Folding Templates (free download)!

I've gotten so much great feedback on the printable folding templates that I include with most of my e-patterns. They are just little cardstock guides, but they are really great for making accurate folds. I've gotten to the point where I use them with almost every project, and if I don't have one that has the fold I need, I'll draw an extra line (or I'll try to eyeball it, which I'm not so good at - ack).

Anyway, I thought it would be nice to have some universal folding templates with multiple lines. I've put together a pdf "e-booklet" that you can download here. It includes a straight template and a curved template, each marked with multiple lines at 0.25" increments. The instructions are included with the file, but I will go ahead and post them here as well:

Folding Templates
Templates are great tools for making accurate folds. Print the templates on regular cardstock and cut them out along the dashed lines. Important note: The folding template is designed to be printed at 100%. Before printing, make sure that page scaling is set to none in Adobe Acrobat print window. To be sure the template printed at the correct size, measure the box. It should measure exactly 1 inch by 1 inch.

For a straight fold, place the numbered edge of the Straight Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded (a). Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template (b). Press, working the edge down to the line (c).

Slide the template over to one end of the fabric piece and press (d).
Repeat at the other end (e). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (f).

The procedure for using the Curved Folding Template is very similar to that of the Straight Folding Template.

For a convex (hill-shaped) fold, place the convex edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed (b). Note: for wider folds, small pleats may be worked into the edges to accommodate any excess width at the edges. Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).

For a concave (valley-shaped) fold, place the concave edge of the Curved Folding Template near the edge of the fabric to be folded. Starting in the center, bring the fabric over so that the edge meets the desired fold line on the template. Press, working the edge down to the line (a). Slide the template along the edge and continue to press, wiggling the template as needed. Note: for wider folds, snips may be made to allow the edges spread out (b). Flip the fabric over and press the length of the fold (c).

Here is the download link again: Folding Templates - Happy Folding!!!

FUN gathering!

I write about gathering a lot, but it is the kind you do with basting stitches and miles of fabric. On Saturday, I got to participate in a gathering of a different sort...the Quilters' Gathering in Ruthsburg, MD. It was the perfect day of great ladies, shopping, a make and take project, yummy lunch, and of course, gorgeous, gorgeous quilts. Two groups put on trunk shows, and I loved seeing their work and listening to their stories.

The first group up was the "Farm Bureau Beauties" out of Delaware. They had all kinds of fun, drool-worthy projects to share. I loved their charm quilts. All of those little boxes are hand appliqued, can you believe? The love and camaraderie these ladies shared with us was just as inspirational as their quilts.

The second group, the Old Kent Baltimore Applique Bee, blew us away with their Album Quilts.



I adore the bright, non-traditional colors in this one!



This one too. WOW! Now I am all fired up to try some hand applique. It won't be anywhere as intricate as these works of art, but I'd love to have a little hand sewing project to work on in the evenings.

The highlight of my day was meeting Carol, who is also knows as CajunQuilter on Sewforum.com. She is the administrator (in other words, the Moderator Supreme) of this HUGE, active discussion board about all things sewing. Even though it has over 40,000 members, it is so well-organized that it feels like a cozy little community! I've been a member for several years now, and I've learned so much about machine embroidery and sewing in general. Just like her online persona, Carol is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to sewing techniques and equipment. She is just the sweetest person, too, so it was really great to do some "real-life" hanging out with with her. And I almost forgot...there was a show and tell!!! I didn't have a quilt on hand, but I did go up and show off my Boxy bag and Sis Boom Shana Tunic. It was so nice to be in a room full of ladies who adore beautiful fabric as much as I do!

Lots of good stuff springing up!

So happy to be blogging on a sunny Sunday! It is up in the high 50's here, and our little family spent the morning out in the garden. We still have lots of cleaning up to do, but I'm really looking forward to the growing season. Heck, I'm just looking forward to spring in general, as you can tell by my latest pattern cover.

Case Study: Tailored Totes is your pretty standard, classy tote bag, but with some fun (and practical) twists. This bag come in one (perfect) size, but has pocket and strap options galore. I've included pencil pockets, crayon pockets, little phone pockets...you name it! But the best feature, in my opinion, is that this bag stands on its own...literally! Like the other two Case Studies (Basic Boxes and Boxy Bags), the design is built around EVA foam inserts (also known as foamies), which are lightweight and give amazing structure.

I'm in LOVE with the prototype above! I made it out of three of my most favorite Sis Boom Fabrics, and customized the pockets to exactly my needs. I took it on a trip to Home Depot yesterday, and it sat perfectly upright in the front of the cart. When we stalled on the weed-whacker aisle (yawn), I could reach in, grab my phone, and check my email without rifling through my purse and potentially stressing out loss prevention associates (yah, I've worked big box retail). PLUS - it sits totally upright wherever I drop it...the floorboard of the car, movie theaters, public restrooms...you get what I'm sayin' ;). I just love having a bag that is super gorgeous (thanks to the fabric), functional, and durable!

SO!...right about the time I was optimizing this pattern, Jennifer sent me some precious yardage from her newest line, So St. Croix. Well, I just NEEDED to make the ultimate bag out of it! I used Genevieve Toile, Nancy Ironwork, and CARLA dot (blushing and grinning and jumping up and down) as the lining.

You can actually win this great bag! My awesome friends Cathy and Marlo put together a fun contest on the Scientific Seamstress Facebook fan page. Here are the details:

Suggest this page to friends and WIN! Carla's latest "Case Study: Tailored Totes" will be available for sale next week. In the meantime, we are going to run a fun contest so you can win a copy of the eBook before you can buy it! And as the SUPER GRAND PRIZE, one fan will win the gorgeous bag on the front cover! Here is how it works...

Invite as many friends as you like by clicking on "Suggest to Friends" on the left hand side of the screen. Then, come back here and let us know how many you invited (we don't need names, just a number :) ). Whether they join or not, each invite = 1 entry to win the eBook and the "cover model" tote bag!

Now here is the fun part....all of the new fans are going to be entered in a drawing, and three will win a copy of the Tailored Totes eBook. We'll ask them who referred them to the page, and those people will win the eBook as well! So the more friends you convince to join in the fun, the better your chances of winning the eBook!

The drawing will be held next Monday, 3-9-10, at noon EST...let's go get the word out about these fun, easy to sew patterns!!!

On the subject of Sis Boom, here is a sneak peek from our next collaboration! Our sweet tester Stacey made this gorgeous top from Blue Casey Scroll (swoon!!!!). We are just waiting on a few more photos from an incredible photographer, and then it will be available for sale, so stay tuned!!!

In the meantime - lookie...SNOWDROPS!




...and CROCUS(ES)! I'm so thrilled that the mounds of snow are melting away, and these beautiful little flowers are popping up to say "hi!" - spring has sprung!