Category Archives: patterns

recent weekend makings.

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It’s been fun slipping in a few non-market related items over the last few weekends.

The first was a camera strap for my sister and her brand new camera.

 

lauries camera strap

made from the camera strap pattern in this booklet.

(fabric credits : stamped, dear stella, and some architextures)

 

lauries camera strap_2

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Then there was a Super Tote.

supertote outside_noodlehead

Except I added cording to the entire front. (Would have added to the back too but ran out…)

supertote outside fabric

Pleated gusset is a sweet lil detail.

supertote pleat

Loving the elast-i-fied inside pockets. They will hold a TON.

supertote insides

Great pattern.

(fabric credits : stamped, Yoshiko Jinzinji, Robert Kaufman linen, and some architextures)

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And finally some wiksten tanks that I’d been dying to make. These suckers go together nice and fast–I whipped out 2 in one day.

First with tsuru.

wiksten tank_tsuru

wiksten tank_tsuru

Then with some architextures.

wiksten tank_architextures_carolyn friedlander

wiksten tank_architextures_carolyn friedlander

I’m going to be living in these this summer.

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saturday sewing binge.

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I LOVE getting totally lost in a project, and that is exactly what happened over the weekend.

 

It all started with these guys that I’d picked up the day before at a quilt show.

 

ed emberley fabrics

 

Ed Emberley from Cloud9. I’d already been obsessed, and then finding some and actually having them in my possession made it impossible to resist.

 

For a hot minute, I thought about using them in a future pattern, but no. That idea was quickly turned down when I realized that I kind of wanted to make a quilt for no real reason.

 

After the fabric, my next muse was a project in this beautiful book by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. Such a lovely, lovely book, and it’s been calling my name for a while. Candy Coated, aka the cover quilt, is exactly what I was looking for.

 

Sunday Morning Quilts

 

The fabric pull was fun. Especially because this pattern buys me all sorts of scrap liberties. I happily helped myself to a load of stuff and will continue to do so as the project grows. Sweet, merciful fabric.

 

fabric pull

 

The warm ochres in the lion print are majorly enticing, and I’m coupling them with some grays, lush blues, and plenty of neutrals. I’ve got the first few rows together, and hope to find time to plug away on it again soon.

 

candy coated lions in progress

recently made: green topo blouse.

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When it comes to clothes-sewing, there is nothing like finding a pattern that just works. It’s the best, and I’ve LOVED this pattern for that exact reason. One of these days I’ll try making it as a dress, but for now, an adapted shirt version is what I keep coming back to.

 

green topo blouse_carolyn friedlander architextures

 

This was one of my architextural wearables that I sported at Market (see here). While the prints in this collection are a lot of what I have wanted to use in my quilt-making, I’ve also been having a lot of fun using them for clothes-making.

 

Here, I used the green topo and gray ledger prints. I was so stoked with the ledger-print, bias trim on this shirt, that I ended up using it for cording in my recent clutch.

 

green topo blouse_detail_carolyn friedlander architextures

 

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And I’m seeing more and more shops receiving their fabric! Here are some more.

Bolt Neighborhood (in Portland, OR)

Fabric Worm

Lark Cottons

Pink Castle Fabrics

Pink Chalk Fabrics

 

 

feeling wild about texture and wildly strong.

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Ah, texture. Such a wonderful thing. And one of my favorite things about quilting.

 

aerial texture carolyn friedlander

 

It’s been nice to be able to enjoy some of my quilts since getting them back recently. I finished my aerial cover sample right before her launch in Kansas City, and she’s been touring quilt shops ever since. So we haven’t had much time together outside of her making.

 

While laying it out yesterday, I was reminded of how much I love texture and my obsession with it in this project.

 

aerial texture carolyn friedlander

 

I am also one of those people who enjoys both sides of a quilt, especially when the back allows you to see the front in a different way.

 

aerial texture carolyn friedlander

 

Also recently, I have been killing rotary cutters. I’m not sure if I’m using the wrong type, using them the wrong way, or just totally unaware of my own brute strength, but I’m on my third in about 2 months.

 

rotary cutters

 

I’m down to the little guy on the right, and based on my track record with the big ones, he’s not going to last long.

I’m taking recommendations…

 

 

winter stitching.

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Just got a copy of the latest Stitch Magazine and…

 

snowflake sham in stitch magazine by carolyn friedlander

 

I’ve got a new project in there–my snowflake pillow! Hoorah. The design is inspired by Hawaiian quilts (a personal obsession) and folded paper snowflakes. It’s also my first applique pattern, and in honor of that I’ll be doing a tools and tips post soon.

 

In the meantime I’m excited to check out the rest of this issue. Based on the cover project I think it’ll be a good one.

 

stitch magazine winter 2012

 

 

 

aerial eye candy.

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For whatever reason I’m having a difficult time focusing today, so I thought I’d share some (slightly random) eye candy from one of my newest patterns, aerial. Enjoy!

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First is an early sketch. I think this one happened on an airplane, which is where I got the inspiration–an overhead (aerial) view of a patchwork landscape. From early on I wanted each block to have its own flavor, so I decided to limit the colors in each to a small set. That way I’d get more overall variety and (hopefully) keep some of the craziness under control so you could still see the pattern. When I made the sample I found myself trying not to repeat any of my previous color combinations. It was fun, challenging, and kept me entertained.

aerial sketch carolyn friedlander

Next up is a shot of the sample before she got sandwiched and quilted. I thought her backside looked especially enticing. The added texture and directionality of the seams makes it feel somewhat sculptural, which I like. (Looks like my chambray was getting a little out of control down there in the corner. No biggie. Chambray can be discreet about that from the front.)

aerial underside carolyn friedlander

And last are some stamp shots. While I haven’t been able to fiddle around with too many other aerial quilt samples, I have had some fun with the stamp. Bring on the visual texture.

aerial envelope red carolyn friedlander

aerial envelope carolyn friedlander

aerial envelope purple red carolyn friedlander

Red on purple. Oh yeah.

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herringbone card tutorial.

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In honor of the holiday and the fact that I’m planning to do lots of sewing today, I thought I’d share a fun, little project with you.

herringbone sewn stationery set_carolyn friedlander

Being a card person, I like to keep several tricks up my sleeve for making my own. Most of my tricks are derived from available options and needs. This particular approach is inspired by a large pile of extra quilt blocks I have sitting in a drawer.

drawer of extra blocks

Oh my. Does anyone else end up with lots of extras??

Sewn cards are one way to use them, and here’s how to do it.

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Ok, supplies: Nothing crazy here, just some card stock and a leftover from my herringbone runner. This would make a fitting accompaniment if you are giving the runner as a gift OR you can use it for any other purpose. It’ll be pretty and your friends will like it. As far as card stock goes, Paper Source is my fave – all colors and sizes, flat, plain, and simple.

I maintain a stash.

supplies_carolyn friedlander

First things first: I need to do something about my fabric block. It’s larger than my card, and that won’t work. Oddly enough it is exactly twice the length of the card, so I’ll just cut it in half. You could get crazy and cut it up more to use in a different way or on more cards. Your call.

just the right size_carolyn friedlander

It’s now freshly cut in half, and I need to decide which piece goes with which back.

Maybe this way…

cut in half_carolyn friedlander

…or this way?

or should they go this way_carolyn friedlander

Looks good to me.

Now you can pick out your thread. Keep in mind that you will be seeing it from both sides.

This red-orange looks pretty good here.

match thread_carolyn friedlander

And then how does it look with the other?

thread works here too_carolyn friedlander

Contrast is good, and I’m sticking with it. Otherwise you could switch thread.

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Before you start sewing, adjust your stitch length to roughly 3.0. I’m using a straight stitch, but you could get crazy and try a zigzag or something. Just don’t choose a stitch that punctures the paper too much. That would weaken your card, and it could fall apart.

That would be bad.

stitch length_carolyn friedlander

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Here’s a tip: Don’t worry about pinning the fabric to your paper. That would give you unnecessary holes. I like to hold it in place with my fingers.

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Now you are ready to go. Backstitch a little at the beginning and start sewing…

start stitchin_carolyn friedlander

…needle down and pivot at your corners. Keep sewing…

keep stitchin_carolyn friedlander

…until you get to the end. Backstitch to finish. Trim your threads. Repeat with second card, and…

Voila!

stitched cards_carolyn friedlander

And you can also check out the back.

stitched card backs_carolyn friedlander

I like that you can see the stitching. Usually, I’ll use the box or lines as a guide for my message. In this example, I would probably fit the main portion of my note in the box and then use the top portion to create a fun header.

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Then you can pick out an envelope for your first card…

envelope and first card_carolyn friedlander

…and one for the second.

envelope and second card_carolyn friedlander

Finally, think about someone special. Write them a note. Drop it in the mail. Repeat over and over.

Real mail is special, especially when you’ve made it yourself.

Have lots of fun and enjoy the people in your life.

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Happy Fourth!

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