jenna brand

February 13, 2011 · 9:01 pm

Batiks – Lessons in Free Motion Quilting

I don’t see a lot of modern quilts being made with batik fabrics (patterned, dyed fabric where parts of the fabric not intended to be dyed are covered with removable wax). It’s too bad because they are crazy beautiful. Take a look at just a couple from Robert Kaufman’s line of artisan batiks:

Anyway – I love batiks. I incorporated a couple of batik fabrics in my Project Modern Challenge 2 quilt, and I’m so happy to tell you that I machine quilted it this weekend.

Everything was going great until it wasn’t. Randomly I’d reach a region in my quilt where I’d skip a billion stitches, over and over again. Why?! Then all of a sudden I realized what was the matter. My machine hated this one batik fabric! (I actually yelled “he hates these cans!” during my eureka moment).

BLERG! One thing I did NOT know about batiks is that they sometimes get sad when you machine quilt them. The fabrics are incredibly tightly woven. If you use a regular universal needle, chances are you may experience skipped stitches, especially when free-motion quilting. The needle is too dull/big and it’s being forced to break the batik threads rather than scootch them aside for quilting. I have not had this experience on previous projects, but boy was there one batik fabric that gave me the business this weekend.

Instead of stopping everything and researching the problem, I first practiced avoidance and quilted around the evil fabric. Then when it could no longer be postponed I went back to the region, set my needle, and absolutely floored it – reducing the stitch length dramatically until the area was reasonably quilted. It looks fine.

Now that it’s done and everything looks good, I’ve taken a couple of deep breaths and researched the matter. So, if you are ever experiencing trouble free-motion quilting on batik fabrics (and your machine is clean and you’ve tried re-threading your bobbin and monkeying with your tension) the Internet says that these tricks might help:

1. Use a brand-new top-stitching grade needle.

2. Use Sewer’s Aid on your thread.

3. Lift up your feed dogs (gasp!), but continue free-motioning.

Also – always pre-wash batiks. I pre-washed all of my fabrics, but it wasn’t enough to help with this one particular swatch. That being said, if I hadn’t pre-washed all of them maybe I would have experienced even MORE trouble!

I hope that helps someone out there who was smart enough to stop what they were doing and research solutions before resorting to aggressive guerilla quilting tactics… although they did work fine for me in the end ; P

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Filed under Challenges, Quilting, Techniques

February 9, 2011 · 8:53 pm

WIP Wednesday #4

Yay for accomplishments!

First of all, I finished my Marca-Relli pillows for my sister in law.

And entered the “V” one into the Blogger’s Pillow Party. I’m thinking I’ll also have it be one of my hopefully two entries into the Sew Mama Sew contest. I know they’re a little different, but I really like their bold graphicness. Graphicocity…

Speaking of weird different quilting projects, I’ve also made the backing for my Project Modern Challenge 2 quilt (previewed here). I’m excited to start quilting it because I think that’s when it will really come together. I’m also excited because I also made the backing big enough that I can roll it over the front instead of make binding. QUESTION: Do you have a bias-tape maker and do you like using it? I am curious, and I do super duper hate making bias tape.

Also, last week I mentioned that my friend and I are going to make two of the same quilts together. We’re making the Sixth Times the Charm Crib Quilt from Handmade Beginnings. It was so funny checking out my Google Reader this morning because Rachel just posted about making this quilt and using an alternative piecing method. My friend was totally on the same wavelength! After looking at how much scrappy “waste” (seems like a harsh word but I can’t think of a better one) is created using the method from the book, my pal had her engineer husband create a new piecing method. It’s even different from the one concocted by Rachel. Hopefully I can scan his drawings in soon and post them so anyone who’s interested can give this baby a whirl along with us. But anyway, here’s my pile of fabrics for my portion of the quilts:

Here’s a little grid of our color palate (I’ve got a couple more berry colored fabrics on the way):

Cute, right? I’m super excited!

Besides these on-going projects, I have a couple on my to-do list:

Baby Quilt for baby-to-be
Clover pillows for St. Patrick’s Day / Spring decorating
Nursing cover using this tutorial and this fabric
Value quilt using bright colors

Head on over to Freshly Pieced to see what everyone else has going on!

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Filed under Challenges

February 8, 2011 · 6:42 pm

Marca-Relli Pillows

I finished the pillows I made for my dear sister-in-law:

I really like them a lot! They are quilting cottons in the blocks, bordered with a homespun-cotton that has the appearance of a linen/burlap crossbreed. I quilted with one simple echo line approximately 1/4 of an inch inside each color region.

And just so you get the whole picture, here are my inspiration pictures: artwork by Marca-Relli:

I originally intended to do invisible zippers with these guys, but I am just too pregnant stupid right now to even follow this incredibly clear tutorial. So I just went with what I knew and cranked out an envelope enclosure out of doubled-over black fabric.

Do you have a favorite? I think I like the “V” one the best. In fact, it’s my submission to this month’s Blogger’s Pillow Party! Maybe even one of my two entries to the Sew Mama Sew contest!

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Filed under Crafts, Inspiration, Quilting

February 4, 2011 · 4:26 pm

The Great SMS Pillow Contest!

Sew, Mama, Sew is throwing a pillow contest! I really love all the attention the sewing blogosphere is bestowing upon pillows. They are such wonderful projects that allow you to experiment with designs without dedicating your time and resources to an entire quilt. They are also a simple solution for creating an entirely new look in your home!

Anyway click on this button for the full details:

The basic information is this:

Pillows must be created between Feb 1 – Feb 23
You can submit two pillows.

And while we’re talking about pillows, don’t forget to keep checking out the awesome projects being linked up at the Bloggers Pillow Party! Here were the top 9 chosen for January, and the announcement for the winner!

Franken-batting

I first heard the phrase “Franken-batting” a few days ago while reading the “Goddess in Progress” blog. Liz was zig-zag sewing tons of batting scraps together to make a batting big enough for her quilt. This is something I do all the time, especially for small projects like quilted pillow covers.

Cara wrote a great point in the comments of that post mentioning that this isn’t the best method to use if you have a primarily white quilt-top. Apparently in her experience, the zigzags would slightly show through the top. I’ve never had that experience, but I’ve also never had a primarily white quilt-top! Just thought I’d re-post that message in case anyone would benefit over here at howtobejenna.

Anyway, I’ve made the batting monsters for my Marca-Relli pillow covers, and for my Project Modern Challenge 2 red quilt. I really hope I can finish my pillows this weekend, assemble my red quilt backing, and if I’m really being productive, maybe even baste it! That’s a tall order considering I’m moving like molasses. There’s so much to get done before baby #2 comes along, just some-odd 8 weeks away! Yeep!

WIP Wednesday #3

I haven’t been doing much blogging or sewing this week. I think the sluggishness of third-trimester pregnancy is really settling in.

However, I was able to sew the block for three new pillows I’m making as a present. They are inspired by Marca-Relli prints and I think they’re pretty neat:

I’m going to be bordering these in the homespun cotton (faux linen) that I used for my Valentine’s pillows. I’m going to quilt them, do the backing with a canvas AND I’m going to install my first ever zipper. w00t!

I also made big attempts at trying to assemble pillow covers from chunky cable-knit sweaters and it was just a disaster. I was covered in little sweater pills, unable to cut anything evenly with the stretching nature of the knits, and I broke a needle. So I called it quits on that project <sigh of relief>.

I also abandoned the idea I mentioned last week about making another Valentine’s pillow (inspired by a Better Homes and Gardens pic I posted in last week’s WIP blog).

I haven’t made any more progress on my Project Modern 2 quilt, but I need to get going on making some Franken-batting.

In new projects, my dear friend suggested we give making some scrappy quilts together. I’m really excited about that project! I think we’re going to end up with two really adorable blankets and have a lot of fun.

I’m also excited about giving Ferris Wheel blocks a go. I think if I do them in green they could be super-cute for St. Patrick’s pillows (and nice enough to stay out all spring).

Check out more WIP’s at freshly pieced!

Thanks for stopping by!

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Filed under Challenges, Quilting

January 26, 2011 · 7:20 pm

WIP Wednesday #2

Yay for WIP Wednesday (hosted by freshly pieced)! I really love having the opportunity to keep track of all of the projects I have going on, and encouraging myself to check stuff off!

I met one major goal this week (it was also my One Thing, One Week Challenge): I finished the quilt top for my Project Modern 2 quilt! Here is just a sneak peek (I’ll post pics of the whole thing once it’s completed and I’ve sent my pictures to the MQG):

2. I also finished my Christmas ornaments. This wasn’t a sewing project, but I wanted to make it a priority all the same.

I decoupaged paper onto wooden blocks after I painted the edges of the blocks gold or silver. They look old and folksy – I love ’em! I need to get an “H” for baby-to-be, but I’m leaving that for future Jenna to deal with next Christmas.

Those are my two completed tasks. Still to go are a couple of things I mentioned last week:

1. Alison’s Birthday Pillow Covers: I haven’t cut any fabric yet, but I did sketch out my patterns!

2. Christmas Sweater Pillow Covers: no progress

Then I came up with a couple of new project ideas:

1. One last Valentine’s Day pillow inspired by this picture from Better Homes and Gardens:

2. A quilt using these fabrics (I think) for baby-to-be. I love how bright, lime green looks with the deeper teals. It’s one of my favorite color pairings right now! And since baby will be living on a little blanket in the middle of the living room for quite some time, I might as well make something that jives with the house and makes me smile.

So in summary that is:

Projects Completed: 2 (well… I completed the *top* of the red quilt. Still have to make a back, baste, quilt, bind… <sigh>).

Projects in Progress: 4

See you next time! xoxo

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Filed under Challenges, Crafts, Quilting

January 24, 2011 · 3:47 pm

One Week Challenge Completed!

Amy hosted another One Thing, One Week Challenge and I presented myself with a major task: complete the top of my monochromatic quilt for the Project Modern 2 Challenge. Challenges upon challenges, and I’m so happy to report that I did it!

So here’s a glimpse at the top: It’s not squared or pressed, and obviously it’s not quilted. It’s just a glimpse because I don’t want to spoil the whole thing before I submit it to the judges (dun dun DUN!).

I bought some variegated red thread at the quilt store this weekend and I’m excited to see how the quilting will enhance the movement of this project.

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Filed under Challenges, Quilting

January 19, 2011 · 6:58 pm

My First Work-in-Progress Wednesday

This is my first ever Work in Progress Wednesday, but I’ve been on a hot blogging streak, so I thought I’d join in! Check out the other WIP’s by hitting up the freshly pieced blog.

Here is my Project Modern 2 quilt pile: sea of reds ready to be pieced into blocks, squared, and sewn together. I bought my reds for the backing and binding, but this week I’m only focused on assembling the top (that’s my One Thing, One Week, Challenge!). I’m really nervous I’m going to hate this quilt, but I’m excited all the same. Here’s hoping it exceeds my expectations and even wins me some Kona Solids!

“But Jenna, this doesn’t look like anything!” … I know, right?!

As for any other projects I have going on…

1. Alison’s Birthday Pillow covers have been visualized in my mind and fabrics are purchased. They will be inspired by more Marca-Relli prints, like Grace’s Quilt I made for Christmas.

2. Sweater pillow covers for Christmas. I have the torsos left over from my Sweater Sleeve Wine Bags and I think they’d look cute as throw pillow covers for the holidays.

3. Another belated Christmas craft – I have a bag full of wooden, decoupaged ornaments that need hanging strings and some other ornaments that need full assembly. These are not really sewing crafts, but important to me all the same : ) I really want to get these done soon while I still remember where I hid the Christmas decorations!

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Filed under Challenges, Quilting

January 19, 2011 · 6:37 pm

One Thing, One Week Challenge

Amy (over at Amy’s Creative Side) is hosting another One Thing, One Week Challenge. It started on Monday and asks participants: what will you get done by next Monday?

I’m hoping to sew the entire quilt-top to my Project Modern 2: Monochromatic Challenge quilt. This is a tall order! I have all the pieces for each block cut and organized, but I still have to sew my blocks, square ’em up, and then piece them all together. All by Next Monday! What a victory it’d be if I get all of that done. Wish me luck!