finished projects.
I have many finished things to show you!
First of all, I finished my quilty wall hanging:
now we just need to hang it.
I had a really fun time making this quilt. I decided to try free-motion quilting for the first time, and although I had some real issues at first (the major one being that I kept forgetting to put my presser foot down), I'm very happy with the final result.
mmm, crinkly.
I practiced on a little quilted swatch first, and then just dove in on the quilt. It was time consuming and ate a lot of thread, but the result is cozy and crinkly and yummy - I will definitely be trying it again.
There has been other sewing too! I made my first top that I can wear, for real, in public:
The Spring Ruffle Top! Here's the tutorial.
I am so happy with this shirt. I'm such a newbie when it comes to sewing clothes, and the tutorial by Rae of Made by Rae was easy to follow. I definitely did a few things wrong this first time around - I misunderstood how to attach the ruffles and the chest band - but I was able to make it work! But that meant, of course, I needed to make another one:
this one's for Cathy!
She picked out the fabric - isn't it perfect? It's so nice to make a pattern again and fix all the mistakes you made the first time around. I guess that's why it's good to make a muslin when you sew a pattern for the first time (that just means you make the pattern out of practice fabric before using the good stuff.) I should maybe do that. hee.
I also made my dear friend JoAnna a nursing cover!
Yay JoAnna!
She really wanted a Hooter Hider, but when we looked at them in the store, we decided that we could make it ourselves. I used this tutorial and the awesome fabric that JoAnna picked out. It took less than an hour to make. YAY handmade!
o hai! this is a knitting blog! I am knitting too. I've finished one of my raffle prize socks and I'm about a third of the way through the second one. I've also started the Featherweight Cardigan in Jaggerspun Zephyr:
Progress.
I love this pattern! I want to make a bunch of them with all the laceweight yarn I have in my stash. I didn't swatch - bad knitter - and so next time around I might go down a needle size, but I'm hoping this one works out. I'm to the sleeves now!
I have more to show you and tell you, because I went to Maryland Sheep and Wool and bought pretty pretty things, but I need to go get ready for work. I'll post some yarny pics soon!
Comments (31)
Thank you for your information!
Posted by bifical glasses | July 29, 2009 3:22 AM
Hi - I've just found your blog through sharon's list at "PinTangle". I really love your quilts and needlework. You have a way with colour. Your tops look great too!
Posted by Cath | June 5, 2009 10:56 PM
I love ALL your work!!! You are an inspiration. Makes my fingers want to dance! And should you need a little extra help seeing while stitching visit our website http://www.debspecs.com/ for quality, affordable, fun, funky and fashionable reading glasses and magnifiers as well as some great gift ideas for Father's Day and Everyday!! Thanks again for your inspiring work.
Posted by Maxine | June 5, 2009 12:36 PM
I LOVE the tops!!!
Awesome!!!
Posted by Jessica | June 3, 2009 12:21 PM
Love the fabric choices for the tops, so pretty!!
Posted by Kate | June 3, 2009 11:36 AM
Looking at your sewing makes me want to pull out my machine and make something...everything is so pretty....
Posted by jane | May 31, 2009 8:10 AM
Love the quilt and the tops! You are doing so great!!!
Posted by Natalie | May 29, 2009 10:04 AM
I'm so trying take tutorial, very cute tops.
Posted by elan | May 26, 2009 3:22 PM
wow! Seriously, you have been busy..love the tops, they are both gorgeous, the red and blue one especially.
Posted by atia | May 26, 2009 3:07 PM
Go, you! Awesome stuff.
Posted by Jay | May 20, 2009 7:44 PM
You're wall hanging looks great! I love those fabric choices.
I just started my first quilt this past weekend (blogged about it, too). I've done quite a bit of garment sewing and I've been intrigued by quilts but never attempted them until now. And I love it! I know three people getting married this summer and I have aspirations to make them each a quilt. In case you haven't heard of it, I've found Quilter's Cache a great resource online for block ideas.
Posted by Erin | May 19, 2009 1:20 PM
wow! You have been so productive. Those little ruffle tops are the cutest. things. ever. I am so in want with them.
Posted by Haley J. | May 16, 2009 8:33 PM
LOVE LOVE the top!
Posted by Jen | May 16, 2009 9:34 AM
That picture is no way captures the full on cuteness of that top. Love it! You're getting to be so all around crafty, I admire it!
I don't think I saw your S&W purchases, so I'll be happy to see them when you post them.
Posted by Jenna | May 15, 2009 7:40 PM
I love the Whisperknit! Beautiful color. I've been eyeing this pattern for a while!
Posted by Sugarknit | May 15, 2009 9:30 AM
Wowie zowie -- I love EVERYTHING in this post. The quilt, the blouses, the yarn... LADY! Nice work!
Posted by Mal* | May 13, 2009 10:13 AM
Wow! I'm lovin' all your sewing projects. I really need to make one of those ruffle tops - yours came out great.
Posted by Elizabeth | May 12, 2009 6:20 PM
You are so productive! Thanks for that Featherweight link--somehow Whisper confused me so I gave up, and now I now what to do with all that Malabrigo Lace I bought for it:)
Posted by Heather | May 12, 2009 4:31 PM
Is it some kind of natural progression in which knitters move into sewing?
I am really tempted...
Posted by emy | May 12, 2009 5:56 AM
i just found that top tute too. i love your fabric choices and the pin tucks/pleats look really good. awesome sewing. you have shown yourself to be great at both.
Posted by mamie | May 11, 2009 10:41 PM
Love the shirts...bookmarked the tutorial. Thanks!
Posted by Stacey | May 11, 2009 10:37 PM
Love the quilt and the tops are great. Use my trick for making muslins. I always try to pick up cute fabrics on sale/clearance racks, then use them to make my muslins. That way if they turn out great, now I have two :)
Posted by Shannon | May 11, 2009 7:50 PM
Oh...how adorable are you in those shirts!! And congrats on the lovely wallhanging with the free motion quilting; it's beautiful (love the colors)--you were so brave to tackle free motion on a wall hanging! Good for you!
Posted by Lisa Boyer | May 11, 2009 3:50 PM
Cool Beans. I saw your top on Flickr. AWESOME job on everything. I am SO petrifried to try stippling.
Posted by Jeanine | May 11, 2009 3:37 PM
ooh, I'm jealous of your fabulous sewing skills! That quilt looks amazing.
Posted by Julie | May 11, 2009 3:30 PM
The quilt (and the tops) are fabulously awesome. You are gonna end up making me try to quilt things if you keep this up.
Also? I miss you guys. And I'm jealous you're now ALL in Georgia.
Posted by Lara | May 11, 2009 1:55 PM
Cathy's shirt is super cute (yours is, too, but I already told you that)!
Posted by sarah b. | May 11, 2009 1:15 PM
Hey! I've been missing you! Now I see what you've been busy doing. Hee. Your quilt is teh awesome, and I especially love the top you made for Cathy! You're my crafting hero.
Posted by Jen | May 11, 2009 10:30 AM
Your quilt is so gorgeous. Those tops are super cute. I think I've said it before but I'm jealous of your sewing skills.
Posted by Mindy | May 11, 2009 10:06 AM
hooray for finished projects!! love your fabrics!!
Posted by michelle | May 11, 2009 8:23 AM
"started" the featherweight? :) heehee.
all your sewing/quilting is looking some awesome. you go, girl.
Posted by carolyn | May 11, 2009 8:13 AM