So Sophie Fat Quarter Quilt

When Jana and I were in Utah helping The Quilted Fish with her Delighted launch party (October 2011), we had the opportunity to visit Cindy and Jina at Riley Blake headquarters.  I believe the day we were at RB headquarters, was the day that So Sophie made its debut, therefore Jana and I were gifted some So Sophie.  I had honestly been waiting for the perfect quilt, to use my So Sophie, and in my eyes a quilt for Kia's sweet Grandma fit the bill.

Just like the Parson Gray World Tour quilt for Kia's Dad, time was extremely tight, so I opted to make a quick fat quarter friendly quilt (Fantastic-O Fat Quarter Quilt, by my friend Gina Halladay). The front is pieced using 12 fat quarters, and quilted with big bubbly flowers, in a rose colored thread.

The back is simple, as I used the small yellow flower print, and used the linear polka dot print for the binding.  Kia's Grandma was over the moon when she opened the quilt, which is reason enough for why I create and sew for others.  :)

Parson Gray World Tour Fat Quarter Quilt

To say that I busy with Christmas sewing this past December, was an understatement.  I'll have to do a couple of blog posts to recap everything I made, but here is a quick breakdown:

2 Lap Quilts

5 Pillowcases

22 Quilted Holiday Pillows (with zippers!)

The first lap quilt I made was for Kia's Dad.  I had planned on making him a quilt for his birthday, as he mentioned that he was interested in a quilt of his own, but during a weak moment, I convinced myself that I could whip one up for him in time for Christmas.

 

Time was tight, so I opted to make a quick fat quarter friendly quilt (Fantastic-O Fat Quarter Quilt, by my friend Gina Halladay).  It's really become my go to quick quilt in a day pattern.  The fabric is World Tour by Parson Gray, which I love as it is very manly, and even has a Persian touch to it.

Needless to say, Kia's dad was stoked when he opened up his quilt, which brought a huge smile to my face.  I love to sew for others, as the recipient's joy always warms my heart!

Belated Wedding Quilt

My sweet friend Alia from college, married her finance Ryan in Portland, in August 2012.  I really wanted to be in attendance at the wedding, but unfortunately I wasn't able to be there to celebrate their big day.  I had grand plans of making a quilt for Alia and Ryan for their wedding, I fervently pieced the quilt top, had it quilted, and then it as time for the binding, which is when I was quickly reminded HOW MUCH I hated hand stitching binding (I know its a horrible excuse, but its the only excuse I have).  

I hate to admit, but the quilt sat quilted, but not binded, in my sewing studio for +/- 14 months after the wedding.  Thankfully I found the time and  motivation to hand stitch the binding before Christmas.

 

The quilt front is pieced using Jeni Baker's Modern Plus Quilt Tutorial.  Fabrics are from the Bold and Beautiful collection by Michelle D'Amore for Bernatex.

I added leftover strips from the quilt front to the back, which makes the back pop in my opinion.  This beauty of a quilt made its way up to Portland, and is being enjoyed by Alia and Ryan!  :)

Five Custom Pillows + One Quilt

Hello Friends!  I have been sewing like a MAD woman, and wanted to share the finished goods with you!  A little over a month a go I went fabric shopping with my boyfriend (no worries, we left still a couple!).  :)  The mission at hand was to pick "manly" fabrics for new custom pillows for his couches.  I found Betz White's Stitch Organic print and used that as the base for all of the pillows.  We methodically selected a handful of fabrics that coordinated with the Stitch Organic print and were soon enough on our merry way!  I made a total of five pillows, with only two using the same pattern.  All pillows are 18" square, and I machine quilted each pillow on my BabyLock.

I made another Tallahassee paper pieced pillow, just like I did for the Pillow Talk Swap!  This time I used the same fabric for the background and flower middles, and really like how it turned out!

I used the Stitch Organic print for the backing of each pillow, and hid the zipper with a coordinating print.

For this pillow, I modified the Coming Home quilt pattern in Camille Roskelley's Simplify book, to make an 18" square pillow.

It's no secret to my family and friends that I have fallen in LOVE with triangle pillows.  I made two this go around, and really thought about keeping one for myself (shhh...don't tell my boyfriend!).  :)

This is the second triangle pillow.  They both coordinate, yet they're so different.

Last but not least, I modified the A Bunch of Crosses pillow pattern from the Pillow Pop book, to fit an 18" pillow form.  You might remember that I made him a Simply Color Cross Quilt for Christmas last year; I love that this pillow echoes the same pattern.

All of the pillows lined up, and ready for their debut on his couch!

I had some leftover fabric and a little time (more fabric than time), and opted to make a quick fat quarter friendly quilt (Fantastic-O Fat Quarter Quilt, by my friend Gina Halladay).

 

 

I also added a little hand embroidery (I couldn't pass up the opportunity!).

Madhuri, by The Quilted Fish

I'm so bad at keeping secrets, but I was able to keep this sweet Mini under wraps until after Quilt Market- go me!!!  A couple weeks before Quilt Market, sweet Amanda of The Quilted Fish sent the Creative Team some of her new Madhuri fabric to play with.  We all made "Modern Mini Quilts", which were hung in Amanda's booth at Quilt Market.

This is the front of my Madhuri Mini.  I love the fussy cut elephant and the traditional Churn Dash block.

 

I pieced the back and quilted (for the the very first time!!!) this Mini with straight line stitches.  I love the simplity of the quliting, however am still bummed that the pink eleephant seam is wonky - you live and learn!

 

If you like the looks of this Mini, make sure you come back on 5/29/13, as I will be posting a tutorial, so that you can make your own.

 

Oh, and did I mention that Amanda won a 2nd place ribbon at Quilt Market for her double booth?  Here are a couple of photos that I borrowed from Amanda's blog (surely she won't mind!).  :)

 

Dr. Seuss Birthday Quilt

One month into 2013, and I have one finished quilt under my belt- not too shabby!  I love Dr. Seuss, and the fact that I read his books as a child and now my friend's kids are enjoying them.

My sweet friend Kiara's son turned one, and had a Dr. Seuss themed birthday party to celebrate!  Once I spotted the sweet Robert Kaufman Dr. Seuss fabrics on Etsy, I knew that a Dr. Seuss Birthday Quilt was in order for the big party!

I used Patchwork Plaza's One Block Two Block Red Block Blue Block quilt pattern.  Kiara and I took laid out the fabric, and then I whipped up the quilt in a day or so.  There are hardly any matching seams, thus the quick sewing!

My friend Joyce did the long arm quilting for me.  I love the circles and the choice of yellow thread. 

The quilt is backed with all of Dr. Seuss' book titles, and bound in a red and white stripe.  The quilt is so fun and colorful- perfect for a one year old!  :)