it's a frenzy!
Hi y'all! The last time I posted, I was playing in snow - we ended up getting six inches, and lost power for two days. woot. it was actually sort of fun at first - we dragged our mattress out to the den and sat by the fire and played Scrabble by candlelight. It became not as fun when we woke up the next morning and it was COLD in our house.
But, I shall not complain, because today, a week later, it is 75 degrees. It's beautiful outside! It's also Spring Break at UGA, so I might take a couple of days off this week for the heck of it. We'll see how busy work is.
I've been really busy crafting lately, both knitting AND sewing. I finally finished my second quilt - a baby quilt for my dear friends Drew and Joanna, also know at the Teamies.
Stacked Coins.
I used the Stacked Coins pattern from Last Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts, which is a seriously lovely and awesome book. There are great directions in the back for basting your quilt, quilting, and also two different ways to do the binding. I love this book. And I think would be an excellent first quilt for anyone - it's very forgiving if you aren't so good at cutting straight (like me, for instance). I think the real challenge with this quilt is picking awesome colors.
So, finishing that quilt has made me want to make MORE quilts. and sew. A LOT. My Flickr contacts can attest to my, um, crazed sewing frenzy lately.
yay sewing time!
For the box bags, I've been using this fantastic tutorial by drago[knit]fly, with the modifications found here. It took me a few tries to understand what I was doing, but now I am comfortable doing it without checking the tutorial every five seconds.
Also, the zipper wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! The hardest thing for me is cutting STRAIGHT. I am so bad at it, and yes I have a rotary cutter and cutting mat and rulers and still I suck at it. that's why I need to make all of these bags! to practice!
For the zipper pouches, I used Caro's sew a zippered wristlet tutorial - super clear and she has a great Flickr set with detailed photos to go along with it. The zipper on top is harder for me - I haven't quite figured it out yet. but I'm getting there. The last little purse is this free pattern called the Buttercup Bag at Made by Rae.
Ack, I have the sewing bug, y'all. Next up, after eleventy million bags, is a quilty wall hanging for our den. I've chosen a dark brown background and some variations on teal and aqua as my color palette (because that's what is already in our den):
fabric pile.
I'm still nailing down exactly what I want to do, but I think I've got a plan. A loose plan.
I haven't totally abandoned knitting though! I'm still plugging away on both my Tapestry Cowl and my Francis Revisited:
I'm getting really close!
As you can see, I opted for short sleeves - it's already getting hot here again, and I want to be able to wear this year-round. well, maybe not in August, but you know what I mean. I can't wait for this sweater to be finished!
That's about it for now. Work is good, and I'm still BODYPUMPing (although this week is Spring Break so it's canceled. I guess I could get out and run or walk since it's so nice out. maybe.) I know some of you are still having wintry weather - I hope spring heads your way soon!
Comments (24)
Wow! Way to sew up a storm! I've had the sewing bug lately too, though I haven't been nearly as productive as you!
Gotta make some boxes...
Posted by ali | March 26, 2009 9:09 PM
'course you know any of that fabric that's left over is called STASH - so now you've got 2 - Yarn STASH and Fabric STASH. And it's just as addicting. You really should get you an 18" clear quilting type ruler - about 6 or so inches wide - that will really help. I'm actually going to the paducah quilt show with my sister at the end of April where I can accumulate more stash. I haven't blogged or posted any of my quilty pics 'cause I can't find the cable to my camera - I've ordered another so if I ever get my blog updated . . . BTW - for quilty blogs, my very favorite is www.blockaday.com - she lives in Australia so she's getting ready for winter as we prepare for spring and SUMMER!!
Posted by robin | March 24, 2009 9:01 PM
you have been on a sewing roll lately! i love the quilt and all your box bags :)
Posted by gleek | March 19, 2009 5:56 PM
Those box bags are so cute! I'm so going to make some of those. Great presents.
Do you have a clear plastic ruler? You can use that as a cutting guide with your rotary cutter. Just hold it down firmly and run the cutter along the edge. That's the only way I can cut in a straight line with a rotary cutter. Or you can use the ruler to draw a chalk mark, then use scissors.
Posted by April | March 19, 2009 12:50 AM
cuuuuute bags!
Posted by buggyknits | March 18, 2009 4:36 PM
Those items are just so gorgeous!
Posted by emy | March 18, 2009 7:48 AM
I love your sewing!! I've caught a mild version of the bug myself...I must know, where do you get your fabric?? I LOVE everything!! Seriously, would love to know where you get it.
Posted by Julie | March 17, 2009 12:46 PM
Yea for those bags, and yea for sewing! looks good!
Posted by Katie B | March 16, 2009 10:31 AM
You have been busy making millions of cute things - thanks for sharing!
That patchwork book is amazing!! I love the quilt you made and now I think I will have to put that on my list of things to make. : )
Posted by kristin | March 12, 2009 5:32 PM
I am totally buying that patchwork book now...thanks!
Posted by Stacey | March 11, 2009 9:51 PM
Ahhh another person who has stepped into the dark side!! I caught the sewing bug last year too. But no quilting yet....I have the same cutting problem you do. All your sewing FO's are awesome! You're really making me want to try a quilt.
Posted by monica | March 11, 2009 4:24 PM
Oooooooo. Lucky girl with the quilting. When I graduate, I'm going to expand to other (non-knitting) projects,too! Nice job on Francis, btw!
Minnesota weather is awful today. I call it "Snice" which is snow/ice mixed. (Seems too much like Minnesota "nice"). I slipped past my driveway at 15mph in a 4wd Jeep. Yikes.
Did you want a weather report? No? Haha.
Posted by Holly | March 10, 2009 8:15 PM
Thank you thank you thank you for posting the links to the Box Bag Tutorials. I wanted to make a few as gifts when I visit friends in France this spring and this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Once again Carrieoke delivers. I love your quilt, by the way... great colors.
Posted by Amanda | March 10, 2009 12:19 PM
super cute sweater so far!
and i am definitely not looking at any of that sewing stuff. definitely not until the yarn stash is in better order. or possibly until i have a shiny NEW craft room in nyc to fill up with stuffs...
Posted by chelsea | March 10, 2009 10:46 AM
Yay for the sewing bug! I ordered my new machine today so hopefully it will arrive by the end of the week!!! Now, to clean out my sewing room so I can get to the table again. :)
Posted by sarah b. | March 10, 2009 10:39 AM
I can totally understand the cutting straight thing. I am horrible at it myself. I don't get it. Plus its really important to cut the right size or else it doesn't sew together right. Here is to practicing. Although you have been doing alot more than me!
Posted by Stephanie B | March 10, 2009 9:54 AM
Love your sewing frenzy results! The quilt is beautiful, and I love your bags. All that fabric you've got lined up for a quilt is gorgeous too - I love aqua and green together. Wish I could have a sewing frenzy... but with a baby, I'm lucky if I can sew once a week for an hour these days... sigh.
Posted by Elizabeth | March 10, 2009 9:32 AM
you are so crazy productive. you really put me to shame, girl. SHAME.
Posted by carolyn | March 10, 2009 7:20 AM
Nooo... can't look at the gorgeous quilts... must... not... give.. in... to... temptation... and add... another... needlework... project...
(But they ARE lovely!)
Posted by Hissy Stitch | March 9, 2009 11:56 PM
that quilt is so awesome and i love all of your bags!! you are a sewing machine. har har! get it?
Posted by mai | March 9, 2009 11:14 PM
I love that book too, I have made so many things out of it. I am thinking of making the Color Wheel quilt, and I think I will add the stacked coin one to the list too!
The sewing bug must be contagious. I know so many people on that train right now.
Posted by Dani | March 9, 2009 4:59 PM
That quilt is AWESOME!! they're going to love it!!! Speaking of which, uh, the new Swartz is coming soon, eh? Shiiiit... I gotta go, gotta knit!
Posted by Lara | March 9, 2009 4:49 PM
You really are on a roll with the sewing! I love the bags and the quilt is especially adorable!
Posted by Nonnahs | March 9, 2009 3:38 PM
It is a frenzy! A fabric frenzy. Francis Revisited looks wonderful with short sleeves. Will you be knitting the cowl?
Posted by Gina | March 9, 2009 2:58 PM