Tag Archives: DIY

Baby Quilt for Emily

Hello Constant Reader,

This project is actually still a WIP.  The main quilting is done, but we (baby mama, her sister-in-law, and I) plan on filling in the open spaces with some hand-quilting, embroidery, and embellishing.  I just wanted to share with you my latest nearly finished project because it's my first totally improvised quilt!



I used Bella Solids pre-cut 5" squares and a charm pack that was a gift to me.  If anyone can identify it, that would be great.  I couldn't find the specific collection.  The backing is an all-over floral print from Free Spirit, a collection called Summersault, and the fabric is "pinwheels" in apricot.

Although the half-square triangles that make up the big diamond motif were slightly larger than the 4x4 squares, I made it work.  And, I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out!



I'm hoping my friend's baby likes it as much as I do!

Coming Soon…

The final piece of the Squishy Series (although a hoodie add-on and/or sleeves may be in order)...


Currently in tech-edit/testing, but coming soon!

Yay! Finished Brown Quilt

This is my first large scale quilt.  Ever!  I finished it.  Not just finished the top, mind you, the whole thing is quilted and even washed.  I'm over the moon as you can tell, and I learned heaps of things throughout this project.

Here it is!

Firstly, the biggest thing I learned is about basting the quilt-sandwich... If you're going to do one method, make sure you see it through in its entirety.  I kind of pick and chose, and ended up with some major snafus in the center of my quilt.  Here's my mistake... I was doing the Ann Peterson method from "quilting a large quilt on a small machine" from Craftsy where she sews around the outside of the border first and then stitches in the ditches afterward.  BUT she uses adhesive spray for added support when basting.  I chose pins... and not very many of them.  By the time I had realized my mistake, I was in too deep to seam rip.  I couldn't bear to do it.  So, I forged on ahead and only ripped the absolutely necessary areas.

So, lesson learned... Next time, I will quilt medallion-style so I can evenly space out my pins and not have any crazy shifting of my fabric.


I used pre-cuts for the front and donated backing fabric.  A very kind lady sent me the backing fabric when I purchased thread from her.  I couldn't believe how perfectly it went with the brown. Thank you, kind lady!!


I used the backing fabric as the final binding and found zig-zagging to be a very nice way of getting a really flat look to the binding.  I really like it after washing, too!  Despite the ridiculous amount of shifting and scrunching at the center, I consider it a success.  I have a blanket, and we needed one... it's still quite cold in these parts.

What are you all working on?

The Edie Coat, Vogue 7239 (1967)

As originally posted in The Sew Weekly for the 1960's Challenge..


The Facts
⁃ Fabric: 3m wool, 2m lining, interfacing
⁃ Pattern: Vogue 7239

⁃ Year: 1967
⁃ Notions: 3 buttons
⁃ Time to complete: several weeks in October
⁃ First worn: end of October
⁃ Wear again?  Since it's been cold, I haven't stopped wearing it!
⁃ Total price: ~30EUR =  7EUR/m for wool (21EUR), $2.50/m China Silk Poly for lining (5 EUR), interfacing, thread, etc...



Pattern Story - I won this pattern from a giveaway on the Seamless Blog, and will give it away once this is published on the Sew Weekly.  Look out for a blog post from me if you're interested in entering the giveaway.

I loved the pattern.  There is one funny bit around the neckline, and the finishing of the neck band, but other from that it was smooth sailing.  I had help from the Threads book on tailoring, and my Claire Schaeffer's fabric guide book.  I was set.  I didn't have to change a thing in the pattern except length of the sleeves and hem.  That was nice!


Here are some of the inner workings...
bound buttonholes

feather stitching, fuchsia lining

groovy pocket fabric

I had a lot of fun working on this coat and once it was finished, I realized this one was a true keeper.  I've been wearing it regularly ever since.  The coat reminds me of Edie Sedgwick for some reason.  Something about my haircut these days, perhaps?


Pupp-o decided to get in on these shots. Hey there, puppy-face!

Iris Pullover


I'm glad to finally be sewing again!  Here's a quick project I made in the in-between times.  Knitwear design is still taking the priority spot on my agenda, but hopefully I'll have some pretty samples to show for it in the near future!

In the meantime, here's the Iris Pullover from Schnittchen® - einfach nähe...
Schnittchen's downloadable patterns are much in the style of Burda and Knipmode in that you print out a large sheet with multiple sizes, and then you mark and trace just your size.  The patterns are unlike Burda/Knipmode in that they actually include seam allowances!  Woot!

For this kind of oversized garment it was nice to have the seam allowances already done... makes for quick, quick, quick sewing when it's just ~1/4" seam allowance (width of a sewing foot) and go go go!  It took me just a few hours to sew, and you don't need an overlocker (though it would make things even faster!) just a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch.

So here it is!  My Iris Pullover...

This jersey knit fabric was lovely to work with albeit on the thin side.  I am definitely going to make another one when I can get my hands on some sweatshirt fabric at a reasonable price.  Suggestions are welcome for sweatshirt fabric resources in the EU!

The Facts
Fabric: 1.5m x 1.5m striped knit jersey from TST-Stoffen (at Stoffmarkt Holland fabric market)
Pattern: Iris Pullover from Schnittchen (has link to photo instructions)
Also, check out some of the free patterns on the site here.
Year: 2012?
Notions: none
Time to complete: 4 hours
First worn: Nov. 16, 2012
Wear again?  YES, I love it.  It's really comfy.
Total price: 5 EUR for the fabric

I love the way this pattern turned out.  I love the over-long sleeves so I can hide my hands inside the cuffs, and the long body so it covers everything.

Possible Mods for next time
It's too bad I didn't have a little more of the fabric, otherwise I'd have made it with the hoodie.  (Instead, with the little extra I had left, I'll be making some undies.)
I think I may also include a thumb gusset so I can stick my thumbs in the cuff and use the cuffs like pseudo-gloves.  Why not?


Overall Review
The Iris Pullover pattern is do-able for beginners with a machine that has a zigzag and a straight stitch.  Only special tool needed was a needle for elastics.  I used a Schmetz Stretch 75/11 needle.
Happy Sewing!

Block of the Month: October

Sew Weekly: Apron Challenge!

Winter Accessories!

Block of the Month: September

Knit Pattern: Squishy Chullo Hat