Cherry House Quilts

CHQ QAL - Binding the quilt (3 weeks late)

Hello my friends!

So sorry for getting off track with the quilt along. There is definitely something wrong with my head, I've had these incredible headaches going on for four weeks - ridiculous! I've had tests, I'm changing my diet-giving up diet coke :-(, now to await the results. I know Julie was so sweet to share her binding tutorial, and many of you are finished with your quilts already - awesome work by way! I thought I would share some of my thoughts on binding, what I do, and what works for me.

First of all, I like a really really narrow binding - I cut all my binding 2" wide. Does anyone else cut it this narrow? The biggest reason is that I like the look, it looks like a thin frame to me. A second reason is that I often do not add a border, so using a narrow binding, attached with the 1/4 presser foot doesn't take away anything from the outer blocks - nothing gets cut off. Otherwise, I think I bind like the rest of the quilting world, nothing exceptional there. What is different (I believe) is how I join my ends, I will share that with you!

 
I've tried every trick under the sun for joining my binding ends, I wasn't happy with any of them. I bought the Fons & Porter tool but my dyslexic brain couldn't wrap around how to overlap the end pieces - not to save my life could I get it. If it works for you, more power to you, but in desperation I came up with my own method. I hope this makes sense!

1. When starting your binding, begin to attach the binding to the quilt near a center on any side - it doesn't matter which side, leave an approximate 8" tail.
2. Sew all the way around, as usual
3. When you get back to the beginning, stop sewing about 7" from where you began, leave another approximate 8" tail.
4. Cut all the necessary threads
5. Move your quilt from your sewing machine to your ironing surface
6. Lay the unfinished binding area flat on your ironing surface
7. Bring the beginning and end strips together
8. Fold them back on themselves, so they are touching...see photo
9.  
10. Press hard, hard, hard...you really need to be able to see the creases
11.  
    Move the quilt back to your work surface
12. Open up the creased binding from the beginning and end tails
13. With right sides together, line up the creases from both tails, and place a pin in to secure
14.  
    Carefully place the strips under your presser foot, and stitch the length of the crease. Reinforce at the beginning and end of the strip.
15.  
    Trim 1/4" from the joined seam
16.  
    Press the seam allowance flat or open, your preference
17.  
    Stitch down the remaining binding, and now you are ready to bind!
18.  
    Look how neat that is, no bumps, no bulk, just another seam.
19. FYI - this process is a whole lot easier with a little quilt like this, than something massive; but it doesn't matter, it's the only method I use.
20. Bind away...by hand or machine
21. Add a label

 
Are you a hand or machine binder? I used to bind strictly by hand, until I got in the biz, and there were just too many quilts to be bound. I love hand binding, there is something very soothing about the process, but it isn't a speed sport. It reminds me of nursing a baby, slow down and enjoy the process, no one is going anywhere, very fast.

Thank you again for joining me on this quilt along! I've got a special present for 12 lucky folks...check back on Tuesday, and I'll tell you all about it...tease, I know :-)

If you would like your quilt to be featured in a show & tell, send me images of your quilt to humblequilt at yahoo dot com, and we will take a minute to show everyone what we've been up to. Be sure and send your blog link so folks can come visit you, if you like.

xoxo,

Cherri

P.S. Cool fabric on my ironing board, it's not my ironing cover, it's a project I'm working on, and I was too lazy to find a flat surface to put it on.

CHQ QAL - Quilting the top!

Were here, almost at the end; quilting the top/batting/back is the culmination of all the work to date. I feel very strongly that how you will quilt the quilt needs to be part of the planning process from the beginning...whether simple, functional, ornate, or over the top...whatever you choose, remember the composition of the entire piece needs to flow together. Consider the fabric, the blocks, the style, and the use of the quilt. Quilting is very personal, some quilters send everything out to be professionally quilted, others do their quilting by hand, some feel that they must quilt their quilt themselves; otherwise it's cheating. Want to know what I think? I think whatever works best for you, is what is right. It's your quilt, you decide its destiny! I'm all for using the skills of a professional quilter, but if you're nervous, and have never quilted a quilt by machine before, I would like to encourage you to trying quilting this small piece using a walking foot...if you don't have other plans.

• Prepare the quilt back if necessary (pieced backs)
  •     The quilt batting  & back should be 3 to 4" larger than the top
• Layer the quilt top, batting, and backing together.
  • I use Hobbs Fusible Batting all the time, it is simple to use, and PERFECT for this type and size of project.
• If using fusible batting, pinning is not necessary, otherwise pin layers together
• Familiarize yourself with your selected batting - depending on the type of batting (cotton, poly, bamboo, etc) the distance between quilting lines can vary greatly.
• Prepare you sewing machine for quilting, with either a walking foot or free motion foot
• Get quilting!

 
I choose to use the edge of the walking foot as a measurement guide. I began stitching along the column, and continued the length of the column, and created four lines of stitching on each side of the column. As well as four lines of stitching on the left and right edges of the quilt.

Let's talk about thread...

For this quilt I used Gutermann thread, 50 weight in a matching color. I'm a huge fan of Gutermann thread, they have an extensive range of colors, and the quality is excellent. Another thread that I frequently use for quilting is YLI's Silk Thread, 100 weight. This silk thread is thin, strong, and wonderful to work with. I also like to use this thread for hand sewing down the binding since it sinks into the fabric so well. I selected Gutermann for this quilt, because I had it in a matching color.

TIP...If you have difficulty stitching straight, use painters tape to create a straight line guide, then stitch next to the tape. When finished, simply pull it off the quilt, and reuse it on the next area of stitching.

 
After all the quilting is completed, trim excess batting and backing from the perimeter of the quilt

 
All done, ready to bind!!!

 
How will you quilt your quilt? I can't wait to start seeing your photos on Flickr!

xoxo,

Cherri

CHQ QAL - Assemble the quilt top

Hello! Ready to assemble your quilt top? While this isn't exactly challenging sewing, there are several issues to be taken into consideration. We will go through some issues you might encounter. FYI - I'm a pinner, I believe in pins, I use pins, I swear by pins - I don't use them for everything, but I believe that it makes a great deal of difference in the final product. That's how I work, and what I'm comfortable with; everyone is different, I respect that...that being said, I'm recommending you use pins for assembling the top.

• Issues you might encounter:

  •     Pieced column too long
  •     6 1/2" strip too long

If either of these conditions apply, sew with the longer strip on the bottom. Pinning becomes even more important in this circumstance. The feed dogs on the sewing machine will help ease in the extra length.

 
Note, in this photo the pieced column was too long, so I sewed with pieced column on the bottom, hence the pins stuck in the from the "wrong" side.

Sewing the column to the 6 1/2" strip

First you measure your pieced column, then cut the strips to match. What if your pieced columns lengths are all slightly different? Three of my columns were 38", and one was 38 1/2", I cut all the 6 1/2" strips to  38"

• Cut the 6 1/2" strips all the same lengths

There are ways to make your pieced columns cooperate-think mafia quilting :-)

If the pieced column and the 6 1/2" strip are the same length great! With right sides together (there generally isn't a right side to solids, but not everyone is using solids) pin in the following places, in the order shown:

• Beginning
• End
• Center
• and mid way between all of the above places


VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Whether you are sewing with the pieced column on top, or the strip on top, whatever you do - make certain the direction of the pressed seam allowances are pointing away from the presser foot, and not towards it. There is no need to fight your sewing machine, work with it, and not against it.

   
 
 Repeat as above for all strip & pieced column pairs.

Carefully press the pieced column away from the strip, press the seam allowance towards the strip. Press with caution, as to not distort the pieced columns - they can easily become misshapen with a hot iron!

 
Using a design wall if available, determine the color order of your column

Sew the columns together (when pressing the joined sections, press away from the pieced columns), sew the remaining 6 1/2" strip to the pieced unit on the right

 
After the quilt top is assembled, prior to quilting, I recommend that you stitch across each exposed seam on the perimeter of the quilt top, sew 1/8" from the raw edge. This will revent any seams from popping in the quilting process

 
Ta da...your quilt top is done, and you are ready for quilting!!!

 
What do think? Sweet little quilt isn't it? 

Thank you again for joining me on this journey!

xoxo,

Cherri 

I ♥ all of you!

Dearest friends,

Thank you so much for your outpouring of love and support this week. After the unpleasant surprise of finding my self and my work being negatively discussed on a message board, your kindness has been the best medicine. What I found shocking about the whole experience was the way my work, and my quilt along project were being discussed. On more than one occasion I was so tempted leave a comment, and say "hey, I am reading what you are saying about me, I am right here!!!" But I didn't...I kept my mouth shut.

How are you coming along with the QAL? Tuesday we will put it all together, isn't it going fast?

I'm already working on our next small quilt, quilt along...we will be combining solids and prints. The whole project came about as I was going through my fabric collection, and realizing how old some of my fabric is, there was some really dated stuff...10+ years! There was a reason I bought the fabric, I loved it once upon a time. I thought the perfect solution would be to take a wide range of fabrics, chop them up really small, combine them with solids in order to make everyone play together well - current fabric, older fabric, hideous fabric - everyone in the pool.

Fair warning, it's a fussy little block, finished size 4". Notice I didn't date that Kaffe fabric...it's timeless to me!

 
Happy Valentines everyone...hope you spend the day with someone you love ♥♥♥

Cherri

CHQ Quilt Along - Pieced Columns

Hello! Welcome back to the next installment in our quilt along. Before we get started I want to share something that I have been made aware of, somewhat sadly. Apparently there is an ongoing discussion on a quilt message board regarding quilt alongs, and this one specifically. There were many comments wondering why the directions call for cutting 1 1/2" squares, as verses doing strip piecing. It was suggested that I might not know better, and wasn't aware of this time saving method. I'm not going to touch that comment...no, not going to say a word. What I will say is this, yes - of course you could do strip piecing for the columns, and if that is your preference, go for it. There are several reasons for electing to sew 1 1/2" squares...it's a good opportunity to work on cutting accuracy, 1/4" seam allowance, avoiding the dreaded bowed strip, etc.

It was also noted that this quilt is so simple that it could be made in a matter of hours, without any directions or guidance. This is true too, but I created this pattern with a desire to share it, in the spirit of a quilt along. I'm feeling sad, and a little wounded...like no good deed goes unpunished. For those participating with the spirit that this was intended, I thank you; for those finding fault - I'll say nothing. Enough of that...let's get to sewing!

SEW ONE COLOR COLUMN AT A TIME: For each column you need 18 of the color squares, and 19 of the background squares...sew by 2's - a background and color square, chain piecing (sew a pair, take a few stitches, sew another pair without cutting the thread between) all the squares for the column

 
Next, join the 2's to create 4's, next 4's to create 8's, until you have one long chain. Add a background square to insure each chain begins and ends with the background color...to create the illusion of the little blocks of color floating on the fabric.

Repeat for all columns

 
Next, press the entire length of the all four columns

 
Then measure, mine came out to 38", so that is the length that I will cut my 6 1/2" strips.

That's the pieced columns...piece of cake!

I've enjoyed seeing your photos of your fabric that you've added to the flickr group...thank you for sharing your work!

xoxo,

Cherri 

CHQ Quilt Along - Cutting Instructions (a day early)

Welcome everyone!!! I'm so excited to begin the quilt along...we need a name for this quilt...any suggestions? Remember, it was inspired by a pair of socks!

If you haven't had a chance, pop over to Flickr, and join the group there. This will be a great place to meet others that are participating in the QAL, as well as a place to ask questions, and share photos.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments section on these posts, and I will reply in comment section.

Measurements are based on 42" fabric, and 1/4" seam allowance

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS

BACKGROUND FABRIC:

Cut 5  6.5" x WOF (width of fabric) strips**

Cut 3  1.5" x WOF strips, subcut into 1.5" squares, 76 needed

 

Cut 3  2" x WOF strips (binding)

COLOR STRIPS:

From each of the 4 color strips cut 1  1.5" x WOF strip, subcut into 1.5" squares, 18 needed of color

 
 
**These 6.5" strips will be trimmed to 37", but since everyone's sewing machine & 1/4" seam allowance is just a little different, I wouldn't trim these strips until the pieced units are constructed, and you know EXACTLY how long these units are...better safe, than sorry :-)

 
Thank you for joining along on this journey!

xoxo,

Cherri

QAL Button!!!

Here's our button!

Thank you Hilary...I'm very grateful for your help <3

<a href="http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/cherry_house_quilts/"><img src="http://lizzyhouse.typepad.com/chq-quilt-along.jpg"/></a>

xoxo,

Cherri

QAL giveaway...the works!

 
Dear Sue over at Blueberry Buckle is giving away one entire quilt kit (fabric front/back/binding) in the color of your choice! How sweet is that, pretty sweet I'd say! Pop over there, check out how to enter the contest, and give it a try.

Remember to join the group over at Flickr, folks are already uploading images of the fabric they will use; this is gonna be great!

xoxo,

Cherri

P.S. I have a favor to ask...Lizzy was kind enough to create the button image for our quilt along, but I don't know how to do that code thing. Does anyone know how to create the code, so others can copy it, to put the QAL button on their sidebars?

Winners of the QAL kit giveaway

I waited till almost midnight to allow as many folks as possible to enter...thanks for your patience :-)

Email your mailing address to cherryhousequilts at gmail dot com, and we will get your fabric to you right away!  Congratulation everyone!  A special thanks to Robert Kaufman for their generous fabric gifts!!!

If you didn't win on this round, don't despair, because we've got another giveaway to announce, very soon!!!

#1 tracy_a who said...I have never done a quilt along - but this one is really inspiring.  Must be my love of orange (especially in the middle of this white white winter!).  All solids is out of my comfort zone - I have your book, but might need some hand-holding.

#2 Erica who said...I'm participating in my first quilt along right now. I love seeing the different possibilities with the quilt pattern from all the creative people and their amazing fabric choices. I'm also learning some inside tips on how to keep pieces together for sewing, piecing, etc.
I'm hooked on Quilt Alongs- that's for sure! :D

#3 KD Quilts who said...I have only done 1 quilt along (and I started way after the finish date). I like that you can see everyone elses quilts and the different color combinations for the same pattern.

#4 Robin who said...My favorite part of quilt-alongs is seeing how different the same pattern can look by so many different people.  A close second is the fact that I can participate in small segments of time -- important in busy lives today.  Thanks so much for taking the time to put this one together!

 

CHQ Quilt Along - What I've learned from you!

Your love for Quilt Alongs has been a revelation to me...thank you for sharing why you join, participate, and love them! It has been humbling to read your sincere feelings about these community projects, about the opportunity to learn from each other, to make new friends around the world, to see each others projects, to see how your quilts are different, and yet the same.  Some of your are working with solids for the first time, and if you know me at all, you know that solids are near and dear to my heart, so much so, I wrote a book about them! Many of you mentioned the bonus of a quilt along keeping you on track, and getting the quilt finished. I'm honored to host this quilt along, and inspired to hold many more.

On the Flickr group, Paula started a conversation about what color quilt would they create. It has been interesting to read the choices being made, and the reason behind the choices. Some folks are purchasing fabric especially for the project, and others are pulling from their stash. Have you picked a color?

I'd thought I'd share a few colorways that I designed, but rejected...maybe you will fancy one of these too!

  
 
Remember you have till the end of the day to enter the drawing for one of four free fabric kits from Robert Kaufman.

The quilt along starts on February 1st...just days away!!!

xoxo,

Cherri