Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Zakka Style project- zakka pincushion

I was sent an eBook to review for Zakka Style by Rashida Coleman-Hale, and it coincided nicely with the Zakka Style Sew Along hosted by Lindsey and Amy.

Zakka Style Sew Along

I wanted to start with the Zig Zag Tote from the book, but I was not sufficiently motivated 2 weeks ago! This pincushion project was perfect for me- I whipped it up in an hour or so, and am happy with the cute result. Of course, I made a few materials revisions, as the reader is urged to. 
Instead of linen I used double of my natural muslin I have on hand, and instead of rik rak or crochet lace (which are fantastic looking in the sample) I used a small bit of coordinating ribbon. I had this wacky fish bead as well, so I added that in lieu of a covered button. 
Yay for improvising! I did have some cotton tape, so I drew a little leaf pattern in ink to echo my Parisville damask dot print. 
The fabric choices and trim make a lot of difference. I could see myself making many more versions for gifts and giving them all a unique personality for each recipient. I also did use Ayumi's tip for using a glue stick to secure the ribbon trim and the cotton tape- genius! Much better than pinning.

This book is very well thought out. I had no idea when I started in, but it is a collaborative book, so it has projects from many different people in it, all just along the Zakka aesthetic spectrum. I am really excited to sew more projects from the book. There are a huge range of them, from quilts to softies with their own pillow pocket  (my next earmarked project) and many in between. This is a great book for gift ideas, and there are many different levels of time commitment and difficulty. I have my top favorites to try:
1. Sweet Sugar Cookie Sack
2. Little Pocket Pillowcase (the one with the softie)
3. Nesting Boxes

The directions for the pincushion were very clear and simple, and I did find myself flipping to the front page a lot to refer to the photo, though that is less important the less attached you are to making yours look like the book sample. I think the best part of this sew along is seeing all the variations people are making to the project- it really makes them all sing their own tune.  

Thanks to C&T publishing for sending me the book to review as part of the Creative Troupe! I will be using this book for many projects to come. (P.S. - If you are a blogger, check out the Creative Troupe program. Nice perks.)




Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Block for Portland Modern Quilt Guild challenge

 This month for Portland Modern Quilt Guild we had a challenge to complete a block using Michael Miller's new Couture Cottons line- the colors were chosen by the Guild's board and the fabric donated by Michael Miller. Big thanks to them! It was fun to play with solids.

 The block measures 15.5" x 18.5". Kathy Miller is going to select 16 of the blocks from PMQG to be made into a quilt for Spring Quilt Market. Not gonna lie, it would be exciting to be chosen.
I winged it all, except measuring the green for the background. I was heavily influenced by Alissa Haight Carlton, especially this quilt, which has been on my to-make list for a while.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Progress! Sparkle Punch quilt top completed! And a bunny!

Finally just laid put my Sparkle Punch quilt on the floor (I have no design board) and then pieced it together. Happiness. The stars are Taza from Free Spirit, the background Kona dark grey.



Linking this Half Square Triangle project up with Canoe Ridge Creations...

 And I made a little bunny for my son for Easter, very last minute on Saturday, freehanded the pattern, but it was influenced by Revoluzza's cute bunnies. Done up with my Birch leftovers.