The Beginning of a T-shirt Quilt

One of my daughters graduates this year.  Did you hear me sniffle?  During her years in high school, she has been active in MANY things.  This means that she has tons of t-shirts.  We have been talking about the quilt that I would make from all of these t's since I first learned to quilt, 11ish years ago. 

Now, facing the piles of shirts that need to be cut up, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

It may not look like it, but there are at least 50 shirts here.  This weekend I had her divide the piles into the ones that must be in the quilt down to the ones I would use as fillers.

Now I just have to get all of these shirts cut up and interfacing ironed on by next Thursday night.  Why Thursday, you ask?  Friday I go to a quilt retreat and was hoping to put the top of this puppy together then.  I have my work cut out for me with at least 3 basketball games between now and then!  Let's hope that they all look like this by then!



Six down, only a few dozen more to go.  Did I mention that I have to redesign the pattern because several of her shirts don't fit the 12" blocks that the pattern call for?  I guess if I don't get it all ready before the retreat, I could always do it there. 

So excited to get a weekend of sewing, where I don't have to cook for, clean up after, or bathe anyone but me!

Heather

American Girl Doll Tote Bag

My eight year old received an American Girl Doll, Kit to be specific, for Christmas from Santa.  Fortunately Santa lets me in on his secrets, so I had time to make a cool bag for her to carry her doll and all her stuff around in.

She liked the fabric I used for the Bitty Baby backpack, so I bought some that had the same colors, but a different pattern.  This bag was sewn from the McCall's pattern 5019.  The bag has two sleeves on the inside to put dolls inside of so they will stand up in the bag and help it stay upright.  She only has one doll, but there may be another make an appearance for another holiday.  The hearts on the front were pulled from my extensive collection of scrap fabrics.

Still no new sewing happening here.  I think I need a little more sleep first. 

Heather

Yo-yo Hair Clips and Dressy Flower Bobby Pins

My 3 year old niece has a full head of beautiful hair, which my sister-in-law puts up every day.  What better gift than some pretty hair bows.  These were created with the Clover Yo-Yo Maker.  I then attached them to a hair clip and added a button with hot glue, one of my new favorite things!  The clips were great because her hair is really slippery and they stayed in without an issue!

My 17 year old daughter LOVES bobby pins.  When first seeing the melted edged flowers, I thought they would be perfect for dressing up a bobby pin.  These flowers were super easy to make.  While searching for how to make the flowers I saw some bobby pins with tied ribbons to add a little color to a sloppy up do.  Perfect!  She really likes them and now wants an outfit to match the turquoise flower.  Go figure.

It has been fun to work with some different fabrics for some cute hair accessories.  Pretty sure there will be more in the near future.  You know Prom is coming up!

Maybe I will turn on my machine tonight.

Heather

Rag Bag

My second daughter, 16 years old, has admired one of the bags that I made and carry in the summer.  Every year I try to make something for each of my girls, even when we are super busy, like the year they each got a crocheted chapstick holder.  This year I stepped up my game and they each received 2 homemade gifts from me. 

I learned how to make this rag bag at a 4H workshop for leaders.  It uses 1" strips of fabric and the grid used for latch hooking.  The fabric strips are woven through the grid and it is assembled by tying knots with the hang off of the strips from the front and the sides. 

Her new color of choice is the lime green of the handles.  She loves the bag and I'm sure she will carry it for most of the summer. 

These bags are really fun to put together, since they require very little thought.  An easy project to work on at sporting events, in a doctor's office, or watching TV (do others really have time for this?).

Longing to Sew,

Heather

Lil Twister Table Topper Gift

For my sister-in-law, I made a 'Lil' Twister table topper.  When I made the table topper for myself, I kept looking at the fabrics and thinking....I really think Jill would love these fabrics!  When I finished my project there were almost enough charm squares left in the pack that I had used.  I simply reduced the size of the finished quilt and made this cute little table quilt.

I must admit that this was one of the last gifts that I finished.  Deciding on the outer and binding fabric was really a challenge.  Finally, a few weeks before Christmas I decided on the sage green.  Fortunately, the fabric arrived and I was able to put this together and get it finished in time for gift giving.

While I spent many hours at my machine making gifts and filling the hours of my vacation, I sadly must report that I haven't even turned it on since going back to work.  The machine is beginning to call my name....Heather, come turn me on...make something useful.  Maybe this week.

Happy Sewing
Heather

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to my Mama!

O.K.  it has been a while since my last post.  Well, I had to use all the time I usually use writing to sew all of the homemade gifts I wanted to give.  Enough excuses, on to the first set of gifts I gave. 

My mom was lucky enough to be born on Christmas.  So instead of just a Christmas gift, she also got a Birthday gift as well. 

I made her a matching table topper and hot pad.  This past summer, while on our anniversary trip in Amish Country Ohio, I found these fabrics and thought of my Mama.  The twisted table topper seemed like the perfect thing for her.  It sits in the center of the table, so you can use the rest of the table and just leave it there. 

I began sewing for Christmas in June this year.  Seems a little ridiculous, but for once, I finished all the projects I had planned for gifts!  More gifts to come soon.

Heather