Tutorial: Matching Pattern Repeats

I have been making a lot of draperies lately and I thought I would share my quick, easy way to match up pattern repeats perfectly, NO pins required. Seriously, no pins.

Lay the fabric panels to be matched parallel to each other.

Fold the fabric panel closest to you back.

Press the salvage edge up about 1".


Fold the fabric panel you just press back up to meet the other panel.

Match up the pattern.



Fold the panel closest to you back again and run a thin bead of fabric glue along the salvage fold.



Fold the fabric back to meet the other panel and match up the pattern. Press with the hot iron to "set" the glue.


Open fabric up and run a stitch along the fold line you created when you pressed the salvage .



Open your fabric up to reveal perfectly matched pattern repeats.

Now, go try it!

Get'er Done

I told you it was going to be a busy weekend of sewing and now I'm going to prove it. I somewhat stayed focused and I got quite a bit done:

Pair of Drapes = Done

Sheer Door Treatment = Done

Embroidery for my friends quilt for her church = Done

2nd Baxter quilt top = Done

Start Disappearing 9-Patch for class = Done

Quilt Strippy quilt = Done

Binding on Strippy quilt = Done (just have to sew it down now)

Start Knitting Christmas Stocking for my niece = Done (That's right, I said knitting. It's been a while, but I can knit, too.)

And in the middle of this sewing frenzy, I was even able to spend some quality time with my fellas. Imagine what I could get done if I stayed completely focused.
This week is starting off no different from the weekend. I still have plenty of things on my list to check off and I am hoping to get as much done this week as I did over the weekend. I feel like it is going to be a good week.

Also, if you read my blog, you are aware of my sweet tea addiction. Well, Thursday is October the 1st and I'm thinking that that would be a pretty good day to go cold turkey. Yes, I'm putting it out there. October One, I'm off the juice. I was thinking that by announcing it on my blog, you guys could help keep me honest. Sound good? Sounds good! (side note: does this just sound completely insane of me to seriously state that I am addicted to sweet tea of all things and enlist the help of a "support group"? Yes, I believe so.)

Oh My Wonky Stars

Well, here it is. The Wonky Stars quilt I made for Fletcher. The fabric is Robots. I backed it with a soft flannel and quilted it with some loopy lines and stars. He really likes it. He did give up 2 of the blankets he sleeps with for this quilt. I love to see him all cuddled up with this quilt as he sleeps. Melts my heart.

It is a sewing weekend for me. I have a lot to get done before I start working furniture market, but I have a game plan and I am going to try to stay focused.

I'm Over It

So yesterday was bananas and I had a little micro meltdown, but today I'm over it and back on track. I have accomplished a lot of sewing in the last week or two, but I have not had time to post about it. This is a "mini Marlo" I made for my friends little neighbor. Isn't it cute! It's the Marlo Bloom pattern reduced about 20% and it is the perfect size for a little girl. I have also completed the Wonky Star quilt that I was making for Fletcher and as soon as I take photos of it, I'll get it posted for you all to see. Also, I haven't forgotten about the sewing caddy tutorial, but I have not had time to put one together. As soon as I get a chance, I will. I put some notes together about it, but heck if I can find what I did with them. (It might just be later than sooner.)

Do You Ever Just Have One of THOSE Days?

I think today is my turn. I started feeling THAT way last night and I think today it has just hit me full on. October is always my busy time of year. I make window treatments for the Flexsteel Showroom for the International Home Furnishings Market, I work for 2 weeks prior to market helping to set up the Guildmaster Showroom (which I absolutely love, by the way) and I am teaching sewing classes(which I love, as well). Today I looked at my calender and realized that I don't have as much time to complete all of these tasks as I had thought. (I think I could have been in denial.) Reality hit today. Worry hit today. What have I gotten myself into??? hit today. And then there is always the overwhelming feeling that by doing all of these things, you are taking away from your family. And that makes you feel like a bad mom and a bad spouse. And even though you know everything will work out just fine and that your family loves you and thinks you are a great mom, you still worry. All of these feelings make me think that I really need to re-evaluate where I'm at and why I am doing the things I do and what things in my life need to change. I want to figure out what things are most important to me and what things I love to do and I want to do THOSE things. That's kinda where I'm at today.

Weekend Sewing, Continued

Remember all those blocks I made last weekend? Well, here is what has become of them...

Slowly, but surely this quilt top is getting done. I just have to but the borders on and then it is ready for quilting. Problem is, I haven't decided what the borders are going to be yet. Print or Solid? Hummm...

By the way, this is one of those free quilt patterns from Amy Butler.

Oh, and thanks for your comments on my last post. You all crack me up. I haven't tried the tea recipe from Laura, but I will.

Hello, My Name is Gina and....

I am completely, totally and in every way ADDICTED to Micky D's Sweet Tea. Have been for years. Can't stop myself. I try to stop, I really do. But I can't. I am A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D. I mean, what do they put in this large cup of ice cold refreshment and keeps me longing for more!?! I'll tell you what it is.... It is 250 empty calories. That's right, 250. I just looked it up on their site. That's craaazy. This is embarrassing, but since I'm puttin' it out there, I'm going to confess that some days, I will have up to 3 of these suckers. I know you just did the math in your head. That's 750 EMPTY calories. This has got to end!

Step One: Recognizing You Have a Problem

...DONE

Results

The result of my weekend sewing. 48 Blocks. All ready to be sewn together into a quilt. Can't wait.

Coming Soon....

A little weekend sewing...

Need Cheering Up?

If you are having a bad day and need a little cheering up, I suggest you head over to a 3 year old's soccer practice. It will instantly change your mood. Yesterday was Fletcher's first soccer practice. He had the best time and watching sixteen 3 year olds play soccer was so enjoyable. My husband and I could not stop laughing. It was pure comedy. GO! Kiddie Kickers!

Hello, Stranger!

I think this is probably the longest I have gone without some serious blogging. Things got a little crazy around here (as usual). We took a long weekend to enjoy the last days of summer before it was back to the grind of preschool and work. The time just got away from me. Well, I got Fletcher off to preschool yesterday morning. Happily, no tears were shed. At least on his part. I did manage to get his quilt top done (you know, the Wonky Star I have been meaning to make) and now it is loaded on the frame patiently waiting to be quilted. I am hoping Fletcher will be willing to trade his old holey "woobie" for this new one, but I'm thinking the chances of that are pretty slim. He is very attached to his "woobie" and I can't really say I blame him. Despite my brothers attempts to feed it to the dogs or hide it from me when I was little, I still have mine.

OMG!!! Have You Ever Seen Anything So Cute!

This is my new little niece and can I just say that this is the cutest thing I have ever seen. My sister-in-law had pictures taken by Eric Jones in Greenville, NC and I have never seen anything better. He does great work and I am very impressed. It makes me want to take Fletcher and head on over the Greenville to get his portrait made. Could you not just eat this up!!! How sweet does she look, sleeping with that little grin on her face.