Technology ate my blog posts!

I was working on set a lot this week; and had written several blog posts to upload later on my Ipad.

Nothing is more annoying than hitting "Save" and then.....it disappears.

(I realized later on why, which isn't important now. But...lesson learned!)

So this week, no quilting....but Lots and LOTS of costuming for some darling girls I happen to know.

Renaissance-themed little dresses and some skirts & wee bags for them. I get to visit them next week when I'm off to sunny southern Florida for a little winter break. Yay!

I always have good help when starting a project.

I'm not very good at following patterns, so I use them as a starting off point. I use select pieces and alter the rest of the design as I go with my sketchbook.

I used a few Simplicity Patterns as a starting off point; and as I don't usually sew kids' clothing, I use the bodice of a dress pattern for proper measurements.

 I love making costumes; you can really let your imagination go. Especially with little girl costumes....any colour, lots of trim...so exciting!

The inside is really messy ....but this is during the basting pinning stage.

 They come together so quickly; and they are so tiny and cute. I love making these; teeny tiny little dresses! SO darling.

This is the back; contrasting fabric. I've had this purple and green for years now; I keep finding lots of places to put it. I've been using some gorgeous rich blues and purples for this little dress.

They come together so quickly I have been working on a few:

This one got a little fancy schmancy. More photos to come when finished & trimmed.

I am continuing to work on these; more photos later on when these guys are all done and finished.

What're you working on this Friday? It's freezing outside.....great day to stay in & sew!

FMQ.....huh?

I admit it. 

I am addicted to Free Motion Quilting.

This is one of my FAVOURITE finishes for 2014. This fabric made me So happy. A heavy wool blanket for batting and FMQ all over. This is my current snuggle up on the couch quilt. Blog Post Here.

Or...  "FMQ", for short.

In my humble opinion, I just like the look and texture you get from the finished quilt with a loopy-swirly FMQ pattern.

This was my most ambitious project so far. Applique, stars, math, and lots and lots of FMQ to keep the 'snowflake' pattern going. I'm pretty proud of this one, it was a donation to a fund raiser. I learned a lot, and the second one I did was much easier to come together. Blog post Here.

Since I'm intermediate with my FMQ so far, I haven't tried any of the fancier patterns. Yet.

Yet.

But I can tell, it's coming soon. I have my Rainbow Star Quilt to work on this week, and since it's for Us, then I won't stress too much if it's not 100% perfect. Which is why I like FMQ, it's very forgiving.

This is what I mean: 

See the swirly stitching in the green fabric? That's Free Motion Quilting. 

The 'normal' type of quilting (VS. FMQ) is generally straight lines, or following the pattern of the fabrics, etc etc. I have done this on a Trip Around the World Quilt, stitching 'in the ditch' following the lines. It looked really nice on that particular pattern.

 (I'm not a hater on reg. quilting. I just find I'm better at FMQ)

I found the most AMAZING Blogger recently; she is a FMQ freakin' GODDESS!!!! 

Her Blog is inspirational, educational and just beautiful to read through. 

Lizzie Lenard - Vintage Sewing

I am linking up to her Free Motion Mavericks and am just tickled to be able to be a part of it!!

And no.... I haven't forgotten about my January Goals....Getting Organized. Updates to come!

Working From Home

 

Since leaving my full time job last summer, I realize how fortunate I was to be able to make that choice.

But one thing I hadn't known/realized was going to happen, was how isolating that truly can be.

I came across an excellent article today, posted below that really spoke to me.

I went from a busy customer service based management position in a crazy busy store to a quiet, no-routine day where if I wasn't careful, I could spend the whole day in my jammies, never leaving the couch.Which sounds GREAT...but not really.

I mean, come on. Lookit that sweet face. Who'd wanna go out!?

I realized the problem one day, when I had to go out for milk or something, and I started chatting a mile a minute to the cashier. And I realized, I hadn't spoken to a human being other than my fiance (and the cats) for over a WEEK. Hadn't left the house!!! (Going out in the backyard didn't count).

I watched a family of Blue Jays fledge. Have to say, it was pretty cool.

I immediately resolved to do at least ONE errand, no matter how small, every day. 

I made regular gym times, and started going back to Yoga. It helped, a lot!

THIS article I found on the wonderful "Sew Mama Sew" website REALLY spoke to me. It's all about Fiona Pullen and her new book.                                                                    I love this site. Words cannot describe how awesome it is. The content is smart, funny, absorbing and you can always find help, tips, etc on what you're working on. AND tons of inspiration and inspirational people to keep you always onto something new!

Read it HERE: Sew Mama Sew

"Fiona Pullen runs the UK-based The Sewing Directory, and she has a new book out chock full of excellent advice. Craft a Creative Business helps you plan for success as you turn a love for sewing or other artistic endeavors into a thriving business."  - From Sew Mama Sew

 What're your tips for At Home Work Survival? Anyone else feel like this?

Fancy'in Up The House! Pillow Tutorial

 I've said it before and I'll say it again.

 I love to decorate and bake and give and sit in the sparkle.

 Decorating the house is a lot of fun....and I found the easiest, most funnest, super simplest tutorial that looks AMAZING when they're done..... SPROCKET PILLOWS!!!

I made a few for gifts last year, and when I pulled out mine to add to our festive decor, I *knew* I had to share the joy of making them. Even if you're not a strong in the sewing area; this is a super easy project to make.

This tutorial is courtesy of the AMAZING Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew.

Her photos and step by step instructions make everything easy and understandable.

Sprocket Pillow Tutorial HERE.

The bottom centre one is Mine. :)

Happy Sewing & Decorating!

Which comes first - fabric or pattern?

I have a question to pose to all the quilters out there.... what 

 comes first for you?

Do you find gorgeous fabrics INSPIRE you to create and then you grab the pattern?

Or do intricate design patterns INSPIRE you to pull fabrics and then you create?

I found this fabric and fell in love. I didn't want to cut it at first.

For me, I think that it's the fabric that inspires the pattern. But wait...sometimes when I peruse blogs online I see patterns that just yell at me to pull fabrics from my stash. I don't know....laugh.

I put it to the interwebs: What comes first??

The fabric, or the pattern?

And of course. Like all my quilts, Muffin Approved.

Fabric and Fabric and Fabric

I was at my favourite LQS on Monday.
And as I perused the aisles, touching this, oohing at that... I got to wonderings.....


What is it about us quilters...?

we see GORGEOUS prints.... 

we coo and sigh, and pet them, and (or, is that just me??)

 keep them neatly, tidily folded sitting quietly on our shelf.

Until...

We catch that creative bug...the gleam in our eye....standing tall in the doorway of our creative space...rotary cutter in hand....

And we get the primal urge to rip and tear and shred....(sorry, just me??)

We pull out the fabrics, slap 'em down, and then slice them up sideways and frontways until we re-attach them with other pieces of fabric...

...To make one big beautiful piece of fabric made of the many.

...beautiful pieces of fabric, with such juicy designs....then you draw and SLICE them up and reattach them. Kinda like making a really pretty, non scary Frankenstein. Kinda. Then you mess with colours and patterns and then reattach it all and make a beautiful piece of art that will keep you warm.

That's what I love about sewing. Gives me such a thrill to say "I made that."

Taking a giant piece, cutting it up, and then creating something entirely new.

 What is it about sewing that makes you tick?!

Rainbow Starflower Quilt

Back in 2010, when I had just discovered the amazing Blogging world; I stumbled upon all these wonderful Quilting Blogs. Several I read daily, some I read weekly. But one has helped me with detailed and patient tutorials.... 

and that site is Ellison Lane, by Jennifer Mathis.

As a beginner; her tutorials are so clearly written, and easy to understand, I was inspired and encouraged. 

And THIS block, in particular, caught my attention.

I love bright colours. I love rainbows, I love stars. I love it all!!

And so I went and bought the required fabrics, and hoarded them. Looked at them, kept them in my sewing cabinet top drawer. To make "one day".

One Day.

Well finally, having the time now to devote to full time sewing, I have been able to make "One Day" happen.

This quilt is going to be a Anniversary gift for the ever-patient, thread-covered-but-loves-me-anyway Mr. J. (But hey; he gets to be the recipe taster, so it's not all bad!)

Here is the process; I encourage YOU to be inspired and make YOUR "One Day' happen!

Moda Cotton & Moda Bella Solids in convenient Charm Packs made this even easier.

Getting the layout right was a bit of a challenge at first; but you get the hang of it!

Again the layout helped a LOT with this part; lining up the centre blocks.

Getting all the matched up blocks ready for chain-piecing.

VERY important to remember to snip off the little corners! Dont' skip this step!

Lined up again; getting ready to sew all the blocks together. I will point out here that I wanted a queen sized quilt; so I used the full five inch blocks so make the finished block about 16.5 inches.

And finished block! Corner blocks need to be trimmed down slightly. But after pressing all the points matched up! I was very happy.....but oh yes, there was much ripping of seams and redoing with several of the blocks.

Measure, measure measure!

Adding the borders, corners and sashing. I wanted the BG to be dark, like the night sky. :)

Borders added! Kona Ash, Kona Charcoal squares and sashing.

Of course, NO quilt top is completed until Muffin has inspected and cleared it.

Muffin Approved!

Yes, needs a final pressing but  other than that,  all done!

I will finish this after Thanksgiving (which is Columbus Day for my American Friends) and will have it on our bed for our Anniversary in November. :)

**Note: While THIS quilt is Not For Sale; you can always custom order this in Twin/Queen sized. Please Email for a quote. Different backgrounds, star fabrics, you name it.