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Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Sophie's Baby Blanket

Cute pink giraffe fabric

     A friend recently had a little girl which was quite a surprise since they were expecting a boy.  I had made several items for her baby shower but decided she needed a girl blanket now.

Name in center

     I chose a cute giraffe print I had in my stash along with the pretty grey fabric.  I got all the stats from momma and embroidered them onto to the grey flannel after cutting both pieces to the same size.

All the stats in the corners

     The name went in the middle and the other stats on  each of the four corners.  I layered the pieces right sides together and pinned around the edges.


Layering the fabrics


     I then used my Cut-A-Round to round off the corners.  I sewed it with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving an opening for turning.  I pressed the seam and turned it right side out and pressed again.

Trimming the corners

     I then topstitched around the edge to close the opening and also prevent the fabrics from creeping.


     All finished and ready to snuggle up a new baby.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Monogrammed Scarves


      Just before Christmas, a client brought me a couple of grey scarves that she wanted monogrammed.  One was for her mom and the other for her mom's best friend.


     She chose a large three initial design for one scarf and then two single letters for the other.


     She chose a pretty cherry red for the embroidery.  Simple decoration but so elegant looking.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Cherry Blossoms Quilt

Cherry Blossom quilt

     I fell in love with these pretty pink and grey fabrics at Mill House Quilts when I stopped in while on my way to retreat in March of 2017.  I bought a bale of 7 fat quarters and added another 5 to my purchase.

Pattern used

     I used the Snapshots pattern, lap size, from the Happy Hour book.  I cut everything at home and then pieced it at retreat in March of 2018.

Border

     The pink border fabric was from my stash.  I had bought it at Barrington Sewing Center back in October of 2008.  There wasn't quite enough so I used some of the leftover fabric from the squares to add in to make them big enough.

Label with info

     I had Sally of Windy City Quilting do the quilting for me using a fun floral design that reminded me of cherry blossoms.  The backing is flannel from JoAnn Fabrics that I pre-wash to be sure that it won't shrink later.

Label with name of the quilt

     I stitched out a couple of labels for the back and then on went the binding.  The embroidery design is one I had gotten digitized for my son's wedding quilt.

Close-up of the fabrics

     Just a pretty quilt with no recipient in mind yet.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

A Blanket for Walker

A cozy blanket for a newborn baby

     A favorite gift for new babies is a blanket.  This one that I made for a client makes a great gift.  I have made these without the personalization as shower gifts and then with all the stats after the baby is born.  They are great on the floor for tummy time and to throw over them in a carseat.  As they get older they are great to snuggle under while reading a book.

Pinned together

     I buy two coordinating 1 1/4 yard pieces of flannel.  Then I wash in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.  That shrinks them up and also adds some softness to the fabric.  It also gets rid of the sizing.  I don't use detergent or softener just to prevent any problems with possible allergies.

Trimming the corner

     I cut the two pieces to the same size and then embroider the name in the center of one and the birthdate, time, weight and length in each of the corners.  I then pin them together and round the corners my Cut A Round tool.

All the stats

     I sew around the edges, leaving an opening for turning, press and turn and press again to get the edges nice.  Then I topstitch all around which keeps the fabrics from shifting and also closes the opening.
Name

     A wonderful keepsake and a practical gift all in one.