My Family Day Sewing Project

I enjoyed my last "sweet" project so much, I really wanted to try something a little bigger. I'm not sure how smart it was to choose a white pillow with four boys and a dog on my couch, but I still really like how it turned out!

I started out laying my pattern out on paper. From there, I transferred it onto a double sided iron on adhesive, which I ironed on my fabrics, and then ironed onto the white background.

Choosing the fabrics, then cutting out the pieces to assemble on the background.

The iron on adhesive really made it easy to stitch around each piece without any movement.

It's a bit hard to see in this picture but I used a washable marker to mark where I would be stitching all the little details, like the birds tailfeathers, and the leaf stems.

I used coordinating thread to go over my marked lines five or six times each, until I got the thickness of line I wanted.

  

Lastly I layered the top, some cotton batting and then a backing and free motion quilted the swirl pattern all over the background.

I trimmed the edges to a 20 inch square, made a pocket to insert a pillow form and finished with a coordinating edging. Ta-da...all done! Took me the better part of a day...but I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Yup...I'm still here!

So sorry it's been almost 4 months since I've last posted...what a dirty rotten shame. My crafting time has been drastically cut due to a new florist position at a local flower shop.
However, I'm still doing bits and pieces as I find time and I still enjoy checking out all my favourite blogs looking for new inspiration.

Okay...what to do when your husband tries to help you with the laundry and shrinks your favourite wool sweater ( besides hurt him). As you can see this happened more than once... I turned them both into carry all bags...and I love them....almost as much as I enjoyed wearing the sweater!

This is an attempt at a new applique technique...raw edge applique. Then around it is machine quilted in a swirly pattern. I'm thinking the quilting on white looks like a paper towel! I quite enjoyed doing this and may attempt a pillow or even a small quilt using this technique...stay tuned.

Beautiful Fall Bouquets.

I just found this beauty of a bouquet at the Treasured Petal blog. I just love the vivid combination of colours an especially the anenomes....beautiful!

Here is a bouquet I did last weekend for a beautiful bride, Amanda, last weekend. I love the fall colours she chose, and the great mix of different flowers she chose.
She was lucky to have a beautifully sunny Saturday to have her outdoor wedding just outside Awenda Provincial Park in Penetanguishene. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!

Verna Quilt

The inside was quilted in random circles, various sizes, all linking one to another. The outside 6" was quilted in straight lines.

The border and backing are both the same. I used a flat bed sheet! It was affordable and coordinated again with all the fabrics I was already using.

I'm really happy with how Verna turned out!  I love the mix of colours...I love the white lattice....and I'm really loving the quilting too.

I used a Verna charm pack for all the 5"squares. These charm packs are great for getting a nice variety in colour and pattern, yet they all coordinate without too much thought.

Finished just in time...

It's finished!
I've been working fast on this one...it's due for a wedding this Saturday. I just made it with enough time to wrap it up pretty.
It's kind of hard to let it go. I've spent so much time looking at it, I think I'm kind of liking it. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by a very special bride!

Trying something new...

I have been wanting to try the "quilt as you go" technique. I have seen beautiful large quilts done this way. It saves you trying to fit a large quilt into your machine...you just quilt as you go and attach them at the end.

It is essentially the long cabin technique, sewn right onto your square of batting. After you add each piece, you take the time to go over each strip. Then you add the next piece and do the same thing again, working your way around the block. It is another great way to use up all your scraps.

 

When you're finished, cut a square for your backing, trim up the edges and bind as you would a quilt.  Mine became hot pads...with matching tea towels for an upcoming shower gift!

Frolic Quilt

This quilt was simply pieced using Moda's FROLIC charm pack! I loved all the colours. In some of the squares I appliqued smaller squares just for fun.

I quilted it just with my walking foot in one way wavy stripes.

The back side.

A couple of close ups.