NEW PROJECT

Had lots going on today one of which was doing my homework for my class tomorrow night. I did manage to find fabrics in my stash and get this ready to sew up tomorrow and/or Friday whenever I have some time. I've got 3-5 places (depending on time) I have to go tomorrow so don't know how much if any sewing I'll accomplish.

It's the cutest little dress made from 8 fat quarters.  The pattern is sitting on the skirt pieces, clockwise from there is the piece for the sleeve bands and bias pieces for the neck and such, the front bodice, back bodice, sleeves and then the strips for the ruffle.  I can't wait to see it come together.

Next on my list -- Mama's Scrappy Table Runner.

I think it will be really pretty on my table.  This kit is from Connecting Threads as was the table topper I finished yesterday.   I think their fabrics are nice to the touch and I really like their threads.  They have a lot of  fun groups of fabrics and lots of kits and what they call samplers to go along with each.

Looking forward to a fun weekend.

SOME FINISHED WORK

Here are pictures of the completely finished yellow brick road quilt that I completed a week or so ago.  First the front

and then the back.  I really like pieced backs.  I think they add a lot of interest to quilts.

It turned out really well.

I decided to try one of the kits I got from Connecting Threads a while back so I made this table topper.  It was an easy 1 day project -- except that too many interruptions made it take a little longer but I really thought it turned out cute.  I practiced some freestyle quilting on this.  Did something different in each of the different sections.  I'm not sure I have piecing triangles down pat but  it was a fun project and I put it on my table (which is badly in need of refinishing --- but that's another job for another year month day )

And finally, I finished the sock monkey quilt top.  I did discover that the  wide border fabric was not on grain(?).  If I had cut it on grain the monkeys would not have been straight so I cheated a little.

Still need to sandwich it and quilt it.  Can't quite decide what to back it with.  I'm kind of hoping I can find some nice muslin at Jo Ann fabrics and use my 50% off coupon on a bolt so I can have backing for several quilts to come.

Tomorrow  (or I guess I should say later today)  I will have to do my "homework" for my Thursday sewing class but it won't take long and then I'll do some more of something...... not sure what.

NEED SOME FREE FABRIC .....HERE'S A FUN GIVE AWAY!!

Here is a link to a giveaway that Cluck Cluck Sew is having.  She's giving away this collection of Moda fat quarters.  Aren't they gorgeous?!!

Check it out.

I'M GOING TO LEARN HOW TO SEW LIKE A PRO!!

I signed up for an intermediate level sewing class entitled SEW LIKE A PRO at the Marguerite's Sewing School in Nashville.   My first class was tonight.  We will meet each Thursday for the months of June, July, and August.  When finished, I will be the proud owner of a new blouse that includes a yolk, long sleeves with cuffs and a continuous placket, a notched collar and a shirttail hem.  I'll also be making a lined skirt with a waistband and a zipper. In  making the skirt and blouse, I am supposed to learn how to fit a pattern to my body shape --- we shall see.    It reminds me of what we made our second year in home ec in highschool.  Hope I end up with a better product :)  Tonight was fun and I'm looking forward to next week.  There are only two of us in this class so I'll have all the attention I want and then some.


I finished quilting my  "modified" yellow brick road quilt tonight.  I really like how it turned out.  I was going to try some free motion quilting but after doing the first couple of blocks, I took out what I had done and went for plan B which I really like.  I chose a decorative stitch -- looks like chicken feet and just did straight lines on the diagonal.  I did the lines in pairs and then put about three inches in between.  Here is a picture.

I really like how it turned out.  Now tomorrow I can add the binding and get it washed before I go to MS on Saturday and I'll be able to deliver it.  I also made a leaf for the newest Kirkbride so G'ma can add it to her family tree quilt.  That makes a total of four leaves that have been added since I finished and gave her the quilt.  I  put all the leftover leaf fabrics in a ziploc along with the color numbers of the embroidery threads I used so it's been easy to make leaves as needed.

I have a lap quilt ready to be quilted and will get to that as soon as I get back from MS.  I'll work on it when I finish my HOMEWORK from my sewing class.

I think I have found someone who is going to make me a sewing table.  I haven't quite worked out the dimensions yet but I think it will be 72" x 40 inches and will be cutting table height.  I'm going to have the sewing machine opening more to the right so that I'll have plenty of room for quilting. The table will have a lift so the machine can be moved down and I'll have a large area for sandwiching quilts and such.  I have a small folding table that is height adjustable to make an L when I'm quilting.  It will be very simple without drawers but I'm thinking about getting a "seconds" cabinet to be one end of the table for some extra  fabric storage . It will also have casters so I can roll it out from the wall when I want to have access all the way around.  The nice tables are well over a thousand dollars and I think I can get mine for a good bit less and be able to  invest in a nice drafting chair so I can sit up high enough to sew on a tall table.  This is the table that I'm kind of patterning mine after.

 Just think no drawers and  a slightly bigger top. I am looking forward to a table that will be the right height for sewing (thanks to an adjustable chair) and will have lots of "level" workspace too.  I'll be a lot braver with my free motion when the quilt will be on a flat surface.  I'm going to work on the smaller table runners and topper kits I 've accumulated to practice free motion quilting when I get my table.  Hopefully some time this summer. 
I'll know for sure after I get my estimate.

Got to go to bed if I'm going to be bright and bushy-tailed in the morning.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE??

This is what happens when I decide to stay up a little later than the kids.

Somebody will have to move. 

Been quilting tonight -- maybe a picture tomorrow.