Radom: up for the challenge!

 
I had fun yesterday! I spent all my day playing with Ayumi aka {Pink Pengium}'s {Popsicle blocks}. When I first saw this pattern launched, I was ready to leave for our trip. Before I left I had a list of things that I need must to order. This pattern is one of the must! I started paper piecing not to long ago. Kerry aka { verykerryberry} has great {tutorial links} on her blog and she shares her { Kerry's house} free load pattern. I made 9 houses and made a {mini doll quilt}! Paper piecing isn't my strongest sewing skill, but I like to learn more about it! It allows more possibilities on quilting and sewing.  It is very time consuming and need great attention to details. I always repeat or revisit the tutorials when I get confused on the steps.

One thing that I love paper piecing is I get to pull all my stashes out and just play with colors and prints. Sometimes, I cut off  my very very special prints, but the outcomes have always been very satisfied! The Popsicle pattern is well written and clear instruction! I am considered myself still in elementary skill for paper piecing, but I was able to completed all four blocks in one day! Yes, there were many hours playing with fabric and getting each pieces joined! I am super proud of myself took the challenge and try something new!

In the future, I might try to build a light box, so I can trace my template on the table, but I have always drew the paper piecing template ever since I started. Very fun!

It took me more than 3 hours to get two blocks done! The process felt so quick and I didn't even pay the attention to the clock. The watermelon block is very simple! So, you probably already know that I am raspberry lover, but you probably don't know I love strawberry, too!!

After 3 hours, my shirt shows the hard word that I have done! My next sewing machine must have auto thread cutter! Every time when I sew, my shirt looks the same, threads allover. I try not to wear dark clothes when I sew, so I can pretended they are not there, but yesterday I had this dark navy shirt on and it really shows.

 Here are my Popsicle block! The Penguin's eyes aren't perfect lined. The feet are a little small. There are still room for me to improve! I love strawberry chocolate Popsicle. I always buy them when I go visit my family. Um... 

I will be getting my {dishy treat pattern} later today and play with it, so I can catch up with {S P quilt along}. There is a {SP quilt along Flickr pool}. You gotta see what other friends have made! Too delicious!

xxC

Random: Scraps

The scrap bin was full up till yesterday! I did more patchwork piecing and set these patchwork pieces aside. I have not decided what to make, but it always comes in handy when they are being pieced and ready to be make into some practical items.  The studio room at home is finally coming together. Projects have been sorted, packages have been sent and I reached my {the week goal}- the citizenship paperwork is done!  I need to get two photos in a passport size and submit the application. One of the question on the paper work asked how many trips that I have taken  outside of U.S. within last 5 years and how many days for each trip? I looked up my passport and put down dates that I left and returned and total the numbers. It was 145 days. I think there's a need to travel more in the future! :)

Last night, I added tutorial icons on the right side of the blog bar. I hope it will be easier for you to navigate the tutorials. The weekend is ahead of us and this will be the last weekend before school starts! I shall dive in school preparations and  some sewing, of course!

The temperature has been cool in N.D. We are in our sweatshirts in mornings and nights.  I discovered the some tree tops are turning yellow yesterday. There is a little whisper sound in my head saying, "summer stay a little longer".

xxC

Radom: Random

Thank you everyone for the sweet comments on the { patchwork bucket tutorial}. I am glad the tutorial turns out helpful and the descriptions were not too confused. If you make one, please join me at { made with 1/4" mark} Flickr pool. It would be so fun to see what your creations are!  My green plants are expending! I expended to another flower pot this spring and it is doing so well. When we came back from our trip. They were pretty sad! I almost lost them, but after a few big drinks they show the energy again!

The process of making a new tote isn't very productive! I plan to have this tote done this weekend, so I can take nice photos of it! Don't you just love the type writer print?  I was very luck to received this scrap piece from Jackie aka {choleandme}.

Few more patchwork pieces in process! My scrap bowls are over flowing and I needed a nice cleaning before school starts! I will be starting my work in 6 days and am excited about the new semester and new challenges that is coming my way! It is always unknown for the new semesters. Things always shifted around and new lessons to learn! Some of the days are down and some of days are up! I am thankful to have this space to share  my thoughts from time to time! Making new friends from this blog and a great group of flickr friends' good support! It is amazing how these encourage words can make a good day to me! It is sweet!

xxC 

Tutorial: Patchwork Bucket

First of all, thank you for encouraging me to write up this tutorial! I don't think I am the best writer, but I will try my best to explain each step and share with you. I'd love to see you make some of these fun {patchwork buckets}. You can make one bucket within 2 hours and enjoy this tutorial. It has 71 images, so you'll need a cup of good tea to go with it!

I am leaving out all the measurement of each item, since everyone's {patchwork bucket} size would varies. This tutorial is to share the how/steps. 

Supplies List-

Fabric

Cotton Batting { either fusible fleece or none fusible}

Craft bond spray adhesive  { for none fusible batting}

Pick up a round shape item that would allow your making the circle { any size}

Two 8" long cotton webbing

Sewing machine

Thread

ruler

scissors

black sharpie pen

There are two main body parts of the {patchwork bucket}. This is the base part of the bucket. Find the round shape  that's in your desire size of making the bucket. You will find that you might waste the four corner fabric pieces, so put your round shape on top of your fabric piece before you cut out that would eliminate the fabric waste. Bond the fabric to the cotton batting. I used Craft bond spray adhesive. You may also choose use the fusible fleece instead. I highly recommend to use the heavy  weight  instead.

After you have bond the fabric to the batting piece. Use sewing machine and quilt it! I have been using the masking tape to guide the sewing lines for most of my grids or strips quilting. However, this method seems work well with small projects instead. I chose darker fabric for the base since it will be sit on any surface. That would help to prevent getting dirty look after few uses.

 You will follow the edge of the masking tape to quilt! You will be able to reuse the masking tape till you finish quilting part. Then dispose the tape.

This is the look after you quilted! I have always done my base quilting this way for the {patchwork bucket}! It gives a nice clean look. It also enforce the batting and fabric together!

Now, Turn your quilted base piece upside down. Put your round shape template on top of it. Use your black sharpie and trace  around the round shape.

 This is the look after your drew your circle.

Set your sewing machine to 1/8" seam. What I did was I sew around the circle with 1/8" to prevent any sewing lines falls. You may eliminate this step, but I have always found it help the project at the end result.

 This is the look after you sew around the edge with 1/8" seam.

 Cut around the line that you drew.

Now use your ruler to measure the diameter for the circle. Make sure your ruler is set 180 degree cross the circle, so you are not off!  This circle was measured in 8.25". Get a piece of paper and write down the diameter number.

 Now you want to marking marks on 30 degree, 60 degrees, 90degrees around your round base piece.

 

My shortcut way:  I folded the circle to half then mark on each end of the folded points. 

 Here you can see clear with the image.

Then you match the two marks you just made and folded. You'll make another two marks on the other two end of fold.

 Here is the four marks.

 Make cross marks on the 90 degrees' marking and small dots on the 180 degrees' marking.

Now it is a little tricky.. You wanted to match the 90 degree mark and 180 degree mark together. That would allow you to get the 30 degree mark. If this step is confused you, you may simple use your quilting ruler to mark your points. After you finish all the marking set the bast piece aside.

 Remember the diameter measurement that you put down on piece of paper?? Now it is time to bring it out. We need to do some math here, so we can get the main body part of the patchwork bucket measurement. We are using the circumference equation to get the main body part .

 Diameter x 3.14 + 0.5

The one I have is 8.25x3.14= 25.90 +0.5= 26.5 {I take the .90 into the ten digital number}

The 0.5 is the seam allowance that we added to the piece. 

Now you have the body measurement you can start work on your second main body piece.  You may use a whole piece of fabric for the main body part or you may use {patchwork style}. It is your time to have fun for this part. After all your piecing. You will need to bond the patchwork piece to the batting piece. Again, you can use craft bond spray adhesive or fusible fleece.

I used free motion quilting on this piece. You may use the simple quilting lines or any fun quilting pattern that you like.

  Trim your body piece down to the measurement you get. Don't forget add 0.5" for seam allowance.

 Take two end of the body pieces and sew them together { it is 1/4 seam allowance}.

After sewn the two edges together. Flat the piece and mark the the left side of the fold.  Repeating the same making method for the body piece.

 Here is the mark.

Take the last marking point and match the sewing seam allowances.

 Here is the look.

 Now flat your pieces and you will get the other two sides marking.

 After repeating the marking on the main body piece. It is time to join the base and body piece together.

Again, on the body piece. You'll need to make cross marks on the 90 degrees and dots on the 180 degrees.  Take your body cross mark and base cross mark then match them together.

 This is the look and pin them gether.

 You will want to do the 90 degrees and 180 degrees markings first the finish the 30 degrees marking.

 Make sure you work around with the pieces.

 dot to dot matching

This is the look after you matching all the marks together. I recommend use many pins. It will make sure your shape and will turn out nicely after you finish it! I promise!

 I like used zigzag on the edges of the piece. You can eliminate this step if you preferred.

 Now turn your bucket inside out! Prepare two pieces of 8" cotton webbing.

 Fold 1" cotton webbing inside and on both side of the piece.

Piece it onto the patchwork bucket. I placed it 2" down from the top edge. Make sure you don't want your webbing too tide. Give it a little room for your hands to put in.

Work with your bucket size and find the center of the point, so you can balance your cotton webbing in the center.

Sew around the folded piece and I made a cross sewing on the piece.  Now set your outer piece aside. Let's work on the lining park.

You will repeat the same sewing method, marking method, and same measurements for your lining piece. I used cotton and linen blended fabric for the lining which gives a nice look.

 The base.

On the main body piece. You will need to leave a 2.5" opening for later turning. Remember to back stitches on the red points.

Attach two main parts together. Remember use the marking matching system. Making round shape is tricky! If you have all the degrees matched you'll get a perfect round shape at the end. 

 Again, I used zigzag to finish the edges.

Now you have the outter and lining pieces finished. Turn your outter piece outside in and your lining piece inside out.

 Line two pieces bucket pieces right side together.

Pin two pieces right side together. Use lots pins!! It sounds like a lot of work, but you really do need lots pins to prevent any move/ shift during your sewing period of time.

 After you sew around the circle.

 Now go find your 2.5" opening... Slowly pulling your patchwork pieces out.

This is what it looks like after you pull your outter piece and lining piece out.

Now need to close the 2.5" opening. Give a nice iron press here. You can either use sewing machine to close up or use ladder stitches to close up the opening.

 I used ladder stitches to close up the stitches. I prefer the clean look for the patchwork.

 After closing.

Now you are almost there... set your lining piece inside the outter patchwork bucket and line the top edge together. Top stitch around the circle.

wa... la.. You have made a {patchwork bucket}. This is great for any kids toys, store your fabric scraps. We used some of these for our picnic trips.

I just love these simple {patchwork buckets}

It is crazy that I have taken over 100 photos for this project, but I certainly enjoy it! Hope I make sense for you!

 Someone is asking me if this is for her.... { we all know who that is!!!}

 I think we will share instead!

The fabric pieces I used were all from my scrap bins and some of orphan blocks. 

I hope you enjoy this tutorial. If you ever make one, please join me and other friends in the { made with 1/4" mark} flickr pool. I'd appreciate you give me full credit for making this tutorial for you and not selling it in your stores. Of course, it is hard to prevent people who do that.  I am off to make few more {patchwork buckets}. I mean it is almost time for Christmas! So make as many {patchwork buckets} as possible and stuff it with lots of Christmas goodies for your friends and family!!  I really mean stuff it with all the goodies!! Thank you for reading and hope all make sense to you. 

Enjoy

xxC