Grandma’s Flower Garden Quilt

There are about 100 different varieties of Grandma’s Flower Garden quilt patterns. You can trust me, or you can google it. 🙂 I was asked to make one earlier this year and was sent a photo. My cousin in Kentucky wanted it for her sister for Christmas. She sent me a picture via cell phone and just asked that it look like that quilt. 🙂

Typically, this pattern is hand pieced in English Paper Piecing style, but knew from minute one that wasn’t about to happen. I told her I would try to figure out how to machine piece hexagons. Not for the faint of heart, let me tell you. I Googled and Youtubed, cut, sewed and ripped. They looked terrible, block after block.

Finally, I decided it was going to get done with half- hexis. That mean twice as many pieces per bock, but my Y-seams weren’t improving at all. I got to work on cutting abut 10,000 pieces. 🙂 I began making progress and it was looking good. Oh did I mention she wanted roughly a queen size.

I quilted it with a straight line, stitch in the ditch, pattern. I loved it actually. I may make myself one after a 5 or 10 year recovery period. I can’t believe I didn’t take a picture of the back. It was a dark blue starry sky print and it was so pretty.

This quilt traveled from my basement to my bedroom and then into my living room. It was packed and unpacked for monthly sew ins at least 3 times and even went to a quilt retreat. It has already logged hundreds of miles. I shipped it off to KY just in time for Christmas.

On the back I was able to add snippets of their parents shirts to make it extra special. I know they will love it as much as I did.

Christmas Quilts – Delivered

I finished up a couple quilt just in the nick of time for Christmas Delivery this year. One of the quilts was a gift from my mom to my sister in law. She wanted a throw to put on a bench a friend was making her and she wanted it to be blue. My mom found a great pattern and got busy stitching it up. She did fantastic! I helped her to finish it up by quilting it and adding the binding so it would be ready to go! It really is a cool pattern and looks so nice with the snow. 🙂

Quilt number two was for my grandma. Another throw size quilt that will fit on the back of her couch. My mom and I pieced this one together and I quilted and bound it as well. The quilt kit was actually handed off to me by someone who wasn’t interested in making it. I am fairly sure it was dated 1998. 🙂 Almost 20 years! Put that baby together! This was a Block of the Month Sampler kit from Joann Fabrics. There were two small white pieces missing from the pre-cut kit, and I bet no one will even notice I replaced them with white shamrocks! For Love, not Luck.

Both of these have been gifted and hopefully will be well loved through the years!

The Adrianne Sweater

The Adrianne Sweater by DIBY.club has been out a short while so I know you have seen it around. With a size range from 00 to 36 everyone in the sewing community is wearing it. A lot of pattern companies take care of the misses sizes, but few cover the plus sizes. I feel like DIBY has the curvy population figured out and they are making us look even more fantastic!

This top comes with several options including 4 sleeve lengths, boat, scoop and cowl neck options. I choose to make the elbow length sleeve with the cowl neck which I love!

I made the size 30, but lengthened the pattern by 4 inches so I could wear it over leggings, feel comfortable and be work appropriate.  It was easy to increase the length by splitting the pattern just above the highest points of the side bands. The pattern gives you directions for lengthening the bands to fit new size. The bands were much easier to install since the pattern comes with a step by step video on them! Thank you, Jessica!

Side detailing is great! I haven’t seen it elsewhere which helps me love it. FYI this piece is cut on grain and in my size I needed more than one yard to do it! Plan ahead! It kinda messed up my plan for the amazingly soft, mustard colored, double brushed poly fabric I had planned to use, but had only ordered one yard of it. Mentally kicking myself over only buying one yard.

Fear not, you will see it soon. I used it today on another shirt using the leftovers from this one. Kinda like a two for one deal! I love a good bargin!

Fabric Details-

Main fabric is “Dreamscape” in yellow. It is Poly Rayon Spandex blend from Sly Fox Fabric. I found it in the sale section! Bargin times Deux!

The Dark Gray is a heavy knit from Joann’s.

If you are ready to add this one to your closet, here is the link to The Adrianne Sweater. Check out the other great DIBY patterns. I wrote about The Nora here. Be on the look out because in the next few days, I will be posting pictures from my Nora 2.0. 🙂

Be sure to follow my blog so you catch all my updates! 🙂

Cozy Sunday Sweater

I recently had the opportunity to test for a new to me designer.  More 2 Hug is offering this shirt plus a cozy  Sunday pant and capri pattern. You can purchased them as separates or a bundle. I finished my shirt and have picked out fabric for my pants. Shh don’t anyone but I am making RED pants to team with this shirt. I think that I need to wear it on a boat somewhere. 🙂 As soon as we get through the holidays, I will be making the pants.  

I really liked the cross front style of this shirt and felt it looked great over a hot pink tank! Perfectly matching earrings as well and blue glasses today. 🙂 I chose to make the mid length sleeve with the cuffed band which I always find looks more finished. There are also short and long sleeve options. I double stitched down the neck band facing as my fabric didn’t have a enough body to stay turned down on its own. In hindsight I could have interfaced it and given it the body it needed. I think it would hold down fine with a heavier weight knit. This pattern was well drafted from the start and fit without adjustments on my side. The pattern included a hood options and a banded waist or a hemmed finish. Lots of decisions means loads of options.

I choose to use a fun striped print I picked up on Black Friday at Joann Fabrics and LOVE how it turned out.

There is a 20% off discount code to all group members of the support group until Christmas day! To join the group and get the code save some $$$.
This is the group address: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176321289515605/?fref=ts

Check out the patterns here.

SWEATER https://www.etsy.com/…/cozy-sunday-sweater-pdf-sewing-patte…
PANTS https://www.etsy.com/…/cozy-sunday-pants-pdf-sewing-pattern…
BUNDLE https://www.etsy.com/…/bundle-cozy-sunday-sweater-pants-pdf…

The Nora

The Nora Sweater is AaMaaZing! DIBY.com has done it again! This was my first test from them though I have bought several of their patterns.

Curvy gals like me sometimes struggle to find nicely fitting sweater patterns. You know, please cover my boobs, my butt, and I don’t want to wear a potato sack. I think this one has me covered, literally. Nora was ready to sew without adjustments. Just tape the pattern up and get to sewing.

I used a size 30 bodice graded to a 28 at the waist. It comes with loads of options. I made the banded hem but it also comes with a split side option which gives it a completely different look. Also the center back seam allows for everything to be brought in a bit for extra shape. 🙂 Who doesn’t love that?

You can also choose between short, elbow and longer sleeves. I chose the elbow length with cuffs which come to a perfect length on me. I like the banded style because it is easier than hemming. J Neckline options are scoop and crew neck plus a drawstring funnel neck which I have to admit I am kinda in love with. I am making it on my next one. The fabric is in the washer now. Shhh Don’t tell my Christmas projects.

This one ranges in size 00 to Plus size 36, so a lot of lucky girls will fit in this beauty.  If you have never sewn a DIBY pattern before, I highly suggest them because their patterns include enough details and information that it feels like taking a sewing class. I am also wearing my Nora while modeling my new glasses. I am channeling my inner Penelope Garcia. When I grow up I want to be her. 🙂

   

 

I have been hoarding this fabric for months. I loved the colors and the print. It feels like a sweater on the outside but like a sweatshirt inside. It really is a win-win in my book!

Get your copy of The Nora Sweater here. #Afflink

Sansa Flare!

It has finally happened folks! I made pants!!! Flare pants! I can’t even tell you how much work the designer and test group put into making this pattern fit perfectly!! Plus there is a video coming to help you get the perfect fit! Check the Bella Sunshine Blog for it!

Another Bella Sunshine Designs Winner!

I made a 26 graded to a 24. I shorted my overall length 4 inches.  I also made the mid rise yoga pant.

Let me give you all the details.

Sizes range from  kid-to plus size 30. You get to choose from Mid rise and High rise as well as yoga band or elastic waist.   That basically covers every option you need in a flare.

I used a performance knit for this  pair. So I got to use my new serger to stitch them up! It took about 20 minutes for me to sew them. I bet you can’t buy a pair of ill fitting ready to wear in 20 minutes!

You can pick up this pattern as well as loads of other Bella Sunshine Designs AMAZING patterns by using my Aff. link here.

Sugar and Spice Poncho

This is the second pattern I have tested from Ellie and Mac. I enjoyed sewing the poncho because it was easy pattern assembly, a fast sew and fit correctly from the start. I used Blizzard Fleece from Joann’s for both layers. It is super soft, warm, and structured. I couldn’t resist this awesome plaid print either.

And these…

BUTTONS…

yes…

RED BUTTONS!

This is probably only the second or third time I have made button holes on my machine but it was super easy actually. It honestly took me way longer to pick out buttons than to sew them on. 🙂

Since it is already cold in Ohio, I have wore the Sugar and Spice Poncho several times already.

I made the turtle neck, shortened by half. There is also a cowl neck option included with the pattern. You can choose between the lined and the unlined versions. I believe two length options are given, but the pattern can be easily modified to lengthen or shorten.

Here is the link to the Sugar and Spice Poncho so you can pick up your copy while it is on sale. Also note, their ENTIRE website is on sale 50% OFF!!!

You still have time to sew a few gifts for Christmas gifts and holiday parties.