Daisy Janie

where I sew | the not-so-picture-perfect studio.

Howdy!! If you're visiting over here after seeing my studio space featured on the Pink Chalk blog, welcome, welcome! So glad you clicked through to see what Daisy Janie is all about. I hope you'll find lots to read, see and keep you busy, like these make, bake & take tutorials. Let me know what you think! 

I read a few comments on the Pink Chalk "Where I Sew" feature about how picture perfect, bright and clean my studio is, and I laughed heartily - knowing full-well that those bright & clean moments are few & far between what you see above. Granted, I rarely have my ironing board and cutting table covered with stuff like you see here, but I'm in the middle of re-organizing my closet stash and make scrap packs as well. So it's exter, exter, exter messy right now!

You can see, too, that it's not so bright in the late afternoon light. The pic on Kathy's blog was taken at juuuuuust the right moment in the morning. If you'd like to see more of my studio space, click over to this tiny tour where I showed all sides of the Daisy Janie HQ! And here's a bonus post about my scissor container. Fave!!

Thank you to Kathy Mack of Pink Chalk Fabrics for featuring Daisy Janie's space on her Where I Sew tour - I have been soooo inspired by all of the great and charming ideas added to the pool as well!

results of the quilt layout poll!

"Mrs. Peacock in the Conservatory" was the winner from last week's quilt layout poll! How about that? I voted for "Watching Over Little L" myself - and that one took the early lead but faded out shortly thereafter. I'm curious: did you pick by visual appeal or by name appeal?

I just found out my parents are coming for a bonus visit tomorrow - yeeha! And since my mom is essentially the one who got me into this world of fabrics and fabric design and quilting, it seems only fitting that she assist me with a sewing project when our schedules coincide, yes? YES! I think she may see a little Project Linus action! Get ready, Mom, you're going to be sewing with a gnarly, old, refurbished Kenmore that needs a tune-up baaaaaad - I won't tell your fancy Bernina where you've been though. It would be hard to do that since you keep it in the closet!!! Sewing machines can't hear when they're in the closet. Oh, and you can't sew on them when they're in their cases on shelves in closets either. Hint. Hint.

Here is the winning layout...

 

blog feature | Fat Quarterly

Last week, I had the distinct pleasure of being featured on Fat Quarterly. Not once, but twice - in addition to a masthead take-over - mwa, ha, ha, ha, haaaaaa! I dolled up their logo and tagline in a simple Shades of Grey patchwork - go see before it's gone like a goose!

The first blog feature, Discussing organic fabrics with Daisy Janie's Jan DiCintio, includes an introductory post where I give a general low-down on organic cotton fabric and the distinctions specific to Daisy Janie's organic fabrics.

The second feature, Daisy Janie | Shades of Grey Scrap Challenge, is Q & A style. I chat about my biz name, my start, my inspirations - things like that. Everything you ever wanted about Daisy Janie and more! Well, it's not a lurid tell-all, so don't get too excited. I would have to save those juicy details for a personal memoir - which is not due to come any time soon, but boy oh boy, the pages I could fill with business-centric craziness! Off track....vrrrrpppp.

Fat Quarterly is hosting a Shades of Grey Scrap Challenge as well. 10 designers have offered to create 'something' from a bag-0-scraps that I provide. Can't wait to see what they come up with - a quilt, a garment, a handbag, a stuffed animal, personal or home accessory - who knows? It's wide open right now!!!

Thank you Fat Quarterly team for your generous editorial features about Daisy Janie as well as all the hard work you do to keep us fabric-heads on top of the latest!

quilt layout options | vote for your favorite!

Here are the 4 quick & simple layouts I'm considering for the Project Linus quilt blocks. The quilt size is 42" x 60", and the background fabric will be a white organic sateen. Please vote for your favorite at the end of this post. Thanks! (Please let me know if you can't see the voting section at the end of this post.)

Quilt #1: Pyramid Reflection
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Quilt #2: Watching Over Little "L"
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Quilt #3: Flying on a Clear Day.
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Quilt #4: Mrs. Peacock in the Conservatory
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Which one do you like best? Poll closes on Friday, 7/23. Results are anonymous.

quilt blocks | a visual tour of 11 blocks for Project Linus quilt.

These fun blocks were created for a Project Linus quilt that I'm putting together. Each one was created from 8 charm squares from Daisy Janie's Geo Grand organic fabrics. Using 2 charm packs (44 squares per pack), I doled out 10 sets of squares to volunteers and used the 11th set myself. Did you follow that? Block makers were free to make any type of block they wanted, using only these fabrics and as much of the 8 squares as they could. It was an absolute blast to open each package and see the unique stamp each person put on their block - even my 13-y.o. son got into it!

Geo Grand charm packs are available for sale at Contemporary Cloth and Funky Fabrix.

In no particular order, here they are! Tomorrow, I will post a quilt concept for these squares.

"Brick" block created by Angie | Stitching by Starlight
See Angie's tutorial for this block
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Block created by Kristal | Dawn Stitches
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"City Skyline" block created by Brandi | brandeye
See Brandi's post about this block
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Block created by Katy | timolily
(Katy's tutorial will be linked next week.)
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Block created by Bri
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Block created by Mindee
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"L" block created by Sharon | Craizee Corners
See Sharon's tutorial for this block
Sharon is looking for blanketeers to help her with a Project Linus quilt!
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"Winding Staircase" block created by Holly | Bijou Lovely
See Holly's tutorial for this block
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Block created by Shannon | Small Grapes
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Block created by Lane | Just Plain Lane
See Lane's post about this block
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"Sister Pairs" block created by Jan - that's me!
See my tutorial for this block

"Sister Pairs" | simple quilt block tutorial

This is the quilt block I created for the Project Linus quilt I'm putting together, with the gracious help of 10 other women who also created blocks. (Those blocks will be posted in just a few minutes.... hang tight!)

This "Sister Pairs" block uses 8 charm squares, or 8 squares cut 5" x 5". I called it "Sister Pairs" b/c you initially separate each square, give some of the cut halves some pizzazz by mixing-n-matching fabrics, and then re-pair the squares so they're back together. Kinda like sisters in life...you're together, you each go off and do your own thing for awhile, and no matter where life takes you, you always find your way back to one another. Awwwww. I love my sister, and we are very much like this - leading very different lives but with soooo much in common, it can be scary and comforting all at once!

So. To the block tutorial then!

 

When I was done, this is all that was leftover. Not much! Very efficient sisters!

press | Living Crafts magazine.

Daisy Janie was included in a recent article on organic fabrics in the Living Crafts magazine (Summer 2011)! Author Fiona Duthie pulled together a spectacular spread on resources, including companies like Daisy Janie who manufacture organic fabrics as well as retailers who sell it. She also covered types of certifications and offers points to consider when selecting an organic fabric. Good stuff all around! Thank you, Fiona!

Quilt Block Project | update.

Mail call! Yahooooo! The last-but-not-least quilt block arrived today! These blocks are for a Project Linus quilt that I'm stitching up, and the blocks are created from charm packs of 4 Geo Grand organic fabrics. See this video post for more information.

Each block is so creative and thoughtfully put together. Individually, they are gorgeous; together, they will be extraordinary and will provide a special child in need with comfort and warmth. A very good thing. 

Just about each package I received included a sweet note, where the block-maker thanked me for the opportunity. To that I say: No, thank YOU for your generous spirit and willingness to lend a hand!

I will share all the blocks in a post next week, and then I'll begin putting them together into a quilt top. Stay tuned!

hip pouch sew-along, day 3 of 3.

 Welcome to Day 3 of the Hip Pouch Sew-Along!

Almost there! Let me know how it's going for you!

• IF YOU'RE NEW TO THIS SEW-ALONG, please read my initial notes about this project here.
• Day 1: Pattern Cutting, Interior Pocket, Back Lining Panel, Side Panels & Back Fabric Panel
• Day 2: Front Panel - Fabric and Lining, Zipper Installation
• Day 3: Attaching All Panels, Webbing

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GOT PANELS?

At this point, all of our panels are sewn.

From top to bottom, we have a back lining panel with a pocket, a front zipper panel with both our main fabric and lining fabric and, finally, we have a back fabric panel with our side panels attached.

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QUICK FIX ON SIZING ERROR

1. When I was ready to sew all the panels together, I realized my front panel piece was bigger by about 3/8" (despite the fact that this was my 3rd prototype). Not sure what the snafu was... Sorry!

2. To correct this, align one of the back panels on top of the front panel. Make hash marks on both sides to mark where the trimline.

3. Use your back panel pattern piece to trace the curved edge.

4. Trim away excess, and now you're back in business.

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ATTACH PANELS

1. MAKE SURE YOUR ZIPPER IS OPEN.
Stack your panels, making sure all edges match up nicely. Pin if you wish.
1st - back panel in main fabric, right side up.
2nd - front panel with zipper, right side of main fabric down.
3rd - back panel in lining fabric, wrong side up.

2. Stitch through all panels on straight sides. The panels stay better aligned  if stitch the sides first, then the curved edges - rather than just sewing around the entire perimeter in one fell swoop.

3. Stitch through all panels on curved top & bottom.

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FINISH POUCH BODY

1. Turn pouch right side out using the opening in the lining and the opening from the zipper.

2. Gently pull on webbing to pull out side panels. Use your fingers and/or a point turner to push and pull everything into alignment. Press edges.

3. Pull out the lining where the opening is. Stitch a super scant edge to close the seam. Tuck it back into the pouch.

4. Zip and press again.

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WEBBING

 

Find the center of your webbing. Snip there. Wrap it around your waist or hips or wherever you'll wear your pouch. Mark where the 2 pieces come together, as shown above.

At this point, if you're NOT using an overall buckle and tack button as I have, install your closure and any slide adjusters according to your package directions. You should have plenty of excess webbing to work with in getting your closure installed and obtaining a nice fit.

If you ARE using an overall buckle and tack button, read on...

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TACK BUTTON

1. On one side a webbing strip, measure, mark & cut the webbing 2" from your first mark (made when you wrapped it around your waist).

2. Fold under the end by 1", then fold again to tuck the raw edge inside. Stitch around that end to give the webbing a finished end.

3. Install your tack button through the middle of that webbing tab you just created.

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OVERALL BUCKLE

 

1. On the 2nd webbing strip, measure, mark & cut the webbing 6" from your first mark (made when you wrapped it around your waist). *Cut at 8-12" if you desire more slack than this to adjust the waist size in different situations.

2. Thread your webbing end through the buckle slots, as shown. Make sure the front of your buckle is facing outward as you begin to thread the webbing. This can be fixed later if you realize you made an error.

3. Pull the webbing taut.

4. View from back.

5. View from front.

 

Finish the end of your buckle webbing the same way you finished the tack button webbing (shown above).

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And that's all she wrote!

Now you have a hands-free option for walks, hikes, errands, amusement parks and all the other fun stuff your off to do this summer where you don't want the fuss of a handbag! Clip & go baby!

Thanks for sewing along with me!
xo
Jan

hip pouch sew-along, day 2 of 3.

 Welcome to Day 2 of the Hip Pouch Sew-Along!

Hope your project is coming along for you! Are you stuck on anything? Are the instructions and pictures clear?

• Please read my initial notes about this project here.
• Day 1: Pattern Cutting, Interior Pocket, Back Lining Panel, Side Panels & Back Fabric Panel
• Day 2: Front Panel - Fabric and Lining, Zipper Installation
• Day 3: Attaching All Panels, Webbing (coming tomorrow)

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FOLDING PLEAT ON FRONT PANEL

1. Lay your Front Bottom Panel B rightside up on your ironing board. Fold the bottom end up toward the middle of your panel. Use the first set of marks you see on the backside as your folding line (marked on image with red circles). Press.

2. In a similar fashion, fold the top end down toward the middle of your panel. Use the first set of marks you see on your backside as your folding line (marked on image with red circles). Press.

3. Unfold your panel piece and turn it over so the wrong side is facing you (right side down). Pinch your first pressed crease in your fingers and pull it down toward the middle of the panel (marked on image with black dashes). Use the next set of marks you see as your folding line (marked on image with purple arrows). You'll have to peek underneath the lip of the fabric you're holding to see where to stop. Press.

4. In a similar fashion, fold the bottom end up toward the middle of the panel. Use the next set of marks you see as your folding line (marked on image with purple arrows). You'll have to peek underneath the lip of the fabric you're holding to see where to stop. Press.

REPEAT PROCESS ON FRONT BOTTOM PANEL B WITH YOUR LINING FABRIC.

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QUICK PLEAT CHECK

1. View of wrong side.

2. View of right side.

3. View of side profile.

Make sure your 2 panel pieces look like this before continuing.

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ZIPPER INSTALLATION | TOP

1. With your Front Top Panel A (main fabric) rightside up on your work surface, lay zipper along the long, straight edge of your panel piece, teeth-side down. Think of the teeth side as the "right side" of the zipper.

2. Lay the corresponding panel piece in lining fabric on top of the zipper, matching up all edges along the long, straight side. Make sure the overhang on your zipper is even. If you're using a traditional zipper (and not a tape as I am), make sure the stops won't be in the way of a future vertical seam down the side. Pin if you wish.

3. With your zipper foot installed, stitch down the length of your fabric-zipper sandwich. Use a 3/8" seam allowance.

4. Open sandwich, press fabric seam away from zipper. Flip over and press lining fabric away from zipper.

5. It should look like this when you're done pressing.

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ZIPPER INSTALLATION | BOTTOM

1. Mark the WRONG side of your front bottom panel lining piece somehow; I used a red dot on the edge. I noticed myself getting slightly confused as to which side was the right or wrong side, and marking just takes the guesswork out of it.

2. With your Front Bottom Panel A (main fabric) rightside up on your work surface, lay zipper along the long, straight edge of your panel piece, teeth-side down.

3. Lay the corresponding panel piece in lining fabric on top of the zipper, matching up all edges along the long, straight side. Make sure the right and left sides of your panel pieces are flush with the top panel pieces already affixed to the zipper. Pin if you wish.

4. A side profile view of this fabric-zipper sandwich. 

With your zipper foot installed, stitch down the length of your fabric-zipper sandwich. Use a 3/8" seam allowance.

5. Open sandwich, individually press fabric and lining seams away from zipper - as you did for the top panel pieces.

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FINISH ZIPPER & BASTE PLEAT

 

1. Scant-edge topstitch on both long sides of your zipper. If you need to, sew stops into place on the raw edges, no more than 1/4" from edge. Trim zipper overhang flush with the sides.

2. Insert the lining pleat into the folds of of the main fabric pleat, as shown.

3. Press.

4. Baste just the pleat into place on both sides of the panel.

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That's it for Day 2.  See you back here tomorrow to put all our pieces together!