My First Attempt at Free Motion Quilting

So today was my first time free motion quilting on an actual quilt.  I hated every last second of the first 3rd of the quilt.  I ran out of thread and I stepped back and I hated it.  I absolutely hated it.  So I left it alone to go get some thread and debate on what I should do next.

So I came home and made the mistake my non-quilting husband (doesn't know terminology) and I asked his opinion.  He was seeing all of the mistakes and the unfinished-ness of it.  The quilt had a couple of inches of batting and backing off the side, and for some reason the black really stood out on the back.  Then he said what I was feeling, "I don't really like the colors."  I started crying.  I was so frustrated at that point that I let it all go.

I got my pick out and was going to start ripping out the stitches. Jay told me to stop and just finish the quilt.  When you are done it may work.  He was right.  I finished the last two-thirds of the quilt, with a more relaxed, I don't give a shit attitude.  It turned out so much better than I thought it was going to.

I don't know if I will attempt meandering again soon, but I am glad  listened to my husband.  Now I just need to bind it and wrap it up for Claire's birthday.

On the baking front, I did a test run of the Cars cake pan from Williams and Sonoma.  I used strawberry cake, which I wasn't a fan of.  Maybe lemon cake next time.

Cars Quilt-The Back

Last night I finished piecing the back of Claire's Cars quilt.  I decided I wanted to use up as much of the scraps I had as possible.  I started by piecing the column of scraps.  I chose a width of 6.5 inches, to accommodate as many of my scraps as possible.  The height of the rectangles varied for a more scrappy look.  After I pieced enough scraps for the length of the quilt I bordered each side with 2.5 inch sashing.

Then I pieced the stripes.  I took my longest scrap (the tan print) and used that piece as a guide for the width.  I alternated the pieces with the white sashing.  On the right side I pieced the stripes in the same order.  I had only a few tan pieces left so I pieced a white block and embroidered a label into it using my machine.  I made sure to make the back about 1-2 inches larger on each side to allow for movement while quilting.

Now on to practice some free motion quilting and then I am going to quilt this baby and put it on the finished list!

I am linking up with Fabric Tuesday over at Quilt Story!

Wednesday Again?

It is such a dreary day here in Central Texas.  It has been raining and thundering since about 2 am.  Claire only woke up once, so at least we got enough sleep last night.

So I only had one finish this week:

Progress:

 I completed the top for my t-shirt quilt.

No Progress:

Cars Quilt, I need to figure out my backing and go with it.

On the list:
Swoon A-Long.  I would love to share, but need to figure out fabrics.
Jewelry Rolls for my shop.  

And then Sunday we went out and Claire fell down and ended up with a couple of stitches in her head.  She is such a tough cookie.  She cried during the stitches, but hasn't cried about it since. She takes after her dad.

And the best part about having to wait in an ER is they now have TVs in the rooms.  I have to say, we (or me) wouldn't have survived if it wasn't there.

Twirly Dress

I have been slightly obsessed with quilts lately and I wanted to get back to making some clothes for Claire.  I found two lovely prints from Sweet Baby jane by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda on clearance ($5 a yard)

I decided to test a pattern from Bows and Clothes this week and I thought the fabrics would be perfect.

It was such a fun twirly dress!

If you like the pattern, check out Bows and Clothes online store. The pattern is for sizes 12 months thru girls 7 and is only $4.  

Linking up with Such a Sew and Sew!

Craftsy Blocks 1 & 2

I showed my first two blocks for Craftsy Block of the Month on Wednesday, but I would like to share again.  First of all, I chose Summer Breeze II.  When I went to the fabric shop, the Summer Breeze fat quarter bundle was on sale, so it made it easy to choose.  I still am in love with Ruby, but I have other ideas for that one now.

Image of the fabric line

My fat quarter bundle

I started with  the astrick block:

I haven't squared it up yet (need a 12 inch ruler).  It is a little off, but I am okay with that.  It is after all my first attempt at piecing anything other than squares. Now for my second block, the wonky pound sign.

Now I am patiently waiting for February to come so I can complete the next two.  

Car's Quilt

Car's Quilt Part One: Top

Needs:  

1 yard Red Checked (Border Block A)

1 yard Black Dot (Border Block B)

1/2 yard each of 4 prints

Cuts:

12  5 inch squares Black Print Fabric

12  5 inch squares Blue Print Fabric

12  5 inch squares Red Print Fabric

12  5 inch squares Tan Print Fabric

30  5 inch squares Red/Black Check Fabric

30  5 inch squares Black Dot Fabric

Make 6 nine patch blocks in each Block A and Block B

Block A                                                                                                 Block B

Block A should look like this now:

Cut the block in half:

Now switch the blue blocks with each other and the black blocks with each other:

Sew the top blocks together and then the bottom blocks together.  Then sew the top row to the bottom row. Finished block A:

 Repeat with Block B:

Finished Block B:

Arrange blocks as shown below.

The finished quilt top:

Work in Progress Wednesday

I was able to break out my new sewing machine and I am in love with it.  It is so much quieter than my old machine which my husband appreciates.  If you had asked me what I had done since last Wednesday, I would have said I went fabric shopping with my mom and cut squares for a Cars quilt.  Well, I can say that I spent a few hours at my machine and have accomplished quite a bit today.

Finished:

January Blocks of the Month for Craftsy.com online quilting course. Not perfect, but acceptable.














I love the light yellow print.

Works in Progress:

Cars quilt: 6 blocks pieced, 6 to go.

Need to Start:

Pattern test a Twirly Dress
Adult T-Shirt Memory Quilt
Children's Memory Quilt

Birthday Weekend!

On Friday the 13th I turned 29!  My husband was trying to swing a hunting trip this last month of deer season so him and a few friends left to South Texas late Friday night.  I decided to go to my parent's home  three hours away.

For dinner we went to Carrabba's Italian Grill.  We had a great dinner and Claire ate three quarters of her cheese pizza.  Claire loves anything vehicles and cars so my dad decided to take us to his fire station to see the fire truck. She was able to sit in the big fire truck.

And then, the siren went off.  Grandpa put on his fire suit, and away they went. Sirens and all.  Claire thought it was awesome!

The next day my mom took me to GRS Fabrics in Old Town Spring.  We picked up a Summer Breeze II fat quarter bundle and some white yardage for my Craftsy quilt sewalong (it's free so join in).

We also picked up a cute floral print to make Claire a dress/skirt/outfit.

Later in the day we went to Walmart and I picked out my new sewing machine!  It isn't out of the box yet, but I love it!

We also picked up some more Car's fabric for Claire's Quilt. The tan and red are fabrics I already have, we added the blue and black one.

Thank you mom for a great birthday weekend!  Claire and I love to visit with Hapa (Claire's version of Grandpa), Grandma, and Stevie Uncle.  Claire even thought it was a good day to put her feet in the pool!

Resolved to Sew...Giveaway

Very Berry Handmade is having a wonderful giveaway...the Resolved to Sew 2012 Giveaway.

My Sewing resolutions include:

1. Complete the Craftsy Online Quilting Class.

2.  Create at least 4 quilts this year. I have plans and fabric for 3, so I am well on my way.

3. Sell my quilts!  I hope my t-shirt quilt business, Classic Memory Quilts, is successful.

What are your sewing resolutions?

Dress Up Your Roll

Do you need another competition to enter?  If you have a blog, head on over to Quilt Jane and check out the Dress up Your Roll competition.  She has a great little tutorial to get you started.

And the best part...the winner gets a $100 gift card to the fat quarter shop!

Free Online Class

If you are looking for a great online class on quilting, check out Craftsy's Block of the Month with Amy Gibson.  I am going to join in and I have already watched the first lesson.

Every month you will complete 2 blocks a month, for a total of 20 blocks.  The last two months are dedicated to finishing out the quilt.  I now need to find a great fabric line and get started.  The great news is you need a pack of fat quarters and some background fabric.

Now to go pick out some fabric.

Which one do you like?

More Projects...

Yesterday after really thinking about it and looking through blogs, I have really gotten into quilting.  I need to make several quilts as examples for my quilt shop, Classic Memory Quilts.  I have plans to make a  9 or 12 square quilt out of my University of Texas t-shirts.  I have found some great backing material:

There is fabric with prints from all of your favorite colleges and NFL teams.  If you have lots of old t-shirts, making a memory quilt is a great way to have them all displayed and used when you can't wear them any more.  If you like me on Facebook and order by February 12, 2012 I will give you 15% off your order, just mention you read about the discount on my blog.    Fabrics are available for NFL teams as well as other Universities.


I am also working on a memory quilt made out of a jelly roll and Claire's baby clothes.  I am really looking forward to going though all the baby clothes to pick out the really special ones.


I also want to order the Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery Block of the Month  The fabric is just beautiful.