A Baby Quilt for Liam

It's seems like baby making season lately with friends and coworkers! That sounds fine with me because it allows me to work some small quilt projects (which I'm in to right now) and get them out of the house! Also, my new obsession with Moda Bakeshop has allowed me to fuel my love of quilting with step-by-step picture instructions on how to piece some amazing small projects using their Layer Cakes, Jelly Rolls, and Charm Packs. Fabric shops always have these teaser packs of fabric laying around and I thought I would grab some to use and make some baby quilts.

My dear friend Charlotte and her husband in Virginia just had a baby! Congrats! A sweet, tiny boy named Liam. So, he's first on the list! I wanted to find a fabric that was just brilliant in color to engage little Liam's imagination, but something that would suggest "hey, I'm a boy!" and I think I found the perfect fabric in Moda's Meadow Friends line. (Ignore the Summer House layer cake for the moment, that's the Baker Baby's quilt and he was literally just conceived, so I've got time).

Moda Meadow Friends Charm Packs (2)

The pattern I grabbed from Moda Bakeshop, of course, and I picked a Stacked Coin pattern. I just love the simplicity of it and because of all the bright colors it just looks wild! So first things first, each of those little squares (5" x 5") has to be cut down the middle. From here on they are each a "coin" (hence Stacked Coins).

Look at those bugs!l

After all that cutting I then had two stacks of coins and was ready to start chaining! But first, being OCD as I am I wanted to sort out the pinks and camouflage patterns (yuck!) to make it a little more manly and less redneck.

Coins galore!

Once I settled on six different coin chain patterns mixing all of the colors and combinations, I began sewing them all together. This went super fast!

I think Neti was off napping for this project! Where is she?!

After each run I would iron the newly sewn coin down in place. See, I'm getting better about the ironing portion of quilting!

Ironing open the coins

And of course it went really fast because I sewed on one coin to each chain continuously, meaning that sewing them back to back kept me from wasting thread and wasting time. This is definitely the best way to do it. See what I mean? See how they are all connected? This saves you a LOT of thread, which we all know is a little pricey.

Chaining the chains?

And by the end of day 1 I had all of my chains done! Then I folded them all up and got married. But yesterday I was able to finish the front so read on!

Six chains, 5 for the quilt and 1 for the backing

Once I had all that done I had to cut the sashing. This was tedious. I think the white was a perfect choice for this project because I don't want to make Liam cross-eyed with color, I just want his mind stimulated, so the white helps break up the craziness of the chains.

Cutting sashing. Can we get back to sewing please?!

And then it was time to alternate the sashing and a chain, sashing, chain, sashing, chain...

Sewing it all together

As you can see I was interrupted a few times to pet the cat. She just can't help it, she loves sewing!

Neti interrupts to ensure it will be a comfortable quilt in the end

And before you know it, BOOM! I was done with the facing! I think it looks great! The color combos look great with few repeating colors across the chains. The white breaks them up perfectly. I'm sure happy with it. In fact, I have a few coins left I may use to cut out letters and applique "Liam" across the bottom. What do you think?

Liam's baby quilt facing

This was my favorite grouping for one of the chains. Does this scream "I'm a boy!" loud enough?

Frogs, bugs, and lizards. Yuck!

I have also recently fallen in love with adding piecing to the back of quilts. I feel like these are often forgotten and really, you always have to piece your backs anyway because the fabric is never wide enough for a quilt backing in one piece. This adds a huge element of color and style to the back. You really just can't go wrong.

The backing

So there you have it! The majority of the work is done! Quilting will be the fun part, ESPECIALLY because now I have the Bernina. I can't wait to play! I folded it all up and set it aside until I can get some batting. Plus I may have already begun cutting the fabric for the Baker Baby quilt. Oops.

I'll see baby Liam at Christmas when we go home to celebrate so I've got some time to finish it up. Until then I'll keep you posted.

It's a BERNINA!!!

It has been WAY too long since the last post, but as you all know I was getting married and that takes time. So now I am a Mrs. and to go along with the new status my amazing husband surprised me with a wedding gift: a brand new BERNINA 440QE!!!!!!!

I'm not sure you all really realize how ecstatic I am. This is just a dream come true. Now, I loved my sewing machine. Mostly because I had a sewing machine, but a Bernina is one of those drool starters. I dreamed of Bernina. And now I am blessed with one! I picked it up on Friday after work and immediately came home and unwrapped it. This was the first glance into the huge box.

It looks like I've got some reading to do!

And once I got through all of the literature (meaning I just glanced at it and chucked it aside) this was the beauty tucked away inside...

Bernina 440QE (Quilters Edition)

Matt (my husband) came home to me sitting on the floor surrounded by Bernina boxes, styrofoam, and other paraphernalia. I was completely mature and pulled everything out but was so intimidated before turning it on that I read the ENTIRE user manual before even plugging it in. I am officially an expert. And you can see that Neti was also excited to have a new machine!

Neti <3 Bernina

But the biggest bonus was the inclusion of the BSR for free motion quilting. It allows for you to control the speed the machine quilts while maintaining evenly sized and spaced stitches, no matter how many stops and starts and zigs and zags you throw at it! I cannot wait to use this! Good thing I have a project in the works.

BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator)

Thank you, Matt, for the best wedding present a quilter could ask for! And now for projects galore!

The Cat Litter Bag Holder Project

So sorry for the blog delay! Getting married has kind of gotten in the way of crafting. No, not yet, next weekend is the wedding and I feel like Matt is slipping speed in to my tea in the morning. I am literally running from getting out of bed to getting back in bed. But enough about the boring stuff, let's talk about my newest craft! The Cat Litter Bag Holder. What a terrible name, but it kind of reminds me of Bill Nye, "The Cat Litter Bag Holder of Science!" And take a look at the finished bag!

 The finished product!

Of course the Crafting Cat Neti had to be involved, especially because this was helping aid in our scooping of the litter box morning routine. Since this was such a small project I decided to ransack my scrap bucket (just a small bucket so far, my grandma has like three giant bins of scraps. I have made many a crazy quilt out of her scraps). I found a few panels in really bold colors but nothing really matched so I defaulted to rainbow, which I could not have been happier with!

Neti, the fabric choices, and a tape measure

And as you can see WE NEEDED THIS! Our bags are collected from grocery store trips, trips to the hardware store and our little convenience mart downstairs which refuses to let you leave, even with one item, without taking a plastic bag. Needless to say we have a lot of them and habit has us shoving them into the closet where they build and build faster than we can poop and scoop. 

What a mess!

So the solution was a bag to hold the bags. Genius! I was also DYING to christen my new sewing space. I have a man who loves me! He is requiring that I take over our dining room table and make it my "sewing room" instead. I've made a little space he complains is not good enough but we'll need the table a lot soon with family coming so it's just a temporary set-up for now, but how wonderful! The space is amazing! Why didn't I think of this? As you can see, the cat has a little nap area. She requested that forcefully. But with a view like that out the window I can't really complain about a little cat takeover.

                              The "sewing room"

                                                                                                                               The View

First things first. I needed a plan. I was basically molding this thing in my mind and marrying an engineer has taught me to make a blueprint! So I did with Neti's help... er, uh company.

The plan

I decided I needed a large bag, or at least a large diameter bag and something that would filter the bags down. So as I added more bags to the top I could pull them out of the bottom. It works a lot better when you work with gravity. Each panel (I chose eight fabrics) was 18" long and 4" wide. Once all of the fabric was cut I lined them in rainbow order with an adorable cat fabric at the end. How would I know what to use it for if it wasn't designated with cats? Come on guys, I had to use it.

Ironed and staged fabric panels

Once I decided the order and everything was ironed (my least favorite part of sewing) it was time to piece! I love this part. It's the closest to quilting I can get with this project. Quilting is my true love.

Piecing panels

I next ironed all of the seams open and reviewed my workmanship. Straight seams? For the most part. I'm still working on it. I used 1/2" seam allowances.

Wrong side view of piecing

Once my ironing was completed I hemmed the ends...

Pinned the hem shut

... and then realized that was stupid, I forgot I wanted to tie it shut to keep the bags from falling out. Why hem it when I have to put a ribbon track in? Oh well. I then chose my ribbon, a teeny-tiny yellow ribbon I had on hand and worked it in to the hem.

I sewed it in to place making sure I never sewed over the ribbon so it would be free flowing and I could actually work it as a gather to bunch the fabric closed on both ends of the bag.

Sewing a ribbon track

I then realized that I would be shoving bags in and pulling them out. With all of those seams on the inside I would just be creating more friction with the fabric jutting out and getting in the way and possibly holding up some bags from coming down. So I tediously began a zig-zag stitch on EVERY SEAM to tack them down. I am told that the process is the important part in sewing. I still don't have the patience to believe it. It's all about the end product, baby!

A zig-zag stitch to tack down my seams

Once finished I put the right sides together and sewed it shut! How exciting! It was practically a bag! As I was tying the bottom ribbon shut, which would allow bags to be pulled out but not fall out, Neti helped hold the top of it for stability (I'm sure).

Neti's seal of approval

 Once tied up I added a loop to the top made out of the cat fabric so I could hook it to our industrial shelf next to the washer and drier. So it is practically in the same place as that messy mound of bags but now when you whip open the laundry door it's a splash of color and an organized way of doing of things. Music to my ears.

Want a bag? Just pull!

Table Numbers Project + Yoga Sweater Project

I FINISHED! I love finishing projects and just standing back to look at them. This one is especially exciting because I officially am over doing handwork for awhile. I'm ready for a sewing project. With the wedding a mere five weeks away and counting and with a July schedule filling up to ensure everything is finished in time I am happy to have these finished. So again in case you think I'm crazy these are the table numbers for the wedding. Each one is a different fabric all hand-trimmed in light pink embroidery floss in a simple hand stitch. I made 13, hoping I have no more tables than just that. I have some extras waiting in the wings but figured this should be enough. Otherwise (Maid of Honor Devon) we will be whipping some out just before the wedding. 

Behold the work of my hands! All 13 lined up for show.

And of course Neti had to get involved, as she usually does. Really I think she just likes to chew on the strand of my camera wristlet. Regadless, I think she approves of my handiwork (haha, get it?! I made them by hand?!)

So now that I'm finished with the Table Numbers Project I needed to move on to a new one. I recently had a friend who just had a baby and I will be meeting sweet little Liam for the first time at Christmas. He'll be a whole six months old by then but I figure he should have a properly quilted baby blanket. And I'm in the mood for a sewing project. My last quilt project was such a long time ago I figured I should start a new one. I NEED one. Do you ever get that feeling? I want to piece and block and quilt. (le sigh)

So I have been geeking out on Moda Bakeshop's blog. It's AMAZING (and free). And I found two baby quilt ideas. Two you ask? Well, my dearest friend Becky just called me yesterday to let me know she's pregnant!! Well, since I'm making one for Liam I should make one for her's too, right? Plus, I figure since I have 9 months I should may as well tack on a baby sweater and hat and booties that are knit. But the wedding is coming up!!! Plus I am having major problems finding the Charm Packs and Layer Cakes needed for those quilts. I've gone to three quilt shops and come up with zilch. So I grabbed an old knit project I haven't touched in ages, due to being derailed by wedding projects and worked my way through it. Plus, I kinda want to wear it already. Here's what it will look like once finished (p.s. I am not making the leg warmers, it's not the 80's anymore).

Tools: Yarn (Premier Yarns Serenity Sport Weight)- 4 skeins- Cafe au Lait colorway

          Needles (size 10 and 11 to fit the needed gauge with this yarn)

          Scissors and Patience

The pattern is wicked easy and I pulled it for free off of Ravelry. If you are a knitter and you are not on Ravelry you are a crazy person! It's amazing!! Plus, I get to keep track of what I'm working on and some yarn shops are so nice that they let you get on your Ravelry account in the store to make sure you have the needles you need for your newest project. So last night while watching an Austrailan horror movie called The Tunnel (really good and really scary) I finished the back panel. Below is the look.

And of course Neti had to try it out. So while I'm searching for fabric for the baby quilts and awaiting the fast approaching wedding date I will only dream of quilting. Let me tell you when I get back from our honeymoon I'm going to have those quilts finished so fast your head will spin! That's how bad I want to sew right now.

Let me introduce myself + McCalls 5591: The Bird Skirt

Hello, My Name is Devon!

For those of you who don’t know me, I am Dina’s evil twin…or not evil…or a twin, but I am her sister (and slightly evil).  I am the yin, to Dina’s yang in the craft world.  Although we both enjoy knitting, I am more of a fashion sewer…sewist…seamstress…whatever…while Dina likes home décor and quilting.  For some reason, Dina has no patience for making clothing while I have no patience for quilting…really, I am going to sew all these blocks together and put batting down, and sew all over the place, and do all this hard work just for this to lay on top of me…please. Dina has very graciously invited me to post my craft projects on her wonderful craft blog along with her.  At first, I refused her offer. I’m pretty sure my exact words were “I’ll just bring you down” mainly due to the fact that I have a notorious habit for beginning a project and never finishing (evidenced by the 3 knitting projects and 3 sewing projects sitting in my craft closet at this very moment).  However, now that I have finished school and will have more free time, I decided that I should craft more and yes, finish my projects. Maybe this blog is the perfect motivation.

Fabric: Valori Wells Jenaveve Linen Blend Floral Birds Sage ($11.88/yd)

Pattern: McCall’s5591 ($3.59)

Notions: 9” Zipper ($1)

Total cost: $28.35

Luckily for you, my new audience, I just finished a project. Hip hip HOORAY! Yes, that is correct I finished a project. (applause in the background) Yes, thank you, you are too kind. Really, too kind.  I just finished the McCall’s 5591 skirt and have to say I really like it.  I don’t wear skirts very often, alright let’s be honest, I never wear skirts (I only own 2…yes this is a true story). But in an effort to improve myself (and my wardrobe) I decided that I should embrace skirts and dresses.  I always find that skirts at the store are either too short or too long and just hit in the wrong place on my leg. That is why I LOVE sewing my own clothing because I can tailor the skirt to fit me the way that I want it to.  For this pattern, I added a whopping 5” to the length so that it hit just below my knee (the way I like it). I used a beautiful fabric that I ordered from fabric.com on a whim.  Now I have heard from fellow bloggers of the dangers of buying fabric just because you like it without a pattern in mind. Pretty soon you are piled sky high with fabric that you haven’t used because you have a “purchasing problem.” I am hoping that I don’t get to that stage so I am vowing to use up my fabric stash before I buy more, don’t worry.

 The fabric I used was a Valori Wells Jenaveve linen blend with cute little birdies on it. This isn’t a typical print I would wear (black, gray, or white), but again I’m trying to “improve myself.” I’m usually really cheap when it comes to fabric. Like really cheap. I never want to pay over $4 a yard, but I loved the print so much that I bought it at $11.88 a yard. Wowie.

I made the skirt very similar to the pattern except I didn’t add a border on the bottom edge. Instead I just extended the pattern in the bird fabric and simply hemmed the bottom.  I didn’t line this skirt but I finished the edges with an overcast stitch to prevent fraying.  I only really made 2 major mistakes during the crafting of this project.

Number 1: I cut a size 14 in the pattern which was a stupid mistake as it was too big. I took in the skirt a good 3 or 4 inches. Haha! I really should have cut out a 12 but I have no idea why I thought that at 14 would fit. Oh well, no harm done, I merely took in the sides for a better fit. 

Number 2: This was my first time inserting a zipper! That wasn’t the mistake, per se, but my finished product came out a little uneven at the top.  But who’s really looking that closely right? I think for my first zipper I did pretty well.

All in all, I think the skirt turned out great and I even wore it out already! I got some great compliments too.  Hooray for a first project! Keep coming back for my crafting updates. I have a few projects already in the works…

Introducing my wonderfully talented sister

Hi everyone! I have been on a craft hiatus due to an overwhelming amount of Matt's things everywhere since moving back home. I have some updates on the Table Numbers Project but wanted to take this opportunity to introduce my sister, Devon, as a new author!! We have an urban container gardening blog together, Sister's Gardens, and with the rest of our time we are craft fiends!

She is a registered dietician residing in Chicago who spends much more of her time building clothes than blankets, like me. She just got a brand new sewing machine (a traditional family graduation present) and you may remember her from my Chicago trip a few posts back. Now that she has graduated a ruthless program with Rush University she has more time to throw in to her sewing so I begged her to join me here and post her creations.

As sisters we share everything and she is my number one motivator as far as getting crafts finished and gushing about the process with. She's super talented and I'm happy to have her here! Welcome her with open arms (or eyes, since you're reading) and be ready to be amazed! I am not talented in the sewing clothes area so even I have something to learn. Enjoy!! And welcome, Devie!

The Hearst Mansion Project Inspiration

Again the crafts were put on hold for a trip. Just two days after I got back from Chicago to see Devon and family I flew down to San Bernadino, CA to help Matt, my fiance, come home after being away for 16 months with work. We decided to celebrate by driving the Pacific Coast Highway all the way home to Seattle. Along the way we stopped at gorgeous gardens, amazing sea-side Inns, and grabbed great food along the way. 

Inspiration is one of those things we find in other crafter's current projects, like last week with Devon, and also from seeing the amazing sights this country has to offer. We saw everything from craggy seascapes to the tallest redwoods. But you know what held the most inspiration for me? The Hearst Mansion. A California castle in San Simeon, CA. Hearst collected everything from Egyptian statues from the tomb of King Tut himself (over 3000 years old!) to tapestries that the Louvre in Paris has copies of. I'm not kidding. So below are just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took to inspire future projects. 

Our favorite part of the mansion? The indoor Grecian Pool. All hand-laid tiles, over 300,000 in total, filled with amazing symmetry and marble statues. We need this in our lives.

A terrace angel

A Grecian outdoor pool, all marble

Mermaids! My favorite

The blue is startling against the black, white, and concrete 

The tile patterns were stunning throughout the castle

The blend of ornate and nature

The stone carvings were everywhere!

Magnificent ceilings all hand carved wood from Italy

One of the many amazing views

The main house (and the King Tut statues bottom left)

The door to the main house

These are the tapestries the Louvre wishes they had

This is one of the oldest tapestries in the castle, look at the detail!

Not exactly a craft but such an inspiration for mix of nature and ornate, details with huge spaces, and appreciation of the past. Such an inspiration!! More crafts soon. All the beauty of the last four days seeing the coastline on the Pacific just made me want to come home and create.