Mom's Second Quilt

I'm finally back from Oregon/Washington and was able to finish the quilt my mom pieced together before she left.  I used a new long-arm quilter as the gal I normally use, Sharon Mominee, wanted a much needed break. The new quilter, Mona Beck, did a nice job using an edge to edge design that I had picked out before I left.  I opted for a wool batting as I know how lightweight that batting is..plus I know how easy it is for long-armers to use.   Here is the quilt:

The pictures do not show how bright the colors in the quilt truly are but at least you get the idea.

I named the quilt Country Clare, which is the name of the toile fabric that we used.  I'll share some pictures in my next post from my trip........

Sewing with a mission in mind!  Debbie

Mom's Quilt

I will be leaving for a few weeks and will not be blogging until I return, but I wanted to leave you with the following pictures.  My mom wanted to make a quilt a few weeks back, so we searched through her stash, along with mine, looking for just the right fabric that she could use to make a quilt.  We actually went 'shopping' in my closet and her's.  We finally came across this flannel, panel that she had purchased while living in Arkansas.  It was a line of fabric that Thimbleberries had put out years earlier.  I  liked the panel very much and was anxious for mom to get started on her quilt.  She had purchased an accompanying fabric to match the panel at the same time, but the rest of the fabric that was needed to make additional  borders, along with the backing and binding, needed to be purchased.  So off we went to a real fabric store as my closet store had nothing to offer.... Once mom completed her quilt, I took it to my dear friend Sharon Moninee to have it quilted.  I picked the quilt up yesterday and quickly went to work making the binding attaching it  by machine rather than by hand so I could take it with me on my trip to surprise my mom.  I had Sharon use a wool batting rather than the normal 'Warm and Natural' batting that I so often have her use, due to its light weight and warmth.  Here is the result:

Don't you just love it!  As usual, I made a label and attached it to the back BEFORE Sharon quilted it.  Here is a glimpse of the label:

When mom and I were shopping in my closet, we found other pieces of fabric that mom was able to use and she made  a second quilt with that....I can't wait to share that quilt with you  when I return.  

Happy sewing!

Project #5

This project was easy for me to complete as I make stockings all the time!  There were some wonderful techniques shared in the construction of this stocking however, that I found very helpful and am sure I will use  over and over again when constructing more stockings on my own.  As you can see, I used fabric that I had on hand that was used on a stocking that I had previously posted before.  I am so enjoying this class that I am considering taking another one at some point in time. Many thanks to the wonderful instructors at Martha Pullen.

My stocking:

The In-between........

Sometime ago my cousin, who does NOT quilt, visited a quilt shop in her area and saw a quilt hanging on the wall that she thought was absolutely gorgeous!  She proceeded to purchase the kit that was packaged together to make that same quilt...with hopes of one day putting it together......did I mention that she does NOT quilt...let alone sew anything together for that matter!  Well, she held onto the kit for some time, then eventually gave it to me and my mom to sew together for her.  That kit was instantly thrown into the deep recesses of   my closet to never be seen again, as far as I was concerned,  I had way too many projects of my own to complete let alone taking on someone else's.  My mom decided one day, that my cousin's quilt kit needed to be rescued from the prison of my closet and  that we needed  to put it together for my cousin.  'Go for it', I told her.  (Now I am no dummy and I knew that I would be the one who would end up having to finish that quilt.  Seriously mom?)

The kit did not have enough fabric in it to complete the quilt that my cousin had fallen in love with.  If the backing had not been included in the kit, we would have been up a creek as I have never seen that fabric available anywhere.  Because the kit had been purchased so long  ago, I knew that the fabric shop where the kit had been purchased would no longer have the fabric available either.  So...I had to improvise.   I used the purple fabric, meant  for the backing, to make a narrow border along with the binding.  The small scraps of fabric that were left over, were sewn together to form the outer border.  Here is the result...... 

The front:

 The label I made, sewn onto the new backing fabric that my mom picked out.

And to my dearest cousin.....you are not allowed to purchase anymore kits!  😍 Love you...

Project #4

I just finished project number four...a toddler jacket.  I made the huge mistake of purchasing some inexpensive fabric from a well known retailer in my area.  I know better than to do this and constantly tell my students and/or friends NOT to make this costly error. I was thinking 'sample' and not longevity.  Because I did not make a wise decision with my fabric choice, I wonder just how long the pulling of the snaps will last before the snaps simply pull through the fabric itself.  Lesson learned. 

Here's the jacket:

I love the color and I especially like the flannel that I picked out for the hoodie lining.  It is so very soft!  The writing on the flannel is pretty cute too.  Prayerfully this jacket  will last longer than a month!😊  (Maybe it's a good thing I am doing this class on-line...my instructors will never have to experience the horror of feeling just how flimsy my fabric really is.) Honestly..it looks much prettier in person..honest.

Serging On.......

I am close to completing my third project for my licensing...a summer dress for one of my granddaughters.  Since we are a rather patriotic bunch, I decided on a red, white, and blue fabric so that she will be ready for Flag Day as well as July 4th.  I have not added the buttons nor buttonholes as yet because I haven't decided what I am going to use, but I knew you would be able to view it as 'completed' without them.  

The dress:

Continuing on....😍

Another Project Done!

As I shared with you a couple of posts ago, I am taking yet another class in serger licensing through the Martha Pullen Company.  Martha's classes are beyond description and you are able to learn far more than you can imagine from the gifted teachers that are at your beckon call at any given moment.  The techniques, videos, and written instructions are the best I have ever seen....and over the years I have seen and experienced a lot.  It is no wonder that I continue to return to the place where I know I will be taught the latest and the greatest in the sewing skills I long to possess.

Below is a picture of the USB bag that I just completed. I not only had to sew this bag together, but then I had to photograph it,  then send the photograph to my instructors, and finally wait to see if it passed their approval or not.  It may not seem like it, but there are many various techniques that are required to complete  this tiny, little bag.  Changing from overlock, to flatlock, to 2-thread chain stitch was time consuming.  Also, incorporating the use of three different feet to accomplish the look I was going for was also quite challenging at times.  Adding the zipper was merely the icing on the cake. So to my instructors there at the Martha Pullen Company,  I applaud you all for your stick-to-itiveness, your support and constant encouragement to drive us to do our best.

Proud Grandma as well!

My grandson LOVES to fish and he is very good at it...so good in fact that he and his partner won the Kansas Youth State Championship yesterday and they're now going to the National Championship that is being held in Tennessee....WOW!  Congratulations are due to my sweet guy.....way to go Ryde-Ryde!

Proud Mama

Today's post has NOTHING to do with sewing but  rather sharing an art that I find rather fascinating.  My son is an incredible photographer.  He's well known for his craft in the industry and is often asked to teach in various locations whether it be inside or outside.  This past week he was in the deserts of New Mexico. Rarely have I seen anyone capture my son doing what he does best as I did this past week. I LOVE this photograph of him and I wanted to share it with you....

Here is what he was photographing...

Beautiful isn't it?

The Beauty of Using 12 wt. Thread

In my last post, I shared the beauty of using a 12 wt. thread in the loopers of my serger.  A nice, variegated, 12 wt. thread can do wonders when finishing raw edges on any project that you want to add a bit of flare to.  

As I have shared in past posts, I am a huge fan of using 12 wt. thread.. whether using it in my handwork, or  in my sewing machine, or using it on my serger, it's a FABULOUS addition to any creative idea you may have!! 

In this post, I am going to be sharing several pictures to make my point.  

First up...by hand:

Each one of these blocks are just projects I like to work on in the evening hours...one of these days, maybe I'll even finish them all!

These two patterns by chickadeehollowdesigns, already come printed and colored, all you have to do is add embroidery thread...if you want. My daughter is working on the Summer block while I am working on the Autumn.  As you can see, our stitches are quite different from one another...I have always used a stem stitch when embroidering and Nicole has always had a beautiful running stitch.  I actually prefer the look of her stitch over mine but alas, I've never been able to perfect it like her.

Before I begin doing any handwork, I prepare the back of the fabric with either a fusible, silk stabilizer by Jenny Haskins or use a wonderful, fusible put out by Sew Lazy...I love both products and would never attempt any embroidery without securing a stabilizer on the back first.

Thread is another huge factor for me....I adore Sulky's Blendable threads as well as Aurifil's 12 wt. thread. Both are wonderful threads to work with and I have not found any other brand out there that even comes close to these two.

I'm not going to show you any other projects using the 12 wt. in my serger as you can simply go back to my previous post, but I will show you a few projects that I have made using the 12 wt. thread on my sewing machine. Side note: make sure that you only use the 12 wt. thread when threading from the top of your machine...trying to sew with the 12 wt thread in both the top and in the bobbin of your machine is disastrous!  Simply use a regular, matching thread in the bobbin for great results.

On the following two pillows, I used my machine on some parts and hand embroidered in other areas.

 

The last picture is a pillow I did by hand, but also colored on it as well. I have already washed the pillow a couple of times and as you can see the coloring that I did is still visible.  I enjoy coloring so it was fun blending the two things that I like to do when making this pillow.  If you have a child or even a grandchild that loves to color, have them color on some plain fabric, you then can then outline their design with thread, (or floss) and voila, you have either a cute pillow, a wall hanging, the outside portion of a new purse, etc., etc., the ideas are limitless!

The product below is more wonderful than I can say!  If I am not going to color on my project, then I will use this incredible, Sulky product.  It comes with 12- 8 1/2 x 11 fusible, sheets. I simply run one of these sheets through my printer with the pattern design I am using being printed right on it.  Once the design is printed on, you remove the protective paper on the back and firmly smooth it onto the fabric that you are going to embroider on and begin stitching...how handy is that?? This takes the place of you having to draw the design on the fabric yourself.  I could kiss the person who came up with this idea.  Here is a picture of the product as well as a picture of one of the designs  I am using printed directly on it.  All that is left for me to do is, cut off the top information,  peel off the back, then place it on the fabric that I am going to embroider on, and I am ready to go....it's that easy!  LOVE this product!!  A caution however, there are some who do NOT care for  this product..they don't like the drag they get when needling through the thickness of the fabric, the Sulky product, and/or the fuse itself.  Try it out first before you start embroidering on any project your anxious to begin.  Make sure that any one of these products is a fit for you and your purposes.  Happy sewing!

Serging again.........Project #1

I am taking yet another serger class through Martha Pullen... but this time on-line.  With all the other classes, I attended in person. When attending a class in person, kits for each project were made available and you were able to see, touch, ask questions, and exam each project up close.  But.. attending  a class in person has a price tag of $3000, (plus airfare).   This price doesn't only include your kits, but most meals as well.  To take the class on-line is $500...you provide your own supplies and work at your own pace...you have 6 months to comply and finish each project....after that the videos and instructions are no longer available.  I am finding that I prefer the in-person classes much more.  I enjoy the companionship of others to encourage me to finish my project AND the availability of teachers should I need help.  Every day there always seemed to be some new technique that was shared, along with various specials that are not offered anywhere else.  Do I still get my license by taking these classes on-line?  Yes, but the loss of friendships made along with the dialog and laughs between so many incredible women is lost....alone in my sewing room doesn't seem to replace that.

Here is my first required project to make....a Scrap Serger Caddy:

I loved using the 12 wt., variegated thread to finish off all of the edges.  This was super easy to make and I can't wait to begin on the next project..

What are you working on??

Boy's Shirts

As I have shared in the past, I have made several different boy's shirts using various patterns.  Most of these shirts have been made for my grandson Logan.  He wears them over and over again which, as his grandma,  makes me feel pretty happy that he enjoys them so much.  Then you have his brother Holden....that little guy is rather independent, has a mind of his own, and heaven help the person who gets in his way when he is on a mission!  Don't let his size  fool you, he may be a little guy, but he is a powerhouse of personality, strength, and charm.  I think I need to go back to making t-shirts when it comes to Holden...button up shirts just don't seem to fit his style..which is rough and tumble.  He'll be two in a couple of weeks and the world better watch out.  Here is one of the button shirts that I made for him...not that he really wears it..😍

And here is my son holding Holden:

Table Runners

Table runners......aren't they great?  This past Easter I made one that required a small amount of handwork, but besides that it was rather easy to make. Over the years,  I have had the pleasure in making a multitude of table runners. Some were made out of fabric, some out of wool...still, others were made into various shapes or sizes, but in the end, each handmade piece seemed to add a bit of home to wherever they were placed.  

I will share a few of them with you today.  I begin with the one I mentioned at the beginning of my post. Like I stated, I made it this past Easter and purchased the pattern from one of my favorite on-line fabric shops, Shabby Fabrics..such a great shop!  (In both of the small green borders on the runner, I embroidered the words, 'He is RISEN!') 

The next table runner I'm sharing with you was made many years ago using a kit filled with various wools.  I loved all of the handwork that was required when making this piece and especially enjoyed working with the different wools.

The runner below was also made several years ago using Christmas fabric that had been popular in the shop at that time.  There was no pattern used in making this table runner, as we had just received a new dresden plate ruler in the shop and I wanted to teach a class using it.  Coming up with a table runner design between the three of us at the shop was incredibly fun....AND it sold a lot of rulers!  

Last, but certainly not least, I wanted to share this hexagon runner.  A line of fabric arrived at the shop and all of us were trying to come up with several different samples to showcase the new line.  I ended up making this table runner then embellished it by gluing on lots of crystals and pearls ...can you see them?

And the wonderful book I used to get the pattern out of:

I realize that I have shared some of these runners with you before, but hopefully you didn't mind seeing them again.  Now have some fun, be creative, and start sewing!

I will end by sharing with you a picture of my granddaughter wearing the ruffled, diaper cover that I shared in my last post.  Not the best picture, but at least you get to see the panties....and my granddaughter.

Patterns

Another thing I realized in my last post is that I failed to share the pictures of the patterns that I used and give you a fair evaluation.

First up is the dress my granddaughter had on...I shared the webpage but did not include a picture of the pattern.  Here it is:


Here's the dress again:






















Because I had plenty of material I made a matching bib:

And here is the pattern that I used...super instructions!

I also included a darling, ruffled, diaper, cover out of the same fabric but failed to get a picture.  I will at least share a picture of the pattern...you'll love it!

If you're ever looking for a great cargo short pattern, I finally found one and quickly made 3 pairs of shorts.  Finding a great pattern for these shorts is hard to come by but I was so pleased with this one.

And here are 2 of the shorts and one of the many shirts that I have made for my little guys:

Here's a picture of the next pattern I am going to try out...I'll let you know what I think!  😍

Until next time....

Did you know.....

I must admit, I normally post about things I am either working on, have already made, or sharing items that make sewing a lot easier for me.  The notions, books, magazines, dvd's, on-line classes, etc. are incredible any more and filled with information that not only encourages me, but challenges me to do better. For instance, this month's issue of Sew News has articles that are more than interesting... this issue includes articles that are helpful, instructive, and filled with information that many of us 'old time' sewers can still use on this creative journey of ours.

Another resource that is invaluable is Craftsy.  Have you ever checked it out?  It is an absolute MUST! Be careful though...Craftsy can become addicting as there is a plethora of online classes that are amazing!  I can't begin to tell you all of the things that have encouraged me, helped me and taught me on that one site alone.  Check out all of the venues that are available to you whether on-line,  in shops, classes offered by friends, or privately.  TAKE ADVANTAGE of all that is out there..you will become so much better in your craft...and make some wonderful friends along the way.  Keep that learning curve growing my friends... and make sure that you use what you have learned so that you won't 'loose' it.

Before I leave you today, I realized that I never shared the quilt that I had made for my new granddaughter, Scarlett.  I fussy cut all of the small squares...which took a lot of time by the way!  And I chose minkie for the back like I have with all of the other quilts that I have made for my grandkids.  Make sure you always click on the pictures for a closer look!

As usual...I've been making shirts for my grandsons...they LOVE Star Wars so of course I simply had to make my Logan a shirt out of Star War's fabric.

I will leave you with a small tease that I am working on by hand...

Until next time.....

Even more...stockings that is....

This past Christmas, I made so many stockings and worked on so many other things, that it took me far away from posting any pictures or writing down my many thoughts. Prayerfully I will be better this year and take more time writing and sharing on my blog.

I need to begin this blog by sharing the stocking that I made for my nephew's sweet son, Sean..He is such a sweetie pie and I thought this stocking fit him perfectly!

Recently I made a fun dress for my granddaughter, Natalie using a Little Lizard King pattern.  You'll notice that it looks  very similar to the Kari Mecca pattern that I normally use, but the straps are different and I like them so much better .  Here's Natalie in her dress.  She was born the day before St. Patrick's Day so I embroidered LUCKY on the bodice.  I think she looks pretty cute in it.

Until next time.....