Windmill Quilt

October 28, 2018

Hello friends! Did you have a good weekend? Mine was fabulous. I continue to find more time for sewing and that makes me super happy. A couple weeks ago I finished this happy quilt. The pattern is called Wind Mill; I found it on Pinterest. I used the photo for inspiration but I designed my own block sizes. The fabric that I sued was the leftover scraps from my Modern Plus Quilt II I finished a while ago. The original quilt I gave it to a dear friend who lives far away and I don’t get to see very often. So It feels kind of nice to both have quilts made from the same fabric. The quilt fined at a nice 48X48 inches; great for a lap quilt. For this quilt I used muslin in natural color that I had in my stash. This is was a first for me and I quite like it. The end result is a light and airy quilt. I haven’t washed it yet, so I have yet to see have it washes up and how much it shrinks compared to 100% cotton.

Have you ever used muslin fabric to back your quilts? What is your experience?

I hope you have wonderful week.

Martha.

Scrappy Stripes Quilt

October 21, 2018

Another scrappy project finished! I’m so pleased with how this quilt turned out. It all started trying to use up my scraps. I began adding 2” wide strips in different lengths to see where it would take me (I like letting the fabric speak to me that way). I thought maybe I could get a baby quilt out of those scraps. But after I finished the scrappy panel I had the idea of adding a border. I typically don’t add borders to my quilts, I don’t know why. But I think I’m going to start doing it more often; I quite like the look. I used a soft flannel for the backing (from my stash) in a beautiful sort of lime green color. I think the pop of color on the back adds a bit of whimsy.

It was such a fun quilt to make. I thought maybe I would write a tutorial on how to make this scrap-buster quilt. Would you be interested?

Wishing you a happy week!

Martha.

Scrappy Improv Quilt

October 14, 2018

I’ve been trying to reduce my fabric stash and use up what I have on hand rather that buying more fabric. It is not easy… but I’m trying. As I mentioned on my last post, the fabric for this quilt I first used it to create my Modern Maples quilt. I had a good a amount of large scraps left over and they had been sitting in a basket on my sewing room for the longest time. Until I finally decided to make them into another quilt. I love scrappy quilts and large improv patchwork. I find really cozy for some reason. To make it even more cozy I backed it with flannel (which I already had in my stash as well). So all and all a total win on my quest to use up my stash.

I just love how perfectly imperfect this quilt turned out. Perfect for this autumn weather. Improv quilts are the best.

By the way, I even had more scraps left over from this quilt that got transformed into another quilt… I can wait to share it with you.

Wishing you a happy week!

Martha.

Hello Again...

October 7, 2018

It has been a while since I’ve been to here… after such a long absence I really didn’t know how to get back here. Life got busy and my time in the sewing room became so scarce. Not having any sewing projects to share with you it just became harder and harder to visit this space. But lately things are settling down and I have been able find a few minutes here and there to sew; specially on Sundays… It feels like a creative renaissance.

I finished a few projects and I can’t wait to share them with you. I thought I’d start off small and ease my back into blogging again. This pincushion I made sometime ago using some scraps leftover from my Modern Maples Quilt. I’ve using those leftover scraps nonstop and I don’t seem to be able to use them up (it is like the gift that keeps on giving). I gave the pincushion to my MIL and she loved it. The pattern is from Anna Graham’s book Handmade Style, which by the way is an amazing book.

I’m so glad to be back here and so happy to participate on this wonderful and ever so welcoming and encouraging sewing online community.

Martha

Nature Inspration: Feathers

February 1, 2018

A few months ago I joined a wonderful group of quilters where every quarter we create a individual quilt project based on a chosen theme. The group is called the Endeavourers and is hosted by Catherine and Janine. Our first theme is Nature.

I was very excited with the theme. Nature is so inspiring and I think we all can relate that when seeking for inspiration we like to contemplate the horizon, look up to the sky, admire the flowers blooming in our garden, listen to the birds singing or marble at the wonderful colors during the sunset. Nature is so vast is wonderful. But there is so much richness on the details.

When brainstorming for this project my mind was going so many directions; so many options I couldn't deicide. So one day while gardening I saw a group of tiny feathers being carried by the wind across the lawn in the garden. Then it suddenly hit me... feathers will be. I found this old photo I had taken of another feather in may garden and decided it will be my inspiration for the colors.

I decided to use linen for the feather. I don't think I can ever tire of using linen in my projects. I love the natural texture and color variations. I decided on simple straight line quilting to highlight the shape of the feather. Feather Pattern by Anna Maria Horner.

Please stop by and visit the other Endevourers and see their wonderful creations:

Thank you for stopping by

Martha

Log Cabin Baby Quilt

October 8, 2017

Log cabin quilts are my favorite... any form or variation. They are fun to make and they offer endless possibilities. I made this quilt a coupe week ago and I love the way it turned out. The color combo is something that I don't use of often, but I was inspired by the fabric that I had set aside for the backing. The quilting is not as neat as I would like. I was trying out a new walking foot my my sewing machine and it created some small puckers here and there. I thought about ripping it and doing it again but I changed my mind. I decided to take it as a learning experience and move on. And my pugs don't seem to mind the small imperfections at all :)

I hope you have a lovely week

Martha.

Stripes Quilt II

September 10, 2017

Lately I have been busy making baby quilts, or should I say pug quilts. My beloved pug babies love mommy's quilts, so I've been super inspired making them their own quilts. This one is a simple design but I love how it turned out. I used fabric from my stash that I have been wanting to use for a while, but I didn't have enough to make a larger quilt. The back is leftover from another quilt and the batting was also leftover from various projects (and it have to be pieced). But my girls love their new quilt and I loved using what I already had in hand.

Can't wait to show you the other tow quilts I made. I wish you have a wonderful week.

Martha

Stripes Quilt - A Quilt for Mona

August 27, 2017

It has been a few weeks since I sewed anything until today; and it got me thinking how our emotions play a big role in our creativity. Things have been quite emotional in our home. My beloved pug Mona has been very sick. It has taken many visits to the Vet and Vet specialists to find a few answers and her diagnosis is very discouraging. However, today she was feeling better; thus I felt compelled to sew. Mona loves quilts so I decided to make her a new quilt. So she can feel a hug from mommy every time she sleeps on it, specially when she is not feeling very well.

I wanted a quick finish so Miss Mona could start using her quilt right away and this design really fit the bill. All the fabrics were in my stash already and they happen to coordinate very well. I love using what I already have.

As I type this little Miss Mona is sleeping all bundle up on her quilt, which makes this project ever more satisfying.

I hope you have a lovely week. Please keep my baby on your prayers.

Martha