Take II

This may look like the same quilt as in this post from a few days ago, but don't be fooled! I had some leftover disappearing 9-patch squares and thought I would make another quilt. I added large blocks of the coordinating fabric that I had leftover to get it to the same size.

I wiped out the stores supply of the red ticking stripe and I was short about 4" to do the back in a solid piece. This actually turned out cute with a strip of scraps from the front.

Blowing Bubbles

This quilt was inspired by the Blowing Bubbles quilt from the book "Quilts, BABY!" The designer of the quilt is Marne' Cales.

Minimal hand quilting around the appliqued circles gives the quilt a soft and wrinkly look.

Disappearing 9 patch

First finished quilt of 2010!

This quilt measures 40" by 54" and was constructed using the very simple, but impressive, disappearing 9 patch pattern. I chose to make a more modern design by using 4 colors for the quilt top and then used a great red ticking fabric for the trim, binding, and backing.
I thought it was time I made a quilt that could be given to a boy or girl. Finding boy fabrics can be a little tricky at times. All of the fabrics used in this quilt were produced in Japan.

The red ticking has a great vintage feel to it and compliments the "boy" design.

This was the first quilt that I used free motion quilting to finish. I found that it is not as intimidating or daunting as it seemed.

As mentioned before...

In an earlier post I mentioned that these dogs will try to lay on anything that is on the floor. I was cleaning the bathroom and threw the hand towel on the floor to take downstairs to the laundry room. I looked out after scrubbing the tub and found this. I guess it's comfy! Apparently so comfy he didn't even move when I got the camera.

Skirt + Blouse = brown dress with teal lining

I used a women's knee length skirt out of great woven brown fabric to make this Japanese pattern. I used a contrasting teal top to make the facing pieces. The dress is also completely lined with solid brown muslin that was the lining of the original skirt. I am guessing when I say this is about a size 5.

I love the ruffle detail of the shoulder and the gathered V neck front.

The back has a lovely curved piece with more gathers.

Japanese Pattern Eco Chic

I have had this Japanese pattern for a reusable fabric shopping bag for a while now. Yesterday I decided to pull it out and try to figure it out. I think this bag is amazing. Little tricks in the pattern I would have never thought of worked out beautifully. I sewed the bag and matching pouch out of a heavy cotton and used a natural cotton webbing material I had lying around for the binding.
You can see it comfortably fits groceries. It is about the same size as a plastic bag.

No, I did not find granny smith apples in Okinawa. I have a bowl of these artificial apples in my kitchen and when people come to visit they get excited. All we can buy are sweet apples so everyone is wanting something tart. Nothing suitable for baking at our commissary.

After some folding the bag can be stowed in the matching pouch. Japanese brilliance!

Owl Quilt Finished!

After many months (about 10 to be more precise) the quilt is finished. I started this quilt and then would set it aside. I have had it half quilted for about 4 months and over the long Thanksgiving weekend I forced myself to finish it. I was worried it wasn't going to turn out well but you can see that it came out fine. One spin through the washing machine and dryer and the imperfections have almost disappeared. This quilt is 75 x 75". The pattern is made up and I have to give my friend Christa credit for helping me figure out the math.

I was trying to hide my shadow in the early morning sunshine but it didn't work.

The top is quilted in diagonal lines about 1 1/4 in apart. Much more difficult than it appears!

The pieced back.

I found the triangles fabric for a steal out here, I think all 4 yards for Y1000 or about $10.