Voile & Flannel Figure-8 Scarves

Part of the 1st Quarter FAL. My original post is here.

Do you love Anna Maria Horner's flannels and voiles as much as I do? I have wanted to make a project with them for a while now, and after scoring a small stack from Pink Chalk Fabrics a few weeks back, I knew just what I wanted to make with them. I decided to whip up some Figure-8 Scarves using the tutorial that Anna Maria posted on her blog here. 

While her sewing instructions were perfect and very easy to follow, the way she made her scarf called for two pieces of fabric, each 18"x 72". Since making it this way would require a 2 yard investment each for the lining and exterior fabric to essentially make one scarf (granted with enough left-over to make another just like it), I decided to make a scarf with less fullness using the reduced fabric requirements that the ladies at Fancy Tiger employed to make their Liberty of London and AMH  voile  scarves (too much goodness to even comprehend!). This would allow for the scarf to be made from two quarter yards of 54" fabric (or two half yards of 44" fabric).

I ended up making two scarves, one for myself (the blue and orange one) and one as a gift for my awesome, soon-to-be sister-in-law (the pink one). 

While I used the Fancy Tiger cutting recommendations, I did follow Anna Maria's sewing instructions to the "T",  and slip-stitched the seams closed like she suggests, rather than machine stitching them. (You can barely see the hand-stitched seam in the photo above. See the single scallop line on the pink voile lining? It's just to the right of that.) For me, the hand sewing was worth it since the closure ended up being so unobtrusive. I also think that machine stitching the end closed might result in a scarf that wouldn't lay as well since there would be one "pinched" spot in the loop where both layers would be sewed together, rather than "flowing" separately. 

Since the voile was 54" in width, I ended up only needing a quarter yard of it per scarf for the lining.  The flannel, however, was a different story. Since it comes in a more standard 44" width, I need closer to a half-yard of flannel per scarf and needed to piece it in order to make it the right length. On my sister-in-law's scarf, I used the same print for both pieces of flannel and was careful to match the design to make it look seamless. On mine, I decided to be less precise and to try something a little more crazy unique by splicing together two different flannel prints. 

Here is a picture of me modeling my scarf (and feeling pretty cozy and colorful!). You can see how the two different prints actually work pretty well together when looped around the neck and end up having  a more cohesive look than you would imagine, especially after just seeing the scarf laid out. The dual flannel prints have actually become one of my favorite aspect of this project!

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Guest Post: Get Organized Series

Today you can find me guest blogging over at Sew Lux Fabric as part of Chrissy's Get Organized Series. I am sharing some tips on how to design your own wall railing system to help make your creative work area easier to navigate while also providing a place to display your lovely fabric bundles and blocks. :) While you are checking out my post, make sure to also look at the other great organizational ideas that have been shared so far. Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Resolved to Sew 2012

As many of you may already know, Ali and Sandy at Very Berry Handmade are hosting the Resolved to Sew 2012 giveaway party (with some pretty irresistible prizes) to encourage folks to take the time and actually write some sewing goals for the new year. I found out about this wonderful idea a bit late, so the deadline to enter is today (around 4pm PST), but all you need to do in order to participate is either write up a quick blog post (like this one) if you are a blogger or leave a detailed comment if you aren't. 

Even though I have talked more generally about some of my sewing goals already this year, I thought I could stand to jot down a few more goals (for the record of course!) since this year I am particularly trying to crystalize my creative goals and learn some specific new skills. Here are my 2012 sewing resolutions:

Specific Goals

1. Make an all solids quilt

2. Make a large size quilt (at least queen size) on my home machine from start to quilty/bindy finish!

3. Finish an article of clothing that A) fits and B) I will love to wear

4. Write my first quilt pattern 

Larger/Ongoing Goals
1. Become comfortable with free-motion quilting
2. Try paper piecing
3. Learn how to do crewel work

4. Practice hand quilting

5. Experiment more with different substrates

6. Do more hand work to relax  

And to leave you with some eye candy (borrowed from Very Berry Handmade), here are a couple of my favorite bundles that are up for grabs. :) Head on over and enter!

Fat quarter bundle (10 FQ) from Erin McMorris’s Summersault from Backstitch

Fat quarter bundle (7 FQ) from Dan Bennett’s Premier Lord collection from Eclectic Maker

WIP Wednesday: Finding Mid-winter Motivation

While I am typically not one to really want to slow down and take a breath (just ask my husband about watching movies with me!), January has ended up being like a calm pause after the busyness of December. Our home for the most part is set up now, with the exception of a few pieces of furniture that need a new coat of paint and a few shelves and pictures that need hanging. There are of course curtains that could be made (or rather fabric to be bought) ;), but for now I'm ok with letting this one be one WiP that isn't going to get stamped finished for a while, if it ever really does.

 I haven't posted a ton of sewn or crafty finishes lately, but I do have several completed WiPs from the last week or so that I am waiting for some good weather (i.e. no rain please) to photograph. Those include a finished Parterre Jardin quilt top, which I have some lovely wool batting set aside for. I have also cut and laid out my Made in Cherry (Echo) quilt for Chelsea's quilt along and here are my observations so far:

1. It's going to be a massive quilt! I can't wait to sleep under it. :)
2. Umm...I think I might need to find a longarm quilter (see above) or become less of a scaredy-pants
3. Yay Echo! I am very happy with my fabric choices.
4. Chelsea is genius for organizing this quilt along in January. It's been just the right motivation to keep from going into total sewing hibernation.

Must find ways to photograph this one better!

New Projects
-Made in Cherry (Echo) quilt

Ongoing Projects
- Bow-tie Blocks Quilt

Completed Tops Awaiting Quilting
- Just Wing It (Embroidery 101)
- Parterre Jardin (Prince Charming) Quilt
- Secret Garden Table Runner

No Progress
- Daybreak Knit Shawl
- Honey Cowl

This Week's Stats
Completed projects - 3
New projects - 1
Currently in progress - 7

"Curves Class" Giveaway at Cut to Pieces

Have you guys heard about or signed up for Curves Class, the online sewing course being offered by Rachel from Stitched in Color? Well if you haven't had a chance to check it out, Curves Class is a virtual 5 week sewing intensive that works project by project to help sewists move beyond the comfort of the straight line stitch and become more confident with sewing curves (such as in the Scallop Quilt project below, which I absolutely love!). This is how Rachel describes it:

"Let me hold your hand through this 5-week course which caters to both the beginner and intermediate curves sewist. Weeks 1-4 we'll cover Basic Curves, Improv Curves, Precise Curves and Advanced Improv Curves with full, detailed photo tutorials and many downloadable templates. Each week you can choose from 3 very different projects for one that really fits your experience and interests. Week 5 we'll celebrate with full on quilts. "

Rachel's Scallop Quilt

Angela, at Cut to Pieces, is having a giveaway for a premium level spot in the class, which includes all of the tutorials and personalized instruction offered at the regular level PLUS video tutorials and a PDF e-book of the course. Rachel is an amazing quilter and tutorial writer (and has such a fun, inspiring blog too), so I would encourage anyone who is interested in picking up some more sewing skills to check out the giveaway and read up on the class description. I think it will be a great opportunity!

Snow Days

Part of the 1st Quarter FAL. My original post is here.

It finally feels like winter has arrived. This past week, it snowed for the first time here in Seattle and we've been hunkered down at home enjoying the change of pace, leaving the car to gather snow and waking up late to have breakfast. Since it doesn't snow much here, the city has kind of slowed to a halt with lots of suspended services and closures, so my husband basically has had the entire week off. 

As both of us grew up in snowy places (the Rockies) and have lived most of our adult lives in places where winter was, well...long and cold, we have found our first experience of winter here in the Pacific Northwest to be sort of surreal, especially with how mild and green it is and seeing how differently folks think about snow and manage getting around in it. Since it only snows here maybe a few times in a winter, we are taking full advantage of it, staying cozy at home and feeling a bit spoiled to have so much time off.

You can bet that I have been sewing a bit, trying to finish some of my first quarter projects and trying to get those WiP's whittled down. I also sent out my last belated Christmas gift earlier this week (can't even begin to tell you how relieved I feel!) and will be able to share photos of it soon. I also made up some quick kitty toys for the newest addition to our family. 

These were so simple to make and luckily have been thoroughly enjoyed by the recipient so far. :) The fish are filled with catnip and the felted balls were made from extra roving left over from making my Christmas garlands.  

 

And as promised, here are some photos of Cleo (short for Cleopatra because of her awesome eye markings). :) She is a 6 year old Siamese mix with lynx point coloring and beautiful light blue eyes. She has been getting over a cold since coming home with us from the Humane Society, so I haven't been able to get a good photo of her with her eyes open, but I will try to take one soon. She is settling in really well though and has already proven to be a first class snuggler, so we feel very blessed to have her and are loving getting to know her little quirks.

    

I have a full weekend planned of sewing, snuggling with my kitty, sleeping in, and generally staying warm and cozy. I am also excited to be starting on my Made in Cherry quilt and will have more to show you next week. Until then, I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing weekend! 

Looking Back and Looking Forward

It's been both a slow and whirlwind start to 2012 for me. Slow in the sense that my sewing and crafting has been taking a slight ebb, and whirlwind in the sense that I am already making plans and starting new ventures for 2012 both in terms of this blog and in my personal life. I think January is typically that way for me though. It seems like the natural time of year to pause and reflect on the past while simultaneously gathering up resources, ideas, and inspiration for the coming year.

Hoppy the Bunny, the first project shared here in Sept.

In keeping with this theme, I thought I might chime in my two cents for the Sew Mama Sew Sewing Industry Reflections and Predictions party and share my 2012 creative goals. Since starting this blog last fall, I have found so much support and community from you guys and truly appreciate you stopping by and offering your words of encouragement. This past year I have also really enjoyed the whole process of sharing, being inspired, and learning through reading your blogs and I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks. :) 

Embroidery 101 in progress

Looking back at the 2011 sewing scene, what trends stand out in your mind?

I think this question can be answered differently by just about everyone based on their sewing interests, but for me I noticed a greater emphasis on hand stitching and embroidery, especially combined with quilting and sewing home goods. I also saw a lot of very creative uses of solids in quilting and the incorporation of different substrates like linen, voile, and flannel.

Made for the Lindsay Sews Ornament Swap

What were some of your favorite things related to sewing this past year?

I loved the amazing array of sew-alongs, bees, and swaps that happened this past year. It always seemed like there was an opportunity to get involved and get to know other people in the online sewing community better. The Christmas ornament swap and Embroidery 101 stitch and quilt along that I participated in were my favorite sewing related activities this past year.

Finished Embroidery 101 quilt top

What did you make that you’re most proud of? 

I think the thing that was the biggest step for me in expanding my sewing ability was taking the plunge and learning how to quilt. Finishing my Just Wing It Embroidery 101 quilt top was a huge accomplishment for me and has given me the confidence to keep stitching along and learning as I go. The next step for this project will be finally getting it quilted and bound.

What sewn projects have you seen this year that you absolutely love?

The Swoon quilts were a big favorite of mine and I hope to make my own sometime this year. I also loved Lee's Hope Valley Supernova quilt and getting to see all of the interpretations of her pattern during the quilt along at Freshly Pieced.

My Reversible Shoppers from Style Stitches

Do you have a favorite sewing book or pattern from the past year to recommend?

I buy sewing books fairly sparingly since so much great information is available online (and well lets face it, I am usually online too!), but I did purchase Amy Butler's Style Stitches last year and have made several bags from the book. It's light on illustrations and heavy on explanation, but the bags are gorgeous and pretty fun to sew.

Are there any trends you’re over and done with?

Eh...not really. I guess I am not personally too enthused about ruffles or puff quilts, but maybe I just haven't yet seen the most perfectly awesome ruffle, puff quilt project destined to change my mind? I try to be open to lots of options. ;)

What are your thoughts about social media? How is it going for you? What do you love or hate?

As a blogger, I love being able to have a platform to reach out to and sew with such an amazingly wide-spread group of really creative people. Even in my short time posting here, I have had the opportunity to meet so many really talented and sharing people and to feel nothing less than inspired every time I crack open my laptop. The only real downside to this is that there is so much inspiration and so many lovely projects to check out that at times it can be hard to walk away from the computer and actually make something! I also have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Facebook.

Parterre Jardin quilt mock-up featuring lots of Prince Charming

Did you have a favorite fabric collection or print in 2011?

Prince Charming is probably my favorite collection of the past year simply for Tula Pink's shear imaginative power when it comes to illustration (well and there are frogs all over it too). :) I also really loved Loulouthi, Summersault, and Echo. 

What do you predict for 2012 in the sewing industry?

I think more and more people will take the leap and learn how to sew this year, making the industry grow that much more. New sewing books and patterns geared more towards beginners will be predominate. I also think that organic fabric collections and collections featuring multiple substrates (voiles, rayons, flannels,...etc.) will be very big in 2012. More social media gatherings (like Sewing Summit), online sewing classes, and virtual workshops will also be offered this year, making greater connections between the online community and the individual sewist.

Can you tell us what to expect from you in 2012? Any big projects or life-changing goals?

Absolutely! This year I plan to tackle some sewing skills that I have always wanted to learn and improve on but have been too timid to try yet. Here is the short list:

1. Finish a large size quilt (at least queen size) on my home machine
2. Become comfortable with free-motion quilting
3. Finish an article of clothing that A) fits and B) I will love to wear
4. Try paper piecing
5. Write my first quilt pattern

Finished: Goose in the Pond Mini Quilt

 

A bit back, I shared with you guys some pics of a stack of reproduction fabrics I had picked up in Portland. I ended up making a wall hanging/ mini quilt with them for my mother-in-law using the traditional Goose in the Pond quilt block. My in-laws just built a new home out on the prairie in Wyoming (where my husband and I grew up) and it's lovely with kind of a cabin-like feel to it. I wanted to make them something that would go with their country home while referencing the amazing history of quilting that went along with homesteading in the west (my father-in-law is also a bit of a history buff). I chose to make a larger block (15" square) that would also have some interesting piecing to make it fun to sew and look at.

It was suppose to be finished in time to be sent off for Christmas, but as things go when moving, I wasn't able to get the quilting done before packing up the sewing machine. I did finish it the week after Christmas and managed to get it in the mail last week after stalling a bit on locating a mailing tube. I'm feeling a little less behind now, especially since it is sent and I can mentally check it off my list (just have one more belated gift to make!). I am hoping that they like it and that it looks beautiful in their home!

I straight line quilted this mini using a golden-yellow thread that offers a bit of contrast on the cream fabric. I also made the back with sewn-in tabs, the kind you can feed a dowel through, for hanging on the wall. The nice thing about sewing them in this way (rather than making a tab the would extend above the quilt top) it that they are pretty unobtrusive and allow the quilt to also be used horizontally, like on a table. This is my first time making a hanger for a quilt, so this may not be monumental news to many of you, but I was pretty excited! ;) Do you guys ever hang quilts or typically sew-in your hangers like this?

Quilt Stats

Name:                    Goose in the Pond Mini Quilt

Finished size:         20"x 20"

Designed by:          Traditional block (around 1830-1840)

Quilted by:              By me, using straight line row, column, and diagonal quilting

Mushrooms Galore

During November and December, I made a whole gang of Merry Mushrooms for gifts and for our Christmas tree in 2012. With moving so close to Christmas in 2011 we didn't actually get a tree set up, so I have a feeling that this year, our Christmas decorations are going to be a BIT more extravagant.  ;) I guess I do have all year to prepare, right? I seriously must have made about 20 or so mushrooms when all was said and done. I finally got to the point where I had to tell myself to just stop already (about the time when I started to feel like the crazy mushroom lady!).

I really had a blast though picking out the colors and the embroidery styles, especially making them personalized. Here is a selection of some of my favorite mushrooms out of the ones I actually remembered to photograph before sending/giving. I thought it might be nice to photograph them in their natural environment during a 30 min window of sunshine last week. :) Ah winter in the Pacific Northwest!

WIP Wednesday and FAL 1st Quarter

WIP Wednesday is back this week and I think it might be a good way for me to ease back into sewing and to start taking an inventory of my new projects. This week is also the first week in the quarter of a brand-new Finish-A-Long (FAL) going on this year at Quilter in the Gap. In order to make some progress on those WIPs and UFO's (so many acronyms!), Rhonda is having folks link up the new and in-process projects that they intend to finish each quarter of the year. There are prizes for those who finish their projects in time and some great tutorials that will be posted at the end of each quarter (I'm posting next quarter).

I have quite a few projects that I would like to start working on again (even a couple late Christmas gifts, eek!) so my list this quarter is fairly long. While my sewing room isn't exactly usable at the moment, (the husband is working on a computer project and there are sharp/delicate components all over the floor) this will be good motivation to get things cleaned up and ready to go.

FAL 1st Quarter Projects:

1. Just Wing It (Embroidery 101) quilt finish - Sew on border fabric, make backing, quilt and bind

Jenelle's Blogger's Choice Bundle

I still have two spots open in my PiF, so leave me a comment here if you are interested!

First off, Happy New Year! I'm really excited to have a fresh year ahead full of creative possibilities and to also set some goals for myself this year in terms of the skills I would like to pick up or improve on in the months ahead. I have a couple posts swimming around in my head at the moment and will be writing a few words on this in the coming weeks.

While December was kind of a slow month for me in the sewing department with moving, the holidays, and having company (some gift making, knitting, and embroidery has gone on...more on that later), I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming projects I want to make and drooling over the fabrics that I would love to work with. With all of the holiday sales going on, it's been hard to resist emptying my checking account, so it really is perfect timing that Laura over at Quokka Quilts would be organizing her very own Blogger's Choice Fat Quarter Bundle competition, where basically the point is to daydream up your own bundle of gorgeous fabric, shopping optional ;). While I would hit the ceiling it if Fat Quarter Shop ever asked me to come up with my own selection, this is the next best thing. Here is my selection (listed by row, left to right):



Stitch Organic Lagoon Double Arrows / by Betz White for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Outfoxed Olive Fern Stripe / by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics
Stitch Organic Lagoon Chevron Stripe / by Betz White for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Chelsea Turquoise Houndstooth / by Whistler Studios for Windham Fabrics

Get Together Gray Flock of Birds / by David Walker for Free Spirit Fabrics
Impressions Green Plaid / by Ty Pennington for Free Spirit Fabrics
Modernology Grey A la Mode / by Patricia Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics
Modernology Cool Contempo Blooms / by Patricia Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics

Kaffe Fassett Collective Teal Wrinkle Yardage / by Westminster Fibers
Primativa Charcoal Falling Leaves / by Jane Dixon for Andover Fabrics
Outfoxed Brown Wild Vines / by Lizzy House for Andover Fabrics
Echo Gray Aneta / by Lotta Jansdotter for Windham Fabrics

Free Spirit Designer Solids Chartreuse / by Free Spirit Fabrics
Carolina Chambray Black Denim Texture / by Robert Kaufman Fabrics
Free Spirit Designer Solids Light Jade / by Free Spirit Fabrics

One of the things I love about this bundle is the addition of the gray chambray solid. I am really hoping to incorporate more fabrics with texture into my quilting this year like flannels, linens, chambrays, and shot cottons.