I have been trying to blog all week, but it keeps getting pushed down the to-do list. With Sewing Summit (just a few days left to register, hurry!!) right around the corner, among other deadlines, things have been a little crazier than usual! I got a lot of sewing things done this week, although not so much laundry or cooking, whoops! Since I'm exhausted (and our internet is out and I'm in a McDonald's down the street), I'm going to make this short and sweet. More details on these projects in the next few weeks! :)
18" square. Used this Circle of Geese tutorial (scaled up the pattern a bit!). Kona solids. Backed in Ikea print, bound in Remix by Ann Kelle. Not as hard as I thought it would be!
12.5" square. Modified Nine-Patch. Terrian, DS Quilts, Aviary and Henna Garden. Quilted with King Tut thread. Batting + Insul-brite.
Wanted to spruce up my go-to notebook! I used blue and green fabrics and this tutorial! :)
7" zippy pouch! I had this idea floating around in my head but I wasn't sure if it was going to play out right. Thankfully, it did! :)
12" square. Scrappy Log Cabin. Various pink, blue, yellow prints + Kona Stone. Backed in Farmdale, lined with Midwest Modern. Interfaced with fusible fleece.
I needed a little sewing-for-fun project to help stave off some anxiety, so I made this scarf! I picked up this Loulouthi (by Anna Maria Horner) voile on a whim and decided it would make a great scarf. I backed it with some black/charcoal herringbone flannel from my local quilt shop. I added some pom-pom trim to finish it off! It's SUPER long, 9" wide by 118" long! It's perfect though, long enough to go around my neck twice while doubled! Was definitely inspired by Karyn's Nani Iron scarf!
George bun!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fall air
Sound of: Penelope DVD
Taste of: Vanilla milkshake
Sight of: Michael
Feel of: Warm quilts
Good Things about Today:
- Got some sewing done.
- Found half-decent pretzel rolls at the grocery store!
- Talked to my Dad on the phone.
- Finally watched Penelope (hello James McAvoy!)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
This Weekend
Phew, it was a busy weekend! Full of sewing, planning, and visiting with a few new friends! I was able to meet up with Deedrie, Megan and Vanessa for a little pre-Sewing Summit get together! :) It was a great time!
I finished up this mini quilt today! Only one left to go! This one features a traditional dresden plate in red-orange, yellow-orange and blue. It's 12.5" square and I quilted it with my walking foot. The background is Kona Stone, backing is Kona School Bus and binding is Tents by Brandon Mably.
The second mini quilt finished this weekend is this fun stripey logcabin made in teal, turquoise, gold, and gray prints. I was inspired by these awesome blocks. This one is 13.5" square, backed in Kona Coal and bound in Heath by Alexander Henry.
I am still working on various Travel Handmade projects as Sewing Summit draws closer! So, I made a sleeve for my new toy! Michael (sweetest boyfriend ever!), gave me his iPad2 that he just wasn't using. He bought it to replace his paper planner and it wasn't as convenient as he thought it would be. So, now it is mine :) Of course it needed a case right away! I have been hoarding this purple FFA II print and it was perfect for this sleeve. It's lined with a print from Sugar Pop by Liz Scott! Made using this tutorial by the lovely Amber!
Little Apples by Aneela Hoey has arrived ! I knew I wanted this line, first of all because it's cute, but also so I can make a quilt to be the companion to my Sherbet Pips quilt! :) I bought my stack from Julie at The Intrepid Thread!
I'm starting to get a bit nervous for Sewing Summit and so am planning out every detail! An important one, is what to wear during my class! This is what I have so far! My Enchanted Bow Skirt made from 1001 peeps, a Harry Potter t-shirt from Threadless, required brown cardigan, and new flats from Target! What do you think? :)
It's never too early to make pumpkin pie, right?
George :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Pumpkin candle
Sound of: Harry Potter 2 audiobook
Taste of: Pumpkin Pie
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: George's fur :)
Good Things about Today:
- Finished up a few things!
- George has been good today!
- Feeling somewhat restful.
- Michael is home for dinner!
I finished up this mini quilt today! Only one left to go! This one features a traditional dresden plate in red-orange, yellow-orange and blue. It's 12.5" square and I quilted it with my walking foot. The background is Kona Stone, backing is Kona School Bus and binding is Tents by Brandon Mably.
The second mini quilt finished this weekend is this fun stripey logcabin made in teal, turquoise, gold, and gray prints. I was inspired by these awesome blocks. This one is 13.5" square, backed in Kona Coal and bound in Heath by Alexander Henry.
I am still working on various Travel Handmade projects as Sewing Summit draws closer! So, I made a sleeve for my new toy! Michael (sweetest boyfriend ever!), gave me his iPad2 that he just wasn't using. He bought it to replace his paper planner and it wasn't as convenient as he thought it would be. So, now it is mine :) Of course it needed a case right away! I have been hoarding this purple FFA II print and it was perfect for this sleeve. It's lined with a print from Sugar Pop by Liz Scott! Made using this tutorial by the lovely Amber!
Little Apples by Aneela Hoey has arrived ! I knew I wanted this line, first of all because it's cute, but also so I can make a quilt to be the companion to my Sherbet Pips quilt! :) I bought my stack from Julie at The Intrepid Thread!
I'm starting to get a bit nervous for Sewing Summit and so am planning out every detail! An important one, is what to wear during my class! This is what I have so far! My Enchanted Bow Skirt made from 1001 peeps, a Harry Potter t-shirt from Threadless, required brown cardigan, and new flats from Target! What do you think? :)
It's never too early to make pumpkin pie, right?
George :)
Today I love the..
Smell of: Pumpkin candle
Sound of: Harry Potter 2 audiobook
Taste of: Pumpkin Pie
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: George's fur :)
Good Things about Today:
- Finished up a few things!
- George has been good today!
- Feeling somewhat restful.
- Michael is home for dinner!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Weekend Shop Sale!
Decided it was time for another sale in the shop this weekend! Everything is on sale! Here is a taste of what's in stock:
Happy Weekend!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Catch-up
It feels like it's been a while since the last regular post! My parents visited for the weekend and I'm having trouble getting back into my routine! :)
I've been working on a few small projects the last few days, this being the first. It's a ribbon star. 12.5" square, made from Meadowsweet and Kona cotton. Machine quilted and bound.
The second is this little mini, Air Mail. A traditional postage stamp. 14.5" square, made from various neutrals and Kona white. Machine quilted and bound! I'll be able to share a little more about these projects in the next few weeks!
The mailman delivered these lovely prints today, just in time for Fall.
First pumpkin of the season! :)
The move is finally complete. I tried cheese curds this weekend! They were so yummy! Like fluffy cheese!
George!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Marshmallow Fireside candle
Sound of: Pushing Daises
Taste of: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: Comfy clothes
Good Things about Today:
- Happy mail!
- Pretty productive day
- Cool fall chill in the air!
- Skype with Amanda!
- Two weeks until Sewing Summit!
I've been working on a few small projects the last few days, this being the first. It's a ribbon star. 12.5" square, made from Meadowsweet and Kona cotton. Machine quilted and bound.
The second is this little mini, Air Mail. A traditional postage stamp. 14.5" square, made from various neutrals and Kona white. Machine quilted and bound! I'll be able to share a little more about these projects in the next few weeks!
The mailman delivered these lovely prints today, just in time for Fall.
First pumpkin of the season! :)
The move is finally complete. I tried cheese curds this weekend! They were so yummy! Like fluffy cheese!
George!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Marshmallow Fireside candle
Sound of: Pushing Daises
Taste of: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Sight of: Fabric
Feel of: Comfy clothes
Good Things about Today:
- Happy mail!
- Pretty productive day
- Cool fall chill in the air!
- Skype with Amanda!
- Two weeks until Sewing Summit!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Coffee Cozy Tutorial
Today I'm sharing a patchwork Coffee Cozy Tutorial, with a free printable template! Perfect to give along with a gift card or, a matching Scrappy Mug Rug!
This was originally published as a guest tutorial on Skip to My Lou.
Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Materials:
- Fabric scraps from up to 12 different fabrics
- 4.5″x12″ piece of backing fabric
- 4.5″x12″ piece of fusible fleece
- 1 coordinating elastic hair tie or 4" of skinny elastic
- Small button
- Coordinating thread
Seam Allowance: 1/4″ unless noted
1. Download the pattern and print a copy of the template, making sure there is no scaling. You can check by measuring the 1″ square. Cut along the dashed line. (If you plan to make more than one, print two, and cut the second along the solid line!)
2. Select your fabrics or scraps and cut twelve 1.5″x4.5″ pieces.
3. Sew all 12 strips together along the 4.5″ sides. Press seams however you’d like!
4. Using the template, lay it on top of your patchwork, right sides up. Trace using a water soluble pen (just in case!). Cut out and set aside.
5. Take your lining fabric and place the template on the wrong side of the fabric. Trace and cut out.
6. Using a small length of thread, fold your hair elastic and tie a small knot about a 1/3 of the way over, so that you have two uneven loops. This will help hold it in place when you sew together your cozy!
7. Take your template and cut off the seam allowance by cutting along the solid line. Use this template to cut out your fusible fleece. Fuse to the wrong side of your patchwork piece.
8. Center your hair elastic along one edge of your patchwork piece, with the large loop on the patchwork. Secure with a few stitches with a 1/8″ seam allowance.
9. Place your front and back pieces right sides together and pin around the edges.
10. Sew around all four edges, back stitching at the start and finish, making sure to leave a 1.5″-2″ opening along the bottom edge for turning. Carefully trim the corners and the excess hair elastic.
11. Turn your work inside out, using a turning tool or dull pencil to poke out the corners, press. Top stitch very close to the edge, making sure to close up the opening.
12. On the side opposite the hair tie, center your button 1.5″ from the short edge. Mark with a pen. Start sewing your button from the front side, so that you end up with your knot finishing under the button. This leaves your backing nice and neat!
Voila! You’re finished! You could easily make these with more or less patchwork, or without patchwork!
Enjoy!
This was originally published as a guest tutorial on Skip to My Lou.
Sewing Level: Beginner Friendly
Materials:
- Fabric scraps from up to 12 different fabrics
- 4.5″x12″ piece of backing fabric
- 4.5″x12″ piece of fusible fleece
- 1 coordinating elastic hair tie or 4" of skinny elastic
- Small button
- Coordinating thread
Seam Allowance: 1/4″ unless noted
1. Download the pattern and print a copy of the template, making sure there is no scaling. You can check by measuring the 1″ square. Cut along the dashed line. (If you plan to make more than one, print two, and cut the second along the solid line!)
2. Select your fabrics or scraps and cut twelve 1.5″x4.5″ pieces.
3. Sew all 12 strips together along the 4.5″ sides. Press seams however you’d like!
4. Using the template, lay it on top of your patchwork, right sides up. Trace using a water soluble pen (just in case!). Cut out and set aside.
5. Take your lining fabric and place the template on the wrong side of the fabric. Trace and cut out.
6. Using a small length of thread, fold your hair elastic and tie a small knot about a 1/3 of the way over, so that you have two uneven loops. This will help hold it in place when you sew together your cozy!
7. Take your template and cut off the seam allowance by cutting along the solid line. Use this template to cut out your fusible fleece. Fuse to the wrong side of your patchwork piece.
8. Center your hair elastic along one edge of your patchwork piece, with the large loop on the patchwork. Secure with a few stitches with a 1/8″ seam allowance.
9. Place your front and back pieces right sides together and pin around the edges.
10. Sew around all four edges, back stitching at the start and finish, making sure to leave a 1.5″-2″ opening along the bottom edge for turning. Carefully trim the corners and the excess hair elastic.
11. Turn your work inside out, using a turning tool or dull pencil to poke out the corners, press. Top stitch very close to the edge, making sure to close up the opening.
12. On the side opposite the hair tie, center your button 1.5″ from the short edge. Mark with a pen. Start sewing your button from the front side, so that you end up with your knot finishing under the button. This leaves your backing nice and neat!
Voila! You’re finished! You could easily make these with more or less patchwork, or without patchwork!
Enjoy!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Favorites
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
This Week
Took a little break from bag making, but now I'm back at it for the homestretch to Sewing Summit! I made this luggage tag to go with my Duffel Bag. The tag pattern came along with the duffel bag pattern, Simplicity #2274. Despite not having any double-fuse peltex (thank you glue stick!), and having to sew with vinyl and set an eyelet, it was a pretty quick project! :)
I used this wildflower print from Far Far Away III by Heather Ross. This is the lighter-weight cotton/linen and it is just lovely! I ordered it from Beebolt! It was my first order from them, and the service was great! Got here quickly, wrapped nicely and not only was everything cut super straight, all the half-yards were closer to 19" than 18"! Woo hoo!
Made up this quick pencil pouch this week for Michael. I used Heath by Alexander Henry and this crossword print by Michael Miller. I had to try really hard to resist embroidering something on it, I was afraid he wouldn't use it if I did! Hehe!
I was lucky enough to be able to meet Jenna this past weekend! She stopped by to visit for a few hours of crafty chat. What a sweetheart! She brought along some tomatoes that she'd grown and we've been using them to make these yummy crostini, so good!
Also thanks to Jenna, I finished my Pink Daisy Pyrex collection! We did a little pyrex and vintage sheet swap! I finally got my hands on that pink daisy open baker! :)
Did a little bit of thrifting this week, happened upon this cutting block, some linens, and some pyrex!
It's been a little too long since the last George photo, so I figured we needed two!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air
Sound of: Keane
Taste of: Toast + basil + mozzarella + tomato
Sight of: George's sweet face!
Feel of: Comfy clothes
Good Things about Today:
- Productive day!
- Clean kitchen
- Happy mail!
- George has been extra cute today :)
I used this wildflower print from Far Far Away III by Heather Ross. This is the lighter-weight cotton/linen and it is just lovely! I ordered it from Beebolt! It was my first order from them, and the service was great! Got here quickly, wrapped nicely and not only was everything cut super straight, all the half-yards were closer to 19" than 18"! Woo hoo!
Made up this quick pencil pouch this week for Michael. I used Heath by Alexander Henry and this crossword print by Michael Miller. I had to try really hard to resist embroidering something on it, I was afraid he wouldn't use it if I did! Hehe!
I was lucky enough to be able to meet Jenna this past weekend! She stopped by to visit for a few hours of crafty chat. What a sweetheart! She brought along some tomatoes that she'd grown and we've been using them to make these yummy crostini, so good!
Also thanks to Jenna, I finished my Pink Daisy Pyrex collection! We did a little pyrex and vintage sheet swap! I finally got my hands on that pink daisy open baker! :)
Did a little bit of thrifting this week, happened upon this cutting block, some linens, and some pyrex!
It's been a little too long since the last George photo, so I figured we needed two!
Today I love the..
Smell of: Fresh air
Sound of: Keane
Taste of: Toast + basil + mozzarella + tomato
Sight of: George's sweet face!
Feel of: Comfy clothes
Good Things about Today:
- Productive day!
- Clean kitchen
- Happy mail!
- George has been extra cute today :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Project Monochrome: RED!
Project Monochrome is a challenge to work with a wide range of colors, focusing on one at a time. I'll be constructing a series of sewing and quilting projects to explore each color. Feel free to join me! More information here.
I have always liked traditional friendship braid quilts, and after seeing Amanda's take on the pattern, I knew I needed to try it out! I decided to use it for the red project, because I am going to try to make some connections between the different projects. This quilt has direction, just like the geese, and the orange project will use "strings" like this one! :)
I used skinny little strings for this, 1.5"x4.5". The quilt ended up at about 10"x16" finished.
I don't have a lot of reds in my stash, this is about all the red I own! About half of this stack is vintage cottons. I seem to have good luck finding vintage red! Most of the fabrics I used are red + white, but a few are red and cream. I think they mix in pretty well!
Making the braids require that you trim off a decent amount on all four sides. I couldn't throw out those little bits, so I sewed together a few of the smaller ones and made these little blocks for the backing. I framed them in more white like the front and finished it off with this vintage red and white dot.
I attempted to quilt it a la Malka Dubrawsky, but I'm not sure how successful it is. Her quilting feels so doodle-like, organic, and natural, but mine just felt messy! I went with it anyways, but I think I need a little more practice! I bound it in one of my favorite vintage reds, this giant polka dot! They just don't make a lot of giant dots like this nowadays!
Despite the quilting weirdness, I am really happy with the finished project. I love red and white together, they're just made for each other! Red is so bold, it stands so well on it's own! I think I need to incorporate more red into my projects! :)
Project Orange is planned out, but there are quite a few other things coming up in the next few weeks, so I'm not sure when I'll have a chance to work on it! What colors are you thinking about exploring?