Today's Projects

Last night I finished piecing the blankie I was making, although I'm not sure who it is going to now. Maybe I will make it a Christmas gift. Anyway, here's the top.



All I have to do is quilt and bind it; which at it's size doesn't seem so intimidating. I need to go to the store for some matching thread. Not sure if I want natural or brown. The back is mostly natural with brown strips down the sides. I plan to walk up there this morning, stopping for coffee along the way. Ah Saturday!
(here's another shot - I don't know why I like the fabric with words so much.)


In addition to quilting this blankie, I plan today to ride my bike and get started on another project. (I'm so happy I don't have a pile of dishes today. My bf got my kitchen cleaned up yesterday. He's so great.) I thought for the other baby blanket I made that I would make some other matching items. After looking into patterns for baby dresses and slings, I have decided that neither are going to happen. It seems I would need to measure mom (who is still pregnant, shaped nothing like me...and at the other end of the state) and baby. So.... what I don't need sizes for: a bag. Every mom could use a bag to carry stuff in. I'm not sure what it will look like yet... I have no pattern, and think I will just make it up as I go. Here's the fabric, including a couple scraps. Some of this I should use for binding too...



So I am going to be busy having fun today. Off to the shower for me - I'm ready for today.

...
I ended up buying a pattern for a bag. Better safe than sorry...and a skirt pattern too. I have been thinking some fabrics I have seen would make a cute skirt. So now I have a pattern for when I allow myself to buy more fabric. Also got a place for my thread. Was "just going to look" but it was 50% off.

Boy Blanky

I think charm packs are my current favorite fabric choice.

They're pre-cut into small enough squares to be cute and make a blanket look quilt-like, but not so small as to drive one crazy with the number of pieces.

(The thought of 2 inch squares over a 24 inch pillow still makes me think ugh)

I now have 7 strips of 6 blocks that only took a short amount of time to piece. They are in Pure by Moda.


(Isn't it fun to have a little banner of squares after strip piecing?)

I also have enough fabric in my stash (which is rather small, but at least existent) that I will be able to make a back for this little blanket. If I had more coordinating fabric, I would probably do something like this blanket I saw at the Moda Bake Shop.

(I am so happy I am able to make this without buying any new fabric)

It will be for a baby - and being as I am only using the charm pack for the front, it will be the kind he can drag around rather than cuddle up in. So it's okay that it's small. It will be, as my little brother used to call his, a "blanky."

baby quilt is pieced

Hooray, I put together my quilt top. I don't know what is going on with the picture... there is way more contrast than in real life.

sew busy

I went to a local quilt store.
(Rosie's Calico Cupboard)

They have lots of fabric. However, they didn't have the Moda Bella Solids I was looking for... but they have a huge selection of Robert Kauffman solids. So I found one that works for my stems and leaves.
...They also had some yardage of the Eden line I am making my baby quilt with....
I got some.
I am going to make the mommy and baby some matching items. I think this dress for the baby and a sling for the mom.)

...And I also found some yardage of the Freebird collection from which I have attempted to make pillows for myself. I got it and made a simple non-quilted cover. I have been using the pillow without a cover and yesterday it got little hairs all over it from a post-haircut nap.



oh.. I am about halfway done with the applique... I suppose. It's turning out really cute. I especially like the natural thread I used against the green. And since I shouldn't post without a picture, here's a shot I took with my phone when I laid it out and before I started to applique.

Baby Quilt

I am so happy I finally have something to write about. I have made some serious progress on my baby quilt. I plan to stop by a quilting store on the way home today to get some green fabric to make stems and leaves... and then I get starch and press more (my iron smells like starch when it gets hot now) so I can applique my heart away. I think I am going to be pretty good at it by the time I am done.



I do have an issue - my pieces do not match up. The block with the flower could be shorter and wider. I could shrink the squares block, but then they won't be all squares. As a math person sending this quilt to another math person, I'm not so excited about that idea. So, I think I will take the green and make a flower in between and then put grass at the bottom/top to make up for the length. I think it will look intentional and even more my own (since I've doodled flowers and leaves since I was a kid).

Fabric Delivery

I got some fabric in the mail today to make a baby quilt for my friend Allison from college. I like the fabric even more in person. I think it is going to be beautiful. I'm going to use this "Modern Baby Quilt" pattern I saw at Piece N Quilt. No crazy angles, but plenty of detail. I still need to get some green fabric; they didn't have any where I ordered.






Oh, and here's some Christmas fabric I got a while ago to make pillows. I am still trying to complete the non-Christmas pillows for myself first. And in the corner is some fabric for the Cherish Nature pillows I am "working on."

Giveaway

I've been on the edge of this quilting blog world, but I'm taking another step in today. I am entering a giveaway for a fat quarter bundle for some really cute fabric. It would be great to win since I need some girly fabric for a baby quilt, and don't want to spend a lot of money. I have already got sucked in enough.
(Thanks Tracey for your entry and blog on it)

Link to giveaway