A little dress...

I am attempting to put together a little blessing gown. With no pattern. I had an old dress with eyelets on it I thought I could just cut up and go. Things were going well till we got to the sleeves. And I realized my baby is already getting chubby and it has to open in the back or I won't be able to get it on. Now even with the buttons, I am doubtful. I am done with the top, I am hoping the bottom is easier. Just sew a tube, right? Right? Not sure why I do this to myself.

Sewing?

I would love to work on various projects bouncing around my head, but this little girl is keeping me distracted. Oh, and those 2 boys as well. Luckily Nana helped me pack it up for SLMQG Sewing Saturday and I got the back of GJ's quilt pieced and basted so now its just time to quilt and bind.  I am thinking spring break this week is going to lend itself to even less time at the sewing machine. But soon, soon. I got M's newborn shots back though. She is such a dolly!

Map of the States completed!

 I finished the quilt top for my baby two days before she was born so I could take it to SLMQG. 

 I also wanted to add a label, so using my Silhouette, I cut out my initials and date with heat transfer material and put it on some ribbon. 

 Then I just sewed it right into the binding. 

So far so good, I think I will keep it up. 

 I love all these blocks! Finished quilt is about 48 inches square. 

Learned:
1. These squares take a long time to make, but totally worth it.
2. I used the poly batting for the first time because I wanted it fuller, but that made it a pain to quilt and I probably won't do it again. Back to Warm and Natural. With a 50% off coupon of course.
3. Sewing on the binding it not for me. I tried and don't love how it turned out as I didn't do a great job and had to go back and fix several places. Maybe with practice. It was WAY faster obviously; very nice to get it done in less than an hour as opposed to days.
4. I love this quilt! I can't wait till we have our meeting on taking pictures of quilts because I am sure I am failing to let you see how totally awesome it is. :)

Been a little busy...

...cuddling with this little sweetheart. She is two weeks old today. 

Mail Call!

Okay, I promise this is my last order of pink fabric. You know I just can't pass up some Heather Ross goodies. But now I am done. Probably. Pretty sure. Almost positively.

Organization

Sukie inspired me so I decided to try to organize my fabric. Too bad it fit into just 2 drawers. But now I see what I have and can figure out what I need to bulk up on. I really need to finish sewing a few things for the baby though, less than 4 weeks to go. I need to make a cover for my changing pad, anyone know of a nice washable and wipeable material? I have two new quilts in my head though that I want to start and we finally got bunk beds so I need to finish child #2's twin rocket quilt back and then get it basted and quilted. I wish my kids took naps.

Map of the States #3

And #3 is done! Coming up with enough yellows was not easy and I may need to go find some more before I start the next blocks. I've looked a little and I guess I just don't love yellow as I can hardly find a print I really love. 

In case you were wondering how I do this, here are a few pictures to show how I cheat a little from the Oh Fransson method.  (which of course means more wasted fabric, but I think its worth the time I save). I start out with a 12x12 square of freezer paper and cut it into 5 random strips and draw the individual squares on. 

 I do not cut out each individual block, I just get out my fabric and cut blocks roughly the size of my squares till I have a block cut for every square, then sew them in rows. Next, I iron on the freezer paper and cut 1/4 inch around them.

 Then I sew the strips together and iron all my seams open. I have done this with and without the freezer paper still on and can't figure out which way I like better. I am more accurate if I leave it on, but its a pain.

And there you are. I also really liked this tutorial, but since I am using smaller pieces and only making 9 total blocks, it just didn't work.