How to sew a zig zag doll quilt

I used 7 different flannel fabrics for my doll quilt. Cut 2 sets of strips 2" wide from each fabric (from selvage edge to selvage edge). You will then have a total of 14 strips that are 2" wide each. **I've only pictured one set of 7 strips below**

Using 1/4" seam allowances sew one set of the 7 strips together lengthwise. Press all the seams open, as shown below.

Placing wrong side to wrong side, fold in half the pieced strips (lengthwise). My folded edge is on the left hand side in the picture below. Take your time to make sure the seams line up as well as the cut edges.

Place your ruler to make a 45 degree angle, making sure that your cutting line will be to the inside of the folded edge (my cut will start in the bottom left corner, where the folded edge and the bottom edge of the pieced strips form a right angle).

The first cut will leave you with a triangle, set this aside. Your next cut will be 2" over from the initial cut and will give you a strip of all 7 of the fabrics on a 45 degree angle. Continue making 2" cuts in this manner. I was only able to get 3 full cuts from my piece (because one of my fabrics wasn't as wide from selvage to selvage as the other six). The piece to the right of my last 2" strip is waste that can be used for another project (such as the matching doll pillow - see first photo above).

From my cuts, I now have 3 pairs or 6 strips that will line up when placed right sides up, to form a zig-zag pattern. Sew the strips together right side to right side, using 1/4" seams. **This completes the sewing for one set of strips. Go back and do the same steps for the other set of 7 strips you have cut.**

Here you can see the two sets - or 6 pairs - (all 12 of the 2" strips cut from my 7 different fabrics) sewn together. Again, I pressed my seams open (I found the flannel too bulky to press to one side - but suit yourself to whether you press yours open or to one side).

Now it's time to trim off the points on the two outside rows of the pieced quilt top.

Placing the quilt back right side down on the table and layer the quilt batting and then the quilt top (right side up) onto it. Pin (baste) the 3 layers together. Note that your backing and batting should be cut slighty larger than the quilt top. Now you're ready to hand or machine quilt the doll quilt.

Once you finish quilting, you need to trim off the excess batting and fabric from the backing. I cut about 1/4" out from the edge of the quilt top rather than even to it. I do this because it adds a little more fullness into the binding. This is strictly a preference of mine. Now you're ready to cut your binding for the quilt.

I cut my strips 2 1/2", but you can cut yours narrower (especially if you trimmed your batting and backing even with the quilt top). You should only need to cut 2 strips the width of your fabric for the binding.

Attach the binding to the quilt using 1/4" seams (your binding strips are folded and pressed wrong sides together and then you match the raw edges of the binding to the raw edge of the quilt top). *** see footnote***

The last step is to fold the binding to the back of the quilt and handstitch it down. I use clips to hold the binding in place to make it stay in place for handstitching.

Your zig-zag doll quilt is finished!

*** I realize I didn't break down the steps in cutting and sewing the binding in greater detail. I'm working off the assumption you may already know how to do this and because I know other blogs which do this step in detail already. If you're unsure of this step, you can visit Amandajean's tutorial on binding a quilt at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Joanna - where are you?

I have looked and looked for you online. Sadly, I haven't been able to contact you. Do you remember you signed up to my Pay-It-Forward exchange last Spring? I realize I have been slow to get my gift ready, but I finally have and I need your snail mail address. Joanna, if you're reading this, please contact me with your address so I can send you your gift.

Thanks!

Go and see...

Check out the gorgeous giveaway happening at Bitty Bits and Pieces and enter to win some sweet Valentine treats. Please say that I sent you.

Tiny Tot Apron

I've been working with some apron ideas lately. Here's a first attempt at a simple apron design for the smallest cook in the house. It's based on a vintage pattern and the cupcake print seemed made to order for this project. Obviously I don't have a little girl of my own to model this for you, so here's my sewing chair standing in as the model. ;o)

The straps criss-cross the back to button onto the front.

I love this fabric and the vintage mini ric-rac (thanks to my favourite thrift store for that happy find...). I think it is the perfect finishing touch.

Now, if only I had made this apron large enough for myself....

Small and Sweet

I've been trying out projects from Tone Finnanger's book, Sew Pretty Christmas Homestyle in between working on some of my larger sewing projects. These pincushions were a quick and satisfying sewing treat.
You might remember this doll. She is from Sew Pretty Homestyle (one of my favourite sewing inspiration books). I stitched her up a year ago and love her bright outfit.
It seems a shame to stick pins in these! I'm thinking that they would make fun sachets instead of pincushions. I'm picturing a whole group of them - oh, the possibilities! Good thing they're small and quick to make. ;o)

Strips and Stitches

My latest sewing project involves strip*ing. ;o) Fabric strip cutting, that is. Cut lots of strips. Stitch the strips together...

cut them apart and then stitch together again. To make these...

little bits of fabric love. All of which I hope to put together to make something bigger and eventually quilted to show you. Soon.

Ready to felt

Winter and knitting. What could be nicer on a cold winter evening than watching a movie and knitting yourself something warm and cozy? That's just what I've been doing lately. I've kept my needles busy with socks, hats and more slippers so far this winter.

I have a couple of pairs of slippers currently waiting to be felted and instead of waiting, I decided to show you how things look at this point. These little Mary Jane slippers are for my newest niece and will be finished off with a button after they are felted.

Warning! Shade your eyes! My newest slippers are traffic stopping bright. ;o) It seemed like a great combination to add a little colour to our white winter, while keeping my feet warm. Okay, you caught me. Yeah. I was stash busting. Another plus with this colour choice? I know the all male household I live with won't be so quick to walk off in these. (Pink really helps me stake out my turf around here... hee hee).

Both of these slipper designs are by Bev Galeskas. I consider myself a novice knitter, but have had great success with her patterns and can highly recommend them.

I'll post pictures of how the slippers look after they're felted so you can see how beautifully they finish up.

Knitting up a storm...

and to prove it, here's a glimpse at the creative chaos in my knitting corner from this week...

I have one sock for myself off the needles but before casting on for the next sock, I found myself wanting to try something a bit smaller first. I blame my little knitting detour on the library, actually. All those wonderful knitting books filled with interesting projects. One such project required the needles I use for socks and well, I just couldn't resist. I promise to get right back to my sock as soon as I get the new small project off those needles. Honest.

A Place of Quiet Focus

I am finally breaking the unplanned for blogging silence that's being going on for too long here. It's unbelievable how fast the time is passing and I wish I had lots of new sewing projects to show you ( to make up for the deadspace my blog has been for almost a month now) but I don't. My mind and energy have been occupied with some life stresses. That doesn't mean that I've forgotten about all my friends out there in blogland. I've missed you! My apologies for disappearing so suddenly and for so long.

The good news is that the place of quiet focus I have been in for the past few weeks has me stirring up my creative energies again. Yay! Time to get creative and back to sharing with you. Sending you all belated, but sincere good wishes for a Happy New Year!