Fall Centerpiece

I have really fallen behind on my blog, posting instead on Instagram which is more pictures and fewer words.  Yes, I'm still here and all is well.  I just sewed the binding on a quilt last night while watching the first game of the baseball playoffs (very exciting!) so my quilt output has not fallen by the wayside.  I don't seem to make as many quilts as I used to (although I have finished four so far this year) because I am doing more garment and bag sewing and also knitting.  I love this direction that my stitching life has taken.  

Today is October 1st and like many others I look forward to this beautiful month.  I will buy a pumpkin today for my front porch and bake something to give my house a spicy smell.

30s Quilt Exhibit

My local quilt shop, Capital Quilts, is having a little exhibit of quilts and other items using 1930s reproduction fabrics.  I entered two things, a mini quilt sampler and a clutch purse made from hexagons.  I got hooked on 30s fabrics many years ago and have never tired of them.  I even made a queen-sized Trip Around the World for my bed (which I would have displayed but it is terribly worn out.)

If you live in my area, check out this fun exhibit and vote for me!

Churn Dash Baby Quilt

I machine-quilted this Churn Dash quilt.  It is baby-quilt size, 36"x36."  It was so much fun to make and I may have set a record because I made it start to finish in 2 weeks.  I often like to "work small" so this was definitely a departure, making 12" blocks.

We had a wonderful 4th of July weekend in Wisconsin, visiting family.  I brought some knitting along but worked very little on it.  Too busy having fun!  Tomorrow I am taking a wool applique workshop through my quilt guild.  Looking forward to it!

Vintage Farmhouse

This is the year of the farm, quilt wise.  As you know, I've been working on Farmer's Wife blocks since last fall, all hand pieced.  I've also been participating in a BOM through Fig Tree Quilts, Vintage Farmhouse.  

Every month I receive instructions, plus fabric, to make 5-6 blocks which will then be sewn together to make a quilt.  This is a machine project and it's been quite fun.  I don't  have to make any decisions about fabric, just cut and sew.  It's based on a vintage quilt (see picture on my sidebar.)

This month we were able to sew the bottom row together.  Yay!

Modern Baby Quilt

As is our tradition, the DC Modern Quilt Guild put together a baby quilt for one of our (founding) members who just had a baby boy.

At first I wasn't sure how this was going to come together but I love it!  My block is at lower left.

Spontaneous Quilt

Often, the quilts I make appear out of nowhere, unplanned, not anticipated.  I did not start this week planning to make this little quilt but that is what happened.

I had to go to JoAnn Fabrics on Monday to buy some webbing for strap handles for a bag I will be making next week (more about that after it is made!)  Of course I had to browse around the store, 50% off coupon in hand.  I saw the book, "Simply Retro" by Camille Roskelley, featuring traditional quilt blocks using modern fabrics.  I bought the book.

At home, I pulled some pretty, fresh fabrics in rosy pink, green and turquoise from my stash.  I also conveniently had 3 yards of white with a tone on tone little star (no recollection of where or why I bought it.)  I began cutting and sewing happily using my "new" Singer Featherweight.

By yesterday afternoon I had nine 12" Churn Dash blocks which I will sew together and machine quilt to make my little Spontaneous Quilt.

Farmer's Wife

Since last fall I have been working on the Farmer's Wife Quilt.  I am hand-piecing it.  It is my go-to, take-along travel project.  I always have one of these on hand.  I have made over 50 blocks so far.

Skirting the Issue

On Friday I got together with my sewing buddy, Linda, to participate in a skirt sew-along hosted by Stitched in Color.  The free pattern is by Anna Maria Horner and so is the fabric I used.  The pattern calls for a yard and a half of a lightweight fabric and an equal amount of lining fabric.  I used this gorgeous Anna Maria Horner voile, Field Study Cell Structure.  I wish you could feel it.  It is divine!  I bought it on sale from Pink Chalk Fabrics.  For the lining I used cotton batiste which I bought at my local fabric store.  It really worked well with the voile.

Basically you cut two rectangles based on your waist measurement and the desired length of the skirt.  You sew the rectangles together in a tube and then do the same with the lining.  You sew the feature fabric to the lining, right sides together, along the top.  Next, you sew four channels along the top where you will thread four pieces of 1/4" elastic.  This step is not hard but it is tedious.  The result is a wonderfully comfortable waistband that you can easily position where you want to wear it.  Then you sew a machine-stitched hem and you're done!

I love everything about this skirt!  The cute fabric, the lightweight feeling, the style, and the ease with which I made it.  I encourage you to look at the pictures of the other skirts and check out the pattern.  Try it!

Anna Dress

Recently, my friend, Linda, her daughter, Megan, and I took a dress class at the Finch Sewing Studio in Leesburg, Virginia.  The three of us, plus two others, spent a delightful day making a dress.  The class was taught by the owner of the Finch, the incomparable Nicole.  She knows everything there is to know about sewing.  The pattern we used was the Anna Dress.  It comes in a short and a long version, with two different necklines and an optional slit up the front of the maxi version.  I am so pleased with the way my dress came out.  What a great day!

Doll Quilt Swap

I recently participated in my first quilt swap.  It was a doll quilt swap organized by Lori of Humble Quilts.  We had about a month to make a doll quilt using Civil War reproduction fabrics.  I was in!

I have many doll quilts and enjoy making them because they're a "quick fix." They don't require much in the way of time or fabric but they allow you to try out different patterns.  No, I don't play with dolls anymore but I use the little quilts to decorate my house.

The top quilt is the one I made and is en route to its recipient if it hasn't already arrived.  The bottom quilt is the one I received from a different quilter and I am delighted with it!

Check out Lori's blog to see other photos of the doll quilt swap.

Still Life with Quilt

Fabric Bowl

I had so much fun at the MidAtlantic Modern Retreat in Lancaster, PA, last weekend.  Spending 3 1/2 days with like-minded friends and sewing until midnight is my idea of pure bliss!

There were some workshops and participatory projects but mostly it was open sewing.  I tackled some WIPs and made a few fun items like this fabric bowl.  More details and photos to come.

Mid Atlantic Modern Retreat

I am at the Mid Atlantic Modern Retreat in Lancaster, Pa, for 4 days of quilting fun.  Follow me @anneelizzy on Instagram to see what I'm up to!

Midwinter Blues Quiltalong

No, I don't have the midwinter blues.  I love winter!  But this is the name of Lori's latest quiltalong.  I have participated in five or six of Lori's QALs and they are always so much fun.  Her directions are clear and I have been successful in completing every one that I've started.  Haven't quilted this one yet but it won't take long.

Valentine's Day is coming soon

Knit, Purl, Sow

Last week I was in Brooklyn, New York, and visited the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.  It was a mild winter day and I enjoyed my walk around the garden.  In the indoor conservatory was this exhibit "Knit, Purl, Sow" by three women fiber artists.  I hope these knitted flowers brighten your winter day, wherever you may be.

Sewing Projects of 2013

Quilts of 2013

When reviewing my quilting output for 2013, I discovered that I made far fewer quilts than I usually do and many more knitted items, clothing, and craft projects.  I will post pictures of those soon.  I am happy with the quilts I made this year and feel a bit re-energized to make more quilts in 2014!