Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Prairie Points: Two Fabrics

Step 1: Cutting
Once you determine the size of the points you want, you will need to cut (2) different strips of fabric twice as wide as your finished size plus a 1/4 " (seam allowance). For example:
2-1/2" points: cut (2) 5-1/4" wide strips
2" points: cut (2) 4-1/4" wide strips
1-1/2" points: cut (2) 3 -1/4" wide strips
1" points: cut (2) 2-1/4 " wide strips

The length will not vary, so cut as many wof (width of fabric), of each fabric, as you need and sew them all together end to end with a standard 1/4" seam allowance.

The example is cut for 1-1/2" points.
Step 2:
Sew the strips together, lengthwise, with a standard 1/4" seam allowance.
Press the seam open.

Step 3:
Place the strip wrong side up on your cutting board.
Using a ruler and rotary cutter, begin to make cuts across the length of your strip.
Each cut will go all the way to the seam line, exactly.
Each cut will be made at intervals equal to the width of your strips minus the seam allowance. (In the example, 3-1/4" strips were cut so each subsequent cut is made at 3" intervals.)

Continue across the entire length of your strip.

Step 4:
Turn the strip around (for easier cutting).
The first cut will be 1/2 as deep as the cuts you have been making, and will be cut out completely. (In the example, 3" cuts have been made, so the first cut on this side will be made at 1-1/2".)

Step 5:
The remaining cuts will be made at the same interval as before, across the entire length of the strip. (3" in the example.)

Step 6:
End the same way you started, by notching out the last 1/2 cut.

Step 7:
Starting on one side, fold all of the points in half diagonally, and all in the SAME direction.

Step 8:
Repeat the same process for folding the second side, being careful to continue folding in the SAME direction.
Note: if you are working with a really long strip you may want to fold both sides simultaneously working your way down the entire length.


Step 9:
Now you are going to fold each triangle in 1/2 again.
This time you will fold everything in the opposite direction as before.

One side folded.

Repeat for the second side.
Note: if you are working with a really long strip you may want to fold both sides simultaneously working your way down the entire length.


Both sides folded.

Step 10:
Work your way down the entire length, folding it in half and pressing it with a hot iron.

The points in the photo above have a "front row" and a "back row". If this is how you want them to look, then slip in a few pins to hold them in place as you go.

If you want your points to be nested one inside the next, then you will need to flip out the little tips as you go. Then add your pins. See photo below.

Step 11:
Now all you need to do is take the whole thing over to your sewing machine and stay stitch along the entire length at 1/8".

Ta-da!

Prairie Points: Many fabrics

One of the trickiest things about making individual prairie points (I think!) is getting them all lined up and evenly tucked into each other. This method totally solves that problem!

Step 1: Cutting
Once you determine the size of the points you want, you will need to cut many different rectangles of fabric twice as wide as your finished size (x) twice as wide as your finished size plus a 1/4 " (seam allowance). For example:
2-1/2" points: cut 5" x 5-1/4" blocks
2" points: cut 4" x 4-1/4" blocks
1-1/2" points: cut 3" x 3 -1/4" blocks
1" points: cut 2" x 2-1/4 " blocks

You can estimate your length or just cut a pile of blocks and see how far they go. Then add more as needed.

The example is cut for 1" points.
Step 2:
Sew the blocks together with a standard 1/4" seam allowance.
Align the top edges (the seam allowance edge) and off-set the blocks by 1/2. See photo below.

Add in the next block by slipping it in to just touch the other bottom block, and aligning the top edges.

Add the next block on the top by slipping it in to just touch the edge of the other top block.

And so on...

And so on...

Until you have a whole long string of them.

Step 3:
Press the seam open.

Note: As you can see, you will not need to cross cut these. You have already done the cutting!

Step 4:
Starting on one side, fold all of the points in half diagonally, and all in the SAME direction.


Step 8:
Repeat the same process for folding the second side, being careful to continue folding in the SAME direction.
Note: if you are working with a really long strip you may want to fold both sides simultaneously working your way down the entire length


Step 9:
Now you are going to fold each triangle in 1/2 again.
This time you will fold everything in the opposite direction as before.

One side folded.

Repeat for the second side.
Note: if you are working with a really long strip you may want to fold both sides simultaneously working your way down the entire length.


Both sides folded.

Step 10:
Work your way down the entire length, folding it in half and pressing it with a hot iron.


The points in the photo above have a "front row" and a "back row". If this is how you want them to look, then slip in a few pins to hold them in place as you go.


If you want your points to be nested one inside the next, then you will need to flip out the little tips as you go. Then add your pins. See photo below.


Step 11:
Now all you need to do is take the whole thing over to your sewing machine and stay stitch along the entire length at 1/8".

Ta-da!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Flag Day

God Bless the Red White and Blue!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Basket Makeover

Do you have a favorite basket?

This is mine. I use it when I deliver meals to families who are needing one. (New babies, surgery, illness, that sort of thing.) It is nothing special. But it is big and sturdy and I can pack an entire dinner in it.

But, I wanted it to look cute, so I made a little liner for it.

I used some shabby chic kind of fabrics and one of the leaves galore rulers to scallop the edge.

Cute huh?

You should totally give this a try! A new look for an old favorite.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

A New Desk

This block of wood...

plus this board, a great piece of fabric and some hot glue...

became...

my new computer lap desk.

You should definitely make one of these.
You'll just love it!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Summertime

Did you enjoy your beautiful summer weekend?
Oh really, what did you do??

Here's how we celebrated summer this weekend....

We decided to forgo our favorite box fan, and embrace a nice cozy fire instead.

And flip flops...totally out! We went with Irish wool socks and slippers.

And those plans for a light and delicious summer salad were reworked into a yummy bowl of HOT tomato soup.


And sunshine...well that was nowhere to be seen either.
We went with raindrops instead.