just stitchin'

Here's what my sewing machine and I have been up to lately.
I do have other sewing projects to start (a robe for my daughter and pillowcases for my stepdad), so I'm going to hold off taking these latest quilts to the quilter until the other items are finished.  It's a self-imposed reward system that I have!

This quilt is going to be for my grandson, Evan.  He has an adorable nautical themed bedroom and the colors of these fabrics will perfectly match what is already in his room.  The pattern is from the Fons & Porter magazine Easy Quilts and is called Square Knots.

This  next quilt top is one that came from scrapping another quilt that I had started. I had only gotten as far as the 16 patches when I realized I was not going to be happy with it.  I cut the blocks on the diagonal and set them with a neutral background to make gigantic pinwheels.
No regrets.

I'm off to Utah this week to attend my daughter Natalie's college graduation.  Then my daughter and grandson are coming to visit for ten days.  LOTS of fun in my future!!!

let's repeat that!

Because they're just so much fun to make....

.... today I made another coupon wallet.

This one was made with some leftover 14 inch long strips from an Amy Butler fabric roll. I sewed two precut 2.5" wide strips and trimmed each down to 1.25".  Then I sewed another strip and cut it down to 1.25, adding more strips and trimming until I had eight strips sewn.  Then I cut down the entire rectangle to 8.5"x12".

Now wouldn't you make one if you had an extra button lying around???

P.S. Original post with tutorial link and more info here.

it's about time!

Months ago, my eldest daughter asked if I'd make her a coupon wallet.
"Sure," I replied.

And then I didn't make it.
She never again mentioned it, but I knew that she knew that I owed her.

So finally ... FINALLY... I got to the business of sewing one.  And it whipped up in a jiffy.  And I have no idea why I procrastinated so long!

The tutorial is found at Art Gallery Fabrics and is by Fat Quarter Gang.  They call their pattern Fabric Envelopes.

I didn't much care for their squared-off front flap (plus I worried it wouldn't stay closed), so I made mine with a curve and a notch to accomodate a button closure (that way the button wouldn't be low on the front).

For placement with the loop, just measure it a little below the center of the button.  Do you see how I double stitched the elastic cord at the flap edge?  That will hopefully keep it from coming loose.

I used heavy thread when stitching the sides, and my bobbin didn't like it so well.  But because it's the back, I'm not going to worry about it.

Much better than the plastic ziplock bag her mother uses, no?
A quick project if you need a gift in a jiffy (I'd certainly like one!).

Time to get to saving :)

the little bag

Today during lunchtime, I stitched up a little something for myself.

I found the tutorial at Pink Penguin, and it's called Reversible Patchwork Bag.

Fortunately, I had a leftover finished block from a quilt that I had made as well as some 2.5" squares - just what the pattern called for.  A pinch of this, and a scrap of that and voila!

It's only 8 inches square and so stinkin' cute.

I love a project that is spontaneous and speedy.
What a fun Make it Monday ... and probably Tuesday, too!

p.s.  I'm thinking it will be a nice hiding place for my mommy chocolates .... you know what I'm talking about!

little house, big smile

While we were growing up, my only sister loved the pioneer stories from Little House on the Prairie.
She read the books.
She watched the TV show.
She rode horses.

I didn't get it.

I was the mall shopping, wardrobe building, perfume loving, INDOOR sister.

When it came time to make my sister a quilt (because every sister needs one!), I decided to shelf my lack of connection to this era and make one in her favored Laura Ingalls style.

And now that it's finished ... true confessions ... I'd kind of like one myself.

This quilt makes me think of homemade apple pie, chickens in the yard, and stories by firelight.
All good things.

Maybe those pioneers had more to love about them than I gave credit for.
Thanks, sis.

their loss is my gain

I know that when I start running for the sugar, especially something with chocolate attached to it, that I'm needing to do something that I either don't want to do or that makes me nervous to do.

And the fact that I just ate a graham cracker with peanut butter and chocolate chips on top (slim pickens), lets me know that I'm anxious about this post.  I just don't know if you're going to love or hate my most recent finished project.

Here's my story...

Long ago when I first started quilting, I made quite a few "starter" quilts.  As I was trying out new techniques, I'd shop sale fabrics so that if the project didn't turn out so well, it wouldn't be at any great financial loss.

When I was ready to begin this quilt, I went to fabricworm.com and perused what they had on sale for half off.  I found some fabrics in a line by Tina Givens called Lilliput Fields.  The prints were different than anything I'd seen before.
Really almost ugly. 

Then I wondered if I could take a borderline ugly fabric and put it together in such a way that it would become .... well, cool.

But when I got done all I could see was ORANGE!
Is orange is ok? (Please say it's ok) 

One thing I know was right was choosing the large clamshell pattern for the quilting.

And here's the funky backing fabric.  Again, chosen because it was cheap inexpensive.

All in all, when everything combined it just might have worked.

It did look like it belonged on the poolside lounge chair when I tested it at the resort where we're staying.  And size wise, it will make a great quilt for the beach (67"x 67"). So another good consequence of not investing a lot of money in the fabric is that the quilt becomes quite stress free!

I think I'm attached... and at 50% off, no less ;)

to pin or not to pin

For some reason (maybe because I've been crazy busy?), I forgot to write a post about this little - or rather big (5.5"sq) - pincushion I made a couple of weeks ago in my quilting class.

(If you compare the differences in the background color, you can tell how quickly the lighting can change here in Southern California. The sun loves to play hide and seek with the morning marine layer.)

Making the teeny tiny center patch was a challenge, but the rest of it came together quickly.
Normally with sewing and quilting, I don't use these types of fabric; but I do like the way this project turned out.

Kinda makes me not want to poke it.

cash and carry

Saturday before last my sweet husband took me to a local sewing machine store, Sewing Machines Plus, in San Marcos.
And he brought along some $$.

I had been wanting a new class sewing machine for quite a while.  What that means is that I was looking for a machine that didn't weigh a thousand pounds, would have enough features for any project I wanted to work on during class time, and wouldn't be so expensive that I'd be constantly worried for its welfare when it left the safety of my sewing room.

Introducing Janome 3160 QDC.

Isn't she perfect? (Umm... Do I sound like a mother?).

Anyway.... I have already sewn on the binding for three quilts with her, and she stitches like an obedient child.  (OK, now I know I sound like a mom!)
I have owned a low end Janome for about ten years - mechanical and HEAVY - and because she's in earshot I'll add that she's been such a faithful machine!

But this one is light weight yet not jumpy when you sew, is computerized so I can make more precise adjustments, has PLENTY of stitch options (including my favored blanket stitch), has none of those funky/childish colors that are on so many machines (why?), and even comes with an extension table.  Soooo much better than my old machine, and I can still use all the Janome feet I've purchased over the years.

Class is on Tuesday and I can't wait to introduce her.

Happy me! (And now I sound like a child *wink*)