A Parliament of Owls & other projects

Did you know that a group of owls is called a parliament?

I love finding out new uses for words.

I have had the kit for these owls for a long time.

The kit made 3 owls but there was enough fabric to make another small owl.

I had leftover flannel from quilt backs, so I made the little brown owl, too.

The feet were the hardest part to sew.

If I make another owl, I will try a different way to make the feet.

The owl below was the first to be finished.

The grands will each get an owl and I'm keeping one.

In other sewing, Mr. M asked me to make two half circle folded trees

for Christmas decorations.

First I had to enlarge the pattern because the pattern I used to make the trees

was only 5-6 inches tall.

We needed 15-16 inch trees.

I made a paper pattern (several really) and cut two circles.

Here are the trees. The fabric is from my stash.

I'm sewing on the decorations -

buttons and a red crocheted garland for each tree.

I will share the finish in another post.

Happy Sewing!

 

November Sewing & Crafting

We had our first Thanksgiving at our house since moving here two years ago.

I needed a new tablecloth for the festivities.

Just straight seams and matching the plaid.

Very pleased with the results.

Ava spent a Saturday afternoon with us.

Along with snacks and TV, the crafting options are always ready to be enjoyed.

She is working on learning to crochet.

Chain stitch and single crochet were the lessons.

I made a little travel pocketbook.

It was a challenge because the pattern was not very detailed.

I made a few changes and most of them worked out.

A quilty friend messaged me about an origami shopping bag. 

She wanted to make it but couldn't figure out the directions.

Another quilter said I was the person who could help with vague directions.

I used some leftover canvas and didn't exactly follow the pattern (again).

This bag can be made from any square piece of fabric.

I might make it again with quilting cotton.

Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild is challenging us to make two blocks 

each month that we can choose to use as a small wall hanging, a table runner, 

or collect all of them to make a bed size quilt at the end of the year.

A year or so ago Joey gifted me with a kit that made two winter gnome mini quilts.

I made the first one and haven't had time to make the second.

The block in the middle is the block design from the kit.

There was enough fabric in the kit to make two winter star blocks.

I'm using my monthly challenge blocks as piano runners.

Finally, I sewed a backing on the Sue Spargo embroidery piece

I made during her sew along a while ago.

Ta-Da! Another finish.

I had to add this photo of the pecan pies Martin made for our Thanksgiving meal.

The pie was delicious but we had so much food that one pie was not touched.

Tomorrow is December first.

Looking forward to a month full of music and gatherings.

And a trip to NYC to see Emily & family.

Happy Sewing!

 

I have been sewing, just not posting

In no particular order-

This is the test tunic for a new pattern.

I shortened it about 5 inches.

Mr. M offered to take a photo when I tried on the tunic.

This baby quilt started as a panel.

I used stash for the sashing, binding, and backing.

The batting was pieced together.

Two extra sections found space on the back.

It is going to a traveling nurse who will pass it on to a new mom.

The basting phase.

I'm offering to lead a zoom study on this book to members of Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild.

We will start in January and use our stashes as we learn about color in quilts.

Tomorrow I am helping Memphis Area Modern Quilt Guild decorate a holiday tree 

at the Pink Palace Museum.

I made some chain links and other decorations for the tree.

Documenting the Liberty fabric I bought in London.

Last Saturday I attended the Fall Gathering of MQA in Batesville.

This quilt was made by a newly inducted Legacy Quilter.

I saw these crocheted mice in a small church in the Dales.

Just wanted to share them here.

The skirt made out of neckties was in a window in London.

Inspiration?

Happy Sewing!

 

Detour into costume construction

A few weeks ago our grandsons went to a Renaissance Faire.

They loved the costumes so our daughter asked me to make some tunics like the ones below.

After getting their measurements and finding out which costumes to make

I started figuring out how much fabric was needed and how to replicate the style.

I didn't have a pattern.

The red one was the trickiest to construct.

Above the front piece is waiting for the back to be added.

It took eleven yards of black tape to outline this tunic.

I made a simple belt with D rings and cotton braid.

This blue and black tunic was very easy to make.

But I ran out of gold trim and there was no more at Joanns.

Fortunately Michaels had something similar.

I made another D ring belt using blue and black fabric.

The costumes have been mailed to Liam and David.

They are going to the Ren Faire again this Saturday.

Hope they have a great time.

Yesterday was my birthday and sweet sister-in-law sent me this Quilty greeting. 

Miss Ava, our granddaughter, brought me flowers.

It was a great birthday!

Happy Sewing.

 

Revised & finished floor quilt

I didn't like the way the pumpkin looked so I picked out the interior black lines.

I printed a photo of the pumpkin and sketched in new lines.

Below is the new look.

Here is the original.

Good thing I bought more of the black upholstery thread.

Quilted and bound.

Ready to greet visitors.

Label done!

Next up a little costume sewing.

Pirate eye patches for the birthday boy.

Crusader tunic for David for Halloween.

Happy Sewing!

 

Designing an Autumn Floor Quilt

We have enjoyed having a floor quilt at our front door.

I bought 3 kits and took a class at The Sewing House with the designer of the kits.

The floor quilts work well with the seasons: winter, spring, & summer.

I needed to make one for autumn.

I wanted a sunflower, pumpkin, crow and cornstalk.

I looked at online quilt designs and open source line drawings.

I realized cornstalks have a tasseled top.

The crow needed a place to perch.

On the pumpkin or ground?

I liked the cornstalk in the middle.

The pumpkin needed a leaf.

I appliquéd the stems down first.

All the pieces except the stems have double sided fusible.

The stitching holds the stems in place.

Next I outlined the leaves and flower.

I was very pleased with the leaves on the corn.

I fused triangles of green fabric, then cut the leaf shape.

The leftover fabric was perfect for the top tassel.

The crow is made from overlapping scraps.

I might add an eye (white or yellow).

All parts are stitched down.

I played thread chicken with the heavy top thread.

Barely made it!

Now I have to quilt and bind.

Happy Sewing!