Sunday, June 27, 2010

My first venture into Project Quilting!

I heard about Project Quilting a while back before it started, but didn't have time to join in the 1st challenge and somehow forgot all about it until last week! When I saw the 4th challenge posted last Sunday, I just couldn't get it out of my head, so when I came up with this idea, I knew it was time to jump in!

The theme for Challenge 4 was the log cabin block and the challenge was that the back of at least one fabric had to be included. (See the challenge post for all the rules.) The motto for Project Quilting is "Think outside the square," so that in combination with the log cabin block made me think about an actual block, a cube!

I went hunting in my stash for fabric that I not only loved the right side of, but the wrong side to. When I saw the Moda charm pack of the Basic Grey Eva line I knew that was it! To start, I separated the charm squares out into 6 groups, one for each side. I initially thought I'd use 6 fabrics per side, but ended up using just 5, so I pulled 1 square out of each of these stacks once I started cutting (all the textured solid prints and 1 or 2 patterned prints).  See how nice the back of the fabrics are too? Visibly different, but still beautiful!


With only a 5" square of each to work with, I knew the pieced had to be tiny! The center finished to 1" square, and the strips just 1/2".


Here's a little mock up of one of the blocks! I used the right side of the fabric in the center and on the top and left of each little quilt block and the wrong side of the fabric on the right and bottom. I guess I should have put the wrong side on the left and the right on the right, huh? :)


The little blocks all came together really quickly!  Here are all 6 unquilted blocks along with the batting and muslin backing for each.


I machine quilted each block in a square spiral pattern. I used a greyish-taupe thread for the 2 dark blocks and white for the 4 lighter blocks.


Assembly time! I made 2 3-block strips. Now picture folding each strip into a C shape and fitting those together --- it makes a block!


With a single seam I sewed the blocks together, leaving the last edge open for turning and stuffing.


And just like that, I went from 6 flat little quilts into a 3-dimensional quilted block!


After turning, stuffing and hand stitching the opening closed, I was done!


I had planned to use this as a pincushion right beside my machine, but I love it so much I don't know if I will! Right now I have it placed where can see it while I'm working!

Be sure to head over to Project Quilting and VOTE for your favorite entry! Of course I'd love to win, but be sure to admire all the amazing entries and pick your favorite! One lucky voter will win a prize too -- vote on the left sidebar and read down through to the end to see how to enter!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

New project & the risky hobby of quilting!

In the last few weeks I whipped up a quilt little quilt project, my quickest ever I think, but I just sent it off to be machine quilted, so I'll hold off on pictures (and maybe even a pattern & tutorial) until I get it back! :)

I immediately jumped into a brand new project, starting with a graph paper sketch this past weekend! I sketched it out on Saturday and pulled and cut all the fabric on Sunday! The fabrics are all from my stash -- fabrics I've been collecting over the last two and a half years for my little boy's quilt(s)!

I am terribly excited about the quilt design but I'm going to hold off on sharing it with you for a little bit! ;)

Here's a peek at the pieces all cut and ready to sew...


and here's a peek after I chain pieced all 96 half square triangle units together yesterday!


Next step, trimming down and squaring up all the half-square triangle units. A necessary step, but not my favorite. Just as I started to settle into it my little guy decided he wanted to help out! He carefully placed the ruler right on the squares. (The rotary cutter wasn't near him here.)


Unfortunately, shortly after I took this picture last night and the little guy got settled for bed, I wasn't so careful with the rotary cutter and ended up slicing off part of my finger! No blood on the fabric at least, but I haven't worked up the nerve to touch the rotary cutter again and I've got a big bandage on my sad, sore disfigured finger. I desperately want to get back to work on the quilt though, so maybe when there's some supervision around for *me* tonight I will brave it.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Another giveaway you'll want to enter!

Amy of Amy's Creative Side is having a giveaway of an AccuQuilt Go! Cutter!




How handy would this machine be for quickly cutting your quilt pieces? Perfect angles and measurements every time! Much better than my current cutting method: sitting on the wood floor with my rotary cutter and self-healing mat.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

I was the lucky winner!

I was so surprised to learn that I won the giveaway on The Creative Connection blog for some of Patty Young's new knits and her two new MODKID knit patterns! They arrived this week and I'm so excited to get sewing!  These knits aren't even available in stores yet!

Here's a peek at the knits I received. (Complete with a handwritten note from the fabulous Patty Young herself!)


Here's a closer look at the two patterns. You can pick them directly from the MODKIDBOUTIQUE or from an online fabric store such as Above All Fabric.



Very fortunately for me, my girls each had a different favorite of the knit prints, so my first venture into the world of sewing with knits will be 2 Abigail dresses. :) I'll be sure to share the results and maybe even the process if I remember to take photos along the way!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Take a peek at this giveaway!

Jennifer of Sugar Stitches is having a fabulous giveaway! She's got a big stack of Heather Ross fabrics, and she's going to give some away to one or two lucky folks who leave a comment on her blog post, so hurry over and post right HERE!