Let’s join to together to spread love.
My sewing corner
This is my happy place right now. I wish I could spend a lot more time here. 
Sew Together bag- a win!
In my last post, I was rather down about sewing. But today I report a win that I am very happy about.
I got the iconic Sew Together pattern from Sew Demented. I feel really comfortable making zippered pouches, so I wanted to give this a shot.
Although there were some parts that took some thinking, this must be a wonderfully written pattern because I was able to follow it quite easily with very few mistakes.
It also served as a great skill builder for different sewing techniques. It didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would- I imagine if I did it all in one go a second time around, I could do it in less than 2 hours.
I used essex linen on the exterior, cotton and steel for the binding, and thoroughbred on the interior, and more cotton and steel on the pocket linings. I love love love it. I am probably going to have to make another. 🙂
Galaxy Mini Quilt- first quilt show
I first mentioned this mini-quilt in another post, and wanted to give an update since it is now finished, in some state.
As you can see, compared to my previous post, half of my intended mini is missing. When I started quilting the warm side, everything just went to crap. It wasn’t working, and I knew I was approaching melt-down. So I made an executive decision to go with just the cool colors. It’s approx 13″ x 13″.
For the quilting I was inspired by this tutorial from 107 Quilts: and used invisible thread
I’ll be honest. I am having severe anxiety about this. One thing about quilting that I have never been good at is perfection. The day I finished/turned it in for the quilt show, I cried MANY TEARS. I was so ashamed because it didn’t feel up to snuff and I truly tried the best I could.
I’m coping a little better now, but I might have another meltdown when I see it displayed next to to the other submissions from our guild.
But I’ve been listening to Elizabeth Gilbert’s book- Big Magic, and it reminded me that all creativity comes with fear and vulnerability, so I’m trying to embrace it in whatever way I can. I know that the upcoming year will hold many challenges creatively for me and require much bravery, so I guess this is a good way to start the year.
If you’re in the area, the Oklahoma City Winter Quilt Show is this coming weekend. Check it out!
Sewing Goals for 2015
I am not a big new year’s resolution person. Instead I choose topics to think about, work towards, or meditate on, but this year I do have some measurable goals for my sewing practice.
- Hand quilt something. Maybe something very small- a mug rug, a pin cushion. But hand quilt something.
- Quilt my Portland quilt. (uh, apparently I never even posted about that…but )
- Quilt my Botanics offset cross quilt.
- Take a long-arm certification class at Prairie Quilt to see if I like long-arm quilting.
- Learn how to use rivets in bag making.
- Make a sewing machine cubby.
- Show work in a quilt show. This is cheating because I know I’m showing something on the second weekend of January. I’m terrified; more about that later.
- Get more involved in my local quilt guild. Also cheating, because I was just elected to the board of my local quilt guild, haha.
I have some other goals that I want to define more and that are more personal to me. There are some items I want to design myself, which I’m sure will take some painful trial and error, but such is learning and growing.
2015 has been a blast. Can’t wait for 2016!
Sweet sewing gift
The awesome boyfriend got me an awesome Christmas gift- a sewing station! I have complained multiple times to him that I can’t get organized with my fabric, so he got me a cubby with bins, as well as hooks and a sewing light. Awesome job, boyfriend! I can’t wait to fill it up and get more fabric. 😉
Christmas sewing- sister’s quilt!
Long ago, I bought a layer cake of the Cotton + Steel line Mustang, because it reminded me of my sister. She loved horses growing up, and I loved the designs and metallic accents of the fabric.
A few months ago, I decided to make her a quilt this Christmas. It’s a simple stack and whack block, and I sashed it with Cotton + Steel sprinkles in gray.
It’s backed in two kinds of chambray and a stripe of cream and metallic gold stars.
She loved it. I love it. Happy Christmas to all. 🙂
Holiday sewing- the saga continues
I finished all 16 commissioned Roam zippered pouches!
I’m feeling pretty confident in my zipper pouch skills right now, haha.
But as I finished the home stretch, I had two sewing injuries. I sliced my thumb on a straight pin and got my finger caught up in the needle mechanism. It huuuuurt. And it still hurts.
I started a new job in May, and one of my coworkers has been super helpful and kind to me since I started, so I made her a pillow:
This picture can also be labeled, “straight talk- what my sewing table really looks like right now.”
I have one big project to finish before Christmas, but I am well on my way with it. Can’t share that one til after Christmas. 🙂
Ho ho ho!
Pattern testing- Venice!
I had the privilege to test another paper piecing pattern from Esther at iPatchandQuilt- Venice!
I’ve never been to Venice, but I love that her inspiration was historical architectural elements.
Since as I have been posting about all week, I’ve been bitten by the holiday bug, I wanted to use traditional holiday colors- red and green! And since the pattern lent itself to being interpreted as a wreath, I went with that.
This is a great pattern, easy to follow, no tiny pieces, and comes together pretty quickly. And it comes in a wide variety of sizes, which I love. I also love the monochromatic versions some of the testers did.
Holiday sewing- hexies!
I’ve tried to teach myself how to English paper piece a few times in the past couple of years, to no avail. Since I find myself spending quite a bit of time away from my sewing machine these days, I had renewed motivation to try. I found this tutorial that finally helped the pieces snap into place for me:
And I got busy! I have a few Christmas fabrics that I’d wanted to make wall hangings out of, so I have been fussy-cutting and hexieing them up! 🙂
I’ve been on the lookout for modern hexie projects. I am excited to have this new technique available to me now!
Sweet Marie's Sewing Room 