Teal Quilt

Photographed in the grass after snow has finally melted

This was pieced over winter break at the end of 2018. From the start I knew it was going to be a baby quilt or wall hanging because it wasn't a color used in my home decor and wouldn't get used on the bed. It would have gone together quicker if I had been using a jelly roll, but most of these fabrics were from 1/4 yards, charm packs, or scraps. There were a couple strips from an older jelly roll, but there was only enough for a section or two of each.

Some help cutting pieces

Close up, I find there isn't a dud fabric in the whole lot

I had quite a bit of fun cutting, rearranging, switching out, and filling in with these pieces. I did have a picture of a quilt that inspired me to start, but early on the project took on its own personality and headed it a different direction.

The colors remind me of the water on various days when I walk down to the lake

Finished piecing

Several times I found myself studying this quilt from a distance and up close. I knew it needed quilting that would add texture but wouldn't compete with the fabrics and pattern at either distance.

Trimming the binding

Since I already had my Bernina 830 Record set up on the dining room table, I took advantage of the extra work space and did all the quilting with the 830.

An extra LED bulb illuminates the work space from behind

There isn't a specific top or bottom to this quilt

Most of the colors in this quilt are a shade of teal, blue, or green, but there is one place where I put in a flash of yellow. Near the middle there is a small rectangle with a yellow flower and a yellow leaf. Another favorite piece is on the outside ring of this quilt. It is one scrap I had that has a four leaf clover. Both of these blocks make me smile.

Flash of yellow

A bit of luck sewn in

Quilting doesn't pop in this light and individual pieces are discernible

Random squiggle quilting adds perfect texture, it looks even more like water

Pieced backing

Finished size is 43 inches square

Another Knit Dress B6388

Wearing my dress at work

This dress has been finished for a couple months now, but I recently got around to taking pictures of it out in the real world.

Fabric with possibilities

The fabric came from City Sewing Room when I was there last August. It was part of a collection of fabric from the 70's that had been donated. Originally it was packaged with a pattern, thread, and the zipper that would have been needed to complete a project. The original pattern ended up being for a size much smaller than what I needed, so I bought the fabric and looked through my collection for something that would update it a bit.
I decided to try the Butterick 6388 view D dress again because the first one I made was so very comfortable. For this version I planned to add 3 inches to the length and then put in the pockets that I left out of the first version. Out of the 7 pattern pieces that needed to be cut for this dress, I only had to add length to two of them. This did lower the pockets 3 inches as well. I was able to get everything cut out except the top one back piece. I made identical extensions to both back pieces and then recut them. Now they have extra 'style seams' across the back.
The dress went together pretty quickly and I used the serger for many of the seams. I did not remember to reinforce the shoulder seams though and I may regret that later.

Positioning the collar before sewing it down

Before I finished the sleeves and hemmed the dress I tried it on and realized that it was too large. Looking back at the pattern pieces I realized I had cut out a size XL this time instead of the L that I made last time. So, now it looked more like I was wearing a sleeping bag instead of a dress. I called mom and she pinned in the side seams under the arms.

Side seams pinned in to add shape

I basted in a new seam line and then finished it with the serger. I ended up taking in about 3 inches at the widest point.

Before basting the seam line

I played around with a few options for the top-stitching. There are flecks of several colors in the fabric, so I auditioned several bright color threads that I rarely get to use.

I think any of these would have worked, but I chose to go with the gold color in the middle

The yoke, front seams, sleeve seams, and pocket openings all got gold top-stitching. The sleeves got turned under 1" and the hem was turned under 1 1/4", basted and then sewed in with a wavy stitch.

Hem turned under 1 1/4"

Wavy stitching on sleeve

The dress has been worn to work several times and it so very comfortable the entire day. The gray goes background lets me pair it with about any color of tights and jewelry. Necklaces are a bit awkward with the high neckline though, so a couple of my brooches have gotten an outing.

Nice sleeve detail

View from back

Collar detail

Accessorized with the perfect brooch

Gold Reindeer Antlers

Antlers as everyday wear

The fabric was a sale rack find at Joann's. It's not your classic red and green winter holiday shirt, but I think the gold antlers do look a bit festive. The pattern is Vogue Calvin Klein 1509. I cut two left front bands and eliminated the buttons for the front closure. Instead, I sewed the front closed about 6 inches down from the top.  
The sleeves are rolled back and the sleeve tabs have snaps. The pattern called for buttons, but I wasn't sure this fabric would withstand buttonholes without fraying into a mess. The snaps were put on by hand and are working quite well.

Front pattern not lined up

I should have recut the front bands to center a row of antlers on them, but I didn't have enough fabric left. Now the pattern doesn't line up on the front, but maybe the overall shine distracts a bit from that fact?

This morning as I was pulling this shirt out of my closet I realized that even though I had finished it over a year and a half ago and had worn it numerous times, I had never posted about it on the blog. Today was my day to change that. On the way home from work I stopped at a park and snapped a few selfies in the gazebo. It's still a bit gray and chilly around here and the lighting isn't ideal in the gazebo, but at least I have some finished project photos now. 

I also added a couple inches to the length

Back view

Yes, those people walking by noticed my posing

Blue shoes complete the outfit

The neckline falls open and it's high enough to not be revealing

Butterick 6388, Gray Shirt

Gray shirt for a gray day

I have made this pattern twice before, both as the tunic/dress version. This time I wanted a comfy sweatshirt that I could put together quickly and I decided to try Butterick 6388 shirt option. The fabric, leftovers from a previous hoodie and dress, was already washed and ready to go. I played with a bit of color-blocking here to maximize use of the scraps. Happily, there were only a few very small pieces left after this shirt was completed. I cut my usual XL size and then ended up taking in the sides down to a L.

Trimming the sides from an XL down to a L

Most seams were serged including the back, neck, shoulders, and sides

Color fits well, no bunching 

I did opt to leave out the pockets this time. There is a diagonal seam on both sides of the front of the shirt that give it a bit of shape, but these could easily house pockets as well.

Front diagonal seam

The shirt was sewn on my Bernina 1230 and I used the free arm when hemming the sleeves. It has been awhile since I've used that machine's free arm, usually it's tucked away in its table. A zig-zag stitch allows for plenty of stretch with this fabric.

Not a problem at all

Magic clips again for the hem

 The hem was done with two rows of zig-zag stitch. One about 1/4 in. down from the top of the fold and one about 1/8 in. up from the bottom of the shirt.

Finished shirt waiting for pictures

This shirt was completed at the end of January and I have worn it several times since then. I finally got around to getting a few out-in-the-real-world shots to complete this post though.

Gray and rainy in March

Just the sleeves and back are light gray

Close up of the top-stitched back and color

Anyone else excited that spring is around the corner?