yellow quilt

I am still using up fabric scraps from making our "Lola bags" a few years ago. I think these squares are about four inches and the yellow fabric is 2 1/4" wide. I used this pattern but added extra rows at the top & bottom so it wouldn't be square. I have it mostly quilted. I will maybe add a few more wavy lines (intentional). I used my walking foot to quilt it. I should have done a better job pressing the fabric but my aunt Elaine did not remind me in time. Really I did find a few spots where the it needed a bit more pressing. So something to work on with my next quilt. Now to get the binding on!

grocery bags

I found this quick pattern for making "grocery bags". It's completely reversible. The pattern comes in three sizes. I made the large size & right away put a crochet project in it. The medium is also perfect for throwing some groceries into. The medium size is shown in the photos. I sewed up several of the medium size for a recent project. One thing I appreciate about sewing is that it often challenges me mentally. When she explained how to sew the bottom I reread the instructions several times. I finally decided to sew it just as she instructed & it turned out great. A simple pattern you can have fun playing with fabric patterns & colors. If you follow her blog here she has patterns on sale on Fridays for $5.

pink blouse

I spent a few days visiting family in KC last week. My aunt, Elaine, helped me sew this shirt in 24 hours. But we were both always busy working! While I sewed she was busy pressing & pinning. I used McCalls 6436. We shortened the length by four inches & the sleeves by two inches. And it fits me perfectly. The front of the pattern claims it is "easy". There are a lot of pattern pieces though. Elaine's mentoring & short cuts made it go smoothly for me. She is such a treasure trove of skill & knowledge about sewing I just know I'll have to go back for another session. Connie gave me some wool out of her fabric stash so I already have another project in mind. I sewed this shirt with some gingham I bought at Walmart. I hope to make myself more of these. I learned some great tips & tricks from Elaine. If I could name the most important it would be to press frequently. Then press some more! Thanks, Elaine!!

made in Nebraska

With Yizhi's family coming next week I wanted to have some gifts to give. I found some Husker shirts at Target which I hope they like. When I looked at the labels I was not surprised to find they were made in China, Vietnam & Honduras. So I am also giving something made by me. I sewed up another "Lola bag" for her aunt. Used some fabric from my stash & think it turned out ok. It's a fabulous pattern & I could sew it up with barely looking at the directions, I've made it so often. You can find the pattern here.

hand puppets

My son & his wife don't read my blog, I'm sure, so it is safe to say here that I am ready to be a grandparent. But I know I don't get to decide such things. In the meantime I am practicing making some stuff for future possible grandbabies. Today I am going to a baby shower for a coworker. I had happened upon a puppet pattern that I thought was simple. Renae was doing some zoo like theme for the baby's room & I thought I could make a giraffe puppet. My first try at the pattern is the blue dog. He turned out ok but not well enough to give to anyone. His ears aren't sewn in quite right & he still doesn't have a nose. I used polar fleece for this pattern even though the directions say to use felted wool which is too much work for me. I found a giraffe in a children's book I used as a model & I am happy with how it turned out. I hope Renae enjoys it with her new baby too. If you are interested in making your own puppet the pattern is here.

the Great British Sewing Bee

If you enjoy sewing or listening to people with a British accent you will like this show. I've also watched the second show & loved them both. I'm not sure I can find this on tv so glad to find it here! They eliminate two people each time so there should be four episodes.

crayon tote bag

I made a crayon tote for a coworker, Deb, last year. I was a bit disappointed with how it turned out although she says her grandson uses it all the time. I used this tutorial & when I sewed the handles further apart it made the bag curl if there wasn't anything it it. So then I found this tutorial & added a pocket for the crayons (it holds ten) & put another pocket on to hold snacks or pencils. I embroidered fish on it as Deb wanted fish & mentioned it after I had this fabric picked out. It's kind of wrinkly because it is canvas & I prewashed it and couldn't get those wrinkles ironed out. Next time I'll skip that step. This time I was much happier with the results.

Audrey's dress

Becky sent me these photos of Audrey wearing a dress she sewed using Mom's Bernina. I am very impressed. It looks like a fairly complicated pattern. I think I spot a zipper too (I usually steer away from patterns with zippers). I am impressed with her sewing skills & really just happy that Mom's sewing machine is having such fun. And Becky too! Good job!

Laura learns to sew

I visited with my aunt, Elaine, yesterday & she told me that her granddaughter, Laura, spent her spring break with her to learn how to sew. Elaine took a few photos & sent them to me & I am impressed! I especially love the tunic top & I appreciate the attitude she put into posing for her picture. I'd be tickled too if I finished two tops in one week. I told Elaine that garment sewing often feels too overwhelming for me so I keep putting it off thinking I will find it too difficult. Then when I finally decide to do just a bit I end up working longer than I expected. Elaine said that her mother used to say that if we knew how many dishes we'd wash in our lifetime we'd never want to start on the pile but if we do it bit by bit we'll get it done. Good advice. And I have a couple of patterns I want to get started on.

clothespins for sewing

I may not be taking a lot of pictures lately but I have been doing a little sewing. I found the pattern for these fabric baskets here and decided to make one for a possible baby gift (don't know if a boy or girl yet; someone I work with). I found these Clover clips at Hobby Lobby that have come in handy with this kind of project. I made the smaller basket & when finished ends up being 5" across & 7" tall when folded back like shown. She doesn't say what the seam allowance is but I figured it out to be 1/4". It is a great pattern with the ability to alter the size easily to fit your needs. Instead of finishing it like she did I put the lining inside the outer basket wrong sides together & folded down the top edges 1/2" then sewed them together.

a new home

When Dad had his sale I knew two things for sure. I didn't want him to sell Mom's sewing machine. And I wanted it to go to a good home. It didn't have to be my home necessarily. Nancy said she already had a sewing machine (as do I). Connie doesn't sew much anymore but did want the machine at one time. Betty is too busy to sew . . . a perk of being a grandmother. So I happily ended up with it. I first took it in to be serviced knowing it had been years since it had been cleaned & oiled. And it did need some care. Finally I have it back & it shares space on my sewing table with my own Bernina. It doesn't have all the bells & whistles but it sews a straight line with good tension. That's just about all I ask of my own machine anyway. But I do have a plan for this machine.  I've put cotton thread on it & I will use it for piecing quilts. I still have a big stack of remnants from sewing all those "Lola bags" a couple of years ago & slowly I am turning them into quilts. (And buying more fabric along the way of course.)

I finished this quilt & gave it to Yizhi for Christmas. It even sports a Lola tag like the bags did. I tried out this tutorial for binding the quilt & liked it well enough. I only had to rip out one mitered corner & redo it.  I cut my strips 2.5" wide.

Mom's shirt

When my mother died, I picked two pieces of her clothing that I wanted to have. One was a dark green button-down long sleeved shirt that she had bought. It fit me well & I enjoy wearing it knowing that it used to be worn by her. The other was a short sleeved button down shirt that she had made. It fits me too, but is a bit snug. But I wanted it because it showed me what a great seamstress she was. I can never remember her not sewing. I loved hearing the hum of the sewing machine in an evening with her softly humming a song under her breath. A cup of coffee & a cigarette nearby. She made our clothes, her clothes, Dad's clothes. Not all of them of course, but still a lot. She even sewed a suit for Dad once. And she'd never buy the amount of fabric the pattern called for. She took pride in cutting out the pattern with a half yard less fabric. And then with the scraps she'd piece together a quilt she'd tie with knots & we'd remember all those garments she'd made when we recognized the fabric.



I hadn't even noticed until photographing this shirt that she had sewn the side seams with French seams. She had never owned s serger sewing machine but she could still finish her seams professionally.



On the sleeve seams she sewed a zigzag stitch near the seam stitching then trimmed back the seam.









I do a bit of sewing for myself now. And I remember Mom.

napkins

I've had my serger sewing machine for a long time. Bought it back in Arkansas in the early 90's. I used it for plenty of garments when the boys were younger but I don't sew clothes so much any more. One of my favorite features of this machine is the rolled hem it makes. I've used it to make dinner napkins that are sixteen inches square. Napkins I get out when the company comes. Then I saw someone suggest sewing cocktail napkins for a party. It gave me the idea to make smaller napkins for everyday use for myself. These new ones are 6 1/2 inch squares. A great way to use up some fabric scraps (or an excuse to buy more fabric). I'm thinking I can quit buying paper napkins. And I enjoy the addition of color & pattern to my meal or cookie break.

a new quilt

I had a big pile of scraps leftover from making Lola bags & it inspired me to make a quilt. I cut out six inch squares & started sewing them together. I found some new fabrics for the border, back & binding and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It measures 48x60 inches. Doris, who made all of our tags, did the machine quilting for me. Mom made a few quilts too with leftover scraps. I always enjoyed seeing the fabric from which she'd made me a shirt or dress also end up in a quilt. And somehow, all those scraps end up looking good together.

Dear Nancy,

I hope Amy & Hannah are getting over their flu. And I hope your family didn't bring it back home.

I started hand stitching my binding onto my quilt last night while watching American Idol. Some of the singing was a bit disappointing but I am enjoying putting the finishing touches on my quilt. I cut my strips four inches wide. And I used a half inch seam when I sewed it on. So my binding ends up being about 5/8 inch wide. I found this idea to use hair clips to hold the binding in place while stitching it down. Fewer sharp points to poke myself with.





I also found a new stitch for attaching my binding. I guess it is called a ladder stitch & it is less noticeable than my old way of doing it. I found some helpful photos here showing how to do it. If you sew yours on by machine you'll have to show me how you did it.





I'm looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. Hopefully the weather cooperates.
Your sister,
Lois

ribbon quilt

There are a lot of new babies arriving in my family within only a few months. I still like to make something if I have the time. It's easy to go into a fabric store & be inspired too. Blankets never go out of style & I'm not sure you can have too many. Even as an adult I have blankets strewn all over the house in the winter. Even the dogs have blankets. I'd seen mention of ribbon quilts on other blogs & wanted to try it out myself. It's not so much a blanket to keep a baby warm but a blanket to snuggle with & play with the ribbons poking out the sides. I'm sure it could even include teething on these ribbons. So I pieced together six inch squares with old (note the cupcake fabric, Angie) & new fabric & sandwiched some cotton batting between my cotton fabric. The finished quilt measures 21x26". I tied the quilt. I got some help from this blog.















It would be easy to make this with two layers of flannel fabric too. I thought it was an easy & quick project.