tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22309774487923509132024-02-20T11:39:50.725-05:00The Iron & NeedleBriannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-44709122872852608472016-06-05T07:55:00.000-04:002016-06-05T07:55:18.620-04:00Orange and Blue for a Baby Boy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A friend just had her second little boy and so a new baby called for a new quilt. I picked oranges and blues from my stash to make another <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/238476181/being-charming-is-a-plus-pdf-modern-plus?ref=shop_home_active_17">Charming is a Plus</a> quilt. I really like this pattern, as it's striking and simple. The oranges come from Carolyn Friedlander's Botanics and the background used a chambray from Robert Kaufman.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ollie wants to know where his cushion is and what I'm doing with his chair. </td></tr>
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I quilted it with wavy lines fairly widely spaced to keep it soft. </div>
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I like the effect of the scrappy binding when the background is solid.<br />
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With 12 squares instead of 9, the quilt is a good size that can he should be able to use for a long time.<br />
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I used some flannel wide-backing I picked up on sale from Fabricland. I usually buy from my local quilt shop, but sometimes I can't help it when there's a good sale.<br />
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I've got one more baby quilt to finish quilting and binding, then I'll be moving back to different projects already in progress :)<br />
<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-48049168413006925212016-06-01T07:38:00.001-04:002016-06-01T15:53:30.276-04:00Beach StyleWhen I first discovered blogs, sometime around the end of university, I read home decor blogs. They were written by women who liked to create and took ownership of their spaces, often up cycling old things and making them new again. This was right around the time "DIY" entered our vocabulary and before Pinterest existed. I always loved crafts as a kid and those women inspired me to try making things again too. I imagined painting over wooden side tables and turning curb-side furniture into something new and fresh. But returning from university and moving into my childhood bedroom, I didn't have much space to hold new projects, and my parents wouldn't let me paint the antique wooden tables I'd been eyeing up. I ended up tackling a sewing project instead, and a new passion was born. I started reading more sewing blogs and fewer home decor blogs, waiting for the day when I had my own space to decorate. Having recently purchased and decorated my house, home decor has been on my mind a lot in the past year. So when I was recently contacted by real estate firm Douglas Elliman and asked to design a "Florida Room," the challenge came at just the right time. I was asked to design a room that evokes a summery and beachy feel, no matter the season or where you live.<br />
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I'm lucky to live on the water now, on a small lake in Central Ontario, Canada. We just finished a hot and sunny weekend, with the temperatures reaching 31 degrees Celsius, which is unusual for this time of year. So right now it's easy to envision myself on a beach property in Florida, like one of these <a href="https://www.elliman.com/florida">Florida homes</a>. Come January, however, with the western winds blowing snow over the frozen lake, it might be a little harder to conjure up the memory of summer and beaches. So incorporating Florida style into a room's decor is a great way to bring the warmth and calm of the beach into your home.<br />
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When I think of Florida, I picture sandy beaches, foamy surf and dazzling blue skies. I imagine playing in the waves and then relaxing in a lounge chair. Alright, I also picture palm trees, bright pink flamingo lawn ornaments and cheap rental houses for college students on spring break - ha! But that's just stereotypes speaking, so let's go with the first image, shall we?<br />
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Going with relaxing, beachy vibes, I think a living room is most suitable to incorporate some Florida style. I think my own living room has a beachy feel, so I'm going to pull many elements from it, using pieces that are available here in Canada. For paint, I'd go with my living room choice of Behr's <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-Plus-Ultra-1-gal-S450-1-Beach-Foam-Eggshell-Enamel-Interior-Paint-275001/205293621">Beach Foam</a>, a pale aqua blue with just a hint of green. <br />
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I'd also stick with my white IKEA <a href="http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/30302416/#/00245639">Hemnes</a> bookshelves and TV stand. The white looks crisp against the blue and brightens the room. Its shelves offer plenty of space for both function and decor. For function, I'd start by finding a spot for my novels, then store papers and magazines in white magazine files and photo boxes. I often find beautifully styled bookcases in magazines unrealistic, as they often don't hold any books! I was happy to find that after moving all of my books, there was still room to display photos and souvenirs from my travels. I'd recommend displaying artwork in brightly coloured frames, whether it's personal snapshots from beach vacations, professional prints or paintings. I would also add some flameless candles, a lantern and maybe souvenirs from travels.<br />
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I love these prints by Clare Elsaesser, which you can find on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/239929883/sea-dream-giclee-art-print?ref=related-2">Etsy</a>. She has so many beautiful paintings I'd love to put on my walls. Small prints would look good framed on the bookshelf, while an oversized print or a set of three would look good above the couch.<br />
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I'm loving my <a href="http://www.thebrick.com/designed2b">sectional</a> from the Brick and I think it would fit in a Florida Room as well. This is a different model, but in a similar fabric. The grey serves as the perfect neutral backdrop to brightly coloured quilts and throw pillows. In general, the pale blue, white and grey serve as a nice backdrop to create a calm mood for the room and allow for bright accents - throws, pillows, and other decorative objects. Having the main pieces in neutral colours also allows you to change up and experiment with different accent colours without costing too much.<br />
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Here's a rough example of everything thrown together.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed this post. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for posting. To see photos of my own living room, check out my <a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2016/04/living-lakeside-living-room.html">previous post here</a>. Coming soon, you can expect to see another baby quilt (it's arrived - yay!) and more house projects.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3865px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></span>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-10965938241511003572016-05-25T06:00:00.000-04:002016-05-25T06:00:08.374-04:00Nautical Baby QuiltWhat's that? This is a sewing blog and I haven't posted a sewing project in a while? Ok Mom, you're right.<br />
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A friend of mine had a baby boy in the fall, so of course I had to make a quilt! I went with some anchor and sailboat fabric I picked up in Nova Scotia a couple summers ago and kept the pattern simple. The four patch squares are made from various scraps, so the whole quilt (except for batting) came from my stash.<br />
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I loosely quilted some waves to keep the quilting soft.<br />
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I've been saving this V & Co chevron ombré fabric for a while now waiting for the right project and it seemed to fit well for this one. I had to add a bit to the bottom and opted for a pop of lime green. I confess I really like this backing combo!<br />
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It looks good in my living room too, maybe I should change my colour scheme...ha.<br />
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I ended my quilt photo shoot with some play time. I got this mini wooden kayak in Lunenburg and it usually sits on my bookshelves. I was trying to make it look like it was battling waves.<br />
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I think this composition is my favourite, though. </div>
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I'm hoping my other baby quilt arrives in the mail soon so I can post it. Until then, happy sewing!<br />
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<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-30099951601757917432016-04-09T08:08:00.000-04:002016-04-09T08:08:17.203-04:00Sights and SoundsMornings are usually calm and bright at the lake, but on Easter Sunday it was a bit more colourful than usual. An ice storm on Holy Thursday coated everything in ice - cars, roads, branches and power lines. It also left me without power for 36 hours, which meant no heat, water or electricity. Luckily I had a stocked pantry, flashlights and lanterns, and I was able to haul a pail of water from the lake. In the summer a power outage is no problem at all, but having no heat was a bit inconvenient.<br />
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One of the good things that came from the storm, however, were these photos I was able to capture on Sunday morning. I was quietly cooking my breakfast when I noticed the pink sky behind me, so I threw on a coat and boots and headed out with my camera.<br />
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Everything was still coated in ice, so that the trees were white, which softened and muted all the colours. The lake was glass, reflecting the sky's colours back to it and as the sun rose, the sky was a living, ever-changing thing, in that way that sunrises have. Fifteen minutes and you might have missed it. No one out but me and the birds, crows and doves and smaller ones chirping and calling.<br />
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It made me think of lines from a hymn - Morning has broken, like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.<br />
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Some days you get walloped with an ice storm and other days bring mornings like this.Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-84907334671563265222016-04-08T07:11:00.001-04:002016-04-08T08:09:09.103-04:00Living Lakeside - Living RoomOver the past few weeks, most of my creative energy and spare time has been spent on home decor. Instead of furnishing beds and backs of couches, I've been working on shelves, walls and floors. Now that most of the work and decor is finished (for now), I'm ready to share some before and after photos. I've always loved a good makeover, so it was exciting to get to do one of my own. After living here for only a few weeks, it's hard to remember what it looked like before. It already feels like home. After looking through this post, I hope you'll forgive the quiet winter on the blog. This is what I was working on.<br />
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My house has an open concept living space and the living room flows into the dining area, connected to the kitchen and a countertop bar. French doors replaced the original sliding doors to lead onto a deck. On either side of the doors, on adjacent walls, two big picture windows overlook the deck and the lake beyond.<br />
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Blue is my favourite colour and getting to make all the house decisions myself meant that almost the whole place got painted blue! I wanted the space to be light and to take advantage of all the natural light coming in from the big windows. I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra (paint and primer in one). The living room got two coats of Beach Foam while the dining room and kitchen got one shade darker on the paint strip - Sea Wind. I went with white baseboards and trim everywhere, which really brightened the space when combined with the new windows, also framed in white.<br />
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Before</div>
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It's easy to admire carefully styled bookcases in magazines and articles, full of sculptures, frames and vases, but this is real life. Bookcases are also for books. I love to read and own a lot of books, so I needed bookcases that were functional and affordable. I went with Hemnes bookcases and a TV stand from IKEA, choosing two wider units and two narrower units to maximize the space while keeping it symmetrical. I debated going with natural wood and staining them myself, but finally decided on white, to keep the room light. I'm very happy with the choice. For now, an old TV works fine sitting on the stand, but a flat screen secured to the wall will likely replace it in the future.<br />
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I admit I was a bit worried while packing up my books that there wouldn't be enough room for them. So I was happily surprised when there was lots of extra space, allowing my collection to grow. I was able to add magazines and other papers in magazine files. Then I even had room for decor, choosing objects and souvenirs that were in my old bedroom, like my music box from Sorrento, my boomerang from Melbourne and a wooden kayak from Lunenburg. A few new flowers in pails and flameless candles completed the shelves.<br />
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I'm also a big fan of grey and used it for my furniture. It goes well with the blue, matches my cat's hair (ha!) and provides a nice, neutral backdrop for quilts of any colour. (Yes, this was a consideration). I found this sectional at the Brick. There were 21 sections to choose from when creating a sectional and I customized this one a bit by eliminating one of the centre seats so that it would fit the room. This combination has a chaise, an armless chair and a cuddler section that angles towards the lake. I also chose an armchair in matching fabric. My <a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2016/03/reupholstered-ottoman.html">reupholstered ottoman</a> turned out to be the perfect height for the chair. </div>
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For lighting, I chose two table lamps and a floor lamp, and a ceiling fan with a light kit is set to replace the existing fan. The lamps work quite nicely in the evenings, but it will be nice to have the overhead light for those grey days. One lamp sits on the <a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2015/08/refinished-trunk.html">trunk I refinished this past summer</a>, while the other sits on the <a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2015/08/new-old-dresser.html">dresser I refinished</a>. Both furniture pieces are stained in Miniwax's Early American. </div>
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To keep the light out, I went with plain white sheers for when I want privacy and two-toned grey blackout curtains for when that morning sun tries to heat up my house in summer. </div>
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The living room is long and along with all of the windows and doors, it made sense to put the sectional in the middle of the room. That way, it's a reasonable distance from the TV and doesn't block any windows. The sectional sits close to the right door, but still allows easy access to the other door and a pathway across the room and down the basement stairs. With an area rug and two chairs, I created another sitting space behind the couch, by the window. The rocking chair that came with the house is Oliver's favourite spot, so beware its furry cushion if you're ever over for a visit. The black recliner, passed on to me by new neighbours, also swivels, which I think might be useful when friends are over and I'm cooking dinner. </div>
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I have a feeling that there will be an ever-rotating selection of quilts in this room. I've already moved them around since these photos were taken. Front and centre, though, is a new pattern I designed that will be released soon, called Ocean Sky. It's my first quilt made entirely of batiks and I picked out the fabrics months ago, long before this room was put together. I must have clearly defined tastes. I had enough scraps to make pillow covers and inspired by <a href="http://stuffimadethisweek.blogspot.ca/2016/01/pillow-bonanza.html">Johanna's pillows</a>, went with <a href="http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2015/01/bee-hive-tic-tac-toe/">Alyce's Tic Tac Toe block</a>. The block style matches the quilt design well. </div>
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Anja was one of my pattern testers for Ocean Sky and you can see <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/03/tgiff-ocean-sky-on-east-coast.html">her version on her blog</a>.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed the living room tour. I've got a few more rooms to show you in the upcoming weeks, along with a few baby quilts, the Ocean Sky pattern and other little things.<br />
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Happy creating!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.ca/2016/04/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-boundless-solids.html">Can I Get a Whoop Whoop</a> and <a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.ca/2016/04/fabric-frenzy-friday_8.html">Fabric Frenzy Friday</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D8490733467156326522%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yRKXhJ8Wip4%2FVwWzlR0a7QI%2FAAAAAAAAB-8%2FyggCNRLcUIwjorflbugtLg5ji2UV1fYXw%2Fs640%2FDSC_0189.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7942px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D8490733467156326522%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yRKXhJ8Wip4%2FVwWzlR0a7QI%2FAAAAAAAAB-8%2FyggCNRLcUIwjorflbugtLg5ji2UV1fYXw%2Fs640%2FDSC_0189.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7942px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D8490733467156326522%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yRKXhJ8Wip4%2FVwWzlR0a7QI%2FAAAAAAAAB-8%2FyggCNRLcUIwjorflbugtLg5ji2UV1fYXw%2Fs640%2FDSC_0189.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7942px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D8490733467156326522%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-yRKXhJ8Wip4%2FVwWzlR0a7QI%2FAAAAAAAAB-8%2FyggCNRLcUIwjorflbugtLg5ji2UV1fYXw%2Fs640%2FDSC_0189.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 7942px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-61552731010635096652016-03-25T17:24:00.000-04:002016-03-25T18:23:28.055-04:00Oven MittsI never seem to be short of inspiration for new projects. Rather, like most quilters, I've got far too many ideas and not enough time. That goes along with far too much fabric I'd like to buy and not enough money. Lately though, I've been trying to sew a bit more for function rather than art.<br />
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By the time I finish the couple I have in progress, I will have made ten quilts four myself. Four of those are bed-sized and six throw-sized. So it made sense to me to focus on other projects for a bit and having recently bought my own house, I decided some more house projects were in order. I write <i>more</i> because I started making things for my house long before I got it, way back to last summer.<br />
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There was the Patchwork Bench from Anna Graham's book Handmade Style.<br />
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I refinished an old dresser from the attic and a trunk found at yard sale.<br />
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Then I sanded, stained and recovered these sling deck chairs.<br />
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Pair those with the quilts and the addition of the ottoman, and I was off to a good start.<br />
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Today I want to share the oven mitts I made a couple of weeks ago. I found several tutorials online and went with <a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.ca/2015/02/quilted-oven-mitt-tutorial.html">this one</a> by Heather from <a href="http://qacreations.quiltsactually.com/blog/">Quilts Actually</a>.<br />
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For the main fabric, I chose some fabric I've had in my stash for a while but couldn't seem to find a project for. The design on the print has worked out perfectly for oven mitts and matches my light blue kitchen nicely. I used fabrics from the Botanics line for the accent strip, binding and lining - some green on white stripes and a floral grid.<br />
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I sandwiched two layers of batting and a layer of Insul-brite between my fabrics and quilted them with randomly spaced organic lines. Not worrying about keeping my lines even was both stressful and freeing. I wanted them to be wavy enough so that you could tell they were intentional but straight enough to be horizontal. While stitching them, I would deliberately look at the television and keep my foot on the pedal, just because I could.<br />
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I traced and cut the oven mitts out of my two pieces, then sewed them right sides together. The dense quilting made the oven mitt panels pretty flat, but even after notching the curves, I still had difficulty turning the thumbs right-sides out. For the second mitt, I ended up shortening my stitch length to make sure the edges of the fabric wouldn't pull through on the notches. I was much happier with the result on the second mitt.<br />
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Binding the cuff was a bit of a challenge as well, but I really like how it sets off the accent strip and finishes off the oven mitts.<br />
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I was left with oddly shaped scraps from the panel I quilted and it felt wasteful to throw them out. So I traced some circles to cut out a set of 4 coasters. I didn't feel like binding them, so I used a zig zag stitch around the perimeter and left them raw edged. From some of the bigger sections of the panel, I cut out rectangles with rounded corners. I added two pieces of fabric, each folded in half, to the back. I used a zig zag stitch again around the outside, this time making those little finger oven mitts you can use to grab light baking sheets from the oven or dishes from the microwave.<br />
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Finally, to use the last of the scraps, I cut small rectangles and improv pieced them together to make a hot pad. I increased my stitch width for this, and where they didn't catch, I just went back and stitched over them. The more I stitched, the cooler it looked. I would definitely do this again. I think it would be fun to try different shapes, making stars and hexagons out of already quilted scraps.<br />
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I've used all of these a couple times already and they work fine. I've got pretty oven mitts, used some of my stash and didn't have to buy anything new. A win-win.<br />
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More to come :)<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.ca/2016/03/fabric-frenzy-friday_25.html">Fabric Frenzy Friday</a>, <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/03/ticker-tape-tiles-mini-quilt.html">Finish it up Friday</a>, <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/03/tgiff-ocean-sky-on-east-coast.html">TGIFF</a> and <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.ca/2016/03/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-twirly-dress.html?showComment=1458944243196">Can I Get a Whoop Whoop</a>.<br />
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Oh, and you should really go check out <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/03/tgiff-ocean-sky-on-east-coast.html">TGIFF</a>, hosted by Anja this week, who's posting her Ocean Sky quilt - one of my patterns in progress. Its release got delayed by my house, but now that my version is sitting on the back of my couch, I need to get photos and get it out there!<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6155273101063509665%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2K4hsck1FfQ%2FVeMlMnbbuUI%2FAAAAAAAABhs%2FWPVpelMzNsEVbmeE15OKo5v6-CMVT1iuA%2Fs640%2FDSC_0628.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 216px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D6155273101063509665%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2K4hsck1FfQ%2FVeMlMnbbuUI%2FAAAAAAAABhs%2FWPVpelMzNsEVbmeE15OKo5v6-CMVT1iuA%2Fs640%2FDSC_0628.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 216px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-70704711458227846842016-03-18T10:41:00.000-04:002016-03-18T11:20:32.625-04:00Reupholstered OttomanHello!<br />
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It's me. I'm back! And now that I'm in my very own house, I've got some finished house projects to share with you. First up is an ottoman that came with the house. I pulled it apart and put it back together again with some new cushioning and a quilted fabric cover.<br />
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This is what the ottoman looked like at first. I noticed that it had good metal casters on it, so I told the previous owner I would keep it.<br />
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If you're interested in the sewing part, for the cover, I started with a rectangle of fabric for each of the visible faces of the ottoman. The top and two sides were pieced with strips and the other two sides were wholecloth. I quilted the pieces with a layer of batting, using straight lines in a sort of random pattern. Then I sewed the sides together so that they made a loop and the attached them to the top. When calculating measurements, I measured the base and added a bit of allowance for batting.<br />
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I debated different designs for the ottoman, such as having a quilt block or patchwork top and making all of the sides the same. I decided to go with a design that wrapped around the sides instead, since the big base makes the sides so tall.<br />
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As for the construction, I took the casters off of the ottoman and had a lot of staples to pull out; they really made sure that cover was secure. Once the cover and foam was off, I discovered another fabric stapled over the springs. Ugh. With the springs removed, I was left with just the base, which is heavy and solid.<br />
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I had my brother cut a scrap of 1/2" plywood to the size of the base - 19 1/2" x 18 1/2". (We made a deal - I had to hem his curtains that day and he had to cut my wood the next. I think he made out better on this one.) Then I constructed it the same way I did the Patchwork Bench from Anna Graham's book Handmade Style. It was convenient constructing it while the guys were working on my house, as they had a nail gun, staple gun and sawhorses already set up. I had my cousin attach the plywood to the base with finishing nails and then I got to work on the cushioning.<br />
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I used a twin sized mattress foam, that thin, bumpy eggshell foam. It cost about $10-$15 and was much cheaper than the rolls of cushion foam at craft and fabric stores. The foam was 36" wide and I needed to cut two pieces 18 1/2" from the width, so I cut one 18 1/2" and left the other 17 1/2". I used 6 layers of foam altogether, laying down the wider one first, with the flat side against the bottom, then centring the narrower piece on top with the bumpy side down, so that the two pieces sort of fit together. This kept my cushion flat. I repeated that with the other four pieces. Initially I used spray adhesive to attach the cushions, but it was a windy day and we couldn't tell if it was really working to glue one cushion to another, so I stopped using it.<br />
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After the foam, I wrapped a piece of batting around the top and two sides of the ottoman, stapling it to the bottom of the base, to keep the cushion smooth and in place. I wrapped another piece of batting around the top and other two sides as well. Then I was ready to put the cover on!<br />
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Once the cover was on, I flipped the ottoman upside down and stapled the fabric to the bottom of the base. I made sure to pull the fabric tight, as I didn't want the fabric to sag when people sat on it, compressing the cushion. At the same time, it was difficult to make sure I was pulling each of the sides an equal amount, so that the cushion was straight and even on top. If I was doing it again, I would measure up from the bottom of the fabric to where I want the fabric to hit the bottom edge of the base and make markings, to make this step easier. Because half of the foam didn't reach all the way across the width of the ottoman, the top is curved rather than flat. I like this effect and would probably cut half the foam an inch shorter in the other direction as well next time.<br />
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The cover secure, I cut back a bit of the fabric on the bottom to screw the casters back on. Finished!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spy a cat toy - one of his favourite foam golf balls.</td></tr>
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I'm quite pleased with the result. The ottoman is comfortable but firm and sturdy and looks good in my living room!<br />
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Check back soon for more home sewing projects :)<br />
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Linked up with <a href="http://quarterinchfromtheedge.blogspot.ca/2016/03/friday-finish-unmasking-of-quilt.html?showComment=1458313400627">TGIFF</a>, <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.ca/2016/03/bunting-cards.html">Finish It Up Friday</a>, <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.ca/2016/03/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-im-happy-camper.html?showComment=1458314145974">Can I get a Whoop Whoop?</a> and <a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.ca/2016/03/fabric-frenzy-friday_18.html">Fabric Frenzy Friday</a>.Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-74452453248254611092016-02-10T21:49:00.000-05:002016-02-10T21:49:49.710-05:00Hipster Cat Market BagI started off my January sewing with a <a href="http://noodle-head.com/2015/06/market-bag-handmade-style.html">Market Bag</a>, the third project I've made from <a href="http://noodle-head.com/">Anna Graham</a>'s book <a href="http://noodle-head.com/2015/06/handmade-style-the-lowdown.html">Handmade Style</a>. It's a great pattern and makes a roomy, stylish and sturdy bag. I did add a little twist to this one. Instead of the accent strip on the outside of the bag, I sized down the <a href="http://shwinandshwin.com/2015/01/hipster-cat-quilt-free-pdf-pattern.html">Hipster Cat</a> from <a href="http://shwinandshwin.com/">Shwin&Shwin</a>'s free quilt pattern.<br />
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This bag is a thank you gift. Our older cat suddenly got sick and one of my cousins, who is a vet, took good care of her. She answered all of our questions, kept checking up on her and even went out of her way to pay a house call on her day off, bringing tasty food and medicine. Sadly, our cat did pass away. I remembered my cousin had liked the <a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2015/11/a-hipster-cat-quilt-for-oliver.html">Hipster Cat quilt</a> I made for my kitten a few months ago, so I thought I could make her something similar. I thought a bag might be fun, and I decided to go with the Market Bag. I thought it would work well with the cat appliqué. </div>
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For the cat, I used the leftover grey with white dots and white with grey patches that I used on the previous one. I used this bright orange print with gold flecks from Carolyn Friedlander's Botanics line. I love how the colour pops and how the print of the fabric looks when cut so small. I think those would be some stylish glasses in real life! A tiny yellow bowtie completed his ensemble. This is the sort of pattern I wish I'd created. He's just so cute!</div>
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I left the other side of the bag blank, thinking that you could easily wear that side out and you would never know the cat was on the other side. Originally I was looking for a navy for the outside of the bag, but I found with this awesome teal V & Co print instead. I was happy to have a reason to get it. There just may be a few scraps left for my stash. </div>
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This was my first time using Soft & Stable and I appreciate how sturdy it makes the bag. The straight line quilting over it gives a great texture as well. It was a little difficult sewing the curves of the base, but I think it'll go easier next time. I went ahead and picked extra up to make some of the other bags in the book. </div>
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My local shop still had some of the cat fabric that I used for the backing of the quilt and I thought it would make a good lining. The colours coordinate well with the outside fabric. </div>
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I think this is the easiest zippered pocket I've ever made. Only one piece of fabric, one zipper and a bit of bias tape needed. I can see myself using this method again!<br />
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I had Oliver do a pre-handle inspection. He approved.<br />
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And then curled up under his own cat quilt. </div>
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I've been pretty quiet here and on Instagram lately, with secret Christmas projects, then report cards and my biggest project yet - I bought a house! It was about time. I've got the dozen quilts, the refinished furniture and even the cat, I just needed the house to go with it. Ha. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited. I've got lots of plans. Painting is in progress and new flooring, windows, doors and trim will be in soon. It feels like I've been waiting forever and at the same time it's happening pretty fast. Time is strange like that. I'm looking forward to putting everything in place and seeing it the way I imagine it. </div>
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In the meantime, I do have a new quilt pattern in the works, though I'm unsure of a release date yet. I'm also working on a few home decor projects, and I've posted a bit on IG.<br />
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Stay tuned for updates and happy sewing! </div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7445245324825461109%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ubn_KwsSeFI%2FVrlWGx9HpgI%2FAAAAAAAAB8A%2FlBg_hl456WQ%2Fs640%2FDSC_0953.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4694px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7445245324825461109%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ubn_KwsSeFI%2FVrlWGx9HpgI%2FAAAAAAAAB8A%2FlBg_hl456WQ%2Fs640%2FDSC_0953.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4694px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7445245324825461109%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ubn_KwsSeFI%2FVrlWGx9HpgI%2FAAAAAAAAB8A%2FlBg_hl456WQ%2Fs640%2FDSC_0953.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4694px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7445245324825461109%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Ubn_KwsSeFI%2FVrlWGx9HpgI%2FAAAAAAAAB8A%2FlBg_hl456WQ%2Fs640%2FDSC_0953.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4694px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-60416428267301704892016-01-28T19:56:00.000-05:002016-01-28T19:56:33.926-05:00A cozy Canada quiltNormally, I sew with quality quilting cottons, but in the fall, my local Fabricland had a line of Canada themed flannels that were to cute to pass up. I decided a cozy throw-sized quilt would be a good Christmas gift for my sister, who is living in Lake Louise, where winter arrives a little early and stays a little late. Plus, I thought maybe if I made her a quilt, she would stop bugging me about that afghan I started crocheting for her 18th birthday, which was, well, more than a few years ago. The fabrics were so soft I decided I would make one for myself too.<br />
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I debated the blues and purples, but went with the traditional red and black instead. I chose four prints and some black flannel to coordinate. I went for some simple patchwork with 12" squares and added a 12" strip of black in the middle. I appliquéd Canada with a maple leaf on either side. I used my Mom's fancy new sewing machine for this, as my Grandma was using mine. She bought a Pfaff Expressions 3.5 and it has a few more features than mine. The highlight for me was that it automatically pulls your thread to the bottom and cuts it when you're done stitching. Very convenient for appliqué!</div>
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I used a thick and super soft chenille fabric for the backing, which eliminated the need for batting. I kept the quilting minimal and simple, just stitching in the ditch horizontally between each row. There's no batting to keep in place anyway and the chenille hides the sewing lines. I bound hers in the black flannel and my own in a grey microsuede. I like the texture it added. </div>
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When my sister was home in November, I sent the quilt with her to be unwrapped at Christmas. I didn't get a chance to take pictures, so I requested that she take advantage of her beautiful scenery to get photos for me. The weather wasn't cooperating with her, but she was able to get some nice photos of the quilt with the frozen lake and snow-covered mountains in the background. She even got a few kind co-workers to hold the quilt for her. </div>
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My quilt is very cozy and if you haven't worked with chenille/cuddle fabric/minky before, I would recommend giving it a try!</div>
Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-63865666992456185092016-01-14T17:47:00.000-05:002016-01-14T17:48:35.024-05:00Kitchen SewingI took advantage of a sale to pick up some Insul-bright last weekend. I thought a few hot pads and coasters would be a good way to use up some scraps and play around with colours. Instead, I found some extra quilt blocks left over from previous projects. I had several parallelogram blocks from my Lone Wolf quilt that I turned into a little coaster/hot pad set. It was kind of fun to move them all around to make a design.<br />
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I used a layer of Insult-Bright and a layer of batting in between the two pieces of fabric. The inside layers made the hot pads nice and thick and gave the quilting great texture. I ended up with a 12" square that could work as a table runner, or a large hot pad. I also made two 6" squares that fit my morning oatmeal bowl perfectly.<br />
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I enjoyed straight-line quilting such a small project, it was satisfying to finish. I didn't enjoy the binding as much, as it somehow seemed more finicky in the miniature. I do like how the lighter blue borders the blocks, though.<br />
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I used this blue and white crosshatch on the back.<br />
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I had four pairs of flying geese blocks that I turned into a hot pad as well. I haven't gotten around to binding it yet, but I'll share it when I do. I have a few more finished and soon to be finished projects to share as well.<br />
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How do you use up spare blocks? Do you have a favourite pattern for scraps?<br />
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<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-54023233713026282022015-12-31T16:33:00.000-05:002015-12-31T17:18:35.926-05:00Arctic Fox Mini Quilt I've been slowly working on a little project with a lot of details over the past few months. It was inspired by Canadian artist <a href="http://www.rcraig.org/">Robbie Craig</a>, based in Yellowknife, NT. He captures and creates striking images of the Canadian north in his paintings and photographs. I enjoy travelling around and exploring different parts of Canada, but I haven't visited any of the territories yet. They have always been on my travel list, but seeing his images have made me want to travel north even more. It was one of his paintings, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RobbieCraigsNorthernProjects/photos/pb.125350650829314.-2207520000.1451439907./1005512586146445/?type=3&theater">The Silver Fox</a>, posted on his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RobbieCraigsNorthernProjects/">Facebook page</a> that prompted this quilt.<br />
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The style of the painting, with the fox's features outlined in white and the way the varying shades remain distinct, rather than blended together, seemed to lend itself well to appliqué. So with the artist's permission, I translated his painting into a quilt design.<br />
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I had the perfect fabric for the background, from Robert Kaufman's Sound of the Woods fabric line, designed by Kathrine Lovell. I had lots of scraps from Carolyn Friedlander's Botanics line as well and I thought the crosshatch prints would work particularly well for fur. Some black Kona fabric completed my choices.<br />
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I traced my image onto Steam-A-Seam to cut it out and fuse it onto my background. I made the fox and moon from white fabric and fused the other shapes on top to create the effect of the white outline. I did the same with the grey fabric for the snow. Once all of the pieces were fused on, I used a tiny blanket stitch to appliqué around the edges of every piece. I asked some quilting friends for advice on the appliqué and quilting and got many different ideas to work with. (Thanks <a href="http://tishnwonderland.blogspot.ca/">Tish</a>, <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/">Anja</a> and <a href="http://daydreamsofquilts.blogspot.ca/">Anita</a>!) I debated using a straight stitch to do a raw-edge appliqué, but decided I wanted cleaner edges. The coordinating threads blended well with the fabrics and I was happy with the effect.<br />
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I really debated about the quilting on this. I almost didn't quilt it as I was afraid of ruining the perfect background. But I've heard that the quilting is like adding a layer of art and I figured I might as well take advantage of my medium. So I echoed around each of the white snow drifts, the fox and the moon. Then I densely quilted the sky with slightly wavy lines to help the images in the foreground stand out. I added a few lines of stitching around the fox's face and around the contours of the moon to add a bit of detail there as well. I also took the advice to echo quilt inside the snowdrifts, especially when I remembered that the original design included shading in the drifts that I had omitted.<br />
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I'm thrilled with the result! I keep touching the quilt, to feel the texture of the sky and how the snow drifts pop out from the background. I took extra care with the binding and I'm pretty pleased about it as well.<br />
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I had the opportunity to meet Robbie Craig and purchase some of his prints a month ago, when he held a show in Ontario. I bought prints of Midnight Sun Mountain, Pond Hockey and Reverie. I can't wait to get them up on the walls. I brought my partly finished mini quilt to show him and promised to share the finished piece! I'm grateful for the opportunity to play with his design. Though I contemplated turning the one block into a bigger quilt, I decided to stick with a mini and make this a wall hanging. Who knows, maybe one day two more blocks will join it in a triptych.<br />
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Happy creating!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.ca/2015/12/ntt-reflection-and-best-of-2015.html">Needle and Thread Thursday</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5402323371302628202%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SL8qWrfD_lA%2FVoWX50aZGnI%2FAAAAAAAAB4Q%2F1K6982t2L1A%2Fs640%2FDSC_0920.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1554px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5402323371302628202%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-SL8qWrfD_lA%2FVoWX50aZGnI%2FAAAAAAAAB4Q%2F1K6982t2L1A%2Fs640%2FDSC_0920.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1554px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-14961050703203580882015-12-22T14:28:00.001-05:002015-12-22T22:00:01.265-05:00A flannel Tova TunicI remember the Tova Tunic popping up on blogs everywhere a few years ago in gauzy cottons and Liberty prints. I didn't take much notice then, but when I was looking for a tunic pattern this fall, it caught my eye. I had some cozy blue, purple and white shirting flannel begging to join my wardrobe and I was admiring the long shirts, tunics and fall fashion on Pinterest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzpjtvC_FS0_eeHuF2kRIEB_fi4DNlGSVWLMx4hECKXemuPLo-okDRRQCY6o1Iep1YI-ZjKOLmfTnyb5-oQh9c7oLX4cFjrDWmifLeNre_6uH_9ovW7hwBv9vGuBXWpDa-EHNM3EewFCW/s1600/DSC_0805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzpjtvC_FS0_eeHuF2kRIEB_fi4DNlGSVWLMx4hECKXemuPLo-okDRRQCY6o1Iep1YI-ZjKOLmfTnyb5-oQh9c7oLX4cFjrDWmifLeNre_6uH_9ovW7hwBv9vGuBXWpDa-EHNM3EewFCW/s640/DSC_0805.JPG" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Busy, grey December days mean indoor photos</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE0pbzcXBqAPvb6tx9RcnDVi2u9HI8ahn9M7qAB5C9IUWt0XSWoIALk3POfk1YUuynBdqkXyQqdA-bGVxbuj7ut90cO3eKvxdWb__eBrHZutx9BYix0JjLzUrqNrzJT5tGWEicMqwj8ly/s1600/DSC_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE0pbzcXBqAPvb6tx9RcnDVi2u9HI8ahn9M7qAB5C9IUWt0XSWoIALk3POfk1YUuynBdqkXyQqdA-bGVxbuj7ut90cO3eKvxdWb__eBrHZutx9BYix0JjLzUrqNrzJT5tGWEicMqwj8ly/s640/DSC_0820.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The fading light makes it hard to tell, but I got some new purple leggings at the craft fair and they match perfectly. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL46sPSWl7GHQI0XyGsC2bUC7Yl9yPWcbe1fJbZiuXFwpV59QXbUgzl9eXI85GN76XsxtQctfaljLOiIQBJTl-HIhHG2_hPIa3VoCumV7jTXND1YVSlecvnpcYDFehPWnIy81dI4RvPFk/s1600/DSC_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoL46sPSWl7GHQI0XyGsC2bUC7Yl9yPWcbe1fJbZiuXFwpV59QXbUgzl9eXI85GN76XsxtQctfaljLOiIQBJTl-HIhHG2_hPIa3VoCumV7jTXND1YVSlecvnpcYDFehPWnIy81dI4RvPFk/s640/DSC_0823.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My sister knitted me the toque! It's made from a variegated blue wool. </span></td></tr>
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I've already worn it several times in the last few weeks and it's so comfortable I think I could live in it. I sewed a size medium with no modifications - thankfully it didn't need any, because I'm not very experienced with garment sewing yet. <br />
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I've paired the tunic with jeans and both purple and navy leggings. It goes almost to my knees and is more of a dress length, so it's comfortable with either. I really like the neckline and 3/4 length sleeves.<br />
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I can definitely see more of these in my future and I imagine that they'd come together quicker now that the pattern is put together and I've sewn it before. There are a lot of bags, clothes and quilt patterns I'd like to try though, so it could be a while before I get around to it. Yesterday I finally finished my Christmas sewing projects - with 3 days to spare! Today I finished a quilt top for a pattern I'm writing that I hope to share soon. I still have a quilt top and a mini to appliqué, a binding to put on, a half-quilted quilt to finish and a top that needs embroidery that I've been dragging my heels on. A little bit of everything. It seems that I better get going on some baby quilts for friends pretty soon too. My goal is always to finish one project before I start another, but you know how that goes.<br />
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If I don't have more to share this week, Merry Christmas! I hope you get to enjoy time eating, playing relaxing and sewing with family and friends.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://ladybug-blessings.com/">Handmade Tuesday</a>.<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1496105070320358088%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-FfBi53knfCU%2FVnmgWQigs-I%2FAAAAAAAAB2s%2FIjqcs7Yq7VY%2Fs640%2FDSC_0810.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 139px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1847px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1496105070320358088%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-FfBi53knfCU%2FVnmgWQigs-I%2FAAAAAAAAB2s%2FIjqcs7Yq7VY%2Fs640%2FDSC_0810.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 139px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1847px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-91484375011980172192015-12-12T19:04:00.000-05:002015-12-12T19:08:42.031-05:00December Sewing Space<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Hello! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">It’s been weeks since I’ve posted anything here, but life and sewing has been busy behind the scenes as usual. I’ve finished a few Christmas projects that remain a secret and have a few more to work on in the next two weeks. Only two weeks - the fall has really seemed to fly by this year and December snuck up on me. I think it’s the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having here in central Ontario. It was 8 degrees out today, I didn’t even need a hat or mittens. We only had one snowfall that stayed around for a few days and the winter wheat growing in neighbouring fields is looking pretty green. I’m okay with the warm weather for now, but I do love a white Christmas. I’m hoping for a skating rink on the lake this winter too, so I wouldn’t mind a drop in temperatures soon. For everything there is a season. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7669d15a-8df6-03d5-e9f2-1e07c6830cc1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">In addition to Christmas projects, I’ve been slowly working away on a new quilting pattern I designed this summer. I’m sewing it up in batiks and loving how it’s coming together so far. I sent out the call for testers and Anja of <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/">Anja Quilts</a> has been testing for me. She finished hers before me! She posted it on her blog yesterday as a work in progress. I love the colours she chose - blues and greens are my favourite! She sewed 4 blocks rather than 6, making it all from her stash. Gotta love a project like that. You can check out more photos in <a href="http://anjaquilts.blogspot.ca/2015/12/wip-wednesday-pattern-testing.html">her post</a>. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Aren't those colours so striking?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve also shown some pictures on Instagram of the items I made for my first craft sale, this past weekend. Here are some pictures of our table. My brother made candleholders, coat racks, lanterns and a gorgeous platter out of wine barrels. I sewed simple infinity scarves from shirting flannel and used tons of fabric scraps to make appliqué t-shirts. I also made simple drawstring bags with the waterproof fabric used for cloth diapers, to make a wet bag. I had heard of wet bags from moms with young kids and I've seen them included in high-end gym bags. They're great for the gym, the beach, travelling to daily use. You can use them to keep bathing suits, wet or dirty clothes, towels or shoes separate from the rest of your stuff. The inside can be wiped clean or the whole bag can be thrown in the wash. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You know how Facebook shows you "memories," things you posted on this date however many years ago? I have never reposted them, but this week Facebook showed me a photo of my first quilt, that I posted four years ago. It's behind me on the back of the armchair, where I'm sitting here typing in the library. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666666666666px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I started thinking about all of the people who say "I wish I could make that" or "I would love to learn to sew someday" or even "Can you make me one?" So I shared the photo and I just want to say that i</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">t's never too late to learn something new. Whatever catches your interest or captures your imagination, try it! You never know what may ignite a passion. Don't wait for 'someday'. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">And l</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">ike anything, getting good at something usually takes practice. Think about it, all of the skills you have now you were once just learning - walking, writing, reading, bouncing a ball, driving. All things that you can do without thinking. In the beginning, you couldn't do them at all. It took practice. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">How many wobbly lines did you scratch onto the page before you wrote your first letter? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #141823;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> Don't be afraid of failing, it's part of the learning process. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember how long that first quilt seemed to take, after sewing bags and simple shirts. I remember hand stitching the binding one Sunday, over 9 hours. I didn't make another quilt again for a while, but eventually some fabric caught my eye and I gave it another try. So if it doesn't work out the first time, try again. You never know what might come from trying something new. </span></span></span>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-13115310919171469512015-11-13T19:35:00.002-05:002015-11-13T20:28:29.115-05:00A Hipster Cat Quilt for OliverI think I may have gone a bit far with this project. It was the cat fabric that first attracted me, and I thought about how my kitten Oliver needed a bed so he would leave Tigger's alone. I'm kind of attached to this little guy. I mean, look at him.<br />
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So I searched "quilted cat bed" on my phone and what did appear, but <a href="http://shwinandshwin.com/">Shwin & Shwin's</a> <a href="http://shwinandshwin.com/2015/01/hipster-cat-quilt-free-pdf-pattern.html">Hipster Cat Quilt</a>. I really just couldn't help myself. I'm a quilter, what can I say. About $70 later I'm walking out of the store about to make a quilt for my <i>cat</i>. Ridiculous. He still doesn't have a bed.<br />
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This quilt is easy and fairly quick to put together. I opted to use raw-edge appliqué, a bit different from the original tutorial. I printed and taped together the template, then traced it onto Steam-A-Seam. I fused it onto my fabrics, cut them out and fused them to the quilt top. I used a blanket stitch to sew around the edges with coordinating thread. </div>
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The fabric for the background is Fishbones, the backing is Scatter and the bowtie is Mice. All are all from Makower's line, Cats. I thought the grey and white dot and white and grey patches worked nicely too for my little grey kitten. The bright pink was in my stash.</div>
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Despite the small size of the quilt, the quilting gave me a bit of trouble. I wanted to free-motion quilt it and my thread kept breaking. My machine didn't seem to like quilting through the Steam-a-Seam, so I slowed down and it seemed to improve. I trimmed the edges and squared it up to get ready for the binding. </div>
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I figured I might as well use up the last of my mouse fabric and added in the bright pink for a pop of colour. I machine sewed the binding and I have to say, I think it's one of my best yet. I cut my binding strips 2 1/2" and sew them onto the back first. Then I press them towards the edge of the quilt and use Wonder clips to clip them on the other side. I put the edge of the binding a bit less than 1/8" over the line of stitching, then stitch a bit more than 1/8" along the edge. This means that my stitching line on the back (usually) stays on the binding too. I only went over the edge for about 3 inches this time!<br />
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Oliver was instrumental in the creation of this quilt. We managed to capture some photos of him helping with the layout, sewing and burying threads. That part is much easier when your cat is on your lap under the quilt, moving around where you're trying to bury the threads. </div>
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You might have noticed his bowtie as well. Again, I couldn't help myself. The scrap fabric was there, I had elastic, Halloween was approaching.... I even managed to get him to stay still long enough to pose for a couple photos on this dark and rainy afternoon. I was going to wait for some natural light for photos, but in November dark comes early at this latitude. </div>
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Definitely the most ridiculous and cutest project I've ever made! I recommend checking out this free pattern. I think it would be fun to play around with different fabric combinations or make smaller cats and do four blocks with contrasting backgrounds. </div>
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What's the most ridiculous project you've ever made? Any sewing or pet confessions?</div>
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Linking up with <a href="http://quiltshopgal.com/creativegoodness-linky-party-november-13th/">Creative Goodness</a>, <a href="http://fortworthfabricstudio.blogspot.ca/2015/11/fabric-frenzy-friday-89.html">Fabric Frenzy Friday,</a> <a href="http://blog.richardandtanyaquilts.com/2015/11/laff-193.html">Link A Finish Friday</a> and <a href="http://www.quiltmatters.blogspot.ca/2015/11/tgiff-carsick.html">TGIFF</a>!</div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1311531091917146951%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-L2qLHOHc4nU%2FVkZ9v83Z8gI%2FAAAAAAAABy0%2FTIRO-yb3Z8k%2Fs640%2FDSC_0680.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 8872px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D1311531091917146951%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-L2qLHOHc4nU%2FVkZ9v83Z8gI%2FAAAAAAAABy0%2FTIRO-yb3Z8k%2Fs640%2FDSC_0680.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 8872px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-41493084949035561942015-11-02T20:19:00.000-05:002015-11-02T20:19:57.174-05:00Fall CapeI blame Jess of the <a href="http://www.mesewcrazy.com/">Sewing Rabbit </a>for starting my current cape fixation to go along with my plaid flannel obsession.<br />
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I never really cared for capes before, but I spotted a cape on a mannequin at a fabric store and it caught my eye. Plus I had a 50% off coupon and there was a whole display of this sleek plaid fabric in different colours. So I bought the pattern - McCall's - and decided to give it a go. I opted for a red and blue plaid with narrow stripes for the exterior, a navy lining fabric for the interior and a a grey suede-look fabric to bind the edges.<br />
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I used the cape on the mannequin for my inspiration, which differed slightly from the pattern. Instead of using a single layer of fabric and adding fringe, I sewed the pattern in the plaid and the solid lining, then basted them wrong sides together. I used 2 1/2" strips sewn together and attached them to the cape like a quilt binding. Another time I'd probably make bias tape and bind the edges that way, but quilt binding is something I'm comfortable with.<br />
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To fasten and secure the cape so that it doesn't fall off, I sewed a buttonhole on the left shoulder and a button along the edge of the right flap. So the right flap folds across my chest and buttons underneath the left flap at the shoulder. On the left flap, I stitched a toggle, which attaches to its loop, sewn on the right shoulder.<br />
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The cape ended up longer than planned, but I'm getting used to the length. I figure it'll keep me warmer. The hood is also quite big, and makes for a bit of an evil or mysterious look when it's pulled up all the way. I'll have to get a photo of that as well.<br />
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The plaid fabric is fairly thin, so despite it's look, the cape is not overly warm. Perfect for fall, but by the time we finished taking photos, the sun was down and my new knitted hat and mittens were needed. Luckily, there's lots of room for layering underneath, to help it last into late fall or early winter. I'm quite happy with how it turned out and despite my original hesitation to wear it out in public, it's been well received.<br />
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Shawls, capes, blanket scarves and ponchos seem to be everywhere this season, in all kinds of materials. Have you sewn one up? How do you wear it?<br />
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I'll leave you with this sunset, behind our bare trees. Here's hoping that fall holds on little longer.<br />
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Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-87961763646707325552015-10-30T20:48:00.000-04:002015-10-30T23:09:15.844-04:00Halloween DressBack in August when I was hosting a class for my Edge Tote, a friend made a Halloween version of the tote using some glow in the dark skeleton fabric from Timeless Treasures. But they weren't cheesy skeletons, but rather scientific-looking diagrams of bones, labelled with their Latin names. It looked pretty cool. When my local shop ran out, I ended up buying a couple of yards online with the intention of making a skirt to wear for Halloween. I figured I could be Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus, a witch, Dr. Brennan from the TV show Bones, or just dressed up for Halloween in general.<br />
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The skirt idea morphed into a dress and I'm happy that it did! I used a store-bought dress from my closet to draft a pattern. I cut the dress the same front and back, except for a lower neckline in the front. I used my new bias tape maker (so much fun) to make a channel inside the dress at the waist for the elastic. I sewed the elastic into the dress first, then joined the front and back pieces together. I left a large gap for the arm holes, which I finished with my rolled hem foot (love that thing!). Then I stitched up the side seam a bit to make the arm hole the right size. That way the rolled hem disappeared inside the dress past the side seam, keeping it all finished. <br />
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I finished the bottom with a rolled hem as well, since I was tight on fabric and didn't want the dress to be too short. That 3 inch difference between a metre and a yard makes a difference! I lined the dress with some jersey knit, sewing the lining and outer dress together at the neckline and then topstitching to finish it off.<br />
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I LOVE how it turned out. It's comfortable and fits pretty well. I paired it with a black bow belt from another skirt, my pocket watch necklace and a black hairband with feathers. We're well into fall here, so a black cardigan and leggings were necessary too. I'm also happy that I've gotten to wear the costume a few times. Last week I went to a local evening event called the Witches Walk. There were hundreds of women dressed in costume, with local shops offering discounts, treats, games, wine tasting, vendors and live music. Good times! I also got to enjoy two costume days at my schools and I have a Halloween party to go to Saturday after I hand out candy. I'm usually a last-minute costume-type person, but I'm glad I got an early start this year. I also love that I'll be able to wear this dress again and again around Halloween!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://faithandfabricdesign.com/2015/10/tgiff-a-halloween-edition.html">TGIFF</a>, <a href="http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.ca/2015/10/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-pillow-talk.html?showComment=1446256751507">Can I Get a Whoop Whoop</a> and <a href="http://blog.richardandtanyaquilts.com/search/label/LAFF">LAFF</a>.Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-39720986729277562132015-10-27T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-27T07:00:03.975-04:002016 Quilter's Planner<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm excited to share that a block I designed will be featured in the <a href="http://latenightquilter.com/quilt-planner/">2016 Quilter's Planner</a>. The Quilter's planner was created by Stephanie Palmer of <a href="http://latenightquilter.com/">Late Night Quilter</a>. It includes monthly calendars and weekly spreads with to-do lists for work, personal life and quilting projects. Each week includes a different quilt block from a different designer - including me :) The planner will also include full quilt patterns from top designers like Pat Sloan, Amy Garro, Kitty Wilkin, Lee Heinrich, Mandy Leins, Yvonne Fuchs and Cheryl Brickey. <span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 26px;">As well, there will be quilt planning templates, blank pages and graph paper to fulfill your designing needs. </span></span></span><br />
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I know that some people like to make schedules and plan ahead and some people would rather remain unscheduled and be more spontaneous. Personally, I'm more the planning type. I've tried many ways to stay organized. I used to use an agenda faithfully, but over the past couple of years I've moved to using digital organizers as well. I have the iCal and Reminders apps synched on my phone and personal laptop so that I can keep track of appointments and to do lists. I also use the Stickies app on my work laptop to keep track of schedules, events, marking, lessons and other things at my two schools. But I also jot down notes on scraps of paper, type up quilting and sewing ideas in Word documents and sketch away on graph paper in my binder or blank paper in my sketch book. There's so much going on and new ideas are flowing constantly.<br />
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One of the things I miss about using an agenda is the visual of a weekly layout and the time slots for planning. So I have to say that so far, I LOVE how this planner is set up. It seems to have room for all of my lists, notes and appointments and as others have commented, it would be nice to keep everything in one place.<br />
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For more images and information about the 2016 Quilter's Planner and to pre-order a copy, click <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-quilter-s-planner#/">here</a>.<br />
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This past year a quilt I designed was featured in a calendar, this coming year I have a block in a planner - what's next? ;) Are you the planning type? How do you stay organized?Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-70195025420516612752015-10-25T21:03:00.000-04:002015-10-26T07:46:54.389-04:00Cape Scarf and Fall ColoursI've got the fall flannel bug. I know plaids go in and out of style, but I think it's always a fall staple here. My local big box fabric store had some nice soft shirting flannels on sale, begging to be made into a project. A month ago, when Jess of The Sewing Rabbit posted this <a href="http://www.mesewcrazy.com/2015/09/cape-scarf-diy.html">Cape Scarf</a> tutorial, I decided to give it a go. She used a knit fabric, but I went with this white, grey and blue London Fog plaid flannel.<br />
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I made a few changes to the scarf, opening up the slit more so that it opened up as far as my elbows while I was wearing it. It looked a bit more natural and allowed for more movement. I also used 1.5m of fabric, rather than the two yards it called for.<br />
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These photos were taken over Thanksgiving weekend, which ended up being gorgeous - sunny and 23 C. Too warm for scarves :) A few of us went for a little walk after turkey dinner to enjoy the weather.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and I checking out the crabapples. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brother and sister-in-law</td></tr>
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The good weather continued the next day, which worked well for some family photos I was taking. A warm fall has meant that the leaves just started turning a couple weeks ago. Now, a few maples remain in brilliant oranges, yellows and reds, but most of the other leaves have come down in the rain and wind. With the cooler weather, I've been wearing the Cape Scarf as an oversized scarf over a fall jacket to keep me warm during windy morning yard supervision.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven cousins under 8 yrs makes for a fun photo session.</td></tr>
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I've been kind of jumping from one project to the next and I've got several on the go. Going to the open quilting class I attend makes it hard to stay focused. There are so many pretty new fabrics and temptations, with lots of enablers around ;) You can expect more new projects this week, as I seem to be finishing a few of them up all at the same time.<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.cookingupquilts.com/mcm-40-fmq-feathers-edition/">Main Crush Monday</a>.Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-72350975302084610972015-10-13T07:00:00.000-04:002015-10-13T07:00:01.787-04:00Charming is a Plus Baby QuiltI finished a baby quilt last weekend using Anita of <a href="http://daydreamsofquilts.blogspot.ca/">Daydreams of Quilts</a>' pattern, "Being Charming is a Plus." Her pattern includes clear instructions with diagrams and options for many sizes. You can make it with all charm squares, or a combination of charm squares and yardage. You can find it in her Payhip, Craftsy or <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DaydreamsOfQuilts">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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I opted to use a charm pack of Kate Spain's Paradiso and some Robert Kaufman chambray in Indigo. You may notice that it's the same combination I used to make my<a href="http://theironandneedle.blogspot.ca/2015/08/patchwork-bench.html"> Patchwork Bench.</a> The pattern was quick and easy to put together and I was able to chain piece at almost every step. It was a satisfying project!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEW04-jsxUVPUTq-3mine1V2CCw4kaQLD83OWzu2OkzwNEMYbMPqgCwEND7ahZ-hublQvUvbZmJmVp-dWVcV3lOvp5qKRjEkQTEj2D1V8J5DGAX_FrdUQw_ocNftjlNcrP5mt1at3AZEk/s1600/DSC_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEW04-jsxUVPUTq-3mine1V2CCw4kaQLD83OWzu2OkzwNEMYbMPqgCwEND7ahZ-hublQvUvbZmJmVp-dWVcV3lOvp5qKRjEkQTEj2D1V8J5DGAX_FrdUQw_ocNftjlNcrP5mt1at3AZEk/s640/DSC_0400.JPG" width="640" /></a>I backed the quilt with some blue and white flannel I bought on sale. I decided on some simple straight-line quilting and echoed inside and outside the plus shapes. Then I traced some squares onto the intersections of the blocks to make a quick diamond shape there. The binding is a ombre stripe from V&Co's Color Me Happy Line. I love how well it matches the colours in the quilt.<br />
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I'm planning on making another one in different colours, as I have a couple friends expecting babies and I'm not sure of their genders. As much as I like to say that there are no "boy colours" or "girl colours", society has trained us to think of pink and floral as feminine. I'd also like to make a fall table runner with 3 blocks in oranges and mustard yellows and reds, maybe. I'm going to be a vendor at a craft sale in December, so I've got a lot of other projects on the go and ideas spinning around, so we'll have to see.<br />
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Happy sewing!<br />
<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-84506715195624907262015-10-05T21:29:00.001-04:002015-10-05T21:29:36.014-04:00A Tool Bag and a KittenI've been up to several sewing projects lately, all in various stages of completion. I'm hoping to finish a few up this week to clear the slate for all the new ideas I have. One of my recent projects was a tool bag for a birthday gift for my brother. It's modelled after ditty bags I saw online. I combined home decor weight fabric, quilting and rope for its creation.<br />
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To make the lining panel, I made a quilt sandwich out of a sort of canvas, batting and cotton twill. I densely quilted it with straight lines. The circular bottom of the bag got the same treatment. The lining was sewn together and set aside.<br />
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To make the outside panel, I used my rolled hem foot (love that thing!) to finish the top edge of a long rectangle to make the pockets. I layered it over the outside piece and stitched lines down to form the pockets. Then I pieced together the outside panel, leaving an opening in the side to turn it right-side out.<br />
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I sewed the lining and outside together along the top, turned it right-side out and topstitched. Then I added grommets and a rope handle.<br />
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The quilting took a bit with the dense lines, but it gave the bag a lot of structure. It stands up nicely on its own, which will be useful for holding tools. My brother recently built a workbench for his new home and has a very organized garage. With shelves, cubbies, magnetic bars and tool sets in cases, everything has a place. But it's also nice to be able to stash a few tools in a bag to take around the house, yard, or to the lake, without losing them along the way. The open aspect of the bag means they're easily accessible.<br />
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I'v bought some more home-dec fabric so I can make some more. I think they would be good for lots of things - storing sewing and crafting tools, toiletries or cleaning supplies. So many projects to think about!<br />
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I also wanted to share that I have a new addition to the household. Meet Oliver. He is playful, friendly and likes to explore. In his short time in the house so far, he's already "assisted" with a few projects. Once, he walked across my presser foot while I was sewing, giving me a surprising burst of speed. He also climbed up a big piece of flannel I was pressing, which resulted in a stream from the water spray bottle I had to get out. He tried to climb/jump onto the ironing board too, but only managed to do a chin-up with his claws stuck in the cover.<br />
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This weekend, I tried to teach him that he shouldn't paw at the sewing machine needle unless he wants stitches of his own.<br />
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I'm sure we're in for many adventures.<br />
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<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-20343819902622269202015-09-28T22:04:00.000-04:002015-09-28T22:04:03.700-04:00French Teacher Tees - BatmanAlmost the end of September already! It's such a busy month and it always goes by fast. In the first few weeks of school, I've met lots of new faces, most of them small. Superheroes seem to be popular across all ages lately, in movies, television shows and books. Kindergarten is no exception.<br />
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Personally, I watch Arrow and The Flash, though before I wasn't really into superheroes. Inspired by one student's love of Batman, I made this shirt using freezer paper, letter stencils, fabric paint and a black tee from Michael's. There are lots of tutorials online for painting shirts with this method if you want to make one yourself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmx159_goGP4SkRtYfB-Wl0_hJBB9xqNKpTG06s4rgZmEJjEuAnx9xC3efWnse9_jUHNN3HmReZ_iidafzfTfgGYYjTmHxHPBeoaz6pdv3Dwf3fFwLTA6BpKjThglnTvaya_ZdrO9wml0/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmx159_goGP4SkRtYfB-Wl0_hJBB9xqNKpTG06s4rgZmEJjEuAnx9xC3efWnse9_jUHNN3HmReZ_iidafzfTfgGYYjTmHxHPBeoaz6pdv3Dwf3fFwLTA6BpKjThglnTvaya_ZdrO9wml0/s640/DSC_0001.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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I added my French teacher take on the Batman theme - na na, na na, na na, na na Batman! Yep, pretty cheesy:) But also French, fun and I can wear it while teaching Phys. Ed. I can't wait to see their reactions tomorrow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnHnoLqY1Ya7q7mdZK1pHRergY3GZCiPWC7BvJzPhLh8xHar1VCh4o2AiLwCEKa6gRQzN9gQEYKA164AEXPrxftPrLulxSUIvM5W2E45VHrxNtIXUxAO8JCX6_oJVF22hmZi7qyYe66c/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UnHnoLqY1Ya7q7mdZK1pHRergY3GZCiPWC7BvJzPhLh8xHar1VCh4o2AiLwCEKa6gRQzN9gQEYKA164AEXPrxftPrLulxSUIvM5W2E45VHrxNtIXUxAO8JCX6_oJVF22hmZi7qyYe66c/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-27517607480338863952015-09-20T12:47:00.000-04:002015-09-20T12:47:57.591-04:00Birthday Week SaleToday starts Birthday week in my house! The four cakes have been ordered, presents bought and the candles are ready. In honour of birthday week, I thought I'd have a pattern sale in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/TheIronNeedle?ref=hdr_shop_menu">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
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<b>From today, September 20th, until September 30th, my patterns will be 50% off. </b><br />
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I've made three different <a href="https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/241513999/edge-tote-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1">Edge Totes</a> and use them every day. They sew together pretty quickly and the pattern leaves lots of room to customize them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDZaRvANposfP3zu-H4Jo5JqE8pxyCNmO7-0jD9gFaZ4p1YCzy9BHajOEHpdXluYf8Cat-PcFTuwD9oz2fFAUOPoZM-RIJOp9n30gs7V1QcfTn92SVlpfXyTI7caKWbdrPE-yZLMUDn72/s1600/EdgeTote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDZaRvANposfP3zu-H4Jo5JqE8pxyCNmO7-0jD9gFaZ4p1YCzy9BHajOEHpdXluYf8Cat-PcFTuwD9oz2fFAUOPoZM-RIJOp9n30gs7V1QcfTn92SVlpfXyTI7caKWbdrPE-yZLMUDn72/s640/EdgeTote.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16y63ZMeBPKpd19FWEn-CsNzdEMAE_dCcl292tT4JebZ6ZJJkzaD4yM2XH4fR0jfBv_BTtHrUsC9f7FBUzH7_TjVqzBFfSdvl2stAtPDCL6F4vH69aIviLphg7k5vhrCZghrKOoKzRCbf/s1600/DSC_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16y63ZMeBPKpd19FWEn-CsNzdEMAE_dCcl292tT4JebZ6ZJJkzaD4yM2XH4fR0jfBv_BTtHrUsC9f7FBUzH7_TjVqzBFfSdvl2stAtPDCL6F4vH69aIviLphg7k5vhrCZghrKOoKzRCbf/s640/DSC_1143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4xxZhiAxUYGre-i4-N9Nlz6wXau8BtAiXjUNlB8f1SDXgRYQ7LP25EToRS0GQoe_qRdqrwZiweCz4lIt93g1XKXkG6aYyCs2LU96-dNcx1b83zb54xklWA9kRZLOUWZUJM0h0Q9StBgS/s1600/DSC_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4xxZhiAxUYGre-i4-N9Nlz6wXau8BtAiXjUNlB8f1SDXgRYQ7LP25EToRS0GQoe_qRdqrwZiweCz4lIt93g1XKXkG6aYyCs2LU96-dNcx1b83zb54xklWA9kRZLOUWZUJM0h0Q9StBgS/s640/DSC_1292.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bags would make great gifts for birthdays and the approaching holiday season.<br />
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I've also made two full-sized quilts from my Tilted pattern along with a baby quilt.<br />
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<b>Weave</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDKFtboYw71HLEeCSkAFPTEZMv9dNzrLHQEGVNsCe-6yFlhwXqaoVV-tRS3zkgnGp9J56cI1BN4GcPPROnwZF_v_fBkqHILgDwuz_G-XowglFAcG96rF9waL1QBxUhfMyvv_t0FDW6Ome/s1600/DSC_1468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDKFtboYw71HLEeCSkAFPTEZMv9dNzrLHQEGVNsCe-6yFlhwXqaoVV-tRS3zkgnGp9J56cI1BN4GcPPROnwZF_v_fBkqHILgDwuz_G-XowglFAcG96rF9waL1QBxUhfMyvv_t0FDW6Ome/s640/DSC_1468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Lone Wolf</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlOzrI4HT8rw-sVaDK2j23Q1BO6UxH2HD9-tfGQJrMlybQyDdSqYynCjQzjpucbfl1II2zdSsTX-DN4va1FwyyAwCqyjbmLgHbMBVcEZNDjjxI5gQKhGCWw4HxGvk62DU8oZOmf8_YpXZ/s1600/DSC_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlOzrI4HT8rw-sVaDK2j23Q1BO6UxH2HD9-tfGQJrMlybQyDdSqYynCjQzjpucbfl1II2zdSsTX-DN4va1FwyyAwCqyjbmLgHbMBVcEZNDjjxI5gQKhGCWw4HxGvk62DU8oZOmf8_YpXZ/s640/DSC_1107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>X</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3GOsI8vIFEyPv_hCRprWMYxBjNElmt6f1H3_Ezlar9gTpUIjyEESnbs11eAaqRXd3sC01sNiRlJa0ltfSO9ab39ottVa9itVFZ-DMuV33o1TOlTWfj7OonAqaiPr9PMoM1-T5Rj05iZQ/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3GOsI8vIFEyPv_hCRprWMYxBjNElmt6f1H3_Ezlar9gTpUIjyEESnbs11eAaqRXd3sC01sNiRlJa0ltfSO9ab39ottVa9itVFZ-DMuV33o1TOlTWfj7OonAqaiPr9PMoM1-T5Rj05iZQ/s640/DSC_0077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This pattern definitely allows for many variations as well. The pattern comes with an additional PDF including 36 variations for full-sized quilts, baby quilts and table runners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3c4xBtkKEpWzKAFQ4s9dXijql5CYYDZde0evlGVbjkWMVs0DF48ZcpPj9fpj0-BCR7MqwNq4N6S7yuh9Rhyphenhypheni9LFCy0MM9IyntOjvWxQ-TKvOQw1U304ksDGY2IyQHstcmOZZxepLZvYM/s1600/Tilted+Quilt+Pattern+-+variation+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3c4xBtkKEpWzKAFQ4s9dXijql5CYYDZde0evlGVbjkWMVs0DF48ZcpPj9fpj0-BCR7MqwNq4N6S7yuh9Rhyphenhypheni9LFCy0MM9IyntOjvWxQ-TKvOQw1U304ksDGY2IyQHstcmOZZxepLZvYM/s640/Tilted+Quilt+Pattern+-+variation+image.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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If you make any projects with my patterns, I'd love to see them! I'm @theironandneedle on Instagram or you can use #theironandneedle or send me an email. </div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2esjVyNo6zg%2FVa0HMHwmPwI%2FAAAAAAAABR4%2FuhGSGpmbhzU%2Fs640%2FTilted%252BQuilt%252BPattern%252B-%252Bvariation%252Bimage.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 106px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3054px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D2230977448792350913%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-2esjVyNo6zg%2FVa0HMHwmPwI%2FAAAAAAAABR4%2FuhGSGpmbhzU%2Fs640%2FTilted%252BQuilt%252BPattern%252B-%252Bvariation%252Bimage.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=LbX87aE7ePZu&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 106px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3054px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-78991258439789073842015-09-19T16:57:00.001-04:002015-09-19T16:57:58.002-04:00A Weighted Blanket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently made a simple quilt top using a whole bunch of scraps. I had a lot of green and blue scraps in my stash that I wanted to use up. I chose as many of them as I could and added a few purples and greys. I cut the bigger pieces into 9 1/2" squares (20) and smaller scraps into 5" squares (80). I also used part of a charm pack of Simply Color by V&Co. for some of my 5" squares. The quilt top came together pretty quickly, even with lots of pressing and cutting of different fabrics. This layout would be even quicker if you used a charm pack (5" squares) and a layer cake (10" squares). My quilt top is 45" x 72", though it could easily be made bigger or smaller. </div>
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To piece together the quilt, I piled my 5" squares by colour, then chain pieced them in pairs. The piles made sure I didn't have two greens or two blues together. Once I had my pairs, I pressed the seams to the darker side and chain pieced two pairs together to make four-patches. Then I laid the four patches and 9 1/2" squares out on the floor in a 5 x 8 grid. I made a sort of checkerboard pattern and moved colours and patterns around to balance them out. I sewed each row, then all of the rows together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQH9wrahBmVEXrJkdP3SXw1Ceif202-U7ScPBmTdJqTy0af2AeJvFjw67WLk6wMYDGLF0oe7zZcZlFnnI-d4axOFRwzlgATK0b-QFSEq4vFmFRlAyv0KRt6nuqRaUeT3s_Jy-Y_rLmy-D/s1600/DSC_0816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQH9wrahBmVEXrJkdP3SXw1Ceif202-U7ScPBmTdJqTy0af2AeJvFjw67WLk6wMYDGLF0oe7zZcZlFnnI-d4axOFRwzlgATK0b-QFSEq4vFmFRlAyv0KRt6nuqRaUeT3s_Jy-Y_rLmy-D/s640/DSC_0816.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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I confess in the beginning I was wary of some of the colour combinations that were coming out of my chain piecing. I've seen so many beautiful scrappy quilts though, that I wanted to give up control over some of the design choices and leave it to fate. I ended up with some great fabric combinations and some strange ones. Overall, I really like the effect, with the mixes of colours, values and prints. Looking at the intersections, I keep noticing new pairings that I wouldn't have thought of. </div>
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I used this quilt top to make a weighted blanket. Weighted blankets are used for many reasons, including by children with Autism or a sensory processing disorder. I don't claim to know much about the research behind them, but I believe that the weight stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, which calm you. This can also help you sleep better. As an elementary teacher and sewer, I've been asked how you would make one before, so I did a little research. I also favour heavy comforters, and thought I'd make one to test out the construction and see if it improved my sleep.<br />
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To turn my quilt top into a weighted blanket, I used a piece of backing the same size as the quilt top and matched it up with the quilt right sides together. I sewed along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Then I turned it right-side out and pressed the edges. I topstitched 1/4" along both sides and the bottom as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcXM-xZoD3iQqpFB7USJm3Xnk4Uh9sapK0kXAXEdCf2_Pd1RPbwU7odIdeExEb_LkbglNoVxKxw7XYdL-TQZ2nSIcRXP54Cr4TJ99NPuueQcB4fpXZbQPR7DW-n0kpbtXpQxlH6E2Okmb/s1600/DSC_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcXM-xZoD3iQqpFB7USJm3Xnk4Uh9sapK0kXAXEdCf2_Pd1RPbwU7odIdeExEb_LkbglNoVxKxw7XYdL-TQZ2nSIcRXP54Cr4TJ99NPuueQcB4fpXZbQPR7DW-n0kpbtXpQxlH6E2Okmb/s640/DSC_0854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then I pinned the top and backing together along the centre, running the length of quilt. I pinned halfway between the centre line and each of the edges too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7aspt_BzcZadsk6EtG3j7hQkWe66Endcu_HS9F0xy24EJraBpZr0_jeYFCtdFeOs9uBrpanVOmJ8GOKClECfXcFkd9Rh-Me_AOKxpZz90v96pf_xEo-A32Q1Fxz3hUQ2jxqzvZlb8eQ6/s1600/DSC_0857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7aspt_BzcZadsk6EtG3j7hQkWe66Endcu_HS9F0xy24EJraBpZr0_jeYFCtdFeOs9uBrpanVOmJ8GOKClECfXcFkd9Rh-Me_AOKxpZz90v96pf_xEo-A32Q1Fxz3hUQ2jxqzvZlb8eQ6/s640/DSC_0857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rNmUzOJFVvsbK_vn28cDtnPdhWTpmZ48I765hKjnyOdTx5YkGtcvPIWeqmWXEeQGEleMK7L9rauQ1REvUumiucfsHsUcMrD5RVkVh34F_zA0ACUnnR_wkh21JoX-Z18O0T5Fr5Ckln_7/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rNmUzOJFVvsbK_vn28cDtnPdhWTpmZ48I765hKjnyOdTx5YkGtcvPIWeqmWXEeQGEleMK7L9rauQ1REvUumiucfsHsUcMrD5RVkVh34F_zA0ACUnnR_wkh21JoX-Z18O0T5Fr5Ckln_7/s640/DSC_0859.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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Using a variegated blue and green thread, I sewed 1/4" on one side of the seam for each of the three lines I pinned. Once those three lines were done, I was able to sew along each of the other seams without pinning. So I had lines of stitching along the 9 seams running the length of the quilt. For the 9 1/2" blocks I marked a line running down the centre, like the seams in the four-patches. I added a line of stitching 1/4" on the other side of each of the seams, making 18 lines. I started and ended each line of stitching with an end stitch/tie-off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJzMPkbnI3rg-PNk3F2QkmvV2eP1MuxnrHdmxIP2jiM3wwZQClsz8GiJ6_1qQLwvyXLhsQx-TpLf4IzuzCKx6BgIOnfXs1Q0wvLffJz47GZb1_aTuQe2ZNj4_s8xAO7m5hPg0wCUf0So-/s1600/DSC_0865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJzMPkbnI3rg-PNk3F2QkmvV2eP1MuxnrHdmxIP2jiM3wwZQClsz8GiJ6_1qQLwvyXLhsQx-TpLf4IzuzCKx6BgIOnfXs1Q0wvLffJz47GZb1_aTuQe2ZNj4_s8xAO7m5hPg0wCUf0So-/s640/DSC_0865.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This stitching served as channels for the weight in my weighted blanket - poly-pellets. Poly pellets are small, clear plastic pellets that look like large grains of salt. They're non-toxic and machine washable, but not exactly cheap. I calculated that I would have 160 squares to fill and wanted my blanket to weigh 15 lbs. That meant I needed 1.5 oz. of pellets in each square. I used a food scale to figure out how many pellets weighed 1.5 oz. It ended up being about 1/4 cup. I used my 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop the pellets and dump them down the channels, all the way to the bottom of the blanket. <span style="line-height: 16px;">I was careful to leave the open end of the blanket facing up so that the pellets didn’t spill out. It was easier with the beginning rows, but as I got to the last five rows or so, I rolled the open ends closed and clipped them closed with my Wonder clips. I pushed the pellets away from my presser foot and</span><span style="line-height: 16px;"> </span>stitched 1/4" on either side of the seam running along the bottom row. I did an end stitch at both ends. This kept the pellets in each square. Then I sewed 1/4" on the other side of the seam, starting at the other end this time. This means that my pellets are not exposed to the seams in the quilt top, which will help keep them from spilling out. By having a double row of stitching, if any stitching rips, I can fix it without the pellets spilling into another section. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are no photos of this, because, I’ll be honest, sewing the pellets in is a bit tedious. You have to go slowly, and push the pellets out of the way of the presser foot before you sew each section, so that they don't get in the way. I did break two needles when I sped up and the needle hit a pellet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">For the last row, I folded the edges under twice, facing the back of the blanket, and sewed two lines of stitching along the edge to finish the blanket off. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Here's the finished product!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">It matches my current bed quilt pretty well. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I like a lot of the fabric combinations created by my scraps. </span></span></div>
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This corner is one of my favourites.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Here's a view of the back. It's a teal green crosshatch I picked up as a remnant in Nova Scotia two summers ago and by piecing it, there was just enough for this blanket.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">The pellets are loose and </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">flow within their pockets, so that the blanket isn't too stiff. Overall, the weighted blanket wasn't difficult to put together. If you used one piece of wide fabric for the top or a layer cake (10" squares), it would go together much faster, even the filling part. The seams in my blocks would sometimes block the pellets from going where I wanted them, which slowed me down when sewing the pellets in. I'll have to see how the weighted blanket holds up and works for me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">If you're looking to make a weighted blanket, I hope you find this post useful. If not, you have another way to use up some scraps to make a quick quilt top. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I'd love to hear from you with any comments or questions :)</span></span></div>
Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-63565280933591285152015-09-15T06:00:00.000-04:002015-09-15T06:00:06.343-04:00Kirsten's Gadget CaseHere's the second project I've helped make from Handmade Style. My cousin Kirsten and I made a Gadget Case for her phone. It was her first time sewing, so we shared the work. The case came together quickly and I'm sure there are more in my future! I think these would be great little gifts and I'd like to try some with my scrap home decor fabric.<br />
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I picked up the fabric for this one a few years ago at Joann Fabrics in the states. The case holds a phone on one side and has two slots for cards on the other side. Kirsten picked some decorative stitches from my machine to add some fun detail to the card slots :)<br />
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Have to love a quick project you can use right away!<br />
<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2230977448792350913.post-45790447078360078392015-09-14T07:00:00.000-04:002015-09-14T18:18:32.470-04:00September and a new laptop case<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah, September. Labour Day passes, school starts and though less than a week has passed, I find myself wearing jeans and shoes again. From bikinis to boots in five days. There are dry leaves on my path and I'm not sure where summer went, but it seems to be gone for now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For me, the Tuesday after Labour Day marks the start of a new year much more than January first ever will. I'm a teacher, so a new school year has always felt like the start of the year for me. The students come back taller and tanned and we all have stories to share, from running wild for the past two months. My baseball season is winding down, hockey is about to start and it's time to get back into routines. <span style="background-color: white;">I'm trying to hold on to the best parts of summer and make them part of my routine. Taking time to paddle, go outside, sit and read and hang out with my cousins. I've cut a lot of time out of my commute, so I'm hoping these things will be easier to fit in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">September is also birthday month in my family. Both my parents, my twin brother and I have our birthdays within about a week, which means 4 cakes and a lot of presents for my sister to buy ;) I'll have to pick out a gluten-free cake this year. Birthday week seems like a good time for a pattern sale too, don't you think?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This year I was given a school laptop, which is very exciting, as we're making the shift to Google Classrooms and I already use my laptop a lot for school. My personal laptop was getting old and now it has more room for my photos and EQ7 on it too :) The laptop cases weren't available yet, so I decided to make my own. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I usually carry my Roots </span>leather<span style="font-family: inherit;"> messenger bag to school, with my laptop in a padded sleeve inside, plus a tote bag for my lunch and shoes and water bottles. </span>Christy<span style="font-family: inherit;"> from <a href="http://www.iloveyousew.com/">Love You Sew</a> recently posted a tutorial for a </span></span><a href="http://www.iloveyousew.com/padded-laptop-case-tutorial/#comments">Padded Laptop Case</a> that suited my purposes perfectly.<br />
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I made a few changes to the pattern so that I could use materials I had on hand. Instead of using the Flex Foam for padding, I used a double layer of some thin cotton batting and quilted it to the outside fabric before I started. I used a single layer of batting for the pocket and quilted it as well, instead of using interfacing. I like the effect of the quilting, but did find it made my seams too thick for the last line of topstitching and I had a bit of trouble with it. So you should probably just follow her instructions - ha! Or maybe just use a single layer of batting if you want to quilt yours too.<br />
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I've been going through a lot of magnetic snaps lately, so instead I opted to use a big button (thanks Grandma, for the wide selection!) and a small hair elastic sewn into the seam of the top flap. I was going to get KAM snaps, but couldn't find them and got lazy and decided to go without. I like the option of putting cords in the pocket, but my messenger bag has lots of pockets already and the case fits in snugly enough that the pocket doesn't gape open on me anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E2Fwu6aRd0Wq24CpOKAwG_Qnc9hDRckBIC54vevudFgu2FsgDjk2Wp4Jg74L1t4Eebvt0QbdQ5WcqE_-XMmql7gr-CJDZqIY9R_172zNHAvKLA6G-osWvjmJ-60ZSEwRe7E_MQCA7Q-R/s1600/DSC_0880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E2Fwu6aRd0Wq24CpOKAwG_Qnc9hDRckBIC54vevudFgu2FsgDjk2Wp4Jg74L1t4Eebvt0QbdQ5WcqE_-XMmql7gr-CJDZqIY9R_172zNHAvKLA6G-osWvjmJ-60ZSEwRe7E_MQCA7Q-R/s640/DSC_0880.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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I used some of the first quilting fabric I ever bought, which has been sitting on the shelf for a few years waiting for the right project. I decided my letters and typewriter buttons would be perfect for a school laptop case! I decided to use the lining fabric for the pocket as well, to add a little contrast.<br />
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It was a fairly quick and fun project and I'm happy with how it turned out. How do you feel about September? Is it the start of the year for you as well? What are your sewing plans?<br />
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I'd love to see your thoughts in the comments :)<br />
<br />Briannahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03809051525542988740noreply@blogger.com2