Progress

Yes, I am making progress on the dresden plate project.  I thought I would give you a peek at the sashing and corner posts I am using to complete the top.  The pink solid is Moda's 30's pink, the same  is used as the center circles.  I think this pink is just perfect for this quilt and for the era I am trying to follow.

More on My Dresden Plate Project

Awhile back I started working on this project.  You can refer back to it here if you want to read more about how I got started, but my main inspiration is from Ann Sutton at Bunny HIll Designs.  The link to her free project can be found at Bunny Hill Designs - Free Patterns, and she called it the Scrappy Plate Club.  Some of the pictures on Flicker are really different and wonderful to pursue through if you have the time, the link can be found here.

I have this project on my Project Inventory List, and it came up next to be worked on and hopefully finish before something else comes up.

I have three of twelve blocks done, and I am so pleased with the way they have turned out.

I chose a white on a shadow gray stripe to appliqué the "plates" on, and I found I really liked the loo

I am using a top stitching / jean thread, in a dark pink color that gives the top stitching of the "plate" a nice contrast and accent of the pink centers I am using.

Here is a close up of the top stitching of the center.

And here is a close up of the "plate" points that have been topstitched to the block background.

And tada!  Here are the three blocks I have done so far.

Post Script:  I have one more plate done, but not appliqued yet.  I plan to get one done each evening until I get all twelve done.  I'll keep you posted with updates as I proceed with this project.

Another Repurpose Project

Have you ever bought a couple of t-shirt type shirts out of 100% cotton, only to have them shrink even though you didn't put them in the dryer?  And then it only shrinks in length and no where else.  Well, I seem to have this happen more than I like, but, with these two shirts, I was able to take the two and make one.

Here is the more favorite shirt of the two, and as it is shown here, it is too short, and the neck opening is too big (it shows my bra straps when I wear it, and the shirt falls off the shoulder)

This is another shirt I bought at the same time, that is the same style, but in a stripe I found I didn't like.  

 So, I cut off the bottom hem of the striped shirt (about 4"), the cuffs (about 4"), and the neckline (about 2").  Sewed all the cut pieces to the corresponding portions of the other shirt.  The only true adjustment that I needed to make was to the neckline, since I was wanting it to be smaller, I took it up the cut piece at the shoulder seams and stitched into place.

Tada!  I now have a shirt that it long like I like my shirts to be, and one that doesn't fall off my shoulder or show my bra straps.  I wasn't going to lengthen the sleeves, but I felt it needed the balance of the added contrast to all the parts of the shirt to make it look right.

FQS Block 8

Completing block 8 tells me that I am two-thirds of the way done for this project.  And, the sucker that I am, I have already signed up for the next year's project that begins in June.  You can find out more about the new project here.  The project will be using  the Avalon collection by Fig Tree Quilts by Moda Fabrics.

Here is block 8 of the Mystery Designers Block of the Month sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop.

I have pictured the previous blocks below to give you a look of all the blocks done to date.

Block 7

Block 6

Block 5

 Block 4

Block 3

Block 2

Block 1

Waiting's Over

Well, I finally got the right sized hardware to finish the coin purse that I posted about here.  I had asked you to stay tuned, but ran into a snag when the hardware did not fit.  Well, today it arrived in the mail, and I knew I could get it done this evening.

I know the pattern called for the side gusset, but I am not a fan of it after getting the hardware sewn on, as it looks to gappy (I know.  Gappy isn't a word, but it works here).  Also, if you are actually carrying change or small things, it seems these sides would lose them?

A Little Sewing Time

I got to get in a little sewing time this afternoon.  It is so nice to have a sewing room that is all set up, and all I have to do is sit down and sew.  I also try to have several projects cut out and ready to go, so that when I can sit down and sew I can get right to a project.

These two cute mini hipster bags are for my shop, but I want to give you a look, as I varied from my conservative way of making these bags.  I used a much more whimsical coordinating print that I have in the past when using college themed print as the main fabric.  I also sewed on some decorative buttons to change the pattern up a little.  My hubby likes them, but my opinion is still out.

Oh, yeah, I make a mini key fob to go with the bag.

Just popping in to let you all know, I stated working full time last week and had a super uber busy weekend show.  This just means that until I can get into a rhythm of working full time again (since it has been four years), my sewing will be less than it has been in the past.   

Completed December FW Blocks

Yes, I completed the Civil War Reproduction Farmer's Wife's blocks for December today.  Only one day late!  I spoke more of the daunting task of completing these blocks in yesterday's post, and when I see them stacked in the picture below, I can really see how daunting it was this past year.  The blocks for each color way will only make a twin size quilt, so I might have to add some additional borders so I can put it on a double bed.

Here are the blocks for December....

Update on the Stay Tuned Project

A couple of posts back, I had a new project that I started and said to stay tuned.  Well we went from this...

To this.....

As you can see, I obtained the the wrong size hardware frame for what the pattern called for.  So right now I am waiting for the postal service to deliver me a correct size purse frame for my already sewn body of this little purse.

Stay tuned.......