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The Secret Wedding Quilt, Part 2
I was really worried that this quilt would become my great white whale, especially after how I left things last time. The first thing I did was take a break. I was getting frustrated with how the blocks weren’t lying flat and the time apart was just what I needed. I realized that I was making mistake with the first round of blocks by not using my rotary cutter to make a straight edge as I built each side of the log cabin. Once I started doing that, the blocks looked so much better. After I finished all of the blocks, I ironed the hell out of the first round of blocks and only had to redo a couple to get them to lie as flat as possible. I also knew that I could have...
Read MorePinwheels!
I have been meaning to try out a pinwheel quilt for ages and finally had the reason to make one this week. I had this fabric in my stash and knew that it would a perfect fit for the pinwheels. My friend wanted to have the name of the recipient embroidered on the quilt. I went a pink that matches the fabric but sadly doesn’t show up that well in these pictures. You are just going to have to take my word for it that it looks super cute. Inspired by all the great embroidering I have seen from my quilting bee ladies, I traced a butterfy from one of the prints and embroidered it next to the name for a little...
Read MoreA Very Productive Couple of Days, Part 2
So knitting was my gateway craft. I learned it from a co-worker in 2003 and took to it really quickly. Sadly, I plateaued at an advanced beginner stage that I can’t seem to shake, especially now that I am so obsessed with sewing. I don’t have a huge stash of needles but have enough that they could benefit from an organizer and shouldn’t be shoved in a tote bag, getting caught in my skeins of yarn. And now that I am conquering my to do list, this project got the time it deserved. I used some fabric from my stash and some lovely twill tape I received as a Christmas present for the...
Read MoreA Very Productive Couple of Days, Part 1
I am steadily working on my to do list and I am giddy with excitement. Recently, the mailman delivered some new patterns for me to try out, a little girl dress (I know, another one!) and a baby yoga pants pattern.This little dress pattern was a breeze to make. I love lined bodices of dresses more than ever after struggling with other patterns that don’t call for it. Trying to make a neat hem on such a little armhole makes me crazy because 1) it is hard and 2) I can’t do it very well. It also gives the dress that little extra bit of structure and a fun opportunity to add a splash of color. On this dress, I tried out the rolled hem foot on my machine. Things...
Read MoreAll finished, washed and shipped
Here is the quilt I made last month, with it’s finished binding, washed and already in the mail. I absolutely love this quilt, and I received the nicest phone call from my friend tonight, thanking me for the quilt. She said it was her favorite baby gift, of course, she might be saying that to everyone she received a gift from, but I am going to believe her. So here is another look at the quilt in all of its crinkly glory. It is hard to tell from the picture but the back is a navy blue with tiny white polka dots. Love it! And here are some close ups of the...
Read MorePerhaps my all-time favorite diaper bag
I am getting caught up on blogging about some projects I finished in January, including this diaper bag. The request was for a bag that could go from carrying diapers to a work tote. I love the orange and gray print – it is so sophisticated and original. I might just have to go back to Cancun and pick up some more. I put three pockets on the exterior, including the one below and one on either end. The interior is lined with pockets on both sides and closes with a magnetic snap. I also made a changing pad that fits easily in the bag and can be retired once the bag becomes a work...
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