Resolved to sew 2012

Very Berry Handmade is hosting a giveaway, with a prompt that asks us to tell our 2012 Sewing Resolutions.

And here they are -- 

Last year, I hadn't sewn hardly a thing that we kept.  Thankfully, I managed to turn that around last year, despite being less productive* than I was the year before (go figure huh?)  

*this is referring to quilts; I was re-productive in other ways

The bottom two quilts were the only ones in the pile made prior to last year, and I have since added a quilt for myself, two for Scarlet, a big boy quilt for Steiger, and another for Daddy.  My next goal is to get a quilt for our bed (the only time I don't love having a King-sized bed). ;)

Which leads me to my next two sewing resolutions...

The quilt top pictured behind/above that stack will go on our bed (only needs borders and backing), and will also be my first pattern.  I'm making the cover pattern in Rouenneries Deux, and have all the blocks nearly ready to sew together in rows.  I'm calling it "French Kisses."  Just because.

Designs have literally been popping in to my head while I nurse Scarlet in the wee hours of the morning.  I just need to learn how to use EQ more effectively, or some kind of drawing/diagramming program.

With all these new ideas forming though, I also resolve my "bucket list."  

You see those smaller buckets on that shelf... 

...and here, above my hutch  --> 

 Yep, those are my bucket projects.  They are in various stages of piecing, and though they might not speak to me the same way they did before, I am resolved to finish up one a month.  Or at least that's my goal.  

I really, really want to finish this one - 

and this one:

I am also resolved to start a little garment sewing.  I changed my mind a little on my fabric choices for Scarlet's "Baby in the Hood" jacket... these will be even better.  I do want to make a practice version so I can see what size I need though... 

With all these plans, perhaps at least part of this post should be called Resolved (not) to Sew 2012...

The truth is, I have these two little creatures, one of whom calls me "Mom," and the other one who believes that 9 pm is time for a cat-nap, and not time to go to bed for the night.  Scarlet's sleep is dramatically improving, but still, babies don't always keep schedules, and two-year olds don't always want to nap.

I need to remember that.

I think my husband would also like it if I didn't let the laundry pile grow too high. Or I fed him... at least most of the time.
*sigh*  Sometimes it's hard to let go of all the projects I want to get done.

But I do need to remember to.

with love,
Tracey

(Oh, and as far as the giveaway goes -- The Sumersault is pretty cute... but so is the rest of it... and as you can see, I don't need new fabric)

2010 in review

My finished quilts from 2010

1. I dance in circles, 2. Krista's doll quilt all finished, 3. bricks in bloom copy, 4. lawn hunky copy, 5. A little elephant for Everett, 6. title fruitcake copy, 7. "80's rock star" for dqs9, 8. Surfer circle around, 9. title garden copy, 10. scrappy mug rug - with father and son, 11. tula pink for Olivia Violet, 12. Scrappy mug rug, 13. Washed and crinkly baby quilt, 14. DSC_0186, 15. Not available, 16. 12 Days tree skirt, 17. for my nephew, 18. back of wool rag quilt, 19. MIL's quilt turned table cloth, 20. FIL's Christmas gift, 21. plume mini quilt, 22. Cherish Nature Easter table runner, 23. DSC_0246, 24. DSC_0055, 25. DSC_0205, 26. nine-patch?, 27. Frolic baby quilt, 28. DSC_0426

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

And Bags and pillows. :)



1. color wheel dresdie, 2. Modern Swappers pillow, 3. verna dresden garden, 4. pretty petal clutch - Explored, 5. Pillow Talk Swap 4 pillow, 6. little folks dresden - Explored, 7. a little improv pillow, 8. DSC_0354, 9. pretty little pillow, 10. pillow talk swap finished, 11. a pillow in neutrals, 12. Modern Swapper pincushion/thread catcher

Wanna know how many of these I still have in my possession?

Three.

The Nicey Jane bag, one of the Americana table runners, and the Fruitcake tree-skirt (oh, and Steiger still has his quilt too of course).

My resolution for next year --

Make stuff to keep for us!

I have learned my style much better though... so hopefully I'll know what I want to make to keep for myself. :) ;)

See you in 2011!

I've got some blog cleaning up to do (you like the new design?)

reflections and predictions

Sew Mama Sew asked for our Reflections and Predictions -- and here are mine!

Looking back on the sewing scene of 2010, what trends stand out in your mind?

Gray.  It's becoming the "new" neutral.

From Cara's (Me? A Mom?) Urban Lattice "manly" quilt, to the purl bee's New Year's coasters, to my pillow talk pillows, to Krista (Poppyprint's) cute mug rug, to Izzy Inspired's quilt for her son (that I'm dying to shamelessly copy), to Aneela Hooey's much anticipated Sherbet Pips -- gray is everywhere.

1. Urban Lattice quilt (aka manly quilt), 2. New Year's Coasters, 3. Poppyprint - mugrug pears 3, 4. Sherbet pips!!!!!, 5. trenton's quilt, 6. Pillow Talk Swap 4 pillow


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Linen paired with prints was also really popular (and I'm sure will continue to be)


Here were some of my personal creations using linen.

What were some of your favorite things? (Trends, fabric collections, patterns, blogs? Whatever you really loved.)


My personal favorite fabric collection of this year was Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey.  


I've got two quilts going in it -- 
My top from the Fat Quarterly Quilt Along, 

and
My chubby stars (that I will finish even though it's going to be gigantic).





You can see my blog roll for some of the blogs I love. :)

What was your very favorite fabric collection or print? (If not listed above.)


My favorite prints became blenders -- I love 'em.


Like these from the Bliss line





and these for my Urban Lattice quilt





and voile (also love it)

What was the best thing you made in 2010? (Be sure to share a photo!)


My "best thing" -- I think would be my Chubby Stars (photo above and in the header)... when it's finished. :)  But to be honest, my best thing is what I'm making next. 


On second thought -- maybe my Christmas quilt top was my "best thing" -- even though it was mostly made by my friends. :)

What is one of the best things you saw that was made by someone else?


I saw so many things I loved... so here's a mini collage.






1. Fussy Flowers, 2. Pillow Swap Outside, 3. Triple Irish Chain with flowers 2, 4. DSCN0752, 5. munki starburst quilt, 6. Nicey Jane hexies

What do you think 2011 has in store? (Again, trends, fabric, patterns, etc.)

2011 undoubtedly has in store too many wonderful things.  I'm really hoping Heather Bailey comes out with a new line. :)


As a trend in neutrals, I think there will be a shift from gray and white to mixing creams.  I plan on doing it with my Urban Lattice Quilt, and I've seen it in quite a few places in flickr lately.





1. Untitled, 2. scrappy - done!, 3. modern argyle pillow, 4. IMG_0047


I think there's also going to be even more of a shift to using more plain fabrics to make your design, with fussy-cut accents.  I think big prints will be down-played, unless they are a large focal area, and make a very big statement on their own.


In piecing -- I think these are some design inspirations we'll see more of this year.





1. October star block for Shelley, 2. String Knot, 3. November Hexagon Block for Lynne, 4. 3x6 Mini Bee Block, 5. Block 1 for Kristy/Handmade Retro, 6. Three by Six - for hanies, 7. Quilting Divas--Tracey, 8. 3x6 Bee 3rd Quarter Beehive 8 chez - j, 9. Oregon Star, 10. Sew New to Me VQB--July, 11. Doll Quilt Swap 9, 12. 3x6 Mini Bee 3rd Quarter


I think diamonds and curves will replace hexagons.


In color -- I think monochromatic, or clashing will be the thing.  I don't know what the relationship on the color wheel is exactly, 

Anything you’re ready for the sewing world to get over?


Not really.  I'm not wild about the crosses look, but I know a lot of other people like it.  


The whole point of sewing and crafting is to do what you like... so if someone else likes it, I'm fine with that.


Me personally - I'm pretty much getting over using a single collection for a quilt; I've got to mix things up, and that makes me happy, and I think makes the quilt less dated by the fabric line.

What’s on your sewing agenda for 2011? What are you excited about? What would you like to learn more about?

tomorrow I hope to post my personal year in review... 

In the mean time, on my list is:

- The quilting of four quilt tops

- My Chubby Stars quilt
- My Urban Lattice quilt
- A Schnibble in French General
- A couple Bakeshop quilts (so far)
- A baby boy and a baby girl quilt for the baby I hope we make soon... (but I'll need both because I'm really hoping to give my husband his wish of not finding out the gender early!)
- A big girl quilt for my niece
- A baby quilt for my niece due March 1
- A baby girl quilt for a good friend
- A couple baby boy quilts for other good friends
- the blocks for three bees

I really want to start writing some patterns, and I'm excited that I'll probably be going to Quilt Market in the Spring!

For learning -- my piecing got pretty good over the past year, so I would like to learn about quilting, now that I have a bigger and better machine!  I'd also like to figure out paper piecing.

Last but not least -- I'm excited to see what happens with Quilt Hope In!
  Because I want it to be successful, I'm still working out the details of getting items listed, getting funding to the right spot (so that it doesn't go through my personal checking account), and organizing sponsors! :)

Go! in strips and rags

*ALERT: If I saw you on the day you gave birth to your second born, go directly to the little x in the top corner of this window, and click it... yes, that means you Mom.  You too Jamie.*

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The final installment of my Go! mini reviews, before the giveaway (sorry, I'm a day behind)...

In case you've missed anything:

- The Round Flower mini tutorial

- A few notes on using the die that comes with the cutter

- "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" (you know, I have a minor in Biblical studies, and I still don't know the origins of this expression)

Please leave your Go! related questions in the comments, and I will address them with the giveaway.  I am waiting on an answer for a couple questions I had myself (I sent Friday, so I expect to hear back tomorrow).

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I have the 2 1/2" Strip cutter, (there are other strip cutter options; this one is apparently the most popular though).

First, the technical stuff:

It cuts three strips wide, up to six layers of fabric at a time.  If you're cutting with the width of fabric, you can get nine 2 1/2" strips each rotation.  

This die is nice and long, and does allow you to get the full length of fabric folded in half (or one fat quarter) on there, even without cutting off the selvage edge (though a couple times I did miss part and ended up with this effect).  

Not a big deal really, and easily fixed with a quick snip.

It does cut beautifully even strips which I used in this little custom quilt I'm working on, but I still wasn't sold on it.

I have this stack of fabric which will be turning in to a Christmas gift.

  

I plan to use one of the designs from Camille's new book that calls for 2 1/2" strips.  

So I pulled out my cutter again.

Sure, it cuts great strips, but *meh*

Now here's what I like about this die:

• accommodates the full length of fabric
• beautiful, even cuts

What I don't really like:

• I found it much more difficult to crank through than the other dies
• If you don't have your fabric cut to the right size before hand, you can get more waste than I like (there is 7 1/2" of usable fabric there when done)
• I got some creases in my strips that weren't there when I laid it on the die...because yes, I ironed first.

All in all, I'm not wild about this die, because even though it works, it doesn't seem to save me much time.  My ruler does slip on occasion, yes, but I can whip out 2 1/2" strips pretty easily.  I think I would love this if it cranked through easier, but I found myself worrying I'd get a sore elbow or wrist.  I went back to my rotary cutter for the rest of the cutting for this quilt.  I wish I had this die instead.

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The last die I have used is the Rag Quilt in the 8 1/2" size (the blocks finish at 6 1/2")

This is part of the stack of fabrics getting ragged up as a gift.  You see, rag quilts aren't really my thing, and neither are these colors... but alas, that's what love is all about... sewing with what feels like men's leisure suits, if the heart of the recipient so desires.

These are actually very nice wools from Moda and Benartex...not men's leisure suits.

Here are some of our completed squares.  :)

I apologize I don't have any actions shots of this, but here's my quick review:

What I like about this die:

• It will save me from a carpal tunnel flare up (I'm not lying)
• It fringes even this very heavy, thick fabric well

What I don't like about this die:

• Accuquilt themselves will tell you it's hard on the cutting mat.

• We had some trouble with the wool getting caught in the blade intersections.  It was hard to pick out even with the pick the cutter comes with (I don't think other fabrics would have had this reaction to the same degree, but I apologize I didn't try any others out).

• The little tiny blades were popping up after a few cuts.  My sister-in-law actually cut her finger brushing the die off, because the blades were higher than the surface of the foam.  They popped back down if I pressed on them with my scissors (not my nice scissors; don't worry), but it was odd.  (This is one of the questions I am waiting to hear back on).

My personal bottom line:

If you're in to rag quilts -- get this die.  I can only imagine snipping all those shaggy edges.  Yikes, I say.

I'd get the smaller one to go with this if I made rag quilts.

Next Go! post -- a giveaway with Q & A! :)

Thanks for reading!

Go! Rob Peter to Pay Paul

*This is part of my mini-series of Go! cutter reviews.  So now, here is my review of "Rob Peter to Pay Paul".  I plan to review the Strip cutter die, a rag die, and hope to have the giveaway ready to begin on Saturday or Sunday!  Please leave your questions in the comments, and I will answer all I can in the "Giveaway with a Q & A" post*



When I set about the task of picking out my three dies to go with the Go! cutter, I knew immediately I wanted this one: the "Rob Peter to Pay Paul"

I love curves in quilts.  I love petals.  I love cathedrals.  This design has all those elements in it.

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I tried a couple different materials with this die set: 

• Standard quilting cotton by Moda (Breakfast at Tiffany's with Bella Snow to be exact)
• Canvas weight Far Far Away 2 by Heather Ross
• Heavy linen from French General for Moda

The logistics:

For the regular quilting weight, I used a layer cake.  This die is sized to work with the 10" x 10" mat, and in case you weren't aware, layer cakes are a 10" square.  

The Go! can cut up to six layers of regular weight at a time, but I found I preferred to crank through four or five.

With a layer-cake square, you do end up with some waste for this die (P.S. If you want my "left-overs, leave a comment and I'll send them to someone").

But because of the shape of the curves, the waste is kind of necessary, and would be about the same if you were cutting them by hand.  You can get away with an 81/2" to 9" square if you're not using a layer cake.

This die is actually a set of two:  the center-pieces and the petals.  The petals are split in half so that you do not have bias edges.

I used a 5" x 10" piece of fabric, and it worked beautifully.  Getting six layers through with this die was not a problem at all.

As for sewing them together.

Cutting was easy; however, the directions that come with the die say to pin.

I don't pin unless it's an intersection.

I made about 2 blocks with the pinning method.  AND. I. HATED. IT.

I was heartbroken thinking I might not like or use my beautiful die.

Then I decided to try this method which I have used before for curves.  And it worked!  And suddenly, I loved them again.  The die is set up so there's a scant 1/4" off-set, so I did start it with the pointy part of the petal up almost 1/4".  The little notches lined up almost every time.

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What I like about this die:

• the shape is wonderful
• easy construction (if you don't use pins)
• easy to cut
• beautiful design (I think I already said that)
• Works well straight or on-point
• Had no problems whatsoever cutting through the heavy linen (I had it 4 deep)

What I don't like about this die:

• Working with all those bias edges can get a bit stretchy (I recommend starching your pieces first)
• The intersections when joining rows are really bulky  (I didn't lose any needles, but my machine kept wanting to eat the under-sides, and I sometimes had to lift the presser foot to get it to move through)
• Sort of a plus and a minus -- the split on the petal, while making things easier, means it is more difficult to use a reverse of the design and put the print on the petals.
• It was hard on my cutting mat -- and nearly split it in one spot (which I shall ask accuquilt, but I don't think that's supposed to happen)
• the cost is prohibitive for some of us

But I think I'll be making a lot more quilts with this die.  I really do like it.

Oh, PS -- For the Breakfast at Tiffany's quilt, I can't decide whether I should do a chenille border (like with this quilt) or go with some of this print.  

Don't forget to leave your Questions!

And if you're looking for what I did with the round flower appliqué die, then you can see it here. :)