mini quilts.

 

 the mini quilts hanging in my sewing room are multiplying

{pics from my instagram account}

 

p.s. Fashionable Fabric has a fabulous collection of Greatest Adventure by Cinderberry Stitches for Riley Blake Designs

 these tents ... such cuteness

orphan blocks become a quilt.

Recently, I raided my orphan quilt block stash and made a quilt.  It took some arranging, rearranging, and arranging again, to make them all fit.

 I really enjoyed sewing the different blocks together, 

remembering why they were sewn in the first place.  

Now they are all nestled into a quilt and ready to be loved. xo

Thanks for dropping by today!

  ps.  I just can't get enough of the Bread 'n Butter collection 

by American Jane (Sandy Klop) for Moda.

Get yours here at Fashionable Fabrics.

scrappy pillow tutorial using leaders and enders.

Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet, first introduced me to saving scraps of all different sizes, and then how to use them up in multiple ways.  In all seriousness, it changed my little quilting life!  I am a scrappy quilt sort of girl and this concept allows me to take full advantage of every last little piece. 

For your scrappy pillow you will need :

128 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips

18" x 18" piece of batting

18" x 18" piece of fabric for quilting sandwich

1/2 yard of fabric for envelope backing

I keep a selection of 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips near the sewing machine that are used as leaders and enders while working on sewing projects.  Sewing two of them together, using a 1/4" seam, I end up with a 2 1/2" square.

The seams are pressed open and slowly but surely my little squares begin to add up.  2 1/2" squares are super versatile and you can create such fun projects with them.

Take two of the 2 1/2" squares and sew them together, in the opposite direction, the left seam is vertical and the right seam is horizontal - press to the left.  Make two.  Sew the two strips together, nesting your seams of top row and bottom row and press.  

Tada! 

You now have your first 4 1/2" square!  

Another fabulous square size that is super versatile!  

Make 16.

 

layout and sew blocks together in a 

4 block by 4 block layout, press

you will have a 16 1/2" pillow cover

Layer pillow cover, batting, and backing fabric.  

Quilt as desired.  

I quilted my pillow cover, with a walking foot using a basic straight stitch.  Easy peasy! 

Envelope pillow backs are my go to for the pillow finish!  

 Thanks for visiting today!

I hope you have enjoyed my tutorial.

xoxo

Classic and Heirloom Quilts Book Sew Along.

Classic and Heirloom Quilts by Betsy Chutchian is a lovely book of eight 1800's inspired quilts, in three sizes.  Each quilt inspired by history, antique quilts, and Betsy's great-great grandmother, Lizzie. 
(I really enjoyed reading Betsy's family history and inspiration behind her beautiful quilts.)

The quilt that I chose to make is Stepping Out.  I love the look of the brick type rows and couldn't wait to combine all my Fig Tree and Co. charm packs I had been saving, for it.

Then binding with Fig Tree and Co.'s strawberry fields revisited sand gingham (be still my heart).

Thank you so much for dropping by today!

I'm so glad you did! xo

BLOOM Sew Along.

 good morning and welcome to my little stop on 

Lori Holt's BLOOM sew along - I'm so glad you are here

Is this not the cutest quilt!!
you can purchase the BLOOM sew simple shapes templates here, 
and follow along by beginning here on week one 
after downloading your free pattern here

I chose to make my block into a 16" spring pillow for my home.  
I really enjoyed the quiet handwork time I had making this block and can hardly wait to make the others!  

xoxo

how do you choose fabric

If you were to describe yourself based on the fabric in your stash, what is the first word that comes to mind?

Whimsical?

(happy campers by Alexander Henry Fabrics)

Modern?

  (origami oasis mountain and valley by Michael Miller Fabrics)

Eclectic? 

(ahoy matey sailboats by Windham Fabrics) 

Low volume?

(let's pretend by Sarah Jane for Michael Miller) 

Americana?

 

(nantucket floral by Quilting Treasures)

How do you choose your fabrics?  Do you look specifically for the color, subject matter, texture, etc?  Do you mix and match or do you buy complete fabric lines and strictly use them together?

Being a "first generation quilter" I have learned a good bit about myself by the fabrics I choose.  For starters, I am a "sentimental quilter", in other words I am drawn to fabric that speaks to me.  

In 2013 when October Afternoon and Riley Blake Designs introduced Sidewalks I knew immediately that I wanted to build a special quilt with it.  (stay tuned for the reveal of said quilt-wink)  Those sweet images of childhood tugged at this momma's heart.  Not to mention my own memories of growing up.    

 (column 1 - riding hood story, rocket age stars, wildflower meadow spot, washday symbols, wild and free plaid column 2 - a beautiful thing dot, honey house, billowing petals, fancy bikes column 3 - magnolia, milk sugar and flower, wedge geo,  knit gray stripe (would make such a cute skirt), good friends

Something else I realized about my fabric choices ... I like variety.  Scrappy quilts are my very favorite to create and variety allows optimum scrappiness.  Which make my heart happy - wink 

Fashionable Fabrics has a fabulous selection of fabric!  Every fabric in this post is from their site (click on red letters to see each one up close) and there are so many more to see!!  Be sure to visit Fashionable Fabrics for your fabric needs.

an instagram sort of month.

Since the nearest Starbucks is an hour away (as is every other little bit of civilization - ha ha ha), I came up with a little chilly day treat that I can make from home.  What I do is : make the vanilla latte according to directions then add eggnog (amount is to your liking).

baddah boom baddah bang - yum!

And with said chilly days, I baked a batch of snickerdoodles for my awesome husband who works so hard to take care of our family.

I'm a lucky girl to have such a great guy!

Getting a little sewing in since it is so cold outside - new lined checked pillow covers have been my latest sewing endeavor, and I am so happy with them!

This is typically what my day looks like, so it has been nice having a break from all the outside work that keeps me busy during the fall!  That and I like not smelling like a campfire for days in a row.  ha ha ha  Seriously though, I am not complaining, what I do is hard work, but it has it's perks too.  I love being outside and it keeps me fit and young.  So it's a win win!

Before I go, have you seen Green Fairy Quilts huge charm pack sale??  I buy charm packs regularly, so that I can mix and match and get a real nice scrappy look when I am sewing.  They are super affordable and make fun stocking stuffers for your quilter friends!

Thanks for dropping by my little blog today!  xoxo

bee's knees quilt 2012-2013 quilt.

Last night, I received some of the most special mail!  Three quilts beautifully quilted by Kathy at Stitch by Stitch.  Thank you so much Kathy!  As always I adore your quilting and hug each quilt you send back my way.  Love ya friend!

My bee's knees quilt 2012-2013 is especially dear to my heart.  I had the privilege of sewing along with some very sweet and talented ladies in the bee's knees quilt group.  Eleven of these blocks were individually sewn by each one.  Then I added a few of my own blocks plus sashing and borders, to make it a larger quilt.

Thank you so much sweet girls, for the time you took to sew my fabrics together into such special blocks that are now a dear quilt.  I will think of you every time I see them.  And cherish my quilt always!

I have binding just waiting for a free moment to be sewn on.  I can hardly wait!  xoxo