Sewing-Unsewing-Resewing

It all started out great, and simple enough- sew a French seam pillowcase, another of the Christmas gift projects that did not get finished because of my whirlwind ride with viral bronchitis in December. So, I pulled the fabrics from the bag to get this one done!

 

A family member has lots of roots in Wisconsin. I recently traveled there and visited two outstanding quilt shops, Millhouse Quilts, in Waunakee and Patches and Petals, in Bellville, WI. Both were fun to wander around in with a great selection of fabrics, lots of project samples and friendly staff. I picked up the Wisconsin Badger fabric to do a pillowcase there.

 

So simple enough, I have made at least 10 of this type of pillowcase.

 

I cut the fabrics-

 

Body Fabric= 27 inches by WOF

Cuff Fabric= 10 inches by WOF

Band Fabric (optional but cute)  = 2.5 inches by WOF



 

I ironed the band in half with wrong sides together.

 

I laid the cuff  fabric down with the right side out. (Spoiler alert- THIS IS WRONG!!)

 

I did the burrito roll, feeling quite pleased with myself!

 

I stitched the edges of my burrito....

 

And I turned it....and instantaneously knew I DID IT WRONG! I has made a lovely pillowcase with an inside out cuff. Ugh.

 

 

So, I unsewed, repinned and hoped that it would work this time.

 

Resewing......fun, fun, fun! The cuff must be right sides together to turn correctly.

 

 

Success!! Everything where it belongs with a little top stitching to keep the cuff crisp.

FINIS!

 

 

There is a really nice tutorial on this website if you want to make your own French Seam Pillowcase... Smashed Peas and Carrots French Seam Pillowcase in Under 30 Minutes

Allietare Week 6- The Reveal!

I have been making steady progress on my Allietare Mystery Quilt over the holidays, squeezing in stitching time here and there. Chain piecing mass quantities of clues.....

 

 

Can you tell I am putting off the ironing....I HATE ironing, a necessary evil for a quilter.

 

 

Ironed me up a big box of clue parts.....

 

 

And then surprise, surprise as I was stitching clues on New Year's Eve, Bonnie posted the reveal! You can see it at Allietare Mystery Reveal.

 

Immediately, I had to assemble a couple blocks to see what my Christmas color pathway would look like....

 

I am very happy with the results! Can't wait to get the whole top together!

 

 
 You can see other Allietare shares at the Mystery Monday Link-Up Week Six!

My First Finish of the New Year!

 I had a few hours on New Year's Day to do some sewing. After being sick for a good part of December and hardly sewing anything at all, I had to catch up. This project was intended to be a Christmas gift for my sister. Lucky for me, our "Christmas" was beginning New Year's night, so I had not a minute to spare!

On New Year's,  I always enjoy stitching while live streaming the Philadelphia Mummers Parade String Bands. So with bands a playing, I set to finishing my sister's Mondo Bag using my step-daughter's blinged out machine.

 I had already fused and stitched the panels for the bag, so I just needed to construct the bag.

 Attaching the handles always wigs me out a bit. It feels like an all or nothing commitment to getting them to lay the right way.

 

The "turn" where you find out if it all came together....

 

Top stitching after the turn.

 



 

It turned out great!

 

 

I like to put silly pockets in my bags....this one got two lizard pockets!

 

My sister was happy with her bag, and I have my first finish of the new year on January 1st! Yeah me!!

 

 

I also got a little Instagram time and found my theme for sewing for 2016.... "Sew My Stash!" I plan to follow along and finish some things that are in my stash...things that I really like!! You can follow along "Sew My Stash" at Project Leasa

 

 

2015 Quilty Year in Review

While I was a bad blogger this year, I definitely squeezed in more time for quilting, and that makes me happy.

 

This quilt is one of my favorites, even though it's from a panel and not particularly challenging in any way. I love Halloween décor and find the holiday just a lot of silly fun.

 

 

Did a couple of these witches....again just silly fun!

 

On a September retreat I stitched up a reaaaaallllly long table runner for my Christmas dining room table from a few packs of charm squares and some holly fabric in my stash.

I also pieced a t-shirt quilt for my son

I took a Gelli painting class...out of my usual comfort zone, but fun, fun, fun!!

Finished a wool autumn wall hanging, and worked on a wool BOM UFO from last year. I find wool a nice break from the machine as well as TV watching friendly.

Had lots of fun at many retreats with friends...sewing and eating and laughing. Had new members come and cherished friends move on

 

Participated in several swaps with local groups...this one, "cracker" block was fun.

Our 4th child was accepted to college at William and Mary, had fun taking their various logos and symbols and turning them into a wall-hanging.

 I continue my membership in the Tidewater Quilter's Guild, and took on the role as web mistress in June.

 

 

Dove into some paper piecing, hexies and a Georgetown Circle. As you can see I have a short attention span, it's really a wonder I finish anything!!

 Took a class at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in February....lots of fun learning a new applique technique.

 Tried knitting with a group of friends...dislike. Makes my hands tense, and frankly don't need another craft obsession...hahahaha.

 

Learned how to make Mondo bags. Made several, love the process and the product!

 

Played with Allison Glass fabrics and hearts....

 

Got sucked into the mini block of the month group...made two. This one I really like!

 

Lost my giant roll of freezer paper.....found it with the foil. My husband did not recognize this important quilting item doesn't go in the kitchen! haha

 Snowmen and hearts....can't go wrong there!

 

All in all a full and fun quilting year. I think what I kept in mind the whole year was that I should enjoy the process, rather than focus on the finish all the time. I do finish a lot, but really it is the Zen

of the whole thing that is valuable in my life. I ponder and solve and plan my life while piecing. I relax and share a lot of good times with friends because of quilting. And that is really where it's at. Happy New Year!