I finished my quilt top this morning (photo in my Flickr), and I started my binding! I should finish the latter today, too! Hurrah. I am so pleased with myself. I rediscovered that photographing quilts is difficult. I have no fence, clothes lines, or other means to suspend one. I'm thinking about buying some quilt hangers or maybe some padded clippies. I don't know. I wonder what other people do who have my problem?
I also received my swap today! I was just gaga over it. So many delicious prints. I am beyond excited. I can't wait to cut into them--except I still need a replacement blade for my cutter! Boo. I need to do something about that fast!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Plodding Along
Okay, so Tuesday was a complete wash. I just didn't feel up to starting the assembly on my quilt top. Yesterday was better. I assembled all but two columns. The pattern comes together very quickly. I really like that. It's a real simple configuration but has the minimalist sophistication of a modern arrangement. Today, I finished the last two columns and sewed them all together (mostly). I made two 4-column blocks. I just need to marry the two together (one seam!) and my top is done! Yay :D I still, however, need to buy backing AND I need to sew the binding. Since I actually have fabric for the binding, I think I'll do that next ;D Probably after I finish the quilt top tomorrow morning.
I went out most of this afternoon on errands. I managed to stop by Jo-Ann's and actually found some yardage I like. I usually can't find anything there. The funny thing is I went there for a replacement rotary blade. They didn't have one, which was disappointing. Walking out with three quarter yard cuts certainly made up for it. One was Alexander Henry's all over lemon pattern, I can't remember the name. Another was some random dot pattern in bright cheerful colors. The last was from Happi by Dena (which is Dena Designs I'm taking since a few of the patterns Jo-Ann's had featured designs from Monaco). I would post pictures but dead camera battery. Maybe tomorrow if I remember to charge it.
I went out most of this afternoon on errands. I managed to stop by Jo-Ann's and actually found some yardage I like. I usually can't find anything there. The funny thing is I went there for a replacement rotary blade. They didn't have one, which was disappointing. Walking out with three quarter yard cuts certainly made up for it. One was Alexander Henry's all over lemon pattern, I can't remember the name. Another was some random dot pattern in bright cheerful colors. The last was from Happi by Dena (which is Dena Designs I'm taking since a few of the patterns Jo-Ann's had featured designs from Monaco). I would post pictures but dead camera battery. Maybe tomorrow if I remember to charge it.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Keeping Pace
A belated Labor Day to all. I had tons of fun, myself. We went to a lobster bake and the weather was perfect for it. My girl had a great time running around and being generally silly. I was so stuffed I only ate the claws off my lobster, so I brought it home to turn into mac and cheese (not something I've tried before, but how often does a person have lobster just lying around?). I even managed to do a bit of sewing yesterday.
In fact, I finished sewing all the 3-strip sections! I decided to go with the original pattern directions, and removed the extra column. It turns out that I have a piece of batting that is the PERFECT dimensions to be used with the original specs. Now the only thing I actually have to buy for the whole project is the backing! This is a first. Usually I'm missing over half of the things I need, so this is very refreshing. Today I subcut all the fabric and worked on the lay out. It's amazing how much time just arranging the fabric takes up!
I usually lose my place when I sew the columns together, so I numbered them this time. Hopefully, this will help me keep my original placement. I mean it *should*, but I have to allow for me being ditzy ;D I hope to get a few of these sewn together this evening. If I keep going like I have been, I think I could finish the quilt top by Thursday, but since I have no backing; I need to think of another small project that I can actually finish before the week ends. I've been thinking of a zippered bag to match my messenger bag, which would be cool and functional. I don't want to sew something just for the sake of it. If I start doing that, I won't know where to store all the brickabrack when I'm done (omg, don't get me started on my lack of storage space!).
Overall, this pattern (lawn chair quilt) has been fast, easy, and fun! Just the sort of thing I look for in a project :D If any of you have the time, and inclination, you should try your hand at it, too.
In fact, I finished sewing all the 3-strip sections! I decided to go with the original pattern directions, and removed the extra column. It turns out that I have a piece of batting that is the PERFECT dimensions to be used with the original specs. Now the only thing I actually have to buy for the whole project is the backing! This is a first. Usually I'm missing over half of the things I need, so this is very refreshing. Today I subcut all the fabric and worked on the lay out. It's amazing how much time just arranging the fabric takes up!
I usually lose my place when I sew the columns together, so I numbered them this time. Hopefully, this will help me keep my original placement. I mean it *should*, but I have to allow for me being ditzy ;D I hope to get a few of these sewn together this evening. If I keep going like I have been, I think I could finish the quilt top by Thursday, but since I have no backing; I need to think of another small project that I can actually finish before the week ends. I've been thinking of a zippered bag to match my messenger bag, which would be cool and functional. I don't want to sew something just for the sake of it. If I start doing that, I won't know where to store all the brickabrack when I'm done (omg, don't get me started on my lack of storage space!).
Overall, this pattern (lawn chair quilt) has been fast, easy, and fun! Just the sort of thing I look for in a project :D If any of you have the time, and inclination, you should try your hand at it, too.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Week Two - NSM
I spent the better part of today trying to figure out what my next NSM (or as my guy calls it "NaSewMo" [nah-soh-moe]) project would be. I spent hours pouring over the fabrics I own (and resisted the siren song of buying more) and the patterns available to me. Ultimately, I settled on one of the newer Moda Bake Shop recipes by Happy Zombie (the same that brought us the poochie bag): the Lawn Chair Quilt.
I already own several jelly rolls--one of which just happens to be a basic solid. That fact made this recipe very appealing (and not just because it's totally cute) since now I only need to buy backing fabric. The only thing is this: there is another recipe I want to make that also takes one patterned JR and one solid JR, and I was saving my solid JR for it. It took a long time for me to make a decision. Since the second recipe is for a quilt I want to keep, and this is a Christmas gift, my decision was pretty much made for me.
So, the Lawn Chair quilt calls for 3 jelly rolls, but makes two quilts. I don't need to make two quilts, so it was okay that I only own one solid roll. To make one quilt you use 16 out of the 40 strips with the finished size being roughly 48x75. I decided to add one more column to bring the size to ~54x75. Since I'm not making two quilts, I am going to use some of the remaining strips to make a scrappy binding.
I've always liked the way a scrappy binding looks, but I've never tried it. Now I have an excuse, and it keeps me from buying fabric for the binding to boot! I went ahead and paired the strips I want to use with the solid strips and left them ready to sew on my work table. Now there's no excuse for me not to start ;)
I already own several jelly rolls--one of which just happens to be a basic solid. That fact made this recipe very appealing (and not just because it's totally cute) since now I only need to buy backing fabric. The only thing is this: there is another recipe I want to make that also takes one patterned JR and one solid JR, and I was saving my solid JR for it. It took a long time for me to make a decision. Since the second recipe is for a quilt I want to keep, and this is a Christmas gift, my decision was pretty much made for me.
So, the Lawn Chair quilt calls for 3 jelly rolls, but makes two quilts. I don't need to make two quilts, so it was okay that I only own one solid roll. To make one quilt you use 16 out of the 40 strips with the finished size being roughly 48x75. I decided to add one more column to bring the size to ~54x75. Since I'm not making two quilts, I am going to use some of the remaining strips to make a scrappy binding.I've always liked the way a scrappy binding looks, but I've never tried it. Now I have an excuse, and it keeps me from buying fabric for the binding to boot! I went ahead and paired the strips I want to use with the solid strips and left them ready to sew on my work table. Now there's no excuse for me not to start ;)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Success :D
I went to a book faire today and managed to spend less than I usually do. Grabbed a few board books for my girl (even though I said I wouldn't, but they were only 50 cents each) and 4 books for me (a dollar each! such a steal). Hopefully, these books will distract me! I need to stop browsing for fabric, which is my number one hobby. I can't help but BUY. Especially when I run across rare finds. I wore my On the Go messenger bag to the faire and received many compliments! I can wear it across my chest, but I have to rotate it so that the body of the bag is behind me; which is actually pretty comfortable. It has a nice slouchy, informal presence. I really dig it. My guy asked me to make him one (but masculine, naturally). I am thinking of using Moda's cross weaves, but I'm not sure yet. I think the pieces that are cross-woven with the dark threads are guy-ish. I need to find a place that will swatch some for me, or at sell me a short cut (like quarter of a yard), so I can get his opinion. I want to pair it with some solid yardage (maybe chocolate? That's a nice, serviceable gender-neutral color). I'm thinking I'll make this sometime in October or November, if everything works out the way I want it to.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week One - NSM
I'm taking my National Sewing Month ambitions seriously, and to prove it to myself, I finished my first project! Yay for me :D I decided to make a poochie bag for my daughter since she liked the first one I made so much (I made one for a swap). She really likes Dora the Explorer, so I went on the search for some yardage and found some at Wal-mart. Not my preferred place to buy fabric, but I take what I can get! I decided to purchase the coordinates there, too. 
I really wish these fabrics were of higher quality, but to be fair, the whole project cost 4.47. That's not a lot. The fat quarters are like tissue, and practically dissolved when I cut them. Not to mention they were both a full inch short which made the project problematic once I removed the selvage. I had to rework it a little, but I managed to get something going--until I mis-cut my main fabric! I had to cobble something together as you can see.
I made it a lining piece since the yellow wasn't going to be large enough, and I had a half yard of the Dora (the pattern called for 3 FQs - main body, lining, handles). The yellow became the handles and the bag pockets. The bag has the 2" pooch to make the bag a little roomer and shorter. I'm tickled that I finished it the same day I started, in just a few hours (my girl went out with her grandparents so I had uninterrupted sewing time).
She was asleep when she came home, so she hasn't seen it yet. I can't wait for her to see it! She was running around with the fabric before she left chanting, "my Dora," so I'm taking that as a promising sign, but we'll see :D
I really wish these fabrics were of higher quality, but to be fair, the whole project cost 4.47. That's not a lot. The fat quarters are like tissue, and practically dissolved when I cut them. Not to mention they were both a full inch short which made the project problematic once I removed the selvage. I had to rework it a little, but I managed to get something going--until I mis-cut my main fabric! I had to cobble something together as you can see.
I made it a lining piece since the yellow wasn't going to be large enough, and I had a half yard of the Dora (the pattern called for 3 FQs - main body, lining, handles). The yellow became the handles and the bag pockets. The bag has the 2" pooch to make the bag a little roomer and shorter. I'm tickled that I finished it the same day I started, in just a few hours (my girl went out with her grandparents so I had uninterrupted sewing time).
She was asleep when she came home, so she hasn't seen it yet. I can't wait for her to see it! She was running around with the fabric before she left chanting, "my Dora," so I'm taking that as a promising sign, but we'll see :D
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
National Sewing Month
So apparently September is Sewing Month. This is pretty awesome and inspiring. I decided to celebrate by completing at least one project a week (this sounds a little ambitious, even to me, but I'm going to try anyway.). I even cleaned my workbench and sorted through my project box! Go me, heh. I'm thinking I will tackle some UFOs and Christmas presents. One thing I was to make is some applique dish towels. A friend of the family owns a linen service, and gave us a bunch of kitchen towels that he deemed too threadbare for his service.
You can see the fray at the edges in the picture. I'm planning on cutting the towels down a little and remaking the edges. The best thing is this is recycling and the towels have been laundered multiple times before, so they are at full absorbency. Not to mention the fact that the giftees won't be afraid to use them (I do that sometimes, and don't use a perfectly good something because it's too new and pretty).
On another, related, note: I finished my On the Go messenger bag. It was a little touch and go, and OMG I must have cut some of that fabric blindfolded and in the dark with a butter knife. I triple checked, but wow. I must have really had my 'head' some where else. I like how it turned out though.
The fabric flower was a swap gift from Adrienne :D I love the contrast. The bag was screaming out for something to break up the repetitive red/brown pattern. I am considering appliquing the front, but we'll see if I get around to it!
You can see the fray at the edges in the picture. I'm planning on cutting the towels down a little and remaking the edges. The best thing is this is recycling and the towels have been laundered multiple times before, so they are at full absorbency. Not to mention the fact that the giftees won't be afraid to use them (I do that sometimes, and don't use a perfectly good something because it's too new and pretty).On another, related, note: I finished my On the Go messenger bag. It was a little touch and go, and OMG I must have cut some of that fabric blindfolded and in the dark with a butter knife. I triple checked, but wow. I must have really had my 'head' some where else. I like how it turned out though.
The fabric flower was a swap gift from Adrienne :D I love the contrast. The bag was screaming out for something to break up the repetitive red/brown pattern. I am considering appliquing the front, but we'll see if I get around to it!
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