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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Travel Time Sewing Camp

Hayley

Hayley's Projects


     My last sewing camp of the summer was Travel Time.  The girls made an organizer that rolled up and then could hang from a hook in the bathroom.  They also made a clear vinyl zippered pouch to store things that might leak, a tag for their luggage and a cord 'taco' to keep charging cords or headphones from tangling.

Kara

Kara's Projects


     I found the instructions for the hanging organizer in an old Sew News magazine.  I made a few minor changes to the construction to make it a little easier.  We found we had to use some tissue paper to sew on the vinyl, I didn't have Teflon feet for everyone.

Kelsey

Kelsey's Projects


     The other projects I found on Pinterest.  What a great source for finding fun and free sewing projects.  By the end of camp the girls had put in 4 zippers, made a buttonhole on the sewing machine, pounded snaps into place and made their own double folded binding tape.

Makayla

Makayla's Projects


     It was fun seeing how different they all turned out due to the girl's fabric choices.  A few mistakes were made and corrected and lessons learned about patience and persistence.  They all finished by the end of the fourth day with a little help.

     I think I will do this camp again in a few years.  Now a little break before I start after school sewing the week after Labor Day.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

More Blankets for Charity




     My goal for this year is to make a blanket and a pillowcase for charity every month.  I've done okay until July, I'm a little behind right now.  These blankets are the last three that I did.  I bring them to Quilt Play in Grayslake, IL.  They are a drop off place for Project Linus.



     I buy the flannel at JoAnn Fabrics when they have a good sale.  I then wash it in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.  That shrinks it up nicely and also washes out some of the sizing and other chemicals that might be present.  I do not use any detergent or softener, you never know what kind of sensitivities the recipient might have.


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Arm Chair Covers

Pattern


     My sister-in-law and her husband have a beautiful purple armchair in their family room.  They also have a couple of cats that have taken a liking to this chair.  As a result the arms were getting a little worn.



     She asked me to make some covers for the arms that would be more fitted than just a rectangle of fabric like a lot of arm protectors.  She traced the end of the arm and then gave me the dimensions for length and depth.



     I then made a couple of pairs of covers from the fabric she got from the manufacturer of the chair. They fit nice and snug over the arms and match so well that you don't really notice them.


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Quilt for a Client


Finished quilt for Angus


     A friend/client saw the quilts I have been making lately for all the babies in the family.  She was expecting her first grandchild and wanted to have a quilt for him.

Block detail


     Her daughter had the nursery decorated and they knew it was going to be a boy.  We went shopping one day at our local quilt store, Quilt Play.  We found a tree print that worked with the theme of the nursery and also the colors.  Then we chose a blue bird print and a brown batik that went well with the trees.

Backing and quilting detail


     For the back we found a leaf print flannel.  I used the Pathways Three Yard quilt pattern that I have used multiple times.  I got it all pieced and then took it to the quilter.  I found a leaf pattern and a nice soft brown thread for the quilting.  After getting it back I sewed on the binding all by machine, much faster than hand stitching.

Label


     I also added a label with the baby's name and birthdate as requested by my friend.  Another baby will be wrapped in a soft warm quilt made with love.  What made this extra special was that I had sewn the wedding dress for the mom and the mother-of-the-bride dress for my friend/client.

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Backing for an Afghan

Afghan knitted by a client



     A client came to me looking to add a backing to an afghan she had knitted.  She was concerned about the edges curling.  She brought me a sheet to use for the backing.

Sheet for the backing


     She also wanted the recipient's name to be embroidered on the afghan.  I told her it would get lost in the textured stitches so we opted to embroider the backing instead.

Embroidered backing


     After carefully measuring the afghan I cut the sheet slightly larger and turned and pressed and stitched the edges.

Pinning the backing in place

     I then pinned the backing to the afghan, allowing for the off white edge stitch to frame the backing.

Sewing on the backing


     I then sewed close to the fold, right next to the edge of the afghan.  This did help a little to square up and flatten the afghan but not completely as the backing was so soft.  The client was happy with the final result and couldn't wait to give it as a gift.