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 

Herringbone Quilt

I'm not sure when, but somewhere on Instagram or clicking through Flickr I came across a post about Maureen Cracknell and the Herringbone Quilt she made using the quilt as you go (QAYG) method.

I have wanted to give QAYG a try, and this seemed like the perfect pattern

I chose Joel Dewberry Heirloom collection for my quilt

And I added solids, in Kona and Oakshott.  I don't normally cut everything out ahead of time, I'm usually to anxious to see how colors will come together or if what I see in my brain translates to something that looks good in real life.  This was all new to me

All my strips are 2 1/2"

After I cut everything, I remeasured my bed and realized I needed more strips, so some other Joel Dewberry and few more solids went into the strip piles

And then I started sewing strips to pre-cut batting strips

This is for my kind sized bed, and I look forward to one day being able to actually put it on my bed.  I  will work on strips in between other projects, so it's slow going, but it will get there.  I have 7 strips completed so far

I'm very happy how this is turning out!

Linking up to Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary