Splendid Sampler 3-5

Moving right along on my Splendid Sampler!  Working with these small blocks has been challenging me!  I am going totally scrappy on this project so whatever strikes me that day is what I go with for that block and incorporate a creamy Kona solid in each block.

Block #3

Block #4

Block #5

Block 4 is waiting on some embroidery...time to pick up some floss and give it a try!  I don't often do to much handwork when it comes to sewing but I do crochet and cross stitch.  Hopefully I can pick this up quickly!

Splendid Sampler Block #2

Today was a challenge!  Block two of the Splendid Sampler consisted of 36 squares all measuring 1.5" each!  This block also included HST's which are definitely not my favorite and these were tiny.

In making this block, I used some of the tips and tricks I have seen previously about working with small pieces which I am notoriously bad at!  I made sure to starch the pieces before cutting, marked the 1/4 inch on each piece instead of relying on my 1/4 inch foot and I ironed the seams open. All of these came together to make a great block. 

I did aim to go scrappy but then see that part of my block is heavy on the grey and other parts are heavy on the teal.  I also turned the bottom butterflies the wrong way!  Oops!  Next up, sewing on some antenna. 

http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/blocks-and-bonus-projects/

Splendid Sampler Block #1

Today I started a new adventure!  I am so excited to be tackling the Splendid Sampler which consists of 100 blocks delivered at a rate of two a week!  Block one was simple and fun and so appropriate for the Valentine's Day kick off of this project! 

You can find the project blocks at http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/blocks-and-bonus-projects/

Cote d'Azur Sun Hat

I made the Cote d'Azur Sun Hat by ShannonMac Designs!  This isn't my first ShannonMac design and it won't be my last!  Her patterns are easy to follow and turn out great every time!

The Cote d'Azur made me a little nervous, after all, who sews a hat?  This girl, that's who!  This pattern calls for quilting fabric and I knew just what I wanted to use!  I had this great light teal paisley swirl and I wanted a darker color under the brim to absorb the sunlight reflecting off the river when I'm tubing and hanging out in the water in Tennessee so I found a great medium grey cotton.

I went the free motion quilting route when sewing the brim and did a swirl pattern on the brim.  My daughter loves it and insisted on modeling it for the pictures!

Another great ShannonMac Pattern!

Find it here!

Jenn

Point Mugu Maxi Skirt

Ruffles!!! Ruffles!!! Ruffles!!!

If there's one thing in this house the girls love, including me, its ruffles!  Have you seen the ruffle aprons we made previously not to mention tons made since then for friends birthday's and others!  How about the ruffled Cartwheel Shorts?  Ruffles are a favorite around here so I was so excited when I was asked to test the Point Mugu Maxi for my daughter!  This ruffle filled design was quick and easy and came out beautifully!

My favorite part of this pattern?  It had two options for cutting.  You can print and cut the pieces from the pattern or you can use the cutting chart and rotary cut every single piece!  I immediately knew which direction I was going and using my trusty rotary cutter I was completely cut out in no time!  I was able to sew this together quickly since she couldn't wait to try it on and start wearing it!

Check out the pattern by Seaside Notions!

Skirt Pattern

Simply Sweats

I was delighted to be chosen to test a pattern for Dandelions 'n' Dungarees this past week!  I ended up making a couple pair of these capri's and these are my favorite ones!  These will be my daughter's "go to" comfy pants!  I had made them in purple and strips but with spirit week coming up she dug through my stash and found this green I had long forgot about and her "Michigan State" pants were born!

This pattern is super easy and each pant leg is one cut of fabric, not two pieced together as we usually see.  With the elastic and ribbed jersey making up the waistband these may be the most comfortable pants ever!

A few things I love about this pattern are:

• Ease of printing and print a single size pattern
• Variety of lengths- shorts, capri and pant length and the pants can be cuffed or uncuffed
• Quick sew!  Under an hour start to finish
• Sizes for boys

You can find the pattern here from Dandelion and Dungarees Etsy shop !  I see many pairs of these in my future!

Scrappy Carpenter's Square Quilt

I love the look of a carpenter square quilt but hadn't yet made one and was on a mission to use up some of the scrap material I had laying around! This project tackled both!  I started by mapping out the carpenters square pattern on graph paper (the "old fashioned way" I'm told) and then debated sizes.

 I decided that with borders I wanted to aim for approximately 80" square so the squares that make up the star ended up being 6 1/2" unfinished.  I began by cutting out the scraps and making all the half-square triangle, have I mentioned I am not fond of HST's...but I did it and got them out of the way.  After playing with many options for the borders I liked the idea of having it "framed" by a border and so a plan was born!

To quilt, I chose to do an all over spiral and after practicing on paper, since I had only used this pattern as an accent on one other quilt, and I was pleased with how it came out.  There are definitely areas where I needed to slow down or watch myself because I ended up with pointy spots but I am very happy with my Scrappy Carpenter Star!