springy baby irish chain

I've talked about my partner in baby quilt crime before - we live in a baby prolific area and have teamed up on many projects over the last couple of years. And most recently we have churned out about 4 baby quilt in almost as many weeks!! It's been a little crazy. Brynn is normally the piecer with myself doing the quilting and we've swapped around who does the binding.  But we've been able to work together to give a gift that both of our hands have made.  And I really love that.

Admittedly, Brynn has a pretty amazing hefty stash that we've worked from.  Plus she's great at quilt math and is a very precise piecer.  I've gotten comfortable in my role as the quilter and actually really enjoy free motion quilting these smaller quilts.

However, on this particular quilt I had all of these fun scraps leftover from my scrappy trip around the world quilt.  And I wanted to contribute materials too so I offered to piece the top. I really love an Irish Chain and after watching this awesome tutorial, from the Missouri Quilt Co, was super inspired to get it going!

So I started with my scraps and some trusty Kona Snow and made up some nine-patches.  Side note: I love chain piecing.  Side note 2: all photos here taken on my iPhone 5 and don't look as good blown up.  Please forgive me.

I started to get really excited as I started laying out the nine patches with the solid blocks.

And even more excited when I got it all put together and thought about backing it with the aqua chevron and binding it with the red dots!

I then packaged it up and sent it to Brynn for quilting and binding and a good washing.  Side note 3: the sun was really bright at the shower.

And here's a quick detail of the quilting and binding.  Brynn is also super proficient in her binding skills, they always look so nice and crisp.  Side note 4: in a house with poor night lighting and phone camera photos sometimes Kona white gets mixed in with the snow and you don't notice until you get it in some real daylight *smacks head*.

I do love the way this quilt turned out. The colors seemed really cheery to me and perfect for our friend who is having her 3rd baby and 3rd girl.  Aqua is the new pink.  Did you know?

I have several more baby quilts to share.  How about we have a baby quilt exclusive sew & tell soon?

sew & tell v3.26 a collaborative baby quilt

I've talked about my friend Brynn here before.  She is an excellent quilter!  Not only is she precise and accurate in her piecing but she has an amazing ability to start and finish projects rather quickly!  We've teamed up recently to make a few quilts for some friends who are having babies.  She cuts, pieces and bastes the quilts and then passes them off to me.  I quilt and bind them!  I think we make a great team - she does the part I drag my feet on (cutting) and I have a deadline to actually finish them! And I think you all know how I feel about having local friends with whom you can sew!

This is our latest!  Pardon the grainy instagram photos! I did take some others that I'll share later so you can see the cute back too.

Fabric: All-Star, Riley Blake
Quilting: Free motion stippling

What have you been finishing up this week?



Your turn to share ~ Show us what you've got finished!
Linky Rules.  Please follow along for a fun party!

1. Please write the post for sew & tell - or add a blurb mentioning sew & tell to a post written since the last sew & tell.  If you are linking to a post with your own tutorial, please make sure it was a finish from this week and that the completed project is shown first.

2. One linky per person. (please put multiple projects in one post.)

3. Link to your specific post.  (See here for permalink instructions - or email me.)

4. Link back here with a link or a button (HTML on my sidebar).

5. Be sure to visit and leave comments on other's posts!

Please put your (blog)name instead of your project name, it helps us get to know each other better!

Linky issue with sew & tell + an epiphany

So the linky service uses a service and that service's server crashed.  Did you follow that? It's okay, me neither!  So that's why the linky wasn't working for a good part of the day yesterday.  It is now fixed and I've reopened the linky so you can post through Sunday late night!

*****
In other news...

I've found that if you finish up your half finished projects, your sewing space magically starts to get decluttered.


For instance today I pulled out a hooded towel that I've been meaning to make for a year.  It took 20 minutes.  Why do I put things off??

I finally stitched down these appliques on these onsies that I've had in my to-do pile for TWO years.  Another 20 minutes.  I have got to work on that.  It really does help that my machine has a designated spot and it doesn't move any more.  I just sit down and turn it on!! Love my new table.

 

And just for fun, I think she likes her new towel.

 

Awesome hooded towel tutorial here.

{amylouwho} see & tell v3.7

Before we start, I have a new Sew & Tell button!   I would love it if you would update your buttons! (and links to www.amylouwhosews.com) Thanks!


  <center><a href="http://www.mommyandbeyond.blogspot.com/search/label/sew-n-tell" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHf9GwCIxdnyjm8L5JZkzaNai8SumRzbLzQ0prtGL7fdJZ558fM1qzts-rbxHgvboSXZjiOuc9F_shcdfF2cWLbKCLF58mTZwl2VgNwYITQ45q_P-rFltjmnJ7fai-zF62KOG/s1600/sew%2526tell+button-+125x125" /></a></center>
Also, have you started your mini yet? If you haven't checked out the mini quilt challenge for next week, please do!  Plus, there will be prizes.  Stay tuned next week for more information!


Please spread the word if you are going to join us! The more the merrier!

*****
The unfortunate thing about your kids getting sick is that mom always ends up with some form of it or another by the end. I wasn't as productive as I would have liked this week, what with all of the cutting and prepping I did last week!


In fact my finish today isn't even one of those things! But that's okay. My sister-in-law came this weekend to sew with me!  I hope to be super productive!

I'm going to a baby shower this morning for a sweet friend who is having daughter number 3 while her husband is deployed.

She needed a warm snuggly blanket. At least I think she did!  This blanket measures 30 x 30, perfect in the car or stroller.

She's doing pink and brown in the nursery and I dug out some of my favorites I used making this and this. I know, they are so 2007 (hahaha!) but I still love them.

Especially the girls on pink scooters. The eiffel towers too! Who am I kidding? And I think you've all figured out my love of damask.

I love the super fudgey soft minky backing. And how a simple ribbon wraps the gift.

How productive were you this week? Do share!

Linky Rules.  Please read carefully.  The delete monster will be eating non-compliant links.

1. Please write the post for sew & tell - or add a blurb mentioning sew & tell to a post written since the last sew & tell.  If you are linking to a post with your own tutorial, please make sure it was a finish from this week and that the completed project is shown first.

2. One linky per person. (please put multiple projects in one post.)

3. Link to your specific post.  (See here for permalink instructions - or email me.)

4. Link back here with a link or a button (HTML on my sidebar).

5. Be sure to visit and leave comments on other's posts!

a knitted treasure

It's hard to believe she'll be 18 months old soon. She finally started walking about a month ago. But really I wanted to show you this amazing dress that my dearest Allyn knitted for her (is the past tense of knit, knitted?)

I can't believe how perfect and tiny these little stitches are. I can't believe she frogged a cardigan she started to make this instead.  I can't believe she did this while taking care of 5 kids and getting ready to deliver her 6th.  She is AMAZING.

This will be a dress we treasure long after she outgrows it. Thanks dear friend.

sew & tell - on a roll

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

I don't know what's happened the last few weeks!  I feel like a sewing maniac!  You might be surprised to see two things that I have never made before.  And only one diaper clutch.  :)

I owe all of you a big thanks for keeping me going.  Part of getting these things finished is so that I have something to post each week too!  Otherwise, I'd have a ton of UFOs laying around. (Like the bumpers that I have cut out for my almost 5 year old daughter when she was a baby...)  I wasn't feeling too great yesterday (darn pollen) and I wasn't feeling like finishing up the big thing for today - but I went ahead and kept plugging away and it really only took about 15 minutes.  And I'm so glad I did!  So thank YOU!

Alright, first up.
I totally get the bunting thing now!  I keep seeing people make them and I've wanted to make on too.  I  just hadn't had a reason to until I helped my gorgeously talented (and gorgeous) friend throw a baby shower last weekend.  Here it is hanging up in my sunroom/sewing room/home office/workout room (I told you I was a multi-tasker!).

And here it is after the party had been staged.  I LOVE it so much and now I want to make one for every room in my house.  And I hope you noticed the Amy Butler Wallflower in there!

I just made a template out of a cereal box and used it as a guide to cut with my rotary cutter.  Then I sewed it to some hem tape, because that's what I had.  These aren't lined and may fray a bit, but then they'll be *vintage*.  Right? 

If you like gratuitous food and decor shots go here to see more of Heidi's magic!

Next up.
The gift for that shower.

Shocker, I know. I can't get enough of these!  And Amy Butler in Daisy Chain is always nice.

Lastly. (But not leastly.)
Are you ready?  Are you sure?  I finally got to the bedskirt with my newest fabric crush in my favorite colors.

And I love the way it turned out!  I'll admit, it was a little bit of a bugger to figure out.  I wanted to match up the large print and make sure it wouldn't look totally ridiculous.  I needed more than one width of fabric to make the long section, so I had to work that into the equation.  I really did do some algebra to figure some stuff out!  (My teachers were right after all... you may just need it some day!)

I ended up using a different dot for the inset pleat, but I thought it matched better.  And after all was said and done, I still screwed it up, but I'm not saying where and I don't want to know if you can figure it out.

I also have the mattress high right now, since she's still pretty little, so it will look a lot nicer when it's hanging to the floor.  And even better when this becomes her toddler bed.  The quilt is doubled up here, so it should get a lot of good use too!

The best part is I just used an old crib skirt for measurements and THEN instead of sewing it to a big piece of fabric, I JUST TAPED IT TO THE PLATFORM.  YEAH!  I felt like such a rebel/cheater!  I think it will actually work better and not get all wonky all the time.  I had read of several other people doing this too.  I may have to go back and tweak it a bit, but I'm happy with the tape method.

And thank you Target, for making awesome matching sheets (I bought 2) and cute-as-all-get-out Owl pillows!

oh, and can I tell you again how much I love my serger?  Especially for hems?

So if you made it all the way down here, THANKS! This was a long one.  Remember, next Friday is the big day!  I can't wait to see what you guys have been working on and I'm super excited about the giveaways!  I'm adding a few handmade things to the pot as well!    Leave me a comment today and tell me what you are working on for the Amy Butler Challenge (or for you over-achievers what you have already finished!)!


P.S. I'm not going to be around much this weekend - so if there are any questions or problems I will get back to you - it just might take a little longer.

What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please show good bloggy manners and follow the linky rules.  Refer to the sew & tell page   if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been  deleted.

1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew & tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments! Please, don't just link up and leave, we all want to hear from you!

sew & tell - cute overload

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

How are you guys? I hope everyone has had a great week.  I was on a roll last week - I can't believe what getting your machine going for a few simple projects will do to a girl's motivation!  It helps that there are a ton of people here that are having babies for whom to make some little lovelies.

So to start off - how about another diaper clutch?  Hello, black and white and pink.  Have we met? Let's be friends.

I did a couple things different this time.  I added ribbon to swoop around the button instead of elastic (the elastic and I weren't getting along).  I also left out the interfacing.  Faster and the pink is a heavier linen weight, so I decided to do without the extra bulk.

I finally got around to the other dress from this pattern that I made earlier this summer.  It's a big hit!  I just need to get a picture of her modeling it.

These Nicey Jane fabrics are so . . . well, . . . nice.  And again, can I say how much I love my serger for finishing off all of those gathered inside seams!  Plus it makes hemming so much easier.

I have an Amy Butler project finished, but it's under wraps - I'll show it next week.  Hopefully along with this lovely fabric made into something extraordinarily fun! Any guesses?

I can't help it.  Every time I see this fabric laying around I want to take a picture of it!!

Don't forget! Only 2 more weeks!


What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please show good bloggy manners and follow the linky rules.  Refer to the sew & tell page   if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been  deleted.

1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew & tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments! Please, don't just link up and leave, we all want to hear from you!
 

sew & tell - sewing lessons

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

My new friend Jessica confessed to me one day that she had a brand new sewing machine that she has had for several years and had never used it!!  Of course I couldn't let that continue - so I offered to help her learn how to use it.  You know my secret plan to take over the world involves converting unsuspecting women into happy-fabric-loving sewers, right?  Who needs anti-depressants when you can have a fabric fix?  Or the thrill of a finish!?

She wouldn't let me take her picture, but this is what it would have looked like.  Except Jessica has better hair.  And I don't have wood paneled walls. . . but I digress.

image via Wikipedia

I had been wanting to make a simple diaper clutch for myself and thought this would be the perfect project for a newbie to learn how to use her machine!  (If you go to Jessica's blog, you will see why she needs one too!  And you will probably laugh a lot while you are there.  Plus leave her some bloggy love - they are about to go through their first deployment.) 

Jess told me at one point that she had the book Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol - which is a delightful book!  side note: One of the things I love about it is the section in the beginning explaining basic sewing concepts.  Even though I've been sewing for a long time I learned a lot of good things there.  It's where I first read about beeswax!  (Which does make hand sewing so much better.)

When she came with the book I remembered that the clutch I wanted to make was actually in this book.  And then realized it's the one on the cover!!

She picked out my scraps of Park Slope by Erin McMorris,

 and a button from my stash to add a little vintage-y interest.

We changed the measurements a tad,

so that these would fit perfectly.

I love how it turned out!  And look at that sweet bicep.  She did let me take an artsy action shot!

I love this quick little project so much I have 4 cut out and ready to sew up!  You will see them here soon.  And I found the cure for my sewer's block - spend some time sewing with a friend, make a mess on your dining room table and JUST. START. CUTTING.

I have a few fun giveaways up my sleeve for the next little bit.  So please stay tuned!  Hint: I got a nice package from none other than AMY BUTLER'S studio that I'm going to share with you.  So get out your Amy Butler patterns and fabric and get your projects ready to share!


What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please refer to the sew & tell page   if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been  deleted.

1. Link to your specific  post  about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew   & tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so  everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments!

sew & tell - a baby quilt!

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

I'm guest posting over at my friend's place, Aunt Spicy, if you want to go read some more randomness!

I did finish the LOVE quilt last week, but I'm working on a dust ruffle and stuff, so I thought it would be fun to show it all together, when it's ALL finished.  Plus, I got an amazing baby quilt in the mail and I just had to show off its gorgeous craftsmanship!  And when I say craftsmanship, I mean it!

I had a very good mail day last Friday. Monica of Happy Zombie sent me a panel of her Gnoma Clauses -ADORABLE!! I got some fabric for my quilting bee and one of my finished blocks back (I'll be showing those soon.)  But there was a mystery package in there from one of my blogging friends who owns a quilting business.  I thought, huh? What is she sending me?

Then I opened up the package.  There was a small quilt inside - I could see it had my two favorite blues and greens in it!

I pulled out the card and it said, "Open the tissue first".  So I did.  And look at this adorable-ness!

I debated whether or not to crop this down, but then I decided I liked the sneak peak at some of my other projects.

I was thinking, "Wow!  Natalia is so nice to make this for the baby!  And I only met her in real life last January!  Aren't my blogging friends the best?"

And then I read the card.  And started to tear up.  The card was signed by 5 of my dear blogging friends.  They had all worked together using each of their unique talents to put this together for me. 

Candy, of Candied Fabrics, dyed the beautiful fabrics. (She dyes all of the fabric she sews with.  A real artist!)

Vicki, of Sew Inspired, made half the blocks and pieced the back. (Amazing sewing, all around.  Quilts, garments, you name it, she does it well!)

Rita, of Mochi Studios, did the adorable applique. (She makes awesome plushies!)

Amy, of Amy's Creative Side, pieced half the blocks and the quilt top. (You know her well - founder of the Blogger's Quilt Festival and soon to be published author!)

Natalia, of Piece N Quilt, quilted and bound it! (Moda Bakeshop member, longarm quilter and designer extraordinaire!)

If you click on each of the links above it will take you to a post they've written about their piece in this lovely cherished quilt!  The cool thing too is that the colors really blend well with the Amy Butler quilt!  Smart, smart girls.  They heard a rumor (or read it on my blog) somewhere that I love aqua and lime!

I'm pretty sure Maggie loves it already too.  She liked hanging out on it for the photoshoot today!

 

and another one for good measure.

I know I've said this before - I love our little world here!  And thanks again ladies for such a thoughtful gift.

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”  

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember that.  The time you take to do/make something for someone else is more valuable than any gift you could purchase.

Now for the gift of motivation. . .  
What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please refer to the sew & tell page if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been deleted.

1. Link to your specific post about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew& tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments!
 

sew & tell - another knitted gift

If you are new or need a refresher for Sew & Tell guidelines you can click on the tab above for details on linking up!

Hey! Do you want to hear some great news?  Baby is sleeping from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.!!  Do you know what this means?  It means my brain is starting to function on the closer side of normal.  I actually sewed this week!  It's the first sewing I've done in almost 3 months!  Unfortunately, I didn't quite finish it.  But I should have it finished for next Friday - it's the Amy Butler LOVE quilt I've been working on for the baby.  I'll make it her, I'm-sleeping-through-the-night gift.  I just ordered the rest of the fabric for her bedding too, so I'm excited to get all that put together!  Now, if I could just figure out what beds to get the older kids so that I can put her in the crib instead of the pack-n-play...

So, because I don't have anything of my own (again), and I forgot to coordinate with Leslie who was going to guest post for me (she's been with us since the beginning and always has fun things to share.  Sorry Leslie!), I have another item to feature that I received as a baby gift.

If you've been reading here for a bit you might have heard why I named my blog what I did.  My dear neighbor is a VERY creative person and excellent knitter.  I had no words when I opened her gift.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS??? I LOVE IT!! The Amylouwho family tree immortalized in knit! I assume most people are familiar with Dr. Seuss and his Whos.  She patterned this picture after one of the illustrations in Horton Hears a Who. 

She knit the blanket and the figures and then appliqued them to the blanket.  Seriously! The talent!

amylouwho and daddywho

aliwho

andywho

and babymaggiewho

I still get giggles and fall in love with it even more every time I look at it!  Thank you Ellen!!


What sewing project did you finish this week?

Please refer to the sew & tell page   if you have any questions or wonder why your link may have been  deleted.

1. Link to your specific  post  about a sewing related finish you had THIS week.

2. Please mention sew   & tell in your post and link back to this  post (link or button) so  everyone can join in.
3.  Pat each other on the backs in the comments!