Evening in the Garden Quilts

This week I’m in the middle of two baby quilts designed with chevrons.  I’ve done a lot with that design, and I wasn’t especially anxious to do another right now, but that’s how things worked out.

The first is a custom order for an Etsy customer inspired by one already in my shop.  This went together very quickly and it’s dramatic.  Now I’m waiting on the customers backing fabric.

I make my HSTs by cutting squares the finished size + 7/8″ (6 7/8″ in this case), drawing a line diagonally, and then sewing 1/4″ on either side.  This prevents bias stretching and my size is always very accurate.  I sometimes check to see, but there’s never anything to trim.

I’m attending a baby shower next month, so I’ve been pondering that one.  I had already asked the mother-to-be about her nursery, and she had said, “Gray and white, with blue elephants.”  So, I was thinking of some subtle gray and white patchwork with appliqued elephants over top.

Then this invitation arrived, and I knew it had to be chevrons. 

I tried that out with my 2 1/2″ squares, but the result was pretty bleah. 

Now I’m combining those squares with gray and white HSTs to form some quiet but definite zig zags.

Its been warm here, so I’ve just been sewing a little in the mornings before my studio heats up.  Hope you’re making progress on your projects.
I’m linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.  Make sure you stop over there and see her new Christmas design.  Wow!

So…  Not the kind of numbers this week that we like to see, but it was inevitable.  We spent a lot of time this week packing and transporting DS back to college (junior year!), so I didn’t complete anything, not even a pouch.  I did sew a little, doing some mending and making some trial blocks for a baby quilt ( which didn’t work out), but that was it.

Then there were the purchases.  I received both a baby quilt commision and a baby shower invitation.  Both require specific colors, and my selection was low.  Not anymore.  First I got online and ordered a number of yards from Fabric Shack (and it is lovely stuff!).  Then I bought a few more at Sew Many Blessings in Huntington, WV, when we were there. 

Then a pretty package of fat quarters arrived in the mail, my prize from the Scrap Basket Quilt Along.  Thank you!  So.

This week: +17.5 yards, -0 yards
YTD: +91.25 yards, -136 yards
Net stash used 2014: -44.75 yards

In case you were wondering, I do prewash all my yardage before I take it up to the studio, using Color Catchers.  I don’t press it then.  I fold it directly out of the dryer, neatly, to fit my bins, but in a way that I can tell the difference from ready-to-cut fabric.  Then, when I’m ready to cut for a quilt, I starch and press only the fabrics I’m using.  Works for me. 

I still haven’t solved the problems with cat hair, but we can’t have everything.

Have a great week, and good luck on your destashing!  I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

Creeping along in usage, but it’s all on the good side!  I’ve made six little box pouches using a quarter yard each, and haven’t purchased anything.  (See the rest of the pouches and link to the tutorial here.)

This week: +0 yards, -1.5 yards
YTD: +73.75 yards, -136 yards
Net stash used 2014: -62.25 yards

Hope you enjoyed some sewing time this week, and your stash is moving the way you want it to.

I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

I have four of the boxy pouches finished, of the eight I need to make for children’s Christmas gifts. (Tutorial by Libby at Truly Murtle.). I added Pellon fusible fleece to the outer fabric, and continued to use Shape Flex on the lining.  I cut the size down to 6″ x 3″ x 3″, and did buy belting for the handles.  I think they turned out cute and chunky, and perfect for trucks or ponies or Pokemon cards.

What did you finish?

I’m linking up with Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.

I did it!  For some reason, I had to drag myself kicking and screaming the whole way, but I made the first boxy pouch!  This is for me, maybe to hold electronics cords, but mosty to work through the process.  And it was easy!  This is a very good tutorial.  It took longer because it is lined, but it would be a snap to do from laminate or maybe pre-quilted fabric.  I made the handle more narrow, and may go thinner next time.  I would definitly add a second pull tab.  And I’m thinking that both handle and pull tabs could be made of brightly colored webbing.

I know, the crust doesn’t belong on the inside, but I didn’t want a tan bag!  Still cute.  I used a brown zipper so as not to use up one of my fun colors, but I like it.  With the pieces already cut and interfaced, it took a bit over an hour.  I know the rest will be quicker.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday at Freshly Pieced.