this week

Well I seem to be in a bit of a blogging slump. Sewing is happening though!
I've got some cell phone pics of what I've been working on this week.

Mr. Scotty Dog came together surprisingly quick! A birthday gift for my niece. Free pattern from Denyse Schmidt.


After some deliberation and calculations I've decided to make both a Vintage Nine-Patch quilt and a Bowtie quilt with my Hadley fabrics. I'm going to make both quilts a smallish lap size and with a few additional fabrics it should be no problem.
These vintage nine patch blocks are small for me (6" finshed) and I was hoping there was going to be some quick method of sewing them up but no such luck. These could be time consuming but I think the result will be worth it.

I'm going with the 7" finished blocks for the bowties. These are pretty fun to make!


And today I'm going to finish the back and baste up this Double Plus quilt for a customer. The day is slipping by so I'd better hop to it!

Arizona Cargo Duffle

Thank you so much for the helpful links you gave me yesterday for my failed paper piecing attempt! I'm sure I will give it another go because I really want some of those feathers!

On a very successful and happy note, I made a Cargo Duffle bag last week! I've had it on my must make NOW list since the pattern came out but I never could settle on the fabrics to use. Well, when I saw Anna's tote bag in the Arizona fabrics I knew that was it! I pre-ordered my fabrics and cut into them the day I got them.

I was slightly intimidated by making a duffle bag but I knew how great Anna's patterns are (plus she gives extra tips on her blog). I just took it step by step and had no problems at all! All in all, it took a bit of time but was a lot easier than I thought it would be.

Our family is going on a road trip soon and I can't wait to use it!

new machine!

So...yeah, this just happened.


A couple of months ago I started doing a little research on machines. I needed to save up a little so I've just been biding my time but yesterday I started reading lots of reviews on different machines again.
Right now, I use a Janome MC6500 (my mom gave it to me about 5 years ago) but use it only for free-motion quilting because that's how I have it set up (the tension is not easy to get right!). I use a Janome Magnolia 7330 for piecing and any other type of sewing. I've been dissatisfied with the stitch quality of my FMQ and a few annoying problems it's had with the top thread getting caught on the lowered feed dogs while FMQ. I found others online that had this same problem and they used a piece of masking tape over the feed dogs to solve the problem. Sure enough, ever since I have used the masking tape I have not had the problem but still, it's a pain to have to do that on such an expensive machine.

Anyway, I've had it narrowed down to a Janome MC8900 or a Juki TL-2010Q. Several features on the Janome really appealed to me, like their Acufeed system and 11" of harp space. However, when it comes to computers I'm not a geek and am super intimidated to learn all the ins and outs (heck! I've never really figured out my 6500) nor do I need any fancy stitches. Honestly though I probably would have gone with the Janome if I'd had the extra cash for it.
So with the price being almost a third of the Janome and after seeing how pleased so many Juki owners are with their 2010s I decided to go for it. It's a straight stitch only machine but that's what I mainly do - straight stitch and FMQ, plus I have my little Janome still for zigzag or other things like that. This morning I drove about 40 minutes to a local store that had one in stock (for less than the best online price I saw too!). I'm really excited to get to know this new machine!

Well, I'll let y'all know what I think after a while.

Washi tunic

Well I've had two quilts finished for a few weeks now but I've been a lazy blogger. And, I want to show you something different! A Washi tunic for me!

I downloaded this pattern over a year ago but hadn't taken the plunge until now. I never could figure out what fabric I wanted to use. But when I saw a plaid version in the Washi Flickr pool, I knew that's what I wanted for a fall/winter version.

The only major thing I changed was to add about 4" in length to the tunic pattern. And I shrunk the sleeves waaaay down so that there would be no gathers in the shoulder and it would be more fitted. I'm so happy with how it came out! I was pretty nervous about it because making clothes is not my strong suit, nor do I enjoy it much.

too busy to blog!

Hi there! It's been a while! I've been swamped with custom orders and now gift sewing, not to mention preparing for Christmas.
There are two quilts I want to share this week but first, I just finished this bag and couldn't wait to show it off.
We draw names for Christmas presents in our family and the family member I got desperately needs a new purse. A sneaky person sent me a picture of her current Vera Bradly purse and it is positively threadbare! I immediately knew of just the right pattern, the Two Zip Hipster. It's a cross-body style just like her current purse. Picking the fabrics proved much more difficult though. She is a country western girl to the core and I was told that aqua/turquoise is her favorite color. I just couldn't find an aqua/turquoise fabric I was happy with. Eventually I settled on a Juliana Horner print from JoAnn's and paired it with Yarn Dyed Essex Linen in the denim color.

I sure hope she likes it!

To take a shortcut, I used a ready made purse handle I found at JoAnn's while looking for the proper strap hardware.

I was SO thick where the handle straps are sewn into the purse that I had to hand turn the wheel on my machine to get it through all the layers without breaking the needle. Next time, I might use a little less interfacing on that part. The only other thing I did differently was skip interfacing the lining of the bag. It just didn't need it.

I know in front of your garage door isn't exactly the most desirable backdrop but hey, it's the middle of the afternoon and I'm in a hurry!

This is a really great bag and I want one for myself now!

I'm back

I'm so glad I made it past that craft show! I've been taking it easy this week catching up on the housework and getting things listed on Etsy (still working on that actually). The show went pretty well although not as good as last year. It was worth my while for sure and now my Etsy shop will be stocked up.

Last year, my big seller was baby quilts but this year I didn't sell ANY baby quilts! weird. So the big seller this year was Kindle covers. You just never know! that's what makes these shows so nerve-wracking. Anyway, I had a great time and I'm sure I'll do it again next year. :)


I did make one thing this week, a Divided Basket for my sister-in-law's baby shower on Saturday.

I love, love, love how it came out!!!

And I knit up a simple cozy hat for the new little one too.

I'll be back soon to share some more quilts that I didn't have time to post before the show.

Divided Basket

Well this was a fun project!
I've been wanting to make this Divided Basket since I first saw it. The other day I found myself with a half yard of a very large scale print of Field Study linen and no idea of what to do with it (why oh why did I only buy half a yard!). I immediately thought I would make a bag but then that basket caught my eye when I was browsing through Anna's patterns (I've made the 241 Tote so I know how well written her patterns are).

As I was making this I started thinking it might be a great little item to sell at our local Etsy fall craft show.

The only thing I did differently from the pattern was use only the fusible fleece interfacing instead of that and the regular interfacing. I try my best to do as little interfacing ironing as possible LOL!

So fun and simple! I'm sure I'll be whipping up some more of these over the next few months.

Life Update

Wow, sorry to just drop off the face of the earth like that but good news, we're in the process of buying a house! Seven {long} months ago we sold our house thinking it would take a month or so to find something that would be right for us, ha! My dad graciously let us move in with him so that we could save our money and not have to rent. Who knew that the market in our area would change from a buyer's market to a seller's market making it hard to find what we wanted and home prices going up.
What we were wanting was to downsize a bit, get a smaller, more affordable house (not that our 2,000 sq.ft. house was a mansion or anything!) because the cost of our medical bills/insurance. We wanted to continue to stay out of debt (thank you Dave Ramsey!) and moving to a more affordable house was the only place to cut our monthly costs. My husband and I were at total peace with it all and knew that God would take care of us no matter what. And although it hasn't been easy living with family it has all worked out just fine. I cannot tell you how excited I am to finally move to our own space and make it ours! It's not final yet but soon!

So anyway, with all that personal stuff out of the way I can show you what I've been working on. Though the blog has been quiet, my sewing machine has been working up a sweat!

I'm excited to say that some of my things will now be for sale in a local brick and mortar shop selling handmade/vintage goods and is opening today! The ladies that started our local Etsy Denton group have rebranded to be called DIME (Denton Independent Makers Exchange) and are opening The DIME Store where they are selling goods from local Etsy crafters. I got a sneak peek at it the other day and it's going to be awesome!

Some iPad covers:


Some table runners. This plus one inspired by this quilt.

This triangles one inspired by this quilt. My favorite!


Baby plus quilt inspired by Heather's quilt.


I'm calling this quilt Friday's Quilt (because it's so easy you can have a finished quilt by Friday LOL!) and I'll be posting a tutorial/pattern for it soon! I made a large throw sized version of this quilt you can see here.


There were some zipper pouches, bookmarks and other things that I just didn't get pictures of but I'll snap of few of them at the store when I go!
I promise I won't be so much of a stranger. I really have so much I've been working on and want to share but all I've been thinking about lately is what colors to paint the house and how I'm going to decorate it! :)
Have a lovely weekend!

Let's do this!

I am done, done, DONE! *happy dance* On Friday I bought the last gift, finished the Birdie Sling and wrapped them up. I am ready for Christmas and to enjoy some relaxation (and maybe a cocktail or two :).

I also finished hubby's weighted blanket but it's fairly boring looking so no pictures.

Here's the 4th Birdie Sling I've made (1st one, 3rd one and I realized I don't have a pic of the 2nd one that I made last Christmas for my sister).

A not-very-good picture of the lining:

I used brown thread on the handle this time and I like it much better than the cream thread I used on my other one.

Both lining and outer fabrics are from Anna Maria Horner's Field Study collection.

I really love how this bag came out! I hope my sister-in-law will love it too.

Merry Christmas everyone! I wish you all a lovely holiday!

confession time!

Whoa! didn't mean to be so out of it here on the blog. I hate to admit that I am very unmotivated right now and I have two major projects that need to be done by Christmas!

The first one is for my husband. It's a weighted blanket. I heard about them from a friend recently who struggles with anxiety and restless leg syndrome at night. My hubby doesn't have anxiety but he has restless leg syndrome and has always loved heavy blankets. So I browsed around for a tutorial and got started about a week ago. Let's just say this sucker is a PAIN in the behind! I'm only about a third of the way done. :(


Next, I have to whip up a Birdie Sling bag for my sister-in-law. I'm just dreading all that interfacing. Maybe if I do a little at a time it won't be too bad.


What I'd rather be working on (because I'm selfish!) is this little imrpov thing I've got going.

And my Farmer's Wife quilt!

#93 Swallow

Well, I'm determined to get those gifts done so off I go. And don't remind me that Christmas is only 11 days away, eek!

Autumn Birdie Sling

So, did everyone have a great day yesterday and today? I did!
This morning I did a bit of online fabric shopping (check out all the sales! some people make it too easy :) and then hubby and I saw the new James Bond movie this afternoon - LOVED it!

And all week I've been using my new Birdie Sling. (Look at that stiff handle! all that interfacing, LOL!)

I used two fabrics from Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks collection that I bought specifically to make this bag several years ago. It's good to finally get it made and use it!

I do regret using the cream thread on the brown handle, I think it stands out a little too much but it's fine, I still like it. Soon I'll be making another one for a gift and it will have a brown handle too and I will definitely use brown thread.

For the interfacing, as you know, I got impatient with using a press cloth and decided to do what some others do and just iron it on without it. It seems to be holding up fine so we'll see over a longer time but I'm happy to have taken the shortcut for now. :)

interfacing

I'm finally making a Birdie Sling bag from these fabrics I've had set aside for like two years!



Anybody else hate fusing interfacing on as much as I do??? I'm about to ditch the "damp press cloth" and just iron it on (being careful not to burn anything of course). Is that a bad idea? If you've ever made any of Amy Butler's bags then you know all her patterns use a ton of interfacing.

Quilted Patchwork Bible Carrier

I've had this little project in my mind for a while now and I'm so thrilled that it came out just how I envisioned it!
My Bible is a compact study bible, meaning it has notes and is very thick (it's also leather and kind of floppy). It's just awkward to carry around, especially when I'm trying to juggle various other things at the same time. I've tried using tote bags but it just never worked well. I wanted something that would keep it from flopping open (and that wasn't a "traditional" bible cover).

So, here's my totally custom bible carrier:

At first I had intended to use just a single fabric but then I got sucked into the quilted patchwork craze that's going on now (so much inspiration!). Oh Fransson has a little tutorial to get you started.


I basically just used all the bits and pieces of how-to I've collected in my brain to create it. It turned out just perfect!

Even a place to keep a pen and highlighter.

foldover clutch

I've been sewing up a storm but this little clutch is the only thing I've managed to take pictures of.





The pattern is from Michelle Patterns. I was considering making a few to sell at the craft show NEXT weekend (eek!) but in the end I decided I want to focus my time on more baby quilts and table runners. This was my first time working with faux leather and it was surprisingly easy. I found this stuff at Hobby Lobby and it's nice and thin and flexible so I didn't have to use a special needle or anything. The brass jeans zipper really makes this clutch I think. Oh and I used batting for the interlining which I think gives it good structure and hides any lumps your keys and other items make.
I LOVE this Field Study fabric! It screams Fall to me.