Quilted Books

I like to read a lot. There have been times when I was so engrossed in a book that I didn't hear someone talking to me.  The only trouble is, that eventually one runs out of room to store books one has already read.  What to do, what to do..

Ebooks to the rescue!  There are websites devoted to serving up books electronically, both free and for sale, in all genres. One of the first I discovered was Project Gutenberg. However, there are many more ebook libraries and bookstores to choose from, and they are easily found by searching with your favorite search engine.

Ebooks are great, but sometimes I missed the freedom to get away from the computer, to curl up in a comfy chair with a good book. Apparently I'm not the only one, because there are now several good ebook readers available.  

So, for my birthday, DH got me an ebook reader. It's thin and light, and about the size of a paperback. However, it's actually easier to handle than a paper book, because I can easily hold it and turn pages with one hand.  Because it is so thin and light, I was worried about protecting it when not in use. Then I remembered a tutorial I had seen at the Moda Bakeshop, a website providing quilting fabrics and patterns. 

Outside

Inside

    I followed the directions mostly. However, I cut my own strips instead of using a "honey bun." I also used my embroidery machine for the appliques. And I couldn't resist using the cute banned books quote from Urban Threads.

Quilted Turtles

Nearly 30 years ago, I made a little crocheted turtle for each of my boys. My younger son named his TeeTee, and amazingly, he still has it. I also made them these cute little monkeys that reminded me of Curious George, but this post is about turtles.


My baby boy now has three kids of his own, two boys and a girl.  A few weeks ago, his almost 7-year-old daughter sent me an email and asked me to make a fabric turtle like her dad's. I already had an idea for the shell, but it took me a little while to figure out the head and body. This is the result.  Now, her twin brother wants one too.

So, just in case my lovely grandchildren aren't the only ones out there who might enjoy a sweet little turtle, here is a tutorial for you.  I've created a .pdf file of the pattern for the body of the turtle, click here for pattern.  I will assume everyone knows the basics of sewing. The parts are hopefully labeled clearly enough. All seams are 1/4 inch.


Fabric: I recommend fleece, it's what I used. The hair is yarn, eyes and mouth are embroidered on. Stuffing is polyester fiberfill.

The pattern should be full size; make sure your printer doesn't shrink the page (unless you want it smaller).

The shell is octagonal, about 4.5 inches across, with each side being about 2 inches. It is a basic pineapple block, paper pieced. It looks something like this:

Turtle Body Assembly:
1. After cutting out the body pieces as directed, begin by sewing up the feet (leave flat side open), turning, and stuffing them. Leave the part that attaches to the body unstuffed.

2. Sew the center back seam of the body.

3. Place the center line of the feet at the 4 "corners" of the body bottom, with feet toward the center. Then place the body back on top, right sides together. Feet will be inside. Sew around the perimeter, leaving an opening at the neck as indicated on the pattern.

4. Turn body right side out and stuff.

5. If you have a machine embroidery design that would be appropriate, now is the time to add the eyes. Otherwise, the eyes and mouth can be added after stuffing.

6. Sew center front seam, and center back seam, leaving top of head open, and turn right side out. Stuff. Gather the top of head, pulling it closed tightly.

7. Insert the neck of the head part into the neck opening on the body. It will go in pretty far, just work with it until it looks right. Whip stitch it all around with matching thread.

8. If desired, take a couple of stitches between the front feet and body to pull them in a bit; it will help the turtle to stand correctly.

9. The hair is yarn; pull it through the fabric with a yarn needle, cut to correct length and tie a knot to keep it in place.

10. Attach the finished shell to the body, tacking it in several places to keep it firmly attached.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask. PM if you want.

I'm Not READY!

(Click Photo to Zoom)

Yikes! Christmas is right around the corner and I'm not ready.  Next week there are two Christmas parties to attend: the Manteca Quilt Guild and hubby's company party.  I just remembered yesterday that all attendees  are expected to bring a home made ornament for the ornament exchange at the quilt guild Christmas party.

So a quick scramble for ideas yielded this result.It's a mini-quilt wall hanging; not the usual when you think of ornaments.  The center and backing are made from an old pair of jeans (I believe in recycling), and the frame was made of leftovers from other projects.  The photo doesn't really do it justice, and if you'd like to get a better view of the embroidery, it came from Embroidery Library and is called North Pole Tweet.

Wow, Has it Been That Long?

I just found my blog again...It has been way too long. So many things have happened in the interim. Since my last post, I have gotten married, welcomed another grandbaby, moved to California, became unemployed, and began indulging in something I've been putting off for many years.

Years ago, I made quilts for myself and my boys. They were very simply done, just randomly selected 4 inch squares sewn together. Yarn ties were used instead of hand or machine quilting. The fabrics used were a mixture, leftover from clothes I'd made, and probably some polyester or polyester blends were included. Amazingly enough, those quilts are still being used and in good shape after 25 years, even though I broke the rules somewhat. Since then, I've been saving fabric here and there, for the time when I'd have time enough to make more quilts, perhaps with a bit more style.

Being unemployed has given me the time needed to learn more about quilts and quilting, and gain some experience to make them more attractive. I'll never win a prize at a quilt show, but they will keep us warm, and that's all that really counts anyhow.

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