Sweet Like Sugar

This is how I decided to use up my all white Bella Solids charm pack. Holly had suggested to just pair it up with a patterned charm pack to make a quick patchwork quilt. She was absolutely right when she said quick! This one was a breeze to put together.

I did think it turned out a little small with just the two charm packs, so I added a few borders around to add some size. I think it may be a little too big in the end, but lucky for me, babies grow and it'll be just the right size at some point in her lifeThe binding might be my favorite binding ever. It was a teensy bit more work because I didn't realize you had to match up stripes on striped binding, so I had to pull out some stitches (which I normally avoid at all costs!) and put it back together. It was well worth it in the end to have it look like one big continuous piece.

It is quilted in the ditch around the patchwork and then 1/4" on either side of each of the border seams. It made for an interesting pattern on the back...of which I only have terrible pictures, so you'll have to trust me on that one!

~Sara

You Are My Sunshine

I've had wonky stars on the brain since Tong asked us to do these blocks for Sew Modern Bee. This quilt went together a lot faster than I expected. I just had to get into a groove and find a way to chain piece most of the blocks. Once I managed that, I was completely sold on this pattern! As much as I love modern quilting, there is something that just melts me about old fashioned patterns.

When I picked up this cheater print a few months ago, I instantly knew I wanted it to be the back of an all yellow quilt. I think it works pretty great on the back of this one!

This was the first time I've used pre-made binding. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I would rather make it myself! The pre-made is just a little more flimsy than what I am used to, but I do like how this one matches so well with the other elements of the quilt.

Big E took a shining to this one, but it's actually for one of the 7 babies of 2011! I have one more quilt to make to round out the seven and I better get at it since the Mama is due in exactly one month!

~Sara

Jelly Roll Wonderland

My grandmother used to make the best Jelly Roll. Actually, come to think of it, she was the only person I've ever know to actually make Jelly Roll, but it was fantastic! Each time I hear the words, I am thrown right back to my childhood, sitting at her kitchen table savoring every last bite of my slice! I really wish I had her recipe so I could recreate that same pleasure for my daughter, but I doubt I'd be brave enough for the rolling part. I could see my cake cracking in more places than one!

This wonderland was my first ever fabric Jelly Roll purchase. I got it on sale when Fat Quarter World was closing out. It's just been sitting on top of my stash for the better part of a year, so I decided to sew it into a simple strip quilt before the fabrics and colors went completely out of style! It sure did make for a quick finish! Gotta love those pre-cuts!

As you can see, I straight line quilted about 1/4" on either side of each seam. I love the effect this gave the solid pink back. I also used two different shades of pink thread to give it a little more interest on the plain back.

This one is going to the next one of my (many!) pregnant friends who announces she's having a little girl.

~Sara

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice

In case you were wondering, this is NOT one of the quilts I mentioned I was working on. I am in deep! I had ordered a Bella Solids charm pack of all white charms from Sew Fresh Fabrics (super fast delivery to Canada!) and it was burning a hole in my stash, so I paired it with a Sweet by Urban Chicks charm pack and next thing I knew, I had another quilt top. It still needs another strip of white around the outer edge, but I am fresh out of white solid. Luckily, that's part of the order that is en route. Fingers crossed my orders arrive this week so I can get to finishing what I started around here. I sure will have my work cut out for me!

Had to include this shot of my little helper fighting the wind! A half decent picture was not an easy task today...

~Sara

Action Shot #2

Is there anything sweeter than a baby girl freshly home from the hospital in her brand new nursery?

I think not. I wish she wasn't 10 hours away so I could snuggle her.

Action shot #1 here. Also so very, very sweet!

~Sara

A quilt! Finally!

It's been so very, very long since I've produced a quilt. Come to think of it, it's been a long time since I've showed you anything on this blog besides bee blocks! I couldn't stand it anymore. Call me a procrastinator, call me what you will, but I could not take the studying in lieu of creative time any longer. Something came over me last night and before I knew it I had a quilt top. Unbelievably so, I didn't have the right fabric for the back in my stash, so I had to put it aside until today when I could make a trip to the fabric store. Solids were on sale - buy one and get 2 free, so I was happy about that! This quilt is for a baby that is due in two weeks, but is long overdue to the parents she is just about to bless. They've been struggling to have a baby for a few years now, so it's pretty exciting that their journey is just about to end...or begin, I guess! I used a charm pack of It's a Hoot (gifted to me from Miss Donna!) mixed with some Wonderland here and there as well as three different shades of pink Kona solids. I don't know the names of them, but wish I did because I really liked them once I pulled them out of my stash. I quilted it with straight lines, and I use that technique title very, very loosely, 1/4" from either side of all seams. I love the drape this gives to a baby quilt. The photos leave a bit to be desired (colors are way off - back of the quilt is a sweet bubble gum pink and binding is a deep fuschia, but I was trying out my shiny new iPhone 4 with the "Shake it" app. Fun stuff! And so quick to get blogged. Speaking of my iPhone, I thought I should whip up a case for it so I could just throw it in my purse without worrying what else is thrown in on top of it or the crumbs at the bottom of the bag messing with it. It's not a show stopper, but was a fun little project for the holidays. I quilted it with tiny little messy circles. Of course, my intention was not for messy, but that's what resulted. I think it looks fine as is and it gives such a great texture. I hope to be back here soon to show of January bee blocks that have yet to be put together and a WIP. Take care until then! I've missed you!

Solids + Polka dots = dreamy

A sweet little baby girl was born last Sunday, a few weeks early. I had begun her quilt many months ago and thankfully had it done just in time to gift.

I knew as soon as I saw the Fat Quarterly Quilt Along posted back in August that it was a perfect way to use the Kona Rainbow Roll I had picked up ages ago. I stocked up on some great polka dots at our local Fabricland and away I went. I have learned several lessons over the years I've now been sewing. Squaring off? Muy importante. It's not perfect (Gah! How did two yellow polka dotted middles get beside one another??) and there are some wonky lines, but it's bright, colourful, and soft. It was nice to do some free motion quilting again, and I think I love scrappy bindings! This was my first, but I don't think it will be my last.

- Donna

Craftalicious Countdown

doll-quilts[1]
Originally uploaded by Kindred Crafters

I'm busy getting ready for Craftalicious. It's Nov. 13! - go here and check out some of the awesome vendors.

I'll be selling a hodgepodge mix of doll quilts, mug rugs, fabric garlands, gift tags, hair pins, candy, and cookies. Something for everyone!

My friend Nadia took this photo of three of my little doll quilts. These are made up from leftover blocks from a baby blanket I've working on. Sara was here last week and bound them all for me. She makes her binding differently than me, and RIPS the fabric and MACHINE BINDS. Her way is much quicker and her mitered corners are so straight! I wish she lived here always so we could sew together often. I would learn so much!

If you live in Ottawa, be sure and swing by the sale, St. Matthew's Hall in the Glebe, Saturday Nov. 13, from 9-5!

- Donna

Oh string quilt, I have not totally forsaken you.

quilting my string quilt
Originally uploaded by Kindred Crafters

Dear string quilt,

After last fall's foibles, you may have thought I had forgotten you, but you've stolen my heart once again.

I will finish you yet and you will keep me warm all summer.

Woops, season may be off but I don't care . . I'm going for it!

Love you forever,

Donna

The Anna Erin Ashley Quilt

Fabric by one of my two very favorite designers, Anna Maria Horner, design inspired by one of my very favorite bloggers, Erin at House on Hill Road and back design inspired by my very favorite quilter, Ashley at Film in the Fridge where her quilt backs are as beautiful as the tops!

Granted I had the cutting done already, but I put this number together from one end to the other, yesterday. What a great day manouvering through the many stages of quilting with little to no interruption or set backs. Good thing because it is being gifted (*sob*) this evening. I work well under pressure it seems!

All washed and dried, it measures 66" x 56". The blocks were cut 12" x 12" for the front and 5" x 5" on the back. The fabric is range of Anna Maria Horner collections from Good Folks to Garden Party right back to Chocolate Lollipop. The solids on the back and binding are all Kona (coal, cerise, pond and lemon). I just quilted in the ditch between blocks and then added a line across and down the squares for a simple grid pattern. I figured there was already enough going on with this quilt that I didn't need to further complicate things with the quilting!

Truth be told, I am sad to see this one go, but I do know that it is going to a good home with an owner as spunky as the quilt!

~Sara

Sugar and Spice

Fresh out of the dryer, this quilt is for a baby girl due to join the world in December. Can never be too prepared, can we? The fabrics, with the exception of the back and binding, are all from the Simplicity line by Three Sisters for Moda.

It's a Bento Box pattern which I doubt I'll ever do again. Matching up seams is something I've yet to perfect, so I really had no business going the Bento Box route in the first place! It's quilted using a meandering pattern a bit larger than I'm used to which makes it a little less crinkly.

I quilted it with a light pink thread that matches the solid pink back and the whole thing measures 41" x 55". I'm happy to be at the point where I can fold this one up and put it away until the shower rolls around. It's been keeping me from some improv quilting that I really want to try, but am nervous to ruin!

Question: Can you even ruin an improv quilt?

~Sara

"Making it Work" quilt is finally complete

When I had the idea to make a quilt for my mom and stepdad (what else was I going to make them, really?!) I knew I wanted to use Daisy Chain in this colorway. They just repainted their house and these colors fit in well with their decor (I hope!).

I've had the fabric for a while now, but was struggling with what pattern to use. My mind went through a good many patterns before I got frustrated and just started ripping the fabric and sewing strips together. And so it became what you see here, the "Making it Work" quilt. Once I had the strips, I just made it work from there!

My intention was to make a checker board with white blocks between the blocks of strips, but it looked too bland with just the white, so I cut up the white blocks and framed up some Robin's Egg and Stone Kona solids.

The binding is pieced with each of the five Daisy Chain fabrics in the blocks and is sewn on entirely by machine. I'm pushing two weeks late on this one, so some sacrifices had to be made! I am quite pleased with how it turned out. My picnic quilt also has a machine sewn binding, but it's lacking a bit since I didn't figure out to sew the 2nd time around on the front until this quilt! Much neater this way!

Throughout the process, I was never 100% sold on this quilt, but I've never met a quilt fresh out of the dryer that I didn't fall in love with.

~Sara

Houston, we have a quilt top!

I'm with Donna, it's hard to sew when it's Summer! I have a hard time finding anything I like about winter, so when the warmer weather comes around, I park my buns outdoors and soak up every minute that I possibly can.
That said, this quilt is coming together at a snail's pace. It's a present for my mom and step-father's 20th wedding anniversary that was...ummm...last week. Late again! Good thing they love me.

For fabric I chose Amy Butler Daisy Chain and Kona Solids. The pattern is me winging it and the whole thing currently measures 47.5" x 57". I suspect it will shrink a bit since, as per the usual, I didn't prewash a thing. Can you imagine where I'd be if I took the time to prewash? I'd never get anything finished!

I have to be away for the whole week for work, so this poor quilt top will sit as is for the week...unless I get a bolt of energy this evening and decide to baste and quilt it. Unlikely, but not impossible.

~Sara

Lazy Daisy

I came to the grim realization yesterday, that my sewing space is getting a little clutter in it ...oh, who am I kidding, it's teetering on fire hazard status. In a fit of destashing, I decided to tackle my 2' stack of vintage linens.

I've been wanting a picnic blanket for our family for a while now and have been squirreling away that one sheet on the back for this exact project. It's one we had at home when I was a kid. With some fine inspiration from Donna's pillowcase quilt, I plunged into this head-on and stopped only to sleep. The blocks are 12" square and the finished quilt measures 68" x 68"; my biggest yet!

It's quilted 1/4" on either side of each seam which went together really fast. I had a little bit of trouble with some slight puckering where the quilting met at the corners, but nothing major. Most of them miraculously vanished in the wash!

This is the first time I've tried sewing the binding on 100% by machine. I could use a little more practice, but it wasn't half as bad as I thought using this method, or something loosely based on it! I'll definitely do it this way again. So much faster and a lot less worry that the whole thing is going to unravel in the washer.

Looks like Big E has her own plan for Lazy Daisy!

~Sara