The Migration Quilt [Planes, Trains, and Automobiles]

I decided to start tonight's blog post with a list.

Fun facts to catch you up with me:

1.) In the past three weeks I have been in eight states. I only slept in three of them.

2.) I am leaving again tomorrow.

3.) I have achieved diamond status with my hotel reward program. That means I have spent over 40 nights in Choice Hotels this year. This would be less sad if I only stayed in that brand of hotels, but that is not true. The actual number of nights in a hotel room is much higher.

4.) Some of my dearest sewing friends and I hung out this weekend. We drank milkshakes, ate pizza, and bought a lot of fabric.

5.) I learned about life mistakes and then I bought more Collage. This entire visit deserves its own blog post.

6.) Today I ate a chocolate croissant and took a pilates class. I think those two events neutralize each other.

There you go, caught up with me. Don't you just feel like we had a cup of coffee together? Except if we had coffee together, you could have added your things too. Then we could have talked about how good your hair looks and I could have asked you where you got those shoes.

I finished another quilt on the plane to in Denver. Then I gave it away the next day.

I improvised a photo shoot, 'cause I wanted to show this awesome finish with you.

I made this quilt for Derek's grandparents, we call them Gammie and Grandad. They are amazing people.

Gammie is a quilter and a former high school math teacher. Grandad is a retired engineer. So, I new this quilt had to have some math. I also knew it had to be good. So, I used some of my precious architextures and I worked super hard.

I think they really liked it. Little know fact, quilters are the best people to gift quilts. They appreciate them tons and they know how to use those quilts. They were both totally surprised and excited. This is technically a birthday present for them both. Gammie just turned 82 a few weeks ago and Grandad is turning 83 in January. I hope they don't mind me sharing this on the internet...

Gammie and Grandad assured me they would snuggle under this one all winter.

That sort of makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

Thanks for tolerating me friends. Love you bundles.

Sarah

Quilt Stats:
Quilt Name: Migration
Quilt pattern: Mine, though, I know this block has a name. Shall we just call it *%&$%^ bias seams?
Fabric: Caroline Friedlander's Architextures, Simply Style by V and Co, and a great deal of Essex linen from Robert Kaufman.
Quilting: My lazy infinity quilting, quilted and pieced with Aurifil thread
Size: Ha! Like I remembered to measure before I gave this away.

PS - All photos on this page were taken with my iPhone. I apologize for this, I just did not have room to pack the dslr. We will be back to regularly scheduled photos next time I finish a quilt.

Blue and Yellow and Denver

Do you ever just have one of those weeks months? I mean, seriously. Nothing major has gone wrong. I mean I have my health (poison ivy itches are mostly gone), I have a fuzzy cat, a loving husband, a great house, and a good job.

But, seriously.

Why do I feel like I have not sat down in six months?

Why is being the partner of a graduate student sort of like going through grad school a second time? I think I have learned what people mean when they say marriage is a partnership in the past couple of weeks. We are riding this crazy train together.

Not that I would ride the train with anyone else and, honestly, how do you get anywhere unless you get on a train anyway?

I do not mean to complain in this space. I sound like such a whiner (poison ivy, grad student husband….). This is just a space for me to shout it out. There has been so much talking about the future in my life lately, this blog is a nice place to say, hi friends, I am going to tell you about the right now.

Now, the four of you who haven’t clicked next on your reader feed probably want to know what it is about this finish I have here (hi mom!).

As I write this, I am jetting to Colorado.

You may not know this about me, but I lived in Colorado for 6 years before I moved to North Carolina. I met my husband in Colorado. I drank my first beer in Colorado. I went to undergraduate and graduate school here. Very important things that have made me who I am today.

Derek has a conference in Colorado this weekend (oh hai German Studies Association Annual Meeting 2013) and I decided to tag along. I wanted to see the mountains and revisit some old Denver haunts.

Derek’s family still lives here too.

Naturally, I decided to make Derek’s mother a quilt. What else could I possibly bring her?

This St. Louis 16 patch was a little bit of quiet for me when I needed it this summer. The colors are calm and the quilt just soothes me. It was relaxing and quick to make.

I used this excellent tutorial.

It makes me feel a little old-fashioned. Quilting is totally therapy.

Salutations,

Sarah

Quilt Stats:

Size: 56" x 70"

Fabric: Kona Snow, Pearl Bracelets by Lizzy House, a Lana Jansdotter print, Joel Dewberry, Bonnie and Camile, a Moda basic dot, Summersville Spring (?), and I think that blue dot is from an Aneela Hoey line. I am sorry about this… these were long stashed fabrics…

Quilting: Figure 8 or infinity quilting with Aurifil Thread (I like to stay firmly within my comfort zone).

PS – My graduate advisor asked me to give a talk to his graduate student tomorrow, because why not go on vacation and have to prepare an hour long lecture? Also, am I the only one who feels like they cannot say no to their advisor? It has been nearly five years since I left, but I still feel like he could give me an “F”. 

I am a Wonky Triangle in a Right Angles World

Sometimes when I name my blog posts I just write things in the title that make no sense. Then I decide it is a metaphor or it has a double meaning and I leave it there. This is how I imagine poets write. The good ones. Make your own meaning.

I am feeling a bit punchy tonight. I had a terrible case of poison ivy this week. It was totally my fault. I was working and I saw the poison ivy, but I couldn't avoid it. I have been regretting that day of work ever since. I look terrible, I just want to take my skin off. Today I went to the magical doctor's office and she gave me things to make the itch go away. They are also steroids, with which I have a great deal of experience due to my freakish meat allergy. Steroids always make me a bit punchy.

Also, that was a long story. Maybe not that long...

Oh right, this is a sewing blog. The point of this post is to reveal a super fun project I made to forget my itches. Sorry if you are new to my blog. I promise story time does not happen too often.

Nancy over at Owen's Olivia made this awesome paper piecing pattern (etsy or craftsy, pick your poison), and I tested it for her.

It is pretty much cool.

The pattern consists of long strips of wonky triangles, and you just paper piece them out until you are done, making something as long or as short as you like. I think she has three different sizes of wonky triangle strips for your sewing convenience.


I decided I would be convenienced (not a word) by the small triangles. I would make a little pouch for my epi pen and pencils (I know incredibly unsafe, but the epi pen is in a case already, I don't have kids, and it is a pen...sort of ). Besides the epi was looking ugly in my pretty new purse. We can't have that.

I pulled out my scrap bins and went to town. This pattern loves scraps. It's also fun to play with the fabric's volume on this one.

Blue is my favorite color. It matches my eyes. Throw in some hand stitching and a little fancy stamping.  Done.

Rewarding. Beautiful.

Go support Nancy (etsy or craftsy), this is basically a steal at $1.99. This is her first pattern and it is boss, I think we should expect great things. Plus, I think she is giving away free stuff on her blog.

Hugs from the giant series of blisters that is me,
Sarah

PS - Good chance I will not be able to sleep tonight due to the 'roids. Well, that is awesome.

PPS - You may have noticed the lack of poison ivy photos. You're welcome.

*I received this pattern for free in exchange for my testing services, all opinions are my own. Bacon's honor.*

I Needed a New Purse. So I made an It's a Cinch Tote.

I have been wanting a new laptop bag/purse. You know something classy with a touch of whimsy, something I could travel with and feel cool. I have been eyeing patterns for a bit now, just looking for the perfect thing.

Also, it needed to have leather, because leather makes everything look more grown up and I have been hoarding this big bag of leather scraps.

I was thinking about the Super Tote, but it seemed just not quite right for my purposes (still want to make one though, lots of love for Noodlehead patterns). Then I saw this challenge in the Sew Mama Sew Super Online Sewing Match (whew, mouthful!).

 

The "It's a Cinch Tote" by U-Handbags (not a sponsored post).

I was in love. I just knew from looking at the entries that I could adapt this pattern for my very own self.

The pattern was also on sale (still has a coupon code active, check it).

I don't know about everyone else out there, but when Sarah makes a bag, she devotes herself to it.

Seriously, I cleared my schedule, bought the fabric online a couple of days ahead of time, cleaned my sewing room, trekked to Joann's for notions (hate that store), and sat down to do it. I put on a Spotify playlist and went for it. It only took me from Friday evening to Saturday evening (with sleeping, one happy hour, and a trip to the grocery store and farmer's market in between). I finished some little details on Sunday morning.

You are going to roll your eyes, but it really was a cinch. Some reviews online complained about the photos being located away from the directions. I guess this is a little annoying, but I am used to referencing photos from figure numbers, so it did not bother me. I would not read this one on a computer. Print it out.

I am going to run through my modifications really quick in case someone else wants to make it this way, but the pattern itself is really good. No head scratching moments at all, which is saying something because I nearly always have a moment or two. These will not make a ton of sense unless you are looking at the pattern. Also, they may just not make a ton of sense.

My mods to the It's a Cinch Pattern by U-Handbags:

- Measurements for two color bag. 10.5" for top print, 5.5" for bottom (when I joined these I used a half inch seam allowance, which made sense to me for stability). You need to cut the interfacings separately too.

- Bag straps (the ones on the bag) I cut 10.5" long.

- Here is the order you have to do everything to get this to work. Iron on interfacing, outside pocket (with zip), sew in interfacing/Thermolan (on all four pieces), straps onto top part of the purse, base, top-stitch base.

- Leather was cut to 1.25" wide in all places, which made sense with my hardware.

- The base meant that the zip pocket was about a half an inch shorter than the pattern called for, this did not bother me.

- Using leather for this is not for the faint of heart, it is extremely unforgiving. My sewing machine handled it sort of okay. I used a leather needle, a walking foot, and lengthened my stitch a little. This was also not my first time sewing with leather... The pattern calls for webbing handles, which would probably be cute. If you want to sew in fabric liner onto the leather (like I did with the polka dots), cut the fabric 1/4" wider than the leather (that would be 1.75" for a 1.25" wide handle). Then cut a 1.25" x length desired bit of woven interfacing. I think I use craft fuse. Fuse that to the center of the wrong side of your fabric, then fold the raw edges in 0.25 inches on both sides. Then topstitch the fabric to the leather wrong sides together, using clips to hold it in place. The interfacing is very important! Without the interfacing the bulk is too different between the fabric and the leather and the fabric will get caught in your feed dogs (at least mine did on some test pieces).

- I "basted" my leather to the bag outside using a basting tape and ironing it on the reverse of the bag, though the fabric. This helped make the top stitching easy.

- Remember how I said my machine handled it sort of okay? I had to hand stitch the leather cinch tabs on all four corner because they were too thick for my machine. The bobbin was literally not making its way up through all of those layers. To do this hand stitching, I machine stitched through the leather a couple of times to make holes so I could get the hand sewing needle through the layers. I broke hand sewing needles doing this. (PSA - use a thimble).

If I forgot something and you need to know it, just send me a little note in the comments.

Consider yourself purse bombed.

Heart you all.

Sarah

Materials List:
Outside - Feathers by Alison Glass in Indigo (I think), Essex Yarn-Died Linen, Coats and Clark metal zippers, Robert Kaufman Neon dots, leather from a scrap bin (bought by the pound, no good source)
Inside - Heather Ross Briar Rose Strawberries and some random Japanese (can't remember the designer or manufacturer)
Hardware - Joann's
Thread - Aurifil
Dimensions - 18" x 12" x 4"

Bacon Seen in the Wild

If you have been hanging about here for awhile you may know that there have been tons of baby quilts in my life recently.

I thought I would take a second to show you some of my quilts with their BABIES!

Here is Hunter with my Confetti Baby quilt.

Work it Hunter. Look at that smizing.

This is Samantha with the Untitled Baby Edition.

Apparently she was fascinated with the hedgehogs and the bright colored rectangles. They draw my eye in too Samantha.

Finally Baby DJ with the Ducks in a Row quilt.

DJ does not get out of bed for such minor things. Clearly. 

It is super fun to see my quilts getting play on and loved (drooled on probably too). Cue satisfied sigh. 

Hope you had a fantastic weekend.

Love and Kisses from good old North Carolina,

Sarah

PS - These photos were passed on by some of my favorite people to share with you all. Thanks Kathie, Tracey, and Lisa! Photo credit deserved, plus your babies are pretty. 

Back with Something Minor to Report

When I started blogging I read a couple tips for bloggers. One of the things I learned is that a blogger should never apologize for an absence. Apparently, people don't like reading other people's apologies.

I am sorry I have been MIA

I have always been a bit of a rebel (this statement is not really that true).

I think I was busy, but I can't remember what I doing.

Meanwhile back in the sewing room, I had a super productive sewing weekend. I finished the binding on a quilt, but I have not managed to work up the energy for a photo shoot.

I finished a rocking border for one of the medallion traveling quilt groups I am in (seriously, I am in two medallion alongs right now). This is a secret quilt, so I can only show a peek. You will have to trust me, it is boss.

This is Paige's quilt and I do not think I am going out on a limb when I say, we are heading exactly in the direction she pointed us.

Then I made the center/starter for my SURMA medallion traveling quilt group I am doing. This one is with my mountain sewing ladies, although we prefer to think of ourselves as members of Sigma Sigma Upsilon. It is not secret, so I can show you my work every month (for you savvy instagram people #surmasewing).

My medallion theme is "I love color." I am going for a color block/low volume theme, where each border is a scrappy version of a different color (chosen by the maker that month). I decided to make the center my favorite color, BLUE!

The block was made using the Ice Star pattern, which is free from Sew What Sherlock. Full disclosure on this buddy, it was a great pattern, very easy to follow and gorgeous, but it took FOREVER.

I am showing you this picture to give you an idea about how many pieces it took.

My center is now out in the wild, I will not get to see it in person for about a year... But I will get to see pictures.  Yay!

I have some neat projects in the works. I promise I will come back soon.

Tonight I am in a hotel room and I am exhausted. I think I might even be too tired for reality TV... bizarre...

My next post will be cuteness overload, so prepare yourself (I feel I should mention it will not be my cat, although he is cute).

Club Medallion: A Very Special Monday Announcement

Hi Friends!

I am just dropping in to let you know that my friends Chrissy and Linda of Sew Lux Fabrics are starting a medallion block of the month. 

It is just like a regular block of the month, except instead of a block every month you will make a border. Then at the end you have a gorgeous 62" x 62" quilt. Finished. No sashing, just a whole quilt.

It will look something like this, only with color (or no color, tickles your fancy). 

For this border of the month club, you can subscribe to just the pattern (for a special price until October 1) or you can pick a kit. If you are just a pattern subscriber you get a fresh set of directions emailed to you each month.

When you order a kit, you get all of the fabrics you need for each border mailed to you along with directions every month. I mean, seriously, it is built in happy mail. Also, knowing Chrissy and Linda (as I do), they will totally be giving you some fat cuts (if you know what I mean, wink, wink) and you will have some yummy scraps every month. 

There are two kits options. 

You might ask, "Sarah, why are you, Stitching and Bacon, so excited?" 

I will tell you. 

Chrissy asked me to curate a medallion's worth of quilt fabrics. ME!

Meet the Hipster Edition for Club Medallion. 

I was going for a cool color vibe. You know, hip.

This quilt is a complete mix of fabric lines, new and old. I had SOOOO much fun putting it together. I am really, really loving navy and yellow right now. I am pretty smitten with the faux woodgrain print from S'more Love. You have to see them and you will know what I mean.

Chrissy picked the gorgeous fabrics for the Prepster Edition.

It is so cheerful and fun. Look at those dots! What is that I spot, a faux woodgrain? Such a sunshine-y quilt.

Can't you just see this on your couch?

The details for the club are all on the Sew Lux website or in this blog post. It is six months long starting in October and running through March.

The best part is, we are all going to do it together. I can't wait to see everyone's work. I love the sense of community that we get from sewing together.

I will be posting my medallion business up here every month. Will you join me?