New hexies quilt top

Majorly abbreviated post, but I wanted to send my hexies quilt out into the blogosphere and stop putting off posting until I have some lengthy great post written, since that is unlikely to happen! I even had to borrow this picture from the Portland Modern Quilt Guild blog because I have not taken one yet. Slacker to the max.

This is my Curious Nature Hexies top, made for my son to replace his baby quilt. He even helped me with the sewing (and by that I mean sat in my lap while I sewed) and helped choose the Kona solids to mix in. The rest is Parson Grey's Curious Nature, thanks to Free Spirit fabrics.

WIP Wednesday- a label, a backing, hexagons and new project

My Little Apples Valentine quilt was selected by Portland Modern Quilt Guild to be in the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show- but it needed a label. I should have been labeling all my quilts, I know, and from now on I will (I hope the Spoonflower way, like Jaybird Quilts shows) but for this I had to go simple because it had to be done soon. So I went the route of hand embroidered and spliced onto the back, and I like the way it came out.

I also have been working on a backing for the Sparkle Punch quilt- just piecing the squares I cut (please do not ask why in the world I cut so many in the first place) to make a big stripe on the back and some randomly placed squares in the solids. My 2.5 year old has been very excited to help with sewing these- he is always asking.

I have jumped on the hexagon train too, but only because it does not involve hand piecing. I am using the machine piecing method outlined by Lady Havartine. The above-mentioned toddler has outgrown his baby blanket and quilt and has been asking for a "big boy blanket." Enter those 6 yards of Curious Nature...

I am adding a new project too, which is jumping to the top of my priority list: a baby quilt for my nephew due in September. His mom picked this quilt, which I am ecstatic to make as well, so everything is coming up roses there. Any advice for fabrics, besides Children at Play? I know we are going to switch the largely white background to a darker blue (because who needs the stain issues with a newborn) but am happy to have suggestions on the rest!

Linking up...

Block for Sisters quilt block contest

Fun. And a pain in my bum. I started with a plan and then I could not resist my desire to improv everything. I used almost every scrap of fabric they sent to use for the block- and it seemed like plenty for two! It measures 9.5" square. The reverse looks almost as cool as the front.

Slouch bag finish (+pattern fail)

Over the weekend I received this book from a friend who thought I would love the projects. I do! There are a ton of gorgeous things to make, and I knew the slouch bag would be the one I wanted to start with- and I had the perfect fabric! I have this organic dahlia print from Harmony Art (called Evelyn) in my stash, and I love the print for a big bag.

I cut out my fabric and started sewing, but as I got to the part about adding the top bands and handles...it wasn't making sense. Turns out, this book is sorely in need of an errata page. The directions do not work. In addition, the handles would be way too small (and I am a stick-armed lady) and just attached to the band and not the bag itself. That seems less than sturdy to me, so I re-cut the handles to be 3 inches longer  and then jerry-rigged the whole business to finish up the bag.

I love the way it turned out, though it was a challenge to figure out each step as I put it together. I also added a liner because I made it out of cotton and not linen, and I like the clean look without seams inside. Plus, this adds a pop of color to a simple bag. Lots of slouch and gathers, which is new and fun for me. I can't wait to gift it to my friend!

Eye candy

 Block using Michael Miller Cotton Couture for guild quilt

 Stack of Valori Wells Cocoon from Free Spirit- my winnings!

 Love this one, like a collection

 Wait for it...

Pow! So amazing! The colors are so saturated, it is wonderful in person, and so soft.

Review of Modern Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman

I took advantage yet again of being part of the Creative Troupe at C&T Publishing and got Elizabeth Hartman's new release Modern Patchwork.
This book is an excellent sequel to Ms. Hartman's first book, The Practical Guide to Patchwork. It has many of the same elements for layout and projects- some easier, simple piecing progressing to more challenging work and different skill sets. Luckily for us, she also kept the alternate fabric suggestions at the end of each project along with example photos. This little touch really makes the difference for me; I love to see what else can be done, because often the first time I see a pattern I don't like it, but love it in different fabrics. These alternates are a stroke of genius. The other genius bit is instructions for completing the back, in case you don't want just a whole piece plain-jane backing. Plenty of the backs would make a great quilt on their own! I found at least 5 projects in here I would love to do immediately, and several more I put on my longer term to-do list.
I knew I wanted to do a project for this review, so I just set my sights on making one block to see how well the instructions read, etc. Well, of course they read well, the author is an experienced pattern writer and blogger, but just to tell you, they are easy to use. There are lots of diagrams and photos to compare what you are doing at each step, which is extremely helpful. I'd rather everyone went way overboard with photos and diagrams for step-by-step rather than being stingy.

The fail in my block is not Ms. Hartman's design or instructions but my fabric and color choices. I do love to experiment and see what I can get away with, and I had these old pillowcases and pair of pants lying around...well, bad news there.

The non-quilting cotton fabrics were really difficult to work with and the lines got all wonky (not in the good way) and made the whole bit look rather, well, ill done is the nicest way to put it. I fought the urge to pitch it every step of the way past piecing block 3.

My second mistake? Using fabric that behaves badly and has lines it in that make it super obvious that you have messed something up. Heh. It stands to reason (in hindsight) that there was a reason that the author used a lot of solids and few patterned fabrics- gets a little wild, even within the same line (Peacock Lane by Violet Craft from Michael Miller if you're asking. Not that this is its most shining use here.) Lesson learned and all that.

So imagine I made better fabric choices for my block- it would be pretty cool huh?
Stay tuned for another try at a block from the book, and eventually maybe a whole quilt. After Memorial Day though, for sure.

Zakka style sew along- pencil case

I am working my way through Zakka Style in a very picky way, and this pencil case was perfect for this week, since I wanted to make a gift for my second cousin who just moved to town and started kindergarten, sort of a welcome to school gift. What better match than a pencil case made with Little Apples scraps?

The linen I used is actually cut up from an old pair of pants that my husband wanted to give away, and I grabbed them for this sew along! Yes, upcycling is very Portlandia. I am happy with the scrap details even if they are not perfect- that linen is hard to work with. Doesn't hold its shape very well.

 As a consequence I ended up using the interfacing on the exterior rather than the interior as the directions read. I also seemed to have less room than necessary on the scrap band to hold the top in- did anyone else have this issue? I fell like instead is trimming it to 3" I should have left it a bit longer and pinned with room to spare. My top gets a little cramped in there (maybe you can see in the top photo).

Fun stuff, and easy to whip up, yet again. Just took an hour and a bit one night.