Back to some UFO's

Finally after a bit of a break I am back to working on some UFO's.

I got the borders put on my striped "log cabin" quilt.

 

I hardly ever work with these colors so I had to pick up some thread for quilting. I am machine quilting this and I think it will be just a simple meandering pattern. The light blue turned out to be brighter than I thought it would but the thread I picked out will tone it down a bit (I hope)! 

 

Then I made this bag for a birthday gift for a friend.

Now that it has been given I can show it!

 

 

The pattern was from the Fall 2009 issue of Quilts and More.

It is a great size for a summer tote!

 

I have been giving thought to what is next for handwork...I think it is time to challenge myself again and get more comfortable with needle turn applique. First up, something small and simple. I have been giving some thought to starting with the Orange Peel Quilt from the book Remembering Adelia by Kathleen Tracy. That would be quite portable for the summer. Then I am going to use the blocks from Piece O'Cake's Fresh Picked Posies to make a larger quilt. I can't wait to get started.

 

This week I'll get started choosing a fabric palette and get started cutting!

Maybe I'll even get started sewing!

 

Happy Stitching!

This one is for me!

I find that I give so much of what I make away so when I bought the pattern for the Margo Handbag from Lazy Girl Designs I decided it was for me to keep! This was one of the best patterns I have ever bought. It was clear and had lots of great detail pictures so you knew exactly how it should be looking. All I had to do was follow the steps, one by one, and I got this fabulous bag! I can't say enough great things about this pattern!

Here are my pieces all made and ready to start assembling!

I found another use for the highlighter tape. I needed to mark my 1/4" seam while using my zipper foot. The best thing was that it peels right off when I'm done. (Sticky notes never worked well for me....my right hand always catches them and pulls them off)

 

The Margo bag has lots of pockets!

And here it is all done!

I plan to make another one of these bags for myself. It is perfect for a taking to work bag!

Now I start a week off work and I plan on starting my Christmas stocking and maybe a few Christmas presents too!

Happy Stitching!

I'm almost half done!

My big-stitched winter nap quilt is almost half quilted. Every night I try to spent time quilting it. The perle cotton color is perfect too...it blends right in.

Here is a peak at the back...it is a soft thick flannel.

And the front, though you can't really see the quilting because of the chalk marking lines and how well the perle cotton blends in.

And in the queue waiting for some attention ...

I cut strips for another scrap quilt. This time I cut up all the floral scraps.

As soon as I have a sample block or two made I'll post it, but it will be a week or so. All my extra time is spent big-stitching.

I also cut out all the pieces for the Margo Handbag. I am still debating the zipper color- blue or green but either will look great. I think it will be whatever my hand grabs when I need it.

 I starting getting my new Christmas stocking organized and when I opened the pattern, the stocking was a little small for my Santa wishes, so I did a little enlarging. Now it should work just fine!

And that isn't all that is in my queue...I may just have too much going on!

Happy Stitching!

Back in my Sewing Room!

It was a long hot summer without much time in my sewing room and now I am back! Over the last week I have been working on one of the projects I bought while I was away on my holiday- the Bow Tucks Bag.

As it turned out I had bought enough fabric to make 2 bags! Here are the outside pieces and linings.

And the finished bags!

...and details of the bows and tucks!

 

What a cute bag!

Two someones I know will enjoy them...yes they are gifts!

I did have some difficulties...I had forgotten that my sewing machine does not like Guttermann Polyester thread. It never has...even right after a cleaning and with a new needle. I had thought I had gotten rid of all my old thread long ago. I did not even think about it when I looked for blue thread for the handles. I am not close to a thread store (at least 1-1/2 hours away) and had forgotten to buy blue thread with the fabric so I was making due.

And here is what I got...

Yuck! It is only on the back and only on the handles (I changed thread as soon as I noticed it).

  I left it as it was warts and all. I decided it was part of the bag's charm...yes I am telling myself that.

Now I am going to start sewing my strips together from my scrap quilt I had started just before I went on holidays. I am so in love with this fabric I almost hate to cut into it, but this quilt has a purpose I think. It may be a gift...it is that season for thinking about Christmas a bit!

Happy Stitching!