Fabric Hunting in Minneapolis

Photo Credit: United Notions
I am at the International Quilt Market hunting for new and exciting laminated cottons and I hope to have a ton of pictures for you later on!  Stay tuned!!!

Non-Stick Presser Foot

While doing some research, code for dreaming and drooling while visiting the Bernina website, I found a little video on working with non-stick feet.  I'm sure you can find non-stitch pressure feet for every sewing machine brands, I just happen to be Bernina girl! While I haven't used these yet, I hear they are great when sewing on oilcloth.  For other tips concerning pressure feet check out Tip #2 and Tip #6!

THE BIG NEWS!

I have been keeping a big secret, actually I have been keeping THREE big secrets.

I'll give up the biggest news first. After months of dropping tempting and taunting tidbits I can finally spill the beans... I have a book deal! Modern June and Oilcloth Addict have been given the opportunity to write a book on sewing with Oilcloth. Together with my excellent publisher, Wiley, we will create a book filled with loads of fresh projects using Oilcloth, Chalk Cloth and laminated cotton. I can't tell you how excited I am to fulfill this dream project.

In conjunction with my book, I get to attend the International Quilt Market--after all, a girls gotta do her research! I'll be on the look out for new laminated cottons to use in the book and for the shops. But, that's only half the fun. I also get to meet my publishers for lunch and attend a book release party for three new books that Wiley has released this month. I hope to walk away with a signed copy of Sandi Hendersons new book, Sewing Bits and Pieces: 35 Projects using Fabric Scraps; Anna Marie Horner's latest book, Handmade Beginning: 25 Sewing Projects to Welcome Baby; and Melissa Averino's upcoming book Small Stash Sewing: 24 Projects Using Designer Fat Quarters. I can't believe my good fortune!

But wait, there's more!!! I recently found out that I will be participating in the Country Living Fair in Columbus Ohio, September 24-26, 2010. How cool is that? I will have my first opportunity to combine my two shops under one 10x10 tent where I will sell Modern June goodies and pre-cut oilcloth yardage.

This is all so amazing--2010 is turning out to be a banner year.

Papel Picado's Tutorial for Cinco de Mayo

I have always been drawn to the Mexican Culture, maybe it was those trips to Tijuana as a 
child and teen. The market's were exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I will never 
forget the face of the little boy singing for money or the Mamma slinging her babies. What an impact those images have had on me. It's very cool that I started Modern June out by 
selling oilcloth totes in a local farmers market.

So, in celebration on Cinco de Mayo, I have a very simple project for you! We're going to make Papel Picado's out of oilcloth. This is a fun and easy project that you and the kids can do together. Even the self-proclaimed "I'm not crafty" peeps can get in on this action.

First a little history... 

Colors schemes selected for papel picado are frequently linked with specific festivities. Sky blue or pink and white are commonly chosen for celebrations in honor of the Virgin Mary, yellow and white for patron saints. Vibrant pink, orange and purple are the key tones employed for ofrendas (offerings) associated with the Day of the Dead. Shades of purple are also widely used at Easter. The colors of the Mexican flag--red, white and green--are set aside for venerating the nation's patroness, La Virgen de Guadalupe, as well as for commemorating Independence Day, September 16. Rainbow hues are appropriate for Christmas and non-religious festivities.

Let's get started...

What you need:

• lace oilcloth
• cutting board
• rotary cutting blade or pinking shears
• hole punch and/or leather punch 
• exacto knife 
• foil (used to sharpen the hole punch)
• Gnome (optional) 

1) Cut your flag to 12" by 17" with a scalloped rotary cutter blade or use pinking shears for a fun edge.

2) Start by working on one half of the flag and then use one of the following cutting methods to start your design. Find an interesting  place in the lace print to start cutting, I focused on the cutting out the white and leaving the red design.

use a blade 

use a hole punch

use a pair of snips

3) Once you have a good start on the first side you want to fold it in half so you can match up your cut outs. You want to end up with a mirror image.

4) Now start to cut out the other half. This is a bit tricky, the print is not always a exact mirror image so you'll want to cut from the printed side of the oilcloth so you get into the white spaces. It's a bit back and forth at this time, fold find the cut out and then flip it open to find the print and then cut. Repeat until you are happy with your papel picado.

How fun is this?  It's very easy,  I do hope you will try this out. If you do please send me a link to your project so I can share it in our Show and Tell segments.

Whatever the occasion, papel picado invariably transmits the mirthful message: ¡Viva la Fiesta! ¡Viva Mexico!