Batik Braid Tutorial

Thanks for joining us, everyone!  I have a special treat for all of us today - my friend Donna is my first guest blogger!  Donna and I "met" over the internet about 10 years ago through our common love of Siberian Huskies.  I'm happy to report that she has caught the quilting bug lately (yea!) and has also joined the ranks of Bernina converts (yea! again).  It's been so fun seeing the quilt spark catch fire in her - and wow, her skills already blow me away!

One of Donna's recent projects is a VERY cool table runner.  Along the edges, she used a Batik Braid she made from half hexagons.  I just smiled like crazy when she told me she was watching a TV show about the process... and was already dissecting everything in her head with the "I could figure out how to do that".  ☺  She made the table runner for a fund raiser for Harnessed to Hope Northern Breed Rescue using her technique - and wrote up a tutorial for all of us along the way!!!  Without further ado, here is Donna's tute!


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Batik Braid Made from Half Hexagons

Used on Batik Dog Sled Table Runner

Donna Gazda

Note:   I saw this braid made on a TV show.  I thought it would be perfect for a table runner.

I made the above batik braid strip using the 2-1/4” half hexagon template from the Marti Michell Set G template set. Her templates already include the ¼” seam allowance. There is also a 1-1/2” half hexagon template in the Set G package, along with full hexagon templates, along with other templates. 

Below is the Batik Dog Sled Runner with the batik braid:

I used 10 different batik fabrics for this braid and used the 2-1/4” half hexagon template. I cut 2-1/4” strips from each piece of fabric (the strips were cut crosswise grain – selvage to selvage edge). Fabric was folded in half (selvage edge to selvage edge). Using the 2-1/4” template, I was able to get 5 cuts of half hexagons for a total of 10 half hexagons.    
Alternate the template (as shown below) to cut the half hexagons.
 By using an even number of fabric strips, when they were sewn together, the same 5 fabrics ended up on the same size. I think if you use an odd number of strips, the half hexagons will alternate on both sides of the braid strip.
I took the template and laid it in the manner in which you will lay out your pieces and sew them together. See first picture below. The second picture shows all the fabric hexagons that I used.



Lay piece 1 onto piece 2 as shown below (right sides together) and sew using ¼” seam allowance. Press piece #1 down.



 Lay piece #3 across pieces 1 and 2. Stitch as shown. Press piece #3 up with seam toward pieces 1 and 2, as shown below:



 Lay piece #4 across pieces 2 and 3. Stitch as shown. Press piece #4 up with seam toward pieces 2 and 3, as shown below:



 Lay piece #5 across pieces 4 and 3. Stitch as shown. Press piece #5 up with seam toward pieces 4 and 3, as shown below:



 Lay piece #6 across pieces 4 and 5. Stitch as shown. Press piece #6 up with seam toward pieces 4 and 5, as shown below:



 Keeping sewing your half hexagons together until you get your desired length you need for your quilt. Square off the bottom and top of your strip, then sew onto your quilt.

 Finished length should look like this (above).
 Squaring off bottom and top of strip….see below.



 And a look at squaring up the top:


(Note from KZK: Hmm... something tells me Donna has already started ANOTHER braid!)

Here is a look at what the back of your braid should look like, prior to squaring it up:

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Wow!  Donna, thank you so much!  You really made it look so "do-able" and I can't wait to try it out!

Now, for those of us who don't have Marti Michell's templates, Donna says you can really use any size of half hexagon and any size strips.  Just remember that if you use a whole hexie -- add the 1/4" seam allowance beyond that "half way" line.  Hopefully this photo will help explain:



See there on the right, how the "half hexie" extends an extra 1/4" beyond the center of the full hexie?? That's what you need to do! And you can ALWAYS order a set of your own Marti Michell templates at this link. Donna used the "G" set for her runner!

For another great tutorial on this technique, please check out Jenny from the Missouri Star Quilt Company's video tute at this link.

If any of you try Donna's tute out - let us know how it goes for you!

Thanks again, Donna - and thank you for reading!

Frayed-Edge Quilts

***Note from KZK:  I've moved this tutorial over from the "Bernina Boys Blog" that I used to write; it's written from the perspective of one of the shop owner's Labs***

I know it's been a while since we've posted, readers, and I do apologize. I've been able to give a lot of thought to what I want to post about, though, and think I've come up with a good idea. See.... Bristol and I want to post about what interests you. I mean... let's face it. If we posted about what interests us, it would be all about cookies, toys, and having our ears scratched. But Bristol's post of the Magic Nine-Patch tutorial got a lot of great comments, so I thought maybe I could do one, too. Using Bristol's technique of talking to our ghost writer, here's how it went for me.

ML (that's me ... Moseley): Ghost Writer? I want to do a cool tutorial like Bristol did! Something our readers can have fun sewing!

KZK: Great idea, Mose. What would you like to do an instructional post about?

ML: Hmm... well, we have some cool frayed-edge quilts in the Bernina Shoppe. Bristol and I even have our own.

A lot of customers comment on them and say they'd like to make quilts like that. Can we do that?!?!

KZK: That would be TONS of fun. These are easy, quick, and lend themselves to all kinds of cool embellishments!

ML: Oh, great. Let's get going!

KZK: Decide how big you'd like your quilt and what size you'd like your squares. For the sake of this tutorial, let's choose 7 inch squares.

ML: What about batting? Can you use batting?

KZK: If you want to, but you don't have to. If you do, cut your batting squares 1 inch smaller than your fab -- 6 inches for our example.

ML: What kind of fabric?

KZK: Anything goes! I've used everything from denim to cotton to flannel to old Army uniforms! Here's Zim, being silly and laying under their Army quilt. You can see I used uniforms on the back!

Cut all of your fabs (for front and back) into 7 inch squares. It’s easiest to get everything cut at once. Again, decide how large you’d like the quilt, then cut squares as needed.

ML: This is easy-peasy so far! What's next?

KZK: Place your top and back fabrics wrong sides together; if you're using batting, center it inside your squares. Do some stitching to hold this block together -- sew a diagonal line from one corner to the other, an “X”, or any other design.

You could do a cool swirl using your BSR...

...or some criss-crosses...

ML: You know, you could do cool embroidery or something in there - like my favorite block:

KZK: Exactly! In fact, if you go to our FlickR page, I uploaded some great shots of other frayed-edge quilts that are at the Bernina Shoppe!

Once you've sandwiched/quilted each block, lay them out in rows and decide how you'd like them arranged.

Working across the rows, take 2 neighboring squares and sew those 2 pieces together with backs together, using a 1/2" seam allowance (1/4" seam allowance is not quite enough for fraying the edges.) Here's a photo of that -- the ACU fabric (digital camo) is the front for this project!

ML: Uh... Ghost Writer? Do you have masking tape with a smiley face stuck to your throat plate?

KZK: Well... yes, but don't tell your mom. It's either that or drop pins down those two holes. I figure this is the lesser of two evils.

Continue sewing the rows together, then join the rows, matching up your seams. You can press those open, if you'd like, or just sort of smoosh them open as you go.

I like to put a pin in each intersection, then carefully remove it right before I sew.

ML: That's a lot of fab you're sewing through - especially if you're using denim. Any tips?

KZK: YES! I've found it extremely helpful to use my #8 foot. I can sew through really thick seams, without skipping stitches! Using a #90 sharp needle helps, too!

Once your whole top is together, stitch around the outside of the whole quilt, one half inch in from the edge. Sometimes, I'll go around twice, just "because".

Clip the exposed seam allowances (to include the outer perimeter) every half inch - making sure you don’t snip through the line of stitching!!!

It really helps to have spring-loaded scissors. Trust me.

Toss your project in the washer and then the dryer. The edges will fluff up nicely! The more you wash it, the better it will look!

Here's our project before washing:

...and after!

If you're doing a large project, check your lint trap frequently – even half-way through the first dry cycle. Depending on your fabrics, you'll have a LOT of lint build-up! Safety first!

ML: Was that example project a quilt? Can we see it?

KZK: It was actually a bag! But uses the same process. Here's the bag itself!

ML: Wow. You can use this technique for all kinds of stuff!

KZK: You sure can!

ML: Is that it, Ghost Writer? That was really easy!

KZK: That's it! It is easy - and fun!

ML: Best of all, you get a comfy quilt, too! Check out Bristol on ours:

KZK: He's totally adorable! Both of you boys are!

ML: Thanks, Ghost Writer! Did I do good on the tutorial?

KZK: Yeah ...

you did real good, Mose.

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I hope you enjoyed my tutorial. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section, email us at the address in our sidebar, or stop by the Bernina Shoppe! And remember there are more pictures on our FlickR site!

Until next time,

Moseley

PS: Just one more ....

It's MAGIC!

***Note from KZK:  I've moved this tutorial over from the a blog I used to 'ghost write' - the Bernina Boys Blog.  It's written from the perspective of one of the shop owner's Labs.***

Hi readers! Wow, thank you for all the comments you've left on our blog and for the emails! We really appreciate you stopping by, reading, and leaving a few words! How fun!

I know Moseley and I haven't posted for a while, but I've been working on something really, REALLY exciting and fun with our Ghost Writer. Remember a while ago Moseley showed you the Magic Nine Patch quilt? Yes, that's it! If you don't remember, click those hyperlinks as a reminder! It's the one called "Lazy Days-zies"! I really like that quilt and I wanted to know why our Ghost Writer calls it "magic"! I thought the best way to get to the bottom of it all was to interview her!

What follows is our interview: my initials for me (BL) and hers (KZK) for her. Are you with me? Let's get started!

BL: Thanks for agreeing to be interviewed by me, Ghost Writer!

KZK: Sure thing, little Labrapup!

BL: I wanted to ask you about the "Lazy Days-zies" quilt. I love that quilt! Why do you call the pattern "Magic 9-Patch"?

KZK: It has to do with how it's constructed. You start with a very simple 9-patch, then slice it, rearrange it and sew it back together! Quick and easy, but with cool results!

BL: Will you show me how?

KZK: My pleasure. We'll do this using the same cool fabs I got from your mom's store...

BL: That's the Bernina Shoppe!

KZK: Very good, Bristol!

BL: Thanks. Can I have a cookie?

KZK: Let's get through this first, OK?

BL: Sigh.

KZK: Anyway... in the sample I used for the shop, I used three contrasting fabs. The one I wanted to feature in the largest areas was the floral ... then the lavender fab ... then just a splash of the green batik! That being said ... here is how I started for one block!

For each block, cut 4 squares of your "featured fabric", four squares of your second fab, and one square of your accent fab. They can be any size - I chose 6 inches for mine. (***editor's note: This has been corrected from "8 inches". You CAN use any size square, but mine were actually 6 inches. Sorry for any confusion! kzk)

Arrange them like so ...

then sew them together!

BL: On a Bernina, right?

KZK: Preferably, yes. I personally use a 440 QE.

BL: Can I have a cookie?

KZK: Stay with me, Bristol.

BL: OK, what happens next?

KZK: You're going to cut your big block into quarters! So find and mark the centers either by measuring or by folding it in half. Then cut along those marked lines!

BL: I'm a little confused.

KZK: No problem. Here are a couple videos of your mom showing you how! Just click the box, then click the "play button".

And again, click to activate, then hit the "play" button!

BL: Cool beans! I get it now! That seems pretty easy so far! When does the magic start?!?

KZK: Right now! You have 4 pieces now. You want to take two opposite corners and turn those pieces 180 degrees -- so the featured flower fab is in the middle! OK?

BL: Umm... can I have a cookie?

KZK: Bristol!

BL: OK... how about a video of that? It's a little confusing, too!

KZK: Here you go - though I warn you, I got a bit confused myself trying to explain it! It's easier just to show you!

BL: That IS like magic! It's like an interlocking chain ... or maybe lavender pinwheels or something! COOL!

KZK: I think it's cool, too - fun, quick and easy, yet interesting!

BL: Is that all there is to it?

KZK: That's it - just sew that "new" block together and you've got it! Add more blocks and make it as big as you'd like it!

BL: Have you made other projects with this pattern?

KZK: Yes. You can do all kinds of great stuff with it! I got a totally different "feel" to it using some Christmas fabrics. I haven't quilted it yet, but here's a table-runner I'm working on:

BL: Ooooh, cool! Hey, is that a member of the Army of Four with it? I always pick up their scents on you!

KZK: Yes, that's Dave. He always helps me with my quilts.

BL: He looks fun!

KZK: He is fun. Before we get side-tracked, this is really versatile and can be done "scrappy", too. That's going to be my next project, I think! Click here to see one I found on the web! It's a totally different look done in scraps! That blogger gave a great tutorial, too, in case mine was a bit lacking.

BL: I think you made perfect sense!

KZK: Thanks, Bristol! You're a sweet puppy!

BL: Thank you! Can I have a cookie now? Or wait! I have another idea ....

KZK: OK, good puppy! Let's play!

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I hope you enjoyed my interview with our Ghost Writer. If you have any questions at ALL about the Magic 9-Patch, please leave us a comment, zip us an email or stop by and see me! We're always happy to help!

See you soon!

Bristol