Pennant Workshop, FCS Annual Conference, by Kathi Hendrix

Introduction

Mini Quilting LessonPiecing and quilting are different. Piecing is sewing pieces together to make a quilt top, Quilting is stitching the top, batting and baking together. While it is not quite accurate most people use the term quilting for both steps and I will too.

Seams: in quilting seams are sewn at 1/4 inch and sometimes a scant 1/4 which is one click towards the fabric edge on the needle position. It is worth the money to buy an accurate 1/4 inch presser foot if you plan to quilt anything following a kit or commercial pattern.

Pins: I prefer extra fine glass head pins. These pins are easier to pin fabric together and remove while sewing. Best practice is not to sew over pins, but sometimes it has to be done. Extra fine pins can be sewn over more successfully. This can be handy in quilting especially with curves. Pin perpendicular to the sewn seam. Don't allow students to pin on the seam parallel to the edge. Sewing machine needles: use size 75 or 80. Best practice is to replace the needle after completing a major project/quilt. Don't wait for a needle to beak to replace it. Skipped stitches usually means the needle is dull. Keep a separate set of needles for paper practice.

Thread: best practice is use thread that is the same content as fabric. My favorite is Aurifil, which is a fine thread that produces less lint in the bobbin area. More thread can be placed on the bobbin which decreases bobbin winding. Quilters use light gray and medium gray A LOT along with white, tan and black.

Pressing: press flat to set the seam and press the seam to one side. Do not press the seam open. This is a big time saver, but is done primarily to stop batting from working though stitches on an open seam. Best practice is to press to the darker side of the fabric when there is a choice.

Grade, clip, and notch techniques are limited in quilting. Seams are only 1/4 inch. Reducing bulk is done with intentional pressing.

Chain stitch: sewing one piece after the other without stopping and starting each piece is using a chain stitch. Little pieces of fabric tend to be eaten by machine and a chain stitch helps with this problem. With the mini pennant, I sew about 10-12 at a time but keep a chain stitch going until I'm done. There is less back stitching in quilting and chain stitching is part of reason. This project does have back stitching.

Rotary blade cutting tools, a pinking blade can be useful for making your own precuts and will reduce raveling. These probably won't be washed and if you are cutting your own squares, a

normal blade will work. Traditional piecing uses templates that have to be traced and cut individually. Rotary blade cutting changed how quilting patterns were written, made cutting accurate and greatly reduced the time it takes to cut out a project. It is very important to teach safety and the right way to use rotary blade cutting equipment.. I'm suggesting using precuts or the teacher can make precuts for classes that are not ready to use rotary cutters.

PrecutsPrecut sizes and a few names10 inch square 5 inch squareCake Plate Moda Charm packPatty Cake RJR Chips Northcott Tiles Northcott

2.5 inch square 2.5 inch strips width of fabricMini Charm pack Jelly Roll ModaStackers Rolie Polie Riley Blake

Pixie Strips RJR fabrics

An easy 2.5 inch strip quilt is called the 1600 quilt for the number of inches of fabric in the quilt top. Directions and images are available on the web.

Number of pieces of fabric in a precut2.5 inch strips 40 cuts2.5 squares 42 cuts5 inch squares 42 cuts10 inch squares 42 cuts

Making The PennantThe number of pennant points needed for an average kitchen/bedroom window depends on how long you want the swag to fall. Suggested numbers:42-44 2.5 inch13-15 5 inch 7-10 10 inch

Advantages of sewing with precuts:You receive a variety of fabrics. The Halloween charm squares, 30 different fabrics.Fast to use since cutting is doneYou don't have to use rotary toolsPrecuts go on sale and are readily available at stores and on-line.Most are pinked and ravel less

Disadvantages:Cost2.5 inch mini pack cost $4.50 swag cost $4.505 inch pack cost $10 makes 3 swag cost $3.5010 inch pack cost $40 makes 4 swag cost $10

Precuts 30 different fabrics in this 5 inch Moda precut

Pinked edge Lay out, fold and pin Sew 1/4 seam

Chain stitch, clip apart, trim points, turn, and push out points.

Seam before it is set with iron. Pressed and set seam.

This project needs something pointy like a crochet hook to make points.

Line up seam in the middle. Press seam to one side. Fold down point and press. Organize by your preference and select hanging material. Pin leaving room at both ends to hang. I like to make a loop at this point.

Hanging products to make the pennant points into a swag can be a variety of materials. Macramé thread, jute, ribbon, rick rack, and other products without a lot of give. Points can be sewn under rick rack and ribbon or can be placed between jute, ribbon and other products. A roll of fabric adhesive tape can help keep the back flat on points after points are attached to the hanger.

Embellish with fabric, ribbon, yarn or leave as is. Wonder-Under by Pellon can be used to add letters. Don't forget to reverse letters when you outline them. Follow directions to apply to finished pennant. Sew around outside of the letter for stability.

Layering different sizes is fun although one size looks nice too. In my kitchen I put up Seahawks in late August and keep one window of Seahawks and WSU and change out other windows seasonally.

10 and 5 inch banners. 5 and 2.5 inch banners The mini size is the most difficult to do. Beginning sewers should start with a bigger size.