Sewing for me!

Some more clothing... and this time for me! Recently I ordered the My Image magazines from The Netherlands. They arrived the yesterday so I wanted to sew something up with these new patterns.

These are like other European pattern magazines with the sheets on the inside,and you need to trace the pattern. I found the materials from these magazines not quite as thick or durable as from Ottobre magazines. And some of the English translations were funny and I had to guess what is was really saying... I do like how in the magazine they show the same pattern in many different fabrics.

Trying out the pattern... this knit is a little heavy, but I liked the colour... and its quite cozy/wintery.

This second shirt is in the rayon lycra I picked up when I was in the LA fabric district in September. The drape is perfect for this pattern.

Pattern: My Image M1152
Size: I made a size 38 and it fit quite well, though in the lighter fabric, I probably could have gone down one size above the bust.
Modifications: skipped the elastic on the first shirt. May not have completely followed the directions.
Would I make it again? Maybe, but not too many more. I already have a number of cowl neck tops so how many do I really need....

A little off square - sewing with plaids

Sometimes a good deal becomes a frustration... This cute teal, grey and black knit is one of those... I picked it up from the clearance section and it looked great on the bolt.  I didn't figure out that the plaid wasn't square - those "squares" are diamonds!  So if you look closely at the outfit, the plaids run downhill...  I lined the centre front of the tunic, and the grain line on the leggings with one of the vertical stripes so the horizontal stripes run off grain...

Patterns Used:

Tshirt: Ottobre 1/12 #24
Tunic: Ottobre 1/12 #34
Leggings: Ottobre 4/09 #23
Skirt:  Self-drafted

This is the first time I've done a button placket on knits... it went together easily despite Ottobre's lack of pictures!

Hugs Quilt Calculations

OK... Now comes out some math! I don't have a handy program like EQ7... I'm new to quilting, but do have a math/science background. So first I start with a Google search, I find a few tools, but nothing really what I was looking for... I need to figure out the sashing requirements for a bunch of 12-inch blocks (12.5" finished).

Some assumptions for my calculations:

1. We get 25 blocks
2. Sashing/Border is 2" Finished

I found this interesting tool: My Web Quilter. I was able to design this quilt...  With the information I put in, it was able to tell me that the quilt was 72" square... and then by selecting "Pattern" I was able to get some more information...  My Web Quilter is a basic program, but for those of us that don't have access to a more advanced program, its very helpful!  And helped verify my calculations I did on scrap paper....

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Vertical Sash
Fabric Required: 1/2 YD
Finished Width: 2.00 (IN)

Cut 7 (2.5 IN) strips.    Cut 20 pieces of size 12.5 by 2.5 IN

For all blocks, except those in the left most column, sew vertical sash pieces to the left side of the each block.

Sew blocks into 5 rows with 5 blocks in each row.

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Horizontal Sash
Fabric Required: 1/2 YD
Finished Width: 2.00

Cut 7 (2.5 IN) strips for the horizontal sashing.Construct 4 horizontal sash of size 68.5 by 2.5 IN

For all rows except the top most row, sew a horizontal sash strip to the top of the row.

Sew rows together according to the quilt diagram.

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Border 1
Fabric Required: 1/2 YD
Finished Border Width: 2.00 (IN)
Style: Solid Fill: Black

Expected quilt dimensions before adding this border: 68.5 by 68.5 (IN)

Cut 7 (2.5 IN) strips of the border fabric.

Construct 2 strips for quilt length (68.5 by 2.5) IN

Pin and sew borders along length of quilt.

Construct 2 strips for quilt width (72.5 by 2.5) IN

Pin and sew borders along width of quilt.

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Backing


Approximate fabric requirements for backing: 4 3/8 YD.

Construct 2 strips the width of the fabric and length at least 78.5. Sew strips together to form horizontal seams in the backing.

Binding

Fabric required: 5/8 YD. Cut 8 strips of width 2.5 IN.

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My calculations on paper got that I required 55" so I would buy 1-3/4 yards... This calculator says I need 1-1/2 yds for the sashing and border.  I think I'd still buy 1-3/4 yds to ensure I have enough....

As for backing, when I gave the estimate to someone earlier, I think I under estimated because I forgot about the sashing...  According to the same calculator I'd need 4-3/8yd.  No problem if I'm short, as I'll just add a strip of something coordinating or contrasting...  or possibly some extra blocks...

Embroidery

I haven't done much embroidery in the past few years decades... a little cross stitch, but not much embroidery.  This embroidery I completed in 1984.  I don't remember much about what order I did the stitching in it, or how long it took me... I was 10 or 11 when it was completed.  I do remember the grapes with the blanket stitch circles were tedious.

My grandmother who passed away in November taught me about embroidery.  Each visit I would trace and learn a new stitch and then be sent home with a section to stitch.

My Grandmother was a great inspiration.  Her skills were amazing.  Here are some of the vestments she created for my aunt.

Over the past year I've seen more embroidery around but have resisted... In January when I saw the first design with April Mae Design Quilt A Long I thought I should get out my needles again.

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Finished Blocks from April Mae Design Quilt-A-Long

2012 Finish-A-Long 1st Quarter Update....

How am I doing on my first quarter UFOs?  We are halfway through the challenge...  Well... lets see... I've completed a number of them, worked on a few others, and started and finished some other projects too!

The following is the list of projects I committed to on the 2012 Finish-A-Long....



Projects Completed:

• Highland Dance Outfits (Kilt, Vest, Blouse)
• Nautical Quilt
• Silent Auction Baby Quilt 
• Baby Quilt from Panel
• St Patrick's Day Quilt

Projects With Progress:

• Longarm University New Years Day 2012 Mystery Quilt 

Projects with no further progress:

• Dresden Square Quilt
• Garment Sewing UFOs
• Quilt for my Step-father

Not bad so far... 

What's on the Longarm? 

The Stars Quilt - A baby gift for my son's teacher...

Sew Happy Geek QAL Update:  Block 10 is Complete

Could it be too scrappy?

Linking up to Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations
with a project from Sew Mama Sew. I made this LOVE mugrug. I printed the pattern 6-up on my printer to make it smaller... Not sure exactly what size that shrunk it down by, but the finished LOVE block is approximately 6x8...

I also used a bunch of scraps... so this is made from 19 different scraps... the back was premade leftover from my daughters Hearts & Stars quilt.

This is a gift for my Gram who has been in the hospital for over 3 months.

My Love Rug Mug was new to me... using that many scraps is scary to me! But I do like it...

Projects Completed

• Love Mug Rug
• Small Basket
• Two Blocks for Hugs Quilts

Projects That I've made progress on...

• Sew Happy Quilt QAL at Sew Happy Geek Block 9 Complete
• Solstice Star QAL at Fresh Lemon Quilts 5 Blocks, plus 3 extras completed, top completed, backing & binding ready
• Hello Sun BOM by April Mae Designs 2 Blocks Completed
• Quilt for my husband Design finished, need to calculate yardage

Projects Waiting

• So Scrappy Colour Challenge at Super Scrappy
• Just Takes 2 QAL at Just Takes 2
• Craftsy's BOM at Craftsy.com
• Baby Quilt (UFO #5)
• Stars on the Mountain Quilt
• Quilt for my step-father

Stash Report

Sew Happy Geek QAL Block 9

Panel Quilt
Quilting Completed

This simple basket was made to hold my treads... I used the tutorial from The Stitching Room Blog.

Report #7-2012 (12 Feb 2012)

Used this Week:           0.7  m
          Year to Date:            9.0 m
      Added this Week:          0 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 15.6 m

      Projects Completed this week:    1           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:                9
      UFOs Completed this week:        1
          Year to Date:                4
      Mending & Alterations Completed:  0
          Year to Date:                2

Report #8-2012 (19 Feb 2012)

Used this Week:              3.3m
          Year to Date:           12.3 m
      Added this Week:          0 m
          Year to Date:           24.6 m
      Net Used for 2012:        - 12.3 m

      Projects Completed this week:    2           (Includes UFOs)
          Year to Date:               11
      UFOs Completed this week:        0
          Year to Date:                4
      Mending & Alterations Completed:  0
          Year to Date:                     2

Friday Night Sew In (Part 2)

These mice were made at Sparks (Girl Guides) for our Valentines Party! The Pathfinders hosted a party for both the Sparks units in our district, so we made mice Valentines for all the units.

Solstice Stars Quilt Along - All blocks Completed!

I chose these fabrics from my stash to make a baby gift for my sons teacher... Because the Solstice Stars Series only had 5 blocks, and I needed 8... I added a few others.

HST Block (from January)	Sew Happy Geek Block #9
Solstice Stars #5	Blazing Star
All 8 Completed Blocks

And the Completed Quilt Top!

And if you haven`t voted yet, please stop by the Quilting is Murder finalists and vote for my leprechaun quilt...Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

Friday Night Sew In (Part 1)

  These blocks were made for two mom’s that are currently going through really tough times.  So a group of us are making these two HUGS quilts…

Last night I went to Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild… and won a door prize!
(Posted using Windows Live Writer)


And if you haven`t voted yet, please stop by the Quilting is Murder finalists and vote for my leprechaun quilt...Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

Quilting is Murder UFO Challenge - Finalist!

My quilt was chosen as a finalist....

I completed this quilt last week, nicely before St Patrick's day... Of course this quilt was started mid March last year... I think about March 15th or 16th - who would start a quilt just hours before the holiday!  

Please head on over to Quilting Gallery to vote for the winner...

WIP Wednesday... (and Show&Tell Friday)

Craftsy Block of the Month

Projects That I've made progress on...

Sew Happy Geek QAL

• Sew Happy Quilt QAL at Sew Happy Geek
  First 8 Blocks Completed (up to date)
• So Scrappy Colour Challenge at Super Scrappy 
  Red and Green Done
• Just Takes 2 QAL at  Just Takes 2
  Blocks 1-4, 12 Completed
• Solstice Star QAL at Fresh Lemon Quilts
  3 Blocks COmpleted
• Hello Sun BOM by April Mae Designs
  2 Blocks started, both needing Embroidery.
• Craftsy's BOM at Craftsy.com
  January and February Blocks Completed
• Baby Quilt (UFO #5) 
  Made 16 6" squares, think I might set them like the tutorial for Floating Blocks on Oh Fransson, but need to choose a background colour... thinking of either yellow or green... but would need to buy fabric for that....  don't think I have anything that would work in the house for either, unless I stole from another project and that wouldn't be helpful!

UFO #5 Progress

Projects Waiting

• Stars on the Mountain Quilt
• Quilt for my step-father
• Quilt for my husband

ETA: My quilt has been chosen as a finalist in the Quilting is Murder UFO Challenge.... Please head on over to vote! Recently Finished...

I have only finished one project this past week.  It's the St Patrick's Day UFO from last year.  It is all quilted, and bound. It was featured over on Quilt Aditct's Anonymous Block a Day. It was also my One-Thing,One-Week goal!

On the Longarm

A new quilt... not quite loaded completely. It's a preprinted flannelette panel that was very inexpensive.

Unfortunately I missed linking up at Freshly Pieced.... Head over to look at some great projects.