My new Moo Cow baby quilt
front and back.
with a striped Moda binding.
I started this little quilt with some
'Milk Cow Kitchen' fabrics by Moda
I had on hand, and added to it some of
my other favorites. I wanted a more
traditional-feeling quilt with a little boy
in mind after all the little girls quilts
I had made lately.
Lately I've been running crazy behind the scenes of
Pink Doxies with half a dozen projects. So many
new things happening--so much to tell you, but I
won't overwhelm you. Spring is here with a
few brave flowers and occasional overnight
snow, but I have faith the sun will shine.
Pink Doxies with half a dozen projects. So many
new things happening--so much to tell you, but I
won't overwhelm you. Spring is here with a
few brave flowers and occasional overnight
snow, but I have faith the sun will shine.
Let's keep our sewing simple so we can enjoy
the warmer weather.
One of my latest projects to tell you about is
Pie Quilts.
More on the name in a bit.
For many folks ready to learn all about sewing and
quilting, it's a scary thing to pick out a project
that is past the Very Beginner level, but doesn't have too
many new things to tackle all at once. I hear over
and over, "I can do pillowcases, and this-and-that,
but where should I start with quilting?"
or...
"I used to sew quite a bit, but it's been a while."
First, there are so many places to learn the most
basic skills of sewing and quilting. Take a class
where you live, or do one online class. Many online
sites have free lessons, and will walk you through
all the basic steps of your first quilt.
You know my theory on free resources--
Free is Great!
Google it yourself or look here.
Google it yourself or look here.
Sewing Lessons and Courses
Craftsy's Free Sewing Classes
There's almost 250 free classes there just
for sewing!
Craftsy's Free Sewing Classes
There's almost 250 free classes there just
for sewing!
But then what?
What can I do next?
How can you be sure a project is right for you now?
Everyone wants to be successful and make sure
they can get the project done they've chosen, but
we should also be building skills as we sew.
So, not too easy, but not too hard either.
Now the name--Pie Quilts.
Did your mom ever tell you,
"It's Easy as Pie, honey!"
Folks, I used to be a big pie maker, and
let me tell you, making one is not at
all that easy. We ate a lot of flops.
let me tell you, making one is not at
all that easy. We ate a lot of flops.
My crust was always perfect, but depending on
what fruit I used, things could go south in a
hurry. I learned that by making sure I had a good
crust recipe from my mom, didn't mess with my
oven temperature, and always used real butter,
hurry. I learned that by making sure I had a good
crust recipe from my mom, didn't mess with my
oven temperature, and always used real butter,
I could learn how to make all the different
fillings one at a time.
fillings one at a time.
This is a Pie Quilt.
We're only going to change one thing at a time.
A Pie Quilt has one serious stipulation for you.
If you have basic skills, and have put together at
least two basic quilts with straight lines, then
it's a good choice. Why do I say you should have
sewn two quilts before? Sewing is skill-based, and
requires repetition and practice. You get better by
doing it. Even the most skilled sewists I know
are still working on their skill set.
I know when I did my first quilt, I was completely
amazed when I finally finished it. I struggled
through it, and made a lot of corrections. I also
had someone holding my hand when I got stuck.
The second one I tried to do more on my own,
and I had an idea what would come next.
There was a big difference in my process, my skill,
and my outcome even by the second quilt.
By the third quilt, stand back because
I was ready to take on anything!
Not really, but it felt that way.
This is the point when we struggle
to pick out a project that causes us to
stretch a little, but not break.
If you have basic skills, and have put together at
least two basic quilts with straight lines, then
it's a good choice. Why do I say you should have
sewn two quilts before? Sewing is skill-based, and
requires repetition and practice. You get better by
doing it. Even the most skilled sewists I know
are still working on their skill set.
I know when I did my first quilt, I was completely
amazed when I finally finished it. I struggled
through it, and made a lot of corrections. I also
had someone holding my hand when I got stuck.
The second one I tried to do more on my own,
and I had an idea what would come next.
There was a big difference in my process, my skill,
and my outcome even by the second quilt.
By the third quilt, stand back because
I was ready to take on anything!
Not really, but it felt that way.
This is the point when we struggle
to pick out a project that causes us to
stretch a little, but not break.
I want you to be successful, and I love to have
people to sew with, so let's do this together.
people to sew with, so let's do this together.
Many of you readers already have gorgeous quilts
stacked in your boudoir, but you have friends
with quilt envy who would like to learn how to get
started. This is a good place for you to refer them,
or make it easier for you to get them safely started.
stacked in your boudoir, but you have friends
with quilt envy who would like to learn how to get
started. This is a good place for you to refer them,
or make it easier for you to get them safely started.
The Moo Cow baby quilt will be our first Pie
Quilt project coming very soon, and the Wave
quilt, or 'Aquiltic' as my daughter refers to the
one below, will be our second. Although they
might look complicated to a newer quilter,
they are not beyond your reach!
We're working on one new skill at a time.
The Moo Cow quilt at the top is quilted, bound, and
headed for my Etsy shop this weekend. I try to keep
everything here free, but I also need to buy
fabric and other materials. I encourage you to
browse my Etsy shop if you're in quick need of
a handmade gift, and help me keep the lights on.
or run into a problem, we'll have a place for
you to ask. Are you excited yet? I am!
Come back soon for Pie Quilts~
Come on, Doxie Girls.
Let's go sew.
Linking up today with~
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?
LAFF
WIPs Be Gone
TGIFF
Creative Goodness Linky Party
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