Progress on a quilt for a dear friend

I've finally picked this back up after it hibernating under my bed while company was visiting.  It's always a struggle for me pick things back up again.

I'm on a roll and over a third done with the quilting phase.  I ripped out over a fourth of what I had completed previously so I could do some "design" work around the blocks.

I'm super excited about getting this to my friend as she'll take some grand photos.

I hate ruffles - a nightgown

I bought fabric for a nightgown for my dearest step-ish daughter.  She picked the colors herself. While I was cutting this out there were pieces strewn everywhere.  It reminded me of  my childhood.  After a half-day of cutting this out, I realized why my mother had me cut out the MANY clothes she made my sister and I.  My back hurt for days after.

During the construction of this I took so many trips to the local fabric store - I'm shocked. I realizing how much my mother has and how much I'm lacking. I totally appreciate how much even the small things cost now.

The ruffles at first were cute and fun.  As it progressed I wanted to scream with the amount of ruffles this nightgown has.  I'm disappointed this is only worn to sleep.

When it was all done she tried it on. . and the bodice was way too big.  Ugh!  When I had the pattern and measured her (twice) it looked like it would be perfect.  I even had her try the bodice on without the skirt it still seemed like it was just right.  Alas when it was done, I had to put darts in the back. The reality is that she has a gown that she'll be able to wear for years to come.

The finished gown

Finished Baby Quilt

It's been a productive weekend. I've finished the baby quilt. It's officially for a girl. I'm not convinced it will be girl-ish enough.

While making the quilt sandwich the new cat, George O'Malley, was eager to assist. It makes it feel so much more homemade.

 Getting him away has been a challenge. .

He's settling into the house so much I can't even take a photo of the finished project.  

Quilt Along

  There are things to do. Places to visit. But there is a mind to calm.  I believe that I'm going to join this quilt-along.  I'll evaluate my stash tonight and figure out what colors I'm gonna choose.  Yeah!

Cat Post

We are trying out a new cat.  My wonderful step-father put the wood post together after I asked (a lot).
Twine I had purchased years ago with a going out of business sale.

I went to the local tile and carpet store and picked up $2.00 worth of discontinued carpet samples.


So this is what I started with - 

 

 I worked for a few hours. . and voila

Baby Blanket

Working on a baby blanket for my fella's teenage niece who will be having a baby within the next few months. Oh she's a bugger and not telling anyone if it's a boy or a girl. Lovely late night planning.

First Quilt - ever

This is my first quilt. I started this in July after my father passed away from lung cancer early in the month.

In attempt to keep my mind busy I'm trying to find a new hobby. Since knitting and crocheting is actually harming my arms something new is needed. My crafting mantra, fabric has became my new love.

I went into my semi-local fabric store Stash to see the lovely fabric. I knew that this was more than my grandmama's and mother's fabric store. I adore the "new" ways quilts can look because of the yummy fabrics that are coming about.

And it started with one charm pack. I promise only one. And purchased one charm pack in July. I got the pre-cut Moda Arcadia prints home and paired with with this lovely gray solid. Things were going great until I realized that one charm pack wasn't gonna be enough for a lap quilt, at least the way that I had it sewn. Le'sigh.

I went back and got a second Moda Arcadia charm pack and another charm pack for my 10-year-old step daughter. Okay, and maybe a jelly roll of the Moda Arcadia for a second quilt (la la la la - no one heard that).

Sewing the top of this quilt was super easy because I've known to sew since I was a child. Executing an entire quilt was something else. There is more to it, all of which I learned on the fly.  

I never knew about the quilt sandwich. I first pinned the entire "sandwich" and started machine quilting. I called my mother almost in tears, there were puckers in the machine quilting. This was going to be impossible. She guided me with her motherly wisdom to use spray glue. Yeah, that totally worked better!

I got all of the machine quilting done and then the next hurdle was before me ... what next? 










Blindly into binding the quilt with the assistance of Red Pepper Quilts Binding Tutorial

I've been so happy with my lap quilt. No turning back - this obsession is real. So I have other quilts started, I think there are about five in the works, but don't tell my fella that.
 
This is my entry into the Blogger's Quilt Festival - Fall 2010 . Please go see the other lovely quilts here.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2010/10/29/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2010/

Starting thoughts

I'm quilting and crafting in memory of both my grandmothers. My father's mother was a knitter and crocheter. My mother's mother was a craft-a-holic. She made just about everything from quilts, sweaters, dolls and bears with clothes. I couldn't keep up with these women.

My father was a craft genius in a different fashion. He was a yard sale fanatic. He could find the darnedest things and then turn it around for a pretty penny. I'm not sure how he had the patience. He also refinished furniture and crafted some of his own. I wish he were still here.

Memories of my mother making my sister and I clothing for our dolls and barbies. Not only those items but matching outfits for us. She was so wonderful to make us anything that we wanted. Her fabric supply overshadows mine by leaps and bounds.

To be different from my family, which I learned was not so new, was jewelry. While I still have these items they are not my current thrill.

I then went to yarn. Without much help I'm a yarn-snob. I've made yarn quilts or yarn creations in the past and really enjoyed giving these away. Since I've been under a wee bit of stress I overworked my arms and unable to knit or crochet my stress away. Even with exercises the muscles are overworked.

A different fiber--quilting--has been thrown into the mix.The variety of movements I hope to keep my arms in full swing for years to come.

What I'm going to try to do is show some of the skills my family has passed down to me.