Blue Crab Quilting

Baby Quilts

2012-02-25T17:05:00.000-05:00

These two quilts were finished up in December, but have been gifted (finally!), so I'm sharing them today. Both were made with Urban Circus, and Kona Solids in Orange, Brown, and a green and blue....I honestly can't remember which ones now. I wish they'd label those somehow. Does anyone have any good way to do so?

Anyway, here they are!

Curves Class

2012-02-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

I finished my first project for curves class. These are "basic" curves, which scares me a bit, I know this isn't as good as it could have been.

But, I got loads of practice sewing curves. I did have the same issues some others did, where at the stem, it didn't catch the bottom layer. But, I tacked it down and moved on, and you can't tell when the pillow's done!

I didn't read the instructions quite right, and I should have had another row. I did add some quilting to the negative space to give it a little something, and of course it ended up a bit small. I did an envelope closure, since I didn't want to fight with a zipper today. I used a 14" pillow form, the 16 looked like it might actually split the seam.

But, it inspired me to update all the pillows in the living room. So that just added a bit to my to-do list.

Curves!

2012-02-07T21:11:00.002-05:00

I attempted my first curves ever....

Retro flowers block for the Love circle at do.Good Stitches. It could have been a bit better, but I think it turned out pretty well for my first try. I'm going to try to make another one, but this was time consuming! Maybe after I finish some of Rachel's Curves class I'll be better.

Busy....

2012-02-02T19:07:00.000-05:00

This one is one of those "real quick" projects...I was SUPPOSED to have done a week after starting it on New Year's weekend... It is taking for-ever....for-ever....for-EVER!

Progress is good....

I'm past this point now, I can not wait to show the finished product.

Winner!

2012-01-18T18:48:00.000-05:00

Yippie! I won a spot in Rachel's Curves Class. A big thanks to Christina for offering the class! I can not wait to add to my sewing skills.

2012!

2012-01-01T19:36:00.000-05:00

Everyone seems to be doing mosaics of what they finished in 2011. Seems way too ambitious for me....

Here's a few pics I haven't shared yet....I'm embarrassed, but some were finished in 2010!

Like this one....the last of my traditional quilts, except for commissions. Also one of the last tied quilts. Thank goodness for a much better machine!

I have no idea what to do with the one below. It was a baby quilt, but all my friends kept having boys. I think I'll make a resolution to open an Esty store, so I can sell these.

Same with this one....

This one I love, but just never got around to taking a picture.

These Alzheimer's quilts have been done for months! I hope that showing them here motivates me to register & send them along.

Same with this one. It was going to go in the yellow spare room, but then we moved. It still matches the green spare room good enough I guess. (why won't Picasa save the rotation on some pictures?!)

And we are finally down to stuff I finished in 2011!

Some Jane Market bags for myself. I feel so bad going to the farmer's market with plastic! The middle one has the local logo on it, which makes me so happy. I did change the pattern a bit, and added some width to the handles. The original ones I made began to cut into my hands after a few pounds of potatoes. Also, I didn't do a pocket on most of them, since I wasn't using it.

And some sneak peaks, since these baby quilts have not been sent to their owners.

I also did some potholders, but again, those need to wait until after I send them.

I hope everyone had a good new year! And I wish you many more hours in the sewing room for 2012!

Christmas Presents

2011-12-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

I got to have Christmas early with my family this year, which will make the next two weeks very stress free! I didn't do too much this year handmade, but I did manage to make my mom a couple of things.

First, this clutch from Stich magazine. Can't remember which issue, I'll have to look that up. My sewing machine did not like this one. The arm is just not small enough. But, this one looks good, I don't think I'll make another one though.

I also made this mini quilt. I know I had read a tutorial on it, but I can't find the link. I basically made this one up, using that one as inspiration.

Now I'm back to sewing just because I want to, with no deadlines. I love it.
I hope everyone has a great, sewing filled Holiday!

Kona Challenge

2011-12-08T18:50:00.000-05:00

Our guild, CLTMQG participated in the Kona Color Challenge, and had our big reveal last week. Check out the flicker group for all the lovely quilts done by some very talented quilters!

Here's my entry. A standard pinwheel quilt, simply quilted with straight lines in the darker areas. This was one of those that never seemed to go quite as I planned, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Quilt Stats:
Kona Charm pack
Kona Medium Grey
Kona Charcoal

Can't wait to see everyone again in January!

Christmas Quilt & Pillows

2011-12-04T16:11:00.000-05:00

I've had this quilt top done since October 2010. I'm really good at putting the tops together, but then I just seem to lose steam. Currently there are three more tops in the closet, waiting to become real quilts. Anyway, I decided this one MUST be finished by this Christmas. I used this quilt-along (though I didn't really finish at the same time!) I used a jelly roll, that I've long since forgotten the name of, and more Kona Snow than I usually do.

Close up of the center, (that I can't get to rotate properly, sorry!)

With the leftover strips and sqares, I made some new pillow covers for the living room. I also could not resist the Olive the Ostrich pillow panel from Laurie Wisbrun.

Now my house is nice and festive!

Football Baby Quilt

2011-10-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

I gave this one away this month. It was made for a friend at work. He's a Packers fan, and his wife's a Redskins fan, so the baby must be both. That was my theory at least.

Front of Quilt

Back of quilt

I used Crazy Mom's Zig Zag tutorial, just changed the overall size to reduce it a bit. I've been wanted to make one for a while, and this seemed like the right project.

Originally it was going to be just one side, with the two teams alternating, but DH came up with the two-sided idea. Seemed more interesting to me. It was a bit of a challenge with the quilting, because of course the two sides didn't match up perfectly, so I went with straight lines across.

Quilt Stats:

Fabrics: NFL branded Packers & Redskins fabric, Kona Yellow and White.

Bound in Kona Yellow.

Friendship Star Quilt

2011-08-17T19:15:00.001-04:00

I was reading Angela's talk about her FWQAL and the friendship star block, which reminded me I once made a quilt out of that block.

Of course it was before I went digital. Sorry about the quality. It's a scan of an printed picture. Oh, that makes me sound really old. I'm not that old, I swear.

My one and only picture of my friendship star quilt before it was given away as a wedding gift. Cat of course had to help, as always. What is it about this....?

Baby Quilt and Habitat Blocks

2011-08-14T18:39:00.000-04:00

Finished my Habitat Challenge blocks for the CLTMQG. I can't really pick a favorite. I think the one in the lower left. Without the bottom stripe, I think it would make an interesting quilt.

Also wanted to show this finished quilt. 5" squares might just be my favorite type of quilt. Just sent this one off to a friend for her baby girl.

Small Plates

2011-07-22T13:00:00.000-04:00

I finished this a while ago, but just gave it as a gift, so I can share it now.

I used the "Small Plates" pattern from Oh Fransson!'s book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork. I think I'm done using patterns out of that book for a while. Seems to have been my go-to quilt patterns lately.

Front: Hope Valley and Kona Snow

Back: Hope Valley scraps

Size: Straght from pattern

Binding: Hope Valley Scraps

Easy as Pie

2011-06-08T18:41:00.000-04:00

A new quilt, done in under two weeks. Started cutting it out on Memorial Day weekend, had the top together by the end of that weekend and finished the quiliting and binding last weekend. So easy.

I used the Easy as Pie tutorial on Crazy Mom Quilts. I did go a little nuts, and cut WAY more fabric that needed, so it's bigger than the tutorial. Which is good.

I'm going to use this one as a picnic / beach quilt.

The only criteria I had when chosing fabric was that it had to be bright.

So, it was a great stash buster and ended up exactly what I planned. The only problem is that it didn't seem to make a very big dent in the stash.

I might try another one in a monochrome color....Maybe blue. Or red. Or green. I seem to have alot of green.

Quilt Stats:
83 x 99 inches.
A whole bunch of stashed fabric.

Kitchen Windows

2011-04-18T19:08:00.000-04:00

Made it for my bed, but of course not a king size. I'm the only one who needs a quilt, so why bother making a king size, if half of it doesn't get used? Plus, it adds color to the bottom of the bed.

Quilt Stats:
Made from the Practical Guide to Patchwork...again.
I added one more row and one more column to make it a bit bigger.
Made with Innocent Crush prints, Kona Black for the frame, and Kona Charcoal for the sashing. Bound with another Innocent Crush print, not used in the quilt.

New Table Decoration

2011-03-30T15:53:00.000-04:00

I think I've been reading too much "Practical Guide..." this is the 2nd of 3 projects, with one more in the works.

Anyway, it's a placemat/table decoration. Made from one block of the "sunspot" pattern.

And here it is in its new home....I really wish the sun was shining.

Fenced In Quilt

2011-03-28T21:17:00.000-04:00

I finished this one a few weeks ago. I used the "fenced in" pattern from Oh Fransson!'s book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork.

It looks great in my new spare room. And of course I had to make some matching pillows. Some stacked blocks on the right, which I've seen too many places to count here. The one on the right was made using the mod mosaic pattern from Oh Fransson! again....it just seemed right with this pattern. I do wish I had quilted the mosaic one, but it will do for now.

Quilt stats:

Dimensions - 76" X 76"

Fabric: Sanctuary by Patty Young for Michael Miller (Seafoam Colorway), Kona Solid - Medium Gray

Mod Sampler

2011-01-30T19:33:00.004-05:00

Finally finished it.

Love it....

Currently living in the sewing room, and can't make me happier everytime I walk by.

Pattern from Oh_Fransson! (No longer online, looks like it's being updated)

Fabrics are Tufted Tweets, and complimentary Kona Solids.

Living Room Quilts

2010-08-23T20:45:00.003-04:00

Okay, I'm really behind. I've just been scoping out other peoples stuff, being inspired, and not sharing anything I actually got done. This one was completed a few weeks ago, inspired by this quilt - http://craftyblossom.blogspot.com/2010/05/cross-my-heart-quilt.html. I saw it and just had to make one. And since dh decided that the last quilt I made for the living room was too small, it worked out to make it in matching colors. I do think this is my first all solid quilt. I like it.

Made with all solid Kona cottons, quilted with black thread in horizontal lines, backed with a black walmart sheet, and bound with more Kona brown. At least it's his size.

Here's the one that was "too small". I like it anyway. This one was finished a while ago...I think around Thanksgiving. It was inspired by this quilt: http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2008/12/baby-boy-bug-quilt.html

I'm not 100% sure on any of the fabric, just some solids I bought that matched the flower print. I did get the print from Joann's. The binding is the black version of the same print. I like it...even if it is small.

Buttercup Bag

2010-02-06T16:26:00.003-05:00

Made a new Buttercup bag today....

Outer fabric by Laurie at Scarlet Fig. She designs wonderful original fabrics.

And a inner pocket of Heather Bailey Pop Garden.... Just to brighten everything up.

Sewing...and More

2010-01-09T16:01:00.005-05:00

I've been busy over the last few months sewing stuff for gifts. Now that the holidays are over, I can finally share them.

A quilt for my sister....

An apron for my mom....

And a skirt for me....

It's Done, It's Done, It's FINALLY Done!

2009-09-27T16:47:00.004-04:00

Yep, that's a lot of blue squares...a lot of 1 inch squares.

I stupidly thought, I liked making this blue quilt - why not make one for my king size bed????

Oh, that's right, it's a lot, lot bigger than a 7" x 10" quilt. Here's a detail:

See that all 1" squares did not work for me, and several 4x4 solid blocks and striped squares jumped in. Thank goodness, or I'd still be sewing. It is mostly blues, mostly scraps, and most importantly, now it's done.

On to other...smaller...things.

Wedding Quilt

2009-09-13T07:34:00.004-04:00

I've been following Stephanie's wedding plans over on her blog, and thought I'd share this. My guest book at my wedding was just some fabric squares for everyone to sign. I pre-cut & ironed to freezer paper to make sure it was easy to write on. My bridesmaids had to bully some people into it, but I got a square from almost everyone. I then used the colors from the wedding (blue and white) to make this quilt.

It's king size, so it's huge. It was on our bed for a while, but the cat was starting to destroy it, so I had to move it. Here's a detail of the signed squares.

This was so much fun to read through, and fun to make as well. I hope this gives some ideas to others.

Weekend Sewing

2009-08-30T21:45:00.002-04:00

I had a lot of plans for this weekend, but got sidetracked on these mini quilt projects. I needed something I could finish up quickly...and the good cause always helps. These are for the Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts Auction. See the sidebar if you want more information on the project.

Some Gift Sewing

2009-08-26T19:11:00.002-04:00

I love getting X-mas gifts done early!!!

Big thanks to Rae for posting this pattern.

A Bevy of Baby Quilts II

2009-06-17T21:16:00.003-04:00

It's a really cute animal print. They were all in boats, and I fussy cut the animals faces. All wonky, since they were cut differently. I wasn't happy with the amount of white in this one, but the jewel tone border really set it off.

Four patch blocks with tacked in place star applique. I didn't know if this would be a boy or girl, and didn't want anything too girly.

A Bevy of Baby Quilts

2009-06-15T09:25:00.001-04:00

Sewing Machine Meme

2009-06-14T07:52:00.003-04:00

A bit about my sewing machine as requested by sew, mama, sew.

What brand and model do you have?
White 1418

How long have you had it?
Seven years.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)?
$100

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)?
Mostly Quilts, with some other craft projects thrown in. I do not do much machine quilting.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?
Usually sew every weekend, depending on the project it may get some use during the week.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name?
I love the machine because it is easy to use. I do wish it had some additional features. A needle down option would be very nice, I have to do this by hand now.

What features does your machine have that work well for you?
Most of what I sew uses straight stitches. It is simple to use, and easy to troubleshoot.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine?
It has required service twice. The timing in the bobbin gets screwed up, and it won't stitch properly.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it!
My mother bought it for me for X-mas.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?
Yes, as a beginning machine. It's simple to figure out, without alot of intimidating features.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine?
I'm starting to look around for something that will do a better job at machine quilting. However, I also have to factor price in.

Do you have a dream machine?
Not yet, but I'm always looking!

Not a Quilt...

2009-06-13T09:24:00.003-04:00

Had to post this and say thank you to Kate for posting this pattern. It's the first thing I've tried from a tutorial that actually looked like the picture when I was done.

Directions are posted here, and the template took some searching, but it's here.

Anyway, it's made with light brown linen on the outside, with Amy Butler fabrics inside. Can't wait to use it on my summer vacation!

2009-06-02T19:32:00.001-04:00

Okay, so I really don't remember wheich one came next. By this point, I was completly hooked on quilts. It's just so fun to look at all the patterns, and fabric, and planning...

This was made for a friends wedding.

Last Hand Sewn Quilt

2009-05-29T19:34:00.002-04:00

So, by this time I had a sewing maching, but didn't really know how to use it. Sad, I'm sure. But, this was for my sister's graduation, and I didn't want to screw it up. So, one more hand sewn....

Still Hand Sewing...

2009-05-28T21:44:00.005-04:00

So, after that first quilt, I was hooked. The next one was from this book. It was a blue and white one, queen size. A little ambitious for a hand sewer. But, that quilt was very loved. Used it for at least three years, then the dog got to use it. Until he ate it. Anyway, I then made a smaller one from the same book. And then realized that I really needed a sewing machine.

First Quilt Ever

2009-05-25T11:36:00.005-04:00

Okay, so this is really playing catch-up...but the ladies listed under "inspirations" made me decide to finally post some of my projects publicly. Thank you to all those very creative people for sharing their work with everyone.

This is the first quilt I ever made. 2002, and all hand sewn, since I didn't even have a sewing maching then. I just knew I loved fabric, and wanted to do something with it...

More projects to come.