oh fransson

Patchworks in Progress

I finally used my Botanical Pop fabric to make a quilt top.  I used the new pattern I've been fine-tuning, and I'm really pleased with the results.  The sashing is made from a dark gray chambray-like shirting fabric.  (I actually bought the fabric a long time ago to make a shirt from one of Simplicity's Built by Wendy patterns, but it was too perfect for this quilt, so I guess I now need to find something else to use with that pattern!)

Here's a full shot.  When I have a chance, I'm going to make this up again with lighter colors and linen sashing.

In other exciting news, I received my Summer Skirt Sheet Swap package last week.  Aren't they great?  I especially love the one on the far left.  (Thanks, Regina!)  I'm hoping nobody is going to be too mad at me if I use these to make something other than skirts!

I also spent a lot of time this weekend cutting.  Here are the pieces of what will be a pillowcase quilt with white linen sashing.  (You'll have to wait for the Pillowcase Challenge book to see the final product!)

And here's another one I'm making with the same pattern -- this time with madras and natural linen.  I'm going to be busy, busy, busy working on quilts this week and probably won't have a chance to post again until next Monday.  Happy sewing/crafting to everyone in the meantime!

Save the Whales

These are the buttons I made for Michelle's Embroidered Button Swap.  I had never made embroidered buttons before and it was considerably more challenging than I'd expected.  As you can see, they're not particularly uniform!

I ended up making them like this:

First I cut a little whale out of fusible webbing-backed wool felt and pressed it onto some linen.

Then I wrapped the felt shape with perle cotton floss . . .

. . . until it was completely covered.

Then I backstitched around the whole thing.

Next, I added an eye and spout.

To create the "water," I sewed a little scrap of fabric directly under the whale embroidery.

To create the "waves," I hand-stitched a row of baby ric-rac along the top of the "water."  Then I used a little template to cut the whole thing into a circle before stretching it over the button form.

 

They kind of remind me of those animals that JCrew embroiders on everything (which cracks me up).  Hopefully whomever receives them has a preppy project in the works!

Wristlet Mania

I just finished a bunch of wristlets and wanted to show them off.

Made with, from left to right: 1) Jackie Shapiro's Botanical Pop with red satin, 2) Alexander Henry Noguchi and Necco with black satin, 3) Alexander Henry butterfly rint and Denyse Schmidt Katie Jump Rope basketweave print,

4) Jennifer Paganelli's Bell Bottoms & Girlfriends with chocolate satin, 5) Amy Butler's Nigella and Lotus with teal satin, 6) Michael Miller Ginger Blossom with Kaufman floral with kiwi satin,

7) Kaufman Origami Flower with Bell Bottoms check with turquoise satin, 8) Amy Butler's Midwest Modern with aqua satin, and 9) Amy Butler's Midwest Modern with cornflower satin.

(My lawn somehow changed color for this photo!)

Here's a shot of the quilted satin backs. . .

. . .and here they are all lined up.  I love making wristlets!