mini tutorial for paper pieced stars

Yesterday I was working on some four inch stars as a part of an extra to the pillow for my Pillow Swap Four Seasons (PS4S) Partner. In the original pillow, I used straight piecing, but learned I should have printed my kaleidoscopes on paper and sewn that way. But, as you can see, my motif wasn't really the kaleidoscope at all, but these cute little stars! I tried finding a name for them, but am not quite sure what they are called. Do you? What I love about them with PP is that they are PERFECT! Enlarge the pic to see what I mean. =)

I made my templates in EQ7 for a four inch star. It is great when they print out exactly centered four segments on a page! Because that is exactly what I wanted to do. (Here is just a snapshot of the template. Templates are discontinued, but you can also draw your own templates.)

I separated the first star from the second star and trimmed all the way around the seam allowance line. DO NOT SEPARATE THE FOUR SEGMENTS! Then I folded the star in half both horizontally and vertically in the center. The exact center is marked with a "cross" in the center by me.(None of my fabrics are allowed to go over this point.)

Then I made a plastic template of the colored star section. This helps with fussing cutting as well as ensuring that the fabric does not go over the seam allowance line. You will see what I mean later. Cut out the four colored stars (A-1) using the plastic template and cut (4) - 3.5" x 2.75" rectangles for the outer segments (A-2, A-3).

Now the the tricky part begins. Dab a little bit of glue on the backside of the paper template on each star segment (A-1). Glue those fabrics in place. Use a good light source to see the lines through the paper. Do you see how none of the fabrics touch the cross in the middle?

 

Now take one of your outer segments (A-2) and align to the colored fabric star face down on the backside of the paper template. I DID THIS WRONG IN MY FIRST DEMO!! PLEASE sew according to the second picture correctly. =) I just wanted to show you the first step, but it was on the wrong side.

 This is the right way on the backside of the paper template! =)

Flip over and pin at the beginning and ending of the sewing line. Sew 1/4" from the start and stop of those sewing lines using a small stitch - about 1.5 on a Pfaff. Be warned, if you don't pin, it could shift. I hate to pick out mini-stitches.

Flip fold over as you would in normal pp. Now, fold your paper template along the fold line where the fabric overlaps. Trim with your scissors making sure you don't cut the paper. Do you see that the paper template is now correct?? The printed lines should really be on the backside!!

Continue sewing the outer segments until all are finished. NOTE: There is no need to trim off the outer edges of the block until the entire block is finished.

Now the magic starts!! Fold the paper template in half and sew along the sewing line.

Cut along the seam allowance line or through the middle. Whichever is easiest for you.

 

 Unfold. Press seam open. Repeat for the other half of the template! Voila!!

Press seam open.

Trim along outer seam allowance. Press. Admire!

   

And if you want to get really creative, you can make a really cute mug rug! Just look at those perfect points! Everything lines up perfectly! Can life get any better than this? I don't think so! Take a break and sip a cup of coffee or tea. Look at your beautiful creation and enjoy the view outside. It is snowing here in Germany. I wish we had more snow, but you can't have everything, now can you?

And everyone who downloads a template, I would really like to see your creation!!! I want to see all of your beautiful designs! Thanks for dropping by!

more kitsch

Summertime is the best time of the year! Unfortunately, it is not the best time to get my sewing done. There are so many other interesting things to get me out of the house and away from the sewing machine. But, I did take out some of my to-do SewKitschy blocks and start sewing again. You can download all of the patterns on Craftsy or jump in late with the free SAL from Kristy at QuietPlay.

I was undecided if I was going to use this really nice turquoise blue in just a couple of the blocks or replace it with brown. Since I went back to my original plan of using primarily brown, red, and a little beige...I grabbed back to the turquoise to make it just a little more kitschy again.

I also realized something along the way. I really wanted to use these really great larger prints for most of the blocks. That was what drew me to the SAL in the first place. When I started to sew the lemonade pitcher, I sewed on one stripe, flipped it under and sewed in place. I didn't want to go shifting the main fabric around like I had done on previous blocks. It was and would be too much of a hassle and the complete effect is/would be lost. This is what I mean:

The radio went together really well except for the handle. It didn't really want to match up the way I wanted it too. I am curious to see what I am going to do with the front of the radio as far as embroidery or t-shirt stickers.

I apologize if the photographs are too vivid. I think I have to check the settings on the new computer and/or old camera.

Just two more blocks and I can write this one off. I am happy that some things are coming to an end. I need more time for other projects, but I will miss this one!!

Happy patching! Karen

because retro is so now

I am psyched up for the new year! I am feeling good. I cleaned my sewing room and straightened up my fabrics. I put my most current projects (WIPs -Work in Progress) or UFOs and we call them here into plastic bags - I save them from the Fat Quarter Shop and reuse; I am so Schwäbisch! ;-) I met with a friend to talk about our projects and sewing together for more motivation. Can you feel the energy radiating?

Next on my project list for this week, now I have to think in weeks and not monthly posts, is/was Sew Kitschy. A German friend of mine asked me how "kitschy" translated into English. I think she was a little disappointed when I told her it was the same word. Okay, so the block of this month is that so adorable pot holder and oven mitt. What I really, really like about this BOM is the simplicity, and the retro, the red/turquoise, and only nine months! When I started laying out the fabric for the block, I wanted to use a big retro print for the background. All of the fabrics I have, are medium sized direction prints which started to present a challenge, but I mastered it. It can be done with a little patience. I did get this finished in one day (with other appointments and kids homework on the side). If you like the look of retro and want to use a larger print in the background, go for it! It is worth the effort.

And I wanted to share with you one of the preludes to Linear Refraction. As soon as I heard about the blog hop, I wanted to use some off these really fresh colors and mix them with brown. I have yet to complete this rather small foundation mix. I threw it away yesterday in the cleaning sparade. But oh, the lovely things you can do with Kona solids.

 

Enjoy the rest of your week. Soak up the sun rays whenever they poke through. And keep on sewing and posting!

Sewingly yours,

Karen