Saturday, November 29, 2014

BOM #2 for Sew Sweet Simplicity

Earlier this week, Jacquelynne Steves sent out her super-easy-to-follow instructions for Block #2 in the Sew Sweet Simplicity Block of the Month.

Of course, I wanted to sit down immediately and start putting it together. But, life was not scheduled that way!

I was subbing in Art class (of all places) on Monday. (Yes, it went very well!)
Tuesday was Clean The House Day for Thanksgiving and
Wednesday, was food prep for the feast on Thursday.
So, finally on Friday, I was able to meet up with my sewing machine and put this baby together!

Please remember that I'm still pretty green with this piecing thing and making HST's and Flying Geese and aligning corners and seams. Jacquelynne really spells it out clearly with pictures and easy steps to follow in her tutorial. I would highly recommend anyone who is new to quilting to follow along!

I hope this gets better with practice. OK, so don't go scrutinizing those areas!


 

I do like it and am pleased with my color choices and fabrics. I'm already looking forward to Block #3!

A close up for pinterest...





 
 

 
 


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

BOM #1 for Sew Sweet Simplicity

Hi friends!

Gosh, it's been a while. As I sit here uploading photos, I think back 3 days ago when the temperature was 60 degrees, I look out the window now and see snow floating in the air.
 It's been a crazy week weather-wise. Ol' Man Winter is on his merry way.

About a week ago, I took on a personal challenge to sew up a quilt block from Jacquelynne Steves  who writes an e-magazine called Art of Home. I can't even remember how I found her or her

Block of the Month project, but I'm so glad I did!
She's also on facebook. (you should be proud of me learning to add a link here!)
 
 Why was this a challenge for me? Because I've done very little in the way of formal quilting. I've done several quilt-as-you-go projects (see below) and a few more crazy quilting things, but as far as cutting fabric in dimensions and ironing open seams and cutting at angles, I was scared!
 But I took it on none the less.

So here's my first block from the Sew Sweet Simplicity Block of the Month:

 
I think it turned out really well, at least for a beginner! No enlarging allowed here to peek at imperfect seam matches. I was so excited to make this and Jacquelynne's tutorial was so easy to follow. I am really looking forward to the next block!
 
I chose the colors based on my home's décor. We have lots of deep reds, beiges, olive green and black accents. This block will be among 5 more blocks that will be made into a lap quilt for the family room.

Here are a few more of the projects I've made using many of the same fabrics:
 

These are coasters (or mug rugs) that I made In-The-Hoop on my embroidery machine.
 There are 4 in the set, but one of them is MIA.
 
 
 
 

This is a square (duh) table topper that sits on an end table. Once again, it ain't perfect!
 
 
 
 
 
Above is a table runner that I have on a larger end table.
 
My mind is really wanting to learn more about quilting. While I wait for the second block to come out, I'm working on a Christmas tree skirt for my son.
That's another post.

I hope it won't take me 6 months to get it here.