serenity sewing

Soft Quilt for a Hard Time.  This is what I'm making at the moment because I can't seem to concentrate and stay focused.

It started by just making string sets and trimming them into squares.  Neutrals are what I have the most of for some reason.

I made a little tape marker on my sewing machine for cutting longer strips to the right length, which is about 1 1/2" inches longer before trimming.

This was my first layout.  NOPE.  I just didn't love it.  It is not calming, and I am craving calm.

This speaks to me much more.  I like the columns and after a few neutrals I made a red one.

This spot in a red string was bothering me so I added fixed it.  You who know me know I usually don't "fix" things.  But I want order at the moment.  (these columns are not sewn together yet by the way.)

I started in on brown strings when a really funny thing happened.  I realized (late as usual) that I didn't need to cut the the top and bottom of the sets, just make a straight edge.   But I cut the first group at 5 1/2" wide instead of 6 1/2"  OOOOPS.   I used a different ruler and just sort of blew it. 

Now it is a "creative expression"  yeah, that's right it is now a design choice.
I think I'll finish this brown column and then add one more neutral column.

In other news; I cleaned out my book cases.  These are from Ikea and I love them.  I also moved a chair from my bedroom down the hall to my sewing room.  It's nice to have lunch and watch my TV from a rocking soft chair.

I'm currently watching West World from the beginning while simultaneously watching season 3.  Anyone else watching?

Here is  few things that made me happy this week.  This little display at Hammonasset State Beach at the Long Island Sound where I walk with coco.

 I am so grateful to have this wide open space to enjoy the fresh air.

I invited Hanna to my sewing room for Happy Hour and to watch the new "Making the Cut" fashion design show on Amazon.  Are you watching?  What do you think?  Sometimes it is fun to move the party to a different room.

 Luna and her house guest Momo watching the birds on a rainy morning.  They are getting along so well!

I hope are all doing okay.  This is a very extraordinary time in our world.  I am not one who tends to feel depressed or hopeless, but I have had my bouts with it recently.  

Stay Well everyone!

xo

Quarantini Quilt: Olive Again

My April Modern Mini.  I'm sharing it early and offering a tutorial after receiving several pattern requests.

 Finished size is about 12" square.

Let me start by saying these are the measurements that I used.  Your quilt can be your measurements.  You can make them smaller, larger or use different colors.

This is basic technique for all my lollipop quilts too.  It all started with this quilt:  Lollipop Garden  which I made in 2010.

Lincoln Comes to Dinner - table runner

Trick or Sweet workshop sample.

Cut a background blocks 4 3/4". I used Moda Grunge White.

Prepare the circles.   I like to use PaperPieces.com laser cut circles, but I use a lot of circles.

Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Circles work very well too if you have them.

You can also cut your own.  I use the subscription cards in magazines and trace the circles.

The olive is 2 1/2" and the pimento is 1".
You need 9 of each size circle.

Cut your fabric circles about 1/4"larger all the way around the finished circle size.  A smaller on the red one will work better.  I used 3 different olive greens and a couple of different reds.   The variations make it more interesting.

Sew a running stitch all around the circle.  The smaller the berry the smaller the stitch length to get an even gather.  You want to try to sew about 1/8" from the outside edge.

When finished it should look like this.  Gently Gather and knot off near where you started stitching.

I would recommend you start with the larger circle.

Smooth your gather around the paper circle.

With a hot dry iron, starch your circles on both sides.  Get a good sharp pressed edge.

You can make all the circles, or work as you go.  Everyone works differently.  

Now glue baste your pimento onto your olive.  The method that I've developed is using a tiny line of white school glue about an 1/8" away from the edge. 

Press it to set it wherever you like on the green circle.  I made mine random and in different areas with one being almost in the center.

The thing I love the best about glue basting is NO PINS which is better for your machine and the berries stay nice and flat with no distortion.

Use matching thread on top and in bobbin, and lower your stitch length to achieve a smooth circle of stitching.

Top Stitch it all around going slowly and turning often.  This takes a little practice, but going slow is the key.  I pivot about every 2-3 stitches.

I received these white chocolate covered almonds in my stocking last Christmas.  It is extra fun to have matching candy to your project.  Or make a little of real olives to snack on.

Repeat this same process for all olives. 

Use the same glue technique to baste your olive on the background square.  

Press it to set it.

Top stitch again.

Aren't they fun?

I made my little quilt with nine blocks.

I machine quilted it with matchstick quilting using my walking foot.

I like to use a single fold binding on small quilts.  Here is a tutorial for that process on my blog.

I decided to use a black and white stripe for one side of the binding.  Why you ask?  Just seemed to add a little glamour to it.  After all Martinis are glamorous aren't they?

Please send me a photo barb.vedder@gmail.com or post your quilt on my Facebook page or instagram using the hashtag #quarantiniquilt

A few people asked for the recipe of the Orange Crunch Cake that I made Andrew.  Click here to get it.   I use homemade buttercream frosting instead of the can and coolwhip.

I hope you had a nice Easter during this Strange time of Covid.

I had my annual Ten Commandments watch in my sewing room.

Have a great week and stay home and stay safe.
xo

Bee-Safe

Hello all.  I hope you are all well and staying home and safe.

I saw this sweet little quilting Bee paper doll on Kyle's Blog, Timeless Reflections.   It is offered by Kathy Schmitz, and you can get it free right here.

She's my little quilting friend and she is helping me feel inspired to sew.  I am finding it hard to settle into hand work.

I made a sleeve for my House Quilt so I could hang it in my sewing room.  Nutmeg pulled it off the ironing board and made a little nest, pins and all.  The sleeve is matching so it's hard to see.

Here's my label with Nutmeg in the window.

I'm so happy to have this cheerful quilt to enjoy from my sewing machine.  It looks custom made for this spot. 

Yesterday I made a sleeve and label for my Pineapple quilt too.  When you make crazy backs, labels can be both fun and challenge.  Labels can be another level of design on your quilt.  I didn't have anymore of the fish fabric but the silhouette print relates to both backing fabrics.

 

I made a circle label using the silhouette fabric.  I think it works well pulling it all together.

Here are some prototype masks I made.  One of the most important things you can do is NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE.  This is especially important when you are in a store, so I'm wearing one when I'm out to remind myself of this until I go home and wash my hands.

 My nephew in Colorado asked me to make him one. 

 I asked him what color and he chose navy.

We have finished our first puzzle.  550 pieces.  woo hoo

I was disappointed to see this sign at our favorite Steamed Dumpling shop.  I think we'll try their other restaurant tonight.  I feel strongly about supporting privately owned restaurants.

Sunday has become Big Breakfast Day.  It feels good to have some new "Traditions" during this very unsettling time.  Virginia has a stay home policy until June 1st!  Not sure what this means for David and Hanna.  They may be here for quite a while.

I have been using meditation as a path to mindfulness four a couple of years and I has made a big difference in my life.  

I use the Calm App.  It also has sleep stories which I love when it's hard to sleep.  They offer a free trial if you are interested.

Breath, breath, breath and try to enjoy the view.

Stay Home

Stay Safe

xo