Heading North

Well Labor Day weekend is upon us. Many years ago, about 1989, the women in our family made a yearly tradition of driving north to Harrisville, MI for the annual Harmony Weekend, not sure if that's the correct name. They have a great arts & craft show on Saturday and Sunday and there is also a smaller one in Tawas City. So of course we hit them both, stopping along the way at any mall, craft store or restaurant we desired. At one time there was 10 of us that would go. In 2003 this tradition ended when my mother became extremely ill the day before we were supposed to leave. She passed away about 2 1/2 months later.

Last year my husband and I went up for the weekend. What a great trip and he liked it too. I found out that the crowds on Saturday are all gone by Sunday. Sunday was a much nicer day for getting a good look at everything. On Saturday you would shuffle down the aisles and try to sneak a peak at the booths. It was also difficult to get back into the aisles when trying to leave the booth.

WELL, this weekend we have 3 couples going. I'm sure we are going to have a great time. My brother loves going to large craft shows and is really looking forward to going. I hope he's not disappointed.

Only disappointment for me will be that the quilt shop will not be opened. Maybe that is a good thing though. So, no sewing for me this weekend. I'm on vacation!!!

Quilt shop trip

After a recent trip to Bird-In-Hand and Lancaster, PA, I found myself wanting to do some sewing. I had purchased a small key chain made from a tiny log cabin quilt square. My friend and I both bought one and talk of how easy this would be to make. One night after returning home I set out to make one and was it quick & easy!! This picture is of some I made.



I posted a picture of all I had made on Stashbusters, and had requests for the instructions. So here they are...
LOG CABIN SQUARE KEY CHAIN – I did not create this idea. I just made some after buying one.
Start with 1” strips of five colors, I originally cut all strip 6" long, and a piece of scrap about 3" x 6" for the back and loop. Center color is the only one I cut to size. It is 1” x 1”. I used approx. ¼” seam. (that’s about what the edge of my presser foot is)





Sew the center and first strip together, trim to the length of the center, press open






Using the same strip stitch it to the end of the previous piece, press open





Continue around sewing the strips on the block, trimming and pressing until square is completed

Backside and the loop for the key chain: From the 3" x 6" scrap cut the following – 1 piece 1” and two pieces about 2.5”. I just cut the small piece off and then cut the remaining piece in half.



Take the smaller piece and fold the long edges to the center, press, then fold together in the center. Press. I do not stitch this. Cut to about 1” in length. This will be the loop for the key chain/ring to be attached

On the larger pieces fold over about ¼” on one side of each piece and stitch. Note: I just noticed that the one I purchased was not stitched, just folded over and pressed.




Lay the large pieces face up, one on top of the other, overlapping the stitched edges as needed to make the piece the size of the square. Note: this will create the opening for turning the square inside right.
Note: I changed the color of the loop to show the placement. Fold the loop piece in half. Lay it at the corner of the last strip. I center the folded edge right at the corner, then stitch the length of the loop to hold it in place. The stitching will be removed later. I stitch it to keep it from shifting.


Lay the log cabin square right side down on the back piece. Stitch completely around the square. Trim seam and corners.

Turn piece inside right pushing out the corners and removing the stitching on the loop. Many times my loop has been too long or just does not look right. If this happens take out a few of the corner stitches and slide the loop in or out as needed or straighten it out.







Finished piece measures about 2”