Along with the commitments I made on the 2016 Finish Along at She Can Quilt blog, I have also been working on some extra projects...
I love the fabric I found for this dress I made for my darling grand-daughter. The colors remind me of vintage tablecloths. It features open pleats on the bodice and sleeves and I found a little flower shaped button for the back closure. I barely had enough leftover for a matching purse so I made it a bit smaller than the pattern required.
She was delighted with her new outfit and wears it often. Isn't it fun to sew for little girls?
I will soon be leaving for a trip to Japan. Dear friends of ours work at the New Life Center in Ishinomaki where the tsunami went through. The people in this area lost their homes and families. The New Life Center was created to be a place of hope that offers counseling and other needed services. It was one of the only buildings left standing.
This August we will be hosting a Quilting Workshop as several people have shared a desire to learn this craft. Below are a couple of the projects we have planned for this time together making new friends in Japan.
This is my own personal design and I will gladly offer this as a free pattern once I get back. It is a small project since we our workshop is for two days, but there are several piecing techniques to learn.
Another small item is this Dresden Plate table topper. It measures 20" in diameter and will brighten any area it is placed in.
The old fashioned bow tie pattern offers many ways to set the blocks. This will make a charming project.
All squares and half-square triangles, this runner has many alternative settings. Very basic but a whole world of options using these two patches.
We have been working on notebook covers, pincushions, and sewing kits to present to each participant. I am so anxious to teach and learn from the people in Ishinomaki.
Have you ever tried paper piecing? Using a pattern by Judy Niemeyer? You will not be disappointed! Her patterns are very thorough and have little waste. (well, relatively...paper piecing tends to be that way anyway) I really enjoyed this first introduction into paper piecing! The only complaint I may have is removing the paper backings. But an evening with good light, tweezers for hard to get areas, and the sweeper nearby for clean up makes the chore doable.
This is listed as my Number 2 goal for the 4th quarter finishes.
Once I had the pie pieces assembled and sewn together. I stretched the backing, wadding, and top on the floor for pin basting. All those pins! My fingers were so sore! They look like tiny ants, don't they?
I began machine quilting this but moved to the chair for hand quilting in the evenings. A task I love to do. My machine quilting - even with a walking foot - needs more skills built. And since I have so much work invested already, I did not want to compromise now.
Binding is on and she is ready for the tree! I'll update this with a final picture once our tree is up.
This will be linked at She Can Quilt as a completed finish. Gather your goals and join us for this motivation and a chance to win some prizes!
I am late getting my finishes posted for November. And since excuses only satisfy the one giving them, I'll simply introduce Finish #1 as listed in my 4th Quarter Goals.
Modern Fans Sew Along...This was a project inspired by Suzy Quilts . I did not win anything but I did make a completed quilt that I adore. This was a really fun quilt and went together fairly easy - even though it was curved piecing. Slow and steady progress was the word to focus on.
I had some Christmas yardage pieces that worked well with this so I did not even have to purchase anything other than the pattern. I'll surely get my money's worth as hopefully I will make another. This quilt design lends itself to many different settings and color combinations.
It is pictured above all quilted (by my long arm quilter) and binding is attached. The back was pieced with leftover fabrics I had stored away and I inserted a stray block so I have no waste.
It is presently snowing so it will be a special treat to sleep under my new Christmas quilt. Peace and good tidings to you and yours this joyous season!!
This post will be linked at SheCanQuilt at the end of the year. Gather your own projects that you desire to finish and join in the fun!
I love the fabric I found for this dress I made for my darling grand-daughter. The colors remind me of vintage tablecloths. It features open pleats on the bodice and sleeves and I found a little flower shaped button for the back closure. I barely had enough leftover for a matching purse so I made it a bit smaller than the pattern required. 
