Thursday 28 November 2013
From A - Basting Party
First up, the Posy baby quilt re-do.
And next, the White Star quilt top I finished back in March.
It took me three tries to get the star quilt basted without giant lumps in the backing fabric. We were dangerously close to the point where professional intervention would be required. Fortunately I managed to overcome the issue by resorting to some James Bond style basting techniques that would make any of my quilt teachers blush with shame.
I was going to attempt a third but I think I need a mental health break from basting. Do any of you have any tips for basting on carpet? I am really missing our old hardwood floors, the bathroom floor was not nearly as cozy.
Wishing all of our American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Monday 25 November 2013
From K - Impromptu Snowflake Pillow
While perusing IG last week, I came across a number of progress shots of a Christmas snowflake block from @rachelwoodenspoon and I was downright smitten. Seriously, go check out her hashtags feed and you'll be smitten too (#christmassnowflakeblock).
Next thing I knew Lindsey from Thats What Lindsey Made (@thatswhatlindseymade) and I were both on board, starting an impromptu Christmas snowflake block QAL.
I chose to go a bit non-traditional and chose two shades of blue instead of red and green like Rachel. I think it adds a nice icy-ness to the block that I'm really loving.
Now I just need to choose a centre block colour (open to suggestions!) and between having the dark blue vertical or horizontal.
If you're interested in jumping in on an impromptu pillow yourself, Rachel has written a mini tutorial on her flickr page (found here).
Friday 22 November 2013
From A - Definitely Darling
I managed to carry the momentum I had starting this quilt through to the end and now it's on its way to Lindsay so that she can work her long-arm magic.
I used this video tutorial and am pretty happy with the result. Especially since I started this quilt as a way to burn off some stress and avoid writing a paper for a couple more hours. It was fun to just pull some random jelly rolls from the stash and start slicing.
I managed to let go of my obsessive tendencies a bit on this one (inspired by Anne's recent post) which means no fussy cutting, zero agonizing about layout and a questionable adherence to the quarter inch seam rule. It felt great! A quick and simple project. Exactly what I needed to get my quilting mojo back again.
Linking up to Finish it Up Friday.
Wednesday 20 November 2013
From K - 16 Recent Finishes
Bags:
Quilts:
Knits:
Reflection was the perfect remedy for me today to get back at my machine. What do you do when you need to rev up your quilting mojo?
Monday 18 November 2013
From A - Liberty Lap Duvet
This is Liberty's Mauvey print. Definitely my all-time favourite! I just can't get enough of the combination of flowers and stars. I think I have it in three different colourways at this point.
I used the satin stitch on my machine to "quilt" it all together with some yellow Aurifil thread I had from this project. Finished dimensions are about 32" by 54" which makes it the perfect size to snuggle up with in my favourite armchair.
Although I was a little skeptical at how warm a thin layer of Liberty tana lawn and some felted wool would actually be, I was pleasantly surprised when I took this baby on a test drive last night while watching the boob tube with my
Sunday 17 November 2013
From A - Sloppy Josephine Tee
This is the Sloppy Josephine Tee by Papercut Patterns which I bought a few months back when my lust for knits and sergers blossomed into a full blown obsession.
I used some burnout jersey knit star fabric that I bought with Kelsey when we were in Seattle. It's a rayon/cotton blend jersey that is super duper soft and downright snuggly.
This top went from fabric to finished in only a few short hours. The pattern was pretty straightforward if a bit light on instructions. I didn't alter it at all except to add some top stitching to the neckline. I'll likely shorten the neckband a bit on the next one so that it holds everything in a little more but otherwise this is pretty much exactly what I was looking for.
And the new coverstitch machine? Genius. The hem was finished cleanly and professionally in about 15 minutes. It was so easy and painless that it might even have been my favourite part of the whole process.
The finished result is extremely comfortable and dare I say, stylish. So cool in fact that even this little guy decided to fly in for a closer look (and probably some breakfast) while we were out taking photos.
Friday 15 November 2013
From K - A Manly Plus Quilt Top
Since my husband often speaks of how he loved the pink plus quilt I made, I figured a blue-green version for him would make a great Christmas present.
While I originally imaged this quilt to have more blue and dark gray, I enjoyed the process of playing with the various tones and shades and I'm hoping my hubby will be happy with it too.
It's all basted up and ready to quilt. I have a straight line and FMQ combo in mind all prepped up for Saturday when I'm home alone!
Wednesday 13 November 2013
From K - Decisions Decisions
Option A: Random Arrangement
Option B: Diamond Arrangment
While I hummed and hawed and procrastinated making a decision, I decided to knit up a swatch of some new yarn, purchased with the thought of a new cardigan in mind. I'm thinking it's the perfect balance of tone-on-tone semi-solid and cashmere *insert drool here*
I also picked up some of the cutest little stitch markers of all time. Packaged up in a tiny glass vial, called 'Message in a Bottle' complete with cork top, little tiny crystal beads and a message about creativity. It was the perfect weekend treat!
Linking up to WiP Wednesday.
Saturday 9 November 2013
From A - Fabulous
First up a delicious pile of Aspen Frost Christmas fabrics to make Vintage Holiday quilt for our couch.
Then there was this irresistible Lizzy House bundle. 130 fat-eighths from many of her OOP collections. Not sure what this is going to turn into yet but it will definitely be fabulous.
And then the big guns...my mister treated me to not one but two new machines. Meet my new serger and coverstitch machines!!!!! I am beyond excited. I have wanted a serger for years and years and this one basically threads itself, even better.
I'll be sewing if you need me at any point during the next week. Happy Saturday!!
Wednesday 6 November 2013
From A - Magic!
I forgot how easy and fun sewing with pre-cuts can be. Lately, my available sewing time has been measured in minutes instead of hours. At this rate, I might actually finish this one before the month is out
Magic!!
Linking up to WiP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.
Friday 1 November 2013
From K - Four Finished Knits
Licorice Twist Cowl - Pattern by Heather Love (Ravelry pattern link)
Hermione's Everyday Socks - Pattern by Erica Lueder (Ravelry pattern link)
Honey Cowl - Pattern by Madelinetosh (Ravelry pattern link)
Anthropology Inspired Headband - Pattern by Stash Needle Art Lounge (pattern not currently available for sale)
A few weeks ago I took a course at a local yarn store for this headband and was able to finish this up within the 2.5 hr class. It was a perfect introduction to knitting cables and a great way to chat away a Saturday afternoon with some similarly knit minded ladies.