Learning and Teaching

Well this weekend has been a learning experience.  Let us REWIND and go back in time..for a little history.  At Christmas I took my niece with me to pick some fabrics for a quilt that I would make as her xmas/b-day present.  (I am not the greatest at picking out gifts, so I figured a quilt with her color choices would be great).  She was excited about it.  We had a fun time picking out fabrics and I loved the colors she chose.

She mentioned that she did not know how to sew, I told her that I'd be happy to teach her a bit about quilting while we made her quilt.  (whoo hoo.. newbie on the rope for our addiction to fabrics).  One weekend a few weekends back she was suppose to give me a call to come over and help...but something came up and she didn't make it, but I, on the other hand, had all the fabrics ironed and ready to go...and couldn't resist them... so instead of putting them all away.. I worked on her quilt. It is now all pieced, I have it basted and ready for the machine..I managed to stop.  I decided that I should wait, so that my niece can be involved in the activities.

Fast Forward to this weekend.  I get a call on Friday night, she is available to come over and quilt...whoo hoo... Since I have her quilt pretty much done... I thought it would be a easier for her to make a pillowcase for her first quilting project.  (not too difficult, and fun to match her quilt) I was thinking that a full size quilt for her first project might overwhelm her and scare her away.   I had enough of the fabrics from her quilt left over to make a couple pillowcases,  so no need to run to the quilt store. 

We got started right away... I had her iron all the fabric pieces that we needed to cut.  We decided to make one pillow case that resembled the blocks in her quilt...We went thru all the safety rules about the rotary cutter, proper handling, and making sure we close the blade after every use...How to use the rulers...she was doing great...cutting 7.5 inch blocks and 1.5 inch strips. Then we were off to the machine, went over proper threading and scant 1/4 inch seam, bobbin winding.  She told me she was a little nervous about the needle, but she did great..got better as we went along... (commenting about how it isn't straight) I told her not to worry too much she is getting the feel for the sewing machine..and this is her first quilt..but yes normally you want to make sure it is straight...(OCD is part of quilting ya know..haha) 

To the iron (taught proper pressing)...to the machine...to the iron..to the machine.  Now back to the rotary cutter..to cut some 1.5 inch squares for the sashing.....and then out of the blue.... WE SAW RED!!! 

Oh yeah..some how some way she managed to slice open the end of her finger... I watched in shock and horror... She has very fast reflexes she whipped that finger behind her back and said..."Ooops I just cut my finger. I think it is good, I am going to be just fine.. No you don't have to look..it's okay".  Now I don't know how she managed to cut the finger on the rotary cutter hand... I watched to make sure she was holding the cutter correctly and everything.  But she did cut it...VERY GOOD..   We couldn't get that sucker to stop bleeding.. and I had only one butterfly stitch in my first aid kit..I was starting to feel like the worse Auntie in the world... UGGH..   I decided I needed to take her home and on the way we stopped at Safeway to get some more medical supplies.  She was being a super trooper and totally calm.. I on the other hand was feeling like a failure.  We got her home..we put a couple more butterfly stitches on and wrapped it up with some gauze and tape.  We managed to stop the bleeding and she won't lose the finger (as she kept joking about)  I did pick her up some glamour gloves so that she can continue her chores (she has a puppy purchase she is trying to achieve and dish washing is high on the priority list. :)   

She text'd me to today (jokingly) that she lost the finger and the Dr had to amputate..I jokingly text'd back that she will forever known as "Nubby".  They did end up going to the Dr office to make sure she didn't need a stitch or too, which I am happy to say..she did NOT...The Dr used some super strength new skin and told her to keep it dry.  She'll live to sew another day..but she has advised me... "You get to do the cutting Auntie Chris, I am not using that thing again for awhile".... I will be happy to accommodate that.  We are at standstill again on the project, but I know it will get done....she is pretty excited to get her quilt. : )   I guess I need to work a bit better on my teaching skills...this was definitely a learning experience for me too.  Here's where we finished up.

I will post a picture of the quilt when we finish up the pillow case. :~)
Till Next Time....

Hopping along to Easter

 This was a very Fun quilt to make and great class to take.  I am glad to have finished it in time for Easter this year...didn't quite get it done in time last year. (Even though I do not plan to keep it..hahaha)  This is a pattern from Bunny Hill Designs, called The Bunny Run.   Another class with the Quilted B (visit their website at http://www.thequiltedb.com/ ),.... I had a fantastic time, I am a believer in girl time, sewing, and learning new stuff.

  I made a few modifications to the pattern...to add a little of my own flair.  Such as the flanged inner border.  I love to add the flange, I like how it gives a third dimension to the quilt.  I also added an extra Tulip, because I love tulips..hehe  The fabrics are Moda fabrics and Barb did an awesome job putting the colors together for this kit.  I have hand stitched the blanket stitching done on this quilt. I machine quilted with invisible thread all the background quilting that you will see, and I added some buttons too for dimension. :)   Finished size is 36x40. This was a great class to take and I look forward to going to another class soon, I miss hanging out with all these wonderful, creative women.

This quilt will also be for sale, at my online store QuiltMonsterCloset at Etsy.com.    Visit at:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuiltMonsterCloset
I sold this quilt on August 17, 2011 to a wonderful customer in New Hope, PA.  Cindy I hope you enjoy it for years to come :)

Everything's coming up Roses

This is a wonderfully fun pattern, called French Roses, by Heather French.   I took a class (at the Quilted B) with my Sis in Law to learn this fun technique called soft edge applique.  I love how this quilt turned out.  You didn't fold any of the raw edges under, then when you wash it...it looks worn and weathered, and OOOhhh SOOOo SOFT!.  :)

 You layer the pieces on top of each other and add petals,  when you add a layer, you cut out the underside to keep from having bulk.  This was very fun to make, I enjoyed seeing how each rose turned out a little different each time. 
 


Prewash

Post wash



I finished this quilt on April 10, 2011. Finished size is 55 inches square. This quilt is made with all new fabrics primarily from the Robert Kaufman line and has Warm & Natural for batting.  I have floated a few roses on the backing to personalize the back of the quilt a bit. There is a light green flange border to add dimension to the quilt as well. The binding is alternating light and dark green.

This quilt has been machine quilted a tight meandering stitch around all of background and stitched in the ditch around border.  Binding is hand stitched to backing.  I have washed it once for the soft applique to take effect.  

 I am going to be setting up an Etsy shop to sell a few of my quilts and this will be one of the quilts available.  I have this one only.  As soon as I have shop online I will post. 

Till Next Time...

Updated 4/16/2011... I have opened my Etsy Store.. you can view my shop "QuiltMonsterCloset"  at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/QuiltMonsterCloset

Binding Clips quicken my quilting

I have to share a tip I found to be Extremely helpful.  I think you'll find it helpful too!   I learned of this from a fellow blogger at Charms Pack Plus Blog (link via my blog list) I love it when we are able to share ideas and use items for more than one purpose.  Never would have even thought to try Hair Clips to keep fabric in place while working on my binding. Snap..Unsnap... Easy as that.  No more accidentally pin pricks that make you jump in your chair.   

  I have two quilts that I am binding right now which made today a great time to give it a try.  Found these little wonders on the hair accessory aisle at my grocery store.  They come 12 in a pack.  I used about 6 to 8..and move them along as I stitched. EASY and WORKS AWESOME!   I appreciated Jeannelle's Tip and just wanted to pass along the info. 

Leave me a comment if you hand bind or machine quilt your bindings I am curious to know how many do each... Thanks...

Till Next Time...

A Quilted Thank you!

When my puppy Jasmine was only 4 months old.  I met up with a friend of mine (Oscar...aka..OD) at an off-leash dog park. My first adventure to a park like this.  OD was kind enough to meet up with me with his pup and we watched them play... I pretty much was chasing Jasmine all over, but she came back every once in awhile.  OD had his camera with him.  He was taking all kinds of pictures... He told me that he was thinking about starting his oil painting again.. and may need some subject matter.  I had no idea he would paint such a wonderful picture of our puppy and then be so kind as to give it to us as a gift.  My husband and I were both surprised..and absolutely love the painting.. You can hardly even tell it's a painting...an Awesome likeness!



Painting by Oscar Davis 2011



Jasmine at  5 months



As a Thank you for such a beautiful painting And we will cherish it forever, I decided to make him a quilt.  I wanted to make sure that I found a fabric that would be perfect..so I have been on the look out for a bit....I was walking around a quilt show and happen to run into the PERFECT fabric.  OD is an avid fisherman and cartoonist...and now that he is retired..he often posts on his facebook page that he has Gone Fishing...Lazy Man Fishing.  Isn't this fabric PERFECT? 

  The pattern is called "The Big EZ", by Bloom Creek.  I did a christmas quilt with this pattern last year and it was so fun to put together and showcased the great print in the big Blocks. 

  I had fun making this quilt..and finding the perfect colors to match the lures...and just the right amount of each color to draw from the big blocks.  :)  I stipple stitched all the background fabric, crazy square quilted the medium blocks, and then stitched in the ditch around the stepping stones.  I admit that it took me three differet borders to finally settle on this great wood grained fabric that reminds me of what you might find on a wooden fishing boat.  It was great to work on this quilt.  My picture taking is getting better to showcase the quilts. 

 

  I am sure that OD will enjoy the quilt....hopefully as much as we love our painting.  I have just the binding to finish hand stitching and this quilt will be ready for delivery. :)   I will let you all know how he likes it.   Till Next Time...

PS... if any of you are interested in having Oscar paint your puppy please leave me a comment with your email and I can forward your information to him.  He has a large photo album online via his facebook page if you'd like to see some of his other work.  ;)

Update:  4/18/2011  Gave OD his quilt and he liked it very much :)

Purple & Blue Project

I went to one of our local fabric shops that happen to be closing :(  SO very Sad to see the Pacific Fabrics, in Puyallup, WA shutting down :(   But did get a good discount on some yummy Batiks that I couldn't resist.  I even found a fun new pattern to try out, it's called Shadowbox, by Mountainpeek Creations. I have seen a couple of their patterns that have interestested me...so we will see how easy this one goes together. :)

I am going to use a white background fabric that has hibiscus flowers all over it.  I think it will give it a bit of a tropical feel.  Looking foward to these coming together.  Will post some updates as I go along with this one.  We had a bit of sunshine yesterday and couldn't resist taking the fabs outside to see them in the sun. :)  Spring has to get here soon...I am so very tired of all the rain.  



How many projects do you have going on at one time?   I have at least 3 that I work between..and at least 3 more that I work on sparadically.  hehe.    Thanks for the comments.   Till Next Time...

Summer on my mind

I was out and about on my way home and did a quick stop at the local fabric shop.  Wandering around I found these really cute Blues and Reds.

  Have always wanted to make a Blue and Red quilt....So today was the day to buy the fabs.. Don't have a particular pattern in mine yet, but I am going to try and keep it simple. I will make a quilt for our travel trailer and use it on the picnic table when we are camping.  I'll use a lite weight batting so it's not too thick. Summer is on my mind...I am so very tired of all the rain...Record breaking rainfall for March has me wanting summer to hurry up and get here.  I think that's why these fabrics jumped out at me.  Looking forward to seeing what comes to mind for these red and blue treasures....

Till Next Time