W.I.P. Wednesday (Variation)

My work in progress this week is top secret. Sorry.

This is all I'm sharing for now. I've been machine quilting this baby for what feels like months (although it's really only been about 2 weeks). Despite swearing that I would never stitch in the ditch again, I decided to SITD the whole damn thing. I always say, if there's a harder way to do something, do it!

The real W.I.P. this week stands for What I Purchased. After a long week of trying to convince my children that they actually *love* camp, I needed some retail therapy. Last Friday I headed over to my local (20 miles away) sewing machine dealer and picked up some goodies for my Viking sewing machine. $60 later, I'm the proud owner of a (used) straight stitch plate, an open toe stippling foot, and a thread stand.

Straight stitch plate & an open toe stippling foot

Thread stand for cones

In reality, I would love a new sewing machine made for quilting. The Juki TL-2010Q is my dream machine! So why do I keep investing in accessories for the machine I have instead of saving up for a new one? Dunno.

What's your dream sewing machine? Do you own it already or is it still in the wish phase?

Happy sewing,
Annik

Sunday Stash #3

Ah, green.

Left to right - Kaufman's Quilter's Linen, Erin Michael's Lush for Moda, and 1974 by Urban Chiks for Moda

I picked up these little lovelies at Digs in Northfield, Minnesota this past week. The store is a treasure trove of OOP fabrics, at least for now. They're moving out old inventory before they move their store to Minneapolis in July. The new location is a mere 1.5 blocks from my house! Fabric within walking distance - you have no idea how long I've been dreaming of this.

Here's some red, white, and blue in honor of the rapidly approaching 4th of July holiday.

Top print is from Wee Play, all the others are from Recess by American Jane for Moda

These are all American Jane prints, long out of print (yes, I'm obsessed!!!). Some I already had in my stash, others I picked up this week at Digs.  I'm planning to make a flag bunting or two with these this week. Fourth of July decorations, anyone?

Happy sewing,
Annik

Simple and Satisfying

I finished this today -

Okay, wait, here's a bigger view complete with loads of clover-

 

Hats off to Minick & Simpson for their beautiful Charlevoix line for Moda and of course, my beloved Sandy Klop for her super versatile pindots.

Don't you think this quilt is a slice of Americana? It makes me want to sip lemonade and talk about the good old days (whenever they were).

Here's the back - I love this print. It reminds me of my childhood, although I'm not sure why. Those little flowers seem really familiar.

Mapping out the straight line quilting was a bit slow and required lots of painter's tape but was totally worth the effort (in my humble opinion).

It occurred to me this evening that I've made this quilt before, albeit a much smaller version, right down to the red with white polka dot border. Odd.

So, at the risk of being repetitive, I'm planning to make another one with Sherbet Pips. Will I add a red with white dots border? Perhaps!

Want to make your own Americana throw? You'll need eighty-eight (88) 5" charm squares (11 rows of 8 squares). Cut 4 WOF and .5 WOF x 1.25" wide strips for the narrow border (finished size is .75" wide). Cut 5 WOF x 5" strips for the outer border (finished size is 4.5" wide).  I like  2.25" wide binding strips, but use whatever size you prefer.

I still owe you a post about the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, but that will have to be tomorrow because I'm pooped out after a long week of wrangling kids.

Happy sewing,

-Annik

Pin Pouf Winner!

Random Generator selected #2 as the winner of the Pin Pouf pattern giveaway.

Congratulations to Heather A! Regarding her current pin cushion she said:

I'm currently using a round dollar store kitchen sponge set into a clear, round plastic food container. FUGLY! I SO want a pincushion. This one would be lovely for me. Or ... one of these days I'll just have to bite the bullet and make one.

A kitchen sponge? Yikes! Almost as bad as my rolled up batting number. Time for a new pin cushion. I'm sending Heather a copy of my PDF pattern plus fabric to make her own.

Originally I said the fabrics would be red and aquas, then red, white, and blue. It's just so hard to decide! I settled on my current color combination obsession: orange and green. These fabrics are all designed by Sandy Klop. Her American Jane fabrics are just so fabulous and versatile. Hope you like them, Heather :)

Peas & Carrots plus Pindots

Thanks to everyone who participated. The Pin Pouf is just an appetizer. I've got several quilt patterns in progress and can't wait to share my designs, but mum's the word until they're completely finished.

Later this week I'll be blogging about the International Quilt Study Center and Museum that I had the good fortune of visiting this past weekend. Until then, happy sewing!

Annik

Pin Pouf Pattern Giveaway

My first PDF sewing pattern is now available in my Etsy shop! It's a pin cushion pattern called The Pin Pouf, and to celebrate, I'm giving away a copy to one lucky reader. I'll also send you some American Jane fabric that's long out of print to make your own pin cushion. Classic red, white, and blue.

Now a little bit about The Pin Pouf. While this pin cushion is great for any sewist, I designed it with the quilter in mind. Here's why:

• it's thick! At 2" deep, it's perfect for long quilting pins and there's no risk of being stabbed from underneath.
• 
  it's big! This 3.5" square provides plenty of space for lots of pins. It's not so big, though, that it takes up your entire sewing space.
• 
  it's flat on the bottom! This baby stays put, making it easy to get pins in and out without fuss.
   
• it's made with quilting techniques! Quilter's will recognize strip piecing, chain stitching, and matching seams.

To enter the drawing, leave me a comment describing your current pin cushion. Leave another comment if you follow my blog for a second chance to win. I'll select a winner via Random Generator on Monday, June 20th.
Good luck!

And if by chance you'd like to buy the pattern, it's available at http:www.minimushroom.etsty.com ;-)

W.I.P. Wednesday

I have so enjoyed making this quilt. It's just a simple patchwork number made with a couple of charm packs (Charlevoix by Simpson & Minick for Moda). It's not my typical color scheme or style, but maybe that part's of its charm. I keep envisioning it draped over a white wicker "settee" on a big front porch.

While the pattern itself is simple, I sorta went crazy with the quilting. I free motioned the red Amercan Jane Pindot border:

Pindots

I straight line quilted the patchwork, but instead of doing something simple, I selected a pattern that required lots of measuring and taping. If there's a more difficult road to follow, I always take it!

Finally, I tried my hand at stitch in the ditch for the very first time. It wasn't as bad as I thought, but it was a bit trying on the eyes. I started out using the edging foot that came with my Viking, but quickly abandoned it for the walking foot. The stitching was perfect, but without the even feed the fabric started bunching. I'm starting to understand why so many quilters gravitate towards Pfaff machines with the built in walking foot.

Could be better, could be worse

I'm dying to get the binding on this baby, but it's been soooo hot (102 degrees yesterday in Minneapolis, MN) and since we don't have central air I don't dare turn on the iron to press my binding. My strips are cut and sewn together and ready to go. Thankfully, today is absolutely gorgeous and tomorrow will be cool again, too.

Binding patiently waiting to be folded and pressed

Today is the last day of school. I have many hours of hanging out at the park in my future. The perfect place to hand sew some binding.

P.S. this sweet quilt will be available in my Etsy shop as soon as it's finished!

Happy June,

Annik

Sunday Stash #2

How about a quick Sunday Stash report? I picked up a few new goodies at Treadle Yard Goods Memorial Day sale last weekend. I was hoping to find a nice purple print for a quilt pattern I'm working on, but ended up buying a bunch of stuff. Typical.

Robert Kaufman Quilter's Tweed & Carolina Chambray

Purple is tough. Is it just not popular enough for major manufacturers to bother with it? If you know of a fabulous purple print please leave me a comment with the details.

Next up, Robert Kaufman's Quilter's Linen. So pretty. Wish I had every color...

And finally, I got a little treat in the mail earlier this week. These will be fun to play with!

Sherbet Pips

 Happy sewing,
-Annik