B's Quilt Finished

I realized that I forgot to show the finished quilt, so here it is. B. loves it and gets mad when his brother tries to take it. The blocks are just a random log cabin-ish style that I made up as I went. They also have pieces of ribbon sewn in there too. This is the front.

And this is the back, I was just going to make it all in the car fabric but I didn't have enough so I put in a strip of the red stars with some ribbon across it. I also added some green pok-a-dots to the edge. The binding I pieced mainly because I didn't want to buy more fabric and I thought it would give it an interesting element. 
Here is a close up of the top.
I had one small rectangular piece of the car fabric left over so I put a flannel back on it with some strips of the other fabrics and ribbon I used on the main quilt. B. loves flannel so this is his new lovey.

Point Turners and Darning Feet

I have been meaning to post about these for so long and some how never got around to it until today. One of my favorite tools is a point turner.  It is great to use when you are sewing on gathers or working with shifty fabric. Its also great when you are turning a seam or corner because you can get a nice crisp point when you use this tool.  

If you like to sew clothes or are wanting to start I would highly recommend this tool. It is wonderful. 
The other tool I really like right now is my darning foot a.k.a. free motion quilting foot. I picked this up about a year ago and I have loved it. My machine is and older Bernina model so I was unable to get one with the stitch regulator on it. 

I have discovered that I can do all kinds of quilting designs with it and with some practice I am doing much better at controlling my speed and stitch length. I can also do free motion applique with it. I am really enjoying it and experimenting with it. 

March of the tools month

Over at Heather Bailey's blog she is starting March of the tools month. For those of you who don't know what it is, its where you share about your favorite tools that you use. They can be cooking tools, building tools, gardening tools, sewing tools or any other kind as well. I think its going to be fun to learn about the favorite tools that everyone uses. If you want to participate hope over to here blog and sign up, she is putting together a list of everyone who will be joining in. 

I have been neglecting my sewing blog the last little while; not because I wanted too but because I am going though a crafting brain freeze. Meaning I haven't been in the mood and the creative juices are taking a brake in that department for a bit. I think its caused by the fact that I have been going though the first 3-4 months of my 3rd pregnancy and its been rough on me. Thankfully I'm getting more rest now (sometimes) and the nausea is waining so I feel the creative juices flowing again. 

I've got a few projects I'm working on right now. Both are for me, I'm  making myself a few shirts because I'm at that awkward stage of your regular clothes not fitting well any more but the maternity ones are still huge. So hopefully I will have pictures soon. 

Lunch bag Finally!

I made this lunch bag for my dad for Christmas but I forgot to get a picture of it before I left for home. I have been waiting for a while to get them and they are finally here. I took my dad with me to the fabric store to help my pick out the fabric that he wanted (and because I thought it would be fun to see him in a fabric store).

The outside is a home dec. weight cotton poly blend and the inside is a nylon type that you might see used for a tent. We picked the inside fabric because it was semi-water resistant and it was thick. My dad just really liked the outside fabric.

I made it taller (12in) than your average lunch sack because he wanted to be able to fit his water bottle in it and still close the lid. Other wise it is the same dementions as his old lunch sack. I also lined it with some stiff interfacing on the front and back but then put lighter weight interfacing on the sides so they would fold easier.

Fabric stash

Over at Sew Mama Sew they are asking about everyone's stash so here is a bit about mine.

What do you usually sew? Lately it has been quilts and small crafts but I like to sew all kinds of things, I have a few shirt patterns and fabric calling my name.

When you shop for fabric, what size cuts do you usually buy? (i.e. If you see something beautiful, but you don't have a use for it right away, how much do you buy?)

Every time I am at a store that sells fabric I check the remnants. Sometimes there are some really great prints in there. If I see a print I can't live without then I will usually get at least a yard but sometimes more.

Do you buy on impulse or do you go out looking for something you need?

I usually go looking for something I need. Unless I'm in a super store with a fabric section(i.e. Wal-mart) then I will be more tempted, but I try to keep it under control.

Are you a pre-washer? If you are, do you wash your fabric before you need it, or only when you're ready to use it?

I very rarely pre-wash, I don't like to iron much and I don't like having to wait for it to be done so I can start using it.

Do you iron it? If it needs it, but if I can get away without doing it then I don't.
How do you sort it? (color, print size, collection, etc.)

Color mostly, I also have stacks of novelty prints and stacks that are for a particular project. I also sort by fabric type: cottons, flannel, fleece, etc. I would say only about half my stash is really sorted, the rest are all mixed up.

Do you have any special folding techniques? Nope, I just fold it so it's about the same size as the rest and stack it.
How do you store you fabric? I store some of it on open shelves but I don't have enough shelves so the rest is in totes, boxes, and a few baskets. The shelves are organized the totes... not so much.

What tips do you have for building up a well-rounded stash?

Umm, look for colors you don't have very much of, and always check the remnants.

When do you say enough is enough? I think I'm getting to that point, I'm starting to run out of space for new fabric so I better start using it up.
What are some of your favorite stash-busting projects? I'm thinking a crap quilt would be good, but I'm up for any other ideas.

Do you have a current favorite print in your stash? Let's see it!

So many, I really like Farmers Market prints right now but I wish I had more of them.

What's your definition of the perfect stash? I would say one where you can just go pull something off the shelf and be able to make what you want with it, without having to go to the store...but then again I love going to the fabric store.

I missed you all!

Wow, it has been so long since I have blogged, but I'm back. I had a great Christmas with family but unfortunately didn't get pictures of the stuff I made for everyone. I'm working on that.

Our big project right now: Fixing up the siding and repainting our house. The original color is that peachy color on the garage doors. They painted the whole house to "match" the brick. I don't know what they were thinking, but we have hated the color since we moved in. I love the green we chose I think its going to look great when it's finished.

Holiday Vacation

I'm on vacation in Utah right now but I'm still sewing so I will have lots to share when I get back!
Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy New Year!