Quilting Bee

I got together with some other ladies from church today to work on quilts.  We have an ongoing project of making twin size quilts to give to foster children, and now we're trying to get some ready for a tri-stake humanitarian project that will be giving quilts and blankets to refugee families in the area.

I love getting all our fabric scraps together and trying to patch together quilt tops.  We tied one BSU quilt, and started cutting squares.  We've decided on 6 1/2 inch squares, but really anything goes.  We're working on a vibrant animal print, a blue quilt top that is full of stars, and I'm most excited about fabric with pink and powder blue Thunderbirds on it.  Right now I'm just a little part of a group effort and it's fun.  My excitement will probably fade as I cut out 140 squares and sew them together. 

The New Adventure of Old JoAnn

They've remodeled the JoAnns right up the street from me, and had a special promotion for 4 days.  On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I was at their door at 9:00 when they opened.  They gave $5 gift cards to the first 50 customers each day.  I also had a bunch of coupons and they had a bunch of sales.  I bought yarn, a planter box, thread, and two pieces of fabric. 

I made a dress with one piece.  It was fun being able to sew on Saturday.  It was my first time behind the sewing machine since last summer.  The dress was super easy, and the best part was it fit.  (I'll have to model and post pics later.)

My best deal was buying 2 1/3 yards of fabric ($19.99 a yard) and 2 skeins of bamboo yarn ($4.49 each) and spending $12.64!  It was extreme couponing - sort of.  I'm making a bed skirt out of the fabric and slippers out of the yarn.  It's been a fun adventure at the new JoAnns.

 

Sewing Update

My goal was to finish 12 sewing projects, one for each week of summer.  I have seven finished.  My problem has been that I've had to make each project twice, and one, three times.  I don't know why I can't just measure and get things to fit.  I still need to fix a pair of watermelon pants that I made for Haddie, and redo a waist band on my white skirt.  I finished a lined navy blue dress that's really cute on, but I can't zip it up the back.  It's just hanging in the back of the closet and I'm hoping with diligent dieting I'll be able to wear it some time this fall.  I love sewing.  Part of my problem is just being out of practice.  I'll continue on and finish up my goal.  I think the next five projects will go faster.  I just need to do them once - slow and careful.

A Stitch in Time

I've been sewing again.  I got a jump start hemming table squares for a wedding.  Then I made a dress for myself.  I'm half way through my second dress and have a dress cut out for Haddie.  I have a stack of material and want to complete 12 projects this summer, one a week. 

I love to sew and I'm thankful to my mom for teaching me how.  I'm thankful for my high school graduation gift of a sewing machine that still works like a dream.  I love fabric stores and pattern books.  It feels good to work for several hours and create something lasting and beautiful.  When I clean house or cook for several hours it's beautiful, but it doesn't last.