Quilt Top Complete!

I have made several quilts in the past, but this is the first one that I have attempted without the use of a specific pattern.  I like following patterns and having things turn out exactly how they are "supposed" to, so improving a quilt is very much out of my comfort zone.

I started with the New York Beauty quilt-a-long at Sew Sweetness, but I only made the blocks that I liked the look of.  I ended up with 15 blocks.  Then I decided to try some scrappy improv chevrons.  I followed these directions at Six White Horses, but I cut all of my wedges at the same angle, because I wanted them to go well with the precise points on the New York Beauty blocks, and attached them all together in a long strip. I cut the strip lengthwise and made two chevron stripes on either side of my New York Beauty blocks.  I saved the scraps from my chevrons and sewed them all together, then chopped them up again and mixed in some solid gray to create a fun scrappy border.

Not having a plan was really difficult for me, but really fun at the same time.  My daughter loves the result and has claimed this quilt for her bed.  Now I need to quilt it!  I think I may try to do it myself, since it's a twin size.

Military Uniforms in My Quilt?

Now that I have abandoned my overwhelmingly huge idea for the New York Beauty Blocks (and further downsized it into the goal of a twin-sized quilt for my daughter!), my mind has moved on to deciding on a more manageable quilt for my own bed.

I am really loving the new Indie collection by Pat Bravo, and have a fat quarter pack of the entire line in my cart right now at The Intrepid Thread.  I am planning a scrappy-yet-planned simple quilt and want to use a navy solid to add some modern edge.

Indie, image courtesy of Fresh Lemon Quilts

I considered ordering several yards of the Moda Bella Solid in Admiral Blue, and then I saw the towering pile of Coast Guard ODU uniforms on my office floor.  Every few years, the Coast Guard is nice enough to change the required daily uniform that my husband must wear, rendering his old uniforms obsolete and costing us an arm and a leg to replace with the new regulation version.  They just so happen to be navy blue.  They are also 50% cotton and 50% nylon.   They have been washed enough times that they're really soft.

 I am tempted to try repurposing them, but am unsure how they will work with quilting-weight cotton.  Anyone have any experience with this to share? It would make buying those new uniforms seem not quite as pricey!

Getting Scrappy

Sheesh, almost an entire month since my last post!  As much as I love summer, I'm very ready for the start of fall, which brings school, routine, and more time to sew!

I have been fitting in small projects here and there.

Canvas and cotton nesting bowls

Cotton and linen potholders

Linen and cotton nesting bowls

Linen and cotton wallets

But my largest project in the works, a queen-sized quilt for my bed, has been at a standstill.  As much as I love making the New York Beauty blocks that I had originally intended to solely use, meandering their way around the quilt, I just don't think it's practical to stick to the original plan if I ever want to actually finish the quilt.

My New York Beauty blocks awaiting some company

That point was reaffirmed this weekend when I found this stack of paper-pieced blocks that I started at least 5 years ago.

Hmmm...maybe these need to become something new...iPad cases? Cosmetics bags?

I had a lightbulb moment the other night regarding the quilt.  My original intent was to make it more modern than traditional.  Starting with the very traditional paper-pieced blocks, I needed to add something much less conventional to achieve the modern look.  I am always inspired by Maureen Cracknell's beautiful projects and color choices, and I remembered some scrappy chevron blocks she shared awhile back.  My new plan is to make strips of scrappy chevrons and mix them in with my New York Beauties and some strips of solid gray.  I'm using the tutorial at Six White Horses for the chevrons.  This scrappy, not-so-planned idea is much more forgiving and fun, even though I do find paper piecing relaxing.  I cut a bunch of strips tonight.  Stay tuned for the results!

Strips ready to get scrappy

Art Student Tote

When I saw the pattern review of the Art Student Tote on Sew Sweetness' Purse Palooza, I finally found the pattern I had been searching for.  I had been on the lookout for a pattern that would be suitable as a diaper bag for my cousin, and this looked to fit the bill without looking too "diaper bag-ish."  I love how it came out.  But it is HUGE. I will definitely hold anything a baby could ever need while out and about.  But big bags are so IN!

Now for my modifications:

-I shortened up the straps by about 8 inches total.
-I added a 6-inch top-zip panel, similar to the extension panel in the pattern view B but much smaller.
-I added a removable, adjustable cross-body strap, since it's really frustrating to have a bag keep falling off your shoulder while carrying a baby.
-I used fusible fleece rather than interfacing on the outer panels.
-I used Decor Bond on the inside pockets since they will be getting a ton of use.

Fabrics from Hello Pilgrim by Lizzy House

D-ring adjustable side strap detail

Top zip panel will tuck down inside when unzipped if needed.

Hanging by the cross-body strap

Awesome zipper detail on the outside pockets

I just love these prints!

Thanks to a reader's comment, I realized that I didn't include any photos of the inside.  It is a bit tough to photograph because it's so big, but here's a peek.  There are 8 pockets inside, large enough to hold a travel baby wipes container, diapers, bottles, etc.  They are interfaced with Decor Bond to make them extra sturdy.

Pinterest Kids Craft Wednesday: Camp Crafts

Last week we went camping, so I thought I'd bring along some supplies for ideas from my Pinterest Kids Summer Activities board in case of rain.  The weather was actually perfect, but we brought out the crafts anyway after a long day on the beach.

First we gave this one a try from Martha Stewart: "Camp Chic" necklaces.  Supplies are hard to come by in our small Alaskan towns, but we managed to pick up a lanyard laces set and some wooden beads at Wal-Mart.  They're not as rustic as Martha's, but they turned out fine.  The kids needed minimal help for this project, but the adults just couldn't resist the lanyard laces.  I made myself a keychain.  And seeing as we had a campsite full of Coast Guardsmen who know their knots, the dog ended up with an awesome new collar.

We also tried another idea: turning popsicle sticks into bracelets.  I bought the inch-wide sticks like those shown in the Pin and also some very narrow sticks that looked similar to the leather that Martha used in her bracelets from above.  After letting them soak for 36 hours, they still weren't very pliable.  We managed to shove them down inside some cups, but the ends wouldn't curve into the circular shape.  Many of them popped out of the cups as they were drying.  After fighting with the sticks for quite awhile, we just gave up and went back to making more lanyards.

Zakka Potholders and Summer To-Dos

A day late and a giveaway entry short, I managed to complete one Zakka Style potholder.  I would have been done on time, despite spending much of the week camping, had my old iron not given out.  Amazingly enough, I managed to find a Rowenta in my local small-town hardware store.  I have 5 more of these potholders in progress.  I love the stripy design and the pockets on the back for gripping hot pots and pans.  I think they will be the beginning of my holiday gift stash.

I have to put the rest of my summer to-do list in print so I don't forget anything!  It is quite full!

- Make two of Anna Maria Horner's Art Student Totes into diaper bags.  In time for the Purse Palooza deadline.  Yikes.

-Finish my New York Beauty quilt from the quilt-along awhile back.

-Restock my Etsy shop.  It has gotten quite empty.

-Begin stashing finished products for the local holiday fair in November.

-Work on hexagons for a quilt for my daughter.  I got a great start while waiting for the kids at swim lessons today.  Six hexagons in 45 minutes.  With a total of 900 minutes of swim lesson time ahead of me (!!!) I could potentially get 120 finished. Hmmm.

-Figure out what to upcycle a whole stack of my hubby's old Coast Guard uniforms into.  Any ideas?

Purse Palooza Entry #1: Chevron Pleated tote

Sew Sweetness is running a purse-making contest this month called Purse Palooza.  I plan on having a few entries.  Here is my first!  It's a pleated tote based on this pattern at U-Handbag.  I followed the basic pattern but made my tote slightly narrower (because that's all I had enough fabric for!).  I also added two inside slip pockets and a magnetic snap. The straps were also my own design and attach with nickel D-rings.  It is super roomy and very stylish!  The pleats let the red peek out just enough to not be overpowering, and the whole effect is very summery.

The dimensions are:
13" tall
10" wide at top
16" wide at bottom
3.5" deep at bottom
9" strap drop
Made with home-decor weight fabric and a cotton lining.  Fully interfaced with Decor Bond.

I think this will eventually end up in my Etsy shop, unless someone claims it here or on Facebook first!