Denim Up-cycled! part 2

Hopefully you have seen all of the prep behind this quilt already from yesterday's post and are here to see the construction. As a typically traditional quilter, this quilt takes me a little outside of my comfort zone but I absolutely love the end-result, so I am excited to share it with you! When we left off yesterday, I had my denim circles and 5.5" quilt fabric squares all cut out and ready to go. Next, I set up a sewing station where I had an iron just to my left so I could sew and iron without having to move each time.

If you are a fairly comfortable sewer/quilter, you should be able to do this quilt exactly as I did. I took a square of my quilting fabric and laid it in the center of the wrong-side of a denim circle and pressed them together with a hot iron.  By doing this, the fabric square stayed in place pretty well (you only need it to be held in place temporarily this way until you stitch it in place later on). You could also use a lightweight fusible if you felt more comfortable that way but I didn't find that to be necessary.

Then, I layered those pieces right-sides together with another denim circle. 

After that, I stitched through both denim layers just to the right of the floral square along one side.

                                 Resulting in a piece like this:

Press the seam open.

Tuck another square in against the seam.

And press to hold that piece of fabric temporarily in place until the next step when it is sewn into place.

I always call this stitch setting (#33 on my sewing machine) the "blanket stitch". It has a similar look to the hand-sewing stitch by that same name (in my opinion).

Using this stitch (or something similar on your sewing machine) stitch along the raw edge of the seam you just pressed open. When you get to the bottom of the first side, you can lift your presser foot and pivot your piece to do the other side so you don't have to clip your threads.

This is a close-up view of the stitch:

By constructing the quilt in this way, you are quilting as you go. 

Repeat these steps to make a second set:

And then sew through both layers of denim along one side to make a 4-patch. 

Continue constructing the quilt in this way until you have as many 4-patch units as needed to make the quilt the size you want.

 

Working the blocks in this way makes it easier to handle. As soon as you start putting the 4-patch units together, it will get harder and harder to work with because of the bulk and weight of the quilt. Keep going! The end result is worth the effort. 

I think this would be a great indoor quilt - the weight of it is wonderful. But, this would make the perfect picnic quilt because the denim is such a sturdy fabric. In a way, you actually get 2 quilts in one since the back is lovely too! I hope you enjoy this pattern/instructions. Thanks once again for visiting our blog!

Denim Up-cycled! part 1

So, as with most quilt projects, this one has a story:

I have been collecting denim for the last 12 years. I had a project in mind and realized that purchasing new denim off-the-bolt can be pricey so I collected old work jeans from my husband, father-in-law, grandfather and anyone else who had a pair they were getting rid of. Most of these jeans had holes and stains and were no longer good for wear, but as it turns out, could be good for making a quilt!

I collected the jeans in a large black garbage bag and over time the collection grew. We have also moved a few times over the years and each time as my husband would almost break his back carrying this rather large bag, he would complain and tell me he was going to throw it away if I didn't use it for something. In his defense, the bag probably weighed well over a hundred pounds before I started this project. :-)

So the search began for the perfect project to make out of my denim. I found pictures of faux-cathedral-window denim quilts on-line but I wasn't able to easily find instructions. I love the outcome of my quilt so much that I took pictures of the steps and am providing instructions here for any other denim collectors out there. And, if you don't have a collection of denim and would like to make a quilt like this, your local Goodwill store or thrift shop would be a great place to start.

Start by washing all the jeans - if they have stains on them, you want to make sure any chemicals, etc are washed off so they won't destroy your quilt as time goes on. Then, I cut apart the denim by taking off the thick seams at the hems and sides. The best useable pieces were in the legs, particularly if you can find relaxed fit jeans.

Next, I went to my kitchen with a square quilting ruler in hand and measured my mixing bowls. I found that I could get 3-4 circles of this size out of the front and back of each leg of each pair of jeans for approx. 12-15 circles out of each pair of jeans. Some of this depended on the wear on the jeans I was using and where the holes were. As far as stains were concerned, with the way this quilt goes together, you have a wrong side of the fabric that is completely covered so you can hide a stain.

If you have a stash of denim and a stash of other cotton quilting fabrics on hand, you can make this quilt at almost no additional cost. There is no batting in this method of construction. The only thing that surprised me was how much thread I went through so make sure you have a couple large spools depending on how large you want to make your quilt.

Confession: I had a few fabrics that I loved too much to cut up so I
never used them! I love denim too, so I decided this project was
worthy of these fabrics. But, before I could cut into my favorite, I
had to take a pic. No other quilters have this problem, right?

Once I had my mixing bowl picked out, that determined the size the finished blocks would be as well as the cut size for the quilting fabrics. I cut my quilting fabrics into 5.5" squares. With the denim, I laid my mixing bowl upside down onto the wrong-side of the pant legs and traced around it with a Sharpie marker. Then I used a pair of scissors and cut out my denim circles. When I started out, I didn't know how large I wanted to make my quilt so I initially cut 75 denim circles and then went back and cut out more once I got started.

Be sure to check out tomorrow's post where I will give the step-by-step construction for this fun up-cycled quilt!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Happy Wednesday folks!

Depending on what part of the world you're in, you might be sitting waiting for Spring to happen.  It came for a brief time on Saturday here in Lexington.  Then, the deluge hit us and the rain didn't stop until Monday afternoon and with it the cold weather came back.  Being cooped up in the house gave me an opportunity to take inventory of my patterns and I thought to keep the ball rolling and continue my ode to vintage patterns why not share a few I've purchased and/or found and highlighted over the years.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  Some of these I've never seen before and some I have, but what ever the case I think they're all gems!  Now enough talk!  Let the pageantry begin...

I love the pattern!  When I saw it for the first time on Etsy, I knew it was like nothing I had ever seen before.  Primarily because I see this dress in some sort of double knit.  Whether ponte knit or true wool double knit, it would just be simply gorgeous!!!  Of course from the 1940s, this pattern also looks like it could have been from the 80s as well.  It just seems timeless to me.

I purchased this pattern without realizing the bodice with the peplum was not detachable.  Although I'm sure it would not be too difficult to draft the back portion.  Anyone have ideas?

I purchased this little gem from a local antique store that also sells cut flowers!  What a combination!  Again, I fell in love with this pattern as soon as I saw it but I didn't realize it was missing a couple of pattern pieces.  It's still a great design and the back details are amazing!  Look at the two sets of off center buttons.

This dress, from the 1930s, is seemingly simple but the instructions require bound buttonholes in a contrasting color.  It's all in the details that can set a dress off just right!

 

 It's true, this Du Barry pattern does look sort of like the red version of the dress worn by Judy Garland in Wizard of OZ.  Sort of, because she was actually wearing a type of jumper or pinafore.  Actually, now that I'm looking at it, it doesn't look anything like that Du Barry pattern.  Never mind!  Any hooo... although I'm not a big fan of large shoulders I do like the sleeveless version of this dress.  It would make a cute summer dress!

This little number from the 1930s is pure delight!  I even found the most wonderful fabric to use for it.  A red and white cotton/silk blend with a herringbone design.  Very very classy!

I really liked the way this dress looked and I love the wrap effect.  If you check out my Pinterest board "Patterns I Love" you'll see other wrap pattern dresses I love.

This would be great in a wool gauze!

My last two picks are both from the 1960s and lend themselves to either a ponte blend or  wool double knit.  I particularly like the Butterick pattern because there is something so modern about the cut and freedom it affords.  It looks as if they're wearing very long sweatshirts belted.  Very soft and comfortable!

As everyone knows, who follow me on Etsy, I have a HUGE favorites list.  Depending on what has peaked my interest you'll find running themes on it.  There might be several fabric swatches, antique boxes, jewelry, whatever I think is fabulous!  For instances, I'm thinking about getting a pair of cat's eye glasses and there are several versions of that style on my list right now; however, vintage patterns out weight everything else on my list by far.  If you are on Etsy you can find me and my list under "Kim Dixon from Lexington, KY".  Or to get a glimpse of my choice picks and racy commentary find my board "Patterns I Love" on Pinterest; however, if you're really not in the "know" and are not on Etsy or Pinterest then check out our new Facebook page!

Happy sewing!!!

A Gift for a Little Gentleman - Toddler Ties

I really love being able to make a gift that is better than something you can buy in the store. I found a great pattern for just such an item this past weekend. 

A good friend is having her first baby boy. I was looking for just the right thing when I stumbled across Kinzie's Kreations - a wonderful blog with fun patterns and beautiful photography. The step-by-step directions were easy to follow and my results were, well, see for yourself...

And they were fun to make! I may need to go back and make a few more for my son. I always had a hard time finding anything other than a plain black tie for a young boy. Now I know how to make them!

Thanks for checking out my post and enjoy Kinzie's Kreations - she is full of great ideas!

Sewing Patterns New and Old

I thought I would change the mood a little with this post and cover another of my great loves, sewing clothing!  Unlike quilting I am not as confident in my skills as a seamstress; however, I will say I know how to read a pattern and I know what works and doesn't work for me.  All that said, I just love looking, collecting and working with fashion patterns!  I'm especially interested in the vintage variety which, depending on the era can present their own problems.  There might be outdated terminology, the pattern may require unobtainable fabric (have you ever tried looking for a high quality double knit without breaking the bank), or it may be completely unprinted.  With vintage patterns it's kind of like a box of chocolate... you never know what you're gonna to get!

When deciding whether to invest (because I like to think I'm not only spending money but I'm "investing" my potential time and effort) in a pattern, particularly one that is vintage, I usually look at three things: is the style one I can pull off in this era, is the pattern my size or close enough, and how many pattern pieces are there.

As I've aged my style has gotten more conservative.  Probably not as much as others but it is for me.  So for example, if I'm looking at a suit I don't want one with puffy sleeves or super winged lapels decked out in rick rack because I'm going to look out of place in a business setting (at least I think I will); however, a sensible suit with "appropriate" sized lapels and interesting detailing like an inset belt would be okay for me.  The size of a pattern is important, of course, and especially so for me because I'm still learning how to apply just the right fit for my body.  I'm actually pretty lucky because my measurements work well with a commercial size 16 from the 1930s and 40s.  That starts to become a bit of a problem when working with patterns from the mid to late 50s and then next to impossible when you get into the 60s.  You see, the waists get smaller and smaller even though the breast stay the same.  The only thing I can think of that would create this phenomenon is the infamous girdle (or as they now call them Spanx)!  Lastly, I always look at how many pattern pieces there are because typically that means it's going to be too complicated for me.  Now I know patterns come in all shapes and sizes and a seemingly simple pattern can be complicated because of the construction techniques required, but this is my own little quirk, so please just bare with me.  Like a child and their security blanket fewer pattern pieces is mine!

Okay, enough of me rambling let's get on with the pictures!  Here are a few examples of my work:

Forwhatever reason I had a great desire to make a romper for myself.  It's not particularly conservative, especially if you see it on me, but I love it and I love wearing it around the house!  I guess I'm a pinup girl at heart.  The pattern is from the EvaDress Patterns company.  They redraft original patterns from the 1800s to the 1950s and make them available in different sizes.  This playsuit pattern is from the 1940s and unfortunately is no longer available; however, they do have another overall pattern.

The front of this playsuit is not very interesting honestly.  It does look nice when you have it on though, and besides I didn't get this pattern for it's front view.

  

It's the back that makes this outfit!  I love the belt detail and although it really is a pain in the caboose to button and unbutton whenever nature calls, I can't deny how cute they are!  I even made the buttons myself and they match the pockets and facings.  EvaDress patterns are pretty easy to follow, most of the patterns are already resized for you, and they have a beautiful selection.  Best of all, if you have any questions they reply quickly and are very courteous!

I have to say I was very proud of myself when I completed this skirt.  Not only were there quite a number of pattern pieces but certain parts of the construction was kind of like putting together drunkard's path (a type of quilt pattern).  That said, the instructions were clear, it was fun to put together and easy to change a couple of things to make it my own.  For instance, I changed the sized of the buttons because I wanted to use the metal type found on jeans.  The pattern actually called for a larger size but I think it worked out just fine.  

The Colette Pattern company is a small independent firm with innovative designs inspired by vintage styles.  The instructions are straightforward and come as a booklet, which is awesome because they don't take up your work space and you don't have to worry about them tearing!  I wish all the pattern companies did the instructions this way.  The fabric used for this skirt may look like velvet or velour but it's really cordless corduroy.  It was pretty easy to work with but I probably needed a sturdier needle for my machine because sometimes the fabric got rather thick.  I actually purchased this fabric online, which is something I often do and I will talk about those "adventures" in a later post.

I decided to be daring and use an animal print for the lining of this skirt.  For those who know me I'm sure they'll wonder what possessed me but I actually love the affect (even though I used it for this project I still don't like animal prints!).

The last two pictures are of a work-in-progress.  While my first examples were of patterns remade or designed by current companies, my last example is from an actually vintage pattern.  It's a  McCall's pattern from the 1950s and its simplistic  details are eloquently marvelous!

Pictured on the left is the front view of the dress.  I love working with circle skirt patterns from the 50s; however, I can only do it when there's a fabric sale because (if you've ever made one of these) it eats up a lot of fabric.  I think this one took about 5 1/2 yards and it still needed more because of the one directional pattern (or nap) on the fabric.  I fixed the problem to my satisfaction, but it's amazing how uneconomical sewing can be these days.  Thank goodness for the mini-skirt!!!!  I took a long break from working on this project but I really want to wear this dress in the summer so I'm sure you'll see it again in the coming weeks...

Well I hope you enjoyed this little stroll down the "sewing brick road".  Make sure to check out the companies I mentioned in this post because they really are gems!  Thanks again for stopping by and keep checking back because we are adding new things all the time!

Diamonds are Forever- Part 1

It's Thursday everybody and sliding right on into TGIF!  I don't know about you, but it's been a long week for me.  Unlike most, I don't have to get up and join the rat race everyday.  I'm at home for the moment, at first to care for my little boy and now to look for employment.  For anyone looking for a job or switching careers it's not an easy time in the urban jungle.  Of course, I'm technically not located in the "urban jungle" any longer; however, despite looking out my windows onto meticulously manicured suburban lawns blanketed in virgin white snow, it still certainly feels like a jungle!  When I've had a long week of house cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping (all of which I can't stand) I look forward to evenings spent sipping on a glass of wine, putting on my favorite British period piece movie (or as my husband calls them "the Lord Figglebottom Series"),  and working on my latest project.  There are two I'm currently toiling away on and one is a traditional quilt.  The other is an alphabet banner I'm making for my son's room and I'm very excited about it!  I will cover the details of the banner in a later post.

The Diamonds are Forever quilt is the example of a budding designer's happy happenstance.  Let me start off by saying... I suck at math!  No two ways about it.  In fact, I'm so terrible at math I'm a little afraid of it.  Yet, my favorite hobby is nothing but... go figure!  Enter Anne stage left.  She is fantastic with math and has a very strong sense of proper quilting etiquette.  For these reasons she has been my saviour as far as quilting designing goes.  You see, I draw a design and she looks at it and tells me if it's realistic or not.  Most times not!  And in the instance of the Diamonds are Forever quilt I actually started out with one drawing and ended doing something totally different all because Anne took one look at my drawing and said, "I want to see if you can make a mock-up of this."  I took the challenge and quickly realized what Anne already knew.  My design was crazy talk!  So I took the four squares I created and started rotating them into something that made sense to me.  This is what I came up with:

I eventually made two more sets

Based on my mock-ups I created this drawing:

however it originally started out like this:

I'm sure some how my original design might be plausible and if you have ideas on how to attempt it I would LOVE to hear about it!  Especially since Anne and I are hoping to use this blog as a way of generating conversation within the crafting community.  I will continue to report on the progress of Diamonds are Forever so please look out for future posts.  I will also be making this pattern available for sale in the near future.  If you need a project to bust up your stash this is it!

Until then, here's to Friday and a fun filled crafty weekend!