E-News

October 1, 2009

KC, MO Project Linus E-News is published between issues of the newsletter and is only distributed via email. Newsletters are sent via email and a paper copy is mailed to those who don't have email. Recent issues of both E-News and the newsletters are available on the chapter website.

Quilt Pattern - Wacky Rail Fence

There is a new quilt pattern available on SusanB's personal website. It is a scrap quilt design called Wacky Rail Fence. Go to http://susanBinKC.home.att.net/patterns.html?quilt-wacky-rail-fence.html. SusanB just finished writing this pattern, so if you have any questions or comments, be sure to let her know.

Griddle Stitch Afghan - Crochet Pattern

Worsted weight yarn - about 2 pounds (32 ounces) for a child size afghan.
Crochet hook size H or I, depending on how tight you crochet.

To start, chain an odd number of stitches, creating a chain that is approximately 40 inches long.

Row 1: sc in 2nd chain from hook, dc in next chain, *sc in next chain, dc in next chain. Repeat from * to end of chain, ending with a dc.

Row 2: Ch 1, *sc in next dc, dc in next sc. Repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat row 2 until afghan is as long as you'd like.
If desired, change yarn to create stripes of different colors.

New Drop-Off Location

We have another drop-off location. You may leave blankets at the Bernina Sewing Center, 2402 SW Highway 7, Blue Springs, MO. The store is 1 mile south of Highway 40 and their phone number is 816-220-2223. A big thank you to Myron Schwery and his staff for becoming a drop-off location. Important note: Only the Blue Springs store is becoming a drop-off location.

If you aren't near Blue Springs, you can continue to leave your blankets at Missouri Sewing Machine in Independence, downtown KC, MO, and north of the river on Barry Road or at Quilt'n Down Home in Liberty, MO. If you are in southern Jackson County, give SusanB a call at 816-761-4137 and bring your blankets to her house, north of Longview College in Lee's Summit.

From Quilt Top to Finished Blanket – How to Finish Your Blanket

Quilting and adding binding is the traditional way to finish your quilt top. Many of us choose a quicker method to finish our Project Linus blankets. The pillow case method, also known as birthing or quick turning a quilt, eliminates the separate binding and finishes the edges of the quilt before quilting or tying the middle. This is not a good method to finish bed size quilts, but it works well for smaller quilts.

  • If you're using a packaged batting, remove it from the package and let it relax overnight. If the batting has wrinkles or creases that persist, put it in the dryer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Press your quilt top and backing fabric so they are nice and smooth.
  • Place your batting on a flat surface (an uncarpeted floor or large table).
  • Smooth the batting and tape it to the floor/table in a few places to hold it. Stretch the batting very slightly so it is nice and smooth. If you are working on a table, you may be able to clamp the batting to the table with binder clips on 2 or more edges, instead of taping those sides.
  • Place the backing fabric, right side up, on top of the batting. Smooth the backing but do not stretch, and pin it to the batting in several places around the edges.
  • Place the quilt top, wrong side up, on the quilt backing. The quilt top should be smaller than the batting and backing. Smooth the quilt top. You want the top and backing as smooth as you can get them, but do not stretch them out of shape or to a larger size. If you stretch either one, it will make it harder to quilt or tie the layers without getting puckers or tucks.
  • Pin through all 3 layers about 6 to 8 inches apart all on all 4 sides of the quilt top. Also pin in 2 or 3 places in the center of the quilt.
  • If you have a walking foot or even feed foot for your sewing machine, use it. Sew through all 3 layers about ¼" from the edge of the quilt top. Leave a 6 to 10 inch opening on one side of the quilt.
  • Trim the backing and batting even with the quilt top on all 4 sides and remove all pins. Clip a small triangle from each corner. Do not cut the stitching.
  • Starting at the corners farthest from the opening, roll the quilt top toward the opening. Roll the other 2 corners also. When most of the quilt is rolled near the opening, flip it inside out through the opening and unroll.
  • Fold the edges of the opening to the inside and finish by hand stitching it closed. Or, you may machine top stitch through all layers near the edge of the quilt.
  • Top stitch about ¼" to ½" from the outside edge with a straight stitch or a simple decorative stitch (e.g., serpentine or multi-step zigzag). This keeps the edge of the quilt flat when it is laundered and ensures the batting does not pull away from the edges.
  • Finish the blanket by quilting or tying the layers together. If you can pull the batting layers apart, it should be quilted or tied 4" to 5" apart so it doesn't shift and tear.

In Conclusion

That's all for now. Watch for the October newsletter next week with details on our big blanket making day on October 24, Make a Difference Day.

SusanB
Chapter Coordinator