Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Scrap-Happy Quilt Finish




A Happy  Scrappy Finish

I had sew much fun sewing up a new quilt this past month. 
It began when I saw  a Charm School Sew Along on Instagram.  ( I am @SusiesSunroom  on Instagram. Follow me and see  my up- to- date projects ! I post on IG more often than blogging.)

I already had purchased my own  Charm School Book,  which is a new book by Vanessa Goertzen, of Lella Boutique, which has directions for making 18 quilts from 5" squares! So it was a perfect way to jump in and make my first quilt from this awesome book!  ( I am just a fan of Lella Boutique.  )   I have even enjoyed reading  the directions for each quilt in the book!


My Book
Charm School Book (here)  
                                                 
I chose the " Scrap-Happy Quilt" to make.  I love to make scrappy quilts, and thanks to the generosity of a couple of my sweet friends, I had a  pile of Moda Mini Charm packs ready to use!  (Thank you so much , G. and A. !!)  This pattern uses 14 mini charm packs.   I had 10 mini charm packs , and added a regular 5" Charms pack,  which I cut into 4 mini charms packs. 

Quilt Details:      Scrap-Happy Quilt    from  Charm School Book by Vanessa Goertzen
Size:   68.5 "  x 68.5 "   
Block size:  16 " x 16 "
Fabric:   14 mini charms packs ( 2.5" squares)  - Moda:   Rachel Remembered by Betsy Chutchian, Southern Exposure by Laundry Basket Quilts, Ville Fleurie  by French General , Coral Bells by Jan Patek Quilts,  Thistle Farm by Kansas Troubles Quilters, Sweet Cherry Wine by Blackbird Designs, and Lario  by 3 Sisters (cut into 4 mini charms)

Sashing:  Painter's Canvas in Cream by Laura Gunn ( for Michael Miller)  (from my stash)
Stars:   Scraps of cream on cream fabric from my stash 
Backing:  Coral Bells by Jan Patek in Linen
Binding:  Coral Bells  by Jan Patek   red
Batting:  Warm and Natural  - 100 % cotton
Thread:  Aurifil #2024   50 wt. for piecing  and Aurifil #2026 50 wt. for machine quilting 

Total number of scrappy 2.5 " squares:   576


The fabric pull for my Scrap-Happy Quilt

I laid out all of my 2 .5 " pieces, organizing them into nine 8x8 rows.  (I wanted to make sure that the last block formed was a good mixture of fabric lines.)






Blocks of 8 by 8 were laid out

They came together easily,  and I couldn't wait to see what they would like like against the cream/gold sashing and cream stars.




Before I knew it, I had three blocks finished!


I decided not to  rush, and tried to enjoy the whole patchworking process.   


9 blocks completed

Adding some sashing and stars

Whiskers helped me with the final layout design....
Layout of the quilt top

Here is the finished flimsy top!  What do you think of the mix of mini charms?  I am very happy with how they mix and match!  I love the rich tones.

My flimsy "Scrap-Happy" quilt top










           




I quilted straight lines,  1/4 of an inch away from the seams , vertically and horizontally,  on the patchwork blocks, using my walking foot and the pretty light gold Aurifil #2026 thread.  I quilted the outer border with lines, approximately 1/2 " apart, for a  picture frame effect.

love the backing fabric, in a  golden tan color, as well as the red binding.  These are both from the gorgeous Coral Bells line , by Jan Patek.



Time to handsew the binding to the back of the quilt


Whiskers likes to nap by my side, when I sew binding on the quilts, while  in bed watching tv at night. 




Whiskers is feeling better now, and back to helping me!

My  Scrap-Happy quilt   by Susie's Sunroom

A closer look at the corner...

A corner


Scrap-Happy Quilt





I am so happy that I joined in with the Charm School Book Sew Along!  It is fun to see all of the beautiful quilts that you can make from the book.   I want to make another quilt soon.  Stay tuned to see what I make!   I know I'll be making another Scrap-Happy quilt someday!  What an awesome way to use scraps!!




I'm off to my sewing room!


Linking up at:  Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts   and
                        Midweek Makers  @  Quilt Fabrication  and
                         BOMs Away      @ Katie Mae Quilts    and
                         Can I Get A Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict   and
                         TGIFF  @ Slice of Pi Quilts   and
                         Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts  and
                         Finished Or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
                       










Friday, May 5, 2017

The Fiesta Tote Bag

The Fiesta Tote Bag


I recently made a super cute tote bag!   I was testing a new  pattern,  called  the "Fiesta Tote",  by  Samantha , of  Sewing Patterns by Mrs H.


The Fiesta Tote Bag
You can buy it HERE
I really love it!!   It has some fun features:    rivets,  and  webbing  for both short handles and a removable strap.   There's an outside zipper pocket, and  inside slip pocket to keep you organized!

Here are the details:    

Pattern:   The Fiesta Tote PDF Pattern  by Sewing Patterns by Mrs H
Size:   W 14" x H 11.5" x D 5"

Fabrics:  Miss Kate     by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

Special components:  Rivets  ,  Webbing,  zippers, magnetic snap. swivel clips. Soft and Stable interfacing


See the back outer  zippered pocket?  I love it!!
The Soft and Stable interfacing gives just the right of stiffness to the tote.

The back side of my Fiesta Tote 

It has both short handles....
The short handles
and you can use the long body strap!


The body strap.   It's removable, too!

There are lots of pockets inside!!
I added a zippered pocket, too.   Because you can never have too many pockets!!

Inside the Fiesta Tote

There's a magnetic snap closure , too.


Inside view
I love the size of this tote.... it can hold a lot , and yet look stylish as a purse.

Amanda's directions are clear and well written. This is a good bag for a beginner sewer.  


Fiesta Tote

I had a lot of fun making this bag!  Since I gave it as a gift, I want to make one for myself this summer!  


Linking up at:    Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts   and
                        Can I Get A Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                        Let's Bee Social  @ Sew Fresh Quilts   and  
                         Finish It Up Friday  @  Busy Hands Quilts  and
                         TGIFF  @ Devoted Quilter