Branching out

I've tried something new this year - sewing with knits! I found a great sewing pattern website, Love Notions, which offered a couple of free patterns for the kids.  I've now purchased a few, picked up some knits and started playing.

This is the Trendy Tunic, Size 5 and Size 7, for Mya and Zoey.  The patterns are a .pdf download, and I love that I can easily just print one size at a time, without having to sort through multiple lines.

Zoey loves to wear patterns! Sometimes she's head-to-toe cheetah print!  Mya was in twirly mood that day, so wouldn't wear hers.

I've always been intimidated by knits before, I'm not sure why now! They were so easy to make, and I even learned how to use the twin needle on my machine. My sister has now given me mom's old serger, so I can learn something else!

I got hit with that terrible flu just after my last post, so I haven't been sewing much. I hope now that I have fully recovered, I can get my mojo back.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 17

During my "hiatus", I made a Bionic Gear Bag that I haven't shared yet. If you haven't heard about this bag yet, you really should check it the website at Sew Much Nicer!

It is a fabulous bag that can be used to store just about anything, and there is going to be larger version available soon. (I also bought the baby BGB variation as well). Sally also offers video workshops to teach you how to put this together at Sew Like a Rockstar.

They were really helpful adding the pockets and putting the side panels on.

There is also a free pattern for a small dish that attaches to the bag with magnets, that can be used for Wonderclips or as a thread catcher. Free is right up my alley!

 Of course, to make a coordinated one, I had to buy new fabric!  I got 4.35 metres, but rest assured the bag doesn't take that much - if you do the bag all in one colour it takes 1.25 yards or 1.15 metres. In fact, the pocket linings used scraps that I had on hand. I also shared with a friend, so 2.3 metres were used right away.

Added this week: 4.35 metres

Added this year: 33.05 metres

Used this week: 3.3 metres

Used this year: 21.8 metres

Added/Used this year: 11.25 metres

The extra metre was used by my grandkids!  The kids wanted to sew one morning after a sleepover, so we made some doll/stuffie blankets.  Alex is eight, and sewed his all by himself, even putting the backing on envelope style. I just had to show him how to line things up.

Zoey (5 1/2) finally overcame her hatred of moving parts, and assembled her top with a little assistance. She wouldn't let me take her picture though. Mya is 2 1/2 and not afraid of anything - she wanted to just jump in and do it by herself. Since she's never done it before, I had a hard time holding her back, but we managed to get it done safely without running over little hands. She was so proud of herself.

I have a few more things I did during my hiatus, but I'll save those for next week.

Linking up with Judy's Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, Week 4

Another metre added, and a metre out!  Next week, I've promised myself that I will have the En Provence top finished.

Added this week: 1 metres

Added this year: 19.8metres

Used this week: 1.00 metres

Used this year: 0.00 metres

Added/Used this year: 18.8 metres

I did make another purchase of sale fabric last week at Hamels.  My friend, Kim, ordered the sale stuff on line, and I couldn't help but add to it. I used the excuse I need another yellow and a soft orange for my En Provence quilt ( 4 - 3 1/2" square of each), which translated to buying a metre!

I added a gray and a green tone-on-tones, for the stash and bought 4 - 1/4 metre pieces in all. I didn't bother asking for fat quarters, as I tend to use strips anyway.

I plan on having the En Provence flimsy done by the end of the month, and that will put a big chunk out! It will be 13.25 yards if I don't add to it. 

I did move a metre out making some doll/stuffie blankets with the grandkids this weekend!

Alex is eight and has been sewing off and on with me for quite a few years. He has now progressed to learning about chain piecing and matching seams, and can operate the sewing machine without me hanging over his shoulder. I was at the ironing board cutting blocks for the girls while he sewed his blocks.

Zoey is five and picked out all her blocks, and for the first time, braved the "noisy" machine and helped feed her fabric through.  She really wanted to use "her" machine, a hand-crank that she has claimed as hers, but we stuck to the Featherweight.  She took off before I could take her picture, but here she is last year when the hand-crank arrived. She likes this one because it is so quiet.

And little Miss Mya got in the act as well. She helped choose her own blocks, but had more fun poking through my scrap basket while I sewed hers up.  She promptly wrapped around her stuffed puppy, and went off to bed. 

Since I was babysitting, I was able to get a picture of her and her messy hair as she was busy pointing out the "otopus" under her hand!

I love that my grands love to craft and sew with Gramma, and I hope we have many years of doing so before they lose interest. They were all proud of their work and couldn't wait to show their parents when they arrived for pickup.

Linking up to Patchwork Times Sunday Stash Report.

Like Judy, I count my fabric out at three stages:

1. When the top is finished, which is called a flimsy.

2. When it is quilted with the backing

3. When it is bound and finally finished.

This gives me an incentive to push a project to the stage. This week, more En Provence!

Have a great week,

Terri in BC

Sunday Stash Report, Week 48

Long time, no blog!

 

It feels like it has been forever since I blogged, and when I looked at the date of my last post, sure enough it's been six weeks.  A new baby, working extra hours to get caught up at work before leaving for a trip to Mexico, cancelling said trip because my brother-in-law has had a heart attack (and I was to be travelling with my sister and b-i-l), back and forth trips to the hospital (he's been moved to one almost 100 kms away, have all taken their toll on my energy level.

 

I am grateful for so many things:  that we had the trip to Mexico booked, because it made my brother-in-law get "that nagging pain" in his chest checked out, that Expedia was incredibly understanding and cancelled our trip with 98% refund (we lost $75 per seat for the airline, and got everything else back), that he has a strong heart and even though his heart has been operating at about 40% for a number of years, it built its own pathways around the blockages, and even though it is hard waiting for the surgery, the attack did no damage to his heart and he is waiting for the surgery because he "isn't as sick as some of the others" on the floor.

 

First up, my stash report:

 

I have actually added fabric for the first time in months:

 

 

2.5 metres of flannelette and 1.5 metres of a superhero print for our annual pillowcases (I have 6 left to make), and 2 metres of solids for the Super Mario quilt and binding for crib bumper pads.

 

Added since my last report: 6 metres

Added Year to Date: 70.1 metres 

 

 And I have managed to get some sewing done, despite all the obstacles (sewing is my stress reliever):

 

Mya's quilt is finished and in the crib (check out those chubby cheeks!).  Every time I see her, she is sleeping - but her mother assures me she has lots of awake time, usually starting at 3 a.m.  Poor little tyke has her days and nights still mixed up.  She's seven weeks today so it shouldn't be for much longer.

 

 

The finished quilt took 1 1/2 metres for the back, and 1/3 metre for the binding.  I had fun with some free motion quilting - it is getting easier.

 

 

It's not perfect, but I'm happy with it.

 

 

I also finished a crib skirt, but since my daughter supplied the fabric, I didn't count it in or out. (Pardon the wrinkles, I was still pressing it).

 

 

I use snap tape to attach it to the crib base, which saves a lot of fabric.  We stapled the other half with staples so it makes it also easy to take off for washing.

 

 

My sister and I had a sew day before my b-i-l's heart attack.  We sewed a total of eight pairs of pyjamas and nightgown sacks - these are the ones I made for my grandchildren.  My sister just became a grandmother again two weeks ago, her first granddaughter after 4 boys, so she was thrilled to sew something pink!  I used 4 metres in all.

 

 

 

Lastly, I made a snuggler for the car seat.  It has slits in it for the straps to fit through, so when you take the baby out, she will stay wrapped up.  Perfect for this cold weather we've been having.  It uses 2 metres of fabric, one for the front and one for the back -I lined it with the leftover minkee from the quilt.

 

Destashed since my last report: 7.9 metres

 Destashed year to Date: 53.9 metres

 Added for 2014: 16.2 metres

 

Total spent  YTD $345.19= $4.92/metre

 

I just might break even this year! Check out Patchwork Times for more stash reports - I love watching people's progress.

 

Sunday Stash Report, Week 42

I had two big finishes this week, and I sent off some more fabric to a quilter who does charity quilts, so my "out" numbers really grew!  And I didn't add anything, so I am making some headway...finally!

Added since my last report: 0 metres

Added Year to Date: 64.1 metres 

Destashed since my last report: 19 metres

 Destashed year to Date: 46 metres

 Added for 2014: 18.1 metres

 

Total spent  YTD $294.20 = $4.59/metre

 

First up, my Celtic Solstice top got finished - finished size is 50" x 60".  Waiting for a new baby really motivated me to finish 5 blocks (including piecing about 1/3 of the units first) in just one evening.  Too bad I can't be that productive all the time.

I estimate I used about 5 metres for the top.  I used a lot of scraps and fat 8ths purchased pieces and didn't keep really good track but I think I'm close.

 

 

 

Secondly, I have started the quilting on the quilt for the new baby.  The shower is in two weeks so I should get it done.  Since I never counted the top as done, that is some more fabric out!  Another 4 metres out. 

 

Since I didn't take a picture when I finished it, this is what it will look like once I finish quilting it and adding the rickrack and applique leaves.

 

 

 

I also sent about 10 metres of fabric to a quilter who does charity quilts.  I was in a hurry so I didn't take a picture.  It sure felt good to get it out. 

 

I'm doing some fun quilting on the baby's quilt.  Today I finished the "grass".  I did "organic" lines about 1" apart (kind of like lines of mowing). 

 

 

I used my Purple Thang to eyeball where to start the next row of stitching. I measured from the top of the tool to the top of the elongated hole you see in the picture below.

 

 

I've also stitched rays of sunshine around the yellow block, and I'm about to start the swirls of wind through the blue sky! Then I will do tight swirls of wool inside the sheep.

 

 Little Mya is doing great!  After just an overnight stay, she was home Monday.  She is eating well, but has her days and nights mixed up a bit.  Every night gets a little better.  This gramma has been enjoying lots of baby snuggles this week - I am so fortunate my kids both choose to live close to me.

 

Ready to go home

 

 

A rare daytime sighting of eyes

 

Big sister is finally warming up to her sister, and helps with a top-up feeding.

 

This weekend, my ex-husband is in town to meet the new baby so today I will enjoy sewing.  We all got together for dinner last night, but I think it is good for him to have his own bonding time with all the grandkids without me around to distract them.

 

I'm a gramma again!

 

I have so much to be thankful for this thanksgiving!  Beautiful Mya Gillian arrived at 4:15 a.m. this morning, weighing 8 lbs 11 oz.  She is already feeding and they will be home tomorrow, on Thanksgiving day. 

 

 

Mom, Dad and baby are doing great!

 

Last night, since I couldn't settle, I finished my Celtic Solstice quilt top.  I'll post pictures of that later.

 

Now I'm off to the hospital to meet my new granddaughter, then bring her big sister home with me so mom and dad can bond with their new little one!