Summertime
Summer is flying by–it’s really about half way over in terms of when the girls head back to school. Some days it feels like it’s zipping along and other days(those days that I feel like I am a referee all day long) go a bit slower.
I thought I should pop on and share a bit about how our summer is shaping up. I am quite intentional with how my summer days are spent. This means that I take on less projects so that I can spend more time with my girls while they are home. I have gotten in some sewing time as well as some fabric buying time this summer though!
Over the last couple of months, I’ve been working with one of my LQS’s for an upcoming fall project. This means I’ve been popping into the shop somewhat often this summer. On one of my visits, I noticed some Fiesta Wovens that have since made their way home with me. I also picked up a wonderful selection of solids and I love how everything mixes with Prairie.
You are going to notice I am snagging some of my Instagram photos–so much easier than snapping new pictures!
Another project I have been working on is a mini Lone Star Quilt. I have been wanting to make a mini Lone Star Quilt. I had tried making a version on my own last summer–drafting up my own pattern but, it was an epic fail. It looked pretty:
But, nothing fit together. I was so disappointed. I recently came across the book “Little Lone Star Quilts“. It features a paper pieced method to making mini lone star blocks. I decided to give it a whirl just a few weeks ago. So, I pulled new fabrics:
Started cutting little squares and using the paper pieced method to make my Lone Star Diamonds.
And let me tell you, this method while time consuming, is ingenious.
This block will finish at 8″. It’s adorable. Because the block took so many hours to make, I now need to decide if I want to turn this block into a pillow or mini instead of turning it into a quilt. I still have visions of making at least 9-12 of these little guys–actually more if I have the patience and turning them all into a beautiful quilt.
Another book that I recently looked through was Amy Gibson’s book, “For Keeps“. Amy and I have chatted back and forth online so when I heard she was writing a book, I was excited to see it. I love reading her blog and knew if she wrote a book it would be beautiful. And it is.
The photography throughout the book is beautiful. Lots of color.
And, I picked up some tips I know I will be utilizing. My favorite might be this glue basting tip:
My daughter, Elonie, received some fabric last week and she is determined to make herself a quilt. She has two layer cakes and she wants to make a larger quilt. She was very eager to dive in but after sewing together just two squares she became a little bit overwhelmed once she realized how much time she would be spending making this quilt. I think if we utilize glue basting to hold the squares in place it will make the project easier for her. I have stumbled across glue basting before but I have never tried it myself–I am excited to have Elonie try it out.
There’s Only One You Quilt
The premise of Amy’s book, being intentional about quilting making, really struck a chord with me. It is very easy for me to get caught up in the making of the quilts and forget a bit about the enjoying of quilts. With that thought in mind, Amy has created the “For Keeps” pledge:
Don’t you love that?! You can take the “For Keeps” pledge here. Then, if you’d like you can print it out for your sewing room. Amy is also giving away a free quilt block pattern for those taking the pledge.
Speaking of being intentional with our sewing, I have been wanting to pick up a sewing machine for Chloe & Elonie. Either one to share or one for each of them. Do you have a favorite beginner friendly machine?–Maybe one you use yourself or one you’ve purchased for a child? I admit, that I get caught up in the cuteness factor–I’ve been eyeing these little guys and I love that the girls could each pick a cool color of their own:
They are the Janome Fast Lane machines. But, I worry that they might be a little bit less of a machine than I would want for them–no room to grow into them.
And then of course, being a Bernina gal, there is this adorable Simply Red machine.
This one, they would need to share–and I think I am once again being sucked in by the cuteness factor. So, if any of you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!
Hope you are all having great summers!
Hey, I recognize fabric #6! 🙂 Can you elaborate on your fall project with your LQS? Inquiring minds want to know!
I love the mini lone star. I think it would make a beautiful pillow or the start of a medallion quilt.
I love that stack of fabric at the beginning! I’m eager for Prairie to come out, and now I think I must get some of those Fiesta plaids to go with!
The paper pieced star is beautiful – wouldn’t that be a wonderful quilt? If you can stand to make them all. . . .
On sewing machines for kids: If you want them to be able to piece, then the ability to make an excellent 1/4 inch seam is number one. Nothing is likely to turn them off faster than a machine that chews up the fabric, or leaves those big thread knots on the back. I’m concerned the Janome above won’t have the quality to accomplish that, plus it looks like they don’t hold up very well from the reviews. I don’t really know Berninas, but what few reviews I could see looked lots better than the Janome.
Frankly, if you want them to each have their own machine, my recommendation would be a Featherweight or the ‘big sister’, the Singer 221, which is excellent, also. I received a used 221 when I was eight and I’ve had it for several decades now. My daughter learned on it, too, and wishes I would give it to her. I prefer it to my Janome for all straight-stitch sewing. Both Singers are great for taking wherever, and they’re VERY sturdy and easy to repair, which might be nice for beginners. Plus they are still very useful even when you advance to a high-end machine.
Just remember, there are vinyl stickers for cuteness! People make them for Kitchenaids, and I think those would work great on a sewing machine!
I hope you let us know what machine you end up purchasing – they all seem nice. I’d like to purchase a 2nd machine to use either for taking along with me somewhere or when my “real” machine is being serviced, but I want an inexpensive machine… looking forward to other comments you will received. The quilt and book sound great!
Looking forward to your new line of fabric coming out! I’ll have to try the glue/applique method soon too.
Can’t wait to get your Prairie fabric, and that stack looks wonderful!! And your star is wonderful!! but I know that that much paper piecing is time consuming!! I remember working on some paper pieced stars and each quarter of the star took and hour to make! I only made one or two!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg
Are you in Healdsburg, CA? I live in Santa Rosa, CA. We may have seen each other at a quilt shop …
I am not very chatty online but I recently had to make the same decision. How ever I only have one daughter, and she didn’t mind my feather weight, but . . . About a month ago I had noticed Massdrop had the little Janome Derby (the cute ones you pictured) for $69.99. at that price I figured if she didn’t like it, I could use it for demos, it is much lighter and I think it is less of a machine for me, but… it is great for her.
The Janome Derby is back on Massdrop.com for 11 hours.
PS: Love the fabric…I can’t wait for Prairie…
I bought my 7 year GD a Janome Pink Lighting machine for Christmas. We have been sewing together this summer – she is making a patchwork quilt out of all the scraps I saved from sewing for her (from bumper pads and bed ruffle for her crib to the present). I am pleased with the machine so far. She really can handle it very well on her own. I like that is has a protection on the foot that keeps little fingers safe. Only drawback the model I purchased did not have a light. I have a wonderful little light from Ikea ($15.00) that we use.
Beautiful stack of fabrics–I love that Fiesta weave, and adore the star! I also recommend a Featherweight. It is definitely a machine that will work for them at this age, but also as they grow older. It is still the machine I take to many sewing days because it does such an excellent job of stitching and it is lightweight and portable.
I have a Pfaff Passport and I just love it. Several of the girls in my Canal Quilters group have now purchased these. We all used them at the pillow class you taught at Roscoe UMC 😉 Your joyful sense of color is so refreshing!
I love the Lone Stars. Beautiful fabrics.
I start the grandkids off on my Featherweight. It is easy to use and heavy duty enough for them.