HST Sampler for Rose

I haven't been blogging much because I haven't been sewing much. I come home from teaching and the gym, have to walk the dog, and have to make sure I know what to do the next day and by the time that's all done I'm beat and need to hit the hay. Well, this weekend I finally made the time for some sewing.

Some HSTs. 

I agreed to make a quilt or pillow for an auction that benefited my friend's doula co-op. The winner was a woman named Rose, who likes samplers and modern fabrics in primary colors. I decided that I would make a HST sampler using a scrappy low volume background. And it's all completely from my stash. I had fun using some of the fabrics that I bought because they jumped out at me, but I've never had a reason to use before. 

Some warmer colors. 

So glad I finally found a project for these elephants!

I made nine 12-inch blocks for the sampler. I was definitely happy that I had the block loc ruler to help with all the HSTs. I'm so sick of making them! I was a little hesitant about the cohesiveness of my background, and if the fabrics I chose as the feature for each block would work out ok. Seeing them together and from farther away I'm happy with it, and I hope Rose likes it. 

I decided to arrange the blocks in a sort of rainbow layout, which I haven't tried before. 

The final layout. 

Now I just need to figure out how to quilt it!!

Star Cakes Shortcut Quilt with the FQS!

Today I'm sharing my finished flimsy that I made following the Fat Quarter Shop's Star Cakes shortcut pattern. I'll admit that I did it slightly differently, but that's mostly because I didn't have all the notions that they had. It was still a pretty easy way to make a twin sized quilt! They've even got a YouTube video to show you their shortcuts!

Here's the whole thing laid out in the back yard. 

I made this quilt using a layer cake of Kona solids in Citrus Burst, and for the background I actually bought some yardage. I knew I wanted the main background to be the Kona Bluegrass, but I wanted to add some interest so instead of a layer cake of Bluegrass I purchased 3 yards of that plus half yard cuts of Glacier, Asparagus, and Celadon. The Celadon wasn't as different from the asparagus as I had thought it would be, but I just stuck with both of them. I feel it keeps the variation subtle, which works because some of the yellows and oranges are only slightly different. 

Since I am a trimmer, I tried using the amazingly simple FQS method for making 8 HSTs at a time, but mine kept coming out wonky. My solution was to simply keep the starting squares at 10 inches, follow the same methods and trim down at the end using my creative grids bloc-loc ruler. It may have been an additional step, but at least everything came out the right size and shape in the end!

So many half square triangles!

My method regarding color selection was to randomly pair the colors, and with each progressive step I maintained that randomness. I never pre-planned any placements, or laid out any of my blocks. I just crossed my fingers and hoped the ratios of the colors I had chosen worked out!

My favorite part is this darker plus!

I'm pretty happy with it. I went on a photo shoot around my yard, though still using the iPod camera. Someday I'll get a new DSLR. It's hard adjusting to the Texas landscape, and getting whole quilt shots without so many fences or fire escapes to hang the quilt off of. I tried though!

Hanging off the grapefruit tree. Fits right in with the citrus theme. 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to bind this in leftover scraps, but I'm not sure what I'll back it in. I was thinking maybe some Freefall by Tula Pink, because you can't go wrong with a double wide fabric for backing. No piecing involved! Though, I just saw there's Meteor Shower available, and I do love that print - just not sure if it would fit in as well. Oddly enough, I'm not even a super huge Tula fan. Though I love her fabrics they tend to not fit into my piecing style, so I don't usually buy them. Or, if I do they languish in my stash. They do make excellent backings though, because you really get to appreciate her artistic viewpoint when you don't break up the fabrics.

Enough of that sidetracking. I enjoyed making this quilt and participating in the blog hop. I hope that I was able to show a unique take on this simple pattern, and that you try your hand at it as well! To make it more affordable to start working on this, for 3 days only (through Sept 9, 2015), Fat Quarter Shop is offering 20% off all layer cakes.

All rolled up - just waiting for quilting inspiration to hit!

Thanks for visiting!

Cotton+Steel Computer Case

So patchworky!

Well, I've been really modernizing around the house. First a new sewing machine, and now a new computer. I got the new macbook, which is super cool, and it's nice and light. Only 2 lbs! I can carry it in my purse too, which is great. I just wanted to make sure that I don't scratch it all up, so I decided to make it an improv patchwork case.

All the pieces. 

I will admit, I'm totally smitten with it. The majority of the patchwork is done using newer Cotton + Steel prints, and I love them so much. I got some from the Black and White collection, and then there's the Moon Cat from Spellbound, Horseback from Honeymoon, and Mystery Food from Tokyo Train Ride. I added in some dots that I can't find the provenance on, and my very favorite print (and carefully hoarded!) Hananonaka by Yuma. 

Back. I love those little bunnies! And the drippy trees!

The back is some Trainride from Tokyo Train Ride in a cotton/linen blend. I like how the texture is a bit different. I quilted in a square grid pattern. I basically eyeballed it, aiming for a slightly imperfect grid, but one that isn't totally wonky. Quilting on the Juki is amazing, so much better than on my old machine, and really makes me feel good about purchasing it. 

I added in a label and a metal zipper. My first attempt was too small to fit the computer in, so I ended up finishing the zipper as though this was an 'open wide pouch' by Noodlehead. Now my computer fits in just like a glove. Of course I added a little leather for a zipper pull. Gotta make it as luxurious as possible!

Zipper, ends with one of my favorites from Doe by Carolyn Friedlander. 

I might need to make a pouch for my power cord and adapter. So many things to make, not enough time!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday!