Friday, January 28, 2011

Girly Garden stripe quilt

The Color Inspiration
a page from Country Living, June 2010




layout inspired by this GAP tee







Quilt Front



Quilt Back










Yeah, I dig it.


The girls have left their mark on this one a million times over. Still can't get rid of the pen L took to it. Aw, well that's because we use it every day.




Country classic solid in "sun"
Country classic solid in "carnation"
Country classic solid in "flamingo"
Country classic solid in "golden yellow"
Kona solid in "khaki"
Kona solid in "sweet pea"
Kona solid in "white"
Back print is dark pink scroll damask from JoAnns

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

WIP Wednesday

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


New Projects:  Started deconstructing Grandma's Shirts for a yet-to-be-determined quilt.  I think it will take some time to decide on a design. 

Finishes:  None, though I broke down and took two tops to my quilt lady for quilting.  They had been hanging around in the almost finished pile for way too long. Can't wait to get them finished up!


Progress:  Revisited my son's Star Wars Quilt, I finished the remaining blocks, worked out the layout, and have the top mostly sewn together.  His birthday is in April, so I might actually get it done in time!

Minimal Progress:  I decided on the final layout for my String Quilt and numbered all the blocks in anticipation of the monumental task of tearing away all the paper backing.

No progress on the quilt for my niece's new baby.


Starts: 1
Finishes: 0
Current WIP's: 5

Monday, January 24, 2011

Grandma's Shirts

Here is one of the new projects I have recently added to my "to-do" list for 2011.
 
Our grandmother recently passed away.  She was 95 years old.  And although we didn't live close to her she was always very sweet and kind, and always remembered our birthdays.  She was also a smart, thrifty, hard-working woman who raised 5 children and ran a farm by herself after our grandparents divorced in the 50's. 

After she passed, the one thing I wanted from her were her aprons and her vintage sheets.  I got her aprons, but she didn't have any vintage sheets (turns out she was a solid color sheet kinda girl).  When it was all said and done, though, I was able to have her clothes as well.
 
Grandma's Shirts
Can you guess what her favorite colors were?  Yep, every single shirt in her closet was either pink or blue.  

So my idea is that I'm going to take all of her clothes and use the fabric to make a quilt out of it.  It's an idea that I've been tossing around for awhile now.  I think it will be awesome.  (I'm sure it will have the same sorta  feel as the one I made for my MIL.)  

I've enlisted the help of Renae because I actually have to make 3 quilts -- One for me, one for my aunt that took care of Grandma, and one for another aunt.  I'm hoping there is enough fabric for all of them.

As for her aprons, they aren't all pink and blue so think I will save them for something else.  Anyone have any ideas?     

(Today I'm linking to Fabric Tuesday Quilt Story.)

Saturday, January 22, 2011

One piece tankini bottoms

It may be -18ºF here at my house today, but, or because of that, we can always think nice warm thoughts.  I'm starting to get in the swimsuit mode again--the girls have picked out their fabric for this summer from the stash, and I've started cutting out and getting organized.

We can all thank Aunt Gayle for this post. 
She's been making tankinis for her grand-daughters for years and has adjusted the panty pattern so that you cut both the front and back in one continuous piece and eliminate the seam that runs right across your backside when you're sitting down.

Cutting it out this way may not always work if you are trying to use up smaller/scrap pieces.  Then you will have to cut them out the conventional way.  But if you have a long enough piece of fabric then try this out.  You may never go back to a 2 piece panty bottom again.

So here is how I did it: 

Find your front and back pattern pieces for the panty.
 Lay them out matching where the crotch seam would be--overlapping the seams, eliminating the seam allowance.


Draw yourself a new pattern (remember I like using clear plastic to copy patterns because it wears better over multiple uses and you can see thru it easily)
Cut out your pattern--the stretchiest part of the fabric will go around the bum.
And here is what it looks like all laid out and unfolded.

I cut another one out of lining fabric (or another of the same fabric) to get a fully lined panty.
Sew side seams thru all 4 layers of fabric--lining and fabric together.
Attach elastic as directed per pattern instructions.

See HERE for some suggestions on putting in elastic.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Weekend Mini Quilt


Sometimes, not often, knowing how to sew can be a pain.  When your children figure out, or imagine, that you can do anything with a machine, fabric, and thread it can get tricky.  There's always the dilemma of time vs. money.  Which do you have more of?  In this case, I figured I'd have more time--not really, but I'm game to get rid of more scraps in my sewing room.

B. has a birthday party tomorrow and after receiving this little quilt for Christmas made for her stuffed animals to use,

she requested that I make another one for her little friend's animals.  Along with a pillow to match.  And they needed to be blue.  No surprise there--I don't know if the friend's favorite color is blue, but it is currently B's.

I'm always kind of amazed how good scrap quilts come out when it doesn't seem like anything you have actually matches.  I'm pleased with this little quilt.  A's stuffed animals should stay nice and warm.

Back View

Satin stitch used for finishing the binding

Details:
Cut 3" x 6" rectangles
Assembled 9 rows across, 4 down
Shift 1 block to the right each row to get stairstep effect

Finished dimensions:
Quilt 23" x 22" 
Pillowcase 9" x 5 1/2"
____________________
Orange and Purple quilt finished dimensions: 21" square. 
Used 16 - 6" cut square blocks

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

WIP Wednesday

It's still Wednesday, right?!
I feel like I've been super busy working on stuff...but don't have tons to show.

WIP list:
String Quilt:  I finished my remaining blocks, for a total of 80I'm SO glad they are done.  They are fantasic!  I'd show you a picture but you've already seen them here and here.  :)  Now I just need to find some time to put them together.  

As far as the other 3 quilts on my WIP list go, I might just pay to have them quilted.  They are lingering in a pile of completed tops that is taunting me. 


Finishes:
Busy Town Quilt
Fair and Square for MHC


Starts:

For Baby Bryce:  This is a little quilt that is going to my niece's new little guy.  She sent me a piece of fabric for the back, I just had to find something to match it.  The pattern is from here.  I'm hoping to finish it and get it sent off this week.  Fingers crossed.

New projects:  We all spent last week in sunny/warm Arizona.  I came back with 2 new projects from the trip.  They are going to be cool, but I'm beginning to think I need to say 'no' to some other commitments (or at least ask for help).   I feel like 2011 is already booked solid!  And I don't like it...


WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
This Week
Finishes: 2
Starts: 1
Current WIP's: 4





By the way, the winner of my scraps is allsewnup.  I've sent you an email.

Giveaway


I'm feeling the need to give away the remaining bits of fabric from this quilt.  I think there are only 20 squares (4.5 inches), not an even amount of each print, just what's left.  Surely someone can come up with a fabulous use for them, right?

We'll make this short and sweet.  Leave a comment. Winner will be drawn tomorrow.  Maybe you could tell us what you did over the long weekend...

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Peasant Skirts

This style of skirt has been a favorite for all my girls. So for Christmas this past year I made one for the oldest.  And then she in turn made one for her sister.  It wasn't particularly a surprise, because I had to O.K. the fabric first, with L. especially.  But is was fun and L. got some good practice on gathering--7 tiers worth of skirt.
 M's on the left and L's on the right.
Simplicity 4650

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Fall Butterfly Dress {Simplicity 2715}

B.'s (7 yr. old) new favorite color is blue. So when I saw this fabric being clearanced out at Jo-Ann's I decided that she would probably like it...blue + butterflies. What more could a little girl ask for? And it has a more "Fall" look to it even though it is cotton.

However, before I made it up I had to get it "approved", both the fabric and the pattern. I'm done making things for my opinionated girls that they then refuse to wear. This fabric I bought thinking that if she didn't like/want it I would use it to make a very pretty little quilt for someone. Although Miss B. did approve this selection, she has turned into quite the opinionated girl when it comes to clothing. That doesn't always make me very happy.

I used Simplicity 2715 as the pattern and then adjusted it only by adding a contrasting band to both the sleeve and hem.


For the sleeve hem:
Cut 4" wide band, fold in half lengthwise and attach to sleeve.

For the dress hem:
Cut 6" wide band, fold in half lengthwise and attach to bottom of dress.

Press seam towards body of sleeve or dress. Topstitch down.


I've made this dress once before here for my middle daughter.
  
**Now after all of that hassle to get it approved she only has worn it once (punk kid), and it was slightly under duress too.  So I might have to resort to bribery.  She wants an MP3 player and doesn't have enough money.  So maybe I'll pay her to wear it a couple more times, then we'll both be happy.

**And the remaining fabric I am going to use for a baby quilt for someone...anyone...because I just love this fabric.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Can I get a Hallelujah?!


Tonight I finished the remaining blocks to my string quilt!
That brings my total to 80 blocks, which is a far cry from the original 56 I thought I'd be making.

All that remains are these itty bitty trimmings left in the trash

and the mess in my sewing room
that kinda looks as though Edward Scissorhands invaded! 

Now that I am done with string blocks for awhile and sorta burned out I threw out all the remaining pieces that were left in my scrap bin.  I couldn't bear to look at them any more.  
When I decide to do strings again, I can start fresh.


As far as the quilt goes, I'm hoping to reveal it completed in a few weeks...
I already know it's going to be my all-time favorite when it's done. 

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Potato Soup


I've been trying to expand my dinner repertoire lately. 
In honor of the cold and snow that we are currently enjoying dealing with 
here is a new recipe we tried (and liked!) for potato soup.

Baked Potato Soup
6 large baked potatoes--diced (uncooked, peeled or unpeeled)
1/2 c. instant mashed potatoes
4 c. chicken broth
1 c. butter
1 c. flour
6 c. milk
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sugar

Combine boiling water with instant potatoes.
Make white sauce with butter, flour, milk, and salt.
Add sauce to broth with a whisk.
Bring to a simmer, add seasonings and diced potatoes.
Stir occasionally.

When potatoes are soft, serve with you choice of toppings:
chives
bacon
cheese
sour cream

Variations:  I like my soup thick and chunky, so I HALVED the butter, flour, milk, and salt mixture to get the consistency that you see above.  
My husband said the only thing that would have made it better would've been CLAMS. 

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Fair and Square for MHC

My first finish of the year. 
For a little boy that will be receiving it through Margaret's Hope Chest's 'Wrapped in Hope' program.

  I used the pattern amandajean designed specifically for MHC called Fair and Square
It came together really fast.
  
 The thing I like about the pattern is that you can make a big statement with minimal amounts of fabric.  I used a few leftovers from my son's quilt and 2 yards of Kona marine blue and Voila!

 For the back I used a thrifted sheet. 

I tried to machine stitch the binding...
And was sorely disappointed in my attempt. 
Yet there was no time to unpick before it needed to be sent off.  Too bad!
If I ever attempt to machine another binding I will definitely have to rethink my method.
For now, I'll stick to hand stitching.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Ruffled Dress {Butterick 5313}

Butterick 5313
  B5313
M. wanted the red version dress, with the blue length sleeves for her Christmas dress this year.  We had to lengthen each layer about 2 inches each so that it would hit slightly below her knee.  We also raised the neckline about 3 inches.  I busted it out on Christmas Eve so that it would be ready to go for her.  Unfortunately she then got sick during the wee hours after Christmas day and ended up not going to Church.  She was not happy that she wasn't able to wear her "Christmas" dress on the day after Christmas. 

However, she still got to wear it, albeit a week later.  And it isn't so "Christmasy" that she can't wear it during other times of the year.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Emily's Finished Quilts of 2010

13. Pinwheel Sampler  14. Busy Town 15. Alumni Plain Spoken and Mini  16. ORB Quilt Along #1

Initially when I started compiling my 2010 list I didn't think I had accomplished much, but that's clearly not the case.  Looking at my collage I feel like I achieved a good balance between my family life and my quilting life.  I tried not to get too carried away with quantity, but to make quilts for the people I love.

For 2011 I've got some fun things lined up for myself.  I'll be making a t-shirt quilt (my first!) for my brother-in-law, 2 graduation quilts (for our favorite babysitter and a niece), and a quilt for our mom.  Should be a good year...

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