Patriotic Centered Flag Star Block

I thought I would try a  making a sample patriotic star block, I think I like the combination. hmmm what do you think? Marjorie from b-quilt.com help me by making the cutting instructions for the block. It went together well. You can find the instructions for a 12 " block and a 8 inch block here http://b-quilts.com/blog/?p=3359.   Thank you Marjorie! She has  some other interesting quilt layouts too.



Three easy and fun patterns

It was a beautiful day today so we went to visit our son and his family and took the opportunity while we were there to get a couple of pictures of Sarah wearing two of Olabelhe's patterns http://olabelhe.blogspot.com/search/label/Gabriella  made out of the oh la la print, http://olabelhe.blogspot.com/search/label/Lindsay  is made out of a buttercup fabric  by fig tree for moda and one of Ellieinspired's pattern made out of blue floral knit print http://www.ellieinspired.com/apps/webstore/products/show/2463918. I love all three of these patterns they were very easy to make and fit Sarah great!

Machine applique embroidery on T shirt knits

On the days that my family was not here last week I attempted a applique sample project. I have to tell you, I learned some new things to help avoid breaking five needles and getting fabric caught in the throat. I usually use tear away stabilizer, but apparently with knits you use cut away stabilizer, and a size 80 ballpoint needle.

Cole of Cole's corner and creations guided me through many questions I had, because the first sample I did I broke five needles and  I  had several knots that caused the sewing  machine to stop. I was hoping to finish the shirts before they left, but I guess that wasn't to be this time

On the final fronts of my grandsons T shirts. I used a cut away stabilizer, wonder under under the applique fabric (I found out later that heat n bond lite is best for putting under applique pieces), I used sulky thread and a size 8o needle.
At Emblibrary they have an interesting article on stabilizers at I http://www.emblibrary.com/EL/elprojects/SimpleProduct_ELP.aspx?CS_ProductID=PR1373&CS_Catalog=Elprojectst  It has been awhile since I have sewn appliques on knits. Guess I needed a refresher course. :)

Some of Coles Corner and Creations tips
1. It depends on how heavy the knit is if it's thick- go with a bigger needle and if it's a thin, lightweight needle- go with a smaller one. 70,80, and 90 ballpoint.
You want to use cut away on knits, though- not tear away.
Tear away will not stabilize the 'stretch' on the t-shirt and it will distort
To avoid hoop ring on t shirt hoop the stabilizer, spray the stabilizer, and pin the shirt to the top of the stablizer

2.  She used this one from All Brands. she  use their cut away also.She loves it.
http://www.allbrands.com/products/abp14276-1981.html
3. it also works to pull some thread off the spool and hold it up or purchase a stand  that you can put away from the sewing machine similiar to http://www.supplydivision.com/misc-items-services/thread-stand.html
Also, make sure that your heat and bond and sulky is all the way dry before you start embroidering.
The heat and bond should be cooled and the sulky completely dry.
If you do it before then, it can gum up the needle causing thread problems

The Monster Truck appliques are found at http://www.designsbyjuju.com/pscart/mysearch.aspx?stext=monster%20trucks.  I really like the way  the monster trucks appliques turned out! A week later finally got a picture of them wearing it,

Thank you for visiting and Have a Good Day!

A Family visit

My daughter and family were here visiting this week, so Wednesday and Friday were special days. I was so hoping they would be staying here with us, but after my grandsons told me their friends had a hot tub, i realize I couldn't top that! They came over for dinner Wednesday and after dinner the 4 year old and 6  year old help me frost and decorate cupcakes, which was fun and messy. The four year pointed out he was going to eat that one and that one and that one.....However I only think he ate one, he definitely had chocolate on  his face and hands. they put orange, green, chocolate sprinkles on top of the frosting and those red candies which the four year decided he didn't like.. they were to hot! 
 It was so much squeeze and hug my 9 mo. old grandson who is just full of smiles and crawled all over the place , always on the move. He discovered the cans of food in the lower cupboard and would  have got in with them but he could only get his hands inside, he was not sure how to get the rest of himself in, missed that picture! I spent Friday with my daughter. She likes scrapbooks and I like sewing, so we shopped and window shopped for both and had lunch together.

Jonathan thought his grandfather eye case need to be tested out. It was hard to get a still picture because he kept moving