"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips - Finishing

Today, we will be finishing our “Let It Snow Man!!” pattern, by going over the hat, hair, and borders. 
The next steps are for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair.  Note: If you use the optional 2 ½” circle template and hair template, fuse them into place and blanket stitch all the way around.
Now for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair. Let’s start making paper templates of the hair and hat, by tracing the pattern on a blank piece of paper and then cutting them out.  Then lay the hair templates to the side. 
Using the hat circle template trace and cut out the circle on the back of the fabric you have chosen for the hat.  Before making the Yo-Yo, I suggest taking the hat flower and fusing it onto the hat fabric and using a blanket stitch, sew around the flower edge.  Next fold the raw edge of the circle approximately ¼” in toward the wrong side of the fabric. Then with a needle and thread with a heavy knot at the bottom, use a long running stitch with medium stitches, sew near the folded edge of the circle.  Do not cut threat at the end.  Gently pull on the thread ends to gather the fabric circle, to make a 2 ½” circle. 
Now that the Yo-Yo hat is made, position it on your quilt top where it should go.  Then slide the hair template under the hat.  With an erasable marking tool trace around the hat and the hair template.  This will get you an idea to where you will sew the Zig Zag Stitches for the hair. Remove the hat and hair template and set aside.
Note before you begin the Zig Zag Stitches, I suggest with a separate small piece of fabric sew a line of stitches at varies widths and lengths to find the right size.  I use a 3.0 width and a 2.5 length.  This will vary on different sewing machines.  Also suggest using the hair diagrams in the pattern instructions.  Start with a thin layer of Zig Zag stitches all around the trace template area, in straight lines.  Begin and end each of the stitches like you did in machine applique by tucking the ends underneath under a few stitches.  Once you have a thin layer of Zig Zag Stitches, you can go back and fill in bare spots with more stitches that are different width and lengths if you want.  In my project I used a different thread color to add some highlights to the hair.  I used a Brown-Black Rainbow Thread by Superior.  I suggest, as you finish, lay the hat on the hair to make sure it is to your liking.  Once you are done with the hair, press the quilt top to make sure there is no puckering. 
Next, place the hat in its correct location and sew a blanket stitch all around the hat to complete the girl.  Now time for the borders.  Press once again to make sure everything is lying flat.  Trim the Background to a 16 ½” x 17” rectangle.
Assemble the 3 borders, following the directions with the top and bottom first and the right and left sides.  Once your borders are on, will finish be adding the Snowflakes and dots following the Pattern Diagram.  Fuse and sew them on with blanket stitches.  After they are all sewn on then press again to make sure no wrinkles and finish the Quilt as desired.

Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background

“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Machine Applique

“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Finishing

Tina

"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips - Preparing to Make

I'm making the "Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern for a display in a local quilt store that has purchased the pattern and requested that I teach a class on it at the end of October.  I decide as I make this quilt, to show you some of the tips and techniques I do.
In this week’s blogs I will talk about the preparing, fusible webbing, the backing and pieces, machine applique, the hair and hat placement and the finishing of the top.
This pattern is written with the beginner quilter in mind.  Diana Dillard the patterns creator tried to make certain that the pattern instructions were complete and easy-to-understand.  She even include a special "Skill Builder" Section with additional techniques tips to help you along the way.
When you take the pattern out of the packaging you will notice that we have include the pattern pieces templates and pattern diagram pages.  The pattern Diagram will need to be assembled to make a full size pattern.  To assemble the full size pattern you will need to have a rotary cutter or scissors, straight edge, and tape.  Make sure you look at pages instructions and page numbers very carefully.   Cut along the dotted Lines where labeled and tape where it is labeled “Place LIS-PD-P_ and Tape Here".
As with any new project make sure you read through all the instructions carefully and thoroughly.
Now finding the right fabric that coordinates is always fun and frustrating at the same time.  You want fabrics to blend and coordinate together.   Have Fun with this, it is like dressing up a paper doll.  So many possibilities on making these patterns.
You may want have some additional tools with this pattern.  I suggest getting a pair of long handled tweezers, these can help you with the pieces placement.  Also suggest getting a quilters padded Quilt Board, this will help in the placing and moving of your patterns pieces around. You may want to have a rotary cutter, rulers, measuring tape, straight pins, starch, pressing sheet and marking pencil or pens ready for you.
Tomorrow, I will be talking about transferring the pattern pieces to your Fusible webbing.
If you would like to buy this pattern and any of others in the collection, please click here.

Live, Inspire and Create,

Tina

If you would like subscribe to Quilting Affection Blog click here

Introducing "Let it Snow Man!! Pattern

Quilting Affection would like to you to see our first Pattern in a set of 4 that is being introduced to the public today. The collection will be called Precious Season's.  Precious Seasons, brings together the seasons in a little girls life.  Picking Flowers, Building a Snowman, Hanging Outdoor Decorations, and Playing in the Rain using raw edge applique techniques.

Starting Today, you can buy the First Two Patterns, "Let It Snow Man!!" and "Falling Leaves".  The First of September the next two patterns will be available for purchase.

The patterns were created by my dear and talented Mother-In Law Diana Dillard.  We have worked together over the last couple of years to putting them together.

"Let it Snow Man!!" is an adorable little girl and her snowman.  You can have fun with your favorite winter fabric collection or dig into your stash.  The pattern uses raw-edge fusible webbing to complete this charming quilted hanging. It is quick and easy, so even a beginner will have no problem getting this pattern done. 

The pattern is loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and pattern pieces.  The quilt hanging finishes at 25" x 25".  The pattern retails for $12.00 each.

To get your pattern order here.  We hope you enjoy these patterns as much as we as we do.  If you do make one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so I can put it in our gallery.

Tomorrow, I will show off Falling Leaves, the second pattern to be release in the collection.

Love, Inspire and Create,

Tina