Plaidly Pocket Quilt Finished!

I shared yesterday that I finished the plaid quilt I was working on!

It's marvelous!

Here are some of the finishing photos and the real unveiling!  When I last shared here, I was still in need of binding.

I decided on continuing the scrappy theme into the binding.  Also, remember that blue stars fabric?  It finally made it's appearance with some of the other fabrics I was working with for the top.

Yes, Katie continued her quality checks throughout the process.  Here you can see the quilt laid out with the loose binding cut out and laid on top.  Katie looks smitten, doesn't she?

I did have to cut a bit all the way around to square up the quilt.  Yes, it moved.  It always moves, doesn't it?  I have a neat idea on ways to use those small pieces of batting and fleece -- I'll have to show you soon!

This photo gives you a better look at the quilting pattern I went with.  And the binding is pinned and ready for sewing!

Sewing up the binding is always so nerve wrecking.  But, I didn't break any more needles and the binding went fairly smoothly!

Fast forward to the next morning and I was ready step back and take it all in!  So purdy!  I really like how the design turned out and that pocket totally rocks my socks!! 

Oh, and don't you like that little pop of royal blue from the binding?

Here is a close up of the flannel.  This is really one quilt that is meant to be touched before you can say you have really experienced it.  It feels so darn soft!!

A quick peak of the soft blue-gray fleece used for the backing.

This was certainly one photogenic and adorable lap quilt!  So, you may still be wondering who I made this quilt for.  I told you it was for a guy.  Any guesses?

The answer... this past Friday I gifted this quilt to my lovely step-father.  He is still healing and regaining strength from an operation last year and he mentioned that he is cold a lot -- especially this time of year.  That's what got my juices flowing.  Maybe a nice warm quilt to snuggle with would keep him warm like a nice big hug.

When I gave it to him, I kind of just plopped a folded up bundle into his arms and told him I made it for him.  He grinned, I grinned, Mom grinned, bro grinned, bro's fiancee grinned. 

Dad unfolded it and said it was really nice.  I told everyone they had to touch it -- it's so soft!!  Dad draped it on his lap and I think little tears were forming in the corner of my eyes. 

It's really touching to see him so surprised and happy!  That moment is what I focused on with each stitch I put into the fabric.  That is the moment I will remember for what I am sure will be a long long time!

I will also be sharing this at Amylouwho's Sew and Tell!  You can see other fabulous sewing projects finished this week here.

Plaidly Update and Fabric Loving

I am making some serious progress on the Plaidly Pocket Quilt!  The quilting is nearly done, I am moving to quilt the outer most row tonight.  I'm not looking forward to binding, but will muster the nerve to get on it!  If you know of a binding tutorial... could you be a doll and leave it for me in the comments or email me with it?  Purdy please?

I have done a lot of pinning and re-pinning over the last few days.  Pinning and I aren't BFF.

This quilt has also been interesting since I broke one needle and bent two others in a matter of a few hours.  After the first one, I was thinking ohhhh this happens.  After the second one, I was thinking I am so doing something wrong.  The third made me look everything over and I think I nipped it.

I couldn't be happier with how the quilting is coming out overall.  The quilting I decided on is adding to the plaid square look nicely and I enjoy holding this quilt so much -- its so darn soft!!  It has been pure joy putting this together and I just can't wait to see it to it's new home shortly!

I have also taken out a bunch of other fabrics to be put on the chopping block (cutting block?).  Once I start getting into these sewing grooves I get pretty obsessed with making things and just gotta keep rolling.  Hurt me, right?

Can you see what these will become?  It's funny... I can look at fabric stacks like these and already start to see in my head what they will be.  I know... it's some sort of sickness isn't it.  Either way.. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way!

I was also recently inspired by Miranda at Miranda and Charlie (who I met through Stash Manicure) to do something with my scraps (who were sadly stuffed in a box and mostly unseen for a year).  Here is what Miranda did.  She took her scraps and put them in a pretty glass jar.  So simple, so genius!!  Such a cool way to be able to see all the scraps together for inspiration!!  Below are pictures of Miranda's scrappy jar.

Here is my attempt at putting together a scrappy jar. 

I took a vase that wasn't being used and stuffed the 'ole scraps in the there (they're free of that boring dark box)! 

It really is fun to reach in and grab a scrap and remember what else that fabric was included in.  It's also helpful to see all the scraps mixed together like this.  As, I spin the vase I can start to visualize different things I want to try!

And yes, that is pirate skull and cross bones ribbon.  It's ok to have ribbon in my scrappy jar -- after all ribbon needs love too!

I'm feeling so full of ideas today and am being sure to jot them all down.  Can't wait to get back to my sewing machine!

Friday Night Sew-In

Friday Night Sew-In, hosted by Homemade by Heidi,  is all about committing to 'you time' to work on a sewing project each month.

In order to prep for my intense sewing session I picked up a few things to make my sewing machine happier.  I also learned about the need to oil my sewing machine from time to time.  Whoops.  Before last night, I had never.  Last night was interesting.

So, I started to take apart the sewing machine to clean it really well... all I wanted to do was add a few drops of oil where the metal parts touch metal parts and then be back in business.  Have you ever taken apart a sewing machine?  Urrggg!  Let's just say I learned a lot.  And I have extra pieces.  Ya, don't ask. 

Oh, and huge huge shout out to my darlin' Mr Happy.  I love that man!!  I would still have an out of commission sewing machine if it weren't for him.  Yup, he saves me like that a lot.  Certainly one of the reasons I love him so much!!

After the take apart and cleaning adventure it was already late.  Ya, feeling like I failed Friday Night Sew-In I went to bed.

But, my machine now runs like-a-butta!!  I'm talking smooth as a baby's butt awesome!  I think that's why I woke up bright and early and got a quick start on what I was originally planning. 

I have a lot of detail shots to share today.  I promise to reveal the final quilt as soon as I finish it off and gift it (remember I told you here about starting this Plaidly Quilt for a special guy in my life?)

I loaded up a few bobbins of my new metal bobbins with pretty blue thread.

I added more borders to increase the size of this lap quilt.

I used a lot of pins as the piece got bigger!

I added some fun details with hand sewing.

My incredible assistant was never too far away.  After all, someone has to quality inspect the softness what will be the backing.

I think this is a passed inspection, don't you?  Thanks Katie!

I laid out the backing and cut it to size in order to start the sandwich part of the quilt.  A little gray-blue fleece, the pieced top with squishy and warm batting in the middle.  My kind of sandwich!!

And, good news!  The sandwich has also passed softness quality inspection.  Love love love that dog!!

So, there you have it.  Another happy sewing adventure.  I made great progress and should be able to get a good start on the quilting tonight.

I am very glad to have another excuse to close myself in my sewing room and churn away!!  You can check out other Friday Night Sew-In participants here.

Plaidly Manly Quilt

I am working on a quilt for a lovely person in my life who I want to make a tad bit warmer and snuggled!

The inspiration went as follows:

I had this pair of pants that didn't fit right, but I wanted to steal the pockets from it and incorporate them into a quilt.  Who doesn't want a quilt with a handy pocket?

The person I am making this for is of the male variety... so I dug through my fabrics and pulled all the manly colors and patterns out.

The blue swirls and stars fabric didn't end up getting used (yet) and it may not be used in this project.

As I started to pick through the fabric I noticed a cool theme of plaids.  With all that action in the fabric already, I knew I would benefit from a simple pattern.

Like squares!!

I was feeling a bit lazy to follow a particular quilt pattern, so I just started cutting the fabrics into strips and then squares of three sizes with a lap size quilt in my head. 

This quilt has been itching to come out of my head for a few weeks now and it's great to see it shaping up like I thought it might.

Once I had lots of squares all stacked up... I started to lay them out into a sort of 'planned' pattern.  --read, I  made it all up here folks.

Yes, I'm on the floor and this is the layout I ended up liking the most.  I need to learn more about what a piecing wall is and figure out how to get one/make one pronto! 

Yes, fabric on the floor drove my doggy crazy.  At one point she leaped into the room and did a home run slide on all the loose squares and then ran out like a wild banshee!  See what I mean about needing that wall!

Dang, I love that dog!!

As of last night I have sewn most of the top together -- the middle, the borders, that cool pocket!!  And even though I free hand cut the squares, they fit -- phew, perfection doesn't really live here, this is more about love and comfort!

I am still not sure if it's big enough... its coming in about 45 x 36... but I will make a final sizing decision once I get the rest of the pieces together tonight.

A closer look at the pocket that started this whole thing.  Doesn't it look neat with those different sized squares surrounding it?

I'm thinking you could put tissues, or a cell phone, or a fork and knife, or a pretty letter in that pocket.  The options are really endless -- well I guess the size is limited, but you know what I mean :)

All the fabric to this point was left over or saved from other projects... but I didn't have anything for the back that said "uber soft and warm -- like a big big hug." 

So, I picked up this very light blue-gray fleece material and can't wait to start making up a big 'ole plaidly sandwich.

I'm hoping to have this sewn together, loose threads clipped, quilted, and binded by the end of the weekend.  Really looking forward to putting this quilt in the person's hands!!  Yes, I'll tell you more once I gift it!

Linking to My Creative Space hosted by Kootoyoo, where you can see lots of other creative works in progress and kicking the Midweek Blues with Rebecca at The Dusty Cellar.

Let it Rain!

I don't really mean that.  In fact, I am not looking forward to rain at all.  I technically haven't had my fill of snow yet.  But... with spring on the brain, I couldn't resist these..

Do you know I haven't ever had a pair of rain boots?  So this is a real treat!!  And I got them at an awesome price.  

One step better?  I didn't wait till spring to break them in.  I took them for their first romp tonight.  In the backyard.  Through the snow.  With the dog.  It was a blast!!   Please ignore the rain, dirt, and leaves already on them.  But, I had to show you how awesome they are!!

 

 

Breaking the seasonal rules = happiness!

Stocking up on things that will make the April showers amazing = happiness!

Finding new ways to have a blast with the dog in the backyard = happiness!!

What do your rain boots look like?