Practice Block : Swoon

I don't like to jump in.  I am not a risk taker.  I like lists, practice, and room for error.  So when I make new things, I don't want to use my intended fabric.  I practice.
I have been wanting to swoon for a while, but I just don't have the time right now.  However, my friend Janet over at Simply Pieced made a beautiful double swoon (go here for her post) earlier this year, and I just had to copy.  But I couldn't just make the swoon...I had to practice first.

Here is the regular 24x24 swoon block.  I was going to make it a large pillow, but now it might become the center of a baby quilt.  We shall see...
I had tons of fun with this block and think that if I do make the quilt in the future (I mean I already have fabric picked out and set side, so...) I will make all the blocks in a factory, chain piecing kind of order.  That will make it all go faster (I think).

But I can't wait to go ahead and get my hands on these!

They just scream "pretty princess" to me!

Do you have any swoon advice?

 - Katelyn

WIP: Granny Top Complete

I am so excited that I finished my granny square quilt top.  The blocks were simple and fun.  You can read more about my blocks here. 

I chose to use a green border because the person this is for loves green... I picked mostly purples and blues for the blocks.  lol.. 

I had a lovely back picked out.  I purchased the fabric...and then realized (when I went to cut it) that I was a yard short.  DOH!!  I was so upset.  Truth is, if I had the fabric I would most likely be done quilting this...but that isn't how life worked out in this instance.  I am able to get another yard...so that is on the way.  Hopefully I will post a finished product soon!

Have a lovely weekend!

 - Katelyn

sew-together

I have been seeing some fabulous sew-together bags popping up all over instagram.  Then there was a sew-along over at The Quilt Barn, and that was just the kick in the butt I needed. 

I had a blast going through scraps and picking my fabrics.

I'm using this one to keep my sewing things in that I need on a regular basis:
    small scissors
    thread
    handigers
    a pen
    pins
    seam ripper
    machine brush
    bobbins

Now I have several more on my to-do list.  The sew-together bag (by sew demented) was so much fun to make.  Some of my family members might expect a new bag for the holidays.  ;)


Have you made one?  You should!

 - Katelyn 

Granny Squares!

I'm a bit behind the times...Oh well.  I have been wanting to make one of these quilts for a while.  When they came out I saw so many that were just stunning.  But I had (and still have) a giant list of quilts I wanted to make...so it just sat there, on my list.  But my mother told me that a quilt needed to be made, a quilt for a very special person in my life...and she was right.  I knew the granny square quilt was the way to go.

I decided to use the tutorial by Blue Elephant Stitches on Moda Bake Shop.  It calls for a jelly roll.  I didn't want to use a jelly roll, so I purchased some yardage and cut that into my 2.5 x WOF strips.
 

 Then I sewed them all together...

And dredded ironing the seams... But then they were in pretty rows.

So I cut them, sewed a bit more, and now they are granny squares!

Twelve more to go... then I will trim them.



Here are a few direct links to some of my favorites from Blogland:

Quilt Story

A Quilt is Nice

Blue Elephant Stitches

Needles, Pins and Baking Tins




Have you made one yet? 

 - Katelyn

The Duvet is Covered

So...it's done.  About 15 or more hours later. 

There were  no y-seams...I don't know what I was thinking.  I had to take the entire thing apart.  It wasn't fun and took hours (it was sewn together and then serged together).  But it looks super cute now.  :)  A reminder of what it looked like before can be found here.

The pillow covers were even more ridiculous to get apart...but like the duvet cover, when that was done it wasn't too bad to put back together.

One before and one after - photo via Instagram

I am sure it will be well loved and well used for a long time to come!

It sure has made my sewing table look spring-y.

 - Katelyn

WIP - Duvet

I have been asked to fix up a duvet cover for a friend.  It is her daughter's duvet and has been washed so many times that the cotton gingham is now see through and completely worn.

obviously I don't know how to photograph a duvet cover without a duvet...

Wish me luck.  I think there will be y-seams and craziness.  I need to get moving on seam-ripping this monster.

What are you working on this week?

 - Katelyn