It has been a busy week and I am happy to see Friday roll around. I really enjoyed working with Maureen and writing the posts about her work. It was a lovely bonus to see the sale on her Garden Dreamer fabric created a good number of sales which kept me busy cutting and shipping (it will be on sale through Sunday, March 19th if you are interested.) By the way, I truly appreciate all of the readers who are supporting my shop – thank you!
Thanks also to Mari of Academic Quilter. Mari and I became friends a couple of years ago (which is hard to believe actually) via our new blogs. We have struck up a great friendship and even got to have lunch and do a little fabric shopping together last summer when I was in Maine. That was so much fun. Yesterday I found a package in the mail. Usually getting the mail is so boring unless I have recently ordered fabric. Nothing much comes in the mail anymore with the exception of a few catalogues and the occasional advertisement addressed to ‘Occupant’. Sigh.
Not yesterday however! Look at this adorable lovie she made for my sweet grand baby! She even used the colors of the nursery (gray, lavender and pink). The backing is a soft gray and white flannel. Being the generous quilter Mari is, she even enclosed the leftover fabric for me to use. Thank you Mari. <3
These tiny blankets are so cool – the tags around the perimeter are made with ribbons and twill tape, and other trims which provide sensory stimulation when baby fidgets with them.
I have also seen mom’s hook toys to the loops and lay baby near it to grab the toys. It can be used in the car seat with toys attached or not. It was so kind of Mari to think of me and this little girl. I will hand deliver this when I go to Vermont – which is in only THREE weeks!! I can’t wait!
Moving on now (because I talk and think about this little girl too often and don’t want to become annoying!) I did get a fair amount of sewing done last week. I made this cute t-shirt with Butterick pattern, number B5954. Remember I posted about not having enough fabric? I decided to make the sleeveless version which took every bit of the fabric.
This version takes about 1/2 hour to sew because it is just the front and back pieces, sewn together at the shoulder and side seams. I finished the seams with a bright blue bias tape because I like that little surprise of color. I am only 5′ 4″ so I did have to alter the length and when I make it again, I would make it even a bit shorter. It is so comfortable and I am pleased with the result! Looking at these photos, I realize I should have pressed it before my modeling stint. Sorry about that!!
Cute Top But in Need of an Iron!
For the month of March, my challenge from Island Batik is to make something that is paper pieced. You already know how frustrated I become with paper piecing. I called my friend, Sophia, and invited her for a sew day. I knew I would need her help to get started! Sophia has a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has that logical sort of brain that I so envy. She spent the afternoon with me and it was so helpful. Plus I got to spend the afternoon sewing with her which we don’t often do. It was a very nice to spend the time together.
Choosing Colors for the Sashing
Before she arrived, I picked a few easy paper piecing patterns and printed the sheets. She and I looked and decided this star pattern would be a good one to learn on. (I took a class last fall to learn to paper piece but you know what happens if you don’t practice…. I couldn’t remember how to get started on the blocks!) This pattern is a free download on Craftsy.com. It is slated as a beginner pattern, which is mostly true. The problem is there are no real instructions – reminding the quilter to cut strips a certain width or to trim each section, adding in that crucial 1/4″. But never fear, I had Sophia coaching me! While my precision isn’t as close as I would like, overall I think it looks nice.
Perfectly Imperfect Points!
I finished the top and have begun quilting it a bit. I love the colors and it will be nice to hang this mini in my sewing room. I need a new one on the wall.
The Top is Finished!
OK – that is my week in a nutshell. Gifts, Etsy orders, and a fair amount of creative time in the sewing room. This girl doesn’t need more than that! Happy Weekend everyone!
Linking to my favorites. I am including the end of quarter FAL link up at She Can Quilt because I had listed garment sewing on my goals for this quarter! Please check out the tab at the top of the page titled Link Ups.
Wow, what a fun week and a fun post! I love the shirt, and seeing you model it — didn’t notice that it hadn’t been pressed, by the way! The little blanket is cute with that adorable owl fabric! If I lived closer, I’d come and paper piece with you; I enjoy paper piecing! Have a great weekend, Bernie!
Aw, Wendy – I would love to spend time quilting with you!! Maybe someday. 🙂
So many fun makes this past week! I LOVE that shirt!! It looks sooo good and fits you so well. I am really really itching to learn how to sew garments, but thus far no such luck. Hopefully this summer. This one will go on my list of to-makes 🙂 Thank you! Have a lovely weekend 🙂 See you next week 😉
Kitty – sewing simple things like this tshirt is really very easy. If you want/need and help, let me know. You will enjoy it!
What a sweet gift and surprise to find in the mail! Quilting people are so generous and kind. Your shirt looks wonderful on you, and the smile on your face says a lot about how things are going lately for you. Hooray! 🙂
Thank you — we do have a wonderful community, don’t we?
Cute lovey and a great top! Looks so comfortable. Is your necklace buttons and did you make it?
Thanks Debbie– yes, the necklace is made of buttons on thin twine. I got it at least five years ago at a craft fair- I love it- it works with any color t-shirt or sweater.
What a lovely week 🙂 A sewing day sounds like such a wonderful idea to spend time with a good friend, and the stars are the icing on the cake!
Thanks Carie. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon together. Friends and sewing, two of my favorite things. 🙂
Love how your top turned out! It looks so comfortable and it fits you so well! I saved the picture of the pattern so I can remember the number. : ) Your grand baby is so lucky you have such sweet friends.
That’s a really cute T-shirt!
Nice job on both projects.? you’ve got me inspired to sew clothes again… Have to work 3 more days then I’ll try again.
I think spring has put th bug in me. I have fabric waiting to be cut out for another shirt. This one will be so cute. Can’t wait to get started on it. Make something! I bet you have fabric sitting there waiting for you to use it. 🙂
What a cute little gift, sweet fabric. Love how your T-shirt looks. Wonderful choice of no sleeves.
Love your t-shirt, especially with that necklace! It’s going to be perfect for summer. You may not like paper piecing, but it does look good!
Thank Mari. I just don’t feel confident with paper piecing so it makes me go very slow. Maybe I am just being impatient. Anything takes practice. Also, I make the pieces so big to be sure I cover the area that I have too much waste. Again, just need to practice.
Have a nice Saturday!
Fun post! I don’t know where to begin! I really like the little tag quilt. Excellent way to use up leftover flannel, which I happen to have oodles of! Now, that t-shirt! I’m so glad you posted about it. I showed it to my daughter, and she loves it. I only have a week left here, but I so want to run to the store and buy the pattern to try it out. What do you think…one in every color? Am very impressed with your foundation pieced blocks! I’m sew glad to see it has made such a comeback. Hope your weekend is off to a stellar beginning! XO
The shirt came together so quickly. I will surely make another one. I like the version with the cross over in the front. Post a picture of yours, ok?
Bernie you look hot! That is such a cute pattern, and I really like the sleeveless version on you – very flattering. I am an inch shorter than you – lol!
What a sweet gift – I have not seen that kind of baby blanket but the concept is awesome.
Love your paper pieced min!
I thought you were also a bit on the short side, based on that cute picture of you with your husband. 🙂
The little blanket is a new idea for me too. I have seen them on Pinterest but haven’t made one before. It was a sweet surprise to receive it. Hope you are enjoying the Weekend!
Bernie,
Oh my goodness. There is so much exciting about this post.
1. Love the blanket with loops. Mari is a doll. Going to see her next week. So excited!
2. Speaking of dolls, you look so adorable in your wrinkly shirt 😀
3. I have decided that I need to quit whining and start paper piecing. I too downloaded a few simple patterns but that star should be the starting point. Thanks do much for sharing your frustrations. I feel like I am in good company 🙂
Hugs,
Preeti.
Oh, I hope you and Mari have a great visit! I forgot you two live fairly close by each other. What a treat!
The paper piecing wasn’t so bad. I definitely let my anxiety over it get the best of me. Give it a try. 🙂
What a great gift. I keep saying I’m going to make a baby quilt with ribbons, but then I always forget. LOL Love the new top.
Hi Anja,
There are just too many things we want to make. How do we fit it all in?? I am constantly thinking “oh, I want to try that” with each post or IG photo I see. haha – too bad there are only 24 hours in the day.;-)
I love how the t-shirt turned out!! Garment sewing for myself is something I have never mastered. I’ve done a few kids things (like vests and fleece pants) that my son wears. The ‘girl shape’ has always intimidated me! You did a marvelous job!
Thank you. Kristi there are so many simple patterns that are not closely fitted. I am sure you would be successful (if you even wanted to). It actually seems easier than quilting for me. 🙂
Great t shirt ! 5′ 4″ is the perfect height (I may share that with you) it looks great on you. Thank you for participating in the FAL, on behalf of the 2017 global FAL hosts.