Eagle Quilt: Process

Now that I have the center medallion finished, I needed to surround it with the background fabric to square it.  I'm not sure yet what the center size will be, it will depend on my next steps in construction.

finding my quarter sections was simple with the number of wedges used for the pattern:


I had to use two layers of freezer paper to cover the entire quarter. I traced along the edge and then added a quarter seam:


And here we go with trepidation I cut two layers at a time.  I matched the two ends of the yardage so that one side would have the words upside down.  I turned the template and cut two more sections in the same method.


After making sure the words on the background fabric were all going the same direction, I sewed the background together at the ends and then pinned it to the center.





The fabric isn't quite "smoothed" yet on my wall, but I can tell I may have to do something to the bottom near the tail to ensure no waves.  I'm thinking I may unpick and resew.

Currently it is over 64" square, but I will be trimming it back quite a bit (probably close to the sides/top/bottom of the center.  I'm not set yet what I will be adding around this medallion, but I have some block ideas in mind.  I've been pinning a few ideas on pinterest since I started planning this quilt last summer.

I am thrilled with how the center has turned out!

Boy Scouts Eagle Quilt

Yesterday I finally started on an eagle quilt that I have been planning since October (when I found the pattern I wanted to do to mark one son's Eagle rank earned).  He still has a project and two partial merit badges to finish up, so I have time.  I just uploaded one image to Instagram and I came across another with red/white/blue fabrics used, and it looks awesome: https://www.instagram.com/p/BHcmrPkhZsI/?tagged=phillipsfiberarts&hl=en  Had I seen this first, I might have changed my mind on fabrics!

I began with labeling my fabrics. I took a swatch of each then glued and labeled on a card so I wouldn't confuse myself sewing the strips.  The background fabric has the scout oath on it, so as a directional fabric I had to be careful and be sure I was sewing that strip in the same direction.


Loving the tail!


And this is as far as I finished last night before my son came home from youth group:


One more section:


And voila! I am finished for today since the schools have early release day today, so it's all covered up and I can now consider how to attach fabric to this circle to make it into a rectangular quilt.

I am currently going for a queen sized quilt--or maybe slightly smaller full-size. I have some ideas in mind to add to it as well. One funny thing today, I sent the hubby a picture of the progress and I told him I was considering putting my picture where the eagle's body/head will be appliqued :) It would be a funny photoshop regardless.

Humble Quilts Doll Quilt Exchange

I received the cutest doll quilt from the Humble Quilts exchange over the weekend from Stephanie Hanson in Texas:



Those tiny triangles are so cute!



I haven't decided yet where I will display it, but I sure do love looking at it!

Link to the quilt I made: http://melissadevin.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-humble-quilts-swap.html


link-up:  http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2017/05/humble-quilt-exchange-show-me-your.html
http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=713482

Graduation/Memory Quilt, Pink Lemonade Finishes

I finished up a few projects over the weekend, here is one.



I am going to try and ignore that now (literally "now"! after downloading photos) when I look at the picture, I think I put the rabbit applique in the wrong location.  It's too late now, it's been mailed off... Why is it that I have a hard time seeing things until I look at photos?  Why can't I see the placement without having to do that.  ugh!  The good part is that it can be removed since I put it on after the top was together.  It might take a little time to remove it, but it's up to my niece.

On a note about sewing baby clothing into a memory quilt, I don't plan on doing that again.  Yes, I have seen some very cute ones, but after several needle breaks, I'm going to decline those.



My next finish was a new quilt for my grand daughter.  After making the "Pink Lemonade" pattern that came in a Quilty Box, I knew this was what I would be giving to her.  I amazed myself by sewing the binding down in one day (usually I give myself 3-4 days).  I am not very good at machine sewing the binding, so that was out.




Anyway... with so many irons in the fire, I have been feeling paralyzed.  I hate that feeling of being so overwhelmed.  My next project I must finish is Daniel's Boy Scout Eagle quilt.  I already have the pattern, and though there is time, this is something that is going to sneak up on me if I'm not careful.  He thinks he'll reach Eagle by June, but I think that's pushing it.

I can't get over the applique placement I did, I'm really upset with myself.

Humble Quilt Swap 2017 pt2

Outside pictures... I guess that pink in the patches just doesn't want to play well for the camera. It looks a lot like my indoor shot from last night.



But the backing looks the most consistent in the outside shot:

2017 Humble Quilts Swap

I finished up my little quilt tonight to send out to its recipient.  I had this one in mind for the last two swaps, but never finished more than 6 diamonds.  I decided to go ahead and use the hexies this year--what good are they just sitting in my folder anyway?  I thought about a different layout, but decided on this one.  The pink in the patches is actually darker, but I couldn't get the colors correct with the photo.



I love the backing fabric. The picture doesn't do it justice.



This one is heading out of the country next week! I hope the recipient likes it, it is definitely a humble quilt with many goofs along with wiggles in the quilting... uffda.  I am a bit rusty with the freemotion.

Updated: I followed up with some outdoor shots the following day, which didn't seem to help overall with getting the colors right: http://melissadevin.blogspot.com/2017/04/humble-quilt-swap-2017-pt2.html

Update 2: This is the adorable quilt I received: http://melissadevin.blogspot.com/2017/04/humble-quilts-doll-quilt-exchange.html

Apparel Sewing

I am having fun using my serger and trying out different clothing patterns.  I love just about anything from Patterns for Pirates or Made for Mermaids, and there are a few from craftsy that I have purchased but haven't tried yet.  This morning after reading about Judy D's new overlock machine, and then following over Judy L's page (this was the post that made me purchase the following pattern...), I decided to take the plunge and buy the Laundry Day Tee.  As you can see by all the links, there is a lot of enabling going on--even if Judy L didn't know it :) If I were being honest, I would say that Judy D is the reason I decided to get back into sewing clothing again (and being tired of being disappointed with retail fit not fitting right--along with short-short sleeves).

Over the last month I have sewn up several Mama Blair tops, three SOS knit pants (trying to get the fit I want with the straight leg version) and now a Laundry Day Tee.  I have purchased several tee patterns from PFP, but haven't made them up yet.  I hesitated buying the laundry day one because they seem so similar.

My response??  I LOVE this top!  I started off with tunic length, but that doesn't look good for my body (maybe when I am skinny).  After sewing it up, I cut it down to the shirt length--which is what I am used to in a "tunic" size (that can be so subjective).  It was a quick and easy sew, from point of purchase to being finished, it only took me about 2-3 hours at the most.

Our upstairs has the only full length mirror.  I really need to clean it!  With two boys at home, who knows what's on it!


The fabric from fabric.com's site without the yellowness that our upstairs has.  The fabric is called Bolt By Girl Charlee Pure Vintage jersey knit feathers, it's a nice cotton jersey.

Over the next couple of weeks I need to go through my closet and do an honest purge.  Some things I am not going to fit into and others I won't want to wear if I did fit back into them.  I believe I have had a fear of not having clothes for if I did lose weight, so I hold on to them.  It's time to let go and be happy I can achieve good fits on my own (now if Kohls would have boot cut yoga pants from Sonoma back on their racks, I would buy many pairs... I love that fit).