Baby Panel Quilt and Fiskars Snip Review



Back of Baby Panel quilt



Baby Panel Quilt



Close up of Baby Panel Back




Close of of Front



Happy Sunday All!

Just wanted to post some quick photos of a Baby Panel quilt I finished yesterday (see photos above and at end of post). This was a very fun, fast and easy baby quilt to make! I just added a border (green dots) to the baby panel, used fusible batting that I had left over from another quilt project; quilted it around the blocks on the panel, in the ditch and in the border; then sewed the binding on! I normally hand sew the back of the binding on, but for this quilt I sewed the binding on the back of the quilt by machine and then sewed the binding down on the front by machine...doing it this way made it so fast! I think it turned out very cute...oh and check out the back...cute bunnies!! This quilt would be great for either a boy or a girl, because it has bright colors and the back bunnies are pink and white on a blue background. It is always so fun to get a quilt project done quickly...very gratifying!

PRODUCT REVIEW

Today, I thought I would review a product that I use ALL the time when sewing and quilting. In fact, this product is one I highly recommend and I wouldn't sew or quilt without it! The product is the Fiskars Short Cut Snip (6.5") and it retails for under $10. These snips make super quick, tiny clips and are great for cutting random threads, snipping thread after sewing a seam, even ripping out a seam! I don't use seam rippers any more, I just use my snips! My snips live next to my sewing machine so they are handy for any project I am working on. Fiskars makes them, so they are top quality! Snips are small and very portable, so you can take them to class or throw them in your portable sewing bag. They also come in handy when doing hand embroidery. Get a pair and you will use them everyday!

***Don't forget...March 11-13 is the Dallas Quilt Show!! I am getting so excited and can't wait!!

Well, that's it for today. Enjoy the photos and I hope the product review is helpful to you! Let me hear your comments!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Close up of Baby Panel Quilt

Baby Patch Photos and Janome Foot



Baby Patch



Label

Back of Baby Patch Quilt



Close up of Baby Patch





Close up of Baby Patch binding

Man, oh, man...can you believe how fast February is flying by?? I think I blinked and missed most of it!! But, March holds some exciting things! The North Texas Irish Fest is March 4-6...always fun...lots of beer...and interesting vendor booths! Then the Dallas Quilt Show is March 11-13!! (very excited about that!) Hubby has some sort of plastic model show happening the weekend of March 19...so March is going to be pretty busy! Also, I will be working on at least one commission quilt in March...just bought some more fabric for it today. It is a wedding quilt and I think I have finally settled on a pattern for it!! :)

Finished the baby patchwork quilt...yes, for the baby that was born in December! (See photos above) It was a fast and easy quilt to make....mainly fast because it's small, and easy because I used 5" squares! No borders...nothing fancy...but I think it turned out quite nice! I am going to try to make several more to save back...you never know who will have a baby next!!

FYI...my new Janome is working perfectly, however, finding a walking foot for it was a bird of a different color!! I had bought a walking foot for it...only to find out it was the wrong one, and the store doesn't take returns...it is currently posted on EBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260741530344&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT. It is for a Janome Memory Craft machine...which I don't have! Anyway, we ended up going back to Hancocks, where hubby bought the machine, and they didn't have a walking foot to fit...so we ended up going to another sewing machine store and finally bought the right foot! Whew! That was a lot of running around to buy one sewing foot!! So, long story...short...I got the correct walking foot...quilted the baby quilt and life is good!

Well, back to the sewing room for now. Enjoy the photos and keep those comments coming! Another Product Review is coming soon!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!!

Baby Patch Quilt

Dallas Quilt Show Next Month

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Dallas Quilt Show, sponsored by the Dallas Quilters Guild, is in March....specifically March 11, 12, 13...so mark your calendars!  Here's the link http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/quiltcelebration2011/default.htm. Tickets are $8...$7 for seniors over 65. I really enjoy the Dallas Quilt Show...so many quilts and love the vendors! If you live in the area, or can drive or fly in for the show, it is really worth it. I always take photos, but the Guild is really good about posting photos of the winning quilts on their website shortly after the show.

That's it for now...a show and now I have to go and get some things done!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Jammin' with My Janome...

Yes, I have been jammin' with my Janome...because I can't really call it sewing on such a fun machine! I was putting together a quilt top for a baby gift (for the baby born in December!) and am still amazed at how quiet the Janome is...I just can't get over it! One of my favorite features is the thread cutter on the machine! I know...I know...it is a simple thing, but I believe that I am saving lots of thread by using it. And, of course, using less thread means that I am sewing green! The quilt top that I put together today is a scrap quilt...so again, sewing green by using up smaller scraps.

The weather...after the past two weeks deep freeze...was almost balmy today. We are supposed to get up into the 70s by Wednesday, and....cross your fingers...it will stay that way for a bit. Still nice quilting weather, but makes me think about other sewing and embroidery projects.

That's it for today...good night..or good morning all!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

Quilting in the year 2011...and Janome review!

First Snow 2011

More snow!

Well, so far, 2011 has been a rather unique year in several ways. Last week we had a record deep freeze and most businesses and schools were closed 4 days in a row...this is just unheard of in the south! And to top it all off the Super Bowl was in town with some major hiccups...not sure it will ever be held in Dallas again!! On a personal note...I have completed 2 quilts this year already and am working on a baby quilt (I won't mention that the baby was born in December 2010!), and getting ready to finish some quilts that were started long long ago!

Have you ever thought about dollmaking? Well, I made a soft doll for our little granddaughter last week. Now you would think (as did I) a doll...small, easy project...not so much! It took me hours to make a doll dress! Okay, okay...I used a pattern for a 20" doll on an 18" doll thinking "sure, it will fit...maybe even be too big"...wrong! After struggling with the dress for quite some time...ripping part of the neckline to get it onto the doll and having to modify the neckling...I finally got it made...*whew*! So just remember...as I didn't...measure twice, cut once...on any project you attempt! Lesson learned!! :)

JANOME REVIEW
Since we were snowed/iced in last week...I finally got a chance to sit down with my new Janome and give it a whirl. Hubby bought the Janome 8050 for me several months ago, but I have been so busy with commission quilts that I had not had the chance to play with it. Let me tell you...it is GREAT! I LOVE it! It has so many features and stitches on it...wow! Oh, and sooo much quieter than my Singer! Don't get me wrong...I still love my industrial Singer, but the Janome has so many more features on it that will come in handy. The Janome has over 40 different stitches, including 3 blanket stitches for applique...these stitches will definitely come in handy! I love the drop in bobbin and the fact that it has a see-through plate so you can actually see how much thread is on your bobbin. I also like way the Janome winds the bobbins...it is fast, and simple and you don't have to remember to push anything in after you are done winding the bobbin. It did take me a while and a good reading of the manual to figure out how to change the top thread tension...it wasn't real obvious at first. Oh and FYI...the manual is well written and easy to follow with some great tips. Always keep your sewing machine manual handy...even if you think you know your sewing machine inside and out...there will always be that one thing you forget or didn't realize, but it will be in your manual. Now, I know that with Singer sewing machines you can download the manuals for the various machines...I don't see anything like that on the Janome website http://janome.com/, so I recommend making a copy of your manual and putting it in a safe place (like your file drawer, or other place in your house) in case anything happens to your original manual. Hubby bought my Janome at Hancocks http://www.hancockfabrics.com/ and this Janome is specific to Hancocks, but I believe that if this particular machine is made and works well, then all of their other machines would be made with the same quality....I know that is true with Singer and Brother sewing machines. Bottom line...I am delighted with my new Janome and recommend you run out and get one for yourself!

Well, today happens to be a beautiful day, so I am off to run errands with hubby and soak up some Vitamin D from the sunshine!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting...and stay warm my friends!!

Texanese Quilt Done and More Winter Fun!

"Texanese" Quilt

Boot Block

Texas block

Prickly Pear block (the original Yellow Rose of TX)

Longhorn block

Back of "Texanese" Quilt

At last the "Texanese" (Texas themed with Asian fabrics) is done, delivered and Japan-bound! Photos are above..enjoy! For some reason this quilt was a tough assignment and I wasn't altogether pleased with during the designing, piecing, quilting process, however, it turned out okay...I think! My customer seemed very happy and excited about it...so I will consider it a success. (BTW...I used Fusi Boo fusible batting on this wall hanging...my favorite fusible batting!) You might notice that I used smaller Snowball blocks in this wallhanging!! Now onto the next project!!



There are several quilts in my sewing room that need quilting, so I may take some time to just work on them...after I finish another baby quilt for a friend of mine...a little late, as her son was born in December!! Oops! Oh well, as long as he gets it before he is college bound...right?! :) I also have quilts rolling around in my head which I need to produce so they can free up space in my brain. Ah....and then there is the Pirate Quilt which needs finishing...so much more work to do for me!!

When I was hand sewing the binding on the Texanese quilt (I always do my hand sewing in front of the TV), I saw a fascinating show on PBS called "b organic" and I was instantly hooked. Their website is http://borganic.net/ and they have projects, how-to videos and all sorts of things. Check out the website and let me know what you think!! The episode I caught was how to repurpose old sweaters, and how to make garden chaps...I know!...I was really excited!! Talk about sewing green...this show is a must see for all of you that love to sew green! Plus, the hostess of the show was sewing on an industrial Singer very much like the one I use!! So you see, this show has all kinds of things that got me excited! I plan on trying some of the projects from the show, so I will keep you posted.


Oh...another one of my projects is to make a soft doll and doll clothes for my GBaby Lily. I have everything I need to get started, so hopefully I can post photos soon. I have never made soft dolls before, but I am intrigued by how to make them and how they look...so many different kinds with so many different looks!

It has been a while since I have done embroidery and I am thinking the doll project will help me get back into embroidery. I have been missing it. Again...all sorts of projects in my sewing room that require embroidery!!


The weather has been really nice the past few days, but it looks like we are in for another freezing spell for the rest of the week...maybe even snow! I am not a fan of the cold or snow, but I like the fact that it is the best quilting weather!!

That's it for now! What are you working on this winter? Have you finished any quilts in 2011?? Post comments to me with the links where your quilt or embroidery projects reside!! I love to look at your work!!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!



GBaby Lily dressed to party!!



Snowball Blizzard!



Snowball quilt

  

Butterflies on Snowball quilt




Back of Snowball quilt



Close up shot





Well, I delievered the Snowball quilt (photos above) yesterday to a very happy customer! Yeah...I love those happy customers! Since the snowball quilt was a hit, and I really enjoyed making the snowball blocks, I am currently making a snowball wallhanging...it's a snowball blizzard in my sewing room!! This snowball wallhanging has been rather interesting to design...my client wanted "a Texas themed wallhanging using Asian fabrics"...oookay...!! I had to really put on my thinking and design cap, and consult my graphics designer hubby to come up with this one!! The top is done, now the quilting is underway on this unusual wallhanging. I used 4 1/2 inch squares combined with 1 1/2" squares to make the snowballs...yes, I have lots of tiny little triangles left over. I did some hand applique and used some Texas graphics and fabrics and voila...a wallhanging that is going to Japan!! Whew! Photos will be posted before delivery.

There are some projects I am itching to make, so I am hoping after the Japan-bound wallhanging is delivered I can begin some of my long awaited projects. One project is to make a soft doll for my granddaughter...I actually found a cute pattern in a quilt magazine and I have gathered all of the necessary supplies to put it together! My youngest daughter is due a quilt from me...fabric is gathered, now I just need to design a quilt and put it together...poof...a quilt will be born!!

Lately, hubby and I have been in "cleanout" mode...trying to clean out closets, etc. I have found so much good fabric this way! I have clothes to cut up and stash...yippee...more fabric!! :) Actually, I have also decided that a button jar...box...whatever...is in order. Do you realize how many buttons you can recycle...or repurpose from old clothing?? I really hadn't thought about it until I started cutting clothing up for fabric. You can actually cut the zippers out and repurpose those. I have seen those great flower brooches that you make with zippers and might give it a try! Sewing green...saving the earth...you gotta love it! Have you found any great fabric sources? I love to repurpose and reuse stuff...it just makes me feel good!

Now it's time to get to quilting!! What projects have you completed in 2011? (I know its early in the year, but maybe you started something last year and finished this year!!) What are you currently working on?

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

More butterflies!!