Upcoming Class

July 13, 2015 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

If you are in the local area,

I invite you to sign up for the Madeira and Bias Shaped Table Runner

class that I’m teaching at Nuttall’s on August 1 & 8.

We will use a pattern and instructions by Martha Pullen.

You will learn a super quick and easy way to do Madeira applique.

You’ll also get to use some of those terrific heirloom stitches built into your sewing machine.

You will see how magically that bias tape lays down

and shapes up to form the detail in the middle of the runner.

You will also learn about special presser feet

that will make your stitching faster and give professional results.

Lastly, you’ll walk away with a beautiful table runner to spruce up your home decor,

or to give as a gift to a special person.

I’m looking forward to meeting you in class!

A Versatile Bunting

July 8, 2015 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

Hey Friends!

Here’s a quick and easy bunting that can be sewn up to fit the season

or the occasion as the case may be.

This one is definitely patriotic,

but I see it in great fall colors with a leaf applique,

in winter tones with snowflake appliques, etc.

You get the idea.

The triangle and star templates can be downloaded here.

I used a blanket stitch around the the large star,

and I sewed a narrow zig zag around the small star.

When you’re stitching around your applique pieces,

the Bernina presser foot #20 (open embroidery foot)

is a perfect choice because it has a wedge-shaped

indentation on the underside of it, which allows

those applique stitches to ride comfortably underneath.

And since it is open between those toes,

you can easily see where you are stitching.

And that helps you to get perfect stitch placement

around the edges of your applique pieces.

I made one addition to the basic pattern instructions

by adding a layer of Floriani Stitch N Shape

between my outer triangle pieces
before I sewed around the applique.

Just cut the Stitch N Shape from your triangle template

and trim off about 1/4″ on all sides.

Once your triangle is stitched, turned and pressed,

simply insert the Stitch N Shape inside.

That adds great stability to your bunting

so it doesn’t “flop” around when it is hung.

It also acts as a stabilizer so your fabric

doesn’t bunch up while you are

stitching around your applique pieces.

Okay, there’s your freebie.

Go! Make some bunting.

If you do, please share it with the rest of us.

As always, I appreciate that you take the time to read my ramblings.

Thank you, friends.

Daysail for Summer

June 2, 2015 ~ Pamela Klingensmith ~ Leave a comment

It’s my goal to fill this entry wall with mini quilts.

As you can see, I’ve just begun!

The newest little mini is that one on the left.

The pattern, Dwell, is from Thimble Blossoms and

the fabric is Daysail by Bonnie and Camille.

I used a combination of figure 8’s and straight line quilting to

finish up this sweet wall decoration.

Thanks for stopping by, my friends.

Please send me an email or leave a comment.

I love to chat with, and learn from, other sewists.

Have a terrific sewing week.