You know how Sew, Mama, Sew hosts Giveaway Day twice a year?  Well earlier this year I won this lovely bundle of fabrics from Plum and June, this bundle was one that she put together for the online fabric shop Tactile Fabrics.  I love this bundle of fabrics, the colors are just right and the prints are so like me.  I hung onto them for a bit to decide what they should become, but once The Penny Sampler Class started up, taught by Rachel at Stitched in Color, I just knew what this bundle would become.

The very first project of the class was the Dogwood Blossom Pillow, which I made and posted about HERE.  The second project was the Dogwood Blossom Quilt.  Rachel's suggestion was for us NOT to make both projects, but rather chose one in order to keep up with the Penny Sampler Blocks.  Be it that I apparently can not follow directions, and the fact that I love this quilt pattern, I knew that I had to go for it, and honestly didn't care if I kept up with the Penny Sampler or not, I wanted to make this quilt!

Here are the first four blocks that I made for this quilt.  Currently I have 12 blocks done and only 8 more to go.  For a while I was sewing two a day, but then I got behind on other obligations, and was a bit tired of the ironing and sketch stitching, so I took a wee break from them, but hope to get sewing on them again really soon.

The background fabric for these blocks is by Patty Sloniger from her Les Amis line of fabrics and the name of the print is Faux Bois in White.  I LOVE IT!  The appliqued petals are machine stitched on with the sketch stitch technique that Rachel teaches in the class.  I chose to use a turquoise colored thread to stitch on the petals because I plan to use a turquoise colored fabric for the sashing in between these blocks.

I added one or two prints from my stash that weren't included in the bundle that I won, one of which you can see below.  I wanted just a few more prints for some variety in the quilt.  Just writing about these blocks is making me want to start working on it again!  So fun and rewarding!  Maybe I should go do that right now.....yes, I'm off to sew!

I have a book review and project to show off today!  I will start with the book, Beginner's Guide to Free-Motion Quilting by Natalia Bonner.  Natalia machine quilted one of my quilts for me a few years back, you can see it HERE.  When I heard that she was publishing a book about quilting on your home sewing machine, I was fascinated.  I immediately read the book cover to cover, but didn't feel confident enough to really tackle any projects, so the book sat for a while.

The book starts with the basics of quilting and how to set up your machine for free motion quilting.  The first part of the book, the majority of it, are the patterns and techniques.  The book goes over allover quilting, background fillers, borders and sashings, custom quilted blocks and finally quilting on applique.  You can get a feel for how this part of the book is laid out by seeing my photo below.  There are quilted examples, then drawn images to see how the technique is stitched and written instruction.  It makes it all so clear and simple to understand.  The second section of the book is six original quilt patterns by Natalia Bonner, this is a neat addition to the book.  Lastly the book ends with stencils or the quilting patterns full scale.  If you don't feel confident enough to draw the stitches free hand, you can use these pages as stencils, and trace the patterns onto your quilt first with a washable marker, Hera marker or whatever your favorite method it.  This section is nice to see the actual scale of these patterns.  The book is a really good reference book in regards to looking up patterns and getting ideas of how you can quilt your quilts, it certainly has come in handy for me!

OK, now on to my project, fast forward to the middle of this summer when I realized that my niece's birthday was approaching quickly (beginning of September) and I had this fabric panel that I was wanting to turn into a quilt for her.  The panel is by Deb Strain and from the Luv U collection of fabrics and I had purchased it quite a while back, knowing that eventually would make a quilt for my niece.  After deciding to go ahead and use the panel, I just added two simple pink strips of fabric to each side and then a pretty Riley Blake floral print on either side of that.  I just wanted to make the quilt a tad bit wider, but not any longer, the panel was the right length (42".)  Once the top was done, I had a solid piece for the backing, so I basted it together with safety pins and then had to decide how to quilt it.

This is the point that the book comes into play.  At first I thought I would hand quilt it, but couldn't decide on a good pattern.  I also had a problem to work around.  The panel was printed slightly off-grain, so instead of being straight up and down, it had a good lean to it, like the top went to the left and the bottom went to the right, so I really wanted to try and quilt it in such a way to shift it back to straight, or at least to visually look straight.  I wanted to stretch myself and do something other than just a normal plain stipple.  I pulled out the book and started looking through the patterns.  Once I stumbled upon the the "Loops and Hearts" pattern found on page 30 (see above photo,) I knew it was the perfect pattern, and a great learning pattern, because honestly the only free motion quilting I have done so far was the basic stipple and I felt ready to broaden my horizons.

I set up my machine, loaded some light pink quilting cotton thread, and just went for it.  Since I was trying to shift the quilt back to straight, rather than a lean, I started quilting on the panel in the upper left hand corner, then continued quilting diagonally all the way to the bottom right hand corner.  Once I had the feel for the pattern, I was on a roll.  After I had this section quilted, I then just had to fill in the upper right corner and the lower left corner.  Honestly, it didn't turn out perfect in spots (far from it,) but once I got the hang of it, I had some really nice sweet spots, see the photo below to see the pattern up close. All in all it took me around 2 hours to quilt the entire panel section, and I was pleased as punch with the results.

Once the panel was quilted, I then had to decide how to quilt the side borders, so I turned back to the book.  After looking through it for a while, I decided to dive in and try the "Poppies" pattern found on page 70.  You can see my flowers below, I was also pleased as punch with these results too.  Yes, they aren't perfect, but what flowers are?  So I did a line of Poppies on either side of the panel in the light pink strips.  Eek...I'm drawing with my sewing machine and thread, how cool is that!!!

One set of borders to go, so once again I consulted the book and decided on "Swirls" found on page 66.  I actually found this pattern to be the most difficult for me, it was a larger pattern and I struggled to get "even and smooth" circles, but on a whole, I think it turned out fine and was a great learning experience!  You can see my less than perfect results below, but heck, this quilt is for a five year old, I don't think she will mind.

Once the quilting was done, all I had to do was bind it and add fabric hoops for wall hanging.  I added four fabric hoops to the very top of the quilt, just in case this became a wall quilt vs. one that was actually used.  I used some Patty Young Sanctuary fabric for the binding, such a pretty bright pink.  I also used my new favorite way to bind a quilt, totally by machine!  I found out about this technique through Leanne at She Can Quilt.  She used this method on her Octagonal Orb Quilt, and mentioned that she learned about the technique from Marianne at The Quilting Edge.  You can find out the details of this technique HERE.  My corners turned out fairly well and I didn't have to unpick any section of the binding, it works like a charm and is SO QUICK compared to hand sewing the binding.  I'm in love!

So I know you were wondering if I was able to straighten out the panel with my quilting so that it wouldn't be too wonky.  Well I am pleased to say that I was successful.  The two photos below are my proof.  The photo to the left is what the quilt look liked after quilting and binding.  The panel was fairly straight, but the edges of the quilt are pretty darn wavy, a.k.a. it did NOT lay flat. But....after machine washing....all flat and perfectly smooth, as seen in the photo to the right!  I was thrilled that since the quilting was fairly dense, the texture didn't change after washing, but since it shrank incrementally, it just smoothed out so nicely.

Here is a photo of the back, washed and ready to gift!  I washed it on a normal cycle, with one color catcher, but apparently didn't need it because none of the colors bled, and the color catcher was white when the cycle was over.  I threw it in the dryer, normal cycle and it dried so nice and soft.  I used a poly/cotton blend batting that was pieced from two smaller pieces to make a whole and you can not see the pieced line at all, even when you hold up the quilt to light.

Once washed, I had my five year old help me hold it up, he reluctantly agreed and was just tall enough!  I am happy to say that this quilt has been gifted to my niece and she loved it.  I don't think it will make it to the wall, but will be a much loved and played with blanket.  I couldn't be more thrilled with that, because isn't that what quilts are for?

I've been such a slacker in regards to showing off my blocks for the great bee (Always Bee Learning) that I am in, such great ladies and they deserve to see their blocks before I mail them, so I do apologize to them for that.  Some of these blocks were late...sorry about that too, but a few were really early, so the good cancels out the bad, right?  I hope so.

First up is a rainbow technicolor paper pieced block for QuiltGenius (Mary.)  The name of this block is the Basketweave Braid Star Block and the tutorial is by The ADD Crafter and the directions can be found HERE.  She sent a wide variety of scraps, warm for the weave and cool for the outside pieces, other than that, we were free to do what we wanted with the block.  I can't honestly say that I was successful with this block.  Yes, I was technically successful, it came together rather easily and measured the right size (12.5" x 12.5".)  I'm just not sure I was successful with an eye pleasing layout, it is not one of my favorites for sure.  Maybe I shouldn't have paired the yellow with the blue and so on, who knows, but there isn't anything I can do about it now.  I would have preferred to sew it together like the photo below, I like the color placement better this way.

These blocks were for celestejohnson2008 (Celeste) back in June  She gave us basic instructions and sent us strips of fabric that we sewed together first, used a template to cut into triangles and then pieced them together in whatever pattern we wanted.  The hexagons are not sewed together, just the top row and bottom row, this way you can piece the quilt in long rows, without any complicated piecing.  Here are the six "blocks" that I sent to her.  These were super simple and fun!  Click HERE to see how a whole bunch of them look on her design board.  Fabulous!

These blocks were for kristina.withak (Kristina) and were designed by Lee of Freshly Pieced.  Lee named this quilt block "Sparkler" and the pattern can be purchased HERE.  I loved making these and this pattern is super simple and stunning.  Kristina sent us the fabric cut and ready to sew.  I love this quilt in solids and honestly would love to make one myself one day, it is just so pretty and modern.  I can't wait to see what Kristina does with them.  They measure 12.5" x 12.5" and I think this would be a great quilt for a beginner who is willing to try half square triangles.

This last set is for hehehe922 (Megan.)  Unfortunately, I did send these blocks late.  I'm not sure why it took me so long to get around to them, but once I did, I loved making them.  Now I didn't go for any complicated design, just simple straight forward arrows, which was what she requested and shared this great inspirational photo HERE.  No directions, just improv, which I have discovered that I LOVE doing.  I made these four blocks and they are all pretty large, though I didn't measure them when I was finished, but I want to say that the two up top were around 14" tall.  I hope Megan likes them, I certainly liked making them and was pretty happy with the finished product!  Well that is it for now folks, at the moment I am caught up and hopefully it doesn't take me five months to post the next set!

I started the day by culling through the hundreds of photographs of projects I have yet to share with you guys.  Not quite sure what to share, I remembered this little table runner and knew it was perfect for today.  It has a slight fall feel to it, which works out great because it is only slightly fall or not quite yet but here soon.  I finished up this top a while ago, but never got a chance to show it off.

This was part of the Dancing Stars Quilt-Along hosted by Amy's Creative Side earlier this year.  The Flickr group can be found HERE.  It was a relaxed Quilt-Along with no real deadlines, just sew at your own pace.  Thank goodness, I would have never kept up.  It took me forever to piece these paper pieced stars.  In the end I just made myself sit down and finish them.  This is when I discovered that I didn't like paper piecing the same thing over and over again, it drove me NUTS!  I only made a table runner, I can't imagine making a larger quilt, wowsers.

I used fabric completely from my stash for this one, and will share all of the details when I show off this baby completely finished.  Which, to be completely honest is all quilted, bound and ready to photograph.  It is part of my third quarter finish-along goals, so I better get some pictures taken!

Hello and welcome to my little blog!  I am thrilled to be participating in the 3rd annual Craft Book Month hosted by Craft Buds.  If this is your first time visiting my blog I would love to have you stick around and discover all the cool things going on in my little world.  Below is a mosaic featuring just some of the projects I have made in the past few years, just to give you a little taste of what I am all about!

Today I will be showing off a project and reviewing the book, Bags the Modern Classics - Clutches, Hobos, Satchels & More by Sue Kim.  When I was first asked to participate in this blog hop I knew instantly that I wanted to make a bag, the problem was, which book???  I own A LOT of handbag sewing books.  I pulled them all out, picked out my favorite bags and in the end decided on the Rebecca Bag from Bags the Modern Classics book.  I was just so drawn to the shape of this bag, so cute and large, and one that has been on my to do list for quite some time! 

This book is laid out in a really nice format.  The first part of the book explains basic terminology when bag making (types of stitching and how to clip curves.)  The next section breaks down different parts of bag making in easy step by step directions and photos (how to install a zipper, how to install an interior pocket, how to make piping.)  This makes it really easy to customize each pattern in the book, which is really nice.  If you want to add a pocket that isn't called for in the pattern, you just look it up in the front of the book and you can easily figure out how to incorporate it into your bag.  After the basics, the book is broken into three sections (small bags, clutches and large bags) and in each section are several patterns to chose from.  For example the large bags section includes the patterns and directions to make 12 different bags.  Most of the bags in the book offer several different size options, which makes for limitless varieties.  This book comes with two double sided full size pattern sheets.  The bag patterns are layered on top of one another, so in order to use one you will need to trace the pattern onto something else.  I just use wax paper, which works great, is cheap and see through, so it works great for fussy cutting the pattern pieces onto the fabric.  This book includes step by step photos (which I love) and written directions and is very easy to follow along and understand exactly what you are supposed to be doing.  The projects are not labeled by easy or hard, but I think there are enough directions that even a beginner could tackle the majority of the projects in this book.

The Rebecca bag called for minimal supplies, basically fabric, interfacing, thread and a zipper.  Simple enough!  Once I had chosen this pattern, I then had to dig through my stash to see what would work for this pattern.  I actually had quite a few choices in my stash that would have worked perfectly, but in the end I settled for two lovely prints from Anna Maria Horner's Field Study linen/cotton blend of fabrics. The author suggested using either quilting-weight cotton or home decorator fabric for this bag, and since the linen/cotton blend was somewhere in between the two, I figured it would work perfectly (and it did!)  The cutting directions were based on 44" wide fabric, but since my fabric was 56" wide I was easily able to cut the main body and pockets out of 1 yard, and I used 1/2 yard for the handles (with plenty of leftover.)  I then used 1 yard of quilting-weight cotton for the lining and bias binding on the inside of the bag.

The pattern called for a heavy weight fusible interfacing.  I chose to use Pellon Shapeflex 101, which is a mid-weight interfacing, and I interfaced EVERYTHING.  All of the exterior pieces, the exterior pocket, the handles, and the lining.  This was a smart move and made the bag just sturdy enough, but not too bulky to sew.  Though I will say that this bag does not support itself, it is a wee bit floppy.  If you want to make the bag stand by itself, you just need to use a heavier duty interfacing, but honestly I think my bag is perfect.

I followed most of the directions exactly with the exception of a few additions or small changes.  The first change that I made to the pattern was to add extra length to the handles.  I added around 4" extra to each side, which was a good idea, but honestly I could have added more because it barely fits on my shoulder.  Next time I will add between 6" - 8" to each handle.  If you make the pattern "as is" then you will have a carry only bag that doesn't fit on your shoulder comfortably.  Which is fine, it just depends on what you plan to use your bag for!

The next addition that I made was to add an exterior zip pocket to the back of the bag.  I use this pocket for my keys and sometimes my phone.  This book does not include directions on how to install a pocket like this, I just knew how already (sorry folks) but I am sure you can find directions online how to install this sort of zipper.  I purposely made it fit in between the two handles, and this worked out so nicely to hide those zipper ends that sometimes don't come out exactly perfect.  You can also see in the photo below the extra small zig-zag stitching that I did to reinforce the handles on the bag.  The author's directions were to just stitch straight across, but I wanted a little more strength at the point in which the handles become "free" from the bag itself.

The last addition that I made to this bag was to add an interior pocket to the inside.  Directions for this type of pocket are included in the book, and this type of pocket is super easy.  I divided the pocket to include a spot specifically for my ink pen, which is something that I do every time I make a bag for myself.  No searching around for that pen at the bottom of the bag!  You can see the Momo quilting-weight fabric that I chose for the interior, which I think only "slightly" matches the exterior, but I am a bit wild and crazy and this is just perfect for me!

This is the very first pattern that I have ever made that uses the technique of sewing the exterior and lining pieces together and having raw seams on the interior of the bag that have to be covered with bias binding.  At first I thought about altering the pattern to have enclosed seams so that I could skip the binding step, but decided against it because I thought there had to be a reason as to why the author would construct the bag in this manner.  After it was all said and done, I realized she did have a very good reason.  The bias binding on the inside actually gives the bag more structure and holds the shape much better than if the seams weren't encased.  I thought I wouldn't like this step, but honestly I used Clover Wonder Clips to hold all the layers together, used a heavy-duty sewing machine needle and plowed through, and it worked perfectly with no problems.  You can see my bias binding above.  It isn't beautiful or perfect, but it is inside the bag and you don't really notice it when you are using the bag, it just blends into the corners and curves.

I opted to buy a 22" Coats and Clark Purse Zipper that features two sliders and closed bottoms on each side.  It is a touch heavier duty than a regular zipper and the double sliders make it feel like a real handbag and not a handmade one.  I was really happy with this decision and I love the look of it.

This bag pattern has a large front pocket that runs the entire length of the front of the purse.  It is divided into three sections once you sew on the handles and each pocket is a great size for your phone, sunglasses, keys or whatever you want to just drop in.  I took special care to line up the floral pattern when cutting out this pocket so that it just blended into the front of the bag.  I love how the roses run up the center in between the handles.  The author also added the little tab details on either side of the zipper ends, which I think was just the perfect touch, it adds a little something "extra!"

The photo above shows the bag stuffed with an over-sized plush blanket that I had laying around.  This bag is BIG!  It could easily hold two over-sized beach towels, maybe even three.  I plan to use this bag when traveling, it will work great for holding all those overnight essentials, change of clothes, normal purse stuff, you know when you need to carry all those extras when traveling.  In the picture below I am holding the bag and I hope it gives you a good example of just how large this bag really is.  It measures 17" from bottom to top, not including the handles.

Overall I love the finished product and have plans for another in the immediate future.  I really enjoy this book and love the majority of the projects in it, I can definitely see making more bags from it, and would especially love to try one of the clutches.  If you are thinking about getting into handbag making, this book would be a great starter for learning all the basics and in the process of learning you will end up with a really great handbag yourself!

Warning Yet Another Photo Intensive Post!!!
Slowly I am getting caught up, and I do apologize for boring you all with these blocks!  Here they are, 28-33.  No complaints this time, I really like all of these blocks, especially the first one below, number 28, super pleased with it!  Some of these blocks look wonky in the photographs, but they aren't, I just didn't capture them well enough in the photos (I should have flattened them better.)  So I will wrap things up quickly and wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Wondering what all of this is about?  Here are the details:
Book:  City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks by Tula Pink
Quilt Along:  Hosted by Sara over at Sew Sweetness
Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/citysamplerquiltalong/
Blocks:  6.5" x 6.5" Featuring the fabric line Constellations by Lizzy House.

Once upon a time I found myself at JoAnn Fabrics.  I originally went there to purchase Juliana Horner's new fabric line Rosette.  Once I was there I decided that the fabrics did really read "me."  They are beautiful, but honestly just not my style, but since I was there, it wouldn't hurt to look around, right?  After spending some time browsing the bolts, I ran across that gorgeous yellow print above.  Then I discovered the other two coordinating prints.  They are all by Denyse Schmidt and are part of her DS Quilts line for JoAnn Fabrics.  Though, I do believe that two are from one line and one is from another, they all coordinate beautifully.  So I bought 3/4 yard of each (why that weird amount, who knows?) and headed home.  There the fabrics sat for a few weeks.

In the meantime I enrolled in Stitched in Color's Penny Sampler Class.  The very first project of the class is a pillow that featured a Dogwood Blossom applique on it.  Originally I had no intention of making it, but once I remembered I had bought these fabrics (and bought enough yardage) I knew it would make a beautiful pillow.  So here it is!  Just as pretty as I envisioned!

The background was free motion quilted in a simple stipple pattern using white thread on both the front and the back panels.  Then the applique was added on top.and features "the sketch stitch technique" that Rachel teaches in the class.  And yes, it is my new favorite thing to do and just perfect for applique blocks.  It really seals the edges of the applique and I KNOW that there won't be any raveling and no chance that it will come off in the future.  So awesome.  I used navy blue thread for the sketch stitch because those little dots on the blue fabric are actually dark blue.

I know that it appears like I followed directions to a "T" with this pillow, but alas I did not.  I don't think I am capable of following directions exactly like I am told.  The one thing I changed with this pillow was the applique technique that I used.  Basically in Rachel's class she teaches two applique techniques.  One for light colored fabric on top of dark fabric (where see through would be a problem) and the other for darker fabrics on top that won't show see through.  Because of the larger white flowers on the yellow print, you could see through to the blue fabric.  I didn't want to use the correct method because that would have entailed a trip to the store for missing supplies, and I really didn't want to go to the store.  So I figured out a way around it, and it worked GREAT for this pillow project.

I have a bolt of Pellon 50, which is a sew-in interfacing (it is NOT fusible.)  It is slightly see through (so I could trace the template onto it) and it is fairly stiff, around the stiffness of a cereal box, but thinner.  So I traced the template and cut out four petals from the interfacing.  I then took the yellow fabric and carefully ironed it around the interfacing template, once I was done ironing, the interfacing stayed inside, making a sandwich of sorts (finished edge fabric on top, interfacing in the center and the raw edges wrapped around to the back of the shape.) I then pinned the four petals to the background and stitched them on using the sketch stitch.  It worked out so well, no see through and the petals are slightly stiffer so they stand out a bit from the background.  This worked perfectly for a pillow, but this is not a technique I would use for a quilt, as it would just be too stiff for a quilt.

The only real mistake that I made was that I cut the pillow to the exact dimensions and then quilted it with the stipple pattern, well I didn't take into account that this quilting technique caused the fabric to "draw up and shrink a bit."  The finished pillow was supposed to measure 15" x 15" and would accept a 16" x 16" pillow form (so that it would look nice and plump.)  Well my finished pillow measured 14" x 14" and I JAMMED a 16" x 16" pillow form into it, so you can obviously see from the back view that it is overstuffed big time.  The front looks ok, but the back is lumpy.  I am hoping over time that it "settles in" a bit better.  We shall see...

I machine stitched on the binding and voila, it is a finished pillow that is now proudly displayed on my sofa next to the only type of indoor dog we shall ever have!  It certainly brightens the sofa and I just love this first project of the Penny Sampler Class!

Warning Photo Intensive Post!
Still playing catch up, but at least I am slowly chipping away at posting them! HA!  Here are blocks 22 - 27, I love all of them with the exception of number 25.  I think my fabric choices were wrong for this block, but I will leave it, it isn't horrible, just odd.  All of these blocks were easy to make, I think this chapter is probably the easiest in the book, just a bunch of straight lines and easy cuts.  So fun!  I actually love making these blocks, picking the fabric, putting it together, just so enjoyable.  A few more "catch up" posts and I will be officially caught up!  Fingers crossed!

Wondering what all of this is about?  Here are the details:
Book:  City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks by Tula Pink
Quilt Along:  Hosted by Sara over at Sew Sweetness
Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/citysamplerquiltalong/
Blocks:  6.5" x 6.5" Featuring the fabric line Constellations by Lizzy House.

I wanted to pop in today to let you all know that Craft Book Month is here!  This great event is hosted by Craft Buds, basically you pick out one of your craft books (and you know you already own a ton) and make something!  Super simple, great fun, and you finally get to use that book that is gathering dust on your shelf.  I started making a simple list in my head and figured that I have made five projects from craft books this year and I'll be back on September 11th to share my latest creation on my stop of the blog hop!  All details of this event can be found below, I do hope you decide to join in!

Warning: Photo Intensive Post!
Ughhh....I'm playing catch up again, and the annoying part is that I have had these blocks completed for over a month, I just haven't had a chance to photograph or blog about them.  Oh well, I hope to spend this week catching up and getting current with showing off my blocks.  These blocks are the start of the second chapter, Rectangles.  All six of these blocks were fairly easy and straight forward.  I like them all equally with the exception of number 21, I think it had potential, but alas I am not too happy with that block.  I may redo it in the end, or leave it, we shall see.  Enough chitter-chatter, here are the blocks:

Wondering what all of this is about?  Here are the details:
Book:  City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks by Tula Pink
Quilt Along:  Hosted by Sara over at Sew Sweetness
Flickr Group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/citysamplerquiltalong/
Blocks:  6.5" x 6.5" Featuring the fabric line Constellations by Lizzy House.