Sewing ~ Quilting ~ Foundation Paper Piecing

I hate waste and one would think foundation paper piecing produces a lot of waste. That depends on what you do with those cut off bits and pieces. I save it all. They will either get used in future fpp blocks or they will get sewn into crumb blocks.   Once there isn't enough of a specific fabric left to use in any foundation paper piecing blocks it gets moved to the scrap bin.  When I have time or just need a break from fpp I sew together all my little fabric scraps. Once I have a piece of fabric roughly 10"-12" I sub-cut them into 5 1/2" squares.  Anything cut off gets put back into the scrap bin.   These blocks can be used as any other 5 1/2" blocks would. Create a quilt using just the crumb blocks, add a solid fabric to break it up. Make a colorful border or in a quilt backing. The possibilities go on and on. I love using up every little bit I can out of my fabrics! My scrap bin Bits and pieces left over after cutting some 5 1/2" blocks You can see how m...

Instead of doing a guest book that gets stuffed in a drawer and forgotten you can do a signature quilt.  This is what my sister and brother-in-law wanted when they got married.  Because they got married during Covid restrictions there weren't as many guests as there normally would have been.  To start with I selected a fabric and cut 6.5" squares. We wanted to go with individual blocks to start with in case anyone made an error on their block or wanted to change anything. I had a sample block asking guests not to write close to the edges (seam allowance). We had fabric pigment markers and "test blocks" so guests could test how the markers work on the fabric.  Then the hard part, they left the layout and design up to me.  I wanted something classy but modern. Something they could have in any room of the house without to match a color scheme but still wanted a bit of color.  My nephews wore purple shirts for the wedding so that would be my pop of color. I sta...

Over the weekend I decided I wanted to brighten up my sewing / family room area with my butterflies.  I laid out a couple of design ideas and took photos, sent them to some friends and family to get their feedback.  Ultimately I decided to put them on point in a lattice pattern. With the design I chose I needed 3 additional butterflies.  This was my original idea but when I laid it out it wasn't feeling quite right. This is the layout I went with. The blue butterfly fabric is left over from a blanket my Mom made for me several years ago that I still use.  Thought I would add some of my scrappy blocks but that was an immediate no. I laid out the butterflies and moved them around until I was satisfied with the color balance and taking photos along the way as reference. I love the look of them all flying in different directions.  Once I decided where each butterfly was going to go I added the sashing pieces and side setting triangles to each row (sorry I only took ...

So I tried something new, raw edge applique. In hindsight I should have started with a more simple pattern. But I loved this pattern and knew my daughter would absolutely love it. Here is a link to the first video in the series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iigK0KV3-w I loved learning this technique and will incorporate it in some projects in the future. Lisa is amazing at explaining different ways to implement this technique. I highly recommend checking out her channel!

Here are my sewing / quilting goals to start 2023.  My main focus is to do things that make me happy. This year I am beyond excited for Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary.  So top of my list is to make my Silence In The Library Doctor Who quilt. For this pattern and so many more see  http://www.fandominstitches.com/2011/05/doctor-who.html .  I'm still working out some of the blocks that will go in the library. I have so many ideas of things I want to use to represent some of my favorite doctors, companions and episodes!  My goal is to have it completed before the 60th Anniversary episodes air in November. There are more blocks I have in mind that I want to design as well. Including The Owl House, more My Hero Academia and Bad Batch. Maybe add in patterns for Black Clover and Hunter x Hunter. And those are just the very tip of the iceberg! Here are a few other goals I would like to accomplish in 2023: Silence In the Library Doctor Who 60th Anniversary quilt Doctor Who...

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year's.  2022 had it's ups and downs but overall I'd say it was a success!!  I did not accomplish everything I set out to do but I'm ok with that. I'm very proud of what I accomplished. I managed to complete 6 quilts / wall hangings. Published 34 patterns out of 46 along with other miscellaneous projects. 2023 is going to be all about the things that make me happy and getting rid of the things that don't.  I may let some of the patterns that I've designed and not yet tested go and not stress over them. Some blocks that have been completed may be donated. For now I'm not going to stress over it. I ended 2022 by finishing my Nightmare Before Christmas Jack and Sally blocks by adding the perfect border fabric and adding some frames I had around the house. I absolutely LOVE how they turned out!!  I also began making butterflies (they're kind of my thing) using a beautiful and simple patterns by lillyella.com (http...