Monday, August 3, 2009

Hera Marker Bias Stems!

The party is over and thanks you so much for all the Birthday Wishes for Ed! There's a pic to the side top of Ed and I - what a wonderful day - he's heading for 80 now - Old Man!

Look what arrived in the mail this morning - BOM Green Tea & Sugar Beans August! I so love the newspaper print fabric and applique will be a lovely change! So of course I started to have a little play and then I was wondering - do you know the easy way to make bias stems?

Fabric wrong side up, line up your ruler at a 45 degree angle and make your first cut to give you a true bias!

Using the wonderful Hera Marker, rule your first line (press firmly!) just under 1/4".

Mark a second line 1/4" away!

Line your ruler up slightly under a 1/4" away from second marked line and cut fabric!

Oopsy - skip to the pic below and I will tell you about it! Fold both sides inwards and press with a nice hot iron - you will notice the fabric really wants to curl in and help you, so it is easy!

Now, I've shown you the prepared three stems above - iron as shown below, sprayed with a little spray starch! Pop pins each end before you start!

Below we have out beautiful 1/4" stems ready to applique!

A quick little tute - the best way I have found to make bias stem of any width! I am led to believe this method is taught (or was?) at Elly Sienkiewicz's Academy - I was also informed the pronunciation of her name is 'senkevitch' - oh, all that trivia filling up my pea brain!
Oh, I have made my 'Origami Bag' and will show you next Post - off to do a bit more applique preparation so I can stitch my block at a GTG with Girlfiends! tomorrow!
Happy Day!

22 Lovely People said ...:

Anonymous said...

That's a terrific photo of you and Ed. Thanks for the tutorial and I am always envious when you have your weekly Girlfriends meeting. Hope you all have a wonderful time. Can't wait to see the Origami Bag.

Nat Palaskas said...

Lovely photo of you and Ed. What's sweet idea to feature Ed on your profile photo...Hugs Natima

Abby and Stephanie said...

Terrific tutorial! I love my hera for marking quilting lines.

Betsy said...

Lurline you and Ed are adorable. I make bias's with a clover bias maker. I like the way you make yours, nice tutorial to keep in mind if I need a different size stem.

Nedra said...

The Green tea quilt is going to be amazing. Thanks for the tutorial on bias stems.

Unknown said...

Love your next block...Enjoy.!
cheers

Shari said...

What a great way to make bias stems - Thanks!!

Kaaren said...

Thanks for sharing your quick and easy way of making bias stems.

What a super picture of you and your husband.

Dena said...

Great tutorial for what can be a frustrating technique. Thanks!

Cornbread and Beans Quilting said...

Awesome tutorial!
I am in love with that green fabric for your stems. You Aussie's always make me so jealous with your awesome fabrics!! =)
melissa

Vivian said...

Top notch tutorial. Thanks for sharing such a great method for making the stems. The hera marker is definitely a favorite tool of mine with many uses. I'll add this to my list.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic tutorial...always like to see just how other quilter's find ways to make their quilting journey easier.

em's scrapbag said...

Fun block. Great tutorial!

Mrs Quilty said...

Aren't you too just an adorable couple!!! Great tutorial which I will need in the future! Always good to have hints on how to make creating easier! Have fun with the girls!!

Joy said...

What a handy tutorial!! Thanks Lurline :o).
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Marlene said...

Have fun with the girls. Great tutorial. I love that newspaper fabric-thought is was newspaper as a photo back drop.

Gari in AL said...

I guess now I am going to have to get a hera marker. More toys for the studio. LOL

junesroses said...

I will always remember Ruth Stonely telling me the proper pronounciation of Elly's surname. I wasn't even close to getting it right. LOL. Thank you for the turtorial, it looks a lot easier than the way I do it.

Red Pepper Quilts - Rita Hodge said...

Great tutorial Lurline - applique is definitely on my list of things to conquer. I purchased a Hera Marker not long ago after you mentioned how great it marks quilting lines! It is a great tool. This is going to be a fabulous quilt!

Micki said...

Thanks for the tutorial! It was wonderful. The qult is going to be so lovely!
Micki

Darlene said...

What a fabulous tutorial, Lurline. One to be tried very soon.

Margaret said...

Thank you for the tutorial! I needed it! Now I just need a hera marker. :D