Take a minute to check out this collection of supplies I made on ArtFire.com, this morning.
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Handmade Spotlight - Craft Supplies
Do you need crafting supplies? ArtFire.com has them in every color of the rainbow.
Take a minute to check out this collection of supplies I made on ArtFire.com, this morning.
Enjoy!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com
Take a minute to check out this collection of supplies I made on ArtFire.com, this morning.
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Rag Quilting Tutorial --- Part Two
Welcome to part two of my rag quilting tutorial. If you are following along with me you should have all the pieces for your first block cut out and the individual blocks pinned together.
This week I will show you how to machine quilt the blocks. This is done to hold all your block layers together. If you can sew a straight line, you can do this.
First we will sew all the squares. You will be sewing an X on the block by sewing from corner to corner.
It is not necessary to backstitch these seams as you will be sewing over them when the blocks are sewn together.
The blue lines on the block indicate the sewing lines. Sew all five of your blocks like this.
Next are the triangles. First you will sew a line from the middle of the long side of the triangle to the point.
Then sew across the triangle as shown in the picture. Repeat for all the triangles.
Now we need to sew the triangles together. You should have four of each value, dark fabric and medium fabric.
You will be sewing a dark and medium together.
All seam widths from now on will be 3/4 of an inch wide. The seams will be sewn on the right side of the blocks and will be clipped into fringe.
Pin the triangles together. The blue line indicates the stitching line. Sew across the triangles 3/4 inch in from the edge of the fabric. These seams I do backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
I always clip my seams as I sew the blocks. Some sewers do all their clipping after the quilt is completely sewn but I feel this is the best way to do it because your seams are easier to see and your hands will thank you for breaking this very tiring job up.
And before, we clip the seam I want to show you the scissors I use for rag quilting. They are special made for this purpose and they are really easy to use and easy on your hands. I have tried other rag quilting scissors and these are my favorites. For a part time rag quilter, regular scissors will work just fine. These are for someone who does a lot of rag quilting as they are pricey but worth it to save the wear and tear on your hands if you do it alot. Joann's Fabric runs them on sale every so often for half price and that is when I bought mine.
Okay, now we are going to work on the triangle seam. The first thing I do when I clip the seams is to cut a piece away from the corners. Doing this will eliminate a lot of bulk and make it easier to sew through many layers. Measure in 3/4 of an inch from the side. Staying at least 1/16 inch away from your seam line, you are going to cut that corner away.
Repeat for the other side.
Now we will clip the seam for fringe. You will be making approx. 1/4 inch cuts into the seam. Make sure you stay at least 1/16 inch away from your seam line.
Here is what your finished block will look like.
Sew the rest of the triangles together in the same way. You will end up with four of these blocks.
Next week we will sew all the blocks together to make the first large block of our quilt.
Thanks for visiting today. See you next week with part three.
Bette
This week I will show you how to machine quilt the blocks. This is done to hold all your block layers together. If you can sew a straight line, you can do this.
First we will sew all the squares. You will be sewing an X on the block by sewing from corner to corner.
It is not necessary to backstitch these seams as you will be sewing over them when the blocks are sewn together.
The blue lines on the block indicate the sewing lines. Sew all five of your blocks like this.
Next are the triangles. First you will sew a line from the middle of the long side of the triangle to the point.
Then sew across the triangle as shown in the picture. Repeat for all the triangles.
Now we need to sew the triangles together. You should have four of each value, dark fabric and medium fabric.
You will be sewing a dark and medium together.
Pin the triangles together. The blue line indicates the stitching line. Sew across the triangles 3/4 inch in from the edge of the fabric. These seams I do backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam.
I always clip my seams as I sew the blocks. Some sewers do all their clipping after the quilt is completely sewn but I feel this is the best way to do it because your seams are easier to see and your hands will thank you for breaking this very tiring job up.
And before, we clip the seam I want to show you the scissors I use for rag quilting. They are special made for this purpose and they are really easy to use and easy on your hands. I have tried other rag quilting scissors and these are my favorites. For a part time rag quilter, regular scissors will work just fine. These are for someone who does a lot of rag quilting as they are pricey but worth it to save the wear and tear on your hands if you do it alot. Joann's Fabric runs them on sale every so often for half price and that is when I bought mine.
Okay, now we are going to work on the triangle seam. The first thing I do when I clip the seams is to cut a piece away from the corners. Doing this will eliminate a lot of bulk and make it easier to sew through many layers. Measure in 3/4 of an inch from the side. Staying at least 1/16 inch away from your seam line, you are going to cut that corner away.
Repeat for the other side.
Now we will clip the seam for fringe. You will be making approx. 1/4 inch cuts into the seam. Make sure you stay at least 1/16 inch away from your seam line.
Sew the rest of the triangles together in the same way. You will end up with four of these blocks.
Next week we will sew all the blocks together to make the first large block of our quilt.
Thanks for visiting today. See you next week with part three.
Bette
Do you have a special skill you would like to share? If you would like to do a tutorial for By Your Hands, please email us at byyourhandsblog@gmail.com or use our contact form at the top of the blog. Alll tutorial contributors will have their logo permanently placed on our Crafty Guests page.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Ideas for Organizing Your Desk
Can you ever have enough storage space? I can't. Especially when we're talking about desk space. Today I'd like to share some ideas with you that I found for organizing the office and desk areas.
First, I found this idea from, www.styleathome.com This desktop catchall is made from fabric and foam core board. The instructions are there so you can make your own with fabrics to match your decor.
How about this... A velvet desktop organizer made from an antique photo album and an expansion file. You can find instructions for it at, www.countryliving.com. (photo by WENDELL T. WEBBER)
If you have any organizing tips or ideas and would like them featured on our blog, please send us an email at byyourhandsblog @ gmail [dot] com or use our CONTACT FORM. We'd love to see what you have and if we use it, we'll give you a FREE link to your website or blog.
Thanks for joining us again!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com
First, I found this idea from, www.styleathome.com This desktop catchall is made from fabric and foam core board. The instructions are there so you can make your own with fabrics to match your decor.
How about this... A velvet desktop organizer made from an antique photo album and an expansion file. You can find instructions for it at, www.countryliving.com. (photo by WENDELL T. WEBBER)
And last I found instructions on how to make a magazine file from recycled cereal boxes. The instructions can be found at www.utahshoppingsecrets.com I love it when we can recycle and make something out of "nothing". These are great!
Thanks for joining us again!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Link Party Sunday ---- Halloween Crafting
Today's link party is for showing off your Halloween handmades. Yes, I know it is only August but in the crafting world it is time to start making fall items to sell.
So let's all show off our fall/Halloween handmades. You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops and you don't have to be a selling crafter to show off your art. Even if you only craft for your own pleasure we want to see it, so don't hesitate to join in.
The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items.
4. Family friendly items only.
The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.
So let's all show off our fall/Halloween handmades. You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops and you don't have to be a selling crafter to show off your art. Even if you only craft for your own pleasure we want to see it, so don't hesitate to join in.
The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items.
4. Family friendly items only.
The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops, post about it on your blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Handmade Sampler Giveaway - $20 Gift Certificate---DONE
Welcome to another Handmade Sampler Giveaway. Today's giveaway is sponsored by Deena Davis of Ewe-N-Me Printables. Deena is offering a $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE to her website, www.ewenmeprintables.com
Deena creates a lot of different printables in primitive, whimsical and vintage styles. All of Deena's printables are high quality 300 dpi and are sold as PDF files.
Below are some of the items Deena offers on her website, however the gift certificate can be used on any of the items she offers.
You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...
1. Visit www.ewenmeprintables.com and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item on the website. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.
2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog. Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.
3. Earn an extra entry by posting this giveaway on your blog along with a link to this blog. Be sure and let us know you have done this.
(USA entries only, please)
The giveaway will start today, Saturday, August 7, and the winner will be announced on Friday, August 20 EXTENDED UNTIL AUG. 27. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left. Final day to enter is Thursday, August 26, 2010.
Have fun and good luck!
Would you like to sponsor a giveaway? Are you interested in promoting your store or blog at a very reasonable cost? If so, just email us.
We would be happy to send you the details. byyourhandsblog@gmail.com
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