The Georgia Vintage Dress by Lindsay Wilkes

I haven't posted anything in over a year, but I have not been idle.  I've been sewing a lot with 2 granddaughters now and another due very soon.  And been posting everything to my facebook page  :)
Recently, I was a pattern tester for a new pattern from The Cottage Mama.  Since my granddaughter lives 2 hours away, I asked a friend if I could borrow her daughter for my model.  Here is Lydia modelling The Georgia Vintage Dress by The Cottage Mama.. This is the sweetest dress and really pretty easy to sew together.  Lindsay's instructions and photographs are super wonderful and easy to follow.  You can get the pattern in PDF form from www.thecottagemama.com
Soon she will have the paper version available also.
I used the simple life by tasha noel for Riley Blake fabrics.  I love the red and white.  I used jumbo rick rack for trim and made rick rack flowers with beads in the center for the front embellishment.
Lydia's mom took all the pictures and they are wonderful.  I'm just going have to get a new camera one day!

I also made the sweetest little skirt as a gift for my model.

I do custom work if anyone is interested.  Just contact me:  karenbevsews@gmail.com.

Thanks for visiting!

Craftsy Block of the Month

Well, well, I have started another quilt! Let's see...I think that makes 3...no 4...that I am working on this year. This one I just couldn't pass up. It is a free class on www.craftsy.com and since I had lots of 30's fat quarters from birthday club at Allatoona Quilt Guild, I didn't have to go buy any fabric. I even had enough white Kona for the background--so--totally free quilt!! Well, not exactly, since technically I did pay for the fabric...but...I didn't go buy any for this quilt--just drew from my stash or "resource center". These are really easy blocks--I can knock them out in an afternoon. The top 2 are January's blocks and the bottom 2 are February's blocks. Now I have to wait 3 1/2 weeks for the March blocks *sigh*. But...on to other quilts...

The Civil War is Over!!...til further notice

Here are some pictures of my Civil War Tribute Quilt. It was a block of the month (BOM) from my local quilt store (LQS). It took me about a year to piece the whole thing. It was a gift to my dad in Minneapolis for Christmas 2010. I had it quilted by Stitch'n Quilt in MAbleton, GA and I am very pleased with the way it all turned out. It is an absolutely gorgeous quilt with, my dad estimated, over 2,000 pieces--that's about one piece for every mile of the Appalachian Trail which my dad completed at age 68 after section hiking for 3 years.
I love the half-square triangle border. And to think, I almost didn't
do that border!! This was not an easy quilt...the directions were
very confusing and hard to follow, but I struggled through and
finished it!
My dad loves it and it will be a treasured heirloom for many years
to come. It will keep him warm on those cold Minnesota nights.
And ...now...it is on to the Civil War Chronicles...another BOM from
my LQS that I picked up each month last year and will finidh it this year! This one belongs to me and Randy!!

Stamping

Yes, I have lost my mind. I fell for the Stampin' Up promotion in October and got a FREE Big Shot for becoming a demonstrator. Well, I'll sell you some stamp sets and supplies if you want, but I mostly did it to spport this crazy habit of making cards. My first attempts were not very good, but here's two birthday cards I made that turned out pretty nifty-neato! Got the ideas from DOstamping with Dawn (Olchefske).
www.dostamping.typepad.com
Check out her blog--she's got some great ideas--then come buy your supplies from me--teehee!

Now on to my next crazy project idea--quilted ornaments! Maybe I have too much time on my hands, or too many irons in the fire, or too many pins in the pin cushion! *grin*

Re: In Progress

The fabric sticking out around the rail fence border of the quilt is the backing I will use--not a wonky border!!

In Progress

After spending the last almost 2 years sewing projects for other people, I got up this morning and said to myself, "Self, its time to make something for ME!!" Sewing for other people, some paid, some gifts, is not a bad thing. It's helped me get to SOAF in Huntsville and most everyone really likes what I sew for them and I really enjoy giving away my projects because that's part of the joy of making them. But, looking at my buckets full of PHD's, I decided I need to spend a good amount of time just sewing up what I have started. So...after hemming a pair of jeans for my daughter's sister-in-law I got right on it. At lunch time, this is what I have so far. I bought the design and instructions last December in a special deal from Zundt. This is just the center of the Christmas table runner. There are 5 more borders to go on--one of which looks like a ribbon going all around the runner. That is my project for this afternoon.

Also, got my cousin's queen size log cabin quilt finished, bought the backing and am ready to take it to Shannon, the quilter (after I buy the batting). I want her to feather it. I love Shannon's feathers. Check out her work at http://www.piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/ The quilt is Summer Lake Log Cabin from Judy Martin's Log Cabin Quilt Book--love that book!

Okay..the pictures did not post like I wanted them to, but I think you can tell which is the table runner and which is the quilt!! Time to head back to the sewing room where I know what I am doing!!

Civil War Mission Accomplished!

Well, I got the blocks all sewn together, which was my goal for today!! This section is 84 X 96 1/2. Now I will put 3 borders on it, adding another 8 inches on all sides, which should bring the size to 100 X 112 1/2. The outside border consists of 204 half square triangles--oh, joy!!

I must say, this is the hardest quilt top I have ever pieced! The directions were terrible, horrible, and just plain difficult to follow. I won't even talk about the cutting directions--confusing!!! There were no finished sizes for the 9 patch squares or half square triangles in the various blocks, which makes for inaccurate piecing. I ended up cutting off lots of points, so don't look too closely. A lot of stitching was on the diagonal and you have to be careful not to stretch the fabric. There was no diagram showing how to place the blocks for sewing it all together. I just had to look at the picture of the finished quilt and match up my blocks to theirs. And for the finish, they don't even tell you how to cut the corner blocks!!

My LQS did a great job of sending out tips and tricks. Without their help, I would still be pulling my hair out.

I only had to go back for more fabric once and that was on the center square. I read the directions wrong and cut the squares too small.

On to the borders now, then off to the quilter (wish I could quilt it myself), then binding.

Stay tuned...

Civil War Tribute

The Civil War is almost finished!!!!!

Okay, I'm only 6 months behind on this, but at least I kept plodding on. This is the center of the king size Civil War Tribute Quilt--a BOM from an LQS for 2010. (That's block of the month from a local quilt store for you non quilt talkers). Isn't it pretty!?!

This center block is 36 inches square. There are 36 more blocks to the quilt...some 12 inches and some 18 inches. By the end of today, I am hoping to have all the blocks sewn together.

Stay tuned...

More sewing for Anna

A little sun hat to go with the gingham bubble I made in Lezette Thomason's class at School of Art Fashion Feb 2010. That's the week I found out Anna would be arriving in the fall! This is from Summertime Baby by Karen Bosch.

The little mouse embroidery is from My Lil' Friends cd by Karen & Tamzin Bosch. Both the book and CD are available from The Martha Pullen Company. And there is a little white rickrack daisy on the top made Kari Mecca style! Since taking Kari's classes at SOAF this past Feb, I have really gotten the embellishing bug and rickrack flowers are so fun to make!

This is a sweet little outfit using the Frannie Baby pattern from The Children's Corner. The fabric is some I had in my stash--I'm pretty sure its some I got from Thelma Stout. She was a very special lady and I am privileged to have known her and to have shared her stash of fabric!

Cars and trucks, baseballs and footballs quilt

My exercise coach at Curves is going to have her first grandchild, a boy, in August. She comissioned me to make a little quilt for him. She wanted cars and trucks and balls and she chose this pattern from a Quick Quilts magazine.

I bought the fabrics during Shop Hop in March with the help of my shop hopping buddy Linda!! I pieced it and backed it with a soft cuddly flannel, then quilted it on my Bernina using a beautiful variegated thread. Thanks, Dawn at Red Hen, for your help. It is bright and cheery and just right for a little boy. It's not too cutesy, so he will be able to use it for quite a few years. I think my customer is happy with ithe quilt. She showed it to a few ladies and one comissioned me to do a twin size for her little grandson!!

Pinwheels for Anna Bella

This sweet little top is from Kari Mecca's pre-day class at Martha Pullen's School of Art Fashion. I just love the pinwheel toy embellishments with twisted rickrack and the little rickrack daisies. It has little blue linen capri's to go with it, but because I changed some of the trims, they are not quite finished yet. This was a really fun class and I love Kari's techniques for embellishment. There is also whimsy ribbon trim and twisted rickrack along the yoke under the pinwheels. Anna won't be able to wear it for another year at least, but it will be so much cuter with her in it!!

Christmas bibs for Anna

One of the really fun things about having a granddaughter is sewing for her. I get to use all these cute little designs I've been saving. These are the cutest embroidered appliques. They are designed by Jennilee at www.digistitches.com. They'll be on the way to Anna right after I sew a bow onto the top of the tree and package them up!!

The Dreaded T-Shirt Quilt

Okay, I know I said I would never do a T-shirt quilt. I made this for my friend Glenda's son's 30th birthday. He's played baseball since he was a little guy...little league, played for McEachern High School and Southern Poly. So Glenda gathered all his shirts from over the years and I had a tremendous learning experience. Whew what a job! He's also a Georgia Tech fan, so I used GT fabric for the backing and also made 2 pillow cases. I had the baseball fabric in my stash (resource center--thank you, Nancy Zeiman!) from many long years ago...I think I was going to make Randy a pair of shorts or something...

I'm really pleased with how the quilt turned out. Glenda picks it up tomorrow--I hope she is pleased also.

HoopSisters TNT

HoopSisters TNT--Textures and New Techniques--all done in the hoop, piecing, quilting, and decorative stitches. Its going to be pretty small, more like a wall-hanging. I think there's only one more row to go all the way around, but I think I am going to do the optional stipple border.
Next month we add texture. I'm going to use jumbo rick rack in a plum color. Stay tuned...

Grandma Sewing

That's the best kind, huh? Anyway, here's the projects I've been working on for Anna.
Bumper pads: I love classic Pooh and I found this fabric at JoAnn and bought what was left on the bolt. If the bumper pads look this good wrapped around my coffee table, imagine what they will look like in Anna's crib! Adorable!


Catherine asked for a sling so she could carry Anna around the house and still have her hands free for different tasks. I made two. I'm not too sure how well the purple one will work. It's called the Mei Tai. Anna is so small, she might slide right out the side--maybe better save that one til she's bigger. And the ties are so long, they are a little hard to maneuver and get situated. The fabric sure is beautiful, though!

Black & white polka dots. This sling is more for a newborn and might work better and its very fashionable, also adjustable and without long ties hanging everywhere.
I really wish I had the one I made when my girls were born...it was great...sturdy denim and easy to hold a baby in. It was more like a pack and you could wear it in front or back.

Okay, next up--baby quilts...ABC's, circus babies, 5 little monkeys...I am going to be busy and have a blast making them!!

Anna Bella Celes

Anna Bella has arrived! 17 days early and a little bit of a thing, but she is beautiful!
I have sew many sewing plans. Here's a few of the things I've already made for her.
This is Amy Butler's Nappy Bag pattern. Its got lots of pockets inside, including 2 quilted bottle pockets and a cell phone pocket on the outside. I also made a paci pod (to hold pacifiers) and a paci wipes case. These were both done completely in the hoop.
Here's some bibs and a burp cloth. DigiStitches.com has some great applique designs--all done in the hoop--so fast and easy. Also a hooded bath towel for when she's a little bigger.
I just registered for Kari Mecca's Embellishing School for next February! Anna will be the cutest and best dressed little girl on the block! Check out www.karimeaway.com for Kari's sewing with whimsy items.

Almost Finished Pinwheel Party Quilt

I have sewn all the blocks together with little pinwheel cornerstones and sashing. There is still another border to go around the quilt with little pinwheel blocks in each corner. Then it will be completely finished except for the quilting. But, wouldn't you know, I'm about 1/4 yard short of fabric for the last border. I really liked this when I started it a few months ago, but now I am not too sure. I love the 30's fabrics but there is just too much white background. I've wanted to make a quilt out of 30's fabrics for a long time, but this one isn't it. I will probably just finish it up and try to sell it.

I've got ideas for about 4 baby quilts for little Anna who will be here before we know it! And I need to get on to making a diaper bag, and bumper pads for the crib. So this will get put away for a while...

Pinwheel Party

Here's my 12 finished blocks from Playing at the Pinwheel Party. I really like the 30's fabric with the Kona snow. This is not the finished quilt. There are still cornerstones and sashings to be completed, something like 48 half-square triangles that finish at about 2 inches--itty bitty work which I'm not too fond of. I was going to just sew all the blocks together and put a border on it, but I think I will go ahead an do it by the directions. I think it will look better. So, stay tuned...hopefully by the end of next week I'll have this top completed and be able to move on to other PHD's.

Hoopsisters Quilt

This is Month One of a block of the month class I'm doing this year. Its a Hoopsisters design called Textures and New Techniques, TNT for short. Each block is totally done in the embroidery hoop...piecing, quilting...all of it! It is so easy and very fun. I'm using batiks in greens and blues and my accent color is purple. The blocks are only 5 inches and the quilt will be pretty small--have no idea what I'm going to do with it, but its a neat little project. Stay tuned to see the progress each month.

Baby Quilt

I don't think my neighbors read my blog, so I'm pretty safe in posting this. Their first child is due next month and its a boy! I embroidered a bib and some burp cloths that I'm going to give them.
And I also made this cute quilt out of baby flannel and baby fleece. I embroidered the fleece squares with designs from Anita Gooddesign's Nursery Quilt. It was really easy and turned out pretty nice. Its soft and cuddly, too.