Sister's Choice Quilts

Halloween Bounce

The pattern I am going to use for my beautiful palette of fall colored fabrics is Bounce, a pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.  The version on the pattern cover was pieced by Thelma Childers, of "Cupcakes 'n' Daisies" and quilted by Linda Hrcka of "A Quilted Pineapple".  What I love about this pattern (besides the scrappy stars) is the amazing border.

I had over 40 fabrics in my cache of hoarded fabrics, pulled with this particular project in mind.  I have been saving up a black, orange, green, purple and gold color palette for going on two years now.  I thought I would share my thoughts on color selection with you all.

Recently two designers came out with fall color inspired lines (Julie Hendrickson's Sampler II and Renee Nanneman's Pumpkin Spice).  I bought both bundles and added them to the fabrics I had already collected.  What happened when I added Sampler II and Pumpkin Spice into the mix was that my choice of greens changed dramatically.

These are the greens I had originally planned to use:

Sort of muted, light greens.  

Once I had the oranges, purples, golds, and blacks assembled, these greens seemed too wimpy in comparison.

I pulled some other, much stronger greens to see how they worked.

My color choices have always been more instinctual than calculated, but I think you will agree that the darker, bolder greens work better with the stronger pure tones of the other fabrics pulled for the project.

For me, assembling the colors and fabrics for a project is just about the most fun part of making a quilt.  Let me tell you, I was pretty jazzed to start sewing now that I had my fabrics decided upon!  So that is what I did over Labor Day Weekend.

Get Over It

I mentioned that I have been in a bit of a slump, sewing-wise.  I have just not felt inspired by much of anything lately.  I have definitely been bored by a couple of the projects I have worked on recently.  Log Cabins are cool, but not terribly interesting to work on, I have decided.  Maybe I should try one of the log cabin variations (curved, combination blocks etc) to spice things up next time.  If there is a next time.  And oh.my.gosh, if you join any clubs sponsored by one designer, just beware.  That's all I'm saying.  I love Kim Diehl, but 18 of her kits sitting on my shelf is not just making me feel guilty, but b.o.r.e.d.   I am going on such a regime of Not Buying It for awhile.  Shop at home Nicole.  You can do it.

That being said, my son Ahren needs a quilt right now.  He actually purchased a jelly roll for me when he was vacationing in Norway.  He spent 459 Norwegian Krone for a jelly roll of Laundry Basket's Hope Chest a while back.  That is probably equivalent to about $60 US.  Anyway, he thought it was a collection I might like, and I had so much fun explaining to him how Edita Sitar is so unique in blending traditional fabrics with coordinating batiks.  I loved the jelly roll he got me, and at the price he paid, certainly wanted to make good use of it.  I ordered two coordinating mini batik rolls and have enough (with some background fabric) to make a good sized quilt for him.  

Don't you think this Kim Brackett pattern called Bali Stars is a good choice for this collection?

If I can get my mojo back anytime soon, this is a quilt I would like to  make.  All I need is some cream batik background fabric and I will be good to go.

Fabric Baskets for Toy Storage

Have you all tried making fabric baskets?  They are so convenient for sewing accessories, children's small toys and all sorts of other odds and ends.  

For Valentine's Day, I gave Eva a Dog Washing Barbie, that came with all sorts of little puppies and dog washing paraphernalia.  Tons of little pieces that were bound to be spread all through the house and lost.  I had a piece of Frozen themed fabric her uncle and auntie had sent her from Denmark, and thought with some fussy cutting, it would be just the thing to use for making a little basket to contain her toys.  

There are a slew of fabric basket patterns on the internet that are free downloads.  If you just Google "fabric baskets" you will get loads of results. I did download a pattern called 123 Basket, which I kind of sort of followed.  My fabric pieces were cut 9 inches by 14 inches.  I lined both the outer pieces and the lining with fusible batting to give it shape and make it firm enough to stand up.  It was what I had on hand, and it worked fine.  

I think I got the handles positioned wrong, but Eva doesn't seem to care.  They kind of flop down like sad bunny ears and they should be more horizontal and stick out from the sides of the basket more.  Oh well.  The basket works great for containing all the little pieces that go with this toy set, and is in a fabric that pleases her.

You can whip these up in an hour and I know you could find all sorts of uses for them.  How about the next time you need a little gift for someone?  You could whip up a basket and fill it with a cute tea mug and some assorted teas.  Or soaps and a little bath mitt.    Or a gourmet muffin mix and a cute spatula?  Or an Easter basket for the special kid in your life?

Log Cabin Block Pitfalls to Avoid

Looking at a Log Cabin quilt, you would think it is so simple.  And it is, or can be eventually.  As mentioned in my previous post, I am using the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool, which is terrific.  I got the idea for the Log Cabin project from a YouTube video called Hope Blooms Log Cabin Quilt put out by the folks at Fatquarter Shop.

The ruler comes with detailed instructions.  Fatquartershop also has a free Hope Blooms Log Cabin Block pattern you can print out, which shows you how to use the Creative Grids Log Cabin ruler to make their version of the quilt  My first pitfall was trying to follow both pattern instructions at the same time.  I realized at some point in making my first block that the patterns were reversed in their use of dark and light strips.  If you are cutting strips to measure, it is important to get the lights cut to the right length and the darks cut to the lengths they need to be.  You cannot interchange them, as they are different lengths.  Also one pattern numbered the strips in order of use, and the other pattern used letters of the alphabet.

I tell you, I sat for the longest time staring at those two sets of directions and ended up more confused than ever.  So, my advice is--if you use the tool pick one set of directions and don't confuse yourself with even looking at another set!  You notice in my photo above, I have little scraps of paper with the Fatquartershop letters of the alphabet as well as my numbered pins that correspond to the Creative Grids ruler.  I was making myself unnecessarily crazy.

The second pitfall is:  know that you are going to have to end up cutting more strips.  The main reason for this is that you will want to use certain colors or fabrics in the various "rounds" and you'll find you did not cut enough of whatever it is you need to achieve your desired effect.  Believe me, you will end up cutting extra strips of certain colors.

You notice in my dark fabrics, the first round is light grey, the second round is a darker grey and the third round is black.  Just trust me that you will end up cutting more strips in the colors you need.  Have more fabric than you think you need.

A possible third pitfall is deciding if you want to cut your strips to various prescribed lengths or not.  The Fatquartershop instructions called for cutting strips into various lengths:  3 1/2, 5 1/2, 7 1/2, 9 1/2.  The Creative Grids instructions just have you sewing your long strips onto the side of the block and whacking it off close to the edge--no measuring.  That lack of precision troubled me, so I followed the Fatquartershop instructions and cut my strips according to their use of darks and lights.  So I guess I did end up kind of combining both pattern instructions.  No wonder I sat scratching my head for the longest time.

Don't throw up your hands and declare with all this bother you will never attempt a Log Cabin quilt.  I made 18 blocks over the weekend, and I can tell you by about block number 14 I wasn't even looking at either pattern any more.  Or not very often anyway.

The blocks are fun to make, and easy once you get your head on straight.  Not sure how big this quilt will be, or even how many blocks I need to make.  I suppose I will be cutting more strips....

 

Latest Kim Diehl Simple Whatnots Kit

The latest Kim Diehl Simple Whatnots Club kit arrived last week.  I am woefully behind in the Second season of kit offerings, but will definitely get to making them.  This one is such a nice design and  the fabrics are perfect for my home.

I have made perhaps five or six of the kits so far in the program.  This latest kit was the twelfth I have received over the year.  The program was divided into two series of six kits each.  The first six kits were all made from the same collection of fabrics, Vintage Farmhouse, as I recall.  The second six kits were made from another collection, Heritage Hollow.  The third series of six, Simple Whatnots 3, will be made with her Gathering Baskets group.

The patterns have all been super cute, some with appliqué variations if one is so inclined.  The small size of each project makes it very do-able and pretty speedy to complete.  The fabrics are with few exceptions, quite pretty in a primitive/country style.  My only complaint, and it is a fairly minor one, is that I do get tired of working with the same group of fabrics for six projects in a row.  There are many pieces in each collection however, and the pattern designs/colors are very scrappy, so the end results are all extremely harmonious, should one use all the quilts in one's home.  Alternatively, keep some of the little quilts for yourself and give some away to lucky friends or family.

I give this subscription kit club a thumbs up and think I will continue with Series 3, even though I have some big time catching up to do with making the projects.

Building Blocks

I thought some of you might be interested in how this quilt comes together.  I am working on Looking Glass, a Miss Rosie pattern.  When I studied the pattern photo, I had a difficult time picturing how this top was going to be assembled.  Basically, there are two blocks that make up the quilt. A nine patch and a second block consisting of a rectangle of background fabric and a three patch strip.

Here are some photos that will help you see how the magic happens.

Start with one of the nine patches.

Surround it with four of the secondary blocks (which have red and blue squares that match the fabrics in the nine patch block).

Add in four random nine patch blocks and you have your basic block unit.  Picture the quilt top made with 13 of these large composite units and you have your Looking Glass quilt!  Easy once the pieces fall into place, isn't it?

And believe me, easy is what I wanted after my last couple of more challenging projects.  I highly recommend Looking Glass for an easy to construct project that is much more complicated looking due to its creative layout.

Looking forward to a couple of half days of sewing after a grueling work week.  I may even slip in a pool time play date with Eva and some friends.  Hope your week is going splendidly!

A Gorgeous Day, With a Bit of Everything

I swear I started out the day sewing, and made a total of six more Jacob's Ladder blocks.  But the weather was so gorgeous--in the 80s!--I just had to be outside with Eva.  After I picked her up from school we came home and had a tea party, then we played outside with her water table.  She kept busy for over an hour, washing all her water table toys from last summer.  They had gotten all dusty from being out all winter long.  Then her Daddy called to say he was taking her to a party tonight and I got her dressed in that Geranium Dress I made awhile back.

This is the first time she has been willing to wear it.  I don't know what her aversion to it was.  It is soft as silk, flows over her body loosely, and would be just thing I would wear all day long if the Geranium Dress came in a size 12.  But there she is, wearing the dress, without a complaint.  She was making Playdoh cupcakes while Ozzie panted from the heat in the chair next to her.  I think we were outside for almost five hours in the glorious weather.

She is a tall girl for her age (she will be four at the end of July) and the size four Geranium Dress fits her perfectly.

So, here is my work table, with two completed Jacob's Ladder blocks, and the makings for 12 more.   I still haven't figured out how to lay out these blocks, since I have completely filled the design wall!

I love taking a picture of my blocks and stepping back.  I always spot one block that is in the wrong position.  Third row, sixth block.  I swear it will be a miracle if I get these things sewn together without a mistake.

As I write this, Eva has left for the party with her Daddy, and I am about to make some Spaghetti Carbonara for my husband and I to have for dinner.  Yum. 

By the way, I thank those of you who have left me comments over the past two weeks.  I have been so busy I have not been diligent in responding.  I promise to do better!   Have a splendid weekend everyone!

Geranium Dress

 

After I made the recent somewhat disappointing dress for Eva, I got a lot of recommendations from readers for little girls dress patterns that actually fit and go together well.  One of the names that came up several times was the Geranium Dress, by Made by Rae.  I ordered the pdf download and printed it out to  once again try to make my grand daughter a little dress.

This Geranium dress was a dream to sew together.   You print the pattern out in color, and the pieces are all clearly marked and have the cutting lines for each size in different colors so you can easily keep your place as you cut.  The directions were more than complete, with color photos of each step to guide you.

 

Aren't those instructional photos great?  Nothing like the tissue patterns you buy at Joanns.  

See the printed lines for each size?  So clear.  The pattern has multiple sizes, so if you print out the entire pattern, it has 50 some pages!  You can of course, select just the right pages to print out for your size dress.  There are very complete instructions as to what pages to print so you don't waste paper.  Once you print out your pieces, some of them will need to be taped together to form the whole piece.  This is easy too, and clearly explained.

Here is a detail of the back.  I had to practice a bit with my Bernina to make buttonholes.  I don't think I have made a button hole for 25 years!  I didn't even know I had a buttonhole foot that had come with my machine!

This Geranium dress fits Eva perfectly.  She is three and a half and I made the size 4T.  It is plenty big enough and will certainly fit her through the summer.  There are a few neckline options, as well as sleeve options.  I chose to do the classic round neck and capped sleeves.  I am totally thrilled with how it turned out, and will use my pattern again and again.

Four Patch Fun

 I've been busy making little four patch blocks this past few days.  They go together so quickly and are the perfect project to work on while I watch episodes of Call the Midwife.  (I am really enjoying that series).   These four patches are for a sew along sponsored by American Patchwork and Quilting magazine, in their current issue.  I didn't use any of the three suggested settings in the magazine, but decided to do my own thing.

This is the setting idea I have in mind for them all.  I do have to pay attention when I am sewing the block units together.  If my mind isn't focused, I can get the orientation of the block units wrong and it throws off the design.  I am enjoying the softer colors of this quilt and am looking forward to seeing it on the bed in my master bedroom, which is painted a soft sagey green.  I think it will be a pretty look for spring and summer.

I call the block and setting Jacob's Ladder. I am sure there are several other names for it.  It is very traditional, a real classic in fact.  The fabrics are mostly all from my stash, but I did use all the pinks, greens and some browns from Julie Hendricksen's recent collection called Threads of Time designed for Windham Fabrics.  I am not using a pattern, precisely.  I browsed the internet and Pinterest for ideas on setting four patch blocks and saw several versions similar to what I am doing.  I knew I wanted my block size to be 9 inches finished, and did my calculations accordingly. 

To re-cap, I cut two inch strips for the four patch units and 3 1/2 inch strips for my half square triangles.  I am using the Easy Angle ruler to cut the half square triangles and there is no waste.  And no drawing of lines.   I am not even bothering to cut wider strips and make the half square triangles bigger, then cutting them down to 3 1/2 inches.  They are all coming out just fine.  Each four patch and each half square triangle measures 3 1/2 inches.  

Flowering Snowballs and Kaffe Fasset

It has been so nice to have time to sew this week. Occupying space on my main design wall is the Flowering Snowball quilt I am making with Baycreek templates and Kaffe Fasset fabrics.  I am so late to the party when it comes to Kaffe Fasset. Believe it or not, I had never bought any fabric from this designer.  A friend gave me some fat quarters to play with and I started this Flowering Snowballs quilt with the idea that if the curved piecing didn't work out I wouldn't be wasting fabric that I was nuts about, and also that maybe Eva would like the bright pink colors.

Well, just let me say, the curved piecing is going great, and I have come to LOVE these fabrics.  Sewing with them is like playing with paints.  They remind me a bit of batiks for that same reason.  Each of these prints is a kaleidoscope of shades of pink (and some other colors as well).  Most of the prints are quite large, so when cut up, you can't always tell if the four pieces in each block are different or if some are from the same print.  I could not be happer with this designer's fabric and will be getting more of it in the future.

As far as Eva is concerned, she thinks it is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen and keeps checking in to make sure I am on task and making progress.

I posted this week about the dress I made for Eva, and how I was disappointed in the Butterick pattern I had used.  The fit of the dress wasn't great.  It is rather boxy on her and at least six inches too short.  Of course if I had measured her first that could have been avoided.  I should have made a 4T rather than the 5T, and added some extra length to the dress hem.  That wasn't the pattern's fault particularly, but I did find fault in the construction technique and directions.  I asked if any of you had used little girls dress patterns and had recommendations.  

Barbara got right back to me and suggested I try the Geranium pattern by Made By Rae.  My goodness, this dress has a cult following!  If you check it out on Flickr or Pinterest, you will find countless versions of it, and everyone who makes it seems to love it.  I ordered the PDF pattern for $10 and am very impressed.  The instructions are in color, with the stitching lines clearly marked, and extremely detailed directions.  I cannot wait to make this dress for Eva, and guess what fabric I chose to use?

You guessed it!  Kaffe Fasset.  I think it will be wonderful. The print I chose is so cute--it has red, lavender and pink pencils.  She is going to love it.