Projects – Forest Quilting and MUCH More

1.29.22 Juniper Owl

January 29, 2022

by Patrice Adams Inspiration Projects Soft Characters

Juniper Owl was inspired by an owl my granddaughter spotted at an outdoor winter market last December as we explored the festively decorated and overflowing wooden stalls of the enchanted Duluth Winter Village set up on the shore of Lake Superior.

Despite the cold, Winter Village was packed. Maybe it was so busy because Covid prevented the 2020 Village and the new location motivated many to brave the cold. So with the long lines, children in tow interested in cotton candy, and the cold I was not able to purchase this owl on the down-low for a Christmas present. The owl she spotted, which was beautifully constructed, was priced at $40.

From memory I needed to create something similar to meet my granddaughter’s expectations. I also looked to Pinterest for inspiration.

When Hattie met Juniper Owl on Christmas Day she recognized it as the owl she saw at the Winter Village.

Cocoon Designs Peace Keeper — Worry Stuffie

Non-conforming Plush Characters

Using inspiration from sites like Suse Bauer from Germany (my Worry Stuffie) and Karna Erickson (Peace Keeper) I created my first original stuffie, Crazy. It was so fun to dig through my stash of scraps and play with ideas during the assembly. My sewing space literately looked like my fabric, ribbons, and zipper collections had exploded. It seemed no matter what I auditioned for my first creation, it worked. No chance to make a mistake!!

All the stuffies I have given away have been warmly received and loved. Of course, the un-conventional ones are given the ‘once over’ as if they need to be explained. The owl was more traditional and needed no explanation.

To get you started I am sharing my pattern for Juniper Owl. I included some very basic and brief instructions. If you have not sewn a stuffie before, consider starting with a medium-size non-conforming stuffie using a basic shape (ex. oval) and embellishing it as your creative spirit tugs you. Check out all the creative examples in Pinterest or a Google search. Most importantly, have fun.

Link to Juniper Owl PDF

05.17.21 Small Chicken Pincushion 4U

May 17, 2021

by Patrice Adams Misc Sewing Paper-Piecing Projects Uncategorized

I am crazy about pincushions. I am especially crazy about chicken pincushions. This particular pincushion captured the heart of my four-year old grand-daughter. She hugged it, claimed it, and took it home. I am sure it will be special to her.

I love the cute look of chicken pincushions and I like the shape for easily getting needles and pins in and out of the cushion.

I use finely sifted washed sand from a local beach to fill my pincushions. I find that the fabric and stitching does hold the sand in without any leaks. I’ve used crushed nut shells (makes my pins gummy) and rice (attracts mice). Not only do I wash my sand until all the dirt is removed, I soak the sand in a weak bleach solution for a few minutes to remove any lake/fish smells.

In this post you will find a link to a simple paper-pieced pattern for two three-inch blocks that you can use to make a small striped chicken pincushion. With this project you can use up very small pieces of fabric from your stash. The pattern offers four 3-inch pp blocks to make two pincushions.

HINT: You can use any paper for your paper piecing foundation. I like velum paper that is light weight. It works in my ink jet and laser printers just fine. It is crisp and is easily removed from the blocks. AND best of all it is translucent so you can see your placement of fabric as you add new. This is especially helpful when sewing on irregular shapes (triangles or other angled pieces).

Link to the PDF pattern and directions to make your own chicken pincushion.

Have fun making your own pincushion.

Pincushion Chicken — Paper-pieced squares are used to make this small chicken pincushion.

Chicken Pincushion done and full of pins.

Simple Paper-piecing of two 3-inch blocks.

Pinning the beak and head feathers.

Baste the opening where the sand will be added stabilizes the fabric and the opening is easily stitched closed.

05.15.21 Hoffman Panel Dream Big

May 15, 2021

by Patrice Adams Projects Quilting Techniques Uncategorized

I am working on my Hoffman Spectrum Digital print fabric panel that I received for a gift about four to five years ago. I have been so excited to do this and have so appreciated all the generous quilters who have posted photos of their amazing quilting of this panel. They have also offered information on the process they used and what materials they used.

I requested a black and white panel because I wasn’t sure where I might hang this when it was completed. I am using white thread at the center, a lighter gray, medium/dark gray and black as I work out from the center.

I’ve had to be patient with myself and let the quilting designs come to me. I just want to look at the panel and know quickly how I will fill each pedal. I am not able to do that, so I have to take time to seek ideas and audition designs. Also, because I am using new quilting designs I am not happy with my first attempts and have found I need to practice them first. This all slows down the process.

It is taking much longer than I anticipated.

06.08.20 My Favorite Masks

June 8, 2020

by Patrice Adams Misc Sewing Projects

Since the end of March 2020 my quilting has been set aside for sewing masks. At times I crave time working on my quilting and commit to taking a pause from the masks, but then a need or a request arises and I make a pile more of masks. I try to remind myself it is the least I can do to help in this time of craziness. The very least. I am not making 100s of masks… I am no heroic maker of masks. However, it feels good to make a bunch and give them away.

I have tried a few styles and patterns and I thought I would share my favorite patterns and links for the sites I’ve used. I’ve gotten feed back from some about the fit and comfort of the various masks which I will share also.

I started out making the folded and pleated masks until I ran out of my stash of quarter-inch elastic. Then I began making a super comfortable, adjustable mask that used bias tape, which I did not have. However, I found a wonderful, short video on how to make your own without the special tool. I made dozens of these masks and was able to starch them (a lot) and press flat to fit into a business envelop and send one at a time using one first class stamp. Lastly, I found a 3D mask pattern that allows for adjustment and does not take as long to make as the bias tape mask.

Below are the three masks I’ve made with links to each. Following the list I have added more information and links to other sites that gave me ideas or guidance in the construction of each.

Below are the three styles and patterns I have used:

Folded or Pleated Mask

The folded or pleated mask was one of the first mask patterns offered about the middle of March this year. Since then there are now hundreds of options, styles, patterns, and sizes to choose from. There are also hundreds of videos available for construction guidance. This mask is comfortable if the straps are the right length, but because they are not adjustable I had some reports that the masks didn’t fit well. Recently I started using cotton t-shirt fabric to make stretch cording for the ear loops and pony beads to make the loops adjustable. I think that could be used on this pattern to ensure a better fit. This mask is not as fitted to the face as well as others masks are with metal over the nose or a more rounded style to cup the chin.

This mask is made with a two pieces of fabric 6 x 9 inches. Two pieces of 6 inch 1/4 inch elastic is used for the loops over the ears. Pleats are sewn onto the sides. This mask takes very little time to cut out and construct. Here is the link to RuralOrganizing with a short, complete video on sewing this mask that was posted the middle of March 2020.

Pull Cord Under the Chin Mask (Adjustable)

This is the mask pattern that I have made for my family and friends. This mask is great because a pull cord under the chin, which is made of bias tape, allows the wearer to adjust the size. The mask also rests away from the face so it doesn’t feel close and hot. This mask also includes a wire or piece of metal over the nose to avoid gaps. My husband gave me a thin sheet of aluminum metal that I cut into narrow strips with an old scissors. I’ve read that some use the metal strips from a bag of coffee. Others use wire that they loop at the ends to prevent the wire from protruding out of the mask. This mask has a design that cups around the chin to offer a more fitted feel. I’ve had many say this is the most comfortable mask. However, this mask takes more advanced sewing skills and a bit more time to make.

I like the idea of not having to use elastic, which I understand is still hard to find. I never use bias tape, so I did not have any on hand. I also do not own the tool to make bias tape. However, I found a great Youtube video for making bias tape without a bias tape device. It was fun (but more time) to use the same fabric for the bias tape and the mask. I found making sure the fabric was medium to heavily starched made the process of making the bias tape so much easier.

Link to a PDF pattern and tutorial from Allina Health for a Pull-Cord-Under-the-Chin face mask.

3D Mask (Adjustable & Various Sizes)

Recently I have discovered the 3D Mask style. I find this particular 3D mask to be roomy, comfortable, adjustable, and quicker to construct. I love the children sizes. I have to say the small child mask is adorable. I’ve made this style of mask for a medical clinic where masks for all is required, even on the kiddos. This also had a bendable piece of metal above the nose to tightly secure the mask against the face. Here is the link to the video I watched to make this style of mask. I then drafted the pattern into the various sizes (links below). I like that I can use my rotary cutter to cut out the mask pieces.

I’ve discovered how awesome t-shirt fabric works for the loops over the ears. It’s soft and sturdy enough with a slight amount of stretch. I use pony beads to allow the loops to be adjusted. Both the t-shirt fabric (100% cotton) and pony beads are readily available and inexpensive. Here is a link to a short video on making stretch cording or t-shirt yarn with a cotton t-shirt. I used 3/4 inch strips of t-shirt to make my cord. Here is a link to using elastic with pony beads rather than t-shirt fabric stretch cording.

Links to PDF patterns 3D Mask

03.28.20 My Favorite Quilt

March 28, 2020

by Patrice Adams Books Projects Quilting Techniques

Close up photo of sewing machine doing free motion quilting. — Whimsical Pine Tree Quilt

I worked on this design for over a year. Then worked on the piecing for a year…and then because I loved the quilt so much I had to take a lengthy pause to really make sure the quilting I added would be perfect. Well, it’s not perfect, but I do love how it turned out. I hang this quilt in our family room all year! I just love it.

I am happy to share this pattern with you. Like the rest of my free patterns I have only sparse directions. My intention is to share the idea with some direction and hope that you are able to take if from there. The pattern I have posted includes a seven, five, and three-inch block for paper-piecing. I hope you find something fun to do with the pattern.

I have included a couple of photos of the layering of my quilt using Harriet Hargrave’s techniques for layering and pinning, which has never failed me. Even when I piece the backing, which I had to do with this quilt, her method allows me to know what is going on with the backing to place the piecing where I want it in relationship to the front. If you have not explored her books, I highly recommend a that you do. She has been a leader in domestic machine quilting. I owe so much of my ability to free-motion quilt to reading and studying her books. I ALMOST got to attend a week-long retreat years ago, but the retreat location changed and I was unable to attend. I have two editions of her comprehensive Heirloom Machine Quilting books and I have all the books in her amazing Quilters Academy series. She has deep, useful, practical information packed into her books. In later posts, I will mention the many other domestic quilters who have shared their expertise and inspired me.

I love Christmas fabrics and everything made with them. This quilt allowed me to use many different holiday fabrics from my stash for the trees and the corners. Nearly everything I free-motion quilt includes feathers. I am trying to expand my skill set and use other quilting designs. I love to make free-motion feathers.

I did spend a lot of time trying out various ideas for the quilting. For me this decision is the most difficult step in completing a quilt, unless I designed the quilt with a specific quilting plan or feature in mind. Here you can see a draft design idea for the quilting that I finally liked. Yes, I went with feathers…..again.

Whimsical Holiday Quilt drafting the quilting — Draft design

Whimsical Holiday Quilt back quilting — Draft design

Link to PDF Pattern Whimsical Holiday Quilt

03.22.20 New Project

March 22, 2020

by Patrice Adams Projects

Finally, after years of not adding anything new I added a table topper pattern that I made a few years ago but did not publish. It feels good to refresh my skills with my drawing program and get the PDF ready to share. It seems right now I have plenty of time to work on adding some things to my site.

The project is Country Star Table Topper, which is a hexagon-shaped paper-pieced intermediate project.

I hope everyone reading this is well and safe. For me, I have discovered how technology can be used effectively to avoid feeling isolated. Facetime with the grandkiddos is beyond wonderful. Virtual Happy Hour with friends is the best. This week video Messenger conference calling replaced an in-person lunch with a group of friends. Text messages – individual and group – keep me feeling connected. And of course, phone calling is also an option and no longer involves ‘long distance’ charges. I hope you all have the resources to have means of staying connected with others. I also hope you have meaningful, enjoyable activities you can do to pass time. It is so important at this time. I’ve received many humorous videos and quotes, plus deeply thoughtful texts that reaffirm how resilient we are and how we have not lost our sense human compassion and hope and sense of humor. Stay well!