Happy Scrappy box pouch from Patchwork Please!

This week I picked up Patchwork Please! by Ayumi from the library.  Wow, what a happy little book!  Ayumi's playful, patchwork-savvy style is stamped on each project.  There are lots of paper-pieced projects, so this book is great for someone who's been sewing a bit, I'd say.  I love the designs!



The proof is in the pudding.  I'm not a part of a book tour, but I decided to interrupt the churns for a little pouch fling.  I needed something gifty, and this is just the ticket, don't you think?



Got started choosing colors and cutting scrappy triangles last afternoon...



and put my head in the game this morning for assembly.   I can't say it was all smooth sailing.  For one, I wish this book came with a CD so you could easily print the paper piece patterns. Photocopying is hard to do precisely since this book doesn't lay flat open.  I had to correct my photocopies of the paper piece template for this project with ruler and pencil to make them just right.



But then, piecing the triangles was super fun.  And, actually gave me some ideas for using up my triangle scraps!

I had trouble with the directions in spots.  I'd like to share the details here in case I can help someone else along the way.

*Between step 5 and 6, I think you are supposed to fuse the batting to the wrong side of the three-piece patchwork panel.

*Couldn't understand how to mark as described in step 7, so I skipped that, which seemed to turn out fine. 

*Figure 4 seems to coorespond with step 15, not step 14.

*Step 20, advises you to make the pouch lining.  I think you're supposed to follow steps 15-18 though, not 4-6.

 

Obviously I was able to figure it out and I am definitely really, really happy with how the box pouch turned out!  In fact, this is my favorite zip pouch I've ever made.  I'm so excited to surprise my friend!



Hey, I realized that this pouch totally matches my Starbright quilt and patchwork chairs and curtains and etc.  So, I think this is "me" right?  And somehow I managed with just two Anna Maria fabrics this time.  Look, Ma, no hands!

Making.

Churns.  Teeny weenie churn dash blocks from voile scraps and muslin. 



I hope that lightweight muslin will be a safe combo with the voile for patchwork.  I know better than to combine voile and linen.  Voile with quilting cotton still makes me nervous.  So, voile with a tightly woven muslin for a white solid?  We'll see.



Scraps from my voile curtains had been flaunting all their charms in hopes of evading being Put Away.  A new project for The Penny Sampler class (registration late July!) rescues them from possible death-by-scrap-bin, as it well known in these parts that the quilter discriminates against mixing voile in patchworks.

 

So I am making class videos on different cutting methods and on how to sew the half-square triangle block, while also enjoying these colors and patterns a little longer.  Win-win!

Back to the making.

on my mind

Today as I finish up June blocks for the Love circle, I sketch the trajectory of a bright, shiny new dream.  It feels risky to share it here, because it's a tender baby thing, but maybe sharing and learning from you is more brilliant than reckless.  Maybe you have something to say.



Over stitches, making these Goose Creek blocks and enjoying Deborah's punchy, fun color scheme,  I'm refreshing my email inbox in hopes of hearing back from some missions organizations.  My husband and I have a pattern of acting fast, usually with great results, so yesterday's sudden realization that a family missions trip before we try for another baby could be a wonderful opportunity for our family to serve and be changed... the trip already feels half real. 

Late last week I started reading Half the Sky, a book about the plight of disadvantaged girls and women the world over.  Since the book was published in 2010,  I've heard it referred to time and again.  Glad I finally picked it up, even if it is hard to hear.  I care about social justice.  Always have.  But what can I do about it?  do. Good Stitches is a bit, and I appreciate so much it's tangible, incremental and personal nature.  But, reading books like Kisses from Katie and Little Princes, these have planted in my heart a desire to go.

Actually, Brandon and I have discussed a lot this year the possibility of adopting, instead of having another biological child.  That's a massive topic, and not one I'd really like to get into today, but suffice it to say that we've been praying and thinking a lot about orphans.   We have decided not to pursue adoption.  But, we can still go and make a difference by showing up, perhaps?



So yesterday I suddenly thought - family missions trip!  The kids are just about old enough (will be 7 and 9 at time of travel, I think).  Can we do this before baby?  Can we find a place to do a meaningful work for a week or so and be forever changed in the process?  It would be so wonderful to expose our children to the world beyond America.  It's kind of like the ultimate reality check to actually go help the kids who haven't enough, whether food or water or clothes or parents.  I know my few experiences witnessing the so-called "third world" were important life-shaping moments.  How I would love to be a small part of the solution both by serving and by planting in my children a perspective for social justice. 

I began researching options for a short term family missions trip yesterday.  I found a few possibilities at places like World Servants, which seems to have the most young-kid friendly options, and Embrace Missions, which specifically works with orphanages.  I've made some inquiries.  I feel like the kids and I would be most useful working with/caring for children whether assisting in an orphanage or school (especially for girls), while my super-handy husband is a valuable resource for building or repair projects.  Hopefully we can find a project that can use us.  And maybe - who knows - some friends and family will want to join us, though that's not necessary.

What I do know is I'm not afraid.  I'm not afraid of bringing my children to an unknown land.  I'm not afraid we won't be able to raise the money.  I am, however, uncertain as to how much it is wise to spend, resources-wise (even if they aren't my own), on a family missions trip.  I guess my practical side just wonders how much good we can really do weighed against the cost of travel and time.  So, that's something I'm praying about.  A story in Half the Sky illustrated how social justice experiences can yield far beyond the initial acts of service, because lives and hearts that are changed go on to effect more and more change, in a ripple effect.

So, that's what's on my mind.  Ha! Surprise!  If you have anything to add, any word of advice or recommendation for an organization or whatnot, it's most welcome.  We're looking for a trip this fall, winter or spring 2014.

Open and listening,

Rachel

on Stashing

Hey folks!  Thanks soooo much for celebrating with me on those curtains!  It's awesome when things fall into place so nicely, despite nerves and delays and such.  But I know I wouldn't be creating like this if it wasn't for all the great feedback and encouragement I get here.  I'm so grateful you're along for the ride.  Thanks a million!



Today I'm petting (and eventually putting away) this new stashing from my sponsor, Fresh Modern Fabrics on Etsy.  Alice is the woman behind the shop.  She takes fantabulous pictures, really inspiring and helpful stuff that pretty much transcends (for me) the need to shop in person.  She and I both seem to have a thing of helpful fabrics, so I'm often buying basics for my stash at Fresh Modern. 



This time I focused on gray fabrics.  I often shop with a color in mind after noticing a shortage in my stash.  Gotta keep all the hues in stock, kind of like paints or pastels, right?

Actually, Alie of Alie Makes just interviewed me about stashing habits.  if you'd like to hear a bit about what makes me tick, sewing-wise, how I choose fabrics and what I'd recommend to someone working on building a stash, run along and see the post.  Here's a little teaser...

-When did you first start sewing and quilting? Were there any influences as to why you started?

I started sewing in 2009, when I dusted off the boxes that had long stored my childhood collection of My Little Ponies, sold them and used the money to buy my first sewing machine and my first fabrics.  I still remember that grand purchase.  It was a huge lot of glorious fabric from Sew Love Fabrics, including an almost-complete set of Anna Maria Horner's Good Folks collection.  In fact, I think Anna deserves a lot of credit for enticing me to take the leap!  I was also drawn in by bloggers and sewing books that painted such colorful possibilities.  About six months into "drip, drip" sewing I made my first quilt.  Since then it's been a rush, a river of making.

For the rest of the interview, click on over!  Thanks for having me, Alie.  I always welcome a chance to ramble on about fabric...

voile Patchwork Curtains

There's no hiding it - I HEART these curtains.  Combined with the patchwork chair covers... I think this make is a personal favorite.  I'm so. completely. stoked. that I get to look at all this color each and every day. How lucky am I?  Completely blessed!  I can even see these happy fabrics from outside my house as I'm walking in.  It's a bit of personality peaking out the windows, and I love it.  I love it.  I LOVE it!

So, now that I've unloaded a few buckets of enthusiasm I'll pull it together to share some details.

#1  My patchwork voile curtains are composed of 100% Anna Maria Horner voiles.  Most are from her Little Folks collection.  Adding in the black Maybe print (Innocent Crush), the aqua Tambourine print (Field Study) and the oversized saffron dot print (Field Study) brought a more funky vibe to the whole thing.  That and the odd-sized cut rectangles and squares.  I improvised with color and scale.

#2 If you'd like to make voile curtains here are some tips.  Use a microtex sharp needle.  It's finer for this silky fabric.  Also, sew French seams so you don't have to line them!  It's lovely how the light filters through.  Make quick work of hemming the edges and then the bottom seam with a rolled hem foot.  I refreshed my how-to-use memory right here. That foot saves so much time and looks awesome!  (FYI, you're seeing the curtain from the wrong side above.)

#3  Make ribbon tabs for an easy (and cheap) way to attach to a curtain rod.  One 10 yard roll of ribbon was more than enough for my entire project.  I actually had this gray ribbon at home, so this way I didn't have to run out and buy metal ring/clips!  I sewed the tabs into the top seam and then topstitched to secure them in the proper position.

That should do it!  Really, curtains are an easy project if you're going for straight and simple like this - especially if you don't need a lining.   The drape of voile and it's sheer airiness... Sublime.  We need more voile curtains in the world.  Go forth and make! 

You can find a nice selection of Anna Maria Horner voiles at these shops:  Pink Chalk Fabrics, Fabricworm, and Lark Cottons. 

Enjoy!

Scrap Challengers!

Goodness!  I'm back from picking my kids up from VBS, and chatting at 100 miles per hour about new friends, new independence and favorite fun moments over lunch.  Can I just say that as a homeschool mom, I love VBS (Vacation Bible School- it's a week-long day camp some churches do for the community).  Anyhoo, now the kiddos are in rest time, so it's time to announce our 4 lucky, Canadian scrap challengers.

Thanks for sharing your ideas for our Fabric Spot Summer Lovin' bundle.  Soooo many good ideas, from renovated sewing chests to runners.  Do remember that there's a fair bit of luck to which ideas get chosen.  As in, do I feel like purses today?  My only hard fast rule is to include both contestants I know (as in, I've seen them around the vastness that is blogland) and contestants whose spaces I had the pleasure of visiting for the first time through this process. Without further ado, our challengers are...

Laura of Waffle Kisses, also president of the Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild in the capital of Canada.  I had to concur with Laura  - that's pretty Canadian.  Actually, I know Laura from do. Good Stitches where she serves as quilter for the Happiness circle.  I was mostly beguiled by this...

Do I have a strange thing for pianos, or do you love that photo op too?  Laura's always shooting her do. Good Stitches blocks like this so we go "way back" with my repetitive photo appreciation in Flickr comments, lol.  But, really, Laura's idea was to make a tea party-themed set of items including tea bags, mini bunting and a mug rug.  We won't hold her to the particulars, but some tea time fun - that we will expect!

Michelle of Michele Made Me, where her multi-talented craftiness practically leaps off the screen. 

Michele proclaims herself a "scrapper in my heart of hearts".   When I tra-la-la-la visited her blog and came across this fantastic image in her "What is Beautiful..." post, I was sunk then and there.  Can I just stop and make blocks like these today please? Oh wait, this challenge is about other people making stuff...  Well, Michele, the ball's in your court.  (Any readers who need their socks knocked off, take a glance at her hexagon quilt.)

Carla from My Half Dozen Daily, who said, "I absolutely LOVE the bright fun colours of this bundle!! If you take a peek on my blog you'll see that bright & fun are what I'm all about! :) I think these delicious fabrics are just begging to be made into a summer bag of some sort & wallet!"

And first image on Carla's blog...

If that's not bright and summery, I don't know what is!  I think Carla is our gal for that fun summer bag. 

And, Patti at Retired to Quilt.  She's another do. Good Stitches member who had a very specific idea - Kaleidoscope cushions!  I'd love to see that, wouldn't you?

Patti, you definitely have the skills.  Time to show them off!

And if you're thinking, "she totally should have picked me", you're probably right!  I'll try to pick you next time.  A great big thanks to Fabric Spot for this fun challenge.  We'll totally do it again sometime!  (And, if the Summer Lovin' bundle had your name written all over it, do visit Fabric Spot to get what's meant to be yours.)

Have fun, challengers!  We can't wait to see what you cook up!!!

Love in Sunny Cabins

Thanks to your helpful comments, this weekend I hand tied and finished my latest do. Good Stitches quilt.  It's Love in Sunny Cabins, made in collaboration with the Love circle!

Since the members of my circle made these blocks with quilt-as-you-go, it was easy peasy to finish her up.  A big thanks to each member for contributing lovely blocks:  Ara Jane, Natalie, Jacey, Deborah, Cat, Elizabeth, Alia, Kristan and Amanda.

I did it!  I hand tied this quilt with... YARN!  Yippee!  After confirming that the yarn was colorfast (soak clippings in hot water in a clear glass bowl, then hold over white surface to check for bleeding) I opted for the silk/wool blend yarn.  I dug through my stash of hand sewing needles to find the biggest, strongest looking ones.  Ended up using a darning needle and a crewel needle.  The packages said 1/5 as the size, and contained a range of sizes.  I used the largest. 

It still took a fair bit of tugging to get through the quilt, but it happened, it worked, so long as I didn't try to run the needle through the seam allowance part, where the batting is 2 layers thick.  When the needle got stuck, I used a balloon as a gripper on the advice of a reader.  Thanks for sharing that great tip!

The finished quilt is 56" x 70".  It feels a heftier than normal from all that dense quilting and the home dec wait backing I used...

It's from Ikea!  I've had it in my stash for awhile, kind of saving it, but this seemed to perfect to pass up.  I love the large, moody print as a backing.  It's a fun contrast to the bright and sunny front.  Also figured the dark color and tight weave will help this quilt hold up to lots of use.  Now it's off to Wrap Them in Love!

Hey, look who kept me company during the photo shoot.

Aria's decided to hand quilt around each star in her flag quilt.  The book called for the felt stars to be fused to the quilt, but we're finding that Steam-a-Seam Lite doesn't want to fuse felt for some reason.  Course, the hand quilting will be a lovely addition at any rate!

I'll leave you with Pretty.  Color, color!