Arches National Park Shirt

It is no secret that I have loved the National Park Postcard blocks from Fiona Sandwich for several years.  I made our Camping Journal quilt based on them!  I am a member of the Fiona Sandwich National Park Travel Group on Facebook and have been ever since I discovered the patterns.  It is a space that members can share completed blocks, stories of their travels and other creative and inspiring photos and ideas.

In December I saw an ad for some shirts with several national parks stating that everyone should "rep your park."  Dave and I do often select a shirt as a souvenir from our visits.  One of the more recent purchases I can recall was from White Sands.  We looked at the NP giftshop, but the prices reflected the pride for the park.  The campground we were staying at had a gift shop and the prices for their shirts were more reasonable.  We both selected shirts and enjoy wearing them.  

But when I saw the ad, the idea of using a NP block to make my own shirts seemed brilliant!

Rachael liked the idea as well and asked me if I would be interested in creating a tutorial on the process.  So, here I am!

Dave and I have a spring trip planned to Utah to visit the Arches NP so my choice of the block is personally motivated. ;)

Step 1 - Make your block!

After making my block, I quilted the little block and trimmed the batting it so that it was slightly larger (about 1" all around) than the block itself.  

I used Hobbs Heirloom fusible batting that is 80% cotton and shrinks about 3% in size. After being laundered, it has a crinkly, well-loved, comfortable look.

If you don't want that well-loved look you can use a low-loft poly, or even pre-washed flannel would be suitable.

After quilting the block, I added a piece of white fabric to sandwich the batting and then marked the 1/4" seam allowance of the block and basted around the block - on the seam lines - the finished size of this block is 4-1/2".  This step not only sandwiched the batting, but it also showed me exactly where the stitching line was on the back of the piece. (This is an important step because you are working blind!)  Trim the piece so that it has 1/4" batting and backing beyond the unfinished block.

Locate the center front of your shirt and mark it on the inside.  I did this by pressing a crease with the iron.  Mark the center top and bottom of the block, noting the TOP of the block so that you sew it into place in the proper orientation. (Another important step.)

Making sure your block is straight, pin into place (all around the block) and sew.  I used a stretch stitch so there will be just a little "give", rather than having stitches pull and break.  It also gives a bit of a decorative look.  You can choose to use a thread that matches, or you can contrast.

I used a contrasting thread in the bobbin to stitch the block into place (about 3/8" from the sandwiched block edge).  

The second line of sewing can be sewn from the front, or the back, simply stay inside the first line of sewing.  (I sewed from the front, offering a contrasting thread without rethreading my machine.)

Tip:: If you sew from the back use the basted sewing line as your guide.  Just a thread's space from the sewing line is perfect!

This second line of stitching not only adds an accent, but it also traps/seals the block's raw edges and will help to prevent any fraying that may happen with wear and washing.

The next step can be a bit scary... Turn the shirt right-side out and CAREFULLY make a small snip with sharp scissors to be able cut an X to reveal the block.

As I noted above... be certain that you mark TOP of your block so that the block is in the correct position.

Carefully, trim away the fabric...  The t-shirt fabric doesn't require any sort of finishing... It will just roll out of the way and won't ravel.

In this case, you can see, I failed to pay attention to which edge of the block was the top.  

I prepared a piece of fusible interfacing and placed it over the block with the fusing AWAY from the block.  I pressed those shirt pieces back into place and picked out all of the stitching.

I turned the block into the proper orientation and repeated the entire process and... VOILA!  I have my Arches National Park shirt.

Mistake?  What mistake???

Here's one final picture after being washed and worn a few times.

Which National Park will YOU Rep?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Share Your Style at French Ethereal

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

I Quilted This! at Quilting & Learning

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Home Matters at Modern on Monticello

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Last Minute Gifts & Tutorials

I am a planner and like to get any big Christmas gifts done well in advance of the holidays and all the hubbub that goes along with them.  But I have noticed over the years that I am drawn to small projects that are quick and easy.  Many of them can be something to have on hand if a last-minute gift is needed or just a bonus "stocking stuffer."  And if they don't get finished???  No sweat!

At the top of the quick and easy project list are pillowcases. 

As I mentioned a few stories ago, I made several for a nephew to go with the alarm clock that he requested.  At the same time, I cut the fabric and printed instructions to make pillowcases including thread to create a DIY pillowcase kit that will be for our oldest granddaughter.

The next project was making a few hair scrunchies.  The tutorial for these can be found on Marie Bostwick's blog... HERE.  I may continue making a few more to keep on hand for when the granddaughters come for a visit.  It seems that one of them is always in need of a hair tie.

As I sewed these up, I recalled helping my daughters make a different style of hair ties when they were in middle school... I decided to create another DIY kit for the middle GD.  Items needed:

9" piece of round elastic

18-24 fabric strips - 3/4" x 6-1/2" (I used a wavy or pinking rotary cutter to cut down on fraying)

Tie a knot in the elastic to create a circle.

Attach the strips to the elastic by folding strips in 1/2.  Pass the loose ends through the folded end and draw up until snug.  Add strips until the elastic is covered.  Easy Peasy!

I had a recent request for a few therapeutic rice bags.  These are another quick and useful gift, and it is easy to make in multiples.  You can find the link to make them HERE.  They include a pattern to make a "monster cover."  But I make a cover from two pieces of flannel (10"x13").  The cover helps to keep the rice bag a little cleaner and a little more sanitary if used by multiple people.  I have made them in a variety of sizes, including a long one that easily drapes across the shoulders.  My mom used them throughout her knee replacement recovery, both as ice packs and hot packs.  

One last item... the knit stocking caps that I embellished with a fur pompom. Since a tutorial had been requested... Here you go!

I purchased these hats from a clearance bin at our wally-world months ago (as they were bringing out spring clothing) for just 50-cents.

The two hats on the far right are from mink.  My original 6 hats are from beaver.  The size difference is noticeable because the length of the fur.  The beaver poms appear larger and much fluffier than the mink.

The first step is to trace a 3-1/2" circle from a template onto the back of the fur.  Mark said to always work from the back of the fur.  Cut the circle from the fur using small snips (basically, just the tips of the scissors).  Using a large needle and some heavy thread (I used upholstery thread) make a running stitch along the edge of the circle.  Gently tug the thread to create the pom.  Stuff with some poly-fil. Finish gathering the circle in tight and knot, leaving a long tail on both ends.

Using the long tails, attach to the top of the cap.  Make several stitches to secure the pom.  Knot your tails together and clip.  I left the tails one inch long.  If you ever need to wash the hat, make sure you remove the pompom.

If you don't happen to have a fur laying around to use, you can use this same process with faux fur.

Ok... one more that I have on my list but haven't made yet... Corner Bookmarks.  I am not sure if I want to make them of fabric or if I will be using scrapbooking paper.

So many ideas!  So little time!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Creatively Crafty at Creatively Beth

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

Put Your Foot Down at The Quiltery 

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Create, Bake, Grow & Gather at Shabby Art Boutique

Saturday Sparks at Pieced Pastimes

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Conquering New Worlds and Techniques

Hey, hey!  It's Friday!  The weekend is just around the corner... 

Speaking of corners... I thought this By the Yard cartoon was funny.

QAYG is a little bit of a "new world" for me to reside in this week...

I was working hard at getting a little FMQ done before I picked up my machine on Tuesday.  You see, the plan was to take my Jazz into the "spa" when I picked up my Lyric.  

I was making great progress and was even sharing my session with a young gal that is interested in learning FMQ.  She and her mom came for a visit and Q&A time.  I was happy to share some tips and suggestions with them.  This gal is 15 years old and has done quilting in 4-H for several years and has even taken to making quilts with fabrics that she purchased herself just for fun!  

We were just wrapping up "the lesson" when I got a call from the friend of the repairman telling me that he had fallen that morning and was in the hospital with a broken pelvis.  I let her know that I would be there the next morning to pick up my machine but would hold off in getting my Jazz to him.  The pressure to get 1/2 of my Pieces of My Life QAYG done was no longer relevant.

My method of QAYG is as follows:

Trim/square your quilted piece to the precise size that you need, 1/4" seam allowances included.  

Cut a sashing strip to your desired width, mine was a 2" wide strip to make a 1-1/2" finished strip, cut a second strip 1/2" wider.  Layer the 2" strip (right side up, the quilted piece (top up) and then the 2-1/2" strip (right side down).  

I am not generally a pinner... but, since it is important to have the sashing strips cut to the exact length of the quilted piece, I did use pins.

Sew your 1/4" seam through all layers.  Flip and press the strip on the back.  Pin back the wider strip to keep it from getting in the way as you add the next quilted section.  Again, pin into place and sew your 1/4" seam.

Press seams to the center of the back sashing strip, forming a channel.  Cut a piece of batting the size of the channel.  Mine was 1" wide.

I use fusible batting so I don't have a worry that it will shift or slip as I move the piece from the ironing board to the machine.

You will then press the front strip over that "channel" while folding under the excess, being careful to just cover the 1/4" seam line and not cut off any points that you may have.

Pin into place and topstitch into place.  Topstitch the opposite side as well.

I am now ready to add a FMQ twisted ribbon in the sashing strip to prevent the batting from pulling away or bunching up in the channel.

I am proud with the way it turned out and it really was easier to manage a smaller section than trying to get a large sampler quilt quilted on a domestic.  Is it a method I will use all the time?  Probably not. I like the look of the overall quilting such as a hanging diamond, lattice on point or a Baptist fan or clamshell... BUT I have had QAYG on my "bucket list" of techniques to try for nearly 5 years.  And now I can say "I have accomplished it." 

Well... almost.  I still have two more sections to quilt, sash and join all together so that I can add a border.  But I feel good about it!  Can you tell??? LOL

Have you learned a new technique lately?  

Do you have one you have put off for a while?

Never fear!  Give it a go.

What have you accomplished this week, that you are proud of?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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Magnetic Prayer Board ~ Tutorial

A few weeks ago, when I shared about the craft-time activity with a Ladies bible Study group, there was request by a reader stating that she'd like to know how to make one herself.

So... here is the simple tutorial.

Items you'll need:

A metal (not aluminum) baking sheet

Assorted crafting or scrap booking papers, pretty cards, bookmarks, etc.

Fancy-edge scissors (if you have them)

Double-sided tape

Clear contact paper

Command hooks

String/twine or wire for a hanger

I purchased the medium sized, 10"x15" pans for the class at the local big-box store for less than $5/each.  (If you are willing to spend a bit more than that, a flat pan, with just one edge angled up, it will be less obvious that it is a baking sheet.)

Make your selection of what sort of paper background and featured items you want to use.  Using the double-stick paper, place them on your pan.

I used some die-cut letters, a bookmark and the front of a card.  Because of the rounded edges of the pan, I rounded the corners of the papers so that they would lay flat.

Cut a piece of contact paper the width of the inside of the pan and two inches larger than the pan.  For best results, this next step is best achieved with the help of another person.  Begin peeling the contact paper backing off for a few inches.  Position the starting edge of the contact paper on the top of the lip of the pan, carefully working your way down the lip so that the contact paper is just starting to cover the items you placed on the pan.  Have your helper slowly peel the backing off as you work from the middle to edge, working out any air bubbles that may happen, as you continue to press down the contact paper.

When you have your contact paper firmly pressed down and air bubbles walked out to the edges, trim off any excess contact paper.

Using your two command hooks, place them on the back top corners of the pan, making certain that the hook is pointing down so that your twine or wire will not slip off.

I have my prayer board hanging on the wall at the end of my sewing table, a prominent place where I see it often.  

Gather up a few magnets and begin placing the various prayer requests you have, your own or from others, and enjoy your time in prayer.  As I hear of answered prayers, I add the praise reports for a short time too, eventually replacing those as new prayer requests arise.

Do you have a prayer request?  

Leave a comment or send me an email message and I'll add it to my prayer board. I would be honored to lift your request.  

Happy Crafting!

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese 

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

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Chapel Series ~ Tutorial

After 18 months of this single mini-quilt postcard hanging out on the edge of my design wall... reminding me that I wanted to do a series of minis... the teasing and taunting got to me, and I chased down that squirrel project.

Last week I shared the completed series and told you that I would create a tutorial explaining the process of how I made them.

I am now here to fulfill my promise!  And I want to be a person that keeps her word. 😘

It all begins with a photograph...  Print it out to your desired size.  I wanted 5" x 7"... Actual postcards are only 4"x6".  So... I guess it isn't really a postcard... but whatever. 😉

Trace the outlines that you want to become the quilted/stitching lines.  I used a broad marker that bleeds through (be sure you have additional paper underneath so that you don't marker up something unintentionally!)  

Place your photo "pattern" on fusible paper with the back side up and fuse to your choice of fabric.  (You will see in just a bit why this reversing is important)

Trim your applique shape to the outlines.  Cut out any openings you want to have in a different color, such as windows and doors.

Remove the paper backing of the fusing and carefully place your window/door fabric over the openings.  Carefully, I lightly tack them in place on a corner or two with a hot iron so that when you move it/turn it, they won't shift.

Prepare your background and fuse into place with a hot iron.  You can see in the first pictures that some of them have a two-color background to distinguish the sky/ground.  You can determine how much of each accordingly with your picture or imagination.  Make the background piece larger than you need so that you can trim to center or shift, if needed.

Using some scrap batting, take your postcard and batting to your machine.  

With the use of black thread add your desired details and "sketch lines".

I like to do two lines of stitching to offer a "rustic" look to the mini-quilt.  It also allows for some imperfections to look "normal" and removes the worry of needing it to be perfect.  Feel free to add as many details as you desire.

Here are some compilation pictures.

It is subtle, but I learned that you really do need to reverse the picture for the angles to look correct...

The same thing happened with my very first chapel... (the one in the middle) Something is just half a bubble off... like me? 

When the quilting is done, choose your backing and finish the edges of the postcard as you desire.  I did a "self-binding" on one by folding the backing fabric to the front and stitching it down.  I stitched close to the edge of one, leaving it a raw edge finish.  One got a regular binding finish and the last one was finished by placing right sides together, stitching around three of the sides, turning right sides out and folding in the 4th side.  I then did two lines of sewing to secure all the way around the postcard.

Have you chased any squirrel projects lately?  

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you 

Happy Saturday sewing!

Melva

Linking with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Favorite Finish at MeadowMist Designs

Stitch It & Gift It Blog Hop & Give Away!

Welcome to the Stitch It & Gift It blog hop!  

Many thanks to Carla at Creatin' in the Sticks for being the hostess with the mostest and coordinating this fun hop!

I am one of those people that want each holiday to get its fair share of time to be celebrated... 

I am also one of those people that will do Christmas shopping year 'round.  And though it is not yet Thanksgiving, it is totally fair game to begin thinking Christmas gifts... what to make and who gets the recipients will be.  











Several years ago I purchased a pretty little wallet at a local rummage sale.  Every time I go to the bank to make a deposit one of the tellers would comment about how much she liked it.  Once she asked if I made it.  When I replied "No, but I could make one like it" she expressed her interest.

And I thought, "What girlfriend wouldn't like a wallet like this one?"  So I added the project to my "To do" list in my mind...  you know... for "someday".

Recently I found myself with no batting in storage to be able to finish the current quilt project (How did this even happen???) Now was the perfect opportunity!  Someday arrived!

I delved into the storage bin of pretty silky-satiny fabrics in search of options, took some dimensions of my wallet and started cutting. 

(A few months ago I acquired a very large stash of all sort of fabrics...  I made skirts and shorts that will be included in the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes that the church does each year.  And I gave a good bit of fabric away... some to my daughter, some to my sister-in-law, some to friends and the remainder that I didn't think I could/would use (let's be realistic here... I CANNOT save all the fabric!) went to the local theater for their use for costumes and set designs.  (We happily accepted the offer of tickets for a performance in exchange for it 🤩) )

Here you go... step by step tutorial. 

Cut two pieces of fabric 14-1/2" x 7-3/4".  Cut one piece of fusible interfacing (same size 14-1/2" x 7-3/4") to stabilize the outside piece.  With right sides together, layer the fabric and sew, leaving an opening of about 2-3 inches on one end (7-3/4" wide) to be able to turn.

Clip corners and turn.  Press, being careful to press the seams at the opening nice and straight.

Top stitch both ends and fold up 3-1/4".  Press.

Cut two more pieces of fabric 7-3/4" x 7" - this is for the pocket.  Stabilize one piece of the pocket fabric, stitch together leaving an opening, clip corners, turn and press... top stitch the ends (7-3/4").

Stitch a piece of hook & loop tape into place as shown... (You can choose to do smaller pieces in the center or a longer to cover most of the opening of the pocket.  You may notice that the original wallet has a zippered closure... I don't get along with zippers so I chose an alternate version!)

Fold in half and press.  Position the pocket slightly above (approximately 1/4") the crease of the lower section as shown in the picture here.
<<<

Pin top and bottom pockets in place and stitch...

You are now ready to gift this pretty little wallet!  While you're at it, make two or three, or more!  But you will certainly want to make one to keep for yourself as well. These little wallets make up quickly... about an hour.  Leaving plenty of time for other great projects too :)

You could make it as a checkbook cover for your favorite guy as well... just by picking some fabric that is a little more masculine like camo or a plaid.  

A PDF of the tutorial is available here.  This tutorial is free and available through Payhip.  You will have to set up an account with Payhip in order to download the file.

You may have noticed from the pictures in the tutorial  that I made two of these wallets.  My bank teller purchased one and I am giving away (YES!  Giving away!)  The second one.  Want a chance to win???  Simply leave a comment before November 18th in answer to the question below...  

What is one of your favorite Holiday traditions?

We have many traditions, but when our girls were younger we started putting clues on the gifts and we would one by one read a clue, try to guess the gift and then open it.  It takes away the rush and chaos of everyone opening gifts at the same time and we ALL get to enjoy gift and savor the moment.  It can sometimes take more than an hour to get through all of the gifts... but that is okay. 

Stitch it... and then Gift it!  

Melva

Be sure to visit the other bloggers to see what they are stitchin' up!  Happy Hopping!

Monday, November 11th

Just Let Me Quilt

Selina Quilts

Homespun Hannah's Blog

QuiltFabrication
Domestic Felicity
VroomansQuilts
Karrin's Crazy World
Storied Quilts

Tuesday, November 12th

Life in the Scrapatch

Alycia Quilts

For the love of geese

Kaholly, QuiltyPleasures and Nature’s Treasures

Words & Stitches
Quilt’n Party 
Patchwork Breeze
desertskyquilts

Wednesday, November 13th

MooseStashQuilting

Pampered Pettit
Mary Mack Made Mine
The Quilted Snail
Days Filled With Joy
Melva Loves Scraps

Limeleaves

Thursday, November 14th

Beaquilter

RidgeTopQuilts

Cynthia's Creating Ark
Songbird Designs
Farm Quilter
Kathy's Kwilts and More
Quilt Schmilt

Friday, November 15th

Quilted Delights

Seams To Be Sew

Ms P Designs USA

Just Because Quilts

Inquiring Quilter

Susie’s World

Creatin' in the Sticks

Plan to join me for a fun sew along that will feature vintage Kansas City Star quilt blocks!

Linking with:

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese
Creative Compulsions at Bijou Bead Boutique
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty
Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More
Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

UFO Busting at Tish’s Wonderland