chicken pin cushion

It's my first attempt at making log cabin blocks.
The making of this pin cushion, which needs only two log cabin blocks, is easier than it looked.
I used the scraps from previous sewing projects.
I think the color is interesting after they're all bound together.
There is no wulnut shells in Taiwan, I suppose.
So I used red beans to create some weight.
This hen cushion will go a long way along my sewing table.





One reason that quilting appeals to me is the moment when
I turn the fabrics right sides out, I see the perfect
look on the outside...the "ah-ha" moment transforms
previous mechanical works into sheer delight.

I applied some machine sewing techniques that I learned on Quilter's TV.
Literally I think watching the programs is better than going to sewing classes!
I'm really happy to learn abuot the site.
這是用兩塊小木屋拼布所組成的粽子體針插
作法很簡單,我用的size是1.5cm*(1.5*1)cm到1.5cm*(1.5*7)cm
以上不含縫份
之後每塊小木屋需要1.5cm*(1.5*1)cm到1.5cm*(1.5*6)cm各兩塊,
1.5cm*(1.5*7)cm一塊
顏色需要調整一下 基本上是一邊深 一邊淺 或不同色系
我用的是手邊的碎布 因此很配色很隨興
如果能更單純化 效果應該會更好

做完兩塊小木屋之後 就夾上嘴巴和雞冠 留一個返口
還有夾雞冠的那一邊垂直(沒有夾嘴巴)的一邊 壓扁使兩端變成中間點
再車夾上三角形的尾巴 從返口翻出來之後
塞入豆子和棉花 使有一定的重量 以對針縫縫合返口 就行囉!

因為我是第一次做 沒有心情和時間照相
之後如果有再作第二隻 再放製作過程照片

Ian playing the piano with Arnold

Just found out that I can upload Youtube videos on blogger.
Here is a try:


That's my nephew Ian, the clip was taken last winter.
He was three years old.
I'm fascinated by him. He's so cute. ^^

自製口袋--A pocket of one's own

Voila! I just created a pocket for my long sports pants.While I was about to sew it down onto the pants, Mom passed by and admonished me that it's by no means a good idea. Well, since I'm obsinate about creating a pocket, I sewed it on anyway. Mom said, "You're such a genius". She's actually laughing at me, in a humorous way. Took me two hours or so from designing the pattern to finishing. In the morning I went to the fabric store that's about 1 minute walk away from my home. ^^ (So near! I love it, and it's the biggest one in the city.)

This pants I bought at a school discount while I was in graduate school in America.I wanted to keep the mark on the left, so I only did one pocket.I drew two patterns, the first one being a failure. Though the color of the fabric didn't match the pants perfectly, it was the best I could find in the store. I wanted the pocket so I could bring the door key with me as I went taking a walk in the morning, so that no one had to get the door for me when I came home. I think with a little bit more work and planning, I'd be able to hide the pocket in the back. But it's just regular sports wear, I'm lazy enough to trouble myself over it. lol

剛剛為我的運動褲縫上口袋,因為早上我都穿著它到嘉大運動,沒口袋就不能帶鑰匙,回家時就要按門鈴,好像自己是客人似的!

老媽覺得外露的口袋很醜,其實要作在裡面也可以啦...

這樣更可以張顯我的個性啊! 我倒覺得滿"酷"的耶!

其實是我懶得做那麼複雜啦!就一件運動褲而已,哈哈~

耶~明天開始就有口袋了,好高興喔^^

摺布包完成The Rose bag

總算完成了!花了我一個多月的摺布包~

趕快來看一看長什麼樣子

Finally finished my rose bag.

Check it out:

跟媽到巧巧布(新榮路上)去選了一個相配的手把

花了400元 (好貴!後來發現上網買只要340含運！)

但是 加上提把之後 整個感覺都升級囉!

縫提把的時候 最好是每個洞都回針兩次

如果嫌換線太麻煩 那起碼最上面那個洞要回兩次

並且每一針都要確定有把線拉平整

最好可以隨著提把貼片稍微拉出一點弧度

縫第二隻提把時,注意要對齊第一隻提把的位置

(不是對布,就像縫拉鍊口布一樣,縫第二片時要對的

不是拉鍊中心點,而是與第一片已縫好的口布對齊)

縫出來才會整齊好看喔!

Mom (the model above) went with me to pick

out a handle that matches the bag.

After sewing the handle on, the bag immediately looks

"like a bag". lol

I did this bag following instructions on a book.

And that's the only instruction I have.

I chose the fabric/colors all by myself.

I think how colors are put together is the number one factor　that makes a quilting project pretty.

I don't know how you feel about this bag's color.

But it is like a child from my labor.

It is just perfect and wonderful for me. ^^*

新壓腳到~New presser feet

玩拼布到現在一年多了

我總算狠下心買了貴貴的壓腳

It's been more than one year

since I picked up quilting. And finally I bought

essential presser feet yesterday.

均勻壓布腳(日製): A Walking foot:

自由曲線壓腳(台製) A darning/free motion foot

因為這兩種壓腳必須拆除腳脛,我把裝置的過程拍下來

These are the screw-on type of feet.

Below is how to remove the foot holder to attach a walking foot:

1. 把針和壓腳抬起,壓腳卸下

(Raise the needle and presser foot,

remove the latter.)

2. 把螺絲逆時針轉開,卸下腳脛

(Loosen the screw to remove the foot holder.)

3. 將均勻壓布腳中間部份卡在螺絲跟柱子中間,這時控制桿會自然落在鎖針的黑色螺絲鉗上,再把螺絲順時針鎖緊即可.(Attach the walking foot to the presser bar with the lever on the needle clamp, and secure it with the screw.)

4. 把控制桿推入凹槽中,可以調整寬度,而不用畫線吧,我猜.
(Push the quilting guide downward into the slot.)

I'm not sure what it's for exactly. Maybe with the guide we don't need to draw quilting lines in advance?)

自由曲線壓腳也同樣裝法

(Do the same thing to attach the free motion foot.)

自由曲線壓腳還要做一個下沉送布齒的動作

不好拍照,乾脆獻醜錄下來.反正我是野人嘛,不怕醜.^o^
The feed dog is to be lowered while using the darning foot.

I have a short video for how to lower the feed dog.

(Odd enough that it's not on my machine manual.

I learned this from the foot seller. The video isn't bilingual, though :p

I look forward to using the walking foot to finish my rose bag.

Next week I'll definitely post it on here.

But not today, because it's Moon Festival.

We're having a family feast tonight. ^^*