A Day in May Quilt a Long

I've followed many FB sites that offer various "alongs". I am envious of the quilt-a-longs I've viewed over the past years, deciding not to participate in them because of a demanding career.

This past May 2019, I decided, darn it, after 28 years, I need to take some time for me. I made up my mind to join this site and if I didn't finish on time it would be OK. So that is what I did. I joined the Fort Worth Fabric Studio "A Day In May" quilt-a-long.
2019 A Day In May Mystery Quilt FWFS Exclusive.

I've ordered fabric for my projects from many different sites in the past, but currently, my absolute favorite is Fort Worth Fabric Studio. They really know how to create fabric bundles and market them for sale. They also provide kits so I don't have to guess what fabrics to use. I'm not that good at that YET.

I shared what they do with my mentor: Shirly Hall Garner to create fat quarter bundles to sell in her small shop in rural Richmondville, NY.  She also has a wonderful knack for putting together fabrics for a quilt.  Not a threat to FWFS in any way, just a suggestion to Shirley, who is a master quilter in upstate NY. I've taken lessons from her for the past 3 years and have learned so much.  She's created amazing hand quilted quilts and is a master of choosing fabrics that coordinate with each other. She even creates painted barn quilts!

At the time of this post, I've joined 3 quilt-a-longs from Fort Worth Fabric Studio. I finally finished the first: "A day in May".  I'm currently working on finishing the 2nd: "Texas Square Dance", and I just joined the "Altogether Spooky Mystery Quilt" sew-a-long which will take place during August. What is wrong with me? I am obsessed!

"A Day in May" was my first attempt to keep up with a quilt - along. I did not complete it on time, I made many mistakes, but in the end, the quilt is one I am keeping. Because of the mistakes I made, I contacted Jodie at FWFS. She was nice enough to send more fabric and help me with what I did wrong. I have learned to embrace the mistakes I make in order to learn the right way to do things. I've done with while taking classes at Shirley's, and with help from Jodie from FWFS.

So here was the process of this beautiful quilt:  I like how Jodie at Fort Worth Fabric Studio packages her fabrics to be mailed. There is always a little goodie in the package. It might be some coordinating buttons or a special refreshment you can drink while sewing your creation.

Freebie buttons and drink mixes. In this heat, the drink mixes were a hit. 

Her directions, below, are exceptional. 

As I started to create the small HST's (half-square triangles) I noticed I (personally) needed some extra help with these. I made card stock paper squares of the size specified in the pattern.  And used them to create the exact measurement for the tulip block. 

I did the same for the stem block.

 

I honestly hate any small squares, but somehow I got through the tutorial and made them. This is how I challenge myself to get better at the small stuff.  If I do say so, they came out nice and I liked them even if they were not perfect.

This is a tulip block. I had to make four of them. Jodie from FWFS warned the participants in this quilt-a-long this would be the most difficult of the process. It sure was, for me, anyway.

I am very happy how they turned out, especially because this was outside of my comfort zone. 

On to the next part of the quilt.

Have you ever heard of "That Purple Thang"?I love this little tool for a variety of reasons. I use it on almost all of my sewing projects.  I'm sure there are many other tools out there and things that can be used for the same purpose, but I like building a sewing and quilting arsenal of tools, so I purchase what I can. 

After sewing all the blocks together to create the top and the sandwich, the next step was quilting the front through the batting and to the back. I am still learning how to perfect my machine quilt stippling. Not totally satisfied with it yet, but every project I get better. 

Piecing together and of course, Charlie needs to be a part of it.  I have never had a pup that feels he needs to be involved in almost everything I do in my woman cave. 

I finally needed to shoo him out so I can get my work done.

The sandwich is done, the quilting is done, now on to the binding.  

I really like doing the binding, but I am not traditional. I won't spend the time hand stitching it. I'll machine stitch the binding using a scallop stitch, straight stitch,  or various other stitches. 

And here is the finished project. Although I made mistakes on this and won't sell it, I did purchase another kit in case anyone would like to purchase it completed. I've learned from my mistakes on this one, the next one will be perfect. That is my "A" type personality. 

I love how this quilt came out.  I'm saving it for myself, hoping I'll have a place for it in my home when I retire.  

Lessons Learned:
1. Pay attention to the size cuts mentioned in the tutorials.
2. Get to know your 1/4 in foot. Measurements for quilts need to be exact.
3. Ask for help when needed.
4. No One is too old to learn new tips and tricks for their favorite hobby.

Have a wonderful summer everyone,

PS. As of Aug. 22, 2019, I am happy to report I had two orders for this quilt. I'm glad I did the first for myself. The next two will be perfect for my customers.

Pineapple Paradise

My niece recently graduated from high school and is headed to the State University of New York at Oswego to study technology education.  As she was growing up, I always thought she would be an excellent baker and open her own bakery; but alas, she excelled in everything in high school and set her sights on becoming a technology teacher which is the former "Shop Class". Here are is a picture of a few of the items she has made:

Aren't they terrific? She truly does have talent. Notice the last item is a pineapple. She loves them. 

When thinking about a gift for her graduation, I decided to create something to use while at college that represented what she liked: the pineapple. 

I wanted to make her a banner to be used at her graduation celebration and then maybe as a window treatment in her dorm room.  I found this great pineapple fabric from Fort Worth Fabric Co. that would work well for the gifts I wanted to give her.

To start the banner, I cut out multiple triangles of the pineapple fabric and enough of the Heat and Bond Interfacing to give the banner a nice shape.

I then placed the two triangles together, sewed them, turned them right side out and pressed them. I used the green dot coordinating fabric to "string" them equidistant in the banner. Here are a few views of the banner.

Charlie is a ham and loves to pose whenever he can in the projects I make. 

My next step was to cut out a vinyl letter to represent her college and date of graduation. 

I finished the banner in time to be displayed at her graduation celebration. 

The second part of my gift was more challenging.  I know that many college freshmen have to share a shower facility, so I decided to make her a water-resistant bag packed with amenities that she could carry to the shower or use in other capacities. I used the same fabrics I used in her banner.

I found a bag from Sew4Home t https://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/slightly-soft-storage-baskets-burlap-cotton.  I didn't realize how big it was until I started making it. But, OK, it worked out with all the stuff I packed in it.  I used the same pineapple print I used in her banner and the complimentary fabric suggested from  Fort Worth Fabric Store.

Below are the rest of the items needed. This included Pellon Vinyl Fuse and Pellon Fusible Midweight Interfacing. 

In order to make the bag waterproof, I had to "seal" it with Vinyl Fuse from Pellon. I'm sure there are many other companies that sell this, but this is what I settled with. 

The shiny side of these pictures is the vinyl adhered to the cotton fabric. 

While in the process of making the bag, I was busily searching for items that I could fill the bag with. 

I found a pineapple bath towel, pineapple flip flops, a pineapple night light, a pineapple shower scrubbie, pineapple shower lotion, pineapple scarf, pineapple notepads, a pineapple necklace, and of course, the pineapple bag to carry to the shower. 

I recently posted on my "From this and that from One Twenty Seven page,  my woman cave smelled like a pineapple. This is because while I was waiting for my purchases to be delivered, the shower lotion leaked all over the floor in my "creative office in my home". 

I enjoyed making this bag for my niece and hope she benefits from using it many times.

Below is Charlie, always wanting to make an appearance in anything I create in my craft room. Charlie just wanted to send a reminder to her that he loves her, appreciates her for walking him last summer and wishes her well during the next 4 years at Oswego. 

 

Congratulations on your graduation from HS, my niece. Enjoy your years in college. Have fun, work hard and be determined to reach your goals. 

Lessons learned from this project: 

1. This bag was a big one. If I have to make this again, I would create a smaller bag. 

2. The fabric I laminated will be fine, but I would rather purchase an already laminated cotton. 

Best wishes, my niece, and enjoy the next four years.