Sewing and Quilts

I have a few of my Mom's finished quilt tops.  Today I made the backing for two.  I have a good friend who will be putting them on her long arm quilting machine and finish them with a simple quilting pattern.  She'll send them back and I'll finish with the binding. 

I hadn't seen this quilt top before.  She made this some time ago.  She hand appliquéd all the houses using fabric I remember giving her.  She loved anything in shades of purple.

This quilt top also includes fabric I recognize.  It's machine sewn and I can tell she made this later in her life.  The seams are less straight nor even.  She loves sewing and it didn't matter if anything was straight.  It's still lovely and knowing she sat and sewed this in her 80's.
 

Sewing masks!

Searched internet to get a pattern and ideas of what supplies I could use.  Whoola! found what I needed  There's so many good DIY videos.  Thanks to all the contributors.

I found my black elastic cord I use with my bullet journal inserts.  There were so many ideas on what to use for the metal piece around the nose.  I found these file thingies and they will work perfectly!

The pieces are double layered with a slip area for the metal pieces.  There's also a pocket to insert a filter.   Add cords and tie off.  I left the ties knots out so they can be fitted.  Sewing through the thick layers once you put the folds in was challenging, but overall I find sewing relaxing.

Sent these home to all my family members.  I'm working on 30 more today to give out to friends.  I'm using a much simpler pattern idea so I can make my elastic cord go further.  Using 7" per side as opposed to 10".   They won't have the metal nose piece nor the pocket for a filter.

Egg gathering apron!

I have a friend who is kind of a "princess" and he's having a birthday.  He has chickens and he loves loves loves his chickens.  He loves collecting their eggs.  So why not make him a egg collection apron!

I searched Pinterest and Etsy to get some ideas on how to sew one up.  Here's the Youtube video I watched to get idea how to make the apron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOEYO8ZchE.  I bought some white aprons awhile ago and dug them out.  White simple full size apron = perfect!

I headed to the fabric store and was disappointed to find only ONE  fabric with a rooster on it, no chickens anywhere!  Didn't expect that.  Now since it's going to be a "princess egg collection" apron I needed some glitter and embellishments. I found this great perfect shade of pink glittery fabric the perfect "princess" iron-on.

Lucky I had some T-shirt transfer paper!

I searched the Internet for a chicken image to iron-on the apron.  (Original image is "Madonna and Egg - Ursnlav/Divantart)  I deleted  the background and enhanced the colors.  Printed it up on the transfer paper and cut the image out.  Ironed it on the apron.

The strips are 72 cm x 12 cm to make the pockets, cut 2 strips for 10 pockets total.  

I cut the glitter fabric into 6 cm strips to use as the trim on the top of the pockets.

I pinned the pockets at the pencil marks to make the pleats.  I pressed them to make it easier to baste in place.

I pressed all the edges to make it easier to sew in place on the apron.  The tutorial actually make a half apron and the pockets were measured to fit the width of the apron so I ended with the edges just being tiny slot pockets...maybe for a pencil or snacks for the chickens?

So here's how the iron-on image and princess embellishment turned out.  I say the perfect "chicken princess egg collector" apron!

Final product!!!  OMG I love how it turned out!

Princess loved his new egg collecting apron!  He really did even though he's not smiling.

Organize, Storage, Portable, all in One

As I put together my portable studio I decided to make some fabric roll up holders.  I used a  nice natural cotton fabric I had laying around.  It was enough to make three holders!   I didn't use a pattern, pretty much winged it by measuring the supplies it would hold, pencils, brushes, etc.

 Things the rolled holders need to fit these paint supplies.

I turned under all four edges and sewed 1/4" edge.

I set some of the brushes/pens/pencils to measure out the size of the pockets and the width of the slots.

Marked the lines with a pencil, the average width was 1.5 cm for pencils and brushes, 1/2" was too tight.  the other supplies needed their own width, so it really it's not an exact science.  The pencil marks made it easier to sew straight lines.  Easy quick sewing.

This one will hold my water brushes and paint filled brushes.

Watercolor pencils holder...really love this.

I love how this project turned out!

This one I made to fit my small watercolor paints and various brushes.  Love that I can keep the paints and brushes together.   I can see this rolled holder going with me everywhere.

I used a soft leather tie and it works out perfectly!   The only thing is I will probably paint the outside of the holder....too boring leaving them plain.  This was an easy sew project with big results!   

Portable art studios?

I've been working on a portable art studio to take along with me when I travel or just take a moment to make some art without having to sort through my stuff to take along with me. First thing to tackle was what to take along.  Next thing to tackle was what to put it in.  One thing I notice some artist take their things in a bag and also some kind of paint brush or pencil carrying roll thing.  I looked around my things to see if I had a bag to fit stuff in.  Of course I didn't so I got fabric out of my stash.  I have this "Dick and Jane" fabric which I love. Found some striped fabric and a zipper.  Searched on-line for some ideas and came across a tutorial that had easy to follow instructions and photos.  The biggest challenge was keeping the inside and outside fabrics in the right direction when sewing on the zipper.  I'll be sewing all day making more bags.  I want one for pencils and a bigger one for supplies.  I also want to make a brush roll thing.  I also found a really cool journal.  I just need to make time to paint!

Holiday words on fabric

I'm sewing stuff and decided I needed to embellish them with some fabric labels/ fabric words.  I originally used my old school typewriter and they turned out good.   As I was sewing them on to some burlap stockings.... I had an idea,  why not use my printer, it's fancy enough to type on fabric.   I love how they turned out....labels in color and different fonts!  Great idea.  It's endless how to use these.

Sewing adventures

I traveled with my sewing machine on this road trip.  Today my Mom asked me to get it out for her to try out.  I'm like Mom you'll never be the same after using this machine.  She could see already how there's too many options...haha.  She's got a whole bunch of fabric squares cut and she's gonna sew her heart out on this machine tomorrow!  I love how we both have a passion for sewing.

Moving into the NAU dorm

Just over 18 years ago Gabi Buckley came into my life and I’ve been blessed to be a part of her life.  This week she moved into her dorm at NAU (Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff.  We helped her move in and get her room somewhat organized.  

I made her a quilt using her Tshirts from city rec youth volleyball.  I've had them years and just wasn't sure what to do with them.  I sewed them up like a rag quilt.  It's not a full size quilt but it should work perfectly to snuggle on those cool nights in Flagstaff.

Swing pillows

 Ever since I can remember my Mom has had a porch swing and I love having one, too.  Only thing is, in Arizona porches don't really happen in house design.  That didn't stop me from getting one.  I currently have my swing on the patio near the pool.  I've had this swing for years and this year the swing cushion had to go.  The Arizona sun damages fabric so bad to the point is deteriorates and falls apart.  I had several inexpensive Ikea pillow forms and some colorful quilt fat squares. I sewed up five pillows and I love the vibrant color combination.  Way easy project.  I kept is simple, no zippers, no velcro, just sewed all the way around.  I'm so pleased with the outcome and the swing is more comfortable to sit in!  The next project will be to sew up the actual swing cushion, but in the meantime I'll enjoy using my swing.

Anaya wearing her tulle onesie!!

OMG!  I'm in love with this baby girl!  I can't wait to meet her.

Jelly roll quilt

I don't if you'll remember I posted about a friend purging her quilt supplies and fabric?  I also purchased her Bernina sewing machine.  I think the post was in February 2014.  In the fabric collection I bought there were a few jelly roll packages.  I gave them to my Mom but I kept one for myself.  I read about jelly roll clock races.  I watched a video on YouTube and thought what the heck I'll do that.  It was quick and so easy.  Sewing strip after strip after strip.  I'll add the video at the end of my post.

I loved the process and the feeling of accomplishment in such a short time.  Once I put the quilt top together and found fabric for the back I decided to put a design on the backside of the quilt.  I cut four "fat quarters" into 3 1/2 inch strips.  Did the same process of sewing them together like the jelly roll strips.  I used a nice green fabric for most of the back fabric. I cut the back fabric 4 inches bigger so I could use it as the binding.  I sewed the back together, don't know why I didn't photograph it, but anyways, I used some fabric spray adhesive to put the layers together.  First time using the spray adhesive and it worked nice and held the fabrics really well.  Much easier than basting or pinning.

One of the accessories this machine has is a walking foot and it's amazing.  I had no problem with the fabric layers bunching up.

I machine quilted it by sewing random lines across the width of the quilt.  I love the look of the random-ness of it.  Once I was finished machine quilting I trimmed the back fabric  to 2 1/2 inches and the quilt batting to one inch from the edge of the top.  I turned under the edge to make the binding and mitered the corners.  Worked out perfectly.

Here's the quilt front.  I love the simple but colorful look of it.

This is the back and I love it.  It's the first quilt back I've ever done that's not one solid fabric.  Will be doing this from now on.  Did I just say that????   Yes, I love sewing and this is a great project to do over and over and over again.  I dare you to try it, I would say this is a great  project for beginner could do.

Here's the video...

Sewing onesies!

I have a new great niece and she's the first great niece on my side of the family.  She so darn cute. 

Meet Anaya 

I bought her some onesies and they were the boring plain white style.  I thought how boring I needed to change them up. 

Here's the one I made with linen fabric and tulle overlay.  Adorable!

I used a piece of fabric the size of a quilt fat square and cut it in half lengthwise.  I sewed two side seams to make the skirt.  I did this with both the white linen fabric and the tulle.  To gather the top edge I put both the tulle and linen together and sew two stitch lines  to be able to gather the skirt.

I pulled on the threads of the two stitched lines to gather the top of the skirt.

I used a pencil to make a guide line on the onesie where the skirt will be placed.

Pinned the gathered skirt edge with right sides together. Notice the gathered edge is facing the bottom of the onesie.

Had to take the arm off the machine to make it fit.

Made a wide hem on the linen skirt.

I have this great new sewing machine, but it didn't have a neat edge stitch so back to my older machine.  I used a scallop stitch to edge the tulle skirt part.  So cute and so easy.

I used the same scallop stitch along the neck edges.  It was a good idea but I didn't like the look of it and it stretched out the neck more than I liked.

Check out the rest of the onesies on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/the.brokenwing