Friday, July 26, 2013

Finish It Friday - QAYG Pillowcase

July must be my month because I have gotten several projects finished.  This is my Quilt As You Go (QAYG) pillowcase inspired by the QAYG Bags class at Craftsy.


I really like the look and texture of this technique, but was a bit hesitant to start with a tote bag.  I thought I would try making a pillowcase using my Denyse Schmidt scraps.  The whole thing goes together quite easy and it makes for a very strong fabric.  I could easily see myself using this technique to make floor pillows.


I started by making a large piece of QAYG fabric.




Then, I sewed on the pillow lining by stitching in the ditch.  You can see from this photo just how much I love to pin baste....not!



I sewed 2 sides together, being sure to enclose the seams so there is no fraying.  Lastly, I sewed on the binding.

I loved the way this turned out.  Now I just need to find other projects to make using QAYG.

Linking today to Finish it Fridays and to Whoop Whoop Fridays.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Le Challenge - Toffee

This month's Le Challenge theme is "toffee" and I was determined not to wait for the last minute to finish my project this time.  Since I had a jelly roll of Field Study out, I pulled assorted browns and wondered what project to make.



I used a tutorial from The Sewing Chick and made a pin cushion.  The tutorial is well written and quite easy.  I think it turned out kinda cute and could see myself making more of these as gifts.
 
For fun, I thought I would show it next to my current pin cushion.  It was made by me when I was about 10 years old during a Girl Scout meeting.  For some reason, I remember that I really wanted that pink polyester fabric and had to act fast to grab that scrap from the teacher's fabric pile before any other girl.  Ha, I didn't realize that I had started developing my fabric hunting skills at such a young age.  
 
Please check out all of the other toffee themed projects this month at Le Challenge.  I cant wait to see what next month's theme is, because these really have been challenging!

Friday, July 12, 2013

Finish it Friday - Spider Web

OMG!  I am doing the happy dance!!  I cannot believe that I have a finish of a full size quilt.  I think its the first in 2 years.  And, its a quilt for me - that rarely happens.  It took a little less than 2 weeks to hand quilt my spider web quilt.


Let me tell you, when bloggers wonder how they are going to tame their scraps, I always recommend making a spider web quilt.  Its super easy and made a major dent in my scraps.  I used a tutorial at Quiltville.
 
For the back, I used some fabric from Amy Butler's Cameo line.  In my haste to start quilting, I just haphazardly cut my fabric in two for the backing.  I then had this sick feeling because I remembered that the fabric was directional.  I opened the fabric, aligned the pieces, and found that I had an inch to spare when lining the 2 sides together.  Lesson learned - look before you cut.


It is currently on my bed and it seems so very bright for my bedroom.

I also have another finish to show soon.  This month's theme for Le-Challenge is "toffee".  The linkup will be on the 15th, so you still have time to make something - anything goes as long as it is completed.

Oh, and look what just happened to arrive in my mailbox this week.  Its a half yard bundle of Architextures.  I know I said that I was going to focus and work on my mountain of WIPs, but maybe.........not.


Linking today to Finish it Fridays  and Whoop Whoop Fridays.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

WIP Wednesday - Quilt as You Go

I am still here.  I have been hunkering down and finishing WIPs and I learned something........it's boring.  But, I do have some finishes to show soon and I am glad for that.
 
Right now I am waiting for an aqua bundle of Tula Pink Saltwater so I can start making a Christmas gift.  Don't moan, Christmas will be here before you know it!
 
I got a new Craftsy class - Quilt As You Go (QAYG) Patchwork Bags and I am really enjoying it.  I am not a bag making person, but after watching the class, I think that I can do it.  So, this will need to go on my to-do list.  Maybe, I can make some as Christmas gifts.

 
I do love the look of QAYG and the texture of the fabric.  I decided to start by making a large pillow using my Denyse Schmidt scraps and I am loving the look. 
 
Linking today with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.