Merry Christmas and a Happy Valentine's Day

Yes, you read the title of the post  right! I am sending off Christmas gifts as February 14th nears! I have finally finished the two strip quilts that I gifted as Christmas presents . The red,black and white quilt was given at out family Thanksmas in Maine and promptly snatched away to be quilted and bound. The brown quilt was gifted to my DIL on Christmas day and then returned to be quilted and bound. I am happy to report that both quilts were  machine quilted by me on my little Janome  720 and I am very pleased with the way they both came out.

Tomorrow is a big day of quilting for me down here in sunny Florida. My friend and I have made arrangements to  have a room opened for a quilting "Sit and Sew" each Thursday. This is something we both participate in "up North" and we both miss it dearly. Can't wait to meet new friends and share ideas here!

This year I am continuing the Second Sunday sewing challenge to work on Christmas gifts throughout the year. Although I didn't finish the quilts posted above completely I did get LOTS done to give for the holidays and all of the quilt piecing was done in that time slot!

Until next time, I hope your days are complete as needle , thread and fabric meet~

Pieceful

Gifts to sew with!

Spoiled Rotten

It's official. I am one lucky gal! I got some wonderful gifts this Christmas to sew with!

My favorite is an extension table for my sewing machine. I use a very trusty older Kenmore, but couldn't find a table that fit. I love when I get to use my Mums and I guess I said so enough times that she surprised me by finding a company that made one to fit my machine! I know that this is what the company specializes in, but I was still shocked at how amazingly well it fit. Like a glove! I also got a sewing machine organizer in an adorable print that she made for me!

I also go material! Good material! From Pieceful (Mum) I got a Bali Pop and quilt pattern and then my boyfriend got me another Bali Pop and two Moda Jelly Rolls!! I was very impressed by this. At Thanksgiving Pieceful and I dragged him to a quilt shop we visit each year and though he was a great sport I thought for sure he had to be miserable. Little did I know he was taking very detailed mental notes of things I 'ooh'ed and 'ahh'ed over!

Then, to top it all off we did some reorganizing of the apartment. We live in a very small one bedroom. We are both professional musicians and I chose quilting as a hobby. Space is tight. Let me give a you a visual. We currently have five instruments here, we often have up to ten during the summer but right now we can store some in our classrooms. The five instruments we have currently in our apartment are two electric basses, a keyboard, a tuba and and upright string bass. Not exactly compact....Now add to that my sewing supplies. Also not particularly compact. We were busting at the seams! Especially in the kitchen because my sewing machine was living on the table  and instruments in the corners. To cook we had to shuffle materials, machines and instruments around without actually having a place to put them 'away'. The solution? A smaller entertainment unit in the living room which provided more instrument storage. A new shelving unit in the kitchen to hold our cookers (we do a lot of rice cooker, pressure cooker and slow cooker meals due to evening rehearsals). The kitchen table went to storage to make room for the shelving unit, but we bought a light-weight collapsible table that can be easily set up for me to sew on (it's actually bigger than the kitchen table!) but can be tucked away when we don't need it. With the bigger shelving unit, we were able to free up our kitchen cart which is being transformed into my sewing station!! My sewing machine can live inside, along with material for my current project. No more worrying that it will get stained while we are cooking and I can put my machine right on top for sewing quick, small projects! 

I will add more pictures once I actually get it organized, but here is the general idea:

Respectfully,

Harmony

Best Apron Pattern

A Sturdy Apron

Good Morning! I'm happy to continue my blogging, and today I would like to share with you the apron that I made for my boyfriend's mother. Her birthday is Christmas and she cooks up quite the storm for us when we visit!  Good Italian food is messy business!

The Design

When I went to a quilt retreat last fall, one of the give-a ways was a pattern for an adjustable apron.The apron straps and  the neck were all one piece so the bib of the apron could be fit to just the right spot on the user without having to tie a knot behind your neck. I loved it! Of course I had that apron pattern in mind, and left it until last minute to begin because I thought I was all set to whip it up in an afternoon......wrong!! I managed to only make it home with one of the pages of instructions. Pieceful didn't bring that pattern with her to Florida and when I tried to chat with the lady who made the pattern on Facebook she lost her power due to a snow storm! I turned to the internet and found lots of styles. I decided I would take the features I liked the most and make a hybrid apron!

I used the adjustable strap idea from the original idea and made them super long so that they could wrap around to be tied in front. As an easy way to make the pockets for the adjustable strap, I followed an idea from a blog to make the apron two sided so it is reversible as well! I took measurements from yet another blog though because I wanted the apron to be long enough for good coverage. The result? A great apron! Having the weight of two materials is really nice and helps the apron to lie flat against you and the adjustable straps allow you to get the best fit!

 The gifted apron was worn all day! Which means she cooked all day. Which means we ate all day!

The pocket to run the strap through runs the length of each 'arm'.

Reversible!

There will be many more of these made! I can tell already. In fact, I have requests from my mother and an uncle already.

Stay Tuned

My next post will show you how to made dish scrubbies on a loom. A great pairing to go with the apron for a gift set.

Respectfully,

Harmony

Casserole Carrier Picture Tutorial

Photo Tutorial

I am about to lead you through my first Photo Tutorial of a casserole carrier! I take no credit for the pattern. I found the pattern at allpeoplequilt.com. Click here for the link.

I decided to photo document the steps following this pattern because I myself had some seam-ripping moments, but I feel that the end product has great result. Hopefully my photos, along with their pattern (found in the link above) will save you any frustration!

Because I respect copyright laws, I am not going to copy their pattern. Please see their website for specifics, but feel free to use my photos to help clear up any confusion. I will include some helpful hints that I learned the hard way too! Enjoy :)

Materials

Most projects move along smoothly if you gather necessary materials ahead of time. You will need the following items. Granted the music is optional for some, but the very first step for me! The right playlist can just set the mood!

Cut Material

Disclaimer: I may have mixed up the pictures of the pocket pieces, please use measurements from the pattern! These will at least show you how many pieces of material that you need!

Straps

Pocket Backing (x2)

Pocket Flap 1

Pocket Flap 2

Batting: 2 Pieces (One pocket, one carrier)

Outer Carrier Large: 1 Piece

Outer Carrier Small: 2 Pieces (there is a cut down the middle)

 

Assemble Straps

Assemble Pocket

I won't lie, I had a difficult time visualizing this on my first attempt. I think it will be most helpful to begin by showing you the pocket as a finished product. As seen in the picture, the spoon is jutting out of the pocket, but it can be tucked into the upper flap to be hidden completely. My apologies for choosing the polka dot material to work with. It looks great in person but is rather dizzying in pictures!

*In layering photo, materials are placed staggered on each other so you can see each material. When sewing, they should be directly on top of each other.

Pocket Finished Product

Layering (Bottom to Top): Batting, Pocket Backing right side up, Pocket Flap 1 & 2 (w/ folded edges in middle/selvages at short ends) folded edges should overlap, Remaining Pocket Backing right-side down

Sew long sides, creating tube.

Mark and sew to form pocket. We don't want to loose anything!

Here is the pocket! I've open the flap where they over lap and you can see the pocket backing.

Assemble Outer Carrier Section

IMPORTANT!! If using material with a directional print, take a moment to think ahead and place straps carefully. The edge that you place the raw edge of the straps on will be on the bottom of the carrier. the other side will wrap around to cover the pocket. Clear as mud? I thought so! Scroll down to the third picture of this section to see how the straps will line up on the bottom of the carrier. If you aren't careful, the print of  one of the pieces could end up upside down! Speaking from experience here ;) If you are still in doubt, pin and play with your material for a bit before you make any stitches. 

Also, measure carefully. The straps need to line up when the two small pieces are assembled. To make this easier for me, I changed the 3 3/8" measurement to 3 1/4" because it was easier to see.

Strap on one Outer Carrier Small piece. Make sure the handle isn't twisted!

Sew up the strap six inches. I chose to add a box stitch at the top to reinforce and add strength. Casseroles can be hefty!

Here is how the pieces should look in order for the prints to face the same direction. Notice how the straps are carefully placed to line up together.

Assemble Carrier

IMPORTANT!! When sewing the unit together, make sure ALL layers are caught (especially around the pocket). If you have a walking foot, I would suggest using it as there is a lot of material being sewn .

*In layering photo, materials are placed staggered on each other so you can see each material. When sewing, they should be directly on top of each other.

Layering (Bottom to Top): Batting, Outer Carrier Large right-side up, Pocket (centered carefully), Outer Carrier Small right-side down

Corner Cutting. I simply used a cup, but feel free to print their pattern if you desire.

Repin, cut and sew! You are nearly there!

 

 

Finished Product

After turning right side out and stitching up the hole here is your finished product! After taking this picture I decided to go back and top stitch around the outer section. I found it has a much more finished look and the batting feels more secure too. This is merely a matter of taste though!

Stay Tuned

My next few blogs will be out soon! In one I will be showing off the wonderful sewing gifts I got for Christmas and in another I will show you my latest loom knitting projects!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Pieceful's Sister's Gift

Thanks-mas!

Pieceful loved being a snow-bird so much last year, they left for their warm Florida home nearly a month earlier this year! Because they were heading south at the beginning of December our extended family decided to have Thanks-mas. We shared lovely Thanksgiving traditions such as a lovely big meal, shopping at the outlets on Black Friday and this year we also went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra (wonderful show) we also started the Christmas season that long weekend to by exchanging gifts with Pieceful's side of the family.

Pieceful gave this lovely red, white and black quilt to her sister! It was much admired and will look really great on their black leather couch!

I, Harmony, gave the casserole carriers from my last post to my aunts. Stay tuned for the Casserole Carrier Picture Tutorial!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Quick Update!

Good Afternoon!

Just a quick update on what I have been working on!

Cutting

I spent today cutting the material out for a number of gifts I will be giving between now and December. I really don't care for the cutting process of projects so I find that if I get a bunch finished at once, I'm much happier in the long run. Here is the list of what was cut today.

Lunch Bags

Casserole Carrier

Diaper Bag

Dust Cover

It doesn't sound like much, but it feels great to have done!

Stay Tuned!

I also started photo documenting for a tutorial that I will post on how to make the casserole carrier found on allpeoplequilt.com. I am making this for Pieceful for Christmas. I can safely post about it since she asked for it and knows that she is getting it!

Respectfully,

Harmony

Done!

I have been working on  this cream and red pinwheel quilt since the middle of August and am delighted to report it is finished .The quilt is for my sister-in-law and will be backed with a cream and red toile fabric. It will be off to the quilter's  but  since we will be headed south soon, I do not expect it to be done until after the first of the year. I will have it mailed to me to be bound . Here's hoping that Maryann and Pat get down to visit so the delivery can be made in person! (Hint, hint)

Harmony came to visit this weekend and took the picture for me. The beautiful smile in the picture belongs to a wonderful friend who LOVES to sew. She finished a Christmas present for her grandmother and is eagerly planning more sewing sessions!