My Very First...Quilt

I have this thing about gift-giving.  I really hate buying gifts for people.  Pretty much I like to make things hard on myself.  J is impossible to buy for--he never knows what he wants, and when he does, he just buys it for himself.  

Last Christmas I decided to make him a quilt.  And, in typical fashion, I went way out.  Start out practicing on a mini-quilt or placemat? Not my style.  I made him a quilt that is taller and wider than I am. It's a bit over 5ft square. He went to the Ohio State so the block O seemed like a fairly easy pattern to make myself, and it was! 

I just pieced together some extras and matching fabric for the back.  I actually kind of hate it because it looks like a giant letter "F." 

Too bad I didn't realize that before.  I'll probably add a label at some point which should break that area up.  Oh well, it was a learning project.

It was at this point, when it went in the washer, that I was freaking out.  Would the fabric bleed? (Couldn't find my color catcher sheets) Would it actually get crinkly?  Would my hand-stitching on the binding hold?  It did (: 

Rolled it up.

Tied it with a spare piece of jersey. 

It may not be perfect, but he really likes it.  I did a simple straight-line quilting grid about 1/4in away from the seams.  On my little machine it was difficult, but totally worth it.  I can't wait to make another--more girly this time.  

T Shirt Quilt Beginnings

4 years of high school--very involved.
+5 years of college--in a sorority.
+Camper-->assistant counselor-->counselor.
=Hundreds of t-shirts. 


What to do with all of them?  I certainly won't wear them all (I rarely wear t-shirts). And I want to keep the memories...t-shirt quilt, here I come.  


I cut out all my squares (making one for hs and one for college/camp--Otherwise this quilt would be h-u-g-e).

(And yes, the top shirt does say "Four Square Legend")

And, since I'm silly about keeping any little scrap I could find useful, I washed the leftovers and folded them into piles.

This is what it looks like when you dump out remnants from 100 t-shirts. (Yes, there actually are 100).

This is what it looks like all sorted/folded.

Can't wait to get started! 

Any tips on sewing lots and lots of tshirt material? 

Scalloped Tote

As I've talked about before, my sorority holds an annual benefit dinner called Red Dress Gala.  Each member has to put together a basket or something to auction off.

I chose some fabrics...I've been loving red and blue together.

And I used this pattern/tutorial from See Kate Sew.

Made a little pouch to match.

And put them together.  

And one of my great friends won it.  I'm so glad it went to a good home (:  

What I Pieced Wednesday: 12

So the other weekend I happened to have a little free time on my hands, so I caught up a little on the We Can Do It sampler.  I did all the paper piecing blocks...and I LOVED it.  

Seriously, paper piecing...I think I may love you. haha...guess I'll have to do a little more when I have the time (:

Want to join us? Do it! 

What I Pieced Wednesday: 10

As you read this I'm moving all of my stuff to school and packing it into my room for the 5th and final year (WOO FINALLY!) I've got meetings all this week, but I'll try to put in a post or two (: 


Another week of the Skill Builder!  This week-Virginia Star.


I really had a bit of a pain with this one because apparently some of my cutting wasn't so hot.  But, it all worked out in the end.

Want to join us? Do it! 

I've also done a little accessory-sewing lately.  Mostly just some playing around.  Like this ruffle bracelet. 

Linking here: 

What I Pieced Wednesday: 9

Welcome to another WIP Wednesday! 


This weeks block for the skill-builder is a bow-tie block.

I decided not to make all four different, and I like the symmetry it creates. 

July's blocks. 

All my blocks together...

I've realized that I'm using a lot of white.  I think to balance it out I need to do more blocks with solid blue and solid red as a base.  Any other suggestions?  

Want to join us? Do it!  

Also, remember how I signed up for this friendship bracelet swap?  Well, I got the string for my three and I'm excited about how they've turned out (I'm keeping the final project a secret until my swap partners have time to receive them).  This was so fun! 

(Don't worry, this is for three different pieces, not all one)

Linking here: 

Hope you're having a fabulous week! 

4 Minute Lace Headband Tutorial

This headband seriously took me less than 5 minutes.  Remember the lace I scored here? Well I used a bit of it for this project.  

Supplies:
Lace (or ribbon) [note: mine doesn't have any stretch, that's okay]
Coordinating thread


First, wrap the ribbon around your head where you want it to go, and make sure it has a little give room so you can slide it on and off. 


Overlap the ribbon so you can sew it together (make sure when you overlap it you don't take out any length so it still fits)

Sew one side.  Without taking it out, back-stitch and re-stitch a few times to make sure it holds.

Do the same to the other side. 

Trim off any edges that you think are too far out from the seam. 

Done!  

(This is what the backside looks like)

Wear and show it off (:

(please look past the creepy-eyed stare and up to the headband ;) )

Linking here: