Home Again Project Tour

Do you ever get the feeling that fabric is speaking to you?  I've had that feeling, and sometimes I actually listen and go make what it is telling me to create!

Dirndl Vest featuring Home Again fabric designed by Jill Finley (Jillily Studios)
for Penny Rose Fabrics, a division of Riley Blake Designs.

Jill Finley's Home Again fabric line brings to mind plush meadows filled with blossoms and the sound of cowbells and little Heidi skipping down the mountains of a little Swiss village. Jill herself has some Swiss heritage (<< read her story) and it reflects in her fabric designs and colors.

It also reminds me of my home here in beautiful Heber Valley, Utah.  Many of the original settlers who came to this valley were Swiss immigrants.  You can drive through the little Swiss-style village of Midway and see why they felt at home here!  In fact, Midway even hosts an annual "Swiss Days" celebration!

I've been meaning to make a Swiss outfit for myself, ever since we moved to this valley in 1992.  Swiss Days is a longstanding tradition around here, and it seems that the entire state comes to join us for this annual celebration.

Swiss Miss Royalty ride in the annual Swiss Days parade in front of the Town Hall. Photo cred: Midway Boosters

I love going to Swiss Days not just to see the craft show and listen to music, but I always have to get a knockwurst with fresh-made sauerkraut, some traditional Bratzeli cookies, and a loaf or two of braided Swiss bread.  Good thing my little dirndl vest has an expanding panel...

I altered an old vest pattern to add the panel, stitched some loops and laced up the front with a shoelace. I like the script fabric for the lining.

Back.

Lace-up front.

To complete my Swiss Days outfit, I'll need a puffy white blouse, a little red skirt, an apron, some white knee-high stockings, and a little wreath to go in my hair.  I may even learn to yodel!  Then I'll be all ready for next year's Swiss Days celebration.  Or maybe a trip to Switzerland!

So, how about you?  Does fabric speak to you?  Whisper in your ear?  Talk to you in dreams?  Right now my stash is calling me from the sewing room.  Guess I'd better go downstairs and see what all the fuss is about. *Ü*

Happy Sewing!

Simply Happy Project Tour!

You know that feeling you get when you spy some fabric and it practically leaps off the shelf into your arms?  Yes, that's how it was with this sweet line of fabrics, Simply Happy, designed by Dodi Lee Poulson for Riley Blake Designs.  Especially that border print!  Love the combination of vivid colors and soft pastels. I'm so happy the folks at Riley Blake invited me to play!

Summer is usually a time for kids' summer camps, and for years I've volunteered as a 4-H leader for our county's Sewing Camp and Quilt Camp for kids ages 9 to about 14.  Moms or Grandmas come for those three afternoons too, sometimes learning right along with the kids!

A Quilted Love Story, Part II

Mr. and Mrs.!!



It was a lovely June wedding for our darling girl and her new husband.  Sisters, friends, aunts, cousins, Mom and Grandma... the relatives came together to help with Cissy's special day.

A Quilted Love Story, Part I

This love story begins with a quilt.

Actually, this story started way back several generations with women in our family who love to make quilts.  That "quilting gene" is in my blood, and my triplet daughters are of the same stock.  The girls

Buckaroo Stars Quilt Pattern

Buckaroo Stars Quilt made by Deonn Stott, 50" x 62"
Featuring Boots & Stars fabric by Samantha Walker for Riley Blake Designs

Yep.  It's a Horse Blanket.  Or a blanket with a horse on it, that is.  Or ahem, 'scuze me, a quilt.  The horse is based on a little line drawing my sister Janine sketches out as a signature.  And now the quilt is also a pattern, available on Quiltscapes' Etsy and Craftsy stores.  Big, simple blocks, quick to

Monday, Monday!

I've been playing with some fun fabric lately - the cutest little "laundry day" fabric designed by Jill Finley (Jillily Studio) for Penny Rose/Riley Blake Designs - Monday, Monday.  Love these colors and the little clothes hanging on the line.  Reminds me of when I was a little kid in the days before we had a dryer.

These Quilts Can Be Yours!!

Spring is in the air!  Well, actually Spring is still battling it out with Winter, who showed up with a little snow yesterday, but anyway. Springtime means it's also time for Utah's Quilting & Sewing Marketplace (UQSM for short) and once again it's time to party!

A Favorite Quilt ~ Lessons Learned

One of my first quilts!

"The Twelve Gifts of Birth" by Deonn Stott, 2005

Early in my quilting journey, I joined a local guild.  One particular year, our guild received permission from Cheri Saffiote, a friend of our guild president's mom, to use blocks from a pattern she was designing, Sweet Land of Liberty, as a block of the month.

Topsy Turvy!

Last December my cute blog friend, Carla @ Creatin' in the Sticks set out to make 30 quick quilt blocks in 30 days, and featured the tutiorials and quilts on her blog.  Sharing a daily dose of easy squares, it became so popular that Carla has created a blog hop for a few of her followers to showcase their favorites, and welcome to Day Nine!

Be a Pineapple!

Recently I've noticed a few pineapple quilt pictures floating around social media.  I've really wanted to make one, and have been playing around with designs in my EQ software.  Here's my pineapple evolution: