Handbags from Sherrod Studio

Hi It's Kim from Sherrod Studio and I also blog over here. I would like to thank Madame Samm for inviting me to guest post today. Let's see where to start. When I was in elementary school I took a home ec class that taught me how to sew. That was the first time I had ever sewn anything. I stopped sewing for many years. A little over 11 years ago I decided to take a quilting class and that's when I got bitten by the quilting bug. Over the years I've made many quilts and the last 3 years I got into making handbags. I love to design my own patterns so I decided it was time to open up shop. I started Sherrod Studio to share my creativity with others and I am having a blast designing.

These are the 4 bag patterns I started. 

The Carolina Bag. This is nice and big for traveling, the beach or just around town. I carry this everywhere.

This is the Seabrook bag. This pattern has instructions for two sizes and two different front pocket options.

The Florence bag is a small bag. The strap is removable and it's long enough to wear cross body style with a zipper closure. If you've never done zippers, don't worry, the instructions are super easy to follow.

Last but not least is the Siena Bag. This bag also has long straps to wear across your body and the little zipper pocket in front for more storage and to keep your things secure. 

I am also giving away the Siena bag pattern in PDF format and enough fabrics for you to make one. Head on over here  to enter and leave a comment on this post also. 

To thank you all for visiting, I am offering a 15% discount on all PDF patterns.

J & S Creationz

My name is Laura Greffard and I am a WAHM :)  I love quilting and sewing and creating soft comforting things!  You will see that I have a sweet spot for soft fabrics and bright colours! I sew everyday to keep a balanced and healthy lifestyle for myself.  Don't get me wrong I love my children and my husband but we all need some "me" time once in a while too!!

I have created this trunk show to show you a few of my projects I have done in the past, I have so many ideas flowing through my head for future projects!  Sometimes I have trouble sleeping at night because I have just to many!!

This was my first quilt I made to sell.. I am so proud of the fact that my first quilt went to over seas!  As you can see I started out with a combination of colours and I think they go together so perfectly!

This quilt was made using the same fabrics as the above quilt.. I love creating 2 quilts from the same fabrics to see how different they look, but yet at the same time they look so similar.. 

These are 2 baby quilt/pillow sets.  I made them for my first craft show this spring.  They were a big hit, everyone loved them.  I still have the orange set in my Quilts N' Gifts Etsy shop :)

Here is another quilt and pillow set.  This was my first double size quilt I did as a custom order for a grad gift.  

And lastly is this amazingly soft beautiful rag quilt.  I adore this fabric and this quilt just turned out perfect!

I have recently been MIA from my Quilting lately, trying to balance family and summer and my new WAHM ShaeJae Dolls . I am hoping once fall comes around I will be able to re stock my Quilts N' Gifts etsy shop and get some things made for family and friends :)

Thanks for letting me share my quilts and story with you.  If you want to keep updated in my crazy life you can follow my blog J & S Creationz.

QUILTING IS MY PASSION, BUT CHOCOLATE COMES IN A CLOSE SECOND

Hi! Thank you, Madame Samm, for inviting me today. My name is Patricia, aka Yumm Yumz by patticakes. When I first tiptoed into the World of Quilting, I wanted the best of everything. So, I ventured into the alien territory of a LQS. I had been sewing clothing and home decor for many, many moons so it couldn't be so different from a regular fabric store . . . right?

Au contraire, mon ami! My LQS is much more magical, bright, and shiny . . . to this magpie's eye at any rate!

I immediately spied wonderful tidbits called Jelly Rolls.    And, beside them were smaller, even more wondrous items labeled Honey Buns. 

Next to them were lovely squares marked Layer Cakes. And, to top off all this yummy goodness, were Candy Bars.  Lions, Tigers, and Bears . . . oh, My! And, each and every one seemed to have my name on Speed Dial!!!

Next, I ventured to the treasure trove of patterns where I found White Chocolate, Strawberry Lemonade, and Cream and Sugar!  I dreamily skipped to the fabric section where I found Cotton Candy, Cappuchino, Mocha Mint, and Sherbet Pips!

Are you starting to detect a common denominator here?  Oh my, YES!  Everything (well, it seemed like everything to my perpetual dieter's eye) was named after food!  I was in Heaven - I had found the perfect hobby made just for ME!  You could indulge to your heart's content . . . NO!  Overindulge and never gain a single ounce!

So, it should come as no surprise that when Madame Samm asked me to do a tutorial on making pillowcases, I chose my favorite method . . . the Burrito, also called the Hot Dog, also called the Roll, and sometimes called the 20-Minute Pillowcase.  Easy to do, easy to remember, easy to make before Lunch!

Shall we begin?

My preference is to use three different, coordinating fabrics:  a main fabric, the cuff fabric, and a narrow trim/contrasting band that separates the main pillowcase from the cuff.  All measurements are based on the standard 44-45" WOF.

Fabric requirements for a standard size pillowcase:

3/4 yard (27") main fabric
1/3 yard (12") cuff fabric
1/8 yard of the narrow trim/contrasting band fabric

Fabric requirements for a queen size pillowcase:

7/8 yard main fabric
1/3 yard cuff fabric
1/8 yard of the narrow trim/contrasting band fabric

*  In Step 2 of the directions:  Cut the main fabric 32" long for queen size

Fabric requirements for a king size pillowcase:

1 yard main fabric
1/3 yard cuff fabric
1/8 yard of the narrow trim/contrasting band fabric

*  In Step 2 of the directions:  Cut the main fabric 36" long for king size

1.  Cut your narrow trim/contrasting band 3" X WOF.  Fold the band in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. 

2.   Cut the main pillowcase fabric 27" X 41'.  (*For queen size, this measurement is 32" X 41"; for king size this measurement is 36" X 41".)

3.   Place your cuff fabric right side up .  (This is your hot dog bun!)

4.   Place the folded, pressed, narrow contrasting trim on top of your cuff (hot dog bun) matching raw edges.

5.   Now place your main pillowcase fabric (This is your hot dog) right side down on top of the trim fabric and cuff fabric, aligning so that all raw edges are even.  Pin.

6.  The main fabric will be (and should be) narrower than the trim and cuff fabric: Like so.  Hang on!  Don't get your knickers in a knot - we will trim it in a minute!

7.  Starting at the bottom (un-pinned) edge of your hot dog (main fabric) start rolling your fabric up until approximately 3" of your hot dog bun (cuff) is showing at the bottom.  Make SURE to keep your rolled-up hot dog free of the top seam.  It should not be sewn through on the next step!

8.   Now, take the bottom (un-pinned) edge of your cuff, encasing your "hot dog" inside "your bun" and re-align the new cuff edge, making sure all previous raw edges are even.  Re-pin again.

9.   Stitch across the top of this tube through all pinned raw edges in a 1/2" seam.

10.   Reach inside your sewn tube (hot dog bun) from one side and grab the hot dog just as if you were pulling a sleeve out of your favorite cashmere sweater. 

11.  Press cuff and narrow band seams flat.  Fold pillowcase in half (wrong sides together) lining up the cuff and narrow band seams.  Now you can trim off the excess cuff and trim fabric, making all edges even.

12.  We will now be making a French seam to finish the pillowcase.  Pin WRONG sides of fabric together, matching remaining un-sewn two edges; the side seam and bottom of your pillowcase. 

13.  Stitch the side and bottom of pillowcase (Remember, you must have WRONG sides together for this step!)  using a scant 1/4" seam.

14.  Now turn the pillowcase wrong side out.  Push out corners and press pillowcase so seams are flat. 

15.  Now, with RIGHT sides together, stitch the sides and bottom of your pillowcase one more time using a slightly wider 3/8" seam.    You have just encased all the raw edges inside the two seams.  This is called a French seam and now your entire pillowcase has no raw edges at all!

16.  Turn your pillowcase right side out.  Push out corners and press.  You are done . . . just in time for lunch!

The pillowcase for this tutorial was made for this amazing project to deliver patriotic pillowcases to servicemen and servicewomen serving our country and defending our freedom.  Local veteran's homes and nursing facilities are always grateful as well for any small tokens to make their patients feel more at home.

You could also make and donate a pillowcase for my personal pet project, ConKerr Cancer, or any other organization for children facing life-changing illnesses.  Ronald McDonald Houses and children's shelters are always a good bet.

 It's fun to make holiday-themed pillowcases for Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc.  With novelty fabrics so varied and available now, you can match your pillowcase to your recipient's favorite NFL team or other hobby or interest.  They are quick, economical, and fun personalized gifts to make and give.

If you would like to give the Hot Dog method a try, I will be giving away this Mary Engelbreit pillowcase kit on the Stash blog.  The teacups are in honor of our gracious hostess, Madame Samm, who is our Cuppa Cozie Queen.

 And, I will be giving away the Groovy Slug Bug kit on my blog.  I would love to have you as a Follower, but it is not required to win.  Simply, leave a comment here . . .  or there . . . or both places if you would like two chances to win, describing what (the stranger - the better) is your favorite quilting food.

Thanks for having me, Madame Samm and you, Gentle Readers, her lovely posse.  Enjoy your pillowcase projects if you should choose to try one.

 and Bon Appetit'!


oh and giveaway will be announced
on both blogs tomorrow-Thursday!

Congratulations to:

sandra (from Canada) Winner of the Groovy Slug Bug Kit said...

"Hi really loved that simple method for making pillow cases,thanks. I am already a follower."

Kelly J (from Ontario, Canada) Winner of the Mary Englebreit TeaCup Kit said... 
Life is like a box of chocolates...you never know what you're gonna get"?

Actually, Life is a like a fabric store! All the treats are waiting inside, you just have to push open the door.

Paper Piecing Phobia

Hi!  I'm LuAnn from Loose Threads blog, and I am really excited to be here doing a guest post today.  I'm also a bit nervous.  Thank you Madame Samm for inviting me to be a guest blogger. 


When someone mentions paper piecing, do you shiver like you've just been chilled by a cold wind or do you just shake your head or pretend not to hear?  If so, you may have paper piecing phobia.  I'm going to do a tutorial on paper piecing and show you some of the quilts where I've used paper piecing.  I really enjoy making blocks by this method, and I hope you will, too.


These are the materials that I use.  I prefer That Patchwork Place foundation paper, but I have also use Scribble Pads that I buy from the dollar store.  I use an Add A Quarter ruler that is available from most quilt shops.  A regular ruler can also be used for trimming, but the Add A Quarter ruler has a lip that catches on the paper when you trim so that the fabric doesn't slip when you are trimming the quarter inch seam.  Of course, you will need a rotary cutter, cutting mat, and paper scissors.  I keep the Magic tape on hand in case the paper foundation perforates and tears before I've had a chance to sew.  You will also need a post card or an index card.

Paper piecing is just like a lot of things:  Getting started is the hardest part.  Set your sewing machine to a short stitch.  I set my Bernina at about 1.5.  Your objective is to perforate the paper so that it is easy to remove after you finish the block.  

Experienced quilters measure the spaces and add the seam allowance and then cut their pieces, but for this tutorial we’re just going to cut the fabric large enough so that we're sure it fits and sew.

First, fold the foundation paper on the line between spaces 1 and 2.  Place fabric piece on the back side of the paper right side up so that it covers space 1.  Fabric #1 is the only piece that goes face up.  I put a pin in far away from the sewing line to hold the fabric in place.

Cut a piece of fabric to cover space 2 and put it on top of piece 1 right sides together.   If you hold the paper/fabric up to a light source, it will help you get the first two pieces in the correct place.  Sew on the line between spaces 1 and 2 starting a few stitches before the line and continuing afterwards. 

Now flip your work over to the fabric side and press the two pieces open. 

Now you are ready for piece 3. Take your post card or index card and fold the paper over the post card on the line between spaces 2 and 3. 

Use the add a quarter ruler or regular ruler and trim the fabric leaving a quarter inch.  This is your sewing guideline and seam allowance for piece number 3. 

Add the piece of fabric to cover space #3 right sides together and SEW.

Flip it over, open and press.

So….from now you:

FLIP the paper back and

TRIM the fabric.

Add the next piece of fabric and SEW.

PRESS.

Repeat. 

Continue  in numerical order.  Piece number 7 is done the same way.  Fold piece number 7 up over the postcard and trim to a quarter inch using your add a quarter ruler.  Add your piece of fabric to cover that little triangular space and sew. 

Now trim your block around the edges and you are finished.  This is what 4 of these units look like sewn together. 

After you are comfortable with this method, you can chain piece your paper pieced blocks. 

This is a quilt that I paper pieced when the book Easy Stash Quilts by Carol Doak first came out in 1999. 

I just made this one in a different colorway as a gift earlier this year.

Here are several 3" blocks from a swap that I was in for almost 3 years.  Each of these blocks was paper pieced.

The pattern for this quilt is from the Judy Martin book, Piece 'n' Play Quilts.  Each block is alike, so I drew it into Electric Quilt and printed it as a paper piecing pattern.

This is my quilt called A Distant Star that is published in the book Dear Hannah, A Tribute to Jane Stickle by Brenda Magnes Papadakis.  I enlarged one of the blocks for the center and paper pieced the sections and then applique'd them together.

I love paper piecing because I feel that my sewing is much more accurate.  It is a lot easier to get sharp points and works great for smaller blocks.

I hope that if you haven’t tried paper piecing that you will print an easy pattern and try it.  If you haven’t tried it for awhile I hope you will give it another chance. 

Thanks again Madame Samm for letting me come over to visit and be a guest blogger here.

I hope you'll drop by my blog sometime for a visit.  I'd love to meet you and have a chat.

LuAnn