A Couch You've Probably Seen Before

Over Labor Day weekend, Chris and I made a trip to the mecca known as IKEA to pick up our new couch!

I'm pretty sure most of you have seen this couch before, and may even have it in your own home.  I first saw it on YHL and thought that it would be a very economical way to get the sectional we wanted.

Chris put the frame together while I was busy putting all of the cushions into their cases.  About an hour later and we finally had a couch to sit on and enjoy in our living room!

I couldn't wait to break out the pillowcases that I sewed last year.  Love how they pop against the darker fabric of the sofa!

We still have some work to do in this room like
- mount the tv above the fireplace
- buy a chair and side table
- figure out what to do in the corner next to the fireplace
- add some more lighting
- change out the curtain panels (red ones were left over from the sellers)
- hang art/frames
- a new rug?

Are you a fan of colorful accent pillows?

Baby Quilt

After finishing my first quilt last year I wasn't planning on making another any time soon.  I think it was the sheer size of the first quilt that had me overwhelmed and scared to do it again.

But I decided to give it another go, this time in a baby size that would be much more doable!

My best friend Kristen (who I threw the overseas baby shower for last time) is expecting her second son, and we all know how much I love the colors blue and green!

I wandered through JoAnn's for a while until I happened upon these fun and more importantly soft fabrics.  The chevron pattern was very easy, using the same half square triangle units that I used on my patchwork pillow.

I used the same instructions for piecing it together and the binding from my last quilt.  There is one change I would do next time around.  I used more batting with this quilt to make it thicker, but still used the same 2.5 inch wide strips for the binding.  Unlike my last (thinner) quilt, the 2.5 inch width wasn't quite big enough for the binding.  Next time around I'll go for 3 or 3.5 inch.

I will probably go just a little bit bigger with the next baby quilt.  I really wanted to use my leftover light blue fabric on the back, so I cut my front piece down to match those measurments.  

For only my second quilt, I don't think it's half bad.  Best part is that Kristen loved it!

Finished Quilt!

There were several times during this process that I thought I wouldn't make it to this point, but I'm so happy I stuck with it and now have a completed quilt.

When we last left off I had just completed the patchwork top and made the decision to order a walking foot for my machine to quilt the top to batting and backing.  I picked up some additional supplies and got to work sewing the fabric for the back together (I couldn't find a material that I liked that was wide enough so I pieced together two).

Once the foot arrived, I used a blog post on Sew 4 Home to straight line quilt.  Since this was my first time, I practiced on some scrap pieces before working my way up to the real thing.

Quilting the real thing resulted in some choice curse words when my bobbin thread had some issues.  It was frustrating to no end having to start and restart when the thread screwed up but with a little push from Chris to keep going I finally found my rhythm.

After the quilting was complete, I trimmed the excess off and then read about binding on Make It and Love It.  Again, I tested it on my scrap pieces before working on the real thing.

More pinning and sewing and I was left with a finished quilt that I'm pretty proud of!

I feel like the binding really adds to the finished look.

Gypsy approved!

Have you worked on any projects that included some issues along the way?

Pinterest Challenge: Patchwork Pillow

It's that time again!!  Pinterest Challenge time with Young House Love, Bower Power, Our Fifth House and The Ugly Duckling House!

I've had such a fun time in the past sharing my canvas states, paint chip art, and chalkboard menu.  This time around I decided to work on a project using the sewing machine Chris gifted me for my birthday.  Combining my recent attempts at pillowcases and quilting,  I landed on a patchwork pillowcase.

I clicked through About.com's sewing pattern section until I found one I liked. Using left over material from the other pillow cases I've sewn, I got to work.

This pattern uses half square triangle units, which I learned in my quilting class were quick to make.  After cutting 5x5 squares, I pinned 2 different material squares together (right side of fabric facing each other) and drew a line down the middle.

Using that line as a guide point, I sewed a straight stitch down each side (1/4 inch out) and then cut the square in half (right down the line).  

Once the units were separated and pressed, I used a 4x4 square ruler to cut off the access leaving me with 12 half square triangle units to go with my 4 corner white blocks.

Sew all of those pieces together and you're left with the front piece of the pillow case. 

I used the same steps to turn it into an envelope pillowcase that you can find here.  The center is a little off, but other than that I'm really lovin' this pillow!

I think it will look great with the rest of our bright pillows once we get our new dark gray sectional!

Have you taken on any fun projects lately?

Quilt Patchwork Complete

And surprisingly it didn't take as long as I thought!

I left the quilting class with a basic pattern and spent one weekend watching football, cutting, pressing, pinning, and sewing on a repeat cycle.

Of course it's best to do all of your math right the first time.  I miscalculated and had to make a return trip to the store for additional fabric.  For me it was easier to do one repetitive task at a time, so I cut all of the pieces at once.  Then I created all the individual boxes at once.  Then I pressed and sewed and so on. 

Once each 9 block piece was complete I laid them out to make sure I sewed them in the correct pattern.

Some more pinning, sewing and pressing later and I was left with one final piece.  

I took these shots on top of our queen size bed if that helps for reference of how big it is.  I'm guessing it's about twin size (to have some hanging off the sides), but with the amount of work that went into this I'm sure it will be more of a decorative piece than an every day use blanket.

The middle section is pretty busy, but since the fabric came in the original bundle I purchased I wanted to use it to break up the overall pattern.

Now, to combine this with batting, a backing and some binding to complete the quilt.  I've read and watched some great tutorials online and hope to finish this after I pick up some other suggested supplies.

Quilting 101: Basics

It's the birthday that keeps giving!  To go along with the sewing machine that Chris gave me for my birthday, my parents gifted me a beginners quilting class at Jo-Ann's. Last week I packed up my supplies and headed over to learn something new.

When they say beginners, they really do start with the basics.  We spent most of the time practicing the art of cutting pieces, pressing and sewing them together.  

I did pick up a couple of tips and terminology like chain sewing, selvages and dog ears.

Unfortunately we ran out of time to actually finish our 9 block, so I had to square off the corner pieces and sew it all together at home.

It's a little off, but I'm hoping with practice I'll get better at lining it up.  Plus, when I make enough to complete the quilt, I'm hoping the not exactly straight ones will just blend in thanks to the busy patterns.

My thoughts on the class?  I thought it was really helpful if you have never used a rotary cutter or simple stitch before.  Since I have practiced those skills with all of those pillow cases I've made, I wish I would have learned a little more on what happens after you piece the squares together - like how to combine the quilt top to batting and the backing.  I hope to finish enough squares to make a quilt (not sure how long that will take, cutting those pieces is time consuming!), and when I get to that point I'm sure Google or You Tube can help me out with the batting and backing part.

Have you ever taken a class for a hobby or interest?

Is It Too Early?

To be thinking about Christmas??

Probably is, but I'm going to do it anyways!  I picked up some seasonal fabric and made quick work of some pillow cases to slip on our pillows during the holidays.

For the three larger pillows I opted to go with simple white cases for two reasons - 1. They can be used for any holiday as a nice background and will stand out on a dark couch and 2. My mom had a bunch of fabric left over from the Euro Shams I sewed for her, I'm cheap and love free!

As you might have guessed, the blue and green ornament fabric was the first one in my cart!  I spent quite some time looking over the others and determining which ones would go well together.  I'm tempted to make some Halloween cases next, just no candy corn prints.  Unlike my husband, I am not a fan of that stuff.

Do you get excited about the upcoming holidays?  Do you like candy corn?

Pillow Intervention

That's what my husband thinks I need due to the amount of pillows cases I have sewn recently.

It may look like a bunch for this small love seat, but when we get into our house I'm envisioning a large black or dark gray sectional.  With that amount of space I think these pillows will fit in nicely :)

The good news it that I'm done...for now :)  At some point (while I have the free time) I want to make some cases to switch out for the holidays.  There is an abundance of Christmas, Halloween, and Fall/Thanksgiving fabric out there.  I've even seen some fun Fourth of July and St. Patty's Day prints!

Do you ever get excited about learning a new skill?