I have some completions! Woo hoo!

In the fall I shared a long list of "in process projects".  I joined the "2015 Fall UFO" group via a Ravelry Group called Quilters Knitting. I had to list at least 5 "in process" projects and make an effort to get "something" done, or (at the very least) to encourage others with their efforts. I visit the group threads everyday. Seeing every one's success (plus targeting a few of my own projects) resulted in a few completion's of my own!

fussy cutting and improv QAYG blocks in process

My first finish was a Quilt As You Go Table Runner that I think I had started earlier last year. It was primarily a stashbuster project. I used a panel that I had on hand and fussy cut the autumn themed leaves, sunflowers, nuts and pumpkins and went at it from an improv point of view from there. I highly enjoyed the process, but came to a complete halt when I hit the sashing bit (and into the UFO pile it went). I finally decided to pull it out, return to the tutorial and soldier on. I am embarrassed to admit how easy it was and how intimidated I had been. The technique is from The Quilting Edge. 

sashing added - QAYG in process

Finally finished!

With a heady feeling of success,  I pulled out my second "time sensitive" project. This was a Happy Holiday Runner that had been languishing from last Christmas.

I spent entirely too much time trying to create a great backing fabric using up my leftovers. In the end I was pleased and I guess the upside is I now have a reversible table runner!

I tried my hand at some free motion quilting (FMQ) with varying levels of success  - bearing in mind that no one who looks at my quilting efforts (in this house) has a clue!

Other than that I finished (finally) my Audrey Cardigan bribing myself that I could start another knitting project if I did.

I'm very happy with how it has turned out but I need to get used to the slippery / slinky feel it has. The yarn is a llama / silk blend and I'm used to warm and woolly yarns!

Well that's it for now. I've a few other thoughts mulling around in my head right now for this blog - just need to let them "moodle" a bit!

Happy New Year!

(Linked to the Needle & Thread Network WIP Wednesday)

Making on vacation!

We've been planning a mini vacation to Vancouver for a while now - just to get away from the last remnants of winter that we just can't seem to shake off. With that in mind I decided to make a sewing kit... And of course it's turned into a much bigger project than I originally intended. I found 3 fat quarters at my LQS and thought they were perfect for practising a bit of free motion quilting on and to use one of the buttons I've been collecting for awhile.

I ended up googling lots of tutorials and found Pinterest to be a great source of inspiration for design ideas. At the end of the day I didn't get the kit completed but got the "bones" of it together, so I've packed it along with some little scraps to make 1" hexagons and I was good to go.

Since I am a big time early riser even on vacation ( anytime between 5 - 7 am is not uncommon) I like to walk to the local beanery, grab a java and come home to stitch. We usually don't really "get going" til later so I can easily get a couple hours of meditative needle in - needle out in if I so desire...

Happy stitching!

Making on vacation!

We've been planning a mini vacation to Vancouver for a while now - just to get away from the last remnants of winter that we just can't seem to shake off. With that in mind I decided to make a sewing kit... And of course it's turned into a much bigger project than I originally intended. I found 3 fat quarters at my LQS and thought they were perfect for practising a bit of free motion quilting on and to use one of the buttons I've been collecting for awhile.

I ended up googling lots of tutorials and found Pinterest to be a great source of inspiration for design ideas. At the end of the day I didn't get the kit completed but got the "bones" of it together, so I've packed it along with some little scraps to make 1" hexagons and I was good to go.

Since I am a big time early riser even on vacation ( anytime between 5 - 7 am is not uncommon) I like to walk to the local beanery, grab a java and come home to stitch. We usually don't really "get going" til later so I can easily get a couple hours of meditative needle in - needle out in if I so desire...

Happy stitching!

Finished!

First things first... Happy New Year! I had a great couple of weeks in hibernation. Santa was wonderful (as usual) and I am now the happy owner of a lightpad! This is the newest version of a light box. I began coveting one after my first fusible applique class - and could see the advantages of not having to tape everything up on the window for doing transfers. But I'll talk about that later (in a future post).

Now for the matter at hand. (See pic above). I've had the Abbey Bag pincushion & scrapcatcher pattern for a couple of years now. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of incomplete stalled  in process projects I have going at the moment, so I needed something quick and easy that "smelled of success". I also needed a pin cushion. I had seen this particular pattern done up in the "Housework Whenever" fabric line - and being as that pretty much is my credo for life (think grave marker material) I finally found it online in an Etsy store. (I had to purchase a whole quilt kits worth however - so I anticipate I may actually go to my grave swaddled in the stuff).

I have to say I really enjoyed making this pin cushion. It has a little inside pocket to hold anything from your TV remote (I confess I do watch telly while sewing something repetitious) or my glasses. I'd never heard of using crushed walnuts for stuffing but was willing to give it a go - and I am converted! I liked it much better than rice. I found it at Petsmart and I probabely have enough to make pincushions for everything person in my neighbourhood. I initially overstuffed the cushion the first time round and had to dump it out and start over.

The pattern also called for "fabric glue" - again something that I've never used before. But I ventured on. I decided to alter the pattern using a velcro patch to attach the scrap catch to the pincushion because I haven't really found the best place yet to put them both together  - *being left handed I like to keep my pins etc to my left*- so most of my notion etc are all there.

(* I have just had a eureka! moment and gone to Google images to ask "how to pin a seam allowance" it looks like lots of people pin with the pin head going to the right. I do the opposite. Hmmmm - I've never seen that before. I was taught to sew by my mom who is also left handed - is that why? I will try this to see if I can actually pull out pins and pop them into my pincushion with it on the right side - if this works then the scrapcatcher has a perfect home!)

Okay - back to the better at hand - here is my pretty pincushion all done! I will make a few more in the future to give as gifts...the Abbey Bag is delightful! So based on my personal taste of fabrics selected and my abilities I give this project a big 4/5 thimbles up!

Finished!

First things first... Happy New Year! I had a great couple of weeks in hibernation. Santa was wonderful (as usual) and I am now the happy owner of a lightpad! This is the newest version of a light box. I began coveting one after my first fusible applique class - and could see the advantages of not having to tape everything up on the window for doing transfers. But I'll talk about that later (in a future post).

Now for the matter at hand. (See pic above). I've had the Abbey Bag pincushion & scrapcatcher pattern for a couple of years now. I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of incomplete stalled  in process projects I have going at the moment, so I needed something quick and easy that "smelled of success". I also needed a pin cushion. I had seen this particular pattern done up in the "Housework Whenever" fabric line - and being as that pretty much is my credo for life (think grave marker material) I finally found it online in an Etsy store. (I had to purchase a whole quilt kits worth however - so I anticipate I may actually go to my grave swaddled in the stuff).

I have to say I really enjoyed making this pin cushion. It has a little inside pocket to hold anything from your TV remote (I confess I do watch telly while sewing something repetitious) or my glasses. I'd never heard of using crushed walnuts for stuffing but was willing to give it a go - and I am converted! I liked it much better than rice. I found it at Petsmart and I probabely have enough to make pincushions for everything person in my neighbourhood. I initially overstuffed the cushion the first time round and had to dump it out and start over.

The pattern also called for "fabric glue" - again something that I've never used before. But I ventured on. I decided to alter the pattern using a velcro patch to attach the scrap catch to the pincushion because I haven't really found the best place yet to put them both together  - *being left handed I like to keep my pins etc to my left*- so most of my notion etc are all there.

(* I have just had a eureka! moment and gone to Google images to ask "how to pin a seam allowance" it looks like lots of people pin with the pin head going to the right. I do the opposite. Hmmmm - I've never seen that before. I was taught to sew by my mom who is also left handed - is that why? I will try this to see if I can actually pull out pins and pop them into my pincushion with it on the right side - if this works then the scrapcatcher has a perfect home!)

Okay - back to the better at hand - here is my pretty pincushion all done! I will make a few more in the future to give as gifts...the Abbey Bag is delightful! So based on my personal taste of fabrics selected and my abilities I give this project a big 4/5 thimbles up!

Jumbo Christmas stockings...

So this year my goal was to "... get those stockings done!" I'd bought the pattern, fabrics, batting and threads last year - and of course I didn't quite get there. Although the boys are now 22 and 24 (as in years - not months)  I really needed to complete this so it wasn't technically a "quarter of a century" in the making. (They have had a Christmas stocking of sorts - but I always envisioned the handmade family heirloom that so many people talk about).

The pattern I bought (Simplicity 4842) was not a quilting pattern and I wanted to quilt something on the stockings; so I chose the heels, toes and cuffs. This of course required a few modifications (it always does) such as additional backing to the toes and heels, as well as some extra batting.

I am new to the whole "free motion" quilting concept, so my technique really isn't very good - but I forged ahead anyways.

As I worked away, it became readily apparent to me that the "medium size" stocking was immense. I'm of the mind set that stockings are hung and Santa traditionally puts in a box of pencil crayons, a magazine, a few little stocking stuffers (remember Mattel Hot Wheels?) and a bag of Christmas candies (which in our house has evolved into Holiday Skittles and the annual Christmas Terry's "Whack & Unwrap" Chocolate Orange). As I worked I could see that these stockings could easily replace any need for a tree at all.

Having said that, stocking number 1 was wonderful. Or so I thought. (Click here) Needless to say - stocking #2 is on hold

Jumbo Christmas stockings...

So this year my goal was to "... get those stockings done!" I'd bought the pattern, fabrics, batting and threads last year - and of course I didn't quite get there. Although the boys are now 22 and 24 (as in years - not months)  I really needed to complete this so it wasn't technically a "quarter of a century" in the making. (They have had a Christmas stocking of sorts - but I always envisioned the handmade family heirloom that so many people talk about).

The pattern I bought (Simplicity 4842) was not a quilting pattern and I wanted to quilt something on the stockings; so I chose the heels, toes and cuffs. This of course required a few modifications (it always does) such as additional backing to the toes and heels, as well as some extra batting.

I am new to the whole "free motion" quilting concept, so my technique really isn't very good - but I forged ahead anyways.

As I worked away, it became readily apparent to me that the "medium size" stocking was immense. I'm of the mind set that stockings are hung and Santa traditionally puts in a box of pencil crayons, a magazine, a few little stocking stuffers (remember Mattel Hot Wheels?) and a bag of Christmas candies (which in our house has evolved into Holiday Skittles and the annual Christmas Terry's "Whack & Unwrap" Chocolate Orange). As I worked I could see that these stockings could easily replace any need for a tree at all.

Having said that, stocking number 1 was wonderful. Or so I thought. (Click here) Needless to say - stocking #2 is on hold

First Quilt is "finito!"

Well I am happy to announce, that after much humming, hawing, foot shuffling, room rearranging and excuses (let's face it I am a procrastinating aficionado) I have finished my first quilt. Which I started here.
In retrospect, I am feeling quite "sheepish" (ha! ha!) in that it took me so long to finish up - when all that was required was indeed "finishing up". As you may recall I was having problems with my machine during my class - first the tension was screwy - and I had forgot my sewing manual (which is a voluminous text which I have printed off the internet). I had to go home to retrieve it. By the time I returned to class, the instructor had solved the problem and I was now an hour behind. On Day 2 I raced to catch up and just as I approached the homestretch (binding 101) I had another machine malfunction and ... just... threw in the towel. I packed up my stuff and went home.
My instructor emailed and said to bring the quilt and binding in and she would show me how... I was soooo close!
Put you know how it goes. I went to hand quilting classes, and hand applique classes. I bought needles, and threads, and of course more fabric. I put up a design board. I bought books and magazines and DVDs. I bought another old sewing machine. I rearranged my room... one  more   time.
I got so desperate I even decided to clean out the Inbox on my email. And then I found it...

"....  August 25th, 2010: Here is a picture of you and your lovely quilt, don’t forget to come and see me as needed to finish up!"


And so on January 3rd 2011 - I did. And it was easy. And quick. And I was embarrassed that I had put it off for so long. I hand stitched the binding to the backing... and I learned on more thing.

I like sewing by hand.

 (Ps . I am late posting this because I wanted to have my "Made by Me - Label" on it. Haven't quite figured that out yet).

First Quilt is "finito!"

Well I am happy to announce, that after much humming, hawing, foot shuffling, room rearranging and excuses (let's face it I am a procrastinating aficionado) I have finished my first quilt. Which I started here.
In retrospect, I am feeling quite "sheepish" (ha! ha!) in that it took me so long to finish up - when all that was required was indeed "finishing up". As you may recall I was having problems with my machine during my class - first the tension was screwy - and I had forgot my sewing manual (which is a voluminous text which I have printed off the internet). I had to go home to retrieve it. By the time I returned to class, the instructor had solved the problem and I was now an hour behind. On Day 2 I raced to catch up and just as I approached the homestretch (binding 101) I had another machine malfunction and ... just... threw in the towel. I packed up my stuff and went home.
My instructor emailed and said to bring the quilt and binding in and she would show me how... I was soooo close!
Put you know how it goes. I went to hand quilting classes, and hand applique classes. I bought needles, and threads, and of course more fabric. I put up a design board. I bought books and magazines and DVDs. I bought another old sewing machine. I rearranged my room... one  more   time.
I got so desperate I even decided to clean out the Inbox on my email. And then I found it...

"....  August 25th, 2010: Here is a picture of you and your lovely quilt, don’t forget to come and see me as needed to finish up!"


And so on January 3rd 2011 - I did. And it was easy. And quick. And I was embarrassed that I had put it off for so long. I hand stitched the binding to the backing... and I learned on more thing.

I like sewing by hand.

 (Ps . I am late posting this because I wanted to have my "Made by Me - Label" on it. Haven't quite figured that out yet).