Creativity on the Loose

Okay, Okay, Okay, it’s time to clean the work room again….I DO NOT understand why the area I work in stays so messy…..could it be I run from one project to the next in such a state of sheer excitement that I forget the Elves told me long ago they were NOT picking up after me anymore…the cookies I left in payment just didn’t cut it, I guess.

Getting ready for “the next show” is always fun although I often have to unpack my suitcases in order to repack.  Getting ready for the SEW EXPO show in Puyallup, Washington in a couple weeks is my new focus.  I am excited to be working with our YOYO’S AND KANZASHI FLOWER TEMPLATES as well as the TRACE AND CREATE E TABLET TEMPLATE and accessories.

I have been working on a bed cover using the Green YoYo maker and following the Grandmother’s Flower Garden pattern.  I will have fun sharing it and the quick and easy method of making the yoyo’s with our template. 

For all of you yoyo enthusiasts be sure and check out the new yoyo quilt pattern by Marcia Layton.  This new one is a cabin in the woods.  I am over the top nuts about her patterns and she loves Clover’s YOYO makers.

 

The Kanzashi templates are another favorite of mine and having an opportunity to design some of these awesome flowers is always a treat.  I go nuts with the new and exciting fabrics available that make these flowers so special.  What I find is the pattern of the fabric doesn’t matter but the color combinations draws my attention.  Making petals with the fabric you really don’t see the pattern as much as the  color.  Using cover your own buttons makes a lovely finish to the center of the flower.

Working with the TRACE N CREATE E TABLET TEMPLATES has turned into a wild ride!  Now that I have the process figured out I am going nuts making these little covers.  As with all things the more you use or play with something the more ways you find to use it. 

As you can see I changed the inside a bit….added a pocket for my drivers license, Starbucks card and paper along with a pen slot in case I hear of a new book I need to read.  With this E-Reader cover I am all set for time to relax and enjoy.

The brown fabric “CALLED TO ME”!!!  I may have to seek therapy to control my need to make these adorable little guys!

I found a new way to use my FUSE AND GATHER – cut a strip of fabric, iron the FUSE AND GATHER down the center and using pinking shears, cut up to the FUSE AND GATHER on both sides.  Pull threads to gather and you have a new kind of ruffle. Great to add on to the New Basket Frames! 

If you’re in the Puyallup, Washington area March 2-4^th stop by the Clover Booth, and say hi to Carol and Alicia who will be working with the newest products.  I will be assisting in the Hancock booth and of course Washington’s own, Pacific Fabrics will be featuring Clover products as well.

 

Clover heads to TNNA and CHA shows!

1 Day before TNNA Show, the snow storm hit Seattle and shut the airport down the day I was trying to fly out to Phoenix for the TNNA show.  It was an adventure and I was only at the show for 2 days.  I did not come home with a suitcase of yarn as I usually do.  The new colors are as exciting as they are each year and the trends are going back to knit and crocheted skirts, ponchos…..yes…..ponchos for those of us that remember the 60’s and 70’s so get those hooks and needles out and get ready for a fun walk through the past.

The GIRLS!! In Phoenix at the TNNA Show. (From Left to Right)  Rachel Serrano, Melanie Soward, Alicia Carr, Carol Porter and in-front, me, Fran Ortmeyer.

With only two days between the TNNA show in Phoenix and the CHA show in Anaheim, it seemed a waste of time and money to fly home for one night and back the next day so Carol Porter and I went directly to Anaheim.  We had a marvelous day of sunshine, sleeping-in and time to work on projects using the new products.

Sunset over Anaheim, CA

We were taken with the palm trees and bright colored flowers.

The new French Knitter has our demonstrators, Carol and Alicia excited over the beautiful jewelry they have been able to turn out.  It is a wee small spindle knitter used to knit strings of beads into beautiful finished pieces of jewelry.  I was awe struck when I saw the creations these two came up with.  Way to go ladies!

Designed by Carol C Porter

Notice the different textures and materials used with this necklace/bracelet combination.  Just think – you can now customize your accessories to your outfits and just imagine the compliments you are going to receive.  Be prepared, though, to hear…..would you make one for me if I buy the supplies?  It is much easier to say, I would LOVE to teach you how to make your own creative creations!!

Designed by Alicia Carr

Designed by Alicia Carr

Designed by Carol C Porter

Designed by Alicia Carr

Designed by Carol C Porter

The second new product we introduced at the show was our BASKET FRAMES.

I know you will all fall in-love with these charming little basket forms that present you the opportunity to coordinate with any party, theme or time of the year.  Simple and easy and it crosses all ages, and produces a great finished product.  Just think, your children could make a little basket for their teacher, you can make a basket for a baby shower and fill it with baby items, a bridal shower…on and on…..give free rein to your imagination and see what magic you come up with.

Designed by Alicia Carr

I really like this bath group.  As you can see in the pictures below, Carol Porter knit some washcloths to make this a perfect hostess gift or best of all….a no reason gift.

Today is a warm, sunny day in the northwest and Buddy (dog) and Skittles (cat) are sleeping in my office in pools of sunlight.  I may just stretch out between them and catch a few winks before working on my next project.

E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Project

Trace ‘n Create E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers was introduced at the same time as the Fuse ‘n Gather and Fuse ‘n Bind.  I am an avid reader and was gifted with an E-Reader last Christmas.  I carry it everywhere I go and have to admit the cover is getting a little “worn” looking.  When I received the template I was gung ho to whip out a beautiful cover for it…….BUT……..I don’t sew garments or crafty projects well.  Something about directions and my lack of finishing techniques just doesn’t work well.  I was determined to make one and it took the help of our demonstrator Beckie Hansen to walk me through it.

Bless Beckie for her patience and for not laughing at my less than perfect first attempt.  I have to admit that I did a lot of “redoing”…we all know what that means.  Give me yarn, thread and hook or needles and I can impress you, but give me fabric and a pattern (other than quilting) and I run for the hills or hide behind the door until now because it’s so much fun!

When I saw these fabrics I knew it was the perfect cover for my much loved E-Reader.

For my second attempt I chose the I-Pad size.

.

Remember, following directions (written, thank you) isn’t easy for me so I highlighted each step for the particular size I wanted and that made it easier. I have applied my interfacing at this point.

Cutting the batting I found the Wonder Clips extremely helpful to hold the bulk of the batting.  I carry some Wonder Clips in my purse….they are so handy for all kinds of projects.

The strap is made using Create-A-Strap; Velcro is positioned once again using the Wonder clip to hold the Velcro because a pin didn’t want to cooperate.

The D-Ring  is positioned and I am ready to stitch.

I love using the Chaco-liner to mark the positions for straps, etc.  Can you see the little teeth?  They lay down a fine line of chalk which makes life so pleasant for us sewing challenged.

Blue iPad cover and Peach E-Reader cover

I don’t have an I-Pad but have faith in the saying, “Build it and they will come”.  I just want to be ready.

I used two different D-Rings from Clover’s Bag Hardware on the E-Reader and I-Pad covers.

I found the clear stretchy elastic material and do suggest you double it if that is your choice.

Some tips I can share from my experiences…

1.  Read the directions and highlight the areas you are using.
2.  Use your Wonder Clips (less bloodshed)
3. Don’t forget to leave the top open to insert your Pre-Cut Tablet Keeper Shapers.
4. Use the template to mark the strap position….don’t “eyeball” it…it won’t work.
5. Have fun and don’t be too critical of what you have made.

Ruffles Made Easy!

Oh dear!

Fall was late this year and humans and our four-legged friends appreciated the

Fuse 'n Gather

extended time for our gardens. I’m still pulling beets and brussel sprouts. I guess the deer appreciates the extended fall, too,  although she was munching on the chick weed rather than the nummy veggies.

One thing we can always count on in the fall is the introduction of new Clover products at the International Quilt Market in Houston. And as usual I have fallen in love with them all.

In the next few blog posts I want to share with you an up-close view of these products because I feel they will become essential items in your sewing/crafting stash.

Two rows of stitches are embedded in the fusible webbing.

First up is Fuse ‘n Gather. Any of you sewing for little girls or big girls know that ruffles are the current big thing for embellishments. I remember making things for my daughter who just turned 45! And ruffles or gathering of any kind was a huge pain when she was a young girl – so many steps involved, but not anymore!

Fuse ‘n Gather is a fusible webbing with two rows of gathering stitches embedded in it. Simply iron Fuse ‘n Gather onto the fabric you want gathered, leaving a couple inches on one end of the fabric to anchor the threads and prevent them from pulling completely out when you start to gather on the opposite end of your soon-to-be ruffle.  Loosen the threads up to the fabric, insert a pin and wrap the threads in a figure 8 around the pin to anchor the threads. Once your thread is anchored, pull the threads from the opposite end and you have your nearly instant ruffle.

Leave a couple of inches extending beyond the edge of the fabric.

I can see ruffles everywhere, especially now that Clover has

Anchor the threads with a pin.

made them so easy to make!

With each blog post introducing the new Fall 2011 products we will be offering a giveaway!

Simply leave a comment below telling us what you think of Fuse ‘n Gather and what you would do with it by midnight Pacific time one week after the date of the post. One comment per person. We will select our favorite comment and that person will

A nearly instant ruffle!

win a package of Fuse ‘n Gather. Be creative!

Fuse 'n Gather makes ruffle-making so easy.

Dimensional Needle Felting

Fran and Beckie

Dimensional felting with Clover’s great felting tools is great fun, and we are blessed to have some of the most talented designers and demonstrators working with our team to produce projects that delight and highlight the versatility of our products.

Our own Beckie Hansen is one of these awe inspiring people. If anyone on the team is going to think outside the box with our tools it’s Beckie. At the International Quilt Market in Houston Beckie was demonstrating the felting tools and I want you to see some of the things she came up with.

Dimensional felting work is very popular and Beckie delighted each

Our pumpkin pins

demonstrator by making a dimensional felted pumpkin for us to wear at the show. Fall market is always around Halloween time so we were appropriately “embellished” with these fun accessories.

Beckie’s detail work really makes her projects come alive and each design holds imagination and her own special whimsical elements. Working with the Pen Style Needle Felting Tool, which looks like a ballpoint pen and contains three needles, makes working with small projects accurate and easy.

The Felting Needle Mat, which is “brush like,” enables smooth punching with little resistance and allows the fibers of the work to become well meshed with the basic fabric. Because the mat is like a brush, you don’t have to worry about little bits and pieces of foam becoming part of your creation.

Giant felted flower

One of Beckie’s best-known creations is the gigantic flower and dragonfly used as a  focal piece in our trade show booth. Notice the smaller flowers she made that can easily be attached to a hat or purse or wherever your imagination takes you.

A couple of the projects she was working on while demonstrating at market – I can’t wait to see the finished bird. Beckie’s creativity inspires me to bigger and better achievements in my crafting endeavors.

To make petals or leaves, Beckie felts gently around small floral wire shapes. To learn more, check out the “Whimsical Felted Flowers” project sheet.

Beckie also enjoys working with the Needle Felting Applique Molds designed to produce a completed project of different flowers as well as whimsical amimals and shapes. She loves embellishing with these mold flowers.

Beckie's whimsical flower on her recycled sweater purse.

One of the projects I like best is the purse Beckie made from an old sweater using Clover’s D-shaped Black Bag Handles  and embellished with a felted dimensional flower and free form leaves. Awesome! Recycling is always a good thing and look how cute that sweater looks as a purse.

Look in your closet or those boxes of old clothes you have put away and see what would recycle into something else … embellished, of course with a felted design.

Extra Tidbit

I recently purchased a lovely table runner kit requires cutting shapes and hand stitching with a blanket stitch. I was having trouble pinning the shapes onto the wool background so I could stitch them on. I kept sticking myself and finally realized I was working with wool and could use the Pen Style Felting Pen to “felt” them down onto the wool background, creating extra blending of the two pieces for wearability. I can punch the shapes and designs onto the background securely so they won’t fall off before stitched, and I can travel with the piece.

As you prepare for the upcoming holiday decorating give some thought to some needle felted pieces to decorate your surroundings.

International Quilt Market

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Isn’t this a beautiful convention center?  We are fortunate to have such a lovely place to celebrate Quilting and the amazingly talented and creative folks that design and make the comfort givers we know as QUILTS!

Living in the Northwest I have to get up with the sun to make my flight “inland” as we call anywhere but the coast.   Fall has come to the Northwest and it was a pleasure to head out to warm and sunny Houston.

Setting up 6 booths is hard work so the crew felt it was time for a little lunch and a bit of rest

It was exciting as it always is with the colors and sounds and all those quilting necessities we haven’t seen before, or new ways to use the things we have at home. My heart and spirit are constantly uplifted at these shows and I return home ready to conquer the world … and finish at least one quilting project in my ‘project tub”.  Actually, it has become tubs.

Ruffles are EVERYWHERE these days.

This year we saw more color, color, color, ruffles, ruffles, ruffles, and everyone seems to be wearing retro aprons these days! Pretty soon cast iron skillets will once again be “the thing”.  Good that I still have all mine!  The bold colors  in this booth caught my attention.

I loved the color in this booth.

Wouldn't this handsome fellow look great in a fall arrangement.

Attendees know they will always find new and exciting products and techniques at the Clover Booth which makes us a destination booth and keeps the FABULOUS demonstrators busy.  Clover had several new items to present and they are truly innovative and will make your life much easier and fun. Well, the crafting and needlework part anyway.

Clover's new E-tablet coversClover's E-Paper Keeper

NEW PRODUCTS:

E-TABLET  AND PAPER TABLET KEEPERS

The E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers are the newest set of traceable templates in the Nancy Zieman Trace ‘n Create Template series. Now you can write, read or email in style!.  The three sizes and two variations of this template give you creative freedom to 2-1/2”

PRE-CUT TABLET KEEPER SHAPERS

Pre-Cut Tablet Keeper Shapers with Nancy Zieman – Your E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers will not be complete without its Shapers! The Pre-Cut Tablet Keeper Shapers are heavy weight to give your cases a professional finish.  Available in assortment package and large size.

FUSE ‘n BIND

Fuse ‘n Bind “Fusible Binding Tape” with Nancy Zieman – Finish off your E-Tablet and Paper Tablet Keepers with easy Fuse ‘n Bind. Just press, fold, and bind!  Available in ½” width in 2- and 6-yard packages.

FUSE ‘n GATHER

Fuse ‘n Gather “Fusible Gathering Tape” with Nancy Zieaman – Press, pull, stitch and  you have a gather! Gathering has never been this easy! Perfect for dresses, pillows, quilts, and craft projects.  Available in 5/8” width in 6- and 15-yard packages.

FLOWER FRILL TEMPLATES

Flower Frill Templates in Extra Small and Mini sizes!  - You’ve asked for them and now they’re here! Two new smaller sizes perfect for decorating children’s clothing, baby items, and craft projects. Both sizes are available in one package that includes 2 of each size — 2” and 2-1/2”.

We were thrilled at the turnout at our Media Preview. Editors and writers for quilting, sewing, crafting and needlework magazines come and preview the new products so they can write about them. Be sure to watch for those magazines on the newsstands for Clover’s new products and project ideas. We thank each one that took the time to attend.

Fall Quilt market ends our trade show season and we are busy preparing for the upcoming holidays, just like you all. We are also busy working on the exciting new products we will have for you in the new year. The model makers are having fun with these new items and I wish I could tell you all about them but mum is the word for now. We hope you will enjoy the new items we have presented this year and that you use them for some awesome holiday gifts.

I am including pictures of some of the outstanding quilts I was able to view. There are so many quilts displayed at the show and my walking around time was very limited this year so I apologize to those of you that will not be represented in the following pictures. You are all amazing in my book!

CRIMSON PROMISES

Sharon Schamber

Payson, AZ

I was so blown away by the handwork on this quilt I forgot to take a full picture of the quilt.

This doll stole my heart.  I was so blown away by the beauty and detail I forgot to get the maker’s name for which I apologize. Amazing!

Artist:  Jennifer Day

Santa Fe, NM

Title:  Wisdom

I have a love of horses and quilting - beautiful blend. WONDERFUL !!

A lot of piecing went into this quilt.  I started a top like this many years ago and it is now a work in progress.

 Artist:  Vicki Quint

    Watertown, WI

I could have spent several days viewing the truly amazing quilts at market .  Hope you enjoy seeing the ones I was able to take photos of.

Happy Stitching!

Marking Tools For Quilts

Needles and thread of some sort have been around from practically  the beginning of time and women have been making clothing and bedding for nearly as long. Over time the process for making warm bed coverings has improved greatly but the basic process has been the same. Two fabric layers and something in the middle to make it warm and you have a quilt. To keep those layers from falling apart stitches had to be applied to “sandwich” the layers and keep them together.

Tying quilts was a quick and often used method of keeping quilts together. ”Quilting” became popular as women had more time and the designs they used were creative and functional. The history of the quilting designs is a subject worth researching. The names told a lot about the women and their world … the Baptist Fan, Feathers, Meandering, Tendril, Cables, Leaf Designs, Flower Designs … things common in their everyday life were used as patterns to mark and quilt their work.

It is stated in writings that in the 180’s rural women began quilting at age 2-3. Their first quilts were 9-patch designs using the scraps of household fabrics. It is reported that 12 tops, average, would be made prior to their marriage.

When the young woman became engaged the family and friends would get together for “quilting bees” to quilt the tops for the new bride-to-be.

Example of pieced and applique quilt

Prior to 1920 few appliqué quilts were made due to the cost of thread and fabric. Pioneer women made utilitarian quilts while women in cities who could afford to purchase the fabric and thread began to make appliqué tops.

At the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s quilts started showing up at state fairs. The SunBonnet Sue and Crazy quilts came into their own during this time.

Tied scrap quilt, 1920s

The 1920’s reflected the economic times with embroidery work (which we are seeing more and more of in the market) were popular.

The Double Wedding Ring design showed up in the 1800s and was the perfect top for using up the quilter’s scraps.

The following quotes are from various quilt history books.

“The love of quilts and quilting swept the country. One fair advertised 161 entries of the Wedding Ring design alone.”  The Missouri Ruralist, Feb 1931

Wedding quilt

“It’s an ill depression that blows no good… without money for costly diversions, the women have turned to a renewal of quilt making. Many of the household magazines and not a few of the daily papers have quilts and pattern departments and are offering every inducement for the continuation of this most interesting of home-crafts arts.”
– Carrie Hall, quilter

Feed and flour sacks were popular for quilting and the manufacturers quickly realized the

Feed sack quilt

women were reusing the sacks and started printing them. Women would trade sacks to have enough for a garment. This quilt is made with that material. The sacks were originally made of coarse material soaked in lye to soften it.

In the 1940s rationing came about with World War II and bedding was mass produced for the soldiers and consequently purchased for the home as women had little time to make their bedding because they were working in the factories while the men were at war.

Today quilters have an abundance of quilt marking devices., including Clover’s wide range of marking pens and pencils. The question is, “Which works best for your particular project?”

Pen Style Chaco Liners

CHACO LINER PEN STYLE

This little gadget is just plain fun to use and is very effective. It comes in four colors: white, pink, blue, and yellow. Refills are available for each color.

* Mark your quilt top AFTER it is basted. This chalk formulation still rubs off as you pin and baste.

* Use with a ruler or stencil to mark along the line you want.

* The chalk wears off during quilting.

Mechanical Pencils

MECHANICAL CHALK   PENCIL

These come in three colors: silver, yellow and pink. Refills available

* Before using, write and erase on edge of fabric.

* Ironing and dry cleaning before removing marks make them permanent.

* Markings are erasable with an eraser.

Water Soluble Pencils

WATER SOLUBLE PENCIL    

The water soluble pencil comes in three colors: white, pnk and blue.

* Needs to be sharpened.

* Best suited for precise marking on fabric.

* The water soluble pencil is easily wiped off with water.

WATER SOLUBLE MARKER

Water Soluble Marker, Thick Point

Comes in fine tip and thick tip.

* Use water only to remove.

* Do not allow to sit for long periods of times (2 weeks or more) as it may be difficult to totally remove.

* Do not use on fabrics you are unable to wash.

Chaco Pen Pink with Eraser

CHACOPEN PINK WITH ERASER

The Chacopen air eraser comes in one color: pink.

* It is air erasable. Mark small areas at a time

* Marks will fade within 2 to 10 days.

* It comes with a convenient ERASER PEN for immediate erasure of unwanted marks.

CHACOPEN BLUE WITH ERASER

Chaco Pen Blue with Eraser

This pen is water erasable, and comes in one color: blue

Eraser Pen

ERASER PEN

This handy pen is for use with any of Clover’s water-soluble markers.

WHITE MARKING PEN

This amazing little ballpoint style pen is great for marking dark fabrics.

* Ink disappears with use of iron or when washed.

* It takes a few seconds for the white marking to appear.

QUILTING PENCIL

Quilting Pencils

These pencils come in two colors: silver and yellow.

* Mark lightly so it will erase. No need to be heavy handed with these pencils.

* Marks will not be eraseable once ironed.

* Fine marking line without smudges.

PENCIL FABRIC ERASER

* The abraded particles are large and will not get caught in the fabric weave.

* Do not pull eraser too far out as it will break easier.

Chacopel Pencils, fine-point

CHACOPEL FINE-POINT PENCILS

I love the value of this assortment. You basically have 4 colors in 3 pencils PLUS a sharpener.

* These pencils make a fine line and when used lightly, the line removes easily.

————————————————————

There are those that do not like to put marks on their quilts and will use a Hera marker to make their quilting lines. While it is not officially a marking pen or pencil I feel it should be included in this tool group. I use mine for so many different projects there is one in my tool kit all the time.

HERA MARKER

Hera Marker

For appliqué and sewing projects.

——————————————————————

Another pencil that falls into our “marking” category:

IRON ON TRANSFER PENCIL

Iron On Transfer Pencils

Comes in two colors: red and blue

* Copy pattern, place on fabric and iron.

* May be transferred up to 3 times.

* Remember, the design will be in reverse.

* Markings are permanent – embroider over the lines.

Embroidery patterns are very popular right now but unfortunately they aren’t the old iron-on type. You have to trace them onto your fabric, and using the transfer pencils allows you to make this process quick and easy.

If you have any questions regarding any of our marking products please contact me at – fran@clover-usa.com .

Winners will be “Frilled!”

Each flower was made using fabric from the bundle.

Some happy quilters who will join Quilt Camp at Sea’s 2012 cruise will be thrilled when they receive their fabric bundle prizes adorned with fabric flowers made with Clover’s Flower Frill Templates.

On The Road Again

Summer seems to be over … the mornings are crisp and the nights c-o-o-l. Leaves are changing and the horses are putting on their winter coats. I was excited to pack the car and head to Portland, Oregon, for our E.E. Schenck Distributor show. It’s a beautiful drive and with the  clear skies and pretty follage I knew it would be a relaxing three hours. I always look forward to the opportunity to work the Schenck show because there is such high energy and I love seeing ode friends and making new.

fall colors outside my office window

The response to the new products coming in October (a little teaser here!) was great. Of course the new things are awesomeas are all of our products. They’ll make your crafting life easier, more creative and might even promote world peace!!  We can hope, can’t we?

Of course I came home with new toys and bolts (BOLTS!) of fabric just screaming at me to make quilt tops and some other fun projects. There is such a sense of empowerment to put BOLTS of fabric that make your heart sing into your stash at home. Ahhhh, so many projects and so little time!

It’s great to hear our customers share stories regarding their favorite tools. The Seam Ripper has to make the top of the list of most loved products with the Ball Point Awl following close behind. The yo-yo makers are still strong in the market and I was amazed at the new quilt patterns I saw using yo-yo’s. Check out Marsha Layton’s quilt patterns. She is totally in love with the yo-yo makers and uses all sizes and shapes in her wall hangings. You go Marsha!!

I loved hearing the response to the Kanzashi Flower Makers and the Frill Flowers (2 smaller sizes coming in October) and how they were being used. These products lend themselves to use with younger crafters as well as the more sophisticated ones. It’s exciting to put a product like these into your hands and see the amazing end results.

School has started and making the Frill Flower and the Kanzashi Flowers in your School Colors to wear during the sports season is a great idea. Make the large Flower Frill and wear it to the away games to show your school spirit and support for the team players.

With each day bringing cooler temps it’s time to begin thinking about indoor activities and for me that means knitting. I am way behind in my sock making and can’t wait to get in my stash and pick sock yarns. The whole process will go so much quicker using the 48″ cord and needles from Clover’s Interchangable Knitting Needle set … two socks at the same time! Whoopie!

Skittles, my faithful companion and assistant wool protector thinks the bird bath is really his fancy drinking bowl.

Skittles

Skittles and I wish you a happy day filled with wonderful crafting adventures.

Fun With Hana-Ami Flower Loom

Oh WOW!!! Just got back from a week in Dallas and nearly died in the heat. I joke. Fortunately we were inside the hotel and event hall so didn’t have to go outside. It was HOT, HOT, HOT! And my heart goes out to all those folks dealing with the fires. I have one cousin in Texas that lost his house and three cars to the fire and another friend with van packed waiting for the mandatory evacuation notice. May rain come soon for these folks.

We were there for a small show and working it was fun and, as always, it was good to see special friends. I got to spend the whole time there working with the Hana Ami loom. I started a baby blanket and love the lacy look of the finished blocks but wonder if the lacy part will be functional for a baby. Babies love to poke their little fingers and feet through openings in their blankets.

I used the hexagon-shaped blue template to work the flowers.

Notice the pink center… you get a neat center if you wrap the yarn as shown around the guide post. It makes for easier stitching of the center.

In these pictures you can see how the threads look when wrapped around the center post.

Center post removed and gold pin positioned to start securing center strands.

Notice that the center post has been removed and the gold needle positioned to start securing the center strands. I have removed the blue template from the tan holder as it is easier to stitch the center.

It's easier to stitch the center when the blue template is separated from the tan piece.

Pay attention to the direction of the needle for finishing the center. You will always take your thread to the opposing loop as you go around the template.

The needle is coming up at the lower right hand side of the first thread and the picture below shows the finished center. Tie threads off in back and clip. I put just a TOUCH of fabric glue on the knots to keep them from unraveling as the project is used or washed.

Take thread to opposing loop as you go around template.

Tie threads in back, clip, and use a touch of fabric glue to prevent raveling.

Once the “flower” has been removed from the template, it’s now ready for the crocheted edging.

Ready for the crochet edging!

Work with three loops at a time.

On the hexagon there are 18 loops so we will be working in threes.

In the three loop sequence there is one loop that is taller than the others. That sequence is repeated around … 1 tall – 2 short.

Start with a short petal and Chain 4.

Follow the instructions below to connect the three loops.

Repeat the process all the way around the flower.

Starting with the short petal, chain 4

Double crochet twice in next (long) petal, chain 4, 2 double crochet twice in same loop,

One double crochet in next short loop, chain one, double crochet in next short loop.

Repeat around the flower, ending with a join in the 3^rd stitch of starting chain.

Start the second round with Chain 4

SECOND ROUND — Chain 4 in joining chain, (counts as 1 dbl crochet), dbl crochet in each of previous dbl crochet to 2 dbl, chain 4, 2 dbl space. Make shell in space (2dbl, chain 4, 2 dbl) continue in double crochet stitches to next shell corner … DON’T FORGET TO DBL CROCHET IN THE SPACE BETWEEN YOUR SHORT LOOPS.

Follow instructions carefully!

Continue around the flower.

11 stitches between center of corner shells

There will be a total of 11 sts from center of corner shell to center of corner shell.

Stitch the blocks together to make a baby blanket afghan using worsted weight yarn. For a hat, make your blocks, fit to head, pick up and crochet the cap portion using any crochet hat pattern. Or, use as cuffs on mittens. Use Clover’s Elastic Yarn Thread when you crochet the blocks together and use as a headband! The list of possibilities goes on and on and on, so get out your Hana Ami and go wild with your creativity.

Stitch your pieces together.

I will post pics as I finish the baby blanket and the brown and orange (one grandson’s favorite colors) afghan.

Grandson's favorite colors

OHHHHHHHH!!!!  I am going to use my leftover yarns to make the centers and work them together with black yarn to create a hexagon granny square afghan. I think I could be in a lot of trouble here! There are only so many hours in a day.

Baby BlanketOnce you get going, you can't stop!

Couldn’t resist … had to whip out some with black edging. I’m in trouble … not much housework is gonna get done in the next few days, I think!

Happy stitching.