Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Saturday, April 5, 2014

How to make a rag swag garland free tutorial







If you have a large stash of fabric scraps, like I do, then here is a great way to utilize them. I hate throwing scraps away because I feel I might need them for something. A few years ago I discovered a way to salvage them and give them new life by making rag swag garlands. Here is how I make them:








Materials needed: Jute twine and scrap fabrics

















Step 1: Cut your scrap fabrics into 1" x 6-8" strips. I like to use a non-uniform length, so cut them all the same length if you want your garland to look more uniform. Make several piles of the different fabrics in the colors you want in your garland.


Step 2: Cut your jute twine the length you desire and allowing an additional few inches at each end.
Tie a knot in the twine about 4 inches from the end.


Step 3: Grab a strip from the first pile and tie it onto the twine at the knot. Grab a strip from the second pile and do the same next to strip 1. Repeat this until the twine is full of tied strips to the last 4 inches of twine. Tie another knot here to end the garland.





Here are some garlands I have made.


 

Example using multiple fabrics.

 
For an additional spin on the garland try tying the fabric onto Christmas light strands instead of the jute twine.
 
I hope you have enjoyed my free tutorial!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The Twin Christmas Rag Quilts are done!

The Twin Christmas Rag Quilts are done! 

This weekend was absolutely lovely! Sunny and 70 degrees both days and I was able to finish some of the yard work before old man winter shows up. After the sun went down last night I sat down at the sewing machine again and stitched until my eyes started going cross-eyed. LOL. Back up this morning to finish this lovely set and spent the day washing/drying them. 



This is the first one.


 Close up of the pillow shams which turned out so cute!


Muslin on the back


This is the second one folded on the chair.



I really love the way they turned out!


Custom orders can be placed at my Etsy shop. Christmas is right around the corner!

Thursday, November 8, 2012

One down and One to go...

So I have been working on Twin Rag Quilts and have completed the first one.


This is the layout of the second one. Still working to sew the strips....more to follow!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

November Project #1

Project # 1 is for 2 Twin size Rag Quilts and 2 matching pillow shams in Red and Green Christmas fabrics. It has taken me a couple of weeks to gather the fabrics, pre-fringe the squares and sew the sandwiches.  



 Last night I sewed the 2 pillow shams up. I will put the backing on them after I get the 2 quilts done.
 Here is the layout for the first quilt.
 So far what I have finished today. I like hanging the strips on my clothesline in the basement.
Stay tuned for more on this project!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Quiltsy Christmas Quilt Block Swap Quilt Top

 This past fall my Etsy Team Quiltsy held a Christmas quilt block swap. There were red and green and blue and silver groups. I did the red and green blocks. On my trip to my in-laws over Christmas I rummaged through my MIL's fabric stash and found this nice Christmas print that I used to set the top up with.

This top is going into my quilting pile now....there are 12 tops in front of it now to quilt. Wish me luck!

These blocks were done by members of the Quiltsy Team! Thanks girls!



Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year from Ashlawnfarms! As the holidays are coming to a close it is time to start new goals for the new year. One of my goals is to destash many of the fabrics taking up room in my fabric closet. Today I listed on Etsy many listings of minky squares that I am parting with from my old cutting services. There are many listings to choose from. 

For Christmas I gave my niece and nephew homespun traditional quilts. 

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas 2011!

The last few weeks have been busy rushing around getting Christmas things done. I had one sewing project to do for mom.....she loved her new quilted sweatshirt jacket I made her. My brother was most interested in the fact that I used a new sweatshirt to make it....he works on cars, so the "taking apart of things" perked his interest. 

The homespun string quilt block making stopped at 24 for now. The blocks are sewn together and will become a lap quilt soon. I sandwiched the 3 layers together last night and will have that to quilt up soon.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Christmas Tree 2011

We decided to put up our small tree this year instead of lugging the big one up from the basement.  I placed it on our dining room table to give it some height, but I have tons of decorations and not enough tree....oh well. The decoupage ornament balls I finished up a few weeks ago look great on the old tree. I also hung a couple of my rag swag garlands over the front branches and it really completed the tree. I have an issue with the tree topper though.....I don't like it. It does not match the rest of the prim decor. My normal tree topper is an angel   but it is stained glass and does not work either. I am going to have to think on this one for a bit.....


DH started the painting behind the tree. I talked him into doing a prim barn star on it and he is working on the pip berries....not sure what is going on the left side, but he will come up with something I hope. It is an old textured abstract painting that he is re-purposing. Gotta love being married to an artist.

Custom Order Rag Quilting part 2

 Here are some pics of the finished rag quilted hipster purse. 
 Side 1
Side 2
Inside single pocket

If you are interested in ordering an item to be custom made please convo me through my Etsy Shop. I would be glad to custom create something for you! I do both traditional and rag quilting. Or can do a mix of both styles as I have done in this purse.

Christmas time gift requests are welcomed. However, I need at least 3 weeks to complete your simple order. Complex orders may take longer. 

Friday, December 2, 2011

One of My First Rag Quilts

A few years ago, when I started Rag Quilting, I gave my mother a special rag quilt for Christmas. She just loves vintage buttons and has a pretty impressive collection of them. She also loves the old feedsack fabrics and had given me a set of reproduction fabric charms she had in her stash. 

So it was pretty easy to create something for her using her favorites. I get a kick out of seeing her first reaction to it once she unwrapped it.....reminds me of the excited expressions grandma gave many Christmas's ago. 

Anyway, as I plan my Christmas gifts for this year, I hope to get expressions of equal proportion or better when she unwraps her _______________. All I am saying is it is NOT another Rag Quilt! :)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Moda Sanctuary Table Runner

My Christmas tree is still not up to hang my newly decoupaged ornaments, so maybe this weekend? 

Not too long ago I came across a small 2.5" charm pack I had stashed away. It was a Moda Sanctuary charm pack. Here is what it turned into.



Listed in my Etsy shop. 

My dog, Opal, modeling her new harness coat! I bought this from Little Paws Apparel on Etsy. I think she really is liking it after never wearing anything but her fur all her life. The harness works great too!

 

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Small Business Saturday

Today was Small Business Saturday. I am glad to have a day to promote small businesses. I am offering 20% off everything in my Etsy shop until 11/28/11 the end of Cyber Monday. Coupon Code is THANKSGIVING20.

I finished making grandma's leg warmers last night. One more gift done!


I may add some sort of embellishment at the top of them, but for now this is what I have done.

Today I have been playing in decoupage and homespun fabric scraps  re -purposing some vintage glass Christmas Ball ornaments. I had spray-painted them last year and the did not turn out the way I had hoped so on goes the fabrics. So far they are turning out ok. I look forward to seeing them on the tree when they are done. 



Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Photobucket
For hearts that are kindly, with virtue and peace, and not seeking blindly a hoard to increase; for those who are grieving o'er life's sordid plan; for souls still believing in heaven and man; for homes that are lowly with love at the board; for things that are holy, I thank thee, O Lord!  ~Walt Mason


Great day at my brother's new place. God blessed us with such a beautiful day that included sunshine and warmer weather. We ate, chatted, and took a tour of the new barn being built. It was good seeing my brother and his family. I pray they are doing well.


Mom and I visited some before I headed back home. Planning for Christmas festivities seems to be coming together...though I need to check into what my fathers side is doing. 


I am thinking of doing all of my Christmas shopping online this year. I hate crowds for sure, and am not going out on Black Friday tomorrow. I hate getting up early and have to work a few hours anyway, so it works for me to shop online at my leisure and not deal with long lines and aching feet. 


This weekend I will be working on a small little girl's purse that a lady from my church ordered. I am hoping to have it for her this Sunday. 


As 2011 is coming to an end with one month to go I would like to send out a special "Thank You" to all of my readers who have reached my blog to read about rag quilting in one way or another. This year started out badly for me and I missed blogging for several months due to not feeling up to it.  Staying current with the latest trends is a tough thing to keep up with, so in those summer months I had much to catch up on. I have asked blog readers to give me feedback from time to time and have not had many respond to me, so I guess I am at least giving them information that is valuable to them, or they are not interested in my blabbering and move on. lol. My plans for 2012?


Well 2012, if God is Willing to allow me on this journey of quilt making and pattern writing, I plan to transition more into the traditional quilting where my roots are. Rag quilting is so easy and so non-challenging for me at this point that I need to venture into new territory.  I am just bored with Rag Quilting. There I said it....with that being said I have been toying with the idea of launching a new business name featuring my grandmother who taught me the art of sewing and quilting in the first place.  We will see- I will pray about it and see if that is where the Lord wants me to be next.  


God Bless you and yours as this Thanksgiving Day comes to a close.  Thank you again for reading my blog.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Christmas Rag Quilt Purses 2011

Here are my newest rag quilted purses for Christmas. I used a Layer Cake from Moda Woodland Greetings Fabrics by Sentimental Studios to complete these. They are one of a kind!

 I take custom orders if you would like to order something. Convo me from my Etsy Shop. 





If you like this rag purse design, my pattern is also available for sale.


Saturday, August 6, 2011

Rag Quilted Christmas Stocking Tutorial

My new Rag Quilting Tutorials are listed and available on  Etsy.

Today I am featuring my Rag Quilted Christmas Stocking Tutorial. These are pretty simple and quick to make.


Seriously,  I am sitting idle at 9 pounds lost on day 14 of  The 17 Day Diet. The diet is still going great- I am just disappointed because the needle on my scales seems stuck! Oh well! My pants are more roomy so why complain?  Right?