you are using single-layer binding tape. wrong sides together. Sure. open the folds and sew a single End stitching ¼˝ from corner. Bring the folded edge to the back and stitch in place. Stop them. Then open up and fold the edges in toward the center fold and press again. Finish sewing the binding to the quilt. Note: If you are using double-layer binding. Sew on the binding with a 1/4˝ Second fold seam allowance. leaving about 3˝ unattached. leave the strips folded and sew both raw edges to the quilt. 2. or simply turn the quilt edges with a sewing about 4˝ from where you started. pin the First fold binding on one side of the quilt. Just watch your fingers as you do this—irons are hot! Making bias tape without a tool SEWING BINDING TO A QUILT Binding a quilt is like adding sprinkles to a cake. Starting about 6˝ from a corner. Stop 1/4˝ from the corner.
If you feel challenged by any of the techniques. I suggest referring to the books below. Friends. Check that you've done it correctly and that the binding fits the quilt. 4. by Elizabeth Hartman. Cut. Stash Books. 2. measure from the fold on the ending tail of the 3. Cut binding tail. by Denyse Schmidt. Sewing is supposed to be relaxing. measure and mark the cut width of your binding strip. Stash Books. Fold the ending tail of the binding back on itself where it meets the beginning binding tail. I encourage you to explore new techniques and push your creativity. Store. Open both tails. 2012 142 A Month of Sundays—Family. 21⁄8˝ Fold Beginning of binding Stitch ends of binding diagonally. then trim the seam allowance to 1/4˝. Traditional Inspiration. STC Craft / A Melanie Falick Book. by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. 5. and Use Every Last Bit of Your Treasure. Modern Quilts. Place one tail on top of the other at right angles.FINISHING BINDING ENDS 1. 2010 Sunday Morning Quilts: Sort. Food & Quilts . breathe. not stressful. Cut the ending binding tail to this measurement. Mark a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch on the line. if the binding is cut 21/8˝ wide. that isn't necessarily a bad thing—it's just a reason to stop. 2012 The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker. binding 21/8˝ and cut the binding tail to this length. From the fold. Just like a Sunday afternoon. and plunge into something new. right sides together. Need More Information? For more information on any of the techniques mentioned in the patterns and not described here. Press open. For example.
Sleep in As a mother to three kids who have only two modes—awake and asleep—it also means she simply never stops. who lives with her wickedly handsome and sarcastic husband. or perhaps it is simply a matter of there always being something fun to do. Linger 2. Brunch family (wrestling match optional). Cheryl never meal.About the Author When Cheryl was a kid. Her perfect day starts with tea and the a cocktail (gin in the summer and scotch in the winter) and conversation. 3. And somewhere in there she will quilt. Relaxation and one little boy who is happy to take in the day with 4. and maintain a small freelance writing career. let alone writing. 2. Chillax Down 1. It might be her Ukrainian heritage and the work ethic that comes with it. Most likely it ends with 5. two gregarious girls with enough wit. Nap 5. and energy to feed a village. Respite 6. Calgary. Also by Cheryl Arkison. It was the easiest money Across 1. Sunshine 3. Eat 6. Alberta. with Amanda Jean Nyberg About the Author 143 . her family bet her ten dollars that she couldn't Answers keep silent for an entire family from page 62 her family won. or cooking. designing. Walks eyes wide open. is home for Cheryl. teach quilting. Breathe 4. Teatime 7. Cheryl finds time to write books. Giggles stops talking. This means she never stops creating. charm. In the midst of full-time motherhood.
Backed by C&T Publishing's solid reputation for quality. and engaging photography. clear and simple instructions. Stash Books is a line of how-to books celebrating fabric arts for a handmade lifestyle.com 144 A Month of Sundays—Family. Friends.stashbooks. Food & Quilts .If you're craving beautiful authenticity in a time of mass-production…Stash Books is for you. www. Stash Books will inspire you with contemporary designs.
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CRAFTS/Quilting A quilting book unlike any other • Featuring 16 family-friendly projects including quilts. and so much more • Scrap friendly and perfect for all skill levels • Learn a novel approach to quilting using low-volume fabrics (light-based fabrics with colors and graphics that do not overwhelm. offering color and still boldness that is more like a stage whisper than a yell.) . bags. pennants.
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