YaY!!
Today is the day for the
"Bee Prepared"
post that I do in preparation for my
appliqué sew alongs using my
Sew Simple Shapes
and my latest fabric collection.
This is the point to start gathering
your supplies and order
your quilt kits for the sew along.
This one is the
CHICKEN SALAD SEW ALONG
and I'm so excited for it to start!
During this sew along I'll be
making TWO Quilts!!
I'll tell you about the second quilt
at the very end of this
"Bee Prepared" blog post:)
We will be making the
Chicken Salad Quilt
which finishes at
64" x 80"
It has twelve appliquéd blocks
which we will be using my
Sew Simple Shapes to make...
and there are borders on the blocks
and border blocks around the
entire quilt that are rotary cut
and sewing machine pieced.
Each Chicken Block
without the block borders
finish at 12" x 12"
My Sew Simple Shapes Sew Alongs
always take place here on my blog
and they are on Monday's.
This one starts January 31st
(Updated to February 14th)
How do you join the sew along?
1.You simply grab yourself a
Chicken Salad Quilt Fabric Kit
2. You will need the
Chicken Salad Sew Simple Shapes and
the Sew Along Guide
3. Gather up supplies needed
to make the quilt
4. Come HERE to my BLOG every Monday
during the sew along
(starting February 14)
where I will give you the
free step by step tutorial
for that weeks block.
Please read ALL of the information
within this post telling you all that
you need to know about this sew along.
Once the sew along has begun...
each of my weekly posts will be
tutorials about actually
making the blocks and so I am
telling you here all about the supplies
and other things necessary to get started
gathering what you will need.
There is no pattern to purchase...
because basically the
Chicken Salad
Sew Simple Shapes
are the pattern and the instructions on
how to use them for each block
are shown weekly here
on my blog or YouTube channel
for week one
during the sew along.
After purchasing the shapes you will
need to download the handy dandy
Chicken Salad
Sew Along Guide
for the free download.
The guide is not a pattern...
remember that the shapes are the pattern
and the guide is simply a guide.
Why do I create a guide?
It has all kinds of info such as...
A print out of the finished quilt...
the schedule of what blocks
we will be doing each week
during the sew along...
Also in the guide you will find
fabric requirements for the quilt...
and notion requirements for the quilt
as well as suggested notions
that I use when making mine.
You will also find instructions
for cutting each and every
piece of fabric in your kit!
It will tell you what that piece is for...
which Sew Simple Shape it is used with
and what block it belongs to.
This way you can cut ahead of time
and make individual block kits for
your quilt and have them all
ready to go each week!
As with any sew along...
organization is really the key.
I like to have this information
ready for you ahead of time
so that each week we can
simply make the block!!
You will also find the cutting
measurements of the Sew-In Interfacing
that goes with each Sew Simple Shape
so that you can have that all cut
and ready to go:)
There are embroidery patterns
for the baby chick legs too
and a print out with each
of my chickens and their name
so that you know who is who!
And as always I have designed a page
for "Chicken Salad Notes"
so that you can
jot anything down from my blog posts
or video tutorials
during the sew along.
You can print as many
note pages as you would like
for your own personal use...
just keep in mind that
they are under copyright
and they are not for re-sale:)
So now you know what the guide includes.
The instructions to make each block
are detailed step by step
and I show you here each week
during the sew along:)
As per usual I put one of my
Bee Keeper Binder Pocket Inserts
in there to hold my set of
Sew Simple Shapes....
for easy access during the sew along!
I also added one of my
Cook Book Enamel Charms
to the zipper pull for the cuteness factor:)
This is the COOK BOOK Beekeeper Binder
that my Sew Along Guide will live in...
and I love it!!
I'm also happy to announce that
I'll be using this binder
to make a
"Favorite Family Recipes Book!"
I designed this set of dividers
to go into the binder specifically
for my recipe book:)
I'll be sharing a
favorite family recipe
here on my blog every week
during the sew along.
I love a good recipe
so I thought you might like them too!
Here are what all 8 dividers look like.
This photo shows you both sides:)
as promised I will be showing you
how I am making mine on my
as a paper crafting series.
It's going to be really fun...
and afterwards I will have a
very special recipe binder
for my vintage kitchen
that I can use and keep adding to!
I'll be doing this sometime
towards the end of the sew along:)
recipe book I'll be using my
Cook Book Crafting Paper Pad
for making the recipe cards, pages, cover
and all kinds of fun things:)
And speaking of recipe pages...
I designed two pages as a free download
for you to use if you are joining me
in my "Family Recipe Book Along!"
to download and copy this one
with the potbelly stove...
to download and copy
this one with the chickens!
You can print your recipes on these
or write them on by hand...
(or use a vintage typewriter
for a true vintage recipe page look)
Cook Book Washi Tape for my recipe book.
Looky at what I did
with the packaging card...
I made a cute bookmark
to use during the sew along:)
I simply trimmed off the hanging hole
that was next to Penny's head
and then punched a few holes
with a regular paper punch
to fit into the top two rings of the binder.
Peek - a - boo Penny!
Look how cute she is
peeking up at me
from the top!
Now Penny can help me to
keep track of where I'm at
and she can be moved from
between any pages as necessary.
I'm just having too much fun already
and the sew along hasn't even started!!
Okay...
enough about the guide and the binder...
let's talk about the fabric!
The collection that we are using
for the Chicken Salad Quilt is of course...
COOK BOOK!!
Designed happily by me...
and produced and distributed
to quilt shops everywhere
by the amazing Riley Blake Designs:)
Can I just tell you something?
I'm super in love with this collection:)
As you all know...
I love vintage vintage vintage!
And especially vintage kitchens:)
I have been working on Cook Book
for a very long time...
I wanted to get it just right
and I must say it's exactly
how I wanted each and every print
to turn out and I hope you love it too!
So let's talk fabric kit!
Several shops are stocking the kit...
both brick and mortar shops
as well as online quilt shops.
The Cook Book notions as well as the
fabric has begun shipping
to quilt shops everywhere
and will continue to ship as
each print arrives at the warehouse!
So of course if you have not
already pre-ordered
your fabric kit and need one...
it is not too late at all!
The sew along does not begin
until the end of this month...
and when I say "BEGIN"
that just means it's when I begin
to do the weekly tutorials.
As always...
everyone sews at their own speed,
at their own time and so it simply
does not matter when you start.
Do what makes you happy
and do what works for you...
because I always keep
each and every tutorial right here
on my blog and it never goes away.
The schedule is NOT to keep
YOU
on a deadline or stress you out ...
it is simply the schedule for
ME
to do my tutorials.
If you will look at my sew alongs that way
hopefully that relieves any stress.
Sewing is FUN!
So again...
if your kit has not arrived
just know that it's coming.
And if you are just deciding to join in
Just do a quick google search of
"Chicken Salad Quilt Kit"
to find one...
google is your best friend lol...
easy peasy!!
With each collection that I design...
I also design 3 wide back prints
(108" wide)
to use for the backings on any and all
of your COOK BOOK projects...
it's so nice when you don't have to
piece the back!
Here is the Cook Book Wide Back
(in the color way Cayenne)
that I am using for the back of my quilt...
I designed all 3 to look like
vintage tablecloths
and so that's what I named them!
You can choose whichever
color way you would like
for the back of your quilt...
they all 3 match perfectly:)
Because I am a visual person...
I thought you might like to see
a photo of each of the supplies
and notions that are listed in the guide.
***The following photos are some
of my notions and other of my
favorite notions that I am using
to make my Chicken Salad Quilt.
Some are listed in the guide
and some are not ...
but I will explain each one!
You will see me using them in the
tutorials during the sew along...
so I thought I would tell you about
each of them here...
to answer any questions that
you may have about them.
You can of course use what
you would like...
these happen to be my favorites:
The Cute Cuts Trim - It Rulers
that you will need are the
16 1/2" - 12 1/2" - 8 1/2"
These rulers are not only to
trim up the applique blocks
but also the pieced blocks so that
they are accurate before
sewing them into the quilt.
For me they are also essential to use
when I lay out the appliques
and place them where they go
before basting and applique.
I have several other sizes
of my Trim-It Rulers
that come in handy for every
applique and piecing block that I make.
***NOTE***
(Backgrounds are cut larger to allow
for working the block and
then trimmed up later)
You will need 1 package
of my Sew-In Interfacing.
Since starting my sew alongs that use
my easy applique method...
I have developed what I think is the
perfect strength and thickness of
interfacing for shaping the appliqués.
One of the things you will need is a package
of my 1/4" Cute Little Buttons
to use for all of the
chickens and baby chicks eyes:)
I also use the
Point to Point Turner by Clover
to shape each of my pieces...
I could not do without this handy tool!
I pin and then glue baste
each block for applique prep.
I love love love this glue
by Sue Daley
and affectionately nick named it
"Sue Glue"
It is water soluble...
dries clear...
keeps my pieces in place for
applique but can be
pulled off if I need to reposition
...its a win win!
For the sew along...
I'm keeping my smaller supplies
like these inside my new
Cook Book Lunchbox!
that you will need for this quilt.
It's used along with this
Bee Cross Stitch
prints for all of the legs and beaks:)
I keep all of the other sizes
inside one of my
Bee Organized Storage Jars
to be used with other quilts!
Here is a photo of my NIFTY NEEDLES...
they come in a card with several of each different kind...
and also come in
individual needle tubes as well.
There are 6 different kinds
for all stitching tasks...
shown in the tubes are the ones
that are relevant for this quilt.
Embroidery...applique and binding.
You can also use the sewing needles
in one of the smaller sizes
if the applique needles are
too small for you.
It's really a personal preference...
they both work just as well and
there are several sizes
to choose from within each tube.
Now let's talk thread.
I have a Aurifil thread set
called Bee Happy
and it will work for all of the colors in
COOK BOOK.
The thread is 50 wt. and 80 wt.
and is used for
APPLIQUE and NOT embroidery.
You can decide if you would like to
machine applique or hand applique...
either way you will need to
have matching thread for each applique.
This thread works for both!
If you are machine appliquéing
you would use it for the top thread
but you would not need to change
your bobbin color as it would
not show on the top.
to watch my tutorial on both
machine or hand applique.
Then you can decide
which you would like to do!
There is a little bit of embroidery
on a few of the blocks...
they are the blocks that have baby chicks:)
My PRIM Aurifloss set
has a dark brown color that you could use
or you can use DMC 08.
P.S. Aurifloss is made by Aurifil and
is a six stranded embroidery floss
for handstitching...not for the machine.
You do not use Aurifloss for applique...
I use it for embroidery or cross stitch.
I use my aqua needles to embroider:)
The embroidery patterns for the
baby chick legs
are in the sew along guide.
You can tape that page to a window
on a sunny day to trace directly
onto the fabric for embroidery
(I use a .05 mechanical pencil)
or you can use a light box.
Of course I use my Easy Trace Light Box!
I use my washi tape for
taping my embroidery pattern and fabric
onto my light box for tracing.
I don't want my pattern or fabric
to shift during this process.
For those of you who may not know
what washi tape is...
it was developed for paper crafting
and packaging but I also use it
for sewing and quilting!
Just think of it as cute
miniature painters tape.
It has a low adhesive so that it
can hold temporarily and can be
peeled off without leaving
a residue on fabric.
Perfect for taping paper
and fabric to the light box!
I do a set of washi tape designs
with each fabric collection
and these are from my Cook Book set:)
I have several different sets of
Pretty Pins and these are the two
that I use when making this quilt.
The Double Pins are used when
piecing blocks to match up seams.
The Applique Pins are used for
pin basting into the design boards
and are essential to me!
These are just the right length
for this task...
which is why I call them appliqué.
I also have "mini applique" Pretty Pins
that are short and tiny and are
used for hand applique
when I don't glue baste.
I use Bee in my Bonnet Design Boards
when cutting and for pinning and
glue basting each applique block.
The new Cook Book ones will come in
four sizes...7" - 10" - 14" and 18"
There are 2 prints for each size.
to piece all of the blocks in the quilt.
It's used as an accurate
1/4" seam allowance and also when
piecing all of the easy corner triangles
in my quilt blocks.
You will need sewing scissors
as well as embroidery scissors.
I use both...these are my
9" Sewing Scissors
and my Stork Scissors.
Besides my Trim-It Rulers
for laying out and trimming blocks...
You will need all sizes of
cutting rulers and of course a cutting mat...
I have a variety of Cute Cuts Rulers
in 4 different colors and shapes and sizes.
These are the ones that I use
to cut all of my fabrics for everything...
including all of my pieced quilt blocks.
When I am cutting I use my
Sew Handy Stickers for labeling
my cut pieces and blocks etc.
They come in 5 different colors
and are letters and a few
number pages as well:)
These stickers adhere well...
can be ironed over...sewn over too...
but then they easily peel off
without leaving any residue.
LOVELY and SEW HANDY!!
And speaking of sewing...
you do not need a
fancy shmancy sewing machine
to make the applique pieces from the
Sew Simple Shapes
or to piece the quilt blocks.
Just a good straight stitching
machine is all you need...
at just a regular
stitch length or just a bit shorter.
As usual...
I am using one of my vintage
Singer Featherweight machines
for making this quilt.
You can see my
Seams Sew Easy Guide
taped to my machine...
(I use washi tape for that too)
Also...a note about ironing.
I do not use steam in my iron
and you want to make sure not to
after you have sewn your shapes
and are pressing them.
Just a good and dry hot iron works well
and I have found that a
seam roller works fabulous for
pressing my shapes after shaping as well.
I don't like to "smoosh" them down
and iron them too flat.
I like a little poof in my shapes
because it gives my applique a nice finish.
to watch my video about why and how
I use vintage irons and where to
find them and what to look for!
So here are a few sneak peeks
of what is to come!
This is HATTIE and PERCY
For Week One we are doing Hattie
and PERCY comes along
during Week Two:)
During the first week I always do
a video tutorial for that block
and I'll be doing that on my
YouTube Channel.
I'll of course also be posting
all about week one here on my blog
and will have a link to my
YouTube video here for you
on my week one blog post.
If you are new to my
Sew Simple Shapes Sew Alongs...
I suggest that you watch a few
of my previous week one video tutorials
because I know that
they will help a you a lot!!
to watch my week one tutorial for
My Happy Place Sew Along
to watch my week one tutorial for my
PRIM Sew Along and
to watch week one tutorial for my
Flea Market Flowers Sew Along
to watch my entire playlist
of each and every one of my
Sew Simple Shape tutorials:)
Okay...
so this is the part where
I talk about the second quilt
that I am making during this sew along!
As you know by now...I'll be making the
Chicken Salad Quilt
as regularly planned of course...
and for the second quilt
I am using two of my books
Farm Girl Vintage
and
Farm Girl Vintage 2
I will be using 12 of the 12" blocks
that I have designed with
"vintage kitchen themes"
and using the EXACT same setting
and the same kit
as the Chicken Salad Quilt.
I just feel like I need
these two quilts for my kitchen!!
And so I had this in mind
from the VERY beginning
and that is why I made sure that
the chicken blocks finished at 12"
so that I could easily
just "pop in" those Farm Girl Blocks
into their place.
So as you can see above I have two kits
all ready to go...
and I think that I will use the
blue tulip print for the binding
in the quilt with my Farm Girl Blocks:)
I will reveal one Farm Girl Block
that I have sewn each week
during the sew along and show it to you...
along with the prints from the kit
that I have used and which book
of the two that it's from
and what page it's on.
Of course there are many more of my
Farm Girl Blocks
than just twelve I am using
from my Farm Girl Books that
would be great to use in your pieced quilt
and so I will talk about them as well.
These two extra projects are fun additions
that I'm looking forward to.
That makes three super fun things
that I'll be hosting during the sew along:
1. Chicken Salad Quilt
2. Farm Girl Kitchen Quilt
3. Cook Book Recipe Binder.
WHEW!!
I can hardly stand it.
I am SEW excited for this adventure to start:)
I will meet you right back here
on Monday February 14th for the
step by step tutorial on
how to make HATTIE...
And also show you my first
12" Farm Girl Block and...
share a favorite family recipe too:)
Sew with you soon...
xx
Lori