Ashley’s T-shirt Quilt

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This is a t-shirt quilt I made for my niece, Ashley, for her high school graduation.  These are some of her favorite t-shirts from school and from vacations. Yellow is her favorite color so that was used for the background.  The other bright colors surrounding the t-shirts are some delightful prints that add the perfect pop of color and make this a fun quilt!

Ashley - front, outside

Ashley - back, outside

This is Ashley posing in front of her quilt.  It was given to her at Christmas time as you can tell by the wrapped presents on the floor in front of her.

Ashley in front of her quilt

Don’t waste anytime wrapping yourself up in a quilt!

Ashley wrapped up in quilt

Ok, so quilters don’t normally post pictures of their quilting ‘boo-boos’ but this was just too good not to share.  This is what happens when laying out the columns of the quilt and you realize there was a slight math error.  Oops!

math error

So, this is how it can be corrected!  We call this creating a ‘design element’ and brag that this was the intended look all along. These things do happen and it often leads to a more interesting design anyway. Don’t worry!  It doesn’t affect the warmth of the quilt in any way, shape, or form.

math error - corrected

Here are a couple close up shots of some of the squares, the surrounding fabrics, and the quilting design.  Don’t you just love that fun fabric around the t-shirt squares? It just makes you smile.

on the frame 1

on the frame 2

on the frame 3

And since quilters are known as the original recyclers, I just had to keep sewing until I used up all the leftover fabrics.  This is a zip top tote that was made from those scraps.  I put a few pieces of candy in it and gave it to her as a Christmas present.  Now it’s a matched set – quilt and tote.  Just too much cuteness!

zip bag side 1

zip bag side 2

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quilt as much as Ashley does!

 

Take care,

Wanda

 

Memory Quilts for Kathy

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What a privilege it is to make someone a memory quilt. The loss of a loved one is a traumatic event, but then to turn over that loved ones special clothing to a quilter who will cut them into pieces, can also pull at your heartstrings.  I understand, I know, I’ve been there, too.  However, there is good news – when that finished memory quilt comes back to you, you just want to hug it like that loved one is right there with you.

 

Here are three memory quilts made from one man’s favorite shirts, one for his wife and one for each of their two adult daughters.  So, can you tell he was a country man? Although I really enjoyed making these quilts, I’d rather not see another plaid shirt for a few months!

 

Here are the finished quilts:

Memory Quilt 1

Memory Quilt 1

Memory Quilt 2

Memory Quilt 2

Memory Quilt 3

Memory Quilt 3

There were also a couple of his favorite t-shirts to be included, but they wouldn’t fit into the front design of the quilts, so I put them on the back of the wife’s quilt.  I also included some fabric from the girl’s quilts on the back so all three quilts tie together.

Back of moms quilt

Back of moms quilt

I just gotta say – I love that John Wayne t-shirt!

Here are a few other items made from his shirts:

Memory Bear

Memory Bear

This teddy bear is so soft!  It’s made from a chamois shirt.  It’s not overly stuffed so you can really cuddle with it.  See that tag sewn into the leg seam?  It’s from that John Wayne t-shirt.  It says ‘Old Guys Rule.’  How fun is that?   Oh, and I want to mention, that is a real bow tie!  It’s made from some of the fabric that’s used in the quilts.

Zipper Bag front

Zipper Bag front

This is a small zippered bag.  It’s made from one of the shirts.  One side of the bag has a shirt front pocket and the back of the bag has part of the back yoke.  The bag has a square bottom so it will hold plenty of stuff.  As everyone knows, a girl can never have too many bags.

Zipper Bag back

Zipper Bag back

Dresser Runner

Dresser Runner

This is a table or dresser runner made from leftover Sweet Sixteen blocks.  I just sewed too many.  Probably lost count of the number of little plaid squares and big plaid squares.  Silly me!  The table runner has also been washed and dried so it has that ‘old quilt’ look to it. I just love the way it looks after it’s been washed and it’s so soft!

Then … just for interest for my quilting friends, here are a few ‘in process’ pictures:

cutting shirts

cutting shirts

cutting shirts into strips

cutting shirts into strips

and more strips

and more strips

stack up the strips

stack up the strips

more stacks of strips and some sewing of blocks

more stacks of strips and some sewing of blocks

look, more blocks!

look, more blocks!

and more blocks

and more blocks

sewing strips

sewing strips

again ... more strips, it never ends!

again … more strips, it never ends!

on the frame

on the frame

another one on the frame

another one on the frame

and the last one on the frame

and the last one on the frame

So there you have it, the making of three memory quilts.  Please, no more plaid for a while, but this was truly my pleasure.  Oh, I should mention, the daughters will receive theirs as Christmas presents.  What a memorable gift this will be!

 

Have a great day!

More Time in Retirement

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Hello Everyone!

It’s so true – I have more time to quilt now that I’m retired.  I worked for OneAmerica for just over 18 years and have taken early retirement.  I spent the first couple of weeks getting used to the idea that I’m not driving to my job every day and discovering my new routine.  It was challenging, but I believe I’ve figured it out now.  And I’m loving it!

I finished those 3 Memory Quilts and I’ll publish those shortly – the pictures need just a bit of editing first.

Have a wonderful day,

Wanda

 

Wedding Quilt

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My dear friend, Shelley, made this quilt top for her son’s wedding and I had the privilege to quilt it for her. She did a great job of collecting batik fabrics and piecing them for each block background. Then using her super fancy cutting machine she cut out each black applique and fused it to the background block. Then she used a buttonhole stitch around each design. The black sashing set the blocks on point and the piano key border really set it beautifully. Well done!

Wedding Quilt on the frame

Wedding Quilt on the frame

Wedding Quilt finished

Wedding Quilt finished

This quilt is so beautiful!!! I just love it. I’m sure the new couple will get many years use from it.

On the frame

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Hello friends!

Been busy but I wanted to show you what’s currently on my quilting frame.

20160615_222020

This will be on display at the 5k event this Saturday morning here in downtown Indianapolis.

Then I will put the other quilt back on the frame – it is totally awesome!!!  Pictures of that a bit later.

Have a great day!

Travel Sewing Kit

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Hello friends!

I’d like to share a wonderful little project I made – it’s a travel sewing kit. There are two zippered pockets inside to hold plenty of supplies. I don’t have a picture of mine filled, but I keep the fabric portion of the project in the left pocket and the right side holds thread, scissors, a small needlebook, and whatever else I need. It’s so easy to take along on car trips or even on a plane. With the clear pockets it’s easy to open for airport security, too.

Travel Sewing Kit

Travel Sewing Kit - inside

I thought it might be a good idea to show a picture of this Travel Sewing Kit in actual use. I know – brilliant!

Travel Sewing Kit - filled

Have a great day!

Memory Bear / Teddy Bear

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I took some time today to make a teddy bear. I had a new pattern and wanted to give it a try. It’s been a long time since I made any stuffed animals and thought this would be a fun project. Sure enough – it was fun!

I didn’t have any fur fabric on hand but I did have an old sweater. So I cut it apart into usable pieces like this:

20160221_114210

Then cut out the bear pieces and sewed it together. Look how cute this is!

20160221_135452

He’s soft and cuddly, not over stuffed. And sits nicely.

I just used an old sweater I had, but if this had been a special piece of clothing from someone who has passed away, it would be a Memory Bear. What a nice way to remember someone dear to you.

Have a great day!

Quilted Tablecloth

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Here is a totally new kind of project for me – quilting a table linen. In this case it’s a tablecloth. It’s only about 30″ square so it’s like for a card table. I had so much fun designing the quilting and then actually quilting it.

Here’s a picture of the finished tablecloth.

20160215_190641 (2016-02-17T17_22_11.397)

Here are a couple more detailed photos.

20160215_190706 (2016-02-17T17_22_11.424)

20160215_190654 (2016-02-17T17_22_11.383)

And since white thread on a white background is hard to see, here’s a picture of the back.

20160116_125502

 

If you have a special linen – tablecloth, dresser runner, embroidered hankie (washed of course!) or doily, this is a great to preserve them. If the finished piece is small, it can also be framed! I mean what can I say – I don’t decorate my house with embroidered linens, do you? So what will you do with all those handed down linens from your mother, grandmother, or great grandmother?