Sunday, June 16, 2019


Mini Quilt Challenge

 Held during the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour 

May 31, June 1 and 2, 2019 


Guidelines: The quilts were to measure 24"x24", and be finished (quilted and bound).
30% of the quilt top was to be the 2019 Kona Color of the Year: Splash

We had so many wonderful entries.  Scroll down to see them all.

Grand Prize Winner,  Scott Griffin 

 


Viewers Choice Winner: Susan Cosper

"Dive In" by Ari Cortes

quilt by Barb Neal

"Bird in the Garden" by Barb Gardner

quilt by Brenda Steers

quilt by Candace Kincade
quilt by Debbie McCrigler

quilt by Donn McKnight


"Drinking in the Sunshine" by Alyssa Signorelli
quilt by Mary Harlow 

"My Little Duckling" by Kelsey Parolini
"Seafoam and Sand" by Elizabeth Roebber


Sunday, April 30, 2017

Sewing Napkins Picking Daisies Style

Welcome to our online tutorial for sewing dinner napkins with mitered corners. This is the same method we use here at Picking Daisies for our signature dinner napkins.

Gather your supplies (*We have kits available which include the items marked with a "*")

Sewing Machine
Iron
Cutting Mat
Ruler
Rotary Cutter
Scissors

*Cotton Quilt-weight fabric 44" wide (1.75 yards makes 6 dinner napkins)
*Coordinating polyester thread
*Fabric Marking Pen
*Point Turner
*(optional) 1/2" x 20"+ template for ironing hems 




 
Pre-wash, dry and iron your fabric to prepare for cutting.
Once ironed, fold selvage to selvage on the cutting mat. 




Using your ruler and template, cut through the two layers of fabric to make two 20" squares.  Repeat for the remaining fabric until you have cut out all of your 20" squares.

Making cocktail napkins?  Cut 12.5" squares.





Working with one square of fabric at a time, iron your hems on all four sides as follows...








Grab your fabric marker and open up an ironed corner.  
Working from the wrong side of the fabric....









Using a point turner, carefully, yet thoroughly,
turn those corners out to make them nice and square.


You are now ready to sew the final seam around the perimeter of the napkin.  We just start right in, but if you are new to sewing napkins, you might find it helpful to re-iron or perhaps, pin down the seams first.




About 1/8" from the folded edge (or closer if you are brave!), and without back stitching, sew around the entire perimeter of the napkin, stopping with your needle down at each corner seam so that you can raise your sewing foot to turn the corner.



When you reach the spot where you began, rather than back stitching, just carefully sew about 1/2" down right over the seam where you started sewing.

 
If you have an edge-stitch or stitch-in-the-ditch foot, experiment using it to give you more accurate straight lines.  

Have fun including some personalized labels to make these your own signature napkins.










Thursday, February 25, 2016

Picking Daisies at QuiltCon West 2016

Here's a little photo journal, highlighting our time at QuiltCon 2016 in Pasadena this past weekend.

We love our "Crew"!

The quilts on display were amazing and inspiring. Our photos will never do justice to these quilts, so please scroll to the links right below this picture for more.  

QuiltCon 2016  

For a closer peek of QuiltCon, visit the following links...

The Modern Quilt Guild's Blog highlighting all the show winners

A YouTube Video Tour of QuiltCon by The Sewing Report

An article that appeared in the LA Times about Quilts at QuiltCon with a Message


While we were there, we got to meet some of favorite fabric and quilting celebrities...


Kay and Dede with Anna Maria Horner and Lady K Quilts

Kay with Melody Miller (and wearing a dress in Melody Miller fabric)

Dede with Lotta Jansdotter (and wearing a tunic in Lotta Jansdotter fabric)

Dede with Christine Haynes and Sarah Watts (all three wearing Sarah Watts' fabric)


Dede and Kay got hand-drawn daisy tattoos from Sarah Watts 

Dede got a temporary tattoo from Libs Elliot

Kay and Dede took a block printing class from Valori Wells

Dede showing off her newly acquired block printing skills

 Fun with friends, new and old....

Enjoying the "Catnado" quilt

Lunch with part of our Crew (and missing the other part)!

A lovely dinner out with new and old friends!

Capturing Memories and dreaming of QuiltCon West 2017 in Savannah Georgia.


Monday, February 15, 2016

Hand Stitching Alabama Chanin Style

Let's Sew "SLO" Together... at 25% off!


The company Alabama Chanin has become well known for their fabulous line of clothing and home decor, all hand sewn using their wonderful organic knit jersey and embellished using techniques such as Reverse Appliqué and Negative Reverse Appliqué.  


Here at Picking Daisies, we have been big fans for years! We carry all four of their books in our shop.
Alabama Studio Books - available at Picking Daisies

Working from a kit is a great introduction to this style of hand sewing, and at Picking Daisies, we are able to offer you your choice of some of their kits at 25% off Alabama Chanin’s price.


We will also be holding monthly workshops were you can join us for guidance, tips, and community sewing.  

Or feel free to conquer your project on your own time.








Below you will see the 4 kits we are offering. If you are interested in ordering, please note the color and size options.  Regarding sizing, we find their clothing to be a bit snug, and suggest you go up one size.... unless you prefer your clothing tight fitting.

DO NOT order from the Alabama Chanin website if you want the 25% off price!!
Be aware that these kits are made to order by Alabama Chanin, and delivery can be from 3 to 6 weeks

Also Important: Our first order cut-off date is Monday, February 22, 2016.

Here are your kit choices....

Anna’s Garden Skirt  $111 (Regular Price $148)

Bloomers Swing Skirt  $111 (Regular Price $148)

Magdalena Fitted Skirt  $111 (Regular Price $148)

Magdalena Poncho  $96 (Regular Price $128)

Questions? Just Contact Us!