Hello...Kitty

Hello Kitty is done! This was a QAL I participated in with Amy from Suki Don't You Know. This was the most fun I have had in a QAL. I saw pictures of the one Amy made, but nothing beats putting your own together. Each block added to my design wall was like watching a Poloroid picture develop.

 I took Kitty up to the park to clip her onto the fence. I really wanted to get a shot of the whole quilt.

 It was me and seven clothespins against the wind. Isn't she cute? She is all 2 1/2 inch squares, finishing at 2 inches each. Before you get scared, this is totally manageable. It is broken down into 6 rows of six blocks. Each block is six rows of six squares.

 We did four blocks each week and it was pretty easy to keep up. It also easily lends itself to chain piecing. I took my time and only had to rip out two rows.

 After I got the main quilt top together, I decided to extend it with 4 inch strips along each side, rather than doing more small squares. I like the way it frames the quilt.

 I tried not to put like squares next to each other, but sometimes it happened from one block to the next. I decided not to stress over it. Gives it character.

 I didn't fussy cut the squares at all, but there were many happy coincidences like this sweet little girl on a swing.

 And there is this puppy chasing a ball. I did make sure the text prints were right side up so you could read them. It helped me to keep the blocks oriented correctly too. A bonus.

 Some newer fabrics and some very old fabrics are in here. Up close, it is a feast for the eyes.

 From a distance, it is awesome. This is my first pixilated quilt ever and I love the technique.

 This sweet quilt is a belated birthday gift for my youngest daughter. I'm pretty sure she squealed when I sent her an in-progress picture of it(she's 28).

                                                    Breezy Kitty

 I quilted in the ditch, every other row along both the horizontal and the vertical. I want it to hold up well to washing and every day use.

 For the borders, I was inspired to write Hello Kitty in cursive all around the edges of the quilt. It is subtle, but you can see it.

 Oh, Kitty, I wish I could be there when she sees you for the first time. I know you will be loved.

 I am trying to use fabrics from my stash this year as much as possible. Here is the pieced back. I did not buy a single fabric for this quilt.

 I am so very pleased with this and I am going to make another one. I know a certain little girl who would love one, as soon as she is old enough to know who Hello Kitty is.

 The binding is a Quilter's Candy stripe from Connecting Threads. I love the way it makes the edges look. It also matches the pinks in the quilt. See the hearts there? All my love going out with this.

This was a very happy project. See you soon.
Going to link up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it Friday.

Whole Lotta Sewing Going On

I've been doing lots of sewing here lately. From quilting to making baby clothes and a pouch too. Here is some of what I've been up to:

 First, the Hello Kitty quilt that I pieced for my youngest daughter. I couldn't get it done in time for her birthday, but I am pin basting it tomorrow so I hope to have it done soon.

 Next, a boxy pouch I made for my oldest. I had this fat quarter of fabric that someone had sent me last year in a get well card after my surgery. I knew she would love it, as she loves chickens. I googled it and found that it is from 2010 and so very hard to find, so a pouch it is.

 The boxy pouch was what she requested. I found this pattern at Kelby Sews. It is a free tutorial and pretty easy, especially if you have ever made any zippered pouches.

 I love the tabs and the orange zipper was my idea to add a pop of another color to it.

 The lining fabric is from Amanda Jean's Good Neighbors line for Connecting Threads. I gave my daughter a choice of a red print or this, and she is a big fan of green, so that was decided.

 I think this is just the cutest boxy pouch ever. If you ever want to make one, this tutorial is very well written.

 This is a quilt top in progress. This will be a bigger quilt for Miss N when she gets a little older. I love this fabric. It's all organic too.

 Then there is this. The top version of the Geranium Dress by Rae, of Made by Rae. The bloomers are from Heather Ross' Weekend Sewing book. Both patterns are amazingly simple and quick to make. The Geranium Dress has several variations, including the dress, the shorter version which is a top, and several other embellishments to give it different looks. The bloomers were my first attempt at shirring. Rae has a great tutorial about that too.

 The sweet froggie print is from Heather Ross' Far Far Away reprint line. Perfect for little girl dresses.

 And I even fussy cut a froggie pocket. I love how cute this is.

I got the buttons at my local quilt shop. At first I thought they were too dark, but when I got them home, I found they were the exact color of the little flowers. I have plans for several more of these outfits. So what are you sewing these days?

Long Time Coming

I finally finished a quilt that was started about 3 or so years ago. Back then I had this wonderful Bee group, Sunday Morning Quilts Bee on Flickr. We had a great three year run. This quilt was my final project made from blocks these ladies made for me.

 This is an X Plus quilt done in primary colors. I found the tutorial on line somewhere.

 The back is pieced from my stash. Happy to be able to use some of that up.

 And another one is done. So bright and cheerful! Scrappy reds for the binding.

See you soon.