Tasting Table Tuesday - wrapping up loose ends

Since returning from our trip to Florida, I've spent the last few days wrapping up loose ends and getting ready to start some new projects.  I showed you some pictures last week of the borders that I was adding to an existing quilt (Growing a Quilt), and am happy to say that the method I used was a success!  It wasn't an easy project, but I've very pleased with how it turned out.  If you didn't read my previous post about the process, you can link back here.

 And this morning, I put the finishing touches on this modern baby quilt, all ready to go out to the customer.

 And my daughter sent me this picture of my grand-daughter wearing the new Easter outfit I made for her.  I think the bunnies on the fabric are cute, but the model is even cuter!!!  She's coming to visit us this weekend, and I can't wait!

 Now that I've got these other projects done, next on my list is an interesting - but unique - project.  A customer who carries a portable oxygen tank has asked me to turn this bag into something "pretty".  She dislikes having to carry the plain black canvas bag everywhere, and would love to have something more attractive.  I bought a 2nd bag from my local oxygen supply store and plan on taking it apart so I can re-use the mesh panels and the hardware, then use the canvas pieces as pattern pieces.  She picked out a gorgeous purple batik fabric, so I'll quilt up some sections and try and remake the bag using the quilted batik in place of the canvas.  Wish me luck!  I hope I'm successful, because it will surely make this customer one happy lady!

New Basting Technique

Yes, I realize it's Wednesday, and I didn't post anything for my Tasting Table Tuesday segment yesterday. It was a super busy day, and before I knew it, the day was over. So here's my Tuesday post on Wednesday.

I'm trying out a new basting technique, and so far, I think it's going to work great. I don't have any floor space big enough to baste a quilt and I don't really want to move all the furniture out of my living room every time I have a quilt to baste. I normally baste on a large table, but my quilts are usually slightly bigger, so I have to baste, then shift the quilt, then baste some more. It's hard to keep a consistent tension on the backing fabric, so it's not the best solution. So here's what I came up with, although it will only work for quilts no bigger than 72" x 80".

Remember the old fold-up cardboard dressmakers pattern cutting boards? (here's a link to a new one if you don't know what I'm talking about). I happened to have two VERY old ones laying around, unused. Mine are 40" wide x 72" long, and I taped them together to make one large board that is 80" wide x 72" high, then hung them on the wall. These boards are made of fairly thick cardboard so you can pin directly into them like a cork board. I pinned my backing fabric down first, making sure it was nice and flat. Then centered the batting on top, and tacked it lightly in place with a few pins as well, then pinned my quilt top in place all around the outside edge, pinning straight thru into the cardboard every 4" to 6". Now that it's all smooth and flat, I can go back and pin baste with safety pins every few inches. (I see that I have a little adjusting to do on the bottom edge of my quilt - there's a little extra bit of fullness that needs to be worked in before I start the basting - isn't it amazing what we see in pictures?)
While I prefer pin-basting, this technique would also work well with basting spray. Here's a closeup of one corner so you can see each of the layers pinned in place. You can also see a little bit of the hanging mechanism I came up with. I punched a metal grommet in the center of each board, piggy-backed a pair of those little hooks that you find on zipper pulls or lanyards, which I then hung on a Hercules Hook in the wall. You can do whatever works for you, but that's what I had on hand to work with, and it works for me!

I'll let you know how the basting process goes, but so far - so good! At least I'm upright, instead of kneeling on a hard floor, or bending over a table. So much more comfortable!

Update - I just finished the pin-basting and it worked like a charm! Knees and back are still good! Time to quilt...

Color, Color, Color!

This stack of colorful "pies" & "crusts" shown in this previous post have now been transformed from this..., into this.
The blocks are now all up on my design wall and ready to be sewn together. The lighting here really doesn't do justice to the colors. They are so much brighter in person, but I can't really move my design wall outside just to get a good picture.
As much as I like my basement sewing studio, I still find myself dreaming about a bright sunlit space like this one. What kind of sewing space to you have? Bright & light above ground, or subterranean like mine?

Tasting Table Tuesday

So much going on here in the Cotton Cellar today! It's so warm outside today that I'm finding it hard to make myself stay inside and sew, but there's so much to do! First off, I finished some Easter projects for the grandkids - gotta get them mailed soon! This pattern is called "Blossoms & Bloomers" by Favorite Little Things. I just love the bell shape of the hat, and I fussy-cut all 5 panels so the bunnies are centered in each one.

Next up is two more sun hats. I love this Bucket Hat pattern by oliver + s. The pattern is in their "little things to sew" book, which I have, but just noticed recently that this pattern is also available as a free download here. I couldn't decide which fabric to use, so I made two! You can never have too many hats, right?

It's going to be a busy time for awhile now, because I've just gotten two requests for custom quilts. One is a T-Shirt quilt that I think is going to turn out awesome! More details on that later as I get further in to it.

This next one is going to be a "Crazy Curves" quilt. My customer requested that pattern, and asked for bright batik fabrics in saffron yellow, turquoise, magenta, and purple. I think this fabric selection is right on the mark - don't ya think??? Can't wait to start piecing these blocks - I just love the colors!

And just to show how little self-restraint I have, I broke down and bought the jelly roll I've been dreaming about. It's all grey & cream fabrics from Bunny Hill Designs, called "Puttin' on the Ritz". (by the way, if you're looking for a great fabric shop, check out Sanourras Fabric Love on Etsy. Megan's fabric selection is great, as are her prices and service. Stop by and tell her I sent you!) I think it will make an awesome, contemporary baby quilt. Now to come up with a design...

And speaking of Etsy, there's another new shop that you need to check out. It's called "Half Pint Knits" and she's doing a giveaway to celebrate her grand-opening. Click here for more info.

And don't forget the "free shipping spring special" at my Etsy shop thru the end of March!

Now it's Happy Hour and my wine is waiting. Have a great evening!