Christmas 2013 Quilt

Completing projects is always satisfying, so when my friend Nadine shared that she had pieced a quilt top 2 years ago, but hadn't quilted it yet I couldn't refuse to help get it done! She had seen a strip quilt I'd made with the students at school. It was quilted with a basic, yet effective meandering stitch similar to what puzzle pieces look like when joined together to form a picture. I told her if she didn't mind that same pattern (the only one I've mastered so far) I would take on the project. She wanted it before Christmas so she could give it to her daughter Karen who plans to visit from Oregon this Christmas. So, that's what I did last weekend. Using my New Home table top sewing machine:

 Yes, this little machine quilted a 80" X 90" quilt. It takes a lot of maneuvering and patience, but it is possible.

It's an amazing quilt. Nadine used fabric from her family's past and every square has a special memory.

 It wouldn't be complete without a label so I embroidered one and hand stitched it on the back. The label reads "Christmas 2013" because Nadine finished the piecing back then, and gave it to her daughter with the promise of completing it one day.

I am honored to have been a part of this wonderful keepsake!

Bazaar Success!

Thank you!! To everyone who made our BGLC Christmas program and Bazaar a success! It was great to see friends, families, and co-workers visiting throughout the day. From the class programs........... to the choir.....it was a great performance for all to enjoy!

Holiday Bazaar 12/10/2015

Just a reminder of the Holiday Bazaar this Thursday, 12/10/15, 9:00 a.m. at the BGLC! (Program begins at 9:30 a.m.) Here's a quick peek at some of the items that may be available for purchase:

Olaf pillow cases....

Team pillow cases....

Owl pillow cases......

Oink! Oink!

Frog bean bags!

And lots more........Come and visit us Thursday!

Project Linus

Received a request to make a blanket for "Project Linus" (Linus the Peanuts character) from a class at the Van Buren Tech Center. The blankets will be donated to local hospitals. This is what I created with help from some wonderful students at the Learning Center:

And again, the fabric was donated. Thank you Mrs. Getty!!

In the beginning there was........

COLOR:

My first "strippy" quilt. One day I will explain how this is created from 2 1/2" strips - another fun, quick project. But for now, it will be used to display my practice free motion quilting. Each row has a different pattern repeated from edge to edge.

The purple row is a traditional stippling pattern, while the dark blue row is something I created.....I call it "City Scape."

The dark blue flower strip is again, my own creation. It's like drawing with thread. The lime green strip was quilted with stitches to mimic ripples on a lake. 

Until next time........Enjoy!

The Pillowcase Gallery

Today was a great day for sewing. Lots of sunshine through my window. Much better than yesterday when we awoke to a fresh coat of snow - the wet, heavy stuff. All morning long the lights were flickering off and on....then at 3 p.m. they went off for good. Luckily, we had just finished all the laundry. I was disappointed because I got the itch to sew some pillowcases. Then.....Frank to the rescue...he set me up with battery power and I was off and running(sewing). Amazingly, the power came back on at 5:30 p.m. and the sewing continued.  And here's what I've completed so far:

A pair of ballerina themed cases. I fell in love with this material when I saw it at the American Sewing Expo in Novi, MI September 2015.

This ballerina reminds me someone I know.......any guesses Becky? Rose?

For those football fans....made from left-overs from other projects.

These may be Christmas, or "Woodsy" themed....made from resale shop remnants.

And we can't forget the dog lovers! Also, resale shop remnants.

Butterfly Themed

Fun, quick, project!

Burrito Style Pillowcase

Every time I am in Paw Paw, MI I visit my favorite resale store "The Community Thrift Shop." I can always find some real bargains and my last visit didn't disappoint me.

I KNOW, I KNOW....more fabric is the last thing I need.....but these remnants were just what I was looking for to practice making more pillow cases "Burrito Style." It all began at the ASG's (American Sewing Guild, Southwest MI chapter) August meeting.  We were asked to make pillow cases destined for local hospitals. They had kits all cut and ready to sew with the burrito style directions included. I completed 3 kits and I was HOOKED! What a fun project---quick and easy! Since then I began teaching our students to sew them too.  I love sharing their excitement when they complete their very own pillowcase. So, I'd love to pass along a "how to" with encouragement to try one yourself! Watch out....you may not want to stop either.......

First, choose your fabrics. One piece for the main body 25" X LOF (length of fabric usually 44"/45") and one piece for the band  10" X LOF.  I chose these prints: "Doughwa" (as I've heard it pronounced) and a matching cherry print.

Pin fabrics right sides together along the LOF edge. Just use a few pins to keep in place because you will be re-pinning this length again.

Next, starting with the unpinned LOF edge begin rolling toward the pinned edge. THIS IS THE BURRITO PART! Roll it, roll it....

Until you reach approx 2" away from the pinned edge.

Pull the band fabric up around the rolled edge to the pinned edge. Hold the three pieces of fabric together and re-pin along the edge. This is when you may need to use more pins to hold the edges together and keep the rolled fabric away from the seam to be sewed.

When you are finished pinning, it should look like this:

Sew 1/2" seam along the pinned edge. Don't worry this comes out right and it's r-e-a-l-l-y cool!

I use a serger, because it makes a great finished edge, but a regular sewn seam works good too.

Now another fun part.....pull the body fabric out of the band fabric.

It's magic! A neatly hidden seam! At this point I usually iron/press the band so its easier to sew the last 2 seams.

Yup! All that's left is the last two seams. With right sides together, sew the long seam first starting at the band. Next, sew the bottom seam closed beginning at the sewed seam edge and ending at the folded edge.

Turn the pillow right side out, press if desired.  And, you're done.

Hello! It's been awhile.....

As requested....here's what I've been up to.....

T-shirt quilts! Connie K. a teacher I work with at school, asked me to make a quilt out of her daughter's High School and College t-shirts. Go! Lawton Blue Devils/Ferris State

Sister Lee and Brother-in-Law Bubba requested a t-shirt quilt in honor of the Florida State Gators! (Queen size)

Friend Nicole wanted to support her GreenBay Packers!

Co-worker wanted a neat way to store crochet hooks and supplies. A real dog lover!

There's lot's more to share....tomorrow's another day!

It's that time of year!

Feels like Prom and it always reminds me of one of my successful creations: Beth's prom dress and Joey's vest. All decked out in cammo! Even tho this is two years old now (already!) it brings back fond memories.