Sunday Quilt Inspiration: Tee Shirts

I've had several friends ask me about the tee shirt quilts that I've made. That got me thinking about layouts, so I thought I'd share a few with you. This first one is probably the easiest one to use because you can cut all the tees the same size.

As you can see, making a tee-shirt can be quite creative. If the goal is to get as many tees as possible into the quilt, this last one is a good way to go--cut the designs as small as you can and play with placement to get everything to fit. It's difficult until you get the hang of it. I like to work in chunks and keep a few designs out that I can use as fillers. (I don't cut them until I see what size I'll need.)

Some people create a grid before cutting. If you decide to use this sort of aide, remember to add the seam allowance when cutting and know that you can't deviate from the plan, so measure your shirt designs carefully. 

And finally, while you're cutting out designs, keep in mind that it's possible to use any design on a shirt. Pockets, logos, appliques and embroidery can be used in the small areas. To get to a sleeve design, simply cut the sleeve off the shirt and cut seams open from wrist to armpit. You'll be able to lay the sleeve flat. 

Sunday Quilt Inspiration

How about some spiritual inspiration? I found these and pinned them to my "graphic sign decor emblem words inspiration" board. Note: you will not find any derogatory, crude, or foul language on any of my boards, including this one. What is inappropriate in my Godly life, I do not allow in my life.

              

Yellow Chevron ~~ Finished!

A few weeks months ago I made this yellow chevron quilt to test a pattern, which I've written about a few several times. This one is a smaller, crib quilt that did not take long at all. It may have been one of the first quilts that I made with my "In One Day" pattern. This is the pattern that I used for "That Big Chevron." Of course, this top sat on the growing pile of tops waiting to be quilted. I just wanted to test out the pattern in a variety of sizes, so finishing was not a priority. 

I think I like this one because it's so bright. That yellow and black are pretty fantastic together and, let's face it the polka dots pull it all together.  I quilted pebbles in the solid yellow and easy stippling in polka dots. For the black, I dropped in a loose, loopy rope design. All easy, quick quilting!

 Although the quilt looks okay turned on its side, to form a Streak of Lightning design, I still prefer the way it looks in the horizontal chevron pattern. 

As I think about it, I don't think I've seen a quilt with a Streak of Lightning design that I've liked a great deal. So maybe it's me. Maybe I just have a default design preference that I can't help going back to .

Oh well, if that's the case I am only now becoming aware of it, so apparently it hasn't hurt me very much. I guess I should pay attention to this idea. Well, maybe.

	Quilt Stats
Name:	Yellow Chevron
Size:	45” x 50”
Fabrics:	Stash fabrics-- Kona black, Kona bright yellow, polka dots
Binding:	Kona black
Pattern:	In One Day pattern
Quilting:	Custom Free Motion Quilting – stippling and pebbling
Completed:	September 2016

How about you? Do you have a default design sensibility that you can't seem to help liking over other designs? 

Linking up with

Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation

Fort Worth Fabric Studio

TGIFF at Rainbows, Bunnies, Cupcakes

Pin It Weekly #154

I'll admit it...I'm hooked! I am! I've been using for over a week now, and I don't think I can quit. No on my own, anyway.  www.TED.com seems to be my drug of choice right now. 

TED Ideas worth spreading*

And boy, have I been spreading those ideas. Well, actually I've been spreading the website. I've been trying to "hook" students on the idea that if you're going to kill time on the internet, you should kill that time with an inspiring video. Or maybe one on which you learn something...like the one above by Jack Horner, "Where are the baby dinosaurs?"  

Or how about you learn something and laugh...like this one "What's so funny about the web?" by Ze Frank? I haven't seen one that is not interesting, but alas, I've not been very successful. In fact, I think I bombed. Completely. Would you please check it out and let me know how you like it? I'd feel much better if I connected to one human.

All of this means that I have lots of stuff to check out on Pinterest! In fact, I have started a "TED Talks" board.                                                                  Sure, it's crazy, but I'm crazy. I watch a TEDtalk on something (anything) almost daily and then I do some of my own research/info gathering/pinning. Can't just trust the people who say they are experts, you know.                                                                            However, I have read everything I can find on TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design), and I'm still hooked. Here are some of my recent pins. Thanks to the many people who have curated the talks in these pins.

That's my spiel on TED Talks and on design and creativity. 

Pillow Patter Needed for a Finish

Last weekend I decided to give the Double Wedding Ring block a try. Actually, my plan was to make a small quilt. That plan evolved into a pillow.  At the beginning I loved the fabrics I chose. 

Then I found that they were too traditional. I tried a couple of different approaches, but nothing really worked. 

 Then I hit on the idea to par down the project into a pillow that would require less of what I was afraid I would not like.

I'm not sure that my idea was an easy one. I had to rethink the process several times since I didn't have either a pattern or a clear idea of what to do or how.

Never the less, I had fun figuring it out. Once the two round pieces were sewn, I discovered that I had to float them on the long-arm to quilt them. Floating a quilt means just placing the top on the batting but not pinning or attaching it in any way. 

This allows the fabric to move outward as the quilter works from the center toward the outer edges. It takes patience and slow moving to make sure that you don't quilt one section too much because that will cause creases and distortion. 

I also wanted to use different motifs to add dimension and texture to the pillow.  I was afraid that might cause problems, but working slowly and methodically seems to have been the answer.

Of course, because it's round, there are some dimples on the outer edges, which will take a great deal more work to move the filling around, but I didn't have the time or patience.  I'm sure a grandchild will gladly pat the pillow for a while this weekend.

I'll gladly reward the pillow patter if it means I don't have to work the filling toward the edges.

 Have you paid a pillow patter? I'm curious what the going rate is. 

And, my goodness, I have joined some linky parties this week! I thought that since I have such a good resource of bloggers who hold linky parties, I should take full advantage. If you'd like to do the same, click on the link at the top of the page that reads, "50+ Linky Parties."  Really, there are over 50...I counted!

So this week we're linking up with

Really Random Thursday at Live a Colorful Life

Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

TGIFF hosted by Quilting is More Fun than Housework

Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Sew Fresh Quilts  (Let's Bee Social)

Free motion Mavericks at Lizzie Lenard Vintage Sewing
Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

A very special thanks to our many hosts.  Now, go! Visit! Have fun linking up with like-minded quilters.