Dritz Petite Press Mini Iron

I bought this little iron about 18 yrs ago and it's been a wonderful item to have next to my sewing machine. I use it when I'm piecing quilt blocks and it has had a tremendous amount of work over the years. I have a tiny pressing board next to it and it is so easy to iron seams, I don't have to get up and down, up and down, going to my big ironing board.

It has 4 heat settings on it for different weights of fabric, but since I use quilting cotton I always have it set to the high setting. The iron covers 2-1/2", which is perfect for ironing a jelly roll seam, or 2 halves of a charm square seam. It has a little beep when the iron is ready plus the red flashing light turns solid. There is an attached stand that keeps it from touching the table, it can be adjusted as well. The angle of the heating iron can be adjusted as well, very handy! I had the Clover mini-iron at one time but I bought this one because the iron is about twice the size, and is much better, in my opinion.

Mine has had much use! It had a white cushion where you can place your finger while pressing but mine disintegrated a few years ago! It's the only reason I'm thinking of retiring this one!

I bought a 2nd one 2 years ago but haven't opened the package yet because this one just keeps on working! 

Honey Buttermilk Bread

For the bread makers on my subscription list! I've made this twice, it's delicious!

Make a great tote bag

I found a free tote bag pattern and thought I'd mention it so you could download the pattern. You have to log into the website in order to download the pattern.  The pattern is found here, on the ByAnnie website.  

 The pattern uses 3 fat quarters.  There are videos to help as you sew each step.  The pattern calls for a soft and stable interfacing to help stiffen the fabric. One of the fat quarters is used to make bias tape to cover the raw edges on the inside.

The first step has you quilting the outer fabric, Soft and Stable and the lining fabric together.  I used 505 temporary spray adhesive to hold my pieces together.  I used a walking foot to do the sewing and the quilted fabric turned out perfect.



The pattern was very easy to follow, I hope you'll try making one!  I needed something to carry my sewing supplies when I travel with my machine.










I had so much fun making the first one I made a second one, and I fussy cut the fabrics for that one.

Triangle Star top

I took my longarm machine to the shop for servicing and it's going to be 3 weeks before they can get to it. To stave off the withdrawal I'm busy sewing some of my many UFOs.  Today, I finished the main part of my Triangle Star quilt top!  It has 560 HSTs and made with scraps along with a background fabric.  All it needs now is to add the borders, and then the longarming!

Ode to Sewing Machines #44

Many of you follow my "Ode to the Sewing Machine" posts.  We've all seen the ads on craigslist, ebay and elsewhere.  The clueless sellers give those of us who sew a belly laugh, or two!  Here's installment #44!

                   Rusty and missing a bobbin slide plate.  You need a tetanus shot to use it!

Not a San Francisco Golden Gate Badge!  It's a Centennial and even then it's not worth $350.

                 A lovely 201 in a sought-after cabinet. In this guys area, $180 on a good day.

                                                This is worth maybe $15 if you sell it for scrap.

Latest QOV is on the frame

 Here's the latest Quilt of Valor I'm working on today!  National Sewing Day is this Saturday and I have 4 QOV tops to longarm so I can turn them in on Saturday.

Diagonal Seam Tape

I wouldn't sew a HST without Diagonal Seam Tape!  It's  a perfect solution for sewing straight diagonal seams without having to mark any lines! The special washi tape is strong, thin, and removes cleanly after sewing projects. I keep mine on for months at a time and it always removes cleanly.

Simply place the tape in front of the feed dogs with the red line in front of the needle as the stitch line. If you're making a single HST line up your square with the red line.

 The black lines on either side of the center line represent a perfect 1/4" seam allowance and you'll line up the corner of your block with the black line if you're making 2 HSTs out of your squares.

Buy it here!!

Triangle Star

 

My latest quilt is called Triangle Stars.  It has 560 HSTs.  In August, my husband and I spent a week in Williamsburg, Virginia at a resort.  He spent some of his time riding his bike on the bike trails and I spent my time sewing the HSTs.  I put the HSTs together last month and now I'm making the applique blocks. There are appliques that go in each corner and then I can assemble the blocks!