Little Detours

Lots of detours the past week or so.

I finished the second dress for Miss Ava.

She wanted a dress with all the teal fabrics.

I used the Violet Fields Thread "Georgia" pattern - sort of.

Ava likes sleeveless dresses, so I left off the sleeves.

She wanted one button but I didn't think it would stay closed with only one button.

I used the three patterned fabrics for the loops and covered buttons.

Then I had another detour to make some cloth napkins from stash gingham.

I pieced together an extra square and thought I would use it to cover a small jar.

Then I detoured to try a Christmas craft I saw online.

These will be decorated with puffy paint.

Next time I will share one of the gingerbread houses.

I think these will be fun for the grandkids to decorate when they are all together in a couple of weeks.

I finally received my Silent Night kits.

I plan to make the simple version book/playmat.

Still to make - little brothers matching shirt and shorts.

I'm trying two different shirt styles -buttons in front and buttons in back.

Ava came for a play day.

She asked to sew something by hand.

She has very definite ideas of how to sew.

Great time of exploration.

We are waiting for okra.

The blooms are slowly coming.

We love roasted okra.

These Morning Glories are from seeds that my mom saved.

Linking up with Wendy and wishing I were touring Europe with her.

Happy Sewing!

 

Repurposing Row by Row Blocks

Row by Row was a fun way to document visits to local quilt shops.

In 2015 I focused on collecting the patterns from as many shops as I could.

I made some of the rows and got stuck on the harder (appliqué) rows.

Above are rows from Mississippi, Memphis, and St. Louis.

Fast forward to 2023.

The Cotton Museum in downtown Memphis has asked for mini quilts (24" X 24")

that commemorate local history.

Not many have agreed to participate, so an appeal was given to make more than one mini quilt.

I looked at my finished and half finished rows and made a plan.

By removing one block on each row I have a square just a little over 24".

Here is the first mini.

Title: Memphis #1 'Rolling on the River'.

I machine quilted wavy lines with blue variegated thread.

The extra blocks from each row are on the back.

I'm trying a new-to-me finishing technique-facing instead of binding.

I wanted to sew the hanging sleeve with the facing.

But -oops- the order of layers was wrong.

I took out a small section and re-ordered the layers. 

Above and below -wrong!

Correct order below.

I ironed the facings toward the back and left the hanging sleeve loose.

The corners were a little difficult to get out.

Below is a close up of the correct layering order if you want to include a hanging sleeve.

Tomorrow I will hand sew the facing down and then secure the hanging sleeve.

I think facing is a fast way to finish a mini quilt.

Love the little anchor included in the Fabric Dock's row.

Next - Memphis #2 Down by the Riverside

Happy Sewing!

 

Garment sewing

A week ago I finished this jacket made from fabric I bought at Paducah Quilt Show in April.

I wore it to book club and Uncommon Threads QG and received so many complements.

Above is the pattern I used.

This was the 5th time making this pattern.

Below: the first one I made on the left and the most recent edition on the right.

I have learned that the neck/front border needs interfacing.

Sometimes I skip interfacing garments but it makes a difference. (note to self)

I have made 2 of the long version.

And 2 of the shorter version.

I made a shorter one for my daughter, too.

I try to finish the seams with zigzag stitches, flat fell seams, or French seams.

Below shows the top stitched flat fell seam.

Inside view of a finished seam.

Underside of the flat fell seam.

Finished sleeve seam.

All of the jackets were made from 100% cotton.

This week end I made a blouse from some slippery print fabric.

There was a little handwork required to finish the neckline.

I used this pattern but changed the cuffed sleeve for an elastic closing.

Almost finished.

The top requires a button and loop closure.

But really I can get the blouse on without unbuttoning it.

Another view.

It fits and I'm glad it is finished.

Next week I plan to make a dress for Ava and shirt & shorts for Kenton.

They are vacationing in Colorado so there is more time to sew.

 

Another Quick Finish

Three mornings this week I volunteered at Project Transformation in Memphis.

We listened to elementary and middle schoolers read. 

I had Flat Chuck in my bag and took a photo of the book Aiden was reading to me.

Then Aiden agreed to have his photo taken.

Hope he has fun reading to his next volunteer.

I cut out this jacket earlier in the week.

It only took a couple of hours to finish it this afternoon.

I bought the fabric at the quilt show in Paducah.

My oldest grandson had a promotion celebration on Wednesday.

I wish I could have been there to see the program.

Thankful for photos of the events I miss.

He is a smart, kind, creative boy who gives wonderful, crushing hugs.

Can't wait to spend time with him in August.

I finished my block for our group's charity quilt.

Now we have to sew the six big blocks together.

The first National Park quilt has basic quilting done

and it has been trimmed.

I am taking a break from working on these quilts while I make some outfits

for Ava and Kenton.

My mini history quilt is also in the rotation. It has to be finished by August 22.

A workshop that I thought would add a feature to the mini quilt has been canceled.

Back to the drawing board.

I started going to physical therapy for my knee this week, too.

Wow! So glad I'm getting this help.

I can already feel the difference.

Happy sewing.

 

Rescue Dog

This doesn't look like a dog but once upon a time it was a cute corduroy pup.

The stuffing had disintegrated and I thought I could easily fix this childhood treasure.

I'm not sure what my mom used for stuffing but all that was left was dust.

Even the little tail had gritty brown dust inside.

I started emptying the toy in my sewing room.

Oops! Brown dust every where.

I turned the dog inside out to undo the tail.

I decided the only way to get rid of the embedded dust was soaking the fabric in cold water.

After swishing it around several times and running fresh water through it, 

I squeezed the excess water out and put it on the screened porch to dry.

I used pearl cotton #5 to embroider a nose and eyes.

The original eyes were glued on pieces of yellow corduroy.

There wasn't a nose/mouth as far as I can remember.

I outlined the eyes with brown pearl cotton and stitched a brown iris on each eye.

After I embroidered a nose and eyes, I stuffed little doggie with polyfil.

Next, sewing the tummy opening.

As I stitched I realized how fragile the corduroy was.

I used a variegated brown thread to close the tummy.

To make the closing almost invisible I used a ladder stitch.

Next time I will pull the stitches tight after a stitch or two.

Pulling this many stitches was not the best way to close the opening.

So cute!

His ears just naturally stand out.

He reminds me of a favorite picture book from my childhood 

about a little puppy who was invisible, Nothing At All by Wanda Gag.

I may have the pattern for this little stuffed dog in mom's pattern collection.

When I have a chance I will look for it.

Little doggie has a home with my baby photos and bronzed shoes.

Very pleased with this refurbished little stuffie.

Planning to get back to National Parks quilts next.

Happy sewing.