I've started a new quilt, just for the purpose of doing it... I'm probably not going to get far on it before I head for the States but I thought I'd better record that it has been started.
Let's see... This is called "Going Buggy" from Miss Rosie's Spice of Life Quilts book. (I'm probably going to name my quilt something else when it gets to a stage that it can be named...) I bought the book LAST summer but as yet have not made one quilt in it. That was another reason I wanted to start on this. So that I can justify buying more quilting things THIS summer! If you buy and use then it isn't a sin right?
So... I've started by cutting 9 inch fabric squares and then cutting out circles from the squares. This is actually a circle pattern made from freezer paper on my yellow square.
I cut out the circle.
And then painted the edges with ironing starch.
I suppose another way to have done this would have been to sew a gather stitch and then gather the edges around the freezer paper but I just folded them under without using any easing cuts.
Supposedly the starch will hold the edges until they get sewn down.
Not a great background for photographing... but anyway, there is my circle on a light 9 inch square of fabric. I used a few drops of Elmer's School Glue to hold the circle in place. And I took OUT the freezer paper before gluing. The actual instructions call for making 32 freezer paper circles and sewing them onto the squares but that seemed like a waste of freezer paper to me.
By the way... Where can I buy freezer paper while I'm in the States? I've asked at fabric shops but they look at me like I'm crazy. The only time I use freezer paper is when I'm appliqueing so I consider it a sewing notion... And I've LOOKED in the supermarkets but haven't been able to find any. I wonder if people really use freezer paper for freezing these days.
So, with the freezer paper removed (and ready to be used on another square) I sewed the circle down with mono-filament thread on a tiny zig-zag stitch. My machine doesn't have a blanket stitch so this is the best I can do.
It can hardly be seen right?
And then I carefully removed the fabric from inside the circle on the back. That will be used in another part of the quilt!
So far I have 21 blocks and I need 32. I'd sure like to get all the blocks made before I head for the States on the 14th.
By the way, the circles will not look like circles by the time the quilt is finished. Won't that be interesting!
You should be able to find freezer paper in grocery stores, look in the big stores. If not there, try Amazon!
ReplyDeleteI really like the circle quilt. Freezer paper is available here at both quilt shops and grocery stores. Have a great trip.
ReplyDeleteIn the states, we buy freezer paper (made by Reynolds Aluminum) by the roll in a box in the meat department in our grocery store. It's quite easy to find here. Love your quilt project and your tiny zig zag. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteI rather like the rows of circles. It will be interesting to see what happens next!
ReplyDelete--Jean Marie
Your quilt is very interesting....especially since you say it won't look like circles when you're finished. I live in southern Calif. and I purchase my freezer paper at WalMart. It is located by the baggie, foil wrap, and paper plate goods department. It costs around $5.50 and comes in a HUGE roll. You will have enough to share with all your friends in Japan. (Unless you plan on only making turn applique quilts from now on.) You know about M & L fabrics but do you know about Rosies Calico Cupboard in La Mesa? Quilt shop fabric at 20% off with a huge selection of fabric and books. Enjoy your trip. Patty Mc
ReplyDeleteLovely blocks, and here freezer paper is in quilting and fabric shops, but in US, grocery shops might have it.Enjoy the last blocks as they get made, I ,too, would not waste 32 circles. Cheers, Jean.
ReplyDeleteYou can get freezer paper in large grocery stores in the US. You could also use muslin fabric or non sew interfacing with your circles. Sew 2 circles right sides together. Make a slit in the muslin, turn piece inside out, press, and stich down to other fabric. No glue, no freezer paper to worry about.
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to find freezer paper in the supermarket with the freezer bags, wax paper and tinfoil.
ReplyDeleteFreezer paper at any grocery store.
ReplyDeleteTanya, I buy freezer paper in the grocery store aisle with aluminum foil, waxed paper, plastic wrap, etc.
ReplyDeleteFreezer paper should be in the grocery store with the other rolls of paper, foil, and plastic. It may be hard to spot because they like to keep it either up very high (top shelf...I can hardly reach it) or down low. It doesn't seem to get the prime space right in the middle of the shelves. Look for Reynolds brand in a dark blue & light blue box with gold lettering. There are 13.5 yards by 15 inches in the boxes I buy. It costs around $3 at my grocery store.
ReplyDeleteTip for cat owners: We use lengths of freezer paper to line the area (in a spare shower stall) where our cat boxes are kept. It makes clean-up of kicked kitter litter a breeze, and the plastic layer on the back is waterproof.
Tanya, you should be able to find the freezer paper in grocery stores, in the aisle w/ the foil, plastic bags, paper bags, and the cover-up wrappings....I'll look here, and if I find it, I'll put a box in the box coming to Japan...hugs, Pat in IN
ReplyDeleteI just came across a note in my sewing notebook reminding me that Reynolds freezer paper shrinks width-wise when heated. It should be pre-shrunk with a hot, dry iron before using, for best results.
ReplyDelete