scorching hot finish

I scorched one of my hexagons as I was ironing the edges for machine applique.  I first showed you my hexagons here.  I had no luck getting the scorch stain out, so I soaked the block in my leftover coffee.

 

Then I laid the block on a towel to dry, and decided to make a potholder out of my mistake.

Here you can see the difference in the coffee dyed quilt block and an original white block.

I used some Insul Bright for my batting to make the potholder able to withstand the heat.

I used a variegated thread for the machine stitching and black embroidery floss for the out line quilting.

 Although, I will be careful not to scorch another quilt block, I am happy that I was able to turn my mistake into a cute, useful potholder : )  

piece,

elizabeth

I am linking up to Finish It Up Friday.

little quilt monday~~~guild swap challenge

Little Quilt Monday

I have joined the OKC Modern Quilt Guild.  At the last meeting we traded ziplock bags of fabric scraps to use to make a project for the owner of the scraps.  I decided to make several small things with my partner's pretty pink, green and brown fabric scraps.  I started with the Drunkard's Path quilt block to make another potholder like I did here.

I also made a little pincushion filled with crushed walnut shells.

The last project was a table runner using my charms on point technique.

I added solid fabric squares and the owl fabric from my stash.  I was so happy that her bag included the colorful striped fabric.  I love using striped fabric for binding.  I hand stitched with pink and green crochet thread.

 I decided on projects that I was comfortable making for this swap challenge.   I think they turned out pretty cute, and it was fun playing with someone else's fabric : )

Now it is your turn to link up something to

Little Quilt Monday

1.  This link-up party is for any small project.  For example, mini quilts, doll quilts, baby quilts, place mats, mug rugs,

wall quilts, table runners, etc.

2.  They can be a WIP(work-in-progress) or finished.

3.  If it is something from the past there is no need to write a new blog post, just link the one that you have already written, and, please link back to my blog post.

4.   If you are interested, you can add your pictures to my flickr group here, or join my Facebook group here. 

Let's inspire each other!

piece,

elizabeth

Such A Sew and Sew

I am linking to Sew Modern Monday, Fabric Tuesday, Linky Party Tuesday,
and Finish It Up Friday.

drunkard's path potholders

I made two potholder's this week for my curves class project.  I am really enjoying learning to sew curves.  The Drunkard's Path quilt block is one that I have always wanted to make.   I let the thought of sewing curves keep me from trying to make it until now : )

Click on the pictures for a closer look.

These were both made with Insul-Bright batting.  This was much thicker than the normal cotton batting that I usually use.   I decided to machine quilt them, and I am happy with how they turned out. 

The backing fabric is white linen.  I like the softness that they give to the potholders, and I also like the way the machine quilting shows up.  Yep, this was a fun project.

piece,

elizabeth

I have linked up to Can I Get A Whoop-Whoop
and

bloggers quilt festival~~~~fall 2011

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

        Fall 2011

Charming Baby Quilt

A while back I played with some Moda Wee Woodland charm squares,  and here are the pictures of my process of just making it up as I went along( just winging it : )

Sew 30 five inch squares together like this.

Cut a 2..5inch strip off one side.

Sew the strip to the other side.

Now cut again in 6 equal pieces as shown.

Mix them up and sew together into 3 units as shown.

I then added 2.5 inch strips of Kona cotton between the units

I framed it all around with 2.5 inch strips of Kona cotton and then
added a brown sashing strip and another border.

Next I decided to machine quilt with straight line quilting(my first time : )  I did this in a random pattern.

It is not perfect but it is still a soft cuddly baby quilt.  I always like the crinkly look of a quilt after it has been washed.  It was quick and easy to put together with charm squares and I hope with practice my machine quilting will improve!  The quilt measurements are 32 X 42 inches. 


If you have time take a look at some of my mini quilts.  I have started making them to try new techniques and color combinations and I am enjoying the process.  I have started a Little Quilt Monday link up party so we can share little projects and be inspired by each others mini quilts(mug rugs, pot holders, doll quilts, table runners, wall hangings....finished or not....there aren't any rules : )   

I hope you will visit the Bloggers' Quilt Festival hosted by Amy's Creative Side and get some inspiration as you visit other blogs and see all the beautiful quilts.

piece,

elizabeth

insul bright and hydrogen peroxide

Today I was in the mood for a quick project.  I turned my little vintage creamer stitchery into a hot pad.  I used Insul Bright and discovered that it is very easy to stitch through!   I haven't stitched the vintage sugar yet, so the cup and saucer pattern hasn't been posted.  I don't know if anyone is stitching them with me or not, but I  will copy the cup and saucer on my pattern page next week.

I nearly always prick my finger with the needle at least once while stitching a project : )  I use hydrogen peroxide and a Q-tip to blot out the blood spots and it works quite well.  This tip was found somewhere here in blogland and it has saved me from ruining a project more than once!

I am considering tea dying these little hot pads when they are all finished, and then maybe I won't mind using them.  I'm afraid the white linen will be dirty in no time!

Linked to Have a Stitchin' Weekend with That Girl That Quilt blog and Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story blog.

~piece~

elizabeth

christmas potholders

I need to do a small projects right now.  I don't really have time to spend in my sewing room, but I can spend a little time making potholders : )  These were made from my stash of Christmas fabric and leftover quilt blocks.  I plan to make more potholders, and I am going to use some linen like I have seen used by so many of my favorite bloggers!

piece,
elizabeth

vintage hexagon potholders

Occasionally, I will buy some vintage quilt blocks.  Although I enjoy making my own hexagons, it is fun to use the old blocks too.  I made these potholders years ago, and I have more old blocks, so I plan to make more potholders.  They make a nice hand quilting project.  After I sew some batting and backing fabric to the vintage blocks with the right sides together, I leave a small opening to turn the fabric through, I clip the corners, turn the fabric through, push out the corners, sew up the opening, and iron it.  Then I do my hand quilting.  Very easy!  They are about 8.5 inches around.   Do you have any suggestions for something else to make with these blocks?  I hope you enjoy looking at the old fabrics as much as I do : )  The first three pictures are the potholders and the last three pictures are the extra blocks waiting to be used!

piece,
elizabeth

staying cool in Colorado

We spent the week in Colorado at our cabin.  It is so much cooler in Colorado than Oklahoma right now!  I had a chance to sew and piece while I was there.  I worked on a chinese coin quilt, a modern cross block or two, lots of hexagons, and I made a potholder using a spider web tutorial from Sew Mama Sew.