Thursday, January 8, 2015

A MacGyver'ed Light Table

I decided this week that I wanted to draft my own pattern and then paper piece it.  I have seen a lot of paper pieced flying geese blocks and it looked like something that I could do myself.

So, I taped together two big sheets of freezer paper and drew out my design.  I know the pencil marks are light but can you see them?  It is a big v-shape full of flying geese.


Then the next step was to make my pattern to paper piece.  I didn't want to cut my whole drawing apart because then I would lose the original.  I needed a light table to trace the pattern onto smaller pieces of paper.  Do you know what those cost? like $50 on Amazon.  So, I MacGyver'ed up an awesome solution.

I removed my sewing machine from my sewing table and lowered the shelf that it sits on.  Then I positioned my light inside of my table and put my "Sew steady" plexiglass table that came with my sewing machine on top of the hole, like below.

Then I laid my freezer paper on top, turned on the light, and I was easily able to trace my design!

My big mistake is that I forgot to turn over my freezer paper, so my actual design is going to be flipped right to left from what I intended, but it is almost symmetric so I will make it work.

This could work with any sewing table- instead of a stand light like I used you could use a flashlight or a lantern or any other light source.  It would be nice if I had a piece of plexiglass without a cutout in it, but for now this free solution works great!

Monday, January 5, 2015

Star Power Pattern Published!

I am psyched to already cross off one of my 2015 goals... my Star Power pattern is published on Craftsy!  I am so excited!  This is the first pattern I have ever written.  Therefore, I am publishing it for free and hoping to receive some feedback and/or constructive criticism.


The pattern includes yardage requirements, step by step instructions, alternate color ideas, and a page for you to color to create your own original design.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO CRAFTSY and download my pattern.  I have it listed on Craftsy because they do not charge me any fees and also because you will receive the pattern instantaneously (without having to wait for me to email it to you).  Let me know what you think!