Rainbow Patchwork Quilt

Another project I took on retreat with me were these stacks of rainbow scraps I had precut.

I like to keep my scraps under control and tidy. One of the ways I do that is by cutting 3.5 scraps from my leftovers.  It makes it handy when I want to start a project but don't want to do the initial cutting.

 This stack had been growing over the weeks as I cut through my scraps, I just put them in rainbow order for aesthetic reasons. 
Everything is prettier in rainbow order, don't you think?!

Anyways, this lovely quilt caught my eye, and honestly I thought I'd make one just like it, until I decided instead to keep my scraps in rainbow order.

The double design wall at the retreat was perfect to use. You can see I nearly filled the whole thing!

I didn't want a linear rainbow design so I sort of winged it, based on some similar things I've seen over the years.  I really like how it all melds together in a non-traditional rainbow.  I tried really hard to just throw it all up there and not spend hours fussing over the layout.  I'm happy to say I did NOT do much fussing!  A few simple tweaks and then I let it be. 

One of the things I love about this quilt is how different it looks up close.

There are plenty of pieces that would be considered "too close" to each other in a color sense, but when you step back and get a look at the whole thing the color placement is right on.

 I also love that there are SO many hidden gems, long hoarded pieces, and the last remaining bits of fabrics I've used over and over.  It contains quite the archival collection from my stash through the years.  But again, when you look at it from afar, all you get is this great big picture of color.

The finished quilt will end up being somewhere in the neighborhood of  72" by 90". 

 In our house that makes the perfect size for couch snuggling.

 I was lucky enough to win free quilting from Sarah Russett so this quilt is already on it's way to her for some fancy quilting.  I can't wait to show you when I get it back! 

In the end, I think it might end up being my favorite child. ;)

Aqua Sew Together Bag

A few weeks ago I was able to go away for the weekend on a sewing retreat with friends.  

Retreats are pretty much my favorite, other than the ridiculously small amount of sleep I get. :0 

One of the few projects I got done was my very own 

perfect-for-me-using-all-my-very-favorite-fabrics

Sew Together Bag.

I even used one of my hoarded "I paid WAY too much for this" Melody Miller Aqua Typewriters.

It's pretty much aqua perfection for me in ever way. 

For the insides I used more of my aqua favorites.  Sandi Henderson Henna, Denyse Schmidt Dots, and Sarah Jane Wee Wander Lightening Bugs.

 The henna was another overly priced piece I bought on #thegreatfabricdestash, but rather than hoard that kind of stuff, this year I'm determined to use it with reckless abandonment! 

 I'm living on the edge in 2015! :)

If you haven't made your own sew together bag yet, I HIGHLY recommend following the sew along done by Heather at The Quilt Barn.  I couldn't have made mine without it! 

P.S.  The beautiful rainbow quilt in the background of the top picture was made by the lovely Andy at A Bright Corner.  The pattern is Dashing from the book Vintage Vibe by Amber Johnson of Gigi's Thimble. Isn't is gorgeous in rainbow order?!

Linking up to Finish It Friday

American Girl Doll Prairie Apron Tutorial

 My youngest daughter *finally* (in her words) received an American Girl Doll for Christmas this past year, as did her best friend and cousins.  So, as you can imagine, there's been lots of doll playing at our house since. 

 Last weekend was her best friend's birthday so I decided to make a little present for her and her doll.  She had mentioned that she wanted an apron for her Caroline doll.  I knew I could whip one up in no time.  Since Caroline is from the early 19th century, a half apron (prairie style) was what I can up with.

Isn't it so cute?! 

I thought I'd write up a quick tutorial on what I did in case you know an American Girl doll that needs a tiny apron as well.

 

Cut from your fabric:

1 - 13" by 7" rectangle

1 - 2.5" by 29" strip

Iron the strip lengthwise into fourths, to make it double folded.

It should measure approx. 1/2" to 3/8" once you're done.

Take the rectangle and double fold 3 of the 4 sided approx 1/4 each. (1/2 total) or as small as you can get it.

 It should look like this when you are done

 Sew the 3 sides with a 1/4" straight stitch.

 Using a gather foot or large basting stitch, gather the top (unsewn edge) 

until it measures approx. 4".

Measure the apron base and the apron tie to find their middle points and pin them as shown. 

Unfold the tie and "sandwich" the base of the apron at the middles.

Pin them so the base (gathered edge) is securely inside the tie with no raw edges showing. Continue pinning the apron and tie together until all is secure.

  Fold each end of the ties in as shown so no raw edges will show.

Once you have pinned everything securely, sew the length of the tie (which will also attach the base)  with a 1/4" straight stitch.

When you are finished you will have a cute miniature Prairie Apron just perfect for your American Girl Doll!

Good Luck!  

If you have any questions I will try to answer them in the comments section.

Stripes in Plum and Berry

This color scheme was inspired by my sister and her three little girls.  

Pink is definitely the go-to color when it comes to little girls, but sometimes pink can get tiresome.

 My sister fully embraced pink for her first daughter.  

When her second daughter came around she sort of went with pink by default, but when she ended up with a third daughter she was SO sick of pink she kind of revolted.

This version of my striped quilts is a modern alternative to the all pink world for little girls.  

 I think the gradient plums and berries compliment each other so well without screaming GIRL!

 I really love this one. A lot.  :)

 You can see that all my quilts are generously sized to fit a standard sized crib, thus ensuring that your child can use them long after they grow out of the baby stage.  In fact, they are sized for children up to 5 years old.

Find this quilt ready to ship in my Etsy Shop.

Dazzling Blue Stripes

Inspired by Pantone's color Dazzling Blue

Here's my striped quilt version using this gorgeous color.

Ready to ship and listed in my Etsy Shop.