King Sized Quilt: 1st Panel

It's either a king sized quilt or a queen sized bedspread.  You can call it what you like!

Here's the 1st of 3 panels.

Whole lotta scraps going on there!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

Reconstructed Patchwork Dress Finished

My patchwork dress is finished!  My main goal to use parts and pieces to their full advantage worked out well.  I harvested sections of the blue man's hawaiian shirt so they were at the bottom and avoided sewing a hem (timesaver).  I used the panel of another man's shirt that included the pocket so I have a side pocket (timesaver).  I carefully took out the sleeves and replaced them with sleeves from another shirt (timesaver).  I decided to leave the original collar because it supports scarves and necklaces better than no collar.  I also decided not to limit my choices by attaching the scarf as a neckline finish.

It's a roomy boxy silhouette.  I added side loops for an empire waistline belt.  Or, I can leave the dress full.  Either way it's comfortable and easy to wear.

I like this scarf with the dress best.  It pulls the colors up into the neck area.  Both looks are super!  Happy with the Dress!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All! 

Reconstructed Patchwork Clothes

Last summer I sewed some reconstructed dresses to wear at the art markets.  They were fun & I'm sure I'll wear them this summer too.  Toward that end, I've been eyeing some of the clothes I've purchased for my Poshmark closet as good candidates for reconstructed patchwork clothes.

I'm taking today as a "Me Day" and I've pulled some "parts and pieces" that I personally like so I can work them into a new patchwork dress.
One of my characteristics that hinders me sometimes is the inability to use supplies for myself.  I'll sew 50 quilts for others before I even consider sewing something for myself.  I have some lovely fabrics that make my heart sing.  I've decided to use them for some self-love and sew some garments I can wear to my various events.

My ultimate goal is to invite my Poshmark clients to meet me at my blog and show them what can be done with basic garments.  I'll be sewing all the prototypes in my size so I'll also have them to model when I am out visiting with people.

Today's project is turning a blouse into a dress.  I like this blouse/shirt quite a bit as it is but I will wear it more as a patchwork dress.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm not fond of cuffed shirts.  I like ¾ length sleeves best. So I am sure I will cut these sleeves off.

I recently bought this soft flowing scarf.  I may take off the shirt collar and replace it with this scarf.  It's also a great fabric with all the colors I like and plan to use for the skirt.

I'm not sure why but lately I am reconnecting with tropical florals so I anticipate these 2 groups of fabrics will become the patchwork skirt.  I always buy embroidered clothes when I find them reasonably priced with the goal of repurposing them into other projects. 

Maybe a little ruffle around the sleeve hem or the neckline?  or both?

And a belt.  I have these slim samples from a fabric book that would be swell patches along this length of denim I cut from a skirt.  It's basically already hemmed. 

So here are the raw parts and pieces ready for their reincarnation as a dress!  Fun, fun, fun!

Have a Creative Day, Y'All! 

Quiltmaking Secret

For this current king sized quilt, I am using some thrifted fleece I bought a few months ago.  As luck would have it, someone donated a big pile of unfinished lengths that looked like they were going to be lap blankets.  The disadvantage is that they are all burgundy/red.  Most of the thrifted fleece is a dark color and it poses a particular problem: shadowing on light colored fabrics.  I don't want all my quilts to be dark (actually I rarely want any of them to be dark) so I came up with this solution.

A month or so ago I was working on a church committee that was cleaning out a resource area of a neighboring agency.  They were going to throw away a large box of white tshirts from a camp in 2016.  OK, that's not going to happen when I am around so I brought the box home.  My initial idea was to cut the knit into pieces for some easy baby quilts to sell.  That may still happen.

I pulled a few tshirts and cut wide strips about the width I knew I would be sewing for this king sized quilt.
Now when I have a light colored fabric, I just slip a piece of knit under the fabric before I sew it down.  It takes care of the shadow from the dark fleece without adding any bulk whatsoever.  You could say the patch is wearing an undershirt! 

Alright, now you know!  Have a Creative Day, Y'All!

King Sized Quilt Progress Pictures

I sewed a pretty good portion of the middle section yesterday.  It's going to be a riot of color.  I can see that now!  Fun and energetic!  Using all kinds of scraps.  

King Sized Strippy Quilt

I've started the king sized quilt.  I will be sewing it in 2 sections.  The middle section is the section I am sewing now.  Then, I will sew another wide section, cut it in half vertically and sew it on either side of the middle section.  It's the only way I can accommodate a really wide quilt on my longarm.  And, with this patch/strippy style, it will work fine. 

My original plan has developed into a bit more scrappy than I thought originally.  I am trying to keep the patches larger since I know this quilt will be used a lot. 

Right after I put this on the frame I picked up another commission so today I plan to sew, sew, sew and hopefully get the 1st panel finished.

Have a Creative Day Y'All! 

Choosing Fabrics King Sized Quilt

I did a little digging through boxes last night to find some fabrics for Brent & Laura's new king sized quilt.  Brent had given me a stack of shirts & they tend to be tiny checks in very neutral colors so I want to balance them with some vivid prints.  I'll be sewing in my usual improv strippy quilt style.  I'm feeling the need to get back to some pleasurable sewing in a style that's easy and comfortable. 

When I was finished, I was reminded of the Food Quilt I sewed for Brent many years ago.  For a few years I collected food print fabrics; a fat quarter here, a half yard there.  By the time I got ready to sew his quilt, I had enough fabric for 3 king sized quilts!  I was feeling the same last night sorting through prints.  Truth be told, I could sew quilts for the rest of my life and probably still have some fabric for lining my coffin. :-)

I had a wonderful day yesterday.  I am the social media person for the church's stitching group, Mission Stitchers.  Their goal is to stitch items they sell at the fall Hearts and Hands festival.  The money raised is given as grant money to the various Houston organizations serving women and children.  There's a need for the inventory made during the year to reach a wider selling audience than just the 3 day fall festival.  Enter Yours Truly.  I'll be setting up a blog and Facebook page this week. 

I was also able to do a little shopping in a store other than a thrift store!  I know, surprise, surprise.  I came out with some fun skull earrings.  I'm working on developing my personal style a bit more. With my hair longer it's fun to have some new earrings and hair clips to wear.  I'm embracing what I love & want to wear.  It's been awhile since I've felt that freedom.  

Here's a great collection of summer dresses from my Poshmark store.

You can visit by using the widget in the right hand section of my blog.  My friend, Yoohoolady, designed the graphic.  Visit her store for classic styles; many plus sizes too.  

Have a Creative Day, Y'All!  

Ten Years Later and Lots of Washing

This bad boy followed me home recently. At one time it was a vivid quilt but since it's many washings and hard love, it's faded and torn.  It had some help from a well meaning dog too.  But, it's loved and the owners would like to have it repaired; even if it is just a bunch of patches on the blocks; like a bunch of patches.  I think I'll just replace it with a bigger quilt.  Laura tells me Brent likes to roll up like a burrito and this quilt is just not big enough for the two of them. 

I thought about repairing it & then I waxed nostalgic.  There are some clothes fabrics in here from Brent's junior high years and some of his dad's casual shirts.  It's mainly composed of 1990s fabrics.  The back is a combination of Indonesian fabrics from my short stay there in 1999. 

A few months ago when they cleaned out their clothes closet they gave me 1st dibs.  I culled a bunch of Brent's plaid shirts.  I think I'll clean out my tropical print rayon fabrics for the backing & add plaid for the front.  I guess it will be king sized. 

I've just about given up cotton batting.  Polyester fleece works so well and I can buy it on special at JoAnns when I can't find it thrifting.  

Dogs!

I pieced these blocks onto a foundation.  The foundation held up well but the cottons, well, they didn't fare so well.  

I wonder how long it will take me to get in the mood to work on this project. 

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my Great Fashion Rockin' Mom Friends!

Love you bunches! 

xoxo

Mother's Day Quilt Delivered

It's always bittersweet to hand over a quilt to its new owner.  I feel so invested in it and in the relationship I've developed with the client.  This one is especially poignant and I pray it brings comfort, joy and healing.  Both men have been so gracious and gave me a lovely thank you card when we met today. 

Final Stage Mother's Day Quilt

Ready to Quilt!  Deadline of this evening.

Mother's Day Quilt 3rd Panel Finished

Last night I met with my client and his husband to pick out the backing fabric and buy the batting.  While my client was paying I started talking with his husband.  He told me he would like to eventually have a quilt sewn for his nephew and niece.  His 21 year old sister was leaving an abusive relationship.  On moving day the abuser came into the home and shot her dead - 5 times.  She was able to protect her 6 month old baby but died in the process.  He said the family is raising her children. 
You don't know the burdens people carry.  It's amazing some days to listen to people's stories.  Both men have lost sisters.  So heavy on my heart.  So heavy.  Lord, wrap your arms around these families as they heal. 

Last night was also the last night of my formal lessons for the Stephen Ministry.  Next will come commissioning.  I am humbled with the journey I have taken to this point.  It's been full of growth for me too.  I pray God will continue to guide me in this ministry. 

Mother's Day Quilt 2 Panels

This quilt will be 3 panels wide. It's been a mathematical quiz getting all the pictures to work together and balance appropriately. 

Yes, that's my Poshmark photo booth.  This house just doesn't have any walls for a design surface.  I may have to do something portable if I continue with these involved quilt layouts. 

Mother's Day Quilt

I've been commissioned by a brother to sew a memorial quilt for his nephew honoring his sister who died from Lupus.  The nephew is 14 years old and the quilt will be given to him on Mother's Day.  It's going to be so personal and special; but, it makes me incredibly sad to work on it.