Violet Field Threads Dresses for Miss Ava

For the past 10 years I have enjoyed sewing things like blankets, stuffed animals, toys, and quilts for our grandchildren.

The online pattern company Violet Field Threads has been my go-to for dress patterns.

The first one I made was the free download - London - seen below.

The most often made pattern is Abigail, seen in the sleeveless version below.

Abigail and small Wren bag below.

Harriett jumper or sleeveless dress below.

Piper (below) was quick to make but not a fan favorite. 

The one below is similar to Abigail but I think it was a Butterick or McCalls.

The thing I like about VFT patterns is the size range from 2T to girls size 10.

Most recent Abigail below.

It was made to be a jumper. 

I lengthened the top and the gathered skirt.

Below is another Abigail, probably the first one I made Ava.

The bonnet was made from a vintage pattern.

The sundress below is Lola.

Another Abigail with ruffles on the armholes and a plain skirt with an added border.

Abigail again with two coordinating hats.

Little brother had a matching short overall.

Abigail with puff sleeves and plain top and skirt.

Made for her first trip to Disneyworld.

Yesterday I made Teagan out of a knit fabric that has been in my stash for several years.

I will add photos to this post as I make other VFT dresses for Ava.

 

Tell Me a Story Quilt is finished!

Well, this was a fun block swap.

The quilt finished at 68 X 80 inches.

I used 36 Tell me a story blocks from 18 other sewists plus 17 of my own.

There are 49 X blocks that I designed.

I quilted vertically in the ditch between each column.

The borders have a middle line of quilting and the corner blocks are quilted around the center.

It all started when I read about the swap online.

I bought the book below and started my blocks in December 2022.

The backing uses up a little over 4 yards of long stashed fabric.

Binding is the same fabric used in the X blocks.

I had some in my stash and ordered more online.

Not finished until the label is filled out.

I am going to love telling stories to the grandkids using these blocks as inspiration.

Thanks to all who swapped with me.

Here it is on a double bed.

It should fit a twin better.

Another view.

I'm also working on the 30 day wool stitching challenge with Beth Colletti.

I'm hoping to transfer my stitching skills to my Tinsel Trees wool appliqué project.

One more clue left on the Stay at home round robin.

I am combining #5 and #6 in the final border to keep the size small.

Happy sewing!

 

SAHRR Square in a square blocks

This week's SAHRR block is square in a square.

I made a test block with a fussy cut teacup to see how small I could make the block.

The finished four I'm going to use are 3 inches and will finish at 2.5 inches.

They will be the corner blocks on the final round.

Lots of others have made combination rows with blocks from more than one week.

I intend my finished SAHRR quilt to be a small wall hanging.

So, come back next week for the finish.

Yesterday Miss Ava came over to sew.

She wanted to make PJ's for her penguin stuffed animal.

She was so excited to run the sewing machine by herself.

Penguin has short legs so the pants are small.

Decorations by a budding kindergarten reader.

She asked how to spell 'penguin' then sounded out 'super'.

Literacy milestones.

 

Tell Me a Story Swap Flimsy

Photo overload.

Just scroll down.

I am posting this to save and remember this great block swap.

I signed up for two swap groups.

I made the cat blocks quickly.

The general blocks took more time.

I made four different blocks for each swap.

Then I tried different settings.

It dawned on me that using only the swap blocks would make a small quilt.

All the blocks above are the ones I made to swap.

My plan to alternate the story blocks with setting blocks led to the X blocks.

I used 4 neutrals and a blue print from my stash.

The next few photos are layout mock-ups.

There was a cute dog fabric at the local shop.

I made 5 puppy blocks and one bunny block.

Swap blocks started coming.

It is interesting that I had not seen any of the focus fabrics in the swap blocks.

As the blocks came I sewed up the rows.

I put one of my blocks in most rows.

The finished flimsy uses the neutrals as the border with 4 of my blocks as the corners.

Next step to make the sandwich, baste, and quilt.

Hoping for a quilt finish next week.

 

Quick finish for SAHRR Round #4

The prompt for round #4 is Flying Geese.

Once upon a time I vowed to never make Flying Geese again.

But then I was taught the no waste/4 at a time method.

If you don't know it, look up No Waste Flying Geese.

It was a game changer for me.

I wanted to narrow this border so I marched my geese across the top and bottom.

I flipped them up and down. It looks like they don't know which way is up!

I made 16 Flying Geese - 8 on each end.

Surprise. It looks like a lattice to me.

Above is a view of the reverse side of the top.

The hour glass block seams spun nicely.

I thought about ironing the seams open but decided to iron them to the sides.

The left and right sides are solid. The strips were cut 2 inches and will finish at 1 1/2 inches.

I repeated the flower fabric from the second row in the geese.

I limited myself to fat quarters of these fabrics.

I have an idea for the final border that will use all the bits of leftover fabric.

Ta-Da!

I'm loving it.

Thanks to the SAHRR Team for a fun sewing project.