Craftsy Block of the Month - August

Yay! we are picking up steam again and rolling right along into the Craftsy Block of the Month for August!  I am so excited that I am nearly complete, as my goal was to finish this quilt in 2012.  While they are only a few days left, I should at least have the quilt top to show for my efforts.

By the way, since my return I know I have posted more on quilting than anything else but pending the weather holds up I should have some garment posts after this weekend!  I won't spoil the surprise, but after months of almost complete inactivity I am back at it again.

Back to the August blocks, the theme for this month instead of being focused on a skill was a type of block - the star.  The block pictured above is called and Ohio Star and it is pretty easy on the eye without much effort.

I don't have a whole lot to say about this one besides it would probably look best if you had something to "fussy cut" for the center block which I did not.  For non-quilters, fussy cut is to cut out a specific motif from your fabric like a large rose such as to showcase it in the block.  What a fun term right?

This second block is a just a star within a star, but the sharper angled triangles are called flying geese and are used in many blocks.  This block, and well flying geese in general take a lot of cutting work!  This block was much more time consuming then a lot of others I have made in this class.  The instructor also mentioned using highly contrasting colors for the three portions of the star and I broke the rules a little by using background fabric for the middle of the star, but with my fairly earthy/neutral pallet I felt it gave it a really nice look. 

That is also one of my favorite things about quilting so far, just because an instructor or pattern design tells you something would be a preferred method or give a more desirable affect there is lots of room for improvisation and changing it up so it is visually pleasing to you.

Lastly, sewing Helper has not been as enthusiastic on my return to sewing and was snoozing on the job (in the lining for my uncompleted Sew Colette Licorice dress).  This project runway contestant was clearly going to have to send her model down the runway in an unfinished garment!

Sewing Helper gets a new coat

Even after last week's post about finding my productivity again - I don't feel as if I have accomplished much lately!

I did start a little coat for my sewing helper, Pandora! I chose version B of the Simplicity pattern pictured above, but of course removed the fringe and changed some of the construction details.

She is so tiny and gets cold easily so I just wanted something she could wear when she goes outside for a walk etc. I was half afraid though that she wouldn't take to wearing a coat. I was wrong! During her numerous fittings I had to pry it off of her to get it back!

It should be finished tonight and I'll post pictures of her in her cute new coat later this week!

In other news I have traced both the Jasmine and Clover patterns and will be cutting my muslins before the weekend! So, there has been progress just not as much as I would have liked!

Sewing Helper

It seems many in the sewing blog world having a sewing helper. Usually in the form of a cat, who likes to sleep on your fabric or cutting area. My cat never really even enters my sewing room.

However, my Chiweenie, Pandora is part helper, part criminal, and part distraction. She loves to hang out in the sewing room. She helps by reminding me to keep my area clean and free of loose pieces of fabric or stray pins. She is a criminal who also runs off with anything I do drop and a distraction because she is just sooo cute!

Do you have a sewing helper?