windy photo shoot

I loved these crazy prints the moment I saw them, especially the rooster…

I cut them into little bricks and pieced them into diagonals.  I think the repetition of the diagonals really emphasizes the cool graphics on the fabrics.

Here is what the back looks like

It’s available now in my etsy shop.

Here’s a full view of the spouse’s new quilt.

It’s made from the Happy Trails line by Benartex.  I took my cue for the design from the name and created lines from all different sized strips of fabric.  The quilted the center of the top with horizontals in various widths.  I quilted all the seams as well.

The back is also from the Happy Trails line – I used a strip each of pistols and barbed wire along with the orange plaid.

Here it is on it’s first test drive.

When I saw the prompt for this week’s The Sunday Creative was “connect” the first thing that came to mind was connecting pieces to make a quilt.  I planned a shot of rows of pieces that had just been stitched together.  I even cut them out last night so I could take the pictures today.  They are waiting in a stack by the sewing machine.

Then I caught this -

It’s the quilt I finished last night for the spouse.  He was taking it for a test spin.

pieced top – quilted layers – gift to spouse – wedding ring

When I saw the photo in the viewer, a big light bulb flashing *connect* went on above my head.

I made this bunting for lulu’s fourth birthday.

Actually I made it around 10pm the night before her fourth birthday party.  I was in a hurry so I used fabric-tac glue instead of sewing it.

Last year it was blazing hot, so we celebrating inside.

It was quick and easy.

All I did was cut a length of twine to the length I needed and then cut triangles out of my stash fabric.  I used pinking shears too keep the fraying of the fabric to a minimum.  This year they were hanging outside for a couple of days through wind and rain so the edges have been softened.

I also trimmed the top corners off a bit so they wouldn’t overlap and show from the front.  Then I glued them around the twine.

…and we will have a little picnic.

I fell in love with the dessert fabric (“Kids at Play II” for Hancock Fabrics) the moment I saw it, but I had a difficult time choosing the right project for it.

I used a quilt as go technique to make it.  I hadn’t heard of quilt as you go until a couple of months ago, when I stumbled upon Penny’s blog Sewtakeahike, (Although I think I found a link to her on tumblr, so technically I tumbled upon her site.)  She was hosting a quilt as you go quilt along where she made the coolest quilt.  A couple of weeks after that, I caught and episode of Fons & Porter where they doing a slightly different quilt as you go method.  I cheated and mish mashed all the information together to make my verison.

First I pieced the blocks and then sandwiched each block with batting and a slightly larger square of backing fabric.

I quilted each square with lines at random angles using a variegated thread with shades of blue, yellow, and ivory.

After quilting, I trimmed and squared the blocks (and put them in a pretty stack)

Then I stitched the blocks into rows and the rows into a quilt, stitching the wrong sides together so the exposed seams are on the front.  This way you can cover them and all the extra stitching to attach them will be on the back.

I did a lot of back and forth over whether I should cover the seams with ribbon or fabric, but finally decided that matching the fabric to the binding was going to look the best.

Here’s a shot of the back. (Make Life… by Sweetwater for Moda)

This is only my second quilt, but I have to say, I’m really liking this quilting thing.  I can also already see the downside.  So many amazing fabrics, so many cool ways to make quilts – if you aren’t paying attention, you could turn around one day and buried under a tower of quilts.  For that reason, I’m thinking about putting this one up for sale in my etsy shop.  As of now, I’m undecided.

I’m also excited because I was able to finish it in time for The Bloggers’ Quilt Festival over at Amy’s Creative Side.  What an amazing group of quilts and quilters – you should check it out.

ps.  I know the quilt is covered in strings, but I’m desperate to make several deadlines today so strings happened.

A gratuitous peony shot just because they are so lovely-

It’s a birthday gift for a friend.

The fabric is from the Rouenneries line by French General for Moda.  It’s a linen/cotton blend and drapes beautifully.

I added a few patches and played a bit with decorative stitches.

Here’s the part I’m most excited about.

The waist band was made using french seams.  That means all the exposed edges on the wrong side are enclosed and extra pretty.  (Thanks to this explanation on french seams from oliver + s.)

These are the last of the totes.

Now I can get back to the  picnic quilt

eleven tote bags complete

I put the kids to work for this one.

They each designed and stitched a little something for my mom.