WIP Wednesday {9.28.2011}

After a brief delay in our regularly scheduled programming last week, WIP Wednesday is back!  I'd like to give a shout out to our host Lee, who is in the middle of designing her fabric line for the Connecting Threads contest, can you believe it?? Designing her own fabric line!!  Good luck Lee, can't wait to see what you have come up with, I know it will be just fabulous!!

Completed Projects

Weekender Bag

I am so thrilled with this bag, I can't bring myself to put it away just yet...for now its sitting on our dining room table, and I have to admit I just walk in there and look at it, because I can't believe I actually finished it!  More on this finish here.

Secret Pillow Project

Remember this sneaky peek?  Well my two pillows are completed and will be on their way to their new home, with Ann in Italy on Friday!  As soon as she receives them, I'll share them with everyone!

New Projects

Baby Boy Quilt

Just as I was thinking I wanted to start something new, a friend of mine commissioned me to make a baby quilt for her.  I always immediately go looking to buy new fabric, but I stopped myself, and pulled this selection from my stash.  I need a little more of the solid brown Kona, but I am super proud of myself, I even have fabric for the quilt back {{quilts made from stash fabrics}} more to come on this soon, I'm just itching to  cut into these fabrics!

In Progress

Farmers Wife QAL

No new blocks this week.  Block #35 is one of those darn baskets.  I'm still deciding if I should skip the stupid basket and make two of another block, or just suck it up and make the darn thing.  Part of me feels like I'm cheating (yes, I know this is ridiculous) if I skip the basket, but I just plain don't like them.  One basket is enough.  Argh.  More of these to come soon.

This Weeks Stats

New Projects: 1

Completed Projects: 2

In Progress: 7

FWQAL

Birdie Stitches QAL

Solid Spiderweb quilt

Weekender Bag

September Bee Blocks

Pillow Swap

Baby boy quilt

UFO Quilt tops (maybe, one day...)

Postage Stamp quilt top

Central Park quilt top

Be sure to pop over and wish Lee good luck on her fabric line, and add your WIP!

A weekender kind of weekend

It's done!  It's done!  It's done!  {insert happy dance here}!  My fingers will eventually recover from the 9,000 pin pricks, and I'm pretty sure my arms are going to be sore tomorrow from wrangling this behemoth through my machine, but it's done, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out.  

By far the trickiest part was sewing the whole conglomeration together with the cording, but with the help of some clothespins, like Elizabeth and Megan had suggested instead of the binder clips as recommended in the directions, it went much smoother than I had envisioned the dreaded step 11c would go.  I will also advise using steam a seam or stitch witchery when making the cording.  You end up sewing the cording three times, with the idea that you sew closer and closer to the actual cord with each set of stitches.  Using a double sided adhesive eliminates at least one set of stitches.     

Instead of the elusive non separating zipper the directions call for, I picked up this parka zipper at Joann's and thought it would do the trick.  I like it because its more of a heavy duty zipper, and it has two zipper pulls for opening and closing.  I had planned on just taking off one of the pulls when I shortened the zipper to the length I needed, but I ended up leaving both pulls on.  In the end, I think I am going to like the two pulls, as it now opens from either end.  I want to add a fun decorative pull to the zipper, but by the time I got the bag finished, I just wanted to be done.  

I also lengthened the handles some, so that it now comfortably fits on my shoulder.  I cut the handle length to 54" instead of the 48" called for in the instructions, as Becky had suggested when she made her Weekender. 

I also made a few alterations to the interior.  I found it odd that for a bag this big there were no interior pockets included in the pattern.  I took matters into my own hands and added a few pockets to the inside, and am so so happy I did.  

 For this pocket, I used the pattern for the exterior pockets, and just sewed a seam down the middle to create two sections.

On the other side of the interior I added a zipper pocket using this tutorial.  I am planning on using this bag as a carry on bag for an upcoming trip, and thought I could use this more secure inside pocket for my passport and ID.  

I tried to avoid hand stitching as much as possible, because for starters I'm no good at it, and secondly, because I just plain don't like it.  I again took a hint from Elizabeth, and pinned the top of my lining to just inside the zipper portion of the outer bag, and machine sewed over top of my line of stitching from installing the zipper to secure my lining.  This way I know my lining is nice and secure, and don't have to worry about my hand stitching coming undone.  I was noticing I think from the extra weight of adding the pockets I added to the lining that the lining kept sort of collapsing on itself and looking messy, so I broke down and just added a line of hand stitching along the upper seam where the cording is, to keep the lining nice and tight against the walls of the bag.  

All in all I'm glad I challenged myself with this bag.  I can't say I'll be making another for quite some time, if ever, but I'm super pleased with how it turned out, and I'm sure it will get lots and lots of use.  

While I'm super bummed I'm missing out on the Sewing Summit this year (maybe next year??), I am consoled  by the fact that my new weekender bag and I (along with the hubs :-) ) will be sipping some sort of tropical drink on the beach in T minus 12 days.  By some stroke of luck we have convinced my brother to come and house sit/dog sit the crazies for the week we are gone.  Cue music...All my bags are packed I'm a ready to go...

I'll be linking up to Sew Modern Monday, stop over and check out all the amazing modern finishes! 

The Farmers...Daughter?

I kid, I kid.  Although one of the blocks this week is named just that, Farmers Daughter.  This week is actually both this week and lasts weeks Farmers Wife blocks combined, and include a few highs, and a few lows.

Block #31 Evening Star

This is one of my favorites so far.  I picked up some of this adorable Riley Blake tree print on my last trip to my favorite LQS, and thought this block would be perfect for a little fussy cutting action.  I added some Oh My! by Sanae for Moda and this green canvas print.

Block #32 Farmers Daughter

Hmmm, no matter how I look at this I most certainly don't see any resemblance to a farmer, or his daughter, but regardless I like it anyways.  I used some of this pretty Kaffe Fasset print and paired it with some pink and orange I had lying around in my stash. 

Block #33 Farmers Puzzle

I am really digging this block, but I beg you, please, pretty please don't look too closely at those ragged edges.  I'm not exactly sure what went on here, everything was piecing together nicely, until I pieced in those longer strips, and it just wasnt matching up for some reason.  I fudged it a bit, and figure that there will be enough of these teeny tiny blocks, no one will notice my Farmers Puzzle that has the triangle points slightly chopped off.  And if they do, I don't really care :-)

Block #34 Flock

This block is just eh to me.  Don't love it, don't hate it.  I've come to the conclusion that its all about fabric choices with these blocks.  I love each of these fabrics, but together? Not so much.  The green is a Sandi Henderson print and the grey is Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda. 

These blocks are slowly taking up my entire design wall, and I'm not sure how I'll display them once they grow larger than my wall...perhaps I'll just decorate my sewing room walls with Farmers Wife blocks

weekender weekend progress

We had quite the busy weekend this past weekend, my mother in law and I went to see Wicked on Saturday night, and it was A.MAZ.ING.  Oh my goodness, I want to go again!  I immediately downloaded the soundtrack to my iPod, and have been humming the songs non stop.  Tomorrow is the hubs and I's anniversary, so he surprised me with tickets to yesterdays Steelers game.  We were up and at 'em quite early to get in our fair share of tailgating, who knew burgers and beer could taste so good at 9 AM! 

Anyways, in the midst of our busy weekend, I did manage some time to get to work on my Weekender bag, and made some fairly decent progress!   

I must say,  when I decided to give this bag a try, I was expecting  the absolute worst.  Now, don't get me wrong, it hasn't exactly been a walk in the park, I think I've broken one denim strength needle, have had to use my seam ripper a few times, and have thrown away more bent pins than I care to remember, but all in all things are moving along quite well.  Each step I finish I think I subconsciously hold my breath waiting for a "doozy" with the next step, but so far it has been quite manageable.

While I am loving this fabric I chose, the geometric design really shows off any misalignments.  I tried my best to match up the pocket section to the main panel, and think I for the most part succeeded.  I am noticing that my fabric is ever so slightly crooked, but I can live with it.

I am through step 8 or 9.  This is the top panel with the installed zipper, I ended up using a parka zipper that I found at Joanns.  It actually has two zips, I thought about taking one of the zipper pulls off, but ended up leaving it.  I figure for the wear and tear, it might not be a bad idea to have two pulls.  I also really like that this zipper is quite "heavy duty".  It's white in color, so still blends in, but did give a heck of a time trying  to sew over it during the installation process.  I think I just have to add the side pockets, and then the fun of sewing the whole conglomeration together begins.  I again am bracing myself for the worst with that step, cross your fingers!

I am incredibly pleased with how this is turning out, hopefully it continues to be smooth sailing!

  

WIP Wednesday {9.14.2011}

A mildly delayed WIP Wednesday post, but a post none the less!  Here's whats new:

Completed Projects

FTLOS

I managed to finish up my mini quilt and extras this weekend, and this package is on its way to its new home as we speak!  More about this here.

In Progress

Secret Pillow Swap

My lips are pretty sealed with this project here.  My new quilty email friend Ann and I have decided to do a secret pillow swap just between the two of us.  I'm having so much fun playing with the colors she is using in her new living room, above is a sneaky peek of pillow #1.  You'll have to wait a few more weeks to see anything else, but I am super excited about them!

Birdie Stitches

I finished up April's block for the Birdie Stitches QAL, and added a little something extra to the design.  I just love these blocks, and am quickly becoming addicted to embroidery!  Such a great take along project, and perfect for vegging on the couch with!

FWQAL

I only got around  to making one more block this week, and thought it silly to post about just one block.  I'll lump it in with next weeks post, but here's what I have so far!  Blocks 1-31.

AB Weekender Bag

No new progress to report.  Unless you count cutting out the pattern pieces from the templates.  I suppose that's technically step one of the directions...hopefully more progress this week!

This Weeks Stats

New Projects: 0

Completed Projects: 0

In Progress: 8

For the Love of Solids {a modern swap}

FWQAL

Birdie Stitches QAL

Solid Spiderweb quilt

Weekender Bag

September Bee Blocks

Pillow Swap

UFO Quilt tops (maybe, one day...)

Postage Stamp quilt top

Central Park quilt top

For the Love of Solids Swap: Complete

I spent this morning finishing up my swap package for my secret partner in the For the Love of Solids Swap, and I have to say I'm glad I saw this mini through and didn't scrap it.  Seeing it quilted and with binding added the extra bit I thought it was lacking earlier.



This mini measures appx 20" x 22", and was constructed loosely using this sewmamasew chevron tutorial.  I am totally seeing pillows in the pattern in the new future.  I quilted 1/4" on either side of the seam lines and bound this using some Kona charcoal.



I really like how the back shows off the quilting pattern.  As for the label, I love using those printable fabric sheets (I found them at Joann's) that iron on to your quilt.  That way I don't have to worry about not liking my handwriting when labeling my swap mini quilts :-P



I struggled a little when deciding on my second item, and ultimately went with a metal frame pouch (which I plan to stuff with a few scraps of my partners favorite color fabric), and added a little hand embroidery detail using some pearl 8 cotton.  I almost want to keep this for myself!



While I was at my favorite LQS yesterday, I spied some precuts of Terrain by Kate Spain, and no joke, it just magically jumped right into my hands!  I most definitely wanted some for myself, and thought my partner would like a charm pack as well.  I know, I know its not a solid, but I think she'll understand :-)

This will be on its way to its new home tomorrow, hope you like partner!

Guest Post: Sewing Back to School

Hop on over to Sew Sweetness!  Sara has graciously asked me to take part in her 30 day Sewing Back to School series of posts.  Today you can learn everything you ever wanted (and likely didn't want) to know about binding! Check it out here.

WIP Wednesday {9.7.2011}

Wednesday?  Already?  As if the weeks don't seem to fly by already, these holiday weekends really throw things off!  Here's what's new from the sewing room...

New Projects

Amy Butler Weekender Bag

Bandwagon, here I come!  My pattern just came in the mail today, and I'm itching to get working on this bad boy.  I'm taking everyone's lessons to heart, and plan on reading, reading again, and possibly reading backwards the directions before starting...

In Progress 

FTLOS

Thank you everyone for your positive encouragement and feedback on this little guy.  I am mid way through quilting this mini, and am liking it much more with the quilting.  My partner is fairly quiet, so I'm heavily relying on her mosaic which would lead me to believe this is up her alley!

FWQAL

My blocks are slowly growing week by week and consuming my design wall!  This week I completed blocks 27-30.  More on this weeks blocks here.

Birdie Stitches

I finished up March's Birdie Stitches block this week.  I felt it was needing a little something extra, so I added some extra flowers using Clover and Violets Embroidery 101.

This Weeks Stats

New Projects: 3

Completed Projects: 0

In Progress: 9

For the Love of Solids {a modern swap}

FWQAL

Birdie Stitches QAL

Solid Spiderweb quilt

Weekender Bag

September Bee Blocks

Pillow Swap

UFO Quilt tops (maybe, one day...)

Postage Stamp quilt top

Central Park quilt top

Be sure to stop over at Freshly Pieced and add your WIP!

farmers wife

Since the weather decided to be uber crappy yesterday, and the hubby was working, I got to spend some quality time with my sewing machine on my day off.  I tackled a few more farmers wife blocks among other things.  I am really impressed with myself that I am still just as eager to work on these little guys each week as I was when I started!  I find that I tend to have quilty ADD when spending too long on one project, but these are certainly an exception.

Block #27 Darting Birds

This block took me forever.  And yes, if you look closely, its backwards.  I paper pieced this block (templates found here), and I have to say, while paper piecing gives nice clean perfect points, and avoids those templates, it sure leaves a ton of fabric waste (at least when I do it), and isn't all that much quicker.  And my blocks always turn out backwards.  It takes far too much brain power to figure out the mirror image, it was already a puzzle to figure out how the pieces fit together to make the darn block, let alone do it in mirror image?  No thanks.  Anyways, I do like the way this block turned out, I used some Denyse Schmidt from her new line for Joann's and the yellow is Sunkissed by Sweetwater for Moda.

Block #27 Duck and Ducklings

I decided to go back to using the templates for the rest of  the blocks, and I  think I just like it more.  I'll likely still use the paper piecing templates occasionally, but, and I never thought I'd say this, I think I prefer the templates!  This block used some Innocent Crush and the yellow is a Moda print.

Block #29 Economy

Ahhh.  Easy peasy.  I finished this block and said "thats it??"  Seriously, took me far longer to cut the pieces out than to actually piece the blocks.  I wish I had picked better fabrics.  This is just blah to me.  I may actually remake this one in fabrics I like more.  Maybe.  More Denyse Schmidt and the pink is Soire'e by Lila Tueller.

Block #30 End of Day

Since the previous two blocks were relatively simple, I added in a fourth block this week, which was also fairly simple and straight forward.  More new Denyse Schmidt (can you tell I just picked up a few of these fabrics on my latest Joann's run??), some Sunkissed, and some It's a Hoot!

30 blocks done, 81 more to go!  My design wall is quickly filling up with these little guys...I can hardly imagine when I'll have more blocks than fit on my wall!  Slowly but surely... 

weekend update

Happy Labor Day weekend!  In between family picnics and get togethers, I've found a little time to squeeze in some sewing.  I've turned my attention to my mini quilt for my partner in the For the Love of Solids Swap.  I've had this chevron pattern in mind for a while now, and had to see it through in fabric, but I'm not sure I'm thrilled.

What do you think??  It's quite simple and I sort of wish I had made the chevrons a little smaller.  It does go along with my partners mosaic, but I'm just on the fence about it.  I sort of have another idea swimming around in my head, should I just scrap this and start with idea #2?  I think I'm going to go ahead and quilt this and see if my opinion changes, but I'm not overly optimistic.

Changing gears here for a moment...what can endless yards of ridiculously stiff interfacing, 5 yards of cording, and yards and yards of home dec weight fabric mean?  Indeed it means I've caught the bug.  Yes, the Weekender Bag bug!  Seeing all these beauties all over blogger land had me thinking I just had to have one of these guys.  We have a vacation coming up in 5 weeks (not that I'm counting or anything) and this may just make an awesome carry on bag.  Now just to wait for the pattern to arrive, and I'll be off, wish me luck!

What have you been up to this holiday weekend??