Costa Maya Longarming & Marker Staining

Costa Maya

One of my friends asked me to quilt her Costa Maya a few weeks ago. I like to turn quilts over within two weeks, but this one had me a little stumped as to how to quilt it. I admit I had a few ideas in mind before I started, and had even doodled some markings in the center with a curvy ruler. More about that in a minute. But sometimes the quilting just comes to you as you go, and this one was exactly that way.

Make A Portable Sewing Station

Upcycled Project Bag

I saved this cute lunch box when my youngest decided she was too old for it. I had nothing in mind for it, but I couldn't bear to part with it. I discovered it again recently, and it's ideal for carrying around my ongoing hexie project. Tres chic!

The Farmer's Wife 1930s: Week 5: Blocks 41, 45

Jenny #45

I've begun to really look forward to my Sunday sewing. I try to take the day a little easier, and enjoy the time I work on my Farmer's Wife blocks. Maybe in part because I love the fabric, but also because they frequently put my skills to the test. This week I printed off the templates, and cut all the pieces of both blocks from paper templates. 

Pop Stars for Halloween Finish

If there is a quilt on the floor, a dog will find it.

One Step Forward, Two Steps ____?

Pop Stars for Halloween

There are 2 more passes to go before I'm finished with the quilting. I've been using a ruler for the spider webs, and free handing the curlicues. Every thing is going smoothly now, but please let me tell you about the disaster what happened.

Pop Top-Pop Stars Mishmash & Friends

"Pop Stars" for Halloween

Tonight is a full moon, or more specifically a Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Hunters made use of the moon's light to build their food supply before winter. Can I blame that for this strange post? 

1930's Farmer's Wife: Week 4: Blocks 49, 78, 94,

#78 Old Maid

I've settled into a routine of making my Farmer's Wife blocks on Sunday. I have my spare sewing machine at the house, and I like being able to spend time with the family when they're all home. The only downside of sewing at the kitchen table is having snacks nearby.

Pop Stars for Halloween

"Pop Stars" 
Pattern from Material Obsession 2 
by Kathy Doughty

This has been one of my lingering projects, and has had a voracious appetite for my sewing time. I've sewn every spare minute for 4 days to complete these last 4 stars, square them up, and sew all together. It's become one of the most delightful quilts I've ever worked on.

10 New Ideas for Sewing Groups

Sewing with friends can make for a great day, but how do we keep them interesting? 

Do you ever dread working on the same old project...yet again?

Would you like some fresh, new ideas?

The Farmer's Wife 1930s: Week 3: Blocks 13, 24

Belle

Week 3 of 1930's Farmer's Wife Sew-along is over, and I barely slid in on (my imposed) schedule by sewing 2 blocks Sunday afternoon. Belle, #13, and Coral, #24 were Week 3 blocks, and we encountered our first Y seam block with Belle. I was super excited, and I know a few of you are cringing, but I like Y seam sewing. No, not all the time or every seam, but it's a little bit of a challenge, and that makes things more interesting. I like to have to work at it a bit.