The Sewing Cottage Magazine

The Sewing Cottage

Issue 7 May 2012

In This Issue

Springtime Sue Quilt

Scallop Messenger Bag

Ribbon Bug Stuffie

Monster Quick Stitch

Block #5 Foxie Adventures

My Creative Spot -Diane

In every Issue: Digital Goodies, Vintage Patterns, My Creative Spot and Q & A’s

Table of Contents

Q & A- Batting- hints & tips

Ribbon Bug Stuffies

My Creative Spot with Diane

Springtime Sue Quilt

Printable Calendar

Vintage Poppy Applique Pattern

Scallop Messenger Bag

Vintage Bird Stitchery

Quick Stitch -Monster

Foxie Adventures Block #5

Spring is here! And so of course are the dandelions and yard work. Yeah.Looking beyond that though, I love the fresh air, the cool mornings, beautifulcolors of green and yellow, and the sun staying up just a bit longer.

This months patterns are full of Spring time fun, including: Ribbon Bugs,Springtime Sue Quilt, and fun scallops on a messenger bag. The Quick Stitch Mon-ster is ready to go on some fun spring time hikes. Block #5 of Foxie Adventuresfeatures them in full swing of watering and planting.

Enjoy the collection!

Becky

I've found I don't like Warm Cotton - it seems to pill a lot. I go with a cotton/poly mix and like it. I've also usedflannel as a batting, or for wallhangings, fleece.

Whatever good is on sale.

My long arm quilter has a batting that she uses on most all of my quilts. Medium weight poly.

I like the thinner cotton batting for most things

My favorite is bamboo; I can't always afford it.

I like cotton batting medium weight for quilting. I use a very thin weight underneath appli-qué sometimes

Hobbs and dream cotton.

I love warm and natural for all my table runners and mug rugs and fuisble Fleece 987F for purses and totes.

I like 80/20 Hobbs or Warm and Natural.

Up close and personal quilting (either by machine or hand) I like Hobbs 80/20. I like the crinkled look that happensafter it is washed and dried. Larger patterns, I will use Hobbs low loft poly. I have never had a problem with either ofthese products. I machine quilt for others and have never received a negative comment of any of my customers.

Cotton!!!

I use the Warm and Natural - off white for most of my projects. I've never had a prob-lem with it and love how it washes up in between the quilt layers.

For wall quilts, I like a very thin, lightweight batting that hangs well. I like to embellish with lots ofstitching and other elements, so this works best for me. For quilts, I use a rather thin batting, usually an80/20 type or sometimes, a bamboo-cotton combo. Anything too thick is difficult to quilt on a homesewing machine, which is all I use (I have 3 Bernina sewing machines).

I like the weight of bamboo, but it does shed all over my clothes when I'm handling it!Bamboo/cotton blend I use for 'special people' quilts, but if I'm just doing something forfun, its' 100% cotton batting.

I use Warm & Natural for the most part. Have no problems with it, I ran out of suitable soft batting for a babyquilt and I found a new polyester pkg that was to go under a Christmas tree that I had and went hmm....opened it upand spread it out and was a perfect fit for my baby quilt. It was not too thin to use and was happy to finish thequilt.

I like to use the 80/20 blend. It gives me enough warmth, loft, and it's easier to handle. To help get the wrinkles

I have been using bamboo batting lately, and I have found that it seems easier to quilt than other battings Ihave used.

Warm and Natural 100% cotton works the best for my needs, but sometimes I need a thinner batting so I will useDream Cotton, extra thin batting.

I like the 80%/20% cotten/poly blends for the most part, but I live in Texas so

we don't need a lot of batting. My friend in the mountains of Colorado just

used Wool & totally loved it for her quilt.

Matildas Cotton batting- which is low loft. Great to machine or hand quilt.

It does not shredd and is warm but light.

Bamboo I love the softness......

I buy it online and get great prices and free shipping. Yeah!

I've come a long way since using old blankets back in the 70's.....then I used the cheapest batting Icould find usuallybuying a large roll. Now I am making charity baby quilts, I use flannel.

whatever I happen to have at hand

I like to use cotton batting to get the crinkle effect on the top quilt. It just makes the quilt look patterned andvintage.

I like to use warm and natural or white and bright. I never have a problem with either of them. I have hadproblems with bamboo batting.

just used bonded polyester and quilt tighter if I need to wash the quilt alot.

I only use Dream Batting. No problems of any kind ever.

I like warm and natural .... Hobbs 80/20 but of late Harrietts Heirloom

80/20 batting for quilts

fusible batting for totes and bags

I've tried lots, but I like Warm and Natural. The kind Walmart had was the best. Nottoo expensive and not to thick, so makes for easy sewing

Warm Company Fusible Fleece

Warm and Natural/White, thin poly

I prefer the 100% cotton, because fabrics don't slide around much at all and it is a bit cooler than poly

low batting, and I sometimes I use fannel

I am particularly fond of bamboo batting and silk batting. I also use Warm n Natural. Those seem to give me no trou-bles with shedding and offer the best warmth for the upper south.

I have recently discovered bamboo batting and like its warmth and ease in the long arm.

I use warm and natural because it's available locally, and I have just started using Thermore for my wall hangingsand table runners. It quilts perfectly flat and grips the fabric, so it makes quilting a breeze.

I have a lot of UFO's. When I DO finish a quilt I take it to a longarm quilter and she provides the batting.

I like Hobbs 80/20 the best but also use Soft & Brite from Warm Products. I just bought a package of Fairfield'sEvergreen batting (made from recycled bottles) to try.

Silk batting has been the best for me so far since learning to quilt from a very smart lady who does feathering expertlywith ease on her sewing machine. I've used wool for bed quilts, poly-cotton for wall hangings.

I usually use Warm and Natural, and have taken to join pieces to avoid the waste of cutting from a large piece

I prefer Warm and Natural but in the area I am in the summer, it can be hard to find. I have used an 80/20cotton/poly blend that's not a bad substitute and is much less expensive. I want to try the Green batting and thebamboo batting. I haven't noticed much difference in the warmth and none of them seem to shed much.

pull the batting out of the package at least the night before, so that the batting can 'breathe'

I prefer warm and natural, although I have been using some Hobbs recently that I have been gifted with. I findthe Hobbs a bit easier on me when hand quilting, which surprised me, having used warm and natural for the lon-gest time. I don't throw away batting; if I have enough to back even one block, I will zig zag pieces together tomake it fit.

Mostly cotton, but I have used fleece as a backing and batting for kids blankets

I like to use polyester and wool - my least favourite is bamboo.

love wool or bamboo but generally use warm and natural due to costl

Wool! I don't care for poly as it works it's fibers to the surface of the fabric.

Hobbs 80/20

My Aunt has been using it for over 20 years.

Depends on the project. Do not normally use polyester

Quilter's Dream Cotton is my favorite batting--it has not bare spots or clumps and givesthe quilt a fantastic feel when quilted. I do custom quilting and this batting holds upeven under the densest quilting.

I like the Dream Cotton the best... It does not pill, it is warm and is not heavy on yourbody.... I like the way it drapes, too....

I really like the extra loft batting. It gives the quilts a cushy feel to them.

I have primarily used Warm & Natural cotton batting; however, recently I've used Fairfield's Nature-Filwhich is 50% cotton & 50% bamboo. I like this new one very much for both hand & machine quilting.

I use polyester fiberfil (generic) for my soft toys, and sometimes if I want weightier fill I use t-shirt scraps (pellets canget fairly pricey and rice isn't the best when you're making toys for babies and toddlers).

Mountain Mist Cream Rose and or Quilters Dream

Matildas Own - Wool/Polyester Batting .

nearly always, I use warm & natural batting.

Poly batting for kids quilts . It holds up best in repeated laundering.

Natural fibers. Thin, just enough to allow the pattern to show without making pieces bulky. When making tablepieces, I use the batt made for heat resistance.

I recently tried the wool bat...oh what a dream that was to machine quilt! Usually I use Dream Cotton. Itis reasonably warm and is great to quilt on. I am a new quilter and use my DSM to quilt. I haven't hadtoo much problems with shedding. The warmest bat I used (besides the wool) was the theramore bat-ting.

Always liked Fairfield Traditional but they seem to have stopped making it. I do liketo use something that is needle punched. I choose depending on what I am making. Ilike the flatnes of the cotton batting if I want the quilting to show up but find it abit heavy so tend to use a mix most of the time. I also leave out batting and back withfleece for childrens snuggly quilts.

EQS sew simple 80/20 and Hobbs Heirloom works really well on my gammill. The EQS batting has a slightlylumpy side and I always put this facing up towards the back of the quilt top otherwise it sometimes 'pokes'through onto the backing.

i like all cotton batting so that it will not lump up...i haTE THAT.

I love the bamboo battings. The drape is amazing. I want my quilts to be soft and drapable. Just bought my firstwool bat- eager to try that. For those family me,bers that like a heavy quilt, of course nothing beats Warm and Natu-ral. For hand quilting, I like Hobbs. Again- looking forward to the wool batting. That'll be hand quilted.

II'll toss it in the dryer with the "air-fluff" setting for 1/2 hour.

I save my scraps for small projects. When I'm practicing stitches, I'll put batting between scraps of material.

Hobbs poly-down easy sewing and easy care at a good prize

my quilts are just for us so I use old blankets

I like to have a double thickness of sheet batting inside quilts. It's doubly warm and gives the quilt a morecozy/fluffy look when quilted

For family utility quilts (those that will get daily use by us) I like to use old woolen blankets for the weight andwarmth.

To get an "old" look for a new quilt, I like 100% cotton batting and quilt it close together. Then popit into the washing machine and dryer. Voila! A new "antique".

Cotton all the way! Although I like the 80/20 cotton blends. 100% polyester disappears after a few washings. Iused a high loft poly and soon it looked like I did not use batting at all. All of the poly fibers disappeared fromwashing.

I've started using a new one but can't for the life of me remember what it's called. Lucky my sewing guy alwaysremembers what I've bought.

I HAVE ONLY USED LOOMTEX, NEEDLE PUNCH, BATTING, A VERY THIN ONE AND IT WORKSBEAUTIFULLY. ALMOST NO SHEDDING, NICE WARMTH, NOT HEAVY

Old blankets, flannel and my favorite- sheets.... I hate heavy quilts and I enjoy yard sales so I pick up those bedskirts people always have to have, but do not always use. The center makes a great piece to make scrap quilts onand the colored edges is just enough to add a thoughtful idea to my scrap pile.

I am trying to be more versatile in using different types of batting. In the past I used Warm & Natural exclusivelybut when I used it in a king sized quilt, I found that the quilt was too heavy in weight to be comfortable with it lay-ing on top of me. I have since tried a low loft polyester & bamboo. I love the feel of the bamboo & you can quilt itfarther apart (my preference is quilts that are not heavily quilted). I am going to try an 80-20 blend for my nextquilt.

For hand quilting, I use wool--the needle glides through easily and I like the little bit of loft the quilting gives thequilt. Hobbs Heirloom is the brand I use exclusively, as I've found others shed something fierce. My quilts that getmachine quilted are generally made with an 80/20 blend, which seems to hold up well & looks great.

I save all of my scraps and those that are too small to stitch with I use to stuff beds for the stray cats that sleep onmy porch.

Warm and Natural...I do not pre-wash my fabrics and love how it shrinks with the fabric when I wash thequilts. Gives them a old, wrinkled, well used look instantly. Also, they are light but keep you warm andtoasty.

PREFER NON-ALLERGY BATTING IN MY WORK, AS YOU NEVER KNOW JUST WHOM IS GOING TOBE USING THE PIECE.

Who doesn’t need a little bug companion to go foraging with?These Ribbon Bugs are great to tug along and show some funtimes to!

Sew them up with fleece for a snuggly sleeper too-

© Patchwork Posse 2012

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

Ribbon BugBy patchwork posse

Finished size:

5” X 7”

Front material:•9” X 9” fleece

Back material:•9” X 9” cotton

Various ribbon- antenna wings 20” long X ¼ - ¾ wide

Ric-Rac for bee stripes 25” X 1/4”- 1/2” wide

Felt or fleece scraps- eyes, lady bug dots

Black embroidery thread- mouths and freckles

Polyfil stuffing

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

R i b b o n B u g I n s t r u c t i o n :

Step 1) Cut out template for bug, eyes and dots for lady bug- random sizes are given, you canuse one size or a combination of sizes.

Step 2) Pin templates on fabric and cut out

Step 3) Pin in place dots {ladybug} or ric-rac {bee} on body

Step 4) Sew in place - 1/8” seam allowance for eyes and dots and down the center of the ric-rac

* stitch with matching thread or with black thread to give it a whimsy look.

Step 5) Cut each wing Ribbon to 6” You can use multiple ribbons –overlap or layer them

Step 6) Fold ribbon in half and Pin ribbons in place. Folded edge is inside/ raw edge on seam

*Make sure that they aren’t going to be sewn on the other side.

*Fold and pin them out of the way if you need to

Step 7) Cut antenna ribbon to 10”, fold in half and tie a knot at the folded end.

Repeat for second antenna

Step 8) Pin antennas in place

Pin in place bug parts--Sew in place

Make sure the ribbon isn’tGoing to be caught in the

Opposite seam.Fold and pin if needed

Folded end ofantenna with knot

www.patchworkposse.com All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012

Step 10) Pin the back right sides together on top of the body front

Step 11) Sew all the way around the body 1/4- 1/2” seam allowance- leaving 2 1/2” on bottom open for turning

* Watch out for the ribbon!

Step 12) Snip at curves and valleys- Turn right sides out

Step 13) Stuff with polyfil firmly– insert rattle or bell if desired

Step 14) Using a ladder stitch, stitch the opening closed

Step 15) Using black thread, embroider smile and a few freckles {french knots}

Ladder Stitch

All rights reserved. Patchwork Posse 2012 Foxie Adventures is an original pattern and design.

Please feel free to make and sell your own creations using this pattern. Credit would be appreciated.

NO Mass Production. NO Selling this pattern. NO Making copies for Others. NO emailing this pattern without contacting

Ribbon Bug

Body Template

www.patchworkposse.com

Leave open for turning

Ribbon placement

Eye Templates

Eye- whiteeye

Lady Bug Dots

Mother of two daughters andgrandmother of seven. Moved toEugene, Oregon in September of2011 from Florida. We love it

here. By we, I have a significantother who is the best, he knowsto brake for quilt shops. I am aretired federal employee and

love being retired. It does seem Igot more done when I worked

though. I love the color orangeand anything snowman.

My CreativeSpot with

Diane

My bookcase used to be gun-metal gray from the 1950's, Ihad it painted green. Thereis one more shelf to it, butwith the slanted walls, Icould not get it in there.Above it is a big jar hold-ing leftover binding, an-

tique jars with buttons andsome new jars as well. I usethe space outside my studioalso. The metal shelf holdsmy completed quilts, tabletoppers, pillows, batting,etc. The antique dresser

across from it holds ribbonand other craft supplies.

I started sewing when Iwas about eight withmy grandmother at herSinger treadle machine.I moved on from dollclothes to making

clothes for my daugh-ters. About 1993, I dis-covered quilting andhave not stopped. My

first large quilt was alog cabin pattern by

Eleanor Burns.

My sewing room is abovethe garage, so it is long

and narrow.

Thanks Diane for sharingyour Beautiful Creative

Spot with Patchwork Posse.

Visit Diane:

Blog:sewmanmaniacquilter.blogspot.com

Show off your embroidery, quilting and raw edgeapplique techniques with a baby sized quilt.

© Patchwork Posse 2012

Show off that fabric collection in the scallops on thefront of the messenger bag.

The bag has enough space to carry around what youneed, plus the messenger style leaves you hands freewhile shopping.

© Patchwork Posse 2012

Monster Quick StitchBy Patchwork Posse

Materials Needed:Wool Felt or acrylic felt square- body

Wool Felt or acrylic felt square-

Eyes & Mouth

Needle, embroidery thread

Poly-fil Stuffing

The foxie couple is having a wonderful time in the sun.Planting, picking and smelling everything spring! Thoseshowers from earlier really helped their garden grow.

© Patchwork Posse 2012

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