Patricia Tunic

Months ago (yes, only months!) I got the Patricia Tunic pattern from Sis Boom. Every time I thought I was going to have time to make one, something else would come along.  Plus, I hadn't selected a fabric yet.

In October, Jennifer Paganelli and I were discussing on Twitter which fabric I should use.  She thought this Happy Land green would be great, so I bought the required amount.

 Yesterday, I finally decided it was time to get started on it.  I don't make many clothing items these days - sometimes I make something for one of my great nieces/nephews, but I haven't made anything for myself in ages.  I feel like it takes me forever to make something new.  I spent most of yesterday morning working on it - so maybe 4 hours.

And here's the final result.  It looks pretty good - the only thing I found was that I should have measured the slit in the front, because it's a little long for my short body - so I'm going to have to come up with something to close up the bottom part - otherwise I'll be exposing myself.

I do love the look of it!


Happy Sewing!
Susan

Unfinished Projects

You may recall (or maybe not!) that back in June I went to the quilt show here in Columbus, and came home all motivated to make a quilt.  So I started one.

I found a set of twelve fat quarters in my stash (imagine that!) and decided that they would make a pretty quilt.

I got 12 blocks made, drew out a plan for the rest of the layout, bought a couple more fabrics to be able to finish up, then got busy making items for my summer craft shows.

I think it's time to finish this one up!

So that's my plan for today - along with some boring laundry....

Happy Sewing!

Susan

Quilt Show - Inspriation or Intimidation?

The National Quilt Association (NQA) holds their annual quilt show here in Columbus, Ohio each year.  I don't know how long it's been here - I can remember going at least 7 or 8 years ago for the first time. 

I love seeing the quilts - it's amazing to me the variety of both skill level and types, sizes of quilts all in one place.

I'm not really a quilter although I have made some quilts.  I made a quilt for my niece when she graduated from high school - that might have been the first one.  I can't remember now if it was a queen or king size - but it was big and I machine pieced and quilted it myself. 

One year for Christmas, I made all the little boys in the family at that time, a small quilt.  There were four of them at that time, and no girls.  I've made several other quilts since,  but it's not something that I do a lot of.

So, going to the quilt show - is it inspiration or intimidation?  I guess it must be a little bit more inspiration since today I've been cutting out and piecing - well - something....I'm not sure yet what it's going to be.

I picked a pretty pink, green and white fat quarter bundle from my stash - I'm not sure how long I've had this fabric - the selvage says it's a Michael Miller collection. 

So far I've made 6 blocks - they are 10" finished size blocks.  I think they would look great with some white sashing - so how many blocks will I make and what will it become?

 Happy Sewing!

Susan

More "Special" Projects

Not that I really needed new valances in our bedroom, but hey, I got the fabric 50% off original price, then an additional 20% off that - so why not?

Not that I have fabric to make new valances and sheers for the dining room windows that I've had for something like 10 years (actually I think it's more like 6), and I still just have it - not completed valances and sheers.

But I do think they turned out pretty cute!

The color in the photo is a little off - the walls are a sage green.  The valance is purple flowers on a tannish background with green leaves.  It's an upholstery weight fabric, and I dug in my trim box and found a matchiing purple and tan cording.

Of course, now I need a new dust ruffle....

Happy Sewing!
Susan

Projects

I looked back at what I've written about and I see a trend. Mostly I write about things that I have in process, and that I don't seem to get done!

My last entry was about cleaning and re-organizing my sewing room. I did it - sort of. I discovered that I just don't have enough room available to organize it. So I shifted some piles around and called it done. Of course, I've bought more fabric since then (as if I needed any more).

I have my crazy patchwork jacket - it's still hanging on the door of the sewing room - I have beads that I want to put on it - but handsewing anything is not really my favorite thing to do - so it's still hanging there.

I could go on..... Instead I'll write about something that I did complete - a new bag for my mom and a new wallet style!

My mom uses a walker, and so I've made her a couple of bags, but she deserves a new one once in a while - so I dug out this beautiful green fabric and made her a new one. I (imagine!) had forgotten about this fabric - I think the varying shades of green are lovely - and the hearts just make it extra special.




I used the twin needle to quilt it - I really love the effect! I think she will like it too.


So along with the purse, I decided to make her a new wallet - she doesn't have a lot of stuff to put into one - the one she has now is huge - so I decided to try a new style and see how it works.

It's full sized wallet (about 7" wide) and folds in half, with a velcro tab to keep it closed. On the outside, I put a zipper section and a pocket section behind. Inside I did another zipper and pocket section on the bottom, and on the top, I did a row of credit card/id holders (5 pockets) with a pocket behind.

I think I'm pleased with the style - but I should have cut it about 1" longer for folding - and my velcro attachment was a little low on the wallet for the length that I made the tab. I think this is a style that you will see in my etsy shop in the coming weeks.


Here are some pictures!

Outside - foldover tab with velcro closure

Other side of the outside - zippered section with pocket behind.





Inside pictures - completely open - bottom section has zipper and pocket behind - top section has five card slots (credit cards/id, etc) with a pocket behind it also.

I'd love to have feedback on this configuration - feel free to leave me comments!

Hopefully my next post will also be accomplishments also, and not just my procrastination!


Have a good one!

Susan