Random: Quilt for J

The weekend surely went fast and productive! Finished the quilt for J and bound another two quilts. We enjoyed bike rides as the weather was beautiful through out the weekend and best of all we grill out with friends! Play games and Stella worn out when we got home!! I spent the night bound quilts and getting some new ideas.  So something new for me! I wondered how many of you sign your quilts or label your quilts? There was only one quilt that I embroidered with my hand writing on  for Stella's quilt. After that I don't bother to sign/label quilts I made. However, a few weeks ago I was inspired by Alicia's quilt when I visited her blog. Her simple cross stitch on the quilt was just eye catchy and blended well with the quilt. 

I have some graphic paper fabric I got two years ago. It is prefect to start out the cross stitch. This is also my very first cross stitch try out! I never done this before,but I really love how simple to follow the small graphic boxes and count the boxes in between. Made a few mistakes, but it turns out better than I think . Here I cross stitch J's name, month and year, and made by C & S.

I don't have any cross stitch fonts in my computer, so I went research and look for the font. Here is the one and this one I found. You can simply download the font then drag it into your font folder in the computer.  It gives the quilt a handmade look and special touch with the receiver's name and giver's name/initials.

Do you like sandwiching your quilt? After many times of pressing I got all seams open up and ready for batting to go on top!

 How about sitting on quilt safety pins?

After pinning and trim off the extra batting it is ready to be quilted!

It took roughly about 4 hours straight on the same chair and two movies.  The quilting pattern is really simple. I use the loops in lines for this quilt! I have been using overall free motion quilting { puzzles, loops allover, straight lines}. This time was simplify.  I plan on print out some process images and make them into a book/album for her as well. Hope it will be extra special for her.

 I like how the pink and green work together! I think it is romantic combination!

 I hope she will love it!

Do you like hand-binding? Again my favorite part of quilting process. It takes another few hours to bind and I like to made sure each part is working well.  I used leftover fabric and made scrap binding.

 Backing is simple! I picked out my favorite prints. The labels became part of the backing.. {BIG}

This is the first quilt I made within a month. Thank to the summer break, so I can concentrate on making this quilt happen and bring it to her soon!

 Hope after a gentle wash the pencil marks will disappear! I plan on to sign my quilts now on and use the cross stitch method. There are many quilts that I made and don't remember when I made them.  Blog helps me to recall when I started making them or finishing them, but there's no actual information on the quilts. I like how this quilt signature turns out and I know in the year to come. J and I will remember when I made this quilt and we will be able to talk about it......

xxC

Random: improvment

 Check out the dresser! It turns out really nice!! After lots sanding and staining! The top three drawers' handles were broken, so replaced them with metal handles which turn out classical! After I took it home yesterday afternoon. I found far right bottom drawer isn't fit in, so well! I plan on sanding down the sides next week, maybe that will give it a little more room to fit in.  Can you see the far right top dresser with a little white dot ?? When I was drilling holes yesterday morning, I missed the space between two handle holes by one inch!! I was screaming inside of my head { completed think I was out of my mind}.  My friend helped me by filled it in with wood filling. It will take another day or two to let it settle then I will use small brush to stain on.  Also making a small quilt top for this dresser is on the { to-do} list now.

I had hard time to decided which handle to pick out when I was in the hardware store! The other ones are fancier in style, but this shape seem catch my eyes first. It is also great to pull out the drawers.

Now! Some of the fabric is out from the plastic boxes! I just need to remember where I put everything now! Still room for other fabric, but I was tired and ready a break last night! So far so good!

 The middle drawers are smaller, so this is where I store fat quarters. I like to put them in the {line set} instead of sorting them by colors. It is easier for me to find particular fabric when I am looking for one!

 The backing for birthday quilt has arrived yesterday! I ordered Gypsy from Amy Butler's first fabric line. So lovely in color and texture!! I see a busy weekend ahead of me! As some of you might know that I have been playing free motion lately! A big quilt really helps free motion improvement! I need to look for a simple quilting pattern for this quilt.
 

 I need to revisit my Farmer's Wife Sample blocks soon! I am half way through!  Are you playing this,too??

 The leftover patchwork piecing from S' messenger bag. I am making it into a zippered pouch to match her bag.  Thank you for join the flickr group. You have made your own patchwork style!! I love how color schemes in each individual's taste/style are different. I also love seeing your scraps becoming treasures!

Stella finished her drawing now! My job is getting them embroidered! Mini quilt project that we do during the summertime. Each year, the drawings are more detail and interesting! I love how how she humanized some of the drawings... strawberry girls! Can you tell?

xxC

A real ice cream top

Pattern: McCall's M6022 (7-8-9-10)

Fabric: DS Quilts Collection- Meadow Lark Circle On Tonal Orange

              Ice Cream print  Lisette for Fabric  Tradition  

 { both fabric were purchased at Joann's}

Finished S' new top this afternoon! Cut the pattern and fabric yesterday then spend the afternoon sewing and ripping seams off and sewing back! Growing up I always {wish} my mom could sew me something. The only thing that she helped me out was a felted bunny for my middle school's home and economic project. Mom is a greatest cook that I ever known in my life, but not sewing at our home back in TW.

Even though the pattern size is 7, but still big for S' chest. She is too skinny! The ice cream print fabric is very silky and soft. It is great for summer dress and pants. I plan to make another top with the same print for her soon.

The puffy sleeves are different from the pattern. I used fine elastic to make the sleeves closure smaller!  It was too big and doesn't fit for her body well.  What I like about this pattern is easy to follow and gives clear diagram on each step. Sewing clothes is not new to me anymore, but I still feel nervous when I began cutting the pattern and fabric. It is always exciting to see her wear something I made and that makes me feel good about it!

Today is a beautiful day! I am bring the dresser home today from the wood shop!Very excited about it!! I will be reorganized fabric and also move around our furniture. I will show you the new drawer and a big mistake that I made while I was drilling the holes..   

I shall be off here now ...

xxC

{Messenger bag in patchwork style}

{Messenger bag in patchwork style}! It was a bit hard to decided on the handles and cross strap for this bag.  I didn't add the leather for this bag. While making this bag I did a couple simple look and stood away to see if it is a good fit,  but didn't think it was a good fit for this bag. Instead of leather I added carry handles and cross strap for this bag at the same time. I have couple thoughts behind it as I was making it.

The cross strap was purchased form Joann's. It is 3.99 a yard  then I have a 40% off coupon. One yard was enough for S! The handles are linen and cotton blended fabric. It is more sturdy and the color matches well with the patchwork bag.

As Stella grows up more. She wants to be like a bigger girl who can carry her bag not just backpack, but on her shoulders and hands.  Then I though why not give her both! She can carry it the way she is comfortable with.  She was so surprised to see how this bag turn out when I gave it to her last night!  { lots xoxox}

Like a big girl carries her bag on one shoulder! This reminded me when I was in the middle school when I was in uniform everyday and carried same bags like other classmates.

 Handles ready for her to carry?

 handles on the shoulder?

 crossover body strap?

I added a little trim on the shoulder. It brings out a the zakka style look. I though if she is going somewhere I can catch her with the blue trims.

I used the magnet snaps for her! It works great for her! It helps to close up the bag and keeps everything inside safe. I did used light weight interfacing for the lining!

 Little button was a small touch to this bag! 

 

S is very happy with her new big girl messenger bag!  The straps is longer than I would like, but she told me that she will grow out of it very soon.. oh dear.... 

Here are few posts  that I share on the process of making patchwork tote/bag  

{Take One}

{Take Two}

{Take Three}

{Take Four}

{Take Five} 

Please join me and other friends at made with {1/4"} in flickr. We love see what your patchwork style looks like. 

xxC 

 

{ Take Five} : Materials and tools

Today will wrap up the {patchwork take} and share few tutorial links with you at the end of the post. Today I will talk about tools and material that I used for the { patchwork tote edition } { patchwork handbag} and {Patchwork tote}. Many of  you have a nice room for sewing, but S and I share a long, but narrow table together! You probably have heard that we complain about each other often.. since I couldn't have everything spread out, I use a found basket for major tools.  I prefer small rotary cutter than the bigger ones. It really just nice for my hands. Few seam rippers around when I make mistakes. Sewing foot that use the most is right next to the sewing machine! Something that works for me, but I wish someday I have a big table that I can have everything out. 

Many of you have ask the leather handles that I used in { patchwork tote edition}. There's a leather store near by my home. I went there and didn't see any fancy leather handles instead of straps of leather in different width. Leather is EXPENSIVE! Be sure if this is something you are looking for your future projects. Otherwise it can cost you more than you would like! I got one strap less than 2 yards was 12.00 then another small piece was 6.99, but these are the good leather. I have been carrying the same tote since I made it and the leather has becoming soft and comfortable.   Sewing needle tool- I got it from Taiwan. I can't find anything alike here. I used it to poke small holes on the patchwork pieces { into batting}. Since the batting is so thick there's no way that the tapestry needles would go in. Once you poke small holes on the position it will allow you to go through the leather holes and patchwork together easy.  The leather shop suggest I use utility knife for cutting leathers { misspelling on top of images}. 

Leather puncher is another expensive tool. I was able to borrow it from friend.  Without it you probably will have trouble to punch holes in your leather.  There are five different sizes in one puncher. It is around 16.00 for this tool.  So, if you can ask around and borrow the tool before you are serious about it.

 Different sizes holes from puncher. It gives you clean holes and able to adjust the gaps between holes.

 It is great for the leather! You can't punch holes in the fabric { I tried, didn't work}.

I used Tapestry Needles to thread the waxed linen thread for the leather handles.  Waxed linen thread is very thick, so be sure you have big needle eye for it.

Waxed linen thread is very sturdy thread! I only used waxed linen thread to hold the handles and patchwork tote together.  It is 5.00 for a small spool.

Magnet snaps are something new for me this time. It is great for closing the top of the bag if you are not sewing with zipper. You can find it in craft store and Joann's. It comes three pairs in one package! It was on sale for 2.99.

I am not able to recommend any leather shop in etsy or online shops for you { sorry}! It is hard to tell which shop carries most fine leather. I did a little research on etsy. The fancy handles are about 15 dollars, but I am not sure if the quality is excellent.  But try your local leather shop if you have one.. I would try to ask them if they have any scraps for sell. Sometimes, it is cheaper and you might score good deals.

To finish the lining with the bag. Here are some links that you can take a look. They are great and easy to follow.

verykerryberry
sew.mama. sew
u-handbag
easy tote

edit: here is one of link that I got that carries fine leather.  http://www.u-handbag.com/


xxC

Random: mini quilt

The mini village quilt was finished this afternoon. It is not perfect in paper piecing part, but turns out cute if you look far away from your monitor!  It is still gloomy and raining here and we resulted it by staying indoor and enjoy our indoor activities! While S had her music lesson this morning. I took this mini quilt with me to work on by the time when she is done with the lesson I am half way through plus some was done from last night. Now I can crossed out another {to do} item from my list. I have a long list that I would like to accomplish during this summer break.

  It look a long time to decided on the binding fabric color then finding the right fabric. Since there are so   many colors in the houses. I wanted some darker color. Dark brown was the one pop out when I was looking through the stash.  I still prefer hand- binding! This is my favorite part of quilting! A good movie and a cup of coffee would do a good job!!

 For the backing, I decided to use my initial - C.  Something new to try and turn out simple and {me}!

Each year, I try to make a mini quilt! Mini quilt is a way of making something fun and generate cool idea into fiber pieces. I love working with embroidery in mini quilts as well! S did the { we love each other} mini quilt two years ago. We had good time share projects together! There's a hope that someday one of the sewing room wall is covered with min quilts!

Finished the patchwork tote tonight, but was too late for photos! It is more zakka style for this tote! S is loving her new bag! She is officially upgrade herself into a BIG girl! Will show and tell tomorrow!! I will also write up a { Take Five: tools and material} to end the patchwork take process!

House pattern can be found:  http://verykerryberry.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-house-happy-two-years.html

The mini quilt finished at 14"x14"
Hand-quilted/ hand- binding
The finished sashes were 1" wide.  


xxC 

Random: sew too much?

It has been great summer break so far! I can't express myself enough with all the free time on sewing and playing fabric and making new projects. It is very luxury I keep telling myself!! I wish everyday is sewing day!!  We are actually stuck indoor for last 4 days with lots rain and cool weather.  Perhaps that gives me good excuses to sew more! We are both actually tired of the cool weather and wet outdoor. Bike time is out and we are layer in winter clothes again.

These mini pin cushions are 3"x3"!! I made them from scraps fabric. I really like how they turn out! Sending these to my sewing friends soon! These are vintage feedsack fabric that I received from my friend Sylvia a few years ago. I thank her millions for letting me keep these fabric.I treasure each scraps and knew that someday I will put them in good use!

This patchwork zippered pouch is for mom's mother's day gift. It is very late, but I knew she would appreciate the simple style. I used cotton and linen blended fabric that I bought from Joann. I can't tell you the exact name. The print fabric is from Picnic and Fairgrounds by Denyse Schmidt for Joann's.

Do you like paper piecing? I wish I can do it well! I am a beginner! Thanks to Kerry for this wonderful house pattern. I incorporated some fabric that Kerry sent for the swap package. I really enjoy the retro and vintage fabric.

 Pulling fabric out is fun, but sorting them back can be problems! 

 I really like the mini strawberry print. It is super sweet!! 

Sometime, I ask myself why I have so many fabric?? Sometime, I ask myself why I don't have enough fabric. I hope I am not too greedy wanting every fabric that's been release in the market.

I have been making these little houses for awhile now! I have total of 10. I picked out 9 for a mini quilt! I began hand-quilting today, but remember my promise to you on the { Take Four}. These little houses are fun!!

 Trying something new is fun, but mistakes follow up!!

The mini pin cushion is great for my pin board. I store  pins on it! Another two blocks ( on the left) were made today. I am still thinking about a kitchen sink quilt.

I am working on something new... I leave you a little peak, but not much....

xxC