house on hill road

My Crazy Star Quilt

I finished a quilt this week.

I love that feeling.

This Crazy Star quilt is from Denyse Schmidt's book, Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspirations. I started it last July and have worked on it off and on since then. The foundation string piecing of the star was very fun and pretty fast and the rest of it came together easily, once I finally got around to cutting the background and sewing it together.

The color story here was dictated by this bundle of scraps I bought last summer at PurlSoho. I hemmed and hawed about whether or not to buy the scrap pack (I have enough scraps of my own!) and finally went for it. I added a few other blue, black and white prints from my stash and bought a couple additional ones as well. I sliced them all up into strings, put them in a bag and pulled them out blindly, only substituting when I had two of the same next to each other. I love how it came together.

I chose to use Kona Snow for the background of the star. No big surprise here - this is my favorite "white". And for the back of the quilt, I decided to use Essex yarn dyed linen in denim. Let me tell you, this stuff is dreamy. It's a little heavier and toothier than quilting cotton with a beautiful hand and texture. It (or something similar) was in the scrap pack so it was the perfect choice. And the binding? As I was piecing the quilt, I imagined that the binding would be pink. The little bit of pink ric rac that came with the scraps popped against the blues and blacks and I thought the quilt needed the same thing. Plus, it's smile-inducing.

The quilting pattern is the loop to loop that I have done on my last couple of quilts. I'm starting to have good muscle memory with this one - each time it gets easier and easier to get smooth loops. It's pretty easy to do, also. (I'd be happy to do a tutorial on how it's done if there is interest - let me know in the comments). The quilting is fairly dense. Combined with the foundation piecing and the cotton/linen backing fabric, this quilt is good and heavy. I'm not sure that it will get much use over the summer, but come fall, it'll be in heavy rotation.

I'm happy to have this finished before we begin work on the sewing studio/play room in ten days. All of my fabrics and supplies plus the girls' toys, games and a queen sized bed and four tables need to come out of the third floor of our house so the carpet can get ripped out and we can paint the floors (and most likely the walls and woodwork, too). Exciting, but the prospect of moving all that stuff is simultaneously terrifying. Wish me luck!

The Free Play Quilt

I finished sewing the last bit of binding on the Free Play quilt last Tuesday.

I love this quilt.

In the end, I went with a loopy quilting pattern. I marked a grid on the quilt top with a water soluable pen and used that as a guideline when I free motion quilted it. For the backing, I stuck with solid Kona Snow, which I also used for the binding. There is just something about all that white, negative space that makes the improvisational patchwork piecing sing.

This quilt was intended as a gift for Emily all along. I knew that I had a short window of time to make it for her before her birthday and I could not settle on what I wanted to do. As an incentive to get sewing, I decided that playing with fabric for an hour a day would get me going and I am so happy I went with that approach. The free play allowed me to jump in and make without over thinking. I felt extremely invigorated and creative while I worked on this. It was only after the majority of the blocks were pieced, that I started to make deliberate, calculated decisions on how it would all come together. And at that point in the process, I could see what the framework and composition of this quilt needed to be. As a bonus, being creative while quilting opened me up creatively and spilled over into my painting class. I was able to finish a painting that had me stumped before. Seeing that translation of playing was really cool.

Free Play - Sunday

My intent was to frame this quilt with patchwork borders full of various white and off white prints. As soon as I had pieced the first border, I knew it wasn't right. Actually, I knew while I was piecing the border. My gut told me it wasn't going to work.

Kona Snow for the win!

This solid is my go-to. I have never, ever regretted ordering it 15 to 20 yards at a time because I always have it on hand and it is such a good blending white, working well with prints and solids alike.

I got it all basted and started quilting on Sunday night. I did not like my first try at the quilting so I ripped it out. Yesterday, I was able to get half of it quilted and plan on finishing that today. Back here when it is finished!

 

Free Play - Thursday

I didn't get to log any free play yesterday - Wednesdays as a rule are super busy. But, I did sneak upstairs to the design wall for about fifteen or twenty minutes after dinner and arranged the blocks until I was satisfied with how they looked. I envision this quilt as asquare so I left blank spaces where I thought something else was needed.

This morning, still satisfied with my arrangement from last night, I separated the blocks into groups for sewing. I find it much easier to sew small groups of blocks together to make bigger blocks and then join the bigger blocks into a quilt top. This way, there are no inset seams and it is easy to stop and start without getting things too messed up. I should also note that I still would have photographed each step for a visual reference even if I hadn't planned on blogging it.

I started in the top left corner and took the first set of blocks downstairs to sew. The photo above shows the process after I sewed the first two groups into bigger blocks. Unlike when I originally pieced the smaller blocks, I was very deliberate about how I added fabrics so it would be a pleasing composition overall. The first two photos came in handy here - I could look at them and see what fabrics would be next to each other and if there was too much or too little of a certain value or color.

This is what I had before I sewed it all together. I took a good long look and threw some different fabrics in the white spaces to see what worked and what didn't. It was a happy accident that I needed to add some longer, narrow pieces to make all the blocks fit together - I thought the compostition lacked those shapes.

And here it is! The final size is 33.5 x 35.5 which is just about perfect as I wanted it to be about 36" square. I plan on adding some borders to it to make it about a 60" square throw quilt. I've already pulled the fabrics for the borders and will probably start on those Saturday. Fridays are also normally crazy. I plan on improvisationally piecing the borders as well, but will use much larger pieces of fabric to balance all the little pieces in the main patchwork.

I need to emphasize that so far this has been a very worthwhile and freeing exercise for me. And fun! So much fun.

Free Play - Tuesday

Here are the blocks I made during my hour of free play yesterday. I decided to add some gray, but skipped the low volume and whites mostly because I think I have a plan on how I am going to make this project into a quilt.

And this is what I have after three days. I like what's happening for the most part, especially because it is so much fun.

The composition will most likely change and I think I won't be adding many more blocks to the group, but instead spending my next hour of free play (most likely tomorrow) figuring out how to put them all together.

Free Play - Monday

These six blocks are what I had after one hour of improvisational sewing yesterday. I continued to pull fabrics from the bags, but went a little bigger than my first round of blocks. I also did some slicing of strips that I had already pieced and then sewed them back together in a different way. I like the feel of that.

And here they are mixed with Sunday's blocks. I don't think they will stay in this arrangement - there are a couple of hot spots making me crazy. But I mostly like what I see and I think I have an inkling of where this whole project is headed. That said, I'm leaving the blocks up on the design wall outside my studio while I sew downstairs today. I want to make sure that what I see here does not influence how or what I sew today.

I also think I may throw some white or a low volume print (or two) in the mix, as well as some gray. I think it needs some spaces where the eyes can rest.

Free Play

We returned home from a spring break of skiing in Telluride. It was so nice to get away from winter, even if it is still winter in the mountains. Colorado's winter is different than what we have here. They have sunny skies and temperatures in the forties feel very balmy. And people, sun makes all the difference.

We skied seven days in a row! (Yes, my legs still hurt.) And along with the fun of skiing comes a chunk of time every day on chair lifts. I have always enjoyed this part of the sport, too - it is a forced rest and a great opportunity for conversation. Fatty and I spent a few rides up strategizing on how to make my workspace more efficient and usable. I have found that I have outgrown my little studio. There is very little room to work in that space (it was once a walk-in closet) and I have been doing the bulk of any sewing and quilting down two flights of stairs in our family room. It's not convenient to leave my messes spread out (although I still do from time to time) or to have to go back up and down the stairs to get small tools, pieces of fabric, etc. I know I am not sewing as much as I'd like because my space is not working for me. Fatty gets that, too, and I'm excited about the plans we hatched to make a bigger, better working space for me.

All of that talk got me thinking about what has been holding me back creatively beyond the optimal space to create. I have determined that much of what I have sewn in the last year or so has been about the finished product and not a bit about process. And I am OK with that. I have made some lovely things and they have all been enjoyable to create. But, I miss cutting up fabric with no goal in mind. I also miss starting a project when the desire strikes and not worrying about my long lists of other things I should be doing instead of sewing. I've also thought about the connection between my creativity and my comfort and happiness in my own skin. When I'm down for whatever reason, it is hard to make myself branch out and try something new, or, heck, even create something I've made dozens of times. Sometimes, though, it is the deliberate act of making and creating that will lift me up and make me shine. It's time to do something about that.

Still with me?

This is a very roundabout and circuitous way of saying that I know I could benefit from some free play. Just like kids who sit on the floor and build all that their mind can imagine with legos or play dolls for hours on end, I need to let go and play with fabric. With that in mind, and ignoring the last few loads of laundry from our trip, I pulled a stack of fabrics yesterday afternoon (the prints are all Field Study by Anna Maria Horner and the solids are from my stash).

And then I cut them up into various and random pieces, sorting them by size: small, medium and large.

I put each pile of fabrics in a separate bag (just like we did when I went to Denyse Schmidt's workshop) and gave myself one hour to sew. I figured that an hour of playing would be enough to feel like I was making without investing a huge chunk of time.

Pulling mostly out of the small and medium bags, this is what I had at the end of the sixty minutes.

You know what? It felt great! I remembered that I like to play! I got in a groove, I let my mind wander and just had fun. And now I want more. So, although I'm not sure where this will take me, there will be an hour of free play today, Tuesday and Thursday. If I can squeeze it in on Wednesday and Friday, then that will be bonus.

Just one hour, for four (or more days) of free play. I'll be posting the progress each day. If you feel like joining me, please do. I'd love the company.

Weekend Stitching

I've got my hands on all kinds of projects at the moment.

The crazy star quilt has its binding attached on the front and is just waiting for me to slow down and stitch it onto the back.

I started slicing up the Liberty strips I bought in October for Anna Maria's feathers. I'm wondering if I'm crazy to make the center of the feathers out of voile or if I should use some quilting cotton instead.

My spring/summer traveling, waiting room, TV watching project is this needlepoint Floral Path bolster pillow, also designed by Anna Maria. I don't think I have done any needlepoint since I was about 10, and then it was always with embroidery floss on plastic canvas. I'm excited to see this progress.

Did you have any time to spend stitching this weekend? Do tell.

Liberty Love

I've had Alexia Abegg's book Liberty Love for awhile now and I really cannot say enough good things about it. It's beautiful to look at with a wide range of projects. There are bags and quilts and clothes. Things for children, women and men. And the best part? While they all contain gorgeous Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics, many of the projects also have other fabrics paired with the Liberty. This brings down the overall cost (that Tana Lawn can be pricey) and keeps the sewn items from looking overly floral and sweet. The projects are all solidly designed with straightforward instructions and excellent diagrams. I think it is worthwhile to add that they could be made from fabrics that aren't Liberty as well. Prime example - the Marcelle Medallion quilt. If you are on instagram, check out the hastags #medallionalong and #marcellemedallion to see what I mean. I'm *this* close to joining in on the fun.

All that said, I purchased a couple sets of Liberty scraps from esty seller PickClickSew to play with. (As an aside, Dee was a delight to work with and I highly recommend her etsy shop if you are looking for Liberty lawn). I started by making the pin cushion - mine is a bit smaller than the one in the book, but it's the same idea. It was also fast and easy. I also bought a hunk of charm squares for another project - the spools quilt that is in the book. When I will get to that, I have no idea, but I will. I love me some Liberty.

Snow Oyster Quilt

I finally finished this quilt that I started in July at the Denyse Schmidt workshop I took in Portland at the PNCA. I am beyond thrilled with how it came out, mostly because it was a creatively inspiring exercise for me. Every step, from the colors I used to the quilting design and everything in between, had me pushing myself a little out of my comfort zone in the best possible way. And now, I have this quilt. And I love it.

The quilt is based on the Shoeman's Puzzle from Denyse's book Modern Quilts, Traditonal Inspiration. In the workshop, we began by making four blocks using the templates. From there, rulers were put to the side and all the cuts were done freehand. As my number of blocks grew, I decided to vary the scale of the middle triangle and added a slight curve to the smallest one. I sewed a good number of blocks over the two days of the workshop and was very happy with the way it was coming together, so I came home and finished over the next few months. It is small - 44" x 59" after washing. The blocks were originally 8" finished, so it was 48" x 64" before I laundered it.

The solids are Kona Snow and Kona Oyster. Blair (who took the workshop with me) consulted her Kona color card and gave me some options of other off-whites that would work with Snow. I'm not sure that I would have chosen Oyster - the difference between the two colors is very slight and I think I gravitate towards more contrast. But, the Oyster was a wonderful choice because it IS a subtle difference in comparison to the Snow. (Thank you, Blair.) The other two prints I used in the quilt are both from my stash. I think they are from the Joelle Hoverson's Cake Rock Beach collection. Maybe? Regardless, they were put into the mix when the improvisational cutting left me with blocks that were too small and because their backgrounds are very, very close in color to the Snow and Oyster. After using them each once, I intentionally sprinkled them a tiny bit throughout the quilt top. I love the depth they add, as well as the element of surprise.

The back was constructed with my leftover solids. A swath of Oyster divided from the Snow by a simple strip pieced from the two prints. The quilting is an interlocking figure-8-ish design that evolved as I started quilting. I did not mark any lines on the quilt, but instead used the center seam line as a base and then worked above and below it until the quilting was complete. I think this quilting has an allover quality that this quilt needed without being too fussy, but still interesting enough. For the batting, I went with Quilters Dream Cotton. This is quickly becoming my favorite batting to use as it is low loft and very light, but crinkles nicely when washed.

The binding is a dark grass green from my stash. I'm guessing it is a Free Spirit solid. And although my original intent was to bind it with something a little more neutral or something a little flashier, I do like how this blends with the small green lines in one of the prints. Plus, I like green so it's always a good choice in my book.

When I look at this, I see something that is very different from other quilts I have made in the past. I can see how this quilt has pushed me to let go and to grow creatively. It is a good visual reminder of what can happen with improvisation and experimentation. And because I took my time, picking it up and putting it down over the course of seven months, it ended up being much different than I had envisioned it would be when I started it in July. It ended up better.

Lesson learned? Let go, play, take my time.

Recent stash additions

Any way I look at it, my recent fabric buying binge means that I need to stop shopping and start sewing. And probably de-stash, as well. Scrap bags anyone? What about small scraps? I'm never sure if anyone has interest in those. I use them to make little log cabins and for applique, but I could be a lone duck. Is it worth bagging those up as well? Tell me what you're thinking.

The quilting makes all the difference

 

 

This in progress photo was a few days ago. I've finished the quilting and I love how it has given this piece depth and texture that light solids didn't. I am ready to bind, but can't decide if I should stay neutral and unassuming or go for something a little bold and flashy.

Back in the saddle

Basted and already partially quilted. Done on the spur of the moment when I realized that there really was nothing to stop me from starting a big project.

I didn't realize how much I missed this until I was wrestling it under the machine.

It feels good to be back to making.

Really, really good.

 

To do

This month is getting away from me! I have done no sewing at all since I finished the Tova dress. I did, however, finish my first painting and start a second one. I'm really liking that. But, back to the sewing....Last year I made a small list of projects that I wanted to tackle for our house and it was good inspiration to get sewing. Also, I loved checking items off the list. Who doesn't? I thought it would be a good idea to jot down what I hope to accomplish this year. As I made the list, it occurred to me that I have all the fabric I need for all of these projects on hand so I really have no excuses. I should just get sewing.

And so, in no particular order of necessity or preference, these are the sewing projects I hope to complete this year.

- Baste, quilt and bind quilt from the Denyse Schmidt workshop I took one weekend last July in Portland.

- Baste, quilt and bind the blue crazy star quilt.

- Make a sleeveless Painted Portrait dress in rayon.

- Make new bedskirts for Kate's two twin beds.

- Sew a shower curtain for the clawfoot tub.

- Sew a table skirt for the round table in the sun room.

- Make a quilt with the Liberty prints I picked up in London last October.

(That pile up in the photograph? Top to bottom: projects three, one and two.)

What do you hope to sew this year?

Tova dress (in a day)

I purchased a few yards of Chicopee corduroy in the fall with the express intention to make myself a Tova dress. After my failed attempt at a sleeveless Tova, this seemed a little foolish, but I just couldn't get the idea of a super soft corduroy frock out of my mind. I sat on the fabric for a couple of months and, finally, this past weekend decided to go for it.

After the sleeveless shirt didn't fit, I decided to take a closer look at the sizing. The first Tova I made was a size L and ended up being too small in the bust so I had gifted it to a friend and made myself a size XL. I wear that shirt all the time and because it was an XL, I made the sleeveless one an XL, too. The problems I had with the sleeveless one (gaping under the arms in particular) pointed to it being too big. A quick text to my friend later, I had the L in my possession to try on. Lo and behold, it fit me well! That made the dress decision easy - size L. (As an aside, I have lost a few pounds, but I think the real difference in fit is from new bras. As silly as that sounds, it made a huge difference.)

I cut the dress out on Friday evening. This is the process of garment sewing that I dislike the most, but it went fairly fast as I had all the pattern pieces other than the front and back already traced. I added 4 inches to the length as I am a tall girl and the dress as designed looked like more of a tunic on me. The sewing happened in two sessions on Saturday - about two hours in the morning and another hour and a half later in the day. I even managed to keep the nap running in the same direction throughout. Success! I should add that this pattern is extremely well written and easy to achieve if you take your time and go step by step. I have made it six times now and each time I learn a little something new.

I wore my new dress out on Saturday night. It was so satisfying to complete a project in a day! It's not always possible, of course, but starting 2013 with a garment sewing success is a good feeling. Now to finish the numerous other projects sitting around here half completed and start the ones that are just ideas floating through my brain. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Best gift I've made this year

Ok. I know that's a big statement - best. But truly, I haven't made many gifts this year so I'm going with it. Mama Cat and her skirt dwelling kittens were made last week and promptly given to my eighteen month old niece (which explains the bad quality photos - sorry). Evelyn would not put the kittens down during dinner - she calls them "meows" and was hugging, patting, and kissing them. She (and the cats) were killing me with cute.

You still have time to make this, if you can string a few hours together. The pattern is straightforward and easy. Plus, cute overload! Seriously, that little baby cat is under 3" tall. Tiny, tiny. Perfect for little hands. I used a lightweight, chocolate brown Italian wool (repurposed from a pair of Fatty's work pants) for the cat bodies. In theory, it was a good idea. But, woven wool = F R A Y I N G. And a fraying 1/4" seam allowance was a bit tricky to work with, but I managed. Next time I'll stick with quilting cotton or flannel for the bodies.

I hope that everyone has a nice, blessed holiday season. I'm taking a week or so off from everything to spend time with family and just be. I'm looking forward to 2013 - it looks to be a good one.

Merry Everything, Happy Always!

Rory's quilt

Look. I made something.

This is a Christmas gift, but since the recipient is only a couple months old, I figure I won't ruin the surprise. If his parents are reading, I'm sorry to blow it. But only a little. It felt really good to make something. I need more of that.

The quilt is on the smaller side - 33" x 44". It's the snake trails pattern from Denyse Schmidt's book, Modern Quilts, Traditional Inspirations. I really like making this one, curves and all. So much easier, for whatever reason, than the single girls I made for Kate. I cut the trail pieces from a jelly roll of Chicopee - each strip gave me 14 pieces, although you could maybe eek out 15 if you are super careful when cutting. Regardless, the small size is due to the fact that I only had 12 blocks to play with. Still, I like it. The background in Kona Snow, my favorite white. I bought 20 yards of it in one fell swoop last year and am down to my last 3 yards. Time to re-order.

I quilted it with straight lines, 2" apart on the diagonal. I couldn't think of another way to do it that I liked and that I had time for. If I had hours to spend, I would have tried to echo the curves in some way, but I didn't. I think this works nicely, though. I totally copied what Denyse did in the book so it has to be ok, right?

The binding is Moda Bella Solids in Marine. I bought it from Pink Chalk Fabrics - I totally adore them for taking the time to pick out the solids that go with different quilting collections. It makes internet fabric shopping a breeze. I used the leftover bits from the jelly roll to make a patchwork strip across the back, flanked by Kona Snow again. All of the fabric in this quilt was on hand - I just had to pick up batting. Score!

I have one more gift to make if I can find the time. Tiny cats, anyone? I'm feeling pretty optimistic about it, actually. I have adopted "all is calm, all is bright" as my mantra this holiday season. It's working.

The Makerie Sewing

Just popping in quickly to let you know about a wonderful sewing event taking place next April in Colorado - The Makerie Sewing! They have a star-studded list of talented teachers (Amy Butler, Heather Jones, Liesl Gibson, Jenny Hart to name drop a little) for four four-hour classes over two days. There are meals and yoga, too! It really looks like an amazing event and if I can figure out how to get there myself, I'd love to go.

They are also offering a scholarship! It includes the classes, meals, lodging, activities plus a $500 travel stipend. Nice, huh? The scholarship deadline is quick approaching...November 5th. Update: the deadline has been extended until January 15th! Go check out the website to see how you can apply.

And because I can't post without a photo...here's an instagram of the snake trails sewn. Now to cut the background!

A start

Thank you all for you good suggestions and comments on my sleeveless tova. I haven't looked at it again. I know I will try to correct the fit in some way, but with the beginning of colder weather, working on a sleeveless top just hasn't appealed to me. I will get there, though, I'm sure.

There have been moments this week when I have wanted to sit down and pound out a few paragraphs on the computer about things I have made in the last few months, but it has been hard to find a good moment. I do have things to share, but they aren't photographed and all that stuff takes time. And truly, right now, as I'm typing this, I should be doing something else entirely. But I'm fried and spent and just need to take a moment for myself. Most of the week has been packed full of things that needed doing, that still need doing, and other things that need even more attention, but that I have been neglecting. That elusive balance thing? Even more so elusive for me recently. But! I am still trying to find it, still working hard to find my groove.

Things are happening in the background around here that I am not ready to talk about on the blog yet. It's all good - really good, actually. But in the meantime, there hasn't been much time for making. I found myself almost in tears on Tuesday night because I can't find the time to wash my car and really, it's so not about my kid-crumb infested, dirty vehicle. When I thought about it on Wednesday morning, it's more about how am not creating anything at the moment. Not trying new recipes, not sewing quilt squares, not even knitting although there is a small project in my purse at all times. No handmade Halloween costumes this year, either. I miss the creativity and the joy it brings to me. And the time to do it. I miss that, too.

All that said, I took 30 minutes and started cutting some fabric for a quilt.

It's a start.

Sleeveless Tova No Go

Back in July, I started making a sleeveless Tova for myself. I was really excited to use the gorgeous green Nani Iro fabric I picked up at Purl in June. I knew the Tova fit me - I wore the Liberty one a bunch last winter and spring. And based on my success making sleeveless Tovas for the girls, I thought this was a no-brainer.

I was wrong.

There is something off with the fit on me. The gaping under the arms and the too large shoulders totally surprised me when I tried it on. I think the problem has to do with the fact that I had to make an XL to fit through the bust, when a L is just slightly tight but fits me under the arms and through the shoulders. To say I'm bummed is an understatement - I love this pattern . And I love this fabric, too. It was expensive so I don't want it to sit unworn in my closet. But what to do? I'm kind of at a loss. Do I try to take it in under the arms? Or do I just try to use the fabric in some other way?

All that said, I'm glad I attempted it. I'll take it as a teachable moment....muslin, muslin, muslin!