What I don't love: My new sewing machine is not working again.
What I do love: I'm able to return it! And I am sewing machine shopping this weekend!
Fortunately, I still have my old machine (that my daughters currently use) so I've been able to do a little sewing this week. But if anyone has a recommendation for a great hand stitching project, let me know!
This patchwork heart pillow was super fun to make (inspiration from here, here (via pinterest), and here. I used 2 inch squares and HSTs so I was able to use my cutting mat grid to lay everything out. I quilted it with a bright pink Aurifil thread and now just need to add the binding.
And I made this soon to be pillow or mini wall hanging. Even though I have been wanting to try paper piecing and this is a perfect paper piecing project, I did not paper piece - I just um, is there a name for regular piecing?
When it came to the quilting, I couldn't decide - bright pink? dark gray? bright pink? dark gray? So, I thought "Hey, why not a combo?!?" And I think I am going to add a little hand stitching to the letters.
That is it for my projects. If you are looking for information on the blog hop, advice for new bloggers series, or this week's giveaway, click here and here.
And speaking of pillows, my blogging friend and fellow blog hopper Danny from MommyforReals asked if I would spread the word that she is asking for help to make pillow covers for hurting girls attending the Teen Reach Adventure Camp. She needs 40 pillows by July 6th. If you can help out with this good cause or want more information, click over to Danny's blog.
Also, there will be a Thursday edition of the Advice for New Bloggers series with Rachel from Stitched in Color. It will be on her blog tomorrow - I'll post a link when it is up.
And back on my blog next Monday will be a guest post from Lynne of Lily's Quilts and a fantastic fabric giveaway from The Intrepid Thread!
Linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
These are so bright and cheery - love them! Sorry about your machine. Let us know what you end up getting, I have been thinking about getting a second machine just for free motion quilting.
ReplyDeleteSo cute, I really love the heart!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Sorry to hear about your machine - how frustrating! I adore the heart pillow - hope you don't mind if I copy that and make one too, I have a friend who would just love it.
ReplyDeleteI love your heart! My maiden name is Valentine so I'm a sucker for anything with a heart on it ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry about your machine. I guess the good (?) news is that you can return it. For hand stitching, what about hexagons? I started doing English paper pieced hexies last month and I love them. Gives me something to do when I watch TV at night, lets me still feel productive, and I can finish a bunch of them quickly. I don't know what they'll all become, but I'm having fun making them!
Just found your blog and fun projects and reading. Loved you piecing on the LOVE wall hanging that is on my list for next week for the back of a quilt.
ReplyDeletei love the multi thread colors....that is a great idea
ReplyDeleteSorry again about your machine! I am glad you can return it! I just started an English paper piecing project, the Sprocket Quiltalong (although I am a few months behind since it started in March). But it is a EPP, so there is no race to finish first there.
ReplyDeletehttp://afewscraps.blogspot.com/2012/03/sprocket-quilt-along-details.html
those are both so sweet! and lucky you being able to return your sewing machine. bummer that it broke down but at least you're not stuck with it.
ReplyDeleteSuch cute projects! Shame about the machine.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already tried them hexies are the way to go! =D
I'm having a giveaway on my blog. Feel free to stop by and enter (if you haven't already) =D
http://ibescheraldine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/official-150th-post-giveaway.html
all you need is love . . . :)
ReplyDeleteLove these projects...so cute. That patchwork heart is darling! Yes, I'm looking for hand sewing projects myself today...long story. Probably what I need is sleep more than sewing, but I'm so desperate to sew!
ReplyDeleteOOOH! I like! Great job!
ReplyDeleteOOOH! So cute!!
ReplyDeleteIt is so frustrating when a machine stops working. Looks like you are making do with your daughters' machine. Love that patchwork heart!
ReplyDeleteI love both your projects! The color choices are great and the quilting is fabulous! I thinkadding handstitching to your letters is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteFun projects! I really like the idea of adding the hand stitching I think that will really make it pop. How did you like doing the letters? I am going to be doing paper pieced letters for a quilt for my nephew soon. So did you decide to get a machine from a retailer? It will be totally worth it if you do. I need a machine eventually, but need to save up some money, at the rate Im spending on fabric I will never have a new machine haha.
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