Summer Weight Covers

 Since 2013 I have made 3 of these light weight blankets. In my previous posts, I always called them blank-o-lets, after my grandson's name for his special blanket when he was young.

This was my first light weight blanket. The fabric is a lawn that I got from Connecting Threads. This blanket was made in 2013. I used it for almost 2 years. The backing is white flannel and it is the perfect weight for summer, although I used it year round to wrap around my shoulders when I needed a little something, especially at night when I would get hot, and then cooled down again. Perfect weight.

See the blog post here for more detail.

Then, in December of 2014, just before my first surgery, I made a new one. The intended use was the same, I just wanted something different.

 And the reason I wanted something different was because this awesome print was available in flannel! I was so in love with this. So, again, I made the top out of light weight voile from Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks voile. This blank-o-let comforted me for 8 years! I have slept with it every night and taken it everywhere with me for those eight years. But now she is getting thin. All the washing and snuggling is wearing her out. I did some repairs on her and was quite surprised to see how thin the flannel has become.

See this blog post for more detail.

So now, I found a really pretty fabric and it is not lawn or voile, but I loved it anyway. I used a yard and a half of the main print and a yard of the two coordinating prints to make this:

 This is one of those projects that I make up in my head and when it works out, it is so much better than I though it would be.

This is the main print. The line is Nocturnal by Gingiber for Moda fabrics. It is the coolest print and when I saw it, I couldn't resist. I knew that with the pink and mustard accent fabrics it would be perfect for a new light weight blank-o-let.

This is the selvedge of the fabrics. I got four of these little wordy pieces and saved them all. I put one on the bottom of the front side. I just love it.

And the backing is a well washed and used sheet that my daughter gave me, with the intended use of quilt backing. The fitted sheet was trashed, but the top sheet was in pretty good shape. This was a twin size. Now, this light weight blanket is a wee bit heavier because the fabric on top is heavier than lawn or voile. But, I am hoping it will last as long as the last one, which my husband has claimed as his own. It is a bit heavier than a sheet, and perfect for AC nights or even open window nights when it seems chilly by the early morning hours. As I said, I use it year round. I can't wait until it gets a few washings to soften it further. Oh, and I highly recommend that you prewash your fabrics to pre-shrink them. With no batting in between it matters. Ask me how I know. :)

Talk to you soon.

600th POST!!

I can hardly believe that this is my 600th post! I never imagined that when I started this little blog back in 2011. Boy, has blogging changed since then. Not for me, really. I still do what I do. I even go back and read some of my early posts to see what I was doing back then. It's like opening a time capsule. So, here's what's up here lately:

Last Friday was our anniversary, and so I made us a pan of brownies to celebrate. My husband isn't much into desserts, but he does love a good brownie and these are really good and fudgey.

 I had finished a blanket for the middle daughter, so now I am starting one for the oldest daughter. These are the first two rows, after frogging 15 rows that I hated the color order of.

 Now I think I am on the right track with this one. At least I hope so. It's coming along.

And these are all the yarn colors that will be in this very colorful ripple blanket. Pattern is by Lucy at Attic 24.

I whipped up these cutie shorts for Miss N, from leftover fabric. I made her a Geranium dress a couple of years ago, and she has outgrown it, but misses the "puppy" dress. This is the last of this fabric, which is a knit.

 And since I was able to use up a big chunk of my stash making bags and pouches for the craft fair, I decided to reinvest some of the profits in more fabric.

 These came from Fat Quarter Shop. I only bought things that were on sale. I wanted to get the best bang for my buck.

 I also chose things that I thought would be good for future bags and pouches, since I am planning to do another craft fair, or hopefully two, in the fall.

 These came from Hawthorne Threads. I love this Anna Maria Horner print. I think it will make a stunning bag.

 I have already cut out a ton of bags and pouches and began sewing them together this week.

My goal is to get them all finished up by the first of September so I have time to play as well. And I have a couple of quilts to make for some family members that are due by Christmas time as well. No idle hands here!

So if you are a frequent visitor here, I thank you. I hope you come back often. Now, on towards post number 700, the next big milestone. Have a great weekend.

A Few Finishes

So I have been making things. Not just quilts. I am going to visit my Children and grandchildren soon and I will take all the things with me to save on shipping. My husband says if I make much more, I will have no room for my clothes. Here is some of what I have made.

 First, this small quilt made from a pattern by Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts. I love all the bluebirds and the one redbird. I have been wanting to get this pattern for ages, and I finally did. Gotta get a back ready and get it quilted. This will be pretty simple.

 My little Noodle needed another pair of pants. She has a pair of these I made about 4 years ago for her brother with puppies all over them, but when I got this ABC fabric from Heather Ross' new line, this is what they had to become.

 The green is really more vibrant than the pictures. This pattern is Anna Maria Horner's Quick Change Trousers. The inside fabric, which is the same as the cuffs and the back panel, is a Jeni Baker print from a few years ago.

And this cute skirt! This is also an Anna Maria Horner pattern. The pocket on the front is like a hoodie pocket; it goes all the way through so your hands can touch. It is fully lined. This was so simple to make, I want to make more, but I will wait to see how it fits first.

And last, but not least, my new labels came. I have long been wanting to order woven labels. My printed ones have been great, but after a bunch of washes, they fade pretty badly. For quilts that get used a lot, that's not good. I saw many makers are using Dutch Label Shop, so I gave them a try. I haven't sewn one in yet, but very soon. I am very pleased with how these came out. My opinion, not a paid advertisement.

That's it for now. Have a lovely Sunday my friends.

Beatrix is Complete

On Sunday, I was able to finish my Beatrix top. I don't know why I sometimes dread finishing on garments. All that was left was to hem the sleeves and make button holes and attach the buttons. I think it is the fear of button holes that got me. As it turned out, they worked out quite well.

 This is the front of the blouse. I used Anna Maria Horner's Loominous for this top after seeing Rae's version of a Boho dress in the same fabric. This is some of the most interesting fabric I have ever used and I love the way it turned out. I used the pattern piece for short sleeves, but cut them a bit longer which is how I prefer them.

 Here is the back of the blouse with its six buttons. I really love the look of this back. I think that was what attracted me to the pattern in the first place.

I have plans to make at least two more of these. They are not difficult and the instructions are wonderfully written and illustrated. I have already bought the fabric! I am truly enjoying sewing again!

On last shot, an out take due to the shadows of the late afternoon. This is proof that the camera sees things the eye does not. I kind of like it though. See you soon with more sewing adventures.

It's a Girl!

 I have been saving these fabrics for such a long time. I love all of them, but I thought they were too girly for the grandsons. And now, I have a reason to create with them. In fact, I have a plan and have already started cutting.

 Then there are the pinks. I have lots and lots and lots of pinks. I have one quilt top finished and you can bet there will be more soon.  I love being able to use these pinks.

 Then there are these two Sarah Jane prints. I don't know if they will be quilts or not. They would be adorable dresses. Have to think on that. She's still brand new and tiny.

 I love this print too. I think it would make a great quilt back. I hate the thought of cutting it up.

 More pretty pinks and flowers. I am over the moon to have a granddaughter to sew for, can you tell?

I love the old fashioned look of these Heather Ross Tiger Lilly prints. Something good will come out of these too.

 Remember this? Well I got busy last week and quilted it up in just a couple of hours. I always felt it looked pretty girly. I love the way it turned out.

 And I used an Anna Maria Horner fabric for the back. It's from the Innocent crush line. This quilt came out so soft.

 Then there's this one. I know it's sideways, but anyway, I pieced this a couple of years ago and had long hoped to quilt it. So last week I decided to get it done. I love how it turned out.

 It's soft and sweet and not too girly, but maybe just a little bit girly. I was hung up on how to quilt it, so I went with straight lines and I think it worked out great.

And I had a bunch of the dots, so that became the back and the dark blue Squared Elements made the perfect binding. Stay tuned. Lots more baby girl quilts to come.

Ringing Out the Old

Here we are again, the last day of the year. The time when we look back on the last 365 days and remember what came before this moment in time. The time where we resolve to make the next 365 days better in some way than the last. I love turning a new calendar page and starting fresh. To me, it is hope for improvement, 12 times each year. And yes, they go by faster as you age. I have made several "resolutions" for myself. Some will succeed and some may fail, but the point is to try. I am not going to go in to them here. What I am going to do is to show you my last finish for the year 2014.

 Remember this? Made over a year ago, this light weight "blank-o-let" as we call it, is voile with only a flannel backing and no batting. It makes a lovely light covering in spring, summer and fall. It also is nice if you experience hot flashes in the night. This one has been so loved and  used A LOT! I wanted to make another one, just a wee bit bigger. I also wanted to bind it, as this one is only zigzag stitched turned in edges.

 Here is the beautiful binding, made from the Anna Maria Horner Little Folks voile I have been saving for this project, along with a wee bit of the Connecting Threads Masuri left over from the first one.

 So soft and slick and smooth. Sews like a dream, but I used my walking foot so as not to cause it to bunch up. Lots of pins too.

 Here it is laid out on our queen size bed.  When I did this, I thought "Wow, it is bigger!"

 The machine binding looks great, I think and a much better option for the edge than the last one (lazy me).

 Then I laid the old one over it to compare size. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't that much smaller.

 And the back? LOVE LOVE LOVE! Anna Maria Horner for the win! Echenacia flannel. I tried to capture the color. It is hard. This stuff fairly vibrates with its vividness.

 So soft, so pretty. I will be enjoying this a lot when I have my recovery time after my surgery in late January. I figure if I have to lie around and just look at the scenery, I want pretty scenery.

And now, one more thing...This is post number 399. Yes, that means that the next post, the first of 2015, will be number 400. A great way to start a new year. I have a very special giveaway planned, so stay tuned. Have a very happy new year and I will see you all soon.