Denim Quilt

My Wednesday Work in Progress is a denim quilt.  It might be a bit premature to call it a work in progress as I haven't gotten beyond the planning stage.  What I do have is a bunch of jeans from my cousin.

I offered to make a quilt for my cousin's daughter as she is the only grandchild (there are 13) of my aunt who recently passed away who had not yet received a denim quilt from her grandmother.  As it happened, my cousin had been collecting jeans for her daughter's quilt. 

We found some flannel for the quilt back in my aunt's fabric stash, as well as some fabric for the binding if needed (too soon in the design process to know how I'll be finishing the edges).  I will be piecing the flannel with some Minky fabric as the flannel piece is not large enough for the backing.

My cousin used to work for Levi and Roots.  My challenge will be incorporating their labels, as well as some pockets or other elements of the jeans - beyond the denim itself - into the quilt.


Linked up to: Let's Bee Social

Fabric Destash Pillow Update

Slowly, but surely, making progress on the patchwork pillow.  The 2" patchwork squares for the front are now sewn together. 

Patchwork Pillow with Poetry fabric by
April Cornell

In order to use fabric from my stash of Poetry fabric for the pillow back I need to use at least two prints.  Here's what I have selected.

Fabric Selection for Patchwork Pillow Back

The two prints are similar in tone.  To keep them from appearing too bland I will be adding a strip of the blue polka dot fabric to the top piece when I sew the envelope back.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

On my list of quilts I would like to make is the Irish chain quilt.  I love the simplicity of the patchwork squares on a white background.

Irish Chain by Cluck Cluck Sew

The quilt pictured here is from Cluck Cluck Sew.  Be sure to visit her blog to view the back of the quilt.  It is stunning.  It is so different than anything that typically appeals to me, yet I am drawn to the vibrant colours.

In Memory of My Aunt

My aunt passed away last night.  I had been looking forward to visiting with her in the coming weeks and to let her know I had begun this blog when I received the news.

This is the patchwork elephant she made for my daughter. She loves it.

Typically I would not post anything this personal, but she was also a quilter so it seem right to remember her on my blog.  She was loved and will be missed.

It's Pillow Day

I pulled out my April Cornell fabric remnants on Saturday to get started on the patchwork pillow I am making as an Easter gift.  There were already some 2 1/2" squares and strips so I decided to make the pillow using squares that size to maximize use of my scraps.

Cutting 2 1/2" Squares to Make 16" Pillow Cover

I was well on my way to completing this pillow when I received an invitation to lunch for the following day at my cousin's.  The cousin for whom I have been wanting to sew a pillow since November as a THANK YOU for hosting a family gathering.  It was time to switch gears.  Nothing like a deadline for motivation to start and complete a project.

Fortunately I had all the materials on hand - fabric, pillow form, and zipper.  Or so I thought until it was time to locate the zipper.  It took as much time to locate the zipper as it did to sew it in.  Organizing my sewing corner in the basement is long overdue.

Monogram Pillow

This is the second monogram pillow I have made.  (You can read about the other pillow here.)  It now has a home on my cousin's entry way bench.



Another Fabric Destash Project

Several years ago I made a quilt for my mom.  It was the second quilt I had made for her. 

I cut some of the scraps into 2 1/2 inch squares and sewed them into a patchwork fabric piece that I then used to make a cat softie doll for a friend's little girl.  Too bad I don't have a photo.  It was really cute.

The other day my mom was looking for a throw pillow to go on the bed with the quilt.  I happened to mention that I still have some of the fabric.  A request to sew a pillow quickly followed.  Another project to add to the list.

April Cornell Poetry fabric.

Flash Back Friday - Ambleside Quilt

Ordering fabric on-line is always a risk - and not just because it can get lost in the mail.  It can be hard to judge the scale of a print and images viewed on computer monitors are rarely true to colour.

I had seen Moda's Ambleside fabric by Brenda Riddle Designs on-line.  It didn't appeal to me.  Then I saw it in a quilt store and thought it was beautiful, vintage-inspired fabric with its floral and gingham prints.  Perfect for a traditional style baby quilt.  After purchasing a few fat quarters I had to go on-line to order some more. 

The colours are lovely, but not so much when viewed on-line.  This is one fabric you need to see for yourself.

I selected prints from two charm packs to make this quilt, then sashed it with a narrow solid white and wide pink borders.