Meant to be quilt

Last year I was asked if I could make a quilt for my niece who honeymooned in Hawaii.  While there she shopped for beautiful and colorful fabrics and found some amazing varieties.  I received a box with 2 scarfs, several charm type packs and yardage of turtles.

I had some time to think about what pattern to use that would show off the prints and be conducive to the amount of fabric received.  Krystle & Jeremy were aware I had a few projects ahead of them, they were more than willing to wait. 

Out came my favorite books and magazines for insperation plus paper and pen, I couldnt very well shop for a little more of any of the prints locally so I had to calculate to make sure I wouldnt run out. 

I liked the pattern between the green turtles and decided to split the fabric using just the pattern between the blocks and use the turtles around the outside.  This was my sample using scrap cream to see if we all like the intended block, it was a YES and I started a few weeks later.

  I used Bonnie Hunters book Adventures with Leaders & Enders for the pattern. 

This picture shows the quilt top in my window just before it was layered and quilted.  It looks like stained glass and really shows all the colors.  Here is where I will confess that it was really close on the brown fabrics, I had a piece of light brown no bigger than 6x6" square and the dark brown had about a fat quarter left after I made the label.  I decided the name of the quilt was "Meant to be" because I just made it with the fabrics, it was perfect - just like it was meant to be. 

As always I believe all quilts should have a unique label.

The label is a pocket with the Bride & Grooms names, date of the wedding, all the places they honeymooned and then I added the name of the quilt and my name as quilter/creater.

The backing is aqua batik turtles.

Here are photos sent to me by Krystle and Jeremy and the fur puppy Gene.

A wedding keepsake to treasure always, glad I could do this for them

Off to sew,

Pam

Bow Tie obsessed

Since I started a quilt for my niece out of Bonnie Hunters book I have been having fun with the original simple bow tie block

First the tutorial

This tutorial block will be 12 1/2" square once completed 

I started with 3 1/2" squares /= 8 solid Kona white and 8 solid or read as solid prints

Add 8 - 1 1/2" square white kona solid with a removable line drawn diagonally to indicare the middle.  I used clover water solvable marker.

When stitching I like to be on the side of the line closest to the corner to make sure the point doesn't get lost.

I prefer to chain stitch as much as possible

Cut between threads and press

Start stitching them together in rows, again I chain piece

Ta-done!

Now fabric choice changes everything, so does sashing

The first one is black and white with white and black. In the middle is two solids with white and lastly is a bow tie where the corner colors are four blocks of the same shade to make up the bow with matching pink triangles added to the cream print.  All look different once grouped in fours.

Depending on the fabric choice they look completely different, the last one has added frames with corner stones, doesn't the block look "fancy"?

Here is a WIP of my nieces quilt - here each bow is the same color of material only instead of doing a 3 1/2" as above each square I did is 4- 2 1/2" squares for each corner to make that corner 4 1/2" square. These blocks are 20" with framing and It is a Bonnie Hunter pattern.

Liking the bow tie, what about you?

Linking to Let's Bee Social use my side links

Off to sew,

Pam

Alzheimers fidget quilt

Our WNY MQG is honored this month to be making Fidget quilts for Alzheimer patients  Our current president in real life is on the nursing staff of a local hospital and brought this need to our attention.   Since we are always looking for items to make for charity we are excited to do a full day sew-in this coming weekend at the hospitals community center.  

The idea of this quilt is to be lap size for someone sitting in a wheel chair, I decided on 16 x 20 for mine, a little bigger than a place mat.

Since I have a lot of stuff to bring as it is, I decided to do myself an example so I don't have to make it up as I go along on sewing day.  I mapped out the sizes of each square, noted how may "extras" I need and printed an outline. 

On the quilt my goal was to incorporate at least 3 fabrics of different textures and 6 items to fidget with.  When using the quilt patients "worry" or fidget with the shapes, textures and items. 

On this one I used flannel, denim, netting and soft cottons, some with extra batting with textured quilting. My items are buttons, a zipper, snaps, marbles under the cotton netting, cording, a key chain and a belt with loops. This was my manly man quilt for gentleman patients who don't want frills.

My favorite Wednesday link Sew Fresh Quilts

off to sew,
Pam 

Let's Play Tic Tac Toe -quilt

For my February DO. good Stitches with Bliss Circle I created a quilt pattern, I wanted it to be simple and easy.  With everyone catching up after the holidays I felt it was best and  kept it in line with the quilt I "dreamed" up.

I asked everyone to make two blocks that would end up 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" using two 1 1/2", 2 1/2" and 3 1/2" strips in 12 1/2" lengths.  They could be sewn together in any order using any print as long as the background was white.  The fabric blocks they sent were perfect!

After I received them all I needed to create an extra five blocks, I wanted the grid to be centered. The full quilt is five blocks x five blocks.  The grid is kona wasabi green in 2 1/2" x 3 blocks.  With the additional blocks and the added grid two of my blocks I made needed to be 16 1/2" tall to accommodate the two grid lines.  I used four 3 1/2" strips, they blended nicely.

I also added a block with a zipper 2 1/2" from the top of the block to store the X's and O's when not in use.  This block was quilted before the blocks were put together. The inside of the block is also quilted by quilting just that square before the three layers were sandwiched.  

Finally the backing is actually tic tac toe themed, when I found it I felt the whole quilt was meant to be.  I macnine embroidered a lable and added the Bee's lable to finish it.

Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts and Freshly Pieced 

Off to sew,

Pam

Envelope Pillows

Finally getting over a bad cold with sore throat and stuffy head.  Its -10 here this morning, but I do love Western New York, now if only those of you with colds would stay home and NOT pass on your bad health!

Now for today post, My gift of pillows for my daughters new home are finally done.  I think they will go quite nicely on her cream couch in the living room with its new gray shaggy rug and freshly painted walls

I enjoyed making them for her knowing it was what she wanted to add color to the room.  Boyfriend wasn't excited about the crazy colorful rugs she loved so pillows are a happy medium, right?

We decided five would be a good number in three sizes, 16" 20" square and a 9 x 16" rectangle. 

I added soft gray piping to the multi, this was tricky 

They all have a 2" overlapping envelope, the 16" & 20" have a velcro tab for added security 

The blue one I added a green border with micro 1/4" piping to break up the color. I love how the corners turned out, could be better... Next time.

Im not sure about the blue one for this room, baby girl said it could also go well in the spare room.  I have one more to make just in case it doesn't work out.  I used JoAnn's.com for the Home Decor fabric, was not thrilled when it took them a month on backorder to decide one I picked was out of stock.  I do like the quality of the fabric and used a 50% off sale, thats always good.

Back to quilting the king size quilt with woodgrain, half done - it is getting easier.

Time to party with Sew Fresh Quilts and Freshly Pieced linky's use my buttons to connect

Off to sew

Pam

Hawaiian fabric quilt

My neice went to Hawaii for her honeymoon bringing back several pre-cut squares and a few yards of beautiful fabric.  Although she is a very talented in sewing working for the Mouse at one of his parks, who has time to make a quilt?  I do, I do!

I was honored that she thought to trust me with her special treasure of fabric, look how beautiful the colors are.

I then add some neutrals to firm up the background

Once I received the fabric I already had a pattern in mind out of Bonnie Hunters book

Before starting on the project I thought a sample block for approval was necessary

Got the OK, now during TV time I can run the fabric through the Accuquilt so everthing is ready when its time.

Thinking about runnung a strip of turtles around the outside as a border, I have time to think about it.

Linking up with Lets Bee Social with Sew Fresh Quilts and WIP with Freshly Pieced, use the side buttons.

Off to sew,

Pam

For my Son and is girl

This past Christmas I finished a king size quilt top.  I am just now starting to do the topstitching, this will take some time.  I am doing a woodgrain pattern using chocolate on the brown and cream on the light areas.

Actually this post is about "ditching" before you free motion which I am a firm beliver in, do you ditch and if you do what thread do you use?  

When I first started the suggestion was to use clear thread from Superior, it comes in light and dark.  I don't know about you but it just reminded me of that plastic thread on cheap clothing, if the end comes loose it just keeps poking you.  I switched to matching the fabric, on multicolored fabrics no matter how careful it would show somewhere.  

Thats when I discovered water-soluble thread, several brands are available.  I am currently using Superiors purchased on Amazon with free prime member shipping.  Yes, happy girl right here for having access to Amazon Prime via my son.

Have you ever used water sololuable thread? 

Time to join the linky parties Lets Bee Social with Sew Fresh Quilts and WIP Wednesday with Freshly Pieced Modern Quilt- please use my buttons on the side.

Off to sew, 

Pam

For my baby girl and her fella

When I visited my daughter a few weeks ago one thing she wanted for her new home were pillows for the living room.  

For Christmas I made her one from a craftsy quilt pattern I purchased last year, mini size.  I loved the pattern as soon as I saw it, baby girls only request was bright colors - mission accomplished!

Front

Back

I made it envelope style and am now looking for two patterns for her everyday pillows.  She loves Johnathan Adler style pillows, large prints.

from his website~

I will be on the lookout for a compatible pattern quilt style.  

I am a Mom on a mission

Joining my favorite linky parties, Lets Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts and WIP at Freshly Pieced Modern Quilts. Please use my side bar link buttons

Off to sew,

Pam