Done and Gifted - First Finish for 2012

It's been done for a while, but it finally went to it's new owner.  Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of the full quilt due to space restrictions but trust me that it turned out quite cute on the whole.

 The little boy I made this for just turned 3 months old...how embarrassing, but oh well, better late than never right?

 

 After it was all put together I questioned my choice of all that cream on the front.  Just from me carting it around to work on it, it had developed dirty spots.  Too late though, I'd already promised it.  I ended up feeling the need to wash it though before gifting and was so glad I did, it crinkled up nicely, hiding any quilting mishaps that may...or may not have occurred.  After I took it out of the dryer I didn't want to give it away I liked it so much. 

 The back, I love this fabric, I was lucky enough to pick this up off the %75off rack at work.  Too cute, and just perfect for a little boy.
So there is my first finished quilt for 2012.  Hope you like.

Just About...

I hate to say how long this quilt has been in the works, so I won't, but I started it for an expectant friend and the ittle bittle boy child has since made his appearance.  So, high time I get this finished right?  Right!

Current Project

Ok, because Brandie in her genius is inspiring and to prove that I am not without a current sewing project I introduce you to Sunbonnet Sue.

Once again I am getting pictures with horrid lights.  That's one of my issues with this time of year (I have a few issues with it), by the time I get home and get sewing done it's dark. The colors aren't nearly this dark in real life.

 Here's my planned layout at the moment.  I will admit that I borrowed this whole idea from a lady at work who made a darling version.  Can I just offer up a halleluja and praise be for the Go! Cutter?  If I had to cut out each girl with scissors...I wouldn't. 

 I've used about 50/50 scraps and new fabrics.  They all have fusible, some with Heat n' Bond and some with Steam a Seam 2.  Personal experience tells me that the latter is far superior for this application and although it's significantly more expensive it is well worth it.

 

The plan is to embellish the bonnets with a mixture of ric-rac and decorative stitches then to do a machine blanket stitch around all the edges.   More to come on these little ladies.  

False Starts and a New Project

I hope it doesn't set the tone of the whole quilt when you cut the first fabric completely wrong. 

I finally got some time to start cutting out the Florentine Fancy quilt.  The fabrics are numbered so I've got an M6029 white and an M6029 Black...I grabbed the black when I should have the white and started cutting, not sure what I was thinking on that one.  Good thing there's more where it came from.  Also, the sample quilt shows that there's been some fussy cutting done but the pattern doesn't mention it at all so we'll have to see how that works with the yardage.  

On a happier note, I get to make this quilt by Warren Kimble and will probably end up teaching a class on it,  It on the whole much more me.  We don't have this fabric line though so I get to find something else to created it with and I'm really looking forward to it.  (I adore the mitered corners.)

Free pattern found here.

Fresh Cotton Quilt

 I've started a new quilt using Moda's Fresh Cotton.  I love how soft the colors are. 

 

It's super easy, using just two charm packs,some yardage of a solid and a jelly roll which will make the border.  I haven't decided on the backing yet. 

 

This is working up so quick, The border will be what takes the longest.  I'm going to stitch a bunch of jelly roll strips together then cut them 31/2 inches long to go around the diameter of the quilt.  I know there's a name for this kind of border, I just can't think of it.  I want to call it piano keys but I don't think that's right.  

 

This one is going to be all mine.