Quilting Chronicles

Cookie Monster Stocking

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Here he is baking cookies and ready for Christmas! I made this stocking for G. This will be his second Christmas and I wanted to make sure I had a stocking for both the boys. Cookie Monster is timeless and so perfectly captures G's unstoppable appetite. Where does he put all that food?

Cookie Monster came from a page of a book I found at Target for $1. I photocopied the image and cut him out. Only the top half of him was on the page, so I sketched the rest. Add in some cool accessories, and there you have it! I hope G grows to love his stocking as much as I do when he gets old enough to watch Sesame Street.

This stocking was also blogged @ Gen X Quilters.

#20 Thomas the Train Panel Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 10:57:00 +0000

I found this Thomas the Train panel at the NQA show this year and just had to pick it up for my oldest son. He loves trains (as I think I may have mentioned in the Train Christmas Stocking post)! Since there wasn't much for me to do but add a border around the large panel, I decided to play with free-motion quilting for the first time.

The center section has a random stars pattern, then I used a walking foot around the train tracks. Whew! It was challenging and I struggled with uneven stitches, thread fraying and "bobbin spit-up". At first when I finished this quilt, I was pretty critial and didn't like it very much because all I could see where mistakes. Now that it's been finished a few days, it's growing on me and I am appreciating it for what I intended it to be: an experiment in free-motion. Practice makes perfect!

I think it's growing on my son too. Happy 4th Birthday T!

#19 Large Tote

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:08:00 +0000

My friend had her baby shower over the weekend. She is one of my oldest friends - from the junior high school era. Remember all the bangs and braces? We've lots of those pictures as we grew up (most of which I wonder "What was I thinking?!")

Anyway, we were in each other's weddings and now she is having a little baby boy in August. I made this "Mom Bag" for her. It's great for throwing books and toys in for church or using as an overnight bag.

Gen X Quilters GiveAway!

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:18:00 +0000

Be sure to hop on over to Gen X Quilters for my first GiveAway! A pair of Ginger 4.5" thread snips. I hope to spread the word about this blog and make some new friends! The GiveAway ends Wed. 7/21 @ 11:59 PM EST. See Post for details!

#18 Vintage Garden Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:33:00 +0000

June 2010

I love this quilt! There's nothing really fancy about it. Just simple blocks and great fabric. I took a chance an ordered 2 charm packs online (that's something I usually don't do - I like to see and touch the fabric usually). When they arrived, I had a good feeling. I started this quilt in the fall of 2008. There was quite a bit of work with all the feature squares, sashing, and cornerstone squares. I didn't get all that far before I lost my energy being pregnant with my second son. For some reason, making all the cornerstones line up was so daunting..... So, it was put away until my baby boy allowed me to start getting enough sleep at night and I could spend a little nap time sewing.

My longarm quilter did an adorable little flutterbys pattern with butterflys that adds to the garden theme. So here we are, June 2010 and it's finally finished!

Fabric: Moda Natural Garden by Holly Taylor

Pattern: "Vintage Charm" Quilts & More Summer 2007 Issue

#17 Super Size Stars Bed Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:17:00 +0000

June 2010

My biggest and longest UFO - finished! This quilt was one of my first projects started in 2007. I absolutely love stars and these giant super-sized stars are 16" blocks.

Once the quilt sandwich was finally put together, I was halfway through quilting on my tiny beginner sewing machine when I lost steam.

Coming back to it over a year later, I decided I wanted to have a long-arm quilter do the quilt, so I started ripping out what I had done. After spending 3 hours with my seam ripper, I lost steam again.

Another year passes..... I re-quilt what I had torn out and finish quilting. Yea! We then used this quilt on our bed for 6 months with the binding sewn on, but not finished. (If you look closely in my opening photo, you can see the unfinished binding! Shh!) I finally can cross this one off the list! Whew!

#16 Train Christmas Stocking

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 19:19:00 +0000

June 2010
I am eager to explore all the decorative stitches on my new machine. I decided a small project would help me figure out all the new tricks! No better time to start doing holiday projects than in the hot summer heat!
My oldest son LOVES trains, so much that we eat and breathe Thomas over here. So picking a train theme was a no-brainer when it came to designing his stocking. I used all scraps from my stash with the exception of the blue background fabric (that was used as lining too).
My favorite parts of the stocking are the red and green eyelets I used on the train wheels and the train-track stitch. Super cute!

Who is this Gen X Quilter?

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:50:00 +0000

Please stop by and check out Gen X (& Ytoo!) Quilters latest post "Who is this Gen X Quilter?"

I am working on getting GXQ added to the Quilter Blogs directory, so I apologize for the redundancy.

Please pass the word to interested others!

Attention Gen X and Gen Y Quilters!!

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Please stop by and check out the new blog I created Gen X Quilters (&Y too!) to encourage those of us in these age groups to network with each other. This blog is brand-spanking new and is looking for input from any that are interested!

Are you a Gen X or Gen Y Quilter?

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:21:00 +0000

I went to my first NQA Quilt Show in Columbus, Ohio over the weekend. It was fun and inspiring, however, I kept noticing I was one of the very few under 50. Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the gray-haired grannies, many of whom have volumes of knowledge to share with us younger quilters. But where are the Gen X and Gen Y quilters??? I would like to network with quilters in my own age group and learn what projects you are working on. Please leave me a comment!!

#15 Mother's Day Hot Pads

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:39:00 +0000

May 2010

For my birthday at the end of April, I bought a new sewing machine! So excited - a Janome Memory Craft 4900QC. After taking a class at Red Rooster on how to use it, I have a lot of playing to do! My first experiment was to test out the darning foot. I made up these hot pads out of scraps and just tried some basic stippling for my first experience with free motion quilting. I was so tense - it will definitely take a while to relax and get the hang of it. I had a really hard time keeping the stitch length even. Plus, there was an extra layer of Insul~Bright heat resistent batting in them, so maybe that was more difficult too ?

I gave them to my mom and mother-in-law for Mother's Day.

Pattern: Indian Star from Quilter's Cache

#14 Mom-Daughter Quilting Day Tablerunner

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:39:00 +0000

April 2010

I invited my mom down to my place for our first (of hopefully many!) Saturday Sew-in in April. Although she started sewing as a little girl, she had yet to try quilting. I hoped to teach her the basics with an easy project and to pass along my obsession with this hobby. I think we succeeded!

We covered it all - fabric selection, rotary cutting, piecework, quilting in the ditch, etc. I used some fabrics I had in my stash. The center flower applique mimics the flower pattern on the blue and green fabrics. I gave mine a hanging sleeve so it could take a turn on my quilt rack.

Mom did a great job with fabric selection for her first project. I think they both turned out well - and hopefully, we can do more joint projects in the future. To celebrate, my husband and boys surprised us with this cake. It says "Happy Quilting Day!"

Pattern: Abundant Harvest Tablerunner by Debbie Mumm

Mom's finished runner

#13 Firetruck Double Bed Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:50:00 +0000

2009

My one great accomplishment of 2009. I worked on this before my pregnant belly got too big to fit under my sewing table! My oldest was moving to the big boy bed and that gave me the opportunity to create the perfect quilt for the soon-to-be big brother.

The vehicle focus fabric was originally bought to make a pillowcase that never happened. So unfortunately, I only bought a small quantity of it. When I decided to use the fabric for a bed size quilt, I hunted all over for more. But too much time had passed, so I was out of luck. I decided to try and make the best of the 1/2 yard I had by flanking the applique with 16" squares of the vehicle fabric. The other fabric selections are part of the prints used on the vehicles - blue gingham, red plaid, chocolate brown polka dot, and green polka dot.

To make the applique, I copied and enlarged the firetruck on the vehicle fabric. Then I traced templates for the major elements and used fabric scraps that matched the picture. Overall, I am very happy with the way it turned out, and more importantly, he loves it!

(I also made these blue gingham tab top curtains for his room with blackout lining - great for naps or keeping him from waking up at 6am in the summer.)

#12 Toile Kitchen Curtains

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:36:00 +0000

March 2009

Again, I diverge from quilting. I am pregnant with baby #2 at the end of 2008. Motivation and energy for quilting is waning. To prepare for the arrival of the new baby, we decide to repaint what seems like the entire house. The basement is first - and thus, my sewing "studio" is out of commission. Next is the kitchen, which leaves me without appliances for 5 weeks, followed by the "big boy" room for my oldest. The fresh coats of paint leave me with some decorating to do...

This is what I call the "breakfast nook". It would be great for relaxing with a good cup of coffee and the morning paper if our children ever let us sit down. The new paint here in the kitchen is the mocha color you can see and a chocolate brown. The toile fabric picked up these colors perfectly and gave it the feeling I was looking for with simple valances. Someday I will get around to making new chair pads and some accent pillows...

#11 Pooh Bear

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:56:00 +0000

Sept. 2008

Ok, so it's not technically a quilt. But my little Pooh is just too cute not to include here.

Growing up, my mom made quite a few Halloween costumes for my brother and I. I have mostly* fond memories of getting to dress up in them for Halloween. So when my oldest son was ready to make his first real Halloween appearance, I called her up to see if she still had those old costumes. This was a loaded question....as of course, I knew she still had them (she still has miniskirts from the 60s and maternity clothes from the 70s...:)). The little Indian costume has now been passed to a second generation. I hope some of my costumes have the same fate!

Anyway, the Pooh costume was made from a sweatsuit pattern using fuzzy yellow fleece. I sewed bear ears onto the top of the hood to complete the bear look. I bought a red t-shirt at the store and added the yellow "Pooh" applique to the front. Not too shabby for my first attempt at apparel. Best of all, it was super warm for nighttime trick-or-treating!

*With the exception of one witch costume that my mom and I argued over when I was about 10 years old. I wanted scary, she wanted cute. She won the fabric selection, but I will never forget being asked if I was a "clown" wearing said witch costume.

#10 Poinsettia Wall Hanging

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:37:00 +0000

Aug. 2008

This poinsettia quilt is one of my favorites! I found the green border fabric at an after-Xmas sale and somehow everything else just fell into place. The two different tones of red give the petals depth and I love how the four flowers are accented by the candy cane border. This quilt hangs high up in my two-story great room below a crecent window.

Pattern: "Poinsettia Wall Quilt" from "Presenting Poinsettias" Decorating with Quick & Easy Holiday Quilts by Debbie Mumm

#9 Large Tote

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Fri, 28 May 2010 19:27:00 +0000

July 2008

This bag was a shower gift for my friend. She was due in October (although baby surprised her a month early!), and I had orange and pumpkins on my mind. I stuffed the most adorable little pumpkin costume inside it! This uses the same pattern as my #5 Large Tote bag. It's amazing how much easier something is the second time around.

#8 "Sweet Dreams" Applique

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:22:00 +0000

July 2008

When my friend was pregnant with her son, a member of her family sent out a quilt square and craft-as-you-wish instructions to every person attending one of her showers. Each person's square would then go into a baby quilt for her. I was excited to try something new.....Applique! I hosted a quilt square craft night with some of the girls I used to work with at the hospital, and we got to work. Here is the square I came up with using scraps I had in my stash. Overall, I am pretty happy with this experiment. Sewing the wording was difficult, but I think you can definitely read it?! More importantly, I was no longer intimidated by quilt patterns with applique elements to them.

#7 Boo!-ti-ful Halloween Wall Hanging

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 25 May 2010 19:49:00 +0000

June 2008

Every year around September 1st, I get excited to decorate for Halloween. Although it will still be warm here for quite a while, I start to think of the brisk temperatures, the smell of the air, apple picking, and football. This Halloween quilt rounds out my collection of ceramic pumpkins and spooky knickknacks. Log cabin blocks are used to make the ghost and pumpkin shapes. This was the first quilt I sent to a longarm quilter. Wow - how cool the stippling looks! I tried my hand at some hand applique stitching to create the faces and stem. That was tough and next time I vowed to use fusible web.

Side note: This quilt is displayed on a quilt rack that was custom-made for me and my quilts. It was designed and made by my husband using my absolute favorite (beadboard)!

Pattern: Boo!-ti-ful Halloween Wall Hanging Free Quilt Pattern

http://www.quiltbus.com/boo!-ti-ful_halloween_wall_hanging.htm

#6 Housewarming quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:39:00 +0000

May 2008

My brother moved into his new house and what better way to say Congrats than with a new quilt! My mission was to make this quilt as manly as possible: simple design and warm flannel plaids and stripes. I even recycled a couple of old men's flannel shirts for some blocks. This was my first experience working with triangles and it is quilted in-the-ditch. His follow-up Christmas gift that year was the complimentary pillow.

Pattern: "Comfort Zone" Quilts & More Summer 2006 Issue

#5 Large Tote

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Sat, 22 May 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Jan. 2008

After making the first very small tote bag, I decided I wanted to make something much bigger to accommodate the never-ending list of stuff that goes into a "Mom" bag. I didn't want it to look like a diaper bag - instead I had visions of being the next Vera Bradley.... I quilted and lined it, but didn't feel ready for anything more complicated like pockets or zippers. My only complaint is that the strap is too long. I've carried this a lot, and gotten compliments on it from complete strangers.... doesn't help the Vera dreaming...

#4 Sampler Table Runner

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Thu, 20 May 2010 14:58:00 +0000

Dec. 2007

This table runner marks my first trip to a real quilt shop... So many beautiful fabrics! My friend Adrienne took a class over lunchtime at her work. She would pass me the notes and pattern so we could work on it together. I quilted this in-the-ditch. It displays pretty nicely my obsession with red.

Pattern: 12" blocks 1. churn dash 2. nine patch 3. rail fence 4. grandma's flower garden (paper piecing)

#3 Baby Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Wed, 19 May 2010 19:17:00 +0000

July 2007

Although it would be a while before my second son would come along, I decided to run with baby quilts because I felt they were a manageable size for me. This fabric has cute chameleons on it and is soft flannel. Perfect for a little boy! I wanted something very basic, so I alternated four-patch squares with solid squares for the diagonal look. My first attempt at tying. This quilt took a lot of abuse because my son had reflux when he was very little. It has held up to the washing surprisingly, even though it is tyed.

#2 Small Tote Bag

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Tue, 18 May 2010 18:51:00 +0000

May 2007
I stopped working one week before my first son was born. To keep my mind off of baby stress, I picked this tote to keep me busy. This time I decided to follow a pattern and to invest in a rotary cutter. Wow - what a difference! Still not sure what I was thinking when selecting the fabric. But hey, you learn as you go I guess. This was a UFO until my son was about 9 months old and I began sewing again. It's actually quite small. It sits in my craft area collecting fabric scraps that will someday turn into something.

Pattern: "Lazy Days Tote" Quilts & More: Summer 2006 Issue

#1 The Beginning: Baby Quilt

noreply@blogger.com (AnneMarie) — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:15:00 +0000

Feb. 2006
After receiving a sewing machine for Christmas, I decided to make a baby quilt when I was pregnant with my first son. I didn't know how to sew a straight line or what a bobbin was, but I figured I could wing it. I went to Joann's, bought some flannel Pooh fabric, and started cutting squares with scissors. Knowing that nothing I was making was square, I decided to stagger the rows, so no seams would need to line up. I was flying blind! No pattern and no plan. This is what I came up with... We used this blanket very much when he was a baby.