What a week!

This week is going to be as packed as last week.  I hope I get some productivity out of it this time.  It was like I was running 100mph in one place last week!  This weeks accomplishments shall be finishing the ottoman covers and a dozen or so pillows for a client, a dress alteration that will have me almost totally un-assembling and re-assembling a dress, learning how to make a non-asymetrical dress french bustle (that's going to be fun) , quilt one day with my mom, a sewing lesson with one of my favorite aunts where I'm going to make her integrate all her lessons into a project, some other minor alterations for people, and be a mom, chef, computer programer, wife and all the other grand things that are going to pop onto my agenda this fine week!

Phew!  I want to go back to bed just thinking about it all!

I am the Iron Maiden!

I like the look and feel of fabric before its washed for most of my projects, and that the quilt does shrink just a little after it's quilted is, in my opinion, an improvement.  However, if I embroider on something that is not pre-shrunk, that could be bad news.  So I decided that I would just wash everything.  And I do mean all of it.  I have a bit of an inventory, so it took a few days.  Well, of course now it all needs ironed. I like to iron, but not his much or on a skinny little ironing board.  This is the fix!  I bought 2 yds. of insul-bright and 2 yds. of silver ironing board cover, serged the 2 pieces together, and boom, there you go.  The whole project took 5 minutes.  My kitchen table is an ironing board fit to lay out fabric at its full width with not nearly so much fighting and re-positioning.  When I'm done, I just fold it up and tuck it behind my alterations tote.
     If you want to do this, I rcommend making the ironing cover so that it hangs down over the edges a bit on at least the front and back of the , this will help keep the pad from shifting.  Mine doesn't shift too much and I think this is precisely why.  Now my wonderful Aunts have done this but they used a smaller pad and tacked it to a piece of OSB or particle board.  Then they slide it behind something when not in use.  This is also a good idea.  It depends solely on what works for you.  As for me, I LOVE my ironing pad!

On the rack, finally!

Finally, I got this baby on the rack and ready to roll.  I'll be curious how many hours it's going to take to get this full-sized quilt done.  I'm going to bet at least 100.  Comment if you are thinking a different number.  We'll see who gets it closest

Stippled Baby Quilt

      I made this pattern using a picture on the internet that my client found and wanted duplicated.  Of course the fabric designs didn't match the picture exactly, but overall it was a pretty good match.  My client decided that she would like to have it done in flannel so it really was extra snuggly. 

      My aunt does a lot of quilting and she likes to stipple her quilts.  They always turn out so gorgeous so I decided to try my hand.  I had thus far shyed away from this kind of thing because it seemed that it would be more of a wrestling match than a quilting project.  Trying to direct a whole quilt in every which way when all 3 layers of quilt are squished between the base of your machine and a presser foot and half of your quilt scrunched up in that center part of your machine didn't sound remotely enjoyable to me.   But this was a baby quilt so I says to myself, "Go for it."  After I made all the mistakes that I could, I started to enjoy the art of machine stippling.  I was amazed at the amount of consentration it took at first, like your brain had to think in an entirely different way than it normally does.   After awhile though, it got easier and more fun, even to the point of relaxing.  I don't know if I'm ready to take on a King or even a Full-sized quilt yet, but if the opportunity comes, you can bet I'll give it a try!

Memory Quilts

    Please remember that the Graduation Quilts that I have on here are not just for graduation, but I make lovely memory quilts in honor of our loved ones that have passed on, baby's first year, daddy's ties, birth to 18, or any other memory road you would like to have immortalized in quilt form.  

    Please also remember that the design shown is only an example.  If this design would not fit your needs, I will work with you to help you find a design that will fit your loved one's personality and work with the items you would like incorporated into the quilt. 

      If a quilt doesn't fit your needs we can do a pillow or whatever other idea you might have.  Share your memories with me and together we'll make it perfect. 

Double Wedding Ring Progress



I would say things are starting to feel like they are finally moving.  After hours and hours of cutting and piecing little pieces of fabric that are not much bigger than scraps, Mom and I finally have something substantial to show for it!  When we decided to take on this project, we didn't know that it was one of those "How expert quilters like to show off what they can do" projects until we had gotten it underway.  I said, "Too late to turn back, now."  Mom looked a bit skeptical about our ability but on we plunged.  We are going to continue our Thursdays whenever we can manage it until we have our finsished product.  Then, on to the hand-quilting!



Now taking orders for Graduation Quilts!

      Time to start thinking about that Graduation Party!  These quilts are a great display for the party and a momory holder for a lifetime!   These are not those floppy, sloppy quilts you have seen around.  These quilts have nice straight lines and square-looking squares! 

       The back is intentionally left white for guests, classmates and well-wishers to leave their autograph or words of encouragement with your permanent fabric marker that is included in your price. 

Mom and Me was a success!

      The Mom and Me was a huge success and we did have 14 people despite the blizzard that was only supposed to be 1-3 inches.  Everyone seemed to have had a great time and most of them expressed that to me as well. 

       The moms and daughters had varying levels of skill from "whats a bobbin" to " we do this a lot".  I couldn't bellieve the patience of these girls in trying to get their project done and done well.  They were all attentive and did an absolutely superb job. 

          Everyone's bags came out great!  And the best part was their beautiful faces when they flipped that bag right-side out for the last time to see their finished product!  Priceless! 
I think the girls all learned quite a bit and hopefully they all left with the confidence to say that they can sew.

 Because they can!

In Late September

 I also have a hand-quilt rack!  I made this one in about 100 hours.  I have it listed on Etsy.com, but no hits yet.  I'm anxoius to see how long this next quilt takes to do.  It's a little more involved.  It's ready to go on the rack as soon as I find the perfect backing material.  I'll post pics whan I get it on the rack.

Farm Animals Crib Set

This is the Farm Animal Crib Set and I comes with the quilt, a crib-sized sheet, a lined 16" X 16" tote bag, and a mini-boppy.  And I gotta tell you, I'm having trouble keeping the boppy away from my kids.  They are all older, but there is somethig about the shape or something that they want to have that.

  I'm making them one of their own out of courderoy. 

Deluxe Noah's Ark Crib Set

This adorable little receiving blanket is 30" X 30" and trimmed in satin binding and the hat fits a newborn but stretches well for a larger baby.  It can be purchased seperately or it coordinates well with the Noah's Ark set. 

Noah's Ark Crib Set

Here is a Noah's Ark crib set that I just finished today.  This one comes with the quilt, the lined 16" X 16" tote bag, a crib sized sheet, and a little pillow.  On one side of the pillow are the little monkeys (shown) and on the other are the panda bear pals.  I have 3 sets of these on-hand right now!

These casserole carriers are fully insulated and can carry any shape dish, including a 9" X 13"!  They are insulated with insul-bright material and the outside is cotton making them machine washable.  The eurethaned wooden handles have ends on them just big enough to keep the rod from slipping out when you don't want it to , but small enought to be able to remove the rod when you want to launder it.  The side flaps have generous ties on them rather than unreliable velcro.  As great as these look now, they really look sharp after they have been personalized.  I charge $27.00 for the carrier and $32 for the carrier with personalization.  I have lots of fabrics to choose from, not just this one  pattern, just let me know what you want and I'll get it done.

More Crib Sets

Here is another set that I thought was so cute.  This one comes with the sams as the last, a quilt, a crib sheet, a lined 16" X 16" tote bag, and a soft book.  I usually only personalize the bag, but wouldn't it look nice to have the child's name embroidered in the white circle on the quilt?  Love it!