Improv Quilting: Always an Experiment

I love improv quilting, but I find it difficult. It shouldn't be that way, I mean it is supposed to be free and make it up as you go. But my brain has a hard time adjusting to the process. So I decided to create a small throw quilt as a way to use up some scraps and to practice my improv piecing skills. The result was quite pleasing and very liberating. I think next time I'd like to try smaller piecing but, I still really like the way it turned out. I quilted this little quilt by hand. So far this has been the largest project that I've ever quilted by hand. It was very daunting at first... handling a bigger piece of cloth to quilt takes a bit of an adjustment. I tried using a frame and it worked just fine; however, it was bulky and for me hard to maneuver. I ended up removing the frame and and to me it was easier to quilt that way. I guess it is all about finding what works for us.

Hoping you have a beautiful week!

XO 

Martha

Improv Mini Quilt

For a while I've been wanting to learn more about hand quilting. So I decided to do a little research on the different techniques and/or styles and try to quilt a small project. For me it is better when learning a new technique to start small; otherwise it is too overwhelming. After my research I found myself drawn to the sashiko style or big stitch quilting. For this little quilt I used pearl cotton thread size 8. It is the perfect size as the stitches are visible but still look quite delicate. It is said that practice makes perfect and I agree; by the end  I noticed that my stitches were looking more even and it was easier to run the needle through the fabric. I love how this little quilt turned out, specially the learning experience. I can't wait to tackle a larger project and improve my hand quilting skills. It is such a beautiful form of art I think. 

I wish you have a beautiful week.

XO 

Martha

Weekend Goals

Some of my weekend goals are to practice my hand-quilting. I made a small block from leftover pieces from my Plus Quilt to practice my hand quilting sashiko style. I haven't done much hand quilting  so I wanted to start small. How about you, do you have crafting plans for the weekend?

XO

Martha

Tiny Finishes

Happy Sunday! I hope you had a lovely weekend. Lately I've been working on my Modern Maples Quilt and the quilt top is almost done (yay!). But sometimes while working on a large project I feel like I need to finish something to have that sense of accomplishment, you know what I mean? So I made this Granny Square Mini quilt. It is such a tiny finish but I love the way it turned out. The soft colors and the hand quilting make it even cutter (I think). 

Thank you so much much for participating on my giveaway. The winner is DeborahGun! 

I hope you have a wonderful week!

XX

Martha

Sew The Library: Pencil Holder

Hello and welcome to another edition of Sew The Library I am so happy you stopped by! For this month I decided to make a project from one of the first books I ever bought and one of my most beloved ones: 1 ,2, 3 Sew. It is a wonderful book filled with inspiring projects. This pencil holder has been on my to do list for a while. I want to use it to hold marking pens and notion by my sewing machine. I made a few adjustments from the original pattern:I made it a little shorter that what the  pattern calls for and instead of using the loop as a closure I'm going to use it to hang it on a hook when I need it out of the way. Also, pattern calls for canvas for the outer and lining fabrics, but I used linen quilted with batting for the outer piece and cotton fabric for the lining. I just couldn't resit linen is my absolute favorite fabric. 

I'm really excited to seeing your projects and learning about the books in your library. Please link up your projects and visit others. 

I hope you have a happy week!

XO

Martha

Farmer's Wife Mini Quilt

I've been cleaning and organizing my sewing room and I came across a few blocks that I made a while ago attempting to make the Farmer's Wife Quilt Sampler. Since the beginning this project has been kind of a love/hate relationship. I would love to one day make the whole quilt maybe in another color palette and try to hand piece the blocks. But for now I picked my favorite blocks  that I had made and turned them into a mini quilt to decorate my sewing room. I hand-quilted the blocks and the negative space I machine quilted it. I really like how it turned out and it looks lovely hanging on the wall in my sewing room.

I hope you have a wonderful week!


*Linking up to Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts*

XX
Martha.

A Small Finish

After a busy week it feels good to finish a little something. I started working on the patchwork detail for this pouch two weeks ago and it feels good to finally see it finished. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Specially because I made it for a dear friend. She lives faraway and I don't get to see her often, but every once and a while I like to send her little handmade gifts. I think it so wonderful  to find an unexpected package or a letter in your mailbox  from a friend who lives faraway or that you haven't seen in a while. It really makes your day, don't you agree?  I hope she likes this one.

Have a wonderful week!

XX

Martha.