Goblet Pleat Panels

Goblet pleats

     I made these panels a while ago but I finally got some nice photos of them installed from the designer.  These were all just 1 WOM panels with goblet pleats.  The fabric reminded me of the old bark cloth.  It was easy to work with and held a nice press.

Eating Area

     Here they are installed on wood poles and rings with matchstick blinds in the windows.  The puddling on the floor adds a nice richness to the treatment I think.  I do like how the darker poles blend into the blind underneath.

Kitchen sink

     Here is the pair hanging over the kitchen sink, just barely touching the counter to make cleanup easier.

Kitchen sink

     I think the deep colors add a nice richness to the room.

Kitchen Valances

     Met with a client that wanted to dress up the windows in her eating area.  She had lovely views of prairie behind her and didn't want to block the view.

     We came up with several options for valances and finally decided on a curved valance with a gathered one underneath.

From M'Fay book

Pretty good copy I think

     She then spent a couple of months finding just the right fabric for the top part and then it took some time for her to find a gingham check to go with it.

Tracing the design elements on pattern plastic

     After I drafted the pattern for the top part of the valance with pattern plastic I cut the first one.  I then traced different elements of the design on the plastic to cut the other two so they were all the same.  

Cutting the large valance

     For the large window I chose to use paper as it was easier to manipulate to get the curves I wanted.  I pieced the fabric, matching the print and then laid it out and cut my large valance top.  I used the patterns to cut skirtex to give the valance a nice firm hand.

     Sewed blackout lining to the back and then turned and slipped the skirtex inside.  Creased the corners and mounted to the board.  

     I sewed the bottom piece to a shirring loop tape, gathered it up and then stapled a hook strip to the underside of the board and just pressed it in place.  By having the bottom piece separate it made it a lot easier for the client's husband to mount the boards on the wall.   I also marked the gathered piece and hook strip at intervals to make it easier for her to keep the gathers nicely spaced.

     They really add a nice touch to the room and the client was thrilled with how they turned out.  

Nautical Themed Baby Quilt

Finished quilt top

     Recently I had the pleasure of working with a client that wanted to make a nautical themed quilt for a new grandbaby on the way.  She herself is a quilter but does not own an embroidery machine.  I had her go to Embroidery Library to choose the designs she wanted.

Designs from Embroidery Library

     She found a cute design set with 10 fun appliqué designs.  I bought the set.  She bought her fabrics and then drew out on the white fabric, a grid of squares.  The squares were slightly larger than she was going to cut them to allow for any possible shrinkage with the stitching.

Designs from Embroidery Library

     As you can see there wasn't really much distortion with the stitching.  She told me her color scheme and I pulled fabrics from my stash to make the appliqués.  I printed out the designs using my software and then cut out the shapes.  I traced them in reverse onto paper-backed fusible webbing.  I then ironed it onto my fabric and cut out my shapes.

Designs from Embroidery Library

     I hooped the white fabric, centering the drawn square, and then stitched the first color, placement line.  I removed the hoop from the machine and using my mini-iron I ironed the shape in place.  I replaced the hoop on the machine and then stitched the tack down stitches.  When I was satisfied that everything looked okay I finished the rest of the stitching.

Designs from Embroidery Library

     I then gave the finished pieces to my client.  She cut them to size and stitched the quilt top.  She was then going to have it quilted and give it to her daughter at the baby shower.  However her grandson had a different idea and came into this world a couple of months early.  Since he was now here, she decided to have me add all the vital statistics to the quilt top.

Designs from Embroidery Library

     Again using my software, I created the lettering for the squares.  I included his name, date and time, and weight and length.  I chose thread colors to match the fabric in the quilt.  It was a bit harder to hoop now with the seams in the way but everything lined up nicely.  Client was thrilled and her grandson is doing well.  I hope he will enjoy his quilt for many years.

Quilt top before adding the lettering

Christmas 2014 is Over

Our table set for Christmas dinner

     Well Christmas is over.  I have most of the decorations down in anticipation of hosting our grandson's 2 year birthday party at the house on Saturday.  We had a wonderful Christmas with my side of the family on Christmas day.  Our three children, their two spouses, one grandchild plus my mom, my brother and his wife and three of my nieces and nephews all came for dinner.  It was so nice that we were all able to sit at the table in the dining room for dinner.  I used a mix of Christmas china and plain white china to set the table.  I also used my mom's crystal that she did not take with her when she moved into a retirement apartment.

Snowman towels for the sisters and brother.

     A couple of days later we celebrated Christmas with my husband's side of the family at our son and daughter-in-law's house.    Again our children and their spouse and child were there as well as his two sisters and their spouses were there as well as his nephew and niece, with her boyfriend.  Our daughter-in-law made a wonderful meal for us all, even after working all day.  I heard my son helped a bit.

Some of the clear zippered cases for the nieces and nephews.

     I made the snowman towels for the siblings and the clear zipper cases for the nieces and nephews. Everything was done on the embroidery machine.  Some of it I had started last year right after Christmas but then it all got put on the back burner when gardening season started.  I hope to start on gifts for next Christmas next week after all the decorations and such are cleaned up.