Christmas purse...

I have my Christmas purse done! I also made a little coin purse with a credit card insert that matches. I work today, but after I will be posting pics of my projects. I wish I could use this little purse already! It's really cute and I can't wait to show it off. It's not perfect - it's another adventure into quilting, but it's definitely good enough to use and show off. I may have to see if I can find another fat quarter or two of these fabrics.

Still practicing...

I tried some more quilting yesterday. I bought a few (10 or so lol) fat quarters when I went for quilt batting. They were intended to maybe border a quilt or be part of the backing for one or two, but one was so cute that I made the decision I needed a Christmas purse! I used the fat quarter and some coordinating felt I have as both the inner lining and the batting and already quilted it and started construction. Today I'll be adding a small outside pocket with another fat quarter fabric, binding the top with maybe a zipper closure, and a handle. Thinking I might be able to still add an inner pocket somehow - in my haste to see how the rather thick felt would quilt, I left out that inner pocket I so love to put in purses. I'll add pics later today or tonight. The fabric is really cute. I'm happy with my quilting of it too...I just kind of meandered along in no particular fashion and even got fast with it and had to make myself slow down!

I'm kind of stuck on where I want my quilt tops to go next. I did find a good binding material in fat quarters. It's a red, green and white striped material and I already went back for what is hopefully enough to do the lap quilt. I still need more blocks before I can quilt it. It's a little too hmm arty or direct of a quilt - I'm stuck on what design and color to make border blocks to add much needed size. 2 months to finish at least the one intended as a gift! I keep looking at fabrics and so far nothing is jumping out at me.

I'm awake much too early!

Some projects I'm working on...

My scissors...I love my scissors! I got them half off on a great sale one day and no one is allowed to use them, or even touch them! Also, my pink tomato. I have so much red stuff and even though pink is one of my least favorite colors, I thought it was a good color to stand out amongst the mess!

Hmm you really can't see it well, but this is quilted. It is the first time I have ever machine quilted something. It's out of leftover squares and I heeded the advice to practice on something unimportant before tackling a quilt and the actual quilting part went well...then I did a very quick, kinda awful binding. I'm sure experienced quilters looking at this are gasping in horror at its' very unsquarish shape and improper mitered corners...but hey I quilted something! YaY me! I will now proudly use this as my mug rug and even dare to show it off to anyone willing to look! hehe. It was all just scraps afterall!

Ok if you are OCD about cleaning, close your eyes and click onto something else...this is my current sewing area and why I need to change it! When you walk into my home, this is directly to the right. What a mess! I can't wait to buy a new sewing table tomorrow and tuck all this mess upstairs.

The other 2 machines in the same room as above...as you can see, we do not have any big, fancy, expensive machines here. The one on the table was under $100 and is doing just fine until I save up for a nicer one. The Kenmore machine on the floor was a gift from a friend to my daughter. Her daughter had gotten it years ago and used it once...yep it's like brand new! It doesn't live on the floor normally, but  I needed room for these quilt tops and didn't want to risk any machine falling off table accidents!

The big bin of fabric is somewhat organized and ready to move upstairs...I decided not to show all the bags hiding under the table right now lol...but I need more bins.

                                     

Here is the applique/pieced lap quilt I'm working on. How do you like my (ahem) design wall? This top is pinned to an over the door ironing board LOL. This is the quilt that I saw someone else's idea and changed it. I have more to add to it - again once we get to payday!

This was going to be the back of the tree quilt hence the plain design...but I decided not to risk pink snow, so now I've expanded this one and making it another lap quilt. Nothing fancy, but the little reindeer are so cute!

Now I have to find 2 fabrics I like for backs and some border fabrics. Poor me, I have to go fabric shopping! hehe!

 I've made a few more odds and ends organizing things to get ready for the weekend sewing transformation, but ugly (but durable) scissor pouches and basic fabric bins are boring to look at. MMM also have some throw what ya got into the pot black bean chili simmering on the stove...it's smells amazing!

My impromptu day off

Today I got some done on the Christmas quilts. Well, it started as one quilt, then I let the fear creep in that the red of the back would make the snow on the front pink ... so it's 2 quilts now instead. I'm making these up as I go along and I've never made a whole quilt before. One is very basic squares, simple, but a cute print mixed with a solid. The sashing and border are not known yet - maybe another pattern. The other I borrowed an idea (I wish I could remember the blog where I saw it and who to credit) and changed it some. It involves some simple applique that I haven't decided if I'll do by machine or by hand.

I'm not totally new to quilting. When I was a young girl, my mom got me one of those standing hand quilting hoops. She bought me material that was already quilted then I'd add some hand quilting with yarn. I also had my first full size sewing machine when I was pretty young. I usually stick to making clothes, but thinking of Christmas ideas and recently volunteering at a quilt auction got me thinking it might be fun to try.... I'm not into the country look  of traditional quilts as far as decorating my own home, but I love the modern twist I've seen done with the same techniques. I have a queen size bed that needs a pretty cover....

I'm also planning on moving my sewing area upstairs to my room once I get paid. I need a folding table that can be put away when I need my room pretty. I made some fabric baskets and bins today to help with organization once it's all upstairs. I had to do something.  Fabric and thread and notions and machines are taking over my dining room and that's the first room you see when you come into our home. :D

My phone was acting stupid, so no pics today. I'll get out the actual camera tomorrow and show progress. I'm anxious to show someone somewhere since I can't post to facebook - one quilt is a gift.

Dresses for Homecoming 2011

The black dress is my design. I made a very simple bodice pattern then started adding other things. The skirt is a circle skirt that I didn't round the corners on. It's kind of old Hollywood with a goth twist.

The back view. We had to fasten a bit of the skirt together at the bottom in the back and it formed a bit of a pouf mini train that added to the awesome flow of the skirt. We made the crinoline and adjusted it as the dress was finished. The skirt's movement bounced as she walked. This is my favorite sewing creation so far.

The red dress was a huge, dowdy dress that I tore apart and restyled (as well as removing many yards of fabric). The sleeves are the only part untouched. The bodice is a portion of the original and drastically altered and shortened to more of an empire waist. I added the sash made from material originally part of the skirt. Yes that's a pink stripe in her goldilocks hair.

I pleated the back of the bodice which looks a bit bunched up in this photo. I was trying to avoid ripping out and redoing the zipper. It is a beautiful dress.

I was nervous all night wondering if their friends liked their dresses.

Hello!

I'm always on here reading other people's blogs, so it's time to start my own!