Why Not Sew?

Valentine Birds ...

2012-01-30T10:10:00.001-05:00

Our family has been going through so many changes for the past few months. Plans that we thought were going to happen soon look like may take longer than we thought. So I wait. I've mentioned before how impatient I am. I don't like change and I don't like waiting, but I am trying.

I made my way through boxes and bags in my sewing room and set up my machine and sewed. It felt so good to sew. And boy is it ever faster than hand sewing!? (though I still love hand sewing)

I made this little Valentine wall hanging. Isn't it sweet? I've had the idea swirling around in my head but didn't think I'd be able to make it with my machine packed up. All I can say id God bless these people! hahaha! I love my machine! Really. LOVE.

I used red and white Baker's Twine as a little hanger. I really like that and think I'll use it again for wall hangings.

For the back I used one of my favorite prints. I just love this one.The binding is some fabric I had left over from making stockings for a Christmas dolly.

I'm keeping this one but I think I'll make one similar for the shop.

Have a great day!

Hand Pieced Quilt-A-Long Block # 1

2012-01-27T12:09:00.000-05:00

Hey there! are you ready to start the hand pieced quilt along? I'm not a real formal person so there are no rules. I'll try to post a new block every week. Fridays seem good as we will have the weekend to work on our blocks. Margaret asked for some of the basic info on hand piecing so I have a few pictures of how I hand piece. This is just the method I have been using and it is far from perfect but it works for me. I hope it helps.
So let's begin...

Block # 1 Churn Dash ( 6 inches finished)

(click to enlarge)

2 - 2 7/8 inch squares from background fabric for half square triangles

2 - 2 7/8 inch squares from main fabric for hst

1 - 2 1/2 inch square from background fabric for center

4 - 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 rectangles from main fabric

4 - 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 rectangles from background fabric

When your pieces are cut the next step is to draw your sewing line onto the WRONG side of your fabric 1/4 inch away from the edge. I try to go with a scant 1/4 inch here. I prefer to use a mechanical pencil for this.

Do that to all of your pieces and then draw a diagonal line on all of the 2 7/8 inch squares. Draw a sewing line 1/4 inch away from the diagonal line on each side. Then you can cut your piece on the center diagonal line.

I am using red thread so you can see my stitches here. I use a single thread (left loose on one end). I knot the end twice so I know it won't pull through my fabric.

I use a running stitch and try to make smallish stitches.

When you come the last stitch at the end of your piece take 3 more stitches on top of the last one. That is enough to secure your thread.

Here is the first completed HST (half square triangle). I really like the bit of rippling, bubbling, whatever you want to call it, on the seam line. I think it adds to the charm of hand piecing.

Sew all of your HST's and rectangular pieces together like this.

Then sew your pieces together in rows like this.

Lastly sew your rows together making sure to match, or butt, your seams together. I like to press the hst's toward the center in those rows and for the middle row I like to press the center out towards the rectangles.

Now you have one completed block for our quilt along. Isn't it pretty!?

I'm excited to see the blocks from everyone who joins along. I'll try to put a linky tool thing after next week's post. I also started a little flickr group for the quilt along, a place where we can give tips and encouragement! Please come over and join the group. I'll be lonely there all by myself .

Have a great weekend and lots of fun sewing block # 1 !!!

So Far... So Good...

2012-01-20T12:37:00.000-05:00

I have finished 7 6.5 inch Churn Dash blocks by hand and I am so happy with all of them, I'm still not decided on a 3 x 3 layout or 3 x 4 layout for the doll quilt. I prefer a rectangular size so I may have to cut more fabric as I I've only cut enough for a 3 x 3 layout.

I love how feminine and girly these blocks look. Really old fashioned too. I think that is appropriate since they are being hand pieced.

It seems as though a few of you are up for a hand piecing quilt along which is great to hear! I'll be drawing out a rough sketch this weekend but so far this is what I'm thinking:
12 ~ 6.5" (unfinished) blocks
I'll be looking through Quilter's Cache to find traditional blocks and re-size them. I'll post the out line soon but I'm thinking for the first block a Churn Dash might be nice :) I'm going to be using scraps. I'm also going to be working on it with my oldest daughter. I think this is a great opportunity to teach hand / life skills and encourage useful creativity. I'll be posting the rough draft and some tips I've picked up too if you are new to hand piecing as I am. I'm also going to try to put a linky thing for each of our quilt along post so we can share our progress and encourage each other. Sound okay?

Have a great weekend!!!

My First Hand Pieced Blocks...

2012-01-16T08:32:00.000-05:00

I made my first hand pieced blocks over the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the process. I made 6.5 inch Churn Dash blocks that will become part of a doll quilt for my someday quilt wall.

I am making the whole thing by hand. It's rewarding for me knowing I can do it and that I can sit with my family in the evening and be apart of what they are doing.

Here is a picture of the back of one of the blocks. I like seeing all of those little stitches :)

I cut out my pieces and then draw a 1/4 inch line from the edge of the fabric. That is the line I sew on.

I'm happy this process is teaching me patience which I lack at times. Only one time did I think that if I were using my machine I probably would have had all of the blocks pieced in the time it took to prep and sew 2 blocks. But the thought faded with the joy I felt from hand sewing them. I'm not sure why I find this so much more rewarding right now. I'm even thinking of a Hand Piece Along type thing. Maybe a small sampler doll quilt?! Anyone care to sew along? anyone? anyone? chirp...chirp.. :)

handwork...

2012-01-13T13:01:00.000-05:00

hand·work (hndwûrk)

Work done by hand rather than by machine.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

that's what i have been doing lately.

I have this little tub filled with multiple handwork projects. Diamonds, hexagons and

petals.

I am also working on this embroidery I hope to use some of these prints for the patchwork border. I have found that I really enjoy hand sewing. It's very relaxing. I look forward to winding down in the evening with a hot cup of tea and sewing on one of these. It's quiet and peaceful and perfect for the winter months.

Just for the fun of it I made a mosaic with my Farmer's Wife blocks so far...I think I am going to try to make a few by hand. Some of the pieces are so small that I think these blocks would be a great start to hand piecing blocks. Maybe I'll make a whole quilt by hand one day....

Sorting Legos by Color...

2012-01-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

....what happens when this girl can't sew :)

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T19:41:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

The Block That Had Me Cussing...

2011-12-29T12:33:00.001-05:00

Let me introduce you to this block. It's a Farmer's Wife block. It's an uncooperative block. I really extremely very much dislike this block. I almost gave up on the FWQAL because of this block. Number 18 Century of Progress. 10 seams that meet in the middle. This is the second one I made. I'm still mad at it!

I really made a mess of the first one. This is the first one. I ripped this one apart so many times that it really looked bad. I was having fits. I absolutely could not get my center seams to look good.

I really didn't care for the lay out suggested in the book either. So weeks and weeks later I took another stab at it and made the block in the first picture. It's still not great. The seams are awful. But I am NOT making another. I couldn't skip it either. I want to make every block from the book. I guess I will just like some better than others. I was hoping to really catch up with the quilt along. We'll see....

Here's block 17 Cat & Mice. This one was okay :)

I have 18 made now and I think the FWQAL will be up to 56 blocks by the end of January. Realistically I know I won't get that many made in a month but I'm going to keep working on it. Did any of you making these blocks have trouble with number 18?

Here's a sneak peak of something I'm working on for one of my dearest friends. An anniversary gift. She was married in Jamaica and her husband sent me a message asking if I could make this for her. I have a bunch more to do but I like the way it's coming together.

★☆★☆The Quilted Castle Riley Blake Tuxedo FQ Bundle Giveaway WINNER!!!★☆★☆

2011-12-27T18:49:00.000-05:00

The winner is # 30, Lorrie! Congratulations Lorrie! Thanks to all of you who left comments telling me about your quilting inspirations. I enjoyed reading all of them. Thanks to The Quilted Castle for a wonderfully generous giveaway!

A Sweet Top

2011-12-26T18:12:00.003-05:00

I finally have my Sweet quilt top put together and I couldn't be happier! This is my absolute all-time favorite fabric line ever.

I bought a fat quarter bundle of Sweet by Urban Chiks a couple of years ago. I found a remnant of the pink peeps at my LQS but I couldn't find anymore of it anywhere local. I ordered the bundle and saved it for so long, using just a few pieces here and there. Last year I decided it was time to make a quilt with this sweetest of Sweet fabric!

I wanted the peeps to be the center piece or main attraction. They are my favorite of all the prints.

This is the biggest quilt I have made so far. I know I'll be wrestling with my sewing machine when I quilt this one. I'm just going to stipple it. I think ... I hope ... :)

★☆★☆This block is from Amanda Jean's tutorial! ★☆★☆

My Needle Book From nanaCompany (Amy's) Tutorial

2011-12-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

The fat quarter bundle giveaway is here.

I've been mixing in a few small things that I want to make for myself with Christmas sewing for others. It's a nice break and most of the little projects take no time at all to finish. Amy @ nanaCompany has a really fun tutorial for a super cute needle book. I pulled fabric from my scrap bins and got started.

I was really happy the tutorial called for 1.5" squares because I already had some cut when I made the border for this quilt. No cutting, less time, bonus :)

For the front of the needle book I appliqued a strawberry. I added a smile because I thought Amy's birthday cake with the smile was really cute. I thought the strawberry might look cute with one too.

It was really fun embellishing the felt pages.

I used the tiniest buttons I could find to secure the ric rac. I love that ric rac. It's only about a bit more than 1/8 of an inch wide, teeny tiny.

I added a little piece of material to hold my needle threader. I got to use the cute pins I made too!

This is a really fun and quick tutorial. Thanks Amy! I love my little needle book :)

Tuxedo by Riley Blake Giveaway from The Quilted Castle

2011-12-20T08:32:00.004-05:00

I am so happy to share with you my newest sponsor, The Quilted Castle. Many of you already know about this fantastic on-line quilt shop, but for those of you who don't, please go check it out. I've spent a lot of time on their site and I have quite a list going. Some of my favorites are:

This egg print from the Pear Tree collection by Thomas Knauer for Andover Fabrics. I love it!

I really, seriously want this I Heart 12 Fat Quarter Set in Blue by Rashida Coleman Hale.

I would like any of these Echo prints.

Oh, my list goes on and on. This shop has so much to choose from. I always gravitate to the Japanese prints and they have plenty of them too. It's a great shop.

The Quilted Castle has very generously offered a Fat Quarter Bundle of Tuxedo by Riley Blake! 24 fabulous black, white and grey prints. I love the dots!

To enter just leave a comment. You can just say hey or hi but if you feel like it tell me what inspired you to start quilting / sewing!

I'll announce the winner Tuesday Dec. 27th! Good luck!

☆☆☆ The Quilted Castle is also having an awesome giveaway on their Facebook page for a $50.00 gift certificate o their store. Go like their page before 12/31/2011! ☆☆☆

Christmas Birdie Tutorial

2011-12-19T06:50:00.000-05:00

Hi there! Hope you all had a great weekend. Back in November Heather and Megan from Quilt Story asked me if I would be a part of their Christmas Tutorial series they were having. I was thrilled for the invite and I made a Christmas Bird quilt for them. If you'd like to check out the tutorial it's here. I even made templates! That was exciting! I'm not much of a formal pattern follower or maker so I hope it's easy to understand. Let me know what you think!

Little Lamb Bag

2011-12-16T10:23:00.001-05:00

I made another bag using Ayumi's Pattern. This one is for one of my girls.

I bought this Japanese print with the little lambs from Kerri's shop back in June. I had it folded really pretty and was using it to top a little bookshelf. I was saving it for just the right project but I wanted to display it in the meantime because it is just too cute.

I could make a ton of these!

I love this bag!

I know it will be well loved too.

This is the inner lining. I had a hard time choosing between this feedsack print or the pink Lori Holt Sew Cherry Print, which to be the lining and which to be the drawstring cover. I finally decided on this option.

Here it is with the drawstring cover pushed into the bag. Did I mention I love this bag?!

Leila's Scrappy Organizer and Keyka Lou's Dumpling Purse

2011-12-13T15:56:00.001-05:00

I finished the Dumpling purse and Scrappy Organizer for my bag. They are so cute and now I have a matchy-matchy set!

In all of my sewing I've never put a zipper in a bag and I didn't even realize it until I started sewing the dumpling bag. But it was smooth sailing. My stitches are a bit wobbly in some parts but not too bad.

The instructions were very clear. This is the larger (which is still quite small) one. I might make the little one too.

It holds my change and Purell and Swiss Army knife. What more could you ask for? Although it was tough putting that dirty change into my cute little purse.

I used an invisible zipper which I quite like. See just a bit wobbly!

Next I made Leila's Scrappy Organizer.

It's perfect for holding my license, library card, etc.. I put my pens in here too!

This is the outside. So cute.

I finally go the chance to use this vintage button that I have been holding on to for so long. I think it is perfect for this!

Thank you ladies for putting out great, easy to follow tutorials!
I've had so much fun sewing all of these!

A Little Sewing for Myself ☆☆ Ayumi's Lunch Bag ☆☆

2011-12-12T10:41:00.000-05:00

Last night I started making a bag using Ayumi's tutorial. Her tutorial for her fabric basket is my go to for a cute little gift. You can stuff a little doll quilt and pillow in there perfectly! So I knew I would love making her Lunch Bag and I finally had the chance to do just that last night. I love how easily it came together and I absolutely love the bag.

I used a vintage linen I found when I was looking for inspiration for my cocorico bee block for Annabel.

Then I tried to pull some coordinating prints from my stash. I am so happy with it. Next I'm making a cute little Dumplin purse to coordinate with my awesome new Lunch Bag that I will not be using as a lunch bag but as a purse. Now back to Christmas sewing.....

Fat Quarterly Aurifil Thread Challenge Review

2011-12-10T12:45:00.001-05:00

Hey there! Hope everyone is having an excellent weekend. I wanted to let you know that my review for the Aurifil Thread Challenge is up over at Fat Quarterly. Please stop over and let me know what you think. I had a ball using those beautiful threads!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2011-12-08T06:44:00.000-05:00

Thinking of my dad today on what would have been his birthday! I was always such a daddy's girl. I miss him more than words can say.

Playing with Thread

2011-12-05T11:53:00.001-05:00

I got to play with thread this weekend. A couple of weeks ago Lynne posted on her blog about an Aurifil Thread Challenge that she was organizing for Fat Quarterly. I clicked on over to the challenge putting my name in the hat but not fully expecting to be able to participate because there was only room for 10 people and there were already many more comments than that when I commented. But I was one of the 10 selected! I was so excited I couldn't wait to get started. My brain started working overtime thinking about what I wanted to do. My thread arrived Saturday and I was able to complete what I made this weekend. I was a mad woman sewing like crazy and tossing scraps behind my back like Eleanor Burns. I felt like electric was pulsating through my body (probably just the 3 cups of coffee I drank). I was afraid to lose even a second of creative energy. I think I channeled that energy well. I will share what I made soon :)

Did you sew this weekend? What did you work on?

Fabricworm Giveaway Winner....

2011-12-03T07:43:00.000-05:00

The winner of the Fabricworm Fat Quarter Giveaway Bundle is ....

120 purduepam said...: Birch fabrics are great. I have used some of them in a quilt and loved how it felt.; November 28, 2011 8:14 PM; Thanks Pam! I'll send you an e-mail for your info!; Thank all of you who entered. I enjoy hearing about what fabrics you want. Some were new to me and they were all great!

Christmas Birds and More Pin Toppers

2011-12-02T07:15:00.002-05:00

I've been sewing some more Christmas Bird quilts in preparation for my tutorial for Quiltstory on Dec. 19th. I love this one with the family's stockings being held by the birds! I want cute stockings like those. I always see the greatest stockings popping up all over blogland around this time of year. I never take the time to make any. I always have the intention to and then I have too many other gifts and things to sew around the holidays that I never get around to it. Maybe I should make some in the summer next year?!

I am working on this little quilt now. I'm calling it Our First Christmas. Kind of in keeping with the whole keepsake idea I had for the Baby's First Christmas quilt. My tree is really crooked so I have to decide if I'll move forward with this one or scrap it.

I've also made more pin toppers. I am obsessed! Seriously.

My new favorite is the gnomey little pink mushroom! They are so teeny tiny. I hope to make a few more over the weekend. What are your weekend plans? Hope they include lots of fun and sewing :)

★☆★☆ I'll announce the Fabricworm fat quarter bundle giveaway tomorrow! There's still time to enter!★☆★☆

Aqua and Tangerine Stars Quilt

2011-11-29T10:30:00.001-05:00

Do you remember this was supposed to be the back for this top? When I posted them and said that I think I love the back more than the top some of you agreed with me. Monica said that I should just make 2 quilts instead. I thought that was a brilliant idea and so that is what I did...

or should say I am going to do. I have this one made and I really, really love it.

I quilted a couple words on one of the bottom corners of the quilt. Always Dream. So I never forget. And my kids never forget. And so anyone who sits under or on top of this quilt never forgets. Because, honestly, I forgot!

*ETA if you love this color combo too, there's a flickr group for that.... The Sweet { Aqua } Tangerine.

Fabricworm Fat Quarter Bundle Giveaway!

2011-11-28T07:32:00.010-05:00

Today I am super excited to have the opportunity to offer you an incredible fat quarter bundle from Fabricworm.

Fabricworm has generously offered a beautiful bundle from their very own fabric line for Birch Fabrics called Circa 52!

I think this line is awesome.

I love retro and whimsical and these prints fit that perfectly.

If the prints themselves weren't enough to make you love this line, the fact that Birch Fabrics fabric is 100% organic should! I love that. Treated with love not pesticide, isn't that great?! I really love the colors of these prints too. Birch Fabrics also has other fabulous lines.

So along with creating this wonderful fabric, Fabricworm has a wonderful fabric shop! They offer many kinds of bundles which we all love.

I have my eye on the Echo Park bundle.

I have such a fondness for Japanese prints which Fabricworm has, and great ones at that! In fact I could barely get this written for taking so long looking at all of those! Heather Ross, Kei honeycomb dots (I want all of them) Kokka, Echino, Daiwabo, Lecien! I am in love.

Their customer service is incredible too! Cynthia is so totally sweet and has been such a pleasure to interact with. I wish her many great things with Fabricworm and Birch Fabrics.

Today they are also having a spectacular Cyber Monday sale! Plus if you are one of the first 20 orders you get one of these nifty little cosmetic cases. There is one of the Circa 52 prints! Isn't it great?!! So hurry on over and don't miss out!

But before you go enter to win the Circa 52 fat quarter bundle.

Here's what you can do.

1.) leave a comment
2.) check out Fabricworm then come back and tell me what you would order! (I really enjoy this part because I get to hear about fabrics I may have missed)
3.) let me know if you are a follower of my blog ( or a new follower)!
4.) spread the word...blog, flickr, facebook, twitter...whatever you like.

4 chances to win! Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

I'll pick a winner Saturday Dec. 3 using Random Number Generator!

Many thanks to Fabricworm for your generosity and for creating such awesome designer fabric that is good for us and the environment!

Finished Pin Toppers and a Pin Cushion

2011-11-26T15:28:00.001-05:00

I couldn't sleep last night so I got up and made this pretty pin cushion for the pin toppers we made yesterday.

The Robin's eggs are definitely my favorite.

I think Sculpey clay must last forever because some of this I have had for over 15 years, back when I went through my hemp necklace making faze. I used to make these mushrooms all the time. I think I still have some necklaces with mushrooms like these on them. I love the idea of putting them on the pins. I've seen them at quilt shows and things but I didn't fall in love with the concept until I saw this shop! I could buy one of everything.

I love the pin cushion too, in all it's lopsided glory. I used a cookie tin for the base (about 5 inches in diameter). and made the hexie pillow to fit on top. I made cording for the rim to kind of hold the pillow in place. All in all I think it came out pretty good for being 3 am and not really measuring anything.

Fat Quarter Shop Giveaway Winner!

2011-11-26T09:40:00.001-05:00

The winner of the Fat Quarter Shop fat quarter bundle giveaway is #257 Toni!

Toni said...: Congratulations, Erin! That is so exciting! That line is one of my favorites right now, too!; November 24, 2011 7:28 AM

Congratulations Toni! I'll send you an e-mail shortly!

Come back Monday for another awesome giveaway!