Something Blue (and Yellow)

One of my best friends and her new wife just celebrated their wedding in California, and I made my way out to LA with an oddly sized quilt stuffed into my carry-on.

The pattern name is Magic Carpet, and the digital file is available on Craftsy for you to print right off of your computer.

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/magic-carpet/141085?_ct=fhezusj-tujqyb-fqjjuhd-ydifyhqjyed&_ctp=141085

Choosing the color theme for this project was tricky. I've always gravitated towards blue and yellow, but it's a more traditional color scheme, and that made me a little nervous when making a quilt for non-traditional people. However, it all worked out, they loved it, and I did too!

This pattern was pretty easy to make. I cut and assembled the quilt top in one day - it's essentially just piecing the squares or rectangles into strips (making sure you're doing so in the correct order) and then sewing the strips together.

After making the top in one day, I designed and assembled the backing the next day. I could have used a pieced solid backing, but that's way too simple for me, so I sewed some of the extra strips together to make a focal point down the center of the back. It's not super fancy, but it adds an interest point to the back of the quilt and still ties in the color scheme.

I took the sandwiched quilt to the fabric store and put it on the longarm machine, choosing a swirly design to contrast with the geometric design of the pattern. Then I used a decorative stitch to sew the binding on.

I digitized a personalized label with the quilt name, me and my friend's names, and the date of their wedding, stitched it out on my embroidery machine, and hand sewed it on the back.

Here's a picture of my friends with their new quilt (they're holding up the back, but that's ok).

As you can see, this quilt is HUGE for a throw. But I rationalize it by saying that it's a two-person throw. No fighting over who gets more quilt or whose feet are sticking out from under it.

Overall, I am thrilled with how this quilt came out. It was easy to make, fun and quick to assemble, and has a really interesting 3-D look to it (add the more traditional colors and you get a nice fusion of old and new)!

Quilting Box of the Month

This week's post is not project related, but about Fat Quarter Shop's Sew Sampler Box of the Month.

I love getting things in the mail, and I think that most other people do too (when was the last time you got a letter??). Anyway, in addition to your usual haul of junk mail and bills (ugh), I just subscribed to Fat Quarter Shop's Sew Sampler Box of the Month.

Unlike some of the other boxes I've looked at (Cheese of the Month, BlueApron, other meal boxes, anyone see a theme here?) which are pretty expensive and subscription based, the Sew Sampler Box of the Month (SSBM - I'm tired of typing this) is only $25 a month plus shipping ($4.90) and has no subscription program so you can cancel at anytime. 

Last week, I received my first box in the mail.  Let's start with this perk. It's a box. A nice box. Perfect for storing something I have tons of - fabric! This sounds pathetic, but knowing that I'm going to have a new box each month to further organize all my sewing toys and thus satiate my OCD is fabulous. 

That aside, here's what is the first box:

Screw-B-Do   -  These cute tiny screwdrivers are two different sizes and magnetic with a comfy gripper, akin to what you see on pencils. Good for keeping by your machine (or going with your sew travel stuff) for opening up your machine (you know you need to clean it more - as do I).                                                  Regular Price - $14.95

 Cotton Candy Embroidery Scissors - As an embroiderer, you know that you can never have too many pairs of scissors for trimming jump stitches, tails of starting stitches, or - ahem - when your machine decides to have a stroke and you have to do some loving ripping. Also good for sticking in your travel bag, or just being saved for the next time your current tiny scissors go dull. Has a sleeve cover to protect the point.                  Regular Price - $7.98

2.5x6.5 inch ruler - Again, you can never have enough rulers. I hate cutting with big rulers, so this makes me happy. It's perfect for cutting on my small cutting board (and traveling with).                                                          Regular Price - $6.98

Moda Grow Charm Pack -  At this point, I probably could open my own charm pack store, but I'm going to make things with them all one day! This is a nice set of fabrics - I can't find a picture of the others, but here's the link to where you can see the other fabrics. http://www.fatquartershop.com/grow-charm-pack                Regular Price - $9.98

 

Strawberry Picking Pattern - This isn't really my style, but you never know when you could use these things. Maybe a runner or placemats?  Or a blanket for picnics? Or maybe one day one of your friends will decide that they love strawberries so much that the want a quilt of them. You never know.                                                  Regular Price - $8.98

Fat Quarter Shop Magnet - This is a seriously strong, tiny magnet. I can always use more to hang up the ridiculously heavy wedding invitations my friends send.      Free Item

Recipe Card - These are cute. Each month they're sending a recipe card that goes on a key ring. Will I ever use it? Who knows, but again nice to have.                   Free Item


All in all, with the shipping you are paying $29.90 for $48.87 of things (plus two freebies). I am happy with this box. I think what is in it is useful, and I will continue getting it at least for the time being.  

You can order your Sew Sampler box at www.fatquartershop.com.