Every year I create home made gifts for my pickleball crew. There are 8 of us and we play 3 times a week, so we have gotten very close. I want this gift to be pickleball related, but also practical. This year, I used some adorable novelty fabric (Elizabeth Studios Pickleball Paddles on White 683 Fabric) to sew SWEAT RAGS. I found my fabric at a local quilt shop, MY FAVORITE QUILT SHOP, in Green Bay, WI.
I simply purchased soft terry washcloths, ripped open any side seams…
tucked the pickleball fabric under the opened seam…
and sewed the seam back in place. If there was no seam on the washcloths, I cut the fabric 1/2″ wider on those sides, pressed it under, and sewed it in place. So simple! The size of the fabric will depend on the size of your washcloth.
I popped a grommet in one corner so it could be attached to a tote bag.
I think they turned out super cute. I’ve also attached last year’s gift, a tiny tissue holder, because we are always in need of tissue!
All of my patterns include paper pieced blocks, which are constructed with scraps of fabric going in various directions. It is important to quilt over the finished block so it will not stretch out of shape when laundered. But, after paper piecing a lovely image, it almost hurts to quilt over it! My go to method is to use invisible thread.
These 3 invisible threads are brands that I have used and I think they are all do a good job. Superior Threads makes MonoPoly, Aurifil makes a 100% Nylon variety, and YLI makes this Monofilament 100% Nylon Invisible Thread. All of these threads will hold up to your iron, and not melt. But even so, I am always careful to iron gently.
Of these three invisible threads, my favorite is the YLI. It is easy to thread into my machine, and it doesn’t “snap” and break as easily as the others. When using any invisible thread, I use a lighter weight white, 40 weight spun poly bobbin thread.
Easter Bunny Gnome has been quilted with vertical lines that are 1” apart. I mark the lines with a Frixion pen so the lines can be erased with an iron. Quilting in this manner doesn’t distract from the image, and looks modern. The “Peepers” below were quilted with regular thread, changing thread color in each area. I also change the bobbin thread to match the top thread. This method also works fine, but is more tedious.
Now, let’s talk about having some Easter paper piecing fun! Hang these adorable “peepers” on your microwave with suction cups. They are easily accessible when cooking, but almost too cute to use!
Here’s the matching table runner, or create your own! I’d love to see what you produce. Here’s what some of my customers/friends have done using my Easter blocks…
I am working on a new springtime bunny and will share the photo soon!
If you have any other questions about quilting over a paper pieced image, please leave a comment below, or email me directly at: maryannhertel@gmail.com
As Halloween is approaching, you might be looking for some cute and spooky patterns. Here are some of my faves….
BOO COLLECTION, a pattern with 6 blocks including these…
This collection of 6 Halloween paper pieced block patterns is so clever! Included with the blocks are patterns for a table runner and potholders. These 8″x 8″ blocks can be used in so many fun ways. Be creative and construct an entire Halloween quilt! Here is a quilt put together by Donna for her daughter, using some of these blocks….
The WITCH HAT pattern is very easy and would be great for a beginner.
Create some cute and spooky projects with this SPIDER block pattern.
WITCHY PILLOW is super fun to paper piece. Find just the right stripe for her stockings!
One of my best selling Halloween designs is IF THE SHOE FITS POTHOLDERS pattern. How great would these potholders look hanging in your kitchen this fall? The shoes have a large rhinestone sewn to the shoe flap, which is optional.
The WITCHY POO PILLOW pattern is detailed with the witch, broomstick, and lamp post making this a pattern more suited to an intermediate or advanced paper piecer.
This adorable addition to your holiday decor uses large rick rack as a border. I LOVE rick rack! Visit MADE BY MARNEY ON ETSY to see all of my Halloween patterns.
As summer approaches, I am anticipating playing my newest passion in the park, Pickleball. All winter I have beaten the blues by socializing with 8 friends at indoor pickleball, while wearing masks.
I even sewed matching “pickle masks” for our teams. But I can’t wait to get back outside and play at some of the local courts in our city parks.
So when my son Brady suggested I create a Pickleball Gnome, I knew he was absolutely right. How had I forgotten to make a gnome doing my favorite sport?
And here’s the Pickleball Slammer, which is my favorite shot!
I’d love to hear from any other pickleball enthusiasts! What are you doing to promote pickleball? Where do you love to play? I’m in Wisconsin, so we are limited in winter to a tennis center or YMCA.
