Happy New Year!

I'm not really someone who makes New Years resolutions.  I have tried in the past and you know life gets in the way of my best intentions.  So for 2014 I decided I would do something quilt related.  My local quilt shop offers several Block Of the Month (BOM) classes and I figured I would go for it!


I have been quilting and sewing for a long time and never have tried a BOM before.  I started a few months late but the blocks so far have not been that bad.  I picked up my first 4 blocks this past week and have one more to do and be ready for next months pattern.  So far the most difficult part has to be designing the block layout.  I have chosen a black and white color way with either a red or blue accent.  Most of my blacks have a white print and the whites have a black or tonal print.  I can't wait to see the block for February!

Block 1
I like the pinwheel design inside of the flying geese

Block 2

This one gave me a bit of trouble.  Once I let out the corner seams it came together just fine.

Block 3

I think this one is my favorite so far.

Pillowcase practice

I have been meaning to make some pillowcases for awhile now.  I just cannot seem to find any that I like in stores.  I think I might be a bit of a sheet snob, love those high thread counts! 

Found some cute farm prints at the local fabric shop and got to work.

 

I bought just over a yard of each fabric.  After washing and drying for shrinkage I cut each into two pieces: 25.5" by 44" and 10' by 44".  I made the "cuff" by sewing the short ends of the 10" strip together and pressing in half.  Then sewing across one short end and the long side of the other piece made the body of the pillowcase.  Sewed the cuff to the body, serged the raw edges and voila!

I love how cute they turned out!  Will be making more of these in the future for sure!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11432797/?claim=yyt747aa6yv">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Everyone starts somewhere

So I am new to this whole blogging thing.  It seems pretty scary and intimidating.  Reminds me of the first time I used a sewing machine.  It was a little blue plastic Holly Hobbie child's variety.  I remember using it to poke designs onto sheets of paper.  Years later I used my Mother's Singer sewing machine with real thread and fabric.  Along the way I have learned how to crochet, knit, quilt, cross stitch, and anything else that uses a needle and thread.  I love being able to take something as simple as a piece of fabric and with a little snip here and a bit of stitching there create something that can bring joy and comfort to those around me.

I love to sew but quilting has a special place in my heart.  Quilting stretches far back through generations of my family.  I remember my Great Grandmother sitting at her quilting frame working designs across the fabric surface.  I would try and copy her tiny stitches making what she called "toe stubbers" instead.   When I was old enough my Mother showed me how to use her sewing machine to sew the bits of fabric into a patchwork.  It is amazing how so many different pieces are able to come together in harmony to make something so beautiful.