Friends – It’s been a fun week or so around here. First off, don’t let the title confuse you. Ray and I did NOT get a new puppy!! I don’t have the patience for that. But my sister does and she did get one. He is adorable so let’s start off with him!
This is Powers. My sister has already raised three guide dogs for the blind. This cute little guy makes number four. His name is Powers and he is nine weeks old. They are in the throes of housebreaking him and hoping he will soon be able to sleep all night. It is so much like having a new baby in the house. He is just adorable and like any good auntie, I went and met him. He has that sweet puppy breath and is so heavy!! He is going to be a big boy, that’s for sure. Cathy is already working on his training. Raising a guide dog is an enormous commitment.
This face! I love his eyes and how soft he is.
OK – moving along now! H and A were here last week. We had them plus their parents for a quick over night. They were on their way to take the ferry up to Victoria, Canada for a long weekend with some of their friends. We watched their dogs while they were gone. When they were here I noticed that H had on some leggings that were way too small for her. Not that she doesn’t have pants that fit but this child has her favorites and wears them forever! I told her I would make her a new pair and she was so surprised. “You can make me pants?” Sweet girl, of course I can. Let’s go pick out a fabric. She chose this stretch knit that I used years ago to make her a dress when she was not quite two years old. (You know how it goes – it was on sale so I bought a bunch!) Little sister now wears the dress in the picture above but honestly, it fits like a tunic now. Fortunately, I had enough to make a pair of leggings for big sister and little sis both. I haven’t seen them on yet but reports are they fit well. H wore them to school last week. It was a fun project and a quick finish.
Over the past several months, I worked on this patchwork quilt. It is now a quilt top! I used a blue (leaning to gray) chambray fabric for the solids. Then went through the box of 3 1/2″ squares and chose as many as I could that looked soft and muted. There are some with deeper colors to add a bit of variety but the majority are very soothing tones. It is exactly what I had hoped for. The only issue was the darn chambray. Oh my gosh it frays so easily. This drove me nuts! When I get ready to baste this, it will take forever to clean the threads from the back side. I did use a very small stitch to ensure the seams remain strong.
When I was satisfied with the size of this top, I still had a stack of the chambray squares remaining. Instead of putting them away, it seemed a good idea to just keep sewing!
This baby quilt is the result of the extras! It is so sweet! I put a narrow chambray coping strip and then a soft green dotted border to grow it to a decent size. At approximately 36″ square, it is a bit smaller than I usually make for a baby quilt.
There are so many sweet prints in this little quilts. Kitties, butterflies, rabbits and hedgehogs can be found. I stitched in the ditch first and then did a crosshatch through the chambray. As with the lap quilt, I used a very small stitch to sew the patchwork.
The backing is an older Mode print I thrifted some years back. Because of the smaller size of the quilt, this piece fit perfectly. A pale yellow binding finishes it off well. As of yet, I am unsure where this quilt will end up but at some point, it will find a good home!
Recently there was a great course called Color Mixer offered by CT Publishing. I had posted about it a few months ago. Lots of great teachers gave one hour lessons on color. Anyone who registered for the class has access to the recordings to listen to as they like. While sewing, I have been listening/watching the classes. So much great information was imparted and I am learning quite a bit. Moving forward, when I was at my sister’s house last week to play with her puppy, she gave me a yard of the firehouse fabric in the picture above. She had ordered it not realizing the larger scale of the print and then couldn’t use it for her project. It is such a great print and I don’t want to cut it up. Instead, it will be the backing for a child’s quilt. I pulled fabrics to use to make the quilt top. The focus will be red, white and blue with orange and yellow to add vibrance. The only fabric I am unsure of is the lightest blue (just behind the yellow). I think that one doesn’t fit in. How about you? Should I remove it from the pull?
You all know I am always watching prices and can be very frugal. AccuQuilt dies can be super expensive so it is great to shop their overstock sale items. The dies are 40% off which makes the cost a bit better. To make the system even more affordable, I think it is a great idea to collect these with a friend and share them. When I am cutting, I do love using my AccuQuilt but there are plenty of times it is just sitting on the shelf. Sharing it would be super easy. Just a thought!
(The above is an affiliate link with AccuQuilt.)
What a great grandma! She will love those pants and be happy you made them for her. I see more in your future 🤣! Oh, Powers is too cute, what a sweetie! Love the squares quilts 😻
I was actually thinking I should make another pair while I know this particular pattern is fitting her. Seems like if I wait a while, she will outgrow the pattern! It is nuts how tall she is getting these days!
Thanks Pam for stopping by! Have a great weekend.
It’s so fun to see that you can whip up pants for both of the girls, and they wear them! Powers is adorable – I can feel his velvet ears (I still stroke Tundra’s velvet ears, but they aren’t as velvety as when he was a pup). You are right, though, lots of work ahead! As to the fabric pull, I’d leave that aqua in there, because it pairs well with the other aqua/red dots, and it picks up the aqua in the house of the backing print. The little baby quilt looks so soft and lovely, but I know what you mean about chambray. It frays almost faster than you can sew it!
Reading the comments, lots of people are saying to leave in the aqua. So – I will go with the majority and leave it there! Thank you Wendy. No more chambray when making a quilt! It was too annoying – dealing with all the threads and fray!!
Hey Bernie! It is always a joy to see your posts in my inbox! Ohhhhh, the puppy is so cute! We have a yellow lab that is nearly eight, I still recall the early days with him. I love him dearly, but wouldn’t do the puppy stage again!!!! The squares quilts are lovely, very soothing. I agree that the light color with the fire truck fabric would add a nice pop! We’ll be in Gig Harbor for several days taking care of our grand dogs, it’s a nice thing to do for our “kids”. Plus, being in GH is always a fun change from Bellingham! On a side note, I have a top, back, batting and binding as a UFO that might work for a Mercyful quilt. Do you know anyone that would want to quilt it for that purpose? I have so many UFO’s and WIP’s that it isn’t a priority. Thoughts?
Love the patchwork quilt with the chambray. You’ve given me the idea to use a gray linen look cotton to finish up my Fast Four Patch quilt, thanks!
Hallo Bernie, good you said it first…it is not yours… soooo cute…… what do you want to sell?? lol …. you know children and animal child pictures sell well – say the marketing specialist.
What makes more work, sewing a quilt or educating dogs? We do not sleep with young dogs, and we do not sleep because of being at the sewing machine – if there is something that must be finished.
Loving to see your Powers and in another blog Wilbs … 🙂
my grandma sew clothes for my barbie … and I loved that. .. your grandchildren will love them and as well when both have the same. You are a wonderful grandma.
The square quilt is lovely and looks in full harmony with the colors. Love you do not take white or black .. its to hard, you did a good job taking this colors. I have to look up what that mean with “nut” “that drove me nuts” is something I do not know what it means exactly. sounds like it makes me crazy- may be.
yes, some fabrics are strange….
Hi Eva – I am sure that raising the dog is far more work than making a quilt!! My sister will be investing many hours working with this puppy plus there are lots of meetings and classes to attend. It is an important cause though and I am proud of her for taking on this puppy!
The girls do enjoy having matching clothing. At Christmas I gave them both a pair of pink, fuzzy joggers. I would think when they get older, they will not want to match, but for now they like to.
You are right – “that drove me nuts” is the same as saying it makes me crazy. You figured it out!
I’d leave it in there. It softens the primary colors. IMHO.
Oh my gosh, I am helpless to resist puppy breath!! The little leggings are fabulous and I adore your chambray background fabric. Do you have a serger that you used for the leggings? I’m just remembering seeing things in books about using a serger for patchwork for very simple patterns. Obviously you don’t have the control you’d want for more intricate patchwork on a serger but if you wanted to use chambray for a quilt like this one in the future the serger would be a great way to put an end to the fraying and would make those seams even more durable for a baby quilt. Just a thought!
Hi – I have also read about people using a serger for piecing a quilt. It seems like a ton of work though. I suppose it would have helped for the fraying but I don’t see how I could keep an accurate 1/4″ seam. It could be learned and would just take some practice. (Like anything else, right?)
Powers will be a great guide dog. God bless your sister for taking on another puppy! And you’re a wonderful grandma to make clothes for the girls. I’m starting to consider garment sewing again if the cost makes sense.
Hi Tracie – The cost of sewing clothes can make sense if you are watching for the right prices. I try to get patterns at thrift shops or when there is a guild sale. Seems like people are often getting rid of patterns. Also, Jo-Ann’s has them on sale quite frequently. I like sewing with knits – t-shirts or leggings. It seems easier to fit a stretchy item. I hope you give it a try again!
So sweet to make pants for the girls, and for them to wear them at school! I love your chambray quilt, too bad for the raveling, this is a pretty top. Cute little dog too, I guess it’s quite hard work to train a puppy to accompany blind people, your sister is very brave.
Thank you for sharing, and linking up!
You are correct when saying it is a lot of work to train a guide dog. She will have the dog for about 14 months before he goes to the next level of training. But my sister receives much satisfaction from the work and she is very skilled with him. Thanks for your note Frederique.
Miss you! Tell Cathy “Hi” and the puppy is adorable. That’s so great that she trains dogs for the blind. The leggings and quilts are cute, too. Take care, lady!
Hi Sue!! I will pass along the message to Cathy. This puppy is going to keep her busy for a long while yet. But oh my gosh, he is so adorable!! Hope you are doing well. Have fun at the show in May. Wish I could be there!
Love both chambray quilts – they look quilty “soft and cuddly”!!
Keep the light blue, it is a soft place color for eyes to rest.
Love the girl’s tights. Aren’t they sweet to sew for?!! Just finished dresses for twins, six years old already. So fun.
Puppy is so sweet. Bless your sister for training for someone’s future in sight.
Happy Spring!
Blessings,
Dawn
Hi Dawn – How fun to make dresses for the girls. Isn’t it crazy how fast they are growing up? Always wish there was a way to just slow it down a tiny bit. 🙂
Yep, strike while the iron is hot on the legging front! Or sew while the leggings fit. Our little neighbor girl liked leggings with horizontal stripes which evidently were hard to find commercially – her great aunt stepped up and made multiples for several years until she moved on from that obsession.
I’d leave the aqua in with the fire truck colors – don’t want to look to matchy matchy.
Thanks for sharing your activities!
Ceci
It is so funny when a child is obsessed with something for a while and then it is all over as they move on to the next thing! That is just how the girls are. Right now the 3 year old is all about Minnie Mouse. She just loves Minnie!! Who knows what will be next??
So much happiness in this post! I love the leggings, and yes, you should make another pair. Isn’t it so much better than trying to wrestle kids into stiff pants? Pretty soon they’ll be believing that Grammy can make anything. The quilts are great. I love the bonus quilt, and that size makes a nice covering for stuffies or a lap quilt for eating popcorn (or cookies!) on the sofa. I also love A’s little tea set– we have the same one and have had some very exotic creations come out of that teapot! Take care, Bernie. It’s always a treat to see your posts.
Hi Mari! Believe it or not, the little one with the teapot is H. That was Christmas of 2018 and I made her the little dress she’s wearing. Now she has leggings with the same fabric. That fabric is just going to go on forever!!
Yes, remove the light blue-it looks like mint and it’s not a visible color in the print. The similar one, with the red spots, is acceptable because of the red.
Thanks for the suggestions Pam!! I appreciate it. 🙂
So much cuteness in a furry bundle with puppy breath.
Lots of fun in your world! Love seeing that sweet new puppy and what a great thing to train a dog for a person who needs it. One of the ladies on the island I live on used to do that and it was fun to watch the dog grow into a guide dog. The leggings are adorable. I love the chambray square quilts – so wonderful that you were able to make a second. I do think that aqua will be just fine (goes with the house) and it a nice light touch in the quilt. It will be fun to see it.
Late to reply – but yet, it will be fun to see Powers grow and learn. Then hard for my sister to give him up. It is an intense cycle. Lots of training, meetings and work but seems to be very satisfying for her.
Everyone voted to leave in the aqua fabric – now I need to pick a simple pattern for the quilt and the firetruck fabric. I am thinking something with strips – rail fence maybe. (Oddly, I don’t think I have ever made a rail fence pattern.)
Leggings – I am so impressed! I know what you mean about Littles wearing their fave things until their wee bodies are busting out of them. I love that chambray background and the soft prints on your quilt – great inspiration! I actually like the light blue in your firetruck pull.
The girls latch on to a few favorites and wear them out. I remember one (hot) summer night H wanted to wear her favorite long sleeve flannel night gown to bed and there was no talking her out of it. She knows what she likes. Hahaha.
The light blue was voted into the fire truck quilt for sure. Glad I asked because I just couldn’t decide.
Powers is a heart-stealer. I am crushing on him so hard.
I have a ton of 5″ squares in all levels of cuteness. I am so tempted to drop everything and make a few of these quilts. Have a happy Sunday. Talk to you soon!
Thanks Preeti! I know you are traveling today so have a fun time and safe travels home!
Hi Bernie! YOU can make me pants??!! From the mouths of babes. I love this whole post! Cute puppy, amazing Gamma and her sewing abilities, new leggings for big and little sis – what’s not to love?! That firehouse fabric is so darn cute. And your fabric pull looks fun, too. I think sharing the AccuQuilt cutter makes perfect sense – we do share ours with friends. It’s nice to have it be used more often. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
I am thinking I need to reach out to a local quilting friend and see if she is interested in using my accuquilt. I haven’t met tons of quilters just yet but I am getting there. I tried the local guild and decided that wasn’t my thing right now. But it makes no sense to have the cutter and dies just sit on the shelf so much of the time. Have a great Saturday Roseanne!
The leggings are so cute. Sometimes I miss the days of making little kid clothes, but I really enjoy the teen years more than making the fun clothes. The quilts are awesome and I’m so glad you mentioned how much the chambray frays. I thought it was just me.
Oh my gosh – never again will I use chambray as a background fabric. It is so soft which I thought meant a cozy quilt. However that loose weave just means loads of fray. Ach!
As for the grand kids – I love it all. They are so much fun. If I had to pick a favorite stage – I would say from newborn to 3 years old. I do love babies!
Oh so much good here!! But you had me at Guide Dogs!!
I raised them when I was in 4H !!! and I got so excited to learn your sister does that – what a great endeavor!!! Hug the puppy for me!!
It is important work and not easy at all. He is a sweet puppy. I haven’t seen him all week and I bet he is twice the size he was last week!