Parlor Trick #2 top finished

My first idea for borders for Parlor Trick was to use 3 fabrics - tan, floral, light sage.

I added the first two, then tried the third one.

I wanted to use cranberry for the binding, pulling another color from the floral.

But when I looked at it again, I decided it was finished with the tan and floral borders.

I think the cranberry binding will look better against the floral. And it just looks finished to me.

On my knitting endeavors, I want to thank Jenny for her kind comment. I tried to reply but I don't think it went through.

I looked for left-handed continental knitting videos and found that I have been trying to knit right-handed. I knew something didn't feel right. Now I feel I am making progress with continental knitting. I am practicing on a pattern that alternates between knitting and purling. 

That forces me to pay attention. My knitting is not great but I can see progress.

Next up some dresses for Ava.

We plan to go see her next week end and since we are asked to stay home for two weeks, I will have lots of sewing time.

Look for pics of new dresses next time.

Knit finishes and quilt block progress

I finished two knitting projects last week with Beverly's help at Southern Needle.

She taught me to knit but I haven't taken much time to practice.

This lavender feather and fan scarf just needed a few more rows to be complete but I left it so long I couldn't figure out where I was in the pattern. 

Now it is ready to wear! yea!

I started this hat by myself but only picked it up occasionally.

Here it is finished with pompoms.

Ready for cold weather.

Here are my modern quilt blocks waiting for the last two blocks.

The final blocks are finished!

I had to buy more fabric for the solid blocks that will alternate with the pieced blocks.

Fortunately the Cotton Blossom had the exact color I wanted.

I have cut out the 12 solid blocks and have started to sew them together.

Below are the solid blocks.

Next time I will share photos of the finished rows and possible border choices.

What are you sewing?

Mini quilt with hand quilting

Second finish of the year.

Made from a Moda mini charm pack and fat quarters.

 Close up of hand quilting.

Back. Can you see the quilting?

Hanging corners.

Next project is a lap quilt from this book.

I visited her shop in NYC in October.

This is the quilt layout and the fabric I will use.

Parlor Trick. Every block has partial seams!

After I started this post life got busy and I didn't get to finish writing.

My mom passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

As the oldest child and the only one retired, I had lots of things to do.

Her celebration of life was yesterday, February 14. 

She was 94 years old and had lived an interesting life.

Six words to describe Helen: gardener, quilter, crocheter, reader, traveler, mother. 

Have a great week!

January 2020 First Finish

Since Ava was coming last week end, I made some clothes for her baby doll, Henrietta.

See finished garments below.

Long sleeved top - white on white print

Skirt - left over Grinch fabric from Ava's Grinch dress.

Narrow double sided velcro bought from Etsy doll maker.

This is the best stuff for closures on doll clothes.

One side is sticky and the other is soft.

It comes in about 20 colors. I went with white but could have matched each fabric.

Ava picked out this blue print to make a dress after she got to our house. I had less than a fat quarter and had to piece the skirt and one side of the back. Still turned out cute. Wish I had recorded Ava's response when she saw the finished dress.

Henrietta in a flower print dress with tiny lace trim. I have a shirt made from the same fabric.

Doll clothes are great way to use scraps.

Updating this post to show the romper and jumper. Each were made from fat quarters.

I planned to link with the Peacock Party last week end but it was too late when I finished.

This week I have been working on a mini-quilt. I may post about it by Sunday.

2020 Possibilities

Just a few days post surgery, I have time to work on sewing, quilting, yarn projects but just can't seem to get focused. So instead of a hard and fast list for the year, here are some possibilities.

1. Doll clothes for Ava's baby doll. She says Barbie has enough clothes.

2.  Finish the wool applique ornaments - 2 left from first kit.

3. Finish a mini-quilt for future silent auction.

4. Finish lap size Scrap Dance Minuet.

5. Crochet or knit a scarf with this yarn.

6. Make a lap quilt with this fabric using a pattern from this book.

7. Make a wall hanging from this kit.

8. Finish this advent wall hanging.

9. Finish hand quilting the centers of this Good Fortune mystery quilt.

10. Knit a scarf using the new stitch I learned this fall.

11. Start the wool applique hanging using the wool bits shown here.

12. Finish embroidering the Calendar Girls.

That is enough! One per month might be a good goal.

Last post for 2019

This will be my last post for 2019. The week end will be busy with our church choir program and party. I will check on mom tomorrow and take her to a doctor's appointment Monday.

Then we will drive to Memphis for Christmas with Ava and her parents.

Which brings me to this bit of sewing.

First, I didn't make the baby doll outfit below.

I bought it for Ava's baby doll hoping I could figure out the size for her clothes since I don't have the doll.

I heard that Ava wants diapers for her babies. It's too cold for a baby to wear only a diaper, so I made a shirt to go with the diaper. The velcro fasteners haven't been sewn on yet.

These were made from scraps left over from flannel blankets I have made over the years.

I made my own pattern for the items above but I found a free pattern online for the baby bunting below. It was for a larger doll but I was able to resize the pattern to fit her 12 inch doll.

Here is the set for one baby doll.

Ava's favorite color is pink.

Here is the pink set.

The fabric used for this bunting was left over from a jacket I made Ava.

I wonder if she will notice that it is the same.

Here is the pink set.

We will fly to NYC to see Liam and David after Christmas and stay through New Year's Day.

When we get back I am scheduled for surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.

If you are reading this before January 7, 2020, please pray for me, my husband, and the medical team.

Looking forward to more sewing in 2020.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Ava's Grinch Dress

When you ask a three year old "what kind of dress do you want for Christmas?", be ready for anything. Ava wanted a pink Grinch dress but Grinch fabric isn't made in pink. Her mom found a Grinch print and paired it with a dark red polka dot.

Changes were made to the McCalls pattern - straight sleeves instead of puff sleeves.

That involved redrawing the armhole to use a sleeve from another pattern.

The dress is lined top and skirt. To save time I top-stitched the bodice lining instead of hand stitching.

The original dress called for a zipper and even though I have about 20 zippers, none worked with the print. I changed the pattern again from zipper to button placket. I thought the lime green buttons accented the Grinch.

I used thicker thread to make a guide for the sash.

Back view with sash. Buttons are even in this photo.

Sending off to Miss Ava today. Can't wait to see how it looks on her.

Merry Grinchmas!