sewing Archives - Page 2 of 29

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Loving What I Do

Posted on January 30, 2013January 30, 2013by Tisha

If you have read the blog over the last few months you realize I do a ton of custom quilts for people. Each has a unique story as to why they are being made and who they are for. Had a customer ask me to make a quilt for her grandma for Christmas. Please pull at my heart strings.

Christmas was my grandma’s favorite holiday and she demanded it was her day in our family. This would be my first Christmas in years not spending with her. She was with us in spirit. We did have a crab and shrimp boil, her favorite.

Here is a photo of the completed Moda Double Chocolate quilt that I made. I wanted to keep it simple and user friendly for the customer’s grandma. My mom noted that the backing and binding should be in a dark fabric. Good point.

The best part about gift quilts are the emails that come after someone has received them.

“my Grandmother absolutely LOVES it. As soon as she got home from the Christmas Eve festivities, she immediately put it on her bed. She even cried when she opened her gift – it was that special to her. ”

Makes me smile to hear someone else got joy out of something I made.

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Have Machine Will Travel

Posted on January 18, 2013January 18, 2013by Tisha

Vacations are great and so glad we took one before our family of two becomes three. However, I must confess that I hate being away from my machine for so long. After checking the TSA site and finding out sewing machines can fly in the cabin, my decision was easy. Yes, my machine will travel to SF (San Francisco) and hubby rolled his eyes.

The plan for the trip was to visit as many breweries as possible in the area. Not tons of fun for me right now. Normally, I would have been all over it. I needed something to do when we were decompressing and watching football or not out enjoying sights.

My brother-in-law has ordered many custom quilts for me, so it was fun to show him how I make one. For this quilt I am doing a play off the Mod-Mosaic from Oh Fransson! I fell in love with this pattern a few months ago. I think it’s a great way to really use up some scraps and just play.

When traveling, doing all the touristy things is not my style. For this trip we were either going to go whale watching or to see the Elephant Seals during their mating season. Being on a boat in ocean with waves, was probably not the best idea. Seeing the seals had a 3 mile walk with it. Worth EVERY step. Those looking to get out on the ocean to get up close and personal with the California gray whale may be interested in a whale watching california excursion which departs from Newport Beach.

These animals are massive. When they come onshore they are there to unwind and mate for a month, that’s it. On the guided tours you get to walk right by them, well 25 feet right by them. They are large and can move quickly, especially if a battle is happening. I’m good not getting ran over by 3,000 pounds of a ticked off male seal.

Look at this amazing view while we were out hiking.

Okay we did one cheesy touristy thing. Couldn’t resist after winding down Lombard St. Recognize these lovely houses? If your watched TGIF in the 80’s and 90’s you should. It’s the opening shot to Full House.

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Just a little sewing

Posted on January 12, 2013January 12, 2013by Tisha

Over the next couple of months I have challenged myself to add one new item to my Etsy shop everyday. It’s a feat that can be accomplished especially with the stack of potholders I have ready to go. Any guesses as to how many potholders can be made from the stack below?

The correct answer is 78, just in that stack. My holiday break was a bit busy with sewing. In the sewing room there are an 20-30 sets semi ready to go. I’m on a mission to make the best year so far. Plus, doesn’t hurt to plan ahead.

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Little Man Memory Quilt

Posted on January 7, 2013January 7, 2013by Tisha

What do you do with all the left over baby clothes that are important to you? A friend asked me to create a quilt with her son’s clothes. Quilts are full of memories and love. Incorporating the clothes from your child’s first year or important events is a great way to remember that time. Fabric scrap booking that can be USED.

As I was cutting the onsies and shirts I just thought how snuggly and new the baby was when wearing these. His outfit from the hospital is in the stack below. Maybe because I’m expecting soon I get sentimental about that time. Just think how their lives changed with that one little outfit. They are now responsible for a new human.

For the quilt I added little hats, feet and smaller pieces from the first year for added sentiment. They really give a personal touch to the quilt. It took a while on how to arrange this quilt to highlight the key components. A random pattern was the best way to showcase all the special pieces.

I added a variety of Riley Blake fabrics that coordinate with colors in the clothes and fill in gaps. The little man getting the quilt is big into dinosaurs, animals, cars, trucks, and anything really little boyish.

For added snuggles I opted for the Zoology flannel option. The colors in this print are perfect to coordinate with the front fabrics. Quilting was done in a very random straight line pattern.

His mom loved the quilt and can’t wait to make one for her next son.

What key pieces would you put in a quilt if it was based on a memory? I would love to know and hear your feedback.

PS…thanks hubby for holding up the quilt. I finished it at night and our backyard was a mud pit in the morning.

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2013 Lots Going On

Posted on January 2, 2013January 2, 2013by Tisha

I don’t know how you felt about 2012, but overall I am happy to see it go. The year started off rough and I took some time off to help myself heal and recover from our losses. However there were many bright points and projects that really kept me going. Here are some of my favorites.

For 2013 there are many changes coming to Quiltytherapy. Biggest thing is our new addition sometime in March/April. Even though there will be big changes, there are many things I want to accomplish.

Write my first pattern, finally.
Work through my ever growing stash for quilts.
Finish at least 3 of the projects I have started. I have a shelf full of works in progress, probably 10-15 sitting ready to sew.

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Madrona Road Challenge – inspiration

Posted on December 17, 2012December 17, 2012by Tisha

Indy Modern quilt guild is participating in the Madrona Road Challenge by Violet Craft. Over the next month I need to create something using these gorgeous prints but lacking inspiration right now.

First stop…over to Violet Craft’s blog to find out how she created these fabrics. They are a balance of both floral and strong line prints. If the gypsy daughter she speaks of has these, “rooted father and a gypsy mother,” that could explain the contrasting prints. Our guild has the blue color way.

I can only add in one more print from the line and solids to make my creation. I’m pondering just playing with the strong line prints and the florals separately. Not sure how that will play out.

What have I pinned on my boards recently that could work as inspiration?

I’m leaning towards lots of white space to really showcase the prints but have some structure in my piecing. For solids I’m going to throw in dark gray, black and light blue to coordinate.

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