Summer Quilt Decor

Greetings Blog Friends!

I've been working on a very fun ensemble for the last couple of weeks.  A quilt and three throw pillows in very colorful, summery fabrics in blues, reds, greens, yellows and whites.  As I was decorating for summer recently, the sofa seemed very bare and boring.  I decided that is sorely needed decoration, and so a plan for some sprucing up was put into action.

In June of 2015, I made County Fair, a throw quilt using the A la Carte collection of fabrics from American Jane for Moda.  It is a disappearing four patch patterns that used both charm squares (5" squares) and yardage from that line.  You can see the finished quilt here.  Because I was going for a certain look for this quilt, I wound up using parts of not one, but two charm packs, which left a number of charms left over.  Well, after hanging out in the stash pile for four long years, they will finally see the light of day again.  

Meanwhile, in the time since then, I acquired a jelly roll in the same colorway named "Lorraine", also by designers American Jane for Moda.  The prints are similar in nature and blended together well.  So here is what I made:

A quilt that I have named Summer Picnic.  The pattern is from Missouri Star Quilt Company, "Stack and Flip Quilt".  I changed the pattern a bit, using only 30 strips instead of 33 and tightened up the borders and sashing a bit so I could use 1 yard of off-white Kona cotton that I had in the stash.  Basically, the strips are all sewn together in a stack.  You then trim the stack and slice it into three columns of varying widths.  After you add sashing to the middle slice, you invert it, then sew the slices back together and add borders.  A simple construction technique that also adds some visual interest.   For backing, I purchased a blue and green print from a quilt shop having a fantastic clearance sale...I got it for $4.00 a yard!  Finished size:  50" x 66"

Three throw pillows.  These are a blend of both fabric lines and are 100% from the stash.  

1.  This one is made from jelly roll strips.  Pattern is from a gal named Brandvig, who lives in Seattle and writes a quilting blog, "Quilting in the Rain".  Size: 16" x 16".  This was made from the leftover strips from the quilt.

2.  This one is made from 84 2 1/2" squares, which I cut from both left over jelly rolls and charm squares.  Size 14" x 14".  This is made from scraps and leftovers.  A totally stash-busting project.

3.  This is a nine-patch, using charm squares and a thin border.  Size 14" x 14".  Again, made from all fabrics from the stash.

I reused the pillow forms (from pillows coordinating with Love Is All You Need quilt).  

The two quilts and pillows coordinate beautifully.  Happy Day and Happy House!

So, I'll bet you're wondering...with all this stash sewing going on, is the stash getting any smaller.  The answer is.....Sadly, No!  But, to a quilter, it's not a bad thing!  LOL


Construction Update:  The room addition is built, just waiting for other contractors to finish.  In the meantime, the house is getting a facelift with new siding and new garage door.  Progress is being made!!

Till next time....A Stitch In time Reprise

Old and New Dining Room Decor

Happy Summer, Blog Friends!

I'm still working on the summer decor items I mentioned last week.  I'll have those finished, however, for next week's post.  

I do have something to share with all of you, tho...some old and new dining room decor!  The old is a my dining room table, newly refinished and the new is a cute table runner just completed.

We've had this table for 12 years, and bought it as a used set in 2007.  We refinished the table top just after we acquired it, and again about 5 years ago.  Well, it was beginning to show wear and tear, especially after the move last year and it was time for a facelift.  As is the case with roof shingles (you can only shingle over two layers), we found that you can only refinish the poly twice on a surface.  So, I sanded for three days and took the finish all the way down to bare wood.  Two coats of stain and three coats of poly later, and voilá! Finished!

The runner is made from 5" charms and yardage from the Farm Girl Vintage Fabric line by Riley Blake.  The pattern was designed by Lori Holt.  The 5" charms were cut down to a rectangle, then corner, side and top pieces were applied.  The finished blocks are 5 1/2" x 5 1/2, definitely smaller than what I usually work with.  33 blocks make up the body of the runner, size 17" x 57".  I quilted it in an all-over meander pattern.

I love the fabrics and the general pattern of the runner.  Making this project reminded me why I don't do many small scale items!  

Next week...summer decor items!  Till then...

Summer Table Mat

Greetings Blog Friends,

So...I joined a Wool Mat of the Month club online.  So what is that?, you ask...

Well, check out Shabby Fabrics online.  They offer the cutest projects, some to be completed by machine and others by hand.  I have admired their wool hand sewing kits and projects for some time.  

I joined the Simply Sweet Wool Mat Club.  They send a pattern and the wool pieces needed to complete the mat.  Each one arrives the first week of each month.  My first mat arrived in May (for June) and featured strawberries.  I did not get to that one, as you know I was busy sewing (check out the posts June Queue Update #1, #2).  My second mat arrived in early June (for July) and fit in so well with my summer decor.  It features a patriotic theme of red and blue stars on an off-white background.  

I decided to switch gears and make this mat.  I have the perfect spot for it...check out this grouping in my hallway niche.  The mat fits perfectly in this spot and anchors my collection of patriotic ornaments.  The mat is sewn totally by hand, including applique of the all pieces and embroidery accents.  I love it!

  

I keep the red, white and blue summer decor up from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so I still have two months to enjoy it.  As for the June mat and others to come, I have a special spot in mind for each one and plan to make them in evenings while relaxing in front of the TV.  

More summer decor to show you next time.  Till then...

June Queue Update, Part 2 and DONE!

Greetings Blog Friends,

More projects from the Queue List to report on:

Project using Pillow Form.  My summer Fireplace decor.  I made another bench pillow cover...this one was totally from the stash.  Pattern:  "America...Land That I Love" by Kimberbell.

Project using Jelly Roll.  The Jelly Roll Rug (above) in Red, White and Blue was also totally from the stash.  The dark blue strips were leftover from the spring rug jelly roll and I cut the remaining strips from fabrics on hand.  I like it...No additional purchases on either hearth project!  (NOTE:  I didn't make the bear in the basket, but I though he made a nice addition to the decor!)

Project using Jelly Roll.  Not a quilt, not a rug, but a Jelly Roll Tote Bag.  I saw this project at a local quilt shop.  The jelly roll was a purchase at Missouri Star Quilt Company, from my recent bus trip in April.  When I saw this jelly roll at MSQC, it grabbed me (red and white, of course).  I bought it and coordinating yardage without a specific project in mind.  The yardage has been put to good use...as my kitchen curtain valance, as strips in the Red, White and Blue rug, and as binding and lining for this bag.  The bag handles has been in the stash for a number of years, just waiting for a project to call home.  The sewing technique is very similar to that of the jelly roll rug.  I changed the pattern up just a bit to add a lining and top binding.  Fabrics from Scarlet Romance collection by Blank Quilting, Bag Handles by Cindy's Button Company, pattern is "Anything Goes" by Aunties Two Patterns.  Size 16" H x 19" L with and 8" side gusset.

Project using a Printed Panel.  Fabrics look familiar?  Yes, these are the last of the leftovers from the A Stitch In Time quilt (see it here) and curtain valances for my craft room.  I've had the panel and pattern for a number of years.  The sewing theme of the fabrics is perfect for it!  I added a lining and the closure flap and done!  With this project, all fabrics in this collection are used up!  Size 18" H x 20 " wide with a 4" side gusset.  Pattern:  Ultimate Quilt Show Tote Bag by Jeanne Coverdale.  Panel is by Block Party Studios Corp.

And so, friends, the June project queue is complete:
One  Two projects involving a jelly rolls.  Hearth rug and tote bag.
One project involves a garment sewing pattern.  Duster housecoat for me!
One project involves gathered eyelet trim.  Accent pillow for craft room decor.
One project involves a printed panel.  Quilt show tote bag, Accent pillow for room.
One  Two projects involving a curtain rod.  Window valances for kitchen and craft room.
More than one project involve pillow forms.  Hearth bench pillow, throw pillows to match Love Is All You Need, accent pillow for craft room.

Our building project is moving along, albeit very slowly.  It's hard to build up any momentum when it rains every other day!  This is the progress as of today:

Floor joists and subfloor done.  The next step is walls.

Yay!  I have a couple more summer sewing projects (hopefully quick ones!) for this week, then on to July's focus...scrapbooking!

Till next time.....