Handmade Christmas

If I could, I would make everyone a handmade Christmas item.  If I make you something it's because I have thought of you, but because I don't make you  something it isn't because I DIDN'T think of you, its because I don't have all the time in the universe.  

Oh, that I did!

This year my theme was pillows - I love handmade pillows - love the ones that have been made for me - so I figure everyone else would love one too.

And what says Christmas to your brother but bloody zombies?

And a paper pieced zombie?

That you can snuggle up to at night

This was a 16" pillow form, and I decided before mailing that it was too snug, so I used a 14" pillow form instead and that worked better.

I didn't take a before photo of this one, but this was a boys t-shirt I found in Target.  I cut out the front of the t-shirt, backed the jersey with SF-101 and used it for the pillow center.

This one I used the QAYG method as I pieced around the center owl - I added top stitch quilting when the top was completed.

I made these small coin purses for some of the girls in the family, I like having these little zip pouches in my purse for miscellaneous items.  I used oil cloth that I purchased in New York City and zippers I had on hand.  There is no lining in these, I cut one long piece of oilcloth, added the zipper, and closed the side seams.  I zig zag stitched the inside seams to finish the inside.

I hope you are yours had a happy holiday - I am still recovering from my marathon sewing sessions.  (there is more to show!)

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary 

Sew Together Bag

I made the Sew Together Bag for a recent swap.  This is a nice zippered pouch to make for a sewist, a person who hand sews or appiques, it even could be used as a travel bag because of all the zippered pockets.

I pieced together the outside and quilted first

My secret partner had a lot of triangles in her inspiration mosaic 

This was the second time I've made this bag, and the inside went quite a bit easier this time.  I think I have figured out zippers.  Finally.

My first attempt at the zipper binding was loosey goosey.  I eventually took it off and sewed the zipper binding back down so it fit better and didn't have all these bunches.  I'm not a fan of having to re do something, but I would rather take it off and fix it than send it off to someone else this way.

This is a pattern you can find on Craftsy 

This pattern is a bit complicated the first time you make it - this was my second time, and yes, a bit complicated the second time too.  But worth it.  You can find a tutorial with many photos here

Keep Calm and Quilt On

Mary

Sew Together Bag Zip Pouch

This pattern can be found on Craftsy.  I made this for my partner in thePretty Little Pouch Swap 7.  My partner indicated a few likes that I thought this bag would work for her.  The pattern is called Sew Together Bag.

There are three inside zip pouches and one exterior main zip.

Here are my notes on the pattern, I opted for making two panels for the outside vs one panel so that I could make this machine appliqued bird on the front of the bag.  I used a light weight fusible interfacing for the stitching.  She gives sizes for both one piece exterior and two piece.  

I don't have progress photos until I was much further along, but I will tell you a few things about the pattern.  There are not any photos, except for the finished project, only diagrams of some of the steps.  I think the pattern could go smoother if there were photos provided.  I did email the pattern maker a couple of questions and she was quick to respond.  I was able to figure out most of the steps by laying out my pieces, looking at the diagrams, and reading the steps very carefully.   Very carefully.

I have the side panels on in this photo and the three center zip pockets are visible.  I used different fabrics for inside the pockets and also in each section, there was planning involved.  Some comments in the reviews of the pattern on Craftsy indicated some had problems with the side panels, I found this step very easy.  I was confused with the placement of the inside pocket pieces, but it was one of the questions that the designer clarified.

The exterior panel is attached in these photos (not visible), and the side bindings attached.

After these photos were taken, I removed the zipper and bindings and added a new one.  My first outside zipper wasn't long enough and also I had it unzipping toward the wrong side.  Something not indicated in the directions, but I thought it would go smoother if the outside zipper went the same direction as the inside pocket zippers.  She did indicate a long enough zipper, I just trimmed too much on the first one.  

I wouldn't call this a beginner pattern.  I used my walking foot for all the layers.  Everything did line up, I had to trim the outside panel slightly after sewing all the layers together.  The bag itself sits up nicely.  I think the directions could be just a little clearer, with photos showing the steps plus the diagrams.  The binding I did was different than her directions, I added it the 'quilting' way, but the end result is the same.  And I used a super long zipper the second time, installed it, and then trimmed the zipper after.  It was tough getting the top zipper on the second half of the exterior with all the layers, zipper, plus binding.  

I like the bag, not sure I would need one, but I would make another one for a gift.  Especially now that I've made one, it will go a bit quicker.  

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary

Don't Look Back, Don't Ever Look Back

Well, maybe we can look back at sewing stuff from 2012.  Just not at photos of ourselves from a decade ago.

While putting together mosaics for 2012 finishes - I realized that some things have changed in the last year.  My sewing goals, my blogging goals, my spending goals, my weight goals remain the same as last year, as that wasn't accomplished. At all.

 Finished Quilts 

While I would like there to be more on this list, I am happy with these quilts.  Only one still lives with me, Bird on A Branch - the rest have new homes.  I included Hannah's Garden, even though in the photo it isn't quilted, in real life it is.

Two of the photos are backs, but lets face facts, making a back is almost as time consuming as making the top.

I made bags and pouches - and I rather liked the distraction and challenges.  Some were swaps, some were gifts, the Game of Thrones Bag and iPad cover still live with me.

Made some other sewy stuff and stuff.  And, hmmm, I own none of this.  I made a couple more minky blankets that I don't have photos of and I made more scarves which were gifts.  

And, whoa, when I started the mosaic for bee blocks - I was amazed.  I have made So Many Bee blocks this year!  Some of these bees have ended and a few are coming quickly to a close.  I want to continue having my toe in the Flickr world of bees, but I have curtailed my 'yes's' - I want the first second and third mosaic to contain more items next year.  That being said, I love the Bees, all of you all are great to be around.

Most of these photos are one of two blocks made for the bees.  Some were for NuBees and 4X5 bee, for which there were more made.  And I know there were a few blocks I never photographed.  

Most important is the next mosaic - I want to quilt these finished tops pretty quickly in the New Year.  

The one that has been together the longest is the Christmas one, but the blocks have been made for the Tokyo Subway Map the longest.  I wish that these were the ONLY tops I have together that need quilting, these are just the ones I had photos handy.  Sad.  Real sad.  

Going to Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Received Goodies

September was a fabulous month for receiving goodies in the mail.

From the Modern Scrappy Bits Swap and the fabulous Ellen, she sent this out practically the first day of the swap!  I am so NOT on top of things like that!

She really read me well!  With the colors, linen on the fabric basket and the small birds.  This swap is on going, so join up if you like. Modern Scrappy Bits Swap, we swap one small handmade sewing item, scraps of fabric totaling about a fat quarter, and a notion.  It's small and fun. 

I received these from the talented Rebeckah in the Pretty Little Pouch Swap5.  Another swapper who sends out right away.  I am so jealous of that talent.  This was the first time I was able to get in on this swap, and I was super excited.  And boy you have to send off your  pouch  a couple days late, BOOM,  you  are kicked off the pouch island.  Sad face.  Honesty, it gets you no where in the zip pouch club.

The pouch is laying on it's side in the photo, it stands up and is long for a ruler or rotary cutter!  Loved this package!

And from Denmark!  I received these beauties by way of Pia in the Monthly Fabric Swap.  This is a monthly swap of several fat quarters, chocolate, and a notion.  Did I mention chocolate?

The Monthly Fabric Swap and the Modern Scrappy Bits are both run by Leona who blogs over here.  

I love getting mail!

And chocolate.

September - not as unproductive as I imagined

Linking up with Lily's Quilts and Fresh Sewing Day 

I was a little bit afraid to go back and see what little I had accomplished in September, but it turned out to be an alright month.  I am pleased with what I have finished in the short amount of sewing time I had in the month.  

Some photos in this mosaic have not been shown yet.  

1 and 2.  Bee Blocks for Gone Quiltin Bee, I finished up this Bee in September, but I think it was supposed to be August. Anyway, I did them all!  Yay!

3.  Bee Block for Sewn Together Bee, actually an August block, but I just completed it on 9/30 (you know me - Ms. Procrastinator)

4.  Same Bee Sewn Together, but the September block and since I made it on 9/30, still in the right month!  But it has to go to Norway, so I feel I only half accomplished the task for this one.

5.  One of the two blocks I need to make for September - Running with Scissors Bee.  Also made on 9/30, so technically in the right month.  I still have to make the block for the other September Queen.  Another halfsie.

6.  One of my Minky madness baby receiving blankets.  I'll be making a few more of these in the next few months.

7.  This was a small zip pouch for Mini Scrap Swap, this is the one I ended up keeping because the zipper was skewed, I made another (didn't take a photo) and sent that off to my partner.  The last day for mailing, but ON TIME!

8.  A block for QAWII, I have two more blocks for this group to get to this week.

9.  I am freaking QUILTING this now!  More to come soon on that.  I was beginning to think I could no longer call myself a quilter.

10 and 11.  Zip pouch, mailed late and now I can't participate (BAD) for PLPS5, front and back.  I mailed my partner some extra goodies for being patient with my tardiness.

12.  Her other present, a oilcloth make up bag.  I had to take this photo at the post office before mailing.  

Also, I made this row of blocks for a group project:

Most of the projects were late, for their very important date for the month of September, but I got them done!  I'm working on being more punctual this month.  (Don't laugh too much at that one.)

Nelly's new friend Cooper, we think we'll keep him.  

Sew time is any time

I've had some sew time here and there and I crossed a few things off my list.  The sew time for these was after 9:00 pm on Friday night, after getting up at 5:00 a.m. that day so I could get through all my stuff-to-do-list and have lots of sewing time.  See how well that worked out for me?

Starting with my last two blocks for a Bee, which was an August block, now done and shipped.  And that Bee is done - finito - and I didn't join another!  I will join more, I know I will, but I think I am putting it off until next year (can't believe I can even start saying next year) so that I can put together some of my older bee projects that are laying around making clutter.  

My rainbow star block for Moni - 

All her blocks so far - and these have been shipped out.

And I completed a small zip pouch for Modern Scrappy Bits.  I had bought a pattern at that fab store in MA, I used linen and a Kaffe stripe, which I lined with batting.  The problem with this pattern was that 1 - I had zippers previously purchased, and I put them I don't know where; and 2 - I had clear vinyl I had previously purchased, and I put it I don't know where.  The start of any new project must allow for time to find all the supplies you know you have and you just don't know where.  

It was only an hour search, the vinyl I actually found quickly, in a cabinet, but the zippers, it took almost the full hour.  I really contained myself not tearing the place apart.  Just opening drawers, cabinets, looking in bags and baggies.  In the end they were laid out sweet as can be under a pile of fabric.  

The rest of Modern Scrappy Bits is putting together some scrappy bits for your partner.

There is more to do - and I would like to get some things quilted this month.

Christmas is coming, there are babies coming that need gifts, and I need to use up fabric that has accumulated.  And accumulated.  And accumulated.

I am working on it.  

Nelly is keeping me busy.  And making me actually do some of that exercise stuff I sometimes talk about doing. 

Zippidy Doo Dah

• Husband:  What is in that package you got today?
• Me:  Zippers.
• H: Zippers?
• Me:  Yes.
• H:  How many zippers? that was a pretty big package for just zippers.  
• Me:  Umm, a few.  Oh, plus there were zipper pulls.  And maybe a little fabric.  
• H:  Are you going to start sewing clothes now, because I just don't see why you need a couple dozen zippers.  
• Me:  I don't need them.  I just need to have them on hand for when I do need them.  For some things I am going to make.  In the future.  That I'll use zippers.  And since I haven't made it yet, I didn't know what color, so I got all the colors.
• H:  So, you bought a couple dozen zippers....
• Me:  And pulls.
• H:  And pulls for some time in the future when you might need them.  
• Me:  Yes.  I'm going to make stuff that requires zippers.
• H:  Stuff?
• Me:  Stuff.  
• H:  .........walks away......probably to bang ahead against wall.
• Me:  Maybe you shouldn't get the mail anymore. (loudly so he can hear over the banging)

Awesome zippers I ordered from Zip It!  They came super fast.

What won't I be able to make with this rainbow of zippers?

And pulls, don't forget the pulls!

And just because I had to show him I need zippers for stuff I'm going to make, I made a zip pouch.  A zip pouch which required a zipper and a pull.

I like the back of zip pouches to be linen.  I'll need more linen because I have a lot of zippers now.   I'll have to warn him about that package.