Sew Sweet Simplicity #2

Here's my second block in Jacquelynne Steves' free block of the month series:

Without applique'

I'm keeping this one sew sweet and simple, using ADORNit's Crazy for Daisies cuteness. The prints just seem to suit Jacquelynne's sweet designs.  And look!  My favorite little hourglass appeared in the corners when I changed up the color placement a little.  Then I cut out the simple applique' with my Go! Baby.

Go! Feathers

I'm going for similar feel for each block, so I'm picking out the star elements in each pattern to give a strong focus with the cheery cherry red print. 

SSS Block #1

Are you making these blocks?  You can join in any time - learn more and sign up HERE.  You'll receive links for any previous blocks.  Be sure to use the hashtag #SewSweetSimplicity to share pictures on social media sites. See more inspiration from Jacquelynne's block-testing team hopping this week (see list below).

And if that wasn't enough to get your creative juices flowing, each blogger will be giving away this fun pattern bundle.  Leave a comment if you'd like to play along.  Giveaway will close next Monday, Dec. 1st.  Giveaway extended to Dec 3rd because of the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Oh, and be sure to check out the Sew Sweet Simplicity Pinterest page for even more inspiration!

Jacquelynne ~ The Art of Home

Snoodles ~ Lily Pad Quilting
Teresa ~ A Quilt and a Prayer Sandy ~ UpStairs Hobby Room Deonn ~ Quiltscapes << Barb ~ Bejeweled Quilts Sandie ~ Crazy ‘Bout Quilts Deanna ~ Wedding Dress Blue
Barb ~ Mountain Quiltworks
Barb ~ Garden Path Quilts

Sew Sweet Simplicity ~ Block #1

Thanks to everyone who left a comment on last week's Sew Sweet Simplicity kickoff post.  Your color combos are inspiring!  The winner has been selected and notification sent ~

Congratulations to RobinT!

Here's my edition of the Sew Sweet Simplicity block #1.  Can you tell, I'm a "RED" girl?... Love it!  This really was simple to make, and oh so sweet.  

Keeping with the theme of sweet simplicity... I used my AccuQuilt die-cutter to cut out my shapes for the dragonfly center block.

Fusible web backing and a blanket-stitch for the applique':

And ombre-flower fabric for the center background.

Here's my favorite tip for quick and accurate square-corner stitching... Instead of taking the time to draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back side of all the corner squares,  I add a strip of painter's tape to the deck of the sewing machine, aligned and centered with the needle.  The tip of the square lines up with the edge of the tape as it's stitched...

Here's a little video:

Love my block center!  Jacquelynne's pattern gives several different suggestions for the center of each block - Embroidery, applique', leave it plain for quilting options, or highlight a fabulous focus print.

Have you signed up for this free block of the month?  Jacquelynne's instructions make it "sew" easy to achieve success. The pattern will go out some time today (see all the info HERE).  If you make a block and post a picture to social media, be sure to include the hashtag: #SewSweetSimplicity.  

Happy Quilting!

Please visit these gals as they showcase their take on Block #1.  Then join us each month through March for more inspiration!

Snoodles ~ Lily Pad Quilting
Teresa ~ A Quilt and a Prayer
Sandy ~ Upstairs Hobby Room
Deonn ~ Quiltscapes <<Thanks for stopping by!
Barb ~ Bejeweled Quilts
Sandie ~ Crazy ‘Bout Quilts
Deanna ~ Wedding Dress Blue
Barb ~ Mountain Quiltworks
Barb ~ Garden Path Quilts

Sew Sweet Simplicity
KICKOFF

BLOCK #1

Cross-Stitch Kids & a Gingham Hop!

Ohmigoodness!  I've been giggling all day.  I've recently been scouring through the interwebs trying to find a cross-stitchery pattern for what I had in mind for this month's tutorial for Riley Blake Designs' Cutting Corners.

Do you like my triplets?  ↑↑.  I used to dress my girls alike (see their picture on the sidebar), and made most of their clothes. Yes, I was that mother, I admit.  So, I found several patterns from old 1960's Coats & Clarks cross-stitch brochures and combined a few ideas to make up my own little girlies.  I've tried to give them legs, knees, all kinds of things, but nothing looked quite right!  What do you think?  The boy version has legs, but they're his pants, and the girls just didn't look good in pants with their little dresses... sheesh.  So we'll have to imagine they have legs, with their little gingham knees...  And you can find the link to the FREE PATTERN and tutorial below.

Speaking of gingham... It's been a summer of sewing over at Sew We Quilt - and as part of Madame Samm's "Save the Gingham!" campaign, she created a  "See You in September" blog hop.   Participants will show three things made this summer, including something with gingham checks.  The hop starts tomorrow!  Shari is our illustrious cheerleader for this round - I'll join the crowd on Sept 11th.  Check out the master list HERE.  Oh, I do love gingham, and can't wait to see everyone's creations!  By the way, RBD  IS  saving their gingham - but they're focusing more on the 1/4" size now, rather than the 1/2" or 1/8" size checks.

Now, if you'd like to make your own little gingham cross-stitch kids like the little cuties above (yes, there's a boy pattern too) check out my tutorial HERE and download the FREE PATTERN.  Then you can make a little row of Cross-Stitch kids and giggle along with me too...

Happy Stitching!

Ruching around... (& Giveaway)

In a Ruche... Having a Ruche time....   (pronounced "roosh")   Hey, what's a Ruche??

Click on the button below to find out all about Ruching!  It's my latest tutorial of this fun vintage technique made modern for RBD's Cutting Corners.

And now, it's time to clean up the Sewing Room, yeah!  It's been in a state since April: stuff made, kits cut, classes taught... There's hardly been time to clear a path to the sewing machine!  But all that is about to change, becuase... 

I Quilt for CLEANING!!

My sweet little friend Frannie is here to trade a little labor for my quilting on her latest quilt... and she isn't taking any prisoners... look out, stash!!

Does anyone else find this picture funny/punny??

An old garbage bin from my Dad's farm...  I giggle every time I look at the label - "Raw Material"

Yep, we're making progress, and it's a cause to celebrate!!

So, while I'm at it, how about a little giveaway? Today's class samples, plus a nice little pile of other  printed ribbons, notions, buttons, an odd pattern of mine and whatnot.  The pile may grow by the end of the week!  ...another man's treasure and all that!

Ruched flowers,  ribbon and other odds & ends

Let me know in a comment what old-timey sewing or quilting or other home-arts technique you like to do, or want to learn.   Winner will be selected on Friday, July 11th after 6:00 pm MST.

Thanks for playing along!

A cute little Monster Coloring Bag.

Sometimes I can talk my girls in to hanging out with me in the sewing room.  It was Chelsea's day off today... 

Supplies / Cut List:

13" x 20" rectangle for bag

2  -  2-1/2" x 16" strips for handles

9" x 12" piece of craft felt

scraps / buttons for eyes

1 box of 8 to 10 jumbo crayons

1)  PRESS 13" x 20" rectangle in half

2)  CUT an 8-1/2" square from the felt piece.  Free-form cut it to the monster shape desired.  We included a couple of ears and rounded the sides.   Or use this PATTERN.  Keep the bottom straight. With the long edge of the 13" x 20" rectangle up, center the monster's head in position on one half of the rectangle and about 2" from the top edge.

3)  STITCH all around the edges using either a straight stitch or blanket stitch.

4)  CUT a 3-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangle from the felt.   MARK the center, then MARK at 1" increments from the center.  We used a FRIXION pen (marks disappear when ironed).

5)  Round off the bottom corners, then PIN in place, overlapping about 1".  STITCH the outside edges, through all layers, back-stitching at the top of the pocket, leaving the top edge free.

 6)  STITCH along the marked lines, backstitching at beginnings and endings.  This forms the crayon pockets.  PRESS to remove marking lines.

7)  Add felt/buttons for Monster's eyes, a little offset for personality... We used a zig-zag stitch on the machine to sew the buttons in place.

8)  On the top long edge of the rectangle,  PRESS under 1/4", then PRESS again, at about 1/2". 

9)  FOLD the bag in half, right sides together, leaving 1/4" folded at the top. PIN and STITCH raw edges along the side and bottom of the bag.  Zig-Zag or serge raw edges for a clean finish.  Chelsea likes sewing on one of our old beater sewing machines.

(Optional)  BOX the bottom edges of the bag, if desired.  We measured down 1/2" from the tip.

10)  PRESS handle strips in half lengthwise.  Fold raw edges to align with the center pressed line, then PRESS again.  FOLD in half and EDGE-STITCH to create bag handles.

 11)  FOLD top edge of bag down 1/2" (pressed line).  Slide handle pieces inside top edge and PIN at about 2" from the outside edges of the bag.

12)  EDGE-STITCH along the hem, stitching over the bag handles.  Then, flip the handles to the top and EDGE-STITCH all around the top edge, stitching through the bag handles to keep them in place.

Fill your fancy little monster with crayon "TEETH", and fill the bag with coloring books.  Ready for babysitting, or little-kid visitors.  Nice work, Chels!  Cute bag--cute girl.

Thanks for hanging out today!

p.s.  Linky party over at Sew Many Ways.