Hooray!!

I must share with my friends the excitement we had today.  Many of you may not know that my grandson Julian has cerebral palsy.  He will be 5 years old on March 12.  He cannot walk unassisted and he has not been successful with knowing and being able to relate to others when he needs to potty.  Today he hit a large milestone in his development.  He made his first complete day at school, in "big boy" britches.  He did not wear a diaper! Little things like this are tremendous development advances.  Yea!! Julian.

Now on to sewing projects.  January and February, I designated to do something different other than clothes for the grandchildren.  I seem to have a hard time focusing on a project to completion.  I changed from the quilt for Julie to a quilt for me.  This was to be a "quick" project.  But, I never do anything simple, I can always add more.

This quilt is quilted as you go.  The circles are put together in this order:
layer 1 is the batting,                      
                         
Layer 2 is the quilt back place face out.

layer 3 is the quilt front turned face down on the back.

Sew the complete circle, then cut a slit in the front fabric to turn the circle.

I am running an embroidery pattern in the center of each circle, using the same thread both upper and bobbin threads.  Therefore the quilt will be reversible.

Then you begin to sew the circled together.

The ears that fold back will be tacked down and as 4 circles are connected a flower design will form.  I do have all the circles sewn, just have not completed the embroidery.

My next project was to tackle making a shirt for myself.  I have not been successful making me clothes in 15 years.  I chose a NEW Look Pattern that has some fullness, therefore I just need to fit the shoulders and underarms now and will deal with the hipline on other things when I get this mastered again.

The fabric was from the existhing stash, a soft poly-cotton plaid.
The yoke is cut on the bias, pleated giving a little change in the pattern.

I am getting close to fitting time.

If this turns out wearable, I will model for you.

On to the machine for progress.

Winter Continues

Last weekend was a delightful break from the winter 'humdrum'.  Temps were in the 70's and David and I enjoyed the time to work outside and get some fresh air.  We did not get the complete yard clean but we made progress.  But, the work week brought another round of wintery weather.  Mississippi had cold, wet, icy weather as much of America received another blanket of snow. 

But, on Tuesday, Puxatawny(?) Phil did pop out and say that Spring is just around the bend.

I did complete the final winter clothing sewing about 2 weeks ago.  There were some corduroy pants and applique tops for NR and Allie.  This was another project that had to be completed because if not, there would not be "enough".  I purchase too many fabrics and the children grow too fast.  This little 'heart' print will be cute for Valentine's.

After the clothing was complete, I moved on to a project that was conceived over a year ago.  Thanksgiving 2009.

I had promised Julie that I would make her a quilt to be used as coverlet for her master bedroom.  She and Greg were home for Thanksgiving 2009 and decisions were made, pattern chosen, fabrics purchased, and sample made.  Then project was packed away....I am so glad that my family is patient with me.:)

The pattern was chosen from a McCalls Quilting issue 1999.  This was a magazine that I had purchased back when quilting and time for quilting  was only a dream.  I had found it on the newsstand and loved every picture in it.  I stashed it away and would take it out from time to time and drool over the beautiful quilts in the magazine.  The pattern is titled Country Christmas.  It was my all time favorite and I was elated when Julie chose this pattern.  It gave me a reason to make the quilt of my dreams.

The fabrics chosen were mostly from the Robert Kaufman "Imperial Collection" from 2008-2009.  They are very rich in color with an Asian flare. 

The work has begun

At the top of the photo you will see the center square.  It contains a 4-point star and a log cabin pattern begins to build around the star.  I am cutting-sewing one round at a time.

I have a stack ready to sew the gold strips to begin the second layer of log cabin.

Which looks like this.

The original sample was posted at the onset of this project in 2009.  As you can see below, the corners were in a solid gold.  I could never get comfortable with this.  The gold was very shocking and the solid  fabric just did not seem to flow with the pattern of the other fabrics.

So, as I returned to this project I began to "play" with other options.  I finally decided to go with the same fabric that the center star is cut from.  I quickly emailed the picture below to Christy @ Main Street Fabrics in Ackerman to make sure that she would have any and/or enough for me to make this change.

Lucky for me she had 4 yards and I purchase all to make sure that I have what is needed to complete the project.  I am sure that seems like overkill but I am only using the red/gold areas thus producing a lot of waste.  I had calculated that 3 yards would be the need.....but what if I do not know how to calculate.

I am very please with the final sample.   The corners when placed together will form an 8-point star.  When I get 4 together, I will post.  I feel that I am making great progress but still have a long way to go before I have a completed quilt top.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is a 2011 project not a winter project.

Even though we are still in the depths of winter, "Phil" has indicated that Spring is just around the bend.  And with this thought, Becky stopped by this week and chose some fabrics from the closet for the girls for Spring.

I will probably start on them soon to take a break from quilt piecing.

A selection that Becky purchased at the end of season last year for this year.

Fabrics purchased at a sale that I will smock into bishops for NR and Allie.

New patterns purchased.

Onward to Spring! 

Thanks "Phil"

Winter

The holidays were great!  Nature provided a surprise for Mississippi in the form of snow.  Not enough to play in, but enough to set the mood.

David and I had vacation time and all the family was home and well.  The house was constantly full because everyone was in an out to spend time with Greg, Julie and Nathan.  They only get home once a year. Lola was one of the little ones who enjoyed having Uncle Greg around to play and read. 

My Mom(82) was very excited to get to spend time with her 5th Great Grand, Nathan.  This was their first visit together. 

David and I had a wonderful time with the newest addition.

And hated to see Greg and Julie leave to go home to Texas.

New Year's came in quietly and then return to the normal routine.  I am really glad that there is a job and routine to return to.  Another thing to be thankful for in 2011.

Sewing: Original idea was that I would be done with the sewing for the grandchildren and have about 2 months to try my hand at completing some of those quilt projects before starting on Spring sewing.  I am running about 2 weeks behind but almost there.

The outfit I completed this week for Lola has been a challenge.  The fabric was bought 2 years ago, and I new that if I did not get busy, there would not be enough to do anything with.  Finally started before Christmas.  Cut it out, using 3 corduroy fabrics, put it together and UGH!!!!

Not something that I could complete.

I went out to Everlyn's the Saturday before Christmas week  to see if she had something I could substitute.  And this patterned piece was the only piece left in her stash that came close.  It then took me lots of thought and digging in my stash to come up with a design and fabric for the trim, the pink check.

 But, here is the result.....and I am very pleased with the top.  I think it will be very cute with a little white blouse or turtlenectk.

I then had to complete the pants....They had originally been cut out with a ruffle in the plans.  Now, with the more tailored look of the top....ruffle not an option.  Again, put on the thinking cap.....I had to come up with a new design.  I pieced the legs to get them long enough.....thus the trim that would tie the pants to top.I

Very pleased and I think the colors will take her well into Spring.

Now, one more set of pants for Nora and Allie and I will be through with clothing and on to the quilts.
I am beginning to run plans for Spring through my head daily.  Hope I do not plan more than time allows.....it's hard for me to leave off any after I have them planned.

Hope to show some quilting soon.

Winter Seaing

Weather is getting more like winter and I am at least 2 months behind on the sewing that needs to get done.  I have been seing every chance I have but they are very few.  I did get a few things completed this last week and delivered this morning.

The first were the brown outfits below.  Lola has red hair and the brown is beautiful on her.  This top has a small opening at the front neck and the elastic detailing both front and back.  The pants are a pattern that I have used before that were cropped.  I just added length and left out the pleating around the knee.

Julian's is a simple grey t-shirt with an embroidery pattern that I purchased last year from Embroidery Library .com.  I get quite a few of my patterns from there.  Good quality, easy downloading great instructions. His pants are the "break away" with velcro on the side to make going over the braces and getting to the bathroom easier for everyone.

The last deliveries were also to Lola and Julian.  I used the no-pill fleece and made simple poncho's.  I had no pattern, just took a scrap cloth and measured on Tuesday to Nora Ruth while she was at the house.  Cut a neck opening using a jacket pattern that had a hood, and worked from there.  Both of them are reversable.

Lola's is lined with a 'fluffy' darker lavender.  Both sides have a pocket center front, and the fleece side is monogrammed.  I sewed right sides together on the hood and neck opening, turned and top stitched.  all around the lower edge is just put together with a blanket stitch.

I guess that in the rush to get the deliveries made, I did not snap a picture of Julian's.  But, in little boy style, his is a tan with chocolate monogram and the reverse side is camoflauge. 

Not sure how excited kids were over poncho's, but Mom, Angela, was delighted.  I hope that they will be an easy jacket to use for these 4 year olds.

Hope that this week will be as successful!!!   I need to clean out some sewing.



Holilday Season

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving at our home.  Lots of cooking, eating and visiting with children and family.  I have begun the wonderful activity of preparing the house for Christmas.  Trees are up, door is decorated and much of the house is complete.  Now it is time to spend time on completion of many projects.

Hope that all of you had as wonderful a weekend.

Happy Halloween

I had great plans last weekend to get many projects off my table.  But as always, I get sidetracked.
I really needed some brown wooly nylon thread for one of the started projects.  Where I live, to purchse anything sewing related, it is an hour drive.  My Mom has been wanting to search for some red dress knit to make herself a dress.  So, begins the adventure for Saturday. 

We went to Tupelo and which took most of the day and came home with 4 spools of thread.  Needless to say, not much got completed.

I did complete a skirt and top for Angela(dau).  Back in the summer when I had created one for her little one, Lola, she said she wanted an adult version of this skirt.  So the only changes I made was not to piece Angela skirt with different fabrics only cut her fabric on different grains of the fabric.

This was Lola's.  The sections of the skirt were serged together using the flatlock stitch.  The ruffles were edged with the serger roll hem.  I used  machine quilting thread for all the decorative stitches.

Angela's skirt is made in strips of a dark brown batick with a horizontal pattern.  Cutting the different sections on opposite grain gave a vertical/horizontal pattern for more interest in the skirt.  All of the decorative stitching was done with a grey pearl thread.

The outfit was completed with a simple peasant top made from a cream batik print.  The sleeve and hem line were finished off with the same grey pearl thread in a roll hem stitch.  Very different patterns/colors but both have the same grey in the print and looked very good together.

After this was completed, it dawned on me that I had a deadline project that must be tackled.  I had to get a "trick or treat" bag completed quickly.  Alliene(10mo.) did not have the needed bag for a successful gathering of loot. So all other planned projects were pushed aside and the race was on to make sure she was ready for Halloween.  I completed it on Wed. night and "Whooty" has been delivered. 

Hope that all of you have a safe and Happy Halloween.



Fall Has Arrived

I walked outside this morning around 5 AM and the air was sooo crisp!  I came back in and began to scan the great blogs that I enjoy, fixed me a pot of coffee and I have been inspired to dig in and get some fall sewing done this weekend.  Even though the great outdoors is is beautiful at this time of year.  Maybe will take a break later today for a walk in the woods.

You can see from the above photos that the leaves and pine straw are beginning to cover the ground, yet the trees are still full.  No need to start raking now.....there is much more to come.

I will take Miss Belle with me this afternoon when we go for a walk.  She loves the crisp outdoors.  She has to stay inside through the heat of the summer.

We made a trip to Texas last weekend to spend time with Greg,Julie, and Nathan.  Enjoyed the time with Nathan(4 mo.).  He is growing so fast that trips to Texas will be much more frequent or we will miss getting to remember him as an infant.

I have finished a few Fall projects.  The firefly out fit for Nora Ruth is just a pattern that I made myself.  I have jsut a tissue bodice that I free hand cut, and all the ruffles are just rotary cut to length needed to complete the garment.  I took a basic pants pattern and modified to complete the project.

The top below was made for Angela(dau)out of a beautiful batik.  I had originally purchased thinking of Lola but Angela expressed a love so here it is.  It is made by Simplicity 3786 which is a great pattern with several selections to choose from.  It was very simple to make, I am thinking about getting the pattern in my size and making me one.

Below are the projects on the table for this weekend.  I hope that I get a couple complete.  I am so easy to get side tracked especially when the weather is so beautiful.  I am going to try and just open the windows in the craft room and pretend I am outside.

This will be a modification of the  pattern below.  I have made this pattern a couple of times and the girls love it.  I am going to have to get some brown thread to edge the ruffles, don't like the cream color.

A fall top for Lola.

A long bubble for Aillene.

A cut and sew skirt for Angela and top to complete the outfit.

Gone to sewing.