Curved Piecing with Patricia Belyea

I am in the midst of taking Patricia Belyea's class called Creativity & Complex Curves.  I've been wanting to take this class, which has been an immersive, in-person week long class but is now virtual due to the pandemic, so this actually works better for me. 

I have completed two projects so far, but I'm also getting some great inspiration for things I'd like to do after the class is over.

Complex Curves Class Project - 38" square

Kaleidoscope Mini Quilt

I just love miniature quilts and can't get enough of looking at them online.  I recently picked up a miniature quilt book, Teeny-Tiny Quilts by Donna Lynn Thomas, and got a lot of good tips for working at a small scale.  I've also been attracted to the kaleidoscope quilts and made one years ago using foundation paper piecing.  That quilt is still one of my favorites and I keep it on display.

The new color strategy with kaleidoscope quilts is wonderful, adopting a mandala theme, so I tackled another.  This one I decided to do on a very small scale and using English paper piecing.  English paper piecing is not new to me, having made two throw-sized quilts in recent years, a traditional hexagon and stars quilt and the more complicated La Passacaglia quilt made popular by Willyne Hammerstein with her first in the Millefiori series.

This quilt is roughly 19 x 19 inches, so definitely in the miniature quilt category.  English Paper Piecing has always been good for getting all of those tips lined up just right and on such a small scale it fit the bill.

I used supima cotton fabrics for the solids (light blue, med/dark blue, and dark brown) because I loved the sheen, but I won't do that again, especially at such a small scale.  The fabric is very prone to fraying, with lots of super fine threads (which is what gives it the sheen), but I don't think it adds enough to the finish product to be worth the hassle.

Fabric Baskets for Fun

I was looking for a quick, fun project a while back and came across this tutorial from Melissa at Polka Dot Chair.  Just the right amount of something new, quick, and fun.  Many thanks to her for the great tutorial!

I started out making these two coordinated basket, one for me and one for my daughter.  I immediately started using mine for my hand sewing and love that the basket also works as a pin cushion, so my pins and needles are always right at hand.

Fabric Baskets

Denim Sheath Dress

Earlier this year I decided I'd like to start making clothes for myself again.  I used to sew most of my clothes when I was much younger, but then ready-made clothes became more affordable for me and I didn't have as much time.  So, now I'm looking for more variety and a better fit.

I decided a sheath dress would be a good start, and if I found a good pattern or two, this is a good basic pattern to have available with a wide variety of options.  I went with a nice denim that has a little stretch, just in case the fit was a little off, a medium to heavy weight fabric with a nice hand.  I went with a pattern that offers a lot of fitting options, Simplicity 8258, from the Amazing Fit Collection.

Simplicity 8258

Due to the pandemic, I haven't had the chance to wear it anywhere, except to hang out at home after taking the picture below.

MegaPixel Quilt for Nils

We had a graduation this year; Nils, our adopted son from Germany graduated from Rollins College so, in keeping with tradition, I made a quilt for him.  I found the MegaPixel pattern and set out to find appropriate fabrics; nothing too feminine, but keeping with what I think are his preferred colors.  I think I got it right; he really seemed to like it.

MegaPixel Quilt

I know his mother liked it, as we got a picture of it on one of their beds as soon as she returned to Germany!

Farmer's Wife Quilt - Finished

I finally finished the Farmer’s Wife quilt and it is on the guest room bed!  I looked back and it took over 4 years from start to finish, but as is often said, “It’s the journey, not the destination.”  It has been a journey, and yet, I'm enjoying the destination. 

Farmer's Wife Quilt - Finished!

Blue and White Sampler Quilt Top Complete

Another milestone in the Blue & White Sampler quilt project!  I completed the majority of the quilt top a while back, but just couldn't be sure how to finish it off.  Take a look and read on for more on my indecision.

Blue and White Sampler quilt top finished