Builders Quilt for a little boy.

 This is a snapshot of a quilt that I made for a great nephew. Originally the blocks were to be made into a fabric book but I cut them apart and added green sashing to it. I used a thick poly batting.  Hopefully, he will enjoy it.

1953 Pfaff still sewing

This Spring my mother gave me her 1953 Pfaff which was the sewing machine

I learned to sew on. My mom loves pink and I wanted to do something special

Quilt made with 1953 Pfaff

for her for giving me the sewing machine so I made this quilt for her birthday in November.

1953 Pfaff

Travel pillow

Travel size pillow (12 X16) made for a little girl. Next time I make one I will not use a fabric with a definite pattern.  I think the colors worked well together.

Fall,...I love it.

Fall table topper.

 

 I love the cooler temps and watching the leaves turn color. Another thing I like about fall is being able to use orange in my decorating. I made this applique table topper using 2 different colors of orange.  Orange always reminds me of some of my first sewing projects. Orange gingham gathered skirt and scarf  along with an orange purse to match for myself and my sister wearing a pink skirt to match. My mom still has that picture of my sister and I. 

Open Class County Fair Entries

Growing up I was in 4-H and we spent most of our summers working on our projects to display at our County Fair. This year I decided to enter some items in our County Fair. 

I was very surprised to get Blues on all the items I entered and shocked that I got an Award of Merit on the Christmas small couch quilt. I love using all the decorative stitches on my sewing machine as can be seen on the pillow and quilt. I have enough blocks made for another pillow and a table runner.

I was asked to do a demo/talk about Penny Rugs  (candle mats). I enjoyed sharing with others what I have learned about that craft and was excited that other people shared my interest.

There are lots of talented people and I encourage everyone to enter your crafts, flowers, bake goods or whatever at your local county fair. Share with others the joy you have in your hobbies.  

Crazy quilt vest

Last summer I decided I would like to make some of my own clothing. I started with 2 elastic waist denim skirt. One had a kick pleat and the other just an open slit. I had collected fall fabrics and wanted to incorporate them into a vest. First, I had to fit the pattern to me. I wound up using a combination of 2 patterns but still changed the neckline and the arm hole and adding darts. Sewing on the material with the decorative stitches on my sewing machine was fun. I learned a lot (at least I hope I did) about fitting a vest. The next vest I make will not have a straight hem. I hope to make a number of vests. The next one maybe will be batiks with a tie back. Skirts and vests may be the only items that I sew for myself. I was gifted a Craftsy sewing class "The Classic Tailored Shirt" and I may try that. I have never attempted button holes so it could be interesting. I wonder how many practice button holes I make before I try the "real" thing.

Christmas decorative stitching string quilt

I wanted to try a string quilt using the decorative stitches on my sewing machine I got last year. I first sewed the strips onto a muslin backing and then put batting and backing and quilted each seam. You can see a close up of some the quilting. I hope to use red sashing to connect the blocks together. I have not tried that method so I will see how it goes.

Painting with a Twist

For Christmas my daughter took me to a Painting with a Twist class. The Instructor gave instructions:  painting the background, moon, shadow, tree and leaves. With help from my daughter, my tree looks more like a tree than what I first painted. It was amazing how different everyone's painting was even though we did basically the same painting. They were all wonderful. I have mine hanging in my bedroom.

Infinity scarf

The yarn for this scarf was luscious. You can't tell from the picture but it has sparkles on it. The pattern used only 21 stitches divided into 3 segments, knit and then rejoined. This was a Christmas gift for my daughter which I hope she enjoyed.

Colorful boys sweater

This sweater was a joy to make combining all different colors. I used buttons that are shaped like balloons. Each time I knit a different project I learn something new. The neck and side bands were picked up from existing stitches which is something I have not tried before. 

Funky Four quilt

 

I made this  Funky Four Quilt at a class at a local quilt store, Creative Hideaway.  I fell in love with the Sock Monkey fabric and needed to find material to go with... using 8 different materials. Every square has the Sock Monkey fabric in the same location. It was a very forgiving pattern.  I used red flannel for the backing. I found a "Sock Monkey" to go with it. This will be a baby gift.