Matching pillow cover

Here is the matching pillow cover for Liam's quilt.

I love the little fox fabric in the middle of the checkerboard squares.

The back is made from the left over bits.

After lots of thinking and figuring I decided to put the opening for inserting the pillow on the end.

I went with kid friendly velcro instead of a zipper or buttons.

  Had to share this shrimp plant by our front door.

These are wheelchair bags our quilt group has been asked to make for a rehab center. The handles will be added by someone else. They were quick and easy to make.

More plant pics - these are on the other side of our front door.

These have looked great all summer. They get lots of heat and morning sun.

Well, that's it for me this week. Only one week and two days of summer left for me.

How's your summer sewing? (or winter if you are down under)

Yipee! It's finished.

It's 102 degrees in middle Mississippi today, so celebrating a quilt finish seems kind of funny. 

We won't need quilts for many months unless we turn the air conditioning down. But I'm excited about this finish. The pattern is from the book Fat Quarter Fun. Here are the finish photos.

I was going for a random placement of the 13 different fabrics. I can see one oops!

Even got the label on it.

No quilt holder available but the fence was handy.

Finished today: Liam's Whirly World, 68" X 89". 

Hope you have an exciting finish this week.

Moving toward a finish for Liam

Liam's quilt is half quilted. I wanted to take photos of each step in the finish, so these show all the borders, pin basting, and batting.

The batting is Warm and Natural White. It comes on a roll and is 90" wide. Since the quilt is about 68" wide, I got 2 yards. 

For Mississippi this light weight batting is just right.

There are 13 different kid fabrics in the quilt. Most have a transportation theme but the little hedgehogs were too cute to leave out.

I haven't thought of the right name for this quilt. Keep on Moving might work. Since Liam is spending the week end with us, I haven't had time to work on his quilt. How did I do all that sewing when I had small children at home all the time? 

I'll show the backing and binding soon. Hope I can finish next week. Summer break is marching to an end. I have to be back at school on August 5.

Liam's quilt in progress

All the rows sewn together in a 7 X 9 grid.

First plain border added all around.

Second pieced border added.

Close up of the corner after second border added.

Didn't get a photo of the final border. The quilt is pin basted and about half of the quilting has been done. I am changing from the Babylock to my Pfaff. I think the walking foot will help keep the quilting even. Next post will have the quilted finish. Hope to get done by tomorrow but may not have time since Liam is here for the holiday week end.

Cute fabric combinations

Mother's Day week end I bought these fat quarters of cute fabric.

My daughter-in-law helped me find patterns that would go together.

I took these pics of all the different ways they could be combined.

The photos help me remember the matches.

Here are some of the finishes. Little kitchen mitts.

I am going to make 20 pairs to give reading board members to thank them for helping this year.

Don't they look cute?

Finally a finish to share. 

I'm working on a twin size quilt for grandson. Look for that finish soon.

Retiree Gifts

Two people are retiring this year. I wanted to make something personal for them.

This was quick to put together. It is a lap whole cloth quilt with gray mink dots on the back.

I'm not sure if the recipient ever sits still. Maybe he will when he retires.

I rolled the minky around to the front instead of sewing on binding.

This apron and Hot Fingers mitts have a retro feel. I used some of my Art Gallery fabric.

Reversible. 

One more. Can you see the Hot Fingers?

Don't know if she cooks but the apron looks pretty just hanging in the kitchen.

These were made last week end. 

Four more days until summer break. Then the sewing begins for real.

Practical project

I cut out these heart shaped pot holders some weeks ago. I had a pressing writing project I needed to finish but I just wanted to sew. Sooo, I tried to trick myself into doing the project. I told myself that I couldn't sew anything until the writing project was sent to the editors.

Finally, the project was sent and I could sew. I made these after work yesterday. 

I made some changes (of course) to the Heart Pot Holder from A Spoonful of Sugar Designs.

The front is above and the back is below.

I quilted various designs on the backs.

Simple grid quilting above.

Straight and wavy lines below.

Appliqued hearts that will fray when washed. I like that look.

These were gifted to the ladies in the office at work. I had fun making these heart pot holders. They are much easier to turn than the hot fingers pot holders.

Hope you had a productive week. Linking up with Amanda Jean.