Swap Sewing and Super Tote Review

I've been a little busy lately with my new job and some swap items.  I am in both the FLiRTS swap and the Sew Sew Modern 2 swap.  Both groups have AMAZINGLY talented people so I really wanted to step it up a notch.

For the FLiRTS swap they have 3 levels and I signed up for the moderate level.  You tell your partner 5 items you would like and they will sew one up for you.  I chose to make the Noodlehead Divided Basket pattern but without the divider and I also didn't add the handles.  I think it will be a cute little basket either to hold scraps or fabric for projects.  It's a pretty good sized basket and went together very quickly (about a hour or 2 project without the paper piecing).  Just need to add a few items and then it will be shipped well ahead of the deadline.

This is my second time making the basket.  The first one I made I used the pattern exactly and it's going to be a baby shower gift.  I'm filling it with some lotions, etc. and diapers.  Possibly a changing pad if time allows.

I'm also in the Sew Sew Modern 2 swap on Flickr and have been blow away by the creativity of this group.  You make a large item and a small item that compliment each other.  I chose from the beginning to make a Big Little George pillow using the tutorial on Lilysquilts.  I love paper piecing but the curves were quite a challenge for me.  I do love how it turned out but I consider this the large items because of the amount of time put into it.  It's a small pillow though at 18".

I had been thinking about making a pouch or a fabric basket of some sort for the small item but then saw all of the great Super Tote's on Flickr and Instagram and felt the need to buy the pattern and give it a try.  The pattern went together so quickly.  It would be even quicker if I had cut all the pieces at once and then had them ready to sew.  I wanted to start sewing right away so went for the instant gratification and made the front pocket first.

I was able to finish the front pocket quickly and the exterior went together fast also.   I used a layer of interfacing to the exterior and also used a layer of duck to make it feel more sturdy.  I finished the interior yesterday and love how it turned out.  I really like the inset zipper feel it makes the tote look so much more professional.  I also love the gussets on the sides and how much you can fit into this tote.  I can easily fit my laptop and other work stuff. 

Next time (and there will be a next time very soon I feel) I will add a pocket on both sides and make one of them a zip pocket.   Next time I will add a zipper pocket and a flat pocket to oen side of the interior and only make the elastic pockets on 1 side.



Nice and roomy with elastic pockets on both sides





Love the inset zipper!!





Finished Super Tote!



The entire tote took me approx. 8 hours to complete.  This was spread out over a few days though.   I was able to use all fabrics from my stash.  The pattern can be purchased at  http://www.noodle-head.com/p/patterns.html and is a great deal at $8.

This will be mailed off in the next day or 2 as soon as I find a few fun extras to send.   Now off to work on some charity quilt blocks for a Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild.

Have a great week!

Jill

February Finishes and March Goals

Ok, so it's only March 4th so I'm not really that late at posting my February Finishes.

 My big finish of the month is the Starburst Quilt Along over at Happy Quilting.  I finished the top!!!  I wanted to make the larger size but unfortunately some of the fat quarters that I purchased weren't actually a fat quarter and were cut wonky.  So I put a scrappy border on the quilt to make it queen size.  It did require a quick trip to Creekside Quilting on Saturday where they thankfully had some of the Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabric left.  Now I have to schedule some time on the long arm to get this baby quilted.  It's going to be raffled this fall during the Harvest Festival to support the Le Roy Presbyterian Church.

I also finished a sewing machine cover for my partner in the FLiRTS swap on Flickr.  I made it reversible so she can change up the look if she wants.



She hasn't received it yet so I'm not showing the embroidery.

March Goals

Typically we are really busy at work in the spring so I don't know how much extra time I will have but I do have 2 goals this month.

1)  My Madrona Road challenge for the Modern Quilt Guild.  The Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild didn't get our fabrics until later due to a weather delay so they are due on March 21st.  I used a  lucky star pattern by Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy and made a 6" star.  Hopefully this will turn into a quilting kit that will fit my 6" cutting board, trimmer, etc so I can take them to quilting days for the guild.

2)  It's my Mom's birthday this month.  I would like to make her a tote bag that she can take to the gym with her.  I'm thinking this one with different fabric of course.  I may do a quilt as you go and make it scrappy.  She is coming to visit in May so I really don't have it have it done until then, unless I want to send it to her.

Simplicity 2274 Tote by Jeni Baker  http://www.incolororder.com/2011/08/travel-handmade-simplicity-2274-pattern.html



I did get a cute little pouch as a pay it forward from LethargisLass'  I absolutely love it and it brightened my day.


That's all for today folks but there will be some exciting news posted on the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild site in a few days!

Jill

A Lovely Year of Finishes: February Goals

I'm pretty excited about my February Goals.  It is a short month so I'll try to keep it realistic.

#1  Finish the top for the Starburst Quilt along.  I have been doing pretty well keeping up with the quilt along which is a first for me.  I need to piece together the 4 big stars and then add sashing and I'm going to add a border.  This is what I have so far:

#2 I am going to finish the sewing machine cover for the FLiRTS swap on Flickr.  I have the front done and am working on a back to make it reversible. 


I absolutely love the fabric in the center of the stars.




I have embroidered a little something in the white area but don't want to show it yet just in case.

 #3  Granny Square Quilt - I need to decide if I should leave it the size it is or if I should make 4 more blocks to make it a little longer.  I just need to get this one finished.

There are the goals for this month.  I think they are doable.

Good Luck Everyone!

Jill

Weekend Sewing Fun!

It was the Sewing Day for the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild.  I had a list of things to accomplish.  I didn't get through them all but I'm pretty happy with what I did get done.

With the help of Penny and Leila I was able to figure out knife edge binding for my DQS mini that will be sent out soon.  I finished hand sewing the back today while watching football.  The binding is on the back of the quilt only so it matches the backing fabric.  I left a little gap at the top so a dowel rod will fit in for hanging.  I'll make a little extra pouch for this and fill it with scraps to send off also and then this swap will be complete.  I'm nervous about what my swap partner will think but I LOVE how it turned out.

I was able to cut the fabrics for the StarBurst Quilt A Long with Happy Quilting.  I probably won't keep on the schedule (because I'm a slacker like that) but I'll try my best.  I cut out the middle size that finishes at 76 x 76 because the fat quarter pack that I purchased wasn't cut very well and I didn't have enough fabric for the large size.  When you purchase fabric online make sure you trust the store to sell you the right amounts.  I think it will still work out well because I'm making a queen size for the Le Roy Presbyterian Church auction this fall and I'll add a colorful border.

I got a good start on the swap item for my FLiRT partner.  I'm going to add some embroidery in the white area to personalize it a bit.  I'm thinking about making this double sided.  I have some Moda American Jane Rulers that I'm going to use on the back and as ties. 

I didn't get a start on the Madrona Road Challenge or do any more Granny Squares but I'm ok with that.  For the other 4 Granny Squares I'm going to use scraps only and the scraps didn't make it into the building.

The sewing day was held in Ankeny and I don't get up there all that often so a quick trip to the Quilters Cupboard was in order.  I found a charm pack of Noteworthy and picked up a 1/2 yard of the texty print to go with it.  I'm thinking about possibly using a little for the back of my FLiRTS.  They had the 2 1/2" squares there also (which were adorable) but cost $4.50 and the charm pack cost $10.00 so really it's more economical to buy the charm pack right?  At least that's what I'm telling myself.

January Progress

Hi Everyone,

I'm doing pretty well with my January goal.    Blogger isn't letting me upload photos though so there are a lot of links in this post.  Sorry!

I am finished with the piecing and quilting for my Mariner's Compass mini quilt.  This is my project for the DQS swap, hopefully my partner loves it because it's going to be hard to ship off.  After getting some advice at the DSMMQG meeting last night I have decided to add a Knife Edge Binding.  Wish me luck!

I have 4 more blocks for my Granny Square quilt and then to piece it together.  I have the backing purchased (clearance Amy Butler bedding from BB&B, score) and I'm thinking about quilting it at home rather than taking it to the long-arm.  We'll have to see because it's only going to be a lap quilt it wouldn't cost that much on the long-arm and I think it would take me forever at home. 

Have you seen the Starburst Quilt A Long by Happy Quilting?  I am in LOVE and think this is the perfect quilt for the church Harvest Festival raffle this fall.  Since it's only 4 squares it shouldn't take me that long to make it right?  I picked out my fabrics, I just happened to have a Fat Quarter set of 13 Joel Dewberry Heirloom prints.  I should be able to cut them this week at the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild quilting day. 

My goals for the Sewing Day:

- Cut the fabric for the Starburst Quilt A Long
- Finish 4 Granny Squares and piece the top together
- Finish the Knife Edge Binding for the Mariners Compass DQS
- Start a sewing maching cover for my partner in the FLiRTS swap

Have a great day and wish me luck!

Jill

Serious Slacker in 2012

So I was a slacker in 2012.  Especially with this blog.  Sorry about that but this year I have joined a new challenge it's called A Year of Lovely Finishes  there is also info posted on Sew Bittersweet Designs and Fiber of All Sorts. You pick a project that you want to complete during the month and post it to their linky and flickr.  Hopefully this will encourage me to finish some UFO's that I have.

My January Project is going to be my Doll Quilt Swap 13 quilt.

I have the fabrics picked out and my paper piecing pattern.  So it's just sew, sew, sew.  I hope to make it around 18".  The mailing deadline isn't until the middle of February but I would like it done sooner.

I have a few other projects that I would like to finish in January also but they aren't as urgent

- Bind my lattice quilt
- Finish 2 placemats for Meals on Wheels

I have finished a few projects lately so some eye candy for your pleasure:

Bee Blocks for Manda

My finishes for 2012.  There are a few more but this is the majority.  A lot of bee blocks and swaps in there.  I did finish 4 baby quilts (3 have been gifted already) and 1 queen size that was raffled to support the Le Roy Presbyterian Church.  All in all a good year but I would like to finish more actual quilts this year and probably will scale back on the swaps.

Happy 2013 everyone!