Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Vinyl Project Pouch

The Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild had their annual retreat this past weekend. I didn't have the time to attend but I did join in through social media. One of the prompts was to make the retreat project: a vinyl project pouch using a free pattern available on Moda Bake Shop designed by Kristine of Center Street Quilts. I'm in mood for things of the season, so I grabbed my box of Halloween fabrics to see what I could come up with. 
I had some leftover 3.5" squares of Alexander Henry Ghastlies fabric. I cut some contrast and stitched them up into a simple grid.  
I also pulled out a practice bee block from a bee I participated in a while back. This is free bee block called Alpine available from Blossom Heart Quilts. I've made this block a couple times for bees and I don't know that I've ever seen a finished quilt made with them. 
With all the other things I had to do this weekend, it wasn't until the afternoon of the last day of the retreat that I finished my pouches. Clear vinyl on the zipper side is a nice touch. I added the handles because I need handles. 
It was fun to join in, if only for a little while.

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Multipurpose sewing clips
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron

Zippers from ZipIt Zippers

Monday, October 7, 2019

Framed!

Since I picked up such great art at the Crafty D.C. Festival I had to buy some frames so I could display that art. I picked up this fabulous print from Jen of Zooguu. All the frames on Amazon had white mats so I had to pick up a black on locally.
I had never attached a print to a mat before, so I did a little research on YouTube and found a great video that really had way more content than I needed. It did give me some tips to get me started, though.
I'm really pleased with how this turned out.
Since I was on a roll, I grabbed my other two prints. These are so much fun!
I even added the Alternate Histories info to the back.
I'm overly proud of this and I didn't even work very hard. Darling Husband helped me hang them.


Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
11" x 14" frame with white mat
11" x 17" black poster frame
Hardwood Roller
Scotch Magic Tape

Local supplies:
Elmer's School Glue
Black 11" x 14" mat (8" by 10" opening) (it is possible to buy black mats from Amazon, but you have to buy ten at a time)

Friday, October 4, 2019

Quest for Pockets

I've been known to say "what people really want is pocket equality." What is pocket equality? There are more than a few articles written about pocket inequality. Here is one that shows sizes and compares the pockets in women's and men's pants. It is interesting, and somewhat baffling, why there is so much disparity. What I do about it is carry a purse that fits all the things I want/need to carry. Most of the time it is way more stuff than I really want to carry, but I don't carry a handbag every day of the week.
This past week, I decided to hack a free pattern to have long straight lines, and pockets big enough to carry a kitten, or two. In January I shared a fleece vest I made using a Purl Soho pattern (Quilted Wool Vest). Purl Soho has loads of free patterns and other great stuff. Check them out if have time.
I decided to use bias binding since my fabric is a fun stripe.
It took some creative pattern layout to get all the pieces cut from less than two yards of fabric. I did it, though. All of the seams are completely finished. Either with the lined yoke, French seams, or bias binding. A very nice piece if I have to say so myself.
I should have cut the back yoke with the stripes going the other way, but by the time I thought about it I had already cut the other pieces and there just wasn't a piece big enough. I used a quilting cotton for the yoke lining and the facing on the pockets. I think this helps stabilize the somewhat shifty fashion fabric.
Overall, it is a great project. It fits and it has pockets. I'll have to wear it to see what changes I would like to make, but I think it's spot on.

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
1" grid paper
Clover Bias Tape Maker

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Crafty D.C. Festival

I heard about the Crafty DC Festival on the radio and it sounded like something I would enjoy.
I purchased my ticket, grabbed some water and my knitting, and headed to the DC Metro to get there. 
When I got there and showed my ticket, they gave me this loot bag which made the trip and the ticket totally worth the time and I was just getting started. 
The event had several food trucks and I settled on the Babe Froman from Swizzler. It was delicious.
When I got home I poked around in that tote and was not let down. I should use that notebook from the National Gallery of Art to practice my drawing. 
I couldn't resist this print from Zooguu. One of these days I'm going to convince myself I need one of her faux taxidermy pieces. 
Then we have the fun work I picked up from Alternate Histories. These are so much fun. Now all I need is some frames so I can hang those prints.