I used to spend a lot of time swearing at patterns that wouldn't stay flat. Okay, maybe not a lot of time, but more than I wanted to. It's frustrating! Wrapping paper, freezer paper, my giant roll of photo paper—also annoying. Enter pattern weights. These are filled with crushed walnut shells a k a lizard litter, so they double as pincushions.
This set is for a swap, and I thought adding appliquéd letters would be neat. I pulled four different Liberty prints from my stash, and decided upon an off-white quilter's linen for the other side.
The font I chose is called Drop of Fun; I printed the letters at 248 pt (left) and traced them in reverse onto Pellon 805 Wonder-Under (right). Trimming more closely around the traced letter will use less precious Liberty. Fuse the Liberty to the Wonder-Under, allow to cool and carefully cut out the letters with a sharp pair of scissors.
I die cut the circles (four Liberty and four quilter's linen) using my Big Shot Pro and the Bigz Pro Die - 6" circle.
Each letter was then fused to a circle of quilter's linen. . .
. . and then appliquéd. I love the bird in the K! Right sides facing, sew around the perimeter of each matched set of circles with 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 1.5" opening. I trimmed around the edge with pinking shears, but notching the edges also works. Turn right side out and press, being careful to turn the edges of the opening under so it'll be easier to hand stitch it closed. I pulled the rubber end off my turkey baster and used it as a funnel. I poured roughly one cup of crushed walnut shells into each pattern weight and then blind stitched each one shut.
Ta da! What a fun present for the sewist who has everything!
Liberty side up is pretty, too.
So this recently happened. What's the expression? When life is nutty the first thing you need to do is add a puppy to the mix? Meet Lulu. If you follow me on Instagram, you will already have 'met' this sweet six-month-old girl. She was in a kill shelter in Florida until about two weeks ago when she was transported up to Mary's Dogs Rescue here in New Hampshire. She is getting used to all the mounds of snow, and we feel so lucky to have such a wonderful new family member. Watch out Dog Under My Desk — there's a dog under my desk. Maybe I'll suddenly have some serious bag sewing mojo!
