pillowcase ideas

I've taken a break from the Funky Flower throw for a few days.  I need to back up and punt.






 Several months ago our quilt guild made pillowcases for Erlanger Children's Hospital in Chattanooga TN.  Starting with 1 yard each of two coordinating fabrics, I cut 9" WOF from each piece.  I used this 9" strip to make the cuff on the other pillowcase (and vice versa).  You'll have matching pillowcases, but each is unique.  Each pillowcase has another fabric (2"-2 1/2" strip cut WOF) used as piping.

I'm a smusher...

 While quilting the Funky Flowers throw, it came to mind that I'm a smusher rather than a roller.  The quilt seems to move better from a smushed position than from a roll.  And I'm lovin' the 11" throat on my Janome...lots of smushing space.

Funky Flowers backing...and little Red

 The backing for Funky Flowers needed a little extra size, so leftover pieced strips worked very well.

 I experimented with machine embroidery for the label.

 Machine embroidery?? Yes, I have a new Janome Horizon Memory Craft 7700QCP (hereafter known as Little Red).  And I love it!  The entire Funky Flowers throw was stitched on it as I learned all the bells and whistles.  It even tap dances!! 

"Funky Flowers"

Not my favorite fabrics, not my favorite block pattern --- but it has grown on me as I've been stitching.  The black print inner border and second pieced border are attached.  The 3rd border, a black stripe, is just clinging to the design wall until I decide if it stays or if I need to find a darkish green print...(It's 12 hours later now and I think I'll keep the black stripe).    Rather than making the borders three different widths, I have decided to keep them all 2" finished.  The design needed to be tamed just a bit. I think the borders will do that.  

folk flower throw

Piles of pieces going together...













Cleaning up edges before joining sections...The camera decided a flash was needed.













Bunch kitty always tries to help...











I thought that 9 (12") squares are enough for the throw.  I'll add 2 or 3 borders...maybe pieceing together some of the scraps for the middle or outer border...I'm not fond of this fabric, but it was what I had on hand for the quilt class assignment.  It will feel good on a cold Winter evening...

a necessity...

I was spending more time looking for things than I was spending at the sewing machine.  So I took a break and have (somewhat) organized my stash on this sagging shelving unit.  It isn't pretty, but it will suffice...at least for awhile.  There's more shelving in my sewing area...and more storage bins...so I hope to get back to the machine soon.  That will be after I return from a few days spent with my daughter and her family.

flower pieces

 I finally chose these 9 fat quarters for the folk art flower quilt/throw.

 A pizza box makes a good storage place for all the stacked/whacked pieces. 

 The burrito party favor of left over fabric will be pieced and used as a border.

Thursday quilt class

...drawing off a 'stack and whack' pattern for Thursday's quilt class...I think I'll do 6 blocks instead of 20.  I don't want to have too many UFO's hanging over my head. 

tossing around an idea...

     I don't want to cut up the large flowers on these fat quarters, so I think the logical thing would be to feature them as big, big center squares.  I'm thinking about 14"-16" squares, and then cutting the sashing about 6" wide.  It's another project so soon after the Halloween quilt (which remains unquilted), but I can't let my sewing machine cool down...if you sew, you know what I mean. 

drawstring pants? for me?

 Today I sewed a pair of drawstring pants.  While trying them on and seeing myself in the mirror, I decided they make me look 'dumpy'.  Well, maybe it's them, maybe it's me -- but I suspect it might be the Little Debbie cakes.  After hemming, they'll go into the closet for a few months and we'll see what happens after me saying "NO!" to the Little Debbie snacks.

bold and bright...and batty

This is the completed Halloween quilt top with two borders... 

I finally decided on this scrappy placement for the backing.  Getting a design with the leftover squares required a lot of thought, but it finally came together...and I'm pleased with the result.  I think a 5 year old will like it... 

auditions...

  There were lots of small blocks left over after pieceing the Halloween quilt top, so I'm thinking of doing a mish-mash of the left overs for the backing.  I've placed envelope corners (lower left and right) to mark the area I need to fill.  Several strips (not shown) have been stitched together, but their placement will have to wait until tomorrow....I'm seeing spots, bats and pumpkins right now.

I think this is the placement I'll keep working on...maybe... 

yet another pillowcase

 Another pillowcase for Granddaughter Alannah.  This one is made from a Minkee charm pack (from Missouri Star Quilt Company).  The cuff and back is Minkee yardage from Sew-Bee-It.  Minkee fabric is so-o-o-o soft and cuddly, well --- kinda like mink (or so I'm told -- never had one, nor wanted one).  Sewing it produced so much fuzz that I had to clean my machine which had been cleaned just a month or so ago.

free backpack made from orphan squares

I rescued 2 orphan quilt squares from a scrap bag (given to me).  After squaring them,  I applied sew-in interfacing and backed them with pre-washed flannel.  I did 'stitch in the ditch' to get a quilted feeling.  The lining (on the right) was cut from an old skirt which my husband never liked -- so I've given it new life. 

Draw strings were cut 2" wide from red fabric, then double folded and wobble stitched to close the edges.  They were then attached to the bottom corners and threaded through the casing (sewn from fabric scraps and attached to the top). 

Using it as a backpack leaves my hands free for wandering through the quilt shop (which I did today) or it can be carried as a purse.  And it was free! 

Dresden plate

This dresden plate design was cut from scraps...hand stitched center...then machine basted to the background fabric... 

then handstitched...I think it will become a pillow/wallhanging/purse --- not sure yet... 

Dora the Explorer pillowcases

More pillowcases for granddaughter, Alannah --- this time they feature her favorite character, Dora the Explorer.

Have you kissed your dog today?

I used this cute fabric to make pillowcases for my granddaughter, Alannah.  One of the phrases reads "Have you kissed our dog today?"  Well, have you???

tossed 9 patch

I've completed pieceing four covers for the sofa and chair arms.  Hopefully this pattern will hide Cheez-It crumbs and Diet Dr Pepper sprinkles (my hubby - gotta love 'em).  I used 2 charm packs of Sandhill Plums design by Kansas Troubles for Moda fabrics...got them from Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I'll be adding a border and backing them with a nice flannel from Sew-Bee-It quilt shop in Ringgold GA.