Category: Blogging

Birch Fabric + Straightgrain Patterns Blog Tour

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It is certainly a match-made in heaven when you combine beautiful organic cotton fabrics with fresh and modern clothing patterns for kids.  So when Birch Fabrics and Straightgrain Patterns teamed up for this blog tour, I was in!  The new Whistle collection by Jenny Ronen is such a sweet and whimsical collection that inspired me to make a Nova dress….probably my favorite of An’s dress patterns.

Out of the Whistle fabric collection, I chose to use Birch’s organic quilt poplin.   However, there are so many great jersey knits available too.  I had such a hard time deciding which patterns I wanted to use.  But then I remembered how much my SIL loved the Nova Dress I made for a niece and I wanted to make one for her daughter.  I chose a simpler small scale print like this Tiny Steps in Blush which would help show off the smocking and then chose Treehouse for a fun surprise lining.

What I love about Straightgrain Patterns are the number of options with each of her patterns.  This Nova Dress, alone has 140 different combinations!  They make for such an incredible value and I love how I can make a unique dress for all of my nieces.  Now that it is officially fall, I made this version of the Nova dress with long sleeves so it can be worn with bare legs right now, but can go into the winter with some thick cable knit stockings and boots later.

This pattern has 4 different types of pleating and the honeycomb smocking is my favorite.  I tell everyone to learn dress-making techniques on little girl versions and I completely learned to do this following An’s thorough instructions.  I just love all of the texture and visual impact.

The smocking does take extra time and there is hand sewing involved to tack the pleats together.  But it is all worth it!  I like using contrasting thread to highlight the design and to complement the fabric.

For the blog tour, I inserted an invisible zipper versus the ribbon tie I used on this version. Considering the seasons, a fully covered back was more appropriate and I love the ease of a zipper for dressing.  I happened to just buy an invisible zipper foot for my machine and of course, don’t know why I waited so long!  With the right foot, you can hardly tell there is a zipper at all!

Another special feature I added to this dress are the buttons.  I had an old kit for making covered buttons stashed away and knew these little birdies would be perfect for them.  I used light interfacing to help stabilize the fabric and cut them to size.  It was so easy that I know there will be many more covered buttons in my future.

Birch Organic fabric handled and washed very well.  It has the same weight as other designer quilt fabrics, but that GOTS certification gives you so much peace of mind.  I’m so happy to send this dress off to my niece and know its all organic 🙂

To follow along on the rest of the Birch Fabric x Straightgrain Patterns Blog Tour, check out of the blog links below:

Birch – Knee Socks and Goldilocks – Petrol & Mint – The Crafty Kitty – Christinaa – Just Add Fabric
Love You Sew (you are here) – My Petite Sophie – While She Was Sleeping – StraightGrain – Made By Sara

 

Project Details:

 

Happy Sewing Friends!

 

Cristy

 

Fabric and patterns were provided by Birch Organics and Straightgrain Patterns for this post.  As always, all opinions are my own.  I’ve bought products from both companies before this post and definitely will following it.

Heritage and Arizona After Fabrics :: Portside Duffle

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April Rhodes has done it again.  She has just dropped not one, but TWO new fabric collections with Art Gallery Fabrics.  Arizona After is a gorgeous extension of April’s inaugural Arizona line with some new prints and some recolored with soft dusty pink and blues along with some deep rust and mustard.  The color combos she puts together are always so striking.  Heritage fabrics consists of garment focused substrates…including the new RAYON.  With April’s clothing patterns, she has always been a designer who knows scale for the quilters and the garment sewist alike.  It’s the perfect collection for the me-made makers!

Beyond the fabrics, April’s inspiration for the collections is just so touching.  The way she talks about her family and memories of her father and grandmother is just pure love.  Truly awesome. I love how a lot of the designs were just a part of April’s everyday life and over time, have been permanently imprinted in her head.  To bring these images to life brings so much light to her eyes and it’s been amazing to witness it all. These fabrics are just gorgeous and I’m happy she’s shared them with all of us….because whoa, right?!?

When I was asked to make a bag for April’s Spring Quilt Market Booth, I (of course) agreed.  She has become a dear friend and I will always help her, as she has helped me in so many ways.  April asked me to make a larger duffle and suggested a quilt-as-you-go method for easy patchwork because with Market…comes some tight deadlines.  I got to immediate work, but quickly realized I had to Turn. It. Up.

All 14 quilt cottons in the Arizona After collection was used to make the Portside Duffle Bag by Grainline Studios.  It’s the perfect bag to showcase these fabrics with all that surface area.  I loved playing with all the color combos while mixing and even deconstructing, some of the prints.

Once I started to quilt with my walking-foot on the Soft and Stable, that texture just got me.  I knew I had to add more and more quilting…and change up the designs with each print. Then it dawned on me….ooooh, metallic thread would be A-mazing with this palette.  The gold really brings out the colors and I’m so happy with how it turned out. TIP: Cut a larger piece of soft and stable than the pattern requires. Quilt and then cut to size. Don’t forget to baste those edges!

Art Gallery’s textured denim in Canyon Sunset was the perfect complement to Arizona After and is a nice durable fabric for the bottom accent of the duffle bag.  On the inside, I used the Scattered Wood print and added an additional zip pocket…because we can always use some extra pockets.  I love the look of brass zippers and with the gold thread, this combo obviously had to happen.

For more texture and to turn this bag up another notch, I used hardware from ARmercantile combined with some leather from my sacred stash.  Guitar-inspired bag straps are popping up all-over the place and I just had to add that look to this duffle.  The added rivets bring out more of the brass and help round out the look.  Who says a quilted bag can’t be modern and on-trend?  I love being able to combine my love of quilting with my love of bag-making….and the gorgeous fabric definitely helps.  Thank you Arizona After for the inspo!

Make sure to check back on April’s blog and Instagram all throughout July for the up-to-date info on the Blog Tour.  Next up will be an Instagram loop on July 5th and I heard there maybe prizes involved 😉

Last, but not least, don’t forget to tag #heritagefabrics and #arizonaafterfabrics with all of your makes.  I can’t wait to see all of them!

Project Summary:

 

Fabric and pattern for the Arizona After + Heritage Blog Tour was provided.  There are affiliate links in the Project Summary.

 

Kimberly Sac Sew-Along

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Kimberly Sac Title

Fat Quarter Shop has another great pattern….and it’s for a bag!  When I was asked to join this sew-along, I could not say “no.”  I love making bags just as much as I do quilting.  With the Kimberly Sac by Fig Tree Studios, you get both!  It is a great cross-body design with some simple patchwork.  I’m so excited to show you my version along with all of Fat Quarter Shops versions found here.

Kimberly Sac Fully Open

I like having different looks and feels to all of my bags.  After making my Indigo Sky Quilt, I fell in love with the Essex Yarn-Dyed Linen in nautical, so I wanted to incorporate it into the Kimberly Sac.  It really helps complement Carolyn Friedlander’s fabrics.  There is a mix of Carkai and Architextures Crosshatch in more earthly tones.

Kimberly Sac Quilting Close Up

The bag came together very quickly, especially without having to deal with a zipper.  I did use 1/4″ straight-line quilting, but you can opt for a more simple design.  If you decide on more heavier quilting like I did, I would suggest cutting the batting about 1″ larger all around and then trim it back.

Kimberly Sac Vinyl Strap

One of the most noticeable changes I made was to use vinyl for the straps and bottom of the Kimberly Sac.  The brown vinyl gives any bag an extra level of sophistication and structure.  Make sure to test the vinyl with your machine before committing though!

Button Stud Close Up

When I have to break out a hammer on a project, it’s a good day 🙂  I love playing with hardware and saw the opportunity to use this button stud when the pattern called for a traditional sew-on button.  The loop was replaced by a strip of vinyl I hand-punched.  This closure adds a fun edgy detail to the bag.

Kimberly Sac Side Close Up

A tip to keep these tags straight and in place, is to use some Sewline Glue. It allows you to place the pieces on the bag before top-stitching.  With so many layers, pins were distorting the tabs shape, so the glue helps them lay nice and flat for straight stitches.

Kimberly Sac Fully Profile

The Kimberly Sac was a nice easy sew and the lack of zippers makes it very beginner friendly!  I love the relaxed slouchy design and who doesn’t love the ease of a cross-body strap?  The Carkai and vinyl make this a great everyday bag for running errands and is large enough to handle everyday life.  What is the strangest thing you have to carry in your purse or bag?

  • Need the Full Kit with hardware and Strawberry Fields Revisited fabric?  You can find it here.
  • If you would like just the pattern, you can find that here.
  • Let’s make all of this even easier by watching full video tutorial with Fat Quarter Shop and Fig Tree Studio.


For more inspiration, visit all my Kimberly Sac Sew-Along  bag-mates below:

Fat Quarter Shop

Emily Ann’s Kloset
Seasoned Homemaker
Jedi Craft Girl
Sharon Holland Designs
Why Not Sew
She Can Quilt
Love You Sew (you are here)
Sweet Little Pretties

 

Have fun stitchin’!

Cristy

 

As part of the Fat Quartershop Kimberly Sac Sew-Along, I have been compensated for my time and materials.  However, all opinions are all my very own. 

 

Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour {Crimson and Clover Traincase}

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Traincase Full Profile A

Welcome to the kick-off for the Chalk and Paint Fabrics Blog Tour!  I am so happy to share my project with these new Art Gallery fabrics with you.  Sew Caroline has quite an amazing line-up ahead for the next few weeks and I know each blogger will have something amazing with Chalk and Paint.

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I have been a long-time admirer of Sew Caroline‘s garment patterns (umm..hello, Kimono Jacket..here and here…)   It is no exception when it comes to her fabrics.  All of her collections are youthful and so fun.  But this newest line has a more muted pastel palette, which I just adore!

Traincase Top

When I saw Untaped Splatter Frost, I knew it was going to be my next Crimson and Clover Travelcase (pattern by Sew Sweetness.)  I love this case because it holds everything…and it’s not even the larger size.  The interior side pockets are so nice for organization and lord knows I need all the help I can get!

Traincase Open Full Polishes

As I was sewing this bag, I realized why I put the two together….it was my sewn version of a Caboodle!  This exterior fabric has an 80’s vibe and being the child of immigrant parents, I never had one.  “What..a shoebox wasn’t good enough to hold your junk?”  They never understood the need for adolescent acceptance…haha.

Traincase Open Empty

For the interior, I used Writings on Boards as a darker complement to hide any spills or smudges which may occur (yes, I know myself well.)  How cute is this text fabric, right?  I love the inspirational words to welcome me every time I open this bag.

Traincase Front Zipper CloseUp

For the piping, handle and interior pocket accents, I used Dripping Paint Cooling.  You get so much color and texture in such a small amount of yardage, that it was just perfect for that extra “pop.”  Now…I think my “Caboodle” is pretty rad, isn’t it? 😉

Don’t forget to visit all of these amazing blogs for more Chalk and Paint projects!

Cristy // Love You Sew –> Right here!

Katie // The Simple Life

Jenn // Quilts and Conversations

Robin // Pattern Revolution

Alicia // Love Knot Photo

Holly // Holly Gets Quilty

Chris // The Tattooed Quilter

Alexis // My Sweet Sunshine

Adrianna // Hey June Handmade

Taylor // Taylor Made Creates

Casey // Casey Taylor Threads

Hayley // Welcome to the Mouse House

Giveaway-Graphic

What would you make with the Chalk and Paint collection?  You have a chance to WIN a Full FQ Bundle on Instagram by (re)posting your favorite image from the blog tour using #chalkandpaintgiveaway and tagging @sewcaroline. (Full Details are on Caroline’s blog.)

 

Good luck!

 

***This post may contain affiliate links which help me on the back end to fund this site.  Compensation is only through your own purchase. 

Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop – Hanging Flags Tutorial

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What’s better than being part of the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers? It’s that, PLUS the chance to play with some beautiful Fabri-Quilt Prairie Cloth Solid Fabrics AND take part in a few charity quilts! There are GIVEAWAYS happening today through Thursday!!! (Scroll down for details.)

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Our gracious hosts, Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl, Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs, Stephanie @Late Night Quilter and Terri Ann @Childlike Fascination, along with Fabri-Quilt have provided the opportunity for over 60 of us to develop a custom block with this gorgeous Summer Watermelon bundle of Coral, White, Aqua, Chartreuse, Turquoise, and Lapis Blue.

Fabric Pull

We were all challenged to create a 12″ (12.5″ unfinished) quilt block with only these 6 fat-eighths and use at least 3 colors.  We needed to provide a full tutorial for all of our cyber quilty friends and make them in time for this hop 😉

The task seemed easy enough…until I had to settle down on my plan. Do I go simple or complex? Paper-piece or traditional piecing? Use all of the colors? Maybe not…but which ones then? I had so many ideas but only so much fabric…

Inspiration

But then I came upon this image of vintage dinnerware from a local upscale thrift shop downtown called Grandview Mercantile.  It was screaming, “Make me into a quilt!” and…I said, “Yes.” 😉  I love the idea of stacking the geese (triangles) right on top of one another with the sashing.  It is a simple design for a beginner (both for quilter and for author!)

For this exercise, I decided on a diagonal layout  of the geese since this block was going to be one of many in the charity quilts.  The spaced out color would be more versatile than my initial assymetrical idea.  I still plan to make a full quilt like the dinnerware eventually…

 

Block instructions:

  • Gather the following fat-eighths: Fabri-Quilt White, Coral, Chartreuse, Lapis Blue, & Aqua  ***It is recommended that you launder these fabrics BEFORE cutting to ensure accurate sizing on your block***
  • Print 2 Paper-piecing pattern sheets (4 Flying geese templates total) –> Hanging Flags Bock_Geese Template
  • Use 1/4″ seam allowance

Cut the following:

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  • (1) 3.75″ HSTs of each color (4 total)
  • (2) 3″ x 8.5″ of white
  • (8) 3.5″ Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) of white
  • (2) 3 x 2.5″ of white
  • (2) 3″ x 6.5″  of white
  • (1) 1″ x 12.5″ strip of ea color

 

 

 

Paper-piece with flying geese template

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  • Take one color triangle and place it behind the printed “1” so that there is 1/4″ seam allowance all around the triangle. *It’s ok if there extra which hangs beyond the template. It will be trimmed later.

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  • Pin in place (This helps the HST from shifting)

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  • Take a white triangle and match up to edge of color fabric. Sew into place on line underneath where fabric overlaps. Flip it out and press.

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  • Do the same on the other side of the color triangle

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  • Trim excess fabric. Flying Geese should measure 3″ x 4.5″ (including seam allowance)

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Assemble the block as shown:

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  • Attach the sides to the geese to make (4) 3″ x 12.5″ strips.  I still have the paper intact at this point.  You can remove at anytime, but I kept them on to sew the sides to keep the geese more stable.

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  • Add the matching sashing to geese strips. *Go slow and stead to ensure nice straight lines

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  • Sew all strips together. Iron seams in toward sashing. Give the block a final press.

Voila! You have made the Hanging Flags Block 🙂

vAriations:

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HangingFlagsBlockAlt1

 

For more information on the Fabri-Quilt New Block Hop:

*There is an additional Giveaway on Fabri-Quilt’s block today. Check them out by clicking the image below.

2015 Fabri-Quilt New Block Blog Hop


To see more blocks using this same bundle, head over to the following blogs:

(These are all amazing designs…Enjoy the block hop and the chance to win some of this fabric on Cheryl’s page!)

Host – Cheryl @Meadow Mist Designs

Josi @Avocado Quilts
Stephanie @Quilt’n Party
Cristy @Love You Sew
Sarah @Sarah Goer Quilts
Shelly @The Carpenter’s Daughter Who Quilts
Jayne @Twiggy & Opal
Sharla @Thistle Thicket Studio
Adrian @Making It – Family Food Quilts Crafts
Julie @Pink Doxies
Sarah @123 Quilt
Jane @Jolly and Delilah Quilts
Carrie @The Zen Quilter

 

***The blog hop was sponsored and fabric was provided by Fabri-Quilts.  All opinions and block design are my own and have not been influenced by outside parties.