UpStairsHobbyRoom: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Sew Sweet Simplicity Give Away Extended to Wednesday!!!

Here's the link back to the original post. Jump back there to enter the give away through RaffleCopter!!

Friday, November 28, 2014

#73 Coaster Tray Formula

I know I'm way behind on the tutorials I have promised! Here's the Coaster Holder I promised last week, and I haven't forgotten about the Tic Tac Toe board either, it's coming. Hopefully by next week.

I 'm sure if you Google you will find lots of patterns for coaster holders or trays out there, this is just how I have done mine. Hopefully once you see the formula, you can customize it to what works for you!

Step 1: Measure the coasters width and the coaster stacks height. (this formula is for square coasters)

Step 2: Take those measurements and make the formula.

width of coaster + height of coaster stack x 2 + 1" = the size you cut the outer fabric and lining
So for this example my coasters are approximately 6.5" and 1.5" high
6.5"+ (1.5")2 + 1 = 10.5"

Step 3: Cut (1) 10.5" sq from lining fabric
(1) 10.5" sq from backing fabric
(1) 10" square of batting or the full 10.5" if you aren't worried about the extra bulk (you could add whatever batting or interfacing you wish for the desired firmness of the tray. )

Step 4: I used Pellon fusible fleece, and fused it to the backing fabric.

Place the lining fabric and the backing fabric right sides together and the batting if not already fused in place on the wrong side of the backing fabric. Sew all around the square leaving an opening for turning. (backstitch at the beginning and ending for stitch strength when turning)

Step 5: Trim corners and turn right side out, carefully pushing out the corners.

Press the opening edges under 1/4" as you press the block flat. Pin to hold if desired.

Step 6: Top Stitch close to the edge all the way around, making sure to secure the open area. Adding quilting would probably be a good idea for this size of tray. I didn't but will next time.

Step 7: For each corner fold your block in half on the diagonal, and mark the 1.5" in and down spot with a line for sewing. Stitch on that line, again backstitching for strength.

And that's it, your holder is done, that simple!! Enjoy!!

Monday, November 24, 2014

Sew Sweet Simplicity Block#2 and another GiveAway

I am so sorry for the delay in posting today. I had a very busy blogging weekend and on top of that I have a touch of the flu I think. Just dragging myself around, lol, and totally forgot I was to put up my post of block 2 today!!
This will be a short and to the point post, and

Better late than never as they say.....

Let's get right to the good stuff, the give away....

and again the prize package is open to International visitors/followers too!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will always answer any questions that are asked, and usually reply to all comments, but during giveaways it is sometimes impossible to reply do to sheer volume. Please know I read every comment and appreciate so much how encouraging and supportive everyone is!! Thanks so much, and good luck everyone!!

And I continue to build the table runner for Christmas, here is my version of block 2:

and a sneak peak of the finished block!!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

It's My Day for Blogathon Canada, Pattern and Tutorial and a Give Away

Hi everyone, it's my first time and I'm so excited to be joining in the 3rd Annual Blogathon Canada, hosted by
Sew Sisters!!

Today is coming to you from Ontario Canada

There is so much to do in Ontario, just like the ads say, "Yours to Discover"!

Ontario is the second largest province, has 250,000 lakes, 7 of the 42 National Parks, approx. 330 Provincial Parks, is the home of our nation's capital- Ottawa, the largest city in Canada- Toronto, touches all but one great lake, and Niagara Falls.

I live in a small rural area that boasts its own charms...Highland Games (70th year), World's largest one day Maple Syrup Festival, 22nd annual Parade of Lights (Christmas Parade at night), Canada's largest year round Farmer's Market, Museums and there have been approx. 13 movies shot in and around our little town. I love where I live!!

Parade is full of well lit tractors!!

For those of you who are new to my blog my name is Sandy, I'm a mother of 3 wonderful adults, plus a new son-in-law!! I've been married to my farm boy for 29 years and love our rural life!! Farm life has included over the years helping in the barn with the animals, driving a tractor , and now I help with the bookkeeping.

I have always loved crafting/being creative and have tried my hand at many different mediums over the years, like knitting; crochet; cross stitch; tole painting; ceramics; woodworking; scrapbooking, photography, sewing.... you name it I've probably tried it or wanted to try it!!

Quilting just showed up on my radar about 3 yrs ago, and from the moment I started I was hooked. I'm a non recovering fabric hoarder, start way too many projects at the same time and love block of the months (great way to skill build)

I mostly blog about my quilting adventures, but have thrown in some family fun and keeping it real moments from my life! :) I'm all about keeping it short and sweet on the words (most of the time) and adding lots of pictures and an occasional pattern/tutorial !!

Don't forget to check out Lorna my fellow host today , at Sew Fresh Quilts

I hope you have been enjoying all the Canadian Bloggers this week, I really have! Here is the list of the prize sponsors and blog hosts if you are joining the party late and want to get caught up! Each host has a give away and you have till Nov. 23 to get in on all the draws!! (open to international visitors too!!!)

6 Prize available at Sew Sisters Blog too, one for everyday of the blogathon!!

Blogathon Canada Schedule

Monday -British Columbia

Stacey in Stitches

Momiji Studio

Tuesday -Maritimes
ScrapMaster
Stitch Lines

Wednesday -Alberta
Everyday Fray
She Can Quilt

Thursday -Saskatchewan/ Manitoba
Peace.Love.Quilt
Night Owl Quilting

Friday- Quebec/Territories
The Charming Needle
Caribou Crossing Chronicles

Saturday -Ontario
Sew Fresh Quilts
UpStairsHobbyRoom (You are Here)

The prize I get to give away today sponsored by Sew Sisters is a FQ Bundle featuring Winter Wonderland by Bunny Hill for Moda

Don't forget to read to the bottom (or let's be honest, skim!! : ) to get in on the give away!!

So let's get on with the fun stuff....

Building Christmas Joy Table Runner

or Building Christmas Table Runner, being as I ended up making 2 runners with 2 applique features!

I am using FQs of Winter Wonderland by BunnyHill for Moda with Kona Lipstick and Snow for the front piecing. The applique and backing are Essentials by Wilmington Prints.

The brick sections of this pattern would work great with some leftover jelly roll strips too!

The PDF pattern below is straight forward, just follow the cutting instructions and the colour coded sections for the order to sew your bricks to you centre sections. ( I say straight forward, laughing at myself, who messed up her own pattern by cutting the centre section wrong, twice!! lol! So if you look closely my bottom bricks are unevenly offset!! oops.)
I used Heat"n"Bond light for the applique and also added a lightweight interfacing to the back of my centre section. Just trace the letters on the heat and bond and rough cut them and apply to back of fabric according to package directions. Then cut them out on the drawn lines and apply to your centre section.

The font is called Christmas Card and is a free font download at Dafont.com

I used a blanket stitch to overcast the raw edge. I set my stitch to 3.5 width and 2.5 length (Pfaff PassPort)

The quilting is a digital pattern called Winter Wonderland, how appropriate!!

Joy Version

I used the font Jester. The J was printed at 700 and the remaining letters 500. (for reference if you want to try a different font)

I cut some squares that I folded in half and sewed in when adding the binding, so now it can be used as a wall hanging!

Fabric used is Figgy Pudding, Kona Snow and Grunge for the applique, sorry don't know the name of the mitten fabric.

Pattern Can be Found Here

Folded Coasters

I had some extra material so I thought I would make some coasters.... I used this pattern, by The Craftsy Mummy, last year changing it ever so slightly. Link to original is found below

For each coaster:
Cut (6) 4.5 inch squares of printed fabric (backing, 4 folded on top and an inside lining)
(1) 4" piece of interfacing (I used Pellon fusible)

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of what will be your backing.

Lay another square right side up on top, so you have wrong sides together on the inside of the sandwich. This "lining" piece is optional, if you are going to add any quilting or stitching once you turn the coaster right side out, you don't need it. If you are going to leave it free so a wine glass stem base can slip inside, it is nice for the inside to be finished and not show batting.

Now take the last four squares and press in half wrong sides together, right side out!
Place one half square raw edges even and fold to the centre

Place the second across the bottom again raw edges aligned and fold to centre.

3rd folded square

4th square you weave in, remembering, fold to centre, raw edges aligned.

Now stitch a 1/4" seam all around the outside edge. You will probably want to use a few pins to hold fabric in place while you sew.

Trim corners and turn right side out, and press.

* don't serge your edges, I thought it would be great, but it is too bulky.

Original pattern can be viewed here, there is even a video!!

Next week I will be posting a tutorial on the Coaster Tray I made to hold them all!! So don't forget to come back and check it out!!

Ontario Blogs to Check Out

Craft Traditions

Jak and Will

Jackie's Art Quilts

The Quilting Princess

Dionne Quiltuplets

Elaine Quehl

Quilting & Learning- What a Combo!

Princess Bubbles Creates

Dresden Quilter

FiberChick

QuiltBee

Claire's Cellar Creations

Quilting Jane at the Farm

Happy Turtle

Now the rules of the give away:

If you are a non reply blogger, or Word Press blogger, or you just don't blog, please leave an email address, so I can reach you.
Prize available to international visitors too
Draw to happen on the 23rd of November. I will contact the winner on the 24th.
If I don't hear back from the winner in 24 hrs I will have to draw another name

a Rafflecopter giveaway