Bitsy Box

 

     A friend gave me this pattern a few years ago.  I had pulled some fabric and zipper to make the box but never quite got around to it.  I added it to my 2021 sewing list to be sure I would finally get it done.

     I found the instructions to be very well written.  I did change a couple of things.  First I used fusible fleece for my stabilizer as that is what I had at hand.  Second for the quilting, I just used the edge of my sewing foot as a guide which gave me lines spaced about 3/8" apart instead of the 1/4" spacing she used.  I also did not draw any quilting lines.

Pattern

     I did like that she had you start with slightly larger pieces of fabric and then trim to size after the quilting, much more precise in my mind.  I used an overcast stitch on my machine to finish the raw edges on the inside.  Not sure what I am going to put inside it, but it sure was fun to make.

Quilted Lumbar Pillow

 

     This is another sample pillow for my olive, teal and taupe collection.  This is a lumbar pillow, just a basic knife edge pillow with covered cored.  What makes it special is the quilting.  I fused fusible fleece on the back of the front fabric and then stitched along the design lines with a taupe colored thread.

     This quilting gave the front fabric just a little more interest.  After quilting, I serged on a lining piece and added the covered cord.  I also serged lining to the inside of the back piece which I did not quilt.  I added the zipper and sewed it all together.  It takes a bit of time but adds interest to the large pillow.

     You can see I used that geometric print in three different pillows and they all look different.  Can I sew some pillows for you to dress up your room?  Call me to talk 847-543-7907.

Iris Pillow

 

Finished pillow

     Many years ago I did this needlepoint piece.  I didn't know what I was going to do with it, so it has sat around just waiting for me.  When choosing pillow sample ideas for display, I remembered several beautiful framed needlework pillows that Susan Woodcock had done.  I pulled out the needlepoint piece and set about blocking it to square it up.

Blocking the needlepoint

     I had the board and pins because I used to do a lot more needlepoint.  I blocked it the best I could.  I probably should have spent a little more time getting it square but I was in a hurry to make the pillow.  In searching through my fabrics, I came across the fabric from the bridesmaids dresses that I had done for my daughter's wedding over 10 years ago.  The purple colored velvet and satin were perfect for the iris needlepoint.

Corner detail

     I stitched the needlepoint piece to a piece of lining and then added the covered cord and frame.  I used the velvet to make covered cord to frame the picture and also for the edge of the pillow.  I mitered the corners for the frame of the picture.  It wasn't easy working with the satin and velvet but I got it all done.  The covered cord framing the irises helped to hide some of the irregular stitching.  

Pretty purple iris pillow

     I am sort of glad that I waited so long to finally do something with the needlepoint because  I have honed my pillow making skills so i think the pillow turned out pretty great.

Michael and Marie's Wedding Quilt

 

Finished quilt

     My nephew got married this past weekend after having to delay it due to COVID-19.  I started this quilt for them January 2020 at a class.  I took the class at Quilters Destination.  The quilt is the Velocity quilt from the Stripology Squared book.  I wanted to try something new and this was a good opportunity to learn and have a gift at the same time.

Blocks detail

     There was some cutting done before class and then we assembled a few blocks and put them together.  After learning the tips and techniques in class, I came home to work on it.  I was planning on working on it during quilt retreat in March, but then that was canceled.  I took my own little retreat at home and worked on it.  There was lots of cutting and stitching.

Quilting detail

     After buying some warm flannel for the backing, I took it all to my friend and quilter, Joni, who used a pretty heart and leaf motif to quilt it.

Border and binding detail

     Then it was time for the binding and labels.  I had to wait to do the label for the date until the wedding was rescheduled, but I did the rest of the binding and the one label in the meantime.  

Label 1

Label 2

     I hope they enjoy their quilt as a lot of love went into it.  I wish many years of happiness for them.