FITF: Film in the Fridge | modern quilts, clothing, fabric, and photos

A peek at the second quilt…

Posted on October 4, 2008

I was so happy to have finished my first quilt that I quickly got to work on a second (keep going when you’re on a roll, right?!)

For this simple one I used some precut Katie Jump Rope 5″ squares. I only had about enough for half this quilt, so I cut the remaining from other assorted scraps and fat quarters I had in my stash. These typically aren’t my colors, but I do like how they all look together.

I was a bit limited for the back, since I only had smaller pieces remaining, but I managed to piece it all together.

I quilted diagonally through the squares to form a diamond pattern. I think I would have preferred free motion meandering, but this will have to do for now. To finish,Â I just need to pick a binding. That might be easier said than done, as my choices are limited if I want to stick with fabrics from this line…

Hopefully I’ll be able to show the finished quilt early next week!

Posted in Household Sewing - bags, napkins, pillows, Posts about Quilts | Tagged charm squares, denyse schmidt, Fabric, handmade, Katie Jump Rope, quilt, quilting | 5 Comments

How to give small art a bigger presence

Posted on October 3, 2008

Several months ago I bought a number of ACEOs (or ATCs – artist trading cards) on Etsy. This is a great way to get affordable art. Often you can find originals, and due to the small size, they also have a smaller price tag. (ATC’s are only 2.5″ x 3.5″). However, due to the small size, they are harder to display.

I bought this little print several months ago on Etsy from TimSally.

I absolutely adore this print, but it’s really too small to display on a large wall. I decided to solve that problem. And here’s how I did it…

First I bought a frame large enough to display on my wall.

This one is 16″ x 20″.

Then I measured my print so I could get a new mat cut for the frame. Make sure to subtract about 1/2 an inch from the horizontal and vertical measurement so that the mat opening will cover the entire print. You’ll also want to make note of the inside measurements of the frame.

I got this mat cut at Ben Franklin’s. At the custom framing counter they have a huge variety of mat colors and typically they cut it while you wait.

Once you have the new mat, simply tape the print to the back of the mat, centering the image. Then remove the mat which came with the frame, and insert the new one. Presto! Larger art!

I love the way this little print is centered in the frame with a large expanse of white matting. And now it no longer gets lost on the wall. I hung this in our bathroom, and really love the way it looks.

(If you were feeling creative, you could also have the opening cut so it wasn’t centered, creating some additional visual interest.)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ACEO, artwork, ATC, framing | 3 Comments

I finished a quilt!

Posted on October 1, 2008

It’s done! and it really is wonderful!

This is my first completed quilt, and I really couldn’t be happier.

Since I still haven’t practiced any free motion quilting, I opted to quilt this one following the seams of the zig zags. I sewed a zig zag on either side of each seam and it created a nice look, especially on the back.

Did I mention that I love how this one turned out? Will you call me crazy if I tell you I’ve been walking around the house with it? I don’t know what it is, but I really like looking at it. Hopefully it’s just that it’s my first quilt, and not that I’m a crazy person!

In any case, despite this being baby quilt size, I’ve decided it’s big enough to cover most of me when I’m laying on the couch. Originally I thought it might be one I use as a gift, but now I think it’s destined to remain here with me. I can’t give away my first quilt, right?