Zoo Quilt

A few months ago, while I was working on other projects (including an online embroidery class), my MIL requested a baby quilt for a friend of hers. Since the baby was due in January, I had some time to prepare. She only specified that the baby was a girl and left the rest of the details up to what I had on hand and what I could get to flesh out the pattern I used. Emphasis on inexpensive. (yes. yes. I know, don't do the math. I know what time and effort are worth, when doing calculations for what a quilt should cost.)

I had some cute zoo fabric and some glittery dragonflies. Since the zoo fabric was a fat quarter, it didn't quite make a square. I used some Moda Marbles to make it fit. 

I did have to pick up some owls to create contrast, the lovely purple for binding and some Aurifil thread to match.

My GMIL lent me her Singer Featherwieght. (excuse my work area, the dining room table is my workspace right now) I love using this little cutie. It was made for quilting and made life so much easier. I even did the machine quilting on it. 

This lovely fabric looks like princessy pearls strung between mirrors. What a perfect backing. Along with more Moda Marbles to create tiles and square out the quilt. (40" square finished)

I did a simple diamond shaped motif, that created an even quilted textures, while leaving the quilt fluffy and soft. It is hard to see from the pictures, but for each zoo scene I stitched long with certain scene lines(like the signs), so the scene transfers to the back with the quilting. I used a light green thread for this, for contrast. I love how pretty this is and it creates a nice puffy center to each square.

New quilts and a Featherwieght

A few months ago, my mother in law requested a baby quilt for a friend of hers, who is due in January. 0 input, just make something nice. So, I dug through my stash and made a trip (or 2 to my LQS). This is the current result.

I have 4 finished blocks, 20" square. Now I just have to decide which order the blocks go in and find a place big enough to sandwich the quilt.
The best part of this project is the seams.

Normally I have a horrible time with 1/4" seams and getting the corners to come out perfectly. As you can see, not this time.
My little secret?

My GMIL let me borrow her Singer Featherwieght! I had not realized how much trouble using a sewing machine designed for sewing clothes was causing. (I have a Singer Fashionmate) The Featherwieght has a 1/4" foot and the proper markings. Amazing how much easier the seams are now. (excuse the mess, my dining room table doubles as my sewing table. Yet another reason I wanted to borrow the Featherwieght. Moving mine all the time gives one a backache.)

Sunday Stash

Thought I would have a little fun this week and join up with Molli Sparkles Sunday Stash Link up.

I don't often have new purchases to post, as I typically buy when I am starting a new project. A few weeks ago my MIL asked me to make a baby quilt for a friend of hers, that is due in January. After going through my stash, I just needed a contrasting fabric. So, I bought a yard of these cute little guys at my LQS.

They are perfect for this quilt. 

To the owls, I am adding some cute Zoo fabric and some dragonflies. I had bought the dragonflies for another project, but being a destash I got 3 yards, when I only needed 1, so I have plenty.

My lazy sunday project is organizing my fabric into Quiltology.

To give you an idea what I am working with. I have managed to pick up quite a bit of fabric and am inputting it into Quiltology. Quiltology is a quilt creation app for the iPad. So each piece is entered with a photo, a size, name, manufacturer, and colors. Later I can create quilts and blocks and insert the photos to see what the finished item will look like. While I am enjoying the app, I see a large time investment inputting my stash to get started properly. If anyone has an easier/faster way, let me know. =)

Amish Puzzle Ball

Obviously, I have been very busy lately. I did not realize exactly how busy being a temporary employee would make you. A few things have changed. We moved, I have switched temp assignments a few times and am currently at a long term assignment. I have been sewing. There is some progress on the Sweet Pea-like quilt, but not much else.

One of my coworkers had a baby shower, so I made her an Amish Puzzle Ball.

I found a tutorial at Sweater Doll, she does a very good job of explaining how to create the ball and how the puzzle works. If you are not familiar with the ball, please visit her site, I only took a few quick pictures before wrapping, as I had a tight deadline. This ball is made with scraps from the last baby quilt I made and the ellipses work really well with smaller scraps. The center of the ball is not as scrappy, as I needed 6 1/2" circles. You have to stuff these really tight, so I used a lot of scraps to fill the ball, all 100% cotton. Fiberfill, besides being polyester, just doesn't pack tight enough.