Color Me Retro Projects

Color Me Retro by Jeni Baker, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Happy Weekend! Hope you've had an enjoyable week! Are you ready for the good stuff, finally?! I've been teasing you (apologies!), all month with peeks at the projects I made for Quilt Market.  Let's take a look at them at last! Also, get ready for a million photos, some of which were taken in less than desirable light, blurg! Winter is slowly creeping in so I took what I could get! I'm going to try to be throughout without rambling on and on, too many projects for rambling!

Let me preface this by mentioning again that these projects were made in the last month with approx. two fat quarter sized strike-offs of each of the 10 prints from my first line with Art Gallery Fabrics, Color Me Retro!

Framed Color Me Retro Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

First up, my favorite project.  I knew I wanted a simple, bold quilt to quickly showcase all of the prints.  Keeping in mind I didn't have much fabric, I decided to use squares on point.  The tenth print is used as a scrap in the binding.  I used my favorite Pure Element solid, Lemonade (paired with Snow).  It was quilted by the oh-so-lovely Lindsay of Eileen Quilts! She really pulled through for me, doing beautiful work on a very tight deadline! It's approx. 56"x78".

Check Color Me Retro Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

For the second throw quilt I wanted to show how well the prints played with Art Gallery's blenders: Pure, Oval, Nature, and Floral Elements.  This one was also quilted by Lindsay, with an awesome feathery pattern! It's approx. 56"x78".  White solid is Snow Pure Element.

Baby Color Me Retro Braid Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Two quilts didn't seem like enough, so a baby quilt was definitely in order.  I love how quickly and easily my Side Braid Quilt Pattern stitches up, but I didn't have enough fabric for a proper size.  So, I took the piece sizes from the Mini Braid and the layout of the Big Braid to create a baby size! It's 30"x39".  I quilted this one myself, using different patterns in the solid and print sections to emphasize the pattern. Used Snow and Parisian Blue Pure Element solids.

Color Me Retro Vinette Table Runner, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

I thought it would be fun to do a table runner version of the free quilt pattern that will accompany my line.  (It's not available yet, I'll let you know when it is.) It only took a single square from each print, so it was easy to squeeze this one in! I used Lemonade, Snow, and Fresh Water Pure Element solids as well.  It's quilted with wavy lines done using a walking foot.

Ornate Color Me Retro Mini Quilt, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

How could I resist stitching up my friend Christina's newest pattern, the Ornate Mini Quilt, using my fabrics? She shared it with us at Sewing Summit, but you can buy it here.  It was the last project I finished and I'm so happy with how it turned out. 

Color Me Retro Kitchen Set, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

When I was planning my projects I focused on creating "sets" of items that went together.  One that came about very early was a kitchen set.  I made a simple half-apron and a quilted oven mitt! For the oven mitt, I used this pattern.  For the apron, I sort of winged it based on the fabric cuts I had. Used Parisian Blue Pure Element solid.

Color Me Retro Dulcette Napkins, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

The Dulcette print is going to really shine as binding so I knew I had to make something simple to showcase that.  My friend Deedrie's napkins sparked this idea! I made small 7" cocktail napkins since fabric was limited.  I bound them up like a quilt, using two layers of Snow Pure Element soild for the napkin body.

Color Me Retro Open Wide Zipper Pouch, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Once the major projects were done, I got to start playing with the scraps.  I love making my friend Anna's Open-Wide  Zipper Pouches, so I knew I had to make one with my fabrics.  I made the large patchwork size, which has been great for storing handwork projects! I used Cherry Lipgloss and Burnt Orange Pure Element solids.

Color Me Retro Embroidery, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

This was one of those last minute (and unfinished) projects! I wanted to have something to display along with the zipper pouch.  I pulled up my Kitchenette print in Illustrator and played around with it to create this fun embroidery pattern.  It's not quite stitched up yet, but the next project will show you why!

Color Me Retro Zakka Sewing Kit, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

A simple sewing kit! These are seriously addicting.  The pattern was designed by Theresia Cookson and it can be found in the lovely book Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale. Used Fresh Water Pure Element solid.

Color Me Retro Frame Purses, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Another quick, cute project that didn't take much fabric, frame purses! I tweaked my template and method again from the last ones, this time finishing the edges before gluing them in.  I am really happy with how them both turned out.  I'd love to get some small frames to make tiny ones! I bought my frames from here.

Color Me Retro Patchwork Nesting Bowl, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Another last minute project made from scraps.  I pulled out my friend Nova's Nesting Fabric Bowls pattern and made the largest bowl using the instructions for adding the patchwork panel.  I would have loved to make a few more of these, they're super fun! Used Dark Citron Pure Element solid.

Color Me Retro Pillows, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Can't forget to have a few pillows made! The front pillow was inspired by one of Orla Kiely's designs for her Target collection a few years ago. I have a wall hanging made from a tea towel that hangs in my sewing room, so I see it everyday. The pillow features the four Kitchenette prints and uses Cherry Lipgloss and Snow Pure Element solids.

The large pillow was designed around the scraps that resulted from cutting squares on point for the Framed quilt.  I couldn't let them go to waste, so I made sort of a reversed version. Used Lemonade and Snow Pure Element solids.  I free motion quilted both pillows.  

Color Me Retro Tote Bag, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

 A simple tote bag to showcase the Florette print! It's not very big since I was constrained by the amount of fabric. I stretched it by using a solid for the back! It uses scraps of Dulcette for the handles and Cherry Lipgloss Pure Element solid.

PS - The color in this photo is super off, just FYI!

Color Me Retro Drawstring Bags, a photo by Jeni Baker on Flickr.

Finally! The last two projects! I couldn't go to market without some lined drawstring bags! I made one in the tutorial size (green), and another in the Project size (blue) which can be found in the pattern. Used Lemonade, Light Citron, Dark Citron, and Fresh Water Pure Element solids.

PHEW! That was a lot of information/photos for one post! If you're still here, thanks for sticking with me! I hope you enjoyed seeing all these projects! You can see even more photos of them here. :)