Tumble Block Table Runner

Once again, it has been a while since my last post.  I have been working on a few projects but have not finished any one item.  I decided one day to make a smaller project that I could complete in just a day or so.  Using scrap pieces of my favorite floral fabrics, I constructed a table runner using tumbler block square.  It only took me two days and am quite happy with the final product.

As I have mentioned before, I am not a fan or an expert of hand sewing, which inevitably always looks nicer for binding.  In saying this, I used this mini project as another practice to work with machine binding.  Not perfect but I am getting there!

Gift for Baby Shower: Diaper and Wipes Case

My dear friend is due to have her second child (a boy) next month so I decided to make something this time around.  Using some leftover fabric from the Fabric Circles I made a while ago, I whipped up a simple diaper and wipes case topped off with a cute little snap.

The outer fabric is grey and yellow flowers with a complementary inner fabric of polka dots!  My mother-in law has a snap fastener machine, therefore I decided to use a yellow snap instead of velcro for the enclosure.

I picked up a compact box of wipes and included one diaper to give an idea of the proportions.

It fits 1-2 diapers and the wipes case comfortably.  I think this would be great for a mom's purse instead of lugging around a diaper bag which we all know can be annoying and heavy!

Hope you enjoy:)

Fabric Circles are Complete

Back in March, I completed a project for DIY wall art, using wooden circle hoops and fabric.  This was such a simple and fun project.  I ended up hanging these above our bed and plan on doing at least one more set somewhere in our house.

Grocery Bag Holder

I was able to devote some of our honeymoon time to sewing, and was so excited to find a great pattern for a grocery bag holder.  Since July 4th is tomorrow, I decided to go with a patriotic theme for this piece.

I modified the original template and quilted 3 18" x 18" squares of fabric, the middle piece being batting.  I then took two strips of red and white starred fabric for the top and bottom, both of which are wrapped around elastic pieces.  I then completed the look with some red bias tape for the loop hanger.

I love how the fabrics work together, and more importantly, I LOVE the functionality of this piece.  Now we don't have to go fishing for plastic grocery bags anymore!

I'm Back! and as a Mrs.

So, if you haven't noticed, my posts have been a bit scarce.  The love of my life and I tied the knot on June 22nd of this year and now I have MUCH more time to devote to sewing than wedding planning!

Phew, I was surely missing it.

Though I really wanted to sew quite a few of the wedding reception decorations for the big day, a full-time job in the city, raising a now 9.5 month old, and planning did not leave me as much time and sanity as needed.

When I realized this, I came to terms with it, accepted the reality, and asked for help.

My mother-in law, who taught me to sew in the first place, made our ring pillow with a light white linen, a touch of burlap, and lots of love!

It was a beautiful day filled with lots of love.  Thank you Lisa:)

DIY Wall Art

My soon to be husband and I are getting married in June of this year.  And while I am not a huge fan of popular social media sites, I have become friends with Pinterest and am not looking back!  I found a great idea under some DIY pages to make some great wall art using fabric and embroidery looms.

These are the fabrics I selected.  They match our bedroom decor and I will be
hanging the finished looms above our bed.

I simply cut a square of fabric to fit around the loom.

Trimmed the edges close to the frame, then tightened the screw.

These are 8 of the ten I completed.  

I will be hanging these in the next day or so and will post the final product once I am done.  So happy with this project!

Fabric Blocks Completed!

I finished all the machine sewing on the fabric blocks I mentioned a few weeks ago, but needed my mother-in law to hand sew the edges.  She loves hand sewing and I do not have the patience.  I am so excited that they are finally finished!

My daughter is still a bit too young to be able to play with them as she is still conquering the task of sitting up on her own, so for now, I think I will display them on a shelf and enjoy the colorful fabrics from afar.

Stackable Fabric Blocks

A few months ago, I found this great pattern on the blog, "Sew, Mama, Sew" and decided I would try it.  They are stackable fabric blocks and I thought it would be great for my daughter when she gets a bit older.

The link to the project and blog is : http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2009/06/elizabeths-fabric-focus-6/.

I only have a few pictures now to share but will be sure to post pictures of the finished product when I am finally done.

My Kenmore Mini Ultra AKA "Life Saver"

My messy workstation.  I am hoping to expand in due time:)

This is one of the medium sized blocks.  The bottom is the open side of the square and still needs to be hand stitched to complete the block.

                                   

Newest Fabric Purchase

I went to the fabric store yesterday for one item I needed to finish a project I am working on.  I found these fabric quarters which were on sale for $1.29 a piece and couldn't resist!  I think I am going to use the them to make some headbands for my little one.

My First Official Completed Quilt and First Sewing Project Ever!

Full View

Three flannel fabrics: green and brown polka dots,
pink and brown teddy bears, and a plain off-white

Yes, the Binding was all done by hand, thank you
to Lisa and her love of doing this:)

Finished Project In My Daughter's Nursery

Attempting to Capture My Love for Autumn in Fabric

After completing my first quilt for my daughter's nursery, I immediately started on my second project.  Autumn is my favorite season so I knew I wanted to select fabrics that best captures the season  My mother in law came down to visit us and went to the fabric store with me.  It took me a while to pick out the exact prints I wanted (I would pick three up, put one back down) - but I finally made a decision and am quite happy with how this one turned out.  

Unlike the biscuit quilt which was hand tied, I attempted machine threading on this one.  Though it was quite time consuming (not only in the process but teaching myself how to do it), I am quite happy with how it turned out.  

The backing is a light yellow with intricate little white flowers that I had left over from another project.  The binding, though hard to see, is a glittery off-white fabric that adds a nice touch when looking at the piece up close.

I used 6 different fabric quarters for the inside squares and a light and flowery print for the connecting fabric.

How My Love For Sewing Started

The idea of sewing never interested me.  I always envied people who could quilt and sew beautiful projects but the sewing machine itself intimidated me.  Then in the spring of 2012 while I pregnant with my daughter, my mother in law offered to teach me how to sew/quilt with a Kenmore Mini Ultra she picked up for me.

The first project she showed me was her infamous "biscuit" quilt.  She had already purchased and pre-cut the fabric for me.  It was my task to become friends with this foreign object and magically make a quilt.

With patience that most wish they had, she taught me the ins and outs.  I had four months off during the summer and nothing to do but rest and wait for our daughter to arrive.  Day in and day out, I worked at my sewing station that my husband helped set up for me in the living room and finished my first quilt.  It is now used in her crib and has been the perfect addition to her nursery.

Since then, my love for sewing and quilting has grown.  I take my daughter to the fabric store on a regular basis and am constantly looking for new projects to start.  It is my hope that this will be the spot I can share all my works and ideas with those that also share the same passion that I do.  Let the blogging begin!