Appleton Dance

by Linda Theil The topic of my quilt-study-group sew-along was "transparency", but the only experience I had with creating the illusion of transparency was with a Shea Henderson free pattern called "The Buffalo Check Quilt" . I was fascinated by this pattern and created an AppletonDance post on the topic in 2016, but never got to explore the concept as I wished. Until yesterday when I planned to come up with a "transparency" concept to work on during the sew-along.  But the buffalo-check pattern makes specific demands in terms of fabrics, and I didn't have the necessary clear color and associated "blend" to work with. From what I understood, I needed a clear bright color and a grayed-out version of the same color to create the illusion of a woven buffalo check pattern. I had no grayed-out fabric! I had gray jelly-roll strips, though. And gray is the grayed-out version of what color?  Oh, my gosh; I can make a White Buffalo! And I did. 2.5-in...

  by Linda Theil  "I have an urgent need for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner," Candice Olrich said. "The school year will be starting in a few weeks and hygiene items are heavily requested. I have some of those items in stock, but not much"  Olrich is the Livingston Educational Service Agency's student services specialist assigned to assist homeless and displaced children in Livingston County. The "Education Project" program for homeless and displaced children serves between 300-500 children yearly and is funded through various government resources, but also relies on private donations and grants to directly meet student needs, according to the LESA website . That's where we come in! If you can help stock the shelves with bodywash, hair conditioner, and shampoo, please send or deliver items to LESA, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell MI 48843. You can contact Candice Olrich at 517-980-2041, or candiceolrich@livingstonesa.org. If you prefer, sen...

 by Linda Theil Series of small, 8x4x2-inches, Spencer-Ogg "Popping Pods" in fabric from "BirdSong" collection by Pat Sloan for Benartex. Filled with Hershey kisses for birthday-party favors.

 by Linda Theil May 2023 Three large, 14 x 8-inches, Spencer Ogg "Popping Pods with matching wristlets in "Line Work" collection by Tula Pink for Free Spirit. Inside large "Popping Pod" lined, with small pocket and magnetic pocket closure Below: Spencer-Ogg "Clamshell Sling" in cotton canvas exterior with lining from "Filigree" collection by Zen Chic for Moda. Adaptations include double zip that made finishing the top easier, is useful, and looks cool. I also substituted an adjustable crossbody strap instead of the traditional side-buckle release. April 2023 Noodlehead's "Sandhill Sling" in "Hedgehog Hollow" collection by In the Beginning Fabrics.

by Linda Theil The medium-sized Spencer-Ogg “Perfectly Popping Pouch” with wide base and handles makes a nice 8x4x4-inch Easter basket. This fabric is from the “Guess How Much I Love You” collection from Clothworks. For making a basket, we like this single-handled style better than the tote-style double handle shown in the pattern directions. To make the single handle, a ttach one end of 12–inch handle in the center top instead of attaching both ends of the handle to one side, as directed in the pattern. Feed the loose end of the handle through the open bottom of the interior pocket. Then fold and stitch the basket sides as directed. After turning through the basket, stitch the loose-end of handle to the center of the  opposite top side of the basket as shown below. With the addition of a recessed zipper, and an adjustable base this same pattern can be used to create a zippered pouch.   The bag shown below is the medium-sized Spencer-Ogg "Perfectly Popping Pouch" with...

by Linda Theil I liked the look of this "Sandhill Sling" designed by Anna Graham of Noodlehead Sewing Patterns. I'd never made a bag from this designer, or with this sling-style connector before, and was happy to give it a try. The bag was designed with a drop-in lining, but had directions for a bound lining as well, and that was the option I chose. Sandhill Sling turned inside-out, showing interior, bound seams The next time, I may try to turn the bag through open-bottomed, interior pockets, instead of binding; but maybe not, because the binding may be useful in giving the bag added structural support. The bag features a zippered pocket on the front and an interior slip-pocket. The fabric for the exterior is printed cotton from Marcia Derse's "Postcards" collection. I think Derse's artful style is particularly well-suited to bag-making. The Noodlehead pattern was well-designed, well-documented, and accompanied by detailed video instructions. I loved m...

 by Linda Theil I am completely obsessed by this Christmas tree block I saw on the Shabby Fabrics YouTube channel. Using the info from the video, I made the block with basic colors from the "Grunge Seeing Stars" collection by BasicGrey for Moda. I added a very wonky star derived from the free "Easy Star" at Scissortail Quilting . My finished block with sashing measures 13 x 29-inches. Wonky tree block and wonky star sewn by L. Theil   Since I got some holiday themed, five-inch charm squares in my Christmas stocking, I wondered if I could use a five-inch square to make the wonky tree. I came up with a mini version using five-inch squares, although you will need larger cuts for making the background pieces. This mini version -- shown below -- is seven-inches square. I used the grunge fabric to make this sample. Seven-inch square mini-wonky tree adapted by L Theil How to make a mini-wonky tree: Using a 60-degree triangle ruler, cut two triangles with a five-inch base,...