Blast from the past

Today, my friend Julie over at Joe Tulips blogged about one of the first quilts she made.  You can see it here.

Anyhow, that got me thinking about some of the first quilts I had made.  I promise I will take pictures of them on the next nice day.  One is in particularly bad shape.  It was used a lot, and cat claws got to it.

Anyhow, I started thinking back to clothes I have sewn.  Way in the past.....I didn't save any of them, but I can remember some of the patterns.

I remember this Gunne Sax pattern.  I made the dress in the short version, and I made the quilted jacket.  It was my first attempt at quilting anything.  And, if I recall, it turned out pretty good.  That was back in 1981...I was in college......sewing in my dorm room on my mom's old Bernina.

But a few years later, when I actually tried making my first quilt.....well, it didn't go so well.  I will dig it out of the closet and take a picture.  I promise!  :)

Vintage scrappy quilt is done

Last night, I finished sewing the binding on my vintage-looking scrappy quilt.  I washed it and dried it in the dryer.  It was a little windy this afternoon, but decided to take a few pictures anyhow.

I've decided that it's my new favorite quilt.  At least for now, until I make something else that becomes my favorite.  (That's how it seems to work!)

I first talked about this quilt back here.  It's made with recycled fabric, and some old stuff from my stash, along with some new stuff.  I wanted it to look sweet and old fashioned.  My original inspiration came from this site.  I don't know where the picture originally came from.  I was also inspired by this lovely quilt.  My only regret is that I wish I would have made it just a little larger.  I want to use it on my bed, which is queen-sized, and it doesn't hang down quite enough on the sides.  I have a really thick mattress, and I should have thought about that when I was sewing all those blocks together.  But, as I recall, I was really tired of making blocks!  :)

Here's a closer look of it blowing in the wind!

And here's a shot of the back, although it's not a very good one!

The backing fabric is pale blue with white polka-dots.  You are actually seeing the front through the back here.  I added the 2 rows of blocks on the back.  I guess I should have used them on the front instead!  The binding is the same fabric as the back.... I really liked the way it looks.  At first I was thinking that the binding should be red, but every one of the reds in my stash that I "auditioned" did not look good.  

I'm linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts "Finish it up Friday".  Have a great weekend everyone!

Music and beer........ always a good combination!

I finally got the quilt top finished for my oldest son's quilt.  He has reminded me several times that I haven't made a quilt for him yet.  I have made a few for his brothers and a few for his dear wife, so I guess it is about time I make one for him.  I started it before Christmas, and then it got put aside.  I finally got the top finished last night.  

His two hobbies are music, and brewing beer.  I got a few novelty fabrics of each.  

Now to get the backing ready and then it's off to the quilters.  I briefly thought about quilting this one myself.......and it was very brief, believe me.  It's not real big, the quilter I go to is very reasonable...she charges $11.00/square yard.  I'm going to let her do it.

 

I'm linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday.......

It's back from the quilter...

And I like it.  A lot.  I hope I can get it trimmed and bound this week!

Aprons!

Way before Christmas, my youngest son asked me if I could make him an apron.  I found some fabric in a quilt shop back in November, and the plan was to make him an apron and give it to him for Christmas.  Well, other projects took priority, so the apron never got done.  He asked about it again, and I told him I would have it done for Easter.  Of course I put it off again......A few weeks ago, I found more fabric that I thought would make a cute apron.  Since I had already planned to make an apron for Nathan, I decided to make one for his fiance', Amy, as well.

Yesterday morning, the first thing I did was to pin the pattern pieces to the fabric and cut them out.  I had lots to do yesterday, but figured I'd get to it at some point in time.  For me, the worst part is the cutting.  I have made a few aprons with this pattern, and they are very easy to make.

I finished them up after supper last night.  Here there are....... another bad picture, but it is hard to take photos of an apron, unless someone is modeling them... and it is windy out today!

I used Mary Mulari's Favorite Reversible Apron Pattern.  The reverse side is solid black...Both sides have a nice, generous sized pocket in the center.

Well, this photo is even worse, but at least maybe you can get an idea of the other side.

We are leaving soon to spend Easter with Nathan and Amy.  Happy Easter, everyone!

Spring Placemat

Several years ago, my friend Julie and I started some weaving.  Her husband, Tractor Joe, made us each a loom.  She had the rug-sized loom, and I had the placemat size. (Hmmmmm...... spell check does not like the word placemat.  It is giving me several other options.  Some of course are obvious, like place mat, or place-mat.  The one that made me laugh out loud was "placenta".  I think I'll stick with placemat! )

I found my loom the other day, buried deep in the closet.

Julie's is long gone, a casualty of a flood in their basement a few years ago.  I couldn't remember how to warp the loom - I remembered that it wasn't very difficult, but just couldn't remember how. I know I have a book from Country Threads - I think it's called "Rags to Rugs".  Anyhow, it's around here somewhere, but I have no clue where to find it.  Instead, I found a video on You Tube.  The directions were great, and it is very easy to do!

Here is picture of my work in progress...

I have a lot of old sheets....... I have been intending to make a "vintage sheet" quilt one of these days.  A lot of them are so worn....... especially in the centers.  I tore the sheet into strips that were about an inch and a half wide.  

The yellow fabric is a cotton/polyester blend.  I know from past experience that it's not something I want to use in a quilt.  So, that was used in the weaving as well. 

Here is the finished placemat:

The yellow is looking just a little too bright here......

This might be more like it...

My plan is to make 2 more, and then join them together to make a rug for my bathroom...

This really is a great way to use up fabric that really isn't suited for quilting. 

I'm linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish It Up Friday.....

Oh, and Happy Easter!!

Sweater tote

Out there in blog land and on Pinterest, I've seen some really cool tote bags and purses, etc. made out of old sweaters.  Check here or here.  I had an old sweater that I was ready to give to Goodwill.  Instead of giving it away, I decided to try making a bag.  I should have taken a picture of the sweater before I cut it up, but I forgot.  Anyhow, here is the finished bag....

And here it is from the top...

I used a piece of an old vintage sheet I had for the lining and handles.  I'm not loving the handles, but really didn't have anything else to use.  So, I will be on the lookout for sweaters the next time I go to the thrift store.  I have a grey one I might try this with as well....