I've moved.

I think for good.

www.asimplestitch.wordpress.com

Quilts

First, thanks to everyone who voted (which includes 0 people).  I have decided that the money will go to storage of various types for the sewing room.  

Next, pictures of one of the quilts that has been completed.  This went to my brother-in-law Patrick and his wife Maria, who are expecting a baby (boy) in July.  It went with my mother-in-law this weekend, and from what I hear, they love it.  I love it too. 

 

It's just the top. I didn't take any pictures of the finished one, like an idiot.  But that's ok.  Maybe I'll ask them to take one when they get the chance.  

Also, a sneak peak at the next project for a friend('s baby).  I'm really liking it so far.  Thanks J.M. for the help picking out the fabrics, I think they're going to work perfectly.

  

Green and yellow will also be making an appearance.  I'm trying out this pattern, a no triangle zig zag.  Since I'm a total failure when it comes to zigzags.  

I'm also hoping to have a bag ready to go by the time the day is done.  Check for it in the shop.

Sewing, sewing, and more sewing.

Well, I think that when I last left off, the pink and white quilt was in the binding phase. I'm happy to report that it was finished on time, packed up and sent off. I am even happier to report that it was a big hit, and hopefully it will be loved for many years to come. While it was originally not something I was that into (only because it was not colors/fabrics I would typically chose), I ended up loving it. It is very sweet and precious and pure. Perfect for a 1 year old baby girl. There it is ready to go on the right.

Underneath it, you can see the pieces of a new project I'm working on. This is top secret and I've already almost blown the cover to bits numerous times. I've finished the top. Just waiting for the bottom pieces to arrive. I'll be sure to have pictures when I'm finished.

There is another quilt finished and in the dryer right now. I didn't pull it out last night. It should be on its way to the recipients in a few days, and then I will post pictures. I'm sure no one who matters (in regards to these items) reads this blog, but you never know, and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I've got another plan in the works, again top secret, for a little man's birthday coming up. I'm sorry to say that I don't remember his EXACT birthdate, even though I came to the hospital that very day. But what are dates, anyway? Hopefully I'll get the fabrics this weekend. I came across this tutorial, and I really want to try it. Especially considering the failure that was Roy. G. Biv.

I also bought a template/kit/pattern for a Double Wedding Ring quilt. Queen sized. I'm sure it will be a massive project, but the plan is to make a quilt for our bed. And I will do it as I have time, with no deadline. Once the template is delivered, and I figure out how much fabric I need, I will be choosing fabrics, yay! Any suggestions are welcome. My bedroom is painted a greyish sea grean sort of color. I think it gives me quite a bit of wiggle room color-wise.

One other thing for now. I will be putting up a poll regarding what to do with the earnings from the pink and white quilt. Your input will be appreciated.

Giveaway!

www.wondermommy.wordpress.com

Weekend.

I had a semi-productive weekend. I completed two bags for the shop:

I think they turned out rather well. The first one has no interfacing, but I really prefer the extra bit of structure that some medium weight interfacing gives, so I used that on the second bag. The second is definitely my favorite. That might also have to do with the Vintage Dots print.

I'm trying to really use up what I have before buying too many new things (though I did buy some Jay McCarroll fabric last week). I have enough to probably make 5 more bags without really buying anything else.

In non-shop news, I am almost finished with my sisters bag, photos coming soon. I think it's a bit large, and it is not perfect, but it was a tricky, and new, style for me. It isn't bad though. I've also started on a dress for her. I'm not sure how difficult it will be. I started last night when I was tired, but I think that since it is a new thing to me, and requires some precision, I should do it when I'm more alert!

The commissioned quilt is in the hand sewing the binding phase, and will be done soon!

As a side note, this sewing as a second job thing is a great way to get out of housework!

Here we go.

Yesterday, our first item in the shop sold! Very exciting. It gives new impetus to really get things done.

In the line up, as I've already discussed are a few projects. I'm letting the quilt for the family member rest for a bit. I really love it, and thus, really love working on it, but I've got a few months before it needs to be done, and more pressing work to be finished.

So, on tap: three tote bags this weekend, and up in the shop by Monday. For real. And to get the pink and white quilt finished, or at least get the binding attached so I can work on the hand sewing portion next week.

I'm not going to go into anymore lists. These things are more than enough to keep me occupied. And I must remember that this sewing thing is a job, that will potentially bring money in, so it is important to do it. It is not wasting time. I think I'll run by Joann's after work to get a few things for the bags, and then that's it.

Oh. And I also bought some adorable fun fabric to make some bags. They may be a bit off the beaten path, but are absolutely adorable, and voted for by a couple of people in a private poll.

Spring Break Happenings

Things have been happening. I had three days off in a row for spring break (and a furlough day) and spent much of that time quilting and sewing. I should have been doing all those other things I meant to do, like clean up the yard, wash the windows, scrub the floors. I didn't though. I'm rationalizing it by saying that it was my vacation. And the weather was so crappy it didn't really put me in a happy, get to cleaning sort of mood. Oh yeah, and the part where my husband's car was broken into and his window was smashed. That really threw me off track.

Regardless, I did accomplish some things. Almost finished a quilt (just hand sewing the binding) for a family member (remaining vague here as to not ruin the suprise just in case). Finished a quilt top for a friend of the sister (that I'm getting paid for!). Halfway done with a tricky bag for my sister. And. Hm. It seemed like more when I was doing it. Though I guess these things take time. That and I didn't sit home all day every day and sew.

And, in really exciting news, the other half of two clever girls posted a couple of items in our shop. We're up and running! Check it out in the sidebar!

One other thing. I'm venturing into the world of sewing clothing. I picked up this book, Weekend Sewing, which I may have mentioned before, and have purchased fabric to attempt a dress/beach cover up for my sister. I'm a little nervous, but excited that it might work out. I hope she likes the fabric I picked out.

Tedious, for sure

So, I was rather grumpy last night, and after laying out the pattern for my next quilt, I decided to attack that quilt that needs to come undone. I wasn't feeling much in the way of actually getting off my butt last night, so I parked myself on the sofa, with scissors, seam ripper, and mangled quilt, and began to pick.

It breaks down like this: I had only quilted about 1/4 of the quilt, if that. In about 3 hours of relatively constant picking, I maybe got through about 1/4 of that. It is time intensive, and super tedious. Not something I'm going to rush through, or strive to finish. It's that thing that's there when I need something to do with my hands, but don't really feel like doing anything. Or something to do to show that I'm not just a lazy bum who sits and watches tv. I'm actually doing something. The tv is just there in the background.

In other news, I'm thinking about revisiting crocheting. Not as a full time project, but as something to keep my hands busy, to take with me when I go somewhere. Sewing is not so portable (unless you feel like lugging a machine around), except maybe at the finishing stages. I've got a ton of yarn sitting in the basement. Who knows what might happen. Basically, my thinking is that I've unleashed this creative side of me, really released it, and have found a craft that I'm decent at, that I'm sticking with, that shows me, in a relatively short time frame, that I can in fact complete something worth completing. And now, when I'm sitting around with nothing to work on, it agitates me. So, the yarn will at least be a place holder when I can't take my sewing with me.

I love quilting.

I really love quilting. Sure, some parts of it are tedious. Some take more precision than I have patience for. Like Roy G. Biv.

But I've completed 3 so far, in a relatively short amount of time. And they've turned out rather well. and the last 2 will be for sale. I'm somewhat reluctant to hope someone will actually buy them, but you never know.

I've got several more projects in the works, and should be able to nearly complete them with the things I already have. One to sell, for sure. Another one that is almost finished but my machine and I weren't getting along so I have to take out all the quilting and start over. A third for a baby on the way. One for myself, and maybe one more for someone special. I'm being intentionally vague here.

I think that while I love the free motion thing, I might try out a straight stitching technique and see how that goes, and I think that in certain circumstances, the structure of straight lines might be more fitting.

In non-quilting news, my mother bought this book for me last night. I'm going to try a few things out. Clothing is something I haven't done yet, but I'm excited to try. The thought being that if I can put together a whole quilt, shouldn't I be able to master a simple dress?

A bust.

Stupid Joanns.  Why can't we have a decent fabric store somewhere close by?  Why is it that the only easily accessible store to me sucks so hard?  Needless to say, I didn't get what I needed.  I bought some sashing fabric, and some backing fabric.  I even took my fabric in with me.  The blue sashing?  It looked pretty decent in the store.  But I got home, and after nursing my stupid jaw, I decided to lay things out to see how it looked.  It looks like crap.  It looks ok with some squares, but with others, it's a total clash.  I thought maybe I could reverse the backing fabric (a tan khaki), but it's just too blah for the front I think.  Grr.  

So now, what will I do?  I guess the quilt is on hold for now, until I can make it to another Joann's.  I guess I could order something online, but I'm nervous about that.  Though....  I might check out the collection and see if anything catches my eye.  

I guess I will start on another project.  I've got two or three waiting in the wings.  

Goodbye H.S.S.Q.

Well, the good news is that the quilt survived the washing, and the drying. Tonight, it will become the first item for sale in our Etsy shop. I need to take some decent pictures of it, write a description, and post it. I'm sorta nervous, and also, even though I'm not a huge fan of it, I don't quite want to part with it. But I'm going to let it go. And hopefully it will be the start of a lucrative venture.

In other news, I abandoned Roy G. Biv for now. Not necessarily forever, but the whole piecing of triangles is damn near impossible for me. It was too frustrating, and after having sewn and sewn, only to have to disassemble things, only to put them back together and still not work right, well, I couldn't take it. So, it is off to sit in the corner alone. Maybe it'll be revived one day.

Instead, I started another quilt, with another charm pack. The squares are already pieced. Now I just need a trip to Joann's to pick out sashing (gray blue), backing (maybe flannel?), and some binding (which will probably match the sashing). I even had the forethought to bring them with me today so that I will be prepared to stop by the store, and actually match things. I'm also looking forward to this quilt as it is a little more masculine, perhaps perfect for a baby boy.

The moment before the moment of truth.

So, I finished my second quilt.  I like to call it "Hawaiian Seventies Swinger."  I put it through the wash, on gentle of course, and it didn't fall apart.  It is now in the dryer, so I'm just waiting for it to dry and hope that it remains intact.  I'm crossing my fingers.  If it passes the test, it will be for sale this week.  Price is to be determined, but I'm thinking I'm gonna try it at around $80.  Afterall, it is hand made, and another like it will never truly exist.  Plus it's on the larger lap quilt size.  

Worst case, no one buys it, right?

In other news, I'm working on a zigzag quilt.  The piecing of it is tedious and traumatic.  It is not lining up exactly, and that is pissing me off.  I'm hoping that the details won't be so noticeable once I assemble it.  I'm calling it "Roy G. Biv."  You know, like the colors of the rainbow?  The quilt has some pink, and 2 shades of green, and does not have any indigo or violet, but regardless, I'm putting it together in consecutive color order, thus the rainbow correlation.

Pictures of H.S.S. will be posted as soon as it comes out of the dryer. 

Something finished.

The baby quilt for my friend, Melissa, and her soon to be born baby, Susie.  It was well received.  You can see the chenille backing in the second picture, nice and cuddly for baby.  Though they decided to hang it on the wall in the nursery.  Huge compliment, for sure.  

My New Employee

Not to leave you hanging...

I got a new machine over the weekend. I thought about it, agonized over it, cried for it. In the end, my wonderful husband took me on a trip to buy a new machine.

After really thinking about it, and hearing that it was going to cost almost as much as I paid for the thing 2 years ago to service it, I decided it really wasn't worth it. The machine that I had was purchased on a whim, 2 or 3 years ago, when I decided I was going to start quilting. Nothing much came of it until recently, and really, I'm making it work harder than it can handle. Plus, I've really been using the machine a lot, so I figured a small investment would be worth it.

So, off to the store we went. The woman at JoAnn's tried to sell me one that was $600, and then one that was $450, and then told me that the cheapest one, at $350, would not make me happy. Even though I TOLD her I was looking to spend $200 to maybe $300 at the very top. So, off to target I went, and bought this, the Singer 7444. It is WORLDS better than that other piece of crap I was using, and I'm really excited to get to using it more. So, look out world.

I'm almost finished with the baby quilt for my friend. I just have to go around about half way to finish hand stitching the binding on. I think she'll love it. I'm really happy about it, it looks really good for my first real try.

I'm waiting on the proper foot attachment to finish the wedding quilt for my friends. And in the mean time I will be working on a baby quilt for my brother and sister-in-laws July arrival. I also need to find time to find something that I can make quickly enough, easily enough, and well enough to sell for our store.

So much going on, and this is only my sewing life!

I also have several pictures to post, but my computer at home and blogger don't always get along when it comes to loading pictures.

Tragedy Strikes.

Just when I had gotten ok with the idea of spending my day sewing instead of doing housework, the unthinkable happens.  Ugh.  I'm like, 90% of the way through quilting the baby blanket, and my machine has jammed.  It won't work.  It won't budge.  The wheel won't turn, the parts won't work.  We even took it apart to grease it up and still, nothing.  This is just not at all what I need.  There isn't a service center anywhere near me, so I'm trying to find another place.  I'd like to just go buy a new one, but seeing as how the cheapest one (which I'm no longer interested in) is at least $100.  I would like to just take the stupid credit card and buy something else.  Something better, and something that is new and will work. 

This is crazy talk, obviously.  So now I'm off to brainstorm and also to see if I can find a place close by that will fix my machine.  Of course, I'm sure that anywhere that will fix it will not be open past 4pm on a Saturday, and not at all on a Sunday as the entire sewing world consists of old ladies from 1842.  

I'm Addicted

I don't know what to do with myself, people, honestly. I'm constantly making trips to the fabric store, browsing online, and falling in love with fabrics left and right. I'm going to go into horrific debt over it if I'm not careful. So, starting today, yes, today, because last night I bought some more fabric, I am putting myself on hold. I have about 2.5 projects in the making, and I'm going to finish those before I get started on anything else.

So, in the days since I've posted, I made a bag, which is a hit, I think. I think the pattern may need a little tweaking, like the party where it's supposed to be a cross body bag, but the handle isn't quite long enough to make that possible.

I've also started on the baby quilt. I've made and pressed 12 blocks so far. I think I have another 13 to go. Everything is cut and in piles, which makes it so much easier. I tend to get ahead of myself, and get excited, and end up making things more complicated than they need to be, so I'm trying to do every thing at every juncture before moving on. It's going quite nicely so far. And I've got all of my supplies so that makes live easier as well. It's so much better to have a pattern and a plan, it really is.

I've figure out, mostly, the free motion quilting thing as well. It isn't so hard when you have the right parts for your machine. Imagine that! The darning foot I got is a universal one though, and I think the model specific one would be best. But that is $25 and so I'm making do with the $5 part right now. I've have pictures of most, if not all, of these things, and will post at some point in the near future.

Oh.

One other note. The sewing room really is fabulous. It's great to keep everything in one place and not have to put everything away come dinner time. Or worry about kittens sitting right were you wish they wouldn't. The thing that makes it really nice is that it's cozy and it's MY space. It was so lovely to sit there yesterday afternoon, watching the snow come down while I sewed. Really lovely.

Shade is done, just not hung.

So, here is the Roman shade I made for the craft room. It isn't hung, and the pictures aren't that great, but at least it's a sneak peak. I think it leaves a lot to be desired, but isn't horrible for my first try. Don't pay too much attention to the picture on the right, where it is rolled up. I know it doesn't look great, but Jack was holding the cord and the curtain, and so, it's not quite an accurate portrayal.

If I'm Being Honest...

I bought this today too, Ginger Blossom fabric collection designed by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller fabrics.  I couldn't help myself.  And hey, it was on sale, so that's something at least.

A Stitch in Time Saves Nine.

I never really understood what that meant...like, where it came from. I get the whole take your time and do it right idea behind it, but this weekend I really understood it literally. See, I was working on shades, and my usual m.o. is to rush things, dive right in, be lazy and hope for the best. But that really costs me a lot of time when it comes down to it.

So, I took my time with this shade. I pinned everything nicely, and I made sure to press where I needed to. I sewed evenly. And it paid off. Sure, there were some snags. Like when my bobbin freaked out on me and I didn't notice until I had sewn a whole row. I think that the shade turned out ok, though. Not great, but ok. Especially for my first try. I still need to rig up the hardware and cording, and then I'll post pictures. I'm working on another one for the dining room now, and am trying a slightly different (and easier in the fewer-steps way) to see how it goes. The tricky part is that I'm trying to hang them inside of the window frame, which means measuring and cutting needs to be pretty precise.

I've also purchased fabric for a baby quilt. Knowing me, I probably won't want to give it up, but I'm hoping that this will go smoothly and I will master it, and then won't mind parting with it, as it will be easy to do again. I purchased a tutorial from oh, fransson! and it's lovely because it has tons of step by step instructions AND pictures, which really help me a lot. The picture to the left is the fabric collection I've chosen, from the Farmers Market fabric collection designed by Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller. I think it's feminine without being babyish, with a hint of funky sophistication. I've picked white cotton chenille for the backing, and some orange with white polka dots for the binding.

Wish me luck!